def14a
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
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Filed by the Registrant x |
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o |
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Check the appropriate box: |
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o 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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x Definitive Proxy Statement |
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o Definitive Additional Materials |
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o Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
PAC-WEST TELECOMM, 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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x No fee required. |
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o
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11. |
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(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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(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): |
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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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. |
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(1) Amount Previously Paid: |
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
1776 W. March Lane, Suite 250
Stockton, California 95207
April 29, 2005
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of
shareholders of Pac-West Telecomm, Inc., which will be held on
June 21, 2005, at 8:00 a.m., Pacific time, at the
Founders Conference Room located at 4210 Coronado Avenue,
Stockton, California, 95204. A Notice of Meeting, Proxy
Statement, Proxy Form and our 2004 Annual Report are included
with this letter.
At this years annual meeting, you will be asked to
consider and take action with respect to the election of eight
directors to our board of directors, the approval of an
amendment to our bylaws authorizing our board of directors to
establish the size of the board and to divide the board members
into either two or three classes if and when we are qualified as
a listed company under California law, and any other business
properly presented at the annual meeting. These matters are
described more fully in the enclosed Notice of Meeting and Proxy
Statement.
It is important that your shares are represented and voted at
the annual meeting regardless of the size of your share holdings
or whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting in
person. Accordingly, please complete, sign and date the enclosed
Proxy Form and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope. If
you attend the annual meeting, you may, of course, withdraw your
proxy should you wish to vote in person.
We hope that you will be able to attend the annual meeting and
we look forward to seeing you.
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Sincerely, |
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Henry R. Carabelli
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
1776 W. March Lane, Suite 250
Stockton, California 95207
NOTICE OF MEETING
The annual meeting of shareholders of Pac-West Telecomm, Inc.
will be held on June 21, 2005, at 8:00 a.m., Pacific
time, at the Founders Conference Room located at 4210 Coronado
Avenue, Stockton, California, 95204, to consider and take action
with respect to the following matters:
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1. the election of eight directors to our board of
directors; |
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2. the approval of an amendment to our bylaws authorizing
our board of directors (a) to establish the size of the
board and (b) to divide the board members into either two
or three classes if and when we are qualified as a listed
company under California law; and |
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3. the transaction of such other business as may properly
come before the annual meeting and any adjournments or
postponements thereof. |
These matters are described more fully in the Proxy Statement
that accompanies this Notice of Meeting and the enclosed Proxy
Form and Annual Report.
Holders of record of our common shares at the close of business
on April 25, 2005 are entitled to receive notice of and to
vote on all matters presented at the annual meeting and at any
adjournments or postponements thereof. A list of such
shareholders will be available for examination by any
shareholder for any purpose germane to the annual meeting during
normal business hours at our principal executive offices at the
address above.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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Robert C. Morrison
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Secretary |
April 29, 2005
Your vote is important whether or not you plan to attend the
annual meeting in person and regardless of the number of common
shares you own, please complete, sign and date the enclosed
Proxy Form and mail it promptly in the envelope provided to help
ensure that your common shares will be represented at the annual
meeting. If you attend the annual meeting, you may, of course,
withdraw your proxy and vote in person. In addition, you may
revoke your proxy before it is voted by delivering written
notice to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive
offices at the address above or by submission of a later-dated
Proxy Form.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1776 W. March Lane, Suite 250
Stockton, California 95207
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 21, 2005
This Proxy Statement is being furnished to the holders of common
shares, par value $0.001 per share, of Pac-West Telecomm,
Inc., which we sometimes refer to in this Proxy Statement as
Pac-West or the Company, in connection
with the solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of our board
of directors for use at the annual meeting of shareholders to be
held on June 21, 2005, at 8:00 a.m., Pacific time, and
at any adjournments or postponements thereof. The purpose of the
annual meeting is to consider and take action with respect to
the following matters:
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(1) the election of eight directors to our board of
directors; and |
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(2) the approval of an amendment to our bylaws authorizing
our board of directors to (a) establish the size of the
board and (b) divide the board members into either two or
three classes if and when we are qualified as a listed company
under California law. |
This Proxy Statement, the Notice of Meeting, the Proxy Form and
our 2004 Annual Report are being mailed on or about May 3,
2005 to holders of record of our common shares at the close of
business on the record date, April 25, 2005.
If the enclosed Proxy Form is properly signed, dated and
returned to us, the individuals identified as proxies thereon
will vote the shares represented by the Proxy Form in accordance
with the directions noted thereon. If no direction is indicated,
the proxies will vote FOR the nominees identified in this
Proxy Statement as directors and FOR the amendment to our
bylaws authorizing our board of directors to establish the size
of the board and to divide the board members into either two or
three classes if and when we are qualified as a listed company
under California law. At this time, we are not aware of any
matters other than those discussed in this Proxy Statement that
will be presented for consideration by the shareholders at the
annual meeting. If other matters are properly presented for
consideration by the shareholders, all shares represented by the
Proxy Forms will be voted in accordance with the recommendations
of our management.
Returning your completed Proxy Form will not prevent you from
voting in person at the annual meeting if you are present and
wish to vote. In addition, you may revoke your Proxy Form before
it is voted by delivering written notice to our Corporate
Secretary prior to the beginning of the annual meeting at our
principal executive offices at the address above or by
submission of a later-dated Proxy Form.
Voting Generally
Only record holders of our common shares at the close of
business on the record date, April 25, 2005, will be
entitled to vote at the annual meeting. Each outstanding common
share entitles the holder thereof to one vote on Proposition 2.
As described more fully below, shareholders may cumulate votes
with respect to the director nominees set forth in
Proposition 1. As of the record date, we had
36,849,052 common shares outstanding.
Cumulative Voting for Directors
Cumulative voting is authorized for all shareholders if any
shareholder gives notice prior to the voting of the
shareholders intention to cumulate such shareholders
votes. Cumulative voting means that each shareholder, when
electing directors, has the right to cumulate votes and give to
one nominee a number of votes equal to the number of directors
to be elected (eight at this meeting) multiplied by the number
of votes to which such shareholders shares are entitled,
or may distribute such number of votes among any or all of the
nominees at the shareholders discretion. Shareholders may
exercise their right to cumulative voting by attaching to their
Proxy Form their instructions indicating how many votes their
proxy should give to each candidate.
Quorum
The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority
of our common shares outstanding as of the record date will
constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business at
the annual meeting.
Abstentions; Broker Non-Votes
Abstentions will be treated as present and entitled to vote, and
therefore will be counted in determining the existence of a
quorum and will have the effect of a vote against
Proposition 2, which requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of our issued and outstanding common shares in order to
be approved or adopted. Broker non-votes will be considered
present but not entitled to vote, and thus will be counted in
determining the existence of a quorum and will have the effect
of a vote against Proposition 2. Broker
non-votes occur when shares held by brokers or nominees
that are present in person or represented by proxy are not voted
on a particular matter because instructions have not been
received from the beneficial owner.
Solicitation of Proxies
We will bear the entire cost of this solicitation, including the
preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of this Proxy
Statement, the Notice of Meeting, the Proxy Form, and our 2004
Annual Report. We intend to provide copies of such solicitation
materials to brokerage houses, fiduciaries, custodians and other
persons or entities holding our common shares on behalf of the
beneficial owner so that the solicitation materials may be
forwarded to such beneficial owners. This solicitation, which is
being conducted by mail, may be supplemented by a solicitation
by telephone, e-mail, telegram, or other permissible means by
our directors, officers or employees. No additional compensation
will be paid to these individuals for conducting such a
solicitation.
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PROPOSITION 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
In accordance with our bylaws, our board of directors currently
consists of nine members. As described in greater detail below,
on March 28, 2005, Melinda Guzman Moore, a current member
of our board of directors, informed the Company that she does
not intend to stand for re-election at the annual meeting of
shareholders, and thus we did not have sufficient time to
consider, interview and select a suitable candidate to nominate
in Ms. Guzman Moores stead. Accordingly, you are
being asked to consider and vote for eight persons nominated by
us to serve on our board of directors; all of whom are currently
serving as members of our board of directors and one of whom has
not previously been elected by shareholders at an annual meeting.
Following are the eight current members of our board of
directors standing for re-election at the annual meeting:
Wallace W. Griffin was appointed President, CEO, and a
Director of Pac-West in September 1998 when an investor group he
was part of purchased and recapitalized the Company. As part of
a succession plan, in June 2001 he transferred the title of
President to Henry R. Carabelli, and in July 2003 he transferred
the title of CEO to Mr. Carabelli and transitioned to a
non-executive Chairman role. Mr. Griffin has over
40 years experience in telecommunications, cable
television, publishing and advertising. Prior to joining
Pac-West, Mr. Griffin served as a Group President for a
number of Jones International companies from 1994 to 1997,
including Jones Lightwave, Ltd., a Competitive Local Exchange
Carrier, and Jones Education Company, a leader in using
technology to deliver education. Concurrently with his
employment with these entities, Mr. Griffin was co-owner of
a consulting and business development company, Griffin
Enterprises, Inc. From 1987 through 1992, he served as the
President and CEO of U S West Marketing Resources
Group, where he managed the $1 billion publishing, media
software and advertising services division. Mr. Griffin
currently serves on the Board of Directors of DDx, Inc., the
Advisory Board for the University of the Pacific Eberhardt
School of Business, the Board of Trustees for the University of
California, Merced and the Board of Trustees for the Delta
College Foundation in Stockton.
Henry R. Carabelli joined Pac-West as President and COO
in June 2001. Effective January 1, 2003, Mr. Carabelli
became a Director of Pac-West, and in July 2003 he also became
CEO. Mr. Carabelli has overall responsibility for the
operations of the Company. Formerly the COO of ICG, a
Colorado-based CLEC, and President of @Link Networks, a
broadband service provider, Mr. Carabelli brings over
28 years of telecom experience to Pac-West. He joined ICG
in 1996 as Executive Vice President of network operations, and
served as COO from 1998 to 1999 with responsibility over network
engineering, customer care, sales, and installation. Prior to
ICG, Mr. Carabelli spent 19 years in management with
Ameritech and Michigan Bell. He is also a Director on the
San Joaquin Business Council as well as the University of
San Francisco Telecommunications Advisory Board.
