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[LOGO OF KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL]
1800 Century Park East, Suite 900
Los Angeles, California 90067
August 12, 199921, 2000
Dear Stockholders:
We are pleased to invite you to attend the 1999 Annual Meeting2000 annual meeting of
Stockholdersstockholders of Korn/Ferry International to be held on Wednesday,Tuesday, September 22, 199926,
2000 at 10:00 a.m. at the Park Hyatt Los Angeles at Century City located at
2151 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, California 90067.
The agenda for our 1999 Annual Meeting2000 annual meeting includes three proposals, each of
which is identified and described in the enclosed materials. While all of the
issues to be considered are important, the proposal to change the Company's
state of incorporation from California to Delaware is especially important.
The Proxy Statement describes this proposed change in detail, as well as all
other items to be presented at the meeting.proxy statement.
We are delighted that you have chosen to invest in Korn/Ferry International
and hope that, whether or not you attend the meeting, you will vote as soon as
possible by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card
in the envelope provided. Your vote is important, and voting by written proxy
will ensure your representation at the 1999 Annual Meeting.2000 annual meeting. You may revoke
your proxy in accordance with the procedures described in the Proxy Statementproxy statement
at any time prior to the time it is voted. If you attend the meeting, you may
vote in person even if you previously mailed your proxy card.
Sincerely,
/s/ Richard M. Ferry /s/ Windle B. Priem
Richard M. Ferry Windle B. Priem
ChairChairman of the Board Chief Executive Officer
and President
[LOGO OF KORN/KERN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL]
1800 Century Park East, Suite 900
Los Angeles, California 90067
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 22, 199926, 2000
Dear Stockholder:
On Wednesday,Tuesday, September 22, 1999,26, 2000, Korn/Ferry International (the "Company")
will hold its 19992000
Annual Meeting of Stockholders at the Park Hyatt Los Angeles at Century City
located at 2151 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, California 90067. The
meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m.
Only stockholders who owned the Company's Common Stockour common stock at the close of business on
the record date of August 2, 19992000 can vote at this meeting or any adjournments
that may take place. At the meeting we will:
1. Elect thirteen Directors to the Board of Directors: four Directorsthree directors to serve for a three-year term, five Directors to serve for a two-year term
and four Directors to serve for a one-year term;
2. Consider a proposalApprove the amendment of our Performance Award Plan to changeincrease the
Company's statenumber of incorporation from
Californiashares which may be issued under the Plan and approve the
limits on the maximum number of awards that may be granted to
Delaware;individuals as currently provided for in the Plan;
3. Ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as independent auditors
for fiscal 2000;2001; and
4. Attend to other business properly presented at the meeting.
YOUROUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF EACH OF THE
THREE PROPOSALS OUTLINED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT ACCOMPANYING THIS NOTICE.
The approximate date of mailing for the Company's 1999 Annual Report, Proxy
Statementthis proxy statement and proxy card(s)cards to
all stockholders is August 12, 1999.21, 2000.
A quorum comprised of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock of the Companyour common stock on the record date must be present or represented for the
transaction of business at the meeting. Accordingly, it is important that your
shares be represented at the meeting. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE
MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT
IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
You may revoke your proxy at any time prior to the time it is voted by (1)
notifying the Corporate Secretary of the Company in writing; (2) returning a later-dated
proxy card; or (3) attending the meeting and voting in person.
At the meeting we will also report on the Company'sour fiscal 19992000 business results and
other matters of interest to stockholders.
Please read the proxy materials carefully. Your vote is important and the
Company appreciateswe
appreciate your cooperation in considering and acting on the matters
presented.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Peter L. Dunn
Peter L. Dunn
Vice Chair,Chairman, General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary
August 12, 199921, 2000
Los Angeles, California
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROXY MATERIALS AND THE ANNUAL MEETING.... 1
PROPOSAL NO. 1--ELECTION OF DIRECTORS..................................... 4
PROPOSAL NO. 2--REINCORPORATION IN DELAWARE...............................2--AMENDMENT OF THE PERFORMANCE AWARD PLAN................... 5
PROPOSAL NO. 3--RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP AS
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS..................................................... 188
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.................................................... 199
Nominees for Director--Class 2000....................................... 19
Nominees for Director--Class 2001....................................... 20
Nominees for Director--Class 2002....................................... 212003....................................... 11
Statement on Corporate Governance....................................... 2212
Directors' Compensation................................................. 2312
Employment Agreements................................................... 2413
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.......... 27
Compensation Committee Interlocks17
Certain Relationships and Insider Participation............. 28Transactions With Related Parties............. 18
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.................................................... 2919
Report of the Senior Executive Compensation Committee................... 29& Personnel Committee........................ 19
Summary Compensation Table.............................................. 31
Option Grant Table...................................................... 3221
Aggregated Option Exercises and Year-End Option Values.................. 33
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.......................... 3322
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year....................................... 22
Performance Graph....................................................... 3623
OTHER MATTERS............................................................. 3724
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance................. 3724
Annual Report to Stockholders........................................... 3724
Submission of Stockholder Proposals for Consideration and Nominations of
Persons for Election as Directors at the Annual Meeting................ 3724
Stockholder Proposals for Next Year's Annual Meeting.................... 3825
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROXY MATERIALS AND THE ANNUAL MEETING
1. Q: WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND THE OTHER ENCLOSED
MATERIALS?
A: The Board of Directors (the "Board") of Korn/Ferry International (also
referred to as the "Company")Our board is providing these materials to you in connection with, and
soliciting proxies for use at, the Company's 1999our 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders,
which will take place on September 22,
1999 (the "Annual Meeting").26, 2000. You are requested to vote
on each of the proposals described in this proxy statement.
2. Q: WHAT INFORMATION IS INCLUDED IN THIS MAILING?
A: The information included in this proxy statement relates to, among
other things, the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting,annual meeting, the
voting process and the Company'sour compensation of its directors and executive
officers. The Company's 1999 Annual Report is also enclosed.
3. Q: WHAT PROPOSALS WILL BE VOTED ON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?
A: (1) The election of thirteenthree directors to serve on the Board;board;
(2) The reincorporationapproval of the Companyamendment of our Performance Award Plan to
increase the number of shares which may be issued under the Plan
and the approval of the limits on the maximum number of awards that
may be granted to individuals as currently provided for in Delaware (the "Proposed
Reincorporation");the
Plan; and
(3) The ratification of the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as the
Company'sour
independent auditors for fiscal 2000.2001.
4. Q: HOW DOES THE BOARD RECOMMEND I VOTE ON EACH OF THE PROPOSALS?
A: The Boardboard recommends that you vote your shares "FOR" all of its
nominees to the Boardboard, "FOR" the approval of the amendment of our
Performance Award Plan and "FOR" each of the other proposals.proposal on independent auditors.
5. Q: WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?
A: Holders of the Company's Common Stockour common stock as of the record date, which is the close
of business on August 2, 1999 (the "Record Date")2000, are entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting.annual
meeting.
6. Q: HOW MANY VOTES ARE PROVIDED TO EACH SHARE OF COMMON STOCK?
A: Each share of the Company'sour Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date is
entitled to one vote. As of the Record Date, 35,770,43837,689,982 shares of Common Stock (the Company's only voting securities)our
common stock were issued and outstanding.
7. Q: HOW DO I VOTE?
A: You can vote either by completing, signing and dating each proxy card
you receivereceived and returning it in the envelope provided or by attending
the Annual Meetingannual meeting and voting in person. Once you have submitted your
proxy, you have the right to revoke your proxy at any time before it is
voted by:
(1) Notifying the Corporate Secretary of the Company in writing;
(2) Returning a later-dated proxy card; OR
(3) Attending the Annual Meetingannual meeting and voting in person.
8. Q: WHO WILL COUNT THE VOTES?
A: Representatives of ChaseMellon Shareholder Services L.L.C. will count
the votes and act as the inspector of election at the Annual Meeting.annual meeting.
9. Q: WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF I RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE PROXY CARD?
A: If your shares are registered differently and are in more than one
account, you will receive more than one proxy card. Sign and return all
proxy cards to ensure that all your shares are voted.
1
10. Q: WHAT SHARES ARE INCLUDED ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD(S)?
A: The shares on the enclosed proxy card(s) represent all shares owned by
you as of the Record Date (except for any shares that are held in the
Company'sour
401(k) plan, which shares will be voted by the trustees of the 401(k)
plan). These shares include shares (1) held directly in your name as
the "stockholder of record" and (2) held for you as the "beneficial
owner" through a stockbroker, bank or other nominee (except, as
indicated above, those shares held by the trustees on your behalf
pursuant to the Company'sour 401(k) plan). If you do not return your proxy card(s),
your shares will not be voted.
11. Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOLDING SHARES AS A "STOCKHOLDER OF
RECORD" AND AS A "BENEFICIAL OWNER"?
A: "Stockholder of record": If your shares are registered directly in your
name with the Company'sour transfer agent, ChaseMellon Shareholder Services L.L.C.,
you are considered, with respect to those shares, to be the stockholder
of record, and these proxy materials have been sent directly to you by
the Company.us. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your
voting proxy to the Companyus or to vote in person at the Annual Meeting. The Company hasannual meeting. We have
enclosed a proxy card for you to use.
"Beneficial owner": If your shares are held in a stock brokerage
account, (includingincluding an Individual Retirement Account)Account, or by a bank or
other nominee, you are considered to be the beneficial owner of shares
held in street name, and these proxy materials are being forwarded to
you by your broker or nominee, who is considered, with respect to those
shares, to be the stockholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you
have the right to direct your broker or nominee on how to vote (your
broker or nominee has enclosed a voting instruction card for you to
use) and you are invited to attend the Annual Meeting.annual meeting. However, because
you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in
person at the Annual Meeting.annual meeting.
12. Q: WHAT IF A BENEFICIAL OWNER DOES NOT PROVIDE THE STOCKHOLDER OF RECORD
WITH VOTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR A PARTICULAR PROPOSAL?
A: If you are a beneficial owner and you do not provide the stockholder of
record with voting instructions for a particular proposal, your shares
may constitute "broker non-votes," as described below, with respect to
that proposal.
13. Q: WHAT ARE "BROKER NON-VOTES"?
A: "Broker non-votes" are shares held by a broker or nominee with respect
to which the broker or nominee does not have discretionary power to
vote on a particular proposal or with respect to which instructions
were never received from the beneficial owner. Shares which constitute
broker non-votes with respect to a particular proposal will not be
considered present and entitled to vote on that proposal at the Annual
Meeting,annual
meeting, even though the same shares will be considered present for
quorum purposes and may be entitled to vote on other proposals.
14. Q: HOW ARE VOTES COUNTED?
A: In the election of directors, you may vote "FOR" all of the nominees or
your vote may be "WITHHELD" with respect to one or more of the
nominees. For each of the other proposals, you may vote "FOR," "AGAINST" or
"ABSTAIN"."ABSTAIN." If you sign your proxy card or broker voting instruction
card without voting "FOR," "AGAINST" or "ABSTAIN" for any of the
proposals, your shares will be voted in accordance with the
recommendations of the Board.board. With respect to Proposal No.Nos. 2 abstentions and broker non-votes will be equivalent to "AGAINST" votes.
With respect to Proposal No. 3,
abstentions will be equivalent to "AGAINST" votes, while broker non-votesnon-
votes will be disregarded and will have no effect on the approval or
rejection of the proposal.
2
proposals.
15. Q:WHAT IS THE VOTING REQUIREMENT TO APPROVE EACH PROPOSAL?
A: In order to conduct business at the Annual Meeting,annual meeting, a "quorum," as
described below, must be established. In the election of directors, the
Board's thirteenboard's three nominees will become directors of the Company so long as
2
they receive a plurality of "FOR" votes; however, if any additional
nominees for director are properly brought before the stockholders for
consideration, only the thirteenthree nominees who receive the highest number
of "FOR" votes will become directors of the Company.directors. Approval of Proposal No. 2
the proposal relating(relating to the Proposed Reincorporation,
will require affirmative "FOR" votes from a majorityamendment of the outstanding
shares eligible to be voted at the Annual Meeting as of the Record
Date, whether or not present at the Annual Meeting. Approval ofPerformance Award Plan) and Proposal
No. 3 relating(relating to ratification of the auditors appointed by the
Board,board), will require affirmative "FOR" votes from a majority of those
shares present (either in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote at
the Annual Meeting.annual meeting.
16. Q:WHAT IS A "QUORUM"?
A: A "quorum" is a majority of the holders of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote. A quorum must be present or represented by proxy at
the Annual Meetingannual meeting for business to be conducted. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will be counted as present for quorum purposes.
17. Q: WHAT HAPPENS IF ADDITIONAL MATTERS (OTHER THAN THE PROPOSALS DESCRIBED
IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT) ARE PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?
A: The Boardboard is not aware of any additional matters to be presented for a
vote at the Annual Meeting;annual meeting; however, if any additional matters are
properly presented at the Annual Meeting,annual meeting, your signed proxy card gives
authority to Peter L. Dunn and Elizabeth S.C.S. Murray to vote on suchthose
matters in their discretion.
18. Q: HOW MUCH DID THIS PROXY SOLICITATION COST?
A: The CompanyWe hired ChaseMellon Shareholder Services L.L.C. to assist in the
distribution of proxy materials and solicitation of votes for
approximately $5,500,$7,000, including out-of-pocket expenses. The CompanyWe also
reimbursesreimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding
proxy and solicitation materials to beneficial owners.
19. Q: CAN I CHANGE MY VOTE AFTER I RETURN MY PROXY CARD?
A: Yes. You may change your vote at any time before the proxy is exercised
by:
(1) notifying the Corporate Secretary of Korn/Ferry in writing;
(2) returning a later-dated proxy card; or
(3) attending the annual meeting and voting in person.
3
PROPOSAL NO. 1--ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
There is a total of thirteenthree nominees for election as directors, of the
Company at the Annual Meeting. This is a larger number of nominees than will
be considered for election to the Board in future years because this is the
first year in which the Company has a staggered board of directors (i.e., a
board of directors comprised of directors whose terms expire in different
years) and is a publicly-held company. The thirteen nominees have been grouped
into three classes, with two classes comprised of four directors and one class
comprised of five directors. Directors elected to serve as Class 2000
Directors will serve until the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, while
Class 2001 Directors will serve until the 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
and Class 2002 Directors will serve until the 2002 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. Beginning with the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, either
four or five directors will be elected annually at the Company's annual
meetings of stockholders, each to serve
for a term of three years. The nominees for election at the Annual Meetingannual meeting to
serve as Class 20002003 Directors are Paul Buchanan-Barrow, Manuel A. Papayanopulos,Patti S. Hart, Windle B. Priem and Michael A. Wellman. The nominees for election at the Annual Meeting to
serve as Class 2001 Directors are James E. Barlett, Richard M. Ferry, Timothy
K. Friar, Sakie Fukushima and Scott E. Kingdom. The nominees for election at
the Annual Meeting to serve as Class 2002 Directors are Frank V. Cahouet,
Peter L. Dunn, Charles D. Miller and Gerhard Schulmeyer.Mark C.
Thompson. Detailed information regarding each of these thirteenthree nominees is
provided on pages 19 through 21page 11 of this proxy statement. The Company doesWe do not expect any of the thirteenthree
nominees to become unavailable to stand for election, but, should this happen,
the Boardboard will designate a substitute for each unavailable nominee. Proxies
voting for any unavailable nominee will be cast for that nominee's substitute.
REQUIRED VOTE
The Board's thirteenboard's three nominees will become directors of the Company so long as they receive a
plurality of "FOR" votes; however, if any additional nominees for director are
properly brought before the stockholders for consideration, only the thirteenthree
nominees who receive the highest number of "FOR" votes will become directors of the Company.directors.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ALL OF ITS THIRTEENTHREE NOMINEES FOR
DIRECTOR.
4
PROPOSAL NO. 2--REINCORPORATION IN DELAWARE
INTRODUCTION
For2--AMENDMENT OF THE PERFORMANCE AWARD PLAN
Our Performance Award Plan, or the reasons set forth below,Plan, was adopted by our board and
approved by our shareholders in August 1998. Our board has adopted and
recommends that you approve an amendment to the Board believesPlan that it is inwould increase the
best
interestsmaximum number of shares of common stock that may be delivered pursuant to
awards granted under the Company and its stockholdersPlan from 7,000,000 to change13,000,000, representing an
amount equal to approximately 35% of our outstanding shares of common stock on
the state of
incorporation ofdate hereof. Our board also recommends that you approve the Company from California to Delaware (the "Proposed
Reincorporation"). Throughout this proxy statement, the Company as currently
incorporated in California will be referred to as "KFY California" and the
Company as reincorporated in Delaware (which reincorporation is subject to
approval of the Proposed Reincorporation by the stockholders at the Annual
Meeting) will be referred to as "KFY Delaware."
STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY THIS SECTION OF THIS PROXY
STATEMENT, INCLUDING THE RELATED EXHIBITS REFERENCED BELOW AND ATTACHED
HERETO, BEFORE VOTING ON THE PROPOSED REINCORPORATION.
The principal reasons for the Proposed Reincorporation are the greater
predictability and flexibility provided by the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware (the "Delaware General Corporation Law"), particularly as
construed by the Delaware courts; the increased ability of the Company to
attract and retain qualified directors and officers, especially in light of
prior initiatives in California to attempt to severely limit the ability of
companies to indemnify directors and officers; and the reduction of the
Company's vulnerability to unsolicited or hostile attempts to obtain control
of the Company. The Board believes that the Company's stockholders will
benefit from the well-established principles of corporate governance that
Delaware law affords. The proposed KFY Delaware Charter and Bylaws are similar
to those currently in effect for KFY California; however,limits, as
described below, on the Proposed Reincorporation includes the implementationmaximum number of certain provisionsawards that may be granted to
individuals as currently set forth in the KFY Delaware CharterPlan. The approval of these limits
will enable us to continue to be entitled to federal tax deductions with
respect to awards of stock options and Bylaws which alterperformance based compensation under
the rightsPlan. A summary of stockholdersthe Plan, as amended, is set forth below.
The purpose of the Plan is to promote our success and the powersinterests of managementour
stockholders by attracting, motivating, retaining and which, in some cases, reduce stockholder
participation in important corporate decisions.rewarding directors,
officers, employees and other eligible persons with awards and incentives for
high levels of individual performance and improved company financial
performance; to attract, motivate and retain experienced and knowledgeable
independent directors through the benefits provided under the Plan; and to
further align their respective interests with those of our stockholders
through awards of stock-based incentives. The Proposed Reincorporation
is not being proposed in response to any present attempt, knowngranting of performance awards
pursuant to the Board,
to acquire control of the Company, to obtain representation on the Board, or
to take significant corporate action that would materially affect the
governance of the Company.
The Proposed Reincorporation will be effected by merging KFY California
into a new Delaware corporation that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of KFY
California (the "Merger"). Upon completion of the Merger, KFY California, as a
corporate entity, will cease to exist and the new Delaware corporation (post-
Merger referred to throughout this proxy statement as "KFY Delaware") will
succeed to the assets and assume the liabilities of KFY CaliforniaPlan has been and will continue to operate the business of the Company under its current name,
Korn/Ferry International.
As provided by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, in substantially the form
attached hereto as Appendix A (the "Merger Agreement"), each outstanding share
of KFY California Common Stock, no par value per share, will be automatically
converted into one share of KFY Delaware Common Stock, $0.01 par value per
share, upon the effective date of the Merger. Each stock certificate
representing issued and outstanding shares of KFY California Common Stock will
continue to represent the same number of shares of KFY Delaware Common Stock.
IT WILL NOT BE NECESSARY FOR STOCKHOLDERS TO EXCHANGE THEIR EXISTING KFY
CALIFORNIA STOCK CERTIFICATES FOR KFY DELAWARE STOCK CERTIFICATES. However,
stockholders may request that their certificates be exchanged if they so
choose.
KFY California Common Stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock
Exchange and, after the Merger, KFY Delaware Common Stock will be traded on
the New York Stock Exchange under the same symbol ("KFY") as the shares of KFY
California Common Stock are currently traded. There will be no interruption in
the trading of the Company's Common Stock as a result of the Merger. As of the
date the Board resolved to undertake the Proposed Reincorporation, the closing
price of KFY California Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange was
$14.0625 per share.
5
Under California law, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of KFY California Common Stock is required for approval
of the Merger Agreement and the other terms of the Proposed Reincorporation.
See "Vote Required for the Proposed Reincorporation" below. The Proposed
Reincorporation has been approved by the members of the Board, who unanimously
recommend a vote in favor of the proposal. If approved by the stockholders, it
is anticipated that the Merger will become effective (the "Effective Date") as
soon as practicable following the Annual Meeting. However, as described in the
Merger Agreement, the Merger (and thus the Proposed Reincorporation) may be
abandoned or the Merger Agreement may be amended by the Board (except that the
principal terms may not be amended without stockholder approval) either before
or after stockholder approval has been obtained and prior to the Effective
Date if, in the opinion of the Board, circumstances arise which make it
inadvisable to proceed with the Proposed Reincorporation under the original
terms of the Merger Agreement.
As provided in the California General Corporation Law, stockholders of KFY
California will not have appraisal rights with respect to the Merger. See
"Comparison of the Charters and Bylaws of KFY California and KFY Delaware and
Significant Differences Between the Corporation Laws of California and
Delaware--Appraisal Rights" below.
The discussion set forth below is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the Merger Agreement, the KFY Delaware Charter (also referred to as its
certificate of incorporation) and the KFY Delaware Bylaws, copies of which are
attached to this proxy statement as Appendices A, B and C, respectively.
APPROVAL BY STOCKHOLDERS OF THE PROPOSED REINCORPORATION WILL ALSO
CONSTITUTE APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT, THE KFY DELAWARE CHARTER AND THE
KFY DELAWARE BYLAWS AND ALL PROVISIONS THEREOF.
PRINCIPAL REASONS FOR THE PROPOSED REINCORPORATION
As the Company plans for the future, the Board and the Company's management
believe that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders
that the Company be able to draw upon well-established principles of corporate
governance in making legal and business decisions. The predictability of
Delaware corporate law provides a reliable foundation on which the Company's
governance decisions can be based, and the Company believes that its
stockholders will benefit from the responsiveness of Delaware corporate law to
their needs and to those of the corporation they own.
Predictability and Flexibility Of Delaware Law. For many years, Delaware
has followed a policy of encouraging incorporation in that state and, in
furtherance of that policy, has been a leader in adopting, construing and
implementing comprehensive, flexible corporate laws that are responsive to the
legal and business needs of the corporations organized under its laws. Many
corporations have chosen Delaware as their original state of incorporation or
have subsequently changed their corporate domiciles to Delaware for these
reasons. Because of Delaware's popularity as the state of incorporation for
many major corporations, both the legislature and the courts in Delaware have
demonstrated an ability and a willingness to act quickly and effectively to
meet changing business needs. The Delaware courts have developed considerable
expertise in dealing with corporate issues, and a substantial body of case law
has developed construing Delaware law and establishing public policies with
respect to corporate legal affairs.
Increased Ability to Attract and Retain Qualified Directors and
Officers. Both California and Delaware law permit a corporation to reduce or
limit the monetary liability of directors for breaches of fiduciary duty in
certain circumstances and to indemnify directors and officers against certain
monetary liability, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the
performance of their respective duties relating to the corporation. The
increasing frequency of claims and litigation directed against directors and
officers has greatly expanded the risks facing directors and officers of
corporations in exercising their respective duties. The amount of time and
money required to respond to such claims and to defend such litigation can be
substantial. It is the Company's desire to reduce these risks to its directors
and officers, to limit to the extent possible the situations in which monetary
6
damages can be recovered against directors and to indemnify its directors and
officers to the extent possible so that the Company may continue to attract
and retain qualified directors and officers who otherwise might be unwilling
to serve because of the risks involved. The Company believes that, in general,
Delaware law provides greater protection to directors and officers than
California law and that Delaware case law regarding a corporation's ability to
limit director liability and to indemnify directors and officers is better
developed and provides more guidance than California law.
Approximately two and a half years ago, Proposition 211 was rejected by the
California electorate. Proposition 211, which was voted upon in November 1996,
would have, if enacted, severely limited the ability of California companies
to indemnify their directors and officers. While Proposition 211 was defeated,
similar initiatives or legislation containing similar provisions may be
proposed in California in the future. As a result, the Company believes that
the more favorable corporate environment afforded by Delaware will enable it
to compete more effectively with other public companies in attracting and
retaining qualified directors and officers.
Well-Established Principles of Corporate Governance. There is substantial
judicial precedent in the Delaware courts as to the legal principles
applicable to measures that may be taken by corporations and as to the conduct
of boards of directors under the business judgment rule and other standards.
The Company believes that its stockholders will benefit from the well-
established principles of corporate governance that Delaware law affords.
Reduced Vulnerability to Unsolicited Takeover Attempts. Delaware, like many
other states, permits a corporation to adopt a number of measures designed to
reduce a corporation's vulnerability to unsolicited takeover attempts through
provisions in the corporate charter or bylaws or otherwise. The Proposed
Reincorporation is intended to reduce the Company's vulnerability to
unsolicited or hostile attempts to obtain control of the Company and to
increase the likelihood that stockholders will receive a fair price for their
shares in transactions relating to such attempts. The Proposed Reincorporation
is not, however, being proposed in response to any present attempt, known to
the Board, to acquire control of the Company, to obtain representation on the
Company's Board, or to take significant corporate action that would materially
affect the governance of the Company.
In the discharge of its fiduciary obligations to the Company's
stockholders, the Board has evaluated the Company's vulnerability to potential
unsolicited bidders. In the course of such evaluation, the Board has
considered, or may consider in the future, certain defensive strategies
designed to enhance the Board's ability to negotiate with such unsolicited
bidders. These strategies include, but are not limited to, the adoption of a
stockholder rights plan, the adoption of a severance plan for the Company's
management and key employees that becomes effective upon the occurrence of a
change in control of the Company, the establishment of a staggered board of
directors, the elimination of cumulative voting, the elimination of the right
to remove a director other than for cause and the authorization of "blank-
check" preferred stock (the rights and preferences of which may be determined
by the board of directors). The establishment of a staggered board of
directors, the elimination of cumulative voting and the authorization of
"blank-check" preferred stock each have been previously adopted by KFY
California and will continue with respect to KFY Delaware following the
Proposed Reincorporation. For a detailed discussion of the changes that will
be implemented asimportant part of the
Proposed Reincorporation, see "Comparisoncompensation of our employees.
Awards under the Charters and Bylaws of KFY California and KFY Delaware and Significant
Differences Between the Corporation Laws of California and Delaware" below.
