def14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
The Hallwood Group Incorporated
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11. |
1) Title of each class of securities to which
transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
determined):
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total fee paid:
o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
o Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the
previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement
No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE
HALLWOOD GROUP INCORPORATED
NOTICE OF
ANNUAL MEETING
Dear Hallwood Group Stockholder:
On behalf of the board of directors, you are cordially invited
to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of The Hallwood
Group Incorporated (the Company). The annual meeting
will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at 1:30 p.m.
central time, at the offices of the Company, located at 3710
Rawlins, Suite 1500, Dallas, Texas 75219.
At the annual meeting we will:
1. Elect one director to hold office for three
years; and
2. Transact any other business properly presented at the
meeting.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on Monday,
March 28, 2011, are entitled to notice of and to vote at
the annual meeting.
By order of the Board of Directors
RICHARD KELLEY
Secretary
April 20, 2011
Important notice regarding the availability of proxy
materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on
May 10, 2011: The Hallwood Group Incorporateds Notice
of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, Annual Report and other
proxy materials are available at the Companys website at
www.hallwood.com. Any stockholder may request a printed
copy of these materials by contacting Mr. Richard Kelley,
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary at
800.225.0135 or investor-services@hallwood.com.
Only stockholders and their properly authorized
representatives will be able to attend the 2011 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders. If you plan to attend the meeting, please
contact Mr. Richard Kelley, Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Secretary at 800.225.0135 no later than Thursday,
May 5, 2011, and notify him that you or your authorized
representative plan to attend the meeting, providing the name of
the person(s) planning to attend on your behalf.
Your board of directors urges you to vote upon the matters
presented. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please
complete, sign, date and promptly return the enclosed proxy in
the envelope provided. It is important for you to be represented
at the meeting. Executing your proxy will not affect your right
to vote in person if you are present at the annual meeting.
THE
HALLWOOD GROUP INCORPORATED
3710 Rawlins, Suite 1500
Dallas, Texas 75219
PROXY
STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2011
This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy are first being
mailed on or about April 20, 2011. The accompanying proxy
is solicited by the board of directors of the Company.
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
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1.
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Q:
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Who is entitled to vote?
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A:
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Stockholders of record at the close of business on Monday, March
28, 2011, the record date, are entitled to vote at
the annual meeting.
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2.
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Q:
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What may I vote on?
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A:
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You may vote on:
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(1) the election of one nominee to serve on the board of
directors for three years; and
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(2) any other business properly presented at the meeting.
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3.
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Q:
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How do I vote?
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A:
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Sign, date and return each proxy card you receive in the prepaid
envelope. If you return your signed proxy card but do not mark
the boxes showing how you wish to vote, your shares will be
voted FOR the election of the nominee for director and in
the proxies discretion with respect to any other matter
properly presented at the meeting. Abstentions, broker non-votes
and proxies directing that the shares are not to be voted will
not be counted as a vote in favor of the nominee.
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4.
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Q:
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How can I revoke my proxy?
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A:
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You have the right to revoke your proxy at any time by:
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(1) notifying our corporate secretary in writing before the
meeting;
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(2) voting in person; or
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(3) returning a later-dated proxy card before the meeting.
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Attending the meeting is not sufficient to revoke your proxy
unless you also take one of the actions above.
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5.
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Q:
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How does the board of directors recommend I vote on the
proposal to elect the nominee for director?
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A:
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Your board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the
nominee for director.
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6.
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Q:
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How many shares can vote at the annual meeting?
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A:
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As of the record date, there were 1,525,166 shares of
common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the annual
meeting. You are entitled to one vote for each share of common
stock you hold.
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7.
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Q:
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What is a quorum?
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A:
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A quorum is a majority of the outstanding shares. A
quorum may be present at the meeting or represented by proxy.
There must be a quorum for the meeting to be valid. If you
submit a properly executed proxy card, even if you abstain from
voting, you will be considered part of the quorum. In addition,
broker non-votes will be counted toward determining the presence
of a quorum.
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8.
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Q:
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What vote is required to elect the directors?
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A:
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A plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or
represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the
election of directors is necessary to elect the nominee for
director. Abstentions and shares held by brokers that have been
designated as not voted will be counted for purposes of
determining a quorum, but will not be counted as votes cast in
favor of the election of the director. Mr. Gumbiner, the
chairman of the board of directors, beneficially owns
approximately 65.7% of the outstanding shares and, therefore,
will determine the outcome of the election. He has indicated
that he intends to vote his shares in favor of the nominee.
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9.
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Q:
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Who may attend the annual meeting?