David G. Chandler has served as a Director of Pac-West
since September 1998. Mr. Chandler has served as a Managing
Director of William Blair Capital Partners (and predecessor
entities), a private equity firm, since December 1988. Since
September 2004 Mr. Chandler has also served as a Managing
Director of Chicago Growth Partners, a private equity investment
firm recently co-founded by Mr. Chandler. Mr. Chandler
serves as a director of a number of privately held companies.
Mr. Chandler holds an M.B.A. from The Amos Tuck School at
Dartmouth College and a B.A. from Princeton University.
Jerry L. Johnson served as Chairman of Pac-Wests
Board of Directors from September 1998 to June 2001. From August
2002 until present, Mr. Johnson has served as President of
eMoney Advisor, Inc. From 1995 until December 2001,
Mr. Johnson was employed by Safeguard Scientifics Inc.,
where he was the Executive Vice President overseeing the partner
companies in the E-Communications group. From 1985 to 1995, he
worked at U S West in various positions, including
Vice President, Network and Technology Services, which included
managing U S Wests largest division, and
supervising 21,000 management, engineering, technical and
clerical employees. From 1983 to 1985, Mr. Johnson was
President and CEO of Northwestern Bell Information Technologies.
Mr. Johnson holds a Masters in Management from the Sloan
School at MIT, a Masters in Psychology from Northern Illinois
University and a B.S. in Psychology from
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Northeastern Missouri. He serves on the boards of Axum Financial
LLC, Decis, Inc., Education Management Corporation and Pac-West
Telecomm, as well as the boards of directors of the Philadelphia
Orchestra, the Episcopal Academy and Penn Liberty Bank.
John K. La Rue founded the Companys
predecessor (also known as Pac-West Telecomm, Inc.) in 1980 and
served as its President until September 1998. From September
1998 until July 2001, Mr. La Rue served as
Pac-Wests Executive Vice President. Currently,
Mr. La Rue is semi-retired and employed on a part-time
basis serving as an advisor to Mr. Carabelli,
Pac-Wests President and CEO. Mr. La Rue has over
39 years of experience in the telecommunications industry.
Thomas A. Munro has served as a director since April 2003
and has over 22 years of financial and technology
experience. Mr. Munro currently serves as CEO of
Verimatrix, Inc. In January 2003, he retired from Wireless
Facilities, Inc. (Nasdaq: WFII), a global leader in the design,
deployment, and management of wireless mobility and broadband
wireless networks. He served as CFO from 1997 to 2000, and
President from September 2000 until his retirement. Prior to
WFI, he was founder and CEO of @Market, a retail sporting goods
website. From 1994 to 1995, he served as CFO for Precision
Digital Images, Inc. From 1981 to 1994, he was employed with
MetLife Capital Corporation, where he served as CFO and a
Director on the companys Board from 1992 to 1994. He holds
a bachelors degree in business administration and an MBA
from the University of Washington and has co-authored two
college level text books on computer programming. Mr. Munro
also serves as a director of Airgain, Inc, BioFortis, Inc.,
Concerto Networks, Inc., Kineticom, Inc. and the San Diego
Telecom Council.
Samuel A. Plum has served as a Director of Pac-West since
September 1998. Mr. Plum has been a Managing General
Partner of the general partner of SCP Private Equity Partners,
L.P. since its commencement in August 1996, and was employed by
Safeguard Scientifics from 1993 to 1996. From February 1989 to
January 1993, Mr. Plum served as President of Charterhouse,
Inc. and Charterhouse North American Securities, Inc., the
U.S. investment banking and broker-dealer divisions of
Charterhouse PLC, a merchant bank located in the United Kingdom.
From 1973 to 1989, Mr. Plum served in various capacities at
the investment banking divisions of PaineWebber, Inc. and Blyth
Eastman Dillon & Co., Inc. Mr. Plum has
22 years of investment banking, mergers and acquisitions,
and private equity investment experience. Mr. Plum also
serves as a director of Index Stock Imagery, Inc., Inc.,
Metallurg Holdings, Inc., Mobility Technologies, Inc. and
Pentech Financial Services Inc.
Timothy A. Samples has served as a Director of Pac-West
since January 2005. Mr. Samples has over 20 years
experience in the communications industry. Since January of
2003, he has been the Principal in Sapience LLC, in Scottsdale,
Arizona, where he does consulting work and serves as a
non-executive Director for two telecommunications companies.
From February 2001 to June 2002, he served as CEO, President,
and Chairman of the Board of Management for Completel N.V. in
London, England and Paris, France, a Dutch registered CLEC. From
February 2000 to February 2001, Mr. Samples served as CEO
and President of Firstmark Communications, a Pan-European
broadband company with operations in seven Western European
countries. From September 1997 to February 2000, he was CEO of
One2One, a GSM service operator created through a joint venture
between MediaOne group and Cable and Wireless. From July 1995 to
May 1996, Mr. Samples served as Vice President and General
Manager for US West Cellular/ Airtouch in Phoenix, Arizona.
Prior to 1995, Mr. Samples held various management, sales,
and marketing positions with US West/ MediaOne Group.
On March 28, 2005, Melinda Guzman Moore, a current member
of our board of directors, informed the Company that she does
not intend to stand for re-election at the annual meeting of
shareholders. Because our Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee has not had sufficient time to consider, interview and
select a qualified replacement nominee to our board,
shareholders are being asked to elect eight persons nominated by
us to serve on our board of directors, and one directorship will
go unfilled at this time. With respect to this vacancy, our
board may vote to designate a substitute nominee prior to the
annual meeting of shareholders. However, if a nominee is so
designated, proxies may not be voted for more than eight
(8) director nominees. If no substitute nominee is
designated prior to the annual meeting of shareholders, our
board may appoint a person to fill this vacancy after the annual
meeting to serve for the remainder of such
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directors term. Alternatively, if the shareholders approve
Proposition 2 below amending our bylaws to authorize our board
to, among other things, establish the size of the board at not
less than five (5) members and not more than nine
(9) members, our board may thereafter elect to reduce the
size of our board of directors from its current size of nine
(9), resulting in the elimination of this vacant seat.
Under California law, listed companies are authorized to
implement a classified board of directors, for which
directors may be divided into two or three classes and serve
terms of two or three years, respectively. A listed
company under the California Corporations Code is one whose
shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange or American
Stock Exchange, or quoted on the Nasdaq National Market System.
Our common shares were quoted on the Nasdaq National Market
System from November 4, 1999, when we completed our initial
public offering, until May 28, 2002, when our common shares
ceased being quoted on the Nasdaq National Market and began
being quoted on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market. Accordingly,
although our articles of incorporation and bylaws provide for a
classified board of directors, we are currently ineligible to
continue utilizing a classified board of directors until such
time as we may qualify as a listed company under the California
Corporations Code. If our shareholders approve Proposition 2
resulting in amendment of our bylaws to authorize our board to,
among other things, divide the board into two (2) or three
(3) classes if and when we again qualify as a listed
company under the California Corporations Code, our board may at
any time thereafter adopt a resolution adopting such a
classified board of directors.
Directors elected at this annual meeting will serve until the
2006 annual meeting of shareholders or until a successor has
been elected or appointed and qualified except in the case of
the death, removal or resignation of such director with all
continuing directors eligible to serve out the remainder of
their original terms.
We believe that each of the eight nominees identified above is
willing to be elected and to serve on our board of directors. In
the event that any nominee is unable to serve or is otherwise
unavailable for election, which is not now contemplated, the
incumbent directors may or may not select a substitute nominee.
However, if a nominee is so designated, proxies may not be voted
for more than eight (8) director nominees.
Directors will be elected at the annual meeting by a plurality
of the votes cast at the annual meeting by the holders of shares
represented in person or by proxy. Cumulative voting is
authorized for all shareholders if any shareholder gives notice
prior to the voting of the shareholders intention to
cumulate such shareholders votes. Cumulative voting means
that each shareholder, when electing directors, has the right to
cumulate votes and give to one nominee a number of votes equal
to the number of directors to be elected (eight (8) at this
meeting) multiplied by the number of votes to which such
shareholders shares are entitled, or may distribute such
number among any or all of the nominees at the
shareholders discretion.
Shareholders may exercise their right to cumulative voting by
attaching to the Proxy Form their instructions indicating how
many votes their proxy should give to each candidate.
Our board of directors has carefully considered and approved
the nominees and recommends that you vote FOR
all of the nominees listed above.
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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The table below sets forth certain information as of
April 12, 2005 with respect to our current directors and
executive officers:
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Executive Officers:
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Henry R. Carabelli
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49 |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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H. Ravi Brar
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36 |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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Todd M. Putnam
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41 |
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Chief Information Officer |
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Michael B. Hawn
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41 |
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Vice President Customer Network Services |
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Wayne Bell
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33 |
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Vice President Marketing and Business Development |
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Eric E. Jacobs
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34 |
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Vice President, General Manager Service Provider Sales |
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Peggy Mc Gaw
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46 |
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Vice President Finance |
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John F. Sumpter
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57 |
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Vice President Regulatory |
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Robert C. Morrison
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58 |
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Vice President and General Counsel |
Directors:
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Wallace W. Griffin
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66 |
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Chairman of the Board of Directors |
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Henry R. Carabelli
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49 |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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David G. Chandler
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47 |
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Director |
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Jerry L. Johnson
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57 |
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Director |
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John K. La Rue
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55 |
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Founder and Director |
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Thomas A. Munro
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48 |
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Director |
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Samuel A. Plum
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60 |
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Director |
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Melinda Guzman-Moore
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41 |
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Director |
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Timothy A. Samples
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47 |
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Director |
The present principal occupations and recent employment history
of each of our executive officers listed above, other than those
officers also serving as a director, are set forth below.
