UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K/A
(Amendment No. 1)
| x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For The Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003
| ¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Transition Period from to
Commission File Number 0-27412
COTELLIGENT, INC.
| Delaware | 94-3173918 | |
| (State of incorporation) | (I.R.S. ID) |
100 Theory, Suite 200, Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 823-1600
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock ($.01 par value)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES ¨ NO x
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $3,380,496 based on the closing price of $0.24 of the registrant’s Common Stock as reported on the OTC Bulletin Board on June 30, 2003.
The number of shares of the registrant Common Stock outstanding as of March 25, 2004 was 24,861,625.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
PART III
Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of the Form 10-K filed by the Company on April 14, 2004 are hereby amended as follows:
Item 10 – Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
The number of directors on the Board of Directors is currently fixed at four. Pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, the Board of Directors is divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III, serving staggered three-year terms. One class of directors is elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to serve for the following three years. Currently there are two Class I directors whose term expires in 2005, one Class II director whose term expires in 2006, and one Class III director whose term will expire at the Annual Meeting in 2004.
Class I Directors
Debra J. Richardson is 49 years old, and joined the Company as a director in August 2001. Dr. Richardson is Dean of the School of Information and Computer Science and Professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine; she holds the Ted and Janice Smith Family Foundation Dean’s Endowed Chair. Dr. Richardson joined the faculty at UC Irvine in 1987, and was appointed department chair in 2000. Her research interests include formal software quality analysis and testing methods; she has developed leading edge software tools and worked with several companies in adopting technology to improve the quality of critical software systems. Dr. Richardson also serves as director of the Ada Byron Research Center on Diversity in Computing and Information Technology, director of the MICRO (Microelectronics Innovation and Computer Research Opportunities) program (one of the University of California’s Industry-Cooperative Research Programs) and is a founding member of the UC Institute for Software Research. Dr. Richardson serves on the Boards of the Orange County chapters of Girls Inc. and Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS), on strategic advisory boards of several academic institutions, and on the executive advisory board of the Association of Women in Technology. Richardson earned a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Science in computer and information science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from Revelle College of the University of California, San Diego.
Tony C. Vickers is 54 years old and is a director of the Company. He joined the Company in that capacity in January 2004. Mr. Vickers is also Principal of IT Services Development (ITSD), a results oriented management consulting firm that he established in 1998 that specializes in helping its clients to maximize profitable growth with the effective execution of projects ranging from strategic planning to mergers and acquisitions, and customer satisfaction surveys. Previously, Mr. Vickers was CEO, President and a Director of Computer People, a $400 million international IT professional services organization he founded in 1972, and took public in 1987. In addition, Mr. Vickers was Chairman of the IT Services Division of the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) – the leading association for all aspects of the IT industry including software, services, system integration and Internet companies. Further, Mr. Vickers is a Director of Allin Corporation; a member of the Board of Advisors of Bluecrane, Inc., and Make Corp.; a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors; and a member of the University of Southern California’s Integrated Media Systems Center’s (IMSC) Board of Councilors. IMSC, which is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, is engaged in research, education programs and industry collaboration in multimedia and Internet technologies.
Class II Director
James R. Lavelle is 53 years old and is the founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Lavelle has served as Chief Executive Officer since he founded the Company in 1993. From inception of the Company until August 1995, Mr. Lavelle was also Chairman of the Board of the Company, a position that he reassumed in April 1996. From 1985 to 1993, he was a business consultant specializing in strategic marketing and organization development. From 1983 to 1985, Mr. Lavelle was Senior Manager and Director of Management Consulting Services for the San Francisco office of KMG Main Hurdman, an international accounting firm. Prior to that, he was Manager of Management Consulting Services in the San Francisco office of Price Waterhouse LLP, an international accounting firm. Mr. Lavelle has a bachelor’s degree from University of California at Santa Barbara and a Master of Business Administration degree from Santa Clara University.