The Board believes that unsolicited takeover attemptsPlan may be unfair or
disadvantageous to the Company and its stockholders because, among other
reasons: (i) a non-negotiated takeover bid may be timed to take advantage of
temporarily depressed stock prices; (ii) a non-negotiated takeover bid may be
designed to foreclose or minimize the possibility of more favorable competing
bids or alternative transactions; (iii) a non-negotiated takeover bid may
involve the acquisition of only a controlling interest in the Company's stock,
without affording all stockholders the opportunity to receive the same
economic benefits; (iv) a non-negotiated takeover bid may deprive stockholders
of an adequate opportunity to evaluate the merits of the proposed transaction
and (v) certain of the Company's contractual arrangements provide that they
may not be assigned in connection with a
7
transaction that results in a "change of control" of the Company without the
prior written consent of the licensor or other contracting party.
By contrast, in a transaction in which a potential acquirer must negotiate
with the Board, the Board can and will take account of the underlying and
long-term values of the Company's business, technology and other assets, the
possibilities for alternative transactions on more favorable terms, the
possible advantages from a tax-free reorganization, the anticipated favorable
developments in the Company's business not yet reflected in the stock price
and the equality of treatment of all stockholders.
The Board believes that, for the protection of the Company's stockholders,
any proposed acquisition of control of the Company or proposed business
combination in which the Company might be involved should be thoroughly
studied by the Board to assure that such transaction would be in the best
interestsform of nonqualified stock options,
incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, or SARs, restricted stock,
performance shares, stock bonuses, or cash bonuses based on performance.
Awards may be granted individually or in combination with other awards. Any
cash bonuses and other performance awards under the Plan will depend upon the
extent to which performance goals set by our board or the Compensation
Committee are met during the performance period. Awards under the Plan
generally will be nontransferable by the holder of the Company and its stockholders and that all of the Company's
stockholders would be treated fairly in such transaction. In sum, the Board
believes that the Proposed Reincorporation is prudent and in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders and should be adopted for their
protection.
POSSIBLE DISADVANTAGES OF REINCORPORATION
Despite the beliefs of the Board as to the benefits of the Proposed
Reincorporation to the Company and its stockholders, the Proposed
Reincorporation may have the effect of discouraging a future takeover attempt
that is not approvedaward (other than by
the Board but is favored by individual stockholders.
This outcome could result even if a majority of the stockholders deem such
future takeover attempt to be in their best interestswill or if the stockholders
might receive a substantial premium for their shares over the then current
market value or over their cost basis in such shares. As a result of the
adoption of the proposal, stockholders who wish to participate in an
unsolicited tender offer may not have an opportunity to do so if such tender
offer is not approved by the Board. In addition, the Proposed Reincorporation
could make it more difficult to change the existing Board and management.
Furthermore, adoption of the proposal will not necessarily ensure or guarantee
that stockholders will receive a price for their shares in connection with an
acquisition of control of the Company that reflects the value of such shares
or that is fair and equitable, although, in the opinion of the Board, the
likelihood that the price will reflect such value and be fair and equitable
will be increased by the Proposed Reincorporation. See "Comparison of the
Charters and Bylaws of KFY California and KFY Delaware and Significant
Differences Between the Corporation Laws of California and Delaware" below.
NO CHANGE IN THE CORPORATE NAME, BOARD MEMBERS, BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, EMPLOYEE
BENEFIT PLANS OR LOCATION OF PRINCIPAL FACILITIES OF THE COMPANY
The Proposed Reincorporation will effect only a change in the legal
domicile of the Company and certain other changes of a legal nature, the most
significant of which are described in this proxy statement. The Proposed
Reincorporation will NOT result in any change in the name, business,
management, fiscal year, assets, liabilities or location of the principal
facilities of the Company. The directors elected at the Annual Meeting to
serve on the Board of KFY California will become the directors of KFY
Delaware. All employee benefit, stock option and employee stock purchase plans
of KFY California will be assumed and continued by KFY Delaware, and each
option or right issued by such plans will automatically be converted into an
option or right to purchase the same number of shares of KFY Delaware Common
Stock, at the same price per share, upon the same terms and subject to the
same conditions. Stockholders should note that approval of the Proposed
Reincorporation will also constitute approval of the assumption of these plans
by KFY Delaware. Other employee benefit arrangements of KFY California will
also be continued by KFY Delaware upon the terms and subject to the conditions
currently in effect.
As noted above, after the Merger, the shares of the Company's Common Stock
will continue to be traded, without interruption, on the same exchange (the
New York Stock Exchange) and under the same symbol ("KFY"). The Company
believes that the Proposed Reincorporation will not affect any of its material
contracts with any third parties and that KFY California's rights and
obligations under such material contractual arrangements will continue and be
assumed by KFY Delaware.
8
COMPARISON OF THE CHARTERS AND BYLAWS OF KFY CALIFORNIA AND KFY DELAWARE AND
SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CORPORATION LAWS OF CALIFORNIA AND
DELAWARE
General. The provisions of the KFY Delaware Charter (also referred to as
its certificate of incorporation) and Bylaws are similar to those of the KFY
California Charter (also referred to as its articles of incorporation) and
Bylaws in many respects. However, as described below, the Proposed
Reincorporation includes the implementation of certain provisions in the KFY
Delaware Charter and Bylaws which alter the rights of stockholders and the
powers of management and which, in some cases, may reduce stockholder
participation in important corporate decisions and may have "anti-takeover"
implications. See "Principal Reasons for the Proposed Reincorporation--Reduced
Vulnerability to Unsolicited Takeover Attempts" and "Possible Disadvantages of
Reincorporation" above.
In addition, pursuant to Delaware law, certain other changes altering the
rights of stockholders and powers of management could be implemented in the
future by amendment of the KFY Delaware Charter following stockholder approval
or by amendment of the KFY Delaware Bylaws by the Board without stockholder
approval. Except for the provisions described below, the Board does not have
any current plans to implement any additional provisions to the KFY Delaware
Charter or Bylaws that may have "anti-takeover" implications.
Approval by the stockholders of the Proposed Reincorporation will
constitute approval of the inclusion in the KFY Delaware Charter and Bylaws of
each of the provisions contained in such documents. In addition, approval of
the Proposed Reincorporation will result in certain major substantive
differences in the corporate law governing the Company. While the KFY Delaware
and KFY California Charters and Bylaws and the respective laws of California
and Delaware are discussed below, such discussion contains neither an
exhaustive description of all differences between the KFY Delaware and KFY
California Charters and Bylaws nor an exhaustive description of the
differences between the laws of descent and distribution). During the two states. The discussion below ofholder's lifetime,
rights under the KFY Delaware Charter and Bylaws is qualified by reference to Appendices B and
C hereto, respectively.
Authorized Capitalization. If the Proposed Reincorporation is approved, the
authorized capitalization of KFY DelawarePlan generally will be the same as that of KFY
California, except that each share of KFY Delaware stock will have a par value
of $0.01 per share while each share of KFY California stock has no par value.
The KFY California and KFY Delaware Charters both authorize the Company to
issue 150,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 50,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock.
"Blank-Check" Preferred Stock. The KFY Delaware and KFY California Charters
both authorize the Board to issue "blank-check" Preferred Stock. Pursuant to
the KFY Delaware Charter, the Board is authorized to issue, without any action
on the part of the Company's stockholders, up to 50,000,000 shares of such
"blank-check" Preferred Stock. The KFY Delaware Charter grants the Board the
authority to divide such share into one or more series and to fix and
determine the relative rights and preferences, including the voting rights, of
the shares of each series. The issuance of Preferred Stock could be usedexercisable only by the Boardholder,
subject to such exceptions as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in
control of the Company or to resist takeover offers opposed by the Company's
management. Under certain circumstances, the Board could create impediments
for or frustrate persons seeking to effect a hostile takeover or otherwise
gain control of the Company by causing shares of Preferred Stock with voting
or conversion rights to be issued to a holder or holders who side with the
Board.
Classification of the Board of Directors. A classified board of directors
is one on which a certain number, but not all, of the directors are elected on
a rotating basis each year. California law permits a "listed corporation"
(such as the Company) to divide its board of directors into two or three
classes by providing for such division in the corporation's charter or bylaws.
Delaware law permits, but does not require, a classified board of directors,
whereby the directors can be divided into as many as three classes with
staggered terms of office, with only one class of directors standing for
election each year. Both the KFY California Bylaws and the KFY Delaware
Charter provide for the Board to be classified and to be divided into three
classes.
9
Elimination of Cumulative Voting for Directors. Cumulative voting rights in
the election of directors entitle a stockholder to give one nominee as many
votes as are equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the
number of shares owned by the stockholder, or to distribute such votes among
two or more nominees, as the stockholder sees fit. In the absence of
cumulative voting, the holder or holders of the majority of the shares present
or represented at a meeting have the power to elect each director to be
elected at such meeting. The absence of cumulative voting would make it more
difficult for minority stockholders adverse to a majority of the stockholders
to obtain representation on a corporation's board of directors.
California law requires cumulative voting in the election of directors but
permits a "listed" corporation, such as the Company, to eliminate cumulative
voting, which the Company has chosen to do. Under Delaware law, shares may not
be cumulatively voted for the election of directors of the Company unless the
KFY Delaware Charter specifically provides for cumulative voting, which it
does not.
Amendment of Bylaws. Under California law, a corporation's bylaws may be
adopted, amended or repealed either by the vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares or by the approval of the board of directors of such
corporation. Neither the KFY California Charter nor the KFY California Bylaws
contain provisions restricting or eliminating the rights to adopt, amend or
repeal granted under California law. Delaware law provides that a
corporation's bylaws may be amended by that corporation's stockholders or, if
so provided in the corporation's charter, by the corporation's board of
directors. The KFY Delaware Charter gives the Board the power to alter, amend
or repeal the KFY Delaware Bylaws. In addition, the KFY Delaware Charter gives
KFY Delaware's stockholders the right to adopt, amend or repeal the KFY
Delaware Bylaws, but only with the affirmative vote of the holders of not less
than 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of KFY Delaware Common Stock entitled
to vote on such matters. As a result, the percentage of stockholder approval
required to adopt, amend, or repeal a bylaw of KFY Delaware will be higher
than the corresponding percentage with respect to the KFY California Bylaws.
Right to Call Special Stockholders' Meetings. Pursuant to California law,
the KFY California Bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may
be called by the Board, the Chair of the Board or the President of the Company
or by the holders of shares of the Company entitled to cast not less than 10%
of the votes at such meeting. Under Delaware law, a special meeting of
stockholders may be called by the board of directors of a corporation or by
any other person authorized to do so in the corporation's charter or bylaws.
The KFY Delaware Charter authorizes only the Board, the Chair of the Board,
the Chief Executive Officer or the President of the Company to call a special
meeting of stockholders. Therefore, under the KFY Delaware Charter, holders of
10% or more of the voting shares of the Company will not be able to call a
special meeting of stockholders.
The Board believes this change is warranted as a prudent corporate
governance measure to prevent an inappropriately small number of stockholders
from prematurely forcing stockholder consideration of a proposal over the
opposition of the Board by calling a special stockholders' meeting before (i)
the time that the Board believes such consideration to be appropriate or (ii)
the next annual meeting. Such special meetings would involve substantial
expense and diversion of Board and management time, results which the Board
believes to be inappropriate for an enterprise the size of the Company.
The elimination of the procedures for stockholders to call special meetings
could discourage hostile takeover attempts or tender offers for control of KFY
Delaware which might be approved by many, or indeed by a majority, of KFY
Delaware's stockholders. In addition, elimination of the ability of
stockholders to call a special meeting means that a stockholder proposal to
replace the Board would be restricted to only annual meetings, thereby making
the removal of directors by stockholders more difficult. See "Possible
Disadvantages of Reincorporation" above.
Aside from the foregoing, no other change is contemplated in the procedures
to call a special stockholders' meeting, although in the future the Board
could amend the KFY Delaware Bylaws without stockholder approval. See
"Amendment of Bylaws" above.
10
Filling Vacancies on the Board. Under California law, any vacancy on the
Board (other than one created by removal of a director) may be filled by a
majority of the remaining directors of the Company constituting no less than a
quorum. If the number of directors is less than a quorum, a vacancy may be
filled by the unanimous written consent of the directors then in office or by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors at a meeting held based on
notice or waiver of notice. A vacancy created by removal of a director may be
filled by the Board only if so authorized by the KFY California Charter or
Bylaws, which do not authorize such action byCompensation Committee
in accordance with the Board.
Delaware law differs in that vacancies and newly-created positions on the
BoardPlan. No incentive stock option may be filled by a majority of the directors of the Company then in
office (even though less than a quorum) or by a sole remaining director,
unless otherwise provided in the KFY Delaware Charter or Bylaws (or unless the
KFY Delaware Charter directs that a particular class of stock is to elect such
directors, in which case a majority of the directors elected by such class
would fill such vacancy or newly-created position). Unlike the KFY California
Bylaws, the KFY Delaware Bylaws provide that the remaining directors can fill
any vacancy on the Board, including a vacancy created by the removal of a
director.
Nomination of Directors and Introduction of Business at Stockholder
Meetings. The KFY Delaware Bylaws include advance notice procedures similar to
those included in the KFY California Bylaws with regard to the nomination of
directors, other than by or at the direction of the Board (the "Nomination
Procedure"), and with regard to other matters to be brought before an annual
meeting of stockholders by a stockholder of the Company (the "Business
Procedure"), except that the KFY Delaware Bylaws change the timeline for such
notice from 120 days in advance of the annual meeting date for the year in
question or, if such date had not been set, 120 days in advance of the first
anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting (as provided by the KFY
California Bylaws) to not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to
the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting.
By requiring advance notice of nominations by stockholders, the Nomination
Procedure affords the Board an opportunity to consider the qualifications of
the proposed nominees and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by the
Board, to inform the stockholders about such qualifications. By requiring
advance notice of proposed business, the Business Procedure provides the Board
with an opportunity to inform stockholders of the nature of any business
proposed to be conductedgranted at a
meeting and the Board's position on any such
proposal, enabling stockholders to better determine how to vote their shares
in regard to such business.
The Nomination Procedure and the Business Procedure may have the effect of
precluding a nomination for the election of directors or of precluding any
other business at a particular meeting if the proper procedures are not
followed. In addition, the procedures may discourage or deter a third party
from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors
or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company, even if such
nominations for the election of directors or other business might be deemed by
the majority of stockholders to be beneficial to the Company and its
stockholders.
Stockholder Approval of Certain Business Combinations. Under Section 203 of
the Delaware General Corporation Law, a Delaware corporation is prohibited
from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested stockholder" for
three years following the timeprice that such person or entity becomes an
interested stockholder. With certain exceptions, an interested stockholder is
a person or entity who or which owns, individually or with or through certain
other persons or entities, fifteen percent (15%) or more of the corporation's
outstanding voting stock (including any rights to acquire stock by an option,
warrant, agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of
conversion or exchange rights, and stock with respect to which the person has
voting rights only). The three-year moratorium imposed by Section 203 on
business combinations does not apply if (i) prior to the time such stockholder
becomes an interested stockholder, the board of directors of the subject
corporation approves either the business combination or the transaction that
resulted in the person or entity becoming an interested stockholder; (ii) upon
consummation of the transaction that made him or her an interested
stockholder, the interested stockholder owns at least eighty-five percent
(85%) of the corporation's voting stock outstanding at the time the
transaction commenced (excluding from the 85% calculation shares owned by
directors who are also officers of the subject corporation and shares held by
11
employee stock plans that do not give employee participants the right to
decide confidentially whether to accept a tender or exchange offer) or (iii)
at or after the time such person or entity becomes an interested stockholder,
the board of directors approves the business combination and it is also
approved at a stockholder meeting by sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66
2/3%) of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.
Although a Delaware corporation to which Section 203 applies may elect not to
be governed by Section 203, the Board intends that the Company be governed by
Section 203. The Board believes that most Delaware corporations have availed
themselves of this statute and have not opted out of Section 203.
The Board believes that Section 203 will encourage any potential acquirer
to negotiate with the Board. Section 203 also might have the effect of
limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for KFY
Delaware in which all stockholders would not be treated equally. Stockholders
should note, however, that the application of Section 203 to KFY Delaware will
confer upon the Board the power to reject a proposed business combination in
certain circumstances, even though a potential acquirer may be offering a
substantial premium for KFY Delaware's shares over the then-current market
price. Section 203 would also discourage certain potential acquirers who are
unwilling to negotiate with the Board.
California law requires that holders of common stock receive common stock
in a merger of the corporation with the holder of more than fifty percent
(50%) but less than ninety percent (90%) of the target's common stock or its
affiliate unless all of the target company's stockholders consent to the
transaction. This provision of California law may have the effect of making a
"cash-out" merger by a majority stockholder more difficult to accomplish.
Although Delaware law does not parallel California law in this respect, under
some circumstances Section 203 does provide similar protection to stockholders
against coercive two-tiered bids for a corporation in which the stockholders
are not treated equally.
Action By Written Consent of Stockholders. Unless otherwise provided in a
corporation's charter, both California and Delaware law permit any action
which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders to be
taken without a meeting and without prior notice if a written consent, setting
forth the action to be taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding shares
of the corporation's capital stock having not less than the minimum number of
votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at
which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. The KFY
California Charter does not contain a provision limiting the Company's
stockholders' right to take action by written consent. In contrast, the KFY
Delaware Charter does not permit the Company's stockholders to take action by
written consent unless both the action to be taken and the taking of such
action by written consent have been expressly approved in advance by the
Board. In addition, the KFY Delaware Charter requires the affirmative vote of
two-thirds of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock of the Company
to amend, repeal or adopt any provision inconsistent with this restriction on
action by written consent of the stockholders.
Removal of Directors. Under California law, any director or the entire
board of directors may be removed, with or without cause, by approval of a
majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote; however, no individual
director may be removed (unless the entire board is removed) if the number of
votes cast against such removal would be sufficient to elect the director
under cumulative voting. The KFY California Bylaws provide that any or all
directors of the Company may be removed without cause if such removal is
approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to
vote at an election of directors and a director may also be removed without
cause if such removal is approved by a majority of the Board. Delaware law
provides that a director of a corporation with a classified board of directors
can be removed only for cause unless the charter of the corporation provides
otherwise. The KFY Delaware Charter does not provide for the removal of
directors of the Company without cause.
Limitation of Liability of Directors. California and Delaware have similar
laws respecting the elimination of the liability of a director to the
corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of the
director's fiduciary duty. California law does not permit the elimination or
limitation of monetary liability where such liability is based on: (i)
intentional misconduct or knowing and culpable violation of law; (ii) acts or
omissions that a director believes to be contrary to the best interests of the
corporation or its stockholders or that
12
involve the absence of good faith on the part of the director; (iii) receipt
of an improper personal benefit; (iv) acts or omissions that show reckless
disregard for the director's duty to the corporation or its stockholders,
where the director in the ordinary course of performing a director's duties
should be aware of a risk of serious injury to the corporation or its
stockholders; (v) acts or omissions that constitute an unexcused pattern of
inattention that amounts to an abdication of the director's duty to the
corporation and its stockholders; (vi) transactions between the corporation
and a director who has a material financial interest in such transaction or
(vii) liability for improper distributions, loans or guarantees.
Delaware law does not permit the elimination or limitation of director
monetary liability for: (i) breaches of the director's duty of loyalty to the
corporation or its stockholders; (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or
involving intentional misconduct or knowing violations of law; (iii) the
payment of unlawful dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions or
(iv) transactions in which the director received an improper personal benefit.
Such provision also may not limit a director's liability for violation of, or
otherwise relieve the Company or its directors from the necessity of,
complying with federal or state securities laws, or affect the availability of
non-monetary remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.
The KFY California and KFY Delaware Charters both provide for the
elimination of personal monetary liability of directors to the fullest extent
permissible under the law of the respective states. However, because Delaware
law is more permissive under certain circumstances than California law with
respect to eliminating monetary liability of directors, the KFY Delaware
Charter is potentially broader in application than the KFY California Charter.
In addition, the KFY Delaware Charter provision incorporates any future
amendments to Delaware law that further eliminate or limit such liability.
Indemnification. California and Delaware have similar laws respecting
indemnification by a corporation of its officers, directors, employees and
other agents. California law requires indemnification when the individual has
defended successfully the action on the merits while Delaware law requires
indemnification when there has been a successful defense on the merits or
otherwise. If the individual loses or settles, the laws of both states, with
some differences, provide for permissive indemnification (i.e., it is not
required, but the corporation may indemnify). Delaware law generally permits
indemnification of expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and
reasonably incurred in the defense or settlement of a derivative or third-
party action, provided there is a determination (i) by a majority vote of the
directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though
less than a quorum, (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by
majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, (iii) by
independent legal counsel or (iv) by a majority vote of a quorum of the
stockholders that the person seeking indemnification acted in good faith and
in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests
of the corporation. Without court approval, however, no indemnification may be
made in respect of any derivative action in which such person is adjudged
liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his or her duty to
the corporation. California law allows indemnification if, with respect to the
matter giving rise to the lawsuit, the individual acted (i) in good faith and
(ii) for the purpose or in a manner that he reasonably believed to be in the
best interests of the corporation. Although California law is similar to
Delaware law in that it requires determination to be made by the majority vote
of non-party directors or by the majority vote of a quorum of the
stockholders, California law also provides for determination to be made by the
court. However, it does not allow for determination to be made by an
independent counsel.
Expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending an action may be
paid in advance, under Delaware law and California law, if such director or
officer undertakes to repay such amounts if it is ultimately determined that
he or she is not entitled to indemnification. In addition, the laws of both
states authorize a corporation's purchase of indemnity insurance for the
benefit of its officers, directors, employees and agents whether or not the
corporation would have the power to indemnify against the liability covered by
the policy.
California law permits the Company to provide such additional rights to
indemnification beyond those mandated by statute to the extent such additional
indemnification is authorized in the KFY California Charter. The KFY
California Charter permits indemnification beyond that expressly mandated by
California law and limits director monetary liability to the extent permitted
by California law.
13
Delaware law also permits the Company to provide indemnification in excess
of that mandated by statute, but Delaware law does not require authorizing
provisions in the KFY Delaware Charter and does not contain express
prohibitions on indemnification in certain circumstances. Limitations on
indemnification may be imposed by a court, however, based on principles of
public policy. KFY Delaware's Bylaws allow for indemnification to the maximum
extent permitted by Delaware law.
Inspection of Stockholder List. Both California and Delaware law allow any
stockholder to inspect the stockholder list for a purpose reasonably related
to such person's interest as a stockholder. Like California law, Delaware law
provides for inspection rights as to a list of stockholders entitled to vote
at a meeting for any purpose germane to the meeting, but limits such
inspection to the 10-day period preceding a stockholders' meeting. California
law, unlike Delaware law, also provides that persons holding an aggregate of
five percent (5%) or more of the corporation's voting shares and that persons
holding an aggregate of one percent (1%) or more of such shares who have
contested the election of directors have the right to inspect and copy the
corporation's stockholder list without establishing the purpose for such
inspection.
Sources of Dividends and Repurchases of Shares. California law dispenses
with the concepts of par value of shares as well as statutory definitions of
capital, surplus and the like. The concepts of par value, capital and surplus
exist under Delaware law.
Delaware law permits a corporation to declare and pay dividends out of
surplus or, if there is no surplus, out of net profits for the fiscal year in
which the dividend is declared and/or for the preceding fiscal year as long as
the amount of capital of the corporation following the declaration and payment
of the dividend is not less than the aggregate amount of the capital
represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a
preference upon the distribution of assets. In addition, Delaware law
generally provides that a corporation may redeem or repurchase its shares only
if the capital of the corporation is not impaired (meaning that the value of
the assets of the corporation is less than the amount represented by the
aggregate outstanding shares of the capital stock of the corporation) and such
redemption or repurchase would not impair the capital of the corporation. The
ability of a Delaware corporation to pay dividends on, or to make repurchases
or redemptions of, its shares is dependent on the financial status of the
corporation standing alone and not on a consolidated basis. In determining the
amount of surplus of a Delaware corporation, the assets of the corporation,
including stock of subsidiaries owned by the corporation, may be valued at
their fair market value as determined by the board of directors, regardless of
their historical book value.
Under California law, a corporation may not make any distribution to its
stockholders unless either: (i) the corporation's retained earnings
immediately prior to the proposed distribution equal or exceed the amount of
the proposed distribution or (ii) immediately after giving effect to such
distribution, the corporation's assets (exclusive of goodwill, capitalized
research and development expenses and deferred charges) would be at least
equal to 1 1/4 times its liabilities (not including deferred taxes, deferred
income and other deferred credits), and the corporation's current assets would
be at least equal to its current liabilities (or 1 1/4 times its current
liabilities if the average pre-tax and pre-interest expense earnings for the
preceding two fiscal years were less than the average interest expense for
such years). Such tests are applied to California corporations on a
consolidated basis.
Stockholder Approval of Mergers. Both California and Delaware law generally
require that the holders of majority of the shares of both acquiring and
target corporations approve statutory mergers with differing exceptions to
this general requirement.
Delaware law does not require a stockholder vote of the surviving
corporation in a merger (unless the corporation provides otherwise in its
charter) if: (i) the merger agreement does not amend the existing charter;
(ii) each share of stock of the surviving corporation outstanding immediately
before the effective date of the merger is an identical outstanding share
after the merger and (iii) either (a) no shares of common stock of the
surviving corporation and no shares, securities or obligations convertible
into such stock are to be issued or delivered under the plan of merger or (b)
the authorized unissued shares or shares of common stock of the surviving
corporation to be issued or delivered under the plan of merger plus those
initially issuable upon
14
conversion of any other shares, securities or obligations to be issued or
delivered under such plan do not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the shares of
common stock of such constituent corporation outstanding immediately prior to
the effective date of the merger.
California law contains a similar exception to its voting requirements for
reorganizations where stockholders or the corporation itself, or both,
immediately prior to the reorganization will own immediately after the
reorganization equity securities constituting more than 83 1/3% (or five-
sixths) of the voting power of the surviving or acquiring corporation or its
parent entity.
