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Spectrum Group International, Inc. – ‘DEFA14A’ on 10/26/98

As of:  Monday, 10/26/98   ·   Accession #:  895516-98-13   ·   File #:  1-11988   ·   Correction:  This Filing’s “Filed as of” Date was Corrected and “Changed as of” 10/30/98 by the SEC on 10/30/98. ®

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  As Of                Filer                Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size

10/26/98  Spectrum Group Int’l, Inc.        DEFA14A®               1:46K

Additional Definitive Proxy Solicitation Material   —   Schedule 14A
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: DEFA14A     Definitive Proxy Statement                            17±    82K 


Document Table of Contents

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11st Page   -   Filing Submission
4Advisory Committee
5Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
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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 (Amendment No.) Filed by the Registrant [x] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box: [ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2) [x] Definitive Proxy Statement [ ] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.149-11(C) or Section 240.14a-12 Greg Manning Auctions, Inc. (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check appropriate box) [x] No fee required [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(j)(4) 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 is determined): (4) Proposed maximum value of transaction: (5) Total fee paid: [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials: [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. 1. Amount Previously Paid.: 2. Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: 3. Filing Party: 4. Date Filed:
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GREG MANNING AUCTIONS, INC. 775 Passaic Avenue West Caldwell, New Jersey 07006 October 23, 1998 To Our Shareholders: You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Greg Manning Auctions, Inc., which will be held at the Radisson Hotel & Suites, 690 Route 46 East, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004 at 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, December 9, 1998 . The Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement covering the formal business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting follow this letter. We hope that you will attend the Annual Meeting in person. Whether or not you plan to attend, please complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy promptly in the accompanying reply envelope to assure that your shares are represented at the meeting. Sincerely, MARTHA HUSICK Secretary
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GREG MANNING AUCTIONS, INC. 775 Passaic Avenue West Caldwell, New Jersey 07006 973-882-0004 NOTICE OF 1998 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Greg Manning Auctions, Inc. (the "Company") will be held at the Radisson Hotel & Suites, 690 Route 46 East, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004 at 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, December 9, 1998 for the following purposes: 1. To elect two directors to serve for terms of three years and until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified. 2. To ratify the appointment of Amper, Politziner & Mattia as the Company's independent public accountants for the Company's fiscal year ending June 30, 1999. 3. To transact such other business as may be properly brought before the meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Shareholders of record at the close of business on October 23, 1998 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy in the reply envelope provided which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. Shareholders attending the Annual Meeting may vote in person even if they have returned a proxy. By promptly returning your proxy, you will greatly assist us in preparing for the Annual Meeting. By order of the Board of Directors MARTHA HUSICK Secretary West Caldwell, New Jersey October 23, 1998
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GREG MANNING AUCTIONS, INC. PROXY STATEMENT FOR 1998 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS To Be Held on December 9, 1998 This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy are being furnished, commencing on or about October 26, 1998, in connection with the solicitation of proxies in the enclosed form by the Board of Directors of Greg Manning Auctions, Inc., a New York corporation (the "Company"), for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders ("Shareholders") of the Company (the "Annual Meeting") to be held at the Radisson Hotel & Suites, 690 Route 46 East, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004 at 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, December 9, 1998, and any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth in the foregoing Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The annual report of the Company, containing financial statements of the Company as of June 30, 1998, and for the year then ended, and other information concerning the Company is included with this proxy statement. The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 775 Passaic Avenue, West Caldwell, New Jersey 07006. A list of Shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for examination by Shareholders during ordinary business