UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement
Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
AVERION INTERNATIONAL CORP. |
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AVERION INTERNATIONAL CORP.
225 Turnpike Road
Southborough, MA 01772
NOTICE
OF
2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
AND PROXY STATEMENT
I am pleased to invite you to Averion International Corp.s 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual Meeting). We will host the meeting at our corporate offices at 225 Turnpike Road, Southborough, Massachusetts 01772, on May 23, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. In addition to covering the formal items on the agenda, we will review the major developments of the past year and answer your questions. As used herein, the term we, our, us, Company or Averion refer to Averion International Corp., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries.
This booklet includes the agenda for this years Annual Meeting and the Proxy Statement (the Proxy Statement). The Proxy Statement explains the matters we will discuss at the Annual Meeting and provides general information about us.
Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan on attending the Annual Meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy as soon as possible to ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting. We have provided a postage-paid envelope for your convenience. If you plan on attending the Annual Meeting and prefer to vote in person, you may still do so even if you have already returned your proxy.
IF YOU ARE A STOCKHOLDER OF RECORD (THAT IS, IF YOUR STOCK IS REGISTERED WITH US IN YOUR OWN NAME), YOU MAY VOTE BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED WITH YOUR PROXY CARD. PLEASE NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT IF A BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE HOLDS YOUR SHARES OF RECORD AND YOU WISH TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU MUST OBTAIN A PROXY ISSUED IN YOUR NAME FROM THE BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE.
We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.
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Sincerely, |
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/s/ PHILIP T. LAVIN |
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Dr. Philip T. Lavin |
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AVERION INTERNATIONAL CORP.
225 Turnpike Road
Southborough, MA 01772
NOTICE
OF
2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Date: |
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May 23, 2007 |
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9:00 a.m. Eastern Time |
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225 Turnpike Road, |
At our 2007 Annual Meeting, we will ask you to:
1. Elect six (6) directors to serve on our Board of Directors (the Board) until our 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified;
2. Approve an amendment to our certificate of incorporation (the Certificate), to increase the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under our Certificate from 650,000,000 shares to 750,000,000 shares;
3. Approve an amendment to our Certificate to effect a reverse stock split of all outstanding and authorized shares of our common stock to be declared by our Board at any time prior to May 23, 2008 in a ratio not to exceed fifty (50) shares to one (1) share, the precise timing and ratio of such reverse stock split to be determined by our Board in its discretion;
4. Approve an amendment to the Companys 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the Plan), to: (i) amend the Plan terms to enable us to deduct for tax purposes certain compensation paid under the Plan, pursuant to the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), by (x) delegating authority to administer the Plan to the Compensation Committee comprised of at least two (2) outside directors; (y) determining the performance criteria that may be used in granting awards intended to be performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code; and (z) including per participant limitations for each award granted under the Plan; (ii) eliminate our ability to grant stock options at a price discounted below the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant of any such stock option; (iii) expand the Plans provisions governing when stockholder approval of Plan amendments is necessary to include requiring stockholder approval of any future Plan amendments that are adopted to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code or the listing requirements of the exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which our common stock is then traded; and (iv) amend the definition of Fair Market Value under the Plan to mean the per share closing price of our common stock on the date of grant of an award under the Plan;
5. Ratify our Audit Committees selection of Schneider Downs & Co., Inc. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007; and
6. Transact any other business that may be properly presented at the Annual Meeting.
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the enclosed Proxy Statement.
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All holders of outstanding shares of our stock, as of the close of business on April 12, 2007, are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
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By order of the Board of Directors, |
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/s/ GLENN E. DEEGAN |
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Glenn E. Deegan |
Southborough, Massachusetts
April 23, 2007
ALL STOCKHOLDERS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON. WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. A RETURN ENVELOPE (WHICH IS POSTAGE PREPAID IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES) IS ENCLOSED FOR THAT PURPOSE. EVEN IF YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR PROXY, YOU MAY STILL VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING. PLEASE NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT IF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD OF RECORD BY A BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE AND YOU WISH TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU MUST OBTAIN FROM THE RECORD HOLDER A PROXY ISSUED IN YOUR NAME.
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AVERION INTERNATIONAL CORP.
225 Turnpike Road
Southborough, MA 01772
PROXY
STATEMENT
INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2007 ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
The enclosed proxy card has been sent to you by our Board, for use at the Annual Meeting to be held on May 23, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, or at any adjournment or postponement of the meeting, for the purposes stated in this document. The Annual Meeting will be held at our corporate offices at 225 Turnpike Road, Southborough, Massachusetts 01772. This Proxy Statement summarizes the information you will need to know to vote in an informed manner.
Voting Rights, Outstanding Shares and Quorum
We will begin mailing this Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card on or about April 26, 2007 to all stockholders who are entitled to vote. If you are a holder of record of our common stock at the close of business on April 12, 2007 (the Record Date), you are entitled to one vote for each share of our common stock you hold. We currently have 650,000,000 shares of common stock authorized for issuance, and as of the Record Date, there were 498,378,831 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding.
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present if at least a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote are present at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy. Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy card or vote at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. The inspectors of election we appoint will tabulate the votes cast in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. The inspectors of election will treat proxies marked withhold and/or abstain as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, but as unvoted for purposes of determining the approval of any matter submitted to the stockholders for a vote. If a broker indicates on the proxy that it does not have discretionary authority as to certain shares to vote on a particular matter, those shares will not be considered as present and entitled to vote by the inspectors of election with respect to that matter.
The inspectors of election will separately count For and Against votes, abstentions and broker non-votes. With respect to the election of directors, stockholders do not affirmatively vote Against directors. Instead, if a stockholder does not want to elect a particular director, the stockholder may simply withhold their For vote. Abstentions will be counted towards the vote total for each proposal, and will have the same effect as Against votes. Broker non-votes have no effect and will not be counted towards the vote total for any proposal.
If your broker holds your shares as your nominee (that is, in street name), you will need to obtain a proxy form from the institution that holds your shares and follow the instructions included on that form regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your shares. If you do not give instructions to your broker, your broker can vote your shares with respect to discretionary items, but not with respect to non-discretionary items. Discretionary items are typically proposals considered routine under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange on which a broker may vote shares held in street name in the absence of your voting instructions. On non-discretionary items for which you do not give your broker instructions, the
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shares will be treated as broker non-votes. Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 5 are considered discretionary items. Proposal 4 is considered a non-discretionary item.
You may vote in one of the following ways:
· attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person; or
· complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card.
We will announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting and publish final voting results in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the second quarter of 2007.
We are making this proxy solicitation and will bear the entire cost of soliciting proxies, including preparing, assembling, printing and mailing this Proxy Statement, the proxy card and any additional information furnished to stockholders. This cost is estimated to be approximately $5,000. Copies of solicitation materials will be furnished to banks, brokerage houses, fiduciaries and custodians holding in their names shares of our stock beneficially owned by others, to forward to such beneficial owners. We may reimburse persons representing beneficial owners of shares of our stock for their costs of forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. Original solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by telephone, telegram or personal solicitation by our Board, officers or other employees. We will not pay our Board or employees any additional compensation for soliciting proxies.
For Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank
Most beneficial owners whose stock is held in street name receive instructions for voting their shares from their bank, broker or other agent, rather than from our proxy card.
Once you have submitted your proxy by mail, you may revoke it at any time before we exercise it at the Annual Meeting. You may revoke your proxy by any one of the following three ways:
· you may mail another proxy marked with a later date;
· you may notify our Secretary in writing that you wish to revoke your proxy before the Annual Meeting takes place; or
· you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Please note that attendance at the meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy.
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PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Description of our Current Board
Pursuant to a resolution adopted by our Board in accordance with our bylaws, our Board shall consist of seven (7) directors. Our current Board has six (6) directors with one (1) vacancy.
The term of office of our six (6) current directors expires at this Annual Meeting and the nominees are subject to a vote as proposed below. The current members of our Board are listed in the table below.
NAME OF DIRECTOR |
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AGE |
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DIRECTOR SINCE |
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Dr. Philip T. Lavin |
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60 |
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July, 2006 |
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Michael Falk |
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45 |
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November, 2005 |
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Cecilio M. Rodriguez |
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47 |
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November, 2005 |
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Robert D. Tucker |
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73 |
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December, 2005 |
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Alastair McEwan |
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51 |
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February, 2006 |
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Fred Sancilio |
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57 |
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March, 2006 |
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Nominees for Election as Directors
Each of our current six (6) directors has been nominated by our Board for re-election as a director at the Annual Meeting. Each director elected at the Annual Meeting will serve for a term expiring at the Companys 2008 Annual Meeting or when his successor has been duly elected and qualified. The Board has no reason to believe that any nominee will refuse or be unable to accept election; however, in the event that any nominee is unable to accept election or if any other unforeseen contingencies should arise, each proxy that does not direct otherwise will be voted for the remaining nominees, if any, and for such other person(s) as may be designated by the Board.
Below is information with respect to each nominee for election.
Dr. Philip T. Lavin
Dr. Lavin has served as a director and our Chief Executive Officer since July 2006. Dr. Lavin was the founder of Averion Inc. and from 1983 to July 2006 was the Chief Executive Officer and President of Averion Inc. Since 1977, Dr. Lavin has held faculty appointments at the Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard School of Medicine. Dr. Lavin received his PhD in Applied Mathematics at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island in 1972. Dr. Lavin is not independent pursuant to the definition contained in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the National Association of Securities Dealers listing standards because Dr. Lavin is currently employed as our CEO.
Michael Falk
Mr. Falk has served as a director since November 2005. Mr. Falk is currently Managing Partner of ComVest Investment Partners II LLC (ComVest). In 1988, Mr. Falk co-founded Commonwealth Associates, L.P. (Commonwealth), ComVest Investment Partners predecessor. Commonwealth is an affiliated New York City-based investment bank whose primary business has been private equity investments led by the principals and partners of Commonwealth and ComVest. From 1995 to 2002, Mr. Falk was Chairman and CEO of Commonwealth. From 2002 to the present, Mr. Falk has served as Chairman of ComVest Group Holdings (CGH), and is a board member of Catalyst International, Allegiant Airlines and The CARE Fund. Mr. Falk has extensive experience successfully investing in, restructuring and recapitalizing growth companies, many of which have created significant equity valuations and/or have been acquired. Mr. Falk holds a B.A. degree in Economics from Queens College
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and attended the Stanford University Executive Program for Smaller Companies. Mr. Falk is not independent pursuant to the definition contained in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the National Association of Securities Dealers listing standards because Mr. Falk is an affiliate of ComVest and ComVest Advisors LLC, both of which have received advisory or other compensatory fees in connection with the sale of our senior secured convertible promissory notes and financial advisory services provided to the Company, respectively. Mr. Falk was originally elected to the Board as a designee of the holders of a majority in interest of our Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (the Series D Preferred).
Cecilio M. Rodriguez
Mr. Rodriguez has served as a director since November 2005. Mr. Rodriguez has served as the Chief Financial Officer of CGH and various related investment partnerships since May 2004. From October 2000 to May 2004, Mr. Rodriguez was Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller of Jet Aviation International, a multinational aviation services corporation. Mr. Rodriguez is not independent pursuant to the definition contained in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the National Association of Securities Dealers listing standards because Mr. Rodriguez is an affiliate of ComVest and ComVest Advisors LLC, both of which have received advisory or other compensatory fees in connection with the sale of our senior secured convertible promissory notes and financial advisory services provided to the Company, respectively. Mr. Rodriguez was originally elected to the Board as a designee of the holders of a majority in interest of the Series D Preferred.
Robert D. Tucker
Mr. Tucker has served as a director since December 2005. Mr. Tucker is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MBC Direct, LLC, a financial card services company he founded in 2002. Mr. Tucker also acts as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Throwleigh Technologies, LLC, a plasma research company he co-founded in 1995. In 1997, Mr. Tucker co-founded Specialty Surgicenters, Inc. for whom he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until 2001 and also as a member of the board of directors until 2004 when the business was acquired. Mr. Tucker was a member of the board of directors of Horizon Medical Products, Inc. from 2001 until its merger with RITA Medical Systems (RITA) in 2004. Mr. Tucker resigned from the RITA board of directors in late 2005. Mr. Tucker is a graduate of Georgia State University. Mr. Tucker is independent pursuant to the definition contained in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the National Association of Securities Dealers listing standards. Mr. Tucker was originally elected to the Board as a designee of the holders of a majority in interest of the Series D Preferred.
Alastair McEwan
Mr. McEwan has served as a director since February 2006 and served as our interim Chief Executive Officer from May to July 2006. Mr. McEwan is currently the Chairman of Cornerstone BioPharma and has served as a member of the board of directors of Cornerstone BioPharma since 2005. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. McEwan was President, Global Clinical, of Inveresk with responsibilities for all aspects of its global clinical trials division. From 1999 to 2004, Mr. McEwan was a Group Executive Vice President and a member of the Group Executive Board of Inveresk which oversaw the groups operational performance and set all aspects of its strategic direction. Mr. McEwan is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. Mr. McEwan is not independent pursuant to the definition contained in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the National Association of Securities Dealers listing standards because Mr. McEwan has been employed as an officer of the Company within the last three (3) years. Mr. McEwan was originally elected to the Board as a designee of the holders of a majority in interest of the Series D Preferred.
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Fred Sancilio
Mr. Sancilio has served as a director since March 2006. From 2004 to the present, Mr. Sancilio has been the chief executive officer of Sancilio and Company, Inc., an entity established to explore pharmaceutical development opportunities in Asia and South America. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Sancilio served as a member of the board of directors of aaiPharma, Inc., a full service contract research organization and specialty pharmaceutical company. From 1977 to 2002, Mr Sancilio was the Chief Executive Officer of aaiPharma, Inc. He retired from this position in 2002 and in 2004 again served briefly as the interim Chief Executive Officer of aaiPharma, Inc. (subsequent to Mr. Sancilios departure from aaiPharma, Inc. in September 2004, aaiPharma, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in May 2005). Mr. Sancilio earned a B.A., M.S. and Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Mr. Sancilio is not independent pursuant to the definition contained in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the National Association of Securities Dealers listing standards because Mr. Sancilio has been compensated in an amount in excess of $60,000 related to the performance of consulting services for us. Mr. Sancilio was originally elected to the Board as a designee of the holders of a majority in interest of the Series D Preferred.
OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE IN FAVOR OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE
The following individuals served as directors of our Company during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, but no longer serve as directors of our Company:
Kelly Alberts
Mr. Alberts served as a director, our President and our Chief Operating Officer from our inception in 1996 until his resignation on September 15, 2006. Mr. Alberts received his Bachelors of Science from the University of Iowa. Mr. Alberts was not independent pursuant to the definition contained in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the National Association of Securities Dealers listing standards because Mr. Alberts was employed as an officer of the Company within the last three (3) fiscal years.
Peter Sollenne
Mr. Sollenne, served as a director from April 2004 and as our Chief Executive Officer from December 2003 until his resignation in April 2006. From May 2000 to December 2003, Mr. Sollenne was President and Chief Executive Officer at FastBreak Growth, Inc. a strategic management consulting and business solutions company. Mr. Sollenne received his Bachelors of Science in Accounting/Business Administration from Boston College and is a Certified Public Accountant.
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Board Meetings
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, our Board held seven (7) meetings. During the 2006 fiscal year, no director attended fewer than seventy five percent (75%) of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board and of the committees on which he served, held during the period for which he was a director or committee member with the exception of Mr. Sancilio, who attended eight of eleven Board and committee meetings held during the time he was a director or committee member.
Director Nominations
Our Board does not have a formal policy or a nominating committee that determines consideration of director candidates for our Board. Our Board feels that it is appropriate not to have such a formal policy or committee because of the small size of our Board and the limited function of such a committee.
Each member of our Board participates in the consideration of nominees for our Board. Mr. Tucker is independent pursuant to the definition of independence set forth in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the National Association of Securities Dealers listing standards. None of the other members of our Board are independent pursuant to such definition.
Any stockholder may make recommendations to our Board for nominees for membership on our Board in accordance with instructions set forth in the section below entitled Proposals of Stockholders for the 2008 Annual Meeting. The Board will evaluate candidates recommended by stockholders on the same basis as it evaluates other candidates.
In evaluating potential candidates for membership on our Board, our Board may consider such factors as it deems appropriate. These factors may include judgment, skill, diversity, integrity, experience with businesses and other organizations of comparable size, the interplay of the candidates experience with the experience of other Board members and the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to our Board and any committees of our Board. While our Board has not established any specific minimum qualifications for director nominees, our Board believes that demonstrated leadership, as well as significant years of service, in an area of endeavor such as business, law, public service, related industry or academia, are desirable qualifications for service as a director of our Company.
Board Committees
Our Board has three (3) committees: an Audit Committee (the Audit Committee), a Compensation Committee (the Compensation Committee) and an Executive Committee (the Executive Committee). Below is a description of each committee. Each of the committees has authority to engage legal counsel or other experts or consultants, as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities.
Audit Committee
Our Board established an Audit Committee in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) and adopted an Audit Committee Charter in October 2005. Our Audit Committee Charter is available online at our website at www.averionintl.com, under the heading Corporate Governance. The Audit Committee advises and makes recommendations to the Board concerning our internal controls, our independent auditors and other matters relating to our financial activities and reporting.
The Audit Committee is comprised of a total of three (3) directors: Cecilio Rodriguez, Fred Sancilio and Alastair McEwan. Our Board has determined that Mr. Rodriguez is our Audit Committee financial
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expert. Messrs. Rodriguez, McEwan and Sancilio are not independent pursuant to the definition contained in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the National Association of Securities Dealers listing standards.
The Audit Committee held six (6) meetings during the 2006 fiscal year.
Compensation Committee
Our Board established a Compensation Committee and adopted a Compensation Committee Charter in October 2005. Our Compensation Committee Charter is available online at our website at www.averionintl.com, under the heading Corporate Governance. The Compensation Committee is comprised of three (3) directors: Michael Falk, Robert Tucker and Cecilio Rodriguez. Mr. Tucker is independent, and Messrs. Falk and Rodriguez are not independent, pursuant to the definition contained in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the National Association of Securities Dealers listing standards.
The Compensation Committee determines the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and advises and makes recommendations to the Board concerning the compensation of officers and senior management. The Compensation Committee performs its duties by reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our officers and senior management. The Compensation Committee then evaluates the performances of our officers and senior management based on the goals and objectives that the Compensation Committee has set for each individual and then uses such evaluations in making its compensation recommendations to our Board.
The Compensation Committee held one (1) meeting during the 2006 fiscal year.
Executive Committee
Our Board established an Executive Committee in September 2006. The Executive Committee implements the policy decisions of the Board and facilitates fundraising efforts, management recruiting and evaluates potential acquisition candidates. The Executive Committee is comprised of four (4) directors: Michael Falk, Fred Sancilio, Alastair McEwan and Dr. Philip Lavin. Mr. McEwan is the Chair of the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee held four (4) meetings during fiscal year 2006.
Code of Ethics
Our Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics related to and governing the conduct of all the Companys officers, directors and employees. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at www.averionintl.com, under the heading Corporate Governance.
Attendance of Directors at Annual Meetings of Stockholders
We encourage each of our directors to attend each annual meeting of stockholders. Four of our current directors who were directors as of the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the 2006 Annual Meeting) attended the 2006 Annual Meeting.
Communications with the Board of Directors
Stockholders who wish to communicate with members of our Board may send correspondence to them in care of: Averion International Corp., Chief Financial Officer, 225 Turnpike Road, Southborough, Massachusetts 01772.
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As of April 12, 2007, the following persons were officers of our Company:
NAME |
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POSITION |
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AGE |
Dr. Philip T. Lavin |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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60 |
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Christopher Codeanne |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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39 |
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Dr. Gene Resnick |
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Chief Medical Officer |
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58 |
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Faith Kolb |
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Chief Technical Officer |
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40 |
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Dr. John Shillingford |
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President of Averion Europe |
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57 |
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Dr. George Van Lear |
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President of the IT&E International Division |
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65 |
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Anthony Allocca |
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Vice PresidentOperations |
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63 |
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Mark Levine |
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Vice President, Business Development & Marketing |
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48 |
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Glenn Deegan |
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Vice President and General Counsel |
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40 |
Background
Dr. Philip T. Lavin
See ELECTION OF DIRECTORSNominees for Election as Directors for additional biographical information on Dr. Lavin.
Christopher Codeanne
Mr. Codeanne has served as our Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since January 2007. Mr. Codeanne has over sixteen years of accounting and finance experience. Prior to being appointed as our CFO, from 2002 through July 2006, Mr. Codeanne was the Chief Financial Officer of SCIREX Corporation LLC (SCIREX), now Premier Research Group plc., where he was responsible for all finance, treasury, accounting, human resources, information technology, risk management and facilities management. From 1999 to 2002, Mr. Codeanne was Director of Finance of SCIREX. SCIREX was an international, full-service clinical research organization with over 450 employees. Mr. Codeanne obtained an MBA from the University of Connecticut and a Bachelors degree in Accounting from Fairfield University. Mr Codeanne is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants and Financial Executives International.
Dr. Gene Resnick
Dr. Resnick has served as our Chief Medical Officer since July 2006. From November 2005 through July 2006, Dr. Resnick served as our Senior Vice President and President of the Millennix Division. From 1997 through November 2005, Dr. Resnick served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Millennix Inc. (Millennix), a Contract Research Organization specializing in oncology, immunology, gene therapy, vaccines, complex infectious diseases, metabolic disease and other chronic indications. Dr. Resnick received his Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University and his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College.
Faith Kolb
Ms. Kolb has served as our Chief Technical Officer since August 2006. From 2003 through August 2006, Ms. Kolb served as our Director Clinical Data Services and Senior Director Clinical Data Services. Prior to joining Averion, from 1989 through 2003, Ms. Kolb served in various positions, including Director Clinical IT, at Parexel International, a global Clinical Research Organization. Ms. Kolb holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Clark University.
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Dr. John Shillingford
Dr. Shillingford has served as the President of Averion Europe since June 2006. From January 2003 through May 2006, Dr. Shillingford served as Managing Director and Vice President Clinical Operations of IMFORM GmbH, a full service European Clinical Research Organization. Prior to that, from 1995 through December 2002, Dr. Shillingford served in various positions at Pharmaceutical Research Associates International and affiliated entities. Dr. Shillingford holds both a B.Sc. in Biochemistry and a Ph.D. in Biochemical Pharmacology from the University of Surrey, UK.
Dr. George Van Lear
Dr. Van Lear has served as President of our IT&E International Division since September 2006. From 2000 to 2005, Dr. Van Lear served as Chair and President of aaiPharma Inc.s research division, where he led the internal Research and Development functions (subsequent to Mr. Van Lears departure from aaiPharma, Inc. in March 2005, aaiPharma, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in May 2005). Prior to that, from 1999 to 2000, Dr. Van Lear served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Senetek, PLC, a biotechnology firm. Dr. Van Lear started his career at Lederle Laboratories from 1968-1984 where he was Group Leader in Drug Metabolism and Mass Spectroscopy and then later as Head of the Analytical Services Department. From 1984 to 1999, Dr. Van Lear held a number of executive positions at Applied Analytical Industries, Glaxo, Innapharma and DPT Laboratories. Dr. Van Lear earned his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Millikin University, a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Utah as well as two postdoctoral fellowships at University of Illinois and Purdue University.
Anthony Allocca
Mr. Allocca has served as our Vice President of Operations since our inception in 1996. Mr. Allocca is a graduate of the University of Maryland and served in the United States Air Force.
Mark Levine
Mr. Levine has served as our Vice President, Business Development & Marketing since August 2006. From July 2001 through August 2006, Mr. Levine served as our Director Business Development. Mr. Levine holds both a Bachelor of Arts degree and an MBA from McGill University.
Glenn Deegan
Mr. Deegan has served as our Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since March 2007. From July 2003 until March 2007, Mr. Deegan served as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of MacroChem Corporation (MacroChem), where he was responsible for all company legal matters. From June 2001 until July 2003, Mr. Deegan served as MacroChems Director of Legal Affairs and as General Counsel and Secretary. Prior to that, from 1999 to 2001, he served as Assistant General Counsel of Summit Technology, Inc. Earlier in his career, Mr. Deegan was engaged in the private practice of law in Boston at Holland & Knight LLP from 1997 to 1999 and at Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLP from 1993 to 1997. Mr. Deegan also served as law clerk to the Honorable Francis J. Boyle in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island from 1992 to 1993. Mr. Deegan holds a B.S. from Providence College and a J.D. from Boston College.
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Former Officers
The following individuals served as officers of our Company during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, but no longer serve as officers of our Company:
Kelly Alberts
See ELECTION OF DIRECTORSFormer Directors for additional biographical information on Mr. Alberts.
Michael Jeub
Mr. Jeub served as our CFO from April 2006 until his resignation on November 15, 2006. Since 2004, Mr. Jeub has been a director of 360 Global Wines. Since 2000, Mr. Jeub also has been a partner of Tatum Partners, LLC. As such, from January 2005 through February 2006, Mr. Jeub served as the Chief Financial Officer of Road Runner Sports, Inc. and from June 2002 through October 2003, Mr. Jeub served as the Chief Financial Officer of The Immune Response Corp.
Alastair McEwan
See ELECTION OF DIRECTORSNominees for Election as Directors for additional biographical information on Mr. McEwan.
Peter Sollenne
See ELECTION OF DIRECTORSFormer Directors for additional biographical information on Mr. Sollenne.
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APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE
Our Board has adopted, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment to Paragraph IV(A) of our Certificate to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 650,000,000 shares to 750,000,000 shares (the Certificate Amendment). This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Certificate Amendment, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.
Pursuant to our Certificate, we are presently authorized to issue 650,000,000 shares of common stock. We currently have 498,378,831 shares of common stock outstanding. In addition, as of April 1, 2007, if all shares of our common stock currently reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding warrants and options were issued, the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding would be 540,504,415 shares. As a result and for the reasons described below, on February 21, 2007, our Board approved an amendment to our Certificate providing for an increase in the authorized number of shares of our common stock from 650,000,000 shares to 750,000,000 shares.
Our Board has deemed that it is in our best interests and in the best interests of our stockholders that we have available additional authorized shares of common stock to: (i) accommodate the exercise of all outstanding options and warrants, (ii) enable possible future public and/or private offerings of our common stock, (iii) enable potential acquisitions, (iv) enable the ability to declare and issue stock dividends, and (v) enable personnel recruitment and retention through the grant of equity incentives.
Please be advised that at this time we do not have any plans to issue any such shares of additional authorized common stock in any of the foregoing transactions. However, the additional shares of common stock would be available for issuance by action of our Board without the need for further action by our stockholders, unless stockholder action is specifically required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which our securities may then be listed.
Our proposed increase in the authorized number of shares of our common stock could have a number of effects on our stockholders depending upon the exact nature and circumstances of any actual issuance of authorized but unissued shares. The increase could have an anti-takeover effect, in that additional shares could be issued (within the limits imposed by applicable law) in one or more transactions that could make a change in control or takeover of us more difficult. For example, additional shares could be issued by us so as to dilute the stock ownership or voting rights of persons seeking to obtain control of us. Similarly, the issuance of additional shares to certain persons allied with our management could have the effect of making it more difficult to remove our current management by diluting the stock ownership or voting rights of persons seeking to cause such removal.
In addition, an issuance of additional shares by us could have an effect on the potential realizable value of a stockholders investment. In the absence of a proportionate increase in our earnings and book value, an increase in the aggregate number of our outstanding shares of our common stock caused by the issuance of the additional authorized shares of our common stock would dilute the earnings per share and book value per share of all of our outstanding shares of our common stock. If such factors were reflected in the price per share of our common stock, the potential realizable value of a stockholders investment could be adversely affected.
Further, under applicable laws of the State of Delaware, our stockholders will have no pre-emptive rights with respect to the issuance of such additional shares of our common stock.