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A:
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Only stockholders and their properly authorized representatives
may attend the meeting. To be able to attend the meeting,
stockholders must contact Mr. Richard Kelley at 800.225.0135 no
later than Thursday, May 5, 2011, and notify him that you or
your authorized representatives plan to attend the meeting,
providing the name of the person(s) planning to attend on your
behalf.
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2
SOLICITATION
OF PROXIES
The cost of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing this
proxy statement and the enclosed proxy form and the cost of
soliciting proxies related to the annual meeting will be borne
by the Company. The Company will request banks and brokers to
solicit their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of
common stock listed of record in names of nominees, and will
reimburse those banks and brokers for the reasonable
out-of-pocket
expenses of the solicitation. The original solicitation of
proxies by mail may be supplemented by telephone, telegram and
personal solicitation by officers and other regular employees of
the Company and its subsidiaries, but no additional compensation
will be paid to those individuals on account of their
activities. In addition, the Company has retained
Morrow & Co., LLC to assist in the solicitation of
proxies, for which it will be paid a fee of $2,500 plus
reimbursement of reasonable
out-of-pocket
expenses. We estimate that Morrow & Co., LLCs
total fees and expenses will be approximately $6,000.
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
The Companys board of directors is divided into three
classes serving staggered three year terms.
The individuals named on the enclosed proxy card intend to vote
for the election of the nominee listed below, unless you direct
them to withhold your vote. The nominee has indicated that he is
able and willing to serve as a director. However, if for some
reason the nominee is unable to stand for election or becomes
unwilling to serve for good cause, the individuals named as
proxies may vote for a substitute nominee(s). The nominee for
director must be elected by a plurality of the votes of the
shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting
and entitled to vote on the election of directors.
Below are the names and ages of the nominee and of the directors
whose terms of office will continue after the annual meeting,
the year in which each director was first elected as a director
of the Company, their principal occupations or employment for at
least the past five years and other directorships in public
companies that they have held in the past five years. In
addition to the information presented below regarding each
directors specific experience, qualifications, attributes
and skills that led our board of directors to the conclusion
that he should serve as a director, we also believe that all of
our directors have a reputation for integrity, honesty and
adherence to high ethical standards.
The following is information about each nominee:
Nominee
for Election for a Three-Year Term Ending with the 2014 Annual
Meeting
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Charles A. Crocco, Jr. |
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Mr. Crocco, age 72, has served as a director since
1981. He is an attorney, who was Counsel to Crocco &
De Maio, P.C. through March 2003. He is a Securities
Arbitrator in proceedings brought under the auspices of the
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (formerly National
Association of Securities Dealers). He also served as a director
of First Banks America, Inc., a bank holding company, from 1989
until December 2002. |
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We believe that Mr. Croccos qualifications to serve
on the board of directors include his leadership experience and
knowledge of the Company and its business that he has obtained
through serving as director of Company, his experience as a
director of other companies, as well as his experience as a
business and litigation attorney. |
3
Director
Continuing in Office Until the 2012 Annual Meeting
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Anthony J. Gumbiner |
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Mr. Gumbiner, age 66, has served as a director and
Chairman of the Board since 1981, and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company since 1984. He also served as President and Chief
Operating Officer from December 1999 to March 2005. He also
served as a director and Chairman of the board of directors of
Hallwood Energy Management, LLC, the general partner of Hallwood
Energy, L.P. (Hallwood Energy) until February 2009.
Hallwood Energy Management, LLC, Hallwood Energy and its
subsidiaries filed petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of
the United States Bankruptcy Code on March 1, 2009. He
served as a director of Hallwood Realty, LLC, the general
partner of Hallwood Realty Partners, L.P. (HRP) and
its predecessor until HRP was sold in July 2004.
Mr. Gumbiner was a director and officer of Hallwood Energy
Corporation until its sale in December 2004 and of Hallwood
Energy III, L.P. until its sale in July 2005. He has served as a
director of The Local Radio Company PLC since November 2008.