Loans to Directors, Officers and Other Employees. Under California law, a
corporation may make loans to, or guarantees for the benefit of, directors and
officers if such loans or guarantees are approved by a majority of the
corporation's stockholders or, for corporations with 100 or more stockholders
of record, by its board of directors acting under a stockholder-approved
bylaw. The KFY California Bylaws allow the Company to make loans or guarantees
of up to U.S. $100,000 to any director or officer of the Company if the Board,
by a vote sufficient without counting the vote of any interested directors,
determines that such loans or guarantees may reasonably be expected to benefit
the Company. Under Delaware law, the Company may make loans to, guarantee the
obligations of or otherwise assist its officers or other employees (including
directors who are officers of employees) and those of its subsidiaries when
such action, in the judgment of the Board, may reasonably be expected to
benefit the corporation, and the KFY Delaware Bylaws have a provision to that
effect. Unlike the KFY California Bylaws, the KFY Delaware Bylaws (i) allow
for loans to employees of the Company who are not officers or directors, (ii)
do not allow for loans to directors who are not officers or employees of the
Company and (iii) do not limit the amount of such loans or guarantees to U.S.
$100,000.
Appraisal Rights. Under both California and Delaware law, a stockholder of
a corporation participating in certain major corporate transactions may, under
varying circumstances, be entitled to appraisal rights under which such
stockholder may receive cash in the amount of the fair market value of histhe common stock (110% of
fair market value of the common stock for certain participants) on the date of
grant. Nonqualified stock options and other awards may be granted at prices
below the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant.
Restricted stock awards can be issued for nominal or herthe minimum lawful
consideration. Typically, the participant may vote restricted stock, but any
dividend on restricted shares will be held in escrow subject to forfeiture
until the shares have vested. No more than 350,000 shares will be available
for restricted stock awards, subject to exceptions for restricted stock awards
based on past service, deferred compensation and performance awards.
The maximum number of shares subject to those options and SARs that are
granted during any one calendar year to any one individual is limited to
700,000 shares while the maximum number of shares subject to all awards
(either performance or otherwise) that may be granted to an individual in the
aggregate in any one calendar year is 1,050,000. A non-employee director may
not receive awards in respect of more than 50,000 shares in lieu of the consideration he or she would otherwise receiveaggregate in
the transaction.
Under Delaware law, such appraisal rights are not available: (i)any one calendar year. With respect to cash-based performance awards, no more
than $2.5 million per year, per performance cycle may be awarded to any one
individual. No more than one performance cycle may begin in any one year with
respect to the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the
assets of a corporation; (ii) with respectcash-based performance awards.
Section 162(m) Performance-Based Awards. In addition to a merger or consolidation by a
corporation the shares of which are listed on a national securities exchange,
designated as a national market system on an interdealer quotation system by
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or held of record by more
than 2,000 holders if such stockholders receive only shares of the surviving
corporation or shares of anyoptions and SARs
granted under other corporation that are either listed on a
national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 holders,
plus cash in lieu of fractional shares of such corporations; or (iii) to
stockholders of a corporation surviving a merger if no vote of the
stockholders of the surviving corporation is required to approve the merger
under Delaware law.
The limitations on the availability of appraisal rights under California
law are different from those under Delaware law. Stockholders of a California
corporation whose shares are listed on a national securities exchange
generally do not have such appraisal rights unless the holders of at least
five percent (5%) of the class of outstanding shares claim the right or the
corporation or any law restricts the transfer of such shares. Appraisal rights
are also unavailable if the stockholders of a corporation or the corporation
itself, or both, immediately prior to the reorganization will own immediately
after the reorganization equity securities constituting more than 83 1/3% (or
five-sixths) of the voting power of the surviving or acquiring corporation or
its parent entity. California law generally affords appraisal rights in sale
of asset reorganizations.
Pursuant to California law, appraisal rights are not available to
stockholders of KFY California with respect to the Merger.
Dissolution. Under California law, stockholders holding fifty percent (50%)
or more of the total voting power of the Company may authorize the Company's
dissolution, with or without the approval of the Board, and this right may not
be modified by the KFY California Charter. Under Delaware law, without the
Board's
15
approval of a dissolution of the Company, a dissolution must be unanimously
approved by all the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, while a dissolution
that is approved by the Board only requires the approval of a simple majority
of such stockholders. In the event of such a Board-initiated dissolution,
Delaware law allows the Company to include in the KFY Delaware Charter a
supermajority (greater than a simple majority) voting requirement in
connection with dissolutions. The KFY Delaware Charter does not contain a
supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions.
Interested Director Transactions. Under both California and Delaware law,
certain contracts or transactions in which one or more of the Company's
directors has an interest are not void or voidable because of such interest,
provided that certain conditions, such as obtaining the required approval and
fulfilling the requirements of good faith and full disclosure, are met. With
certain minor exceptions, the conditions are similar under California and
Delaware law.
Stockholder Derivative Suits. California law provides that a stockholder
bringing a derivative action on behalf of the Company need not have been a
stockholder at the time of the transaction in question, provided that certain
tests are met. Under Delaware law, a stockholder may bring a derivative action
on behalf of the Company only if the he or she was a stockholder of the
Company at the time of the transaction in question or if his or her stock
thereafter devolved upon him or her by operation of law. California law also
provides that the Company or the defendant in a derivative suit may make a
motion to the court for an order requiring the plaintiff stockholder to
furnish a security bond, while Delaware law does not.
Application of the California General Corporation Law to Delaware
Corporations. Under Section 2115 of the California General Corporation Law,
certain foreign corporations (i.e., corporations not organized under
California law) which have significant contacts with California are subject to
a number of key provisions of the California General Corporation Law. However,
an exemption from Section 2115 is provided for corporations whosePlan, performance-based awards payable
in cash or shares are
listed on a major national securities exchange, such as the New York Stock
Exchange. Following the Proposed Reincorporation, the Company's Common Stock
will continue to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange and, accordingly,
KFY Delaware would be exempt from Section 2115.
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences. The following is a discussion of
certain federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to holders of
KFY California Common Stock who receive KFY Delaware Common Stock in exchange
for their KFY California Common Stock as a result of the Proposed
Reincorporation. The discussion does not address all of the tax consequences
of the Proposed Reincorporation that may be relevant to particular KFY
California stockholders, such as dealers in securities, or those KFY
California stockholders who acquired their shares upon the exercise of stock
options, nor does it address the tax consequences to holders of options or
warrants to acquire KFY California Common Stock. Furthermore, no foreign,
state or local tax considerations are addressed herein. In view of the varying
nature of such tax consequences, each stockholder is urged to consult his or
her own tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences of the Proposed
Reincorporation, including the applicability of federal, state, local or
foreign tax laws.
Subject to the limitations, qualifications and exceptions described herein,
and assuming the Proposed Reincorporation qualifies as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code")which depend on the achievement of pre-established
financial performance goals, may be granted under the Plan. The specific
performance goals will be set by a qualified committee of our board created
for these purposes and the specific targets will be set by the Compensation
Committee when their attainment is substantially uncertain. The permitted
performance goals under the Plan may include any one or more of the following:
revenue growth, net earnings (before or after taxes or before or after
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), cash flow, return on equity,
return on assets or
5
return on net investment, or cost containment or reduction. The applicable
performance cycle may not be less than one nor more than ten years, or five
years in respect of such awards payable only in cash.
Administration. The Plan will be administered by our board or the
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee will have broad authority
to:
. designate recipients of discretionary awards,
. determine or modify (subject to any required consent) the terms and
provisions of awards, including the price, vesting provisions, terms of
exercise and expiration dates,
. approve the form of award agreements,
. determine specific objectives and performance criteria with respect to
performance awards, and
. construe and interpret the Plan.
The Compensation Committee will have the discretion to accelerate and
extend the exercisability or term and establish the events of termination or
reversion of outstanding awards.
Change in Control. Upon a Change in Control Event, each option and SAR will
become immediately exercisable; restricted stock will immediately vest free of
restrictions; and the number of shares, cash or other property covered by each
performance share award will be issued to the holder, unless the Compensation
Committee determines to the contrary. A "Change in Control Event" is defined
generally to include
. certain changes in a majority of the membership of our board over a
period of two years or less,
. the acquisition of more than 30% of our outstanding voting securities by
any person other than us, any of our benefit plans or one of their
affiliates, successors, heirs, relatives or certain donees or certain
other affiliates, or
. shareholder approval of a transfer of substantially all of our assets,
the dissolution or liquidation of us, or a merger, consolidation or
reorganization (other than with an affiliate) whereby stockholders hold
or receive less than 70% of the outstanding voting securities of the
resulting entity after such event.
In addition, if any participant's employment is terminated by us for any
reason other than for cause either in express anticipation of, or within one
year after a Change in Control Event, then all awards held by that participant
will vest in full immediately before his or her termination date
The Compensation Committee may also provide for alternative settlements
(including cash payments), the following tax consequences generally should result:
(a) No gainassumption or loss shouldsubstitution of awards or other
adjustments in the Change in Control context of any other reorganization of
us.
Plan Amendment, Termination and Term. Our board has the authority to amend,
suspend or discontinue the Plan at any time, but no such action will affect
any outstanding award in any manner materially adverse to a participant
without the consent of the participant. The Plan may be recognizedamended by holdersour board
without stockholder approval unless such approval is required by applicable
law.
The Plan will remain in existence as to all outstanding awards until such
awards are exercised or terminated. The maximum term of KFY California
Common Stock upon receipt of KFY Delaware Common Stockoptions, SARs and
other rights to acquire common stock under the Proposed
Reincorporation;
(b) The aggregate tax basisPlan is ten years after the
initial date of KFY Delaware Common Stock receivedaward, subject to provisions for further deferred payment in
certain circumstances. No award can be made after August 4, 2008. Awards may
remain exercisable for a period of time determined by the Compensation
Committee after termination of employment for certain reasons, after which, to
the extent not exercised, such awards terminate.
Automatic Grants to Non-Employee Directors. Under the Plan, each stockholder indirector
who is not an officer or employee and who is or thereafter becomes a director
will be automatically granted a nonqualified stock option
6
to purchase 2,000 shares of common stock when the Proposed Reincorporation should beperson takes office, at an
exercise price equal to the aggregate tax basismarket price of KFY California Common Stock surrenderedthe common stock at the close of
trading on that date. In addition, on the day of the annual shareholders
meeting in exchange
therefor;each calendar year beginning in 1999 and (c) The holding periodcontinuing for each
subsequent year during the term of KFY Delaware Common Stock received bythe Plan, each stockholderthen-continuing non-employee
director will be granted a nonqualified stock option to purchase 2,000 shares
of KFY California should includecommon stock at an exercise price equal to the periodmarket price of the common
stock at the close of trading on that date. Non-employee directors may also be
granted discretionary awards. All automatically granted non-employee director
stock options will have a ten-year term and will be immediately exercisable.
If a non-employee director's services are terminated for which such
stockholder held KFY California Common Stock surrendered in exchange
therefor, provided that such KFY California Common Stock wasany reason, any
automatically granted stock options held by such non-employee director that
are exercisable will remain exercisable for twelve months after such
termination of service or until the stockholder as a "capital asset" (as defined in Section 1221expiration of the Code)
atoption term, whichever
occurs first. Automatically-granted options are subject to the timesame
adjustment, change in control, and acceleration provisions that apply to
awards generally, except that any changes or board or Compensation Committee
actions (1) will be effected through a stockholder approved reorganization
agreement or will be consistent with the effect on Options held by other than
executive officers and (2) will be consistent in respect of the Proposed Reincorporation.
16
underlying
shares with the effect on stockholders generally. Any outstanding automatic
option grant that is not exercised prior to a Change in Control Event in which
we are not to survive will terminate, unless such option is assumed or
replaced by the surviving corporation.
Payment for Shares. The Company does not intendexercise price of options and other awards may be
paid in cash, promissory note or (subject to request a ruling fromcertain restrictions) shares of
common stock. We may finance the Internal Revenue
Service (the "IRS") with respectexercise or purchase and (subject to any
applicable legal limits) offset shares to cover the exercise or purchase price
and withholding taxes.
Federal Tax Consequences. The current federal income tax consequences of
the
Proposed Reincorporationawards authorized under the Code. The Company will, however, receive an
opinion fromPlan follow certain basic patterns. Generally,
awards under the Company's general tax counsel substantially to the effectPlan that the Proposed Reincorporation will qualify as a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a)are includable in income of the Code (the "Tax Opinion"). The Tax Opinion
will neither bind the IRS nor preclude it from asserting a contrary position.
In addition, the Tax Opinion will be subject to certain assumptions and
qualifications and will be based in part upon the truth and accuracy of
representations made by KFY Delaware and its wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary.
Of particular importance will be assumptions and representations relating to
the requirement under Section 368 of the Code that, after the Proposed
Reincorporation, the stockholders of KFY California retain, through ownership
of KFY Delaware stock, a significant equity interest in the assets previously
held by KFY California (the "continuity of interest" requirement).
A successful IRS challenge to the reorganization status of the Proposed
Reincorporation (in consequence of a failure to satisfy the "continuity of
interest" requirement or otherwise) would result in a stockholder recognizing
gain or loss with respect to each share of KFY California Common Stock
exchanged in the Proposed Reincorporation equal to the difference between (i)
the stockholder's basis in such share and (ii) the fair market value, as ofrecipient at the
time of award or exercise (such as nonqualified stock options, SARs,
restricted stock and performance awards) are deductible by us, and awards that
are not required to be included in income of the Proposed Reincorporation, of KFY Delaware Common Stock
receivedrecipient at such times (such
as incentive stock options) are not deductible by us.
Non-Exclusive Plan. The Plan is not exclusive. Our board may grant stock
and performance incentives or other compensation, in exchange therefor. In such event, a stockholder's aggregate basisstock or cash, under
other plans or authority.
Our board believes it would be in the best interests of us and our
stockholders to amend the Plan to increase the number of shares available for
grant thereunder as described herein and to approve the limits on the maximum
number of KFY Delaware Common Stock receivedawards that may be granted to individuals as currently set forth in
the exchange would
equal their fair market value on such date,Plan. There are several years remaining in the life of the Plan as awards
can be made under the Plan until August 4, 2008. Increasing the number of
shares we are authorized to issue will help ensure that we will be able to
continue to grant awards during the life of the Plan. This will enable us to
further fulfill the purpose of the Plan and provide us with greater
flexibility in making awards which we continue to believe is an important
component of compensation and is necessary to attract and retain outstanding
employees. Except as so amended by this Proposal No. 2, the Plan will continue
unchanged and in full force and effect.
REQUIRED VOTE
Approval of the amendment to the Plan and the stockholder's holding
period for such shares would not include the period during which the
stockholder held KFY California Common Stock.
State, local and foreign income tax consequences to stockholders may vary
from the federal tax consequences described above.
The Company does not expect to recognize gain or loss for federal income
tax purposes as a resultapproval of the Proposed Reincorporation, and KFY Delaware
should succeed, without adjustment,limits on the
maximum number of awards that may be granted to the federal income tax attributes of
KFY California.
VOTE REQUIRED FOR THE PROPOSED REINCORPORATION
Theindividuals will require
affirmative "FOR" vote of the holders ofvotes from a majority of those shares present, either in
person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the shares of
the Company's Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date is required for
approval of the Proposed Reincorporation, which will also constitute approval
of the Merger Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation of KFY Delaware and
the KFY Delaware Bylaws.annual meeting.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD
THEOUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE PROPOSED REINCORPORATION.
17APPROVAL OF THIS PROPOSAL
NO. 2 RELATING TO THE PLAN.
7
PROPOSAL NO. 3--RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT
OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Audit Committeeaudit committee has recommended, and the Boardboard has approved, the
appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP ("ARTHUR ANDERSEN") as the Company'sour independent auditors for fiscal
2000.2001. Arthur Andersen has served as the
Company'sour independent auditors since 1971,
including assisting the Companyus with accounting matters relating to the initial public
offering of the
Company's Common Stock.our common stock. They have unrestricted access to the Audit Committeeaudit
committee to discuss audit findings and other financial matters.
Representatives of Arthur Andersen will attend the Annual Meetingannual meeting to answer
appropriate questions and may also make a statement if they so desire.
Audit services provided by Arthur Andersen during fiscal 19992000 included an
audit of the Company'sour consolidated financial statements and consultation on various tax
and accounting matters.
REQUIRED VOTE
Ratification of the auditors appointed by the Boardboard will require
affirmative "FOR" votes from a majority of those shares present, (eithereither in
person or by proxy)proxy, and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.annual meeting.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF ARTHUR
ANDERSEN'S APPOINTMENT AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR FISCAL 2000.
182001.
8
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR--CLASS 2000The twelve members of our board of directors are grouped into three
classes: Class 2001 Directors will serve until the 2001 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, Class 2002 Directors will serve until the 2002 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and the Directors elected to serve as Class 2003 will serve until
the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
CLASS 2001 DIRECTORS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the directors
in Class 2000,2001
Directors, who are nominees for election towill serve on the Board for a one-year term.board until the 2001 annual meeting of
stockholders:
Director
Name Age Last Five Years Since
---- --- --------------- --------
Paul Buchanan-Barrow 53 Mr. Buchanan-Barrow has been a Vice 1994
President since 1992. He has recently
been transferred from the Company's
London office to the Boston office,
where he is involved in international
senior executive recruitment. Mr.
Buchanan-Barrow joined the Company in
1992 and has 12 years of executive
search experience.
Manuel A. Papayanopulos 54 Mr. Papayanopulos has been a Vice 1997
President since 1982. He is currently
responsible for business development,
execution of key assignments and
development of new professionals for
the Company's Mexico City office. Mr.
Papayanopulos joined the Company in
1982 and has 24 years of executive
search experience.
Windle B. Priem 61 Mr. Priem has been Chief Executive 1993
Officer and President since December
1998 and is a member of the Office of
the Chief Executive. From July 1998 to
December 1998, he served as Vice Chair
and Chief Operating Officer of the
Company. From 1996 to 1998 he was the
President of the North America region.
Mr. Priem joined the Company in 1976
and has 23 years of executive search
experience.
Michael A. Wellman 46 Mr. Wellman has been a Vice President 1997
since 1992 and President Global
Specialties since March 1999. He is
currently responsible for the Company's
Global and North America Specialty
Practices, and also leads the Company's
global major account initiatives.
Mr. Wellman joined the Company in 1992
and has 15 years of executive search
experience.
19
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR--CLASS 2001
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the directors
in Class 2001, who are nominees for election to the Board for a two-year term.
Director
Name Age Last Five Years SinceDIRECTOR
NAME AGE LAST FIVE YEARS SINCE
---- --- --------------- --------
James E. Barlett 5556 Mr. Barlett is Chairman, of the Board, 1999
President and Chief 1999
Executive Officer of Galileo International.
From 1994 to 1997, Mr. Barlett was President
and Chief Executive Officer of Galileo
International. Mr. Barlett is also a director
of TeleTech Holdings, Inc.
Richard M. Ferry 6162 Mr. Ferry is a founder of the Company,Korn/Ferry 1969
International, has been ChairChairman of the Boardboard
since 1991 and is also a member of the Office
of the Chief Executive. Mr. Ferry served as
Chief Executive Officer of the Company from May 1991 to April
1997. He also serves on the Board of Directors
of Avery Dennison Corp., Dole Food Company,
Mrs. Fields' Original Cookies, Inc., and
Pacific Life Insurance Company.
Timothy K. Friar 4142 Mr. Friar has been a Vice President since 1998
since
1995. He is currently responsible for managing
the Company'sour New York, officePrinceton and Philadelphia
offices. He also serves on the Company'sour Professional
Development Committee. Mr. Friar joined the Companyus in
1993 and
has seven years of executive search
experience.
Sakie Fukushima 49 Ms. Fukushima has been a Vice President 1995
since 1993. She is currently responsible
for the Company's Consumer/Entertainment
Practice in Japan. Ms. Fukushima joined
the Company in 1991 and has eight years of executive search
experience.
Sakie Fukushima 50 Ms. Fukushima has been a Vice President since 1995
1993. She is currently responsible for our
Consumer/Entertainment Practice in Japan.
Ms. Fukushima joined us in 1991 and has nine
years of executive search experience.
Scott E. Kingdom 4041 Mr. Kingdom has been a Vice President since 1998
since
1993. He is currently responsible for managing
the Company'sour Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston,
and Minneapolis offices and for executing
senior level search engagements. Mr. Kingdom
joined the Companyus in 1988 and has 1613 years of
executive search experience.
209
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR--CLASSCLASS 2002 DIRECTORS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the directors
in Class 2002
Directors, who are nominees for election towill serve on the Board for a three-year term.board until the 2002 annual meeting of
stockholders:
Director
Name Age Last Five Years SinceDIRECTOR
NAME AGE LAST FIVE YEARS SINCE
---- --- --------------- --------
Frank V. Cahouet 6668 Mr. Cahouet retired as Chairman, President 1999
President
and Chief Executive Officer of Mellon
BankFinancial Corporation in December 1998, positions
which he had held since 1987. Mr. Cahouet is
a director of Avery Dennison Corporation,
Allegheny Teledyne,Technologies Inc., Mellon Bank
Corporation, USECTeledyne
Technologies Inc., Saint Gobain
Corporation and Avery Dennison Corp.Saint-Gobain
Corporation.
Peter L. Dunn 5355 Mr. Dunn serves as Vice Chair and General 1992
General
Counsel and is also a member of the Office
of the Chief Executive. Mr. Dunn also serves
as Corporate Secretary. Mr. Dunn joined the Companyus
in 1980. Mr. Dunn is currently also the
acting Chief Executive Officer of
Futurestep, a subsidiary of ours.
Charles D. Miller 7172 Mr. Miller isretired as Chairman of 1999
Avery Dennison 1999
Corporation.Corporation in April 2000.
From April 1983 through April 1998,
Mr. Miller was Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Avery Dennison Corporation. Mr.
Miller is also Chairman of Nationwide Health
Properties, Inc. and a director of The Air
Group, Avery Dennison Corporation, Edison
International, and Pacific Life Insurance
Company.
Gerhard Schulmeyer 6061 Mr. Schulmeyer is President and Chief 1999
Executive Officer of Siemens Corporation.
From 1994 through 1998, Mr. Schulmeyer was
President and Chief Executive Officer of
Siemens Nixdorf, Munich/Paderborn.
Mr. Schulmeyer is also a director of
Alcan Aluminium Ltd., Allied Zurich p.l.c.,
Zurich Financial
ServicesFirePond, Inc., and Arthur D. Little,Ingram Micro Inc.
2110
NOMINEES FOR CLASS 2003 DIRECTORS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Class 2003
Directors, who, if elected at the 2000 annual meeting, will serve the board
until the 2003 annual meeting of stockholders:
DIRECTOR
NAME AGE LAST FIVE YEARS SINCE
---- --- --------------- ---------
Patti S. Hart 44 Ms. Hart is President and Chief Executive (Director
Officer of Telocity, Inc. From 1994 through Nominee)
1999, Ms. Hart was President and Chief
Operating Officer of Sprint's Long Distance
Division. Ms. Hart is also a director of
Telocity, Inc., Brigade Solutions, Mariner
Networks and Plantronics.
Windle B. Priem 62 Mr. Priem has been Chief Executive Officer 1993
and President since December 1998 and is a
member of the Office of the Chief Executive.
From May 1997 to December 1998, he served as
Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer.
From May 1995 to May 1997, he was the
President of the North America region. Mr.
Priem joined us in 1976 and has 24 years of
executive search experience.
Mark C. Thompson 42 Mr. Thompson is Chairman of Integration (Director
Technology, Inc. From 1988 to 2000, he was an Nominee)
officer of The Charles Schwab Corporation,
where he was most recently Executive Producer
and Senior Vice President. Mr. Thompson is
also a director of Integration Associates,
Inc., Best Buy Co., Inc., Eloquent, Inc.,
Esurance, Inc., Interwoven, Inc.,
Investorplus.com, and Rioport, Inc.
11
STATEMENT ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Boardboard held 10nine meetings during fiscal 1999,2000, and all of the directors
attended at least 75% of the Boardboard meetings and committee meetings of which
they were members.
Although the full Boardboard considers all major decisions, of the Company, the
KFY California Bylaws permit
the Boardboard to have the following four standing committees to more fully address
certain areas of importance to the Company:importance: an audit committee, a compensation committee, an executiveand personnel
committee, and a nominating committee. Prior to the Company's initial public offering of its
Common Stock, the Board had standing Audit, Compensation and Nominating
Committees. The Board also had established a Senior Executive Compensation
Committee to address compensation matters for the most senior officers of the
Company. After consummation of the public offering, the Board reconstituted
the Senior Executive Compensation Committee and the Compensation Committee
into the Compensation and Personnel Committee.
Prior to the initial public offering, the following directors were members
of the following committees:
SR. EXECUTIVE
NAME AUDIT COMPENSATION NOMINATING COMPENSATION
John Bassler X
Paul Buchanan-Barrow X(1) X X(1)
Timothy K. Friar X
Scott E. Kingdom X X
Raimondo Nider X(1) X X
Manuel A. Papayanopulos X
Michael A. Wellman X(1) X
- --------
(1) Committee Chair. The members of the current standing
committees are:
COMPENSATION AND
NAME AUDIT(1) PERSONNEL(1) NOMINATING(2)AUDIT PERSONNEL NOMINATING
James E. Barlett X Paul Buchanan-Barrow XX(Chair)
Frank V. Cahouet X(3) X
Timothy K. Friar X
Scott E. KingdomX(Chair) X
Charles D. Miller X X(3)X(Chair)
Gerhard Schulmeyer X Michael A. Wellman X(3)X
- --------
(1) The Audit Committee was reconstituted in May 1999 and the Compensation and
Personnel Committee was reconstituted in June 1999 with the members
identified above. Each of the two committees is now composed entirely of
outside directors.
(2) The Board intends to reconstitute the Nominating Committee during fiscal
2000 to be composed entirely of outside directors.
(3) Committee Chair.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committeeaudit committee makes recommendations concerning the
engagement of independent auditors, reviews the plans and results of the audit
engagement with the independent auditors, approves professional services
provided by the independent auditors, reviews the independence of the
auditors, considers the range of audit and non-audit fees, reviews the
adequacy of the Company'sour internal accounting
22
controls and ensures the integrity of
financial information supplied to stockholders. The Audit Committeeaudit committee is also
available to receive reports, suggestions, questions and recommendations from
the independent auditors, the Chief Financial Officer and the General Counsel.
It also confers with those parties in order to assure the sufficiency and
effectiveness of the programs being followed by corporate officers in the area
of compliance with the law and conflicts of interest. The Audit Committee met one time in fiscal 1999.
The Audit Committee, as reconstituted following the initial public offering,audit committee is
composed entirely of outside directors. The audit committee met twice in
fiscal 2000.
