National Beverage Corp.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.
)
Filed by the Registrant
x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
o
Check the appropriate box:
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o Preliminary
Proxy Statement |
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o 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
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NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP.
(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)(4) 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.:
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NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
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TIME:
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2:00 p.m. (local time) |
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DATE:
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September 30, 2005 |
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PLACE:
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Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport |
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9300 Airport Boulevard |
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Orlando, Florida 32827 |
At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of National Beverage Corp. (the Company) and any
adjournments or postponements thereof (the Meeting), the following proposals are on the agenda
for action by the shareholders:
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1. |
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To elect one director to serve as a Class III director for a term
of three years. |
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2. |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the
Meeting. |
Only holders of record of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company, at the close
of business on August 15, 2005 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting.
A complete list of the shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting will be available for
examination by any shareholder, for any proper purpose, at the Meeting and during ordinary
business hours for a period of ten days prior to the Meeting at the principal executive offices of
the Company at One North University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33324.
All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Meeting in person. Admittance to the
Meeting will be limited to shareholders. Shareholders who plan to attend are requested to so
indicate by marking the appropriate space on the enclosed proxy card. Shareholders whose shares
are held in street name (the name of a broker, trust, bank or other nominee) should bring with
them a legal proxy, a recent brokerage statement or letter from the street name holder confirming
their beneficial ownership of shares.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting, please complete and return the proxy in the
enclosed envelope addressed to the Company or vote electronically by using the Internet or by
telephone, since a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the Meeting must be
represented at the Meeting in order to transact business. Shareholders have the power to revoke
any such proxy at any time before it is voted at the Meeting and the giving of such proxy will not
affect your right to vote in person at the Meeting. Your vote is very important.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Nick A. Caporella |
August 29, 2005
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Chairman of the Board |
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
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and Chief Executive Officer |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is furnished to shareholders of National Beverage Corp., a Delaware
corporation (the Company) in connection with the solicitation, by order of the Board of Directors
of the Company (the Board of Directors), of proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of the Company to be held at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, 9300
Airport Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32827 on September 30, 2005, at 2:00 p.m., local time, or any
adjournment or postponement thereof (the Meeting). The accompanying proxy is being solicited on
behalf of the Board of Directors. The mailing address of the principal executive offices of the
Company is P.O. Box 16720, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33318. The approximate date on which this Proxy
Statement and the accompanying form of proxy were first sent to shareholders is August 31, 2005.
Only holders of record of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the Common
Stock) at the close of business on August 15, 2005 (the Record Date) are entitled to notice of,
and to vote at, the Meeting.
A shareholder who gives a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised by sending a
written notice to the Corporate Secretary, at the address set forth above, by returning a later
dated signed proxy, or by attending the Meeting and voting in person. Unless the proxy is revoked,
the shares represented thereby will be voted as specified at the Meeting or any adjournment or
postponement thereof.
The Annual Report of the Company for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005 (the Annual
Report) is being mailed with this Proxy Statement to all holders of record of Common Stock.
Additional copies of the Annual Report will be furnished to any shareholder upon request.
Any proposal of a shareholder intended to be presented at the Companys 2006 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders must be received by the Company for inclusion in the Proxy Statement and form of proxy
for that meeting no later than May 3, 2006. Additionally, the Company must receive notice of any
shareholder proposal to be submitted at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (but not required
to be included in the Proxy Statement) by July 16, 2006, or such proposal will be considered
untimely pursuant to Rule 14a-4 and 14a-5(e) under the Exchange Act and the persons named in the
proxies solicited by management may exercise discretionary voting authority with respect to such
proposal.
1
SECURITY OWNERSHIP
Principal Shareholders
Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record at the close
of business on the Record Date. As of such date, 37,017,876 shares of Common Stock were
outstanding. As of the Record Date, the only persons known by the Company to own of record or
beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock were the following:
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Name and Address |
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Amount and Nature of |
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of Beneficial Owner |
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Beneficial Ownership |
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Percent of Class |
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Nick A. Caporella |
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One North University Drive |
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Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33324 |
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28,534,608(1) |
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77.1% |
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IBS Partners Ltd. |
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5373 West Alabama Street, Suite 510 |
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Houston, Texas 77079 |
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27,751,872 |
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75.0% |
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(1) |
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Includes 27,751,872 shares owned by IBS Partners Ltd. (IBS).
