def14a
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
Check the appropriate box:
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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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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Assisted Living Concepts, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total fee paid:
o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
o Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
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SEC 1913 (02-02)
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Persons who are to respond to the collection of
information contained in this form are not required to
respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB
control number. |
ASSISTED LIVING CONCEPTS, INC.
W140 N8981 Lilly Road
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 53051
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
PROXY STATEMENT
ASSISTED LIVING CONCEPTS, INC.
W140 N8981 Lilly Road
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 53051
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ASSISTED LIVING CONCEPTS, INC.
W140 N8981 Lilly Road
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 53051
(262) 257-8888
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting of stockholders of Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. (ALC) will be held at
W140 N8981 Lilly Road, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. central
time for the following purposes:
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To elect nine persons nominated by the Board of Directors to ALCs Board of
Directors; and |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting
or any adjournments or postponements of the annual meeting. |
Stockholders of record of ALCs Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock at the close of
business on March 20, 2009, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting and any
adjournments or postponements of the annual meeting. A list of stockholders entitled to vote will
be available at the annual meeting for inspection by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the
annual meeting.
Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, please take the time to vote your shares
by promptly completing, signing, dating and mailing the proxy card in the postage-paid envelope
provided (or, if applicable, by following the instructions supplied to you by your bank or
brokerage firm for voting by telephone or via the Internet).
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Eric B. Fonstad
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
April 3, 2009
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be
Held on April 30, 2009 the Proxy Statement and 2008 Annual Report are available under the heading
Annual Reports and Proxy Statements in the Investor Relations section at www.alcco.com
ASSISTED LIVING CONCEPTS, INC.
W140 N8981 Lilly Road
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 53051
(262) 257-8888
PROXY STATEMENT
INTRODUCTION
This proxy statement is furnished beginning on or about April 3, 2009 in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. (ALC), a
Nevada corporation, for use at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held at W140 N8981 Lilly
Road, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. central time and at any
adjournments or postponements of the annual meeting.
On November 10, 2006, ALC became an independent, publicly traded company with its Class A
Common Stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange when the separation of ALC from its parent
company, Extendicare Inc., pursuant to a distribution of ALCs Class A and Class B common stock to
the holders of Extendicare Inc. subordinate and multiple voting shares, was effected pursuant to a
Plan of Arrangement filed with and approved by the Ontario Supreme Court of Justice. Extendicare
Inc. was then converted to Extendicare REIT, a Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust.
Effective March 16, 2009, ALC implemented a one for five reverse stock split of its Class A
common stock, par value $0.01 per share (Class A Common Stock), and Class B common stock, par
value $0.01 per share (Class B Common Stock). All share amounts and per share prices in this
proxy statement have been adjusted to reflect this reverse stock split.
Proxies
Properly signed and dated proxies received by ALCs Secretary prior to or at the annual
meeting will be voted as instructed on the proxies or, in the absence of such instruction, FOR the
election to the Board of Directors of the persons nominated by the Board and in accordance with the
best judgment of the persons named in the proxy on any other matters which may properly come before
the annual meeting.
The Board of Directors has appointed an officer of Computershare Trust Company, Inc., transfer
agent for the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock, to act as an independent inspector
at the annual meeting.
Record Date, Class A and Class B Shares Outstanding, and Voting
Stockholders of record of either Class A or Class B Common Stock at the close of business on
the record date, March 20, 2009, are entitled to vote on all matters presented at the annual
meeting. Each share of Class A Common Stock is entitled to one vote and each share of Class B
Common Stock is entitled to ten votes. As of the record date, there were 10,315,573 shares
outstanding of Class A Common Stock and 1,560,553 shares outstanding of Class B Common Stock.
Holders of a majority in total voting power of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock
entitled to vote at the annual meeting, voting together without regard to class and represented in
person or by proxy, constitute a quorum. Under ALCs bylaws, if a quorum is present, the election
of directors is decided by a
plurality of the votes cast. For this purpose, plurality means that the individuals receiving
the largest number of
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votes are elected as directors, up to the maximum number of directors to be
chosen at the election. Consequently, any shares not voted at the annual meeting, whether due to
abstentions, broker non-votes or otherwise, will have no impact on the election of directors
(assuming a quorum is present).
The independent inspector will count the votes. Abstentions are considered as shares
represented and entitled to vote. Broker or nominee non-votes on a matter are not considered as
shares represented and entitled to vote on that matter, but do count toward the quorum requirement.
If less than a majority of voting power of either the Class A Common Stock and the Class B
Common Stock voting together without regard to class is represented at the annual meeting, the
chairman of the meeting or holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the
stockholders who are present in person or by proxy may adjourn the annual meeting from time to time
without further notice.
If your shares are registered in your name, you may vote them by completing and signing the
accompanying proxy card and returning it in the enclosed envelope before the annual meeting.
If your shares are registered in the name of a bank or brokerage firm (street name), you may
be eligible to vote your shares electronically via the Internet or by telephone. A large number of
banks and brokerage firms are participating in the Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (formerly
ADP Investor Communication Services) online program. This program provides eligible stockholders
the opportunity to vote via the Internet or by telephone. If your bank or brokerage firm is
participating in Broadridges program, your voting form will provide instructions.
Telephone and Internet voting procedures, if available, are designed to authenticate
stockholders identities, to allow stockholders to give their voting instructions, and to confirm
that their instructions have been properly recorded. Stockholders voting via the Internet should
understand that there might be costs that they must bear associated with electronic access, such as
usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone companies.
Written ballots will be available from ALCs Secretary before the annual meeting commences. A
stockholder whose shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record must
obtain a proxy, executed in such stockholders favor, from the record holder in order for such
stockholder to vote such shares in person at the annual meeting. Stockholders who send in their
proxy cards and also attend the annual meeting do not need to vote again unless they wish to revoke
their proxies.
Any stockholder (other than stockholders holding shares in street name) giving a proxy may
revoke it at any time before it is exercised by delivering notice of such revocation to ALCs
Secretary in open meeting or in writing by filing with ALCs Secretary either a notice of
revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. Presence at the annual meeting by a
stockholder who has returned a proxy does not itself revoke the proxy. If you have given voting
instructions to a broker, nominee, fiduciary or other custodian that holds your shares in street
name, you may revoke those instructions by following the directions given by the broker, nominee,
fiduciary or other custodian.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees
The following table shows certain information, including principal occupation and recent
business experience, for each of the individuals nominated by the Board of Directors for election
at the annual meeting. All of the nominees are presently ALC directors whose current terms expire
in 2009 and who have been
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nominated to serve as directors until the 2010 annual meeting and until their respective successors
are elected and qualified.
If any of the nominees becomes unable or unwilling to serve, then the proxies will have
discretionary authority to vote for substitute nominees. The Board of Directors has no reason to
believe that any of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve.
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Director |
Name |
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Since |
Laurie A. Bebo
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President and Chief Executive Officer of
ALC since 2006. From 1999 to 2006, Ms.
Bebo held a variety of management
positions with Extendicare Health
Services, Inc., including: Vice President
Sales & Marketing; Vice President Assisted
Living Operations; Area Vice President
Wisconsin/Minnesota; and Area Vice
President Ohio. From 1995 to 1999, Ms.
Bebo was employed by Living Centers of
America (Amerra & Mariner Post Acute
Network) as Vice President Operations,
Vice President Sales & Marketing, and
Regional Sales Manager. Ms. Bebo serves
as an Executive Board Member of Assisted
Living Federation of America and on the
Managers Board of Newton Falls Fine Paper
Company, LLC. She is 38.
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Alan Bell
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From September 2004 to present, corporate
partner of the Canadian law firm Bennett
Jones LLP specializing in mergers and
acquisitions, private and public
financing, and corporate governance.
Prior to September 2004, he was a
corporate partner in the Canadian law firm
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. He is 60.
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Jesse C. Brotz
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Mr. Brotz has a Bachelor of Science in
Economics and Psychology from Brown
University. From 1996 to 1998, he was a
Senior Research Analyst for The Economics
Research Group, Inc. (now Lexecon, Inc.),
a Cambridge, Massachusetts consulting
firm. Since leaving Lexecon, Mr. Brotz
has been building custom furniture and is
currently working as a Journeyman
Cabinetmaker. Mr. Brotz has been a
director of Scotia Investments Limited
since 2004 and is currently a member of
the Audit and Corporate Governance/Human
Resources committees of the board of
directors of Scotia Investments Limited.
He is 35.
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Derek H.L.
Buntain
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President of The Dundee Merchant Bank, a
Cayman Islands private bank offering
banking services to international clients,
President, Chief Executive Officer of
Dundee Offshore Services Ltd. (investment
counsel), and Chairman of the Dundee Leeds
Group of Companies. Prior to November 10,
2006, Mr. Buntain was a director of
Extendicare Inc. Mr. Buntain also serves
as a director of the following companies:
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CencoTech Inc., Dundee Precious Metals
Inc., Eurogas Corporation, Eurogas
International Inc., High Liner Foods
Incorporated, and Natunola Health
Biosciences Inc. He is 68. |
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David J. Hennigar
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Chairman of the Board of Directors. Prior
to November 10, 2006, he was Chairman of
Extendicare Inc. Mr. Hennigar also is
Chairman of Annapolis Group Inc. (a
private holding company in real estate
development and environmental collections
and remediation), High Liner Foods
Incorporated (a public value-added food
processing company), and Aquarius Coatings
Inc. (a public company in paint
manufacturing), as well as Chairman and
CEO of Landmark Global Financial
Corporation (a public investment and
management company). In addition, Mr.
Hennigar serves as lead trustee of Crombie
Real Estate Investment Trust and as a
director of the following public
companies: MedX Health Corp., Natunola
Health Biosciences Inc., SolutionInc
Technologies Limited, and VR Interactive
Corporation. He is a director of a number
of private companies, including Minas
Basin Holdings Limited and Scotia
Investments Limited. He is 69.
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Director |
Name |
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Malen S. Ng
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Chief Financial Officer of
the Workplace Safety and
Insurance Board of Ontario
from 2003 until her
retirement in November 2008.
Prior to November 10, 2006,
she was a director of
Extendicare Inc. From 1975
to 2002, Ms. Ng was employed
by Ontario Hydro and its
successor, Hydro One Inc.
(the largest electricity
delivery company in Ontario),
where she occupied several
executive positions. Ms. Ng
is a director of Empire
Company Limited (a Canadian
company whose key businesses
include food retailing and
related real estate), Sobeys
Inc., and Sunnybrook Health
Sciences Centre. She is 57.
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2006 |
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Melvin A. Rhinelander
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Vice Chair of the Board of
Directors. Prior to November
10, 2006, he was the
President and Chief Executive
Officer of Extendicare Inc.
as well as the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of
Extendicare Health Services,
Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Extendicare
Inc. Following November 10,
2006, Mr. Rhinelander ceased
being an employee of
Extendicare Inc. and
Extendicare Health Services,
Inc., but remained on the
Board of Directors of
Extendicare REIT as Vice
Chairman until December 2008
and Chairman thereafter. He
also serves as a director of
Empire Company Limited (a
Canadian company whose key
businesses include food
retailing and related real
estate). Mr. Rhinelander
joined the Extendicare group
of companies in 1977 and
served in a number of senior
positions. He was appointed
Chief Executive Officer of
Extendicare Inc. in August
2000 following his
appointment as President in
August 1999. He is 59.
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2006 |
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Charles H.
Roadman II, MD
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Retired President and Chief
Executive Officer of the
American Health Care
Association (1999 to 2004)
and the former Surgeon
General of the U.S. Air Force
(1996 to 1999). Prior to
November 10, 2006, he was a
director of Extendicare Inc.
Dr. Roadman serves as a
director and advisor on a
number of private corporate
boards and associations. He
is 65.
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2006 |
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Michael J. Spector
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Retired Chair and Managing
Partner, Quarles & Brady LLP,
a Milwaukee Wisconsin
headquartered law firm with
approximately 440 attorneys
in six cities. Mr. Spector
joined Quarles & Brady in
1966 and served as a member
of its Executive Committee
from 1976 to 2002, as Chair
of the Executive Committee
from 1987 to 2002, and as
Managing Partner from 1999 to
2002. His practice focused
primarily on business
counseling and general school
law representation, including
related litigation and
collective bargaining. Mr.
Spector is a member of the
University of Wisconsin
System Board of Regents and
Executive Director of the
United States Law Firm Group,
Inc. He is 69.
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ALCs bylaws require that any nominations by stockholders of persons for election to the Board
of Directors at the annual meeting must have been received by the Secretary by March 16, 2009. As
no notice of such other nomination was received, no other nominations for election to the Board of
Directors may be made by stockholders at the annual meeting.
Independence
ALCs Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that all of ALCs directors other than
Ms. Bebo and Mr. Rhinelander are independent as defined in the corporate governance standards of
the New York Stock Exchange. Ms. Bebo and Mr. Rhinelander are not considered to be independent
because Ms. Bebo is currently ALCs President and Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Rhinelander was
an ALC officer within the last three years.
The Board considered the relationship of Mr. Bell and the law firm of Bennett Jones LLP to ALC
and determined that relationship did not interfere with the exercise of his independent judgment
and independence from the management of ALC. ALC has not used the services of Bennett Jones LLP
since 2006. The Board considered the relationship of Mr. Spector and the law firm of Quarles &
Brady LLP, which provides legal
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services to ALC, and determined that Mr. Spectors relationship as a retired partner of that firm
does not interfere with the exercise of his independent judgment and independence from the
management of ALC.
The Board also considered the relationship of Mr. Hennigar and Mr. Brotz to ALC through their
association with Scotia Investments Limited, which owns the majority of the Class B Common Stock
and controls approximately 53% of the voting power of stockholders, as well as the familial
relationship between Mr. Hennigar and Mr. Brotz, and determined that neither the association with
Scotia Investments Limited or the familial relationship interferes with the exercise by either Mr.
Hennigar or Mr. Brotz of his independent judgment and independence from the management of ALC.
Meetings
ALCs Board of Directors held five in-person meetings and one telephonic meeting in 2008.
Each director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and committees on
which he or she serves. It is ALCs policy that directors use their best efforts to attend (either
in person or by telephone) all Board of Directors, committee, and annual and special stockholders
meetings. All ALC directors attended the 2008 annual stockholders meeting.
ALC directors have an opportunity to meet in executive session without management at the end
of each regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting. The Chairman presides at executive
sessions. ALCs Board of Directors annually conducts an assessment of its performance and
effectiveness.
Committees
The Board of Directors has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation/
Nomination/Governance Committee and an Executive Committee. The committee charters are available
on ALCs website, www.alcco.com. Committee members have an opportunity to meet in executive
session without management at the end of each regularly scheduled Committee meeting.
Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert. The Audit Committee met four times in
2008. Current members are Ms. Ng (Chair), Mr. Bell, Mr. Brotz, Mr. Buntain and Dr. Roadman. The
Board of Directors has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee is independent,
as defined in the corporate governance listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and Rule
10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 relating to audit committees. In considering Mr.
Brotzs independence under Rule 10A-3, the Board of Directors noted that Mr. Brotz neither
receives compensation for services (other than normal directors fees) from nor is he a 10% owner
of either ALC or Scotia Investments Limited. The Board also has determined that all members of the
Audit Committee are financially literate and that Ms. Ng qualifies as an audit committee financial
expert as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Audit Committee exercises the powers of the Board of Directors in connection with ALCs
accounting and financial reporting practices, and provides a channel of communication between the
Board of Directors and ALCs internal audit function and independent registered public accountants.
The Audit Committee annually reviews its charter and performs an evaluation of its performance and
effectiveness.
Compensation/Nomination/Governance Committee. The Compensation/Nomination/Governance
Committee held three in-person meetings and one telephonic meeting in 2008. Current members are
Mr. Buntain (Chair), Mr. Bell and Mr. Spector. The Committee recommends nominees for ALCs Board
of Directors and reviews qualifications, compensation and benefits for the Board of Directors and
other matters relating to the Board. The Committee also establishes compensation for the officers
of ALC, administers ALCs benefit plans for officers and employees, reviews and recommends officer
selection, responds to SEC requirements on
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Compensation Committee reports, and performs other functions relating to officer succession and
compensation. The Committee annually reviews its charter and performs an evaluation of its
performance and effectiveness.
The Compensation/Nomination/Governance Committee has full authority to consider and determine
executive compensation and to evaluate and to make recommendations to the full Board with respect
to the appropriate level of director compensation. The Committee may form subcommittees for any
purpose and may delegate to such subcommittees such power and authority as the Committee deems
appropriate, provided that each subcommittee has at least two members and that no subcommittee is
granted any power or authority that by law is required to be exercised by the Committee as a whole.
As of the date of this proxy statement, the Committee had not formed subcommittees. The chair of
the Committee confers with the Board chair and vice chair with regard to executive compensation
matters. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the chair of the
Committee from time to time regarding executive compensation.
The Board of Directors has delegated the identification, recruitment and screening of director
candidates for stockholder election to the Compensation/Nomination/Governance Committee. In
identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the Committee seeks to ensure that the Board of
Directors possesses, in the aggregate, the strategic, managerial, and financial skills and
experience necessary to fulfill its duties and to achieve its objectives, and seeks to ensure that
the Board of Directors is composed of directors who have broad and diverse backgrounds and possess
knowledge in areas that are of importance to ALC. The Committee evaluates each candidate on a
case-by-case basis, regardless of who recommended the candidate, based on the director expectations
and qualifications set forth in ALCs Corporate Governance Guidelines which are available on ALCs
web site at: www.alcco.com.
In looking at the qualifications of each candidate to determine if his or her election would
further the goals described above, the Committee assesses a candidates independence, as well as
the candidates background and experience and the current Boards composition. ALC endeavors to
have a Board representing diverse experience at policy-making levels in areas that are relevant to
ALCs business. With respect to incumbent directors selected for reelection, the Committee also
assesses the directors contributions, attendance record, and the suitability of continued service.
In addition, individual directors and any person nominated to serve as a director must possess the
following minimum qualifications and devote an adequate amount of time to the effective performance
of director duties:
(i) Integrity. Directors should demonstrate high ethical standards and
integrity in their personal and professional dealings and be willing to act on their
decisions.
(ii) Informed Judgment. Directors should take care that they are fully
informed and that they act at all times in a prudent, timely and reasonable manner.
(iii) Financial Literacy. Directors should be financially literate. They
should know how to read a balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement and
understand the use of financial ratios and other indices for evaluating ALCs performance.
(iv) Cooperative Approach. Directors should approach each other assertively,
responsibly and supportively and raise difficult questions in a manner that encourages open
discussion.
(v) Record of Achievement. Directors should have a record of attainment that
reflects high standards for themselves and others and should have background and experience
that adds value to the skill set of the Board as a whole.
(vi) Loyalty. Directors must not have any undisclosed conflicts of interest
with ALC and must act in good faith and consistent with their duties of due care, loyalty,
and candor.
(vii) Independent Oversight. Directors must act at all times with the
cooperative independence of thought and action and with the leadership skills needed to
fulfill their oversight responsibilities.
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The Committee assesses the performance of each director whose term is expiring to determine
whether he or she should be nominated for re-election. The Committee may retain resources
including director search firms to assist in the identification, recruitment and screening of
director candidates. The Committee will consider persons recommended by stockholders to become
nominees for election as directors. Stockholders should send their written recommendations for
director nominees to the Committee in care of the Secretary of ALC, together with appropriate
biographical information concerning each proposed nominee.