Mr. Gumbiner is also a solicitor of the Supreme Court of
Judicature of England. |
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We believe Mr. Gumbiners qualifications to serve on
the board of directors include his leadership experience and
knowledge of the Company and its business that he has obtained
through serving as its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer and through the other positions he has held with the
Company, along with his significant equity interest in the
Company, as well as his experience as a director of other
companies. |
Director
Continuing in Office Until the 2013 Annual Meeting
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M. Garrett Smith |
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Mr. Smith, age 49, has served as a director since
November 2004. Since February 2005, he has been the general
partner of Spinnerhawk Companies, which he founded and which
makes private investments in the energy, real estate and health
care industries. Since January 2010, Mr. Smith has served
as a general partner and the Chief Financial Officer of Tritex
Energy A, LP, which is partnership that owns oil producing
properties in the United States. Since December 2008, he
has served as a member of the board of directors of Cano
Petroleum, an oil and gas company that is publicly traded in the
United States. Mr. Smith serves as the chairperson of the
Audit Committee and as a member of the Compensation and
Nominating and Corporate Governance committees of Cano
Petroleum. From December 2000 to February 2005, he served as a
member of the Investment Committee at BP Capital, LLC, a Dallas,
Texas-based investment firm specializing in the oil and gas
industry, and as a General Partner and Portfolio Manager of BP
Capital Energy Equity Fund, an energy hedge fund which he
co-founded with Mr. Boone Pickens. |
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We believe that Mr. Smiths qualifications to serve on
the board of directors include his knowledge, leadership and
management experience in operations, financial analyses and
acquisitions, as well as his entrepreneurial experience. |
Except as indicated above, neither the nominee nor the
continuing directors have in the last five years held a
directorship in any company with a class of securities
registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act or any company registered as an
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investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Each of Messrs. Crocco and Smith are independent directors
under the standards of the NYSE Amex, upon which the
Companys Common Stock is listed for trading.
No family relationships exist between the nominee, the directors
and the executive officers.
The board of directors unanimously recommends a vote
FOR the election of the nominated individual.
Committees
and Meetings of the Board of Directors
Messrs. Crocco (Chairman) and Smith currently serve as
members of the Companys audit committee. The audit
committee met six times during 2010 and was charged with the
responsibility of reviewing the annual audit report and the
Companys accounting practices and procedures, and
recommending to the board of directors the independent
registered public accounting firm to be engaged for the
following year.
The board of directors does not have a standing nominating or
compensation committee. Because Mr. Gumbiner owns more than
50% of the Companys voting power, it is a controlled
company under the rules of the NYSE Amex and is not
required, nor does the Board believe it is necessary, to have
separate nominating and compensation committees.
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the board of
directors held five meetings. Each director attended at least
75% of (1) the total number of meetings held by the board
of directors, and (2) the total number of meetings held by
all committees of the board of directors on which he served.
While the Company does not have a formal policy requiring them
to do so, the Company encourages our directors to attend the
annual meeting of stockholders and expects that they will. Last
year Mr. Smith was present at the annual meeting and
Messrs. Gumbiner and Crocco attended the annual meeting by
telephone. Each member of the board of directors has indicated
his intent to attend the 2011 Annual Meeting.
Board
Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
The Companys chief executive officer, Mr. Gumbiner,
also serves as the chairman of the board of directors. The board
of directors believes that this leadership structure is optimal
for the Company at this time because Mr. Gumbiners
extensive experience and history with the Company, together with
his significant equity interest in the Company, provides the
Company with strong and consistent leadership.
Management is responsible for managing the Companys risk
and for bringing to the boards attention areas of risk
which are most material to the Company. The board, including
through its audit committee, which is comprised solely of
independent directors, regularly reviews areas of risk to the
Company and advises and directs management on the scope and
implementation of policies, strategy and other actions designed
to mitigate risk. The Companys audit committee also
reviews risks and works with management and the Companys
independent auditors to identify and address areas of
significant risk to the Company.
Communication
With Directors
The board of directors does not provide a formal process by
which stockholders may send communications to the board of
directors. The Company is a controlled company under
the rules of the NYSE Amex and 65.7% of its voting securities
are owned by a single stockholder. Consequently, the board of
directors does not believe it is necessary to formalize such a
communication process. However, stockholders may communicate
with the Company or request information at any time by
contacting Mr. Richard Kelley, Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary at 800.225.0135.
Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics
The board of directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics that applies to all employees, including those
officers responsible for financial matters. The Code of Business
Conduct and Ethics may be accessed through the Companys
website at www.hallwood.com. Any amendments to or waivers
of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be promptly
disclosed on the Companys website. Any stockholder may
request a printed copy of the Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics by contacting Mr. Richard Kelley, Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary at 800.225.0135.
5
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information as to the beneficial
ownership of shares of the Companys common stock as of the
close of business on the record date (1) for any person or
group, as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3)
of the Securities Exchange Act, who, or which the Company knows,
owns beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the
Companys common stock; (2) for the continuing
directors and the nominee for director; and (3) for all
directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise
noted, the address of each person listed below is 3710 Rawlins,
Suite 1500, Dallas, Texas 75219.
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Amount and Nature
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of Beneficial
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Percentage
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
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Ownership(1)
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of Class(1)
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Anthony J. Gumbiner
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1,001,575
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(2)
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65.7
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Charles A. Crocco, Jr.