IBS is a Texas limited partnership whose sole general partner is
IBS Management Partners, Inc., a Texas corporation. IBS
Management Partners, Inc. is owned by Mr. Nick A. Caporella. By
virtue of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), Mr. Caporella would be
deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock owned by
IBS. Also includes 20,000 shares held by the wife of Mr.
Caporella as to which Mr. Caporella disclaims beneficial
ownership. |
Management
The table below reflects as of the Record Date, the number of shares of Common Stock
beneficially owned by the directors and each of the executive officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table hereinafter set forth, and the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially
owned by all directors and executive officers as a group:
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Amount and Nature of |
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Name of Beneficial Owner |
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Beneficial Ownership |
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Percent of Class |
Nick A. Caporella |
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28,534,608 |
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(1) |
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77.1% |
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Joseph G. Caporella |
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274,920 |
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(2) |
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* |
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Samuel C. Hathorn, Jr. |
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83,120 |
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(3) |
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* |
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S. Lee Kling |
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216,400 |
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(4) |
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* |
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Joseph P. Klock, Jr. |
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69,400 |
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(5) |
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* |
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Edward F. Knecht |
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67,020 |
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(6) |
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* |
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George R. Bracken |
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91,262 |
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(7) |
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* |
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Dean A. McCoy |
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45,970 |
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(8) |
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* |
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All executive officers
and directors as a group
(8 in number) |
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29,382,700 |
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(9) |
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79.4% |
2
(1) |
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Includes 27,751,872 shares held by IBS. The sole general partner of IBS is
IBS Management Partners, Inc., a Texas corporation. IBS Management Partners,
Inc. is owned by Mr. Nick A. Caporella. Also includes 20,000 shares held by
the wife of Mr. Caporella, as to which Mr. Caporella disclaims beneficial
ownership. |
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Includes 96,920 shares issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable
options. Also includes 160,000 shares to be received pursuant to the exercise
of options, the delivery of which was deferred. |
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Includes 10,800 shares issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable options
and 320 shares held by Mr. Hathorn as custodian for his children. Also
includes 16,000 shares to be received pursuant to the exercise of options, the
delivery of which was deferred. |
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Includes 24,400 shares issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable options. |
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Includes 12,400 shares issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable options. |
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Includes 34,220 shares issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable options. |
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Includes 32,162 shares issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable
options. Also includes 40,000 shares to be received pursuant to the exercise
of options, the delivery of which was deferred. |
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(8) |
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Includes 15,720 shares issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable
options. Also includes 28,000 shares to be received pursuant to the exercise
of options, the delivery of which was deferred. |
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(9) |
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Includes 226,622 shares issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable
options and 244,000 shares to be received pursuant to the exercise of options,
the delivery of which was deferred. |
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Companys executive officers, directors and
persons who own more than ten percent (10%) of a registered class of the Companys equity
securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the Commission). Executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent (10%)
beneficial owners are required by regulation of the Commission to furnish the Company with copies
of all Section 16(a) forms so filed.
Based solely upon a review of the Forms 3, 4 and 5 and amendments thereto and certain
representations furnished to the Company, the Company believes that, during the fiscal year ended
April 30, 2005, its executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent (10%) beneficial
owners complied with all applicable filing requirements.
QUORUM AND VOTING PROCEDURE
The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock entitled to vote at the Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum. Votes cast by
proxy or in person at the Meeting will be tabulated by the inspectors of elections appointed for
the Meeting and will be counted in determining whether or not a quorum is present. A proxy
submitted by a shareholder may indicate that all or a portion of the shares represented by such
proxy are not being voted by such shareholder with respect to a particular matter (non-voted
shares). This could occur, for example, when a broker is not permitted to vote shares held in
street name on certain matters in the absence of instructions from the beneficial owner of the
shares. Non-voted shares with respect to a particular matter will not be considered shares present
and entitled to vote on such matter, although such shares may be considered present and entitled to
vote for other purposes and will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
Shares voting to abstain as to a particular matter and directions to withhold authority to vote
for directors will not be considered non-voted shares and will be considered present and entitled
to vote with respect to such matter. Non-voted shares and abstentions will have no effect on the
matters brought to a vote at the Meeting. As a result of Mr. Caporellas beneficial ownership of
approximately 77.1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, the proposal will be
approved by vote of shareholders at the meeting.
3
MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED AT ANNUAL MEETING
PROPOSAL ONE ELECTION OF DIRECTOR
The Board of Directors is currently comprised of five directors elected in three classes (the
Classes), with two Class I directors, two Class II directors and one Class III director.
Directors in each class hold office for three-year terms. The terms of the Classes are staggered
so that the term of one Class terminates each year. The term of the current Class III director
expires at the 2005 Annual Meeting and when his successor has been duly elected and qualified.
The Board of Directors has nominated Nick A. Caporella for election as director in Class III
with a term of office of three years expiring at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in
2008. In order to be elected as a director, a nominee must receive a plurality of affirmative
votes cast by the shares present or represented at a duly convened meeting. Shareholders have no
right to vote cumulatively.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE NOMINEE FOR THE CLASS III
DIRECTOR.
INFORMATION AS TO NOMINEE AND OTHER DIRECTORS
The following information concerning principal occupation or employment during the past five
years and age has been furnished to the Company by the nominee for the Class III director, and by
the directors in Classes I and II whose terms expire at the Companys Annual Meeting of
Shareholders in 2006 and 2007, respectively, and when their respective successors have been duly
elected and qualified.
NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR
CLASS III
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Principal Occupation |
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Director |
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Term |
Name |
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Age |
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or Employment |
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Since |
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Expires |
Nick A. Caporella |
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69 |
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Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of National Beverage Corp. |
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1985 |
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2005 |
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERM OF OFFICE WILL CONTINUE AFTER THE ANNUAL MEETING
CLASS I
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Principal Occupation |
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Director |
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Term |
Name |
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Age |
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or Employment |
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Since |
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Expires |
Joseph G. Caporella |
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45 |
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President of National Beverage Corp. |
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1987 |
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2006 |
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Samuel C. Hathorn, Jr. |
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62 |
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President of Trendmaker Homes, a
subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser Company. |
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1997 |
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2006 |
4
CLASS II
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Principal Occupation |
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Director |
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Term |
Name |
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Age |
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or Employment |
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Since |
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Expires |
S. Lee Kling |
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76 |
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Chairman of the Board of The Kling
Company, a merchant banking company. |
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1993 |
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2007 |
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Joseph P. Klock, Jr |
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56 |
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Senior Partner of Steel, Hector
& Davis, a law firm located in Miami, FL. |
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1987 |
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2007 |
Additional information regarding the nominee for election as director and the continuing directors
of the Company is as follows:
NOMINEE
Nick A. Caporella has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company since the Company was founded in 1985. He also served as President until September 2002.
Mr. Caporella served as President and Chief Executive Officer (since 1976) and Chairman of the
Board (since 1979) of Burnup & Sims Inc. (Burnup) until March 11, 1994. Since January 1, 1992,
Mr. Caporellas services are provided to the Company through Corporate Management Advisors, Inc.
(the Management Company), a company which he owns. See Certain Relationships and Related Party
Transactions.
CONTINUING DIRECTORS
Joseph G. Caporella has served as President of the Company since September 2002 and,
prior to that date, served as Executive Vice President since January 1991. He is the son of Mr.
Nick A. Caporella.
Samuel C. Hathorn, Jr. has served as President of Trendmaker Homes since 1981. Trendmaker
Homes is a subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser Company, a real estate development company headquartered in
Houston, Texas. Mr. Hathorn also serves as a Trust Manager for Hartman Commercial Property REIT.
S. Lee Kling has served as Chairman of the Board of The Kling Company, a merchant banking
company, since 2002 and prior thereto was Chairman of Kling Rechter & Company, a merchant banking
company since 1991. Mr. Kling served as Chairman of the Board of Landmark Bancshares Corp., a bank
holding company located in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1974 through December 1991, when the Company
merged with Magna Group, Inc. He served additionally as that companys Chief Executive Officer
from 1974 through October 1990. Mr. Kling also serves on the Board of Directors of Bernard Chaus,
Inc., Electro Rent Corp., Falcon Products, Inc., Kupper Parker Communications, Inc. and Engineer
Support System, Inc.
Joseph P. Klock, Jr. is a Senior Partner of Steel, Hector & Davis, a law firm located in
Miami, Florida, and has been a partner of the firm since 1977. He previously served as Chairman and
Managing Partner of that firm. While Steel, Hector & Davis did not provide legal services to the
Company in fiscal year 2005, it may provide services to the Company in future periods.
5
INFORMATION REGARDING MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The Board of Directors held four meetings during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005
(Fiscal 2005). The Board of Directors has standing Audit, Compensation and Stock Option,
Nominating and Strategic Planning Committees.