ALCs bylaws set forth certain requirements for stockholders wishing to nominate director
candidates directly for consideration by the stockholders. With respect to an election of
directors to be held at an annual meeting, a stockholder must, among other things, give notice of
the intent to make such a nomination to the Secretary of ALC in advance of the meeting in
compliance with the terms and within the time period specified in ALCs bylaws. Pursuant to these
requirements, a stockholder must give a written notice of intent to the Secretary of ALC not less
than 50 days or more than 75 days prior to the first annual anniversary of the immediately
preceding annual meeting. Accordingly, to bring a nomination before the 2010 Annual Meeting, the
nomination must be received by the Secretary between February 14, 2010, and March 11, 2010.
Executive Committee. The Executive Committee held two telephonic meetings in 2008. Current
members are Mr. Hennigar (Chair), Mr. Rhinelander, Mr. Buntain and Mr. Spector. The Executive
Committee may exercise the full authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the
business affairs of ALC to the extent permitted by law or not otherwise limited by the Board of
Directors.
Governance Documents
ALCs Code of Business Conduct; Code of Ethics for CEO and Senior Financial Officers;
Corporate Governance Guidelines; and Audit Committee, Compensation/Nomination/Governance Committee,
and Executive Committee charters are available on ALCs web site at: www.alcco.com. These
documents are also available in print upon written request to the Secretary, Assisted Living
Concepts, Inc., W140 N8981 Lilly Road, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 53051.
Communications
Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with the Board of Directors (or a
specific director) by writing to: Board of Directors, c/o Secretary, Assisted Living Concepts,
Inc., W140 N8981 Lilly Road, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 53051. The Secretary will ensure that
these communications (assuming they are properly marked to the Board of Directors or to a specific
director) are delivered to the Board of Directors or the specified director, as the case may be.
Director Compensation
The following table sets forth information regarding compensation paid by ALC to our
non-employee directors during 2008. The Stock Awards, Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
and Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings columns of the table
have been deleted from the table because there were no stock awards, non-equity incentive plan
compensation, pension values, or deferred compensation earnings for directors during 2008. Ms.
Bebo receives no additional compensation for her service as a director.
7
Director Compensation for Fiscal 2008
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned or Paid |
|
Option |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
in Cash |
|
Awards |
|
Compensation |
|
Total |
Name |
|
($) |
|
($)(1) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
Alan Bell |
|
|
35,500 |
|
|
|
12,354 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
47,854 |
|
Jesse C. Brotz |
|
|
30,500 |
|
|
|
12,354 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
42,854 |
|
Derek H.L. Buntain |
|
|
46,000 |
|
|
|
12,354 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
58,354 |
|
David J. Hennigar |
|
|
96,000 |
|
|
|
12,354 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
108,354 |
|
Malen S. Ng |
|
|
45,500 |
|
|
|
12,354 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
57,854 |
|
Melvin A. Rhinelander |
|
|
61,000 |
|
|
|
12,354 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
73,354 |
|
Charles H. Roadman II, MD |
|
|
27,500 |
|
|
|
12,354 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
39,854 |
|
Michael J. Spector |
|
|
35,500 |
|
|
|
12,354 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
47,854 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Perquisites were less than the disclosure threshold of $10,000 in the aggregate. |
Notes
(1) |
|
Represents the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting
purposes with respect to 2008 in accordance with FAS 123R of 4,000 tandem stock
options/stock appreciation rights approved on May 5, 2008, with a grant date of
May 7, 2008, to each non-employee director with an exercise price of $32.10
which become exercisable in annual one third increments beginning May 5, 2009,
and expire five years from the grant date and all of which were outstanding as
of the end of 2008. The Black-Scholes option value model was used to estimate
the grant date fair value of the tandem stock option/stock appreciation rights.
The following assumptions were used in this calculation: (i) a risk free rate
of 3.15% equal to the five year U.S. Treasury yield in effect on the grant
date; (ii) an expected life of five years based on the expected exercise
behavior of option holders: (iii) expected volatility of 45.8% based on the
volatility of ALCs Class A common stock since the stock began trading on
November 10, 2006; (iv) no dividend yield; and (v) forfeitures rate estimated
at 0 percent. This calculation results in a fair value of the tandem stock
option/stock appreciation rights at the date of grant of $14.15 per share. |
Directors who are not employees of ALC are paid an annual retainer of $15,000 per year, a fee
of $1,500 for each Board and committee meeting they attend, and $500 for each telephonic Board or
committee meeting they attend. In addition, the annual retainer for the Board chairman is $50,000
and the annual retainer for the vice chairman is $25,000. The annual retainer for the chair of the
Audit Committee is an additional $15,000 and the annual retainer for the other committee chairs is
an additional $10,000. On May 5, 2008, grants were approved to each non-employee director of 4,000
tandem stock options/stock appreciation rights that become exercisable in annual one third
increments beginning May 5, 2009, and which have an exercise price of $32.10, the closing price of
our Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on May 7, 2008, the second business day
following release of quarterly financial results. Non-employee directors may receive yearly grants
of additional stock-based awards, as determined by the full Board of Directors, and are reimbursed
for expenses incurred in connection with attending Board and committee meetings.
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS
The following table lists beneficial ownership of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock by: any person known to ALC to own beneficially more than 5% of either class; each nominee
for director; each of our directors; our principal executive officer, principal financial officer,
and each of our other executive officers (collectively, the named executive officers); and all of
our executive officers and directors as a group. Except as otherwise indicated below, each
stockholder listed below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares
beneficially owned by such person. The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission consider a
person to be the beneficial owner of any securities over which the person has or shares voting
power or investment power, or any securities as to which the person has the right to acquire,
within 60 days, such sole or
8
shared power. The number of shares set forth for directors, director nominees, and named executive
officers are reported as of March 20, 2009. Amounts for 5% stockholders are as of the date such
stockholders reported such holdings in filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 unless
more recent information was provided prior to the printing of this proxy statement.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Assuming Full |
|
Percentage of |
|
Percent of |
|
|
Shares Owned |
|
Conversion(1) |
|
Issued Shares |
|
Total Votes |
Name of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No |
|
If Fully |
Beneficial Owner |
|
Class A |
|
Class B |
|
Class A |
|
Class A |
|
Class B |
|
Conversion |
|
Converted(1) |
5% Beneficial Holders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Morgan Stanley, 1585 Broadway,
New York, NY 10036 and Morgan
Stanley Investment Management
Inc., 522 Fifth Avenue, New
York, NY 10036 (2) |
|
|
3,347,986 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,347,986 |
|
|
|
32.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.9 |
% |
|
|
27.9 |
% |
Advisory Research, Inc., 180
North Stetson St., Suite 5500,
Chicago, IL 60601(3) |
|
|
1,734,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,734,250 |
|
|
|
16.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.7 |
% |
|
|
14.5 |
% |
Scotia Investments Limited, 3
Bedford Hills Rd, Bedford, Nova
Scotia, Canada B4A
1J5(4) |
|
|
172,658 |
|
|
|
1,361,000 |
|
|
|
1,635,733 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
% |
|
|
87.2 |
% |
|
|
53.2 |
% |
|
|
13.6 |
% |
Robert S. Pitts, Jr., Steadfast
Capital Management LP,
Steadfast GP LLC, Steadfast
Advisory LP, Steadfast GP
Holdings LLC, Steadfast
Capital, L.P., American
Steadfast, L.P. & Steadfast
International Ltd., 767 Fifth
Avenue, 6th Floor,
New York, NY
10153(5) |
|
|
707,058 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
707,058 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.7 |
% |
|
|
5.9 |
% |
Bandera Partners LLC, Gregory
Bylinsky, Jefferson Gramm &
William Gramm, 26 Broadway,
Suite 1607, New York, NY
10004(6) |
|
|
686,231 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
686,231 |
|
|
|
6.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.6 |
% |
|
|
5.7 |
% |
Directors, Director
Nominees and Named
Executive Officers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Laurie A. Bebo |
|
|
18,653 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,653 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Alan Bell |
|
|
2,334 |
(7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,334 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Jesse C. Brotz (4) |
|
|
2,734 |
(7) |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
3,809 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Derek H.L. Buntain |
|
|
24,514 |
(7) |
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
24,557 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
David J. Hennigar (4) |
|
|
1,334 |
(7) |
|
|
3,080 |
(8) |
|
|
4,645 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Malen S. Ng |
|
|
2,032 |
(7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,032 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Melvin A. Rhinelander |
|
|
3,764 |
(9) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,764 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Charles H. Roadman II, MD |
|
|
1,867 |
(7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,867 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Michael J. Spector |
|
|
1,934 |
(7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,934 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Buono |
|
|
4,000 |
(10) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Eric B. Fonstad |
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Walter A. Levonowich |
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
All directors & executive
officers as a group (12
persons) |
|
|
63,966 |
|
|
|
4,120 |
|
|
|
68,395 |
(11) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
9
|
|
|
* |
|
Less than 1.0%. No shares have been pledged as security by directors, nominees or executive
officers except as noted below. |
|
Notes |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Each Class B share may be converted into 1.075 Class A shares at the option of the holder. These
columns assume that all of the outstanding Class B shares were converted into Class A shares such
that a single class of common stock remained outstanding. |
|
(2) |
|
Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Morgan Stanley and
Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. The Schedule 13G states that Morgan Stanley has sole
voting power with respect to 1,186,645 Class A shares and sole dispositive power with respect to
1,854,700 Class A shares and that Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. has sole voting power
with respect to 961,602 Class A shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 1,493,286 Class A
shares. The Schedule 13G also states that Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. |
|
(3) |
|
Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Advisory Research, Inc. |
|
(4) |
|
Scotia Investments Limited holds directly 57,848 Class A shares. The remaining 114,810 Class A
shares and all of the Class B shares shown as owned by Scotia Investments Limited in the table are
held indirectly through subsidiaries. Substantially all of the outstanding voting shares of Scotia
Investments Limited are held directly or indirectly by more than 50 members of the family of the
late R.A. Jodrey, including former spouses and beneficiaries of deceased family members. David J.
Hennigar, chairman of ALCs Board of Directors, and Jesse C. Brotz, an ALC director, are each a
member of the Jodrey family and each is one of twelve directors of Scotia Investments Limited, none
of whom individually has the power to vote or dispose of the shares held directly or indirectly by
Scotia Investments Limited. Matters relating to the voting and disposition of shares held by Scotia
Investments Limited are determined exclusively by its board of directors. Mr. Hennigar and Mr.
Brotz each disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares held directly or indirectly by Scotia
Investments Limited. |
|
(5) |
|
Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Robert S. Pitts, Jr.,
Steadfast Capital Management LP, Steadfast GP LLC, Steadfast Advisors LP, Steadfast GP Holdings LLC,
Steadfast Capital, L.P., American Steadfast, L.P. and Steadfast International Ltd. The Schedule 13G
states that by Robert S. Pitts, Jr., Steadfast Capital Management LP, Steadfast GP LLC, Steadfast
Advisors LP, Steadfast GP Holdings LLC, Steadfast Capital, L.P., American Steadfast, L.P. and
Steadfast International Ltd. have shared voting and dispositive power over 707,058 Class A shares
613,558 Class A shares, 613,558 Class A shares, 93,500 Class A shares, 93,500 Class A shares, 93,500
Class A shares, 194,355 Class A shares, and 419,203 Class A shares, respectively. |
|
(6) |
|
Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Bandera Partners LLC,
Gregory Bylinsky, Jefferson Gramm and William Gramm. The Schedule 13G states that Bandera Partners
LLC has sole voting and dispositive power and Gregory Bylinsky and Jefferson Gramm have shared
voting and dispositive power over 686,231 Class A shares. |
|
(7) |
|
Includes 1,334 Class A shares the director will have a right to acquire through the exercise of
options which become exercisable within sixty days. |
|
(8) |
|
Owned indirectly through the Bank of Nova Scotia and pledged as collateral for a bank line of credit. |
|
(9) |
|
Includes 1,334 Class A shares Mr. Rhinelander will have a right to acquire through the exercise of
options which become exercisable within sixty days, 1,000 Class A shares held jointly with his
spouse, and 1,430 Class A shares held as custodian for Mr. Rhinelanders minor children. |
|
(10) |
|
Includes 3,000 shares held jointly with Mr. Buonos spouse, who is a partner in the law firm of
Quarles & Brady LLP. |
|
(11) |
|
Includes 10,672 Class A shares non-employee directors will have a right to acquire through the
exercise of options which become exercisable within sixty days. |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Overview of Compensation Programs
The compensation programs for executive officers consists principally of annual base salaries,
an annual performance-based bonus program, equity-based compensation awards, a defined contribution
retirement program, a time-vesting deferred compensation plan, and employment agreements.
10
The Compensation/Nomination/Governance Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for
establishing, implementing and monitoring adherence to ALCs compensation philosophy. The
Committee oversees ALCs compensation plans and practices, including its executive officer
compensation plans and practices and its incentive compensation and equity-based plans.
The Committee feels that base salary levels should be restrained with above average
opportunities for incentive compensation as ALCs strategic goals are met. Accordingly, the
Committee has focused on developing short- and long-term incentive compensation programs that
reward the accomplishment of ALCs strategic objectives.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The Committee believes that ALCs compensation programs should reward the achievement of
specific annual and long-term strategic goals and that they should be designed to align executives
interests with the interests of stockholders by rewarding performance above established goals, with
the ultimate objective of increasing stockholder value. The Committee evaluates both performance
and compensation to ensure that ALC has the ability to attract and retain superior employees and
that compensation levels remain competitive. It is the policy of the Committee to include
provisions in performance-based compensation awards that provide for the recovery or repayment of
awards if the relevant performance measure is restated or otherwise adjusted in a manner that would
reduce the size of the award.
Role of Management in Compensation Decisions The Committee makes decisions regarding
compensation for ALCs executive officers. The Committee considers recommendations from the Chief
Executive Officer on annual base salaries, annual performance-based compensation, and equity-based
compensation awards to executive officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer). The Committee
can exercise its discretion in modifying any recommended compensation or awards to executive
officers.
Benchmarking In connection with its review of ALCs executive compensation programs in 2009,
the Committee reviewed the compensation practices of selected companies as disclosed in their proxy
statements. The Committee requested that management prepare comparisons of compensation practices
of five peer companies (Brookdale Senior Living, Inc., Capital Senior Living Corporation, Emeritus
Corporation, Five Star Quality Care, Inc. and Sunrise Senior Living, Inc.) and one Wisconsin-based
public company in a related industry and with a similar-sized market capitalization (The Marcus
Corporation).
Equity Ownership Guidelines The Board has not established equity ownership guidelines for
ALCs management.
Equity-Based Compensation Grant Policy It is the policy of the Board that no director or
member of ALCs management shall backdate any equity award or manipulate the timing of any equity
award or of the public release of material information with the intent of benefiting a grantee
under an equity-based award. The Compensation/Nomination/Governance Committee has adopted written
equity-based compensation grant policies and procedures.
The Committee expects to consider equity-based compensation grants to ALC employees annually
under the terms of the 2006 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan. In addition to consideration of
annual grants, the Committee recognizes that situations may arise during the course of the year
that warrant equity-based compensation grants (off-cycle grants), including situations where ALC is
seeking to hire new senior level employees or recognize employees for certain achievements.
11
Annual grants are considered by the Committee during the first quarter of each year. The
grant date is the date of the meeting unless such date is before or within one business day
following the date of ALCs public release of financial results for the previous fiscal year in
which case the grant date is the second business day following such release of financial results.
Off-cycle grants are granted as of the fifth business day of June, September or December,
whichever next follows the date the grant is approved, provided that the grant date of any
off-cycle grants made on or after the fifth business day in December but before the Boards first
quarter meeting shall be determined as if approved on the date of such meeting. The vesting
schedule of an off-cycle grant award can relate to the date of the commitment to make the grant
(e.g., the date of hire or promotion) instead of the grant date.
2008 Compensation
Base Salary. ALC provides executive officers and other employees with a base salary to
compensate them for services rendered during the fiscal year. Base salary ranges for executive
officers are determined for each executive based on his or her position and responsibility. Base
salary ranges are designed so that salary opportunities for a given position will be between 80%
and 125% of the midpoint of the base salary established for each salary range.
During its review of base salaries for executives, the Committee primarily considers the
executives compensation, both individually and relative to other officers, and individual
performance of the executive.
Salary levels are typically considered annually as part of ALCs performance review process as
well as upon a promotion or other change in job responsibility. Merit-based increases to salaries
of executives are based on the Committees assessment of the individuals performance.
Cash Incentive Compensation. ALCs Cash Incentive Compensation Program is an annual cash
award program for ALC senior corporate and divisional management members based on annual operating
results. For 2008, awards for senior corporate management members were conditioned on ALC as a
whole achieving budgeted net income from continuing operations before income taxes, interest
expense net of interest income, depreciation and amortization, transaction costs, non-cash,
non-recurring gains and losses, including disposal of assets and impairment of long-lived assets,
loss on refinancing and retirement of debt, and rent expenses incurred for leased assisted living
properties (adjusted EBITDAR) targets while awards for divisional management members were based
on achievement of a combination of corporate and divisional adjusted EBITDAR targets. Adjusted
EBITDAR is reported in ALCs publicly disclosed financial information and was selected as a
performance measure for this program because it indicates earnings at residences. Targets ranged
from 30% to 75% of base salary for the named executive officers. An additional incentive (stretch
targets) of up to 10% of base salary could have been awarded for exceeding budgeted adjusted
EBITDAR targets. Achievement of 90% of the performance targets entitled participants to awards
equal to 90% of target amounts.
The Cash Incentive Compensation Program gives ALC the ability to design cash incentives to
promote high performance and achieve corporate goals, encourage growth of stockholder value, and
allow managers to share in ALCs growth and profitability. For 2008, fifteen employees (including
the officers included in the Summary Compensation Table) were eligible to receive awards under this
performance-based incentive compensation program.
During the first quarter of each year, the Committee determines whether target levels for the
previous year were achieved and sets target levels for corporate and divisional financial
objectives and base salary percentages for the current year. For 2008, the performance targets for
executive officers under the Cash Incentive Compensation Program were $76.9 million of adjusted
EBITDAR and an adjusted EBITDAR margin percentage (defined as total revenues divided by adjusted
EBITDAR) of 29.6% on a same residence basis. The
12
Committee has determined that the performance targets under the 2008 Cash Incentive Compensation
Program were not achieved. The Committee has discretion to reduce but not to increase any awards
under the Cash Incentive Compensation Program whenever the Committee determines that particular
circumstances so warrant. The Committee also has discretion to grant additional bonuses that do
not qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code.
Long-term Incentive Compensation The Committee believes that long-term incentive compensation
programs are important elements of an overall compensation package because they encourage
participants to focus on long-term ALC performance. Equity-based long-term incentive compensation
programs also can increase the stake of executives in ALC and further align the interests of
executives with the interests of stockholders.
On March 29, 2008, the Committee granted tandem options and stock appreciation rights to
senior ALC managers, including the officers named in the summary compensation table, that were to
become exercisable beginning in 2009 if specific performance goals related to increasing private
pay occupancy were attained in 2008. The number of tandem options and stock appreciation rights
granted to each of the officers named in the summary compensation table was determined by the
Committee based on each individuals role in achieving the performance targets and the relative
retention value of the grants as recommended by the Chair of the Committee. The performance
targets for the 2008 equity-based compensation awards were to increase private pay occupancy on a
same residence basis to 6,000 residents as measured by average private pay occupancy for the month
of December 2008. Ten percent of the grants would have become exercisable if average private pay
occupancy for December 2008 was at least 5,700 and the maximum number of the grants would have
become exercisable if average private pay occupancy for December 2008 reached 6,400. The Committee
has determined that the private pay increase goals for 2008 were not achieved. Accordingly, all
tandem options and stock appreciation rights awarded to ALC employees in 2008 expired without
becoming exercisable.
The Committee will continue to discuss the design of long-term incentive compensation programs
and expects that future awards will include multi-year programs tied to ALCs long-term strategic
objectives as those objectives are further refined.
Discretionary Bonus Compensation. As noted above, the Committee determined that the
performance targets under the 2008 Cash Incentive Compensation Program were not achieved. While
the Committee has discretion to grant additional bonuses, the Committee elected not to award
discretionary bonuses for 2008 to any of the executives named in the summary compensation table.
The Committee awarded discretionary bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to four other
participants in the 2008 Cash Incentive Compensation Program in recognition of their significant
contributions to ALCs business during 2008.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation Benefits. ALC maintains an Executive Retirement Program
and a Deferred Compensation Plan for the named executive officers and certain other key employees.
ALC also provides a 401(k) plan to which ALC contributes 25% on a matching basis of employee
contributions up to the first 6% of the employees pretax contributions. For highly compensated
employees (as defined in the 401(k) plan), the match is limited to 4% of up to $225,000 of annual
earnings. ALC matching contributions vest according to the number of years of employment with ALC
as follows: 20% after two years; 40% after three years; 70% after four years; and 100% after five
years. ALC provides the 401(k) plan, the Executive Retirement Program and the Deferred Salary and
Deferred Compensation Plans because it believes that these programs help attract and retain key
employees.
Under the Executive Retirement Program, ALC makes a book entry to an account each month equal
to 10% of the participants base monthly salary. Participants are not allowed to make
contributions to the Executive Retirement Program. Accounts are credited with deemed earnings as
if it were invested in investment funds designated by the participant from a list of funds
determined by the plan administrator. Participants interests in
13
the accounts vest according to the number of years of employment with ALC as follows: 20% after two
years; 40% after three years; 70% after four years; and 100% after five years. A participants
interest in an account also vests upon the death or disability of the participant. Withdrawals or
distributions are not allowed while the executive remains an ALC employee. Following a
participants separation from ALC for any reason, the participants vested interest in the account
is paid to the participant (or the participants beneficiary in the event of the participants
death) either in a lump sum or in five, ten or twenty annual installments, as elected by the
participant. Payments for reasons other than death are not started until at least six months after
separation.
ALC also offers a Deferred Compensation Plan which allows designated key employees to elect
annually to defer up to 10% of their base salaries. Compensation deferred is retained by ALC and
credited to participants deferral accounts. ALC credits participants accounts with matching
contributions equal to 50% of participants elective deferrals. Participants are fully vested in
their deferral accounts as to amounts they elect to defer. Participants interests in amounts ALC
credits to their accounts as matching contributions vest according to the number of years of
employment with ALC as follows: 20% after two years; 40% after three years; 70% after four years;
and 100% after five years. The deferral and matching accounts are credited with interest at the
prime rate. During employment, amounts are payable from an executives account only in the case of
financial hardship due to unforeseen emergency. Following a participants separation from ALC for
any reason, the participants vested interest in the account is paid to the participant (or the
participants beneficiary in the event of the participants death) either in a lump sum or in five,
ten or twenty annual installments, as elected by the participant. Payments for reasons other than
death are not started until at least six months after separation.
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits. ALC provides the named executive officers with
perquisites and other personal benefits that ALC and the Compensation/Nomination/Governance
Committee believe are reasonable and consistent with the overall compensation program to allow ALC
to attract and retain key employees. The Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites
and other personal benefits of the named executive officers and currently feels that perquisites
and other personal benefits for ALC executives should be limited. Accordingly, ALC executives are
not given perquisites or other personal benefits that are not made available to ALC employees
generally except for the rental of an automobile in the case of the Chief Executive Officer, a
monthly automobile allowance in the case of other executives, and long-term care and supplemental
long-term disability insurance for certain of the executives. Premiums attributable to the
insurance programs are grossed-up so that executives realize no net taxable income as a result of
the provision of these policies.
Employment Agreements. In connection with ALC becoming an independent, publicly traded
company in 2006, ALC entered into employment agreements with certain key employees, including the
named executive officers. The agreements were modified in 2008. Termination benefits under the
agreements are triggered if ALC terminates an agreement without cause or if a covered employee
terminates his or her employment after the employees work location is shifted more than 50 miles
or if the employees base salary is reduced by 5% or more (or, in the case of Ms. Bebo and Mr.
Buono, if the employees duties and responsibilities are materially diminished), in each instance,
if the employee notifies ALC in writing within 30 days of the change that he or she objects to the
change and ALC does not rescind the change within 30 days of receiving the employees notice.
These trigger events were chosen to help retain these key employees and to assure key employees
that they could apply their full attention to ALCs business. The employment agreements were
designed to promote stability and continuity of senior management.
Termination benefits under the employment agreements include: (i) any earned but unpaid
salary; (ii) one year base salary (two years in the case of Ms. Bebo); (iii) 150% of target bonus
(225% of base salary in the case of Ms. Bebo); (iv) one year auto allowance (two years of auto
lease payments in the case of Ms. Bebo); (v) one year (two years in the case of Ms. Bebo) company
contributions to deferred compensation plans; and (vi) up to one year (eighteen months in the case
of Ms. Bebo) COBRA premiums. Except for any earned but unpaid salary at the time of termination, benefits under the
employment agreements would be paid out monthly over a one-year
14
(two-year in the case of Ms. Bebo) period. Information regarding potential payments under the
agreements for the named executive officers is provided under the heading Employment Contracts and
Termination of Employment and Change-in Control Agreements. Payment of termination benefits is
contingent on the employee executing a release and complying with non-disclosure, non-competition
and non-solicitation covenants for a period of two years following termination of employment.
Section 162(m) Limitations. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the tax
deductibility of certain executive officers compensation that exceeds $1 million per year unless
certain requirements are met. The Compensation/Nomination/Governance Committee intends to qualify
a sufficient amount of compensation to its executive officers so that Section 162(m) of the Code
will not adversely impact ALC.
Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2008
The following table sets forth certain information regarding compensation paid by ALC to the
named executive officers, and one additional officer who is a key employee but not an executive
officer, for services rendered in all capacities to ALC at any time during 2006, 2007 and 2008.
The Board of Directors determined that the executive officers at the end of 2008 were Ms. Bebo, Mr.
Buono, Mr. Fonstad and Mr. Levonowich.
Summary Compensation Table
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in Pension |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
Value and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive |
|
Nonqualified |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan |
|
Deferred |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compen- |
|
Compensation |
|
Compen- |
|
|
Name and Principal |
|
|
|
|
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
Option Awards |
|
sation |
|
Earnings |
|
sation |
|
Total |
Position |
|
Year |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($)(1) |
|
($) |
|
($)(2) |
|
($)(3) |
|
($) |
Laurie A. Bebo |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
410,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
77,289 |
|
|
|
487,289 |
|
President & Chief Executive |
2007 |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
130,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,172 |
|
|
|
85,481 |
|
|
|
618,653 |
|
Officer |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
357,019 |
|
|
|
270,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,683 |
|
|
|
91,013 |
|
|
|
720,715 |
|
John Buono |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
58,473 |
|
|
|
308,473 |
|
Senior Vice President, Chief |
2007 |
|
|
|
240,000 |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
131 |
|
|
|
53,027 |
|
|
|
353,158 |
|
Financial Officer & Treasurer |
2006 |
(4) |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
16,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
71,200 |
|
Eric B. Fonstad |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
156,250 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
37,930 |
|
|
|
194,235 |
|
Senior Vice President, General |
2007 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
789 |
|
|
|
36,633 |
|
|
|
202,422 |
|
Counsel & Secretary |
2006 |
(4) |
|
|
26,154 |
|
|
|
7,875 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
36,529 |
|
Walter A. Levonowich |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
157,230 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
39,255 |
|
|
|
196,485 |
|
Vice President & Controller |
2007 |
|
|
|
153,375 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,027 |
|
|
|
38,676 |
|
|
|
231,078 |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
148,408 |
|
|
|
40,298 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,617 |
|
|
|
37,537 |
|
|
|
233,860 |
|
Terrance Usher(5) |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
189,625 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
48,293 |
|
|
|
237,918 |
|
Divisional Vice President, |
2007 |
|
|
|
185,000 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,574 |
|
|
|
47,622 |
|
|
|
270,196 |
|
Midwest Atlantic Division |
2006 |
|
|
|
185,000 |
|
|
|
74,925 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,899 |
|
|
|
47,567 |
|
|
|
320,391 |
|
|
|
|
Notes |
|
(1) |
|
Tandem stock options/stock appreciation rights granted in 2007 and 2008 were forfeited
because performance-based vesting conditions were not achieved. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents above market earnings on deferred compensation benefit and defined contribution
retirement benefit accounts. |
|
(3) |
|
The All Other Compensation column includes the following dollar amounts of perquisites and
other benefits for 2008: |
15
|
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|
|
|
|
|
ALC |
|
ALC |
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Care |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributions |
|
Contributions |
|
|
|
|
|
& Supplemental |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Car |
|
to Executive |
|
to Deferred |
|
ALC |
|
Long-Term |
|
Tax Gross |
|
|
|
|
Rental/ |
|
Retirement |
|
Compensation |
|
Contributions |
|
Disability |
|
Up on |
|
|
Name |
|
Allowance |
|
Program |
|
Plan |
|
to 401(k) Plan |
|
Insurance |
|
Insurance |
|
Total |
Laurie A. Bebo |
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
41,000 |
|
|
|
20,500 |
|
|
|
2,300 |
|
|
|
1,626 |
|
|
|
2,863 |
|
|
|
77,289 |
|
John Buono |
|
|
7,800 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
|
2,300 |
|
|
|
4,026 |
|
|
|
6,847 |
|
|
|
58,473 |
|
Eric B. Fonstad |
|
|
7,800 |
|
|
|
15,625 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
966 |
|
|
|
2,352 |
|
|
|
3,687 |
|
|
|
37,930 |
|
Walter A. Levonowich |
|
|
7,800 |
|
|
|
15,806 |
|
|
|
7,903 |
|
|
|
1,581 |
|
|
|
2,401 |
|
|
|
3,764 |
|
|
|
39,255 |
|
Terrance Usher |
|
|
9,600 |
|
|
|
18,963 |
|
|
|
9,279 |
|
|
|
2,147 |
|
|
|
3,075 |
|
|
|
5,229 |
|
|
|
48,293 |
|
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Mr. Buono and Mr. Fonstad joined ALC in October 2006. |
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Usher is one of four Divisional Vice Presidents and one of our key employees. |
No cash bonuses were awarded for 2008 to the executives named in the Summary Compensation
Table.
As noted above, the Board has determined that ALC has four executive officers. Information
regarding Mr. Ushers compensation is included in the table and the following sections of
compensation in order to provide stockholders with additional information about ALCs compensation
practices for significant employees.
2008 Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table provides information regarding awards during 2008 under ALCs annual cash
incentive compensation program (ACI) and long-term incentive compensation program (LTI) to the
individuals named in the summary compensation table.
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Type of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Award: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual |
|
Estimated Possible Future |
|
Estimated Possible Future |
|
Exercise |
|
Fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
Payouts |
|
Payouts |
|
or Base |
|
Value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive |
|
Under Non-Equity |
|
Under Equity |
|
Price of |
|
Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Long- |
|
Incentive Plan Awards |
|
Incentive Plan Awards |
|
Option |
|
and |
|
|
Approval |
|
Grant |
|
Term |
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
|
Awards |
|
Option |
Name |
|
Date |
|
Date |
|
Incentive |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
# |
|
# |
|
# |
|
($/Sh) |
|
Awards |
Laurie A. Bebo |
|
March 29, 2008 |
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
ACI LTI |
|
|
278,100 |
|
|
|
309,000 |
|
|
|
339,900 |
|
|
|
1,600 |
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
29.45 |
|
|
$ |
258,000 |
|
John Buono |
|
March 29, 2008 |
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
ACI
LTI |
|
|
113,400 |
|
|
|
126,000 |
|
|
|
138,600 |
|
|
|
800 |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
29.45 |
|
|
$ |
129,000 |
|
Eric B. Fonstad |
|
March 29, 2008 |
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
ACI
LTI |
|
|
49,613 |
|
|
|
55,125 |
|
|
|
60,638 |
|
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
29.45 |
|
|
$ |
64,500 |
|
Walter A. Levonowich |
|
March 29, 2008 |
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
ACI
LTI |
|
|
42,883 |
|
|
|
47,648 |
|
|
|
52,413 |
|
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
29.45 |
|
|
$ |
64,500 |
|
Terrance Usher |
|
March 29, 2008 |
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
ACI
LTI |
|
|
85,748 |
|
|
|
95,276 |
|
|
|
104,803 |
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
29.45 |
|
|
$ |
96,750 |
|
16
As discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, none of the estimated possible
future payouts listed in this table were or will be paid. No amounts were earned in 2008 under the
2008 Cash Incentive Compensation Program because the adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin
performance targets were not achieved. None of the tandem stock option/stock appreciation rights
awards made in 2008 under the 2008 Long-Term Incentive Program became exercisable because the
private pay occupancy target was not achieved in 2008.
The Black-Scholes option value model was used to estimate the grant date fair value of the
tandem stock option/stock appreciation rights approved on March 29, 2008, with a grant date of
March 31, 2008, the first trading date after the grants were approved. The following assumptions
were used in this calculation: (i) a risk
free rate of 2.50% equal to the five year U.S. Treasury yield in effect on the grant date; (ii) an
expected life of five years based on the expected exercise behavior of option holders: (iii)
expected volatility of 46.9% based on the volatility of ALCs Class A common stock since the stock
began trading on November 10, 2006; (iv) no dividend yield; and (v) forfeitures rate estimated at 0
percent. This calculation results in a fair value of the tandem stock option/stock appreciation
rights at the date of grant of $12.90 per share.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End; Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2008
The following table provides information about equity awards that were outstanding at fiscal
year-end. As discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the
Compensation/Nomination/Governance Committee has determined that the performance targets for these
awards were not achieved and, consequently, the awards expired without becoming exercisable. There
were no option exercises or stock vesting for any of the named executive officers during 2008.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-end
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Number of |
|
Equity Incentive Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
Securities |
|
Awards: Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying |
|
Securities Underlying |
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised Unearned |
|
Exercise |
|
Option |
|
|
Options |
|
Options |
|
Options (#) |
|
Price |
|
Expiration |
Name |
|
(#) Exercisable |
|
(#) Unexercisable |
|
Threshold |
|
Maximum |
|
($) |
|
Date |
Laurie A. Bebo |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
1,600 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
29.45 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
John Buono |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
800 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
29.45 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
Eric B. Fonstad |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
29.45 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
Walter A. Levonowich |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
29.45 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
Terrance Usher |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
29.45 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
Notes |
|
(1) |
|
All tandem stock options/stock appreciation rights reported in this table were approved on
March 29, 2008, with a March 31, 2008, grant date and would have expired on March 29, 2013 if
they had become exercisable. All tandem stock options/stock appreciation rights expired on
February 22, 2009 in accordance with their terms, without becoming exercisable, when the
Compensation/Nomination/Governance Committee determined that the applicable performance
targets with respect to the awards were not achieved. |
Nonqualified Defined Contribution Plans
The following table provides information regarding ALCs defined-contribution retirement
plans. ALC does not maintain defined-benefit plans.
17
2008 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive |
|
Registrant |
|
Aggregate |
|
Aggregate |
|
Aggregate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributions |
|
Contributions |
|
Earnings |
|
Withdrawals/ |
|
Balance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
in Last FY |
|
in Last FY(1) |
|
in Last FY(2) |
|
Distributions |
|
at Last FYE(3) |
Name |
|
Plan |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
Laurie A. Bebo |
|
Executive Retirement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
41,000 |
|
|
|
6,547 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
256,482 |
|
|
|
Deferred Compensation |
|
|
41,000 |
|
|
|
20,500 |
|
|
|
11,881 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
274,496 |
|
John Buono |
|
Executive Retirement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
(16,111 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,508 |
|
|
|
Deferred Compensation |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
|
3,198 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
85,864 |
|
Eric B. Fonstad |
|
Executive Retirement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,625 |
|
|
|
714 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,331 |
|
|
|
Deferred Compensation |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
1,941 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,817 |
|
Walter A. Levonowich |
|
Executive Retirement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,806 |
|
|
|
(17,492 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,903 |
|
|
|
Deferred Compensation |
|
|
15,806 |
|
|
|
7,903 |
|
|
|
23,492 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
487,045 |
|
Terrance Usher |
|
Executive Retirement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,963 |
|
|
|
(80,372 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
156,509 |
|
|
|
Deferred Compensation |
|
|
18,558 |
|
|
|
9,279 |
|
|
|
17,236 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
354,532 |
|
|
|
|
Notes |
|
(1) |
|
Amounts in the Registrant Contributions in Last FY column are included in the All Other
Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table for 2008. |
|
(2) |
|
None of the amounts listed in the Aggregate Earnings in Last FY column are considered to be
above market earnings except for $55 for Mr. Fonstad which is included in the Change in
Pension Value and Deferred Compensation Earnings column of the Summary Compensation Table for
2008. |
|
(3) |
|
The following amounts in the Aggregate Balance at Last FYE column were previously reported in
the Summary Compensation Table for previous years: Ms. Bebo, $208,935 Executive Retirement and
$201,115 Deferred Compensation; Mr. Buono, $24,619 Executive Retirement and $45,166 Deferred
Compensation; Mr. Fonstad, $17,992 Executive Retirement and $23,375 Deferred Compensation; Mr.
Levonowich, $33,589 Executive Retirement and $439,844 Deferred Compensation; and Mr. Usher,
$217,918 Executive Retirement and $309,459 Deferred Compensation. |
ALCs defined contribution retirement plan for executives, the Executive Retirement Program,
provides for a book entry to an account each month equal to 10% of the participants base monthly
salary. Executives are not allowed to make contributions to the Executive Retirement Program.
Accounts are credited with deemed earnings as if it were invested in investment funds designated by
the participant from a list of funds determined by the plan administrator. Participants may
prospectively elect to reallocate their accounts among investment funds at times established by the
plan administrator, which shall be no less frequently than quarterly. Participants interests in
the accounts vest according to the number of years of employment with ALC as follows: 20% after two
years; 40% after three years; 70% after four years; and 100% after five years. A participants
interest in an account also vests upon the death or disability of the participant. The individuals
listed in the summary compensation table are vested in their plan accounts as follows: Ms. Bebo
100%; Mr. Buono 20%; Mr. Fonstad 20%; Mr. Levonowich 100%; and Mr. Usher 100%. Withdrawals or
distributions are not allowed while the
18
executive remains an ALC employee. Following a
participants separation from ALC for any reason, the participants vested interest in the account
is paid to the participant (or the participants beneficiary in the event of the participants
death) either in a lump sum or in five, ten or twenty annual installments, as elected by the
participant. Payments for reasons other than death do not begin until at least six month after
separation.
ALC also sponsors a Deferred Compensation Plan that allows participating executives to elect
to defer up to 10% of their base salaries. Compensation deferred is retained by ALC and credited
to the participants deferral
account. The Deferred Compensation Plan credits participants accounts with matching
contributions equal to 50% of participants elective deferrals. Participants are fully vested in
their deferral accounts as to amounts they elect to defer. Participants interests in amounts ALC
credits to their accounts as matching contributions vest according to the number of years of
employment with ALC as follows: 20% after two years; 40% after three years; 70% after four years;
and 100% after five years. Withdrawals or distributions are not allowed while the executive
remains an ALC employee. Following a participants separation from ALC for any reason, the
participants interest in the account is paid to the participant (or the participants beneficiary
in the event of the participants death) either in a lump sum or in five, ten or twenty annual
installments, as elected by the participant. Payments for reasons other than death do not begin
until at least six month after separation. The deferral and matching accounts are bookkeeping
accounts only and are credited with interest at the prime rate.
Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control Agreements
Please see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above for a discussion of the terms of
employment agreements entered into between ALC and the individuals listed in the summary
compensation table. The approximate dollar amounts that would have been payable to the individuals
listed in the summary compensation table under the provisions of the employment agreements if the
respective executives employment had been terminated as of December 31, 2008, by ALC for reasons
other than cause, death or disability are: Ms. Bebo $1,892,600; Mr. Buono $486,600; Mr. Fonstad
$271,613; Mr. Levonowich $261,922; and Mr. Usher $371,646. These amounts do not include vested
amounts under deferred compensation programs which would be paid in accordance with their terms or
reimbursement of up to one year (eighteen months in case of Ms. Bebo) of COBRA premiums of
approximately $1,200 per month that might be paid by the executives following termination of
employment.
Under the terms of the 2006 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, grants of stock options and
stock appreciation rights would become immediately vested and fully exercisable if a change of
control of ALC, as defined in the award agreements, occurred prior to the expiration of the grants.
No value is included for outstanding stock options/stock appreciation rights because the exercise
price of such securities subject to acceleration exceeded the year-end market price of the Class A
Common Stock.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
In accordance with its written Charter adopted by the Board of Directors, the
Compensation/Nomination/ Governance Committee has oversight responsibility for compensation
matters. The Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis contained in this proxy statement and, based on that review and discussion, recommended to
the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy
statement.
The foregoing report has been approved by all members of the Committee.
Derek H.L. Buntain, Chair
Alan Bell
Michael J. Spector
19
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table sets forth securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation
plans as of December 31, 2008. As discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the
performance targets related to the grant of 97,500 tandem stock options/stock appreciation rights
granted to employees in 2008 were not achieved and those grants expired without becoming
exercisable. Tandem stock options/stock appreciation rights granted to directors in 2008 remain
outstanding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
to be issued upon |
|
Weighted-average |
|
Number of securities remaining |
|
|
exercise of |
|
exercise price of |
|
available for future issuance under |
|
|
outstanding options, |
|
outstanding options, |
|
equity compensation plans (excluding |
|
|
warrants and rights |
|
warrants and rights |
|
securities reflected in column (a)) |
|
|
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
Equity compensation
plans approved by
security holders |
|
|
129,500 |
|
|
$ |
30.10 |
|
|
|
670,500 |
|
Equity compensation
plans not approved
by security holders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
129,500 |
|
|
$ |
30.10 |
|
|
|
670,500 |
|
The 2006 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan was initially approved by ALCs sole stockholder
prior to ALCs separation from Extendicare Inc. and approved again by ALC stockholders at the 2008
annual meeting. The plan provides for the grant of equity incentive compensation awards and
non-equity incentive compensation awards to ALC directors, officers, employees or consultants
(including prospective directors, officers, employees or consultants). The plan provides for the
grant of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units,
performance units, cash incentive awards and other equity-based or equity-related awards. The plan
is administered by the Compensation/Nominating/ Governance Committee.
The aggregate number of shares of our Class A common stock that may be delivered pursuant to
awards granted under the plan is 800,000, subject to anti-dilution adjustments as provided in the
plan. If an award granted under the plan is forfeited, or otherwise expires, terminates or is
canceled without the delivery of shares, then the shares covered by the award will again be
available to be awarded. In general, if shares are surrendered or tendered in payment of the
exercise price of an award or any taxes required to be withheld in respect of an award, the
surrendered or tendered shares become available to be awarded under the plan. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable award agreement, options vest and become exercisable in 25% increments
on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant.
In the event of a change of control of ALC, unless provision is made in connection with the
change of control for assumption, or substitution of, awards previously granted and unless
otherwise provided in an award agreement: (i) any options and stock appreciation rights outstanding
as of the date the change of control become fully exercisable and vested immediately prior to such
change of control; (ii) all performance units and cash incentive awards are paid out as if the date
of the change of control were the last day of the applicable performance period and target
performance levels had been attained; and (iii) all other outstanding awards are automatically
deemed exercisable or vested and all restrictions and forfeiture provisions lapse.
CERTAIN BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS; RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
The Board of Directors recognizes that related person transactions (generally, transactions
between an officer or director or members of their immediate families and entities ALC does
business with or which own a significant amount of ALCs voting stock) may raise questions among
stockholders as to whether those
20
transactions are consistent with the best interests of ALC and its stockholders. It is ALCs
policy to enter into or ratify a related person transaction only when the Board, acting through the
Audit Committee, determines that the transaction in question is in, or is not inconsistent with,
the best interests of ALC and its stockholders.
The Audit Committee has adopted written policies and procedures for the review, approval, or
ratification of related person transactions. The Committee reviews the material facts of related
person transactions and either approves or disapproves of the entry into the transactions. If
advance Committee approval is not feasible, then the transaction may be ratified at the Committees
next regularly scheduled meeting. In determining whether to approve or ratify a transaction, the
Committee takes into account, among other factors it deems appropriate, whether the transaction is
on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third-party under the
same or similar circumstances and the extent of the officer, director or family member interest in
the transaction. No director may participate in any discussion or approval of a transaction for
which he or she is a related person, except that the director is required to provide all material
information concerning the transaction to the Audit Committee. If a transaction is ongoing, the
Audit Committee may establish guidelines for ALCs management to follow in its ongoing dealings
with the related person. The Audit Committee has reviewed and pre-approved certain types of
related person transactions, including ordinary course compensation of officers and directors,
transactions with other companies where the interest of the related person and the size of the
transaction are limited, certain charitable transactions, transactions where all stockholders
receive proportional rights, and certain banking-related services.
Other than transactions with Extendicare REIT, a Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust
(formerly Extendicare Inc.) (Extendicare), discussed below, there were no related person
transactions in 2008 that are required to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. The
written policy discussed above was adopted in connection with ALC becoming a public company and was
not in place at the time of the transactions with Extendicare Inc. described below.
Prior to ALCs separation from Extendicare, ALC was wholly-owned by Extendicare. Following
the separation, none of ALCs voting stock was owned by Extendicare. The following is a summary
description of the agreements between Extendicare and us relating to the separation and our ongoing
relationship with Extendicare after the separation. These include: a separation agreement; a tax
allocation agreement; a number of transitional services agreements; and a number of operating
leases and purchase agreements relating to the transfer by an Extendicare subsidiary, Extendicare
Health Services, Inc. (EHSI), of assisted living facilities to us. These agreements govern the
allocation of assets and liabilities related to our business as well as the ongoing relationship
between Extendicare and us after the separation. We and Extendicare have agreed to binding
arbitration for any claims arising under these agreements. Also described below are certain asset
transfers that occurred in connection with the separation.
Separation Agreement. The separation agreement sets forth our agreements with Extendicare
related to the transfer of assets and the assumption of liabilities necessary to separate ALC from
Extendicare. It also sets forth indemnification obligations of ALC and Extendicare to each other
following the separation.
Tax Allocation Agreement. The tax allocation agreement governs both ALCs and Extendicares
rights and obligations after the separation with respect to taxes for both pre- and post-separation
periods. Generally, ALC is required to indemnify Extendicare for any taxes attributable to ALCs
operations (excluding the assisted living facilities transferred to us as part of the separation)
for all pre-separation periods and Extendicare generally is required to indemnify ALC for any taxes
attributable to its operations (including the assisted living facilities transferred to ALC as part
of the separation) for all pre-separation periods. In addition, Extendicare is liable, and will
indemnify ALC, for any taxes incurred in connection with the separation.
Under U.S. Federal income tax law, ALC and Extendicare are jointly and severally liable for
any taxes imposed on Extendicare for the periods during which ALC was a member of its consolidated
group, including any
21
taxes imposed with respect to the disposition of ALC common stock. Extendicare may not have
sufficient assets, however, to satisfy any such liability and ALC may not successfully recover from
Extendicare any amounts for which ALC is held liable. ALCs liability for any taxes imposed on
Extendicare could materially reduce the price of ALCs common stock.
Transitional Services Agreements. Following the separation, ALC receives and relies on
certain transitional services provided by Extendicare and its subsidiaries, including services
related to information technology, payroll and benefits processing, and reimbursement functions.
The information technology services include: hosting services for software, messaging, data
storage, anti-virus, and identity and access management programs; monitoring and management
services for our information technology systems; support services via telephone; and
telecommunication services allowing us to maintain and grow our network. In August 2007, ALC
discontinued using the information technology services provided by Extendicare. Payroll and
benefits processing services include: payroll maintenance and processing services, including
related tax and banking matters; general management services for payroll processing, employee
benefits and customer service functions; services relating to additions, changes and deletions from
employee insurance plans; and services relating to benefit claims and 401(k) and ERISA compliance.
These agreements have initial terms of three and five years, respectively, and are terminable by
either party upon 90 days notice.
Transfer of EHSI Assisted Living Operations and Properties to ALC. Immediately prior
to ALCs separation from Extendicare, EHSI owned 31 assisted living residences of which
they operated 29, with the remaining two of the assisted living residences owned by EHSI
being operated by ALC. In connection with ALCs separation from Extendicare, all of these
residences were transferred from EHSI to ALC. The aggregate purchase price for the
residences was approximately $68.7 million (exclusive of amounts previously paid in respect
of the operations and personal property related to EHSIs assisted living residences).
Transfer of Cash, Share Investments and Notes Prior to ALC Separation. Prior to the
separation, Extendicare and EHSI made the following capital contributions to ALC: $10.0 million in
cash contributed into ALC to establish Pearson Insurance Company, LTD., a wholly owned Bermuda
based captive insurance company, to self-insure general and professional liability risks; $4.1
million in cash contributed by EHSI to ALC to fund transaction costs related to the separation;
$5.0 million in cash contributed by EHSI to ALC to fund ALCs purchase of an office building in
August 2006; a capital contribution of approximately $22.0 million by EHSI as settlement of the
outstanding debt owed by ALC to EHSI; the contribution to ALC of share investments with an
aggregate value of $4.4 million; and an $18.0 million cash contribution to equity.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
In accordance with its written Charter adopted by the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee
has oversight responsibility for the quality and integrity of the financial reporting, disclosure
controls and procedures, and internal control and procedure practices of ALC. While the Audit
Committee has oversight responsibility, the primary responsibility for ALCs financial reporting,
disclosure controls and procedures, and internal controls and procedures rests with management, and
with ALCs independent auditors responsible for auditing ALCs financial statements.
In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit process, the Audit Committee has
received from Grant Thornton LLP the written disclosures and the letter required by applicable
requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding communications with the
Audit Committee concerning independence, discussed with the independent auditors any relationships
that may impact their objectivity and independence, and satisfied itself as to the independent
auditors independence. The Audit Committee also discussed with management, the internal auditors,
and the independent auditors the quality and adequacy of
22
ALCs internal controls and the internal audit group. The Audit Committee reviewed with both the
independent and the internal auditors their audit plans, audit scope, and identification of audit
risk.
The Audit Committee discussed and reviewed with Grant Thornton LLP all communications required
by generally accepted auditing standards, including those described in Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 61 and Rule 2-07 of Regulation S-X and, with and without management present,
discussed and reviewed the results of the independent auditors examination of the financial
statements. The Audit Committee also discussed the results of the internal audit examinations.
The Audit Committee reviewed the audited financial statements of ALC contained in its annual
report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 with management and the independent
auditors. Based on this review and discussion with management, the internal auditors and the
independent auditors, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that ALCs audited
financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2008 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The foregoing report has been approved by all members of the Audit Committee.
Malen S. Ng, Chair
Alan Bell
Jesse C. Brotz
Derek H. L. Buntain
Charles H. Roadman II, MD
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Audit Committee retained Grant Thornton LLP (Grant Thornton) as independent registered
public accountants to audit ALCs consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2008, and for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009. A representative of Grant
Thornton is expected to be present at the annual meeting and will be given the opportunity to make
a statement and to respond to questions that may be asked by stockholders.
The following table summarizes fees for professional services rendered to ALC by Grant
Thornton for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
210,805 |
|
|
$ |
205,829 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
210,805 |
|
|
$ |
205,829 |
|
Audit Fees. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Audit Fees reported
above were billed by Grant Thornton for professional services rendered for the audit of ALCs
annual financial statements, reviews of ALCs quarterly financial statements, and for services
normally provided by the independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings
and engagements.
Audit-Related Fees. No Audit-Related Fees were billed by Grant Thornton for the fiscal
years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.
23
Tax Fees. No Tax Fees were billed by Grant Thornton for the fiscal years ended December 31,
2008 and 2007.
All Other Fees. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, there were no other
fees billed by Grant Thornton for professional services rendered for assistance not related to
Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees or Tax Fees.
Pre-Approval Policy and Independence
The Audit Committee has a policy requiring the pre-approval of all audit and permissible
non-audit services provided by ALCs independent auditors. Under the policy, the Audit Committee
is to specifically pre-approve any recurring audit and audit-related services to be provided during
the following fiscal year. The Audit Committee also may generally pre-approve, up to a specified
maximum amount, any nonrecurring audit and audit-related services for the following fiscal year.
All pre-approved matters must be detailed as to the particular service or category of services to
be provided, whether recurring or non-recurring, and reported to the Audit Committee at its next
scheduled meeting. Permissible non-audit services are to be pre-approved on a case-by-case basis.
The Audit Committee may delegate its pre-approval authority to any of its members, provided that
such member reports all pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled
meeting. ALCs independent auditors and members of management are required to report periodically
to the Audit Committee the extent of all services provided in accordance with the pre-approval
policy, including the amount of fees attributable to such services.
In accordance with Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by Section
202 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, ALC is required to disclose the approval by the Audit
Committee of the Board of non-audit services performed by ALCs independent auditors. Non-audit
services are services other than those provided in connection with an audit review of the financial
statements. During the period covered by this filing, all audit-related fees, tax fees and all
other fees, and the services rendered in connection with those fees, as reported in the table shown
above, were approved by ALCs Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee considered the fact that Grant Thornton did not provide non-audit services
to ALC in 2008, which the Committee determined was compatible with maintaining auditor
independence.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our directors,
executive officers, and the persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our Class A
Common Stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of ALC equity securities with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Based solely on the reports received by us and on the
representations of the reporting persons, we believe that these persons have complied with all
applicable filing requirements during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.
OTHER MATTERS
Additional Matters
The Board of Directors is not aware of any other matters that will be presented for action at
the 2009 annual meeting. Should any additional matters properly come before the meeting, the
persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote on those matters in accordance with their best
judgment.
24
Submission of Stockholder Proposals
A stockholder who intends to present a stockholders proposal at the 2010 annual meeting
pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Rule 14a-8) must
deliver the proposal to ALC no later than December 4, 2009, if such proposal is to be included in
ALCs proxy materials for the 2010 annual meeting.
A stockholder who intends to present business, other than a stockholders proposal pursuant to
Rule 14a-8, at the 2010 annual meeting must comply with the requirements set forth in ALCs bylaws.
Among other things, a stockholder must give written notice to the Secretary of ALC not less than
50 days and not more than 75 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual
meeting. Since the 2009 annual meeting is scheduled to be held April 30, 2009, ALC must receive
written notice of a stockholders intent to present business, other than pursuant to Rule 14a-8, at
the 2009 annual meeting no sooner than February 14, 2010 and no later than March 11, 2010. If the
notice is received after March 11, 2010, then ALC is not required to present such proposal at the
2010 annual meeting because the notice will be considered untimely. If the Board of Directors
chooses to present such a stockholders proposal submitted after March 11, 2010, at the 2010 annual
meeting, then the persons named in proxies solicited by the Board of Directors for such meeting may
exercise discretionary voting power with respect to such proposal.
Cost of Proxy Solicitation
ALC will pay the cost of preparing, printing and mailing proxy materials as well as the cost
of soliciting proxies on behalf of the Board. In addition to using mail services, ALC officers and
other employees, without additional remuneration, may solicit proxies in person and by telephone,
e-mail or facsimile transmission. ALC may retain a professional proxy solicitation firm, and pay
such firm its customary fee, to solicit proxies from direct holders and from banks, brokers and
other nominees having shares registered in their names that are beneficially owned by others.
Annual Report on Form 10-K
A copy (without exhibits) of ALCs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2008, is being provided with this proxy statement. Pursuant to the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, services that deliver ALCs communications to stockholders who
hold their shares through a bank, broker or other holder of record may deliver to multiple
stockholders sharing the same address a single copy of ALCs 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K and
this proxy statement. ALC will provide an additional copy of such Annual Report to any
stockholder, without charge, upon written request of such stockholder. Such requests should be
addressed to the attention of Shareholder Relations at Assisted Living Concepts, Inc., W140 N8981
Lilly Road, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 53051.
|
|
|
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
|
|
|
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
|
|
Eric B. Fonstad |
April 3, 2009
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Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
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Proxy Assisted Living Concepts, Inc.
W140 N8981 Lilly Road
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 53051
(262) 257-8888
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 30, 2009
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David J. Hennigar and Melvin A. Rhinelander, or either of them, with power of substitution to each,
are hereby authorized to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
Meeting) of Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. (the Company) to be held at W140 N8981 Lilly Road,
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 53051 on Thursday, April 30, 2009, at 4:00 p.m. CDT, and to vote the
number of shares which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present on the
matters listed on the reverse side hereof and in their discretion upon such other business as may
properly come before the Meeting and any and all adjournments or postponements thereof, all as set
out in the Notice and Proxy Statement relating to the Meeting, receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged.
This Proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned
stockholder. If no direction is made, then the Proxy will be voted FOR the election of all the
nominees listed.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be
Held on April 30, 2009 the Proxy Statement and 2008 Annual Report are available under the heading
Annual Reports and Proxy Statements in the Investor Relations section at www.alcco.com
(Continued, and to be signed on the reverse side.)
Annual Meeting Proxy Card
A. Proposals The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed.
1. Election of nine directors to serve one-year terms to expire at the 2010 annual meeting of
stockholders:01 Laurie A. Bebo 02 Alan Bell 03 Jesse C. Brotz
04 Derek H.L. Buntain 05 David J. Hennigar 06 Malen S. Ng
07 Melvin A. Rhinelander 08 Charles H. Roadman II, MD 09 Michael J. Spector
¨ Mark here to vote ¨ Mark here to ¨ For All EXCEPT - To withhold
FOR all nominees WITHHOLD vote from authority to vote for anyall nominees nominee(s), write the name(s) of
such nominee(s) below. |