Compensation and Personnel Committee. The Compensationcompensation and Personnel
Committeepersonnel
committee determines the compensation of the Company'sour executive officers and
administers the Performance Award Plan. The Compensation and Personnel
Committee also has the responsibility for the compensation of the senior
executives of the Company including salaries and benefits. In addition, the Compensationcompensation and
Personnel Committeepersonnel committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Boardboard with
respect to the Company'sour overall compensation program for managing directors, vice
presidents and officers,other employees, including salaries, employee benefit plans,
stock options
granted, equity incentive plansoption grants, and payment of bonuses. The Compensationcompensation and Personnel Committee, as reconstituted following the initial public offering,personnel
committee is composed entirely of outside directors. The Senior Executive Compensation
Committeecompensation and
the Compensation Committee, the predecessors to the Compensation
and Personnel Committee,personnel committee met one time and twothree times respectively, induring fiscal 1999. See "Compensation Decisions and Insider Participation" below.2000.
Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committeenominating committee recommends criteria to the
Boardboard for the selection of nominees to the Board,board, evaluates all proposed
nominees, recommends nominees to the Boardboard to fill vacancies on the Board,board,
and, prior to each annual meeting of stockholders, recommends to the Boardboard a
slate of nominees for election to the Boardboard by the stockholders of the Company at the annual
meeting. The Nominating Committeenominating committee also seeks possible nominees for the Boardboard
and otherwise serves to aid in attracting qualified nominees to be elected to
the Board.board. The Nominating Committeenominating committee is composed of two outside directors, with
four inside directors as ex-officio members. The nominating committee met five timesonce
in fiscal 1999. The Board intend to reconstitute the Nominating Committee in fiscal 2000
to be composed entirely of outside directors.2000.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
Directors who are also employees or officers of the Company do not receive any additional
compensation for their service on the Board.board. Non-employee directors receive a
$25,000 annual retainer in cash, $4,000 for each committee chair and up to
$1,000 in cash for each regular or special meeting attended. In addition, all
directors are reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
connection with their duties as directors.
Directors who are not officers or employees of the Company (each a "Non-
Employee Director") are eligible to receive annual
stock option grants under the Korn/Ferry Internationalour Performance Award Plan (the "Performance Award
Plan").Plan. Under the Performance
Award Plan, a Non-Employee Directornon-employee director is automatically granted a nonqualified
stock option to purchase 2,000 shares of Common Stockcommon stock when the person takes
office, at an
12
exercise price equal to the market price of the Common Stock at the close of
trading on that date. In addition, on the day of the annual stockholders
meeting in each calendar year, beginning with the Annual Meeting and
continuing for each subsequent year during the term of the Performance Award
Plan, each continuing Non-Employee
Directornon-employee director will be granted a nonqualified
stock option to purchase 2,000 shares of Common Stockcommon stock at an exercise price
equal to the market price of the Commoncommon stock at the close of trading on that
date. Non-Employee DirectorsNon-employee directors may also be granted discretionary awards. All
automatically granted Non-Employee Directornon-employee director stock options will have a ten-year
term and will be immediately exercisable. If a Non-Employee Director'snon-employee director's
services are terminated for any reason, any automatically granted stock
options held by such Non-Employee Directorthe non-employee director that are exercisable will remain
exercisable for twelve months after such termination of service or until the
expiration of the option term, whichever occurs first. Automatically-granted
options are subject to the same adjustment, change in control, and
acceleration provisions that apply to awards generally, except that any
changes or Boardboard or Committeecommittee actions (1) will be effected through a
stockholder approved reorganization agreement or will be consistent with the
effect on options held by other than executive officers and (2) will be
consistent in respect of the underlying shares with the effect on stockholders
generally. Any outstanding automatic option grant that is not exercised prior
to a change in control event in which the CompanyKorn/Ferry is not to survive will
terminate, unless suchthe option is assumed or replaced by the surviving
corporation.
23
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Windle B. Priem, Chief Executive Officer and President. In June 1999, the
Companywe
entered into an employment agreement with Windle B. Priem as Chief Executive
Officer and President, of the Company, effective May 1, 1999. The term of the agreement is for
three years, with one renewal term for a two-year period. The agreement
provides for a minimum base salary of $600,000 annually, with an annual target
bonus equal to 100% of base salary and an annual maximum bonus of up to 200%
of base salary.
If Mr. Priem's employment terminates due to death or disability, then (1)
the Companywe
will pay Mr. Priem, or his legal representatives, all accrued compensation as
of the date of termination and (2) all of Mr. Priem's outstanding stock options as
of the effective date of the employment agreement will vest and remain
exercisable until their originally scheduled expiration dates. If Mr. Priem's
employment is terminated by the Companyus for cause, terminated by Mr. Priem prior to its
expiration or Mr. Priem fails to renew the agreement after its initial term,
then the Companywe will pay Mr. Priem all accrued compensation as of the date of
termination.
Prior to a change in control, of the Company, if Mr. Priem's employment is terminated by the Companyus
without cause, terminated by Mr. Priem for good reason or the Company failswe fail to renew the
agreement, then (1) the Companywe will pay Mr. Priem all accrued compensation as of the date
of termination, (2) a lump sum equal to 200% of the then base salary and target
bonus and (3) all of Mr. Priem's outstanding stock options as of the effective
date of the employment agreement will vest and remain exercisable for their
originally scheduled expiration dates. Following a change in control, of the Company, if
Mr. Priem's employment is terminated by the Companyus without cause or by Mr. Priem for
good reason, then (A) the Companywe will pay Mr. Priem all accrued compensation as of the
date of termination, (B) a lump sum equal to 200% of then base salary and maximum
bonus in effect immediately prior to the date of termination or the then base
salary and maximum bonus applicable to Mr. Priem just prior to the change in
control event, whichever is higher, (C) all of Mr. Priem's outstanding stock
options as of the effective date of the employment agreement will vest and
remain exercisable for their originally scheduled expiration dates.
In connection with the execution of the employment agreement in June 1999,
the Boardboard of Directorsdirectors also granted Mr. Priem an option to purchase 100,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $13.6875 per
share. The option will expire on September 2, 2004, unless earlier terminated
as provided below. The option will vestagreement provided for vesting upon the earlier
to occur of:
(1) the stock price of the Company remaining at or above $18 per share
for 10 consecutive trading days during the period between the grant date
and the second anniversary of the grant date;
(2) the stock price of the Company
remaining at or above $20 per share for 10
consecutive trading days during the period between the second anniversary
of the grant date and the third anniversary of the grant date;
13
(3) the expiration of the initial term of Mr. Priem's employment
agreement and the Company elects not to renew for an additional term;
(4) death or disability of Mr. Priem;
(5) termination of Mr. Priem's employment by the Companyus without cause or by Mr.
Priem for good reason; or
(6) expiration of the additional two-year renewal period of the
employment agreement. The option will bedid vest on October 6, 1999 under
alternative (1) set forth above.
The option has been exercisable when vestedsince October 6, 1999 and at any time prior
to the expiration; provided that the option will terminate, and not be
exercisable, prior to the expiration date under the following circumstances:
(1) upon death, disability or retirement, the option will expire 12 months
following the date of termination unless the option has expired earlier and (2)
upon termination of Mr. Priem's employment for any reason (other than for
death, disability or retirement), the option will expire 3 months following the
date of termination.
24
Peter L. Dunn, Vice Chair and General Counsel. In June 1999, the Companywe entered into
an employment agreement with Peter L. Dunn as Vice Chair and General Counsel, of the Company,
effective April 29, 1999. The term of the agreement is for three years, and
will automatically renew for successive two-
yeartwo-year periods thereafter until the
first April 30th following the date on which Mr. Dunn reaches age 65; provided,
however, that either the Companywe or Mr. Dunn may terminate this Agreementagreement at the end of
the initial term or renewal term by delivering to the other party at least 120
days' prior written notice. The agreement provides for a minimum base salary of
$465,000 annually, with an annual target bonus equal to 100% of base salary and
an annual maximum bonus of up to 200% of base salary.
If Mr. Dunn's employment terminates due to death or disability, then (1)
the Companywe will
pay Mr. Dunn, or his legal representatives, all accrued compensation as of the
date of termination and (2) all of Mr. Dunn's outstanding stock options as of the
effective date of the employment agreement will vest and remain exercisable
until their originally scheduled expiration dates. If Mr. Dunn's employment is
terminated by the Company for cause, terminated by Mr. Dunn prior to its
expiration without good reason or Mr. Dunn fails to renew the agreement after
its initial term, then the Companywe will pay Mr. Dunn all accrued compensation as of the
date of termination.
Prior to a change in control, of the Company, if Mr. Dunn's employment is terminated by the Companyus
without cause, terminated by Mr. Dunn for good reason or the Company failswe fail to renew the
agreement, then (1) the Companywe will pay Mr. Dunn all accrued compensation as of the date of
termination, (2) a lump sum equal to 200% of the then base salary and target bonus;
provided however that if Mr. Dunn's employment is terminated because the
Company elects not to renew the agreement, then Mr. Dunn shall be entitled only
to a lump sum equal to one times the then base salary and target bonus and (3) all
of Mr. Dunn's outstanding stock options as of the effective date of the
employment agreement will vest and will remain exercisable until their
originally scheduled expiration dates. Prior to a change in control, of the Company, if Mr.
Dunn's employment is terminated by the Companyus for performance reasons, then (1) the Companywe will pay
Mr. Dunn all accrued compensation as of the date of termination, (2) a lump sum
equal to one and one-half times the then base salary and target bonus and (3) all
of Mr. Dunn's outstanding stock options as of the effective date of the
employment agreement will vest.
Following a change in control of the Company and if within 12 months after the date on
which the change in control occurs Mr. Dunn's employment is terminated by the Companyus
without cause, by the Companyus because it electswe elect not to renew the agreement, by the Companyus for a
performance reason, or by Mr. Dunn for good reason, then (1) the Companywe will pay Mr. Dunn
all accrued compensation as of the date of termination, (2) a lump sum equal to (i)(1)
200% of the then base salary or 200% of the annual base salary in effect just
prior to the Changechange in Control,control, whichever amount is higher, plus (ii)(2) the higher
of 200% of the maximum bonus for the incentive year in which such termination
occurs or 200% of the maximum bonus for the preceding fiscal year and (3) all of
Mr. Dunn's outstanding stock options as of the effective date of the employment
agreement will vest and will remain exercisable until their originally
scheduled expiration dates.
2514
Elizabeth S.C.S. Murray, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice
President. In June 1999, the Companywe entered into an employment agreement with
Elizabeth S.C.S. Murray as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice
President, of the Company, effective April 29, 1999. The term of the agreement is for three
years, and will automatically renew for successive two-year periods thereafter
until the first April 30th following the date on which Ms. Murray reaches age
65; provided, however, that either the Companywe or Ms. Murray may terminate this
Agreementagreement at the end of the initial term or renewal term by delivering to the
other party at least 120 days' prior written notice. The agreement provides
for a minimum base salary of $350,000 annually, with an annual target bonus
equal to 100% of base salary and an annual maximum bonus of up to 200% of base
salary.
If Ms. Murray's employment terminates due to death or disability, then (1)
the Companywe
will pay Ms. Murray, or her legal representatives, all accrued compensation as
of the date of termination and (2) all of Ms. Murray's outstanding stock options
as of the effective date of the employment agreement will vest and will remain
exercisable until their originally scheduled expiration dates. If Ms. Murray's
employment is terminated by the Companyus for cause, terminated by Ms. Murray prior to
its expiration without good reason or Ms. Murray fails to renew the agreement
after its initial term, then the
Companywe will pay Ms. Murray all accrued compensation
as of the date of termination.
Prior to a change in control of the Company, if Ms. Murray's employment is
terminated by the Companyus without cause, terminated by Ms. Murray for good reason or the Company failswe
fail to renew the agreement, then (1) the Companywe will pay Ms. Murray all accrued
compensation as of the date of termination, (2) a lump sum equal to 200% of the
then base salary and target bonus; provided however that if Ms. Murray's
employment is terminated because the Company elects not to renew the
agreement, then Ms. Murray shall be entitled only to a lump sum equal to one
times the then base salary and target bonus and (3) all of Ms. Murray's
outstanding stock options as of the effective date of the employment agreement
will vest and will remain exercisable until their originally scheduled
expiration dates. Prior to a change in control of the Company, if Ms. Murray's
employment is terminated by the Companyus for performance reasons, then (1) the Companywe will pay Ms.
Murray all accrued compensation as of the date of termination, (2) a lump sum
equal to the then base salary and target bonus and (3) all of Ms. Murray's
outstanding stock options as of the effective date of the employment agreement
will vest and will remain exercisable until their originally scheduled
expiration dates.
Following a change in control of the Company and if within 12 months after the date on
which the change in control occurs Ms. Murray's employment is terminated by
the Company without cause, by the Companyus because it electswe elect not to renew the agreement,
by the Companyus for a performance reason, or by Ms. Murray for good reason, then (1) the Companywe will
pay Ms. Murray all accrued compensation as of the date of termination, (2) a lump
sum equal to (i)(1) 200% of then base salary or 200% of the annual base salary in
effect just prior to the Change in Control, whichever amount is higher, plus (ii)and
(2) the higher of 200% of the maximum bonus for the incentive year in which
such termination occurs or 200% of the maximum bonus for the preceding fiscal
year and (3) all of Ms. Murray's outstanding stock options as of the effective
date of the employment agreement will vest and will remain exercisable until
their originally scheduled expiration dates.
26Gary C. Hourihan, Executive Vice President, Organizational Development. In
March 2000, we entered into an employment agreement with Gary C. Hourihan as
Executive Vice President, Organizational Development, effective March 6, 2000.
The initial term of the agreement is through April 30, 2002 and the term will
automatically renew for successive two-year periods thereafter until the first
April 30th following the date on which Mr. Hourihan reaches age 65; provided,
however, that either we or Mr. Hourihan may terminate this agreement at the
end of the initial term or renewal term by delivering to the other party at
least 120 days' prior written notice. The agreement provides for a minimum
base salary of $340,000 annually, with an annual target bonus equal to 100% of
base salary and an annual maximum bonus of up to 200% of base salary.
If Mr. Hourihan's employment terminates due to death or disability, then we
will pay Mr. Hourihan, or his legal representatives, all accrued compensation
as of the date of termination and all of Mr. Hourihan's outstanding stock
options as of the effective date of the employment agreement will vest and
will remain exercisable until their originally scheduled expiration dates. If
Mr. Hourihan's employment is terminated by us for cause, terminated by Mr.
Hourihan prior to its expiration without good reason or Mr. Hourihan fails to
renew
15
the agreement after its initial term, then we will pay Mr. Hourihan all
accrued compensation as of the date of termination.
Prior to a change in control, if Mr. Hourihan's employment is terminated by
us without cause, terminated by Mr. Hourihan for good reason or we fail to
renew the agreement, then we will pay Mr. Hourihan all accrued compensation as
of the date of termination, a lump sum equal to 150% of the then base salary
and target bonus; provided however that if Mr. Hourihan's employment is
terminated because we elect not to renew the agreement, then Mr. Hourihan
shall be entitled only to a lump sum equal to one times the then base salary
and target bonus and all of Mr. Hourihan's outstanding stock options as of the
effective date of the employment agreement will vest and will remain
exercisable until their originally scheduled expiration dates. Prior to a
change in control, if Mr. Hourihan's employment is terminated by us for
performance reasons, then we will pay Mr. Hourihan all accrued compensation as
of the date of termination, a lump sum equal to the then base salary and
target bonus and all of Mr. Hourihan's outstanding stock options as of the
effective date of the employment agreement will vest and will remain
exercisable until their originally scheduled expiration dates.
Following a change in control and if within 12 months after the date on
which the change in control occurs Mr. Hourihan's employment is terminated by
us without cause, by us because we elect not to renew the agreement, by us for
a performance reason, or by Mr. Hourihan for good reason, then we will pay Mr.
Hourihan all accrued compensation as of the date of termination, a lump sum
equal to (1) 200% of then base salary or 200% of the annual base salary in
effect just prior to the change in control, whichever amount is higher, and
(2) the higher of 200% of the maximum bonus for the incentive year in which
such termination occurs or 200% of the maximum bonus for the preceding fiscal
year and all of Mr. Hourihan's outstanding stock options as of the effective
date of the employment agreement will vest and will remain exercisable until
their originally scheduled expiration dates.
Michael D. Bekins, Chief Operating Officer. We entered into an employment
agreement with Michael D. Bekins as Chief Operating Officer of the Company,
effective May 1, 2000. The term of the agreement is for three years, and will
automatically renew for successive two-year periods thereafter until the first
April 30th following the date on which Mr. Bekins reaches age 65; provided,
however, that either we or Mr. Bekins may terminate this agreement at the end
of the initial term or renewal term by delivering to the other party at least
120 days' prior written notice. The agreement provides for a minimum base
salary of $450,000 annually, with an annual target bonus equal to 100% of base
salary and an annual maximum bonus of up to 200% of base salary.
If Mr. Bekins' employment terminates due to death or disability, then we
will pay Mr. Bekins, or his legal representatives, all accrued compensation as
of the date of termination and all of Mr. Bekins' outstanding stock options as
of the effective date of the employment agreement will vest and will remain
exercisable until their originally scheduled expiration dates. If Mr. Bekins'
employment is terminated by us for cause, terminated by Mr. Bekins prior to
its expiration without good reason or Mr. Bekins fails to renew the agreement
after its initial term, then we will pay Mr. Bekins all accrued compensation
as of the date of termination.
Prior to a change in control, if Mr. Bekins' employment is terminated by us
without cause, terminated by Mr. Bekins for good reason or we fail to renew
the agreement, then we will pay Mr. Bekins all accrued compensation as of the
date of termination, a lump sum equal to 200% of the then base salary and
target bonus; provided however that if Mr. Bekins' employment is terminated
because the Company elects not to renew the agreement, then Mr. Bekins shall
be entitled only to a lump sum equal to one times the then base salary and
target bonus and all of Mr. Bekins' outstanding stock options as of the
effective date of the employment agreement will vest and will remain
exercisable until their originally scheduled expiration dates. Prior to a
change in control, if Mr. Bekins' employment is terminated by us for
performance reasons, then we will pay Mr. Bekins all accrued compensation as
of the date of termination, a lump sum equal to the then base salary and
target bonus and all of Mr. Bekins' outstanding stock options as of the
effective date of the employment agreement will vest and will remain
exercisable until their originally scheduled expiration dates.
16
Following a change in control and if within 12 months after the date on
which the change in control occurs Mr. Bekins' employment is terminated by us
without cause, by us because we elect not to renew the agreement, by us for a
performance reason, or by Mr. Bekins for good reason, then we will pay Mr.
Bekins all accrued compensation as of the date of termination, a lump sum
equal to (1) 200% of then base salary or 200% of the annual base salary in
effect just prior to the change in control, whichever amount is higher, and
(2) the higher of 200% of the maximum bonus for the incentive year in which
such termination occurs or 200% of the maximum bonus for the preceding fiscal
year and all of Mr. Bekins' outstanding stock options as of the effective date
of the employment agreement will vest and will remain exercisable until their
originally scheduled expiration dates.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth as of August 2, 19992000 the names and holdings
of each director and each nominee for director, the names and holdings of each
executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table (the "named executive officers""NAMED
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS"), and the holdings of all executive officers and directors
as a group. There are no persons known to the Companyus to be beneficial owners of more
than 5% of the Company's Common Stock.our common stock.
NAME OF AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED AND
BENEFICIAL OWNER NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1)OWNERSHIP (12) PERCENT OF CLASS
Richard M. Ferry(2) 1,031,456 2.88%Ferry 1,031,456(1) 2.72%
Windle B. Priem 626,367 1.75%736,084(2) 1.94%
Peter L. Dunn 336,709 *343,543(3) 0.91%
James E. Barlett 2,000(4) 0.01%
Frank V. Cahouet 19,200(4) 0.05%
Timothy K. Friar 128,458(5) 0.34%
Sakie Fukushima 115,076(6) 0.30%
Patti S. Hart 0 0.00%
Scott E. Kingdom 107,924(7) 0.28%
Charles D. Miller 32,000(8) 0.08%
Gerhard Schulmeyer 2,000(4) 0.01%
Mark C. Thompson 0 0.00%
Elizabeth S.C.S. Murray 109,124 *0.29%
Gary C. Hourihan 51,612 *56,113(9) 0.15%
Michael D. Boxberger(3) 154,826 *
James E. Barlett 2,000 *
Paul Buchanan-Barrow 168,928 *
Frank V. Cahouet 2,000 *
Timothy K. Friar 112,124 *
Sakie Fukushima 99,992 *
Scott E. Kingdom 92,924 *
Young Kuan-Sing(4) 114,452 *
Charles D. Miller 32,000 *
Raimondo Nider(4) 178,308 *
Manuel A. Papayanopulos 178,288 *
Gerhard Schulmeyer 2,000 *
Michael A. Wellman 156,972 *Bekins 213,778(10) 0.56%
All directors and
executive officers as a
group (17(15 persons)(5) 3,450,082 9.65% 2,840,643(11) 7.65%
* Holdings represent less than 1% of all shares outstanding.NOTES TO STOCK OWNERSHIP TABLE:
(1) If applicable, holdings includeHolding includes 658,184 shares of Common Stockcommon stock held by the Trusteestrustees of
the Korn/Ferry Employee Tax Deferred Savings Plan (401(k) Plan) for the
benefit of the listed individual.
(2) Holding includes 215,015 shares of common stock held by the trustees of
the 401(k) Plan for the benefit of the listed individual and right to
acquire beneficial ownership of 109,717 shares of common stock within 60
days through the exercise of option granted under the Performance Award
Plan.
(3) Holding includes 19,985 shares of common stock held by the trustees of
the 401(k) Plan for the benefit of the listed individual and right to
acquire beneficial ownership of 6,834 shares of common stock within
60 days through the exercise of option granted under the Performance
Award Plan.
(4) Holding includes right to acquire beneficial ownership of 2,000 shares of
common stock within 60 days through the exercise of option granted under
the Performance Award Plan.
17
(5) Holding includes right to acquire beneficial ownership of 16,334 shares
of common stock within 60 days through the exercise of option granted
under the Performance Award Plan.
(6) Holding includes right to acquire beneficial ownership of 15,084 shares
of common stock within 60 days through the exercise of option granted
under the Performance Award Plan.
(7) Holding includes right to acquire beneficial ownership of 15,000 shares
of common stock within 60 days through the exercise of option granted
under the Performance Award Plan.
(8) Holding includes 30,000 shares of common stock held by the Miller Family
Trust dated September 8, 1988 and right to acquire beneficial ownership
of 2,000 shares of common stock within 60 days through the exercise of
option granted under the Performance Award Plan.
(9) Holding includes right to acquire beneficial ownership of 4,501 shares of
common stock within 60 days through the exercise of option granted under
the Performance Award Plan.
(10) Holding includes 3,763 shares of common stock held by the trustees of the
401(k) Plan for the benefit of the listed individual and right to acquire
beneficial ownership of 10,167 shares of common stock within 60 days
through the exercise of option granted under the Performance Award Plan.
(11) Total holding as a group includes 896,947 shares of common stock held by
the trustees of the 401(k), 30,000 shares of common stock held by the
Miller Family Trust dated September 8, 1988, and right to acquire
beneficial ownership of a total of 185,637 shares of common stock within
60 days through the exercise of options granted under the Performance
Award Plan.
(12) Other than with respect to suchthe shares held under the Company's 401(k) plan and the
options under the Performance Award Plan, each person has sole voting and
dispositive power with respect to the shares shown unless otherwise
indicated.
(2) Excludes 179,774 shares of Common Stock heldCERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
In November 1999, our Chairman, Richard Ferry, exercised his option to
purchase from us five insurance policies we were carrying to insure his life.
The total purchase price paid to us by The Ferry Family
Charitable Foundation. Mr. Ferry does not haveto purchase the policies was
$1,415,436. This purchase price equaled the total cumulative premiums we had
previously paid. The option was granted to Mr. Ferry pursuant to a beneficial interest inStock
Purchase Agreement, as amended, dated June 2, 1995, by and among Mr. Ferry, us
and various third parties. Under the original terms of the Stock Purchase
Agreement, we agreed to purchase all the shares of Common Stock heldour stock then owned by such foundation but does share voting
power, as oneMr.
Ferry in the event of three trustees,his death. The purchase of the shares held by The Ferry Family
Charitable Foundation.
(3) Mr. Boxberger resigned his positions as Chief Executive Officer,
President, Director and a member of the Office of the Chief Executive in
December 1998.
(4) Messrs. Nider and Young's terms as directors of the Company expire at the
Annual Meeting and neither director will stand for reelection at the
Annual Meeting.
(5) Mr. Boxberger is not included in this group. See note (3) above.
27
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
In fiscal 1999, decisions concerning compensation of executive officers
were madestock would have been
funded by the Company's Senior Executive Compensation Committee, consisting
of Messrs. Buchanan-Barrow (as Chair), Wellmanproceeds we received from the life insurance policies. Our
recent public offering obviated the need for the stock repurchase and Nider, with Messrs. Ferry
and Priem, each of whom is an
executive officer of the Company, serving in
advisory roles. The Senior Executive Compensation Committee, which has been
reorganized as part of the Compensation and Personnel Committee effective Juneamendment, dated April 25, 1999, reviews and approves the comprehensive compensation program for senior
executives of the Company and reviews the salaries of executive vice
presidents and senior vice presidents, subject to the ratification ofStock Purchase Agreement was entered
into to eliminate our obligation to purchase Mr. Ferry's stock and removed
certain conditions under which the salary programs established for the positions of the Chair and the Chief
Executive Officer by the Board acting as a whole. Messrs. Miller (as Chair),
Cahouet and Schulmeyer, each of whom is a non-employee member of the Board,
are the members of the new Compensation and Personnel Committee.
28option could be exercised.
18
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
REPORT OF THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE*
CHARTER OF COMMITTEE.& PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE COMPOSITION AND ROLE
The charter of the Senior Executive Compensation Committee (the
"Committee")is comprised entirely of directors who have
never served as our officers. The Committee (a) approves and oversees our
compensation programs, including incentive and stock option programs, provided
that the Committee make recommendations to the Boardmembers of Directors regarding theour senior management group, including all named executive
officers, and (b) approves or recommends to our board, as required, specific
compensation actions, including salary adjustments, annual cash bonuses, stock
option grants, and employment contracts for the Chair and theour Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In turn, the CEO made recommendations to the Committee
and to the Board regarding compensation for
other members of our senior management.officer group. The Committee met three times
during fiscal 2000.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION POLICY.
It has beenPHILOSOPHY
In establishing and currentlyassessing the compensation programs and compensation
policies for the executive officers and other senior executives, the Committee
is guided by the Company's policy to position itsfollowing principles:
. The total compensation for its seniorof our executive officers and other key employees
at
levelsmust be competitive with those of other major executive recruiting firms.firms,
recognizing our size and complexity relative to our peers;
. Individual cash bonuses and stock option awards should be closely tied to
the performance of the company as a whole, as well as the performance of
the senior management team both as a group and as individual
contributors; and
. The interests of senior management and our stockholders should be closely
aligned through direct management ownership of our common stock, and by
providing a meaningful portion of each key employee's total compensation
in the form of stock options.
Because a number of theseour peer organizations are privately-held, precise
information regarding the senior executive compensation practices within the Company'samong our
competitor group is difficult to obtain. From time to time,In addition, even when such data are
available, meaningful differences in size, complexity, and organizational
structure among our competitor group make direct comparisons of compensation
practices problematic. In assessing the Company has employedcompetitiveness of our senior
executive compensation, the servicesCommittee relies on information obtained from the
proxies of an outside compensation consulting firm to collect such
information. Much of thepublicly-traded competitors, information used to assess competitive pay practices
is therefore derived from data obtained
from executives and senior search consultants we recruited byfrom competitor
organizations, and the Company, andCommittee's general knowledge of pay practices
and trends within the industry.
PERFORMANCE RELATED GOALS.
To make recommendations regarding the Chair and the CEO's compensation,market for senior
management positions. From time to time, the Committee reviewed their performance relativealso retains
compensation consultants to goals establishedassess the competitiveness of our officer
compensation and to make suggestions regarding compensation program design.
SENIOR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The compensation provided to our senior officers, including the named
executive officers, consists of an annual base salary, an annual cash bonus,
and stock options granted at the beginningmarket price of and during the fiscal year ended April 30, 1999. For the 1999
performance year, these goals related largely to the financial performanceour common stock as of the
firm, both globallydate of grant.
(1) BASE SALARIES
Base salaries for our executive officers, including the Chief Executive
Officer, and within specific markets, progress in pursuing
targeted acquisitions, leadership,selected other key employees, are established annually by the
Committee based on the Committee's understanding of competitive practices
among our major competitors, internal equity considerations, and individual
performance. Effective July 1, 2000, the successsalaries of the Company's initial
public offering. The Committee also took into consideration that the Chair and
the CEO had both assumed new responsibilities during the fiscal yearour executive officers
were increased as a
result of the resignation of Mr. Michael Boxberger, the Company's former CEO,
and as a result of the Company's initial public offering.
COMPENSATION AND OPTIONS FOR CEO AND CHAIR.
On December 1, 1998, the salary offollows: Windle Priem, the Company's CEO &
President, was increasedChief Executive Officer, from
$600,000 to $640,000 (6.7%), Peter Dunn, from $465,000 to $525,000$495,000 (6.5%),
Elizabeth Murray, from $350,000 to reflect$370,000 (5.7%), and Gary Hourihan, from
$340,000 to $360,000 (5.9%). The annual base salary of Richard Ferry,
Chairman, was reduced effective May 1, 2000 to $400,000, while the base salary
of Michael Bekins, Chief Operating Officer, was set at $450,000 upon his
assumption of the role of CEO following Mr. Boxberger's resignation. Onon May 1, 1999, Mr.
Priem's salary was further increased2000.
19
(2) CASH BONUSES
The maximum aggregate annual cash bonuses paid to $600,000 as partour executive officers is
limited by a formula that ties aggregate bonuses to a percentage of a three-year
employment agreement approvedour net
income. The actual annual cash bonus of each executive officer, including the
Chief Executive Officer, is determined by the Board of Directors. Effective February
15, 1999, the salary of Richard Ferry, the Company's Chair, was reduced from
$572,000 to $465,000 to more appropriately reflect a voluntary change in his
ongoing responsibilities following the completionCommittee based on its
assessment of the Company's initial
public offering.
On May 1, 1999, Mr. Ferryperformance of the executive officers both as a group (team
performance) and Mr. Priem were awardedas individuals during fiscal 2000. Subject to the maximum
aggregate cash bonuses dictated by the above mentioned formula, the maximum
cash bonus available to each executive officer is two times base salary.
For fiscal 2000, the Committee determined that cash bonuses for our
executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, should be team-
oriented to recognize the contributions of $538,000the executive officers as a group
in guiding the company during its first year of public trading. In determining
the level of cash bonuses for our executive officers, the Committee took into
consideration our record financial performance and $606,000, respectively, forstrong stock price
performance, the 1999 performance year based upon
the Committee's recommendation to the Board of Directors. The Committee's
recommendation was based on an assessment of Mr. Ferry's and Mr. Priem's
performancenumerous acquisitions closed during the year, and the
successful transition of our reward programs and culture to better reflect its
publicly-traded status. Based on these considerations, the Committee awarded
each executive officer, including the Chief Executive Officer, a cash bonus
equal to 1.8 times base salary. This decision resulted in viewthe following cash
bonuses awarded to our executive officers for fiscal 2000: Windle Priem,
$1,080,000; Richard Ferry, $837,000; Peter Dunn, $837,000; Elizabeth Murray,
$630,000; Gary Hourihan, $612,000.
(3) STOCK OPTIONS
As part of their total compensation package, each of our executive
officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, is eligible to receive an
annual grant of stock options (performance options) with a Black-Scholes value
equal to a percentage of their cash bonus award. The specific percentage
awarded each executive officer is based on the Committee's assessment of
Company, team, and individual performance during fiscal 2000. In recognition
of our record financial performance, successful acquisition program, and
progress in other areas, including the successful cultural transition to a
publicly-traded firm, the Committee granted each executive officer the maximum
number of options for fiscal 2000 performance. This decision resulted in the
following option awards: Windle Priem, 57,325 shares; Peter Dunn, 44,425
shares; Elizabeth Murray, 33,450 shares; Gary Hourihan, 32,475 shares. Richard
Ferry, as in the past, declined the grant of options to preserve the shares
for other employees.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
Each of our executive officers, except Richard Ferry, is covered by an
employment agreement that provides for a minimum level of salary, cash bonus
potential, and option and benefit eligibility. The agreements also provide for
a defined severance benefit of up to two times base salary plus the average of
the most recent two-year cash bonus in the event of a termination of
employment without "cause" or for "good reason" as such terms are defined in
the agreements. The agreements also provide for the continuation of health and
welfare benefits upon a termination without cause or for good reason. It is
the Committee's belief that such agreements are necessary from a competitive
perspective and also contribute to the stability of the management team.
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 162(m)
As one of the factors described above.
- --------
* Whilein the Company was a privately held company through February 10, 1999,review of compensation matters, the Senior Executive
Compensation Committee was staffed by three inside
directors. Further, its charter was designedconsiders the anticipated tax treatment to the company.
The deductibility of some types of compensation for a committee administeringexecutive officers depends
upon the compensationtiming of a privately held company. As noted in this Report, in
June 1999 a new committee was formed,an executive's vesting or exercise of previously granted
rights or on whether such plans qualify as "performance-based" plans under the
Compensation and Personnel
Committee, and its three members are non-employee directors.
29
provisions of the tax laws. It is the Company's intentionCommittee's policy, to tie a meaningful portion ofthe extent that
such policy does not conflict with prudent management practices, to satisfy
the requirements necessary to allow the compensation of its executive officers
and key search professionals to the
performance of the Company's stock price. In this regard, in August 1998 the
Company received shareholder authorization to make stock option grantsbe deductible under
the Company's Performance Award Plan effective with the initial public
offering. The Board of Directors granted Mr. Priem 80,000 option shares under
this Plan on February 10, 1999 and an additional 23,250 shares on April 20,
1999. Mr. Ferry was offered option grants on February 10, 1999 and April 20,
1999, but declined the option grants in view of his existing substantial
ownership in the equity of the Company.
The option granted to Mr. Priem on February 10, 1999 has a term of seven
years and vests in three equal annual installments beginning one year from the
grant date. The option granted to Mr. Priem on April 20, 1999 has a term of
ten years and vests in three equal annual installments beginning one year from
the grant date. The exercise price for these options is the closing market
price of the Company's common stock on the grant date.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FOR CEO.
As part of a new three-year employment agreement between Mr. Priem and the
Company, Mr. Priem was granted an additional 100,000 option shares on June 2,
1999. These options have a term of five years and three months and an exercise
price equal to the closing market price of the Company's common stock on the
grant date. The option shares vest in full at the termination of his
employment agreement, but vest earlier if the Company's stock attains
specified price hurdles during the first three years following grant.
SECTION 162(M).
Unless sound business reasons dictate otherwise, it is the Company's intent
to meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, in
order that the bonus compensation and stock options awarded to its executive
officers be considered "performance based" and therefore deductible by the
Company for tax purposes. In this regard, the Company received shareholder
approval for the Korn/Ferry International Performance Award Plan concurrent
with the Company's initial public offering, a plan designed to comply with
Section 162(m).
NEW COMPENSATION AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
In recognition of the Company's new status as
a publicly-held company, a
new Compensation and Personnel Committee was constituted in June 1999
consisting solely of non-employee members of the Board of Directors (Chair:amended.
Charles D. Miller; Members:Miller (Chair)
Frank V. Cahouet
and Gerhard Schulmeyer).
Paul Buchanan-Barrow
(Chair)
Raimondo Nider
Michael A. Wellman
30Schulmeyer
20
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS
---------------------------------- SECURITIES
OTHER ANNUAL UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL FISCAL SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION OPTIONS COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL
POSITION YEAR ($) ($) ($) (#) ($)
Richard M. Ferry, 2000 465,000 837,000 0 0(13) 26,403(1)
Chair of the Board 1999 551,502 538,000 0 0(1)0(13) 13,433(2)
Chair of the Board
1998 550,000 1,375,000 0 0 11,876(3)
Michael D. Boxberger(4) 1999 330,974 0 101,984(5) 0 13,062(6)
Former Chief Executive 1998 525,000 1,312,500 30,112(5) 0 11,800(7)
Officer and President
Windle B. Priem, 2000 600,000 1,080,000 0 157,325 20,809(1)
Chief Executive 1999 489,130 606,000 0 103,250 13,433(2)
Chief Executive Officer and President 1998 410,000 1,150,000 0 0 11,876(3)
and President
Peter L. Dunn, 2000 465,000 837,000 0 44,425 17,739(4)
Vice Chair, General 1999 455,232 538,000 0 80,500 13,433(2)
Vice Chair, GeneralCounsel and Corporate 1998 375,000 937,500 0 0 11,876(3)
Counsel and Corporate
Secretary
Elizabeth S.C.S. Murray, 2000 350,000 630,000 0 33,450 9,747(1)
Chief Financial 1999 293,748 347,000 0 65,250 905(9)
Chief Financial905(1)
Officer, 1998 78,450(8)78,450(5) 125,000 0 0 125,076(10)125,076(6)
Treasurer and Executive
Vice President
Gary C. Hourihan 2000 333,333(12) 612,000 0 32,475 129,273(8)
Executive Vice 1999 82,725(11)82,725(7) 95,000 0 43,500 125,000(12)
Executive Vice125,000(9)
President-- 1998 -- -- -- --
--
Organizational
Development
Michael D. Bekins 2000 300,000 556,475 0 23,325 11,227(1)
Chief Operating Officer 1999 260,000 215,000 0 30,500 23,132(10)
1998 200,000 350,000 0 0 12,542(11)
- ------------NOTES TO SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE:
(1) In February 1999 and April 1999,Represents insurance premiums paid by the Board proposed to authorize the
grant of options to Mr. Ferry, but Mr. Ferry declined to accept such
grants.Company.
(2) Represents contributions of $12,528 to the executive's 401(k) plan and
$905 paid by the Company for insurance premiums.
(3) Represents contributions of $10,961 to the executive's 401(k) plan and
$915 paid by the Company for insurance premiums.
(4) Mr. Boxberger resigned his positions as Chief Executive Officer,
President, DirectorRepresents tuition contribution of $2,000 and a member of the Office of the Chief Executive in
December 1998. See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions--
Resignation of Michael D. Boxberger" below.
(5) Represents amounts reimbursed by the Company for interest paid on a
promissory note and income taxes. See "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions--Resignation of Michael D. Boxberger" below.
(6) Represents contributions of $12,528 to the executive's 401(k) plan and
$534$15,739 paid by the Company
for insurance premiums.
(7) Represents contributions of $10,961 to the executive's 401(k) plan and
$839 paid by the Company for insurance premiums.
(8)(5) Represents compensation paid to Ms. Murray from January 12, 1998, when
she joined the Company, through the end of fiscal 1998. Ms. Murray's base
salary for fiscal 1998 was paid at an annual rate of $250,000.
(9) Represents $905 paid by the Company for insurance premiums.
(10)(6) Represents $125,000 paid to Ms. Murray as a signing bonus and $76 paid by
the Company for insurance premiums.
(11)(7) Represents compensation paid to Mr. Hourihan from January 28, 1999, when
he joined the Company, through the end of fiscal 1999. Mr. Hourihan's
base salary for fiscal 1999 was paid at an annual rate of $300,000.
(12)(8) Represents $125,000 paid to Mr. Hourihan as the balance of a signing
bonus and $4,273 paid by the Company for insurance premiums.
21
(9) Represents $125,000 paid to Mr. Hourihan as the first installment of a
signing bonus.
31
OPTION GRANT TABLE
The following table presents additional information concerning the stock
options shown in the Summary Compensation Table(10) Represents contributions of $11,304 to Mr. Bekins' 401(k) plan and
granted$11,828 tax equalization amount paid to Mr. Bekins for relocation to
Asia.
(11) Represents contributions to the named
executive officers for fiscal 1999:
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES PERCENT OF TOTAL
UNDERLYING OPTIONS GRANTED TO GRANT DATE
OPTIONS GRANTED EMPLOYEES IN EXERCISE PRICE EXPIRATION PRESENT VALUE
NAME (#) FISCAL YEAR 1999(5) ($/SH)(6) DATE ($)(7)
Richard M. Ferry(1) 0 0 0 0 0
Michael D. Boxberger(2) 0 0 0 0 0
Windle B. Priem 80,000(3) 2.3 14.00 Feb. 9, 2006 744,000
23,250(4) 0.7 13.4375 Apr. 19, 2009 237,150
Peter L. Dunn 60,000(3) 1.7 14.00 Feb. 9, 2006 558,000
20,500(4) 0.6 13.4375 Apr. 19, 2009 209,100
Elizabeth S.C.S. Murray 52,000(3) 1.5 14.00 Feb. 9, 2006 483,600
13,250(4) 0.4 13.4375 Apr. 19, 2009 135,150
Gary C. Hourihan 40,000(3) 1.2 14.00 Feb. 9, 2006 372,000
3,500(4) 0.1 13.4375 Apr. 19, 2009 35,700
(1) In Februaryexecutive's 401(k) plan
(12) Represents Mr. Hourihan's base salary from May 1, 1999 to June 30, 1999
at an annual rate of $300,000 and from July 1, 1999 to April 1999,30, 2000 at
an annual rate of $340,000.
(13) Mr. Ferry declined the Board proposed to authorize the grantgrants of options to Mr. Ferry, but Mr. Ferry declined to accept such grants.
(2) Mr. Boxberger resigned his positions as Chief Executive Officer,
President, Director and a member ofpreserve the Office of the Chief Executive in
December 1998.
(3) Options have a term of seven years and vest in three equal annual
installments beginning one year from the grant date.
(4) Options have a term of ten years and vest in three equal annual
installments beginning one year from the grant date.
(5) During fiscal 1999, the Company granted options to 616 employees to
purchase an aggregate of 3,466,250 shares of the Company's Common Stock.
(6) Options were granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value
on the date of the grant.
(7) The weighted average fair value of options at the date of grant was
determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
32
for other
employees.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
The following table shows information for the named executive officers,
concerning:
(1) exercises of stock options during fiscal 1999;2000; and
(2) the amount and values of unexercised stock options as of April 30,
1999.2000.
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN-
SHARES UNDERLYING OPTIONS AT IN-THE-MONEYTHE-MONEY OPTIONS
ACQUIRED ON VALUE AT FY-END(#) AT FY-END ($FY-END($)(1)
EXERCISE REALIZED ---------------------------------------------------
NAME EXERCISE(#) REALIZED($(#)(2) ($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
Richard M. Ferry(2) 0 0 0 0 0 0
Michael D. Boxberger(3)Ferry 0 0 0 0 0 0
Windle B. Priem 0 0 0 103,250 0 024,700 $455,836 109,717 68,833 $1,399,780 $869,131
Peter L. Dunn 0 0 0 80,500 0 020,000 $307,500 6,834 53,666 $ 89,269 $678,512
Elizabeth S.C.S. Murray 0 0 0 65,250 0 017,334 $266,510 4,417 43,499 $ 57,697 $548,706
Gary C. Hourihan 10,000 $150,000 4,501 28,999 $ 56,919 $363,800
Michael D. Bekins 0 $ 0 0 43,500 0 010,167 20,333 $ 129,056 $258,100
- ----------------NOTES TO OPTION EXERCISE TABLE:
(1) This amount represents solely the difference between the closing price on
April 30, 19992000 of $11.9375$26.50 per share of the Company's Common Stockour common stock and the respective
exercise prices of those unexercised options that had an exercise price
below such market price (i.e., "in-the-money" options). No assumptions or
representations regarding the "value" of such options are made or
intended.
(2) In February 1999 and April 1999, the Board proposed to authorize the grant
of options to Mr. Ferry, but Mr. Ferry declined to accept such grants.
(3) Mr. Boxberger resigned his positions as Chief Executive Officer,
President, Director and a member of the Office of the Chief Executive in
December 1998.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Additional Redemption Amounts. In fiscal 1995, certain stockholders of the
Company (the "Sellers"), at the request of the Company, agreed to have certain
of their shares of Common Stock redeemed by the Company in a fixed redemption
plan initiated by the Company (the "Redemption"). The Redemption required that
any stockholder whose aggregate ownership of Common Stock, phantom units or
stock appreciation rights exceeded a certain share level have a portion of his
or her holdings redeemed. The Sellers agreed to the Redemption, which
benefited the Company in achieving a more widely-held equity ownership.
The redemption price consisted of (i) a fixedThis amount of $1.82 per share,
which represented the book value of a share of Common Stock as of the end of
fiscal 1994, plus 10% of such fixed amount to reflect appreciation on the book
value from the end of fiscal 1994 to the date of the redemption (the "Fixed
Redemption Amount"), (ii) a contingent amount (the "Additional Redemption
Amount") equal to the difference between (a) the Fixed Redemption Amount plus
8.5% accrued interest and (b) the public offering price per share of the
Common Stock and (iii) one share of Series A Preferred Stock for each 400
shares of Common Stock redeemed. The Fixed Redemption Amount consisted of 16
2/3% cash, with the balance in the form of a five-year promissory note. The
aggregate Additional Redemption Amount is determined by multiplying the
difference described under item (ii) above byrepresents the number of securities with respect to which the
options were exercised with no shares redeemed by
the Company from each holder of redeemed shares. The Additional Redemption
Amount was payable if the Company consummated an extraordinary transaction,
such as a public offering of the Common Stock of the Company, at any time
before December 31, 2004. The Additional Redemption Amount was paid upon
consummation of the Company's initial public offering of its Common Stock (the
"Offering").
33
The Series A Preferred Stock of the Company had a liquidation value of
$1.82 per share plus cumulative unpaid dividends at 8.5% per annum until
redemption. Shares of Series A Preferred Stock had voting rights equivalent to
400 shares of Common Stock for each share outstanding, except that holders of
Series A Preferred Stock were required to vote in favor of certain
transactions approved by holders of two-thirds or more of the shares of Common
Stock of the Company. The Series A Preferred Stock was designed to give the
Sellers the voting power necessary to protect their rights to receive payment
on the promissory note issued in the Redemption and the Additional Redemption
Amounts. The Company had the right to redeem all or any part of the
outstanding Preferred Stock at the earlier of either (i) payment in full of
all promissory notes of the Company issued in the Redemption or (ii) the
approval of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Series A Preferred
Stock. The Company has redeemed all of the outstanding Preferred Stock.
Simultaneously with the Redemption, certain holders of phantom units and
stock appreciation rights (the "Rights Holders") agreed to terminate their
phantom units and stock appreciation rights in return for payments
corresponding to the Fixed Redemption Amounts and the Additional Redemption
Amounts.
Because some of the proceeds from the Offering otherwise would have been
used to pay the aggregate Additional Redemption Amount payable upon an initial
public offering, each of the Sellers and the Rights Holders agreed to a
negotiated discount (the "Negotiated Adjustment") from the Additional
Redemption Amount they were originally entitled to receive upon the initial
public offering. As a result, upon consummation of the Offering, the Sellers
and the Rights Holders as a group received in the aggregate a payment of
$29.1 million and the Company's stockholders' equity was reduced by the same
amount. Mr. Priem, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of the
Company received a discounted payment of approximately $1.4 million. Mr.
Ferry, the Chair of the Company's Board of Directors, received a discounted
payment of approximately $9.3 million.
Termination of Stock Right Plan and Phantom Stock Plan. In contemplation of
the Offering, each of the Stock Right Plan and Phantom Stock Plan was
terminated and each previous participant in either the Stock Right Plan or
Phantom Stock Plan (the "Participants") was offered the opportunity to receive
a cash payment of $11.15 per phantom unit or stock appreciation right or
receive shares of the Common Stock valued at the book value of a share of
Common Stock as of April 30, 1998, which was approximately $2.79 per share
after giving effect to the 4-to-1 stock split. The Company had 275,954 phantom
units and 114,356 stock appreciation rights outstanding as of June 30, 1998,
the effective date of the surrender, termination and cancellation of all the
outstanding phantom units and stock appreciation rights of the Company. With
the exception of one, all Participants, including Messrs. Dunn, Papayanopulos
and Young, elected to receive shares of Common Stock in the conversion program
and 1,551,008 shares were issued as of June 30, 1998.
Liquidity Schedule. In contemplation of the Offering, the Company also
established a liquidity schedule (the "Liquidity Schedule") for its pre-
Offering stockholders. Substantially all of the Company's pre-Offering
stockholders agreed to be subject to the Liquidity Schedule. At the time of
the Offering, the pre-Offering stockholders were allowed to sell up to 10% of
their pre-Offering Common Stock holdings. From February 11, 1999 (the date of
the Offering) to February 11, 2001 (the second anniversary of the Offering),
all stockholders subject to the Liquidity Schedule are restricted from selling
any of their remaining pre-Offering Common Stock holdings. On February 11,
2001 or thereafter, the pre-Offering stockholders may sell up to 30% of their
pre-Offering Common Stock holdings. On February 11, 2002 or thereafter, the
pre-Offering stockholders may sell up to 50% of their pre-Offering Common
Stock holdings, and on February 11, 2003, all restrictions will cease. Upon
the death or permanent incapacity of the stockholder or a change in control of
the Company, the Liquidity Schedule will cease to apply and all of the
stockholder's Common Stock that is still subject to the Liquidity Schedule
will become transferable.
Strategic Compensation Associates. The Company owned 47% of Strategic
Compensation Associates ("SCA") during fiscal 1995 and 1996. During fiscal
1996, the Company paid approximately $131,000 for services to SCA. In fiscal
1996, the Company sold its entire membership interest in SCA and a portion of
its
34
capital account interest in SCA, pursuant to purchase agreements executed with
other members of SCA who formed SCA LLC. The purchase agreements, as amended,
provided for the members of SCA LLC, which includes Gary C. Hourihan, an
executive officer of the Company, to purchase the Company's remaining capital
account interest in six annual installments, with the last payment to be on
December 31, 2001. In December 1998, the members of SCA LLC completed the
transaction by making a cash payment to the Company of $2,487,985.
Resignation of Michael D. Boxberger. In December 1998, Michael D.
Boxberger resigned from his positions as President, Chief Executive Officer,
Director and a member of the Office of the Chief Executive of the Company. Mr.
Boxberger and the Company have entered into a settlement agreement under which
Mr. Boxberger will receive approximately $1.2 million payable over a 12-month
period. In addition, Mr. Boxberger will continue to receive reimbursement for
reasonable expenses, including office and secretarial support as well as
medical and other benefits until the earlier to occur of December 3, 1999 or
commencement of new employment. At the time of his resignation, Mr. Boxberger
owned 393,256 shares of Common Stock. The Company repurchased 228,088 of those
shares at book value, equal to $2.79 per share, pursuant to a Stock Repurchase
Agreement between Mr. Boxberger and the Company. Mr. Boxberger retained the
remaining 165,168 shares with the right to sell such shares in accordance with
the Liquidity Schedule.
Mr. Boxberger had loans outstanding with the Company which, as of December
3, 1998, amounted to an aggregate principal amount of $99,989. Such loans were
repaid by Mr. Boxberger in full in February 1999. In addition, Mr. Boxberger
and the Company were co-obligors on a promissory note in the principal amount
of $1 million entered into by Mr. Boxberger for home loan purposes. The
promissory note was secured by shares of Common Stock owned by Mr. Boxberger.
The Company reimbursed Mr. Boxberger for interest on the promissory note until
the sale of Mr. Boxberger's home. Mr. Boxberger sold the subject home in March
1999 and the $1 million promissory note was repaid in full as of Aprilacquired.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
POTENTIAL
REALIZABLE
VALUE AT
ASSUMED ANNUAL
RATES OF STOCK ALTERNATIVE
PRICE TO (f) AND
APPRECIATION (g): GRANT
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS FOR OPTION TERM DATE VALUE
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERCENT OF
NUMBER OF TOTAL
SECURITIES OPTIONS/SARS EXERCISE
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO OF BASE
OPTION/SARS EMPLOYEES IN PRICE GRANT DATE
GRANTED(#) FISCAL YEAR ($/SH) EXPIRATION 5% ($) 10% ($) PRESENT
NAME(A) (b) (c) (d) DATE (e) (f) (g) VALUE $ (h)
Richard M. Ferry 0
Windle B. Priem 100,000 9.06% 13.6875 09/02/04 284,158 626,766
Peter L. Dunn 0
Elizabeth S.C.S. Murray 0
Gary C. Hourihan 0
Michael D. Bekins 0
22
1999.
35
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") requires the Companyus to present a chart
comparing the cumulative total stockholder return on its shares with the
cumulative total stockholder return on (1) a broad equity market index and (2)
a published industry index or a company-established peer group. The following
graph compares the monthly percentage change in the
Company'sour cumulative total
stockholder return with the cumulative total return of the companies in the
Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and a Peer Grouppeer group constructed by the Company.us.
Cumulative total return for each of the periods shown in the Performance Graph
is measured assuming an initial investment of $100 on February 11, 1999, the
date public trading of the Company's Common
Stockour common stock began in connection with the Offering,our initial
public offering, and the reinvestment of any dividends paid by any company in
the Peer Group on the date the dividends were declared.
The Peer Grouppeer group is comprised of publicly-traded companies which are engaged
principally or in significant part in professional staffing and consulting.
The returns of each company have been weighted according to their respective
stock market capitalization at the beginning of each measurement period for
purposes of arriving at a Peer Group average. The members of the Peer Grouppeer group
are Careerbuilder, Inc. (CBDR), Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
(HSII), LAI
Worldwide, Inc. (formerly known as Lamalie Associates Inc.)Headhunter.net (HHNT), Hotjobs.com (HOTJ), Topjobs.net, Plc (TJOB),
and TMP Worldwide, Inc./LAI Worldwide, Inc. (TMPW/LAIX).
The stock price performance depicted in this graph is not necessarily
indicative of future price performance. This graph will not be deemed to be
incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating this proxy
statement into any filing by the Companyus under the Securities Act of 1933 as
amended, or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), except to the extent the Companywe specifically
incorporatesincorporate this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed
soliciting material or deemed filed under those Acts.
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL, S&P 500 INDEX AND PEER GROUP
PERFORMANCE GRAPH APPEARS HERE
Measurement Period S&P *COMPARABLE
(Fiscal Year Covered) KFYKFI 500 INDEX Peer GroupINDEX
- - --------------------- ---------------- --------- ---------------------
Measurement Pt- 2/11/9911-Feb-99 $100 $100 $100
2/26/9930-Apr-99 $ 81.385.2 $106.5 $129.0
30-Jul-99 $108.8 $ 98.7 $109.4
3/31/9997.4 $106.0
29-Oct-99 $158.9 $108.7 $134.4
31-Jan-00 $247.9 $111.2 $269.0
28-Apr-00 $195.0 $115.8 $260.6
31-Jul-00 $ 93.8 $102.6 $117.2
4/30/99 $ 85.3 $106.5 $119.3
5/28/99 $ 94.6 $103.8 $ 92.3
6/30/99 $121.4 $109.5 $112.2
7/30/99 $ 97.8 $106.0 $ 89.152.2 $114.1 $319.9
36* COMPARABLE INDEX = CAREERBUILDER, INC. (CBDR), HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES
INTERNATIONAL, INC. (HSII), HEADHUNTER.NET (HHNT), HOTJOBS.COM (HOTJ),
TOPJOBS.NET, PLC (TJOB), & TMP WORLDWIDE, INC./LAI WORLDWIDE, INC.
(TMPW/LAIX)
23
OTHER MATTERS
SECTION 16(A)16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
The Company believesWe believe that all SEC filings of itsour officers, directors and ten percent
stockholders complied with the requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act
during fiscal 1999,2000, based on a review of forms filed, or written
notice that no annual forms were required, with the exception of (i) Mr.
Priem, Mr. Dunn, Ms. Murray, Mr. Hourihan, Mr. Buchanan-Barrow, Mr. Friar, Ms.
Fukushima, Mr. Kingdom, Mr. Nider, Mr. Papayanopulos, Mr. Wellman, Mr. Kuan-
Sing, Michael D. Bekins, James E. Boone, L. Parker Harrell, Jr. and
Stephen J. Romaine, each of whom did not timely file Form 5 and each of whom
failed to report two grants of options, and (ii) Donald E. Jordan, the
Company's chief accounting officer, who did not timely file Form 3 and Form 5
and who failed to report two grants of options.filed.
ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
Enclosed with this proxy statement is theour Annual Report of the Company for fiscal 1999,2000,
which includes the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (excluding the
exhibits thereto). The Annual Report is enclosed for the convenience of
stockholders and should not be viewed as part of these proxy solicitation
materials. If any person who was a beneficial owner of Common
Stock of the Companyour common stock on
the Record DateAugust 2, 2000 for the Annual Meetingannual meeting desires additional information, a
complete copy of the Company'sour Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the exhibits
thereto, will be furnished upon written request. The request should identify
the requesting person as a stockholder of the
Company as of August 2, 19992000 and should be
directed to Evelyn W. Y. Mak,Peter L. Dunn, Esq., Vice Chair, General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary, Korn/Ferry International, 1800 Century Park East, Suite 900,
California 90067. The Company'sOur Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the exhibits
thereto, is also available through the SEC's web site (http:at http://www.sec.gov).www.sec.gov.
SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR CONSIDERATION AND NOMINATIONS OF
PERSONS FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
In order for business to be brought before the Annual Meetingannual meeting by a
stockholder, the stockholder must give notice of such business in writing to
Peter L. Dunn, Esq., Vice Chair, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary,
Korn/Ferry International, 1800 Century Park East, Suite 900, California 90067
by the tenth day after such stockholder first received notice of the date of
the Annual Meeting.annual meeting.
With respect to stockholder proposals, such notice must set forth as to
each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting:
(1). a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the
Annual Meetingannual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the Annual Meeting, (2)annual
meeting,
. the name and address, as they appear on the corporation's books, of the
stockholder proposing such business,
(3). the classes and number of shares of the corporation beneficially owned by the
stockholder,
(4). any material interest of the stockholder in such business, and
(5). any other information that is required to be provided by the stockholder,
in his or her capacity as a proponent of a stockholder proposal, pursuant
to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.
A stockholder's notice of nomination of a person for election as director
must set forth:
(1). the name and address of the stockholder who intends to make the
nomination and the address of the person or persons to be nominated,
(2). a representation that such stockholder is a holder of record of stock of
the corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in
person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons
specified in the notice,
(3). a description of all arrangements or understandings between such
stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such
person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to
be made by such stockholder,
(4). such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such
stockholder as would have been required to be included in a proxy
statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC had each nominee
been nominated, or intended to be nominated by the Boardboard of Directors,directors,
and
(5). the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the corporation if
so elected.
3724
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR NEXT YEAR'S ANNUAL MEETING
Notice of any stockholder proposal or nomination of a person for election
as director that is intended by a stockholder to be included in the Company'sour proxy
statement relating to its 2000our 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received
by Peter L. Dunn, Esq., Vice Chair, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary,
Korn/Ferry International, 1800 Century Park East, Suite 900, California 90067
by April 14, 2000.
A stockholder proposal submitted outside of the processes of Rule 14a-8
under the Exchange Act (i.e., a proposal to be presented at the next annual
meeting of stockholders but not submitted for inclusion in the Company's proxy
statement) will be considered untimely under the SEC's proxy rules (1) by July
1, 2000 if the Proposed Reincorporation has been completed or (2) by May 25,
2000 if the Proposed Reincorporation has not been completed.23, 2001.
Each notice of any stockholder proposal must comply with the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the rules and regulations thereunder, and the Company'sour Bylaws as
in effect at the time of such notice.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Peter L. Dunn
Peter L. Dunn
Vice Chair, General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary
August 12, 1999
3821, 2000
25
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN
YOUR PROXY CARD
IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
3926
APPENDIX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
of
KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL
(a Delaware Corporation)
and
KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL
(a California Corporation)
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER dated as of September , 1999 (this
"Merger Agreement") is between Korn/Ferry International, a Delaware
corporation ("KFY Delaware"), and Korn/Ferry International, a California
corporation ("KFY California"). KFY Delaware and KFY California are sometimes
referred to herein as the "Constituent Corporations."
RECITALS
A. KFY California desires to merge with and into KFY Delaware and KFY
Delaware desires to merge with KFY California, all upon the terms and subject
to the conditions of this Merger Agreement.
B. KFY Delaware is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws
of the State of Delaware and has an authorized capital of 200,000,000 shares,
150,000,000 of which are designated "Common Stock," par value $0.01 per share,
and 50,000,000 of which are designated "Preferred Stock," par value $0.01 per
share. The Preferred Stock of KFY Delaware is undesignated as to series,
rights, preferences, privileges or restrictions. As of the date hereof,
shares of Common Stock are issued and outstanding, all of which are
held by KFY California, and no shares of Preferred Stock are issued and
outstanding.
C. KFY California is a corporation duly organized and existing under the
laws of the State of California and has an authorized capital of 200,000,000
shares, 150,000,000 of which are designated "Common Stock," no par value per
share, and 50,000,000 of which are designated "Preferred Stock," no par value
per share. The Preferred Stock of KFY California is undesignated as to series,
rights, preferences, privileges or restrictions. As of September , 1999,
shares of Common Stock and no shares of Preferred Stock were issued
and outstanding.
D. The Board of Directors of KFY California has determined that, for the
purpose of effecting the reincorporation of KFY California in the State of
Delaware, it is advisable and in the best interests of KFY California and its
shareholders that KFY California merge with and into KFY Delaware upon the
terms and conditions herein provided.
E. The respective Boards of Directors of KFY Delaware and KFY California
have approved this Merger Agreement and have directed that this Merger
Agreement be submitted to a vote of their respective sole stockholder and
shareholders and executed by the undersigned officers.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants set
forth herein, KFY Delaware and KFY California hereby agree, subject to the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, as follows:
ARTICLE I
MERGER
1.1 Merger. In accordance with the provisions of this Merger Agreement, the
Delaware General Corporation Law and the California General Corporation Law,
KFY California shall be merged with and into KFY Delaware (the "Merger"), the
separate existence of KFY California shall cease and KFY Delaware shall
survive the Merger and shall continue to be governed by the laws of the State
of Delaware. KFY Delaware shall be, and is herein sometimes referred to as,
the "Surviving Corporation." The name of the Surviving Corporation shall be
Korn/Ferry International.
1.2 Filing And Effectiveness. The Merger shall become effective when the
following actions shall have been completed:
(a) This Merger Agreement and the Merger shall have been adopted and
approved by the sole stockholder of KFY Delaware and the shareholders of
KFY California, in accordance with the requirements of the Delaware General
Corporation Law and the California General Corporation Law;
(b) All of the covenants and conditions precedent to the consummation of
the Merger specified in this Merger Agreement shall have been satisfied or
duly waived by the party entitled to satisfaction thereof;
(c) An executed Certificate of Merger or an executed counterpart of this
Merger Agreement meeting the requirements of the Delaware General
Corporation Law shall have been filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware; and
(d) An executed Certificate of Merger or an executed counterpart of this
Merger Agreement meeting the requirements of the California General
Corporation Law shall have been filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of California.
The date and time when the Merger shall become effective, as aforesaid, is
herein called the "Effective Date of the Merger."
1.3 Effect Of The Merger. Upon the Effective Date of the Merger, the
separate existence of KFY California shall cease and KFY Delaware, as the
Surviving Corporation, (i) shall continue to possess all of its assets,
rights, powers and property as constituted immediately prior to the Effective
Date of the Merger, (ii) shall be subject to all actions previously taken by
its and KFY California's Board of Directors, (iii) shall succeed, without
other transfer, to all of the assets, rights, powers and property of KFY
California in the manner more fully set forth in Section 259 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law, (iv) shall continue to be subject to all of the
debts, liabilities and obligations of KFY Delaware as constituted immediately
prior to the Effective Date of the Merger and (v) shall succeed, without other
transfer, to all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of KFY California
in the same manner as if KFY Delaware had itself incurred them, all as more
fully provided under the applicable provisions of the Delaware General
Corporation Law and the California General Corporation Law.
ARTICLE II
CHARTER DOCUMENTS, DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
2.1 Certificate Of Incorporation. The Certificate of Incorporation of KFY
Delaware as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger
shall continue in full force and effect as the Certificate of Incorporation of
the Surviving Corporation until duly amended in accordance with the provisions
thereof and applicable law.
2
2.2 Bylaws. The Bylaws of KFY Delaware as in effect immediately prior to
the Effective Date of the Merger shall continue in full force and effect as
the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until duly amended in accordance with
the provisions thereof and applicable law.
2.3 Directors And Officers. The directors and officers of KFY California
immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger shall be the directors
and officers of the Surviving Corporation until their successors shall have
been duly elected and qualified or until as otherwise provided by law, the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation or the Bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation.
ARTICLE III
MANNER OF CONVERSION OF STOCK
3.1 KFY California Common Stock. Upon the Effective Date of the Merger,
each share of KFY California Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately
prior thereto shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action by the
Constituent Corporations, the holder of such shares or any other person, be
converted into and exchanged for one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Surviving Corporation.
3.2 KFY California Options, Stock Purchase Rights And Convertible
Securities.
(a) Upon the Effective Date of the Merger, the Surviving Corporation
shall assume and continue the stock option plans and all other employee
benefit plans of KFY California. Each outstanding and unexercised option or
other right to purchase or security convertible into KFY California Common
Stock shall become an option or right to purchase or a security convertible
into the Surviving Corporation's Common Stock on the basis of one share of
the Surviving Corporation's Common Stock for each share of KFY California
Common Stock issuable pursuant to any such option, stock purchase right or
convertible security, on the same terms and conditions and at an exercise
price per share equal to the exercise price applicable to any such KFY
California option, stock purchase right or convertible security at the
Effective Date of the Merger. There are no options, purchase rights for or
securities convertible into Preferred Stock of KFY California.
(b) A number of shares of the Surviving Corporation's Common Stock shall
be reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options, stock purchase
rights and convertible securities equal to the number of shares of KFY
California Common Stock so reserved immediately prior to the Effective Date
of the Merger.
3.3 KFY Delaware Common Stock. Upon the Effective Date of the Merger, each
share of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of KFY Delaware issued and
outstanding immediately prior thereto shall, by virtue of the Merger and
without any action by KFY Delaware, the holder of such shares or any other
person, be canceled and returned to the status of authorized but unissued
shares.
3.4 Exchange Of Certificates. After the Effective Date of the Merger, each
holder of an outstanding certificate representing shares of KFY California
Common Stock may, at such holder's option, surrender the same for cancellation
to Chase Mellon Stockholder Services L.L.C., as exchange agent (the "Exchange
Agent"), and each such holder shall be entitled to receive in exchange
therefor a certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of
the Surviving Corporation's Common Stock into which the surrendered shares
were converted as herein provided. Unless and until so surrendered, each
outstanding certificate theretofore representing shares of KFY California
Common Stock shall be deemed for all purposes to represent the number of
shares of the Surviving Corporation's Common Stock into which such shares of
KFY California Common Stock were converted in the Merger.
The registered owner on the books and records of the Surviving Corporation
or the Exchange Agent of any shares of stock represented by such outstanding
certificate shall, until such certificate shall have been surrendered for
transfer or conversion or otherwise accounted for to the Surviving Corporation
or the Exchange Agent, have
3
and be entitled to exercise any voting and other rights with respect to and to
receive dividends and other distributions upon the shares of Common Stock of
the Surviving Corporation represented by such outstanding certificate as
provided above.
Each certificate representing Common Stock of the Surviving Corporation so
issued in the Merger shall bear the same legends, if any, with respect to the
restrictions on transferability as the certificates of KFY California so
converted and given in exchange therefore, unless otherwise determined by the
Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation in compliance with applicable
laws, and any additional legends agreed upon by the holder and the Surviving
Corporation.
If any certificate for shares of KFY Delaware stock is to be issued in a
name other than that in which the certificate surrendered in exchange therefor
is registered, it shall be a condition of issuance thereof that the
certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed and otherwise in proper
form for transfer, that such transfer otherwise be proper and comply with
applicable securities laws and that the person requesting such transfer pay to
KFY Delaware or the Exchange Agent any transfer or other taxes payable by
reason of issuance of such new certificate in a name other than that of the
registered holder of the certificate surrendered or establish to the
satisfaction of KFY Delaware that such tax has been paid or is not payable.
ARTICLE IV
GENERAL
4.1 Covenants Of KFY Delaware. KFY Delaware covenants and agrees that it
will, on or before the Effective Date of the Merger:
(a) qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in the State of
California and in connection therewith irrevocably appoint an agent for
service of process as required under the provisions of Section 2105 of
California Corporations Law;
(b) file any and all documents with the California Franchise Tax Board
necessary for the assumption by KFY Delaware of all of the franchise tax
liabilities of KFY California; and
(c) take such other actions as may be required by the California General
Corporation Law.
4.2 Further Assurances. From time to time, as and when required by KFY
Delaware or by its successors or assigns, there shall be executed and
delivered on behalf of KFY California such deeds and other instruments, and
there shall be taken or caused to be taken by KFY California such further and
other actions as shall be appropriate or necessary in order to vest or perfect
in or conform of record or otherwise by KFY Delaware the title to and
possession of all the property, interests, assets, rights, privileges,
immunities, powers, franchises and authority of KFY California and otherwise
to carry out the purposes of this Merger Agreement , and the officers and
directors of KFY Delaware are fully authorized in the name and on behalf of
KFY California or otherwise to take any and all such action and to execute and
deliver any and all such deeds and other instruments.
4.3 Abandonment. At any time before the Effective Date of the Merger, this
Merger Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned for any
reason whatsoever by the Board of Directors of either KFY California or KFY
Delaware, or both, notwithstanding the approval of this Merger Agreement by
either the shareholders of KFY California or the sole stockholder of KFY
Delaware, or both.
4.4 Amendment. The Boards of Directors of the Constituent Corporations may
amend this Merger Agreement at any time prior to the filing of this Merger
Agreement (or certificate in lieu thereof) with the Secretaries of State of
the States of Delaware and California, provided that an amendment made
subsequent to the adoption of this Merger Agreement by either the sole
stockholder of KFY Delaware or the shareholders of KFY California shall not:
(i) alter or change the amount or kind of shares, securities, cash, property
and/or rights to be received in exchange for or on conversion of all or any of
the shares of any class or series thereof of such
4
Constituent Corporation; (ii) alter or change any term of the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation to be effective immediately after
the Merger or (iii) alter or change any of the terms and conditions of this
Merger Agreement if such alteration or change would adversely affect the
holders of any class or series of capital stock of either Constituent
Corporation.
4.5 Registered Office. The registered office of the Surviving Corporation
in the State of Delaware shall be [1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware
19801, County of New Castle, and The Corporation Trust Company] will be the
registered agent of the Surviving Corporation at such address.
4.6 Agreement. Executed copies of this Merger Agreement will be on file at
the principal place of business of the Surviving Corporation at 1800 Century
Park East, Suite 900, Los Angeles, California 90067 and copies thereof will be
furnished to any holder of any class or series of capital stock of either
Constituent Corporation, upon request and without cost.
4.7 Governing Law. This Merger Agreement shall in all respects be
construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with and governed by the
laws of the State of Delaware and, so far as applicable, the merger provisions
of the California General Corporation Law.
4.8 Counterparts. In order to facilitate the filing and recording of this
Merger Agreement, the same may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Merger Agreement having first been approved by the
resolutions of the Boards of Directors of Korn/Ferry International, a Delaware
corporation, and Korn/Ferry International, a California corporation, is hereby
executed on behalf of each of such two corporations and attested by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written
above.
KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL
a Delaware corporation
By: _________________________________
Windle B. Priem
Chief Executive Officer,
President and Director
ATTEST:
- -------------------------------------
Peter L. Dunn
Corporate Secretary
KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL
a California corporation
By: _________________________________
Windle B. Priem
Chief Executive Officer,
President and Director
ATTEST:
- -------------------------------------
Peter L. Dunn
Corporate Secretary
6
APPENDIX B
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL
I, the undersigned, for the purposes of incorporating and organizing a
corporation under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, do
execute this Certificate of Incorporation and do hereby certify as follows:
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of the corporation is Korn/Ferry International (the
"Corporation").
ARTICLE II: REGISTERED OFFICE
The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of
Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, County of New
Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Trust
Company.
ARTICLE III: PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity
for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE IV: STOCK
Section 1. Authorized Shares. The total number of shares of all classes
which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue shall be 200,000,000,
which shall be divided into two classes, one to be designated "Common Stock,"
which shall consist of 150,000,000 authorized shares, $0.01 par value per
share, and a second class to be designated as "Preferred Stock," which shall
consist of 50,000,000 authorized shares, $0.01 par value per share.
Section 2. Preferred Stock of the Corporation. The Preferred Stock may be
issued in one or more series, from time to time, each series to be
appropriately designated by a distinguishing number, letter or title, prior to
the issuance of any shares thereof.
Section 3. Authority of Board of Directors to Issue Stock. Each series of
Preferred Stock shall consist of such number of shares and have such voting
powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations,
preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and
the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in
the resolutions or resolutions providing for the issuance of such series
adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the "Board of
Directors"), and the Board of Directors is hereby expressly vested with
authority, to the full extent now or hereafter provided by law, to adopt any
such resolution or resolutions.
The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each series shall
include, but not be limited to, determination of the following:
(a) The number of shares constituting the series and the distinctive
designation of that series;
(b) The dividend rate on the shares of that series, whether dividends
shall be cumulative, and, if so, from which date or dates, and the relative
rights of priority, if any, of payment of dividends on shares of that
series;
(c) Whether that series shall have voting rights, in addition to the
voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights;
(d) Whether that series shall have conversion privileges, and, if so,
the terms and conditions of such conversion, including provision for
adjustment of the conversion rate in such events as the Board of Directors
shall determine;
(e) Whether or not the shares of that series shall be redeemable, and,
if so, the terms and conditions of such redemption, including the date or
date upon or after which they shall be redeemable, and the amount per share
payable in case of redemption, which amount may vary under different
conditions and at different redemption dates;
(f) Whether that series shall have a sinking fund for the redemption or
purchase of shares of that series, and, if so, the terms and amount of such
sinking fund;
(g) The rights of the shares of that series in the event of voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, and
the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of shares of that
series; and
(h) Any other relative rights, preferences and limitations of that
series.
Section 4. No Preemptive or Preferential Rights. No holders of shares of
the Corporation of any class, now or hereafter authorized, shall have any
preferential or preemptive rights to subscribe for, purchase or receive any
shares of the Corporation of any class, now or hereafter authorized, or any
options or warrants to subscribe for such shares, or any rights to subscribe
for, purchase or receive any securities convertible to or exchangeable for
such shares, which may at any time be issued, sold or offered for sale by the
Corporation.
ARTICLE V: INCORPORATOR
The name and mailing address of the incorporator are as follows: Peter L.
Dunn, Korn/Ferry International, 1800 Century Park East, Suite 900, Los
Angeles, California 90067.
ARTICLE VI: BYLAWS
In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the laws of
the State of Delaware, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to
adopt, alter, amend and repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation, subject to the
power of the stockholders of the Corporation to alter or repeal any bylaw
whether adopted by them or otherwise; provided, however, that the affirmative
vote of 66 and 2/3 percent of the voting power of the capital stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote thereon shall be required for stockholders to
adopt, amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Bylaws of the Corporation.
ARTICLE VII: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws of the Corporation shall so
require, the election of directors of the Corporation need not be by written
ballot.
2
ARTICLE VIII: NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
Except as otherwise provided for or fixed by or pursuant to the provisions
of Article IV of this Certificate of Incorporation or any resolution or
resolutions of the Board of Directors providing the issuance of any class or
series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or
upon liquidation to elect additional directors under specified circumstances,
the Board of Directors shall consist of not fewer than 8 nor more than 15
directors, the exact number of directors within such limits to be determined
solely by the Board of Directors in the manner set forth in the Bylaws of the
Corporation. The directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders
of Preferred Stock or any other class or series of stock having a preference
over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation pursuant to the
terms of this Certificate of Incorporation or any resolution or resolutions
providing for the issuance of such class or series of stock adopted by the
Board of Directors, shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in
number as possible. The initial Class I, Class II and Class III Directors, or,
if applicable, their respective successors by reason of merger of the
Corporation with another corporation prior to the first annual meeting of the
stockholders following the filing of this Certificate of Incorporation, shall
serve for a term expiring at the first, second and third annual meetings of
the stockholders following the filing of this Certificate of Incorporation,
respectively. Each director in each of the initial classes of directors shall
hold office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. At each
annual meeting of the stockholders beginning with the first annual meeting of
the stockholders following the filing of this Certificate of Incorporation,
the successors of the class of directors whose term expires at that meeting
shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of
the stockholders to be held in the third year following the year of their
election, with each director in each such class to hold office until his or
her successor is duly elected and qualified.
ARTICLE IX: DIRECTOR LIABILITY
A director of the Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is
not permitted under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as
the same exists or may hereafter be amended. Any amendment, modification or
repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or
protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or
omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or
repeal.
ARTICLE X: REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Any or all directors may be removed for cause if such removal is approved
by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at an
election of directors.
ARTICLE XI: RESERVATION OF RIGHTS BY THE CORPORATION
The Corporation hereby reserves the right at any time and from time to time
to amend, alter, change or repeal any provisions contained in this Certificate
of Incorporation, and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of
Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted, in the manner now or
hereafter prescribed by law, and all rights, preferences and privileges of
whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons
whomsoever by or pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation in its present
form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this
Article XI.
3
ARTICLE XII: MEETINGS OF THE STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders may be held
within or without the State of Delaware, as the Bylaws of the Corporation may
provide.
Section 2. Ability to Call Special Meetings. Special meetings of the
stockholders may be called only by the Board of Directors, the Chair of the
Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President of the
Corporation, and may not be called by any other person or persons.
ARTICLE XIII: BOOKS OF THE CORPORATION
The books of the Corporation may be kept (subject to any provision
contained in the laws of the State of Delaware) outside of the State of
Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the
Board of Directors or in the Bylaws of the Corporation.
ARTICLE XIV: ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT OF STOCKHOLDERS PROHIBITED
No action that is required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of
the Corporation at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be
effected by written consent of the stockholders in lieu of a meeting of the
stockholders, unless the action to be effected by written consent of
stockholders and the taking of such action by such written consent have
expressly been approved in advance by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Certificate of
Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of at least 66 and 2/3
percent in voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the
Corporation, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend,
repeal or adopt any provision inconsistent with this Article XIV.
The undersigned Incorporator hereby acknowledges that the foregoing
Certificate of Incorporation is his act and deed on September , 1999.
-------------------------------------
Peter L. Dunn
Incorporator
4
APPENDIX C
BYLAWS
OF
KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL,
A DELAWARE CORPORATION
INDEX
ARTICLE I--OFFICES.
Section 1. REGISTERED OFFICE........................................ 1
Section 2. PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE............................... 1
Section 3. OTHER OFFICES............................................ 1
ARTICLE II--STOCKHOLDERS.
Section 1. PLACE OF MEETINGS........................................ 1
Section 2. ANNUAL MEETINGS.......................................... 1
Section 3. BUSINESS WHICH MAY BE CONDUCTED AT MEETINGS OF THE
STOCKHOLDERS............................................ 1
Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS......................................... 3
Section 5. NOTICE OF ANNUAL OR SPECIAL MEETINGS..................... 3
Section 6. QUORUM--REQUIRED VOTES................................... 4
Section 7. ADJOURNED MEETINGS AND NOTICE THEREOF.................... 4
Section 8. VOTING................................................... 4
Section 9. RECORD DATE.............................................. 5
Section 10. CONSENT OF ABSENTEES..................................... 6
Section 11. PROXIES.................................................. 6
Section 12. INSPECTORS OF ELECTION................................... 7
Section 13. CONDUCT OF MEETING....................................... 7
Section 14. LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE.................... 7
Section 15. CONSENT OF STOCKHOLDERS IN LIEU OF MEETING............... 7
ARTICLE III--DIRECTORS.
Section 1. POWERS................................................... 9
Section 2. NUMBER OF DIRECTORS...................................... 10
Section 3. NOMINATION, ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE... 10
Section 4. VACANCIES................................................ 10
Section 5. PLACE OF MEETING......................................... 11
Section 6. REGULAR MEETINGS......................................... 11
Section 7. SPECIAL MEETINGS......................................... 11
Section 8. QUORUM................................................... 11
Section 9. PARTICIPATION IN MEETINGS BY COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT.... 11
Section 10. WAIVER OF NOTICE......................................... 12
Section 11. ADJOURNMENT.............................................. 12
Section 12. FEES AND COMPENSATION.................................... 12
Section 13. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING................................... 12
Section 14. RIGHTS OF INSPECTION..................................... 12
Section 15. COMMITTEES............................................... 12
Section 16. STANDING COMMITTEES...................................... 13
ARTICLE IV--OFFICERS.
Section 1. OFFICERS................................................. 14
Section 2. ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT.................................. 14
Section 3. ELECTED SENIOR OFFICERS.................................. 14
Section 4. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION.................................. 15
Section 5. VACANCIES................................................ 15
ARTICLE V--OTHER PROVISIONS.
Section 1. INSPECTION OF CORPORATE RECORDS.......................... 15
Section 2. INSPECTION OF BYLAWS..................................... 16
Section 3. ENDORSEMENT OF DOCUMENTS; CONTRACTS...................... 16
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Section 4. CERTIFICATES OF STOCK...................................... 16
Section 5. REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS............. 16
Section 6. STOCK PURCHASE PLANS....................................... 17
Section 7. ELECTION OF FISCAL YEAR.................................... 17
Section 8. CONSTRUCTION AND DEFINITIONS............................... 17
Section 9. AMENDMENTS................................................. 17
Section 10. LOANS TO OFFICERS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES...................... 17
Section 11. EMERGENCY BYLAWS........................................... 17
ARTICLE VI--INDEMNIFICATION.
Section 1. RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION................................... 18
Section 2. PREPAYMENT OF EXPENSES..................................... 19
Section 3. CLAIMS..................................................... 19
Section 4. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS.................................. 19
Section 5. OTHER SOURCES.............................................. 19
Section 6. AMENDMENT OR REPEAL........................................ 19
Section 7. OTHER INDEMNIFICATION AND PREPAYMENT OF EXPENSES........... 19
ii
BYLAWS
FOR THE REGULATION, EXCEPT
AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY STATUTE OR
ITS CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION,
OF
KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL
ARTICLE I. OFFICES.
Section 1. Registered Office.
The registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware shall be
fixed in the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation.
Section 2. Principal Executive Office.
The corporation's principal executive office shall be fixed and located at
such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of
Directors of the corporation (the "Board") shall determine. The Board is
granted full power and authority to change said principal executive office
from one location to another.
Section 3. Other Offices.
The corporation may have such other offices, either within or without the
State of Delaware, as the Board may designate or the business of the
corporation may from time to time require.
ARTICLE II. STOCKHOLDERS.
Section 1. Place of Meetings.
Meetings of the stockholders shall be held either at the principal
executive office of the corporation or at any other place within or without
the State of Delaware as may be designated by the Board and filed with the
Secretary of the corporation.
Section 2. Annual Meetings.
The annual meetings of the stockholders shall be held at such time, date
and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be fixed by
the Board. At such meetings, directors shall be elected and any other proper
business may be transacted.
Section 3. Business Which May Be Conducted at Meetings of the Stockholders.
(a) Annual Meetings of the Stockholders.
(i) Nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal
of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual
meeting of the stockholders only (A) pursuant to the corporation's notice
of meeting (or any supplement thereto), (B) by or at the direction of the
Board or (C) by any stockholder of the corporation who was a stockholder of
record of the corporation at the time the notice provided for in this
Section 3 is delivered to the Secretary of the corporation, who is entitled
to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set
forth in this Section 3.
(ii) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before
an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (C) of paragraph
(a)(i) of this Section 3, the stockholder must have given timely notice
thereof in writing to the Secretary of the corporation and any such
proposed business other than the nominations of persons for election to the
Board must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely,
a stockholder's notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal
executive
1
offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the 90th
day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the
first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting (provided,
however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than
30 days before or more than 70 days after such anniversary date, notice by
the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business
on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close
of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or
the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of
such meeting is first made by the corporation). In no event shall the
public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting
commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a
stockholder's notice as described above. Such stockholder's notice shall
set forth: (A) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate
for election as a director all information relating to such person that is
required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of
directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case
pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 14a-11 thereunder (and such person's
written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to
serving as a director if elected); (B) as to any other business that the
stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of
the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the
proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for
consideration and, in the event that such business includes a proposal to
amend the Bylaws of the corporation, the language of the proposed
amendment), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any
material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial
owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (C) as to the
stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose
behalf the nomination or proposal is made (1) the name and address of such
stockholder, as they appear on the corporation's books, and of such
beneficial owner, (2) the class and number of shares of capital stock of
the corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such
stockholder and such beneficial owner, (3) a representation that the
stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the corporation entitled to
vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at such
meeting to propose such business or nomination, and (4) a representation
whether the stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of
a group which intends (x) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy
to holders of at least the percentage of the corporation's outstanding
capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the
nominee and/or (y) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in
support of such proposal or nomination. The corporation may require any
proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably
require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a
director of the corporation.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph
(a)(ii) of this Section 3 to the contrary, in the event that the number of
directors to be elected to the Board of the corporation at the annual
meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by the corporation
naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least 100 days
prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting, a
stockholder's notice required by this Section 3 shall also be considered
timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships,
if it shall be delivered to the Secretary of the corporation at the
principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of
business on the 10th day following the day on which such public
announcement is first made by the corporation.
(b) Special Meetings of the Stockholders. Only such business shall be
conducted at a special meeting of the stockholders as shall have been brought
before the meeting pursuant to the corporation's notice of meeting.
Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special
meeting of the stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to
the corporation's notice of meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board
or (ii) provided that the Board has determined that directors shall be
elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the corporation who is a
stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 3
is delivered to the Secretary of the corporation, who is entitled to vote at
the meeting and upon such election, and who complies with the notice
procedures set forth in this Section 3. In the event the corporation calls a
special meeting of the stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more
directors to the Board, any stockholder entitled to vote in such election of
directors may nominate a person or persons (as the
2
case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the
corporation's notice of meeting, if the stockholder's notice required by
paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 3 shall be delivered to the Secretary at
the principal executive offices of the corporation not earlier than the close
of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than
the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special
meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is
first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by
the Board to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public
announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence
a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a
stockholder's notice as described above.
(c) General.
(i) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set
forth in this Section 3 shall be eligible to be elected at an annual or
special meeting of the stockholders of the corporation to serve as
directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of the
stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance
with the procedures set forth in this Section 3. Except as otherwise
provided by law, the Chair of the Board, as chair of the meeting, shall
have the power and duty (A) to determine whether a nomination or any
business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as
the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this
Section 3 (including whether the stockholder or beneficial owner, if any,
on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made or solicited (or is part
of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be,
proxies in support of such stockholder's nominee or proposal in compliance
with such stockholder's representation as required by clause (a)(ii)(C)(4)
of this Section 3) and (B) if any proposed nomination or business was not
made or proposed in compliance with the Section 3, to declare that such
nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be
transacted.
(ii) For purposes of this Section 3, "public announcement" shall include
disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service,
Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document
publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3, a
stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the
matters set forth in this Section 3. Nothing in this Section 3 shall be
deemed to affect any rights (A) of stockholders to request inclusion of
proposals in the corporation's proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under
the Exchange Act or (B) of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to
elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation of the corporation.
Section 4. Special Meetings.
Special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by the Board, the
Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and may not
be called by any other person or persons. Upon written request delivered to
the Secretary of the corporation by any person or persons (other than the
Board) entitled to call a special meeting of the stockholders, the Secretary
shall cause notice to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote that a
meeting will be held at the time requested by the person or persons calling
the meeting. If notice of a special meeting of the stockholders is not given
within 20 days after the Secretary's receipt of the request, the person or
persons entitled to call the meeting may give the notice. Subject to the
provisions of applicable law, only such business shall be considered at a
special meeting of the stockholders as shall have been stated in the notice
for such meeting.
Section 5. Notice of Annual or Special Meetings.
(a) Time Periods. Written notice of each annual or special meeting of the
stockholders shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the
date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. Such
notice shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting and (i) in the case
of the annual meeting, those matters which the Board, at the time of the
mailing of the notice, intends to present for action by the stockholders (but,
subject to Section 3 of this Article II and the provisions of applicable law,
any other matters
3
properly brought may be presented at the meeting for action) or (ii) in the
case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting was
called. The notice of any meeting at which directors are to be elected shall
include the names of nominees intended at the time of the notice to be
presented by the Board for election.
(b) Method. Notice of a stockholders' meeting shall be given: (i) in
writing or (ii) by United States mail, addressed to the stockholder at the
address of such stockholder appearing on the books of the corporation or given
by the stockholder to the corporation for the purpose of notice.
Notice by mail shall be deemed to have been given at the time written
notice is deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid. Any other
written notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time it is personally
delivered to the recipient, delivered to a common carrier for transmission or
actually transmitted by the person giving the notice by electronic means to
the recipient.
Section 6. Quorum--Required Votes.
Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation of
the corporation or these bylaws, at each meeting of the stockholders the
presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority in voting power of
the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote at the meeting shall be
necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum,
the stockholders so present may, by a majority in voting power thereof,
adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 7 of
this Article II until a quorum shall attend.
Section 7. Adjourned Meetings and Notice Thereof.
Any meeting of the stockholders, annual or special, may adjourn from time
to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be
given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are
announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned
meeting the corporation may transact any business which might have been
transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30
days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned
meeting, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of
record entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 8. Voting.
The stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting or to vote at any such
meeting shall be only those persons in whose name shares stand on the stock
records of the corporation on the record date determined in accordance with
Section 9 of this Article II.
Voting at meetings of the stockholders need not be by written ballot. At
all meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors, a plurality of
the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect. All other elections and questions
shall, unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation of the
corporation, these bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange
applicable to the corporation or as otherwise provided by law or pursuant to
any regulation applicable to the corporation, be decided by the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of stock of
the corporation which are present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote
thereon.
Voting shall in all cases be subject to the following provisions:
(a) The stockholders of the corporation shall not have the right to
cumulate their votes for the election of directors of the corporation.
(b) Shares held by an administrator, executor, guardian, conservator or
custodian may be voted by such holder either in person or by proxy, without
a transfer of such shares into the holder's name; and shares standing in
the name of a trust may be voted by the trustee of such trust, either in
person or by proxy, but no trustee shall be entitled to vote shares held by
such trust without a transfer of such shares into the trust's name.
4
(c) Shares standing in the name of a receiver may be voted by such
receiver, and shares held by or under the control of a receiver may be
voted by such receiver without the transfer thereof into the receiver's
name if authority to do so is contained in the order of the court by which
such receiver was appointed.
(d) Except where otherwise agreed in writing between the parties, a
stockholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such shares
until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee, and
thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to vote the shares so transferred.
(e) Shares standing in the name of a minor may be voted by, and the
corporation may treat all rights incident thereto as exercisable by, the
minor, in person or by proxy, whether or not the corporation has notice,
actual or constructive, of the minor's actual age, unless a guardian of the
minor's property has been appointed and written notice of such appointment
has been given to the corporation.
(f) Shares standing in the name of another corporation, domestic or
foreign, may be voted by such officer, agent or proxyholder of such other
corporation as the bylaws of such other corporation may prescribe or, in
the absence of such provision, as the board of directors of such other
corporation may determine or, in the absence of such determination, by the
chair of the board of directors, president or any vice president of such
other corporation, or by any other person authorized to do so by the chair
of the board, president or any vice president of such other corporation.
Shares which are purported to be voted or any proxy purported to be
executed in the name of a corporation (whether or not any title of the
person signing is indicated) shall be presumed to be voted or the proxy
executed in accordance with the provisions of this clause, unless the
contrary is shown.
(g) Shares of the corporation owned by its subsidiaries shall not be
entitled to vote on any matter.
(h) If shares stand of record in the names of two or more persons,
whether fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in
common, husband and wife as community property, tenants by the entirety,
voting trustees, persons entitled to vote under a stockholder voting
agreement or otherwise, or if two or more persons (including proxyholders)
have the same fiduciary relationship respecting the same shares, unless the
Secretary of the corporation is given written notice to the contrary and is
furnished with a copy of the instrument or order appointing them or
creating the relationship wherein it is so provided, their acts with
respect to voting shall have the following effect:
(i) If only one votes, such act binds all;
(ii) If more than one vote, the act of the majority so voting binds
all; or
(iii) If more than one vote, but the vote is evenly split on any
particular matter, each faction may vote the securities in question
proportionately.
If the instrument so filed or the registration of the shares shows that any
such tenancy is held in unequal interests, a majority or even split for the
purpose of this Section 8 shall be a majority or even split in interest.
Section 9. Record Date.
In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to
notice of or to vote at any meeting of the stockholders or any adjournment
thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a
meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution
or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of
any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other
lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not
precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by
the Board, and which record date: (a) in the case of determination of
stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders or adjournment
thereof, shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than 60 nor less
than 10 days before the date of such meeting; (b) in the case of determination
of stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing
without a meeting, shall not be more than 10 days from the date upon which the
resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board and (c) in the case
of any other action, shall not be more than 60 days prior to such other action.
If no record date is fixed: (a) the record date for determining stockholders
entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
5
stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the
day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of
business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; (b)
the record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to
corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action of the
Board is required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation of the
corporation, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting
forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the corporation
in accordance with applicable law, or, if prior action by the Board is
required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation, shall
be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the
resolution taking such prior action and (c) the record date for determining
stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the
day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto. A determination
of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however,
that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
Section 10. Consent of Absentees.
The transactions of any meeting of the stockholders, however called and
noticed, and wherever held, are as valid as though conducted at a meeting duly
held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or
by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the persons
entitled to vote, not present in person or by proxy, signs a written waiver of
notice, or a consent to the holding of the meeting or an approval of the
minutes thereof. All such waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed with
the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting. Attendance
of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of and presence
at such meeting, except when the person objects, at the beginning of the
meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not
lawfully called or convened and except that attendance at a meeting is not a
waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters required by the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware to be included in the notice
but not so included, if such objection is expressly made at the meeting.
Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any regular or
special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of
notice, consent to the holding of the meeting or approval of the minutes
thereof, except as provided in the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware.
Section 11. Proxies.
Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of the stockholders or to
express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting
may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy,
but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its
date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be
irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as,
it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable
power. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by
attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in
writing revoking the proxy or by delivering a proxy in accordance with
applicable law bearing a later date to the Secretary of the corporation.
A proxy or consent validly delivered to the corporation shall mean any
written authorization which is signed by the person executing the proxy, as
well as any electronic transmission (to include without limitation
transmissions by facsimile and by computer messaging systems), which is
authorized by a stockholder or the stockholder's attorney in fact, which gives
another person or persons power to vote with respect to the shares of such
stockholder. A stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for
such stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of a
telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission to the person
who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy
support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who
will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that
any such telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic transmission must
either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be
determined that the telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission was
authorized by the stockholder. If it is determined that such telegrams,
cablegrams or other electronic transmissions are valid, the inspectors or, if
there are no inspectors, such other persons making that determination shall
specify the information upon which they relied. Any copy, facsimile
telecommunication
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or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant
to this Section 11 may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing
or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or
transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile
telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of
the entire original writing or transmission.
Section 12. Inspectors of Election.
(a) Appointment of Inspectors. In advance of any meeting of the
stockholders, the Board shall appoint inspectors of election to act at such
meeting and any adjournment thereof. If inspectors of election are not so
appointed, or if any persons so appointed fail to appear or refuse to act, the
Chair of the Board presiding at any such meeting may, and on the request of
any stockholder or stockholder's proxy shall, make such appointment at the
meeting. The number of inspectors shall be either one or three. If appointed
at a meeting on the request of one or more stockholders' proxies, the majority
of shares present shall determine whether one or three inspectors are to be
appointed.
(b) Duties of Inspectors. The duties of such inspectors shall include:
determining the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each;
determining the shares represented at the meeting; determining the existence
of a quorum; determining the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies;
receiving votes, ballots or consents; hearing and determining all challenges
and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote;
counting and tabulating all votes or consents; determining when the polls
shall close; determining the result; and doing such acts as may be proper to
conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. If there are
three inspectors, the decision, act or certificate of a majority is in all
respects the decision, act or certificate of all.
Section 13. Conduct of Meeting
The Chair of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders.
The Chair shall conduct each such meeting in a businesslike and fair manner,
but shall not be obligated to follow any technical, formal or parliamentary
rules or principles of procedure. The Chair's rulings on procedural matters
shall be conclusive and binding on all stockholders, unless at the time of a
ruling a request for a vote is made to the stockholders holding shares
entitled to vote and which are represented in person or by proxy at the
meeting, in which case the decision of a majority of such shares shall be
conclusive and binding on all stockholders. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the Chair shall have all of the powers usually vested in the
chair of a meeting of stockholders.
Section 14. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote.
The Secretary of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least 10 days
before every meeting of the stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders
entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing
the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the
name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any
stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business
hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, either at a
place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be
specified in the notice of the meeting or, if not so specified, at the place
where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at
the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be
inspected by any stockholder who is present. Upon the willful neglect or
refusal of the directors to produce such a list at any meeting for the
election of directors, such directors shall be ineligible for election to any
office at such meeting. Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger
shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine
the stock ledger, the list of stockholders or the books of the corporation, or
to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of the stockholders.
Section 15. Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting.
(a) Any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the
stockholders of the corporation, or any action which may be taken at any
annual or special meeting of the stockholders duly called in accordance with
the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation, may be taken without a
meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in
writing, setting for the action so taken, shall be signed by the
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holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes
that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which
all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be
delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware,
its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation
having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of the
stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the corporation's registered
office shall be made by hand or by certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested.
(b) Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each
stockholder who signs the consent and no written consent shall be effective to
take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within 60 days of the
date the earliest dated consent is delivered to the corporation, a written
consent or consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action
are delivered to the corporation in the manner prescribed in paragraph (c) of
this Section 15.
(c) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled
to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board may fix
a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the
resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which date
shall not be more than 10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing
the record date is adopted by the Board. Any stockholder of record seeking to
have the stockholders authorize or take corporate action by written consent
shall, by written notice to the Secretary, request the Board to fix a record
date. The Board shall promptly, but in all events within 10 days after the
date on which such a request is received, adopt a resolution fixing the record
date. If no record date has been fixed by the Board within 10 days of the date
on which such a request is received, the record date for determining
stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a
meeting, when no prior action by the Board is required by applicable law,
shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the
action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the corporation in
accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 15. If no record date
has been fixed by the Board and prior action by the Board is required by
applicable law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to
consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close
of business on the date on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such
prior action.
(d) Within 5 business days after receipt of the earliest dated consent
delivered to the corporation in the manner provided in this Section 15, the
corporation, shall retain nationally recognized independent inspectors of
elections for the purposes of performing a ministerial review of the validity
of consents and any revocations thereof. The cost of retaining inspectors of
election shall be borne by the corporation.
(e) At any time that stockholders soliciting consents in writing to
corporate action have a good faith belief that the requisite number of valid
and unrevoked consents to authorize or take the action specified has been
received by them, the consents shall be delivered by the soliciting
stockholders of the corporation's registered office in the State of Delaware
or principal place of business or to the Secretary of the corporation,
together with a certificate stating their belief that the requisite number of
valid and unrevoked consents has been received as of a specific date, which
date shall be identified in the certificate. In the event that delivery shall
be made to the corporation's registered office in Delaware, such delivery
shall be made by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested. Upon receipt of such consents, the corporation shall cause the
consents to be delivered promptly to the inspectors of election. The
corporation also shall deliver promptly to the inspectors of election any
revocations of consents in its possession, custody or control as of the time
of receipt of the consents.
(f) As promptly as practicable after the consents and revocations are
received by them, the inspectors of election shall issue a preliminary report
to the corporation stating: (i) the number of shares represented by valid and
unrevoked consents; (ii) the number of shares represented by invalid consents;
(iii) the number of shares represented by invalid revocations and (iv) the
number of shares entitled to submit consents as of the record date. Unless the
corporation and the soliciting stockholders agree to a shorter or longer
period, the corporation and the soliciting stockholders shall have 5 business
days to review the consents and revocations and to advise the inspectors and
the opposing party in writing as to whether they intend to challenge the
preliminary report. If no timely written notice of an intention to challenge
the preliminary report is received, the inspectors shall certify
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the preliminary report (as corrected or modified by virtue or the detection by
the inspectors of clerical errors) as their final report and deliver it to the
corporation. If the corporation or the soliciting stockholders give timely
written notice of an intention to challenge the preliminary report, a
challenge session shall be scheduled by the inspectors as promptly as
practicable. A transcript of the challenge session shall be recorded by a
certified court reporter. Following completion of the challenge session, the
inspectors shall issue as promptly as practicable their final report and
deliver it to the corporation. A copy of the final report shall be included in
the book in which the proceedings of meetings of the stockholders are
required.
(g) The corporation shall give prompt notice to the stockholders of the
results of any consent solicitation or the taking of corporate action without
a meeting by less than unanimous written consent.
(h) This Section 15 shall in no way impair or diminish the right of any
stockholder or director, or any officer whose title to office is contested, to
contest the validity of any consent or revocation thereof, or to take any
other action with respect thereto.
ARTICLE III. DIRECTORS.
Section 1. Powers.
Subject to limitations of the Certificate of Incorporation of the
corporation, of these bylaws and of the General Corporation Law of the State
of Delaware relating to action required to be approved by the stockholders or
by the outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the corporation shall
be managed by or under the direction of the Board and it shall have the final
authority in matters of strategy and policy matters for the corporation.
The Board may delegate management duties for the operation of the business
of the corporation to those persons to whom authority is properly delegated by
the Board, including officers of the company, provided that the business and
affairs of the corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be
exercised under the ultimate direction of the Board. Without prejudice to such
general powers, but subject to the same limitations, it is hereby expressly
declared that the Board shall have the following powers in addition to the
other powers enumerated in these bylaws:
(a) To select and remove all the other officers (in accordance with the
provisions of these bylaws), agents and employees of the corporation;
prescribe the powers and duties for them as may not be inconsistent with
law, the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation or these bylaws;
fix their compensation and require from them an affidavit providing for the
good faith exercise of their duties only in the best interests of the
corporation.
(b) To conduct, manage and control the affairs and business of the
corporation and to make such rules and regulations therefor not
inconsistent with law, the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation
or these bylaws, as they may deem best.
(c) To adopt, alter, amend and repeal these bylaws from time to time as
they may deem best.
(d) To adopt, make and use a corporate seal, and to prescribe the forms
of certificates of stock, and to alter the form of such seal and of such
certificates from time to time as they may deem best.
(e) To authorize the issuance of shares of stock of the corporation from
time to time, upon such terms and for such consideration as may be lawful.
(f) To borrow money and incur indebtedness for the purposes of the
corporation, and to cause to be executed and delivered, in the corporate
name, promissory notes, bonds, debentures, deeds of trust, mortgages,
pledges, hypothecations or other evidences of debt and securities therefor.
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Section 2. Number of Directors.
The authorized number of directors shall be as set forth in the Certificate
of Incorporation of the corporation. The Board shall fix the exact number of
directors by resolution duly adopted by the Board.
Section 3. Nomination, Election, Qualification and Term of Office.
(a) Eligibility for Election as Director. Only persons who are nominated
by, or at the direction of the Board or the Chair of the Board, or by a
stockholder who has given timely written notice to the Secretary of the
corporation in accordance with Section 3 of Article II of these bylaws, will
be eligible for election as directors of the corporation.
(b) Meetings at which Directors May Be Elected. The directors shall be
elected at each annual meeting of the stockholders, but if any such annual
meeting is not held or the directors are not elected thereat, the directors
may be elected at any special meeting of the stockholders called for that
purpose.
(c) Classes of the Board of Directors. The Board shall be divided into
three classes in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation of the corporation.
(d) Qualified Directors. For a person to be qualified to serve as a
director of the corporation, such person need not be an employee or
stockholder of the corporation during his or her directorship.
(e) Length of Term for Directors. At each annual meeting of the
stockholders beginning with the first annual meeting of the stockholders, the
successors of the class of directors whose term expires at that meeting shall
be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of
stockholders to be held in the third year following the year of their
election, with each director in each class to hold office until his or her
successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death,
resignation or removal.
(f) Removal of Directors. Any director, or the entire Board, may be removed
only for cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares then
entitled to vote at the election of directors.
Section 4. Vacancies.
Any director may resign, to be effective upon giving written notice to the
Board or to the Chair of the Board, President or Secretary of the corporation,
unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such
resignation. If the resignation is effective at a future time, a successor may
be elected to take office when the resignation becomes effective.
Any newly-created directorship resulting from an increase in the authorized
number of directors or any vacancies in the Board occurring by reason of
death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal may be filled by a
majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, or by a sole
remaining director, and each director so elected shall hold office until the
next annual meeting at which the class of which he is a member becomes subject
to re-election and until such director's successor has been elected and
qualified.
A vacancy or vacancies in the Board shall be deemed to exist in case of the
death, resignation or removal of any director, or if the authorized number of
directors is increased, or if the stockholders fail, at any annual or special
meeting of the stockholders at which any director or directors are elected, to
elect the full authorized number of directors to be voted for at that meeting.
The stockholders may elect a director or directors at any time to fill any
vacancy or vacancies not filled by the directors.
No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of
removing any director prior to the expiration of the director's term of
office.
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Section 5. Place of Meeting.
Regular or special meetings of the Board shall be held at any place within
or without the State of Delaware which has been designated from time to time
by the Board. In the absence of such designation, regular meetings shall be
held at the principal executive office of the corporation.
Section 6. Regular Meetings.
Following each annual meeting of the stockholders, the Board shall hold a
regular meeting for the purpose of organization, election of officers and the
transaction of other business.
Other regular meetings of the Board shall be held without call on such
dates and at such times as may be fixed by the Board. Call and notice of all
regular meetings of the Board are hereby dispensed with.
Section 7. Special Meetings.
Special meetings of the Board for any purpose or purposes may be called at
any time by the Chair, the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice Chair, the
President, the Secretary of the corporation or by any two directors.
Special meetings of the Board shall be held upon four days' written notice
or at least twenty-four hours' notice given personally or by telephone,
including a voice messaging system or other system or technology designed to
record and communicate messages, telegraph, facsimile, electronic mail or
other electronic means of communication. Any written notice shall be addressed
or delivered to each director at such director's address as it is shown upon
the records of the corporation or as may have been given to the corporation by
the director for purposes of notice or, if such address is not shown on such
records or is not readily ascertainable, at the place in which the meetings of
the directors are regularly held.
Notice by mail shall be deemed to have been given at the time a written
notice is deposited in the United States mails, postage prepaid. Any other
written notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time it is personally
delivered to the recipient or is delivered to a common carrier for
transmission, or actually transmitted by the person giving the notice by
electronic means to the recipient. Oral notice shall be deemed to have been
given at the time it is communicated, in person or by telephone or wireless,
to the recipient or to a person at the office of the recipient who the person
giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate it to the
recipient.
Section 8. Quorum.
A majority of the whole Board constitutes a quorum of the Board for the
transaction of business, except to adjourn as provided in Section 11 of this
Article III. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors
present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded
as the act of the Board, unless a greater number is required by law or by the
Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation. A meeting at which a quorum
is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the
withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a
majority of the required quorum for such meeting.
Section 9. Participation in Meetings By Communications Equipment.
(a) Participation by Conference Telephone. Members of the Board, or any
committee thereof, may participate in a meeting through the use of conference
telephones. Participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in
person at that meeting as long as all members participating in such meeting
are able to hear one another.
(b) Participation by Electronic Video Screen Equipment or Other Similar
Communications Equipment. Members of the Board may participate in a meeting
through the use of electronic video screen equipment or other similar
communications equipment. Participation in such a meeting shall constitute
presence in person at that meeting by a member of the Board if all of the
following apply:
(i) each member participating in the meeting can communicate with all of
the other members concurrently;
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(ii) each member is provided the means of participating in all matters
before the Board, including, without limitation, the capacity to propose,
or to interpose an objection to, a specific action to be taken by the
corporation; and
(iii) the corporation adopts and implements some means of verifying both
of the following: (x) a person participating in the meeting is a director
or other person entitled to participate in the Board meeting, and (y) all
actions of, or votes by, the Board are taken or cast only by the directors
and not by persons who are not directors.
Section 10. Waiver of Notice.
Notice of a meeting need not be given to any director who signs a waiver of
notice or a consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the minutes
thereof, whether before or after the meeting, or who attends the meeting
without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice
to such director. All such waivers, consents and approvals shall be filed with
the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
Section 11. Adjournment.
A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum is present,
may adjourn any directors' meeting to another time and place. Notice of the
time and place of an adjourned meeting need not be given to absent directors
if the time and place has been fixed at the meeting adjourned, except as
provided in the next sentence. If the meeting is adjourned for more than 24
hours, notice of any adjournment to another time or place shall be given prior
to the time of the commencement of the adjourned meeting to the directors who
were not present at the time of the adjournment.
Section 12. Fees and Compensation.
Directors and members of committees may receive such compensation, if any,
for their services, and such reimbursement for expenses, as may be fixed or
determined by the Board. The corporation shall not compensate directors or
committee members who are also employees of the corporation.
Section 13. Action Without Meeting.
Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board may be taken
without a meeting if all members of the Board shall consent in writing to such
action. Such consent or consents shall have the same effect as a unanimous
vote of the Board and shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of
the Board.
Section 14. Rights of Inspection.
Every director shall have the right at any reasonable time to examine the
corporation's stock ledger, a list of the stockholders of the corporation and
the corporation's other books and records for any purpose reasonably related
to such director's position as a director and to make copies or extracts
therefrom. Such inspection by a director may be made in person or by such
director's agent or attorney.
Section 15. Committees.
The Board may appoint one or more committees, each consisting of one or
more directors, and delegate to such committees any of the powers and
authority of the Board, except no such committee shall have power or authority
in reference to the following:
(a) Approving, adopting or recommending to the stockholders any action
or matter expressly required by the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware to be submitted to the stockholders for approval; or
(b) Adopting, altering, amending or repealing these bylaws or any of
them.
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Any such committee must be designated, and the members or alternate members
thereof appointed, by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board and
any such committee may be designated an Executive Committee or by such other
name as the Board shall specify. Alternate members of a committee may replace
any absent member at any meeting of the committee. The Board shall have the
power to prescribe the manner in which proceedings of any such committee shall
be conducted. In the absence of any such prescription, such committee shall
have the power to prescribe the manner in which its proceedings shall be
conducted. Unless the Board or such committee shall otherwise provide, the
regular and special meetings and other action of any such committee shall be
governed by the provisions of this Article III applicable to meetings and
actions of the Board. Minutes shall be kept of each meeting of each committee.
Section 16. Standing Committees.
The Board may have the following standing committees: Audit, Executive,
Nominating and Compensation and Personnel.
(a) Audit Committee. The Audit Committee shall be responsible for reviewing
the activities of the corporation to ensure that such activities are being
conducted within the boundaries of corporate policy and appropriate regulatory
and legal requirements and for ensuring the integrity of financial information
supplied to the stockholders. The Audit Committee also shall make
recommendations to the Board after consultation with the Chief Financial
Officer as to the selection of independent public accountants to examine the
consolidated financial statements of the corporation and its subsidiaries. The
Audit Committee also shall discuss with the independent public accountants the
scope of their examination, recommend supplemental audit reviews or audit
steps as deemed desirable, and review the accounting policies of the
corporation. The Audit Committee also shall be available to receive reports,
suggestions, questions and recommendations from the independent public
accountants, the Chief Financial Officer and the General Counsel. It also
shall confer with those parties in order to assure the sufficiency and
effectiveness of the programs being followed by corporate officers in the area
of compliance with the law and conflicts of interest.
(b) Executive Committee of the Board. The Executive Committee of the Board
shall have all of the authority of the Board, except with respect to the
approval of any action which requires stockholder approval under the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
(c) Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall recommend to the
Board criteria for the selection of candidates to serve on the Board, evaluate
all proposed candidates, recommend to the Board nominees to fill vacancies on
the Board, and prior to the annual meeting of the stockholders recommend to
the Board a slate of nominees for election to the Board by the stockholders of
the Corporation at the annual meeting. In carrying out its duties, the
committee shall seek possible candidates for the Board and otherwise aid in
attracting qualified candidates to the Board. The committee shall be available
to the Chair or President and other members of the Board for consultation
concerning candidates for the Board. The committee shall periodically review,
assess and make recommendations to the Board with regard to the size and
composition of the Board. The committee shall have all additional powers
necessary to carry out its responsibilities and such other duties as may be
assigned by the Board from time to time.
The Nominating Committee also shall have the authority to administer a
self-appraisal process by members of the Board and make a report thereon to
the Board, from time to time, or as designated by the Board.
(d) Compensation and Personnel Committee. The Compensation and Personnel
Committee shall have the responsibility for the compensation of the senior
executives of the Corporation including salaries and benefits. In carrying out
its duties, the committee shall review and approve overall executive
compensation programs which are market competitive for the officers of the
Corporation, and shall review the specific salaries of Executive Vice
Presidents and senior vice presidents subject to the ratification of the
salary programs established for the Chair and the Chief Executive Officer of
the Corporation by the Board acting as a whole. The committee shall also
review and make recommendations to the Board with respect to the Corporation's
overall compensation
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program for directors and officers, including salaries, employee benefit
plans, stock options granted, equity incentive plans and payment of bonuses.
The committee shall also have all additional powers necessary to carry out its
responsibilities and such other duties as may be assigned by the Board from
time to time.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS.
Section 1. Officers.
The senior officers of the corporation shall be a Chair of the Board, a
Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Operating Officer, a Chief Financial Officer
and a Secretary. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the
Board, a President, a Chief Administrative Officer, one or more Vice Chairs of
the Board, one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries,
Treasurers, Assistant Treasurers, and such other officers as may be elected or
appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 2 of this Article IV.
Section 2. Election or Appointment.
The senior officers of the corporation shall be elected by the Board on an
annual basis. In addition, other officers may be elected or appointed in
accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of this Article IV. All officers,
whether elected or appointed, shall be chosen annually by, and shall serve at
the pleasure of, the Board, and shall hold their respective offices until
their resignation, removal or other disqualification from service, or until
their respective successors shall be elected.
The Board may elect, and may empower the Chair or the Chief Executive
Officer to appoint, such other subordinate officers as the business of the
corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period and
shall have such authority and perform such duties as are provided in these
bylaws or as the Board may from time to time determine.
Section 3. Elected Senior Officer.
The elected senior officers of the corporation shall have those positions
and those duties named below in this Section 3. Further, in each case, the
named officer also shall have the general powers and duties of governance or
management usually vested in that office and such other powers and duties as
may be prescribed by the Board.
In the case of the Chair of the Board, the Chair shall, if present, preside
at all meetings of the Board and shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders. The Chair of the Board has the general powers and duties of
management usually vested in the office of chair of the board of a corporation
and such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board. The Chief
Executive Officer shall be the senior executive officer of the corporation.
The President has the general powers and duties of management of the
corporation. The Chief Operating Officer shall have the general powers and
duties to carry out general administrative and financial management of the
corporation. The Board also may elect one or more Vice Chairs of the Board
who, in the absence of the Chair, will assume the duties of that position.
In the absence or disability of the Chief Executive Officer, the President,
the Chief Operating Officer, the Vice Chair, or any Executive Vice President
designated by the Board, shall perform all the duties of the Chief Executive
Officer and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to
all the restrictions upon, the Chief Executive Officer.
The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive
office and such other place as the Board may order, a book of minutes of all
meetings of stockholders, the Board and its committees, with the time and
place of holding, whether regular or special, and if special, how authorized,
the notice thereof given, the names of those present at Board and committee
meetings, the number of shares present or represented at stockholders'
meetings, and the proceedings thereof. The Secretary shall keep, or cause to
be kept, a copy of these bylaws of the corporation at the principal executive
office or such other place as the Board may order.
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The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive
office or at the office of the corporation's transfer agent or registrar, if
one has been appointed, a share register, or a duplicate share register,
showing the names of the stockholders and their addresses, the number and
classes of shares held by each, the number and date of certificates issued for
the same, and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate
surrendered for cancellation.
The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of
the stockholders and of the Board and any committees thereof required by these
bylaws or by law to be given, shall keep the seal of the corporation in safe
custody, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may
be prescribed by the Board.
The Chief Financial Officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept
and maintained, adequate and correct accounts of the properties and business
transactions of the corporation, and shall send or cause to be sent to the
stockholders of the corporation such financial statements and reports as are
by law or these bylaws required to be sent to them. The books of account shall
at all times be open to inspection by any director.
The Chief Financial Officer shall deposit all moneys and other valuables in
the name and to the credit of the corporation with such depositaries as may be
designated by the Board. The Chief Financial Officer shall disburse the funds
of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board, shall render to the Chair
of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President and the directors,
whenever they request it, an account of all transactions as Chief Financial
Officer and of the financial condition of the corporation, and shall have such
other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board.
Section 4. Removal and Resignation.
Any officer elected by the Board may be removed only by the Board, either
with or without cause, at any time. In the case of an officer not elected by
the Board, such an officer may be removed by another officer upon whom such
power of removal may be conferred by the Board. Any removal shall be without
prejudice to the rights, if any, of the officer under any contract of
employment of the officer.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the
corporation, subject to the rights of the corporation under any contract
between the corporation and the officer. Any such resignation shall take
effect at the date of the receipt of such notice or at any later time
specified therein and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of
such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 5. Vacancies.
A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal,
disqualification or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed
in these bylaws for regular election or appointment to such office.
ARTICLE V. OTHER PROVISIONS.
Section 1. Inspection of Corporate Records.
Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall,
upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right
during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the
corporation's stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books
and records and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall
mean a purpose reasonably related to such person's interest as a stockholder.
In every instance where an attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the
right to inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of
attorney or such other writing that authorizes the attorney or other agent to
so act on behalf of the stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed
to the corporation at its registered office in the State of Delaware or at its
principal executive office.
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Section 2. Inspection of Bylaws.
The corporation shall keep in its principal executive office in the State
of California, or if its principal executive office is not in such State at
its principal business office in such State, the original or a copy of these
bylaws as amended to date, which shall be open to inspection by stockholders
at all reasonable times during office hours. If the principal executive office
of the corporation is located outside the State of California and the
corporation has no principal business office in such state, it shall upon the
written request of any stockholder furnish to such stockholder a copy of these
bylaws as amended to date.
Section 3. Endorsement of Documents; Contracts.
Subject to the provisions of applicable law, any note, mortgage, evidence
of indebtedness, contract, share certificate, conveyance or other instrument
in writing and any assignment or endorsements thereat executed or entered into
between the corporation and any other person, when signed by the Chair of the
Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the
President, the Vice Chair, an Executive Vice President, or any senior vice
president and the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Chief Financial
Officer or any Assistant Treasurer of the corporation shall be valid and
binding on the corporation in the absence of actual knowledge on the part of
the other person that the signing officers had no authority to execute the
same. Any such instruments may be signed by any other person or persons and in
such manner as from time to time shall be determined by the Board, and, unless
so authorized by the Board, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power
or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to
pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or amount.
Section 4. Certificates of Stock.
Every holder of shares of the corporation shall be entitled to have a
certificate signed in the name of the corporation by the Chair of the Board,
the President, the Vice Chair and by the Chief Financial Officer or an
Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, certifying the
number of shares and the class or series of shares owned by the stockholder.
Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. If any
officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile
signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such
officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may
be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if such person were an
officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Certificates for shares may be issued prior to full payment under such
restrictions and for such purposes as the Board may provide; provided,
however, that on any certificate issued to represent any partly paid shares,
the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid
thereon shall be stated.
Except as provided in this Section 4, no new certificate for shares shall
be issued in lieu of an old one unless the latter is surrendered and cancelled
at the same time. The Board may, however, if any certificate for shares is
alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, authorize the issuance of a
new certificate in lieu thereof, and the corporation may require that the
corporation be given a bond or other adequate security sufficient to indemnify
it against any claim that may be made against it (including expense or
liability) on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of such
certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.
The Company shall not register the transfer of any securities issued in
reliance on Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, unless the Company has received such assurances as it may reasonably
request that the transfer of such securities was made in accordance with the
provisions of such Regulation S.
Section 5. Representaion of Shares of Other Corporations.
The Chair of the Board or any other officer or officers authorized by the
Board or the Chair of the Board are each authorized to vote, represent and
exercise on behalf of the corporation all rights incident to any and all
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shares of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of the
corporation. The authority herein granted may be exercised either by any such
officer in person or by any other person authorized so to do by proxy or power
of attorney duly executed by said officer.
Section 6. Stock Purchase Plans.
The corporation may adopt and carry out a stock purchase plan or agreement
or stock option plan or agreement providing for the issue and sale for such
consideration as may be fixed of its unissued shares, or of issued shares
acquired or to be acquired, to one or more of the employees or directors of
the corporation or of a subsidiary or to a trustee on their behalf and for the
payment for such shares in installments or at one time, and may provide for
aiding any such persons in paying for such shares by compensation for services
rendered, promissory notes or otherwise.
Any such stock purchase plan or agreement or stock option plan or agreement
may include, among other features, the fixing of eligibility for participation
therein, the class and price of shares to be issued or sold under the plan or
agreement, the number of shares which may be subscribed for, the method of
payment therefor, the reservation of title until full payment therefor, the
effect of the termination of employment, an option or obligation on the part
of the corporation to repurchase the shares upon termination of employment,
restrictions upon transfer of the shares, the time limits of and termination
of the plan, and any other matters, not in violation of applicable law, as may
be included in the plan as approved or authorized by the Board or any
committee of the Board.
Section 7. Election of Fiscal Year.
Upon the election of the Board, the Board may authorize the change of the
current Fiscal Year of the Corporation to begin on January 1 of each year and
end on December 31 of each subsequent year.
Section 8. Construction and Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the general provisions, rules of
construction and definitions contained in the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware shall govern the construction of these bylaws.
Section 9. Amendments.
These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed either by the approval of
66 and 2/3 percent of the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to
vote on such action or, subject to the provisions of the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware, by the approval of the Board.
Section 10. Loans to Officers and Other Employees.
The corporation may lend money to, guarantee any obligation of or otherwise
assist any officer or other employee of the corporation or of any of its
subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who is director of the
corporation or any of its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment of the
Board, such loan, guaranty or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit
the corporation. The loan, guaranty or other assistance may be with or without
interest and may be unsecured or secured in such manner as the Board shall
approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of stock of the
corporation.
Section 11. Emergency Bylaws.
(a) The Board may adopt emergency bylaws, subject to repeal or change by
action of the stockholders, which shall, notwithstanding any different
provision in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the
Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation or these bylaws, be operative
during any emergency resulting from an attack on the United States or on a
locality in which the corporation conducts its business or customarily holds
meetings of the Board or its stockholders, or during any nuclear or atomic
disaster, or during the existence
17
of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which
a quorum of the Board or a standing committee thereof cannot readily be
convened for action. The emergency bylaws may make any provision that may be
practical and necessary for the circumstances of the emergency, including
provisions that:
(i) A meeting of the Board or a committee thereof may be called by any
officer or director in such manner and under such conditions as shall be
prescribed in the emergency bylaws;
(ii) The director or directors in attendance at the meeting, or any
greater number fixed by the emergency bylaws, shall constitute a quorum;
and
(iii) The officers or other persons designated on a list approved by the
Board before the emergency, all in such order of priority and subject to
such conditions and for such period of time (not longer than reasonably
necessary after the termination of the emergency) as may be provided in the
emergency bylaws or in the resolution approving the list, shall, to the
extent required to provide a quorum at any meeting of the Board, be deemed
directors for such meeting.
(b) The Board, either before or during any such emergency, may provide, and
from time to time modify, lines of succession in the event that during such
emergency any or all officers or agents of the corporation shall for any
reason be rendered incapable of discharging their duties.
(c) The Board, either before or during any such emergency, may, effective
in the emergency, change the head office or designate several alternative head
offices or regional offices, or authorize the officers so to do.
(d) No officer, director or employee acting in accordance with any
emergency bylaws shall be liable except for willful misconduct.
(e) To the extent not inconsistent with any emergency bylaws so adopted,
these bylaws shall remain in effect during any emergency and upon its
termination the emergency bylaws shall cease to be operative.
(f) Unless otherwise provided in emergency bylaws, notice of any meeting of
the Board during such an emergency may be given only to such of the directors
as it may be feasible to reach at the time and by such means as may be
feasible at the time, including publication or radio.
(g) To the extent required to constitute a quorum at any meeting of the
Board during such an emergency, the officers of the corporation who are
present shall, unless otherwise provided in emergency bylaws, be deemed, in
order of rank and within the same rank in order of seniority, directors for
such meeting.
(h) Nothing contained in this Section 11 shall be deemed exclusive of any
other provisions for emergency powers consistent with the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE VI. INDEMNIFICATION.
Section 1. Right to Indemnification.
The corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be
amended, any person (an "Indemnitee") who was or is made or is threatened to
be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a "proceeding"), by
reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal
representative, is or was a director or officer of the corporation or, while a
director or officer of the corporation, is or was serving at the written
request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or
non-profit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans,
against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys'
fees) reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, except as otherwise provided in Section 3 of this Article VI, the
corporation shall be required to indemnify an Indemnitee in
18
connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Indemnitee
only if the commencement of such proceeding (or part thereof) by the
Indemnitee was authorized by the Board.
Section 2. Prepayment of Expenses.
The corporation shall pay the expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred
by an Indemnitee in defending any proceeding in advance of its final
disposition, provided, however, that, to the extent required by law, such
payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding
shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Indemnitee to repay
all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Indemnitee
is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VI or otherwise.
Section 3. Claims.
If a claim for indemnification of advancement of expenses under this
Article VI is not paid in full within 60 days after a written claim therefor
by the Indemnitee has been received by the corporation, the Indemnitee may
file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in
whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such
claim. In any such action the corporation shall have the burden of proving
that the Indemnitee is not entitled to the requested indemnification or
advancement of expenses under applicable law.
Section 4. Non-Exclusivity of Rights.
The rights conferred on any Indemnitee by this Article VI shall not be
exclusive of any other rights which such Indemnitee may have or hereafter
acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation of
the corporation, these bylaws, agreement, vote of the stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 5. Other Sources.
The corporation's obligation, if any, to indemnify or to advance expenses
to any Indemnitee who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
enterprise or non-profit entity shall be reduced by any amount such Indemnitee
may collect as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit
entity.
Section 6. Amendment or Repeal.
Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article VI
shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any Indemnitee
in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal
or modification.
Section 7. Other Indemnification and Prepayment of Expenses.
This Article VI shall not limit the right of the corporation, to the extent
and in the manner permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to
persons other than Indemnitees when and as authorized by appropriate corporate
action.
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CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION OF BYLAWS
OF
KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL
ADOPTION BY INCORPORATOR
The undersigned person appointed in the Certificate of Incorporation as the
Incorporator of Korn/Ferry International hereby adopts the foregoing bylaws,
comprising ( ) pages, as the Bylaws of the corporation.
Executed this day of , 1999.
_____________________________________
Peter L. Dunn
Incorporator
CERTIFICATE BY SECRETARY OF ADOPTION BY INCORPORATOR
The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the duly elected, qualified,
and acting Secretary of Korn/Ferry International and that the foregoing
Bylaws, comprising ( ) pages, were adopted as the Bylaws of the
corporation on , 1999, by the person appointed in the
Certificate of Incorporation as the Incorporator of the corporation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand this
day of , 1999.
_____________________________________
Peter L. Dunn
Corporate Secretary
20
[Proxy Card]
[LOGO OF KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL]
PROXY
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the accompanying Notice of
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held on September 22, 1999
This proxy is solicited on behalf ofdated August 21, 2000, and the Board of Directors of
Korn/Ferry International
The undersignedrelated Proxy
Statement and hereby appoints Peter L. Dunn and Elizabeth S.C.S. Murray and
each of them proxyholders, eachthe attorney(s), agent(s) and proxy of the undersigned, with full
power of substitution to vote for the
undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholdersall stock of Korn/Ferry International which the
undersigned is entitled to be held on September 22, 1999,vote, for the following matter in the manner
designated below and at any adjournments thereof,to vote in their discretion with respect to such other
matters (including matters incident to the following matters, which were more fully described in the Proxy Statement
dated August 12, 1999, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged by the
undersigned.
This proxy will be voted as directed. Unless otherwise directed, this proxy
will be voted (1) FOR the electionconduct of the thirteen director nominees, (2) FOR
the reincorporation of the Company in Delaware and (3) FOR the ratification of
the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's independent auditors for
fiscal 2000.
Important - This proxy must be signed and dated.
[See Reverse Side]
____________________ shares of common stock
The Board recommends that you vote FOR all of the nominees on Proposal 1, FOR
Proposal 2 and FOR Proposal 3. Please indicate your choice below with respect
to each Proposal. Please mark your choices like this: /X/
(1) The election of the nominees for director specified in the Proxy Statement
to their respective classes on the Board of Directors.
FOR all nominees listed below (except WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees
as marked to the contrary). listed below.
/ / / /
Paul Buchanan-Barrow, Manuel A. Papayanopulos, Windle B. Priem and
Michael A. Wellman as Directors for Class 2000;
James E. Barlett, Richard M. Ferry, Timothy K. Friar, Sakie Fukushima
and Scott E. Kingdom as Directors for Class 2001; and
Frank V. Cahouet, Peter L. Dunn, Charles D. Miller and Gerhard
Schulmeyer as Directors for Class 2002.
(To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, strike through
his/her name listed above and initial such strike through.)
(2) The reincorporation of the Company in Delaware.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
/ / / / / /
(3) The ratification of the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for fiscal 2000.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
/ / / / / /
(4) Any other mattersmeeting) as may
properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment thereof. Asmeeting.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT
SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE PROPOSALS.
- - ------------------------------------------------------
COMMENTS/ADDRESS CHANGE: PLEASE MARK COMMENT/ADDRESS |
BOX ON REVERSE SIDE | (Continued and to thesebe
| signed on other matters, the undersigned hereby
confers discretionary authority.
If you plan to attend the annual meeting, please check here: / /
Dated: ________________________, 1999side)
|
|
|
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please mark
your votes as -----
indicated in | X |
this example -----
FOR all nominees WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
listed at left to vote for
(except as marked all nominees
1. To elect Patti S. Hart, Windle B. Priem and Mark C. Thompson as Directors for Class 2003. to the contrary) listed at left
----- -----
(To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, strike through his/her name listed | | | |
above and initial such strike through.) ----- -----
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2. To amend the Korn/Ferry International Performance Award Plan to increase the number of shares ----- ----- -----
which may be issued thereunder and to approve the limits on the maximum number of awards that | | | | | |
may be granted to individuals as currently set forth in the Plan. ----- ----- -----
----- ----- -----
3. To ratify the retention of Arthur Andersen LLP as our independent auditors for Fiscal 2001. | | | | | |
----- ----- -----
MARK HERE FOR COMMENT/ADDRESS -----
CHANGE AND NOTE ON REVERSE SIDE | |
-----
IMPORTANT PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN
THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED
--------- ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF
| MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
|
Signature ____________________________________________________________________ Date ________________________________
NOTE: [Please sign EXACTLY as name appears on this card. Joint Owners should each sign. Attorneys-in-fact, executors,
administrators, trustees, guardians or corporation officers should give FULL title. This proxy shall be valid and may be voted
regardless of the form of signature, however.)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- FOLD AND DETACH HERE -
-------------------------------------
(Please print name)
- ------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
(Signature of holder of Common Stock) (Additional signature if held
jointly)
NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name is printed. Each joint tenant should
sign. Executors, administrators, trustees and guardians should give full
titles when signing. Corporations and partnerships should sign in full
corporate or partnership name by an authorized person. Please mark, sign,
date and return your proxy promptly in the enclosed envelope, which
requires no postage if mailed in the United States.