Executive Officers
H. Ravi Brar joined Pac-West in July 1999 as Vice
President of Business Development. He was appointed Vice
President of Customer Operations in October 2000, Vice President
of Finance and Treasurer in August of 2001, Acting Chief
Financial Officer in February of 2002, and Chief Financial
Officer in September 2002. Mr. Brar has responsibility for
the Companys financial and accounting operations,
evaluating strategic growth opportunities, and human resources.
Prior to joining Pac-West, Mr. Brar was employed with Xerox
Corporation from 1991 to August 1999, where he held several
senior level business development and financial management
positions, including Business Development Manager of Developing
Markets Operations in China and Russia, and Area General Manager
and Controller of Xeroxs Business Services division in
Pittsburgh, PA.
Todd M. Putnam joined Pac-West in October 2003 as Chief
Information Officer. Mr. Putnam has responsibility over the
Companys information systems including its Information
Technology strategic plan and infrastructure, including
operating support systems, software development, database
administration, security, system integration, internal and
external web sites, and supplier partnerships. Prior to joining
Pac-West, he completed a consulting assignment with TechNexxus,
LLC (a subsidiary of Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo
PC) in Washington D.C. From October 1989 to March 2002, he was
employed with Global Crossing LTD (Frontier Communications,
ConferTech International, and T1 Systems), where he was
responsible for building, operating, and maintaining the global
information systems infrastructure for the entire
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company. He held a variety of senior level IT positions,
including Vice President of Global IS Operations, Vice President
of North American Systems and Infrastructure, Vice President of
Systems Development, and CIO of the ConferTech division.
Michael B. Hawn joined Pac-West as Vice President of
Customer Network Services in August 2001. Mr. Hawn has
end-to-end responsibility over service delivery, maintenance,
planning, engineering, billing operations and reliability. He
has over 18 years of telecommunications management
experience, including network planning, engineering, service
delivery, provisioning, and software development. His former
positions include Vice President of National Operations from
October 2000 to April 2001 and Vice President of Program
Management from February 2000 to September 2000 for @Link
Networks, Inc. in Louisville, CO, Vice President of Planning and
Engineering and Vice President Engineering from March 1999 to
February 2000, and Senior Director of Quality from June 1997 to
August 1998 for ICG Communications, Inc. in Englewood, CO.
Mr. Hawn also served as Technical Manager for Lucent
Technologies Regional Technical Assistance Center
(RTAC) in Lisle, IL and Cockeysville, MD from May 1995 to
June 1997, and as a Member of Technical Staff from May 1989 to
May 1995 and Senior Technical Associate from June 1986 to March
1989 for AT&T Bell Laboratories in Naperville, IL.
Wayne Bell joined Pac-West as Vice President of Marketing
in August 2001. He assumed additional responsibility as Vice
President of Service Provider Markets in February 2003, and SME
Markets in October 2003. In January 2005, after Pac-West entered
into an agreement with U.S. TelePacific Corp. to sell its
SME line of business, Mr. Bell retained responsibility over
Marketing and assumed additional responsibility over Business
Development. Mr. Bell currently has responsibility for
product marketing and development, business analysis, corporate
communications, business development, corporate development, and
partnerships. Mr. Bell has over 12 years of
telecommunications management experience, including product
marketing, product and process development, network planning,
engineering, sales, customer service, and operations. His former
positions include Vice President of Marketing and Channel
Development for @Link Networks, Inc. in Louisville, CO and
Senior Director of Product and Process Development for ICG
Communications, Inc. in Englewood, CO. He also served in a
Director capacity in the Program Office for U S WEST
Communications, Inc. in Englewood, CO.
Eric E. Jacobs joined Pac-West in March of 2003 and was
promoted to Vice President, General Manager of Service Provider
Markets in December 2003. He has over ten years of sales
management experience in the communications industry. Prior to
joining Pac-West, he held positions as Director of Sales for
Metromedia Fiber Network from May 2000 to March 2003, and for
Nextel Communications, Inc. from June 1995 to May 2000.
Mr. Jacobs has leadership over the Companys sales,
channel marketing and customer relations teams.
Peggy Mc Gaw joined Pac-West in June 2002 as Executive
Director of Accounting and Finance and was promoted to Vice
President Finance in December 2003. Ms. Mc Gaw has
responsibility over accounting, risk management, financial
reporting and compliance, and tax and treasury activities. Prior
to joining Pac-West she served as CFO of theDial.com from
September 1999 to May 2002. Prior positions included in her
20 years of finance experience are Vice President of
Finance and Acting CFO of Intracel Corporation and Business
Assurance Manager for PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. Her extensive
experience with technology-based companies includes numerous
capital raising and M&A transactions. Ms. Mc Gaw is a
member of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants, Financial Executives International and the Forum
for Women Entrepreneurs.
Robert C. Morrison joined Pac-West as Vice President and
General Counsel in January 2003. He served on Pac-Wests
Board of Directors from June 2001 through December 2002. He has
served as our Corporate Secretary since February 2001.
Mr. Morrison has responsibility over corporate governance,
record keeping, documentation and legal administration of
contractual relationships, and managing the Companys
relationships with outside law firms. Prior to joining Pac-West,
Mr. Morrison was an attorney with Neumiller and
Beardslee, P.C. in Stockton, California from 1972 to
December 2002. He served as Managing Director from 1983 to 1990.
In July 2002, he completed a term on the Board of Regents of the
University of California. He is a past president of the Greater
Stockton Chamber of Commerce, the San Joaquin County
Economic
7
Development Association, and the alumni association for UC
Davis, and is a former member of the Board of Directors and
Executive Committee of the Lassen Volcanic National Park
Foundation.
John F. Sumpter joined Pac-West as Vice President of
Regulatory in July 1999. He is responsible for Pac-Wests
relations with government regulatory agencies, regulatory
compliance, and intercarrier relations. Mr. Sumpter has
over 30 years of experience in the telecommunications
industry. Prior to Pac-West, he was employed with AT&T from
1984 to July 1999, where he held several executive level
regulatory and marketing positions, including Division Manager
of Law and Government Affairs, District Manager of Switched
Services Product Management, and District Manager of Marketing.
He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of CALTEL, the
California Association of Competitive Telecommunications
Companies and of CACE, the California Alliance for Consumer
Education.
Information About Our Board of Directors
Our board of directors met ten (10) times during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2004. Our board of directors has
standing audit, compensation, executive, nominating and
corporate governance, and risk management committees. With the
exception of Melinda Guzman Moore, who is not standing for
reelection at the annual meeting, each of our incumbent
directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate number of
meetings of the board of directors and any committees on which
such director served during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004. Our executive officers are elected by
and serve at the discretion of our board of directors.
Our board of directors assesses the independence of the
directors of the Company, and examines the nature and extent of
any relationships between the Company and its directors, their
facilities and their affiliates. Based on this assessment, our
board of directors has concluded that five of the eight nominees
for election to the board of directors, Messrs. Chandler,
Johnson, Munro, Plum and Samples, qualify as
independent directors in accordance with the listing
requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market.
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Compensation of Directors |
Directors who are employed by us, including Mr. Carabelli
and Mr. La Rue, are not currently entitled to receive
any compensation for serving on our board of directors. Our
independent directors are entitled to receive $5,000 per
quarter as compensation for serving on our board of directors,
and an additional $500 for each committee meeting they attend
that is held other than on a board meeting date. However, two of
our independent directors, Messrs. Chandler and Plum, have
declined to accept compensation for service on our board or its
committees. Mr. Griffin receives $5,000 per quarter as
compensation for serving on our board of directors and
$12,500 per quarter for performing the duties of chairman
of the board.
In June 2004, we granted to Mr. Johnson and Ms. Guzman
Moore options to purchase 12,000 of our common shares, and
to Mr. Munro options to purchase 1,000 of our common
shares. These options vest in one year from the date of grant
and have an exercise price of $1.14 per share.
In addition, we pay for the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by each director in connection with attending board and
committee meetings.
The nominating and corporate governance committee identifies
nominees for director from various sources. At times, the
committee may retain search firms at our expense to identify
potential nominees. In assessing potential nominees, the
committee considers the character, background and professional
experience of candidates. All nominees should possess
unquestioned personal integrity and sound business ethics,
loyalty to us and concern for our success and welfare, the
ability to exercise sound and independent judgment and an
awareness of a directors vital role in our good corporate
citizenship. In addition, all director nominees must be willing
to assume broad, fiduciary responsibility on behalf of all
shareholders for the management of the enterprise. The committee
will also carefully consider any potential conflicts of
interest. In addition, to be a
8
qualified nominee as an independent member of the board of
directors, such nominee must meet the definition of an
independent director pursuant to applicable law,
Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, our Corporate
Governance Standards and the listing requirements of the Nasdaq
Stock Market.
The nominating and corporate governance committee will consider
nominees recommended by shareholders who beneficially own and
have owned for one year prior to the date of the recommendation,
individually or in the aggregate, more than five percent of our
issued and outstanding common shares. Recommendations for
nominees may be submitted by shareholders by accessing the
investor relations page of the company website
http://www.pacwest.com and clicking the appropriate
hyperlink, or via regular mail or overnight delivery service
addressed to: nominating and corporate governance committee,
Pac-West Telecomm, Inc., 1776 W. March Lane,
Suite 250, Stockton, CA 95207. Nominations for the 2006
annual meeting must be received by us no earlier than
October 1, 2005 and no later than December 30, 2005.
Recommendations received after December 30, 2005 will be
retained for consideration in the event of a board vacancy
occurring after the date of the 2006 annual meeting. Each
recommendation must contain (i) the legal name and address
of the person making the recommendation, and in the case of
shareholders, the number of shares owned and the length of
ownership thereof, (ii) as to each candidate, the legal
name and contact information of that candidate, a resume or
biographical description of the candidate sufficient to evaluate
his or her personal qualifications and experience,
(iii) the legal names and contact information of three
personal and business references with respect to the character
and business background and experience of the candidate and
(iv) a statement that the candidate is aware that he or she
has been recommended and has expressed willingness and ability
to serve if nominated and elected.