Class III Director
Anthony M. Frank is 73 years old and is a director of the Company. He joined the Company in that capacity in March 1993. In September 1994, Mr. Frank became co-founding General Partner and Chairman of Belvedere Capital Partners, the general partner of the California Community Financial Institutions Fund, the primary purpose of which is investing in California community banks. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Frank was an independent financial consultant and venture capitalist. From March 1988 to March 1992, Mr. Frank served as the Postmaster General of the United States. From 1971 until 1988, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Nationwide Bank. Mr. Frank is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the Tuck School of Business and was an overseer of the Tuck School of Business. He is also a director of several companies, including The Charles Schwab Corporation, Crescent Real Estate Equities Ltd., Temple Inland Corporation and Bedford Properties Investors.
Other Executive Officers
Curtis J. Parker is 49 years old and is Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer & Secretary of the Company. From November 1996 until December 2000, Mr. Parker served as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer. From January 1996 until March 1996, he served as a consultant to the Company and was appointed Corporate Controller in March 1996. From 1988 through 1995, Mr. Parker was employed by Burns Philp Food Inc., a manufacturer of food products, where he rose to the position of Vice President – Finance for the Industrial Products Division. Mr. Parker has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Washington State.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Board has determined that Anthony Frank and Tony Vickers meets the definition of Audit Committee Financial Expert, as specified by the rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and is independent in accordance with listing standards established by the New York Stock Exchange.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Board has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies not only to the Company’s CEO and senior financial officers, as required by the SEC, but also to its directors and employees. The current version of such code of business conduct and ethics can be found on the Company’s Internet website at www.cotelligent.com and is available in print free of charge to the Company’s stockholders upon request.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Such persons are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by the Company with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, Anthony M. Frank filed a late Form 5 reporting one transaction relating to the grant of stock options. Tony C. Vickers filed a late Form 3 reporting his appointment as a director of the Company and the grant of stock options in connection with such appointment. Debra J. Richardson has yet filed a Form 5 reporting one transaction relating to the grant of stock options. Daniel E. Jackson, a former executive officer of the Company, who was terminated in August 2003, has not yet filed a Form 5 reporting the termination of his reporting responsibilities under Section 16(a). Except for these late filings, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, all other Section 16(a) filing requirements have been satisfied.
Item 11 – Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the compensation earned by or awarded to the Chief Executive Officer and remaining executive officers of the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001.
Summary Compensation Table
| Annual Compensation |
Long Term Compensation Awards | ||||||||||
| Name and Principal Position |
Fiscal Year |
Salary($) (1) |
Bonus($) |
Other($) |
Options/ SARs(#) | ||||||
| James R. Lavelle Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
2003 2002 2001 |
440,441 335,207 361,166 |
598,519 0 0 |
1,997 136,590 18,000 1,700 18,000 1,700 18,000 |
(2) (3) (4) (2) (4) (2) (4) |
0 0 400,000 | |||||
| Curtis J. Parker Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary |
2003 2002 2001 |
154,045 142,489 166,500 |
0 0 0 |
1,123 18,773 1,425 1,665 |
(2) (5) (2) (2) |
0 0 275,000 | |||||
| (1) | Base salary earned. |
| (2) | Represents matching contributions by the Company under the Company’s 401(k) Plan. |
| (3) | Represents $91,260 for duplicate housing expenses and $45,330 for a gross-up of payroll taxes (incurred in connection with the inclusion of the duplicate living expenses in W-2 wages) paid for by the Company for such employee’s southern California residence. These expenses were incurred in connection with a cost cutting measure after the Company closed its northern California corporate office and required the employee to commute and live during the business week near the southern California office. |
| (4) | Represents auto allowance. |
| (5) | Represents $11,600 for duplicate housing expenses and $7,173 for a gross-up of payroll taxes (incurred in connection with the inclusion of the duplicate living expenses in W-2 wages) paid for by the Company for such employee’s southern California residence. These expenses were incurred in connection with a cost cutting measure after the Company closed its northern California corporate office and required the employee to commute and live during the business week near the southern California office. |
Stock Option Grants Table
The following table sets forth, as to the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, information related to the grant of stock options pursuant to the Company’s 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.