Stockholders who hold shares of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock they hold, to notice of any stockholders meeting in accordance with our bylaws and to vote upon
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such matters as may be provided by law. Subject to the prior rights of holders of all classes of stock at the time outstanding who may have prior rights as to dividends, stockholders holding shares of our common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by our Board from time to time. We have no current plans to declare any such dividends.
We require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting to approve the Certificate Amendment. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes cast on proposals presented to the stockholders and will have the same effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes are counted towards a quorum, but are not counted for any purpose in determining whether this matter has been approved.
OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 2
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APPROVAL OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
Our Board has determined that it is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders to approve a reverse stock split of (i) all outstanding shares of our common stock; (ii) all authorized but unissued shares of our common stock; and (iii) all shares of our common stock held in treasury, and that our Board be authorized to declare such reverse stock split at any time prior to May 23, 2008 based upon an exchange ratio not to exceed fifty (50) shares to one (1) share, with the precise ratio and timing of such reverse stock split to be determined by our Board in its discretion (the Reverse Split).
Reasons for and Consequences of the Reverse Split
The Reverse Split may result in an increase in the trading price of our common stock and could therefore create greater investor interest in our common stock and possibly enhance the marketability of our common stock to the financial market. However, although the Reverse Split may increase the market price of our common stock, the actual effect of the Reverse Split on our market price cannot be predicted. The market price of our common stock may not rise in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares outstanding as a result of the Reverse Split. Further, we do not know if the Reverse Split will lead to a sustained increase in the market price of our common stock. The market price of our common stock could also change as a result of other unrelated factors, including our operating performance and other factors related to our business as well as general market conditions.
The Reverse Split will affect all of the holders of our common stock uniformly and will not affect any stockholders percentage ownership interest in us or proportionate voting power, except for minor changes that will result from the rounding of fractional shares, as discussed below.
The Reverse Split will uniformly affect (i) all issued and outstanding shares of our common stock, (ii) all outstanding warrants and options to purchase shares of our common stock, and (iii) all shares of our common stock held in treasury. In addition, at the effective time of the Reverse Split, the number of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock will be reduced proportionately based on the Reverse Split ratio.
To help you understand how the Reverse Split will affect: (i) our outstanding common stock, (ii) the shares of common stock we have reserved for issuance upon exercise of warrants and options, and (iii) our authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock, we have summarized five (5) potential Reverse Split scenarios below. The following scenarios assume that our Certificate Amendment will have been filed at the time of the Reverse Split and that at the time of the Reverse Split, we will have: (i) 498,378,831 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, (ii) 42,125,585 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants and options, and (iii) 209,495,585 shares of authorized common stock unreserved and unissued. We currently have no shares of common stock held in treasury.
If the Board were to effect the Reverse Split at a ratio of ten (10) to one (1), immediately after the effective date of such Reverse Split, we would have 49,837,899 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, 4,212,559 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants and options, and 20,949,559 shares of authorized but unreserved and unissued common stock.
If the Board were to effect the Reverse Split at a ratio of twenty (20) to (1), immediately after the effective date of such Reverse Split, we would have 24,918,964 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, 2,106,280 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants and options, and 10,474,780 shares of authorized but unreserved and unissued common stock.
If the Board were to effect the Reverse Split at a ratio of thirty (30) to one (1), immediately after the effective date of such Reverse Split, we would have 16,612,685 shares of common stock issued and
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outstanding, 1,404,187 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants and options, and 6,983,187 shares of authorized but unreserved and unissued common stock.
If the Board were to effect the Reverse Split at a ratio of forty (40) to one (1), immediately after the effective date of such Reverse Split, we would have 12,459,512 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, 1,053,140 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants and options, and 5,237,390 shares of authorized but unreserved and unissued common stock.
If the Board were to effect the Reverse Split at a ratio of fifty (50) to one (1), immediately after the effective date of such Reverse Split, we would have 9,967,595 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, 842,513 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants and options, and 4,189,912 shares of authorized but unreserved and unissued common stock.
No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the Reverse Split. Stockholders who would otherwise be entitled to receive fractional shares because they hold a number of shares that is not evenly divisible by the Reverse Split ratio selected by the Board will receive one (1) additional share of our common stock in lieu of such fractional share.
Registered and Beneficial Stockholders
Upon a Reverse Split, we intend to treat stockholders holding our common stock in street name, through a bank, broker, or other nominee, in the same manner as registered stockholders whose shares are registered in their names. Banks, brokers, or other nominees will be instructed to effect the Reverse Split for their beneficial holders holding our common stock in street name. However, these banks, brokers, or other nominees may have different procedures than registered stockholders for processing the Reverse Split. If you hold your shares with a bank, broker or other nominee, and if you have any questions in this regard, we encourage you to contact your nominee.
The Reverse Split will not affect the par value of our common stock. As a result, as of the effective time of the Reverse Split, the stated capital attributable to the common stock on our balance sheet will be reduced proportionately based on the Reverse Split ratio selected by our Board, and the additional paid-in capital account will be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. The per-share net income or loss and net book value of our common stock will be restated because there will be fewer shares of our common stock outstanding.
Procedure for Effecting the Reverse Split
If the Board decides to declare and implement the Reverse Split, it must do so prior to May 23, 2008. If it does so in a timely manner, we will promptly file a Certificate of Amendment to our Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in the form attached hereto as Appendix B, to amend the Certificate with a provision effecting the Reverse Split. The Reverse Split will become effective at such time as the Certificate of Amendment effecting the Reverse Split is accepted and approved by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the Reverse Split Effective Date).
The Reverse Split will take place on the Reverse Split Effective Date without any further action on the part of our stockholders. Beginning on the Effective Date, each certificate representing pre-Reverse Split shares will be deemed, for all corporate purposes, to evidence ownership of post-Reverse Split shares.
As soon as practicable after the Reverse Split Effective Date, each holder of an outstanding certificate representing pre-Reverse Split shares will receive from the Companys transfer agent (the Exchange
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Agent) instructions for the surrender of such certificate to the Exchange Agent. The instructions will include a letter of transmittal to be completed and returned to the Exchange Agent with such certificate. As soon as practicable after the surrender to the Exchange Agent of any certificate which represented pre-Reverse Split shares, together with a duly executed letter of transmittal and any other documents the Exchange Agent may specify, the Exchange Agent shall deliver to the person in whose name such certificate has been issued, a certificate representing the post-Reverse Split shares into which the pre-Reverse Split shares represented by the surrendered certificate shall have been reclassified. Stockholders should not submit any certificates until requested to do so.
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our stockholders will not be entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the Reverse Split. Furthermore, we do not intend to independently provide stockholders with any such rights.
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Split
The following is a summary of the material United States federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Split for a United States holder of our capital stock, does not purport to be a complete discussion of all of the possible federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Split and is included for general information only. Further, it does not address any state, local or foreign income or other tax consequences. Also, it does not address the tax consequences to holders that are subject to special tax rules, such as banks, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, personal holding companies, foreign entities, nonresident alien individuals, broker-dealers and tax-exempt entities. The discussion is based on the provisions of the United States federal income tax as of the date hereof, which is subject to change retroactively as well as prospectively. This summary also assumes that the pre-Reverse Split shares were, and the post-Reverse Split shares will be, held as a capital asset, as defined in the United States Internal Revenue Code (i.e., generally, property held for investment). The tax treatment of a stockholder may vary depending upon the particular facts and circumstances of such stockholder. Each stockholder is urged to consult with such stockholders own tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences of the Reverse Split. As used herein, the term United States holder means a stockholder that is, for federal income tax purposes: a citizen or resident of the United States; a corporation or other entity taxed as a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any State of the United States or the District of Columbia; an estate the income of which is subject to federal income tax regardless of its source; or a trust if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.
No taxable gain or loss should be recognized by us in connection with the Reverse Split. No gain or loss should be recognized by a stockholder upon such stockholders exchange of pre-Reverse Split shares for post-Reverse Split shares pursuant to the Reverse Split. The aggregate tax basis of the post-Reverse Split shares received in the Reverse Split will be the same as the stockholders aggregate tax basis in the pre-Reverse Split shares exchanged therefore. The stockholders holding period for the post-Reverse Split shares will include the period during which the stockholder held the pre-Reverse Split shares surrendered in the Reverse Split.
Our views regarding the tax consequences of the Reverse Split are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or the courts. Furthermore, the state and local tax consequences of the Reverse Split may vary significantly as to each stockholder, depending on the state in which such stockholder resides.
ACCORDINGLY, WE URGE EACH STOCKHOLDER TO CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO ALL OF THE POTENTIAL TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OR HER OF THE REVERSE SPLIT.
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Voting
We require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting to approve the Reverse Split. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes cast on proposals presented to the stockholders and will have the same effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes are counted towards a quorum, but are not counted for any purpose in determining whether this matter has been approved.
OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 3
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PROPOSAL 4
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE 2005 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Our stockholders are being asked to approve an amendment to our 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the Plan). The principal features of the Plan are summarized below. Such summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan, a copy of which, as so amended, is attached as Appendix C to this Proxy Statement. The Plan was initially adopted by our Board on April 29, 2005, became effective, after being approved by our stockholders on September 26, 2005, and was subsequently amended and restated and approved by our stockholders on December 1, 2005, June 15, 2006 and August 14, 2006. Our stockholders are now being asked to approve an amendment to the Plan, which provides for:
(i) Revision of the Plan to enable us to deduct for tax purposes certain compensation awarded under the Plan, pursuant to the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), by:
a. Delegating authority to administer the Plan to our Compensation Committee, which will consist of at least two (2) directors who qualify as outside directors within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code;
b. Establishing the performance criteria that may be used in granting awards under the Plan from time to time for the purpose of qualifying such awards as performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code; and
c. Including limitations on the number of shares of our common stock subject to awards granted under the Plan, determined on a per participant basis, to achieve and maintain compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code;
(ii) Elimination of our ability to award a stock option under the Plan with an exercise price in an amount less than the per share fair market value of our common stock as measured on the date of grant of that option award to avoid non-compliance with Section 409A of the Code;
(iii) Expansion of the Plan provision requiring stockholder approval of certain Plan amendments to include requiring stockholder approval of any future Plan amendments intended to achieve and maintain compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code or the listing requirements of the exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which our common stock is then quoted or listed; and
(iv) Revision of the Plans definition of the term Fair Market Value to mean the per share closing price of our common stock as quoted on the exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which our common stock is then quoted or listed on the date of grant of an award under the Plan.
Purposes of Amendment
Approval of the amendment to the Plan allows us to continue to provide eligible employees with the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company through participation in a comprehensive equity incentive program. Moreover, approval of the amendment to the Plan requires us to (i) grant awards in compliance with Section 409A of the Code with respect to the fair market value of the award, (ii) deduct for tax purposes certain compensation paid to employees through awards granted under the Plan pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code, and (iii) provide clarity and consistency in the grant of awards under the Plan. Our Board believes strongly that approval of the amendment to the Plan is key to the Companys continued success because awards under the Plan accomplish several critical aims. First, such awards aid us in attracting and retaining outstanding and highly skilled individuals, and in motivating our employees to achieve the Companys goals. Second, we are able to deduct compensation provided in the form of awards under the Plan, which allows us to reduce our potential corporate tax liability. Third, by
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eliminating our ability to set discounted exercise prices for option awards, we are able to avoid non-compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Fourth, by amending the definition of fair market value under the Plan, we are providing clarity by making the terms of awards granted under the Plan consistent and uniform with respect to all participants. In order to meet these critical goals of attracting and motivating key employees, maintaining the Plans compliance with the Code and Internal Revenue Service regulations, enabling us to deduct certain compensation paid to employees to reduce our potential corporate tax liability, and providing clarity and consistency in the grant of awards under the Plan, the Board recommends approval of the amendment to the Plan by our stockholders.
Description of the Amended 2005 Equity Incentive Plan
Terms and Conditions of the Plan
We believe that our ability to award incentive compensation based on equity in our Company is critical to our success in remaining competitive and attracting, motivating and retaining key personnel. The efforts and skill of our employees and other personnel who provide services to us generate much of the growth and success of our business. We believe that a broad-based equity incentive program will help us to be highly successful in motivating and rewarding the efforts of our employees and other valuable personnel. By giving our employees, consultants and directors an opportunity to share in the growth of our equity, we will be aligning their interests with those of our stockholders. Our employees, consultants and directors understand that their stake in our Company will have value only if, working together, we create value for our stockholders. We anticipate that awards under our Plan will generally vest over a period of four years at a rate of twenty-five percent (25%) per year on each anniversary of the date of grant until fully vested, giving the recipient an additional incentive to provide services over a number of years and build on past performance. However, individual vesting schedules will be determined at the discretion of our Board. We believe that, if approved, the Plan will continue to help us to build a team of high achievers who have demonstrated long-term dedication and productivity and who, in turn, help us to attract like-minded individuals to our Company.
The Plan allows for the grant of stock options, restricted stock awards and stock bonuses (collectively, the Stock Awards). Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Compensation Committee will determine the terms and conditions of the Stock Awards, including the times when Stock Awards vest or become payable and the effect of certain events such as termination of employment. Each grant of a Stock Award will be evidenced by an award agreement.
Number of Shares
Under the Plan, as amended, 100,000,000 shares of our common stock are reserved for issuance as Stock Awards. Any shares that are represented by Stock Awards under the Plan that expire or otherwise terminate without being exercised in full will again be available for Stock Awards under the Plan. As of April 1, 2007, we had granted options to purchase 38,834,919 shares of our common stock. Therefore, we currently have 61,165,081 shares remaining available under the Plan.
As amended, the Plan imposes the following additional maximum limitations:
· The number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of all outstanding Stock Awards, together with the total number of shares of common stock provided for under any other stock bonus or similar plan, may not exceed the limitations set forth in Title 10 of the California Code of Regulations, if applicable.
· No eligible person may be granted any Stock Awards for more than 20,000,000 shares of our common stock, in the aggregate in any calendar year.
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· The aggregate fair market value (determined at the time of grant) of common stock with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by any participant during any calendar year under all our equity compensation plans and those of our affiliates (including the Plan) may not exceed $100,000.