The nominating and corporate governance committee will consider
and evaluate persons recommended by shareholders meeting the
above requirements in the same manner as potential nominees
identified for nomination by us. The committee will rank the
candidates it receives, conduct interviews of an appropriate
number of candidates at the top of the ranking, cause further
investigation to be performed on those candidates it intends to
recommend for nomination and, subject to successful completion
of such investigation, will recommend to the board of directors
a slate of nominees to be considered for election at the annual
meeting. These procedures are described in greater detail in the
Corporate Governance Standards set forth in the Corporate
Governance section of our website at
http://www.pacwest.com.
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|
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Shareholder Communications with the Board and Annual
Meeting Attendance |
Any shareholder or other interested party who has a concern or
inquiry regarding our conduct may communicate directly with
either our independent directors or the full board of directors.
Our lead independent director will receive all such
communications on behalf of our independent directors and the
full board of directors. Communications may be confidential or
anonymous, and may be submitted in writing to: lead independent
director, c/o Corporate Secretary Pac-West Telecomm, Inc.,
1776 W. March Lane, Stockton, California 95207 or by
accessing our investor relations page at
http://www.pacwest.com. Our lead independent director
will receive all such communications on behalf of our
independent directors and the full board of directors. All such
communications will be reviewed and, if necessary, investigated
and/or addressed by the lead independent director, and the
status of such communications will be reported to our
independent directors or the full board of directors on a
quarterly basis. These matters are described in more detail in
our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which is available in
the Corporate Governance section of our website at
http://www.pacwest.com.
Directors are encouraged to attend annual meetings of our
shareholders. At our 2004 annual meeting of shareholders, all
directors then standing for reelection were in attendance.
The Company maintains a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that
is applicable to all employees of the Company. The Code of
Ethics for Financial Professionals is intended to supplement the
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and applies to the
Companys chief executive officer, chief financial officer,
controller and any person performing similar functions for the
Company. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
9
embodies the commitment of the board to manage the business of
the Company in accordance with the highest standards of ethical
conduct. Copies of the foregoing are available at
http://www.pacwest.com or in print to any shareholder
upon request and without charge. The Company intends to disclose
on its website any amendments to, or waivers from, its Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics and Code of Ethics for Financial
Professionals, on behalf of any executive officer, financial
professional or director of the Company.
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Committees of the Board of Directors |
Our board of directors has standing audit, compensation,
executive, nominating and corporate governance, and risk
management committees, as follows:
Audit Committee. The audit committee is composed of three
independent directors, Messrs. Munro (Chair), Johnson and
Chandler. Among other functions, the purpose of the audit
committee is to assist our board of directors generally in its
oversight of the integrity of our financial reporting process
and systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting
and legal compliance, the independence and performance of our
independent accountants, the engagement and termination of our
independent accountants and any non-audit work performed by our
independent accountants and our legal compliance and ethics
policies and procedures. Our board of directors has determined
that all members of the audit committee are
independent, within the meaning of the listing
requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the rules of the
Securities Exchange Commission, and that Mr. Munro
qualifies as an audit committee finance expert
within the meaning of the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The audit committee met 11 times during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
The audit committee has adopted an amended and restated charter.
A copy of the amended and restated audit committee charter was
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
April 28, 2003 as part of our 2003 Proxy Statement, and is
available in the Corporate Governance section of our website at
http://www.pacwest.com.
Compensation Committee. The compensation committee is
composed of three independent directors, Messrs. Plum
(Chair) and Johnson and Ms. Guzman Moore. Among other
functions, the compensation committee makes recommendations to
our board of directors regarding the compensation of our Chief
Executive Officer and other senior executive officers, awards
under our compensation and benefit plans and compensation
policies and practices. In particular, the compensation
committee reviews and approves the goals and objectives related
to the Chief Executive Officers compensation, and
evaluates the Chief Executive Officers performance in
light of those goals and objectives. In addition, the
compensation committee reviews employment agreements, severance
agreements and change of control agreements with our senior
executive officers. Our board of directors has determined that
each of the directors serving on the compensation committee is
independent within the meaning of the listing
requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The compensation
committee met seven (7) times during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004.
The compensation committees charter is available in the
Corporate Governance section of our website at
http://www.pacwest.com.
Executive Committee. The executive committee is composed
of Messrs. Griffin (Chair), Munro and Plum, in addition to
Mr. Carabelli who serves in an ex officio non-voting
capacity. Among other functions, the executive committee makes
recommendations to our board of directors regarding matters that
arise when the full board is unable to meet. The executive
committee met seventeen (17) times during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2004, which is an unusually large number
of meetings for this committee, primarily resulting from the
committees work in overseeing the sale of our enterprise
customers and assets, which received board approval in December
2004.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The
nominating and corporate governance committee is composed of
three independent directors, Messrs. Johnson (Chair),
Chandler and Samples. Among other functions, the nominating and
corporate governance committee establishes criteria for
selecting new directors and senior executive officers,
identifies individuals qualified to become members of our board
of directors and senior executive officers, recommends to our
board of directors such individuals as nominees and
10
makes recommendations to the board with respect to committee
assignments and committee chairs. In addition, this committee
periodically reviews and makes recommendations to the board of
directors regarding modifications to our Corporate Governance
Standards. Our board of directors has determined that each of
the directors serving on the nominating and corporate governance
committee is independent within the meaning of the
listing requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The nominating
and corporate governance committee met two (2) times during
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
The nominating and corporate governance committees charter
is available in the Corporate Governance section of our website
at http://www.pacwest.com.
Risk Management Committee. The risk management committee
is composed of three directors, Messrs. Carabelli,
La Rue and Samples. Among other functions, the risk
management committee reviews and consults with management
regarding proposals for insurance coverage for the Company and
as oversees the development of procedures and policies to assess
the risk profile of the Company, vulnerabilities of operating
systems and capital facilities to risk of damage or destruction
and or service interruptions and preventative and remedial
plans. The risk management committee met four (4) times
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
Reports by Board Committees
The following report of the audit committee shall not be
deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement
incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement or any portion
hereof into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933
(Securities Act), as amended, or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act),
and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
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Report of the Audit Committee |
The audit committee of our board of directors consists entirely
of directors who our board of directors has determined to be
independent, within the meaning of the listing
requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The members of the audit
committee are Messrs. Munro, Johnson and Chandler. In
addition, our board has determined Mr. Munro is an
audit committee financial expert within the meaning
of the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
audit committee operates under a written charter adopted by the
board of directors, which charter is reviewed by the audit
committee on an annual basis.
The audit committee oversees the financial reporting process,
the systems of internal accounting and financial controls, the
performance and independence of the independent auditor, the
annual audit of Pac-Wests financial statements, and
related matters. Management is responsible for our financial
reporting processes including the Companys system of
internal control and for the preparation of consolidated
financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. Pac-Wests independent accountants
are responsible for auditing those financial statements. Our
responsibility is to monitor and review these processes.
Therefore, we have relied, without independent verification, on
managements representation that the financial statements
have been prepared with integrity and objectivity and in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, and on
the representations of the independent accountants included in
their report on our financial statements.
In addition, the audit committee approves the fees and terms of
all audit engagements and pre-approves all auditing services and
permitted non-audit services to be performed for Pac-West by the
independent auditors (subject to de minimis exceptions
described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act that
are approved by the audit committee prior to completion of the
audit). The audit committee may, from time to time, delegate its
authority to pre-approve non-audit services on a preliminary
basis to one or more audit committee members, provided that such
designees present any such approvals to the full committee at
the next committee meeting.
11
On August 16, 2004, the audit committee dismissed the
Companys independent accountants, KPMG LLP
(KPMG) and engaged the services of BDO Seidman LLP
(BDO Seidman) as the Companys new independent
accountants for the remainder of 2004. The audit committee has
also engaged BDO Seidman as the Companys independent
accountants for 2005.
KPMGs reports on the Companys consolidated financial
statements for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003
did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor
were such reports qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit
scope or accounting principles. During 2002 and 2003 and through
the date of KPMGs dismissal, there were: (i) no
disagreements with KPMG on any matter of accounting principle or
practice, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or
procedure which, if not resolved to KPMGs satisfaction,
would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of
the disagreement in connection with its report on
Pac-Wests consolidated financial statements for such
years; and (ii) there were no reportable events
(as such term is defined in the regulations to the Securities
Act of 1933 and the Exchange Act).
During 2002 and 2003 and through the date of KPMGs
dismissal, we did not consult BDO Seidman with respect to the
application of accounting principles to a specified transaction,
either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that
might be rendered on the Companys consolidated financial
statements, or any matter that was the subject of a disagreement
or reportable event as described above.
The audit committee has reviewed and discussed with management
and BDO Seidman the audited financial statements contained in
Pac-Wests Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2004. The audit committee reviewed BDO
Seidmans independence and, as part of that review,
received the written disclosures and letter required by the
Independence Standards Board No. 1 (Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees), as may be modified or
supplemented, relating to BDO Seidmans independence from
us. The audit committee also discussed with BDO Seidman the
matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 61 (Communications with Audit Committees), as
may be modified or supplemented, and had the opportunity to ask
BDO Seidman questions relating to such matters.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above,
the audit committee recommended to the board of directors, and
the board of directors has approved, a resolution that the
audited financial statements be included in Pac-Wests
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004, for filing with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
As recently as the 2003 annual meeting we submitted to a vote of
our shareholders the matter of ratification of the appointment
of our independent auditors for the year. This vote was only
advisory because historically our board of directors (and now
the audit committee) has the sole responsibility and authority
under applicable law to engage and terminate our independent
auditors. Because of the legal responsibility of the audit
committee related to the retention and oversight of the
independent auditors as set forth in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 and related Securities and Exchange Commission rules, we
dispensed with the formality of seeking ratification of the
appointment of our independent auditors in 2004 and will not
seek such ratification for 2005.
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AUDIT COMMITTEE |
|
Thomas A. Munro |
|
Jerry L. Johnson |
|
David G. Chandler |
12
The following summarizes the aggregate fees billed by our
current independent accountants, BDO Seidman, as well as our
former independent accountants, KPMG.