Options Granted In The Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003
| Individual Grants |
|||||||||||
| Name |
Number of Securities Underlying Options Granted |
Percentage of Total Options Granted to Employees in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 |
Exercise or Base Price Per Share ($/Share) |
Potential Realizable Value At Assumed | |||||||
| 5% |
10% | ||||||||||
| James R. Lavelle |
0 | 0 | $ | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| Curtis J. Parker |
0 | 0 | $ | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
Stock Option Exercises and Year End Values Table
The following table shows, as to the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, information with respect to the unexercised options to purchase Common Stock granted under the 1995 and 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plans and held as of December 31, 2003.
Value of Options at December 31, 2003
| Name |
Number of Shares Acquired On Exercise |
Value Realized ($) |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Held at December 31, 2003 |
Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options at December 31, 2003 ($) (1) | ||||||||||
| Exercisable |
Unexercisable |
Exercisable |
Unexercisable | |||||||||||
| James R. Lavelle |
0 | 0 | 400,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Curtis J. Parker |
0 | 0 | 186,250 | 113,750 | $ | 5,000 | $ | 5,000 | ||||||
| (1) | Options are “in-the-money” if the closing market price of the Company’s Common Stock exceeds the exercise price of the options. The value of the unexercised options represents the difference between the exercise price of such options and the closing market price ($0.22) of the Company’s Common Stock on the OTC Bulletin Board on December 31, 2003. |
Employment Agreements; Covenants-Not-to-Compete
Mr. James R. Lavelle, Cotelligent’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is a party to a three-year employment agreement effective January 5, 2000 which, unless terminated or not renewed by him, continues thereafter on a year-to-year basis on the same terms and conditions. Mr. Lavelle’s employment agreement provides that, in the event of termination of employment by the Company without cause, he shall be entitled to receive from the Company an amount equal to (i) three times the minimum base salary, as defined in the employment agreement, plus (ii) three times his most recent annual bonus (not including any payments made under Cotelligent’s Long-Range Bonus Incentive Plan), without regard to whether he obtains subsequent employment. Mr. Lavelle shall be deemed to have been terminated without cause by Cotelligent, if, among other things, Cotelligent fails to elect and continue Mr. Lavelle as Chief Executive Officer or Chairman or to nominate him for re-election as a member of the board of directors unless Mr. Lavelle is terminated for good cause. In addition, his employment agreement provides that, in the event of a change in control of the Company where he has not received at least five days’ notice of such change in control, he will be deemed to have been terminated without cause and shall be entitled to compensation as described in the preceding sentence. Additionally, in such event he will not be bound by any non-compete terms in his employment agreement, as discussed below. If given at least five days notice of such change in control, he may elect to terminate his employment agreement and collect the respective compensation provided above.
In the event of a change in control, Mr. Lavelle is entitled to reimbursement for any excise taxes the employee incurs under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as any interest or penalties related to the excise tax and any entitlements outside of the employment agreement that are described in Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code. In the employment agreement, a “Change in Control” is deemed to occur if: (1) any person or entity, other than the Company, a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Common Stock of the Company, or an employee benefit plan of Company or a subsidiary of Company, acquires directly or indirectly Beneficial Ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of any voting security of the Company and immediately after such acquisition such person or entity is, directly or indirectly, the Beneficial Owner of voting securities representing 30% or more of the total voting power of all of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company; (2) a change in the composition of the individuals on the Board of Directors as a result of which fewer than one-half of the incumbent directors are directors who either (a) had been directors of Company on the date 24 months prior to the date of the event that constitutes a change in control (the “original directors”) or (b) were elected, or nominated with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the aggregate of the original directors who were still in office at the time of the election or nomination and the directors whose election or nomination was previously so approved; (3) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of Company with or into another entity or any other corporate reorganization, if more than 50% of the combined voting power of the continuing or surviving entity’s securities outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation or other reorganization is owned by persons who were not stockholders of Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other reorganization; or (4) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets. Mr. Lavelle agreed that the purchase of OnSite Media, Inc., including the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock and Warrants in connection therewith, would not result in a “Change in Control” as that term is defined in Mr. Lavelle’s employment agreement and that certain provisions of Mr. Lavelle’s employment agreement will not apply in connection with such purchase.