· The number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan are subject to adjustment to reflect certain potential subsequent changes to our capital structure, such as stock splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations.
Administration
As amended, the Plan will be administered by our Compensation Committee (the Committee) which has been delegated such responsibility by our Board in accordance with the procedures set forth in our bylaws and the Plan. The Committee will consist of at least two (2) directors who qualify as outside directors within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. Upon delegation of authority by the Board, the Committee will have full power to administer the Plan and the decisions of the Committee will be final and binding upon all participants.
Eligibility
The selection of the participants in the Plan will generally be determined by the Committee. Employees, including those who are our officers or directors, or officers or directors of our subsidiaries and affiliates, are eligible to be selected to receive Stock Awards under the Plan. In addition, non-employee service providers, including directors, and employees of unaffiliated entities that provide bona fide services to us as consultants are eligible to be selected to receive Stock Awards under the Plan. Members of our Board, including members of the Committee, are eligible for and are expected to receive grants of Stock Awards under the Plan for their services as directors.
Types of Awards
Stock Options. The Committee may grant either incentive stock options intended to qualify as such under Section 422 of the Code, or options not intended to so qualify (non-statutory stock options). All options granted under the Plan must have an exercise price that is not less than the fair market value of our common stock underlying the option on the date of grant. The closing price per share of our common stock as of April 2, 2007, as reported on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board, was $0.12. No stock option granted under the Plan may have a term longer than ten (10) years. All or part of any option award may be subject to conditions and restrictions, which the Committee will specify. The exercise price of stock options may be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, (i) in cash; (ii) by tendering shares of our common stock that have been held by the optionee for at least six (6) months; or (iii) pursuant to a cashless exercise program developed under Regulation T promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board.
Restricted Stock Awards. The Committee may grant awards of restricted common stock (Restricted Stock Awards) for a purchase price not less than the fair market value of our common stock underlying the Restricted Stock Award on the date such award is made. All or part of any Restricted Stock Award may be subject to conditions and restrictions, which the Committee will specify.
Stock Bonus Awards. The Committee may grant stock bonus awards (Stock Bonus Awards), which are awards of our common stock in consideration for past services actually rendered to us or a parent or subsidiary. All or part of any Stock Bonus Award may be subject to conditions and restrictions, which the Committee will specify.
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Performance Goals
The Committee may select from among the following performance goals with respect to the Company for Stock Awards to the extent needed for such awards to qualify as performance based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code:
Net earnings (determined either before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) |
|
Gross or net profit margin |
Economic value-added |
|
Productivity |
Gross or net sales |
|
Expense |
Gross or net revenues |
|
Margins |
Net income (determined either before or after taxes) |
|
Operating efficiency |
Operating income or earnings |
|
Cost reductions or savings |
Operating margin |
|
Funds from operations |
Cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow) |
|
Client satisfaction |
Return on capital |
|
Working capital |
Return on net assets |
|
Earnings per share |
Return on stockholders equity |
|
Price per share of Common Stock |
Return on assets |
|
Market share |
Stockholder returns |
|
|
Change of Control
The Committee may determine, in its discretion, whether a Stock Award issued under the Plan will become vested or exercisable, either in whole or in part, upon a change in control (as defined in the Plan). Any rights which a participant may have upon a change in control will be set forth in the applicable award agreement.
Transferability of Awards
Stock Awards granted under the Plan are not transferable, other than by will or pursuant to state intestate laws, unless the Committee otherwise approves a transfer.
Amendment; Term and Termination
The Board retains authority to and may alter or amend the Plan and the Committee may alter or amend any Stock Award in any manner at any time. However, no amendment to the Plan will be effective unless approved by our stockholders, to the extent such approval is necessary to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, Section 422 of the Code, or the listing requirements of the exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which our common stock is traded. Our Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Unless sooner terminated, the Plan will terminate on the day before the tenth (10th)
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anniversary of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board or approved by our stockholders, whichever is earlier.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following summary is intended only as a general guide to the United States federal income tax consequences under current law of incentive stock options and nonstatutory stock options, which are authorized for grant under the Plan. It does not attempt to describe all possible federal or other tax consequences of participation in the Plan, tax consequences of all of the types of Stock Awards which may be granted under the Plan, or tax consequences based on particular circumstances. The tax consequences may vary if options are granted outside the United States.
Incentive Stock Options
An option holder recognizes no taxable income for regular income tax purposes as a result of the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option qualifying under Section 422 of the Code. Option holders who dispose of the shares acquired under an incentive stock option after two (2) years following the date the option was granted and after one (1) year following the exercise of the option will normally recognize a capital gain or loss upon a sale of the shares equal to the difference, if any, between the sale price and the purchase price of the shares. If an option holder satisfies such holding periods upon a sale of the shares, we will not be entitled to any deduction for federal income tax purposes. If an option holder disposes of shares within two (2) years after the date of grant or within one year after the date of exercise (a disqualifying disposition), the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date and the option exercise price (not to exceed the gain realized on the sale if the disposition is a transaction with respect to which a loss, if sustained, would be recognized) will be taxed as ordinary income at the time of disposition. Any gain in excess of that amount will be a capital gain. If a loss is recognized, there will be no ordinary income, and such loss will be a capital loss. Any ordinary income recognized by the option holder upon the disqualifying disposition of the shares generally will result in a deduction by us for federal income tax purposes.
Non-Statutory Stock Options
Options not designated or qualifying as incentive stock options will be non-statutory stock options having no special tax status. An optionee generally recognizes no taxable income as the result of the grant of such an option. Upon exercise of a non-statutory stock option, the optionee normally recognizes ordinary income in the amount of the difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date. If the optionee is an employee, such ordinary income generally is subject to withholding of income and employment taxes. Upon the sale of stock acquired by the exercise of a non-statutory stock option, any gain or loss, based on the difference between the sale price and the fair market value on the exercise date, will be taxed as a capital gain or loss. No tax deduction is available to us with respect to the grant of a non-statutory stock option or the sale of the stock acquired pursuant to such grant. We generally should be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the optionee as a result of the exercise of a non-statutory stock option.
Other Considerations
The Code allows publicly-held corporations to deduct up to $1,000,000 of compensation paid to the corporations chief executive officer and its two (2) other most highly compensated executive officers in office at the end of the tax year (the covered employees). Under Section 162(m) of the Code, if the compensation is payable solely based on the attainment of one or more performance goals and certain statutory requirements are satisfied, then compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to the covered employees is not subject to the deduction limitation. We generally intend for compensation arising from
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grants of Stock Awards under the Plan to be deductible by us as qualified performance-based compensation not subject to the $1,000,000 limitation on deductibility.
New Plan Benefits
Stock Awards granted under the Plan will be granted at the discretion of the Committee, and are not yet determinable. Benefits under the Plan will depend on a number of factors, including the fair market value of our common stock on future dates, and actual Company performance compared with performance goals established with respect to certain Stock Awards.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 4
22
PROPOSAL 5
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Audit Committee of the Board has selected Schneider Downs & Co., Inc. (Schneider Downs) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007, and has requested management to ask for stockholder ratification of such selection at the Annual Meeting. Schneider Downs has audited our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. Representatives of Schneider Downs are not expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, but will be available by telephone to answer any questions from stockholders, if necessary.
Although our bylaws do not require stockholders to approve our independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee would like our stockholders opinion as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders vote against Schneider Downs, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to keep the firm. However, even if the stockholders ratify the selection, the Audit Committee may choose to appoint a different independent accounting firm at any time during the year if it believes that a change would be in the best interests of our stockholders and our Company.
We require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting to ratify the selection of Schneider Downs. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes cast on proposals presented to our stockholders and will have the same effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes are counted towards a quorum, but are not counted for any purpose in determining whether this matter has been approved.
Change in Accountants
On January 17, 2006, the registrant dismissed Beckstead and Watts, LLP, certified public accountants (Beckstead), as the registrants independent registered public accounting firm.
The decision to change accounting firms was recommended and approved by the Audit Committee.
The reports of Beckstead on the registrants consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004, did not contain any adverse opinion, or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to audit scope or accounting principles.
In connection with its audits of the registrants consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, and through the subsequent interim period ended January 17, 2006, there were no disagreements with Beckstead on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Beckstead, would have caused it to make reference thereto in its reports. There were no reportable events as set forth in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-B.
23
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Aggregate fees billed by Schneider Downs for audit services for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, and for other professional services billed in the most recent two fiscal years, were as follows:
Type of Service |
|
|
|
Fees billed by Schneider Downs for |
|
Fees billed by Schneider Downs for |
|
||||||
Audit Fees(1) |
|
|
$ |
262,080 |
|
|
|
$ |
118,500 |
|
|
||
Audit-Related Fees(2) |
|
|
91,339 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Tax Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
All Other Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total |
|
|
$353,419 |
|
|
|
$ |
118,500 |
|
|
(1) Audit fees were for professional services rendered for the audit of the Companys annual financial statements, review of financial statements included in the Companys quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB and services that were provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
(2) Audit-Related fees were comprised of fees paid to Schneider Downs in connection with due diligence for Averion Inc. and the associated 8-K/A filing, an S-8 filing and consent, and review of amended Forms 10-QSB.
Pre-Approval Policies
Our Audit Committee has adopted a policy and procedures for the pre-approval of audit and permissible non-audit services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm, Schneider Downs. The policy generally pre-approves specific services in the defined categories of audit services, audit-related services, and tax services up to pre-determined amounts. Pre-approval may also be given as part of our Audit Committees approval of the scope of the engagement of the independent auditor or on an individual explicit case-by-case basis before the independent registered public accounting firm is engaged to provide each service. All fees described above were pre-approved by our Audit Committee. None of the hours expended on services provided by Schneider Downs were attributable to persons other than Schneider Downs full-time, permanent employees.
OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 5
24
The Audit Committee oversees our financial reporting process on behalf of our Board. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the systems of internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed the audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 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 Audit Committee reviewed with our independent auditors, Schneider Downs, who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of our audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of our accounting principles and any other matters as are required to be discussed with the Audit Committee under generally accepted auditing principles. The Audit Committee also discussed with our independent auditors the matters required by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, and as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T. In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditors the auditors independence from management and us, including the matters in the written disclosures required by the Independence Standards Board. The Audit Committee received from Schneider Downs written disclosure and the letter regarding the independence of Schneider Downs as required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, and as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3600T, and has discussed Schneider Downs independence with Schneider Downs.
The Audit Committee discussed with our independent auditors the overall scope and plans for their audit. The Audit Committee met with the independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of our internal controls, and the overall quality of our financial reporting.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 for filing with the SEC. The Audit Committee and our Board have also recommended, subject to stockholder approval, the selection of Schneider Downs as our independent auditors.
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF OUR BOARD
Fred
Sancilio
Alastair McEwan
Cecilio Rodriguez
(1) This Section is not soliciting material, is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or the Exchange Act.
25
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
As of April 1, 2007, we had a total of 498,378,831 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. The following table sets forth, as of April 1, 2007, the stock ownership of each of our Named Executive Officers (as defined below), each of our directors, all of our Named Executive Officers and directors as a group and each person known by us to be a beneficial owner of 5% or more of our common stock. Under the rules of the SEC, a person (or group of persons) is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if he or she, directly or indirectly, has or shares the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. Accordingly, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any security which that person has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days, such as warrants or options to purchase shares of our common stock. Unless otherwise noted, each person listed below is the sole beneficial owner of the shares and has sole investment and voting power of such shares.
Title of Class |
|
|
Name and address of Beneficial Owner(1) |
|
Shares |
|
Percentage |
|
||||
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Common |
|
Dr. Philip T. Lavin, Chief Executive Officer, Director |
|
|
105,318,159 |
(3) |
|
|
21.13 |
% |
|
|
Common |
|
Alastair McEwan, Director and former interim CEO |
|
|
1,750,000 |
(4) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
Common |
|
Fred Sancilio, Director |
|
|
4,839,284 |
(5) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
Common |
|
Robert D. Tucker, Director |
|
|
250,000 |
(6) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
Common |
|
Michael Falk, Chairman, Director |
|
|
264,229,235 |
(7) |
|
|
53.02 |
% |
|
|
Common |
|
Cecilio Rodriguez, Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
Gene Resnick, Senior Vice President |
|
|
15,077,382 |
(8) |
|
|
3.02 |
% |
|
|
Common |
|
Kelly Alberts, former President, Chief Operating Officer and Director |
|
|
21,266,000 |
|
|
|
4.27 |
% |
|
|
Common |
|
Peter Sollenne, former Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
987,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
Common |
|
Anthony Allocca, Vice PresidentOperations |
|
|
15,039,637 |
(9) |
|
|
3.01 |
% |
|
|
Common |
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons) |
|
|
428,756,698 |
(10) |
|
|
85.46 |
% |
|
|
|
5% STOCKHOLDERS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Common |
|
ComVest Investment Partners II LLC, |
|
|
264,229,235 |
(11) |
|
|
53.02 |
% |
|
|
|
|
One North Clematis Street, Suite 300, West Palm Beach, Florida 33324, Attention: Carl Kleidman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
Dr. Philip T. Lavin, Chief Executive Officer, Director |
|
|
105,318,159 |
(3) |
|
|
21.13 |
% |
|
* Less than 1%
(1) Except as otherwise noted, the address for each person is c/o Averion International Corp. 225 Turnpike Road, Southborough, Massachusetts 01772.
(2) Unless otherwise noted, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock listed as beneficially owned by them. A person is deemed to be the beneficial holder of securities that can be acquired by such person within sixty (60) days of April 1, 2007. Each beneficial holders percentage ownership is determined by including shares underlying options, warrants or convertible securities which are exercisable or convertible by such person currently or within sixty (60) days of April 1, 2007, and excluding shares underlying options, warrants or convertible securities held by any other person.
26
(3) Includes 7,681,882 shares of common stock owned by Dr. Lavins children. Dr. Lavin disclaims any beneficial ownership of such shares owned by his children.
(4) Consists of 1,750,000 shares of common stock subject to options held by Mr. McEwan.
(5) Includes 375,000 shares of common stock subject to options held by Mr. Sancilio.