The members of the Companys Audit Committee are Messrs. Hathorn (Chairman), Kling and Klock.
During Fiscal 2005, the Audit Committee held four meetings. The principal functions of the Audit
Committee are to appoint the independent auditors of the Company and review with the independent
auditors and the Companys internal audit department, the scope and results of audits, the internal
accounting controls of the Company, audit practices and the professional services furnished by the
independent auditors. The Companys Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Kling and Mr.
Hathorn satisfy the requirements for an audit committee financial expert under the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board of Directors has concluded that
all three members of the Audit Committee are independent as defined in the listing standards for
the American Stock Exchange (AMEX). None of such persons has a material business relationship
with the Company (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or member of an organization that
has a relationship with the Company).
The members of the Companys Compensation and Stock Option Committee are Messrs. Klock
(Chairman), Kling, Hathorn and Joseph G. Caporella. During Fiscal 2005, the Compensation and Stock
Option Committee held three meetings. The principal functions of the Compensation and Stock Option
Committee are to review and approve all salary arrangements, including annual incentive awards, for
officers and employees of the Company and to administer the Companys employee benefit plans.
The members of the Companys Nominating Committee are Messrs. Nick A. Caporella (Chairman) and
S. Lee Kling. During Fiscal 2005, the Nominating Committee held two meetings. The Nominating
Committee recommends to the Board of Directors candidates for election to the Board of Directors.
The Nominating Committee considers possible candidates from any sources, including shareholders,
for nominees for Directors. In evaluating the qualifications of nominees for the Companys Board of
Directors, the Nominating Committee considers a variety of factors, such as education, work
experience, knowledge of the Companys industry, membership on the Board of Directors of other
corporations and civic involvement. The Nominating Committee will consider any nomination made by
any shareholder of the Company in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Companys
Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Under the Companys Restated Certificate of Incorporation,
any nomination shall generally (i) be made no earlier than sixty and no more than ninety days
before the scheduled meeting by notice to the Secretary of the Company, (ii) include certain
information relevant to the shareholder and their nominee and (iii) only be made at a meeting
called for the purpose of electing directors of the Company. Recommendations, which shall include
written materials with respect to the potential candidate, should be sent to Corporate Secretary,
National Beverage Corp., P.O. Box 16720, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33318. All shareholder nominees
for director will be considered by the Nominating Committee in the same manner as any other
nominee. All recommendations should be accompanied by a complete statement of such persons
qualifications (including education, work experience, knowledge of the Companys industry,
membership on the Board of Directors of another corporation, and civic activity) and an indication
of the persons willingness to serve. The Nominating Committee does not have a charter.
The members of the Companys Strategic Planning Committee are Messrs. Kling (Chairman),
Hathorn, Nick A. Caporella and Cecil D. Conlee. Mr. Conlee is Chairman of CGR Advisors and was a
former member of the Burnup board from 1973 through March 1994. During Fiscal 2005, the Strategic
Planning Committee held one meeting. The principal function of the Strategic Planning Committee is
to provide the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company with additional advice and
consultation on the long-term strategies of the Company.
Each director attended all of the meetings of the Board and Committees on which he serves.
6
Nick Caporella currently beneficially owns 77.1% of the Companys outstanding Common Stock. As
a result, the Company is a controlled company within the meaning of the AMEX listing standards
and is not currently required to have independent directors comprise a majority of its Board of
Directors or to have independent directors comprise its Compensation and Stock Option Committee or
its Nominating Committee. Notwithstanding, a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company are
independent. Messrs Hathorn, Kling and Klock qualify as independent directors within the meaning
of the AMEX listing standards.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Officers of the Company who are also directors do not receive any fee or remuneration for
services as members of the Board of Directors or of any Committee of the Board of Directors. In
Fiscal 2005, non-management directors received a retainer fee of $20,000 per annum, a fee of $1,000
for each board meeting attended and a fee of $750 ($1,000 in the case of a committee chairman) for
each committee meeting attended. Each non-management member of the Strategic Planning Committee
received a fee of $1,250 for each meeting attended.