The employment agreement of Mr. Lavelle contains a covenant-not-to-compete with the Company for a period of two years immediately following the termination of employment; or, in the case of a termination without cause, for a period of one year following the termination of his employment; or, in the case of a Change in Control in which he is not given at least five days’ notice of such Change in Control, the covenant not-to-compete does not apply for any period of time. If any court of competent jurisdiction determines that the scope, time or territorial restrictions contained in the covenant are unreasonable, the covenant-not-to-compete shall be reduced to the maximum period permitted by such court. The compensation to which Mr. Lavelle is entitled, as the case may be, shall nonetheless be paid to him.
Mr. Lavelle’s employment agreement calls for a minimum base salary of $450,000. Mr. Lavelle’s annual base salary paid for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 was $440,441. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, he was eligible for, and did receive, a $598,519 bonus based upon the signing of a definitive agreement related to the acquisition of OnSite Media, Inc. on November 25, 2003. Pursuant to the Long-Range Bonus Incentive Plan, Mr. Lavelle is eligible for bonuses in fiscal years 2003 and 2006 based upon the operating results of the Company.
Mr. Curtis J. Parker, as Cotelligent’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary, is a party to a one-year employment agreement effective December 19, 2000 which was extended for a two-year period as of December 19, 2001 and then, unless terminated by either party or not renewed by him, continues thereafter on a year-to-year basis, in each case on the same terms and conditions. Mr. Parker’s employment agreement provides that, in the event of termination of employment by the Company without cause, he shall be entitled to receive from the Company an amount equal to (i) one times the Market Based Salary, as defined in the employment agreement, plus (ii) one times his most recent annual bonus, without regard to whether he obtains subsequent employment. His employment agreement provides that, in the event of a Change in Control of the Company where he has not received at least five days’ notice of such change in control, he will be deemed to have been terminated without cause and shall be entitled to compensation as described in the preceding sentence. Additionally, in such event he will not be bound by any non-compete terms in his employment agreement, as discussed below. If given at least five days’ notice of such change in control, he may elect to terminate his employment agreement and collect the respective compensation provided above.
The employment agreement of Mr. Parker contains a covenant-not-to-compete with the Company for a period of one year immediately following the termination of employment; or, in the case of a termination without cause, for a period of six months following the termination of his employment; or, in the case of a Change in Control in which the he is not given at least five days’ notice of such Change in Control, the covenant not-to-compete does not apply for any period of time. If any court of competent jurisdiction determines that the scope, time or territorial restrictions contained in the covenant are unreasonable, the covenant-not-to-compete shall be reduced to the maximum period permitted by such court. The compensation to which Mr. Parker is entitled shall nonetheless be paid to him.
Mr. Parker’s employment agreement provides for a minimum base salary of $180,000 per year. With Mr. Parker’s consent, annual base salary paid for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 was $154,045. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, he was eligible for, but did not receive, a discretionary bonus of up to fifty percent (50%) of the amount of his base salary provided by the Compensation Committee.
Equity Compensation
The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2003, outstanding awards and shares remaining available for future issuance under the Company’s compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance (excluding 401(k) plans and similar tax-qualified plans).