(6) Consists of 250,000 shares of common stock subject to options held by Mr. Tucker.
(7) ComVest II Partners, LLC (ComVest II) is the managing member of ComVest. The managing member of ComVest II is ComVest Group Holdings, LLC (CGH) and Mr. Falk is the Chairman and principal member of CGH. Mr. Falk, by virtue of his status as managing member of ComVest II (the managing member of ComVest) and as one of the principal members of ComVest and ComVest II, may be deemed to have indirect beneficial ownership of all of the shares beneficially owned by ComVest. Mr. Falk disclaims any beneficial ownership of all such shares.
(8) Includes 375,000 shares of common stock subject to options held by Dr. Resnick.
(9) Includes 577,637 shares of common stock subject to options held by Mr. Allocca. Mr. Allocca has pledged 2,100,000 shares of common stock as security for a loan.
(10) Includes 3,327,837 shares of common stock subject to options held by our directors and executive officers as a group. Includes shares for which Mr. Falk disclaims beneficial ownership.
(11) ComVest II is the managing member of ComVest. The managing member of ComVest II is CGH and Mr. Falk is the Chairman and principal member of CGH and Robert Priddy is a member of ComVest II. Messrs. Falk and Priddy, by virtue of their status as managing members of ComVest II (the managing member of ComVest) and as the principal members of ComVest and ComVest II, may be deemed to have indirect beneficial ownership of all of the shares beneficially owned by ComVest. Messrs. Falk and Priddy disclaim any beneficial ownership of all such shares.
27
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, requires our directors, executive officers and holders of more than ten percent (10%) of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and our other equity securities. Directors, executive officers and greater than ten percent (10%) stockholders are required by the SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file. Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms that we received, we believe that all reporting requirements under Section 16(a) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 were met in a timely manner by our directors, executive officers and greater than ten percent (10%) beneficial owners, except for the following: (i) Fred Sancilio was late in filing a report on Form 3 for a transaction that occurred on March 2, 2006 and was late in filing a report on Form 4 for a transaction that occurred on June 1, 2006; (ii) Robert Tucker was late in filing a report on Form 4 for a transaction that occurred on June 1, 2006; (iii) Alastair McEwan was late in filing a report on Form 4 for a transaction that occurred on June 1, 2006; (iv) Dr. Philip Lavin was late in filing a report on Form 4 for a transaction that occurred on July 31, 2006; (v) Faith Kolb was late in filing a report on Form 3 for a transaction that occurred on July 31, 2006; (vi) Dr. John Shillingford was late in filing a report on Form 3 for a transaction that occurred on July 31, 2006; and (vii) Mark Levine was late in filing a report on Form 3 for a transaction that occurred on July 31, 2006.
28
Compensation of Executive Officers
Set forth below is information regarding compensation earned by, paid or awarded to the following executive officers during the fiscal year ended 2006: (i) Dr. Philip T. Lavin, our Chief Executive Officer (CEO); (ii) Dr. Gene Resnick, our Chief Medical Officer; (iii) Anthony Allocca, our Vice President - Operations; (iv) Kelly Alberts, our former President and Chief Operating Officer who retired on September 15, 2006; (v) Alastair McEwan, a current director and our former Interim Chief Executive Officer who resigned from the latter position on July 31, 2006; and (vi) Peter Sollenne, our former Chief Executive Officer who resigned in April 2006. Dr. Resnick and Mr. Allocca represent our two (2) most highly-compensated executive officers whose total compensation exceeded $100,000, other than Dr. Lavin, who were serving as executive officers at December 31, 2006. The identification of such named executive officers is determined based on the individuals total compensation for 2006, as reported below in the Summary Compensation Table, other than amounts reported as above-market earnings on deferred compensation and the actuarial increase in pension benefit accruals. We refer to these executives collectively as the Named Executive Officers.
The following table sets forth for our Named Executive Officers: (i) the dollar value of base salary earned during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006; (ii) the dollar value of cash bonuses granted during the fiscal year ended; (iii) option and stock awards granted during the fiscal year; (iv) the change in pension value and non-qualified deferred compensation earnings during the fiscal year; (v) all other compensation for the fiscal year; and (vi) the dollar value of total compensation for the fiscal year.
Name and Principal Position |
|
|
|
Year |
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
Option Awards |
|
All Other |
|
Total |
|
|
||||||||
Dr. Philip T. Lavin(1) |
|
2006 |
|
$ |
128,037 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,515 |
|
|
$ |
129,552 |
|
|
|||
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Alastair McEwan(2) |
|
2006 |
|
$ |
108,629 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
81,352 |
|
|
|
$ |
59,621 |
|
|
$ |
249,602 |
|
|
||
Director and Former Interim Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Peter Sollenne(3) |
|
2006 |
|
$ |
105,962 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
54,028 |
|
|
|
$ |
146,535 |
(7) |
|
$ |
306,525 |
|
|
||
Former Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Anthony Allocca |
|
2006 |
|
$ |
164,345 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
44,405 |
|
|
|
$ |
84 |
|
|
$ |
208,834 |
|
|
||
Vice PresidentOperations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Dr. Gene Resnick(4) |
|
2006 |
|
$ |
258,885 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
29,550 |
|
|
|
$ |
3,292 |
|
|
$ |
291,727 |
|
|
||
Chief Medical Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Kelly Alberts(5) |
|
2006 |
|
$ |
213,898 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
87,295 |
|
|
|
$ |
2,375 |
|
|
$ |
303,568 |
|
|
||
Former President, COO |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Dr. Lavin was appointed as our CEO on July 31, 2006 following the resignation of Alastair McEwan. Dr. Lavin is not compensated by us in his capacity as a director.
(2) Alastair McEwan was appointed interim CEO in May 2006. On July 31, 2006, Mr. McEwan resigned as our interim CEO, but continues to serve as a director. The compensation paid to Mr. McEwan for
29
his services as a director during the 2006 fiscal year was as follows: (a) fees earned or paid in cash$59,600; (b) option awards$23,813; (c) total compensation paid for services as a director$83,413.
(3) Peter Sollenne resigned as our CEO in April 2006.
(4) Dr. Resnick has served as our Chief Medical Officer since July 2006. From November 2005 through July 2006, Dr. Resnick served as our Senior Vice President and President of the Millennix Division.
(5) Mr. Alberts resigned as our President and Chief Operating Officer on September 15, 2006.
(6) Please see footnote 13 to our audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2006 for a discussion of the assumptions made by management in valuing such options.
(7) Consists of $146,507 paid to Mr. Sollenne in connection with Mr. Sollennes separation from us.
Dr. Philip T. Lavin
On July 31, 2006, we entered into an employment agreement with Dr. Philip T. Lavin (the Lavin Employment Agreement). Pursuant to the Lavin Employment Agreement, Dr. Lavin shall serve as our Chief Executive Officer. The Lavin Employment Agreement is for a term of five (5) years and provides that Dr. Lavin shall be paid an annual base salary of $300,000. In addition, Dr. Lavin is eligible to receive an annual bonus as determined by our Board. If Dr. Lavin is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason as those terms are defined in the Lavin Employment Agreement, then we are obligated to pay Dr. Lavin an amount equal to two (2) years of Dr. Lavins then in effect base salary.
Anthony Allocca
On November 9, 2005, we entered into an Employment Agreement with Anthony Allocca (the Allocca Agreement). The Allocca Agreement is for a term of two (2) years and provides that Mr. Allocca shall be paid an annual base salary of $175,000. In addition, Mr. Allocca is eligible to receive an annual bonus as determined by our Board. If Mr. Allocca is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason as those terms are defined in the Allocca Agreement, then we are obligated to pay Mr. Allocca an amount equal to the greater of twelve (12) months annual base salary or the amount of base salary Mr. Allocca would have been paid from the date of termination until the end of the employment term. In addition, in connection with entering into the Allocca Agreement, we granted Mr. Allocca an option to purchase 1,250,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.17 per share with the shares subject to the option vesting at a rate of twenty five percent (25%) on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remainder of the shares subject to the option vesting in equal monthly installments over the next thirty six (36) months. The vesting of Mr. Alloccas option would accelerate if Mr. Alloccas employment was terminated within twelve (12) months after a change of control.
Dr. Gene Resnick
On November 9, 2005, we entered into an Employment Agreement with Dr. Gene Resnick (the Resnick Agreement). The Resnick Agreement is for a term of two (2) years and provides that Dr. Resnick shall be paid an annual base salary of $240,000. In addition, Dr. Resnick is eligible to receive an annual bonus as determined by our Board. If Dr. Resnick is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason as those terms are defined in the Resnick Agreement, then we are obligated to pay Dr. Resnick an amount equal to the greater of twelve (12) months annual base salary or the amount of base salary Dr. Resnick would have been paid from the date of termination until the end of the
30
employment term. In addition, in connection with entering into the Resnick Agreement, we granted Dr. Resnick an option to purchase 1,000,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.17 per share with the shares subject to the option vesting at a rate of twenty five percent (25%) on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remainder of the shares subject to the option vesting in equal monthly installments over the next thirty six (36) months. The vesting of Dr. Resnicks option would accelerate if Dr. Resnicks employment was terminated within twelve (12) months after a change of control. Effective September 6, 2006, we entered into an Amendment to the Resnick Agreement with Dr. Resnick (the Resnick Amendment). Pursuant to the Resnick Amendment: (i) Section 2 of the Resnick Agreement was amended and restated such that the term of the Resnick Agreement shall continue until January 1, 2009; (ii) Section 3.1 of the Resnick Agreement was amended and restated such that Dr. Resnicks annual base salary shall be Three Hundred Five Thousand Dollars ($305,000); and (iii) Section 8.1(b) of the Resnick Agreement was amended and restated such that a Severance Payment, as defined in the Resnick Agreement, equals the greater of (x) the amount of Dr. Resnicks then in effect base salary that would have been payable to Dr. Resnick if he had been employed by us from his termination date through November 9, 2007; or (y) an amount equal to one (1) year of Dr. Resnicks then in effect base salary. The remainder of the Resnick Agreement remains unchanged and continues in full force and effect.
Christopher Codeanne
On January 11, 2007, we entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Codeanne (the Codeanne Employment Agreement). The Codeanne Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Codeanne shall be paid an annual base salary of Two Hundred Thirty Five Thousand Forty Dollars ($235,040). In addition, Mr. Codeanne is eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to twenty-five percent (25%) of his then in effect annual base salary as determined by our Board. Either party may terminate the Codeanne Employment Agreement by providing the other party with six (6) months advance written notice. If Mr. Codeanne is terminated without cause and we elect not to provide Mr. Codeanne with six (6) months advance notice in accordance with the Codeanne Employment Agreement, then we are obligated to pay Mr. Codeanne an amount equal to six (6) months of Mr. Codeannes then in effect base salary in accordance with our normal payroll policies. If a change of control transaction occurs and, as a result of such change of control and within six (6) months thereafter Mr. Codeanne is terminated (other than for cause as defined in the Codeanne Employment Agreement) or resigns due to: (a) reduction in annual base salary; (b) substantial reduction in position; (c) no longer directly reporting to our Chief Executive Officer; or (d) the principal executive office of the Company is moved to a location at least ten (10) miles further away from Mr. Codeannes current residence, then we are obligated to pay Mr. Codeanne an amount equal to six (6) months of Mr. Codeanne then in effect base salary (the Change of Control Severance Amount), plus an additional amount equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the Change of Control Severance Amount, all in accordance with our normal payroll policies.
31
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
The following table sets forth information on outstanding option and stock awards held by the Named Executive Officers at December 31, 2006, including the number of shares underlying both exercisable and unexercisable portions of each stock option as well as the exercise price and expiration date of each outstanding option.
Name |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
Number of |
|
Option |
|
Option |
|
|||||||||
Dr. Philip T. Lavin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Alastair McEwan |
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
|
6/1/2016 |
|
|
||
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
1,500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
|
6/1/2016 |
|
|
||
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
3,000,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
|
9/29/2016 |
|
|
||
Peter Sollenne |
|
(3 |
) |
|
100,694 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
|
1/26/2007 |
|
|
||
|
(3 |
) |
|
208,333 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
|
1/26/2007 |
|
|
|||
|
(3 |
) |
|
145,832 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
|
1/26/2007 |
|
|
|||
|
(3 |
) |
|
216,666 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
|
1/26/2007 |
|
|
|||
|
(5 |
) |
|
1,285,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
|
1/26/2007 |
|
|
|||
Anthony Allocca |
|
(3 |
) |
|
18,749 |
|
|
|
6,251 |
|
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
|
4/29/2015 |
|
|
||
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
25,554 |
|
|
|
14,446 |
|
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
|
4/29/2015 |
|
|
||
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
41,666 |
|
|
|
58,334 |
|
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
|
9/26/2015 |
|
|
||
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
338,541 |
|
|
|
911,459 |
|
|
|
$ |
0.17 |
|
|
|
9/26/2015 |
|
|
||
Dr. Gene Resnick |
|
(4 |
) |
|
270,833 |
|
|
|
729,167 |
|
|
|
$ |
0.17 |
|
|
|
11/9/2015 |
|
|
||
Kelly Alberts |
|
(3 |
) |
|
23,437 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
|
3/31/07 |
|
|
||
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
31,944 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
|
3/31/07 |
|
|
||
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
93,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
|
3/31/07 |
|
|
||
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
677,083 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.17 |
|
|
|
3/31/07 |
|
|
(1) The shares of common stock subject to the option vest at a rate of twenty-five percent (25%) per year on each anniversary of the date of the grant until fully vested.
(2) Fully vested immediately upon appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer
(3) One-third of the shares of common stock subject to the option vest on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date and the remaining two-thirds vest in equal monthly installments over the remaining two years.
(4) One-fourth of the shares of common stock subject to the option vest on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date and the remaining three-fourths vest in equal monthly installments over the remaining three years.
(5) Fully vested on the date of the grant.
For a description of contracts that provide payments to Named Executive Officers upon a change in control of the Company or the termination of a Named Executive Officer, See Employment Agreements.