7
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation over the past three fiscal years
for the Chief Executive Officer and Named Executive Officers of the Company.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
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Long Term Compensation Awards |
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Annual Compensation |
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Securities Underlying Options |
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Year |
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Salary |
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Bonus |
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Nick A. Caporella (1) |
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2005 |
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Chairman of the Board |
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2004 |
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and Chief Executive Officer |
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2003 |
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Joseph G. Caporella (2) |
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2005 |
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$ |
325,000 |
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$ |
279,851 |
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2,000 |
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President |
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2004 |
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$ |
310,000 |
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$ |
172,366 |
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2,500 |
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2003 |
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$ |
275,750 |
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$ |
157,337 |
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Edward F. Knecht (3) |
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2005 |
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$ |
152,300 |
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$ |
70,271 |
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Executive
Vice President - |
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2004 |
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$ |
152,300 |
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$ |
144,827 |
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Procurement |
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George R. Bracken (1)(4) |
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2005 |
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Senior Vice President - |
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2004 |
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Finance |
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2003 |
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Dean A. McCoy (5) |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
135,000 |
|
|
$ |
33,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Vice President and |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
120,000 |
|
|
$ |
30,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Accounting Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
113,600 |
|
|
$ |
29,500 |
|
|
|
626 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The services of Messrs. Nick Caporella and Bracken are provided to the Company through the
Management Company, an entity owned by Mr. Caporella. See Certain Relationships and Related
Party Transactions. |
|
(2) |
|
Amount includes $100,000 awarded by the Compensation and Stock Option Committee for certain
special projects, including favorable resolution of a customer contract. |
|
(3) |
|
Mr. Knecht, who is 71 years old, was elected Executive Vice President Procurement in
October 2003. Since May 1989, Mr. Knecht has served in various capacities for Shasta Sweetener
Corp., a subsidiary of the Company, including President from May 1998 to present. |
|
(4) |
|
Mr. Bracken, who is 60 years old, has served as Senior Vice President Finance of the Company
since October 2000 and, prior to that date, served as Vice President and Treasurer since
October 1996. |
|
(5) |
|
Mr. McCoy, who is 48 years old, has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting
Officer since October 2003, Senior Vice President Controller of the Company from October
2000 to September 2003 and, prior to that date, served as Vice President Controller since
July 1993. |
8
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following options were granted to the Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year
ended April 30, 2005.
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|
Potential Realizable Value at |
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|
Assumed Annual Rates of |
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|
Stock Price Appreciation for |
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|
|
Individual Grants |
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|
Option Term |
|
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|
No. of Securities |
|
|
% of Total Options Granted |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Expiration |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Underlying Options |
|
|
to Employees in Fiscal Year |
|
|
Price |
|
|
Date |
|
|
0% |
|
|
5% |
|
|
10% |
|
|
Joseph G. Caporella |
|
|
800 |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
|
07/21/14 |
|
|
$ |
6,552 |
|
|
$ |
10,680 |
|
|
$ |
17,008 |
|
|
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
|
07/21/14 |
|
|
|
1,634 |
|
|
|
2,662 |
|
|
|
4,242 |
|
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
|
12/31/14 |
|
|
|
4,180 |
|
|
|
6,810 |
|
|
|
10,850 |
|
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
|
03/23/15 |
|
|
|
3,945 |
|
|
|
6,430 |
|
|
|
10,240 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward F. Knecht |
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
|
05/11/14 |
|
|
|
1,798 |
|
|
|
2,930 |
|
|
|
4,660 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Granted under Companys Key Employee Equity Partnership (KEEP) Program based on purchase of 4,000 shares of Common Stock by Mr.
Caporella and 400 shares of Common Stock by Mr. Knecht, representing 13.6% and 1.4%, respectively, of all options granted to
employees in Fiscal 2005. Assumes exercise price equal to par value of Common Stock after six year vesting period as provided under
the Companys KEEP Program. |
FISCAL 2005 YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
None of the named executive officers exercised stock options during Fiscal 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No. of Securities Underlying |
|
|
Value of Unexercised |
|
|
|
Unexercised Options |
|
|
in-the-Money Options (1) |
|
Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
|
Unexercisable |
|
|
Exercisable |
|
|
Unexercisable |
|
Joseph G. Caporella |
|
|
91,440 |
|
|
|
25,560 |
|
|
$ |
456,527 |
|
|
$ |
181,220 |
|
|
Edward F. Knecht |
|
|
32,360 |
|
|
|
9,340 |
|
|
|
155,587 |
|
|
|
66,221 |
|
|
George R. Bracken |
|
|
30,524 |
|
|
|
5,226 |
|
|
|
154,889 |
|
|
|
37,052 |
|
|
Dean A. McCoy |
|
|
14,370 |
|
|
|
6,755 |
|
|
|
65,962 |
|
|
|
47,893 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Amount reflects potential gains on outstanding options based on the closing price of the Common Stock on April 30, 2005. |
The Company does not maintain any reportable long-term incentive plans.
9
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table sets forth information about the Companys shares of Common Stock that may
be issued upon exercise of options and other stock based awards under all of the Companys equity
compensation plans as of April 30, 2005, including the 1991 Omnibus Incentive Stock Option Plan,
the 1995 Special Stock Option Plan and the 1997 Key Employee Equity Partnership Program.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
remaining available for |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
future issuance under |
|
|
|
Number of securities to be |
|
|
Weighted average |
|
|
equity compensation |
|
|
|
issued upon exercise of |
|
|
exercise price of |
|
|
plans (excluding |
|
|
|
outstanding options, |
|
|
outstanding options, |
|
|
securities reflected |
|
Plan Category |
|
warrants, and rights |
|
|
warrants and rights |
|
|
in column (a)) |
|
|
|
(a) |
|
|
(b) |
|
|
(c) |
|
Equity compensation plans approved
by stockholders |
|
|
842,100 |
|
|
|
$2.99 |
|
|
|
2,787,460 |
|
Equity compensation plans not
approved by stockholders(1) |
|
|
133,558 |
|
|
|
1.68 |
|
|
|
172,442 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
975,658 |
|
|
|
$2.81 |
|
|
|
2,959,902 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Reflects shares available for grant under the Companys Key Employee Equity Partnership
Program. See Compensation Committee Report for a description of the plan. Also
includes 14,000 options issued to certain directors in 1995. |
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Mr. Joseph G. Caporella is both a member of the Compensation Committee and an officer of the
Company.
10
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors has furnished the
following report:
Mr. Nick A. Caporella was not compensated by the Company or its subsidiaries during the past
fiscal year. The Management Company provides management services to the Company and its
subsidiaries through a group of employees, including Nick A. Caporella and George R. Bracken, and
receives a management fee from the Company pursuant to the terms of a management agreement adopted
in fiscal year 1992 prior to the Company having publicly traded shares. (See Certain
Relationships and Related Party Transactions.) The Management Company receives an annual base fee
from the Company equal to 1% of the consolidated net sales of the Company, plus incentive
compensation based upon certain factors to be determined by the Compensation and Stock Option
Committee of the Board of Directors. The Company has paid approximately $5.0 million for services
rendered by the Management Company for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005. No incentive
compensation has been incurred or approved under the management agreement since its inception in
fiscal 1992. In addition, no options or other stock-based awards have been granted to Mr.
Caporella since the Companys formation in 1985. The Compensation and Stock Option Committee has
determined the need for a plan to provide the Management Company with incentive compensation to
reward its performance.
The Companys compensation structure has been designed to enable the Company to attract,
motivate and retain top quality executives by providing a fully competitive and comprehensive
package which reflects individual performance as well as annual incentive awards. The awards are
payable in cash and are based on the achievement of performance goals established by the Committee,
in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer. Consideration is also given to comparable
compensation data for persons holding similarly responsible positions at other companies in
determining appropriate compensation levels. In addition, long-term, stock-based awards are
granted to strengthen the mutuality of interest between the executive and the Companys
shareholders and to motivate and reward the achievement of important long-term performance
objectives of the Company.
Stock-based awards made under the Companys 1991 Omnibus Incentive Plan typically consist of
options to purchase Common Stock which vest over five years and have a term of ten years. Certain
key executives of the Company also receive grants from time to time under the Companys Special
Stock Option Plan. The vesting schedule and exercise price of these options are tied to the
executives ownership levels of Common Stock and achievement of Company objectives. The Company
issues stock awards with long-term vesting schedules to increase the level of the executives stock
ownership by continued employment with the Company.
In addition, long-term incentive compensation is awarded under the National Beverage Corp. Key
Employee Equity Partnership Program (the KEEP Program). The KEEP Program is designed to
positively align the interests between the Companys executives and its shareholders beyond
traditional option programs while, at the same time, intending to stimulate and reward management
in partnering-up with the Company in its quest to create shareholder value. The KEEP Program
provides for the granting of stock options to key employees, officers and directors of the Company
who invest their personal funds in the Common Stock. Participants who purchase shares of the
Common Stock in the open market receive grants of stock options equal to 50% of the number of
shares purchased up to a maximum of 6,000 shares in any two-year period. Options under the KEEP
Program are automatically forfeited in case of the sale of shares originally acquired by the
participant. The options are granted at an initial exercise price of 60% of the purchase price
paid for the shares acquired and reduce to the par value of the Common Stock at the end of the
six-year vesting period.
The Companys long-term incentive programs are generally intended to provide rewards to
executives only if value is created for shareholders over time and the executive continues in the
employ of the Company. The Committee believes that employees should have sufficient holdings of
the Companys Common Stock so that their decisions will appropriately foster growth in the value of
the Company. The Committee reviews with the Chief Executive Officer the recommended individual
awards for those executives, other than the Chief Executive Officer, and evaluates the scope of
responsibility, strategic and operational goals of individual contributions in making final awards
under the 1991 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the Special Stock Option Plan and determining participants
in the KEEP Program.
11
Compensation and Stock Option Committee:
Mr. Joseph
P. Klock, Jr. - Chairman
Mr. S. Lee Kling
Mr. Samuel C. Hathorn, Jr.
Mr. Joseph G. Caporella
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has furnished the following report:
The Audit Committee oversees the Companys financial reporting process on behalf of the Board
of Directors. The Companys management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements
and reporting process, including the Companys systems of internal controls. In fulfilling its
oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management the audited
financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30,
2005. This review included a discussion of the quality and the acceptability of the accounting
principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the
financial statements.
The Audit Committee discussed with the Companys independent accountants, who are responsible
for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the Companys audited financial statements with
generally accepted accounting principles, all matters required to be discussed by Statement on
Auditing Standards No. 61. In addition, the Committee discussed with the independent accountants
their independence from management and the Company, including the matters in their written
disclosures required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1.
The Audit Committee discussed with the Companys Director of Internal Audit and independent
accountants the overall plans for their respective audits, the results of their examinations, their
evaluations of the Companys internal controls and the overall quality of the Companys financial
reporting.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended
to the Board of Directors (and the Board has approved) that the audited financial statements be
included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005 for
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Audit Committee:
Mr. Samuel
C. Hathorn, Jr. - Chairman
Mr. S. Lee Kling
Mr. Joseph P. Klock, Jr.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FEES
The Company retained PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to audit its consolidated financial
statements for Fiscal 2005. Aggregate audit fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for
professional services rendered for the Fiscal 2005 and Fiscal 2004 audits and the reviews of
interim financial statements included in the Companys Form 10-Q were approximately $193,500 and
$180,100, respectively.
12
During Fiscal 2005 and 2004, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP did not bill the Company any other
fees. The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permitted non-audit fees before such service
is rendered.
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Companys financial statements for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2005, May 1, 2004
and May 3, 2003 have been examined by PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP, independent registered certified public
accountants. Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are expected to be present at the
Meeting to make a statement if they so desire and they are expected to be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
Subsequent to the Meeting, the Companys Board of Directors intends to review the appointment
of independent certified public accountants for fiscal 2006.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the Companys Common
Stock for the period from April 29, 2000 through April 30, 2005 with the cumulative total return
of the S & P 500 Stock Index and a Company constructed index of peer companies. Included in the
Company constructed peer group index are Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Consolidated, Cott Corporation and Pepsi Americas, Inc. The graph assumes that the value of the
investment in Common Stock was $100.00 on April 29, 2000 and that all dividends, if any, were
reinvested.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
National
Beverage Corp. |
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
116.59 |
|
|
$ |
173.08 |
|
|
$ |
170.67 |
|
|
$ |
242.31 |
|
|
$ |
189.47 |
|
S&P 500 Index |
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
88.31 |
|
|
$ |
75.89 |
|
|
$ |
65.58 |
|
|
$ |
79.43 |
|
|
$ |
84.45 |
|
Peer Group |
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
96.05 |
|
|
$ |
106.95 |
|
|
$ |
102.60 |
|
|
$ |
148.39 |
|
|
$ |
124.69 |
|
13
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company is a party to a management agreement with Corporate Management Advisors, Inc., a
company owned by Nick A. Caporella. The management agreement originated with the need to employ
professionals at the early stages of the Companys development, the cost of which could be shared
with others, thus allowing the Company to have a more cost-effective structure.
The management agreement states that the Management Company is to provide to the Company,
subject to the direction and supervision of the Board of Directors of the Company, (i) senior
corporate functions (including supervision of the Companys financial, legal, executive
recruitment, internal audit and management information systems departments) as well as the services
of a Chief Executive Officer, and (ii) services in connection with acquisitions, dispositions and
financings by the Company, including identifying and profiling acquisition candidates, negotiating
and structuring potential transactions and arranging financing for any such transaction. In July
2005, in connection with providing services under the management agreement, the Management Company
became a twenty percent joint owner of an aircraft used by the Company. The Management
Company receives an annual base fee from the Company equal to one percent of the consolidated net
sales of the Company, plus incentive compensation based upon certain factors to be determined by
the Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors. The Company has paid
approximately $5.0 million, $5.1 million and $5.0 million for services rendered by the Management
Company for fiscal year 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. No incentive compensation has been
incurred or approved under the management agreement since its inception in fiscal year 1992.
PROXY SOLICITATION
The accompanying proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company.
Proxies may be solicited by personal interview, mail, telephone or facsimile. The Company will
also request banks, brokers and other custodian nominees and fiduciaries to supply proxy material
to the beneficial owners of the Companys Common Stock of whom they have knowledge, and the Company
will reimburse them for their expense in so doing. Certain directors, officers and other employees
of the Company may solicit proxies without additional remuneration. The entire cost of the
solicitation will be borne by the Company.
CONTACTING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Shareholders who wish to communicate with the Board of Directors may do so by writing to Board
of Directors, National Beverage Corp., P.O. Box 16720, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33318. Such
communications will be reviewed by the Secretary of the Company, who shall remove communications
relating to solicitations, junk mail, or other correspondence relating to customer service issues.
All other communications shall be forwarded to the Board of Directors or specific members of the
Board, as appropriate or as requested in the shareholder communication. The Company encourages,
but does not require, that all members of the Board of Directors attend annual meetings of the
Company and all members attended last years annual meeting.
DISCRETIONARY VOTING OF PROXIES ON OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors does not now intend to bring before the Meeting any matters other than
those disclosed in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and it does not know of any
business which persons other than the Board of Directors intend to present at the Meeting. Should
any other matter requiring a vote of the shareholders arise, the proxies in the enclosed form
confer upon the person or persons entitled to vote the shares represented by any such proxy
discretionary authority to vote the same in respect of any such other matter in accordance with
their best judgment.
14
Please date, sign and return the proxy at your earliest convenience in the enclosed envelope
addressed to the Company (no postage is required for mailing in the
United States) or vote electronically using the
Internet. A prompt return of your proxy or electronic vote will be appreciated as it will save
the expense of further mailings.
|
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|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nick A. Caporella |
|
|
Chairman of the Board |
|
|
and Chief Executive Officer |
August 29, 2005
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
15
NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP.
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS SEPTEMBER 30, 2005
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints David J. Boden and Dean A. McCoy, and each of
them, with full power of substitution, attorneys and proxies to represent and to vote all of the
shares of Common Stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote, with all powers the
undersigned would possess if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of
NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP. to be held at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, 9300 Airport
Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32827 on September 30, 2005 at 2:00 pm local time and at any
adjournments or postponements thereof, on all matters coming before said meeting in the manner set
forth below:
(Continued to be signed on reverse side)
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Address Change/Comments (Mark the corresponding box on the reverse side) |
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Please o |
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Mark Here |
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For Address |
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Change or |
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Comments |
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SEE REVERSE SIDE |
(MARK ONLY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING BOXES)
|
1. |
|
Election of one Class III Director for a term of three
years: 01 Nick A. Caporella. |
|
2. |
|
In their discretion, upon any other matters which may properly come
before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. |
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|
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed
herein by the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, this
proxy will be voted FOR the election as Class III Director of the nominee
of the Board of Directors and with discretionary authority on all matters
which may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or
postponements thereof. |
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|
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the accompanying Proxy
Statement dated August 29, 2005. |
Please mark here if you plan to attend the meeting o
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Signature |
|
(When signing as attorney, trustee, executor, administrator, guardian,
corporate officer or other representative, please give full title. If
more than one trustee, all should sign. Joint owners must each sign.) |
Vote By Internet or Telephone or Mail
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
Internet and telephone is available through 11:59 PM Eastern Time
the day prior to annual meeting day.
Your Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner
as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.
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Internet
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Telephone
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Mail |
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http://www.eproxy.com/fiz
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OR
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1-800-435-6710
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OR |
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Use the Internet to vote your proxy.
Have your proxy card in hand when you
access the web site.
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Use any touch-tone telephone to
vote your proxy. Have your proxy
card in hand when you call.
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Mark, sign and date
your proxy card
and
return it in the
enclosed postage-paid envelope. |
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If you vote your proxy by Internet or by telephone,
you do NOT need to mail back your proxy card.