| Plan Category |
(a) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
(b) Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
(c) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans |
|||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
1,204,393 | $ | 0.36 | 1,348,369 | (1) | |||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders (2) |
1,303,921 | $ | 0.28 | not determinable | ||||
| Total |
2,508,314 | $ | 0.32 | not determinable | ||||
| (1) | Includes 1,348,369 shares of Common Stock remaining available for future issuance under the Company’s 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“1998 Plan”). Under the 1998 Plan, an aggregate of 18% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock are available for awards under such plan. Unless otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee in an award agreement, all outstanding awards under the 1998 Plan will generally become exercisable or vested upon a “change in control” of the Company. The acquisition by the Company of OnSite Media, Inc. on March 2, 2004 constituted a “change in control” of the Company under the 1998 Plan. As a result, all outstanding awards under the 1998 Plan became fully exercisable and vested as of March 2, 2004. This amount excludes the number of securities of Common Stock remaining available for future issuance under the Company’s 1999 Leveraged Stock Purchase Plan. |
| (2) | The 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2000 Plan”) was adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors on August 11, 2000, but was not approved by stockholders. Awards under the 2000 Plan may be granted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (or such other committee designated by the Board of Directors to administer the 2000 Plan) and may include: (i) non-qualified options to purchase shares of Common Stock; (ii) stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), whether in conjunction with the grant of stock options or independent of such grant, or stock appreciation rights that are only exercisable in the event of a change in control of the Company or upon other events; (iii) restricted stock, consisting of shares that are subject to forfeiture based on the failure to satisfy employment-related restrictions; (iv) deferred stock, representing the right to receive shares of stock in the future; (v) bonus stock and awards in lieu of cash compensation; (vi) dividend equivalents, consisting of a right to receive cash, other awards, or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Common Stock, or other periodic payments; or (vii) other awards not otherwise provided for, the value of which are based in whole or in part upon the value of the Common Stock. Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, all outstanding awards under the 2000 Plan will generally become fully exercisable or vested upon a “change in control” of the Company. The acquisition by the Company of OnSite Media Inc. on March 2, 2004 constituted a “change in control” of the Company under the 200 Plan. As a result, all outstanding awards under the 2000 Plan became fully exercisable and vested as of March 2, 2004. The Compensation Committee has the discretion to establish all of the terms and conditions of awards under the 2000 Plan and to interpret the terms of the 2000 Plan. There is no limit on the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be awarded under the 2000 Plan. The 2000 Plan may be amended, altered, suspended, discontinued, or terminated by the Board of Directors at any time. |
Performance Graph
The following chart compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total stockholder return on the Company’s Common Stock from March 31, 1999 through December 31, 2003, with the cumulative total return on the Russell 2000 Index and the NASDAQ Composite Index. The comparison assumes $100, as of February 14, 1996, the date of the Company’s initial public offering (the “Offering”) was invested in the Company’s Common Stock and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes reinvestment of dividends, as applicable. Cotelligent’s Offering price of $9.00 was used as the beginning price of the Common Stock. Dates on the following chart represent the last day of the indicated fiscal year. Cotelligent has paid no dividends during the periods shown.
Comparison of Five Year Cumulative Total Return
| Company/Index |
March 31, 1999 |
March 31, 2000 |
December 31, 2000 |
December 31, 2001 |
December 31, 2002 |
December 31, 2003 | ||||||||||||
| Cotelligent, Inc. |
$ | 98.61 | $ | 64.59 | $ | 10.42 | $ | 2.89 | $ | 4.11 | $ | 2.44 | ||||||
| Russell 2000 Index |
$ | 123.65 | $ | 167.63 | $ | 150.36 | $ | 151.90 | $ | 119.12 | $ | 173.17 | ||||||
| NASDAQ Composite Index |
$ | 225.67 | $ | 419.26 | $ | 226.51 | $ | 178.82 | $ | 122.45 | $ | 183.68 | ||||||
Director Compensation
Each director who is not an employee of the Company receives an annual retainer fee of $20,000. Directors serving on a committee receive an annual fee of $2,000 per committee membership, while directors serving on a committee as chairperson receive an annual fee of $2,500 per committee chaired.
Each non-employee director receives an automatic annual option grant under the 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan to acquire 5,000 shares of Common Stock on the date of each of the Company’s annual meetings held after September 9, 1998. All of such options have or will have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant, are or will be exercisable immediately except as limited by the rules and regulations of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and will expire ten years from the date of grant. Directors are also reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred for attending meetings of the Board of Directors or committees thereof, and for other expenses incurred in their capacity as directors.
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
The following report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Cotelligent shall not be deemed filed under either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act except to the extent that Cotelligent specifically incorporates this information by reference.
Overview
The key components of executive officer compensation are salary, bonus and equity-based awards.
The members of the Compensation Committee hold primary responsibility for determining executive officer compensation levels, subject to the terms of executive employment agreements. The Compensation Committee is composed entirely of independent outside directors of Cotelligent, none of whom are or have been officers or employees of Cotelligent. The Compensation Committee has adopted a compensation philosophy intended to align compensation with Cotelligent’s overall business strategy. The philosophy guiding the executive compensation program is designed to link executive compensation and stockholder value. The goals of the program are to:
| • | Compensate executive employees in a manner that aligns the employees’ interests with the interests of the stockholders; |
| • | Encourage continuation of Cotelligent’s entrepreneurial spirit; |
| • | Reward executives for successful long-term strategic management; |
| • | Recognize outstanding performance; and |
| • | Attract and retain highly qualified and motivated executives. |
The Compensation Committee believes that Cotelligent’s executive compensation program should consist primarily of base salaries, performance bonuses and equity-based awards. The Compensation Committee has structured these compensation elements to motivate and reward executive management for performance that builds long-term stockholder value. In particular, base salaries and discretionary bonuses have been designed to give Cotelligent’s executives the potential to earn in excess of competitive industry compensation if certain subjective and objective operating and performance goals for Cotelligent are achieved. Moreover, the Compensation Committee will continue granting Cotelligent’s executives and other key employees stock options and/or other equity-based awards at current market value. Such options have no monetary value to the executives unless and until the market price of Cotelligent’s Common Stock increases. In this manner, Cotelligent’s executives will be compensated as stockholder value increases. The Compensation Committee anticipates that discretionary bonus payments and option grants made during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 and thereafter were and will be based on multiple subjective and objective measurements and criteria linked to building long-term stockholder value.
The cash compensation paid to Cotelligent’s executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 was in accordance with arms-length negotiations between Cotelligent and such executive officers.
Chief Executive Officer’s Compensation
Mr. James R. Lavelle, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is a party to a three-year employment agreement which was negotiated at arms-length and became effective on January 5, 2000 which, unless terminated or not renewed by him, continues thereafter on a year-to-year basis on the same terms and conditions. This employment agreement supercedes prior employment agreements that the Company had entered into with Mr. Lavelle. Mr. Lavelle’s employment agreement provides for a minimum base salary of $450,000 (subject to increase by the Compensation Committee) and the right to receive annually discretionary incentive bonuses provided by the Compensation Committee and to receive stock option grants at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Lavelle may also participate in Cotelligent’s Long-Range Incentive Bonus Plan.
Mr. Lavelle was eligible for, and did receive, a $598,519 bonus during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 based upon the signing of a definitive agreement related to the acquisition of OnSite Media, Inc, on November 25, 2003.
This report is submitted by the members of the Compensation Committee.
Compensation Committee
Anthony M. Frank (Chair)
Debra J. Richardson
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
All of the members of the Compensation Committee are non-employee directors of the Company and are not former officers of the Company or its subsidiaries. No executive officer of the Company serves as a member of the board of directors or on the compensation committee of a corporation for which any of the Company’s directors serving on the Compensation Committee or on the Board of Directors of the Company is an executive officer.
Item 12 – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth as of April 28, 2004 information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock of the Company by (i) each person known to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) each of the Company’s directors, (iii) each named executive officer and each officer named in the Summary Compensation Table and (iv) all executive officers and directors as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, all persons listed have an address c/o the Company’s principal executive offices and have sole voting and investment power with respect to their shares unless otherwise indicated.
| Shares Beneficially Owned |
|||||
| Name |
Number |
Percent |
|||
| Loren W. Willman (1) |
4,543,853 | 17.2 | % | ||
| Kenneth L. Maul (2) |
2,220,858 | 8.7 | % | ||
| James R. Lavelle (3) |
1,305,308 | 5.2 | % | ||
| Curtis J. Parker (4) |
305,992 | 1.2 | % | ||
| Anthony M. Frank (5) |
189,656 | * | |||
| Debra J. Richardson (6) |
15,000 | * | |||
| Tony C. Vickers (7) |
5,000 | * | |||
| All executive officers and directors as a group (5 persons) (8) |
1,820,956 | 7.1 | % | ||
| * | Less than 1% |
| (1) | Includes 1,514,581 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants exercisable within 60 days of April 28, 2004. |
| (2) | Includes (i) 1,153,424 shares owned directly by Mr. Maul, (ii) 235,000 shares owned in Mr. Maul’s individual retirement account, (iii) 272,148 shares owned by the Las Vegas Venture Fund in which Mr. Maul is the managing partner, (iv) 40,000 shares owned by M&S Investments in which Mr. Maul is a managing partner, (v) 31,074 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants held by the Las Vegas Venture Fund exercisable within 60 days of April 28, 2004 and (vi) 489,212 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants held by Mr. Maul exercisable within 60 days of April 28, 2004. Mr. Maul has 50% voting and investment power with respect to the Las Vegas Venture Fund and M&S Investments. Mr. Maul’s business address is 1613 Night Wind Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89117. |
| (3) | Includes 400,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of April 28, 2004. |
| (4) | Includes 300,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of April 28, 2004. |
| (5) | Includes 117,500 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of April 28, 2004. |
| (6) | Includes 15,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of April 28, 2004. |
| (7) | Includes 5,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of April 28, 2004. |
| (8) | Includes 837,500 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of April 28, 2004. |
Item 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The following is information with respect to certain relationships and related transactions between directors and officers, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand.
Certain Transactions
From May 1996 through early July 1996, the Company advanced to Daniel E. Jackson, President and Chief Operating Officer, $250,000 to facilitate relocation of his residence to Northern California. Prior to his termination discussed below, there was a remaining balance of $82,500 evidenced by a demand note. The note is non-interest bearing and the principal balance was originally due July 15, 2001 or upon termination of employment if prior to the due date. The note to cover relocation was extended by a vote of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors on October 29, 2000 for three years to July 15, 2004. Since the beginning of the 2000 fiscal year, the Company has also advanced to Mr. Jackson an aggregate amount of approximately $480,000, evidenced by five separate unsecured demand promissory notes, three dated August 11, 1999, one dated September 30, 1999, and one dated November 23, 1999. The purpose of such advances was to cover margin calls made on brokerage accounts
held by Mr. Jackson. On May 5, 2000, Mr. Jackson repaid $68,270 of principal and $31,730 of interest. The notes, although due on demand, were issued with original due dates in 2001. These notes were also extended by a vote of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors on October 29, 2001 for three years to October 29, 2004. The interest rates on these notes remained unchanged at rates between 7.75% and 8.75%. Payment of the notes is accelerated if the Company’s Common Stock reaches certain sustained target levels. During the year ended December 31, 2003, Mr. Jackson was terminated from the Company. The Company paid severance and other termination benefits to Mr. Jackson which were used, in part, to repay the entire balance of demand notes receivable, including interest, due the Company from Mr. Jackson.
On March 31, 1996, the Company advanced to James R. Lavelle, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, $37,902, evidenced by an unsecured demand promissory note bearing interest annually at a rate of 6%. The entire amount of such advance remains outstanding. Since the beginning of the 2000 fiscal year, the Company has also advanced to Mr. Lavelle an aggregate amount of $619,000, evidenced by seven separate unsecured demand promissory notes. The purpose of such advances was to cover margin calls made on brokerage accounts held by Mr. Lavelle. On May 1, 2000, Mr. Lavelle repaid $15,330 of principal and $34,670 of interest. The notes, although due on demand, were issued with original due dates in 2001. The notes were extended by a vote of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors on October 29, 2001 for three years to October 29, 2004. The interest rates on these notes remain unchanged at rates between 7.75% and 8.25%. Payment of the notes is accelerated if the Company’s Common Stock reaches certain sustained target levels.
During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Chief Executive Officer repaid a portion of notes receivable due the Company. In prior years the Chief Executive Officer had voluntarily reduced his base compensation from its authorized level. Upon restoration of base compensation close to its authorized level in 2003, the Chief Executive Officer used the increase in compensation of $106,363 to repay the notes receivable due the Company. In addition, prior to December 31, 2003, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors authorized a bonus to the Chief Executive Officer of $598,519 upon the signing of a definitive agreement for the purchase of OnSite Media, Inc. The amount of bonus remaining, after tax was withheld by the Company, was used to repay $354,816 of the notes receivable and accrued interest. Subsequent to December 31, 2003, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors authorized a further bonus of $639,597 upon the closing of the purchase of Onsite Media, Inc. The amount of the bonus remaining, after tax was withheld by the Company, was used to repay $364,527 of the notes receivable and accrued interest. Upon payment of the second bonus in 2004, Mr. Lavelle satisfied the entire principal and accrued interest on all demand loans due the Company.