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9,996
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0.7
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M. Garrett Smith
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(3)
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William L. Guzzetti
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(3)
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Amber M. Brookman
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(3)
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Richard Kelley
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(3)
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All directors and executive officers as a group (6 persons)
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1,011,571
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66.3
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%
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Assumes, for each person or group listed, the exercise of all
stock options or other rights held by that person or group that
are exercisable within 60 days, according to Rule
13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the Securities Exchange Act, but the exercise
of none of the derivative securities owned by any other holder
of options. |
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Shares are held through Hallwood Trust (the Trust),
a trust formed under the laws of the Island of Jersey, Channel
Islands. The trustee of the Trust is Hallwood Company Limited, a
corporation formed under the laws of Nevis (HCL).
Mr. Gumbiner and members of his family are the directors of
HCL. The Trust owns the Shares through Hallwood Financial
Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of the British
Virgin Islands that is wholly owned by the Trust and controlled
by Mr. Gumbiner and members of his family. |
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Messrs. Smith, Guzzetti and Kelley and Ms. Brookman do
not own any shares or hold any options to purchase shares of the
Company. |
6
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
The following table reflects compensation paid to the
Companys Chief Executive Officer and the Companys
two most highly compensated executive officers.
SUMMARY
COMPENSATION TABLE FOR 2010
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All Other
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Name and Principal
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Salary
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Bonus
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Compensation
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Total
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Position
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Year
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($)
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($)
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($)
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($)
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Anthony J. Gumbiner,
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2010
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996,000
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(1)
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0
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6,200
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(2)
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1,002,200
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Chairman, Chairman and
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2009
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996,000
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(1)
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0
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6,200
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(2)
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1,002,200
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Chief Executive Officer
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William L. Guzzetti
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2010
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312,500
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10,290
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(3)
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2,705
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325,495
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President and
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2009
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312,500
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10,290
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(3)
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2,705
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325,495
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Chief Operating Officer
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Amber M. Brookman
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2010
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316,385
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(4)
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1,245,289
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(5)
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16,033
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(6)
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1,577,707
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President and Chief
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2009
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317,538
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(4)
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1,623,313
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(5)
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13,197
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(6)
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1,954,048
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Executive Officer of Brookwood
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(1) |
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Consists of consulting fees paid by the Company to Hallwood
Investments Limited (HIL), an entity associated with
Mr. Gumbiner. None of the amounts paid to Mr. Gumbiner
were for his service as a director of the Company.
Mr. Gumbiner did not personally receive any additional
compensation for his services as Chief Executive Officer of the
Company. |
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(2) |
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The amount shown in this column is for Mr. Gumbiners
life insurance premiums. In addition to the amounts shown in the
table, the Company reimbursed HIL $267,236 in 2010 and $239,958
in 2009 for reasonable expenses in providing office space and
administrative services to Mr. Gumbiner in Europe. The
Company also reimbursed Mr. Gumbiner $202,423 in 2010 and
$171,368 in 2009 for travel and travel related expenses between
Europe and the Companys locations in the United States and
health insurance premiums. |
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(3) |
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Consists of a special cash bonus in lieu of a matching
contribution under the Companys 401(k) Tax Favored Savings
Plan. |
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(4) |
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Salary for 2010 includes payments for car allowance of $6,000
and unused vacation time of $10,385. Salary for 2009 includes
payments for car allowance of $6,000 and unused vacation time of
$11,538. |
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(5) |
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Consists of annual bonus under compensation letter. |
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(6) |
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The amount includes term life insurance premiums, reimbursement
for the value of personal use of automobile and $7,350 for a
matching contribution under Brookwoods 401(k) Tax Favored
Savings Plan in 2010 and 2009. |
For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, there were no
equity or other awards granted, exercised or outstanding and no
pension or nonqualified deferred compensation was paid to any of
the Companys executive officers.
POTENTIAL
PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR
CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
The only incremental payments to which named executive officers
are entitled upon severance or change in control of the Company
are provided under employment or consulting agreements and The
Hallwood Group Incorporated 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan For
Brookwood Companies Incorporated (LTI Plan).
Ms. Brookman participates in the LTI Plan.
The LTI Plan generally defines a change of control transaction
as a transaction approved by the Companys board of
directors or by the holders of at least 50% of the voting
capital stock of the Company that results in: (i) a change
in beneficial ownership of the Company or Brookwood of 50% or
more of the combined voting power, (ii) the sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of Brookwood, or (iii) any
other transaction that, in the Companys board of directors
discretion, has substantially the same effect of item
(i) or (ii). Certain transfers, generally among existing
stockholders and their related parties, are exempted from the
definition.
