Hythiam, Inc.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Hythiam, 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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Hythiam, Inc.
11150 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 1500
Los Angeles, California 90025
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 15, 2007
Dear Fellow Stockholders:
Our 2007 annual meeting of stockholders will be held at the PROMETA Center, 1315 Lincoln
Blvd., Suite 250, Santa Monica, California, on Friday, June 15, 2007, beginning at 10:00 a.m. local
time. At the meeting, stockholders will vote on the following matters:
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Election of eight directors to hold office until our 2007
annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors
are duly elected and qualified; and |
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Any other matters that properly come before the meeting. |
Stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 4, 2007 are entitled to vote
their shares by proxy or at the meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
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By order of the board of directors, |
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Terren S. Peizer |
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Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
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Los Angeles, California |
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March 28, 2007 |
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Whether or not you expect to be present at the annual meeting, please complete, sign and date
the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed return envelope. No postage is
required if mailed in the United States. Stockholders who execute a proxy card may nevertheless
attend the meeting, revoke their proxy and vote their shares in person.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ii
2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF
HYTHIAM, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of Hythiam, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
Company), for use at our annual meeting of stockholders to be held on Friday, June 15, 2007,
beginning at 10:00 a.m. local time, at The PROMETA Center, Inc., 1315 Lincoln Blvd. Suite 250,
Santa Monica 90401, California 90025.
The approximate date that this proxy statement, the accompanying notice of annual meeting and
the enclosed form of proxy are being sent to stockholders is May 23, 2007. You should review this
information in conjunction with our 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders, which accompanies this
proxy statement.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF HYTHIAM, INC
What is the purpose of the annual meeting?
At the annual meeting, stockholders will vote on the election of directors and any other
matters that properly come before the meeting. In addition, our management will report on our
performance during 2006 and respond to questions from our stockholders.
Who is entitled to vote?
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date, May 4, 2007, are
entitled to receive notice of the annual meeting and to vote the shares of common stock that they
held on that date at the meeting, or any postponement or adjournment of the meeting. Each
outstanding share of common stock entitles its holder to cast one vote on each matter to be voted
upon.
Who can attend the meeting?
All stockholders as of the record date, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend the
meeting. Please note that if you hold shares in street name (that is, through a broker or other
nominee), you will need to bring evidence of your share ownership, such as a copy of a brokerage
statement, reflecting your stock ownership as of the record date and valid picture identification.
What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
Most of our stockholders hold their shares through a stockbroker, bank or other nominee rather
than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some differences between shares
held of record and those beneficially owned.
If our shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, you are considered the stockholder of record with regard to those shares.
As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your proxy directly to us to vote your
shares on your behalf at the meeting or the right to vote in person at the meeting. We have
enclosed or sent a proxy card for you to use.
If you hold our shares in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are
considered the beneficial owner of the shares held in street name, and these materials have been
forwarded to you by your broker or nominee, which is considered the stockholder of record with
respect to those shares. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or
nominee how to vote and are also invited to attend the annual meeting so long as you bring a copy
of a brokerage statement reflecting your ownership as of the record date. However, since you are
not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the meeting unless you
obtain a signed proxy from your broker or nominee
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giving you the right to vote the shares. Your broker or nominee has enclosed or provided a voting
instruction card for you to use to direct your broker or nominee how to vote these shares.
What constitutes a quorum?
The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast at the meeting will constitute a quorum, permitting the meeting to conduct its
business. As of March 28, 2007 there were 44,388,939 shares of our common stock issued and
outstanding, held by approximately 100 stockholders of record. Proxies received, but marked as
abstentions, and broker non-votes will be included in calculating the number of shares considered
present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum, but will not be counted as votes cast
for or against any given matter.
If less than a majority of outstanding shares entitled to vote are represented at the meeting,
a majority of the shares present at the meeting may adjourn the meeting without further notice.
How do I vote?
If you complete and properly sign the accompanying proxy card and return it to us, it will be
voted as you direct. If you are a registered stockholder and you attend the meeting, you may
deliver your completed proxy card in person. Street name stockholders who wish to vote at the
meeting will need to obtain a proxy from the institution that holds their shares.
Can I change my vote after I return my proxy card?
Yes. Even after you have submitted your proxy, you may change your vote at any time before the
proxy is exercised by filing with our Secretary either a notice of revocation or a duly executed
proxy bearing a later date. The powers of the proxy holders will be suspended if you attend the
meeting in person and so request, although attendance at the meeting will not by itself revoke a
previously granted proxy.
What are the boards recommendations?
Unless you give other instructions on your proxy card, the persons named as proxy holders on
the proxy card will vote in accordance with the recommendations of our board of directors. See Election
of Directors below.
The board does not know of any other matters that may be brought before the meeting nor does
it foresee or have reason to believe that the proxy holders will have to vote for substitute or
alternate board nominees. In the event that any other matter should properly come before the
meeting or any nominee is not available for election, the proxy holders will vote as recommended by
the board of directors or, if no recommendation is given, in accordance with their best judgment.
What vote is required to approve each item?
Election of Directors. The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast, either in person
or by proxy, at the meeting by the holders of common stock is required for the election of
directors. Broker non-votes will not be counted for purposes of the vote.
Other Items. For each other item, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast, either
in person or by proxy, at the annual meeting by the holders of common stock is required for
approval. A properly executed proxy marked ABSTAIN with respect to any such matter will not be
voted, although it will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum.
Accordingly, an abstention will have the effect of a negative vote.
If you hold your shares in street name through a broker or other nominee, your broker or
nominee may not be permitted to exercise voting discretion with respect to some of the matters to
be acted upon. Thus, if you do not give your broker or nominee specific instructions, your shares
may not be voted
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on those matters and will not be counted in determining the number of shares necessary for
approval. Shares represented by such broker non-votes will, however, be counted in determining
whether there is a quorum. As a result, broker non-votes will have the effect of a negative vote.
Who pays for the preparation of the proxy?
We will pay the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the notice of meeting, proxy
statement and enclosed proxy card. In addition to the use of mail, our employees may solicit
proxies personally and by telephone. Our employees will receive no compensation for soliciting
proxies other than their regular salaries. We may request banks, brokers and other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries to forward copies of the proxy materials to their principals and to
request authority for the execution of proxies. We may reimburse such persons for their expenses
incurred in connection with these activities.
Our principal executive offices are located at 11150 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 1500, Los
Angeles, California 90025, and our telephone number is (310) 444-4300. A list of stockholders
entitled to vote at the annual meeting will be available at our offices, during normal business
hours, for a period of ten days prior to the meeting and at the meeting itself for examination by
any stockholder.
How can I obtain additional copies?
If you need additional copies of this proxy statement or the enclosed proxy card, you should
contact:
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Hythiam, Inc.
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American Stock Transfer & Trust Company |
11150 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 1500
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59 Maiden Lane |
Los Angeles, California 90025
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New York, New York 10038 |
Telephone: (310) 444-4300
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Telephone: (212) 936-5100 |
We will provide to those persons that make a request in writing (Attn: Investor Relations) or
by e-mail (investor@hythiam.com) free of charge our (i) Annual Report on Form 10-K, any amendments
thereto and the financial statements and any financial statement schedules filed by us with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, (ii) Audit Committee Charter, and (iii) Codes of Ethics. Our annual report and
other periodic reports and any amendments thereto are also available on the SEC website at
www.sec.gov by searching the EDGAR database for our filings.
Annual report and other matters
Our 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders, which was mailed to stockholders with or preceding
this proxy statement, contains financial and other information about our Company, but is not
incorporated into this proxy statement and is not to be considered a part of these proxy soliciting
materials or subject to Regulations 14A or 14C or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange
Act. The information contained in the Audit Committee Report, and the Compensation Committee
Report below shall not be deemed filed with the SEC, or subject to Regulations 14A or 14C or to
the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Our current directors and director nominees, and their ages as of March 28, 2007, are as
follows:
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Director |
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Terren S. Peizer
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47 |
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Director, Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
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Richard A. Anderson
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Director, Senior Executive Vice President
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Anthony M. LaMacchia
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Director, Senior Executive Vice President
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2003 |
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Leslie F. Bell
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Director, Chair of Audit Committee,
Member of Compensation Committee
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Hervé de Kergrohen, M.D.
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Director, Chair of Nominations and
Governance Committee, Member of Audit
Committee
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2003 |
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Ivan M. Lieberburg, Ph.D.,
M.D.
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Director, Chair of Compensation Committee
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Marc G. Cummins
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Director, Member of Audit Committee,
Member of Nominations and Governance
Committee
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2004 |
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Andrea Grubb Barthwell, M.D.
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Director
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2005 |
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Terren S. Peizer is the founder of our Company and has served as our chief executive officer
and chairman of the board of directors since our inception in February, 2003. Mr. Peizer served as
chief executive officer of Clearant, Inc. until October 2003, a company which he founded in April
1999 to develop and commercialize a universal pathogen inactivation technology. He served as
chairman of its board of directors from April 1999 to October 2004 and a director until February
2005. From February 1997 to February 1999, Mr. Peizer served as president and vice chairman of
Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Nasdaq Global Market listed company. In addition, from June
1999 through May 2003 he was a director, and from June 1999 through December 2000 he was chairman
of the board, of supercomputer designer and builder Cray Inc., a Nasdaq Global Market company, and
remains its largest beneficial stockholder. Since August 2006, he has served as chairman of the
board of XCorporeal, Inc. Mr. Peizer has been the largest beneficial stockholder and has held
various senior executive positions with several technology and biotech companies. In these
capacities, he has assisted these companies with assembling management teams, boards of directors
and scientific advisory boards, formulating business and financial strategies, investor and public
relations and capital formation. Mr. Peizer has a background in venture capital, investing, mergers
and acquisitions, corporate finance, and previously held senior executive positions with the
investment banking firms Goldman Sachs, First Boston and Drexel Burnham Lambert. He received his
B.S.E. in Finance from The Wharton School of Finance and Commerce.
Richard A. Anderson joined the Company in April 2005 and has more than fifteen years of
experience in business development, strategic planning and financial management. He was the chief
financial officer of Clearant, Inc. from November 1999 until March 2005, and served as a director
from November 1999 to March 2006. He served as chief financial officer of Intellect Capital Group
from October 1999 through December 2001. From February through September 1999, he was an
independent financial consultant. From August 1991 to January 1999, Mr. Anderson was with
PriceWaterhouseCoopers, LLP, most recently a director and founding member of PriceWaterhouseCoopers
Los Angeles Office Transaction Support Group, where he was involved in operational and financial
due diligence, valuations and structuring for high technology companies. He received a B.A. in
Business Economics from University of California, Santa Barbara.
Anthony M. LaMacchia is a senior healthcare executive who, prior to joining the Company in
July 2003, was the business development principal of GME Solutions, a healthcare financial
consulting company providing Medicare graduate medical education and kidney acquisition cost
recovery services, since October 2002. From November 1999 to April 2002, he was president & chief
executive officer of Response Oncology, Inc., a diversified physician practice management company.
He was recruited to this financially distressed company to direct a high-risk turnaround, and when
continued market declines and debt covenant breaches compelled a bankruptcy filing, directed the
company through all phases of the
Chapter 11 process, the sale of all assets and the closure of its facilities. In June 1999,
Mr. LaMacchia left
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Salick Health Care, Inc., which developed and operated outpatient cancer and
kidney treatment centers and a clinical research organization engaging in pharmaceutical and
clinical treatment trials, as executive vice president & chief operating officer, having started
with the company as director of strategic planning & reimbursement in 1984. Previously, Mr.
LaMacchia held positions of increasing responsibility with Blue Cross of California, Ernst & Young
and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He is a certified public accountant who received his B.S. in
Business Administration, Accounting from California State University, Northridge.
Leslie F. Bell has more than 35 years of experience in business and the practice of corporate
and healthcare law. He is a senior executive of Salick Cardiovascular Centers, LLC. From late 1997
until 2004, he was a director and senior executive of Bentley Health Care, Inc. and certain of its
subsidiaries, each of which was a developer and provider of disease-state outpatient health care
facilities and services. Mr. Bell was co-chairman and co-chief executive officer of Tractus
Medical, Inc., a provider of patented relocatable ambulatory surgical center/operating rooms, which
he co-founded in January 2002 until its sale in October 2004. From its inception in 1983 through
several public offerings and until its sale completed in 1997 for a total of approximately $480
million, he served as a director, executive vice president and chief financial officer and from
1996 to 1997 was president of Salick Health Care, Inc. Mr. Bell has also served as a director of
YES Clothing Co. from 1990 to 1995. He was previously a deputy attorney general of the State of
California, and managing partner of the law firm Katz, Hoyt & Bell. Mr. Bell attended the
University of Illinois, received a J.D. (with honors) from University of Arizona College of Law,
and is a member of the University of Arizona College of Law Board of Visitors and Deans Economic
Council. Mr. Bell is licensed to practice law and is the sole director and president of Leslie F.
Bell, Inc., a professional law corporation. He is also a director of various tax-exempt
organizations principally formed to support research and education for specified health problems.
Hervé de Kergrohen, M.D. since August 2002 has been a partner with CDC Enterprises Innovation
in Paris, a European venture capital firm, and since January 2001 has been chairman of BioData, an
international healthcare conference in Geneva. He sits on several boards with U.S. and European
private health care companies, including Kuros BioSurgery and Bioring SA in Switzerland since
January 2004, Praxim SA and Exonhit in France since September 2002, Clearant, Inc. since December
2001 and Xcorporeal, Inc. since November 2006. From February 1999 to December 2001, he was head
analyst for Darier Hentsch & Co., then the third largest Geneva private bank and manager of its CHF
700 million health care fund. From February 1997 to February 1998 he was the head strategist for
the international health care sector with UBS AGin Zurich. Dr. de Kergrohen started his involvement
with financial institutions in 1995 with Bellevue Asset Management in Zug, Switzerland, the fund
manager of BB Biotech and BB Medtech, where he covered the healthcare services sector. He was
previously marketing director with large U.S. pharmaceutical companies such as Sandoz USA and G.D.
Searle, specializing in managed care. Dr. de Kergrohen received his M.D. from Université Louis
Pasteur, Strasbourg, and holds an M.B.A. from Insead, Fontainebleau.
Ivan M. Lieberburg, Ph.D., M.D. is currently executive vice president and chief medical
officer at Elan Company, plc, a worldwide biopharmaceutical company listed on the NYSE, where he
has held a number of positions over the last 20 years, most recently senior vice president of
research. Dr. Lieberburg is a director of Neuromolecular Pharmaceuticals, and he sits on the
scientific advisory boards of Health Care Ventures, Flagship Ventures, NewcoGen, Neuromolecular,
CovX, and the Keystone Symposium. Prior to joining Elan in 1987, he performed his postdoctoral
research at The Rockefeller University and his medical residency and postdoctoral fellowship at
University of California, San Francisco, where he is presently a clinical professor of medicine. He
previously held faculty positions at Albert Einstein School of Medicine and Mt. Sinai School of
Medicine. Dr. Lieberburg has authored over 100 scientific publications, and has been named to a
number of honors including Rockefeller University Fellow, Public Health Corps Scholar, National
Research Service Award, Hartford Foundation Scholar and McKnight Foundation Fellow in Neuroscience.
He is board certified in internal medicine and endocrinology/metabolism. Dr. Lieberburg received an
A.B. in biology from Cornell University, a Ph.D. in Neurobiology from The Rockefeller University
and an M.D. from University of Miami School of Medicine.
Marc G. Cummins is a managing partner of Prime Capital, LLC, a private investment firm focused
on consumer companies. Prior to founding Prime Capital, Mr. Cummins was managing partner of
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Catterton Partners, a private equity investor in consumer products and service companies with over
$1 billion of assets under management. Prior to joining Catterton in 1998, Mr. Cummins spent
fourteen years at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation where he was managing
director of the consumer products and specialty distribution group, and was also involved in
leveraged buyouts, private equity and high yield financings. He has been a member of the board of
Xcorporeal, Inc. since November 2006. Mr. Cummins received a B.A. in Economics, magna cum laude,
from Middlebury College, where he was honored as a Middlebury College Scholar and is a member of
Phi Beta Kappa. He also received an M.B.A. in Finance with honors from The Wharton School at
University of Pennsylvania.
Andrea Grubb Barthwell, M.D. has served as the founder and chief executive officer of the
global health care and policy-consulting firm EMGlobal, LLC since February 2005. From January 2002
through July 2004, she served as deputy director for demand reduction in the Office of National
Drug Control Policy with the title of deputy drug czar, was a principal advisor in the executive
office of the president on policies aimed at reducing the demand for illicit drugs, and was an
active member of the White House Task Force on Disadvantaged Youth and the White House Domestic
Violence Working Group, working closely with the National Institute on Drug Abuse to define the
scope of its Health Services Research portfolio. From June 2000 through January 2002, Dr. Barthwell
served as executive vice president and chief clinical officer of Human Resources Development
Institute drug treatment center, where she served as deputy executive director and medical director
from 1985 through 1987. From 1999 through January 2002, she served as president and chief executive
officer of BRASS Foundation drug treatment center, where she was medical director since 1995. From
1996 through January 2002, Dr. Barthwell served as president of Encounter Medical Group (an
affiliate of EMGlobal). From 1987 through 1996 she served as medical director of Interventions in
Chicago, Illinois. She was a founding member of the Chicago Area AIDS Task Force, hosted a weekly
local cable show on AIDS, and is a past president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. In
2003, Dr. Barthwell received the Betty Ford Award, given by the Association for Medical Education
and Research in Substance Abuse. In 1997, Dr. Barthwells peers named her one of the Best Doctors
in America in addiction medicine. Dr. Barthwell received a B.A. in Psychology from Wesleyan
University, an M.D. from University of Michigan Medical School, and post-graduate training at
University of Chicago and Northwestern University.
How are directors compensated?
Compensation. Non-affiliated directors did not receive any cash compensation for attendance at
meetings of the board of directors or its committees in 2006. Commencing July 1, 2007, non-employee
directors will receive an annual fee of $15,000, plus $2,500 for meetings in excess of four meeting
per year, and $1,500 per committee meeting attended. In addition, the audit committee chair will
receive an annual fee of $10,000 and the compensation committee chair and the nominations and
governance committee chair will each receive an annual fee of $2,500. Directors who are also
employed by us do not receive any fee or compensation for their services as directors. All members
of the board of directors receive reimbursement for actual travel-related expenses incurred in
connection with their attendance at meetings of the board or committees.
Options. Directors are eligible to receive options under our 2003 Stock Incentive Plan. On
September 29, 2003, we granted each non-employee director options to purchase the following number
of shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.50 per share: 200,000 shares to Dr.
Lieberburg, 120,000 shares to Mr. Anderson, 100,000 shares to Mr. Bell and Dr. Kergrohen. On July
2, 2004, we granted Mr. Cummins options to purchase 100,000 shares at $2.80 per share. On January
20, 2005, we granted Dr. Lieberburg and Mr. Bell options to purchase 50,000 shares at $5.72 per
share. On September 7, 2005, we granted Dr. Barthwell options to purchase 50,000 shares at $6.41
per share. On January 26, 2006, we granted Dr. Barthwell and Mr. Cummins options to purchase 50,000
shares at $6.42 per share. All options granted to non-employee directors vest 25% per year over
four years from the date of the grant
On September 29, 2003, we granted Mr. LaMacchia options to purchase 400,000 shares of common
stock at an exercise price of $2.50 per share and Mr. Peizer options to purchase 1,000,000 shares
at $2.75 per share, each vesting 20% per year over five years. On April 28, 2005, we granted Mr.
Anderson
options to purchase 255,000 shares at $7.34 per share, vesting 20% per year over five years. On
July 27,
6
2006, we granted Mr. Anderson options to purchase 25,000 shares at $4.77 per share,
vesting 20% per year over five years.
All of the options described above were granted at or above the fair market value on the date
of grant.
How often did the board meet during 2006?
The board of directors held five meetings during 2006. All of our incumbent directors attended
at least 80% of the meetings of the board and 75% of the meetings held by each committee on which
he or she served.
Which directors are independent?
After review of all of the relevant transactions or relationships of each director (and his
family members), our board of directors has determined that Drs. de Kergrohen, Barthwell and
Lieberburg and Messrs. Bell and Cummins are independent as defined by the applicable Nasdaq rules.
There are no family relationships among any of our directors, executive officers or key employees.
What committees has the board established?
The board of directors has a standing audit committee, compensation committee, and nominations
and governance committee. The board also has adopted written corporate governance guidelines for
the board and a written committee charter for each of the boards committees, describing the
authority and responsibilities delegated to each committee by the board. A copy of our audit
committee charter, compensation committee charter and nominations and governance committee charter
can be found on our website at http://www.hythiam.com.
Audit committee
The audit committee consists of three directors, Mr. Bell (chairman), Dr. de Kergrohen and Mr.
Cummins. The board of directors has determined that each of Dr. de Kergrohen and Messrs. Bell and
Cummins are independent as defined by the applicable Nasdaq rules, meet the applicable requirements
for audit committee members, including Rule 10A-3(b) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, and qualify as audit committee financial experts as defined by Item 401(h)(2) of
Regulation S-K. The audit committee held four meetings during 2006. The duties and responsibilities
of the audit committee include (i) selecting, evaluating and, if appropriate, replacing the
Companys independent registered accounting firm, (ii) reviewing the plan and scope of audits,
(iii) reviewing our significant accounting policies, any significant deficiencies in the design or
operation of internal controls or material weakness therein and any significant changes in internal
controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the
date of their evaluation and (iv) overseeing related auditing matters.
Compensation committee
The compensation committee consists of two directors who are independent as defined by the
applicable Nasdaq rules. The committee consists of Dr. Lieberburg (chairman) and Mr. Bell, and held
two meetings during 2006. The compensation committee reviews and recommends to the board of
directors for approval the compensation of our executive officers.
Nominations and governance committee
The nominations and governance committee consists of two directors who are independent as
defined by the applicable Nasdaq rules. The committee consists of Dr. de Kergrohen (Chairman) and
Mr. Cummins, and held no meetings during 2006. The committee nominates new directors and oversees
corporate governance matters.
The charter of the nominations and governance committee provides that the committee will
7
consider board candidates recommended for consideration by our stockholders, provided the
stockholders provide information regarding candidates as required by the charter or reasonably
requested by us within the timeframe proscribed in Rule 14a-8 of Regulation 14A under the Exchange
Act, and other applicable rules and regulations. Recommendation materials are required to be sent
to the nominations and governance committee c/o Hythiam, Inc., 11150 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite
1500, Los Angeles, California 90025. There are no specific minimum qualifications required to be
met by a director nominee recommended for a position on the board of directors, nor are there any
specific qualities or skills that are necessary for one or more of our board of directors to
possess, other than as are necessary to meet any requirements under the rules and regulations
applicable to us. The nominations and governance committee considers a potential candidates
experience, areas of expertise, and other factors relative to the overall composition of the board
of directors.
The nominations and governance committee considers director candidates that are suggested by
members of the board of directors, as well as management and stockholders. Although it has not
previously done so, the committee may also retain a third-party executive search firm to identify
candidates. The process for identifying and evaluating nominees for director, including nominees
recommended by stockholders, involves reviewing potentially eligible candidates, conducting
background and reference checks, interviews with the candidate and others (as schedules permit),
meeting to consider and approve the candidate and, as appropriate, preparing and presenting to the
full board of directors an analysis with regard to particular recommended candidates. The
nominations and governance committee endeavors to identify director nominees who have the highest
personal and professional integrity, have demonstrated exceptional ability and judgment, and,
together with other director nominees and members, are expected to serve the long term interest of
our stockholders and contribute to our overall corporate goals.
Annual meeting attendance
Two of our directors attended our 2006 annual meeting of stockholders. We have adopted a
policy for attendance by the board of directors at our annual stockholder meetings which encourages
directors, if practicable and time permitting, to attend our annual stockholder meetings.
Do we have a code of ethics?
We have adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics that applies to all Company directors, officers
and employees. We have also adopted a Code of Ethics for CEO and Senior Financial Officers that
applies to our chief executive officer and senior financial officers, including our principal
financial officer and principal accounting officer.
How can stockholders communicate with our board of directors?
Our board of directors believes that it is important for our stockholders to have a process to
send communications to the board. Accordingly, stockholders desiring to send a communication to the
board or a specific director may do so by sending a letter addressed to the board of directors or
any individual director at the address listed in this proxy statement. All such letters must
identify the author as a stockholder. Our corporate secretary will open the communications, make
copies and circulate them to the appropriate director or directors.
PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our bylaws provide that the number of members on the board of directors shall be determined
from time to time by resolution of the board. At present, our board of directors consists of eight
members. Nominees are elected for a one-year term
expiring at the 2008 annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and
qualified.
8
Nominees standing for election
The current members of our board of directors are Terren S. Peizer, Anthony M. LaMacchia,
Richard A. Anderson, Leslie F. Bell, Hervé de Kergrohen, M.D., Ivan M. Lieberburg, Ph.D., M.D.,
Marc G. Cummins and Andrea Grubb Barthwell, M.D. All of the directors terms expire at the annual
meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The board of directors has no
reason to believe that any nominee will refuse to act or be unable to accept election. However, if
any of the nominees for director is unable to accept election or if any other unforeseen
contingencies should arise, the board may designate a substitute nominee. In that case, the persons
named as proxies will vote for the substitute nominee designated by the board.
AUDIT COMMITEE REPORT
The following report of the audit committee does not constitute soliciting material and should
not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any of our other filings under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The audit committee has the sole authority to select, evaluate and, if appropriate, replace
the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, and to pre-approve all auditing and
permitted non-auditing services performed by them for the Company including their fees and other
terms. BDO Seidman, LLP was engaged as the independent registered public accounting firm for the
Company in September 2003. During 2006, the audit committee consisted of Messrs. Bell, Cummins and
Dr. de Kergrohen. The board of directors has determined that all members of the audit committee are
financially literate and independent within the requirements of Nasdaq, the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the Companys audit committee charter.
Management, not the audit committee, is responsible for the preparation, presentation,
accuracy and integrity of the Companys financial statements, establishing, maintaining and
evaluating the effectiveness of internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures; and
evaluating any change in internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or
is reasonably likely to materially affect internal control over financial reporting. The Companys
independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of
the Companys consolidated financial statements, expressing an opinion as to their conformity with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and reporting on managements assessment of the
effectiveness of the Companys internal controls over financial reporting. The audit committees
responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes. Members of the committee rely on the
information provided to them and on the representations made by management and the independent
registered public accounting firm.
In fulfilling its responsibilities, the audit committee met with management and BDO Seidman,
including sessions at which management was not present, and reviewed and discussed the unaudited
financial statements contained in the Companys quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for each of the
quarters ended in 2006, and the audited financial statements contained in the 2006 Annual Report on
Form 10-K, prior to their filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The audit committee
discussed with BDO Seidman the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards
No. 61, Communications with Audit Committees, as currently in effect, including the independent
registered public accounting firms overall evaluations of the quality, not just the acceptability,
of the Companys accounting principles, the critical accounting policies and practices used in the
preparation of the financial statements, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and such
other matters as are required to be discussed with the committee under generally accepted auditing
standards. The audit committee also received the written disclosures and the letter from BDO
Seidman required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussion with Audit
Committees, and reviewed with BDO Seidman its independence.
Based on the review and discussions with management and the independent accountants, and
subject to the limitations on its role and responsibilities described above and in its Charter, the
audit committee recommended to the board of directors that the audited financial statements be
included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 that was
filed with the SEC.
Submitted by the audit committee:
Leslie F. Bell, Chairman
Marc G. Cummins
Hervé de Kergrohen
Dated: March 28, 2007
9
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Who are the largest owners of our stock and how much stock do our directors and executive officers
own?
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the shares of common stock
beneficially owned as of March 28, 2007 by: (i) each person known to us to be the beneficial owner
of more than 5% of our common stock, (ii) each of our directors, (iii) each executive officer named
in the Summary Compensation Table set forth in the Executive Compensation section, and (iv) all
such directors and officers as a group:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
Options |
|
Common |
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
Exercisable |
|
Stock |
|
Percent |
|
|
Beneficially |
|
On or Before |
|
Beneficially |
|
of |
Name(1) |
|
Owned(2) |
|
May 28, 2007 |
|
Owned |
|
Class(3) |
Terren S. Peizer(4) |
|
|
13,700,000 |
|
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
14,300,000 |
|
|
|
32.2 |
% |
Fred Knoll (5) |
|
|
2,417,486 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,417,486 |
|
|
|
5.4 |
% |
Marc G. Cummins(6) |
|
|
222,222 |
|
|
|
62,500 |
|
|
|
284,722 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Anthony M. LaMacchia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
240,000 |
|
|
|
240,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Ivan M. Lieberburg |
|
|
44,444 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
219,444 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Chuck Timpe |
|
|
1,617 |
|
|
|
180,000 |
|
|
|
181,617 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Richard A. Anderson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
192,000 |
|
|
|
192,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Monica Alfaro Welling |
|
|
|
|
|
|
116,000 |
|
|
|
116,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Sanjay Sabnani |
|
|
1,132 |
|
|
|
108,000 |
|
|
|
109,132 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Leslie F. Bell |
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Hervé de Kergrohen |
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Andrea Grubb Barthwell,
M.D. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All directors and named
executive officers as a
group (11 persons) |
|
|
13,969,415 |
|
|
|
1,873,500 |
|
|
|
15,842,915 |
|
|
|
35.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes to Beneficial Ownership Table:
|
(1) |
|
The mailing address of all individuals listed is c/o Hythiam, Inc., 11150 Santa
Monica Boulevard, Suite 1500, Los Angeles, California 90025, unless otherwise indicated. |
|
|
(2) |
|
The number of shares beneficially owned includes shares of common stock in which a
person has sole or shared voting power and/or sole or shared investment power. Except as
noted below, each person named reportedly has sole voting and investment powers with
respect to the common stock beneficially owned by that person, subject to applicable
community property and similar laws. |
|
|
(3) |
|
On March 28, 2007, there were 44,388,939 shares of common stock outstanding. Common
stock not outstanding but which underlies options and rights (including warrants) vested
as of or vesting within 60 days after March 28, 2007 is deemed to be outstanding for the
purpose of computing the percentage of the common stock beneficially owned by each named
person (and the directors and executive officers as a group), but is not deemed to be
outstanding for any other purpose. |
|
|
(4) |
|
13,700,000 shares are held of record by Reserva Capital, LLC, which is owned and
controlled by Mr. Peizer. |
10
|
(5) |
|
Based on information provided on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14,
2007, by Fred Knoll, individually and as president of Knoll Capital Management LP, 237
Park Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10166. |
|
|
(6) |
|
100,000 shares are held of record by Bexley Partners, L.P., 23,000 by Cummins
Childrens Trust, 22,000 by C.F. Partners, L.P., and 35,000 by Mr. Cummins wife Lisa
Cummins. Mr. Cummins disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. |
Section 16(a) beneficial ownership reporting compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our directors and
executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of our outstanding common stock, to file with
the SEC, initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of equity securities of
the Company. Such persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all such
reports they file.
To our knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and
written or oral representations that no other reports were required for such persons, all Section
16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial
owners have been complied with, except for a single Form 4 filing for Mr. Sabnani inadvertently
filed nine days late on May 10, 2006.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The following discussion and analysis contains statements regarding future individual and
Company performance targets and goals. These targets and goals are disclosed in the limited context
of our compensation programs and should not be understood to be statements of managements
expectations or estimates of results or other guidance. We specifically caution investors not to
apply these statements to other contexts.
We believe our long term success is dependent on a leadership team with the integrity, skills,
and dedication necessary to oversee a growing organization on a day-to-day basis. In addition, the
leadership must have the vision to anticipate and respond to future market and regulatory
developments. Our executive compensation program is designed to enable us to attract, motivate and
retain a senior management team with the collective and individual abilities to meet these
challenges. The programs primary objective is to align executives efforts with the long term
interests of stockholders by enhancing our reputation, financial success and capabilities.
General executive compensation philosophy
We compensate our executives, including the named executive officers who are identified in the
Summary Compensation Table, through a combination of base salary, annual cash bonus incentives,
long term equity incentive compensation, and related benefits. These components are designed, in
aggregate, to be competitive with comparable organizations and to align the financial incentives
for the executives with the short and long term interests of stockholders.
The compensation committee of the board of directors receives the Companys management
recommendations and then discusses, reviews and considers managements recommendations with respect
to the compensation of those members of senior management whose compensation the committee
considers. The committee then makes its recommendation to the board which discusses and then
decides raises, bonuses and options. Although their advice may be sought and they may be
questioned by the committee, executive members of the board do not participate in the committees
or the boards discussion and vote. Prior to the committee making its recommendations, the members
of the committee have several discussions among themselves and meet to discuss, among other things,
the performance and contributions of each of the members of senior management whose compensation
they are considering as well as
expectations (of the individual for the year and the future and those of the Company),
results, responsibilities, and desire to retain such executive. In addition, the committee may have
conversations with certain others before making its recommendations.
11
The Companys philosophy is to provide a compensation package that attracts, motivates and
retains executive talent, and delivers rewards for superior performance as well as consequences for
underperformance. Specifically, our executive compensation program is designed to:
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|
provide a competitive total compensation package that is
competitive within the healthcare management and substance
abuse treatment industries in which we compete for
executive talent, and will assist in the retention of our
executives and motivate them to perform at a superior level |
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|
link a substantial part of each executives compensation to
the achievement of our financial and operating objectives
and to the individuals performance |
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provide long-term incentive compensation that focuses
executives efforts on building stockholder value by
aligning their interests with our stockholders |
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provide incentives that promote executive retention. |
Each year, the management and the board approve financial and non-financial objectives
for the Company and the executive officers that are reflected in the Companys executive employment
agreements and incentive compensation plans. We design our annual and long term incentive
compensation plans to reward company-wide performance. In addition, we also consider the individual
performance of each executive officer and other relevant criteria, such as the accomplishments of
the management team as a whole. In designing and administering our executive compensation programs,
we attempt to strike an appropriate balance among these elements.
The major compensation elements for our named executive officers are base salary, annual
performance-based bonuses, stock options, insurance benefits and perquisites. Each of these
elements is an integral part of and supports our overall compensation objectives. Base salaries
(other than increases), insurance benefits and perquisites form stable parts of our executive
officers compensation packages that are not dependent on our performance during a particular year.
We set these compensation elements at competitive levels so that we are able to attract, motivate
and retain highly qualified executive officers. Consistent with our performance-based philosophy,
we reserve the largest potential compensation awards for performance- and incentive-based programs.
These programs include annual and long-term awards that are based on our financial performance and
provide compensation in the form of both cash and equity to provide incentives that are tied to
both our short-term and long-term performance. Our performance-based bonus program rewards
short-term and long-term performance, while our equity awards, in the form of stock options, reward
long-term performance and align the interests of management with our stockholders.
Board determination of compensation awards
The compensation committee recommends and the board determines the compensation awards to be
made to our executive officers. The compensation committee recommends and the board annually
determines the total compensation levels for our executive officers by considering several factors,
including each executive officers role and responsibilities, how the executive officer is
performing against those responsibilities, our performance, and the competitive market data
applicable to each executive officers position.
In arriving at specific levels of compensation for executive officers, the board has relied on
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the recommendations of management; |
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benchmarks provided by generally available compensation surveys; |
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the experience of board members and their knowledge of
compensation paid by comparable companies or companies of
similar size or generally engaged in the healthcare services
business; and |
12
The Company seeks an appropriate relationship between executive pay and corporate
performance. Executive officers are entitled to customary benefits generally available to all
Company employees, including group medical, dental and life insurance and a 401(k) plan. The
Company has employment agreements and severance arrangements with our key executive officers to
provide them with the employment security and severance deemed necessary to retain them.
Components of executive compensation
Base salary. Base salaries provide our executive officers with a degree of financial certainty
and stability. We seek to provide base salaries sufficient to attract and retain highly qualified
executives. The compensation committee annually reviews and recommends and the board determines the
base salaries of our chief executive officer and our other executive officers. Salaries are also
reviewed in the case of executive promotions or other significant changes in responsibilities. In
each case, the compensation committee and the board each take into account competitive salary
practices, scope of responsibilities, the results previously achieved by the executive and his or
her development potential.
On an individual basis, our base salary increase policy is designed to reward performance
consistent with our overall financial performance in the context of competitive practice. Annual
performance reviews, including changes in an executive officers scope of responsibilities, in
combination with general market trends determine individual salary increases. Aside from
contractually provided minimum cost of living adjustments, no formulaic base salary increases are
provided to the named executive officers.
In addition to complying with the executive compensation policy and to the requirements of
applicable employment agreements, compensation for each of the executive officers for 2006 was
based on the executives performance of his or her duties and responsibilities, the performance of
the Company, both financial and otherwise, and the success of the executive in managing, developing
and executing our business development, sales and marketing, financing and strategic plans, as
appropriate.
Bonus. Executive officers are eligible to receive cash bonuses based on the degree of the
Companys achievement of financial and other objectives and the degree of achievement by each such
officer of his or her individual objectives. Within such guidelines the amount of any bonus is
discretionary.
The primary purpose of our annual performance incentive awards is to motivate our executives
to meet or exceed our company-wide short-term performance objectives. Our annual cash bonuses are
designed to reward management-level employees for their contributions to individual and corporate
objectives. Regardless of our performance, the board retains the discretion to adjust the amount of
our executives bonus based upon individual performance or circumstances.
At the beginning of 2006, the management and the board established performance objectives for
the payment of annual incentive awards to each of the named executive officers and other senior
management employees. Performance objectives were based on corporate objectives established as part
of the annual operating plan process. Year end bonus awards were based on attainment of these
performance objectives as adjusted to reflect changes in our business and industry throughout the
year. The compensation committee recommended and the board determined that bonuses in the amounts
set forth in the total compensation chart below were appropriate. Each individuals bonus was
determined based upon the individuals attainment of performance objectives pre-established for
that participant by the board, senior management, or the executives supervisor. The management and
the board established the chief executive officers performance objectives.
In general, each participant set for himself or herself (subject to his or her supervisors
review and approval or modification) a number of objectives for 2006 and then received a
performance evaluation against those objectives as a part of the year-end compensation review
process. The individual objectives
varied considerably in detail and subject matter depending on the executives position. By
accounting for individual performance, we were able to differentiate among executives and emphasize
the link between individual performance and compensation.
13
Stock options. Equity participation is a key component of the Companys executive compensation
program. Under the incentive compensation plan, the Company is permitted to grant stock options to
officers, directors, employees and consultants. To date, stock options have been the sole means of
providing equity participation. Stock options are granted to executive officers primarily based on
the officers actual and expected contribution to the Companys development. Options are designed
to retain executive officers and motivate them to enhance stockholder value by aligning their
financial interests with those of the stockholders. Stock options are intended to enable the
Company to attract and retain key personnel and provide an effective incentive for management to
create stockholder value over the long term since the option value depends on appreciation in the
price of the Companys common stock.
Our employees, including our executive officers, are eligible to participate in the award of
stock options under our 2003 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended. Option grant dates for newly
hired or promoted officers and other eligible employees have typically been the on the first board
meeting date following the date of employment or in the new position. Employees who have
demonstrated outstanding performance during the year are awarded options following the year end.
During 2006, approximately 73 employees received option grants. Such grants provide an incentive
for our executives and other employees to increase our market value, as represented by our market
price, as well as serving as a method for motivating and retaining our executives.
In determining to provide long-term incentive awards in the form of stock options, the board
considered cost and dilution impact, market trends relating to long-term incentive compensation and
other relevant factors. The board determined that an award of stock options more closely aligns the
interests of the recipient with those of our stockholders because the recipient will only realize a
return on the option if our stock price increases over the term of the option.
Perquisites and Other Benefits. We also provide other benefits to our executive officers that
are not tied to any formal individual or Company performance criteria and are intended to be part
of a competitive overall compensation program. For 2006, these benefits included payment of term
life insurance premiums, club dues, and automobile allowances. We also offer 401(k) retirement
plans, and medical plans, for which executives are generally charged the same rates as all other
employees.
Chief executive officer compensation
The compensation committee, at least annually, reviews and recommends to the board of
directors the compensation of Terren S. Peizer, chief executive officer, in accordance with the
terms of his employment agreement, as well as any variations in his compensation the committee
feels are warranted. Mr. Peizer, as a member of the board, does not participate in and abstains
from all discussions and decisions of the board with regard to his compensation. The board believes
that in the highly competitive healthcare industry in which the Company operates, it is important
that Mr. Peizer receive compensation consistent with compensation received by chief executive
officers of competitors and companies in similar stages of development. Mr. Peizer received a base
salary of approximately $433,000 in 2006 and was awarded a bonus of $400,000, payable in 2007. He
also received a special bonus of $265,000 in April 2006. His base salary for 2007 is currently
$450,000. See Executive employment agreements for a description of the material terms and
conditions of Mr. Peizers employment agreement.
Severance and change of control arrangements
We have entered into change of control employment agreements with certain of our named
executive officers, as described in Executive employment agreements. These agreements provide for
severance payments to be made to the executive officers if their employment is terminated under
specified circumstances following a change of control. We also provide benefits to these executive
officers upon qualifying terminations. The agreements are designed to retain our executive officers
and provide
continuity of management in the event of an actual or threatened change of control and to
ensure that our executive officers compensation and benefits expectations would be satisfied in
such event.
14
Internal Revenue Code limits on deductibility of compensation
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, generally disallows a federal
income tax deduction to public companies for certain compensation in excess of $1 million paid to a
corporations chief executive officer or any of its four other most highly compensated executive
officers. Qualifying performance-based compensation will not be subject to the deduction limit if
certain requirements are met. The board is of the opinion that the Companys incentive compensation
plan has been structured to qualify the compensation income deemed to be received upon the exercise
of stock options granted under the plans as performance-based compensation. The board will review
with appropriate experts or consultants as necessary the potential effects of Section 162(m)
periodically and in the future may decide to structure additional portions of compensation programs
in a manner designed to permit unlimited deductibility for federal income tax purposes.
The Company is not currently subject to the limitations of Section 162(m) because no executive
officers received cash payments during 2006 in excess of $1 million. To the extent that the Company
is subject to the Section 162(m) limitation in the future, the effect of this limitation on
earnings may be mitigated by net operating losses, although the amount of any deduction disallowed
under Section 162(m) could increase alternative minimum tax by a portion of such disallowed amount.
For information relating to the Companys net operating losses, see the consolidated financial
statements included in the 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders.
All members of the compensation committee qualify as outside directors. The board considers
the anticipated tax treatment to the Company and our executive officers when reviewing executive
compensation and our compensation programs. The deductibility of some types of compensation
payments can depend upon the timing of an executives vesting or exercise of previously granted
rights. Interpretations of and changes in applicable tax laws and regulations, as well as other
factors beyond the boards control, also can affect the deductibility of compensation.
While the tax impact of any compensation arrangement is one factor to be considered, such
impact is evaluated in light of the Companys overall compensation philosophy. The board will
consider ways to maximize the deductibility of executive compensation, while retaining the
discretion it deems necessary to compensate officers in a manner commensurate with performance and
the competitive environment for executive talent. From time to time, the board may award
compensation to our executive officers which is not fully deductible if it determines that such
award is consistent with its philosophy and is in our and our stockholders best interests, or as
part of initial employment offers, such as grants of nonqualified stock options.
Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code impose certain adverse tax consequences on
compensation treated as excess parachute payments. An executive is treated as having received
excess parachute payments for purposes of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code if he
or she receives compensatory payments or benefits that are contingent on a change in the ownership
or control of a corporation, and the aggregate amount of such contingent compensatory payments and
benefits equal or exceeds three times the executives base amount. If the executives aggregate
contingent compensatory payments and benefits equal or exceed three times the executives base
amount, the portion of the payments and benefits in excess of one times the base amount are treated
as excess parachute payments. Treasury Regulations define the events that constitute a change in
ownership or control of a corporation for purposes of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal
Revenue Code and the executives subject to Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.
An executives base amount generally is determined by averaging the executives Form W-2
taxable compensation from the corporation and its subsidiaries for the five calendar years
preceding the calendar year in which the change in ownership or control occurs. An executives
excess parachute payments are subject to a 20% excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal
Revenue Code, in addition to any applicable federal income and employment taxes. Also, the
corporations compensation deduction in
respect of the executives excess parachute payments is disallowed under Section 280G of the
Internal Revenue Code. If we were to be subject to a change of control, certain amounts received by
our executives (for example, amounts attributable to the accelerated vesting of stock options)
could be excess parachute payments under Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code. We
provide our chief executive officer with tax gross up payments in event of a change of control.
15
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code imposes distribution requirements on nonqualified
deferred compensation plans and arrangements. If a nonqualified deferred compensation plan or
arrangement fails to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, an executive
participating in such plan or arrangement will be subject to adverse tax consequences (including an
additional 20% income tax on amounts deferred under the plan or arrangement). Our nonqualified
deferred compensation plans and arrangements for our executive officers are intended to comply with
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, or to be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of
the Internal Revenue Code.
Compensation committee retention of compensation consultant
The compensation committee engaged Mercer Human Resource Consulting to advise the compensation
committee with respect to the amount and form of non-employee director compensation. The consultant
reports directly to the compensation committee, through its chairperson, and the compensation
committee retains the right to terminate or replace the consultant at any time.
Compensation committee interlocks and insider participation
No member of the compensation committee was at any time during the past fiscal year an officer
or employee of the Company, was formerly an officer of the Company or any of our subsidiaries, or
had any employment relationship with us.
During the last fiscal year, none of our executive officers served as:
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|
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a member of the compensation committee (or other committee
of the board of directors performing equivalent functions
or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board
of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive
officers served on our compensation committee; |
|
|
|
|
a director of another entity one of whose executive
officers served on our compensation committee; or |
|
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|
a member of the compensation committee (or other committee
of the board of directors performing equivalent functions
or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board
of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive
officers served as a director of the Company. |
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The following report of the compensation committee does not constitute soliciting material and
should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any of our other filings under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The compensation committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
set forth in this proxy with management and based on such discussions, the compensation committee
recommended to the board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section be
included herein.
Submitted by the compensation committee:
Ivan M. Lieberburg, Ph.D., M.D., Chairman
Leslie F. Bell
Dated: March 28, 2007
16
MANAGEMENT
Executive officers
Our executive officers are elected annually by the board of directors and serve at the
discretion of the board of directors. There are no family relationships among any of our directors,
executive officers or key employees. We consider Terren S. Peizer, Richard A. Anderson, Christopher
S. Hassan, Anthony M. LaMacchia, Chuck Timpe and Sanjay Sabnani to be our executive officers.
The following sets forth certain information with respect to our executive officers (other
than such information regarding Terren S. Peizer, Richard A. Anderson and Anthony M. LaMacchia
which was disclosed under Corporate Governance above):
|
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|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
|
Christopher S. Hassan
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
Senior Executive Vice President |
Chuck Timpe
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
Sanjay Sabnani
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
Executive Vice President Strategic Development |
Christopher S. Hassan is a senior healthcare executive who, prior to joining the Company in
July 2006, served as vice president, sales for Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals from October 2003
until July 2006. From 2000 to October 2002, he served as director of sales, North America for
Drugabuse Sciences, Inc. a bio-pharmaceutical company. From 1996 to 2000, Mr. Hassan served as area
business manager for Parke-Davis/Pfizer. From 1989 to 1996 he served as district sales manager for
Bayer Pharmaceuticals. From 1986 to 1989, he was a director and vice president sales and
acquisitions for Grammco Computer Sales. Mr. Hassan received a B.B.A. in Accounting from University
of Texas, Austin.
Chuck Timpe is a senior healthcare financial executive with over 35 years experience in the
healthcare industry. Since March 1998, he has served as a director and since June 2002 as chairman
of the audit committee for IPC-The Hospitalist Company, a $150 million physician specialty practice
business. Prior to joining the company in June 2003, Mr. Timpe was chief financial officer, from
its inception in February 1998, of Protocare, Inc., a clinical research and pharmaceutical
outsourcing company which merged with Radiant Research, Inc. in March 2004, creating one of the
countrys largest clinical research site management organizations. Previously, he was a principal
in private healthcare management consulting firms he co-founded, chief financial officer of
National Pain Institute, treasurer and corporate controller for American Medical International (now
Tenet Healthcare Corp., an NYSE company), and a member of Arthur Andersen, LLPs healthcare
practice, specializing in public company and hospital system audits. Mr. Timpe received his B.S.
from University of Missouri, School of Business and Public Administration, and is a certified
public accountant.
Sanjay Sabnani, prior to joining the Company in April 2004, was acting director of business
development and strategy at OSI Systems, Inc., where he was part of a senior team that delivered
significant growth in revenues and market capitalization. Prior to joining OSI Systems, from May
1999 to December 2000, Mr. Sabnani was president and director at Venture Catalyst, Inc., where he
spearheaded
the companys venture capital division, as well as managed the companys web services
business. Mr. Sabnani has authored or co-authored numerous articles and served as an expert speaker
on topics as diverse as mergers and acquisitions, homeland security, entrepreneurship and internet
strategy. He received his B.A. in English from University of California, Los Angeles.
17
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation for our named executive
officers during the 2006 fiscal year.
Summary Compensation Table
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name & Principal |
|
Fiscal |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option |
|
All other |
|
|
Position |
|
year |
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
awards (1) |
|
compensation (2) |
|
Total |
Terren S. Peizer,
Chairman & Chief
Executive Officer |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
432,667 |
|
|
$ |
400,000 |
|
|
$ |
9,241 |
|
|
$ |
319,869 |
(3)(4) |
|
$ |
1,161,777 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard A. Anderson,
Senior Executive Vice
President |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
278,800 |
|
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
|
469,937 |
|
|
|
1,986 |
|
|
|
830,723 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anthony M. LaMacchia
Senior Executive Vice
President |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
278,800 |
|
|
|
58,000 |
|
|
|
129,183 |
|
|
|
549 |
|
|
|
466,532 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chuck Timpe,
Chief Financial
Officer |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
215,700 |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
96,887 |
|
|
|
3,085 |
|
|
|
375,672 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sanjay Sabnani,
Executive VP Strategic
Development |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
215,700 |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
299,673 |
|
|
|
2,132 |
|
|
|
577,505 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monica Alfaro Welling
Senior Vice President
Marketing |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
206,217 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
612,707 |
|
|
|
175,974 |
(5) |
|
|
994,898 |
|
Note to Summary Compensation Table:
(1) |
|
Amounts reflect the compensation expense recognized in the Companys financial
statements in 2006 for stock option awards granted in 2006 and in previous years to the
executive officers in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R). The dollar value for Mr.
Peizers stock option award relates to an award granted in 2003. Mr. Peizer was not
awarded any stock option grants during 2004, 2005 and 2006. The grant-date fair values
of stock options are calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which
incorporates various assumptions including expected volatility, expected dividend
yield, expected life and applicable interest rates. See Note 9 Share-Based
Compensation to the December 31, 2006 consolidated financial statements in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for further information on the assumptions used to value stock
options granted to executive officers. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes group life insurance premiums and health club membership fees for each officer. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes $51,864 in 2006 and 2005 and $8,244 in 2004 for automobile allowance,
including gross-up for taxes. |
|
(4) |
|
On April 27, 2006 the board of directors awarded Mr. Peizer a special bonus of $265,000 |
|
(5) |
|
Includes $173,992 of severance payments and vacation paid out or accrued upon
termination on November 30, 2006 |
18
Executive employment agreements
Chief executive officer
We entered into a five-year employment agreement with our chairman and chief executive
Officer, Terren S. Peizer, effective as of September 29, 2003. Mr. Peizer currently receives an
annual base salary of $450,000, with annual bonuses targeted at 100% of his base salary established
by mutual agreement between Mr. Peizer and the board. His base salary and bonus target will be
adjusted each year to not be less than the median compensation of similarly positioned CEOs of
similarly situated companies. Mr. Peizer receives executive benefits including group medical and
dental insurance, term life insurance equal to 150% of his salary, accidental death and long-term
disability insurance, and a car allowance of $2,500 per month, grossed up for taxes. He was also
granted options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of our common stock at ten percent above the fair
market value on the date of grant, vesting 20% each year over five years. The options vest
immediately in the event of a change in control, termination without good cause or resignation with
good reason. In the event that Mr. Peizer is terminated without good cause or resigns with good
reason prior to the end of the term, he will receive a lump sum equal to the remainder of his base
salary and targeted bonus for the year of termination, plus three years of additional salary,
bonuses and benefits. If any of the provisions above result in an excise tax, we will make an
additional gross up payment to eliminate the impact of the tax on Mr. Peizer.
Senior executive vice presidents
We entered into a four-year employment agreement with each of our senior executive vice
presidents, Richard A. Anderson, Christopher S. Hassan and Anthony M. LaMacchia effective April 13,
2005, July 27, 2006 and September 29, 2003, respectively. Mr. Anderson and Mr. LaMacchia each
currently receives an annual base salary of $288,000, and Mr. Hassan receives an annual base salary
of $278,800, each with annual bonuses targeted at 50% of his base salary based on achieving certain
milestones. Their compensation will be adjusted each year by an amount not less than the CPI. They
each receive executive benefits including group medical and dental insurance, term life insurance,
accidental death and long-term disability insurance. Mr. Anderson was granted options to purchase
280,000 shares of our common stock, in addition to the 120,000 options previously granted to him as
a member of our board of directors. Messrs. Hassan and LaMacchia were each granted options to
purchase 400,000 shares of our common stock. Each of the options was granted at the fair market
value on the date of grant, vesting 20% each year over five years. The options will vest
immediately in the event of a change in control, termination without cause or resignation with good
reason. In the event of termination without good cause or resignation with good reason prior to the
end of the term, upon execution of a mutual general release each executive will receive a lump sum
equal to one year of salary and bonus, and will receive continued medical benefits for one year
unless he becomes eligible for coverage under another employers plan. If he is terminated without
cause or resigns with good reason within twelve months following a change in control, upon
execution of a general release he will receive a lump sum equal to eighteen months salary, 150% of
the targeted bonus, and will receive continued medical benefits for eighteen months unless he
becomes eligible for coverage under another employers plan.
Chief financial officer
We entered into a four-year employment agreement with our chief financial officer, Chuck
Timpe, effective as of September 29, 2003. Mr. Timpe currently receives an annual base salary of
$278,800, with annual bonuses targeted at 50% of his base salary based on achieving certain
milestones. His compensation will be adjusted each year by an amount not less than the CPI. Mr.
Timpe receives executive benefits including group medical and dental insurance, $300,000 of term
life insurance, accidental death and long-term disability insurance. In 2003 he was granted options
to purchase 300,000 shares, and in March 2007 he was granted options to purchase an additional
100,000 shares of our common stock at or above the fair market value on the dates of grant, vesting 20% each
year over five years. The options vest immediately in the event of a change in control, termination
without cause or resignation with good reason. In the event that Mr. Timpe is terminated without
good cause or resigns with good reason prior to the end of the term, upon execution of a general
release he will receive a lump sum equal to one year of salary and bonus, and will receive
continued medical benefits for one year unless he becomes eligible for coverage under another
employers plan. If Mr. Timpe is terminated without cause or resigns with good reason within twelve
months following a change in control, upon execution of a general release he will receive a lump
sum equal
19
to eighteen months salary, 150% of the targeted bonus, and will receive continued medical benefits
for eighteen months unless he becomes eligible for coverage under another employers plan.
Executive vice president
We entered into a one-year letter of employment agreement with our executive vice president of
strategic development, Sanjay Sabnani, effective as of April 15, 2004, which continues at will. Mr.
Sabnani currently receives an annual base salary of $250,000, with annual bonuses targeted at 30%
of his base salary based on performance. Mr. Sabnani receives executive benefits including group
medical and dental insurance, and long-term disability insurance. Through December 31, 2006 he had
been granted options to purchase 300,000 shares, and in March 2007 he was granted options to
purchase an additional 50,000 shares of our common stock, at or above the fair market value on the dates of
grant, vesting 20% each year over five years from the dates of grant.
Confidentiality agreements
Each employee is required to enter into a confidentiality agreement. These agreements provide
that for so long as the employee works for us, and after the employees termination for any reason,
the employee may not disclose in any way any of our proprietary confidential information.
Limitation on liability and indemnification matters
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws limit the liability of directors and executive
officers to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. The limitation on our directors and
executive officers liability may not apply to liabilities arising under the federal securities
laws. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that we shall indemnify our directors and
executive officers and may indemnify our other officers and employees and other agents to the
fullest extent permitted by law. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to our directors and executive officers
pursuant to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, we have been informed that in the opinion
of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is
therefore unenforceable.
At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors,
officers, employees or agents where indemnification will be required or permitted. We are not aware
of any threatened litigation or proceeding that might result in a claim for such indemnification.
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS IN 2006
The table below sets forth the information with respect to options granted to our named
executive officers during 2006.
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Number of |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
securities |
|
|
|
|
|
Grant Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
underlying |
|
Exercise |
|
Fair Value |
|
|
Grant |
|
options |
|
price |
|
of Option |
Name |
|
date |
|
granted (1) |
|
($/Sh) (2) |
|
Awards (3) |
Terren S. Peizer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard A. Anderson |
|
|
7/27/2006 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
4.77 |
|
|
|
79,034 |
|
Anthony M. LaMacchia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chuck Timpe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sanjay Sabnani |
|
|
1/26/2006 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
6.42 |
|
|
|
84,253 |
|
|
|
|
4/27/2006 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
8.56 |
|
|
|
113,449 |
|
Monica Alfaro Welling |
|
|
11/15/2006 |
|
|
|
116,000 |
|
|
|
7.89 |
|
|
|
310,731 |
|
Note to Grants of Plan-based Awards Table:
(1) |
|
These options vest annually over a five-year period from the date of grant. |
|
(2) |
|
All options to purchase our common stock are exercisable at a price equal
to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. |
20
(3) |
|
The grant date fair value of stock options is calculated using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model, which incorporates various assumptions including expected volatility,
expected life of the options and applicable interest rates. See Note 9 Share-Based
Compensation to the December 31, 2006 consolidated financial statements in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for further information on the assumptions used to value stock options
granted to executive officers. |
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT LAST FISCAL YEAR-END
The following table sets forth all outstanding equity awards held by our named executive
officers as of December 31, 2006.
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of shares underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
unexercised options |
|
Option |
|
Option |
|
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
exercise |
|
expiration |
Name |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
price |
|
date |
Terren S. Peizer |
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
$ |
2.75 |
|
|
|
9/29/2008 |
|
Richard A. Anderson |
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
2.50 |
|
|
|
9/29/2013 |
|
|
|
|
51,000 |
|
|
|
204,000 |
|
|
|
7.34 |
|
|
|
4/28/2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
4.77 |
|
|
|
7/27/2016 |
|
Anthony M. LaMacchia |
|
|
240,000 |
|
|
|
160,000 |
|
|
|
2.50 |
|
|
|
9/29/2013 |
|
Chuck Timpe |
|
|
180,000 |
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
|
2.50 |
|
|
|
9/29/2013 |
|
Sanjay Sabnani |
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
|
2.80 |
|
|
|
7/2/2014 |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
4.25 |
|
|
|
10/1/2014 |
|
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
5.72 |
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|
1/20/2015 |
|
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
7.34 |
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|
|
4/28/2015 |
|
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
5.78 |
|
|
|
7/28/2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
6.42 |
|
|
|
1/26/2016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
8.56 |
|
|
|
4/27/2016 |
|
Monica Alfaro Welling |
|
|
86,000 |
|
|
|
114,000 |
|
|
|
2.80 |
|
|
|
2/28/2007 |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
4.25 |
|
|
|
2/28/2007 |
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
5.72 |
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|
2/28/2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
116,000 |
|
|
|
7.89 |
|
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|
11/15/2009 |
|
OPTIONS EXERCISES IN 2006
There were no options exercised by any of our named executive officers, and no restricted
stock held or vested, in 2006.
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE-IN CONTROL
Potential payments upon termination
The following summarizes the payments that the named executive officers would have received if
their employment had terminated on December 31, 2006.
If Mr. Peizers employment had terminated due to disability, he would have received insurance
and other fringe benefits for a period of one year thereafter, with a value equal to $5,600. If
Mr. Peizer had been terminated without good cause or resigned for good reason, he would have
received a lump sum payment of $2,717,000, based upon: (i) three years of additional salary at
$450,000 per year; (ii) three years of additional bonus of $450,000 per year; and (iii) three years
of fringe benefits, with a value equal to $17,000. In addition, his unvested stock options would
have vested with a value of $2,596,000.
21
If any of the other named executive officers had been terminated without good cause or
resigned for good reason, he would have received a lump sum of $432,000 for Mr. Anderson, $418,200
for Mr. Hassan, $432,000 for Mr. LaMacchia, and $418,200 for Mr. Timpe,
based upon one years salary plus the full targeted bonus of 50% of base salary. In addition,
medical benefits would continue for up to one year, with a value equal to $17,000 each. In
addition, his unvested stock options would have vested with values of $701,550 for Mr. Anderson,
$1,788,000 for Mr. Hassan, $1,078,400 for Mr. LaMacchia, and $808,000 for Mr. Timpe.
Monica Alfaro Welling, our former Senior Vice President Marketing, was terminated on November
30, 2006. She received $173,992 of severance payments and accrued or paid out vacation, and
received an additional grant of 116,000 stock options with a value of $157,000 as of December 31
2006.
Potential payments upon change in control
Upon a change in control, the unvested stock options of each of our named executive officers
would have vested, with the values set forth above.
If Mr. Peizer had been terminated without good cause or resigned for good reason within twelve
months following a change in control, he would have received a lump sum payment of $2,717,000, as
described above, plus a tax gross up of $713,000.
In addition, had an executive officer other than our CEO been terminated without good cause or
resigned for good reason within twelve months following a change in control, he would have received
a lump sum of $648,000 for Mr. Anderson, $627,300 for Mr. Hassan, $648,000 for Mr. LaMacchia, and
$627,300 for Mr. Timpe, based upon one-and-a-half years salary plus one-and-a-half the full
targeted bonus of 50% of base salary. In addition, medical benefits would continue for up to
one-and-a-half years, with a value equal to $25,000 each.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The following table provides information regarding compensation that was paid to the
individuals who served as non-employee directors during the year ended December 31, 2006. Except as
set forth in the table, during 2006, directors did not earn nor receive cash compensation or
compensation in the form of stock awards, option awards or any other form.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
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Change in |
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|
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Pension |
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Value and |
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Fees |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
Nonqualified |
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|
|
|
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|
Earned or |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive |
|
Deferred |
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All |
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Paid in |
|
Stock |
|
Option |
|
Plan |
|
Compensation |
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Other |
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
Awards |
|
Awards(1)(3) |
|
Compensation |
|
Earnings |
|
Compensation |
|
Total |
|
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
Leslie F. Bell |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
124,453 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
124,453 |
|
Hervé de
Kergrohen, M.D. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38,255 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38,255 |
|
Ivan M.
Lieberburg, Ph.D.,
M.D. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
124,453 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
124,453 |
|
Marc G.
Cummins (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
154,471 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
154,471 |
|
Andrea Grubb
Barthwell, M.D.(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
113,674 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
113,674 |
|
22
Notes to Director Compensation Table:
(1) |
|
Amounts reflect the compensation expense recognized in the Companys financial
statements in 2006 for non-employee director stock options granted in 2006 and in previous
years, in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R). As such, these amounts do not correspond to the
compensation actually realized by each director for the period. See Note 9 Share-Based
Compensation to the Companys December 31, 2006 consolidated financial statements in its
Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the assumptions used to value stock
options granted to non-employee directors. |
(2) |
|
In January 2006, the board granted options to purchase 50,000 shares each to Mr.
Cummins and Dr. Barthwell, each with a grant date fair value of $207,513. The stock
options were granted pursuant to the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan and vest 25% per year over
four years. |
(3) |
|
There were a total of 750,000 stock options granted to non-employee directors
outstanding at December 31, 2006 with an aggregate grant date fair value of $1,327,000,
the last of which will vest in January 2010. The grant date fair value of stock option
awards is calculated based on the Black-Scholes stock option valuation model utilizing the
assumptions discussed in Note 9 Share-Based Compensation to the December 31, 2006
consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Outstanding equity
awards, by non-employee director as of December 31, 2006 were as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Market |
|
|
Options |
|
Value |
|
|
Outstanding |
|
Options |
Name |
|
(#) |
|
Outstanding |
Leslie F. Bell |
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
224,227 |
Herve de Kergohen |
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
46,974 |
Ivan M. Lieberburg, Ph.D.,M.D. |
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
271,200 |
Marc G. Cummins |
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
377,667 |
Andrea Grubb Barthwell, M.D. |
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
406,716 |
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Andrea Grubb Barthwell, M.D., a director, is the founder and chief executive officer of
EMGlobal LLC, a healthcare and policy consulting firm providing consulting services to us. In 2005
and 2006, we paid or accrued approximately $83,000 and $189,000, respectively, in fees to the
consulting firm.
David E. Smith, M.D. who served as our senior vice president of medical affairs until December
31, 2006, is the sole shareholder of The PROMETA Center, Inc., a California professional
corporation. Under the terms of a management services agreement with the PROMETA Center, we provide
and perform all non-medical management and administrative services for the medical group. We also
agreed to provide a working capital loan to the PROMETA Center up to a maximum of $2.5 million to
allow for the medical group to pay for its obligations, including our management fees, equipment,
leasehold build-out and start-up costs. As of March 28, 2007, the amount of loan outstanding was
approximately $2.3 million, with interest at the prime rate plus 2%. Payment of our management fee
is subordinate to payments of the obligations of the medical group, and repayment of the working
capital loan is not guaranteed by the stockholder or other third party.
23
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The firm of BDO Seidman, LLP served as our independent registered public accounting firm for
the 2006 fiscal year, and will continue to serve as our independent registered public accounting
firm for the 2007 fiscal year unless the audit committee deems it advisable to make a substitution.
We anticipate that representatives of BDO Seidman will attend the annual meeting, will have the
opportunity to make a statement if they desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
Aggregate fees billed to us for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 by BDO
Seidman and its affiliates are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
Audit fees (1) |
|
$ |
563,000 |
|
|
$ |
525,000 |
|
Audit-related fees (2) |
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
5,900 |
|
Tax fees (3) |
|
$ |
34,000 |
|
|
$ |
65,000 |
|
All other fees |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
This amount includes fees paid by us in connection with the
annual audit of our consolidated financial statements, the review
of our quarterly financial statements, registration statements
and other filings with the SEC and approximately $240,000 in 2005
and $235,000 in 2006 in fees related to the audit of internal
control over financial reporting performed in relation to Section
404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
(2) |
|
This amount relates to consulting on accounting research and
consultation on accounting transactions. |
|
(3) |
|
Amounts are for tax return preparation. |
The audit committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services by BDO Seidman
is compatible with maintaining BDO Seidmans independence.
Audit committee pre-approvals
All auditing and non-auditing services provided to us by the independent auditors are
pre-approved by the audit committee or in certain instances by the chair of the audit committee
pursuant to delegated authority. Each year the audit committee discusses and outlines the scope and
plan for the audit and reviews and approves all known audit and non-audit services and fees to be
provided by and paid to the independent auditors. During the year, the specific audit and non-audit
services or fees not previously negotiated or approved by the audit committee are negotiated or
approved in advance by the audit committee or by the chair of the audit committee pursuant to
delegated authority. In addition, during the year the chief financial officer and the audit
committee monitor actual fees to the independent auditors for audit and non-audit services.
All of the services provided by BDO Seidman described above under the captions Audit-related
fees, Tax fees, and All other fees were approved by our audit committee pursuant to our audit
committees pre-approval policies.
2006 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
We will mail with this proxy statement a copy of our annual report to each stockholder of
record as of May 4, 2007. If a stockholder requires an additional copy of our annual report, we
will provide one, without charge, on the written request of any such stockholder addressed to us at
11150 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 1500, Los Angeles, California 90025, Attn: Investor Relations.
OTHER BUSINESS
We know of no other business to be brought before the annual meeting. If, however, any other
business should properly come before the annual meeting, the persons named in the accompanying
proxy
will vote proxies as in their discretion they may deem appropriate, unless they are directed by a
proxy to do otherwise.
24
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholders interested in presenting a proposal for consideration at our 2008 annual meeting
of stockholders may do so by following the procedures prescribed in Rule 14a-8 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. To be eligible for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of
proxy relating to the meeting, stockholder proposals must be received in writing by our corporate
Secretary, Hythiam, Inc., 11150 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 1500, Los Angeles, California 90025, no
later than January 25, 2008.
In order for a stockholder proposal not intended to be subject to Rule 14a-8 (and thus not
subject to inclusion in our proxy statement) to be considered timely within the meaning of Rule
14a-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, notice of any such stockholder
proposals must be given to us in writing not less than 45 days prior to the date on which we first
mailed our proxy materials for the 2007 meeting, which is set forth on page 1 of this proxy
statement (or within a reasonable time prior to the date on which we mail our proxy materials for
the 2008 annual meeting if the date of that meeting is changed more than 30 days from the prior
year).
A stockholders notice to us must set forth for each matter proposed to be brought before the
annual meeting (a) a brief description of the matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the
meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, (b) the name and recent
address of the stockholder proposing such business, (c) the class and number of shares of our stock
which are beneficially owned by the stockholder, and (d) any material interest of the stockholder
in such business.
If a stockholder proposal is received after April 15, 2008, we may vote in our discretion as
to the proposal all of the shares for which we have received proxies for the meeting.
Our 2008 annual meeting of stockholders is expected to be held on Friday, June 20, 2008. If
the date of next years annual meeting is changed by more than 30 days, then any proposal must be
received not later than ten days after the new date is disclosed in order to be included in our
proxy materials.
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Terren S. Peizer |
|
|
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
Los Angeles, California
March 28, 2007
25
HYTHIAM, INC.
2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned stockholder of HYTHIAM, INC., a Delaware corporation (the Company), hereby
acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement of the
Company, each dated March 28, 2007, and hereby appoints Terren S. Peizer and Chuck Timpe, and each
of them, proxies and attorneys-in-fact, with full power to each of substitution, on behalf and in
the name of the undersigned, to represent the undersigned at the 2007 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of the Company, to be held on Friday, June 15, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at the
PROMETA Center, 1315 Lincoln Blvd. Suite 250, Santa Monica 90401, California 90025, and at any
adjournment or adjournments thereof, and to vote all shares of the Companys common stock that the
undersigned would be entitled to vote if then and there personally present, on the matters set
forth on the reverse side.
This Proxy will be voted as directed or, if no contrary direction is indicated, will be voted
FOR the election of directors, FOR approval of the Incentive Compensation Plan, and as said proxies
deem advisable on such other matters as may come before the meeting.
A majority of such proxies or substitutes as shall be present and shall act at the meeting or
any adjournment or adjournments thereof (or if only one shall be present and act, then that one)
shall have and may exercise all of the powers of said proxies hereunder.
(Continued and to be signed and dated on the other side.)
HYTHIAM, INC.
Sign, Date, and Return the Proxy Card Promptly Using the Enclosed Envelope.
o Votes must be indicated (x) in Black or Blue ink.
|
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|
1. ELECTION
OF
DIRECTORS:
|
|
o FOR all
nominees
listed below.
|
|
o WITHHOLD
AUTHORITY to
vote for all
nominees listed
below.
|
|
o *EXCEPTIONS |
|
|
|
Nominees: |
|
Terren S. Peizer, Anthony M. LaMacchia, Leslie F. Bell, Hervé de Kergrohen, M.D.,
Richard A. Anderson, Ivan M. Lieberburg, Ph.D., M.D., Andrea Grubb Bathwell, M.D.
and Marc G. Cummins |
(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark the Exceptions box
and write that nominees name in the space provided below.)
* Exceptions
and upon such matters which may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments
thereof.
To change your address, please mark this box. o
To include any comments, please mark this box. o
(This Proxy should be dated, signed by the stockholder(s)
exactly as his or her name appears hereon, and returned
promptly in the enclosed envelope. Persons signing in a
fiduciary capacity should so indicate. If shares are held
by joint tenants or as community property, both
stockholders should sign.)
Date
Share Owner sign here
Co-Owner sign here