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|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
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| |
|
| |
Audit Fees(a)
|
|
$ |
673,043 |
|
|
$ |
288,136 |
|
Audit-Related Fees(b)
|
|
|
36,373 |
|
|
|
43,899 |
|
Tax Fees(c)
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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All Other Fees(d)
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|
|
23,403 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fees
|
|
$ |
732,819 |
|
|
$ |
332,035 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Audit Fees are fees for professional services performed by the
principal auditor for the audit of the Companys
consolidated annual financial statements and review of
consolidated financial statements included in the Companys
Forms 10-K and 10-Q filings, and services that are normally
provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or
engagements. BDO Seidman billed the Company $268,000 for 2004
for professional services rendered for the annual financial
statement audit and a quarterly financial statement review. In
addition, KPMG billed the Company $405,043 and $288,136 in 2004
and 2003, respectively, for professional services rendered for
the annual financial statement audit and quarterly financial
statement reviews. |
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(b) |
Audit-Related Fees are fees for the assurance and related
services that are reasonably related to the performance of the
audit or review of the Companys consolidated financial
statements. These fees consisted primarily of fees for
professional services provided to assist the company with the
review of certain documents and the issuance of a debt
compliance report. In addition, in 2003 these fees included work
performed in connection with the filing of a proxy statement.
For 2004, $30,973 of this amount is attributable to KPMG and
$5,400 is attributable to BDO Seidman. |
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(c) |
The Company uses Deloitte Tax LLP for all tax advisory services. |
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(d) |
All Other Fees are fees for permissible professional services
performed by BDO Seidman that are not encompassed in the above
categories. |
The audit committee has considered whether the provision of the
services described above is compatible with maintaining the
independence of BDO Seidman and has concluded that such services
are compatible with maintaining the independence of our
principal auditor. Representatives of BDO Seidman are expected
to be present at the annual meeting, will have the opportunity
to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be
available to respond to appropriate questions.
The following report of the compensation committee shall not
be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement
incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement or any portion
hereof into any filing under the Securities Act, or the Exchange
Act, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
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Compensation Committee Report on Executive
Compensation |
The compensation committee of the board of directors is composed
entirely of independent directors within the meaning
of the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market. No
member of the compensation committee is a former or current
officer of the Company. The compensation committee sets and
administers the policies governing annual compensation of
executive officers, including cash compensation, incentive
compensation and stock ownership programs.
Pac-Wests compensation program for executive officers is
administered and reviewed by the compensation committee. The key
elements of the total annual compensation for executive officers
consist of fixed compensation in the form of base salary and
variable compensation in the form of annual and quarterly
incentive compensation. It is the compensation committees
objective to help ensure that a significant portion of an
executives total annual compensation be contingent upon
the attainment of one or more performance objectives. Payments
of variable incentive compensation for corporate performance are
made quarterly, and incentive payments for individual
performance are made semi-annually (except for the chief
executive officer who is paid annually).
Incentive compensation payments are based upon various factors,
including corporate, operating unit and individual performance
during the preceding calendar year. An operating plan is
established annually which
13
sets goals for overall corporate performance relating to
earnings (before interest and taxes). The chief executive
officers annual incentive compensation is based on the
overall corporate performance plus specific milestones set by
the board of directors for markets in operation, access lines in
service and capital raising.
The variable pay program for executive officers for 2004 was
comprised of two elements based on corporate performance and
individual performance. The corporate performance equated to
approximately fifty percent of the total variable pay target and
was paid out as earned each quarter as determined by the
compensation committee. The corporate performance goals were
based on two primary financial measurements, including earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA) as a percentage of expenses, and business
growth as measured by sales revenue. In addition, corporate
performance takes into account customer satisfaction as measured
by customer churn. The individual performance equated to
approximately 50% of the annual target and was based on each
executives performance and success in meeting the business
imperatives.
The chief executive officers compensation in 2004
consisted of fixed compensation in the form of base salary as
specified in his employment contract with the Company. In
addition, the chief executive officer is entitled to an annual
bonus as determined based on the Companys overall
performance. In setting the amount of the annual bonus, the
compensation committee establishes, with the assistance of the
chief executive officer, a set of financial, operating and
regulatory objectives and, where appropriate, specific
performance metrics based upon the annual budget or industry
comparables to serve as a guideline. These metrics include
revenue, operating income, cash flow, plant performance, balance
sheet, business growth and relative industry performance
measurements. The compensation committee reviews the performance
of the chief executive officer with him or her annually and
based thereon determines the appropriate bonus amount. Based on
the foregoing review, the compensation committee established the
2004 base salary of our chief executive officer at $358,000 and
awarded him incentive compensation in the amount of $143,200 for
the year ended December 31, 2004.
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE |
|
Samuel A. Plum |
|
Jerry L. Johnson |
|
Melinda Guzman Moore |
14
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The table below provides information regarding securities
authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans as
of December 31, 2004.
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Number of Securities to | |
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Weighted-Average | |
|
Number of Securities | |
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be Issued Upon Exercise | |
|
Exercise Price of | |
|
Remaining Available for | |
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of Outstanding Options, | |
|
Outstanding Options, | |
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Future Issuance Under | |
Plan Category |
|
Warrants and Rights | |
|
Warrants and Rights | |
|
Equity Compensation Plans(1) | |
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| |
|
| |
|
| |
Approved Plans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1999 Stock Incentive Plan
|
|
|
5,119,352 |
|
|
$ |
1.75 |
|
|
|
369,340 |
|
2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
579,695 |
|
Non-Approved Plans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1998 Griffin Non-Qualified Stock Incentive
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Excludes securities reflected in the first column. |
|
(2) |
Amounts withheld from employees to purchase stock at
June 30, 2005 are not included. |
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
There are no family relationships between any of our directors
or executive officers and there are no director interlocking
relationships.
15
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table summarizes the compensation we paid in the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 to our
named executive officers, consisting of our chief executive
officer and each of our next four most highly compensated
executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2004.
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Long-term | |
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Annual Compensation | |
|
Compensation | |
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| |
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| |
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Regular | |
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All Other | |
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Restricted Stock | |
Name and Principal Position Held |
|
Salary | |
|
Bonus | |
|
Compensation(1) | |
|
Awards(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Henry R. Carabelli,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2004
|
|
|
356,333 |
|
|
|
143,200 |
|
|
|
12,277 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2003
|
|
|
321,875 |
|
|
|
138,000 |
|
|
|
95,906 |
|
|
|
808,000 |
|
|
Fiscal Year 2002
|
|
|
275,000 |
|
|
|
175,618 |
|
|
|
7,116 |
|
|
|
|
|
H. Ravi Brar,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vice President of Human Resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2004
|
|
|
214,983 |
|
|
|
73,610 |
|
|
|
3,467 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2003
|
|
|
210,000 |
|
|
|
88,200 |
|
|
|
6,701 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2002
|
|
|
195,250 |
|
|
|
114,562 |
|
|
|
6,480 |
|
|
|
|
|
Michael B. Hawn
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vice President Customer Network Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2004
|
|
|
215,146 |
|
|
|
73,069 |
|
|
|
7,072 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2003
|
|
|
212,700 |
|
|
|
82,981 |
|
|
|
9,708 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2002
|
|
|
208,333 |
|
|
|
98,747 |
|
|
|
6,348 |
|
|
|
|
|
Wayne Bell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vice President Marketing and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business Development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2004
|
|
|
214,542 |
|
|
|
71,581 |
|
|
|
5,809 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2003
|
|
|
192,313 |
|
|
|
84,025 |
|
|
|
6,695 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2002
|
|
|
170,000 |
|
|
|
84,883 |
|
|
|
5,127 |
|
|
|
|
|
Eric E. Jacobs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vice President, General Manager
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service Provider Sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2004(3)
|
|
|
228,066 |
|
|
|
38,214 |
|
|
|
4,913 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2003(3)
|
|
|
176,898 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
321 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2002
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
All Other Compensation includes company 401K match, life
insurance, long-term disability insurance, club dues and auto
allowance. For fiscal 2003, Mr. Carabellis Other
Compensation includes $84,622 of relocation costs. |
|
(2) |
In December 2003, Mr. Carabelli received a grant of
performance unit awards for 400,000 shares of common stock.
The dollar value indicated in the Restricted Stock Awards column
is based on the closing market price, $2.02, of our common
shares when the performance unit awards were granted,
December 29, 2003. |
|
(3) |
Mr. Jacobs joined the Company in March 2003. For 2004 and
2003, Mr. Jacobs had sales commissions of $73,632 and
$84,315, respectively, included under salary. |
Stock Incentive Plans
We have established the Pac-West Telecomm, Inc. 1999 Stock
Incentive Plan, which authorizes the granting of stock options,
including restricted stock, SARS, dividend equivalent rights,
performance units, performance shares or other similar rights or
benefits to our or our subsidiaries current or future
employees,
16
directors, consultants and advisors. Under the 1999 Stock
Incentive Plan, our board of directors is authorized to issue
options to purchase shares of common stock in such quantity, at
such exercise prices, on such terms and subject to such
conditions as established by the board.
In addition, we have established the 1998 Griffin Non-Qualified
Stock Incentive Plan for Mr. Griffin and the 2000 Napa
Valley Non-Qualified Stock Incentive Plan, which authorizes or
authorized, as the case may be, the granting of stock options,
including restricted stock, SARS, dividend equivalent rights,
performance units, performance shares or other similar rights or
benefits to certain of our employees. Our board of directors
terminated the 2000 Napa Valley Non-Qualified Stock Incentive
Plan in February 2004, and we currently have no obligations
outstanding under this plan.
An aggregate of 7,601,750 shares of common stock are
currently reserved for option grants under the 1999 Stock
Incentive Plan and the 1998 Griffin Non-Qualified Stock
Incentive Plan. These plans are subject to adjustment upon the
occurrence of certain events to prevent any dilution or
expansion of the rights of participants that might otherwise
result from the occurrence of such events. As of
December 31, 2004, we had granted options outstanding with
respect to 5,069,352 of our common shares. As of
December 31, 2004, 486,436 options have been exercised.