7
Under the LTI Plan, upon a change of control transaction, each
participant is entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the
sum calculated by (i) dividing the number of units held by
that participant by the 10,000 total units authorized under the
LTI Plan, and (ii) multiplying the result by 15% of the
amount by which (a) the net fair market value of all
consideration received by the Company or its stockholders as a
result of the transaction exceeds (b) the sum of the
liquidation preference plus accrued but unpaid dividends on the
Series A Preferred Stock of Brookwood at the time of the
transaction. At December 31, 2010, the sum of the
liquidation preference plus accrued but unpaid dividends on the
Series A Preferred Stock of Brookwood was $13,955,625. If
the Board determines that certain specified officers, or other
persons performing similar functions do not have, prior to the
change of control transaction, in the aggregate an equity or
debt interest of at least two percent in the entity with whom
the change of control transaction is completed, then the minimum
amount to be awarded under the LTI Plan shall be $2,000,000. In
addition, the Company agreed that, if members of
Brookwoods senior management do not have, prior to a
change of control transaction, in the aggregate an equity or
debt interest of at least two percent in the entity with whom
the change of control transaction is completed (exclusive of any
such interest any such individual receives with respect to his
or her employment following the change of control transaction),
then the Company will pay Ms. Brookman an additional
$2,600,000.
The Company is a party to a financial consulting agreement with
HIL under which Mr. Gumbiner provides international
consulting and advisory services to the Company and its
affiliates. The financial consulting agreement between the
Company and HIL was originally entered into as of
December 31, 1996 and had an original termination date of
July 31, 1998. However, it provides that, unless either
party terminates the agreement upon at least 30 days
written notice, then at the end of each period it is to be
continued for an additional one year period on the same terms
and conditions. The Company may, however, terminate the
agreement for (i) any act of dishonesty on the part of HIL
resulting or intended to result directly or indirectly in
personal gain or benefit at the expense of the Company or
material damage of or to property of the Company; (ii) any
act of fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement or willful
misconduct by HIL or (iii) the willful breach or repeated,
habitual neglect by HIL of its duties under the agreement.
Therefore, if the agreement is terminated by the Company
otherwise than for one of the permitted reasons or pursuant to a
timely written notice of non-renewal of the contract, the
Company would be required to pay the amounts to be paid under
the contract for the remainder of the one year renewal term.
The consulting agreement does not contain any other provision
that would require potential payments in the event of a
termination or change of control. No other agreements exist
between the Company and HIL or Mr. Gumbiner that would
require potential payments in the event of termination or change
in control.
COMPENSATION
OF DIRECTORS
The following table sets forth the amounts paid to the
Companys outside directors for their service as directors
of the Company. Information concerning amounts paid to
Mr. Gumbiner, the Companys Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, is included in the preceding tables.
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION FOR 2010
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Fees Earned or
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Non-Equity
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Nonqualified
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Paid in
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Stock
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Option
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Incentive Plan
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Deferred
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All Other
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Cash
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Awards
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Awards
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Compensation
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Compensation
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Compensation
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Total
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Name
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($)
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($)
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($)
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($)
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Earnings
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($)
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($)
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Charles A. Crocco, Jr.
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54,000
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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54,000
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M. Garrett Smith
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54,000
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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54,000
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For the year ended December 31, 2010, each of the outside
directors received director fees of $50,000. Board members are
entitled to receive $1,000 for each day spent on business of the
Company, other than attendance at board meetings; no fees for
this per diem arrangement were paid in 2010. As members
of a special committee of independent directors of the Board,
each of the outside directors received a meeting attendance fee
of $1,000 for each of the four meetings, totaling $4,000 for
2010. Each director is also reimbursed for expenses reasonably
incurred in connection with the performance of his duties.
8
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENTS
During the year ended December 31, 2010, Brookwood had a
compensation letter (the Letter) with
Ms. Brookman. The Letter provided for payment of a salary
of $300,000 per year plus an annual bonus in an amount of the
greater of 5% of Brookwoods earnings before taxes (with
certain adjustments) or a minimum of $300,000. In addition, the
Letter provided for a car allowance of $500 per month. The
Letter does not provide for severance or termination benefits.
In addition, the Company is a party to the Financial Consulting
Agreement with HIL described under Potential Payments Upon
Termination and
Change-in-Control
and Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
Report of
the Audit Committee
The audit committee is composed of two directors and operates
under an Amended and Restated Audit Committee Charter, adopted
by the board of directors according to the rules and regulations
of the NYSE Amex. The board of directors has determined that
both of the members are independent, as defined by the NYSE
Amexs Listed Company Guide. The board of directors has
determined that Mr. Smith is an audit committee
financial expert, as defined by the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC).