On September 8, 1999, the stockholders approved the Cotelligent, Inc. 1999 Leveraged Stock Purchase Plan (the “LSPP”), which authorizes the purchase of shares of Common Stock by eligible employees who are selected by the Compensation Committee of the Board to participate in the LSPP on terms and conditions determined by the Compensation Committee. Since the LSPP’s inception through March 31, 2000, Mr. Lavelle has been issued 750,000 shares of Common Stock and Mr. Jackson has been issued 736,842 shares of Common Stock. Shares issued under the LSPP resulted in notes receivable from Mr. Lavelle for $2,671,875 at 5.93% interest, and from Mr. Jackson for $2,625,000 at 5.93% interest. Mr. Lavelle’s notes remain outstanding. The notes (1) are secured by the pledge of Common Stock issued; (2) are full recourse as to the employee, except that in the case of death, disability, termination by the Company without cause or a change of control of the Company, recourse against the employees is limited to the pledged stock; and (3) have a term of five years from date of issuance, provided that if the stock is sold, the loan shall be prepaid, and if the stock is not sold, the loan may not be prepaid. The Common Stock issued under the LSPP is restricted from sale in the open market for a period of two years from the date of issuance, provided, however, that in the case of death, disability, termination by the Company without cause or change of control of the Company, the Common Stock may be sold and the proceeds used to repay the loan. During the year ended December 31, 2003, Mr. Jackson was terminated from the Company. Accordingly, upon termination, the notes due from Mr. Jackson became non-recourse. Sixty days following termination when the notes became due, Mr. Jackson satisfied the notes by returning the underlying shares of Common Stock to the Company. On March 2, 2004, the Company closed the acquisition of OnSite Media, Inc. This acquisition constituted a change in control under the LSPP. Accordingly, on March 2, 2004, the notes due from Mr. Lavelle became non-recourse.
Item 14 – Principal Accountant Fees and Services
During 2003, the Board of Directors engaged KPMG LLP as its principal accountants (independent auditors). Accordingly, the following is information with respect to fees and the associated services rendered by KPMG LLP during 2003.
| • | Audit Fees – The aggregate fees billed by KPMG LLP for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements (including all the Company’s subsidiaries) for the year ended December 31, 2003 as included on Form 10-K, and the reviews of the financial statements as included on Forms 10-Q for that fiscal year were $192,521. The aggregate fees billed by KPMG LLP for services rendered for the amendment of the Company’s annual financial statements (including all the Company’s subsidiaries) for the year ended December 31, 2002 as included on Form 10-K/A were $20,740. The aggregate fees billed by KPMG LLP for services rendered in connection the registration statement as included on Form S-4 dated December 24, 2003 were $61,161; |
| • | Audit-Related Fees – None.; |
| • | Tax Fees - None; |
| • | All Other Fees – None. |
Pre-approval policies: The Board of directors is required to pre-approve the rendering, by our independent auditor, of audit or permitted non-audit services.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Irvine, State of California on the 29th day of April, 2004.
| COTELLIGENT, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ James R. Lavelle | |
| James R. Lavelle | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on behalf of Cotelligent, Inc. this 29th day of April 2004.
| Signature |
Capacity |
Date | ||
| /s/ James R. Lavelle |
||||
| James R. Lavelle | Chairman of the Board of Directors, Director and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | April 29, 2004 | ||
| /s/ Curtis J. Parker |
||||
| Curtis J. Parker | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | April 29, 2004 | ||
| * |
||||
| Anthony M. Frank | Director | April 29, 2004 | ||
| * |
||||
| Debra J. Richardson | Director | April 29, 2004 | ||
| * |
||||
| Tony C. Vickers | Director | April 29, 2004 | ||
| /s/ James R. Lavelle |
Attorney-in-Fact* | |||
| James R. Lavelle | ||||
| EXHIBIT NO. |
DESCRIPTION | |
| 24.1 | Power of attorney (included on signature page of original Form 10-K filed on April 14, 2004) | |
| 31.1 | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act** | |
| 31.2 | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act** | |
| 32.1 | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002** | |
| 32.2 | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002** | |
| ** | Filed herewith. |