Stock Options Granted to Named Executive Officers in 2004
There were no stock options or SARs granted to Named Executive
Officers in 2004.
Outstanding Stock Options and Year-End Values
The following table sets forth information regarding the number
and value of unexercised stock options held by each of our named
executive officers as of December 31, 2004. No named
executive officers exercised options in 2004.
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
Number of Unexercised | |
|
In-The-Money Options | |
|
|
Options at Year End | |
|
at Year End | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Non- | |
|
|
|
Non- | |
Name |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Henry R. Carabelli
|
|
|
375,000 |
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
$ |
126,500 |
|
|
$ |
61,500 |
|
H. Ravi Brar
|
|
|
199,000 |
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
$ |
70,600 |
|
|
$ |
60,000 |
|
Michael B. Hawn
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
$ |
84,250 |
|
|
$ |
54,750 |
|
Wayne Bell
|
|
|
93,750 |
|
|
|
81,250 |
|
|
$ |
58,125 |
|
|
$ |
56,375 |
|
Eric E. Jacobs
|
|
|
22,500 |
|
|
|
52,500 |
|
|
$ |
5,313 |
|
|
$ |
15,938 |
|
The options referred to in the table above vest over a period of
three to four years and are exercisable to purchase shares of
our common stock in accordance with our 1999 Stock Incentive
Plan and, in the case of Mr. Griffin, the 1998 Griffin
Non-Qualified Stock Incentive Plan. In addition, options issued
to the above named executives become fully vested upon a change
in control
Performance Unit Awards
In December 2003, we granted Mr. Carabelli the right to
receive performance unit awards for 400,000 of our common shares
(before any share split, reverse share split or share dividend)
under an employment agreement. Under the agreement, 200,000
performance unit awards shall become vested, provided
Mr. Carabelli remains employed by us through June 30,
2007 or in the event of a change in control as defined in our
1999 Stock Incentive Plan. In addition, the remaining 200,000
performance unit awards will vest provided that
Mr. Carabelli remains employed by us through June 30,
2008 or in the event of a change in control as defined in our
1999 Stock Incentive Plan. The agreement provides for
accelerated vesting in the event that the monthly average fair
market value of our common shares is greater than or equal to
$3.00 per common share for a period of six consecutive
calendar months commencing on or after January 1, 2004.
17
Qualified 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan
We maintain a tax-qualified 401(k) retirement plan for all
full-time employees who are at least 18 years of age and
who have completed 90 days of service. The plan year is
from January 1 to December 31, and we contribute $0.50 for
every $1.00 contributed by the employee, subject to our
contribution not exceeding 3 percent of the employees
salary. Employees become fully vested after six years, although
they vest incrementally on an annual basis after two years of
service. Employees may elect to participate in the plan after
completing 90 days of service with us. We match 50% of
employee contributions up to 6% of compensation deferred. Our
matching contributions vest at a rate 20% per year starting
with the employees second year of service. Although we
have not historically done so, we may also make discretionary
profit-sharing contributions to all employees who satisfy plan
participation requirements. Our matching contributions were
$451,000, $303,000 and $378,000 for the years ended
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In 2000, we instituted the 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
The purpose of the Plan is to provide our employees with an
opportunity to purchase our common shares through accumulated
payroll deductions. Employees may elect to participate in
semi-annual offer periods, commencing each January 1 and July 1.
Employees are eligible to participate in the plan after
30 days of service, provided, however, that their customary
employment is not 20 hours or less per week, and not less
than 5 months in any calendar year. Subject to certain
limitations, eligible employees may elect to have payroll
deductions made during the relevant offer periods in amounts
between one percent (1%) and not exceeding ten percent (10%) of
the employees compensation. The maximum number of common
shares available for sale under the plan is
1,000,000 shares, subject to adjustments for certain
defined events. As of December 31, 2004, 420,305 common
shares have been purchased pursuant to the plan.
Pension Plans
We do not maintain a pension plan.
Employment-Related Agreements
On July 1, 2003, we entered into an employment agreement
with Mr. Carabelli. Mr. Carabellis employment
agreement has a term of two years, provided for a base salary
for the year ended December 31, 2004 of $350,000, and a
bonus based upon our achievement of certain objectives and
subjective criteria which shall be about 40% of his base salary.
The employment agreement also provides for participation in all
benefit plans made available to our executives, and may be
terminated earlier by us or Mr. Carabelli under certain
conditions.
Upon termination by us without cause or by Mr. Carabelli
for good reason, each as defined in the employment agreement,
Mr. Carabelli will be entitled to receive, subject to
certain conditions (1) severance payments equal to his base
salary for a one-year period after such termination;
(2) immediate vesting of all unvested stock options and
extension of the period of exercise of such options to the end
of the term of the grant; and (3) payment of all health
insurance premiums for him and his eligible dependents with
respect to his continuation coverage rights under the COBRA (or
a similar statute or regulation then in effect) for one-year
after termination or until he and his eligible dependents obtain
coverage through a subsequent employers plans or cease to
be eligible for COBRA.
If the employment period is terminated as a result of
disability, then Mr. Carabelli and/or his estate or
beneficiaries, as the case may be, will be entitled to receive
benefits under our employee benefit programs as in effect on the
date of such termination to the extent permitted under such
programs. In addition, Mr. Carabelli will be entitled to
receive (1) an amount equal to the lesser of the terminated
portion of his employment period or his base salary for the
one-year period after such termination; (2) immediate
vesting of all unvested stock options and extension of the
period of exercise of such options to the end of the term of the
grant;
18
(3) COBRA payments; and (4) a prorated amount of any
annual bonus otherwise payable to him for the fiscal year in
which his employment is terminated.
If the employment period is terminated as a result of
Mr. Carabellis death, then he and/or his estate or
beneficiaries, as the case may be, will be entitled to receive
(1) benefits under our employee benefit programs as in
effect on the date of such termination to the extent permitted
under such programs; (2) immediate vesting of all unvested
stock options and extension of the period of exercise of such
options to the end of the term of the grant; and (3) a
prorated amount of any annual bonus otherwise payable to him for
the fiscal year in which his employment is terminated.
In the event of a change of control (1) in which the
successor does not terminate Mr. Carabelli, but
Mr. Carabelli resigns, effective six months after the
effective date of the change of control or (2) in which the
successor terminates Mr. Carabelli without cause within the
fifteen month period beginning nine months prior to the
effective date of the change of control event and ending six
months after such effective date, Mr. Carabelli would be
entitled to receive (A) an amount equal to 150% times his
annual base salary, (B) immediate vesting of all unvested
stock options and/or restricted stock and extension of the
period of exercise of such options and/or restricted stock to
the end of the term of the grant; and (C) COBRA payments.
On June 1, 2004, the Company and Mr. John K.
La Rue entered into an agreement amending
Mr. La Rues terms of employment with the
Company. Under this Agreement, Mr. La Rue will
continue to work for the Company on a part-time basis as Vice
President and Founder. Mr. La Rues
responsibilities include advising us and consulting with our
corporate officers. The terms of the agreement provide for
reduced monthly compensation plus a per diem fee for those days
on which services are provided to the Company. The agreement
also provides that Mr. La Rue will be provided, at the
Companys expense, with personal and dependent health care,
dental and vision benefits, and provides for the immediate
vesting of any unvested stock options upon the termination of
the agreement.
On October 21, 2003, the Company and Mr. Griffin
entered into a separation agreement in connection with the
earlier than previously anticipated transition of
Mr. Griffins responsibilities as Chief Executive
Officer to a successor, which became effective July 1,
2003. On July 1, 2003, Mr. Griffin resigned as Chief
Executive Officer, but continued on with us as the chairman of
our board of directors. The separation agreement provided for,
among other things, separation payments to Mr. Griffin
vesting of all unvested options previously granted to
Mr. Griffin, and prospective compensation of
Mr. Griffin as a director and chairman of our board of
directors.
|
|
|
Change of Control Agreements |
We have entered into agreements with certain executives which
provide that in the event of a change of control if the
successor does not hire the named executive, or is terminated by
the successor, without cause, within twelve months following the
effective date of the change of control event, the named
executive will be entitled to receive their base salary for one
year following the change of control event. The current
executives with whom we have entered into such an agreement are
Messrs. Sumpter, Brar, Bell, Hawn, Jacobs, Morrison and
Putnam and Ms. McGaw.
19
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding
ownership of our common shares as of April 25, 2005 for:
(1) each person who we know owns beneficially more than 5%
of our outstanding common shares; (2) each of our current
directors and nominees, and executive officers; and (3) all
of our current directors, nominees for director, and executive
officers as a group.