Management is responsible for the Companys internal
controls and the financial reporting process.
Deloitte & Touche LLP (D&T), the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm, is
responsible for performing an independent audit of the
Companys consolidated financial statements in accordance
with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). The audit committees responsibility
is to monitor and oversee these processes. The audit committee
also recommends to the board of directors the selection of the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm.
In this context, the audit committee reviewed and discussed the
audited consolidated financial statements with both management
and D&T. Specifically, the audit committee has discussed
with D&T matters required to be discussed by the statement
on Auditing Standards No. 61 (AICPA, Professional
Standards, Vol. 1. AU section 380), as adopted by the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T.
The audit committee received from D&T the written
disclosures and the letter required by applicable requirements
of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding
D&Ts communications with the audit committee
concerning independence, and has discussed with D&T the
issue of its independence from the Company.
It is not the audit committees duty or responsibility to
conduct auditing or accounting reviews or procedures. Therefore,
the audit committee has relied, without independent
verification, on managements representation that the
financial statements have been prepared with integrity and
objectivity and in accordance with the standards of the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), and on the
representations of the independent registered public accounting
firm included in its report on the Companys consolidated
financial statements. The audit committees oversight does
not provide it with an independent basis to determine that
management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial
reporting principles or policies, or appropriate internal
controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with
accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations.
Furthermore, the audit committees considerations and
discussions with management and the independent registered
public accounting firm do not assure that the Companys
financial statements are presented in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, that the audit of the
Companys financial statements has been carried out in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards or that
the Companys independent registered public accounting firm
is in fact independent.
Based on the audit committees review of the audited
financial statements and its discussions with management and
D&T noted above and the report of the independent
registered public accounting firm to the audit committee, the
audit committee recommended to the board of directors that the
audited consolidated financial statements be included in the
Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Members
of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the
Company
Charles A. Crocco, Jr. (Chairman)
M. Garrett Smith
9
PROCEDURES
FOR DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS
As discussed above, as a controlled company under
the rules of the NYSE Amex, the Company is not required to have
a standing nominating committee or a written charter governing
the nomination process. As a result, the full board of
directors, of which each of the members other than
Mr. Gumbiner are independent, serves that function.
The Companys bylaws provide that a stockholder may
nominate a person for election as a director at an annual
meeting if written notice of the stockholders intent to
make the nomination has been given to the Secretary of the
Company at least 90 days in advance of the meeting or, if
later, the tenth day following the first public announcement of
the date of the meeting. Such notices must comply with the
provisions of the bylaws.
In the event that a stockholder meeting the requirements and
following the procedures of the bylaws was to propose a nominee,
or if a vacancy occurs, the board of directors will identify
candidates with superior qualifications and personally interview
them and, if appropriate, arrange to have members of management
interview such candidates. Preferred candidates would display
the highest personal and professional character and integrity
and have outstanding records of accomplishment in diverse fields
of endeavor. Candidates should have demonstrated exceptional
ability and judgment and have substantial expertise in their
particular fields. Candidates with experience relevant to the
Companys business would be preferred. The board of
directors, upon evaluation and review of the candidates, would
determine who to recommend to the stockholders for approval or
to fill any vacancy. The board of directors would use the same
criteria for evaluating nominees recommended by stockholders as
for those referred by management or any director. The Company
does not pay and does not anticipate paying any fees to third
parties for identifying or evaluating candidates for director.
Since the Company has not had any new candidates to consider for
election to the board of directors in the last several years,
our board of directors has no formal policy with regard to the
consideration of diversity in identifying director candidates.
The board of directors, however, believes that the backgrounds
and qualifications of the directors, considered as a group,
should provide a significant composite mix of experience,
knowledge and abilities that will allow the board of directors
to fulfill its responsibilities.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Ms. Brookmans daughter, Amber Brookman, Jr., and
son-in-law,
Steven Lerman, are employees of Brookwood and, beginning in
2010, Mr. Gumbiners daughter, Celine Gumbiner, serves
as a director of Brookwood, and each of those individuals
received the total compensation listed below for fiscal years
ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2010.
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Year
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Compensation
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Amber Brookman, Jr.