hours for a period of ten days prior to the Annual Meeting at the offices of the Company, 775 Passaic Avenue, West Caldwell, New Jersey 07006. A Shareholder list will also be available for examination at the Annual Meeting. If you are unable to attend the Annual Meeting, you may vote by proxy on any matter to come before that meeting. The enclosed proxy is being solicited by the Board of Directors. Any proxy given pursuant to such solicitation and received in time for the Annual Meeting will be voted as specified in such proxy. If no instructions are given, proxies will be voted (i) FOR the election of the nominees named below under the caption "Election of Directors", (ii) FOR the ratification of the appointment of Amper, Politziner & Mattia ("APM") as independent public accountants for the Company's fiscal year ending June 30, 1999 and (iii) in the discretion of the proxies named on the proxy card with respect to any other matters properly brought before the Annual Meeting. Attendance in person at the Annual Meeting will not of itself revoke a proxy; however, any Shareholder who does attend the Annual Meeting may revoke a proxy orally and vote in person. Proxies may be revoked at any time before they are voted by submitting a properly executed proxy with a later date or by sending a written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company at the Company's principal executive offices. The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Abstentions and shares held of record by a broker or its nominee ("Broker Shares") that are voted on any manner are included in determining the number of votes present. Abstentions and Broker Shares that are not voted on any matter will not be included in determining whether a quorum is present. The election of each nominee for director requires a plurality of votes cast. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of the Common Stock present in person or by proxy and voting thereon is required for the approval of the appointment of the independent public accountants. In all cases abstentions and Broker Shares that are not voted will not be included in determining the number of votes cast. The Company has appointed an inspector who shall determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all Shareholders. On request of the person presiding at the meeting or any Shareholder entitled to vote thereat, the inspectors shall make a report in writing of any challenge, question or matter determined by them and execute a certificate of any fact found by them. Any report or certificate made by them shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated and of the vote as certified by them. Only Shareholders of record at the close of business on October 23, 1998 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. As of the close of business on October 26, 1998, there were 4,419,997 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock") outstanding. Each share of Common Stock entitles the record holder thereof to one vote on all matters properly brought before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof, with no cumulative voting. Greg Manning, the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company , owns 1,300,000 shares (or approximately 30%) of Common Stock of the Company. Afinsa Bienes Tangibles S.A. ("Afinsa") owns 442,000 shares (approximately 10%) of Common Stock of the Company. Mr. De Figueiredo, a director of the company, owns 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Afinsa. PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS Nominees for Election The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that the members of the Company's Board of Directors be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in size as possible, with the term of office of one class expiring each year. Accordingly, only those directors of a single class can be changed in any one year and it would take elections in three consecutive years to change the entire Board. At the upcoming annual meeting, two directors will be elected to serve three year terms (until the third succeeding annual meeting, in 2001) and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. Unless authority to vote for the election of directors is withheld, the enclosed proxy will be voted FOR the election of the nominees named below. Greg Manning and Albertino de Figueiredo, who are presently directors of the Company, have been nominated by the Board of Directors for re-election to the Board, to serve until the third succeeding annual meeting, in 2001, and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. No other nominations were submitted. There is one vacancy in the class of directors whose term is currently expiring. Scott S. Rosenblum and Anthony L. Bongiovanni have been elected to serve until the 2000 annual meeting of Shareholders. There is one vacancy in the class of directors whose term expires in 2000. William T. Tully, Jr. has been elected to serve until the 1999 annual meeting of Shareholders. There are two vacancies in the class of directors whose term expires in 1999. Although a number of Director vacancies currently exist, the Board has determined that it is in the Company's best interest for no additional Directors to be nominated other than the nominees set forth below in order to give the Board of Directors flexibility to appoint additional directors if the need arises. Accordingly, proxies may not be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named. The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation also provides that directors may be removed only for cause and that any such removal must be approved by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. While the Company believes that the foregoing provisions of the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation are in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders, such requirements may have the effect of protecting management against outside interests and in retaining its position. Information Concerning Directors and Officers Background information with respect to the nominees for election, and certain information regarding such nominees, including their principal occupations and business experience for at least the past five years, and the directors whose terms of office will continue after the upcoming annual meeting, appears below. See "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" for information regarding such persons' holdings of common stock. NOMINEES TO SERVE UNTIL 2001 Greg Manning, age 52, has been Chairman of the Board of Directors since its inception in 1981 and Chief Executive Officer since December 1992. Mr. Manning has served as President of the Company from 1981 until August 1993, and from March 1995 to the present. Mr. Manning also has been Chairman of the Board and President of CRM since its inception, which he founded as "Greg Manning Company, Inc." in 1961. Albertino de Figueiredo, age 67, was appointed as a director of the Company on September 10, 1997. In 1980, Mr. De Figueiredo founded Afinsa Bienes Tangibles S.A., a company engaged in the business of philatelics and numismatics, and is currently Chairman of the Board of Afinsa Bienes Tangibles S.A. and its subsidiaries. Mr.de Figueiredo is also Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Finarte Espana, an art auction house, and a memberof the Executive Board of ASCAT, the International Association of the Stamp Catalog and Philatelic Publishers. The Board of Directors recommends that Shareholders vote FOR the election of the nominees named above. DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 2000 Scott S. Rosenblum, age 49, has been a director of the Company since December 8, 1992. Mr. Rosenblum has been a partner since 1991 in the law firm of Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel and has served as Managing Partner of that firm since March 1994. Mr.Rosenblum received his J.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Anthony L. Bongiovanni, age 39, was appointed by the Board of Directors on May 8, 1997 and duly elected during the annual meeting of Shareholders in 1997. Mr. Bongiovanni is President of Micro Strategies, Inc., a leading developer and supplier of microcomputer based business applications throughout the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania areas, which he founded in 1983. Mr. Bongiovanni has a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Rensellaer Polytechnical Institute. DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 1999 William T. Tully, age 52, has been Executive Vice President of the Company since August 1990. From Aucust 1993 to August 1994, and since February 1995, Mr. Tully has been Chief Operating Officer. From the Company's inception in 1981 until August 1994, Mr. Tully was Secretary and Treasurer of the Company, and from December 1992 until August 1994, and from June 1995 to present, Mr. Tully has been a director. Mr. Tully was Senior Vice President of the Company since its inception in 1981 until August 1990. Mr. Tully has been Executive Vice President of CRM from August 1990, and has served CRM in other management capacities since 1974. Of the Company's current directors, only Messrs. Bongiovanni, de Figueiredo and Rosenblum might qualify as disinterested directors with respect to any transactions between the Company and CRM. Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, there were four meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company. Only Mr. de Figueiredo attended fewer than 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors or meetings of the committees on which such director served. Committees of the Board The Company's Board of Directors has an Audit Committee. During fiscal 1998 the Audit Committee consisted of Messrs. Rosenblum and Bongiovanni. This committee recommends to the Board of Directors the appointment of the independent public accountants, reviews the scope and budget for the annual audit and reviews the results of the examination of the Company's financial statements by the independent public accountants. The audit committee met one time during fiscal 1998. There are no nominating, compensation or stock option committees of the Board of Directors. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS The executive officers of the Company are as follows: Name Age Position Greg Manning 52 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President William T. Tully, Jr. 52 Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer David C. Graham 58 Senior Vice President James A. Smith 46 Chief Financial Officer See "Election of Directors" for information relating to Messrs. Manning and Tully. David C. Graham, age 58, has been a Senior Vice President of the Company since August 1990 and has been Senior Vice President of CRM since August 1990. Mr. Graham has served the Company and CRM in various capacities since September 1978. Mr.Graham has been a licensed auctioneer since 1965. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.Graham was employed by H.R. Harmer, a public auction house, from 1955 to 1977. James A.Smith, age 46, has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company since December 1997. Mr.Smith served as Chief Financial Officer of Imatec, Ltd. from 1996 to 1997, and as Controller of Ferrara Food Company, Inc.from 1992 to 1996. There are no family relationships among any of the directors or executive officers of the Company. Advisory Committee The Company has an advisory committee (the "Advisory Committee") that includes prominent collectors and other individuals involved in the philatelic and collectibles business, with whom Mr. Manning has developed relationships over the years. The members of the Advisory Committee individually meet from time to time with the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to discuss current trends or developments in the collectibles market. Members of the Advisory Committee receive no compensation for their services, and their availability is subject to their personal schedules and other time commitments. The Company reimburses members for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in serving on the Advisory Committee. The Company believes that the members of the Advisory Committee have no fiduciary or other duties, obligations or responsibilities to the Company or its stockholders, and they will not acquire any such duty, obligation or responsibility as a result of any meeting or consultation they may have with management of the Company. Each member of the Advisory Committee has entered into an agreement with the Company which, among other things, confirms that the member has no such duty, obligation or responsibility, but also commits the member to keep confidential and not disclose (or in any manner use for personal benefit or attempt to profit from) any non-public information relating to the Company that the member receives in such capacity, except to the extent that disclosure is required by applicable law or legal process or to the extent the information becomes public other than as a result of a breach of any member's confidentiality agreement. The members serve at will and may resign, or be asked to discontinue their services, at any time. The members of the current Advisory Committee and their principal occupations are as follows: Sir Ronald Brierley, age 60, is Founder/President of Brierley Investments, Limited, a publicly held New Zealand investment company. Sir Ronald is also Chairman of GPG P/C, an investment company based in London, England. Sir Ronald serves on the boards of Advance Bank, Australia, Ltd., Adriadne Australia Ltd., Australia Oil & Gas Corporation, Ltd., and the Australian Gaslight Company, and he is also a trustee of Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust. Sir Ronald has had a life-long interest in stamps, beginning as a schoolboy, when he formed Kiwi Stamp Company and acquired a dealer's certificate from the New Zealand Stamp Dealers Federation. Sir Ronald has been selling and collecting stamps since that time. Robert G. Driscoll, age 66, has been Chief Executive Officer (since 1981) of Barrett & Worthen, Inc. and the Brookman Stamp Company of Bedford, New Hampshire, both of which are engaged in the business of buying and selling stamps. Mr. Driscoll served as Vice President of H.E. Harris Company, a subsidiary of General Mills from 1978 to 1981, after having founded R&R Stamp Company in 1958 and serving as its President until it was sold in 1978 to General Mills. Mr. Driscoll is a past President of the American Stamp Dealers Association (from 1977 to 1978) and is a lifetime member of the American First Day Cover Society. He has been a member of the American Philatelic Society for over 45 years. Herman Herst, Jr., age 89, is recognized as the most prolific philatelic author in the world, and has written numerous articles on philately and has authored several stamp related books, including Nassau Street. Mr. Herst was President of Herman Herst Jr. Auctions Inc., a public auction house (from 1934 to 1972) and conducted a private retail stamp business as a sole proprietorship. He was also an active philatelic auctioneer for many years, until his semi-retirement in 1981. He is a former President of the Society of Philatelic Americans and served two terms on the Board of Directors of the American Stamp Dealers Association. Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Herst received the John Luff Award from the American Philatelic Society, the merit award from the Society of Philatelic Americans and the Collectors Club of New York's award for Service to Philately. He is currently a senior member of the American Society of Appraisers, an honorary life member of the Philatelic Traders' Society of London and an honorary life member of the American Stamp Dealers Association, a life member of the Philatelic Traders' Society of London and an honorary life member of the Writer's Unit of the American Philatelic Society. He is also the only American stamp dealer to have ever served on the council of the Philatelic Traders' Society of London. Herbert LaTuchie, age 79, was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (from 1954 to 1986) of Modern Builders Supply Company, Inc. and Modern Manufacturing, Inc., the latter of which is one of the ten leading distributors of building products in the United States. Mr. LaTuchie has been a life-long collector of rare stamps, and he also collects sheet music and other paper collectibles. Joseph Levy, Jr., age 72, is president of Levy Venture Management, a real estate rental development group involved in automotive retailing real estate in three states. He is also a real estate developer of several properties located in Illinois. Prior to joining Levy Venture Management, Mr. Levy was President of Walton Chrysler-Plymouth (from 1953 to 1960), a car dealership in Chicago, Illinois, and of Carol Buick (from 1961 to 1984), a car dealership in Evanston, Illinois. He serves as a director of the Evanston Historical Society. He is also a trustee of Evanston Hospital and the Culver Educational Foundation, a trustee of the Chicago Historical Society and the Levy Senior Centers. Mr. Levy is a collector of stamps, coins, watches and other collectibles. Hector D. Wiltshire, age 56, is President and CEO of Wiltshire Technologies, Inc., a high technology venture capital and consulting group, and is an experienced collector of rare stamps. Mr. Wiltshire is a member of the Association of Certified and Corporate Accountants (A.C.C.A) and the British Computer Society(M.B.C.S.). Mr.Wiltshire holds degrees in Executive Business Administration and marketing. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Summary Compensation Table The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation for services in all capacities for the fiscal years ended June 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996 of those persons who were, during all or part of the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, the chief executive officer and the one executive officer of the Company who received compensation in excess of $100,000 in the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998. [Enlarge/Download Table] Annual Compensation Long Term Compensation =========================================== Awards Payouts ---------------------------------------------------------------------------=========== Name and Principal Position Year Salary Bonus($) Other Annual Restricted Securities LTIP All Other ($) Compensation Stock Underlying Payouts Compen- Awards Options/ sation ($) SARs(#) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------=========== Greg Manning, 1998 188,906 None $26,123(2) None None None None Chairman of the Board, 1997 175,000 105,271(1) $26,650(2) None None None None Chief Executive Officer and 1996 175,000 54,758(1) $26,650(2) None None None None President ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------=========== William T. Tully, 1998 132,272 None (3) None None None None Chief Operating Officer and 1997 127,206 30,136(1) (3) None 100,000 None None Executive Vice President 1996 129,769 17,379(1) (3) None None None None ==============================---------------------------------------------------------------------------=========== (1) Employment agreements with Messrs. Manning and Tully provide for an annual bonus equal (i) in the case of Mr. Manning, for fiscal years 1996 through 1998, 10% of pre-tax net income of the Company between $500,000 and $2,000,000 (subject to increase by the Board of Directors in its discretion) and (ii) in the case of Mr. Tully, for fiscal years 1996 through 1998, 5% of pre-tax net income of the Company in excess of $700,000, in each case subject to certain limitations. See "Executive Compensation Employment Agreements and Insurance". For fiscal year ended 1997, the Board of Directors approved an additional bonus to Mr. Manning in the amount of $25,000. (2) Represents (a) a non-accountable expense allowance equal to $25,000, and (b) the value of the use of certain automobiles. (3) The Company has concluded that the aggregate amount of perquisites and other personal benefits, if any, paid did not exceed the lesser of 10% of such officer's total annual salary and bonus for such years or $50,000; such amounts are not included in the table. The Company has no long-term incentive plan. Option Grants Table for Fiscal 1998 There were no stock option grants made during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 under the 1993 Stock Option Plan of the Company (the "1993 Plan") or the 1997 Stock Option Plan of the Company (the "1997 Plan") to executive officers named in the Summary Compensation table. Therefore, no Option Grants Table is included. Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option Values The following table sets forth information regarding the exercise of stock options during the last fiscal year by the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table and the fiscal year-end value of unexercised options. [Enlarge/Download Table] -------------------------------------------------------------------==================== Name Shares Value Number of Value of Acquired on Realized Securities Unexercised Exercise Underlying In-The-Money Unexercised Options at June Options at June 30, 1998 30, 1998 Exercisable/Un-exercisable Exercisable/Unexercisable (1) (2) -------------------------------------------------------------------==================== Greg Manning None N/A 100,000/0 $67,031/$0 -------------------------------------------------------------------==================== William T. Tully None N/A 200,000/0 $100,547/$48,750 -------------------------------------------------------------------==================== (1) Based on a closing sale price per share of $1.875 on June 30, 1998, as reported by NASDAQ. (2) Assumes the exercise price of the options in effect on October 26, 1998. Compensation of Directors The Company currently reimburses each director for expenses incurred in connection with his attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee on which he serves. Employment Agreements and Insurance The Company has entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Manning and Tully. The agreement with Mr. Manning provides for his services as President and Chief Executive Officer. The agreement with Mr. Manning for the period ending June 30, 1998 provided, among other things, for a salary equal to $210,000 per annum and a bonus equal to 10% of the Company's audited pre-tax net income between $500,000 and $2,000,000 (as calculated excluding the formula-based bonus payable to either of Messrs. Manning or Tully and subject to increase by the Board of Directors). Mr. Manning received from the Company a base salary of $188,906, $175,000 and $175,000 for fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively and a bonus of $0, $105,271 (includes a bonus of $25,000 in addition to the formula-based bonus) and $54,758 for fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996 , respectively. The employment agreement with Mr. Manning expires on June 30, 1999. The Company amended Mr. Tully's employment agreement, extending the term to June 30, 1998 and increasing the base salary to $110,000 per year, with annual increases equal to the increase in the Consumer Price Index plus 1.5%, plus a bonus based on 5% of the Company's audited pre-tax net income above $700,000 in each such year, as calculated excluding the formula-based bonus payable to either of Messrs. Manning or Tully and subject to certain maximum limitations ($50,000 for fiscal year 1998). Mr. Tully received a bonus of $0, $30,136 and $17,379 for fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Mr. Tully is also entitled to a vehicle for business use. Messrs. Manning and Tully are both eligible to participate in any employee benefit plan and fringe benefit programs, if any, as may be determined by the Company for its employees generally from time to time. The Company and Mr. Tully are continuing to operate under his most recent employment agreement and expect to enter into a new agreement shortly. Each employment agreement also provides that in the event the agreement is terminated as a result of disability (as defined therein) or death, Mr. Manning and Mr. Tully will receive from the Company compensation equal to 66-2/3% of such executive's annual base salary and the executive's cash bonus for a period of 12 months. The Company currently maintains a $1,000,000 term life insurance policy on the life of Mr. Manning with benefits payable to the Company. The Company offers basic health, major medical and life insurance to its employees. The Company adopted a 401(k) Retirement Plan effective July 1, 1997, with respect to which all employees are entitled to participate. The Company has agreed to match employee contributions in an amount equal to 10% of each employee's contribution, up to a maximum of $500 per employee per year. The Company has adopted no other retirement, pension or similar program. Indemnification of Directors and Officers The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation includes certain provisions permitted pursuant to the New York Business Corporation Law (the "NYBCL"), whereby officers and directors of the Company are to be indemnified against certain liabilities. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation also limits to the fullest extent permitted by the NYBCL a director's liability to the Company or its Shareholders for monetary damages for breach of any duty as a director, except for certain instances of bad faith, intentional misconduct, a knowing violation of any law or illegal personal gain. This provision of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation has no effect on any director's liability under Federal securities laws or the availability of equitable remedies, such as injunction or recission, for breach of fiduciary duty. The Company believes that these provisions will facilitate the Company's ability to continue to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve as directors and officers of the Company.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners Set forth below is certain information with respect to persons known by the Company to own beneficially, as of October 26, 1998, 5% or more of the outstanding shares of its Common Stock: [Enlarge/Download Table] --------------------------------------------------------------------------===================== Name and Address of Amount and Nature Percent of Beneficial Owner of Beneficial Ownership Common Stock --------------------------------------------------------------------------===================== Greg Manning (1) 1,400,000 31.0% 775 Passaic Avenue West Caldwell, New Jersey 07006 --------------------------------------------------------------------------===================== Afinsa Bienes Tangibles S.A. (2) 442,000 10.0% Lagasca 88 Madrid, Spain 28001 --------------------------------------------------------------------------===================== Edward M. Gilbert 240,000 5.4% 330 Garfield Street Suite 200 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 --------------------------------------------------------------------------===================== (1) Includes options to purchase 100,000 shares (all of which are exercisable) granted pursuant to the 1993 plan. (2) Afinsa Bienes Tangibles S.A. ("Afinsa") owns 442,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company. Mr. de Figueiredo, a director of the Company, owns 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Afinsa.