Table of Beneficial Ownership
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent | |
|
|
Number of Shares | |
|
Beneficially | |
|
|
Beneficially Owned(1) | |
|
Owned(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Significant Shareholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bay Alarm Securities LLC
|
|
|
3,670,688 |
(3) |
|
|
10.0 |
|
|
|
925 Ygnacio Valley Road |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Walnut Creek, CA 94596-8140 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William Blair Capital Partners VI, L.P.
|
|
|
3,652,649 |
(4) |
|
|
9.9 |
|
|
|
222 West Adams Street |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chicago, IL 60606 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SCP Private Equity Partners, L.P.
|
|
|
3,652,649 |
(5) |
|
|
9.9 |
|
|
|
435 Devon Park Drive, Building 300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wayne, PA 19087 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors and Named Executive Officers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wallace W. Griffin
|
|
|
1,617,994 |
(6) |
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
Henry R. Carabelli
|
|
|
505,000 |
(7) |
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
David G. Chandler
|
|
|
3,652,649 |
(8) |
|
|
9.9 |
|
|
Jerry L. Johnson
|
|
|
73,929 |
(9) |
|
|
* |
|
|
John K. La Rue
|
|
|
1,067,868 |
(10) |
|
|
2.9 |
|
|
Thomas A. Munro
|
|
|
25,000 |
(11) |
|
|
* |
|
|
Samuel A. Plum
|
|
|
3,712,219 |
(12) |
|
|
10.1 |
|
|
Melinda Guzman-Moore
|
|
|
12,000 |
(13) |
|
|
* |
|
|
Timothy A. Samples
|
|
|
6,000 |
(14) |
|
|
* |
|
|
H. Ravi Brar
|
|
|
247,000 |
(15) |
|
|
* |
|
|
Michael B. Hawn
|
|
|
128,800 |
(16) |
|
|
* |
|
|
Wayne Bell
|
|
|
112,900 |
(17) |
|
|
* |
|
|
Eric E. Jacobs
|
|
|
28,750 |
(18) |
|
|
* |
|
|
All of Pac-Wests Directors and Executive Officers as a
Group (17 Persons)
|
|
|
11,525,209 |
(19) |
|
|
29.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes the number of shares of common stock subject to options
exercisable within sixty (60) days of April 25, 2005. |
|
|
(2) |
Shares of common stock exercisable within sixty (60) days
of April 25, 2005 are considered outstanding for the
purpose of determining the percent of the class held by the
holder of such options, but not for the purpose of computing the
percentage held by others. Percentages of less than one
(1) percent are denoted by an asterisk. |
|
|
(3) |
Based solely upon a Schedule 13G, dated February 14,
2005, filed jointly by Bay Alarm Securities LLC (Bay
Alarm) and the Westphal Family Foundation
(Westphal), and subsequent for 4 filings, Bay Alarm
is the direct beneficial owner of 3,620,688 shares of
common stock and Westphal is the direct beneficial owner of
50,000 shares of common stock. |
|
|
(4) |
Based solely upon a Schedule 13G, dated February 15,
2005, filed jointly by William Blair Capital Partners VI, L.P.
(WB Partnership) and William Blair Capital Partners
VI, L.L.C. (WB LLC), WB Partnership is the direct
beneficial owner of 3,652,649 shares of common stock. WB
LLC, by virtue of it being the general partner of WB
Partnership, may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the |
20
|
|
|
|
|
shares of common stock owned by WB Partnership. WB LLC disclaims
beneficial ownership of the 3,652,649 shares of common
stock owned by WB Partnership. |
|
|
|
|
(5) |
Based solely upon a Schedule 13G, dated March 10,
2000, filed jointly by SCP Private Equity Partners, L.P.
(Equity Partners), SCP Private Equity Management,
L.P. (Equity Management), Winston J. Churchill
(Churchill), Samuel A. Plum (Plum), and
Safeguard Capital Management, Inc. (Capital
Management), Equity Partners is the direct beneficial
owner of 3,652,649 shares of common stock. Equity
Management, by virtue of it being the general partner of Equity
Partners, may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares
of common stock owned by Equity Partners. In addition,
Churchill, Plum and Capital Management, by virtue of their being
general partners of Equity Management, may also be deemed to be
the beneficial owner of the shares of common stock owned by
Equity Partners. Each of Equity Management, Churchill, Plum and
Capital Management disclaims any direct or indirect beneficial
ownership of the 3,652,649 shares of common stock owned by
Equity Partners. |
|
|
(6) |
The common shares shown as beneficially owned by
Mr. Griffin include 522,300 shares of common stock
owned directly by Mr. Griffin, and 1,095,694 common shares
subject to vested options. In addition, Mr. Griffin, by
virtue of his being a general partner of Griffin Family Limited
Liability Partnership, L.L.P. (Griffin LLP), may be deemed to be
the beneficial owner of 280,000 common shares owned by Griffin
LLP. |
|
|
(7) |
The common shares shown as beneficially owned by
Mr. Carabelli include 55,000 common shares owned directly
by Mr. Carabelli, and 450,000 common shares subject to
vested options. |
|
|
(8) |
Mr. Chandler, by virtue of his being a managing director of
WB LLC, may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 3,652,649
common shares owned by WB Partnership. Mr. Chandler
expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares owned by
WB Partnership. |
|
|
(9) |
The common shares shown as beneficially owned by
Mr. Johnson include 31,929 shares of common stock
owned directly by Mr. Johnson, and 42,000 common shares
subject to vested options. |
|
|
(10) |
The common shares shown as beneficially owned by
Mr. La Rue include 691,868 common shares owned
directly by Mr. La Rue and 376,000 subject to vested
options. |
|
(11) |
The common shares shown as beneficially owned by Mr. Munro
include 25,000 common shares subject to vested options. |
|
(12) |
The shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by
Mr. Plum include 165,000 common shares owned directly by
Mr. Plum and 59,750 shares subject to vested options.
In addition, Mr. Plum, by virtue of his being the managing
general partner of Equity Partners, may be deemed to be the
beneficial owner of 3,547,219 shares owned by Equity
Partners. Mr. Plum expressly disclaims beneficial ownership
of the shares of common stock owned by Equity Partners. |
|
(13) |
The common shares shown as beneficially owned by Ms. Guzman
Moore include 12,000 common shares subject to vested options. |
|
(14) |
The common shares shown as beneficially owned by
Mr. Samples include 6,000 common shares subject to vested
options. |
|
(15) |
The common shares shown as beneficially owned by Mr. Brar
include 48,000 common shares owned directly by Mr. Brar,
and 199,000 common shares subject to vested options. |
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(16) |
The common shares shown as beneficially owned by Mr. Hawn
include 3,800 shares of common stock owned directly by
Mr. Hawn, and 125,000 common shares subject to vested
options. |
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(17) |
The common shares shown as beneficially owned by Mr. Bell
include 400 common shares owned directly by Mr. Bell and
112,500 common shares subject to vested options. |
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(18) |
The shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by
Mr. Jacobs include 28,750 common shares subject to vested
options. |
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(19) |
The common shares shown as beneficially owned by all of
Pac-Wests directors and executive officers as a group
include the common shares beneficially owned by the directors
and the named executive officers described in footnotes 6
through 18 above. |
21
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Registration Agreement
We completed a recapitalization of our Company in 1998 pursuant
to a merger agreement between us, Bay Alarm Company and John K.
La Rue, the preexisting investors, and PWT Acquisition
Corp., a corporation newly formed by an equity investment group
led by Safeguard 98 Capital, L.P. and William Blair Capital
Partners L.L.P.
In connection with the recapitalization, all of our shareholders
entered into a registration agreement. In accordance with the
registration agreement, at any time after May 7, 2000, each
of the four equity investors in the recapitalization may request
one registration at our expense under the Securities Act of 1933
of all, or any portion of, their Pac-West common shares on
Form S-1 or other similar long-form registration and an
unlimited number of Form S-2 or S-3 or other similar
short-form registrations, provided that the aggregate offering
value of the registrable securities requested to be registered
in any long-form registration must equal at least
$5.0 million in all long-form registrations and at least
$1.0 million in all short-form registrations. In the event
that any one of the four equity investors in the
recapitalization makes such a demand registration request, all
other parties to the registration agreement will be entitled to
participate in such registration. The registration agreement
also grants to the parties thereto piggyback registration rights
with respect to all other registrations of our common shares and
we, subject to limited exceptions, will pay all expenses related
to the piggyback registrations.
Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation; Confidentiality
Agreements
In connection with the recapitalization and as provided by the
terms of the merger agreement or their respective employment
agreements, as the case may be, Messrs. La Rue and
Griffin and Bay Alarm Company have also agreed to maintain the
confidentiality of our information and not to solicit our
employees and customers. These provisions remain in effect for
varying periods following the termination of the employment
agreements.
Other Transactions with Significant Shareholders
Mr. Bruce A. Westphal, who served as our chairman of the
board until the recapitalization and as a director of the
Company until March 16, 2000, is the chairman of the board
of both Bay Alarm Company and InReach Internet. As of
March 1, 2004, an affiliate of Bay Alarm Company
beneficially owned approximately 10.0% of our outstanding common
shares. Sales to Bay Alarm Company and InReach Internet LLC
accounted for approximately $1,582,000, $1,784,000 and
$2,527,000 or 1%, 1% and 2% of our revenues for the years ended
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. In
addition, Bay Alarm Company provides us with security monitoring
services at its normal commercial rates, and purchased the real
property at which our Oakland switch facility is located. In
connection with that purchase, we negotiated a lease with Bay
Alarm Company for our continued use of that commercial space.
The monthly lease payments under the lease were approximately
$29,000 as of December 31, 2004.
22
PROPOSITION 2
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO
BY LAWS OF THE COMPANY AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TO ESTABLISH THE SIZE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND TO
IMPLEMENT A CLASSIFIED BOARD STRUCTURE
Background
Currently, under the Companys bylaws, the size of the
board of directors is fixed at nine (9) directors. In
addition, our bylaws provide that if and when we are qualified
as a listed company within the meaning of Section 301.5 of
the California Corporation Code, within 10 days after such
date the persons then serving as directors shall divide
themselves into three (3) classes, and the election of
directors of each class shall be staggered such that the
directors of one class are elected at each annual meeting and
serve three year terms. On April 7, 2005, the board of
directors approved resolutions amending our bylaws to
(i) authorize our board of directors to establish the size
of the board of directors; provided that the board of directors
shall consist of not less than five (5) nor more than nine
(9) persons and (ii) authorize our board to divide
itself into either two or three classes if and when we are
qualified as a listed company under California law; such classes
to serve staggered terms of two or three years as determined in
advance by resolutions of the board. Both of these proposed
amendments to our bylaws must be approved by the affirmative
vote of a majority of our common shares issued, outstanding and
entitled to vote as of the record date.
Reasons for Amendments
The board of directors believes that these proposed amendments
to our bylaws provide the Company with valuable flexibility in
establishing a board of directors that is able to effectively
fulfill its oversight and advisory roles. Authorizing the board
to establish the size of the board of directors will allow the
board to establish a board of directors that effectively serves
the interests of our shareholders from time to time and is
consistent with evolving best practices at other publicly traded
companies. The highly technical and heavily regulated
environment in which our business operates demands that our
board members possess a specialized base of knowledge and
expertise to enable them to carry out their advisory and
oversight functions. In addition, recent legislative and
administrative developments with respect to corporate governance
have significantly affected the composition and operation of
public company boards of directors. Our board of directors
requires the flexibility to establish a board of directors of
appropriate size to deal with these challenges and serve the
best interests of our shareholders.
