Tweeter Home Entertainment Group, Inc.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
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Registrant o
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for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
x Definitive Proxy
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o Definitive
Additional Materials |
o Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Tweeter Home Entertainment Group, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the
Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act
Rules 14a-6(i)(4)
and 0-11.
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (Set
forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
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Rule 0-11(a)(2)
and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
TWEETER HOME ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.
40 Pequot Way
Canton, MA 02021
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend Tweeter Home Entertainment
Group, Inc.s (Tweeter) annual meeting of
stockholders on January 31, 2006. The meeting will begin
promptly at 10:30 AM at the offices of Goulston &
Storrs, P.C., 400 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts.
The official Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and form of
proxy are included with this letter. The matters listed in the
Notice of Meeting are described in detail in the proxy
statement. This year we are asking stockholders to elect two
Directors and to approve the selection of Tweeters
accountants.
The vote of every stockholder is important. Whether or not you
expect to attend the meeting in person, you are urged to submit
your proxy as soon as possible. You may submit your proxy
(1) over the Internet, (2) by telephone, or
(3) by signing, dating, and returning the enclosed proxy
card and mailing it in the postage-prepaid envelope provided.
The Board of Directors and management look forward to greeting
those stockholders who are able to attend.
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Sincerely, |
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Joseph McGuire |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
TWEETER HOME ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.
40 Pequot Way
Canton, MA 02021
January 5, 2006
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The annual meeting of stockholders (the Annual
Meeting) of Tweeter Home Entertainment Group, Inc. will be
held at the offices of Goulston & Storrs, P.C.,
400 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, on January 31,
2006, at 10:30 AM, for the following purposes:
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To elect two Directors, each to serve for a three-year term or
until the election and qualification of their respective
successors. |
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To act upon the approval of the designation of
Deloitte & Touche LLP to audit the books, records and
accounts of Tweeter for fiscal year 2006. |
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To consider and act upon all other matters which may properly
come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or
adjournments thereof. |
The Board of Directors has set the close of business on Friday,
December 16, 2005, as the record date for the purpose of
determining the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote
at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof, and only
stockholders of record on that date will be entitled to notice
of and to vote at said meeting.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please fill in,
date, sign and return the enclosed proxy promptly in the return
envelope provided. Alternatively, if you have shares registered
directly with Tweeters transfer agent, Computershare, you
may choose to vote those shares via the Internet at
Computershares voting Web site
(http://www.eproxyvote.com/twtr), or you may vote
telephonically, within the U.S. and Canada only, by calling
Computershare at 1-877-779-8683 (toll free). If you hold Tweeter
shares with a broker or bank, you may also be eligible to vote
via the Internet or to vote telephonically if your broker or
bank participates in the proxy-voting program provided by ADP
Investor Communication Services. If your Tweeter shares are held
in an account with a broker or bank participating in the ADP
Investor Communication Services program, you may be able to vote
those shares via the Internet at ADP Investor Communication
Services voting Web site (www.proxyvote.com) or
telephonically by calling the telephone number shown on your
voting form. See Voting Via the Internet or By
Telephone in the proxy statement for further details. You
are cordially invited to attend the meeting.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Joseph McGuire |
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Chief Executive Officer |
TWEETER HOME ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the
solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of
Tweeter Home Entertainment Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:
TWTR) for the annual meeting of stockholders to be
held on January 31, 2006. Only stockholders of record at
the close of business on December 16, 2005 are entitled to
notice of and to vote at the meeting. On or about
January 5, 2006, the proxy statement and form of proxy will
be sent to all stockholders of record.
Returning your completed proxy will not prevent you from voting
in person at the meeting should you be present and wish to do so.
Unless contrary instructions are indicated on the proxy, all
valid proxies received pursuant to this solicitation (and not
revoked before they are voted) will be voted FOR the election of
the nominees for Director named herein and FOR the approval of
the designation of Deloitte & Touche LLP to audit
Tweeters books, records and accounts for fiscal year 2006.
If a stockholder specifies a different choice on the proxy, such
stockholders shares of common stock will be voted in
accordance with such specifications.
Any person giving a proxy in the form accompanying this proxy
statement has the power to revoke it at any time before its
exercise. A proxy may be revoked by filing with Tweeters
Secretary an instrument revoking it, by presenting an executed
proxy bearing a later date at the Annual Meeting, or by
attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by Tweeter.
Solicitations may be made by mail, personal interview, telephone
and/or telegram by Tweeters Directors, officers and
employees, without additional compensation for such solicitation
activities. Tweeter will make arrangements with its transfer
agent, Computershare, to forward solicitation material to the
beneficial owners of Tweeters common stock held of record.
Tweeter will reimburse banks, brokerage firms, other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred in
sending proxy material to beneficial owners of common stock held
in their respective names.
Tweeter has retained the services of a proxy solicitation firm,
The Altman Group, Inc., for a fee of $4,500 plus reasonable out
of pocket expenses.
Copies of Tweeters 2005 Annual Report are being mailed to
stockholders together with this proxy statement. The Annual
Report contains Tweeters financial statements for the
fiscal years ended September 30, 2005, September 30,
2004 and September 30, 2003.
VOTING SECURITIES
Holders of record of Tweeters common stock at the close of
business on Friday, December 16, 2005 (the Record
Date) have the right to receive notice of and to vote at
the Annual Meeting and any adjournments of the meeting. At the
Record Date, there were 24,775,472 shares of common stock
issued and outstanding. Each share of common stock entitles the
holder of that share to one vote on each matter submitted to a
vote at the Annual Meeting.
Under Tweeters bylaws, the presence, in person or by
proxy, of stockholders holding a majority in interest of the
issued and outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote
at the Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum.
Abstentions and broker non-votes are each included for purposes
of determining the presence or absence of a sufficient number of
shares to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
With respect to the approval of any particular proposal,
abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted in determining
the number of votes cast. Other than the election of Directors,
which requires a plurality of the votes cast in person or by
proxy, each matter to be submitted to the stockholders requires
the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in person
or by proxy at the meeting.
Proposal 1: Election of Directors
Nominees for Director, Directors Continuing in Office and
Executive Officers
Tweeters bylaws provide for a Board of Directors
consisting of such number of Directors as may be fixed from time
to time by the Board. The Board is divided into three classes,
with each class holding office for a term of three years and the
term of office of one class expiring each year. The Board has
fixed the number of Directors to constitute the full Board for
the ensuing year at seven, two of whom are to be elected at the
Annual Meeting for a term expiring at the 2009 annual meeting of
stockholders, two whose terms expire at the 2008 annual meeting
of stockholders, and three whose terms expire at the 2007 annual
meeting of stockholders. Samuel Bloomberg, a Director since 1972
and Michael Cronin, a Director since 1995 are in the class of
Directors whose term expires at the 2006 Annual Meeting. The
Board, upon recommendation of Tweeters Nominating
Committee, has nominated Mr. Bloomberg and Mr. Cronin
for election to the class of Directors whose term will expire in
2009.
The persons named as proxies in the proxy card will vote the
shares represented by your proxy for the election of
Mr. Bloomberg and Mr. Cronin as Directors unless your
proxy card specifies otherwise. If either of the nominees for
election to the Board should, for any reason not now
anticipated, not be available to serve as a Director, the
persons named as proxies will vote the shares for such other
candidate as may be designated by the Board, unless the Board
reduces the number of Directors constituting the full Board in
order to eliminate the vacancy. The Board has no reason to
believe that Mr. Bloomberg and Mr. Cronin will be
unable to serve if elected.
The table below sets forth certain information with respect to
the nominees for election to the Board of Directors, those
Directors whose terms of office will continue after the Annual
Meeting and Tweeters Executive Officers.
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Expiration of | |
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Current or | |
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Principal Occupation, Business Experience and Other |
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First Elected | |
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Proposed | |
Name and Age |
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Business Affiliations |
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Director | |
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Term of Office | |
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Samuel Bloomberg, 54
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Director and Chairman of the Board of Tweeter.
Mr. Bloomberg has served as Chairman of the Board since
1986 and served as the Chief Executive Officer from 1983 until
2000. Mr. Bloomberg is a co-founder of Tweeter.
Mr. Bloomberg is also a Director of PRO, the buying group
of specialty consumer electronics retailers of which Tweeter is
a member. Mr. Bloomberg and Jeffrey Bloomberg are brothers. |
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1972 |
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2009 |
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2
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Expiration of | |
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Current or | |
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First Elected | |
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Proposed | |
Name and Age |
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Director | |
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Jeffrey Bloomberg, 58
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Director of Tweeter. In 2001, Mr. Bloomberg joined Gordon
Brothers Group LLC in the Office of the Chairman. Gordon
Brothers assists retail and consumer goods companies in
monetizing under-performing assets. From 1994 to 2001,
Mr. Bloomberg served as the President of Bloomberg
Associates, Inc., an investment banking company. From 1985 to
1993, Mr. Bloomberg served as a Senior Managing Director at
Bear Stearns & Co., Inc., specializing in corporate
finance and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Bloomberg serves
as Chairman of Big League Broadcasting, LLC, which operates
sports talk radio stations in Atlanta, Georgia and
St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Bloomberg also serves as a
Director for Nortek, Inc. Mr. Bloomberg and Samuel
Bloomberg are brothers. |
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1989 |
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2007 |
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Matthew Bronfman, 46(1)(2)(3)(4)
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Director of Tweeter. Since 2001 Mr. Bronfman has been a
managing director at ACI Capital, a private equity firm.