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2010
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$
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187,432
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2009
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$
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168,397
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Steven Lerman
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2010
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$
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250,383
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2009
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$
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229,084
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Celine Gumbiner
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2010
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$
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25,000
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Mr. Gumbiner beneficially owns approximately 65.7% of the
Companys outstanding stock. This stock is held indirectly
through a corporation owned by a family trust. Mr. Gumbiner
and members of his family are discretionary beneficiaries of the
family trust. Included in the Summary Compensation Table (and
more fully explained in footnotes one and two to the Summary
Compensation Table) are payments to HIL for consulting fees and
reimbursements to HIL of costs for HILs office space
outside the Companys Dallas office and administrative
services, travel and related expenses to and from the
Companys corporate office and Brookwoods facilities,
travel for other business purposes and health insurance
premiums, incurred in connection with HILs services to the
Company pursuant to a financial consulting contract between HIL
and the Company.
In addition, during 2010 and 2009 HIL and certain of its
affiliates in which Mr. Gumbiner has an indirect financial
interest share common offices, facilities and certain staff in
the Companys Dallas office for which these companies
reimburse the Company. The Company pays certain common general
and administrative expenses and
10
charges the companies an overhead reimbursement fee for the
share of expenses allocable to these companies. For the years
ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, these companies
reimbursed the Company $110,000 and $100,000, respectively, for
these expenses.
INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
D&T served as the Companys independent registered
public accounting firm for the years ended December 31,
2010, 2009 and 2008. The Company has not selected an independent
registered public accounting firm to serve for the year ending
December 31, 2011. A representative of D&T will be
available at the annual meeting to respond to appropriate
questions and will be given an opportunity to make a statement
if desired.
AUDIT
FEES
All services rendered by D&T are pre-approved by the audit
committee. D&T has provided or is expected to provide
services to the Company in the following categories and amounts:
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Calendar Years Ended
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2010
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2009
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Audit fees(1)
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$
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629,874
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$
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584,500
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Audit-related fees(2)
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$
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103,180
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$
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187,536
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Tax fees(3)
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$
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148,851
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$
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217,808
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All other fees(4)
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$
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$
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(1) |
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Audit fees These are fees for professional services
performed by D&T for the audit of the Companys annual
consolidated financial statements and review of interim
financial statements included in the Companys
Form 10-Q
filings, and services that are normally provided in connection
with statutory regulatory filings or engagements. |
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(2) |
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Audit-related fees These are fees for assurance and
related services performed by D&T that are reasonably
related to the performance of the audit or review of the
Companys financial statements. For 2009, this amount
primarily includes a review of the Companys implementation
of internal controls over financial reporting. |
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(3) |
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Tax fees These are fees for professional services
performed by D&T with respect to tax compliance, tax advice
and tax planning. This includes preparation or review of
original and amended tax returns for the Company and its
consolidated subsidiaries; refund claims; payment planning; tax
audit assistance; and tax work stemming from
Audit-Related items. |
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(4) |
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All other fees These are fees for other permissible
work performed by D&T that does not meet the above category
descriptions. |
Pre-Approval
Policy
The audit committees pre-approval guidelines with respect
to pre-approval of audit and non-audit services are summarized
below.
General
The audit committee is required to pre-approve the audit and
non-audit services performed by the independent registered
public accounting firm in order to assure that the provision of
such services does not impair the registered public accounting
firms independence. Unless a type of service to be
provided by the independent registered public accounting firm
has received general pre-approval, it will require specific
pre-approval by the audit committee. Any proposed services
exceeding pre-approved cost levels requires specific
pre-approval by the audit committee.
The audit committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one
or more of its members. The member or members to whom such
authority is delegated must report any pre-approval decisions to
the audit committee at its next scheduled meeting. The audit
committee may delegate its responsibilities to pre-approve
services performed by the independent registered public
accounting firm to management.
11
Audit
Services
The annual audit services engagement terms and fees are subject
to the specific pre-approval of the audit committee. The audit
committee approves, if necessary, any changes in terms,
conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope,
company structure or other matters. In addition to the annual
audit services engagement specifically approved by the audit
committee, the audit committee may grant general pre-approval
for other audit services, which are those services that only the
independent registered public accounting firm reasonably can
provide.
Audit-related
Services
Audit-related services are assurance and related services that
are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review
of the Companys financial statements and that are
traditionally performed by the independent registered public
accounting firm. The audit committee believes that the provision
of audit-related services does not impair the independence of
the registered public accounting firm.
Tax
Services
The audit committee believes that the independent registered
public accounting firm can provide tax services to the Company,
such as tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice without
impairing the registered public accounting firms
independence. However, the audit committee will not permit the
retention of the independent registered public accounting firm
in connection with a transaction initially recommended by the
independent registered public accounting firm, the purpose of
which may be tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may
not be supported in the Internal Revenue Code and related
regulations.