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Security Ownership of Management -----------------------------------------------------======================== Name and Address of Beneficial Amount and Nature Percent of Common Owner of Beneficial Stock (2) Ownership (1) -----------------------------------------------------======================== Greg Manning (3) 775 Passaic Avenue West Caldwell, NJ 07006 1,400,000 31.0% -----------------------------------------------------======================== Albertino de Figueiredo (4) Lagasca 88 Madrid, Spain 28001 442,000 10.0% -----------------------------------------------------======================== Scott S. Rosenblum (5) 919 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 6,250 * -----------------------------------------------------======================== David Graham (6) 775 Passaic Avenue West Caldwell, NJ 07006 18,750 * -----------------------------------------------------======================== James Smith (7) 775 Passaic Avenue West Caldwell, NJ 07006 0 * -----------------------------------------------------======================== Anthony L. Bongiovanni (9) 104 Broadway Denville, NJ 07866 1,000 * -----------------------------------------------------======================== William T. Tully, Jr. (8) 775 Passaic Avenue West Caldwell, NJ 07006 200,400 4.5% -----------------------------------------------------======================== All Executive Officers and Directors as a group, including those named above (7 persons) 2,068,400 43.6% -----------------------------------------------------======================== * Less than 1%
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(1) Except as otherwise indicated below, each named person has voting and investment power with respect to the securities owned by them. (2) Based on 4,419,997 shares outstanding, calculated in accordance with Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (3) Includes 1,300,000 shares of Common Stock and 100,000 shares (all of which are exercisable within 60 days of October 23, 1998)granted pursuant to the 1993 Plan. (4) Includes 442,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock owned by Afinsa. Mr. de Figueiredo owns 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Afinsa. Does not include options not exercisable within 60 days of October 23, 1998 to purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the 1997 Plan . (5) Includes options exercisable within 60 days of October 23, 1998 to purchase 6,250 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the 1993 Plan (but does not include options not exercisable within 60 days of October 23, 1998 to purchase 8,750 shares of Common Stock). (6) Includes options exercisable within 60 days of October 23, 1998 to purchase 18,750 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the 1993 Plan (but does not include options not exercisable within 60 days of October 23, 1998 to purchase 6,250 shares of Common Stock). (7) Does not include options not exercisable within 60 days of October 23, 1998 to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the 1997 Plan . (8) Includes 1,000 shares of Common Stock (but does not include options not exercisable within 60 days of October 23, 1998 to purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the 1997 Plan ). (9) Includes 400 shares of Common Stock owned by members of Mr. Tully's immediate family and options exercisable within 60 days of October 23, 1998 to purchase 200,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the 1993 Plan. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS The Company has filed a "shelf" registration statement and post-effective amendment with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") covering, among other securities, shares of Common Stock owned by CRM. The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on September 6, 1996. CRM has reimbursed the Company for the portion of the registration expenses allocable to the registration of its securities. During the year ended June 30, 1996, the Company filed with the SEC a registration statement covering shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options and to be issued pursuant to the 1993 Plan by such officers, employees and directors of the Company who may be deemed to be "affiliates" of the Company. All expenses of such registration, in the amount of $25,000, were borne by the Company. The registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC. Scott Rosenblum, a director of the Company, is a partner of the law firm Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel, which provides legal services to the Company. Anthony L. Bongiovanni, Jr., also a director of the Company, is president of Micro Strategies, Incorporated, which provides computer services to the Company. Amounts charged to operations for services rendered by these firms for the year ended June 30, 1998 were approximately $124,248, in the case of Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel, and approximately $ 75,736, in the case of Micro Strategies, Incorporated PROPOSAL 2 - APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS The Board of Directors has appointed the firm of Amper, Politziner & Mattia as the Company's independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999. Shareholders will be asked to ratify the appointment of Amper, Politziner & Mattia as independent public accountants of the Company for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999. Ratification of the appointment requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present at the Annual Meeting (or represented by proxy) and entitled to vote thereon. The Board of Directors recommends that Shareholders vote FOR ratification of the appointment of Amper, Politziner & Mattia. It is expected that a representative of Amper Politziner & Mattia will be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if Amper, Politziner & Mattia desires to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS Shareholder proposals intended to be considered as of the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company, addressed to the attention of the Company's Secretary, at its offices at 775 Passaic Avenue, West Caldwell, New Jersey 07006, no later than June 30, 1999, in order to be included in the Company's proxy statement relating to that meeting. OTHER BUSINESS The Board of Directors is not aware of any other matter that is to be presented to Shareholders for formal action at the Annual Meeting. If, however, any other matter properly comes before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy to vote such proxies in accordance with their judgement on such matters. OTHER INFORMATION Although it has entered into no formal agreements to do so, the Company will reimburse banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy-soliciting materials to their principals. The cost of soliciting proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors will be borne by the Company. Such proxies will be solicited principally through the mail but, if deemed desirable, may also be solicited personally or by telephone, telegraph, facsimile transmission or special letter by directors, officers and regular employees of the Company without additional compensation. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR STOCK BE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING. THE BOARD URGES YOU TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN ABD RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID REPLY ENVELOPE. YOUR COOPERATION AS A SHAREHOLDER, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF STOCK YOU OWN, WILL REDUCE THE EXPENSES INCIDENT TO A FOLLOW-UP SOLICITATION OF PROXIES. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT VOTING YOUR SHARES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE COMPANY AT (973) 882-0004. Sincerely, MARTHA HUSICK Secretary West Caldwell, New Jersey October 23, 1998
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GREG MANNING AUCTIONS, INC. PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD DECEMBER 9, 1998 The undersigned hereby appoints Greg Manning, William T. Tully, Jr. and Martha Husick, or any of them, each with full power to act alone and with the power of substitution, as proxies to vote all the shares of Common Stock the undersigned is entitled to vote on the following proposals and upon such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Greg Manning Auctions, Inc., (the "Company"), to be held at the Radisson Hotel & Suites, 690 Route 46 East, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004, on December 9, 1998, 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. THIS PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF GREG MANNING AUCTIONS, INC. AND WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED AND RETURNED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY THE PROXIES FOR THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES LISTED BELOW, FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF AMPER, POLITZINER & MATTIA AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1999, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR DISCRETION UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING AND ANY ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF. THIS PROXY MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME BEFORE THE AUTHORITY HEREBY GRANTED IS EXERCISED BY (I) DELIVERING A WRITTEN STATEMENT OF REVOCATION TO GREG MANNING AUCTIONS, INC., 775 PASSAIC AVENUE, WEST CALDWELL, NEW JERSEY 07006, ATTENTION: SECRETARY (II) BY SUBMITTING A LATER DATED PROXY OR (III) ATTENDING THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING IN PERSON. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. ACCORDINGLY, YOU ARE URGED TO SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING. [Please date and sign on the reverse side]
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The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of the director nominees listed below and FOR all the items below, and shares will be so voted unless you indicate otherwise. 1. Election of Directors, to serve until the 2000 annual meeting of shareholders of the Company and until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified. [ ] FOR the nominees listed at right. [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for the nominees listed at right. Nominees for Directors are: GREG MANNING ALBERTINO DE FIGUEIREDO 2. Ratification of the Appointment of Amper, Politziner & Mattia as the Company's independent public accountants for the Company's fiscal year ending June 30, 1999. [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN 3 In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to consider and act upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any and all postponements or adjournments thereof. Signature_____________________________________ Signature_____________________________________ Dated___________________________________, 1998 NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, broker or guardian, please give full title and proof of authority as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY, USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

Dates Referenced Herein   and   Documents Incorporated by Reference

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6/30/993910KSB,  10KSB/A,  5
12/9/9828
Changed as of / Corrected on:10/30/98
Filed on:10/26/984510QSB
10/23/9827
6/30/984710KSB
9/10/974
7/1/974
6/30/97410KSB,  DEF 14A,  NT 10-K
5/8/974
9/6/967
6/30/964710KSB,  DEF 14A,  NT 10-K
12/8/924
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