Mr. Bronfman founded, and from 1994 to 2001, served as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, of Perfumes Isabel, a
fragrance and gift company. In 1990, Mr. Bronfman served as
Director, and from 1991 to 1994 Mr. Bronfman served as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, of Sterling Cellular
Holdings, LP, a privately held cellular telephone company.
Mr. Bronfman also serves as Chairman of Blue Square-Israel
Ltd. |
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1989 |
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2008 |
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Michael Cronin, 52(2)(3)(4)
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Director of Tweeter. From 1991 to the present Mr. Cronin
has served as Managing Partner of Weston Presidio, a management
company for several venture capital limited liability
partnerships. Mr. Cronin serves as a Director of Tivoli
Audio, LLC, a supplier to Tweeter. Mr. Cronin also serves
as a Director of Amscan Holdings, Inc., Nebraska Books, Inc.,
Tekniplex, Inc. and several privately held companies. |
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1995 |
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2009 |
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Expiration of | |
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First Elected | |
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Name and Age |
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Director | |
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Steven Fischman, 63(1)(3)(4)
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Director of Tweeter. Since 1992, Mr. Fischman has been the
President of New England Development (NED), a regional mall
developer based in New England. From 1996 to August 1999,
Mr. Fischman also served as a Managing Director of the
General Partner of Wells Park Group Limited Partnership, a mall
management company formed by NED and an unrelated partner. Prior
to joining NED, Mr. Fischman was a Director and shareholder
in the Boston law firm of Goulston & Storrs, P.C.,
Tweeters legal counsel. Mr. Fischman is a Director of
Partners Healthcare System and is also Chairman of the Board of
Trustees of Newton-Wellesley Hospital. |
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1998 |
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2008 |
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John Mahoney, 54(1)(4)
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Director of Tweeter. Mr. Mahoney has served as Chief
Financial Officer of Staples, Inc. since 1996. In 1997
Mr. Mahoney was promoted to Executive Vice President and
Chief Administrative Officer. Prior to joining Staples,
Mr. Mahoney was a Partner with Ernst & Young for
20 years and served on their National Office Accounting and
Auditing group. Mr. Mahoney currently serves on the board
of ADVO, Inc. |
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2004 |
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2007 |
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Jeffrey Stone, 48
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Director of Tweeter. In April 2005 Mr. Stone became the
President and Chief Operating Officer of Tivoli Audio, LLC, a
supplier to Tweeter. Mr. Stone served as the Chief
Operating Officer of Tweeter from 1990 to 2000, and as President
and Chief Executive Officer from January 2000 to March 2005.
From 1987 to 1990 Mr. Stone served as the Executive Vice
President of Bread & Circus, a specialty natural foods
supermarket chain, and from 1983 to 1987 served as Vice
President of Human Resources and Training for Scandinavian
Design, a specialty furniture retailer. Mr. Stone is also
on the Board of Directors of two privately held companies. |
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1990 |
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2007 |
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Director | |
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Joseph McGuire, 45
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Mr. McGuire has served as Tweeters President and
Chief Executive Officer since July 2005. Prior to this,
Mr. McGuire had served as Senior Vice President from July
2001 and Chief Financial Officer from May 1996. From May 1996 to
June 2001, Mr. McGuire also served in the capacities of
Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Tweeter. Prior
to joining Tweeter, Mr. McGuire was the Chief Financial
Officer of Bryn Mawr Radio & Television Centre, Inc.,
from 1987 to 1996. |
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(1) |
Member of the Audit Committee. |
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Member of the Compensation Committee. |
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Member of the Nominating Committee. |
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The Board of Directors has determined that these directors are
independent as such term is defined under
Rule 4200(a)(15) of the Nasdaq Stock Market Marketplace
Rules. |
5
GENERAL INFORMATION RELATING TO
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors held six meetings in the fiscal year
ended September 30, 2005. No member of the Board of
Directors attended less than 67% of the total number of meetings
of the Board and committees thereof upon which he served during
the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, consisting of
John Mahoney, Matthew Bronfman and Steven Fischman, whose
purpose is to oversee the accounting and financial reporting
processes of the company and the audits of the financial
statements of the company. The Audit Committee held six meetings
during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005. The Audit
Committee appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as
Tweeters auditors for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2006, subject to stockholder approval. The
Board of Directors has determined that John Mahoney is an
Audit Committee financial expert, as that term is
defined in Item 401 of Regulation S-K, serving on its
Audit Committee. The full responsibilities of the Audit
Committee are set forth in its charter, which is reviewed and
updated annually and approved by the Board, and is attached
hereto as Appendix A.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors establishes
and implements compensation policies and programs for
Tweeters executive officers and exercises all powers of
the Board of Directors in connection with Tweeters
incentive compensation and benefit plans. The Compensation
Committee of the Board consists of Matthew Bronfman and Michael
Cronin. The Compensation Committee held two meetings during the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2005.
On December 11, 2003, the Board of Directors established a
Nominating Committee, consisting of Michael Cronin, Matthew
Bronfman and Steven Fischman, whose purpose is to assist the
Board in identifying individuals qualified to become directors
under criteria approved by the Board, periodically review
director compensation and benefits and recommend to the Board
any improvements to Tweeters corporate governance
guidelines as it deems appropriate. The Nominating Committee
held one meeting during the fiscal year ended September 30,
2005 and assisted with the selection of persons nominated by the
Board for election at this years Annual Meeting. The full
responsibilities of the Nominating Committee are set forth in
its charter, which is reviewed and updated annually and approved
by the Board, and is attached hereto as Appendix B.
It is a policy of the Nominating Committee that candidates for
director be determined to have unquestionable integrity and
honesty, the ability to exercise sound, mature and independent
business judgment in the best interests of the stockholders as a
whole, a background and experience in fields which will
complement the talents of the other Board members, the
willingness and capability to take the time to actively
participate in Board and committee meetings and related
activities, the ability to work professionally and effectively
with other Board members and Tweeter management, the ability to
remain on the Board long enough to make an effective
contribution, and no material relationships with competitors or
other third parties that could present realistic possibilities
of conflict of interest or legal issues.
The Nominating Committee also considers the Boards current
composition and Tweeters evolving needs, including
expertise, diversity and balance of inside, outside and
independent directors. In compiling its list of possible
candidates and considering their qualification, the Nominating
Committee makes its own inquiries, solicits input from other
directors, and may consult or engage other sources, such as a
professional search firm, if it deems appropriate.
The Nominating Committee will consider director candidates
recommended by stockholders provided the stockholders follow the
procedures set forth below. The committee does not intend to
alter the manner in which it evaluates candidates, including the
criteria set forth above, based on whether the candidate was
recommended by a stockholder or otherwise.
6
Stockholders who wish to recommend individuals for consideration
by the nominating committee to become nominees for election to
the Board of Directors at the next Annual Meeting of
Stockholders may do so by submitting a written recommendation to
the committee, care of Tweeter, at 40 Pequot Way, Canton, MA
02021, Attention: Joseph McGuire, in accordance with the
procedures set forth below under the heading Deadline for
Receipt of Stockholder Proposals. For nominees for
election to the Board of Directors proposed by stockholders to
be considered, the following information concerning each nominee
must be timely submitted in accordance with the required
procedures:
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The candidates name, age, business address, residence
address, principal occupation or employment, the class and
number of shares of Tweeters capital stock the candidate
beneficially owns, a brief description of any direct or indirect
relationships with Tweeter, and the other information that would
be required in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the
election of the candidate as a director; |
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A signed consent of the nominee to being named as a nominee, to
cooperate with reasonable background checks and personal
interviews and to serve as a director of Tweeter, if elected; and |
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As to the stockholder proposing such nominee, that
stockholders name and address, the class and number of
shares of Tweeters capital stock the stockholder
beneficially owns, a description of all arrangements or
understandings between the stockholder and the candidate and any
other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to
which the recommendation is being made, a list of all other
companies that the stockholder has recommended the candidate to
for election as a director in that fiscal year, and a
representation that the stockholder intends to appear in person
or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person named in its
notice. |
Compensation of Directors
Tweeter currently pays each non-employee Director $5,000 per
quarter, provided such Director attends a meeting of the
Directors scheduled for such quarter either in person or by
telephone. The amount is not pro rated if a Director does not
attend all meetings. All Directors are reimbursed for reasonable
expenses incurred in attending meetings, but are not paid a per
meeting fee. In addition to the quarterly payment, members of
the Audit Committee are paid $2,000 per meeting of the Audit
Committee and members of the Compensation Committee are paid
$500 per meeting of the Compensation Committee. In fiscal 2003,
each Director was given stock options in lieu of cash payments
for any compensation due for the period from April 2003 through
March 2004. Under current Director compensation arrangements,
upon each subsequent election or re-election, each Director who
is not also an employee or affiliate of Tweeter is granted
options under Tweeters 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan
exercisable for the purchase of 5,000 shares of common stock,
with an exercise price of equal to or greater than the fair
market value of the common stock at the date of grant. These
options vest upon grant. A sitting Director will receive annual
grants of 5,000 shares each year of his or her term, with an
exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value of
the common stock on the date of the grant. These options vest
upon grant.