All Other
Services
The audit committee may grant pre-approval to those permissible
non-audit services classified as all other services
that it believes are routine and recurring services, and would
not impair the independence of the registered public accounting
firm.
Pre-Approval
Fee Levels
Pre-approval fee levels for all services to be provided by the
independent registered public accounting firm are established
periodically by the audit committee. Any proposed services
exceeding these levels requires specific pre-approval by the
audit committee.
STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS
If a stockholder intends to present a proposal for action at the
2012 annual meeting and wishes to have the proposal considered
for inclusion in the Companys proxy materials in reliance
on
Rule 14a-8
under the Securities Exchange Act, the proposal must be
submitted in writing to the Secretary of The Hallwood Group
Incorporated, at 3710 Rawlins, Suite 1500, Dallas, Texas
75219 by December 21, 2011. Such proposals must also meet
the other requirements of the rules of the SEC relating to
stockholder proposals.
The Companys bylaws establish an advance notice procedure
with regard to certain matters, including stockholder proposals
and nominations of individuals for election to the board of
directors. In general, notice of a stockholder proposal or a
director nomination for an annual meeting must be received by
the Company 90 days or more before the date of the annual
meeting and must contain specified information and conform to
certain requirements, as set forth in the bylaws.
If you wish to submit a proposal at the annual meeting, other
than through inclusion in the proxy statement, you must notify
the Company no later than 90 days before the date of the
annual meeting. The Company expects to hold next years
annual meeting on or about May 8, 2012. If the meeting is
held on that date, you must notify the Company no later than
February 7, 2012. If you do not notify the Company of your
proposal by that date, the
12
Company will exercise its discretionary voting power on that
proposal and the Chairman may not allow the proposal to be
presented at the meeting.
In addition, if you submit a proposal outside of
Rule 14a-8
of the Securities Exchange Act for the 2012 annual meeting, and
the proposal fails to comply with the advance notice procedure
prescribed by the bylaws, then the Companys proxy or
proxies may confer discretionary authority on the persons being
appointed as proxies on behalf of management to vote on the
proposal.
Section 16(a)
Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act requires the
Companys officers and directors, and persons who own more
than 10% of a registered class of the Companys securities,
to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership with the
SEC and the NYSE Amex. Officers, directors and 10% stockholders
of the Company are required by SEC regulation to furnish the
Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed by
them.
Based solely on review of copies of the forms received, the
Company believes that, during the last fiscal year, all filings
under Section 16(a) applicable to its officers, directors
and 10% stockholders were timely.
OTHER
BUSINESS
The Company is not aware of any other business to be presented
at the annual meeting. All shares represented by proxies will be
voted in favor of the nominee for director set forth in this
proxy statement, unless otherwise indicated on the form of
proxy. If any other matters properly come before the meeting,
the Companys proxy holders will vote on those matters
according to their best judgment.
Please note, however, that if your shares of common stock are
voted against the nominee for director, the proxy holders will
not use their discretion to vote your shares in favor of any
adjournment or postponement of the annual meeting.
By order of the Board of Directors
RICHARD KELLEY
Secretary
April 20, 2011
13
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Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in |
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this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. |
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Annual Meeting Proxy Card
6
PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN
THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. 6
A
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FORthe nominee listed and a
vote FOR Proposal 2.
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1. Election
of Directors:
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Withhold |
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01 - Charles A. Crocco,
Jr.
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2. In their discretion,
the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may
properly come before the annual meeting.
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B
Non-Voting Items
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Change of Address Please print your new address below. |
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C
Authorized Signatures
This section must be completed for your vote to be counted.
Date and Sign Below
Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign, or if one signs he should attach evidence of his authority. When signing as attorney, executor,administrator, agent, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership,
please sign full partnership name by authorized person.
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Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below. |
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Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box. |
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Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box. |
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6
PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN
THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. 6
Proxy
THE HALLWOOD GROUP INCORPORATED
3710
RAWLINS, SUITE 1500
DALLAS, TEXAS 75219
This
Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors.
The undersigned
hereby appoints Anthony J. Gumbiner and M. Garrett Smith, and each of them,
as Proxies, with the power to appoint their substitute, and hereby authorizes
each of them to represent and vote, as designated below, all of the shares
of the common stock of The Hallwood Group Incorporated (the Company),
held of record by the undersigned on March 28, 2011, at the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders to be held on May 10, 2011, or any adjournment thereof.
This proxy when properly executed
will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned stockholder.
If no direction is given, this proxy will bevoted FOR the election of the
nominee listed and at the discretion of the Proxies with respect to any other matter that is properly brought before the meeting.
CONTINUED AND
TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE
SEE REVERSE SIDE