32
The following table provides information concerning all compensation paid to our directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
Name(1) |
|
|
|
Fee |
|
Stock |
|
Option |
|
Non-Equity |
|
Nonqualified |
|
All Other |
|
Total |
|
||||||||||||
Fred Sancilio(2) |
|
$ |
17,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
90,043 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
141,811 |
(4) |
|
$ |
248,854 |
|
||
Cecilio Rodriguez |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Michael Falk |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Robert Tucker(3) |
|
$ |
14,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,432 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
23,232 |
|
(1) Dr. Lavin is not compensated by us in his capacity as a director. The compensation paid to Mr. McEwan as a director has been fully reflected in the Summary Compensation Table above.
(2) Mr. Sancilio had a total of 11,500,000 stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2006.
(3) Mr. Tucker had a total of 1,000,000 stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2006.
(4) Represents fees for consulting services rendered by SCI Inc., an entity controlled by Mr. Sancilio.
On June 21, 2006, our Board adopted a director compensation plan effective retroactive to January 1, 2006. Pursuant to the director compensation plan, our directors who are not full-time employees are entitled to receive a fee of $2,200 per meeting, including committee meetings and special meetings, that they attend. Our directors are also entitled to $1,000 for each travel day or part of a day used to travel to attend a meeting which is more than 200 miles from such directors home, plus reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with the fulfillment of their duties as directors. A director is entitled to receive $500 for any meeting, including committee meetings and special meetings, that he or she attends via telephone. In addition, beginning in June 2006, non-employee directors receive an annual option to purchase 1,000,000 shares of our common stock at a price per share equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Further, beginning June 1, 2006, the chairman of our Board and the chairman of each of our committees receives an annual option to purchase 500,000 shares of our common stock at a price per share equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Each option granted pursuant to our director compensation plan vests at a rate of twenty-five percent (25%) on each anniversary of the date of grant until fully vested.
On September 29, 2006, our Board established an Executive Committee to implement policy decisions of our Board and to oversee our day-to-day management. The Executive Committee is comprised of four (4) directors: Michael Falk, Fred Sancilio, Alastair McEwan and Dr. Philip Lavin. Mr. McEwan is the Chairman of the Executive Committee and was paid $5,000 for each two (2) week period that he served as Chairman of the Executive Committee from September 29, 2006 through March 31, 2007. On March 31, 2007, as part of our cost containment effort, we terminated this additional compensation paid to Mr. McEwan for his service as Chairman of the Executive Committee. In addition, in consideration for their services on the Executive Committee, we granted Mr. McEwan and Mr. Sancilio options to purchase 3,000,000 shares and 10,000,000 shares, respectively, of our common stock, which options will vest at a rate of twenty-five percent (25%) per year on each anniversary of the date of grant until fully vested. The options will expire on September 29, 2016. The vesting of each such option will cease on the date that either Mr. McEwan or Mr. Sancilio, respectively, resigns from the Executive Committee or is removed
33
from the Executive Committee for Cause, as defined in each option agreement, without regard to whether Mr. McEwan or Mr. Sancilio continues to be a member of our Board; provided, however, that Mr. McEwan and Mr. Sancilio will not be required to exercise the vested portion of their option until such time as their continuous service with us, whether as an employee, director or consultant, has ceased. In the event either Mr. McEwan or Mr. Sancilio is removed from the Executive Committee without Cause, their option will continue to vest for so long as each continues to provide services to us in accordance with the terms of the Plan.
In 2006, we paid $108,000 to SCI Inc., an entity controlled by Mr. Sancilio, for consulting expenses. The remaining compensation earned by Mr. Sancilio in 2006 for consulting expenses was paid during fiscal year 2007.
34
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS, PROMOTERS AND CERTAIN CONTROL PERSONS
In 2006, we paid $108,000 to SCI Inc., an entity controlled by Mr. Sancilio, for consulting expenses. The remaining compensation earned by Mr. Sancilio in 2006 for consulting expenses was paid during fiscal year 2007.
On November 28, 2006, in connection with the private placement of shares of our common stock, we entered into a Placement Agency Agreement, pursuant to which we agreed to sell shares of common stock in value of up to $10,000,000 at a purchase price per share of $0.15; provided, however, that the maximum investment amount could be increased by $5,000,000 by mutual agreement between us and the placement agent (the Financing Transaction). On November 28, 2006, the first closing of the Financing Transaction took place as we entered into subscription agreements with certain investors to purchase 27,333,329 shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $4,100,000, at a purchase price per share of $0.15 (the First Closing).
In connection with the Financing Transaction, Commonwealth functioned as our placement agent in connection with the sale of the shares of our common stock in the Financing Transaction. Mr. Falk, Chairman of our Board, co-founded Commonwealth and was the chief executive officer and chairman of Commonwealth from 1995 to 2002. In addition, an affiliate of ComVest manages Commonwealth. Mr. Sancilio, a member of our Board, is a member of Commonwealths advisory board. At each closing of the Financing Transaction, Commonwealth was entitled to the following: (i) a cash fee equal to 7.5% of the gross proceeds received by us in such closing, and (ii) five (5) year warrants to purchase that number of shares of our common stock equal to 5% of the common stock sold in such closing at an exercise price of $0.15 per share. On November 28, 2006, in connection with the First Closing, Commonwealth was paid $307,500 and issued a warrant to purchase 1,366,666 shares of our common stock as consideration for its services as placement agent in the First Closing of the Financing Transaction. On March 15, 2007, the Placement Agency Agreement expired.
On July 31, 2006, we, through our wholly-owned subsidiaries IT&E Merger Sub, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (Merger Sub), and IT&E Acquisition Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation (Acquisition Sub), consummated the acquisition of Averion Inc. (the Averion Merger), pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated June 30, 2006, by and among us, Merger Sub and Acquisition Sub, on the one hand, and Averion Inc. and Averion Inc.s shareholders (the Averion Shareholders), on the other hand (the Merger Agreement). Dr. Philip T. Lavin, a director and our CEO, was the Chief Executive Officer, President and a controlling shareholder of Averion, Inc. at the time of the Averion Merger. At the closing of the Averion Merger, we purchased all of the outstanding capital stock of Averion Inc. In exchange for all such outstanding capital stock of Averion Inc., the Averion Shareholders received from us, in the aggregate: (i) $5,650,000 in cash, of which $4,570,382 was paid directly to Dr. Lavin; (ii) two (2) year promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $700,000, of which $566,242 in principal amount was issued directly to Dr. Lavin; (iii) five (5) year promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $5,700,000, of which $4,610,828 in principal amount was issued directly to Dr. Lavin; (iv) 45,245,555 shares of our common stock, of which 36,599,908 shares were issued directly to Dr. Lavin; and (v) 8,300 shares of our Series E Convertible Preferred Stock (the Series E Preferred), of which 6,714 shares were issued directly to Dr. Lavin.
35
On November 9, 2005, in connection with the private placement (the Private Placement) of senior secured convertible promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $11,500,000 (the Convertible Notes) and 82,142,788 warrants to purchase shares of our common stock (the Private Placement), we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with ComVest and certain additional purchasers set forth on the signature pages thereto (the Securities Purchase Agreement). Michael Falk, Chairman of our Board, is a principal member of CGH which is the managing member of ComVest II, which is in turn the managing member of ComVest. Cecilio Rodriguez, a member of our Board and Chairman of our Audit Committee, is the Chief Financial Officer of CGH. Pursuant to the Private Placement, ComVest acquired a portion of our Convertible Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $10,300,000 and warrants to purchase 75,571,406 shares of our common stock.
In connection with the Private Placement, ComVest was also issued the option to purchase additional Convertible Notes or our Series D Preferred in the aggregate amount of up to $5,000,000, and warrants to purchase up to an additional 35,714,256 shares of our common stock for a period of six (6) months after November 9, 2005 (the ComVest Option).
In connection with the Private Placement, ComVest also functioned as the placement agent in connection with the sale of the additional Convertible Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $1,200,000 and warrants to purchase 8,571,426 shares of our common stock. ComVest was entitled to a fee of 2.5% of the gross proceeds to the Company in the Private Placement. ComVest received a total of $287,500 for their services provided in connection with the Private Placement.
On March 2, 2006, we effected our reincorporation from the State of Nevada into the State of Delaware (the Reincorporation). In connection with the Reincorporation, we filed a Certificate of Designations thereby duly authorizing and creating our Series D Preferred, at which time the Convertible Notes we issued to ComVest were automatically converted into 10,300 shares of such Series D Preferred.
On May 8, 2006, we entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Securities Purchase Agreement (the Securities Purchase Amendment) pursuant to which we extended the ComVest Option until November 9, 2006 and decreased the number of warrants that ComVest could purchase pursuant to the ComVest Option from 35,714,256 to 32,142,829. On July 31, 2006, ComVest exercised the ComVest Option in full by investing an additional $5,000,000 for the purchase of 5,000 shares of our Series D Preferred and warrants to purchase 32,142,829 shares of our common stock.
An affiliate of ComVest, ComVest Advisors, LLC also provided financial and advisory services to the Company for which the Company paid ComVest Advisors, LLC fees of $106,000 during 2006.
On November 9, 2005, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Millennix, Inc., (Millennix) and Dr. Resnick related to the acquisition of the assets of Millennix (the Millennix Asset Purchase Agreement). Dr. Resnick is our Chief Medical Officer. Pursuant to the Millennix Asset Purchase Agreement, we purchased substantially all of the assets of Millennix. In consideration for the Millennix assets, we paid Millennix: (i) $1,100,000 in cash, (ii) 10,416,667 shares of our common stock and (iii) a possible additional $1,400,000 in cash, contingent on the achievement of certain earnout milestones. In addition, we also assumed certain promissory notes of Millennix in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $850,000. Of this amount, $680,820.58 was owed by Millennix to Dr. Resnick. We issued two (2) subordinated promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $680,820.58 to Dr. Resnick. The first such note was in the principal amount of $370,820.58 and is due and payable as follows: (i) no interest accrued and we were not obligated to make any payments on such note until May 9, 2006, (ii) we made interest only payments for the six (6) calendar months beginning June 1, 2006 for the interest that accrues
36
during each such month, and (iii) we are to make twenty-four (24) monthly payments of principal and interest beginning December 1, 2006; provided, however, that if Dr. Resnick violates the terms of his non-competition agreement we may offset the outstanding balance of unpaid principal and interest under such note against any damages that arise from such violation. The second such note is in the principal amount of $310,000 and is due and payable as follows: (i) we made interest only payments for the twelve (12) calendar months beginning December 1, 2005 for the interest that accrued during each such month, and (ii) we are to make twenty-four (24) monthly payments of principal and interest beginning December 1, 2006
On September 6, 2006, we entered into an Amendment to the Millennix Asset Purchase Agreement with Millennix and Dr. Resnick that amended the manner in which the contingent earnout payments were to be made (the Millennix Asset Purchase Amendment). Pursuant to the Millennix Asset Purchase Amendment, the remaining balance to be paid by us, in consideration for all of the assets of Millennix, is to be paid in three (3) installments as follows: (i) $300,000 in cash to Millennix on January 1, 2007; (ii) the issuance of a subordinated promissory note to Dr. Resnick on September 6, 2006, in the principal amount of $300,000 accruing simple interest at 8% per annum, beginning on August 7, 2006, with such interest being paid monthly in arrears and the principal amount payable in full on January 1, 2008; and (iii) the issuance of 4,285,714 shares of our common stock to Millennix on January 1, 2009. These payments are contingent on Dr. Resnick being employed by us on each relevant payment date.
HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as householding, potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
This year, a number of brokers with account holders who are our stockholders will be householding our proxy materials. A single Proxy Statement will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate Proxy Statement and annual report, please notify your broker, and direct your written request to Averion International Corp., 225 Turnpike Road, Southborough, Massachusetts 01772. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the Proxy Statement at their address and would like to request householding of their communications should contact their broker.
PROPOSALS OF STOCKHOLDERS FOR THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholders may present proposals for inclusion in the proxy materials to be distributed in connection with the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the 2008 Annual Meeting). As the rules of the SEC make clear, simply submitting a proposal does not guarantee that it will be included.
In accordance with our bylaws and SEC Rule 14a-8, in order to be properly brought before the 2008 Annual Meeting, a stockholders notice of the matter the stockholder wishes to present, or the person or persons the stockholder wishes to nominate as a director, must be delivered to our corporate secretary at our principal executive offices not less than 90 nor more than 120 days before our 2008 Annual Meeting. As a result, any notice given by a stockholder pursuant to these provisions must be received no earlier than January 24, 2008 and no later than February 23, 2008, unless our 2008 Annual Meeting date is more than 30 days before or after May 23, 2008.
37
If our 2008 Annual Meeting date is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the date in 2008 coinciding with this years meeting date, then proposals must be received not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days before the 2008 Annual Meeting or the 10th day following the date on which the meeting date is publicly announced.
To be in proper form, a stockholders notice must include the specified information concerning the proposal or nominee as described in our bylaws. A stockholder who wishes to submit a proposal or nomination is encouraged to seek independent counsel about our bylaws and SEC requirements. We will not consider any proposal or nomination that does not meet the bylaw requirements and the SECs requirements for submitting a proposal or nomination.
Notices of intention to present proposals at the 2008 Annual Meeting should be addressed to the Secretary of the Company at Averion International Corp., 225 Turnpike Road, Southborough, Massachusetts 01772. We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.
38
The Board knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other issues are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, we will ask our proxy holders to vote on the matters using their best judgment.
We filed our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 with the SEC on March 30, 2007. A copy of such Annual Report on Form 10-KSB is being furnished to you with this Proxy Statement. Stockholders may obtain additional copies of the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB and the exhibits thereto, without charge, by writing to Averion International Corp., Secretary, 225 Turnpike Road, Southborough, Massachusetts 01772.
|
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
|
|
|
/s/ GLENN E. DEEGAN |
April 23, 2007 |
|
Glenn E. Deegan |
|
|
|
39
APPENDIX A
CERTIFICATE AMENDMENT
STATE OF DELAWARE
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
Averion International Corp. (the Corporation), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware does hereby certify:
FIRST: That at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation resolutions were duly adopted setting forth a proposed amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Corporation, declaring said amendment to be advisable and that the directors took action to authorize this amendment pursuant to authority granted by a majority of the stockholders of the Corporation pursuant to the bylaws of the Corporation and Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. The resolution setting forth the proposed amendment is as follows:
RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Corporation be amended by changing Article IV(A) so that, as amended, said Article shall read as follows:
Classes of Stock. The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, Common Stock and Preferred Stock. The total number of share which the Corporation is authorized to issue is seven hundred sixty million (760,000,000) shares, each with a par value of $0.001 per share. Seven hundred fifty million (750,000,000) shares shall be Common Stock and ten million (10,000,000) shares shall be Preferred Stock.