Further, our board believes that a classified board of directors
promotes continuity and stability in the management of the
business and affairs of the Company and encourages persons
considering unsolicited, unilateral takeover actions to
negotiate with the target companys board of directors
rather than pursue a non-negotiated takeover attempt. Our board
believes that these outcomes are in the best interests of our
shareholders. Because of this belief, our bylaws currently
provide for classification of the board if and when we are
qualified as a listed company, but because our bylaws currently
fix the size of the board at nine (9) members, the number
of classes of directors is fixed at three (3) to allow for an
equal number of directors in each class. If the shareholders
authorize our board to reduce the size of the board pursuant to
this Proposition 2, our board may thereafter require the
authority to divide the directors into either two or three
classes. This proposed amendment provides the board with such
authority.
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Board Authorization to Establish Number of
Directors |
Currently, our bylaws fix the size of our board of directors at
nine (9) members. The proposed amendment would instead
establish a permissible range for the size of our board between
five (5) and nine (9) members inclusive, and would
authorize our board to establish the size of the board of
directors within that range. If shareholders approve this
amendment of our bylaws, our board may by resolution at any time
thereafter, and without further approval of our shareholders,
establish the size of the board of directors at any
23
size between five (5) and nine (9) members, or it may
determine to leave the board at its current size of nine (9).
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Board Authorization to Determine Number of Classes of
Directors. |
Since May 28, 2002, our board of directors has consisted of
a single class of directors, each of whom stands for election at
each annual meeting of shareholders. Our bylaws currently
provide that if and when we are qualified as a listed company
within the meaning of Section 301.5 of the California
Corporations Code, within 10 days following such date our
board will be divided into three classes of three (3) members
each, with each class serving staggered three year terms. As
described in greater detail above under Proposition
1 Election of Directors, the transfer of our
common shares from the Nasdaq National Market to the Nasdaq
SmallCap Market on May 28, 2002 resulted in us no longer
qualifying as a listed company under the California Corporations
Code. This in turn resulted in our classified board of directors
being restructured by law into a single class of directors. If
and when we meet the qualifications for listing on the Nasdaq
National Market, which among other things requires the minimum
bid price of our common shares be over $5.00 for inclusion, then
to remain over $1.00 for continued listing, and our common
shares begin trading on the Nasdaq National Market, we expect to
again qualify as a listed company under California law and our
board will again have the authority under our bylaws to
implement a classified board structure. There can be no
assurances that we will again qualify as a listed company under
California law.
Text of the Proposed Amendments
If shareholders approve Proposition 2, Sections 3.02
and 3.03 of our Amended and Restated Bylaws will be amended and
replaced in their entirety and made legally consistent with one
another in the context of various board sizes to read as follows:
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3.02 NUMBER AND QUALIFICATION OF
DIRECTORS |
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The authorized number of directors of the corporation shall be
nine (9) unless changed by resolution of the board of
directors in accordance with the succeeding sentence. Following
the 2005 annual meeting of shareholders, the board of directors
(acting alone and without the requirement of approval by the
shareholders or the outstanding shares) shall have the authority
to establish the size of the board of directors from time to
time by resolution of the board of directors; provided that the
board of directors shall be composed of not less than five
(5) nor more than nine (9) persons. No reduction of
the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of
involuntarily removing any director before that directors
term of office expires. All directors of the corporation shall
be natural persons, but need not be residents of California or
shareholders of the corporation. At all times the board of
directors shall include a number of independent directors
sufficient to satisfy the then applicable requirements of
federal law or regulation, any exchange on which securities of
the corporation are listed and applicable California law or
regulation. |
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3.03 ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF
DIRECTORS |
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Until the Corporation becomes a listed Corporation within the
meaning of Section 301.5 of the California Corporations
Code, at each annual meeting of shareholders, directors shall be
elected to hold office until the next annual meeting. Within ten
(10) days following the effective date of the Corporation
becoming a listed Corporation within the meaning of
Section 301.5 of the California Corporations Code, the
persons then serving as directors shall cast lots or otherwise
agree to divide themselves into two or three classes which shall
serve staggered terms of two or three years as determined in
advance by resolution of the board of directors; provided that
the number of directors in each class and the length of their
terms shall comply with applicable limitations set forth from
time to time in the California Corporations Code. Thereafter,
their replacements shall serve staggered terms. Each director,
including a director appointed to fill a vacancy, shall hold
office until the expiration of the term for which elected or
appointed and until a successor has been elected or appointed
and qualified, except in the case of the death, removal, or
resignation of such director. |
24
Board Recommendation
Our board of directors recommends that you vote
FOR the approval of the amendments to our
bylaws authorizing the board of directors to alter the size of
the board of directors and authorizing the board to classify the
board of directors into either two or three classes if and when
we are qualified as a listed company under California law.
25
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares our cumulative total shareholder
return on an investment of $100 since December 31, 1999
with that of the Nasdaq Composite Index and the Nasdaq
Telecommunications Index.
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1999 | |
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2000 | |
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2001 | |
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2002 | |
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2003 | |
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2004 | |
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Pac-West
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$ |
100 |
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$ |
34 |
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$ |
6 |
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$ |
5 |
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$ |
19 |
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$ |
13 |
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Nasdaq CI
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$ |
100 |
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$ |
82 |
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$ |
64 |
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$ |
44 |
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$ |
66 |
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$ |
72 |
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Nasdaq TI
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$ |
100 |
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$ |
62 |
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$ |
32 |
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$ |
15 |
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$ |
25 |
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$ |
26 |
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SECTION 16(a) OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, as amended, requires our
executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than
ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities, to
file certain reports of ownership and changes in ownership with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nasdaq Stock
Market, as required. These persons are required to furnish us
with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms received
by us, or written representations from certain reporting persons
that Forms 5 were not required for those persons we believe
that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, our
executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent
beneficial owners complied with all applicable
Section 16(a) filing requirements.
ANNUAL REPORT
Copies of our 2004 Annual Report are being mailed with this
Proxy Statement to each shareholder entitled to vote at the
annual meeting of shareholders. Shareholders not receiving a
copy of the Annual Report may obtain one by writing
Mr. Reid Cox, Vice President Corporate Development and
Investor Relations, Pac-West Telecomm, Inc.,
1776 W. March Lane, Suite 250, Stockton,
California 95207, or by contacting Mr. Cox by e-mail at
rcox@pacwest.com or by telephone at (209) 926-3417.
26
SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
FOR THE 2006 ANNUAL MEETING
Shareholder proposals for inclusion in the Proxy Statement to be
issued in connection with the 2006 annual meeting of
shareholders must be mailed to the Corporate Secretary, Pac-West
Telecomm, Inc., 1776 W. March Lane, Suite 250,
Stockton, California 95207, and must have been received by the
Corporate Secretary on or before December 30, 2005. For any
proposal that is not submitted for inclusion in the 2006 annual
meeting Proxy Statement, but is instead sought to be presented
directly at the 2006 annual meeting of shareholders, such
proposal must be received by the Corporate Secretary at our
principal executive offices at the address above not earlier
than February 8, 2006 nor later than February 28,
2006. We will consider only proposals meeting the requirements
of applicable federal securities laws and SEC rules promulgated
thereunder.
April 29, 2005
27
PAC-WEST TELECOMM, INC.
1776 W. March Lane, Suite 250
Stockton, California 95207
PROXY
Solicited by the Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby appoints H. Ravi Brar, Reid Cox, and each of them, proxies, with power of
substitution and revocation, acting together or, if only one is present and voting, then that
one, to vote the common stock of Pac-West Telecomm, Inc., which the undersigned is entitled to
vote at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on June 21, 2005 and at any adjournments
or postponements thereof, with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally
present, as designated herein and authorizes the proxies to vote in accordance with the
recommendations of the management of Pac-West Telecomm, Inc. upon such other business as may
properly come before the annual meeting of shareholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL IN ITEM 1 and FOR IN ITEM 2.
1. Elect the nominated directors.
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o FOR ALL NOMINEES BELOW |
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o WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FROM ALL NOMINEES BELOW |
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o Wallace W. Griffin
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o Wallace W. Griffin |
o Henry R. Carabelli
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o Henry R. Carabelli |
o David G. Chandler
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o David G. Chandler |
o Jerry L. Johnson
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o Jerry L. Johnson |
o John K. La Rue
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o John K. La Rue |
o Samuel A. Plum
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o Samuel A. Plum |
o Thomas A. Munro
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o Thomas A. Munro |
o Timothy A. Samples
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o Timothy A. Samples |
IF YOU WISH TO CUMULATE YOUR VOTE FOR THOSE NOMINEES YOU WISH TO SUPPORT, ATTACH A
SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER SPECIFYING HOW YOU WISH TO ALLOCATE YOUR VOTES BETWEEN THE
CANDIDATES YOU SUPPORT. THE NUMBER OF VOTES YOU ARE ENTITLED TO
ALLOCATE IS EIGHT TIMES THE
NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWNED AS OF THE RECORD DATE. THE INSPECTOR OF ELECTION SHALL RESOLVE
ALL ISSUES ARISING WITH RESPECT TO ALLOCATION INSTRUCTIONS THAT ARE NOT CLEAR.
2. |
Approve an amendment to our bylaws authorizing our board of directors (a) to
establish the size of the board and (b) to divide the board members into either two
or three classes if and when we are qualified as a listed company under California
law. |
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o
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o
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o |
FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
(Continued and to be signed and dated on the reverse side.)
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY
THE UNDERSIGNED. IF THIS PROXY IS PROPERLY EXECUTED AND TIMELY RETURNED AND NO DIRECTION
IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES LISTED IN ITEM 1, AND FOR ITEM 2.
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Please date and sign exactly as names appear on this Proxy. Joint owners should
each sign. Trustees, executors, etc. should indicate the capacity in which they
are signing. |
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Dated:
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, 2005 |
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Signature(s): |
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o Check here if you plan to attend the annual meeting.
o Check here for address change.
New Address:
2