Board of Directors Recommendation
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE
FOR THE ELECTION OF THE BOARDS NOMINEES,
SAMUEL BLOOMBERG AND MICHAEL CRONIN. A PLURALITY OF THE VOTES
CAST IN PERSON OR BY PROXY AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IS REQUIRED TO
ELECT EACH NOMINEE AS DIRECTOR.
7
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
beneficial ownership of Tweeters common stock as of the
Record Date by (i) each person (including any
group as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange Act) known by Tweeter to be the beneficial
owner of more than 5% of Tweeters common stock,
(ii) each of Tweeters Named Executives (as defined
below) and Directors, and (iii) all of Tweeters
executive officers and Directors as a group. Except as otherwise
indicated in the footnotes to this table, Tweeter believes that
the persons named in this table have sole voting and investment
power with respect to all of the shares of common stock
indicated.
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Common Stock | |
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Beneficially Owned(1) | |
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Named Executive Officers
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Samuel Bloomberg*
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1,867,320 |
(2) |
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7.3 |
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40 Pequot Way
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Canton, MA 02021
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Joseph McGuire
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163,280 |
(3) |
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** |
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40 Pequot Way
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Canton, MA 02021
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Philo Pappas
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312,695 |
(4) |
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1.3 |
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40 Pequot Way
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Canton, MA 02021
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Judy Quye
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253,632 |
(5) |
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1.0 |
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40 Pequot Way
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Canton, MA 02021
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|
|
Mark Richardson
|
|
|
105,695 |
(6) |
|
|
** |
|
|
|
40 Pequot Way
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canton, MA 02021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors/ Director Nominees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Cronin
|
|
|
2,118,714 |
(7) |
|
|
8.5 |
|
|
|
200 Clarendon Street, 50th Floor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boston, MA 02116
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey Stone
|
|
|
679,184 |
(8) |
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
|
451 D Street, Suite 902
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boston, MA 02210
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey Bloomberg
|
|
|
358,101 |
(9) |
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
40 Broad Street, 11th Floor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boston, MA 02109
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven Fischman
|
|
|
201,300 |
(10) |
|
|
** |
|
|
|
One Wells Avenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Newton, MA 02159
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Matthew Bronfman
|
|
|
167,186 |
(11) |
|
|
** |
|
|
|
900 Third Avenue, 26th Floor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York, NY 10022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock | |
|
|
|
|
Beneficially Owned(1) | |
|
Percent | |
|
|
as of | |
|
of | |
Name |
|
December 16, 2005 | |
|
Class | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
John Mahoney
|
|
|
12,500 |
(12) |
|
|
** |
|
|
|
500 Staples Drive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Framingham, MA 01702
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (11 people)
|
|
|
6,239,607 |
(13) |
|
|
23.2 |
|
|
Beneficial Owners of more than 5%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark J. Wattles
|
|
|
3,013,247 |
(14) |
|
|
12.2 |
|
|
Wattles Capital Management, LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7945 W. Sahara #205
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Las Vegas, Nevada 89117
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prentice Capital Management, LP
|
|
|
2,217,300 |
(15) |
|
|
8.9 |
|
|
|
623 Fifth Avenue, 32nd Floor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York, New York 10022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
State Street Research & Management Company
|
|
|
2,180,672 |
(15) |
|
|
8.8 |
|
|
|
One Financial Center, 31st Floor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boston, MA 02111-2690
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weston Presidio Capital IV, L.P. and WPC Entrepreneur
Fund II, L.P.
|
|
|
2,045,100 |
(16) |
|
|
8.3 |
|
|
|
Pier 1, Bay 2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
San Francisco, CA 94111
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc.
|
|
|
1,913,023 |
(15) |
|
|
7.7 |
|
|
|
1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Santa Monica, CA 90401
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kern Capital Management, LLC
|
|
|
1,894,200 |
(15) |
|
|
7.6 |
|
|
|
114 West 47th Street, Suite 1926
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York, NY 10036
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S.A.C. Capital Advisors LLC
|
|
|
1,513,900 |
(15) |
|
|
6.1 |
|
|
|
72 Cummings Point Road
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Royce & Associates, LLC
|
|
|
1,379,500 |
(15) |
|
|
5.6 |
|
|
|
1414 Avenue of the Americas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York, NY 10019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Galleon Management, L.L.C.
|
|
|
1,244,191 |
(15) |
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
135 East 57th Street, 16th Floor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York, NY 10022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
Mr. Bloomberg is also a Director of Tweeter. |
|
|
** |
Represents less than 1% of class. |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes the number of shares and percentage ownership
represented by such shares determined to be beneficially owned
by a person in accordance with the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The number of shares beneficially owned by
a person includes shares of common stock that are subject to
options or warrants held by that person that are currently
exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record
Date. Such shares are deemed outstanding for the purpose of
computing the percentage of outstanding shares owned by such
person. Such shares are not deemed outstanding, however, for the
purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other
person. |
|
|
(2) |
Includes 67,025 shares held, in the aggregate by the Samuel
Bloomberg Family Trusts for the benefit of
Mr. Bloombergs children and 14,454 shares held by
Carolina Bloomberg, the wife of Mr. Bloomberg. Mr.
Bloomberg expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares
held by the Samuel Bloomberg Family Trusts and Carolina
Bloomberg. Also includes 749,375 shares subject to options
granted by Tweeter to Mr. Bloomberg exercisable within
60 days of the Record Date. |
|
|
(3) |
Includes 134,815 shares subject to options granted by Tweeter to
Mr. McGuire exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. |
|
|
(4) |
Includes 150,695 shares subject to options granted by Tweeter to
Mr. Pappas exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.
In addition, Mr. Pappas has entered into a pre-paid variable
share forward agreement with CIBC World Markets Corp. with
respect to 162,000 of his shares. |
9
|
|
|
|
(5) |
Includes 253,632 shares subject to options granted by Tweeter to
Ms. Quye exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. |
|
|
(6) |
Includes 105,695 shares subject to options granted by Tweeter to
Mr. Richardson exercisable within 60 days of the Record
Date. |
|
|
(7) |
Includes 2,045,100 shares held by Weston Presidio Capital IV,
L.P. and WPC Entrepreneur Fund II, L.P. (collectively, the
Weston Funds). Mr. Cronin is the managing member or
partner of the general partners of the Weston Funds.
Mr. Cronin disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares
held by the Weston Funds, except to the extent of his pecuniary
interest therein. Also includes 43,800 shares subject to options
granted by Tweeter to Mr. Cronin exercisable within
60 days of the Record Date. |
|
|
(8) |
Includes 416,764 shares subject to options granted by Tweeter to
Mr. Stone exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. |
|
|
(9) |
Includes 22,896 shares held, in the aggregate, by trusts for the
benefit of Mr. Bloombergs children.
Mr. Bloomberg expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of
these shares. Also includes 39,000 shares subject to options
granted by Tweeter to Mr. Bloomberg exercisable within
60 days of the Record Date. |
|
|
(10) |
Includes 157,500 shares held by NED Leasing LLC.
Mr. Fischman owns 25% of the equity and is a manager of NED
Leasing LLC. Mr. Fischman disclaims beneficial ownership of
the shares held by NED Leasing LLC, except to the extent of his
pecuniary interest therein. Also includes 43,800 shares subject
to options granted by Tweeter to Mr. Fischman exercisable
within 60 days of the Record Date. |
|
(11) |
Includes 133,968 shares subject to options granted by Tweeter to
Mr. Bronfman exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. |
|
(12) |
Includes 10,000 shares subject to options granted by Tweeter to
Mr. Mahoney exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. |
|
(13) |
Includes 2,081,544 shares in the aggregate subject to options
granted by Tweeter to Tweeters directors and executive
officers exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. |
|
(14) |
Information concerning beneficial ownership was obtained from
Schedule 13Ds filed in August 2005. |
|
(15) |
Information concerning beneficial ownership was obtained from
Schedule 13Gs filed in January 2005, February 2005, March
2005 and May 2005. |
|
(16) |
Information concerning beneficial ownership was obtained from a
Form 4 filed by Mr. Cronin on August 2, 2004. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the Exchange Act), requires Directors,
officers and persons who are beneficial owners of more than ten
percent of Tweeters common stock to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission reports of their ownership of
Tweeters securities and changes in that ownership. To
Tweeters knowledge, based upon a review of copies of
reports so filed, all persons required to file such reports
regarding ownership and transactions during the fiscal year
ended September 30, 2005 did so by no later than the date
the reports were due.
10
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth the compensation earned by
Tweeters Chairman and each of the other executive officers
of Tweeter (the Named Executives) for services
rendered in all capacities to Tweeter during fiscal 2003, 2004
and 2005:
Summary Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation | |
|
|
|
|
Annual | |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Compensation(1) | |
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Restricted | |
|
Underlying | |
|
|
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
Salary | |
|
Bonus(2) | |
|
Stock Award | |
|
Options | |
|
Other | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Samuel Bloomberg
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
445,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
30,695 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board
|
|
|
2004 |
(3) |
|
$ |
229,615 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
(3) |
|
$ |
284,423 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
480,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Jeffrey Stone
|
|
|
2005 |
(4) |
|
$ |
405,000 |
|
|
$ |
46,800 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
70,764 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
President and Chief Executive |
|
|
2004 |
(3) |
|
$ |
504,231 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Officer |
|
|
2003 |
(3) |
|
$ |
518,269 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
180,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Joseph McGuire
|
|
|
2005 |
(5) |
|
$ |
410,000 |
|
|
$ |
43,800 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
30,695 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
President and Chief Executive |
|
|
2004 |
(3) |
|
$ |
323,077 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Officer |
|
|
2003 |
(3) |
|
$ |
327,692 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Philo Pappas
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
345,000 |
|
|
$ |
187,163 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
30,695 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Senior Vice President and |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
345,000 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Chief Merchandising Officer |
|
|
2003 |
(6) |
|
$ |
145,962 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,514,700 |
(7) |
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Judy Quye
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
335,000 |
|
|
$ |
65,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
30,695 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Senior Vice President |
|
|
2004 |
(8) |
|
$ |
154,615 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
222,937 |
|
|
$ |
62,965 |
(9) |
|
Mark Richardson
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
265,000 |
|
|
$ |
39,750 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
55,695 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Senior Vice President and |
|
|
2004 |
(8) |
|
$ |
122,308 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
55,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Chief Brand Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
The compensation described in this table does not include
medical or other benefits received by the Named Executives that
are generally available to all salaried employees of Tweeter. |
|
(2) |
Bonus payments paid relate to the previous fiscal year results. |
|
(3) |
Mr. Bloomberg exchanged $400,000 of salary for options to
purchase 480,000 shares of Tweeter common stock; Mr. Stone
exchanged $150,000 of salary for options to purchase 180,000
shares of Tweeter common stock; Mr. McGuire exchanged $50,000 of
salary for options to purchase 60,000 shares of Tweeter common
stock. The reductions in salary were effected approximately 50%
in fiscal year 2003 and approximately 50% in fiscal year 2004. |
|
(4) |
Mr. Stone served as President and Chief Executive Officer
from October 1, 2004 through March 21, 2005. |
|
(5) |
Mr. McGuire was appointed interim President and Chief
Executive Officer on March 21, 2005. On July 27, 2005,
Mr. McGuire was appointed President and Chief Executive
Officer. |
|
(6) |
Represents compensation paid to Mr. Pappas from
April 21, 2003 through September 30, 2003. |
|
(7) |
Represents 270,000 shares of restricted stock granted to
Mr. Pappas on April 21, 2003 multiplied by the closing
price of $5.62 as of the grant date, less the purchase price
paid by Mr. Pappas ($.01 per share). 162,000 of the shares
were vested as of the grant date. 54,000 shares vested on
February 1, 2004 and 54,000 shares vested on
February 1, 2005. As of September 30, 2005,
Mr. Pappas held no shares of restricted stock. Dividends
will be paid on the shares of restricted stock to the extent
that dividends are paid on any of Tweeters other common
stock. Tweeter does not expect any dividends to be paid in the
future. |
|
(8) |
Represents compensation paid to Ms. Quye and
Mr. Richardson from April 5, 2004 through
September 30, 2004. |
|
(9) |
Represents compensation paid to Ms. Quye for moving
expenses. |
11
The following table sets forth information relating to grants of
stock options made during fiscal 2005 to each of the Named
Executive Officers under Tweeters 2004 Long-Term Incentive
Plan:
Option Grants in Fiscal 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potential Realizable | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value at Assumed Annual | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Percent of | |
|
|
|
|
|
Rates of Stock Price | |
|
|
Securities | |
|
Total Options | |
|
Exercise | |
|
|
|
Appreciation for Option | |
|
|
Underlying | |
|
Granted to | |
|
Price | |
|
|
|
Term | |
|
|
Options | |
|
Employees in | |
|
Per | |
|
Expiration | |
|
| |
Name |
|
Granted | |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
Share | |
|
Date | |
|
5% | |
|
10% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Samuel Bloomberg
|
|
|
30,695 |
(1) |
|
|
5.3 |
% |
|
$ |
5.50 |
|
|
|
10/27/2014 |
|
|
$ |
106,172 |
|
|
$ |
269,060 |
|
Jeffrey Stone
|
|
|
70,764 |
(1) |
|
|
12.1 |
% |
|
$ |
5.50 |
|
|
|
10/27/2014 |
|
|
$ |
244,767 |
|
|
$ |
620,288 |
|
Joseph McGuire
|
|
|
30,695 |
(1) |
|
|
5.3 |
% |
|
$ |
5.50 |
|
|
|
10/27/2014 |
|
|
$ |
106,172 |
|
|
$ |
269,060 |
|
Philo Pappas
|
|
|
30,695 |
(1) |
|
|
5.3 |
% |
|
$ |
5.50 |
|
|
|
10/27/2014 |
|
|
$ |
106,172 |
|
|
$ |
269,060 |
|
Judy Quye
|
|
|
30,695 |
(1) |
|
|
5.3 |
% |
|
$ |
5.50 |
|
|
|
10/27/2014 |
|
|
$ |
106,172 |
|
|
$ |
269,060 |
|
Mark Richardson
|
|
|
30,695 |
(1) |
|
|
5.3 |
% |
|
$ |
5.50 |
|
|
|
10/27/2014 |
|
|
$ |
106,172 |
|
|
$ |
269,060 |
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
(1) |
|
|
4.3 |
% |
|
$ |
5.50 |
|
|
|
10/27/2014 |
|
|
$ |
86,473 |
|
|
$ |
219,140 |
|
The price of one share of Tweeter common stock acquired at $5.50
if compounded over 10 years at 5% and 10% would equal
approximately $8.96 and $14.27, respectively and if compounded
over 5 years at 5% and 10% would equal approximately $7.02
and $8.86, respectively.
|
|
(1) |
Number of shares issuable upon the exercise of options granted
on October 27, 2004 under the Tweeter Home Entertainment Group,
Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan. All options that were
granted on October 27, 2004 vested on September 30,
2005. |
Aggregated Option Exercises in Fiscal 2005 and Fiscal
Year-End Option Values
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Options at | |
|
In-the-Money Options | |
|
|
Shares Acquired | |
|
Value |
|
Fiscal Year End | |
|
at Fiscal Year End | |
Name |
|
on Exercise | |
|
Realized |
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Samuel Bloomberg
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
749,375/0 |
|
|
$ |
0/$0 |
|
Jeffrey Stone
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
411,764/0 |
|
|
$ |
0/$0 |
|
Joseph McGuire
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
134,815/0 |
|
|
$ |
0/$0 |
|
Philo Pappas
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
150,695/0 |
|
|
$ |
0/$0 |
|
Judy Quye
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
253,632/0 |
|
|
$ |
0/$0 |
|
Mark Richardson
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
105,695/0 |
|
|
$ |
0/$0 |
|
Employment/ Severance Agreements
The summaries of the various employment/severance agreements set
forth below are qualified in their entirety by reference to the
full text of such agreements, which are exhibits to Amendment
No. 1 to Tweeters Registration Statement on
Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on June 8, 1998 or Tweeters Annual Reports on
Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended September 30,
2003, September 30, 2004 and September 30, 2005.
Bloomberg Agreement
Upon completion of Tweeters initial public offering in
July 1998, Tweeter entered into a five-year employment agreement
with Samuel Bloomberg. On June 1, 2003, Tweeter renewed the
agreement with Mr. Bloomberg for an additional three years.
The agreement provides that Mr. Bloomberg is to receive a
base salary of $445,000 per year through September 30,
2003 and thereafter at the annual rate of at least $445,000,
plus such increases as may be determined by the Board of
Directors. Mr. Bloomberg has the opportunity to earn
incentive bonuses based upon certain performance criteria, to be
determined by the Compensation
12
Committee, and the opportunity to receive stock options and
other incentive awards under Tweeters incentive plans.
The employment agreement provides for continued employment until
termination by either party. Tweeter, however, may terminate the
employment agreement with or without cause at any time. If
Mr. Bloombergs employment is terminated by Tweeter
without cause, Tweeter is obligated to pay him an amount equal
to his unvested accrued benefits under any stock option plan,
incentive plan or retirement plan plus severance pay equal to
two years of Mr. Bloombergs annual salary at the rate
in effect as of the termination of his employment. The
employment agreement also provides that if Tweeter and
Mr. Bloomberg do not renew the employment agreement upon
expiration, Tweeter may elect to pay Mr. Bloomberg two
years severance in exchange for a two-year non-competition
arrangement.
McGuire Employment Agreement
Upon completion of Tweeters initial public offering in
July 1998, Tweeter entered into a three-year employment
agreement with Joseph McGuire. Tweeter renewed this agreement on
July 21, 2001 and again on May 1, 2004, each time for
an additional three years. Under the terms of the 2004
agreement, which commenced on July 1, 2004,
Mr. McGuire earns a base salary of $350,000 per year,
plus such increases as may be determined by the Board of
Directors. On March 21, 2005, the Board of Directors
appointed Mr. McGuire as interim President and Chief
Executive Officer and increased his base salary to $480,000. On
July 27, 2005, the Board of Directors appointed
Mr. McGuire to serve as President and Chief Executive
Officer with his base salary remaining at $480,000.
Mr. McGuire has the opportunity to earn incentive bonuses
based upon certain performance criteria, to be determined by the
Compensation Committee, and the opportunity to receive stock
options and other incentive awards under Tweeters
incentive plans.
The employment agreement provides for continued employment until
termination by either party. Tweeter, however, may terminate the
employment agreement with or without cause at any time. If
Mr. McGuires employment is terminated by Tweeter
without cause or by Mr. McGuire for good reason, Tweeter is
obligated to pay him an amount equal to one year of his base
salary in effect as of the termination of his employment
(payable for one year following termination of employment) and
an amount equal to the prior years paid bonus. The
employment agreement also provides that if Tweeter and
Mr. McGuire do not renew the employment agreement upon
expiration, Tweeter may elect to pay Mr. McGuire two years
severance in exchange for a two-year non-competition
arrangement. Additionally, all of Mr. McGuires stock
options will continue to vest during the period in which
severance pay is being paid, subject to the terms and conditions
of the applicable incentive plan and option agreement. On
March 14, 2005, the employment agreement was amended to
provide for the payment of two years annual salary in the
event he terminates his employment with Tweeter upon a change in
control of the Company.
Pappas Severance Agreement
On April 21, 2003, Tweeter entered into a severance
agreement with Philo Pappas, Senior Vice President and Chief
Merchandising Officer. Under the terms of the agreement,
Mr. Pappas is entitled to a base salary of $345,000, a
$100,000 commencement bonus, 270,000 shares of restricted
Tweeter common stock (at a purchase price of $.01 per
share) and options for 120,000 shares of Tweeter common
stock. In addition, Mr. Pappas received an annual bonus for
the period ending September 30, 2003 of $100,000 and
$187,163 for the period ending September 30, 2004.
Mr. Pappas also received 30,695 stock options to purchase
shares of Tweeter common stock in 2005. If Tweeter terminates
the agreement without cause or Mr. Pappas terminates the
agreement for good reason, Mr. Pappas will be entitled to
receive one years annual salary and, if such termination
is on or prior to the second anniversary of the commencement of
Mr. Pappass employment, such termination will cause
accelerated vesting of one-years worth of his options and
restricted stock. On March 14, 2005, the severance
agreement was amended to provide for the payment of two
years annual salary in the event he terminates his
employment with Tweeter upon a change in control of the Company.
13
Quye Employment Agreement
On April 1, 2004, Tweeter entered into an employment
agreement with Judy Quye, Senior Vice President. Under the terms
of the agreement, Ms. Quye is entitled to a base salary of
$335,000, a $65,000 commencement bonus and options for
222,937 shares of Tweeter common stock. In addition,
Ms. Quye will be eligible to earn a performance bonus of up
to 40% of her base salary for the period October 1, 2004
through September 30, 2005. If Tweeter terminates the
agreement without cause or Ms. Quye terminates the
agreement for good reason, Ms. Quye will be entitled to
receive one years annual salary and, if such termination
is on or prior to the second anniversary of the commencement of
Ms. Quyes employment, such termination will cause
accelerated vesting of one-years worth of her options. On
March 14, 2005, the employment agreement was amended to
provide for the payment of two years annual salary in the
event she terminates her employment with Tweeter upon a change
in control of the Company.
Burmeister/ Tatum Partners Agreement
On July 6, 2005, Tweeter entered into a services agreement
with Tatum Partners and Paul Burmeister, interim Chief Financial
Officer. The terms and conditions of Mr. Burmeisters
engagement are set forth in an agreement between Tatum CFO
Partners, LLP (Tatum) and Tweeter, which provides for
Mr. Burmeister to serve as Tweeters interim Chief
Financial Officer for an initial term of three months, or longer
if mutually agreed upon, with direct salary to
Mr. Burmeister of $23,920 per month and an additional
fee to Tatum of $5,980 per month. Under the agreement
Mr. Burmeister also will be entitled to incentive
compensation from Tweeter at the end of his engagement equal to
25% of his salary if targets to be agreed upon between
Mr. Burmeister and Tweeter are achieved. Tatum will be
entitled to an additional fee from Tweeter equal to 25% of the
amount of any such incentive compensation paid to the
Mr. Burmeister. Tweeter has agreed not to engage
Mr. Burmeister directly during the twelve-month period
following the termination or expiration of its agreement with
Tatum. Tweeter and Mr. Burmeister have mutually agreed to
extend the engagement thru January 31, 2006.
Compensation Committee Report Regarding Executive
Compensation
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors makes
decisions regarding cash compensation paid and stock options and
other forms of equity-based compensation awarded to
Tweeters executive officers. The Compensation Committee is
comprised of two Directors, Michael Cronin and Matthew Bronfman,
neither of which have relationships with any executive officers
of Tweeter. The Compensation Committee has submitted the
following report concerning executive compensation:
Compensation Philosophy
The Compensation Committee (the Committee), which is
composed entirely of outside independent Directors, reviews,
evaluates and approves the amount, design and implementation of
Tweeters compensation system for executive officers.
Tweeter believes that corporate performance and in turn,
stockholder value will be best enhanced by a compensation system
that supports and reinforces Tweeters key operating and
strategic goals while aligning the financial interests of
Tweeters executive officers with those of the
stockholders. Tweeter utilizes both short-term and long-term
incentive compensation programs to achieve these objectives.
Executive officer incentive compensation programs are tied to
company-wide achievement of annual financial and operational
goals and the market value of Tweeters stock. The
Committee believes that the use of company-wide performance in
setting goals promotes a unified vision for senior management
and creates common motivation among the executives. For other
salaried employees, the incentive compensation program is also
tied to divisional, departmental or store business goals and, in
some cases, individual performance.
For Tweeters 2005 fiscal year, the Committee made its
compensation decisions based on a review of Tweeters 2004
fiscal year performance, on Tweeters budget and other
projections for the 2005 fiscal year, and on Tweeters
performance in comparison to certain competitors. The Committee
also used information from an executive compensation survey
provided by an independent consulting firm.
14
Components of the Executive Compensation Program
Tweeters compensation program for executive officers
consists generally of three components: base salary, an annual
performance-based cash bonus and long-term stock incentives. In
making compensation decisions, the Committee generally compares
the compensation of Tweeters executive officers with
compensation of officers at certain other retail companies and
has utilized a nationally known compensation consultant, as it
deemed necessary.
The Committee generally compares various short and long-term
performance measures, including total stockholder return, return
on average stockholders equity, sales, pre-tax net income
and earnings per share for Tweeter and other companies with
which it competes for executive talent. The Committee has not
established any particular level at which overall compensation
will be set in respect to the compensation peer group. The
Committee believes that the total compensation of the named
executive officers is supported by Tweeters competitive
comparisons on the short and long-term performance factors and
is appropriate given Tweeters overall performance. The
individual elements of the executive compensation program are
addressed below.
Annual Salary
Each year the Committee establishes salaries for executive
officers. Such salaries are based on proposals submitted by
Tweeters Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for
annual salary for the executive officers other than himself. The
Committee sets the executive officer salaries for the 2005
fiscal year after reviewing the CEOs recommendations and
considering the information in the executive compensation
survey. The Committee believes that the current level of annual
salaries for executive officers is appropriate and that it also
provides for a large percentage of total compensation to be at
risk under the incentive programs. In evaluating individual
executive officers, the Committee may also consider, among other
factors, (1) a qualitative evaluation of the individual
executive officers performance provided by the CEO,
(2) the job responsibilities of the individual executive,
including changes in those responsibilities, and
(3) Tweeters performance in relation to its target
financial and operational goals for the prior fiscal year.
Annual Performance-Based Bonus
Tweeters executive officers are eligible to receive cash
bonuses under an annual performance-based incentive program
(Incentive Program) established each year by the
Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The Incentive
Program is designed to motivate Tweeters employees to
achieve Tweeters annual operating and financial goals. The
executive officers participate in the Incentive Program. The
Incentive Program allows the Committee to establish operational
objectives and performance goals based on pre-tax earnings.
For the 2005 fiscal year, the Incentive Program measured
Tweeters achievement of its operating and financial goals.
The target goals were established early in the fiscal year as
part of Tweeters budgeting process and were approved by
the Committee. Consistent with the Committees compensation
philosophy of tying a large percentage of total compensation to
performance, the potential maximum bonus for each executive
officer was a significant percentage of that individuals
salary for the year. For the 2005 fiscal year, the target bonus
amounts ranged from 35 percent of base salary to
48 percent of base salary. The target bonus percentages
were based upon the results of the executive compensation survey
and the recommendations of an independent consulting firm.
The amount of bonus payments in each fiscal year depends upon
the extent to which Tweeter achieves its target financial and
operational goals for the prior fiscal year. For the 2004 fiscal
year, Tweeter achieved some of these key performance goals. As a
result, bonuses were paid in 2005 based on the 2004 fiscal year
performance in an amount less than would have been paid had all
of the goals been met.
Tweeters performance for the 2005 fiscal year did not meet
all the key performance goals set as requirements for all
payments of bonuses. As a result, only a portion of the bonuses
will be paid in the 2006 fiscal year relating to 2005 fiscal
year performance.
15
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
Grants under Tweeters stock incentive plans provide
long-term incentive compensation and are a significant component
of total compensation. These programs are a part of
Tweeters performance-based incentive compensation
rewarding officers as total stockholder value increases. For
most executive officers, grants under the stock incentive plans
have been made in the form of incentive stock options. For
non-employee Directors, grants under the plan are in the form of
nonqualified stock options (since non-employee Directors do not
qualify as recipients of incentive stock options).
The Committee considers stock-based grants to be an important
means of ensuring that executive officers have a continuing
incentive to increase the long-term return to stockholders and
the value of Tweeters stock. Stock-based grants also aid
in the retention of executives.
Stock options generally vest and become exercisable ratably over
a period of zero to four years from the date of grant. The
number of stock options to be granted to a particular executive
officer is determined by the Committee. The Committee primarily
uses a formula based on an individuals target bonus for
the fiscal year and the market price of Tweeters stock, as
well as the results of compensation surveys, to determine the
appropriate grant size. Because the value of stock options is
entirely a function of increases in the value of Tweeters
stock, the Committee believes that this component of
Tweeters compensation arrangement closely aligns the
interests of the executive officers with those of Tweeters
stockholders.
Chairmans and Chief Executive Officers
Compensation
The Committee determined the compensation of Samuel Bloomberg,
Tweeters Chairman for the 2005 fiscal year, and Jeffrey
Stone and Joseph McGuire, both of whom served as Tweeters
CEO during the 2005 fiscal year, in a manner consistent with the
philosophy described above.
In establishing the Chairman and CEOs compensation, the
Committee has compared their compensation with the compensation
of the Chairmen and CEOs of the compensation peer group in
relation to the relative performance of Tweeter with respect to
the compensation peer group. The Committee also considered
Mr. Bloombergs, Mr. Stones and
Mr. McGuires leadership skills in assembling and
developing a strong management team and guiding Tweeter through
its significant growth during the last fifteen years.
In setting the fiscal 2005 compensation, the Committee also
considered Tweeters performance during the 2004 fiscal
year. In the 2004 fiscal year, Tweeter did not achieve all the
goals set by the Committee as requirements for the payment of
bonuses to them. As a result, Mr. Stone and
Mr. McGuire received a portion of their bonuses in fiscal
2005.
The Committee believes that Mr. Bloombergs,
Mr. Stones and Mr. McGuires compensation
for the 2005 fiscal year was appropriate in light of all of the
above considerations.
Tweeters performance for the 2005 fiscal year partially
met the requirements set by the Committee for the payment of
bonuses to Mr. Bloomberg and Mr. McGuire in fiscal
2006. As a result, Mr. McGuire will be paid a bonus of
$36,300 in the 2006 fiscal year with respect to 2005 performance.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Michael Cronin
Matthew Bronfman
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
None
Related Party Transactions
Jeffrey Stone, a Tweeter Director is President and Chief
Operating Officer of Tivoli Audio, LLC, and a supplier to
Tweeter. Michael Cronin, a Tweeter Director also serves as a
Director of Tivoli Audio, LLC. For
16
the years ended September 30, 2003, 2004 and 2005 the
Company purchased $3,363,724, $3,901,493 and $1,596,320,
respectively, of inventory from Tivoli. The Company also
received distributions from Tivoli of $507,932, $737,933 and
$1,570,126 for the years ended September 30, 2003, 2004 and
2005, respectively.
Jeffrey Bloomberg, a Tweeter Director is employed by Gordon
Brothers Group LLC in the Office of the Chairman. During the
fiscal year, Gordon Brothers was engaged by the Company to
assist in liquidating inventory from the stores closed and was
paid $1,236,976 in fees. In addition, DJM Asset Management, LLC,
a division of Gordon Brothers Group LLC was engaged to assist in
the process of terminating leases for the closed stores and
incurred fees of 1,459,450, which was accrued for but not paid
as of September 30, 2005. Mr. Bloomberg also serves as
a Director for Nortek, Inc., the parent company of various
companies the Company purchases inventory from. For the year
ended September 30, 2005, the Company purchased
approximately $4,920,409 of inventory.
On March 31, 2005, the Company entered into a
sale-leaseback arrangement with Samuel Bloomberg, Chairman of
Tweeters Board of Directors. Tweeter sold its Warwick,
Rhode Island retail location at 1301 Bald Hill Road,
Warwick, Rhode Island to Mr. Bloomberg for the sum of
$2,962,000 and has entered into a
15-year lease agreement
(with two successive five year options of extension) with
Mr. Bloomberg. The Company will pay rent of $288,000 in
each of lease years one through five, $316,800 in each of lease
years six through ten, and $348,480 in each of the remaining
five years of the lease term. Prior to entering into the
transaction, Tweeter obtained three independent valuations for
the facility. The Company recorded a $169,357 loss on the sale
in its statement of operations for the year ended
September 30, 2005.
17
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
Since a nationally recognized index that would represent a peer
group was not available, Tweeter has used the Russell 2000 to
measure its performance. Tweeter believes that this index is
representative of a peer group because it is composed of
companies with similar market capitalization. In addition,
Tweeter has included the Nasdaq Composite index as a comparison.
Proposal 2: Ratification of Selection of Auditors
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has selected the
firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered
public accounting firm, to serve as auditors for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2006. Deloitte & Touche LLP
served as Tweeters auditors for fiscal year 2005.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The aggregate fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the
member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and their respective
affiliates (collectively, Deloitte) for professional
services rendered for the audit of Tweeters annual
financial statements for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2005 including procedures related to internal
control over financial reporting for
Sarbanes-Oxley, the
reviews of its financial statements included in Tweeters
Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q,
assistance with Securities Act filings and related matters and
consultations on financial accounting and reporting standards
arising during the course of the audit or reviews for that
fiscal year were $1,536,300. The increase in fees over 2004 is
primarily related to internal control over financial reporting
audit services.
The aggregate fees billed by Deloitte for professional services
rendered for the audit of Tweeters annual financial
statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004
including the reviews of its financial statements included in
Tweeters Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q,
assistance with Securities Act filings and related matters and
consultations on financial accounting and reporting standards
arising during the course of the audit or reviews for that
fiscal year were $638,800.
18
The aggregate fees billed by Deloitte for assurance and related
services that are reasonably related to the performance of the
audit or review of Tweeters financial statements, and are
not reported above, were $36,600 for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2005 and $35,650 for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2004. Such services consisted of benefit plan
audits in both years and Sarbanes-Oxley
section 404-implementation assistance in 2004.
The aggregate fees billed by Deloitte for professional services
rendered for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning were
$235,000 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 and
$283,000 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004. Such
services consisted of assistance in the preparation of Federal
and state income tax filings, Federal and state tax examination
assistance, benefit plan services and other tax planning
consultations.
There were no other fees billed by Deloitte for services
rendered to Tweeter, other than the services described above.
Since the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Audit
Committee has pre-approved all non-audit services provided by
Deloitte.
A majority of the votes cast by the stockholders represented at
the meeting, in person or by Proxy, is required to approve this
proposal. Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP will
be present at the meeting to respond to appropriate questions,
and they will have an opportunity, if they desire, to make a
statement.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE
RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
AS AUDITORS.
The Audit Committee, (the Committee), of the Board
of Directors, composed entirely of independent directors (as
independence is defined in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the Nasdaq
Stock Market Marketplace Rules), met six times during the fiscal
year 2005. The purpose of the Audit Committee is to oversee the
accounting and financial reporting processes of the company and
the audits of the financial statements of the company. The full
responsibilities of the Committee are set forth in its charter,
which is reviewed and updated annually and approved by the
board, and is attached hereto as Appendix A.