SECOND: That thereafter, in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon, and a majority of the outstanding stock of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class, approved the foregoing amendment.
THIRD: That said amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said corporation has caused this certificate to be signed this day of , 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Philip T. Lavin, Chief Executive Officer |
APPENDIX B
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
STATE OF DELAWARE
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
Averion International Corp. (the Corporation), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware does hereby certify:
FIRST: That at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation resolutions were duly adopted setting forth a proposed amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Corporation, declaring said amendment to be advisable and that the directors took action to authorize this amendment pursuant to authority granted by a majority of the Stockholders of the Corporation pursuant to the bylaws of the Corporation and Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. The resolution setting forth the proposed amendment is as follows:
RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Corporation be amended by inserting the following paragraph as Article IV(D) immediately following the current text of Article IV (C):
(D) Reverse Stock Split Upon this Certificate of Amendment becoming effective pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the Effective Time), each ( ) shares of the Corporations common stock, par value $0.001 per share, including (i) all authorized but unissued shares; (ii) all issued and outstanding shares; and (iii) all shares held in treasury, in each case immediately prior to the Effective Time will be and are automatically reclassified as and converted (without any further act) into one (1) fully-paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Corporation; provided, however, that no fractional shares of common stock of the Corporation shall be issued and in lieu of any fractional shares of common stock of the Corporation which any stockholder would otherwise be entitled to receive pursuant hereto, such stockholder shall be entitled to receive from the Corporation one additional share of common stock of the Corporation.
SECOND: That thereafter, in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon, and a majority of the outstanding stock of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class, approved the foregoing amendment.
THIRD: That said amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said corporation has caused this Certificate to be signed this day of , 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Philip T. Lavin, Chief Executive Officer |
2005 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED
1. PURPOSES. The primary purpose of this Averion International Corp. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) is to provide a means by which the Company can retain and maximize the services of its current Employees, Directors and Consultants, and secure, retain and maximize the services of new Employees, Directors and Consultants, by providing Stock Awards, including Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards and stock bonuses, to such persons on the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan. In addition, the Plan is intended to generate proceeds from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Stock Awards that shall be used as general funds of the Company
2. DEFINED TERMS. Capitalized terms in this Plan shall have the meanings set forth in Appendix A attached hereto, unless defined elsewhere in this Plan or the context of their use clearly indicates a different meaning.
3. ADMINISTRATION.
3.1 Authority of Board. Until the Board decides to delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee as set forth in Section 3.2 below, the Board shall have full authority to administer the Plan, subject only to the express provisions and limitations set forth in the Plan and any applicable laws. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board shall be fully empowered to: (i) determine, from time to time, the recipients of Stock Awards and the terms upon which Stock Awards shall be granted to such recipients; (ii) construe and interpret, and correct any defects, omissions or inconsistencies in, the Plan and any Stock Awards; (iii) terminate, suspend or amend the Plan or any Stock Award as provided in Section 11; and (iv) exercise such powers and perform such acts consistent with the provisions of the Plan as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The determinations of the Board with respect to the Plan shall not be subject to review by any Person and shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all other Persons.
3.2 Delegation to Committee. In accordance with the Boards authority under the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Companys Bylaws, the Board shall delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee, which Committee shall be comprised of at least two (2) members who qualify as outside directors within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, and which Committee shall, upon such delegation, be empowered to exercise the full authority of the Board with respect to the Plan.
4. COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
4.1 Reserve Pool. Subject to the provisions of Section 10 relating to Capitalization Adjustments, an aggregate of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock (the Reserve Pool) may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards. If any Stock Award shall for any reason expire or otherwise terminate, in whole or in part, without having been exercised in full, the shares of Common Stock not acquired under such Stock Award shall automatically revert to the Reserve Pool and again become available for issuance under the Plan. During the term of the Plan, the Company shall keep available in the Reserve Pool at all times a number of shares of Common Stock sufficient to satisfy all outstanding Stock Awards.
4.2 Limitation on Number of Shares. To the extent required by CCR Title 10, the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of all outstanding Stock Awards, together with the total number of shares of Common Stock provided for under any stock bonus or similar plan of the Company, shall not exceed the applicable percentage as calculated in accordance with the
1
conditions and exclusions of CCR Title 10, based on the shares of Common Stock of the Company that are outstanding at the time the calculation is made.
4.3 Stock Award Limitations per Participant. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10 of the Plan, no eligible Employee, Director or Consultant may be granted any Stock Award(s) under the Plan for more than 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock, in the aggregate in any calendar year.
5. ELIGIBILITY.
5.1 Employees. Employees shall be eligible to receive each of the types of Stock Awards provided for in the Plan.
5.2 Directors. Directors shall be eligible to receive each of the types of Stock Awards, except Incentive Stock Options, provided for in the Plan.
5.3 Consultants. To the extent permitted by applicable law, consultants shall be eligible to receive each of the types of Stock Awards, except Incentive Stock Options, provided for in the Plan.
5.4 Ten Percent Stockholders. In addition to any other applicable restrictions set forth in this Section 5, a Ten Percent Stockholder shall not be granted: (i) an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Incentive Stock Option is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant and such Incentive Stock Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant; (ii) a Nonstatutory Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Nonstatutory Stock Option is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant; or (iii) a Restricted Stock Award unless the purchase price of the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Restricted Stock Award is at least one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant.
5.5 Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement.
(a) Prior to being granted any Award under the Plan, each Employee shall have executed and delivered to the Company a copy of the Companys standard proprietary information and inventions agreement or such other agreement containing similar obligations of confidentiality as may be approved by the Board at the time the Award is granted (any such agreement being referred to herein as a Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement). In the event that any Award is inadvertently granted to an Employee who has not, as of the date of such grant, entered into a Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement with the Company, such Award shall be deemed null and void ab initio.
(b) In the event that any Employee breaches any provision of the Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement between such Employee and the Company, such Employee shall no longer be eligible to receive Awards pursuant to this Plan. Moreover, such Employee shall be deemed, as of the date of such Employees breach of such Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement, to have forfeited all outstanding Awards previously granted to and then held by such Employee, regardless of whether such Awards are then vested or exercisable.
6. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL STOCK AWARDS.
6.1 No Stockholder Rights. No Participant shall be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to any Stock Award held by such Participant unless and until such Participant has satisfied all requirements for the exercise of the Stock Award pursuant to its terms.
6.2 No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan or any Stock Award Agreement shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an
2
Affiliate in any capacity. Likewise, nothing in the Plan or any Stock Award shall affect the right of the Company or any applicable Affiliate to terminate: (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without Cause; (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultants agreement with the Company or an Affiliate; or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the bylaws of the Company or any applicable Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.
6.3 Investment Assurances. At any time that the issuance of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of a Stock Award has not been registered under an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, the Company may: (i) require a Participant, as a condition of acquiring Common Stock under such Stock Award, to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company (a) as to the Participants knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and capability to evaluate the merits and risks of acquiring such Common Stock under such Stock Award and (b) stating that the Participant is acquiring such Common Stock under the Stock Award for the Participants own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing such Common Stock; and (ii) place legends, including, without limitation, legends restricting the transfer of such Common Stock, on any and all stock certificates representing such Common Stock in order to comply with applicable securities laws.
6.4 Withholding Obligations. To the extent provided by the terms of a Stock Award Agreement, the Participant may satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the acquisition of Common Stock under a Stock Award by any of the following means (in addition to the Companys right to withhold from any compensation paid to the Participant by the Company) or by a combination of such means: (i) tendering a cash payment; or (ii) authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock Award; provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lower amount as may be necessary to avoid variable award accounting).
6.5 Vesting. The Board or Committee may provide that the total number of shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award shall vest in installments over any given period of time. Criteria for determining the vesting of shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award may be based solely on the passage of time or on any other criteria, including, without limitation, the performance of the Participant, deemed appropriate by the Board or Committee.
6.6 Acceleration of Exercisability and Vesting. The Board shall have the power to accelerate the time at which a Stock Award may first be exercised or the time during which a Stock Award or any part thereof will vest in accordance with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Stock Award stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.
6.7 Terms of Repurchase Options. The terms of any repurchase option in favor of the Company with respect to shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to a Stock Award shall be specified in the applicable Stock Award Agreement. The price per share of Common Stock at which such repurchase option may be exercised may be either: (i) the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of the termination of the applicable Participants Continuous Service; or (ii) the lower of (a) the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of repurchase and (b) the original purchase price per share of Common Stock paid by the applicable Participant; provided, however, that terms of any repurchase option shall, if applicable, comply at all times with the provisions of CCR Title 10 relating to presumptively reasonable repurchase prices.
6.8 Information Obligation. To the extent required by CCR Title 10, the Company shall deliver financial statements to Participants at least annually; provided, however, that the obligation to
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deliver financial statements shall not apply to Employees whose duties with the Company assure them access to equivalent information.
6.9 Performance Targets; Section 162(m) Performance Criteria. To the extent a Committee is delegated authority by the Board to administer the Plan in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code, and such Committee determines it to be desirable to qualify Stock Awards as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, then the Committee shall in setting performance targets for such Stock Awards consider the following performance criteria with respect to the Company: net earnings (either before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), economic value-added, gross or net sales, gross or net revenue, net income (either before or after taxes), operating income or earnings, operating margin, cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and fee cash flow), return on capital, return on net assets, return on stockholders equity, return on assets, stockholder returns, gross or net profit margin, productivity, expense, margins, operating efficiency, cost reductions or savings, funds from operations, client satisfaction, working capital, earnings per share, price per share of Common Stock, and market share, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or decrease, or as compared to results of a peer group, each as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or subject to such adjustments as may be specified by the Committee. The Committee shall define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the performance criteria it selects and may, in its discretion, within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, adjust or modify the calculation of performance targets for a performance period in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants in the Plan: (a) in the event of, or in an anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event or development, or (b) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or non-recurring events affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company, or in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions.
7. OPTIONS.
7.1 Stock Award Agreements for Options. Each Stock Award Agreement for an Option shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board or Committee shall deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of such Stock Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of Stock Award Agreements for separate Options need not be identical; provided, however, that each Stock Award Agreement for an Option shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Stock Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of the provisions set forth in this Section 7.
7.2 Designation. All Options shall be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates shall be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option.
7.3 Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.4 above, no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date it was granted.
7.4 Minimum Vesting. Notwithstanding Section 6.5 above, to the extent required by CCR Title 10: (i) Options granted to an Employee who is not an Officer, Director or Consultant shall provide for vesting of the total number of shares of Common Stock at a rate of at least twenty percent (20%) per year over five (5) years from the date the Option was granted, subject to reasonable conditions such as Continuous Service; and (ii) Options granted to Officers, Directors or Consultants may be made fully exercisable at any time or during any period established by the Board or Committee, subject to reasonable conditions such as Continuous Service.
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7.5 Consideration.
(a) The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable statutes and regulations, either: (i) in cash at the time the Option is exercised; or (ii) pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of Common Stock, results in either the receipt by the Company of cash (or a check) in the amount of, or the receipt by the Company of a copy of irrevocable instructions previously delivered by the purchaser to the purchasers broker instructing such broker to pay to the Company an amount equal to, the aggregate exercise price for the number of shares of Common Stock being issued to the purchaser in connection with the exercise of the Option from the proceeds of the simultaneous sale of the Common Stock.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 7.5(a) above: (i) unless otherwise specifically provided in the Option, the purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option that is paid by delivery to the Company of other Common Stock acquired, directly or indirectly from the Company, shall be paid only by shares of the Common Stock of the Company that have been held for more than six (6) months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid a charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes); and (ii) in the case of any deferred payment arrangement, interest shall be compounded at least annually and shall be charged at the minimum rate of interest necessary to avoid (a) the treatment as interest, under any applicable provisions of the Code, of any amounts other than amounts stated to be interest under the deferred payment arrangement and (b) the treatment of the Option as a variable award for financial accounting purposes.
7.6 Early Exercise. An Option may include a provision whereby the Participant may elect at any time before the Participants Continuous Service terminates to exercise the Option as to any part or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option prior to the full vesting of such shares of Common Stock. Subject to Section 6.7 above, any unvested shares of Common Stock so purchased may be subject to a repurchase option in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Board determines to be appropriate.
7.7 Termination of Continuous Service.
(a) Termination Other Than for Cause or As a Result of Death or Disability. In the event that a Participants Continuous Service terminates other than for Cause or as a result of the Participants Disability or death, the Participant may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination) at any time within the period (the Post-Termination Exercise Period) ending on the earlier of: (i) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the applicable Stock Award Agreement; or (ii) the date three (3) months following the termination of the Participants Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the applicable Stock Award Agreement, which period shall not be less than thirty (30) days). If, after the termination of such Participants Continuous Service, such Participant does not exercise his or her Option within such Post-Termination Exercise Period, the Option shall terminate.
(b) Termination for Cause. In the event a Participants Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Option shall terminate upon the termination date of such Participants Continuous Service, and the Participant shall be prohibited from exercising his or her Option as of the time of such termination.
(c) Termination As a Result of Disability. In the event that a Participants Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participants Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date
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of termination), at any time during the Post-Termination Exercise Period ending on the earlier of: (i) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement; or (ii) the date twelve (12) months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement, which period shall not be less than six (6) months). If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within such Post-Termination Exercise Period, the Option shall terminate.
(d) Termination As a Result of Death. In the event that a Participants Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participants death or a Participant dies within any applicable Post-Termination Exercise Period, then such Participants Option may be exercised (to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of death) by the Participants estate, by a Person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by a Person designated to exercise the option upon the Participants death pursuant to Section 7.8(b) or 7.9(b) below, at any time during the Post-Termination Exercise Period ending on the earlier of: (i) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement; or (ii) the date eighteen (18) months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement, which period shall not be less than six (6) months). If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within such Post-Termination Exercise Period, the Option shall terminate.
7.8 Special Provisions for Incentive Stock Options.
(a) Exercise Price. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.4 above, the exercise price of each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Incentive Stock Option on the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may be granted with an exercise price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Incentive Stock Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code.
(b) Transferability. An Incentive Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant may, by delivering written notice to the Company in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of such Participant, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise such Participants Incentive Stock Option.
(c) $100,000 Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates exceeds $100,000, the Incentive Stock Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Stock Award Agreement(s).
7.9 Special Provisions for Nonstatutory Stock Options.
(a) Exercise Price. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.4 above, the exercise price of each Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Nonstatutory Stock Option on the date the Nonstatutory Stock Option is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Nonstatutory Stock Option may be granted with an exercise price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence
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if such Nonstatutory Stock Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code.
(b) Transferability. A Nonstatutory Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and, to the extent provided in the Stock Award Agreement and, if applicable, as permitted by CCR Title 10 at the time of the grant of the Nonstatutory Stock Option, and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant. If a Nonstatutory Stock Option does not provide for transferability, then such Nonstatutory Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant may, by delivering written notice to the Company in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of such Participant, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise such Participants Nonstatutory Stock Option.
8. STOCK BONUSES.
8.1 Stock Award Agreements for Stock Bonuses. Each Stock Award Agreement for a stock bonus shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board or Committee shall deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of such Stock Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of Stock Award Agreements for separate stock bonuses need not be identical; provided, however, that each Stock Award Agreement for a stock bonus shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Stock Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of the provisions set forth in this Section 8.
8.2 Consideration. A stock bonus may be awarded in consideration for past services actually rendered to the Company or an Affiliate for its benefit.
8.3 Termination of Participants Continuous Service. In the event that a Participants Continuous Service terminates, the Company may reacquire, for no consideration, any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant that have not vested as of the date of termination under the terms of the Stock Award Agreement for the stock bonus.
8.4 Transferability. Rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under the Stock Award Agreement for a stock bonus shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant.
9. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS.
9.1 Stock Award Agreements for Restricted Stock Awards. Each Stock Award Agreement for a Restricted Stock Award shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board or Committee shall deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of such Stock Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of Stock Award Agreements for separate Restricted Stock Awards need not be identical; provided, however, that each Stock Award Agreement for a Restricted Stock Award shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Stock Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of the provisions set forth in this Section 9.
9.2 Purchase Price. At the time of grant of a Restricted Stock Award, the Board or Committee will determine the price to be paid by the Participant for each share of Common Stock subject to such Restricted Stock Award. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.4 above, the purchase price of Restricted Stock Awards shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date such Restricted Stock Award is made. A Restricted Stock Award may be awarded as a stock bonus (i.e., with no cash purchase price to be paid) to the extent permissible under applicable law.
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9.3 Consideration. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Award, the Board will determine the consideration permissible for the payment of the purchase price of the Restricted Stock Award. The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the Stock Award Agreement for the Restricted Stock Award shall be paid either: (i) in cash at the time of purchase; (ii) at the discretion of the Board, according to a deferred payment or other similar arrangement with the Participant; (iii) by services rendered or to be rendered to the Company; or (iii) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board in its discretion.
9.4 Termination of Participants Continuous Service. Subject to Section 6.7, in the event that a Participants Continuous Service terminates, the Company may repurchase or otherwise reacquire any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant that have not vested as of the date of termination under the terms of the Stock Award Agreement for such Participants Restricted Stock Award.
9.5 Transferability. Rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under the Stock Award Agreement for a Restricted Stock Award shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant.
10. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN STOCK.
10.1 Capitalization Adjustments. If any change is made in, or other event occurs with respect to, the Common Stock of the Company without the receipt of consideration by the Company (through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or other transaction (each a Capitalization Adjustment)), the Plan will be appropriately adjusted in the class and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 4.1, and the outstanding Stock Awards will be appropriately adjusted in the class and number of securities and price per share of Common Stock subject to such outstanding Stock Awards; provided, however, that the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as a transaction without receipt of consideration by the Company and shall not give rise to a Capitalization Adjustment pursuant to this Section 10.1. The Board or Committee shall make such adjustments, which shall be final, binding and conclusive.
10.2 Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, then all outstanding Stock Awards shall terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and shares of Common Stock subject to any repurchase option in favor of the Company may be repurchased by the Company, notwithstanding the fact whether or not the applicable Participants Continuous Service has terminated.
10.3 Corporate Transaction.
(a) In the event of a Corporate Transaction, any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation may (but need not) assume or continue any or all Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan or may (but need not) substitute similar stock awards for Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan (including an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders or the Company, as the case may be, pursuant to the Corporate Transaction), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to Stock Awards may be assigned by the Company to the successor of the Company or to the acquiring corporation (or such successors or acquiring corporations parent company), if any, in connection with such Corporate Transaction. In the event any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation elects to assume or continue any or all Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan, such Stock Awards shall remain in effect in accordance with the terms of this Plan and the applicable Stock
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Award Agreements, but shall thereafter represent the right to receive (upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms of such Stock Awards, if applicable) for each share of Common Stock underlying each such Stock Award such cash, securities or other property that would have been received by the applicable Participant had such Participant exercised such Stock Award immediately prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction.
(b) In the event that, in connection with a Corporate Transaction, any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation does not assume or continue any or all such outstanding Stock Awards or substitute similar stock awards for such outstanding Stock Awards, then with respect to Stock Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted, such Stock Awards shall terminate if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Stock Awards held by Participants whose Continuous Service has not terminated shall (contingent upon the effectiveness of the Corporate Transaction) lapse.
10.4 Change in Control. A Stock Award held by any Participant whose Continuous Service has not terminated prior to the effective time of a Change in Control may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after such Change in Control as may be provided in the Stock Award Agreement for such Stock Award; provided, however, that in the absence of any such provision in the Stock Award Agreement for such Stock Award, no such acceleration shall occur.
11. TERMINATION, SUSPENSION AND AMENDMENT.
11.1 Termination or Suspension of the Plan. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate on the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board or approved by the stockholders of the Company, whichever is earlier. No Stock Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
11.2 Amendment of the Plan and Stock Awards. Subject to Section 11.3 below, the Board may, from time to time, amend the Plan or any Stock Award in any manner it deems appropriate or necessary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as expressly provided elsewhere in the Plan, no amendment to the Plan shall be effective unless approved by the stockholders of the Company to the extent stockholder approval is necessary to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, Section 422 of the Code, or the listing requirements of the exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Companys Common stock is traded.
11.3 No Impairment. No termination or suspension of the Plan or amendment of the Plan or any Stock Award shall impair rights of a Participant with respect to any outstanding Stock Award unless the Company receives the written consent of such Participant.
12. MISCELLANEOUS.
12.1 Compliance with Laws.
(a) This Plan and the obligations of the Company with respect to any Stock Awards granted hereunder shall be subject to all applicable federal and state securities laws. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from any applicable regulatory commission or agency the authority that legal counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock pursuant to such Stock Awards, then the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock in connection with such Stock Awards unless and until such authority is obtained.
(b) To facilitate the grant of any Stock Award, the Committee may impose special terms for Stock Awards granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or who are employed by the
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Company or any Affiliate outside of the United States as the Board or Committee may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local laws, tax policies or customs.
12.2 Severability. If one or more provisions of this Plan are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, such provision shall be excluded from this Plan and the balance of the Plan shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
12.3 Governing Law. The law of the State of California shall govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to such states conflict of laws rules.
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Affiliate means any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company, whether now or hereafter existing, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively, of the Code.
Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
Cause means, with respect to a particular Participant, the occurrence of any of the following: (i) such Participants conviction of any felony or any crime involving fraud; (ii) such Participants participation (whether by affirmative act or omission) in a fraud or felonious act against the Company and/or its Affiliates; (iii) such Participants violation of any statutory or fiduciary duty, or duty of loyalty owed to the Company and/or its Affiliates and which has a material adverse effect on the Company and/or its Affiliates; (iv) such Participants violation of state or federal law in connection with such Participants performance of such Participants job; (v) breach of any material term of any contract between such Participant and the Company and/or its Affiliates; and (vi) such Participants violation of any material Company policy; provided, however, that the final determination that a termination is for Cause shall be made by the Board or Committee, as applicable, in its sole and exclusive judgment and discretion.
CCR Title 10 means Title 10 of the California Code of Regulations, as amended from time to time.
Change in Control means any Corporate Transaction or the occurrence, in any single transaction or in any series of related transactions not approved by the Board, of any Person becoming the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Companys then-outstanding securities; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Stock Awards subject to such agreement (it being understood, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply).
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Committee means a committee comprised of two (2) or more outside directors within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 3.2 of the Plan.
Common Stock means the Companys common stock, par value $0.001 per share.
Company means Averion International Corp., a Delaware corporation.
Consultant means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and who is compensated for such services; provided, however, that the term Consultant shall not include Directors who are not compensated by the Company for their services as Directors, and the payment of a fee by the Company for services which the Board determines in its sole discretion are services as a Director shall not cause a Director to be considered a Consultant for purposes of the Plan.
Continuous Service means that the Participants service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Consultant or Director or a change in the entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participants service with the Company or an Affiliate, shall not terminate a Participants Continuous Service. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate, or to a Director shall not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. The Board, Committee or any authorized Officer of the Company, in that partys sole discretion, may
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determine whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case of any leave of absence approved by that party, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence shall be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in a Stock Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Companys leave of absence policy or in the written terms of the Participants leave of absence.
Corporate Transaction means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(a) there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company if, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either: (i) outstanding voting securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction; or (ii) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction;
(b) the stockholders of the Company approve or the Board approves a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or a complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company shall otherwise occur; or
(c) there is consummated a sale of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which Entity is Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their Ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.
The term Corporate Transaction shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company.
Director means a member of the Board.
Disability means the inability of a person, in the opinion of a qualified physician acceptable to the Company, to perform the duties of that persons position with the Company or an Affiliate because of the sickness or injury of the person.
Employee means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate; provided, however, that service as a Director, or payment of a fee by the Company for services which the Board determines in its sole discretion are services as a Director or as a member of the Board of Directors of an Affiliate, shall not be sufficient to constitute employment by the Company or such Affiliate.
Entity means any corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, estate, trust, company (including any limited liability company or joint stock company), firm or other enterprise, association, organization or entity.
Fair Market Value means the closing price of a share of Common Stock of the Company, as quoted on the exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Companys Common Stock is then listed or quoted, as the case may be, on the date a Stock Award is granted.
Incentive Stock Option means an option to purchase shares of Common Stock that is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Nonstatutory Stock Option means an option to purchase shares of Common Stock that is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
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Officer means any person designated by the Company as an officer.
Option means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan.
A Person shall be deemed to Own, to have Owned, to be the Owner of, or to have acquired Ownership of securities if such Person, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.
Participant means a person to whom a Stock Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Stock Award.
Person means any natural person or Entity.
Plan means this Averion International Corp. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan.
Restricted Stock Award means an award of shares of Common Stock, which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 9 of the Plan.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Stock Award means any right granted under the Plan, including an Option, a Restricted Stock Award or a stock bonus.
Stock Award Agreement means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Stock Award. Each Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
Ten Percent Stockholder means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any of its Affiliates.
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VOTE BY MAIL |
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Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Averion International Corp., c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. |
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: |
AVIC01 |
KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS |
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. |
DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY |
AVERION INTERNATIONAL CORP. |
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Vote On Directors |
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1. |
Elect six (6) directors to serve on our Board of Directors (the Board) until our 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. |
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For |
Withhold |
For All |
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark For All Except and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. |
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01) Dr. Philip T. Lavin |
04) Robert D. Tucker |
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02) Michael Falk |
05) Alastair McEwan |
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03) Cecilio M. Rodriguez |
06) Fred Sancilio |
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Vote On Proposals |
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Abstain |
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2. |
Approve an amendment to our certificate of incorporation (the Certificate), to increase the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under our Certificate from 650,000,000 shares to 750,000,000 shares; |
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Approve an amendment to our Certificate to effect a reverse stock split of all outstanding and authorized shares of our common stock to be declared by our Board at any time prior to May 23, 2008 in a ratio not to exceed fifty (50) shares to one (1) share, the precise timing and ratio of such reverse stock split to be determined by our Board in its discretion; |
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4. |
Approve an amendment to the Companys 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the Plan), to: (i) amend the Plan terms to enable us to deduct for tax purposes certain compensation paid under the Plan, (ii) eliminate our ability to grant stock options at a price discounted below the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant of any such stock option; (iii) expand the Plans provisions governing when stockholder approval of Plan amendments is necessary; and (iv) amend the definition of Fair Market Value under the Plan; |
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5. |
Ratify our Audit Committees selection of Schneider Downs & Co., Inc. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007; and |
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6. |
Transact any other business that may be properly presented at the Annual Meeting. |
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The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the enclosed Proxy Statement. |
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All holders of outstanding shares of our stock, as of the close of business on April 12, 2007, are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
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Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] |
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Signature (Joint Owners) |
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IMPORTANT
Whether or not you expect to attend our 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders in person, please complete, date, sign, and return the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. Your proxy will be revocable any time prior to its exercise either in writing or by voting your shares personally at our 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
AVERION INTERNATIONAL CORP.
225 Turnpike Road
Southborough, MA 01772
NOTICE OF 2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 23, 2007
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Dr. Philip T. Lavin and Christopher Codeanne, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of common stock of Averion International Corp. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 9:00 A.M. (Eastern Time) on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at 225 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772, and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
All holders of shares of our common stock, as of the close of business on April 12, 2007, are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE STOCKHOLDER(S). IF NO SUCH DIRECTIONS ARE MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND FOR EACH PROPOSAL.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED REPLY ENVELOPE
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE