ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF
THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO.
)
Filed by the Registrant
x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
o
Check the appropriate box:
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x Preliminary
Proxy Statement |
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o Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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o Definitive
Proxy Statement
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o Definitive
Additional Materials
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o Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
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ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if
other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required.
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act
Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
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(1) |
Title of each class of securities to which
transaction applies:
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(2) |
Aggregate number of securities to which
transaction applies:
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(3) |
Per unit price or other underlying value of
transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11
(set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and
state how it was determined):
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(4) |
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as
provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the
filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously.
Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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(1) |
Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) |
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION
RiverEdge One
Suite 600
5500 Interstate North Parkway
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
NOTICE OF ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
TO BE HELD APRIL 27, 2006
Notice is hereby given that the 2006 Annual Shareholders
Meeting (the Annual Meeting) of AssuranceAmerica
Corporation, a Nevada corporation, will be held at our main
offices at RiverEdge One, Suite 600, 5500 Interstate North
Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30328, on Wednesday, April 27,
2006, at 11:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
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1. Election of Directors. To elect eight directors
to serve until the 2007 Annual Shareholders Meeting and
until their successors are duly elected and qualified; |
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2. Amendment to the certificate of incorporation to
increase authorized common stock. To amend the
Companys amended and restated certificate of incorporation
to increase the authorized common stock; |
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3. Amendment to the Companys 2000 Stock Option
Plan. To amend the Companys 2000 Stock Option Plan to
increase the shares available for option grants under such
plan; and |
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4. Other Business. The transaction of such other
business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting,
including adjourning the Annual Meeting to permit, if necessary,
further solicitation of proxies. |
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on
April 3, 2006, are entitled to receive notice of and to
vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of
shares you own. You are encouraged to vote by proxy so that your
shares will be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting even
if you cannot attend. All shareholders of record can vote by
using the proxy card. However, if you are a shareholder whose
shares are not registered in your own name, you will need
additional documentation from your record holder to vote
personally at the Annual Meeting.
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By Order Of the Board Of Directors |
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/s/ Guy W. Millner
Guy W. Millner
Chairman |
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/s/ Lawrence Stumbaugh
Lawrence Stumbaugh
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Atlanta, Georgia
April 10, 2006
ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2006 ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Voting Information
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Proposal 1 Election of Directors
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Proposal 2 Amendment to the Companys
Certificate of Incorporation
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Proposal 3 Amendment to the Companys 2000
Stock Option Plan
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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
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Executive Compensation
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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
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Independent Auditors
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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
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General Information
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Other Matters
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14 |
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ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION
PROXY STATEMENT FOR
2006 ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
VOTING INFORMATION
Purpose
This Proxy Statement is being furnished to you in connection
with the solicitation by and on behalf of our Board of Directors
of proxies for use at the 2006 Annual Shareholders Meeting
(the Annual Meeting) at which you will be asked to
vote upon proposals to:
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elect eight Directors to serve until the 2007 Annual
Shareholders Meeting and until their successors are duly
elected and qualified (see Proposal 1); |
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approve an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to
increase the number of authorized shares of common stock (see
Proposal 2); |
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approve an amendment to our 2000 Stock Option Plan to increase
the number of shares available for grant under the plan (see
Proposal 3). |
The Annual Meeting will be held at 11:00 a.m., local time,
on Thursday, April 27, 2006, at our main offices at
RiverEdge One, Suite 600, 5500 Interstate North Parkway,
Atlanta, Georgia 30328. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed
proxy are first being mailed to shareholders on or about
April 10, 2006.
Proxy Card and Revocation
You are requested to promptly sign, date and return the
accompanying proxy card to us in the enclosed envelope. Any
shareholder who has delivered a proxy may revoke it at any time
before it is voted by either electing to vote in person at the
Annual Meeting, by giving notice of revocation in writing or by
submitting to us a signed proxy bearing a later date, provided
that we actually receive such notice or proxy prior to the
taking of the shareholder vote at the Annual Meeting. Any notice
of revocation should be sent to RiverEdge One, Suite 600,
5500 Interstate North Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30328,
Attention: Mark H. Hain, Secretary. The shares of our common and
preferred stock represented by properly executed proxies
received at or before the Annual Meeting and not subsequently
revoked will be voted as directed in such proxies. If
instructions are not given, shares represented by proxies
received will be voted FOR the election of each of
the eight nominees for Director and FOR
Proposals 2 and 3. As of the date of this Proxy Statement,
we are unaware of any other matter to be presented at the Annual
Meeting.
Who Can Vote; Voting Of Shares
Our Board of Directors has established the close of business on
April 6, 2006, as the record date (Record Date)
for determining our shareholders entitled to notice of and to
vote at the Annual Meeting. Only our shareholders of record as
of the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting. A plurality of votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be
required to elect eight Directors to serve until the 2007 Annual
Shareholders Meeting and until their successors are duly
elected and qualified. A plurality means that the nominees who
receive the most votes for the available directorships will be
elected as Directors. Accordingly, the withholding of authority
by a shareholder will not be counted in computing a plurality
and will have no effect on the results of the election of such
nominees. The affirmative vote of a majority of our outstanding
common and preferred stock present in person or represented by
proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting will be required to
amend our Amended Certificate of Incorporation to increase our
authorized shares of common stock and to amend our 2000 Stock
Option Plan. In addition, the affirmative vote of two thirds of
our outstanding preferred stock present in person or represented
by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting will be required to
amend our Amended Certificate of Incorporation to increase our
authorized shares of common stock and to amend our 2000 Stock
Option
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Plan. The affirmative majority votes of our outstanding common
stock and preferred stock present in person or represented by
proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be
required to approve any other matter to properly come before the
Annual Meeting.
Under certain circumstances, brokers are prohibited from
exercising discretionary authority for beneficial owners who
have not returned proxies to the brokers (so-called broker
non-votes). In such cases, those shares will be counted
for the purpose of determining if a quorum is present but will
not be included in the vote totals with respect to those matters
for which the broker cannot vote. Abstentions and broker
non-votes are each included in the determination of the number
of shares present and voting for the purpose of determining
whether a quorum is present, and each is tabulated separately.
Because Directors are elected by a plurality, abstentions and
broker non-votes have no effect on the election of Directors. In
all other matters, abstentions are counted as votes against a
proposal and broker non-votes are not counted.
As of the Record Date, there were 51,767,321 shares of our
common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting, with each share entitled to one vote. As of the Record
Date, there were 1,266,000 shares of our Series A
Convertible preferred stock (preferred stock)
outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each
share of preferred stock is entitled to ten (10) votes,
representing the current number of shares of common stock into
which each share of preferred stock may be converted. Holders of
common stock and holders of preferred stock will vote together
without regard to class on the matters to be voted upon at the
Annual Meeting; however, the affirmative vote of two thirds of
our outstanding preferred stock present in person or represented
by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting will be required to
amend our Amended Certificate of Incorporation to increase our
authorized shares of common stock and to amend our 2000 Stock
Option Plan.
The presence, in person or by proxy, of holders of 10% of the
outstanding shares of our common and preferred stock entitled to
vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum
of the shareholders in order to take action at the Annual
Meeting. For these purposes, shares of our common and preferred
stock that are present, or represented by proxy, at the Annual
Meeting will be counted for quorum purposes regardless of
whether the holder of the shares or proxy fails to vote on any
matter or whether a broker with discretionary authority fails to
exercise its discretionary voting authority with respect to any
matter.
How You Can Vote
You may vote your shares by marking the appropriate boxes on the
enclosed proxy card. You must sign and return the proxy card
promptly in the enclosed self-addressed envelope. Your vote
is important. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in
person, please return your marked proxy card promptly to ensure
that your shares will be represented.
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Number of Directors
Our Bylaws provide that our Board of Directors will consist of
not less than three directors and no more than ten directors.
The number of Directors has been set at eight by the Board. Our
Board of Directors currently consists of eight Directors.
Nominees
We have selected eight nominees that we propose for election to
our Board of Directors. The nominees are: John E. Cay III,
Quill O. Healey, Guy W. Millner, Donald Ratajczak, John Ray,
Kaaren J. Street, Lawrence (Bud) Stumbaugh, and Sam Zamarripa.
Each of the nominees presently serves on our Board of Directors.
It is intended that each proxy solicited on behalf of the Board
of Directors will be voted only for the election of the
designated nominees.
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Each of the nominees has consented to being named in this Proxy
Statement and to serve as a Director if elected. In the event
that any nominee withdraws or for any reason is not able to
serve as a Director, the proxy will be voted for such other
person as may be designated by the Board of Directors (or to
reduce the number of persons to be elected by the number of
persons unable to serve), but in no event will the proxy be
voted for more than eight nominees.
Board of Directors
The following table sets forth the names and ages as of
March 23, 2006, of the current members of our Board of
Directors each of whom has been nominated for reelection.
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Director |
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Guy W. Millner
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70 |
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2003 |
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Chairman of the Board |
Lawrence (Bud) Stumbaugh
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65 |
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2003 |
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CEO & President |
Donald Ratajczak
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65 |
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Director |
Quill O. Healey
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65 |
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2003 |
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Director |
John E. Cay III
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60 |
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2003 |
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Director |
Kaaren J. Street
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59 |
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2004 |
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Director |
Sam Zamarripa
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53 |
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2004 |
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Director |
John Ray
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45 |
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2005 |
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Director |
Biographies of Directors
Guy W. Millner has served as the Chairman of the
Board since June 2003. Mr. Millner served as Chairman of AA
Holdings, LLC, the predecessor of the Company, from 1998 to
2003. From 1961 to 1999, Mr. Millner served as Chairman of
Norrell Corporation, a leading provider of staffing and
outsourcing solutions. Mr. Millner also serves on the Board
of Directors of Matria Healthcare, Inc.
Lawrence (Bud) Stumbaugh has served as our
President and Chief Executive Officer and on our Board of
Directors since June 2003. He served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of AA Holdings, LLC from 1998 to 2003. Prior
to joining AA Holdings, LLC, Mr. Stumbaugh was President
and Chief Executive Officer of Lawmark International Corporation.
Donald Ratajczak has served on our Board of
Directors since 2000. Dr. Ratajczak previously served as
the Chairman of our Board of Directors and our Chief Executive
Officer from May 2000 to June 2003. From May 2000 to November
2000, Dr. Ratajczak also served as our President. From July
1973 to June 2000, he served as a professor and Director of
Economic Forecasting Center at the J. Mack Robinson College of
Business Administration at Georgia State University.
Dr. Ratajczak also currently serves on the Board of
Directors of the following organizations: Crown Crafts, Inc., a
textile manufacturing company, Ruby Tuesday, Inc., a food
service company, and Regan Holdings, an insurance marketing
company. He is a consulting economist for Morgan,
Keegan & Co., a broker/dealer company.
Quill O. Healey has served on our Board of
Directors since June 2003 and is Managing Partner of Healey
Investments, L.P. He retired as Chairman of Marsh, USA in 2001,
after serving in that capacity since 1998.
John E. Cay III has served on our Board of
Directors since June 2003. He has served as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Palmer & Cay, Inc., a risk
management and benefits consulting firm, since 1972.
Sam Zamarripa has served on our Board of Directors
since August 2004. He is a State Senator and Mr. Zamarripa
has also been a managing partner of Heritage Capital Advisors,
an investment banking services firm, for the last five years.
Mr. Zamarripa is a director nominee requested by the
majority holder of the preferred stock.
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Kaaren J. Street has served on our Board of
Directors since November 2004. She has been the President of
K Street Associates, Inc., a business development
and consulting firm since 2003. From August 2001 to August 2003,
Mrs. Street served as the Associate Deputy Administrator
for Entrepreneurial Development, for the U.S. Small
Business Administration. Prior to 2001, Mrs. Street served
as Vice-President of Enterprise Florida, Inc., a public private
partnership responsible for economic development and
international trade in Florida.
John Ray has served on our Board since November
2005. For more than the last five years, he has been the
President of Heritage Capital Advisors, LLC, a private equity
and financial advisory firm with offices in Atlanta and Memphis.
Mr. Ray is a director nominee requested by the majority
holder of the preferred stock.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE
ELECTION OF EACH NAMED NOMINEE OR DIRECTOR.
Meetings and Committees of the Board
Our Board of Directors held four meetings during the year ended
December 31, 2005. Each Director attended 75% or more of
the aggregate number of meetings held by the Board of Directors
and the Committee, if any, on which such Director served. The
Board of Directors has a standing Compensation Committee. The
Compensation Committee is composed of Mr. Zamarripa,
Chairman, and Mrs. Street. The Compensation Committee met
twice in 2005. The Compensation Committee is responsible for
overseeing the compensation and benefits of our management and
employees and acts in accordance with a charter adopted by the
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has a standing audit
committee. The audit committee is composed of Mr. Healey,
Chairman and Mr. Cay. The audit committee met three times
in 2005. The audit committee acts pursuant to the charter
adopted by the Board of Directors, a copy of which is attached
as Appendix 1 to this proxy statement. Mr. Healey is
the Audit Committee financial expert as defined by SEC rules.
Because approximately 75% of our outstanding common stock is
beneficially held by two individuals, our Board of Directors
feels that it is appropriate not to have to have a standing
Nominating Committee. Each of the members of our Board of
Directors participates in the consideration of Director
nominees. The Board has not established specific, minimum
qualifications for a nominee to the Board of Directors. The
Board considers the personal attributes a candidate including:
leadership, ethical nature, independence, interpersonal skills,
contributing nature, and effectiveness. The candidates
experience attributes are also considered and include: financial
acumen, general business experience, industry knowledge,
diversity of viewpoint, special business experience and
expertise. Messrs. Healey, Cay, Ratajczak, Ray, Zamarripa,
and Mrs. Kaaren J. Street are independent
directors, as defined in Rule 4200 of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and SEC Rule 10A-
3(b) (1) (ii). Messrs. Millner and Stumbaugh serve as our
Chairman and President and Chief Executive Officer,
respectively. As a result, Messrs. Millner and Stumbaugh
would not be considered independent directors. Our
Board of Directors does not have a charter relating to the
nomination of Directors. Our Board of Directors does not
consider nominees for Director submitted by shareholders.
Our Directors are expected to attend each annual shareholders
meeting, but are not required to do so. Last year, each of our
directors attended our annual shareholders meeting.
Communicating with the Board
If you wish to communicate with our Board of Directors or any
individual Director, you may send correspondence to:
AssuranceAmerica Corporation, RiverEdge One, Suite 600,
5500 Interstate North Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30328,
Attention: Corporate Secretary. Our Corporate Secretary will
submit your correspondence to the Board or the appropriate
Director, as applicable.
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Director Compensation
Our Directors are granted an option to
purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock
(exercisable over five years at fair market value on the date of
the grant) upon their initial election to the Board of
Directors. Annually, each Director may choose between an award
of 20,000 shares of our common stock or $2,500 per
quarter. We reimburse each non-officer director for travel
expenses related to attendance at Board and committee meetings.
For the year ended December 31, 2005, Guy W. Millner
and Lawrence Stumbaugh were not compensated in their capacity as
Directors. Donald Ratajczak, Sam Zamarripa, and John E.
Cay III each accepted a grant of 20,000 shares of our
common stock in lieu of cash compensation for their service for
the year ended December 31, 2005. Quill O. Healey and
Kaaren J. Street elected to receive cash compensation of $10,000
(four quarters) as remuneration for their service for the year
ended December 31, 2005.
PROPOSAL 2 AMENDMENT TO OUR AMENDED AND
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION TO INCREASE OUR AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK
In November, 2005, the Companys Board of Directors
unanimously approved, subject to shareholder approval, the
proposed amendment to the Companys Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of shares of
common stock that the Company has authorized to issue from
80,000,000 shares to 120,000,000 shares. A copy of the
amendment is attached as Appendix 2.
On April 6, 2006, the Company had 51,767,321 shares of
common stock outstanding and approximately
18,000,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance in
connection with the conversion of our preferred stock to common
stock, and our stock option plan. The Board of Directors does
not consider the number of shares of common stock currently
available to be adequate for the Companys future
requirements. The Board of Directors believes that it is prudent
to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock to
the proposed level in order to provide a reserve of shares to be
available for issuance in connection with possible future
actions. The additional authorized shares of common stock would
give the Company flexibility in its planning and in responding
to future business developments including possible financings
through the issuance of equity securities, acquisition
transactions, stock splits or dividends, establishing strategic
relationships with corporate partners, issuances under stock
based plans and other general corporate purposes. If the
additional authorized common stock is available for issuance, in
appropriate circumstances, the Company may avoid the delays and
expenses that would be occasioned by the necessity of obtaining
shareholder approval at the time of the action and would be
better positioned to engage in and consummate these actions. The
Board of Directors believes that increasing the authorized
common shares to 120,000,000 common shares will provide the
Company with sufficient shares available for issuance for the
foreseeable future.
Under some circumstances, the issuance of additional shares of
common stock could dilute the voting rights, equity, and
earnings per share of existing shareholders. The proposed
increase in authorized but unissued common stock could also be
considered an anti-takeover measure because the additional
authorized but unissued shares of common stock could be used by
the Board of Directors to make a change in control of the
Company more difficult. The Board of Directors purpose in
recommending this proposal is not as an anti-takeover measure
nor is it being advanced as part of any anti-takeover strategy;
the Board of Directors purpose in recommending this proposal is
described above.
Authorized shares of the Companys common stock may be
issued by the Board of Directors from time to time without
further shareholder approval, except in certain circumstances
where shareholder approval is required. Except for our preferred
shareholders, the Companys shareholders have no preemptive
rights to acquire additional shares of common stock; current
shareholders do not have the right to purchase any new issue of
shares of common stock in order to maintain their proportionate
ownership interest in the Company. The issuance of any
additional shares of common stock likely would dilute the
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voting power of the outstanding shares of common stock and
reduced the portion of the dividends and liquidation proceeds
payable to the holders of the Companys outstanding common
stock.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
PROPOSAL 2 TO AMEND THE COMPANYS AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED SHARES
OF COMMON STOCK TO 120,000,000 SHARES.
PROPOSAL 3 AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANYS
2000 STOCK OPTION PLAN TO
INCREASE THE SHARES AVAILABLE FOR ISSUANCE THEREUNDER TO
7,500,000
In November 2005, the Board of Directors unanimously approved an
amendment to the Companys 2000 Stock Option Plan (the
Plan) to increase the shares available for issuance
under the Plan from 5,000,000 shares to
7,500,000 shares, subject to shareholder approval. A copy
of the amendment to the Plan, as well as the Plan, is attached
as Appendix 3. The following description of the Plan is
qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the Plan.
On April 6, 2006, there were 5,080,943 shares subject
to options outstanding to purchase shares of common stock of the
Company. The Board of Directors believes that equity incentives
are critical to attracting and retaining the best employees in
its industry. The approval of this proposal will enable the
Company to continue to provide such incentives. The Company
believes its use of equity incentives in the employee
compensation process has been a material factor in its success
to date, and the Company intends to continue the appropriate use
of stock options in the future to motivate individuals receiving
a grant of stock options to contribute to the growth and
profitability of the Company.
The Companys Plan provides for the grant of incentive and
nonstatutory stock options. The compensation committee of the
Board of Directors administers the Plan, determines the persons
to whom and the dates on which options will be granted, the
number of shares to be subject to each option, the time or times
during the term of each option within which all or a portion of
such option may be exercised, the exercise price, and other
terms of each option. In certain circumstances and within stated
parameters, the compensation committee may delegate certain
aspects of the administration of the Plan to an employee of the
Company.
Our officers, employees, directors, consultants and other
independent contractors or agents are eligible for selection by
the compensation committee to participate in the Plan, provided,
however, that incentive stock options may only be granted to our
employees. As of April 10, 2006, the approximate number of
persons in each class of participants were as follows: employees
(approximately 50 persons); employee directors (one-person);
nonemployee directors (six persons); and consultants or other
independent contractors (one-person).
No awards other than the options have been granted to date under
the Plan. If any of the options granted under the Plan expire,
terminate, or are forfeited for any reason before they have been
exercised, the unused shares subject to such option will again
be available for grant under the Plan.
Our Board of Directors may amend or terminate the Plan at any
time, although stockholder approval is required if required by
applicable law, rule or regulation, and the consent of the
optionee may be required if his or her rights with respect to
outstanding options would be adversely affected by an amendment
or termination. The Plan will continue in effect until June 2010
unless sooner terminated. The Plan also provides that the number
of shares underlying the Plan be adjusted in the event of a
change in the shares of common stock of the Company as a result
of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, a stock dividend or
stock split or other similar change in the capital structure and
that the terms of options may also be adjusted appropriately.
In order for the Plan to continue to provide an incentive for
highly qualified individuals to serve or continue service with
the Company, to more closely aligned the interests of such
individuals with our stockholders, and to provide stock based
compensation comparable to that offered by other similar
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companies, the Board believes that the number of shares of
common stock authorized for issuance under the Plan should be
increased as proposed.
Our Board believes that the amendment to increase the number of
shares available for issuance under the Plan are necessary in
order for the Plan to continue to serve as a strong stock based
incentive the for our employees and other eligible individuals
now and in the future. The Plan as amended is intended to be
effective as of April 27, 2006.
The amount of compensation that would be paid pursuant to the
grant of options under the Plan in the current year is not yet
determinable. However, the following table sets forth the number
of options that were granted in 2005 under the Plan to each of
the named individuals.
New Plan Benefits
2000 Stock Option Plan, as amended
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Number of |
Name and Position |
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Shares |
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Lawrence Stumbaugh,
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President & CEO |
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Joseph J. Skruck,
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President of AssuranceAmerica Managing
General Agency, LLC, a subsidiary of the
Company |
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James C. Cook,
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Senior Vice President of Corporate
Development |
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Renée A. Pinczes,
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300,000 |
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Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer |
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David Anthony,
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Vice President of Information Technology of
AssuranceAmerica Managing General
Agency, LLC, a subsidiary of the Company |
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All current executive officers as a group(9)
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|
580,000 |
|
All current directors who are not executive officers as a group
|
|
|
|
|
All employees, including all current officers who are not
executive officers as a group
|
|
|
1,794,050 |
|
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF
PROPOSAL 3 TO AMEND THE COMPANYS 2000 STOCK OPTION
PLAN TO INCREASE THE SHARES AVAILABLE UNDER THE PLAN TO
7,500,000 SHARES
7
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT
The following table provides information concerning beneficial
ownership of our common stock and preferred stock as of
April 6, 2006, by: (i) each shareholder that we know
owns more than 5% of our outstanding common stock;
(ii) each of our Named Executive Officers; (iii) each
of our Directors; and (iv) all of our Directors and
executive officers as a group.
The following table lists the applicable percentage of
beneficial ownership based on 51,767,321 shares of common
stock outstanding as of April 6, 2006 and
1,266,000 shares of convertible preferred shares
outstanding on April 6, 2006. Except where noted, the
persons or entities named have sole voting and investment power
with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares Beneficially |
|
Percentage of |
|
|
Owned |
|
Ownership (%) |
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Beneficial Owner (1) |
|
Common |
|
Preferred |
|
Common |
|
Preferred |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guy W. Millner
|
|
|
33,534,192 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
64.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Lawrence (Bud) Stumbaugh
|
|
|
5,089,347 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Donald Ratajczak
|
|
|
249,500 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
Quill O. Healey
|
|
|
50,000 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
John E. Cay III
|
|
|
143,000 |
(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
Kaaren J. Street
|
|
|
16,500 |
(7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
Sam Zamarripa
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
6,800 |
(13) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
John Ray
|
|
|
1,269,231 |
(8) |
|
|
1,092,000 |
(14) |
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
86.3 |
|
Joseph J. Skruck
|
|
|
282,300 |
(9) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
Renée A. Pinczes
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
James C. Cook
|
|
|
1,380,000 |
(11) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
David Anthony
|
|
|
86,000 |
(12) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Directors & executive officers as a group
(15 persons)
|
|
|
42,490,070 |
|
|
|
1,098,800 |
|
|
|
83.5 |
|
|
|
86.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Except as otherwise stated, the beneficial owners address
is RiverEdge One, Suite 600, 5500 Interstate North Parkway,
Atlanta, Georgia 30328. |
|
|
(2) |
Includes indirect beneficial ownership by Mr. Millner of
2,119,500 shares of our common stock held by MI Holdings,
Inc, a corporation controlled by Mr. Millner. |
|
|
(3) |
Includes 5,000 shares of our common stock held by
Mr. Stumbaughs spouse as custodian for her son under
the Georgia Transfers to Minors Act. |
|
|
(4) |
Includes options and warrants to
purchase 53,000 shares of our common stock exercisable
within 60 days. |
|
|
(5) |
Consists of an option to purchase our common stock exercisable
within 60 days. |
|
|
(6) |
Includes an option to purchase 33,000 shares of common
stock exercisable within 60 days. |
|
|
(7) |
Consists of an option to purchase our common stock exercisable
within 60 days. |
|
|
(8) |
Consists of indirect beneficial ownership by Mr. Ray of
1,269,231 shares of our common stock held by Heritage
Assurance Partners II, LLP, a partnership controlled by
Mr. Ray. |
|
|
(9) |
Includes an option to purchase 270,000 shares of
common stock exercisable within 60 days. |
|
|
(10) |
Consists of an option to purchase our common stock exercisable
within 60 days. |
|
(11) |
Consists of 1,320,000 common shares owned by Thomas-Cook Holding
Company, a corporation controlled by Mr. Cook, and an
option to purchase 60,000 shares exercisable within
60 days. |
|
(12) |
Consists of an option to purchase our common stock exercisable
within 60 days. |
8
|
|
(13) |
Consists of preferred stock owned by Mr. Zamarripas
spouse. |
|
(14) |
According to a Schedule 13G, filed August 23, 2004, on
behalf of Heritage Fund Advisors, LLC (HFA),
Heritage Assurance Partners, L.P. (HAP), and John F.
Ray, (the Schedule 13G), HFA and HAP have
shared voting and dispositive power with respect to these shares
and John F. Ray disclaims any beneficial ownership of such
shares. According to the Schedule 13G, HAPs address
is 3353 Peachtree Road, Suite 1040, Atlanta, Georgia 30326. |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the compensation paid or accrued
by the Company to the Chief Executive Officer, the other four
most highly paid executive officers of the Company in 2005 who
were executive officers at December 31, 2005 whose annual
compensation exceeded $100,000 (the Named Executive
Officers). The information presented is for the years
ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.
Summary Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long Term |
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation(2) |
|
Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Annual |
|
Restricted |
|
Securities |
|
|
Year Ended |
|
|
|
Compensation |
|
Stock |
|
Underlying |
Name & Principal Position (1) |
|
December 31, |
|
Salary ($) |
|
Bonus ($) |
|
(3) |
|
Awards |
|
Options(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lawrence Stumbaugh,
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
172,213 |
|
|
|
31,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President & CEO |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
155,683 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,322 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph J. Skruck,
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
150,003 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President of AssuranceAmerica |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
127,231 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,995 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
Managing General Agency, LLC, |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
105,885 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
a subsidiary of the Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James C. Cook,
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
150,002 |
|
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Vice President of |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
76,923 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
Corporate Development |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Renée A. Pinczes,
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
115,386 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
Senior Vice President and |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Anthony,
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
126,598 |
|
|
|
23,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vice President of Information |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
90,673 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
230,000 |
|
|
Technology of AssuranceAmerica |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Managing General Agency, LLC,
a subsidiary of the Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Mr. Stumbaugh was appointed President and Chief Executive
Officer effective April 1, 2003. Mr. Skruck was
appointed President of AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency,
LLC, effective April 1, 2003. Mrs. Pinczes was
appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
effective March 21, 2005. Mr. Hain was appointed
Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel on
August 15, 2005. |
|
(2) |
In accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the compensation set forth in the table does not
include medical, group life insurance or other benefits that are
available to all salaried employees and certain perquisites and
other benefits, securities or property that do not exceed the
lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the officers salary and bonus
shown in the table. |
|
(3) |
Amounts shown consist of certain perquisites, none of which had
a value exceeding 25% of the total value of all perquisites
provided. |
|
(4) |
The fair market value of stock bonus awarded on
December 31, 2004, to Mr. Skruck was $0.65 per
share. |
9
|
|
(5) |
The exercise price of all option grants in 2005 and 2004 is
equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date
of grant and each grant has a five-year term. The option grants
will vest 20 percent on each of the first four
anniversaries of the date of grant. |
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
The table below provides information regarding grants of stock
options to the Named Executives during 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Options Granted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
to Employees in |
|
Exercise |
|
Expiration |
Name |
|
Underlying Options |
|
Fiscal Year |
|
Price |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lawrence Stumbaugh
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph J. Skruck
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James C. Cook
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Renée A. Pinczes
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
12.5 |
% |
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
|
|
4/08/2010 |
|
David Anthony
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year-End Option Values
None of the Named Executive Officers exercised any stock options
during the year ended December 31, 2005. The following
table provides information regarding the value of exercisable
and unexercisable stock options held as of December 31,
2005, by each Named Executive Officer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised |
|
Value of Unexercised |
|
|
Options at |
|
In-the-Money Options at |
|
|
December 31, 2005 |
|
December 31, 2005(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lawrence Stumbaugh
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph J. Skruck
|
|
|
270,000 |
|
|
|
180,000 |
|
|
$ |
167,400 |
|
|
$ |
111,600 |
|
James C. Cook
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
240,000 |
|
|
$ |
22,200 |
|
|
$ |
88,800 |
|
Renée A. Pinczes
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
240,000 |
|
|
$ |
23,700 |
|
|
$ |
94,800 |
|
David Anthony
|
|
|
86,000 |
|
|
|
144,000 |
|
|
$ |
31,820 |
|
|
$ |
53,280 |
|
|
|
(1) |
The value of unexercised,
in-the-money options is
based on the closing price of our common stock on
December 31, 2005, which was $0.87. |
On July 10, 2002, the Company entered into an employment
agreement with Mr. Stumbaugh its CEO and president. The
agreement is terminable upon 90 days notice by either
party. In the event Mr. Stumbaughs employment is
terminated other than for cause (as defined in the agreement),
the Company will pay Mr. Stumbaugh 24 months of base
salary plus his most recent bonus and reimburse him for his
COBRA premiums, payable monthly. If Mr. Stumbaugh
terminates his employment with the Company, the Company will pay
him three months base salary and reimburse him for his COBRA
premiums or three months. In the event of a termination for
cause, Mr. Stumbaugh will receive no post employment
compensation.
On July 31, 2004, the Company entered into an employment
agreement with Jim Cook, a Senior Vice President of the Company.
The employment agreement was part of the transaction in which
the Company purchased the business of Thomas Cook Holding
Company Inc. The agreement had an initial term ending
December 31, 2005 and automatically extends for one year
periods until either party notifies the other that it does not
desire to extend the contract. In the event of a termination by
the Company without cause after the initial term, the Company
will pay Mr. Cook six months base salary and reimburse him
for his COBRA premiums during that six month period. In the
event of a termination for cause or if Mr. Cook resigns,
the Company has no post termination obligations to him. The
payment of any post termination
10
compensation is conditioned upon Mr. Cooks compliance
with certain protective covenants contained in the agreement.
On March 8, 2006, the Company entered into an employment
agreement with Joe Skruck. The agreement is terminable at will
by either party. In the event the Company terminates
Mr. Skrucks employment without cause (as defined in
the agreement) or as a result of death or disability, the
Company will pay Mr. Skruck 12 months base salary and
reimburse him for his COBRA premiums for up to 12 months.
In addition if such termination occurs within 12 months of
a change in control of the Company, all options fully vest but
must be exercised within 30 days of the date of
termination. The obligations to pay post termination
compensation are conditioned upon Mr. Skrucks
execution of a separation and release agreement and compliance
with certain restrictive covenants set forth in the agreement.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In the past, our Chairman, Mr. Millner, and our Chief
Executive Officer, Mr. Stumbaugh, have loaned us
approximately $6.2 million and $0.3 million,
respectively. We incurred interest on the Promissory Notes to
our Chairman, Mr. Millner, of $437,827 in 2005 and $518,330
in 2004. Additional payments of $1,347,561 and $700,000 for
accrued and unpaid interest were made to Mr. Millner in
2005 and 2004, respectively. We made payments of accrued and
unpaid interest on the Promissory Note to Mr. Stumbaugh, of
$48,346 and $26,352 in 2005 and in 2004, respectively. We also
made principal payments to Mr. Stumbaugh in the amount of
$78,006 in 2005. Outstanding amounts under the Promissory Notes
held by Messrs. Millner and Stumbaugh accrue interest at an
annual rate of 8%. The Note to Mr. Stumbaugh requires
annual principal payments of $100,000 beginning December, 2004;
however, the December 2004 payment was deferred until 2005. The
Notes to Mr. Millner require annual principal payments of
the greater of $500,000 or 25% of Free Cash Flow (net income
after tax plus non cash items minus working capital) on each of
two notes beginning in December, 2004; the December 2004 payment
was deferred until 2005. The Promissory Notes are not secured by
any of our assets.
In July 2004, we purchased substantially all of the assets of
Thomas-Cook Holding Company (TCHC), which was
controlled by James C. Cook, a Senior Vice President of the
Company. Pursuant to the Agreement, as consideration for the
purchased assets, we paid TCHC $462,000 in cash, issued TCHC a
Promissory Note in the amount of $1,078,000, and issued TCHC
1,320,000 shares of our common stock. The principal amount
of the Promissory Note is payable in three equal installments on
each of August 1, 2005, August 1, 2006 and
August 1, 2007. Outstanding amounts under the Promissory
Note accrue interest at an annual rate of 8%. We are required to
make payments of accrued and unpaid interest on outstanding
amounts under the Promissory Note on a quarterly basis. We
incurred $77,355 and $35,933 of interest on this Promissory Note
in 2005 and 2004, respectively. We made a principal payment in
the amount of $359,333 in 2005.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors has appointed Miller Ray
Houser & Stewart LLP, our current independent auditors,
to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2006. We anticipate that representatives of
Miller Ray Houser & Stewart LLP will be present at the
Annual Meeting. They will be able to make a statement, if
desired, and to respond to questions.
There have been no disagreements concerning any matter of
accounting principle or financial statement disclosure between
us and Miller Ray Houser & Stewart LLP.
11
Principal Accountant-Audit And Non-Audit Fees
Aggregate fees for professional services rendered by Miller Ray
Houser & Stewart LLP, our principal accountants, during
the periods indicated below are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended | |
|
Fiscal Year Ended | |
|
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Audit Fees
|
|
$ |
196,975 |
|
|
$ |
92,002 |
|
Audit-Related Fees
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Tax Fees
|
|
|
23,803 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
All Other Fees
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
220,778 |
|
|
$ |
104,002 |
|
Audit Fees. This category includes the aggregate fees
billed for professional services rendered for the audits of our
consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, for the
reviews of the financial statements included in our quarterly
reports on
Form 10-QSB during
2005 and 2004, and for services that are normally provided by
Miller Ray Houser & Stewart, LLP in connection with
statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the relevant
fiscal years.
Audit-Related Fees. This category includes the aggregate
fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance
and related services by Miller Ray Houser & Stewart,
LLP that are reasonably related to the performance of the audits
or reviews of the financial statements and are not reported
under Audit Fees, as noted above.
Tax Fees. This category includes the aggregate fees
billed in each of the last two fiscal years for Federal and
State tax preparation services by Miller Ray Houser &
Stewart, LLP.
All Other Fees. No fees were billed in either of the last
two fiscal years for products and services provided by Miller
Ray Houser & Stewart, LLP that are not reported under
Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees, or
Tax Fees, as noted above.
The Audit Committee reviews and pre-approves audit and non-audit
services performed by Miller Ray Houser & Stewart, LLP,
our independent auditors, as well as the fee charged for such
services. All of the fees described above were approved by the
Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee has considered and determined the fees
charged for services other than Audit Fees discussed
above are compatible with maintaining independence by Miller Ray
Houser & Stewart, LLP. All of the audit and non-audit
services provided by our independent auditors were pre-approved
by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, requires our Directors, executive officers and persons
who own beneficially more than 10% of a registered class of our
equity securities to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the SEC) initial reports of ownership
and reports of changes in ownership of such securities.
Directors, executive officers and greater than 10% shareholders
are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all
Section 16(a) reports they file.
To the best of our knowledge, the Section 16(a) filing
requirements applicable to our Directors, executive officers and
greater than 10% beneficial owners were complied with during the
year ended December 31, 2005; provided, however, that
(i) one Form 3 was filed late on December 12,
2005, by Mr. Ray; (ii) one Form 3 was reported
late on July 19, 2005, by Mr. Hain, and (iii) one
Form 4 to report the disposition of shares by gift was
reported late on December 12, 2005 by Mr. Millner.
12
Report Of the Audit Committee
The following is the report of the Audit Committee with respect
to the Companys audited financial statements for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of
Directors in its oversight of the Companys financial
reporting, internal controls and audit functions. The Audit
Committee Charter describes in greater detail the full
responsibilities of the committee and is included in this proxy
statement as Appendix 1. The audit committee is comprised
solely of independent directors as defined by the Rule 4200
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and SEC
Rule 10A-3(b)(1). Mr. Healey is an Audit Committee
expert as defined by SEC rules.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2005 with the management and Miller Ray Houser &
Stewart LLP, the Companys independent auditors. Management
is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity
of the Companys financial statements; accounting and
financial reporting principles; establishing and maintaining
disclosure controls and procedures; establishing and maintaining
internal control over financial reporting; evaluating the
effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures; evaluating
the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting;
in evaluating any change in the internal control over financial
reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely
to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.
Miller Ray Houser & Stewart LLP is responsible for
performing an independent audit of the consolidated financial
statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those
financial statements with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America, and to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement.
The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditors
the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61, as modified
or supplemented; the audit committee has also received the
written disclosures and the letter from the independent
accountants required by ISBS Standard Number 1 and has
discussed with the independent accountants, the independent
accountants independence.
Based upon their review and the discussions with and
representations from management and the independent auditors
referred to above, the audit committee has recommended to the
Board of Directors that the audited financial statements for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 be included in the
Companys annual report on form 10KSB for filing with
the SEC.
In accordance with Audit Committee policy and the requirements
of law, the Audit Committee pre-approves all services to be
provided by the Companys auditors Miller Ray
Houser & Stewart LLP. Pre-approval is required for all
audit services, audit related services, tax services and other
services.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Quill O. Healey, Chairman
John E. Cay III
GENERAL INFORMATION
Shareholder Proposals For 2007 Annual Shareholders Meeting
In order to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement
and form of proxy to be used in connection with our 2007 Annual
Shareholders Meeting, shareholder proposals must be received by
our Secretary at our principal offices, located at
RiverEdge One, Suite 600, 5500 Interstate North
Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30328, no later than
December 15, 2006.
For business to be properly brought before the 2007 Annual
Shareholders Meeting, a shareholder must give timely written
notice of the matter to be presented at the meeting to our
Secretary. To be considered timely, the Secretary must receive
the notice at our principal offices located at
RiverEdge One, Suite 600, 5500 Interstate North
Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30328, not earlier than
December 15, 2006,
13
and not later than January 15, 2007. In the event
our 2007 Annual Shareholders Meeting is called for a date that
is not within thirty (30) calendar days of April 27,
such notice must be submitted not later than the close of
business on the tenth (10th) calendar day following the day on
which the notice of meeting was mailed or public disclosure of
the date of the meeting was made, whichever occurs first.
Such notice must contain a written statement of the
shareholders proposal and of the reasons therefor, his
name and address and number of shares owned, and, in the case of
the nomination of a Director, nominations must contain the
following information to the extent known by the notifying
shareholder: (i) the name, age and address of each proposed
nominee; (ii) the principal occupation of each proposed
nominee; (iii) the nominees qualifications to serve
as a Director; (iv) such other information relating to such
nominee as required to be disclosed in solicitation of proxies
for the election of Directors pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission;
(v) the name and residence address of the notifying
shareholder; and (vi) the number of shares owned by the
notifying shareholder, and shall be accompanied by the
nominees written consent to being named a nominee and
serving as a Director if elected. A shareholder making any
proposal shall also comply with all applicable requirements of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Nominations or
proposals not made in accordance with this procedure may be
disregarded by the Chairman of the Annual Meeting in his
discretion, and upon his instructions all votes cast for each
such nominee or for such proposal may be disregarded.
Form 10-KSB
Our Annual Report on
Form 10-KSB for
the year ended December 31, 2005, which was filed with the
SEC, is included with this Proxy Statement. Copies of exhibits
and documents filed with our Annual Report or referenced in it
will be furnished to shareholders of record who make a written
request to us at RiverEdge One, Suite 600, 5500 Interstate
Parkway North, Atlanta, Georgia 30328.
Solicitations of Proxies
We will pay the costs of soliciting proxies. This
solicitation is being made by mail, but may also be made by
telephone or in person by our officers and employees. We will
reimburse brokerage firms, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries
for their out-of-pocket
expenses for forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.
OTHER MATTERS
Our Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be presented
for shareholder action at the Annual Meeting. However, if other
matters do properly come before the Annual Meeting or any
adjournments or postponements thereof, our Board of Directors
intends that the persons named in the proxy card will vote upon
such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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/s/ Guy W. Millner
Guy W. Millner
Chairman |
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/s/ Lawrence Stumbaugh
Lawrence Stumbaugh
President and Chief Executive Officer |
April 10, 2006
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please
complete, sign, date and promptly return the accompanying proxy
card in the enclosed envelope. You may revoke your proxy at any
time before the Annual Meeting. If you are a shareholder of
record and you decide to attend the Annual Meeting and wish to
change your proxy vote, you may do so automatically by voting in
person at the Annual Meeting.
14
Appendix 1
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
Purpose of Committee
The purpose of the Audit Committee (the Committee)
of the Board of Directors (the Board) of
AssuranceAmerica Corporation (the Company) is to
(a) assist the Board in overseeing (i) the
Companys accounting and financial reporting practices and
policies and internal controls and procedures; (ii) the
integrity of the Companys financial statements and the
independent audit; (iii) the Companys compliance with
legal and regulatory requirements including, but not limited, to
the Companys Compliance Program and Standards of Business
Conduct; (iv) the performance of the independent auditors
(Auditors) and the Companys internal audit
function, if any; and (v) the Auditors qualifications
and independence; and (b) if required, prepare an annual
report for inclusion in the Companys proxy statement, in
accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the SEC).
Committee Membership
The Committee shall consist of two or more members of the Board,
each of whom the Board has determined has no material
relationship with the Company and each of whom is otherwise
independent under the rules of any exchange where
the Companys securities are traded (the
Exchange) and the SEC. Each member shall be
financially literate or shall become financially
literate within a reasonable period of time after appointment to
the Committee. At least one member of the Committee shall be an
audit committee financial expert as defined by the
rules of the SEC. No director may serve as a member of the
Committee if such director serves on the audit committees of
more than two other public companies unless the Board determines
that such simultaneous service would not impair the ability of
such director to effectively serve on the Committee and
discloses this determination in the Companys annual proxy
statement.
Members shall be appointed by the Board and shall serve at the
pleasure of the Board for such term as the Board may determine.
Committee Structure and Operations
The Board shall designate one member of the Committee as its
chairperson. The Committee shall meet in person or
telephonically at least four times a year at a time and place
determined by the Committee chairperson, with further meetings
to occur, or actions taken by unanimous written consent, when
deemed necessary or desirable by the Committee or its
chairperson. The Committee shall meet separately at least
annually with management, the head of the internal auditing
department and the Auditors to discuss any matters that the
Committee or any of these persons or firms believe should be
discussed privately. The Committee may request any executive
officer or employee of the Company, the Companys outside
counsel or Auditors to attend a meeting of the Committee or to
meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Committee.
Committee Duties and Responsibilities
To carry out its purposes, the Committee shall have the
following duties and responsibilities:
With respect to the Auditors:
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1. To have the sole authority to appoint, compensate,
evaluate, retain, terminate and replace the Auditors including
pre-approval of all audit services and permitted non-audit
services (including fees and terms) to be performed for the
Company by the Auditors consistent with the requirements of the
SEC, EXCHANGE, other controlling authority or any stricter
standards as may be adopted by the Committee; |
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2. To establish hiring policies for employees or former
employees of the Auditors; and |
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3. To obtain and review annually a formal written statement
of: (a) the Auditors internal quality-control
procedures; any material issues raised by the most recent
internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the
Auditors, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or
professional authorities, within the preceding five years,
respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the
Auditors, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues;
(b) the independence, and to discuss with the Auditors any
relationships or services disclosed in this statement that may
impact the quality of audit services or the objectivity and
independence of the Companys Auditors including
(i) the review and evaluation of the qualifications,
performance and independence of the lead partner of the
Auditors; and (ii) the timing and process for implementing
the rotation of the lead audit partner and the reviewing
partner; (c) the fees billed for each of the following
categories of services rendered by the Auditors: (i) Audit
Fees; (ii) Audit-Related Fees; (iii) Tax Fees; and
(iv) All Other Fees as such terms are defined pursuant to
Item 9 of Schedule 14A; and (d) all
(i) critical accounting policies and practices to be used;
(ii) alternative treatments of financial information within
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
that have been discussed with management, ramifications of the
use of the alternative disclosures and treatments and the
treatment preferred by the Auditors; and (iii) other
material written communications with management. |
With respect to the internal auditing department:
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1. To review the appointment, promotion, or dismissal of
the head of the internal audit department; |
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2. To review the significant reports to management prepared
by the internal auditing department and managements
responses thereto; and |
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3. To review and approve the master audit plan, including
risk assessment and the discussion with the Auditors and
management of the responsibilities, budget and staffing of the
internal audit function. |
With respect to financial reporting practices and policies and
internal controls and procedures:
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1. To advise management, the internal auditing department
and the Auditors that they are expected to provide the Committee
with a timely analysis of significant financial reporting issues
and practices or changes in such practices; |
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2. To receive and consider any reports or communications
submitted to the Committee by the Auditors required by auditing
standards generally accepted in the United States; |
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3. To review and discuss (i) the annual audited
financial statements and the quarterly interim unaudited
financial statements including the Companys disclosures
under Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations prior to the
filing of the
Form 10-K or
Form 10-Q with the
SEC, (ii) any significant matters arising from any audit,
including any audit problems or difficulties, any restrictions
on their activities or access to requested information and any
significant disagreements with management relating to the
Companys financial statements and managements
response; |
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4. To review and discuss (i) guidelines and policies
governing the process by which management of the Company and the
relevant departments of the Company assess and manage the
Companys exposure to risk, (ii) to discuss the
Companys major financial risk exposures and (iii) to
understand the steps management has taken to monitor and control
such exposures; |
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5. To review and discuss with management the earnings press
releases including the use of non-GAAP financial measures as
well as the types of financial information and earnings guidance
provided, and the types of presentations made, to analysts and
rating agencies; and |
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6. To establish procedures for the receipt, retention and
treatment of complaints received by the Company from employees
regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing
matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees
of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or
auditing matters |
With respect to reporting and recommendations:
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1. To prepare a report, including any recommendation of the
Committee, required by the rules of the SEC to be included in
the Companys annual proxy statement; |
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2. To prepare and issue the evaluation required under
Performance Evaluation below; and |
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3. To regularly report on its activities to the Board and
to make such recommendations with respect to the above and other
matters as the Committee may deem necessary or appropriate. The
report to the Board may take the form of a verbal report by the
chairperson of the Committee or any other member of the
Committee designated by the Committee to make this report. |
With respect to compliance matters:
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1. To review with appropriate Company personnel the actions
taken to ensure compliance with the Companys Code of
Business Conduct; and |
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2. To review the programs and practices of the Company
designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and
regulations and to monitor the results of these compliance
efforts. |
With respect to other matters:
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1. To perform any other duties or responsibilities
expressly delegated to the Committee by the Board from time to
time. |
Delegation to Subcommittee
The Committee may, in its discretion, delegate all or a portion
of its duties and responsibilities to a subcommittee of the
Committee.
Performance Evaluation
The Committee shall produce and provide to the Board an annual
performance evaluation of the Committee, which evaluation shall
compare the performance of the Committee with the requirements
of this Charter. The performance evaluation shall also recommend
any improvements to the Committees Charter deemed
necessary or desirable by the Committee. The performance
evaluation by the Committee shall be constructed in such manner
as the Committee deems appropriate.
Resources and Authority
The Committee shall have the resources as determined by the
Committee and authority appropriate to discharge its duties and
responsibilities, including the authority to select, retain,
terminate, and approve the fees and other retention terms of
special counsel, accountants or other experts or consultants, as
it deems appropriate, without seeking approval of the Board or
management. The Committee shall have full access to all books,
records, facilities and personnel of the Company.
1-3
Appendix 2
FORM OF
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
FOR NEVADA PROFIT CORPORATIONS
(PURSUANT TO NRS 78.385 AND 78.390 AFTER ISSUANCE
OF STOCK)
REMIT IN DUPLICATE
1. The name of the Corporation is ASSURANCEAMERICA
CORPORATION.
2. The Corporations Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation amended on July 2, 2003 and October 20,
2003 have been amended by deleting Article IV
(a) thereof in its entirety and substituting therefor the
following new Article IV(a):
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(a) The Corporation shall have authority to issue One
Hundred Twenty Million (120,000,000) shares of common stock (the
Common Stock), $0.01 par value per share, all
of the same class, and Five Million (5,000,000) shares of
preferred stock (the Preferred Stock),
$0.01 par value per share. |
3. Except as specifically amended herein, the
Corporations Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation shall remain in full force and effect.
4. The vote by which the stockholders holding shares in the
Corporation entitling them to exercise at least a majority of
the voting power, or such greater proportion of the voting power
as may be required in the case of a vote by classes or series,
or as may be required by the provisions of the articles of
incorporation have voted in favor of the amendment
is: votes
for
( %); votes
against
( %); votes
abstained ( %).*
5. Officer Signature:
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Lawrence Stumbaugh, President and |
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Chief Executive Officer |
2-1
Appendix 3
Amendment 2006-1 to the AssuranceAmerica Corporation Stock
Option Plan
1. Section 3.1 of the Stock Option Plan is deleted and
the following is added to the Plan:
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Section 3.1 Number of shares. The number of shares
for which Options may be granted under the Plan shall be
7,500,000. Such Shares may be authorized but unissued Shares,
reacquired Shares, or any combination thereof. |
2. All other provision of the Plan remain unchanged.
ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION
STOCK OPTION PLAN
ARTICLE 1
NAME AND PURPOSE
1.1 Name. The name of this
Plan is the AssuranceAmerica Corporation Stock Option
Plan.
1.2 Purpose. The purpose of
the Plan is to enhance the profitability and value of the
Company for the benefit of its stockholders by providing equity
ownership opportunities to better align the interests of
officers, key employees and valued directors, consultants,
independent contractors and other agents with those of the
Companys stockholders. The Plan is also designed to
enhance the profitability and value of the Company for the
benefit of its stockholders by providing stock options to
attract, retain and motivate officers, key employees and valued
directors, consultants, independent contractors and other agents
who make important contributions to the success of the Company.
ARTICLE 2
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
2.1 General Definitions. The
following words and phrases, when used in the Plan, unless
otherwise specifically defined or unless the context clearly
otherwise requires, shall have the following respective meanings:
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(a) Affiliate. A Parent or Subsidiary or any other entity
designated by the Committee in which the Company owns at least a
50% interest (including, but not limited to, partnerships and
joint ventures). |
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(b) Board. The Board of Directors of the Company. |
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(c) Code. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Any reference to the Code includes the regulations promulgated
thereunder. |
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(d) Company. AssuranceAmerica Corporation, a Nevada
corporation. |
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(e) Committee. The Board, or to the extent authorized by
the Board, the Companys Compensation Committee or its
successors. |
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(f) Common Stock. The common stock, $.01 par value, of
the Company. |
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(g) Consultant. Any person engaged by the Company or any
Affiliate to provide consulting services to the Company or any
Affiliate as an Independent Contractor and not as an Employee. |
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(h) Directors. A duly-elected member of the Board. |
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(i) Effective Date. The date that the Plan is approved by
the stockholders of the Company, which must occur within
12 months after adoption by the Board. Any grants of
Options prior to the approval by the stockholders of the Company
shall be void if such approval is not obtained. |
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(j) Employee. Any individual employed by the Employer. |
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(k) Employer. The Company and all Affiliates. |
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(l) Exchange Act. The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. |
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(m) Fair Market Value. For so long as the Common Stock of
the Company is listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges
on a national securities exchange or designated as a national
market systems security on an interdealer quotation system by
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(NASD) or if sales or bid and offer quotations are
reported for the Common Stock in the automated quotation system
(NASDAQ) operated by the NASD (publicly
traded), Fair Market Value shall mean the
closing price of the Common Stock as of the day in question, or
if such day is not a trading day in the principal securities
market or markets for such stock, on the nearest preceding
trading day, as reported with respect to the market (or the
composite of markets, if more than one) in which shares of such
stock are then traded, or if no such closing prices are
reported, on the basis of the mean between the high bid and low
asked prices that day on the principal market or quotation
system on which shares of such stock are then quoted, or if not
so quoted, as furnished by a professional securities dealer
making a market in such stock selected by the Board. If the
Common Stock is no publicly traded, Fair Market
Value means with respect to shares of Common Stock, the
amount that a willing buyer would pay for such shares to a
willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or to
sell and both having reasonable knowledge of all relevant
factors, as such amount is determined by the Board in good faith
using any reasonable valuation method as of the date of any
grant of an ISO (or on any other relevant valuation date
specified herein). |
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(n) Fiscal Year. The taxable year of the Company, which
ends March 31 of each year. |
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(o) Independent Contractor. A Person engaged to provide
services to the Company or any Affiliate on an independent basis
and not as an Employee. |
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(p) ISO. An Incentive Stock Option as defined in
Section 422 of the Code. |
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(q) NQSO. A Non-Qualified Stock Option, which is an Option
that does not meet the statutory requirements of an ISO. |
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(r) Option. An option to purchase Shares granted under the
Plan. |
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(s) Option Agreement. The document which evidences the
grant of an Option under the Plan and which sets forth the
terms, conditions and provisions of, and restrictions relating
to, such Option. |
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(t) Parent. Any corporation (other than the Company) in an
unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if, at
the time of the grant of an Option, each of the corporations
(other than the Company or a Subsidiary) owns stock possessing
50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. |
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(u) Participant. An Employee, Director, Consultant,
Independent Contractor or other agent who is granted an Option
under the Plan. |
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(v) Person. An individual, corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, association,
syndicate, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity. |
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(w) Plan. The Auric Metals Corporation Stock Option Plan
and all amendments and supplements to it. |
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(x) Shares. A share of Common Stock reserved for issuance
upon the exercise of options. |
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(y) Subsidiary. Any corporation (other than the Company),
in an unbroken chain of corporations, beginning with the
Company, if, at the time of grant of an Option, each of such
corporation, other than the last such corporation in the
unbroken chain, owns stock or other equity interests possessing
50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. |
2.2 Other Definitions. In
addition to the above definitions, certain words and phrases
used in the Plan and any Option Agreement may be defined in
other portions of the Plan or in such Option Agreement.
2.3 Conflicts in Plan. In
the case of any conflict in the terms of the Plan, or between
the Plan and an Option Agreement, relating to an Option, the
provisions in the article of the Plan which specifically grants
such Option shall control those in a different article or in
such Option Agreement.
ARTICLE 3
COMMON STOCK
3.1 Numbers of Shares. The
number of Shares for which Options may be granted under the Plan
shall be 5,000,000. Such Shares may be authorized but unissued
Shares, reacquired Shares, or any combination thereof.
3.2 Reusage. If an Option
expires or is terminated, surrendered or canceled without having
been fully exercised, the unused Shares covered by any such
Option shall again be available for grant under the Plan to any
Participant.
3.3 Adjustments. If there is
any change in the Common Stock by reason of any stock split,
stock dividend, spin-off, split-up, spin-out or
recapitalization, or any other similar transactions, the number
of Shares under the Plan or subject to or granted pursuant to an
Option and the price thereof, as applicable, shall be
appropriately adjusted by the Committee.
3.4 Reorganization. If the
Company is merged, consolidated or effects a share exchange with
another corporation (whether or not the Company is the surviving
corporation), or if substantially all of the assets or all of
the shares of Common Stock are acquired by another corporation,
or in the event of a separation, reorganization or liquidation
of the Company, the Board or the board of directors of any
corporation assuming the obligations of the Company hereunder,
shall make appropriate provision for the protection of any
outstanding Options by the substitution on an equitable basis of
appropriate capital stock of the Company, or of the merged,
consolidated or otherwise reorganized corporation which will be
issuable in respect to the Shares, provided only that the excess
of the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the
Options immediately after such substitution over the exercise
price thereof is not more than the excess of the aggregate Fair
Market Value of the Shares subject to the Options immediately
before such substitution over the exercise price thereof.
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the Company is
merged, consolidated or effects a share exchange with another
corporation or if substantially all of the assets or all of the
shares of Common Stock of the Company are acquired by another
corporation, or in the event of a separation, reorganization or
liquidation of the Company, the Board or the board of directors
of any corporation assuming the obligations of the Company
hereunder may, upon written notice to the holder of any
outstanding Option, provide that such Option must be exercised
within sixty (60) days of the date of such notice or it
will be terminated.
ARTICLE 4
ELIGIBILITY
4.1 Determined By Committee.
The Participants and the Options they receive under the Plan
shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. In
making its determinations, the Committee shall
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consider past, present and expected future contributions of
Participants and potential Participants to the Company.
ARTICLE 5
ADMINISTRATION
5.1 Committee. The Plan
shall be administered by the Committee.
5.2 Authority. Subject to
the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole
discretionary authority to:
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(a) determine the individuals to whom Options are granted,
the type and amounts of Options to be granted and the date of
issuance and duration of all such grants; |
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(b) determine the terms conditions and provisions of, and
restrictions relating to, each Option granted; |
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(c) interpret and construe the Plan and all Option
Agreements; |
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(d) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations
relating to the Plan; |
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(e) determine the content and form of all Option Agreements; |
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(f) determine all questions relating to Options under the
Plan; |
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(g) maintain accounts, records and ledgers relating to
Options; |
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(h) maintain records concerning the Committees
decisions and proceedings; |
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(i) employ agents, attorneys, accountants or other Persons
for such purposes as the Committee considers necessary or
desirable under the Plan; and |
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(j) do and perform all acts which it may deem necessary or
appropriate for the administration of the Plan and to carry out
the purposes of the Plan. |
5.3 Delegation. The
Committee may delegate all or any part of its authority under
the Plan to any Employee or committee of Employees.
5.4 Decisions of Committee and
its Delegates. All decisions made by the Committee, or
(unless the Committee has specified an appeal process to the
contrary) any other Person to whom the Committee has delegated
authority, pursuant to the provisions hereof shall be final and
binding on all Persons.
5.5 Indemnification of the Board
and the Committee. In addition to such other rights of
indemnification as they may have as Directors, the Directors and
members of the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company as
and to the fullest extent permitted by law, including, without
limitation, indemnification against the reasonable expenses,
including attorneys fees, actually and necessarily
incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or
proceeding, or in connection with any appeal thereof, to which
they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken
or failure to act under or in connection with this Plan, or any
Options granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them
in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by
independent legal counsel selected by the Company), or paid by
them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or
proceeding except in relation to matters as to which it shall be
adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such Director
or Committee member is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or
affirmative misconduct in his duties.
ARTICLE 6
AMENDMENT OF PLAN
6.1 Power of Committee. The
Committee shall have the sole right and power to amend the Plan
at any time and from time to time, provided, however, that the
Committee may not amend the Plan without
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approval of the stockholders of the Company if such stockholder
approval is required under Section 422 of the Code or if
directed by the Board.
ARTICLE 7
TERM AND TERMINATION OF PLAN
7.1 Term. The Plan shall be
effective as of the Effective Date. No Option shall be granted
pursuant to the Plan on or after the tenth (10th) anniversary
date of the adoption of the Plan by the Board, but Options
granted prior to such tenth anniversary may extend beyond that
date to the date(s) specified in the Option Agreement(s)
covering such Options.
7.2 Termination. Subject to
Article 8 hereof, the Plan may be terminated at any time by
the Committee.
ARTICLE 8
MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF OPTIONS
8.1 General. Subject to the
provisions of Section 8.2, the amendment or termination of
the Plan shall not adversely affect a Participants rights
to or under any Option granted prior to such amendment or
termination.
8.2 Committees Right.
Except as may be provided in an Option Agreement, any Option
granted may be converted, modified, forfeited or canceled,
prospectively or retroactively in whole or in part, by the
Committee in its sole discretion; provided, however, that,
subject to Section 8.3, no such action may impair the
rights of any Participant without his or her consent. Except as
may be provided in an Option Agreement, the Committee may, in
its sole discretion, in whole or in part, waive any restrictions
or conditions applicable to, or may accelerate the vesting of,
any Option.
8.3 Termination of Options under
Certain Conditions. The Committee, in its sole discretion,
may cancel any unexpired or deferred Options at any time if the
Participant is not in compliance with all applicable provisions
of this Plan or with any Option Agreement or if the Participant,
whether or not he or she is then an Employee, Director,
Consultant, Independent Contractor or other agent, acts in a
manner contrary to the best interests of the Company or any
Affiliate.
ARTICLE 9
OPTION AGREEMENTS; LIMITATIONS
9.1 Grant Evidenced by Option
Agreement. The grant of any Option under the Plan shall be
evidenced by an Option Agreement which shall describe the Option
granted and the terms and conditions thereof. The granting of
any Option shall be subject to, and conditioned upon, the
recipients execution of an Option Agreement with respect
thereto. All capitalized terms used in both the Option Agreement
and the Plan shall have the same meaning as in the Plan, and the
Option Agreement shall be subject to all of the terms of the
Plan.
9.2 Provisions of Option
Agreement. Each Option Agreement shall contain such
provisions as the Committee shall determine in its sole
discretion to be necessary, desirable and appropriate for the
Option granted, which may include, without limitation, the
following: description of the type of Option; the Options
duration; its transferability; exercise price, exercise period
and the Person or Persons who may exercise; the manner in which
any withholding tax obligation of the Company or any Affiliate
arising as the result of such exercise will be satisfied; the
effect upon such Option of the Participants death,
disability, change of duties or termination of employment; the
Options conditions; subject to the provisions
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of Article 10, when, if, and how any Option may be
forfeited, converted into another Option, modified, exchanged
for another Option, or replaced; and the restrictions on any
Shares purchased under the Plan.
9.3 Limitations on Right to
Exercise ISOs. No ISO may be exercised after the
expiration of three (3) months after the earlier of the
date the employment of an Employee terminates with the Company
or the date an Employee is given written notice of his or her
discharge from such employment. The expiration period described
in the preceding sentence shall be waived in the event such
termination occurs because of death or because of disability
within the meaning of Code Section 22(e)(3)
(Disability); provided, however, that no ISO may be
exercised after the expiration of one (1) year after the
earlier of the date the employment of the Employee terminates
with the Company or the date the Employee is given written
notice of his or her discharge from such employment because of
Disability. Absence or leave approved by the Company, to the
extent permitted by the applicable provisions of the Code, shall
not be considered an interruption of employment for any purpose
under this Plan.
9.4 Limitations on Transfer of
ISO. No ISO shall be transferable otherwise than by will or
the laws of descent and distribution and, during the lifetime of
the Employee to whom such ISO was granted, no ISO may be
exercised or other rights or benefits claimed under the Plan by
any Person other than such Employee (other than the
Employees guardian or legal representative). After the
death of such original grantee, the holder of the
ISO shall be deemed to be the Person to whom the original
grantees rights shall pass under the original
grantees will or under the laws of descent and
distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no transfer of an
ISO by will or the laws of descent or distribution will be
binding on the Company unless the Board is furnished with
sufficient proof establishing the validity of such transfer.
9.5 Additional Limitations on
Issuance of Shares. The transfer or issuance of Shares upon
the exercise of any Option granted under the Plan will be
contingent upon the advice of counsel to the Company that the
Shares to be issued pursuant thereto have been duly registered
or are exempt from registration under the applicable securities
laws.
ARTICLE 10
SURRENDER AND REISSUANCE OF OPTIONS
10.1 Cancellation and Reissuance
of Options. With the prior written consent of any affected
grantee of Options hereunder, the Committee may grant to one or
more such grantees, in exchange for their surrender and the
cancellation of such Options, new Options which may have
different exercise prices than the exercise prices provided in
the Options so surrendered and canceled and containing such
other terms and conditions consistent with the Plan as the
Committee may deem appropriate.
ARTICLE 11
TERMS OF OPTIONS
11.1 Types of Options. It is
intended that both ISOs and NQSOs may be granted by the
Committee under the Plan.
11.2 Option Price. The
purchase price for Shares under any ISO shall be no less than
the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time the Option
is granted, (or in the case of a ten-percent-or-greater
stockholder under Section 422(b)(6) of the Code,
110 percent of Fair Market Value).
11.3 Other Requirements for
ISOs. The terms of each Option which is intended to qualify
as an ISO shall meet all requirements of Section 422 of the
Code or any successor statute in effect from time to time,
including, without limitation the requirement that the grantee
be an Employee.
11.4 NQSOs. The terms of
each NQSO shall provide that such Option will not be treated as
an ISO. The purchase price for Shares under any NQSO shall be
established by the Committee, in its sole discretion, at the
time of granting such NQSO.
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11.5 Determination by
Committee. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 11.2
through Section 11.4, the terms of all Options shall be
determined by the Committee.
ARTICLE 12
PAYMENT, DIVIDENDS, DEFERRAL AND WITHHOLDING
12.1 Payment. Upon the
exercise of an Option, the amount due the Company is to be paid:
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(a) in cash; |
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(b) by the surrender of all or part of an Option (including
the Option being exercised); |
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(c) by the tender to the Company of shares of Common Stock
owned by the Participant and registered in his or her name
having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount due to the
Company; |
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(d) in other property, rights and credits, deemed
acceptable by the Committee, including the Participants
promissory note; or |
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(e) by any combination of the payment methods specified in
(a) through (d) above. |
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, any method of payment other than
in cash may be used only with the consent of the Committee or if
and to the extent so provided in an Option Agreement. The
proceeds of the sale of Shares purchased pursuant to an Option
shall be added to the general funds of the Company or to the
reacquired Shares held by the Company, as the case may be, and
used for the corporate purposes of the Company as the Board
shall determine. |
12.2 Withholding. The
Company may, at the time any Option is exercised, withhold from
such exercise of an Option, any amount necessary to satisfy
federal, state and local withholding requirements with respect
to such exercise of such Option. Such withholding may be
satisfied, at the Companys option, either by cash or the
Companys withholding of Shares.
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
13.1 Unfunded Status of the
Plan. The Plan is intended to constitute an
unfunded plan for incentive and deferred
compensation. With respect to any payments or deliveries of
Shares not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing
contained herein shall give any rights that are greater than
those of a general creditor of the Company. No provision of the
Plan shall require or permit the Company, for the purpose of
satisfying any obligations under the Plan, to purchase assets or
place any assets in a trust or other entity to which
contributions are made or otherwise to segregate any assets, nor
shall the Company maintain separate bank accounts, books,
records or other evidence of the existence of a segregated or
separately maintained or administered fund for such purposes.
13.2 Underscored References.
The underscored references contained in the Plan and in any
Option Agreement are included only for convenience, and they
shall not be construed as a part of the Plan or Option Agreement
or in any respect affecting or modifying its provisions.
13.3 Number and Gender. The
masculine, feminine and neuter, wherever used in the Plan or in
any Option Agreement, shall refer to either the masculine,
feminine or neuter; and, unless the context otherwise requires,
the singular shall include the plural and the plural the
singular.
13.4 Governing Law. The
place of administration of the Plan and each Option Agreement
shall be in the State of Georgia, and this Plan and each Option
Agreement shall be construed and administered in accordance with
the laws of the State of Nevada, without giving effect to
principles relating to conflicts of laws, including, without
limitation, issues related to the validity and issuance of the
Shares.
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13.5 Purchase for
Investment. The Committee may require each Person purchasing
the Shares pursuant to an Option to represent to and agree with
the Company in writing that such Person is acquiring the Shares
for investment and without a view to distribution or resale. The
certificates for such Shares may include any legend which the
Committee deems appropriate to reflect the restrictions on
transfer set forth in this Plan. All certificates for the Shares
delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stock-transfer
orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem
advisable under all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and
the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any
such certificates to make appropriate references to such
restrictions.
13.6 No Employment or Service
Contract. Neither the adoption of the Plan
nor any Option granted hereunder shall confer upon any Employee,
Director, Consultant, Independent Contractor or other agent any
right to continued employment with or services to the Company or
any Affiliate, nor shall the Plan or any Option interfere in any
way with the right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate
the employment or services of any of its Employees, Directors,
Consultants, Independent Contractors or other agents at any time.
13.7 No Effect on Other
Benefits. The receipt of Options under the Plan shall have
no effect on any benefits to which a Participant may be entitled
from the Company or any Affiliate under another plan or
otherwise, or preclude a Participant from receiving any such
benefits.
13.8 Registration of Shares.
The Committee, in its discretion, may postpone the issuance
and/or delivery of the Shares issuable upon any exercise of an
Option until completion of any registration, or other
qualification or exemption of such Shares under applicable state
and/or federal laws, rules or regulations as the Committee
considers appropriate, and may require any grantee to make such
representations and furnish such information as it may consider
appropriate in connection with the issuance or delivery of the
Shares in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
13.9 Rights as a
Stockholder. Any recipient of an Option shall have no rights
as a stockholder with respect to any Shares related thereto
until the issuance of a stock certificate for such Shares
following the exercise of such Option. Except as otherwise
provided for in Sections 3.3 and 3.4 hereof, no adjustment
shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether
in cash, securities, or other property) or distributions or
other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such
stock certificate is issued.
13.10 Plan Financing. The
Company may extend and maintain, or arrange for the extension
and maintenance of, financing to any grantee (including a
grantee who is a Director) to purchase Shares pursuant to
exercise of an Option granted hereunder on such terms as may be
approved by the Committee in its sole discretion. In considering
the terms for extension or maintenance of credit by the Company,
the Committee shall, among other factors, consider the cost to
the Company of any financing extended by the Company.
13.11 ERISA. The Plan is not
an employee benefit plan which is subject to the provisions of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the
provisions of Code Section 401(a) are not applicable to the
Plan.
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FORM OF PROXY
ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
APRIL 27, 2006 PROXY
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of Our Board of
Directors.
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Lawrence
Stumbaugh and Mark H. Hain, and each of them, the true and
lawful attorneys and proxies for the undersigned, to act and
vote all of the undersigneds capital stock of
AssuranceAmerica Corporation, a Nevada corporation, at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at our executive
offices at RiverEdge One, Suite 600, 5500 Interstate North
Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30328, at 11:00 a.m. local time
on Thursday, April 27, 2006, and at any and all
adjournments thereof, for the purposes of considering and acting
upon the matter proposed by AssuranceAmerica Corporation that is
identified below. This proxy when properly executed will be
voted in accordance with the specifications made herein by the
undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, this proxy
will be voted FOR each of the nominees listed below
and FOR Proposals 2 and 3.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.
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Nominees: Guy W. Millner
Lawrence (Bud) Stumbaugh
Quill O. Healey
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Donald Ratajczak
John Ray
John E. Cay III |
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Kaaren J. Street
Sam Zamarripa |
Check One Box
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FOR each of the Nominees listed above (except as marked
to the contrary below) |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all Nominees listed above |
(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any
individual nominee, write that nominees name in the
following space provided.)
2. PROPOSAL 2- TO AMEND THE COMPANYS AMENDED AND
RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED
COMMON STOCK TO 120,000,000 SHARES
Check One
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FOR o
AGAINST o
ABSTAIN
3. PROPOSAL 3- TO AMEND THE COMPANYS 2000 STOCK
OPTION PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
AVAILABLE UNDER THE PLAN TO 7,500,000
Check One
Box o
FOR o
AGAINST o
ABSTAIN
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote on such
other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or
adjournment(s), including adjourning the Annual Meeting to
permit, if necessary, further solicitation of proxies.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Should the undersigned be present and elect to vote at the
Annual Meeting, or at any adjournments thereof, and after
notification to our Secretary at the Annual Meeting of the
shareholders decision to terminate this proxy, the power
of said attorneys and proxies shall be deemed terminated and of
no further force and effect. The undersigned may also revoke
this proxy by filing a subsequently dated proxy or by notifying
our Secretary of his or her decision to terminate this proxy.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt from us prior to the
execution of this proxy of a Notice of the Annual Meeting and a
Proxy Statement dated April 10, 2006.
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Dated: April , 2006 |
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Signature of Shareholder |
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Print Name of Shareholder |
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Signature of Shareholder |
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Print Name of Shareholder |
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NOTE: Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full
title as such. If the signatory is a corporation, sign the full
corporate name by a duly authorized officer. |