In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Committee appointed,
subject to stockholder approval, Deloitte & Touche LLP
as the companys outside auditors. In making this decision,
the Committee:
|
|
|
|
|
Discussed with the auditors the matters to be discussed by SAS
61 and SAS 90 (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards,
AU Section 380), as may be modified or supplemented; |
|
|
|
Received the written disclosures and the letter from the
auditors required by Independence Standards Board Standard
No. 1 (Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1,
Independence Discussions with Audit Committee), as may be
modified or supplemented, and discussed with the auditors the
auditors independence; |
|
|
|
Discussed the overall audit process, receiving and reviewing all
reports; |
|
|
|
Involved the auditors in the Committees review of
Tweeters financial statements and related reports with
management; |
|
|
|
Provided to the auditors full access to the Committee (and the
Board) to report on any and all appropriate matters; |
|
|
|
Discussed with the independent auditors all matters required to
be reviewed by generally accepted auditing standards; and |
19
|
|
|
|
|
Conducted an assessment of the competence and qualification of
Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as Tweeters
auditors. |
The Committee met with selected members of management and the
auditors to review financial statements (including quarterly
reports), discussing such matters as the quality of earnings;
estimates, reserves and accruals; suitability of accounting
principles; highly judgmental areas; and audit adjustments
whether or not recorded.
In addition, the Committee considered the quality and adequacy
of the companys internal controls and the status of
pending litigation, taxation matters and other areas of
oversight to the financial reporting and audit process that the
Committee felt appropriate.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the
Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial
statements be included in Tweeters Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2005. Subsequent to such
recommendation, the Board approved such Annual Report on
Form 10-K for
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The reports and opinions of Deloitte & Touche LLP are
filed separately in Tweeters Annual Report on
Form 10-K and
should be read in conjunction with the information contained in
this section of the proxy Statement and the review of the
audited financial statements.
Based upon its work and the information received in the
inquiries outlined above, the Committee is satisfied that its
responsibilities under its charter for the period ending
September 30, 2005 were met and that the financial
reporting and audit processes of the company are functioning
effectively.
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
John Mahoney
Matthew Bronfman
Steven Fischman
Code of Ethics
Tweeter has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the
companys principal executive officer, principal financial
officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons
performing similar functions. A copy of the code of ethics is
filed as an exhibit to Tweeters Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.
Other Business
The Board of Directors of Tweeter is not aware of any matter,
other than those described above that may come before the
meeting. However, if any matters are properly presented to the
meeting for action, it is intended that the persons named in the
enclosed proxy will vote on such matters in accordance with
their best judgment.
Communications with Directors
Tweeters Board of Directors has not established a formal
process for stockholders to send communications to the Board of
Directors and individual directors. The Board of Directors has
determined that it is appropriate for Tweeter to not have such a
formal process, however, as the names of all directors are
available to stockholders in this proxy statement. If Tweeter
receives any stockholder communication intended for the full
Board of Directors or any individual director, Tweeter will
forward the communication to the full Board of Directors or the
individual director, unless the communication is clearly of a
marketing nature or is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal, or
similarly inappropriate, in which case Tweeter has the authority
to discard the communication or take appropriate legal action
regarding the communication.
All members of the Board of Directors are encouraged, but not
required, to attend Tweeters annual meetings of
stockholders. At last years annual meeting of
stockholders, four of the directors then in office were in
attendance.
20
Deadline For Receipt of Stockholder Proposals
In order for a stockholder proposal to be considered for
inclusion in Tweeters proxy materials for the 2007 annual
meeting of stockholders, it must be received by Tweeter at 40
Pequot Way, Canton, MA 02021, Attention: Joseph McGuire, no
later than August 26, 2006; provided, however, that if the
2007 annual meeting of stockholders is scheduled to take place
on a date more than 30 days before or after the anniversary
date of the 2006 annual meeting of stockholders, stockholder
proposals may be received on the later of (i) 120 days
prior to the date when Tweeter first mails to stockholders its
proxy statement for the meeting or (ii) the 15th day
following the day on which the public announcement of the date
of the meeting is first made by Tweeter. In addition,
stockholder proposals intended to be considered at the 2007
annual meeting of stockholders, but not included in
Tweeters proxy materials for that meeting, will be
considered untimely if not received by Tweeter at the above
address by such date.
Annual Report
A copy of Tweeters 2005Annual Report to Stockholders is
being mailed with this proxy Statement to each stockholder
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders not
receiving a copy of such Annual Report may obtain one, without
charge, by writing to Joseph McGuire at Tweeters address
set forth in the preceding paragraph, calling him at
(781) 830-3314, or contacting him by
e-mail at
jmcguire@twtr.com.
Voting via the Internet or by Telephone
For Shares Directly Registered in the Name of the
Stockholder.
Stockholders with shares registered directly with Computershare
may vote those shares telephonically by calling Computershare at
1-877-779-8683 (within the U.S. and Canada only, toll-free), or
via the Internet at Computershares voting Web site
(www.eproxyvote.com/twtr).
For Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or a Bank.
A number of brokers and banks are participating in a program
provided through ADP Investor Communication Services that offers
telephone and Internet voting options. This program is different
from the program provided by Computershare for shares registered
directly in the name of the stockholder. If your shares are held
in an account with a broker or a bank participating in the ADP
Investor Communication Services program, you may be able to vote
those shares telephonically by calling the telephone number
shown on the voting form received from your broker or bank, or
via the Internet at ADP Investor Communication Services
voting Web site (www.proxyvote.com).
General Information for All Shares Voted Via the Internet or
By Telephone.
Votes submitted via the Internet or by telephone must be
received by 12:00 AM E.S.T. on January 31, 2006.
Submitting your proxy via the Internet or by telephone will not
affect your right to vote in person should you decide to attend
the Annual Meeting. The telephone and Internet voting procedures
are designed to authenticate stockholders identities, to
allow stockholders to give their voting instructions and to
confirm that stockholders instructions have been recorded
properly. Stockholders voting via the Internet should understand
that there might be costs associated with electronic access,
such as usage charges from Internet access providers and
telephone companies that must be borne by the stockholder.
21
APPENDIX A
TWEETER HOME ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
Organization
There shall be a committee of the Board of Directors to be known
as the Audit Committee (the Audit Committee). The
Audit Committee shall have at least three members. The Audit
Committee shall be composed solely of directors who are
independent in accordance with Rule 10A-3 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange
Act) and The Nasdaq Stock Market Marketplace Rules for
determining the independence of directors (subject to any Nasdaq
exceptions), and otherwise meet The Nasdaq Stock Market
Marketplace Rules requirements for the membership of the Audit
Committee. Independent Audit Committee members shall be free of
any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors,
would interfere with their exercise of independent judgment as
committee members. In addition, all members of the Audit
Committee shall have a working familiarity with basic finance
and accounting practices (at the time of their appointment) and
at least one member of the Audit Committee shall be an
Audit Committee financial expert as defined in
Item 401 of
Regulation S-K and
as determined by the Board of Directors. All members of the
Audit Committee shall be able to read and understand fundamental
financial statements, including a balance sheet, cash flow
statement and income statement.
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of the Audit Committee shall be to oversee the
accounting and financial reporting processes of the Corporation
and the audits of the financial statements of the Corporation.
In so doing, it is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to
maintain free and open means of communication between the
directors, the independent auditors, and the financial
management of the Corporation.
Responsibilities
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Audit Committee
believes its policies and procedures should remain flexible, in
order to best react to changing conditions and to ensure to the
directors and stockholders that the corporate accounting and
reporting practices of the Corporation are in accordance with
all requirements and are of the highest quality.
In carrying out these responsibilities, the Audit Committee will:
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Appoint, compensate, retain and oversee the work of the
independent auditors (including resolution of disagreements
between management and the auditors regarding financial
reporting) engaged by the Corporation for the purpose of
preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit,
review or attest services for the corporation, as well as to
ultimately approve all audit engagement fees and terms. |
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Pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services in
accordance with Section 202 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 (Sarbanes-Oxley) and the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) rules promulgated
thereunder. |
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Meet with the independent auditors and financial management of
the Corporation to review the scope of the proposed audit for
the current year and the audit procedures to be utilized, and at
the conclusion thereof review such audit, including any comments
or recommendations of the independent auditors. |
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Review with the independent auditors, and financial and
accounting personnel, the adequacy and effectiveness of the
accounting and financial controls of the Corporation, and elicit
any recommendations for the improvement of such internal control
procedures or particular areas where new or more detailed
controls or procedures are desirable. Particular emphasis should
be given to the adequacy of such internal controls to expose any
payments, transactions or procedures that might be deemed illegal |
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or otherwise improper, and to ensure that all reported revenue
and expenses will be recognized in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. |
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Review with management and the internal auditor the charter,
plans, activities, staffing and organizational structure of the
internal audit function of the Corporation. Review the
coordination of such plans with the independent auditors. Ensure
there are no unjustified restrictions or limitations, and review
and concur in the appointment, replacement or dismissal of the
internal auditor. Review the effectiveness of the internal audit
function, including compliance with relevant standards. |
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Review the financial statements contained in the Annual Report
to stockholders with management and the independent auditors to
determine that the independent auditors are satisfied with the
disclosure and content of the financial statements to be
presented to the stockholders. Any changes in accounting
principles should be reviewed. |
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Provide sufficient opportunity for the internal and independent
auditors to meet with the members of the Audit Committee without
members of management present. Among the items to be discussed
in these meetings are the independent auditors evaluation
of the Corporations financial, accounting, and auditing
personnel, and the cooperation that the independent auditors
received during the course of the audit. |
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Review accounting and financial human resources and succession
planning within the Corporation. |
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Submit the minutes of all meetings of the Audit Committee to, or
discuss the matters discussed at each Committee meeting with,
the Board of Directors. |
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Receive from the corporations outside auditors a formal
written statement delineating all relationships between the
auditors and the Corporation, consistent with Independence
Standards Board Standard 1. |
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Engage in an active dialogue with the outside auditors with
respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may
affect the objectivity and independence of the outside auditors. |
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Ensure the independence of the outside auditors. |
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Have the ultimate authority and responsibility to select an
outside auditor, subject to approval by the companys
stockholders at Tweeters annual meeting of stockholders,
and evaluate and, where appropriate, replace the outside
auditor; the outside auditor ultimately shall report and be
accountable to the Audit Committee. |
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Review this Audit Committee Charter at least annually, and make
any changes deemed appropriate, subject to review and approval
of the full Board of Directors. |
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Review and discuss with management the Corporations annual
and quarterly financial statements and all internal control
reports (or summaries thereof), and review other material
reports on financial information (excluding tax returns and
reports) submitted by the Corporation to any government body, or
the public, including management certifications as required by
Sarbanes-Oxley (Sections 302 and 906) and relevant reports
rendered by the outside auditors. |
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Establish procedures, in accordance with Section 301 of
Sarbanes-Oxley and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act, for
(a) the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints
received by the Corporation regarding accounting, internal
accounting controls, or auditing matters; and (b) the
confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the
Corporation of concerns regarding questionable accounting or
auditing matters. |
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The Audit Committee shall have the resources and authority
appropriate to discharge its responsibilities, including the
authority to engage outside auditors for special audits, reviews
and other procedures and, in accordance with Section 301 of
Sarbanes-Oxley and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act, to
retain independent counsel and other experts, advisors or
consultants as it determines is necessary to carry out its
duties, and to determine funding for payment of
(i) compensation to any such counsel, experts, advisors or
consultants, (ii) compensation to outside auditors engaged
by the Audit Committee and (iii) ordinary administrative
expenses of the Audit Committee. |
A-2
APPENDIX B
TWEETER HOME ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE CHARTER
Organization
There shall be a committee of the Board of Directors to be known
as the Nominating Committee, (the Committee or the
Nominating Committee). The Committee shall have at
least two members. The Committee shall be composed solely of
directors who are independent in accordance with The
Nasdaq Stock Market Marketplace Rules for determining the
independence of directors (subject to any Nasdaq exceptions),
and otherwise meet The Nasdaq Stock Market Marketplace Rules
requirements for the membership of the Committee. Independent
Nominating Committee members shall be free of any relationship
that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere
with their exercise of independent judgment as Nominating
Committee members.
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of the Nominating Committee shall be to assist the
Board in identifying individuals qualified to become Directors
under criteria approved by the Board, periodically review
director compensation and benefits and recommend to the Board
any improvements to the Companys corporate governance
guidelines as it deems appropriate.
Responsibilities
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Committee believes its
policies and procedures should remain flexible, in order to best
react to changing needs of the Corporation.
In carrying out these responsibilities, the Committee will:
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1. Evaluate the suitability of potential nominees for
membership on the Board, taking into consideration the
Boards current composition, including expertise,
diversity, and balance of inside, outside and independent
directors, and considering the general qualifications of the
potential nominees, such as: |
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Unquestionable integrity and honesty, |
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The ability to exercise sound, mature and independent business
judgment in the best interests of the shareholders as a whole, |
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A background and experience with retailing, operations, finance,
marketing or other fields which will complement the talents of
the other Board members, |
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Willingness and capability to take the time to actively
participate in the Board and the Committee meetings and related
activities, |
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Ability to work professionally and effectively with other Board
members and Company management, |
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Availability to remain on the Board long enough to make an
effective contribution, and |
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Absence of material relationships with competitors or other
third parties that could present realistic possibilities of
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and see that all necessary and appropriate inquiries are made
into the backgrounds of such candidates.
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2. Recommend to the Board the
number and names of proposed nominees for election as Director
at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders and, in the case of a
vacancy on the Board, the name of an individual to fill the
vacancy. |
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3. Submit the minutes of all
meetings of the Nominating Committee to, or discuss the matters
discussed at each committee meeting with, the Board of Directors. |
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4. Review the direct and indirect
relationships of members of the Board with the Company or its
management and assist the Board with its determination of the
independence of its members. |
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5. To monitor trends and best
practices in director compensation, benefits and stock ownership
guidelines and recommend changes to the Board as it deems
appropriate, taking into consideration the interests of the
corporation and its shareholders, maintenance of the
independence of a majority of the members of the Board, the work
load, time commitment and responsibilities involved in the Board
and Committee meeting participation, and comparison with the
compensation practices of comparable companies. |
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6. Monitor trends and best
practices in corporate governance, periodically review the
corporate governance guidelines, and recommend changes as it
deems appropriate in those guidelines, in the corporate
governance provisions of the Companys By-Laws, and in the
policies and practices of the Board. |
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7. Review this Nominating Committee
Charter at least annually, and make any changes deemed
appropriate, subject to review and approval of the full Board of
Directors. |
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8. Establish and maintain
procedures for the submission of unsolicited recommendations for
nominees, including appropriate deadlines and the type of
information that must be provided with recommendations. |
The Nominating Committee shall have the authority and resources
to:
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solicit ideas for director nominees from other members of the
Board, and to make its own inquiries; |
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solicit suggestions for director nominees from management,
stockholders and other sources; |
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engage outside search or other consultants to assist in
identifying potential director nominees; and |
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determine funding for payment of compensation to any such
consultants and ordinary administrative expenses of the
Committee. |
All potential nominees must first be considered by the
Nominating Committee before being contacted as possible nominees
and before having their names formally considered by the full
Board.
B-2
TWEETER HOME
ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.
C/O COMPUTERSHARE
P.O. BOX 8694
EDISON, NJ 08818-8694
Your vote is important. Please vote immediately.
Vote-by-Internet
Log on to the Internet and go to
http://www.eproxyvote.com/twtr
Vote-by-Telephone
Call toll-free
1-877-PRX-VOTE (1-877-779-8683)
If you vote over the Internet or by telephone, please do not mail your card.
DETACH HERE
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Please mark
votes as in
this example. |
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1. Election of Directors
Nominees: Samuel Bloomberg and Michael Cronin |
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Ratify the appointment of
Deloitte & Touche LLP
as independent auditors. |
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For all nominees
except as noted above. |
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3. In their discretion the proxies are
authorized to vote upon any
other business that may properly come before the meeting. |
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MARK HERE
FOR ADDRESS
CHANGE AND
NOTE AT LEFT
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I AM A. SHAREHOLDER
100 MAIN STREET
ANYTOWN USA, 10000 |
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Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, guardians or other fiduciaries should give full title as such. If signing for a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by a duly authorized officer. |
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Signature: |
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Date: |
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Signature: |
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Date: |
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Dear Stockholder:
Please take note of the important information enclosed with this Proxy. There are a number of
issues related to Tweeters operation that require your immediate attention.
Your vote counts and you are strongly encouraged to exercise your right to vote your shares.
Please mark the boxes on the proxy card to indicate how your shares will be voted. Then sign the
card, detach it and return your proxy in the enclosed postage paid envelope.
Thank you in advance for your prompt consideration of these matters.
Sincerely,
Tweeter Home Entertainment Group, Inc.
DETACH HERE
TWEETER HOME ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.
40 Pequot Way
Canton, Massachusetts 02021
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SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS |
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The undersigned hereby appoints Joseph McGuire, with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side, all shares of common stock of Tweeter Home Entertainment Group, Inc. held of record by the undersigned on December 16, 2005 at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the offices of Goulston & Storrs, P.C.,
400 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts at 10:30 a.m., local time, on January 31, 2006 and any adjournments thereof. |
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN WITH
RESPECT TO A PARTICULAR PROPOSAL, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR SUCH PROPOSAL.
PLEASE MARK, DATE, SIGN, AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY, USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. NO
POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE