SCHEDULE
14A INFORMATION
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange
Act of 1934
Filed
by
the Registrant
T
Filed
by
a Party other than the Registrant
*
Check
the
appropriate box:
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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o
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Confidential,
for Use of the
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Commission
Only (as permitted by
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T
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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Soliciting
Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12
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AMERICAN
ECOLOGY 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):
|
Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
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1)
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Title
of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
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2)
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Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
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3)
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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)
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Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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5)
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Total
fee paid:
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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)
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Amount
Previously Paid:
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2)
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Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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3)
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Filing
Party:
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4)
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Date
Filed:
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AMERICAN
ECOLOGY CORPORATION
300
E. Mallard, Suite 300
Boise,
Idaho 83706
208-331-8400
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NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TIME
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10:00
a.m. Central Standard Time on Thursday, May 25, 2006
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PLACE
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The
Chicago Club
The
Black and Buckingham Rooms
81
East Van Buren Street
Chicago,
IL 60605
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PROPOSALS
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(1)
To elect seven directors of the Board of Directors to serve a one
year
term.
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(2)
To ratify the selection of Moss Adams LLP as the Company's independent
auditors for the Company's fiscal year ending December 31,
2006.
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(3)
To approve the new 2006 Restricted Stock Plan, for employees, as
described
herein.
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(4)
To transact other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any
adjournments or postponements thereof.
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RECORD
DATE
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You
are entitled to vote if you were a stockholder at the close of business
on
March 31, 2006. A list of shareholders will be available for inspection
for a period of 10 days prior to the meeting at the Company's principal
office in Boise, Idaho identified above and will also be available
for
inspection at the annual meeting of stockholders.
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VOTING
BY PROXY
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Please
submit a proxy as soon as possible so that your shares can be voted
at the
meeting in accordance with your instructions. For specific instructions
on
voting, please refer to the instructions on the proxy
card.
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Edward
F. Heil
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Chairman
of the Board of Directors
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Boise,
Idaho
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March
31, 2006
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All
Stockholders are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting in person.
Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, please complete, date, sign
and
return the enclosed proxy as promptly as possible in order to ensure your
representation at the meeting. A return envelope (postage is prepaid if mailed
in the United States) is enclosed for that purpose. Even if you have given
your
proxy, you may still vote in person if you attend the meeting and revoke your
proxy.
PLEASE
NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT IF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD OF RECORD BY A BROKER, BANK OR
OTHER
NOMINEE AND YOU WISH TO VOTE AT THE MEETING, YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO VOTE
IN PERSON AT THE MEETING UNLESS YOU FIRST OBTAIN A PROXY ISSUED IN YOUR NAME
FROM THE RECORD HOLDER.
AMERICAN
ECOLOGY CORPORATION
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON MAY 25, 2006
PROXY
STATEMENT
This
Proxy Statement relates to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of American
Ecology Corporation, (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, to be held on
May
25, 2006, at 10:00 a.m., at the Chicago Club in the Black and Buckingham Rooms,
81 East Van Buren Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605, including any adjournments
or
postponements thereof (the "Meeting"). This Proxy Statement, the accompanying
proxy card and the Company's Annual Report are first being mailed to
stockholders of the Company on or about April 10, 2006.
THESE
MATERIALS ARE FURNISHED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOLICITATION BY THE COMPANY
OF
PROXIES FROM THE HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER
SHARE
("COMMON STOCK"), FOR USE AT THE MEETING.
The
principal solicitation of proxies is being made by mail; however, additional
solicitation may be made by telephone, facsimile or personal visits by
directors, officers and regular employees of the Company and its subsidiaries,
who will not receive additional compensation. The Company will reimburse
brokerage firms and others for their reasonable expenses in forwarding
soliciting material.
All
shares represented by duly executed proxies in the accompanying form received
prior to the Meeting will be voted in the manner specified therein. Any
stockholder granting a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is voted by
filing with the Secretary of the Company either an instrument revoking the
proxy
or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. Any stockholder present at the
Meeting who expresses a desire to vote their shares in person may also revoke
their proxy. As to any matter for which no choice has been specified in a duly
executed proxy, the shares represented thereby will be voted
FOR
each
proposal listed herein and in the discretion of the persons named in the proxy
in any other business that may properly come before the Meeting.
STOCKHOLDERS
ARE URGED, WHETHER OR NOT THEY EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, TO COMPLETE, SIGN
AND DATE THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
The
Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December
31,
2005 is being furnished with this Proxy Statement to stockholders of record
as
of March 31, 2006. The Annual Report to Stockholders does not constitute a
part
of the proxy solicitation material except as otherwise provided by the rules
of
the Securities and Exchange Commission, or as expressly provided for
herein.
OUTSTANDING
SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS
The
Board
of Directors of the Company fixed March 31, 2006 as the record date ("Record
Date") for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote
at the Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 18,026,270 shares of common
stock
issued, outstanding and entitled to vote. The Company has no other voting
securities outstanding. Each stockholder of record is entitled to one vote
per
share held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, except that
in
electing directors, each stockholder is entitled to cumulate his or her votes
and give any one candidate an aggregate number of votes equal to the number
of
directors to be elected (seven) multiplied by the number of his or her shares,
or to distribute such aggregate number of votes among as many candidates as
he
or she chooses. For a stockholder to exercise cumulative voting rights, the
stockholder must give notice of his or her intention to cumulatively vote prior
to the Meeting, or at the Meeting in person, prior to voting. If any stockholder
has given such notice, all stockholders may cumulatively vote. The holders
of
proxies will have authority to cumulatively vote and allocate such votes in
their discretion to one or more of the director nominees. The holders of the
proxies solicited hereby do not, at this time, intend to cumulatively vote
the
shares they represent, unless a stockholder indicates his intent to do so,
in
which instance the proxy holders intend to cumulatively vote all the shares
they
hold by proxy in favor of the director nominees identified herein.
The
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock on the Record
Date present at the Meeting in person or by proxy will constitute a quorum
for
the transaction of business at the Meeting. An affirmative vote of a majority
of
the shares present and voting at the Meeting is required for approval of all
matters. Abstentions and broker non-votes are each included in the determination
of the number of shares present. Abstentions are counted in tabulations of
the
votes cast on proposals presented to stockholders, and thus, have the effect
of
voting against a proposal, whereas broker non-votes are not counted for purposes
of determining whether a proposal has been approved.
PROPOSAL
NO. 1
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
Directors.
At
the
Meeting, the seven nominees receiving the greatest number of votes cast will
be
elected directors provided that each nominee receives a majority of the votes
cast. Directors so elected will hold office until the next Annual Meeting of
Stockholders or until the election and qualification of their respective
successor. It is the intention of the persons, Stephen A. Romano, and Michael
J.
Gilberg, named in the proxy to vote the proxies that are not marked to the
contrary for the election of the nominees named below as directors. If any
such
nominee refuses or is unable to serve as a director, the above named proxies
may
in their discretion vote for any or all other persons who may be nominated.
Current
Director Rotchford L. Barker is not standing for re-election to the Board of
Directors.
Director
nominees standing for election to serve until the Annual Meeting in 2007
are:
Name
|
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Age
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Position
With Company
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Residence
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Director
Since
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Roy
C. Eliff
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70
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Independent
Director
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Houston,
TX
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2002
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Edward
F. Heil
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61
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Independent
Director
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Miami
Beach, FL
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1994
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Kenneth
C. Leung
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61
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Director
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Brooklyn,
NY
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2005
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Richard
Riazzi
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51
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Independent
Director
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Boise,
ID
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2004
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Stephen
A. Romano
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51
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Chief
Executive Officer and Director
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Boise,
ID
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2002
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Jimmy
D. Ross
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69
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Independent
Director
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Alexandria,
VA
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2004
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Richard
T. Swope
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63
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Independent
Director
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Washington,
D.C.
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2005
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Roy
C. Eliff
Mr.
Eliff
joined the Board of Directors in 2002. Mr. Eliff is a consultant to solid waste
and environmental companies in the area of acquisitions and mergers. Mr. Eliff
has served as an officer, director, or Chief Financial Officer of publicly
held
companies, including 20 years as Vice President of Corporate
Development/Acquisition for Browning Ferris Industries.
Edward
F. Heil
Mr.
Heil
joined the Board of Directors in 1994. Mr. Heil is a land developer and private
investor, and has owned and operated one of the largest solid waste landfills
in
the midwestern United States. Mr. Heil has more than 40 years experience in
the
construction and waste service industries.
Kenneth
C. Leung
Mr.
Leung
joined the Board of Directors in 2005. He also serves on the boards of Acro
Grow
International and SystemOne Technologies. Mr. Leung is a Managing Director
of
investment banking at Sanders Morris Harris and Chief Investment Officer of
the
Environmental Opportunities Fund, Ltd. Mr. Leung is also the Editor of
Environmental Review. Mr. Leung was previously associated with Smith Barney
for
17 years, and before that F. Eberstadt & Company, Chemical Bank and Chase
Manhattan Bank.
Richard
Riazzi
Mr.
Riazzi joined the Board of Directors in 2004. Mr. Riazzi was formerly an
Executive Vice President for Idacorp, a public energy services holding company
that owns Idaho Power Company.
Stephen
A. Romano
Mr.
Romano joined the Board of Directors in 2002. He was appointed President and
Chief Operating Officer in October 2001 and Chief Executive Officer in March
2002. He has served with the Company for more than 16 years in various
positions. Previously, Mr Romano held positions with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and EG&G Idaho.
Jimmy
D. Ross
General
Jimmy Ross (ret.) joined the Board of Directors in 2004. General Ross was a
U.S.
Army military officer for 36 years and retired as a four-star General in 1994.
His last active duty assignment was Commander of the Army Materiel Command.
Following his military retirement, General Ross served as chief operating
officer of the American Red Cross. General Ross is past President/COO of and
now
consults to Cypress International in Alexandria, VA and serves on the Board
of
VSE Corporation.
Richard
T. Swope
General
Richard Swope (ret.) joined the Board of Directors in 2005. General Swope was
a
U.S. Air Force Officer for 34 years and retired as a three-star General in
1998.
His last active duty assignment was Inspector General of the Air
Force.
Meetings
of the Board of Directors and Committees.
During
the year ended December 31, 2005, the Board of Directors held six meetings.
Each
of the directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and the
Committees on which they served during the period for which they were a Board
or
Committee member. While encouraged, Director attendance at the Annual Meeting
is
not required. All Directors attended the 2005 Annual Meeting.
The
standing Committees of the Board of Directors are the Corporate Governance,
Audit, Dividend Policy and Compensation Committees.
Current
members of the Corporate Governance Committee are Messrs. Barker, Heil, Ross
and
Swope. Mr. Ross is chairman. The Corporate Governance Committee fulfills the
requirements of a nominating committee and searches for and recommends qualified
and experienced individuals to fill vacancies and any new director seats if
the
board is expanded, along with its duty to ensure good corporate governance.
The
Corporate Governance Committee met twice in 2005, and met once in 2006 to
nominate the seven directors standing for election at the May 25, 2006 annual
shareholders meeting. The Board of Directors unanimously approved the seven
nominees standing for election in 2006.
Current
members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Eliff, Riazzi and Swope. Mr. Eliff
is
chairman. The Audit Committee reviews the proposed plan and scope of the
Company's annual audit as well as the results when it is completed. The
Committee reviews and approves the services provided by the Company's
independent auditors and their fees. The Committee meets with the Company's
financial officers to assure the adequacy of accounting principles, financial
controls and policies. The Committee is also charged with reviewing transactions
that may present a conflict of interest on the part of management or directors.
The Committee meets at least quarterly to review financial results, discuss
financial statements and make recommendations to the Board. It also reviews
independent auditor recommendations for internal controls, adequacy of staff,
and management's performance concerning audit and financial controls. The Audit
Committee met eleven times in 2005 and once in 2006.
Current
members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Heil, Leung, Riazzi, and
Ross.
Mr. Leung is chairman. The Compensation Committee makes recommendations
concerning employee salaries and incentive compensation, administers and
approves stock option grants under the 1992 Employee stock option plan,
addresses executive compensation and contract matters, and performs other Board
delegated functions. The Compensation Committee met six times in 2005 and once
in 2006.
Current
members of the Dividend Policy Committee are Messrs. Eliff, Riazzi and Swope.
Mr. Riazzi is chairman. The Committee works with management on development
of
recommended dividend policy and dividend payments. The Dividend Policy Committee
met twice in 2005 and once in 2006
.
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.
During
2005, no member of the Compensation Committee was an officer or employee of
the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or had any other relationship requiring
disclosure by the Company under Item 402 or 404 of Securities and Exchange
Commission regulations. During 2005, no executive officer of the Company served
as:
·
|
a
member of the Compensation Committee (or other board committee performing
equivalent functions) of an unrelated entity, one of whose executive
officers served on the Compensation Committee of the Company,
|
·
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a
director of an unrelated entity, one of whose executive officers
served on
the Compensation Committee of the Company, or
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·
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a
member of the Compensation Committee (or other board committee performing
equivalent functions) of another entity, one of whose executive officers
served as a director of the
Company.
|
Directors'
Compensation.
Under
the
present shareholder-approved plan, Directors who are not employees of the
Company or its subsidiaries receive an annual fee of $16,000 payable quarterly.
Upon appointment, the Chairman of the Board is entitled to receive an additional
fee of $20,000. The current chairman waived this fee. Committee chairmen are
entitled to receive an additional fee of $4,000. Directors also receive $1,000
for each meeting attended in person and $750 for each telephonic meeting
attended. Directors who are employees of the Company receive no additional
compensation for their service as directors. Mr. Romano is the only such
director. All directors are reimbursed for their reasonable travel and other
expenses involved in attending Board and committee meetings.
Each
non-employee director is also granted restricted stock worth $25,000 at the
time
of his or her election to the Board. The restricted stock vests to each director
at the next annual meeting unless they cease to be a director prior to the
next
annual meeting, or do not attend at least 75% of the regularly scheduled
meetings of the Board between the award and vesting date. The following table
shows compensation paid to each Non-Employee Director for the three years ending
December 31, 2005:
Name
and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
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Director
Fees
|
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Restricted
Stock Shares
|
|
Options
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Roy
C. Eliff
|
|
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2005
|
|
$
|
39,500
|
|
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2,100
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
$
|
20,462
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
2003
|
|
$
|
16,000
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward
F. Heil
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$
|
24,650
|
|
|
2,100
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
$
|
16,000
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
2003
|
|
$
|
16,000
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth
C. Leung
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$
|
29,473
|
|
|
2,100
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard
Riazzi
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$
|
31,900
|
|
|
2,100
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
$
|
956
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jimmy
D. Ross
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$
|
34,500
|
|
|
2,100
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
$
|
11,284
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard
T. Swope
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$
|
18,250
|
|
|
2,100
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
Former Directors not standing for
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$
|
34,700
|
|
|
2,100
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
election
|
|
|
2004
|
|
$
|
54,178
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
|
2003
|
|
$
|
61,888
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
35,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
for all Directors
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$
|
212,973
|
|
|
14,700
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
$
|
102,879
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
65,000
|
|
|
|
|
2003
|
|
$
|
93,888
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
Officers.
Name
and Principal Position
|
|
Age
|
|
City/State
|
|
Officer
|
Stephen
A. Romano
President,
Chief Executive Officer
Chief
Operating Officer
|
|
51
|
|
Boise,
Idaho
|
|
1998
|
Michael
J. Gilberg
Vice
President, Controller, Chief Accounting Officer,
Treasurer
and Secretary
|
|
37
|
|
Boise,
Idaho
|
|
2002
|
Steven
D. Welling
Vice
President, Sales and Marketing
|
|
47
|
|
El
Dorado Hills, California
|
|
2003
|
John
M. Cooper
Vice
President and Chief Information Officer
|
|
51
|
|
Boise,
Idaho
|
|
2003
|
Simon
G. Bell
Vice
President of Hazardous Waste Operations
|
|
36
|
|
Boise,
Idaho
|
|
2005
|
Wayne
R. Ipsen
Assistant
Secretary
|
|
36
|
|
Boise,
Idaho
|
|
2006
|
Stephen
A. Romano
was
appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in October 2001 and Chief
Executive Officer in March 2002. Mr. Romano joined the Board of Directors in
2002 and has served with the Company for more than 16 years in various
positions. Previously, Mr Romano held positions with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and EG&G Idaho.
Mr Romano holds a BA from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and an MS
from
the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Michael
J. Gilberg
,
CPA
,
joined
the Company in 2002 as Vice President and Controller and was appointed Chief
Accounting Officer, Treasurer and Secretary in March 2006. From 1997 until
joining the Company, Mr. Gilberg was Vice President and Controller for T.J.T.
Inc., a publicly-traded manufacturing company in Emmett, Idaho. Prior to joining
T.J.T., he was employed at Deloitte & Touche in Boise, Idaho. Mr. Gilberg
holds a BS from the University of Montana.
Steven
D. Welling
joined
the Company in February 2001 as part of the Envirosafe Services of Idaho (now
US
Ecology Idaho) acquisition. He previously served as National Accounts Manager
for Envirosource Technologies and Western Sales Manager for Envirosafe Services
of Idaho. He previously managed new market development and sales for a national
bulk chemical transportation company. Mr. Welling holds a BS from California
State University-Stanislaus.
John
M. Cooper
joined
the Company in July 2002 and is Vice President and Chief Information
Officer. Previously, he served as Vice President, Information Systems for
BMC West Corporation, and was Director of Business Development for the High
Tech
Industry at Oracle Corporation. Mr. Cooper brings more than 20 years of
computer industry experience to the Company and is responsible for all
information technology and telecommunications. He holds a BS in Physics
from Utah State University.
Simon
G. Bell
was
appointed Vice President of Hazardous Waste Operations in 2005 and is
responsible for the company's Nevada, Texas, and Idaho facilities. Previously
the Idaho facility General Manager and Environmental Manager, Mr. Bell has
more
than 15 years of industry experience including service as general manager of
a
competitor waste disposal facility in Colorado and mining operations experience
in Idaho, Nevada and South Dakota. Bell holds a BS in Geology from Colorado
State University.
Wayne
R. Ipsen
,
CPA,
was appointed Assistant Secretary in March 2006. From 2001 until joining the
Company in 2003, Mr. Ipsen was an associate attorney at the law firm of Elam
& Burke in Boise, Idaho. Prior to that, he was an accountant with
PricewaterhouseCoopers in Seattle, Washington. Mr. Ipsen holds BS and MAcc
degrees from Brigham Young University and a JD from the University of
Idaho.
Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.
Section
16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Section 16") requires that reports
of beneficial ownership of common stock and preferred stock, and changes in
such
ownership, be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Section
16
"reporting persons" including directors, certain officers, holders of more
than
10% of the outstanding common stock or preferred stock, and certain trusts
for
which reporting persons are trustees. The Company is required to disclose in
this proxy statement each reporting person whom it knows has failed to file
any
required reports under Section 16 on a timely basis. Based solely on review
of
Section 16 reports furnished to the Company and written statements confirming
that no other reports were required, to the Company's knowledge all Section
16
reports applicable to known reporting persons were timely filed throughout
the
year except for the following:
Director
or Officer
|
|
Form
Filed
|
|
Filing
Date
|
|
Required
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth
C. Leung, Director
|
|
Form
3
|
|
March
1, 2005
|
|
February
28, 2005
|
Richard
T. Swope, Director
|
|
Form
3
|
|
May
31, 2005
|
|
May
27, 2005
|
Kenneth
C. Leung, Director
|
|
Form
4
|
|
March
27, 2006
|
|
November
10, 2005
|
Simon
G. Bell, Officer
|
|
Form
3
|
|
December
15, 2005
|
|
December
5, 2005
|
Corporate
Governance Responsibility.
The
Board
of Directors is ultimately responsible for the Company's corporate governance.
Good corporate governance ensures that the Company complies with federal
securities laws and regulations, including those promulgated under the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Since 2002, the Company has adopted a new Audit
Committee Charter, adopted a Nominating Committee Charter and merged the
Nominating Committee into the newly formed Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee which was subsequently renamed the Corporate Governance Committee,
and
has adopted additional policies and procedures to further ensure good corporate
governance. On February 24, 2005 the Board of Directors adopted a new charter
for the Corporate Governance Committee.
The
Board
of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive and Senior
Financial Officers as well as a Code of Ethics for Directors ("Codes of Ethics")
which are posted on the Company's website at
www.americanecology.com
.
There
have been no waivers or changes to the Codes of Ethics. Any future waivers
or
changes would be disclosed on this website.
Executive
Compensation.
The
following table shows, for each of the three years ended, compensation awarded
or paid to, or earned by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and its other
four most highly compensated management employees at December 31, 2005 and
the
prior two years in all capacities.
Summary
Compensation Table
|
|
Annual
Compensation
1
|
|
Long-Term
Compensation
|
|
All
Other
|
|
Name
and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
|
|
Bonus
|
|
Grant
|
|
Options
|
|
Compensation
2
|
|
Stephen
A. Romano
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$
|
230,000
|
|
$
|
494,505
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
6,930
|
|
President,
Chief Executive,
|
|
|
2004
|
|
$
|
228,269
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
6,765
|
|
and
Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
2003
|
|
$
|
204,278
|
|
$
|
66,825
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
370,110
|
|
$
|
5,693
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James
R. Baumgardner
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$
|
178,190
|
|
$
|
197,802
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
6,930
|
|
Former
Senior Vice President and
|
|
|
2004
|
|
$
|
177,831
|
|
$
|
5,000
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
6,033
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
|
2003
|
|
$
|
172,785
|
|
$
|
37,125
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
148,043
|
|
$
|
5,761
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
J. Gilberg
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$
|
108,190
|
|
$
|
123,626
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
6,930
|
|
Vice
President and Controller
|
|
|
2004
|
|
$
|
107,946
|
|
$
|
3,000
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
3,661
|
|
Chief
Accounting Officer
|
|
|
2003
|
|
$
|
104,876
|
|
$
|
14,850
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
92,528
|
|
$
|
3,806
|
|
Treasurer,
and Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven
D. Welling
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$
|
176,022
|
|
$
|
128,606
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
6,930
|
|
Vice
President of Sales and
|
|
|
2004
|
|
$
|
124,538
|
|
$
|
155,619
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
4,096
|
|
Marketing
|
|
|
2003
|
|
$
|
110,001
|
|
$
|
154,939
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
4,096
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John
M. Cooper
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$
|
116,497
|
|
|
-
0-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,700
|
|
Vice
President and Chief
|
|
|
2004
|
|
$
|
106,966
|
|
$
|
12,500
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
3,942
|
|
Information
Officer
|
|
|
2003
|
|
$
|
103,811
|
|
$
|
19,380
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
3,834
|
|
___________________
1
|
Includes
dollar value base salary earned by the named executive officer
during the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2005 as permitted by rules established
by
the SEC.
|
2
|
Includes
the amount of the Company’s matching contribution under its 401(k) Savings
Plan.
|
The
Company, on a discretionary basis, may grant options to its executive officers
under the 1992 amended and restated employee stock option plan. As of December
31, 2005, options to purchase 415,120 shares were outstanding with 188,976
shares remaining available for grant. No stock options were granted to executive
officers or any other employees during 2004 or 2005.
The
following table provides information concerning executive officers' stock
options exercised in 2005 and those remaining outstanding at the end of
2005.
Aggregated
Option Exercises in 2005 and Year-End Values
|
|
Shares
Acquired
on
|
|
Value
|
|
Number
of Shares Underlying
Unexercised
Options
|
|
Value
of Unexercised In-the
Money
Options
3
at FYE
|
|
Name
|
|
Exercise
|
|
Realized
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Unexercisable
4
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
Stephen
A. Romano
|
|
|
98,901
|
|
$
|
1,305,493
|
|
|
178,682
|
|
|
67,802
|
|
$
|
1,647,713
|
|
$
|
643,441
|
|
James
R. Baumgardner
|
|
|
13,187
|
|
$
|
126,859
|
|
|
71,472
|
|
|
37,011
|
|
$
|
659,080
|
|
$
|
558,747
|
|
Michael
J. Gilberg
|
|
|
44,000
|
|
$
|
293,000
|
|
|
9,396
|
|
|
23,132
|
|
$
|
78,742
|
|
$
|
231,514
|
|
The
following table summarizes the number of common shares issuable under equity
compensation plans as of December 31, 2005:
Plan
Category
|
|
(a)
Number of
securities
to be
issued
upon exercise
of
outstanding
options,
warrants
and
rights
|
|
(b)
Weighted-
average
exercise
price
of
outstanding
options,
warrants
and
rights
|
|
(c)
Number of securities
remaining
available for future
issuance
under equity
compensation
plans (excluding
securities
reflected in column (a)
|
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
567,320
|
|
|
4.84
|
|
|
374,276
|
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
Total
|
|
|
567,320
|
|
|
4.81
|
|
|
374,276
|
|
The
above
table includes options issued or options and restricted stock available for
issuance under the 1992 Employee Stock Option Plan, the 1992 Director Stock
Option Plan which has been terminated except for options outstanding, and the
2005 Non-Employee Directors Compensation Plan.
Compensation
Committee Report.
___________________
3
|
A
stock option is considered to be “in-the-money” if the price of the
related stock is higher than the exercise price of the option.
The closing
market price of the Company’s common stock was $14.43 per share on the
NASDAQ National Market at the close of business on December 30,
2005.
|
4
|
All
unexercisable stock options shown became exercisable by the persons
named
on February 11
,
2006.
|
The
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is composed of outside
directors and is responsible for developing and making executive compensation
recommendations to the Board. The Committee also reviews and approves the
Company's compensation and benefit plans and administers the 1992 Employee
Stock
Option Plan. The following report describes the basis on which the Compensation
Committee made its 2005 recommendations and determinations.
The
Board
of Directors believes that executive compensation should reflect value created
for stockholders in furtherance of the Company's strategic goals. The following
objectives are among those utilized by the Compensation Committee:
|
1.
|
Executive
compensation should be meaningfully related to long-term and short-term
value created for stockholders.
|
|
2.
|
Executive
compensation programs should support the long-term and short-term
strategic goals and objectives of the
Company.
|
|
3.
|
Executive
compensation programs should reflect and promote the Company's overall
value, business growth and reward individuals for outstanding
contributions.
|
|
4.
|
Short
and long term executive compensation are critical factors in attracting
and retaining well-qualified
executives.
|
Currently
the Company has an executive compensation program based on three components:
base salary, bonus payments tied to the Company's annual financial performance,
and a stock option program. The Compensation Committee regularly reviews the
various components of the compensation program to ensure that they are
consistent with the Company's objectives. Based on this process, the Committee
recommended and the Board of Directors approved proposal of the 2006 Restricted
Stock Plan for employees for approval at the 2006 annual shareholders
meeting.
Base
Salary -
In
determining the appropriate base salaries of its executive officers, the
Compensation Committee generally considers the level of executive compensation
in comparator companies in the environmental industry. The Compensation
Committee also considers (i) the performance of the Company and contributing
roles of its individual executive officers, (ii) the particular executive
officer's specific experience and responsibilities, and (iii) the performance
of
each executive officer. Base salaries for 2005 were established by the Committee
at levels believed to be competitive with amounts paid to executives of
companies in the environmental industry with comparable qualifications,
experience, responsibilities, and performance.
On
January 29, 2004 the Company's Board of Directors increased Mr. Romano's annual
base salary from 205,000 to $230,000. Effective January 1, 2004 the Company's
Board of Directors increased Mr. Gilberg's annual base salary from $105,000
to
$108,000. No base salary adjustments have been made for Messrs. Romano or
Gilberg since January 2004.
The
Committee previously approved employment contracts for Mr. Romano providing
for
a minimum annual base salary of $205,000 and Mr. Gilberg providing for a minimum
annual base salary of $105,000 with both of these contracts being automatically
renewed for one year on October 31 of each year
5
.
The
Committee is evaluating employment contract policy after 2006.
___________________
5
|
The
contracts will automatically renew for an additional year unless
written
notice is given by either the employee or the Company prior to
October 31,
2006.
|
Annual
Incentives -
Effective January 1, 2003, the Committee recommended and the Board approved
the
2002 Management Incentive Plan providing executive incentive compensation for
performance through 2006. Based on the Company's financial performance in 2004
and 2005, the following annual cash bonuses were awarded to executives in 2005
and 2006 based on final audited financial results for the prior year:
Executive
|
|
Bonus
Payment
|
|
Stephen
A. Romano
|
|
$
|
494,505
|
|
James
R. Baumgardner
|
|
$
|
197,802
|
|
Michael
J. Gilberg
|
|
$
|
123,626
|
|
Effective
January 1, 2006
,
the
Committee recommended and the Board approved the 2006 Management Incentive
Bonus
Plan covering performance for specified Company officers and other senior
managers not included in the above noted 2002 Management Incentive Plan. The
following bonus payments were awarded in 2006 to officers based on 2005
financial performance:
Officer
|
|
Bonus
Payment
|
|
John
M. Cooper
|
|
$
|
52,650
|
|
Simon
G. Bell
|
|
$
|
56,250
|
|
The
Committee is developing recommendations for a single annual incentive program
for eligible officers and other senior managers to reward achievement of
financial performance targets after 2006. Implementation of such a program
will
require review and approval by the Board of Directors.
Long-Term
Incentives -
The 1992
Employee Stock Option Plan ("Stock Option Plan") is a long-term incentive
program for executive officers and other key employees. The objectives of the
Stock Option Plan are to align management compensation and shareholder return,
and enable management to develop and maintain a significant, long-term stock
ownership position in the Company's common stock. Option grants are also
intended to retain and motivate employees to improve long-term Company
performance.
Stock
options are generally granted at or greater than market value on the grant
date,
and will only have value if the Company's stock price increases above the grant
price. In 2003, the Board of Directors approved the grant of 758,724 options
to
certain executives and key employees. 152,670 of these options vested in 2005
and all 758,724 options granted were vested as of February 11,
2006.
During
2005, the Compensation Committee conducted a review of the Stock Option Plan
along with alternative long-term incentives. The Committee concluded that a
restricted stock plan would benefit the Company and its shareholders. In January
2006, the Committee recommended and the Board of Directors adopted the American
Ecology Corporation 2006 Restricted Stock Plan for employees ("Restricted Stock
Plan"), subject to stockholder approval (see Proposal No. 3 below).
Grants
of
restricted stock to specific individuals are not included in the proposed
Restricted Stock Plan pending stockholder approval and potential subsequent
evaluation of specific grants by the Board of Directors. Accordingly, benefits
available to any one employee, or group of employees, are not yet determinable.
While the existing 1992 Employee Stock Option Plan will remain in effect, the
Committee has no current plans to evaluate or recommend additional grants
thereunder.
This
report is respectfully submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board
of
Directors:
Kenneth
C. Leung, Committee Chairman
Edward
F.
Heil
Richard
Riazzi
Jimmy
D.
Ross
Audit
Committee Report
The
Audit
Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company's audited financial statements
with management. The Audit Committee has also discussed with Moss Adams, the
Company's independent auditors, the matters required to be discussed by
Statement on Auditing Standards 61. These include, among other items, matters
related to the audit of the Company's financial statements.
The
Audit
Committee has received written disclosures and the letter from the auditors
required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 relating to the
auditor's independence from the Company and its related entities, and has
discussed with the auditors the auditor's independence from the Company. The
Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of services by the
auditors, other than audit services and review of Forms 10-Q, is compatible
with
maintaining auditor independence.
Based
on
review and discussion of the Company's audited financial statements with
management and the independent auditors, the Audit Committee recommended to
the
Board of Directors that the Company's audited financial statements be included
in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2005.
While
the
Audit Committee has provided board-level oversight, advice and direction,
management is responsible for the financial statements and internal controls.
Also, it is the responsibility of the independent auditor, not the Audit
Committee, to conduct the audit and opine on the conformity of the financial
statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States.
The
Board
of Directors has determined that Mr. Eliff qualifies as a "Financial
Expert".
This
report is respectfully submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of
Directors:
Roy
C.
Eliff, Audit Committee Chairman
Richard
Riazzi
Richard
T. Swope
Audit
Committee Charter
The
written charter for the Audit Committee is attached as exhibit B and is also
available on the Company's website at www.americanecology.com.
Audit
Committee Independence
The
Board
of Directors has determined that Messrs. Eliff, Riazzi and Swope all meet the
requirements for independence set forth in the Listing Standards of the National
Association of Securities Dealers.
Consistent
with these requirements, on March 29, 2006, Mr. Leung resigned from the Audit
Committee following Board action authorizing management to enter into an
agreement for financial advisory services with Sanders Morris Harris, Inc.,
for
which Mr. Leung is a Managing Director. Following Mr. Leung's resignation,
the
Board of Directors appointed Richard Swope to the Audit
Committee.
Corporate
Governance Committee Report
The
Corporate Governance Committee recommended the seven Directors who have
consented to stand for election to the Board of Directors. During the nominating
process, the Committee received input from multiple sources and evaluated a
variety of subjective criteria prior to recommending nominees to the Board
of
Directors. Shareholders may submit recommendations to the Committee by writing
to
corporatesecretary@americanecology.com
.
Shareholder recommendations should be submitted by December 12, 2006 for
consideration by the Committee for the 2007 Annual Meeting.
During
2005, Mr. Leung was recommended for nomination to the Board by Mr.
Heil.
During
2005, General Swope was recommended for nomination to the Board by General
Ross.
No
fees
were paid to any party in relation to the nominations of Mr. Leung or General
Swope.
During
2005, the Company did not receive any nominee recommendations from shareholders
owning more than 5% of the Company's common stock.
This
report is submitted by the Corporate Governance Committee of the Company's
Board
of Directors:
Jimmy
D.
Ross, Corporate Governance Committee Chairman
Rotchford
L. Barker
Edward
F.
Heil
Richard
T. Swope
Corporate
Governance Committee Charter
On
February 24, 2005, the Board of Directors enacted a written charter for the
Corporate Governance Committee which is available on the Company's website
at
www.americanecology.com.
Corporate
Governance Committee Independence
The
Board
of Directors has determined that Messrs. Heil, Barker, Ross and Swope meet
the
requirements for independence set forth in the Listing Standards of the National
Association of Securities Dealers.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following tables set forth, as of March 31, 2006, the beneficial ownership
(as
defined in the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission) of the Company's
common stock by (a) beneficial owners of more than five percent; and (b)
beneficial ownership of management. Unless otherwise noted, each beneficial
owner identified has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares
indicated.
(a)
Beneficial Owners
of
Beneficial Owner
|
|
Beneficially
Owned
|
|
Class
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward
F. Heil
6
|
|
|
2,349,426
|
|
|
13.03
|
|
8052
Fisher Island Drive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fisher
Island, Florida 33109
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DG
Capital Management, Inc.
7
|
|
|
1,630,495
|
|
|
9.05
|
|
101
Arch Street, Suite 650
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boston,
Massachusetts 02110
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b)
Directors and Executive Officers
Name
Of Director
|
|
Shares
Owned
|
|
Right
to Acquire
|
|
Total
|
|
Percent
Of Class
|
|
DIRECTORS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roy
C. Eliff
|
|
|
9,700
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
19,700
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
Edward
F. Heil
|
|
|
2,349,426
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
2,349,426
|
|
|
13.03
|
|
Kenneth
C. Leung
|
|
|
3,100
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
3,100
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
Richard
Riazzi
|
|
|
2,100
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
9,600
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
Stephen
A. Romano
8
|
|
|
230,729
|
|
|
84,396
|
|
|
315,125
|
|
|
1.74
|
|
Jimmy
D. Ross
|
|
|
2,709
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
10,209
|
|
|
0.06
|
|
Richard
T. Swope
|
|
|
2,100
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
2,100
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
Name
Of Officer
|
|
Shares
Owned
|
|
Right
to Acquire
|
|
Total
|
|
Percent
Of Class
|
|
Executive
Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen
A. Romano
|
|
|
230,729
|
|
|
84,396
|
|
|
315,125
|
|
|
1.74
|
|
Michael
J. Gilberg
9
|
|
|
60,000
|
|
|
16,528
|
|
|
76,528
|
|
|
0.42
|
|
Steven
D. Welling
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
.00
|
|
John
M. Cooper
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
.00
|
|
Simon
G. Bell
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
.00
|
|
Wayne
R. Ipsen
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
.00
|
|
All
directors and executive officers as a group
|
|
|
2,659,864
|
|
|
125,924
|
|
|
2,785,788
|
|
|
14.65
|
|
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
During
2005 the Company had no relationships or related transactions with its officers,
directors or securities holders of more than five percent that would require
disclosure under Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K, Item
404.
On
March
29, 2006 the Board authorized management to enter into an agreement with Sanders
Morris Harris Inc., for which Director Kenneth C. Leung is a Managing Director.
This agreement will provide for financial advisory services to be furnished
to
the Company for a $10,000 monthly retainer plus expenses. Based on this, Mr.
Leung, is no longer considered an independent director.
___________________
6
|
Mr.
Heil’s beneficial ownership includes 1,719,966 shares of common stock
owned individually by Mr. Heil and 629,460 shares beneficially
owned by
Mr. Heil in his capacity as trustee of a
trust.
|
7
|
Pursuant
to a Schedule 13-G filing on February 14, 2006, DG Capital Management,
Inc. reported they have the sole right to vote and dispose of 1,630,495
shares of the Company’s common stock, but disclaim beneficial ownership of
the common stock.
|
8
|
Mr.
Romano’s beneficial ownership includes 230,729 shares of common stock
and
84,396 options currently exercisable.
|
9
|
Mr.
Gilberg’s beneficial ownership includes 60,000 shares of common stock and
16,528 options currently exercisable.
|
POTENTIAL
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The
Board
of Directors is not aware of any potential conflict of interest involving
members of the Board of Directors or Management.
Stock
Performance
10
The
following graph compares the most recent five-year market-value performance
of
the Company's common stock to the NASDAQ Composite Index, and a waste industry
peer group
11
that
the
Company believes accurately reflects its competitors for fiscal 2005. The graph
assumes that the value of the investment in the Company's common stock and
each
index was $100 at December 31, 1999.
___________________
10
|
Notwithstanding
filings by the Company with the SEC that have incorporated or may
incorporate by reference other SEC filings (including this proxy
statement) in their entirety, this performance graph shall not
be
incorporated by reference into such filings and shall not be deemed
to be
filed with the SEC except as specifically provided otherwise or
to the
extent required by Item 402 of Regulation
S-K.
|
11
|
The
companies which make up the selected waste industry peer group
are Clean
Harbors, Inc.; Duratek, Inc.; Perma-Fix Environmental Services,
Inc; and
Waste Management Inc.
|
PROPOSAL
NO. 2
SELECTION
OF AUDITORS
The
Board
of Directors has designated Moss Adams LLP as independent auditors for the
Company's 2006 fiscal year. Moss Adams has examined the financial statements
of
the Company since its 2002 fiscal year. A representative of Moss Adams is
expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and available to make a statement
and/or respond to questions.
Stockholder
ratification of the selection of Moss Adams as the Company's independent
accountants is not required by the Company's Articles, Bylaws or otherwise.
However, the Board is submitting the selection of Moss Adams to the stockholders
for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice, and recommends that
the
stockholders vote for approval. If the stockholders fail to ratify the
selection, the Board, in conjunction with the Audit Committee will reconsider
whether or not to retain Moss Adams. Even if the selection is ratified, the
Board and the Audit Committee in their discretion may direct the appointment
of
a different independent accounting firm at any time during the year if they
determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company
and
its stockholders.
The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person
or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting is requested to ratify
the selection of Moss Adams. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation
of votes cast on this Proposal No. 2 and will have the same effect as negative
votes. Broker non-votes are counted towards a quorum, but are not counted for
any purpose in determining whether this matter has been ratified.
Auditor
Fees
The
aggregate fees billed by Moss Adams for professional services were as
follows:
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
Audit
Fees
|
|
$
|
297,176
|
|
$
|
224,000
|
|
Audit-Related
Fees (Audit of Employee Benefit Plan)
|
|
|
13,431
|
|
|
12,000
|
|
Tax
Fees
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
All
Other Fees
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
Total
Fees
|
|
$
|
310,607
|
|
$
|
236,000
|
|
Moss
Adams prepares an annual engagement letter that is submitted to the Audit
Committee for approval. The engagement letter is a contract between the Company
and Moss Adams that specifies the responsibilities of each party. It is signed
on behalf of the Company by the Chairman of the Audit Committee and the Chief
Financial or Accounting Officer. One of the responsibilities of the Company
is
payment to Moss Adams of a fixed amount for the annual audit and each quarterly
review, as well as any other services agreed to in the engagement letter.
PROPOSAL
NO. 3
DIRECTORS'
PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE AMERICAN ECOLOGY
CORPORATION
2006 RESTRICED STOCK PLAN
The
Board
of Directors believes that it is in the best interest of the Company and its
shareholders to implement a plan that will provide a means to attract, retain,
motivate and reward employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries, upon whose
judgment, initiative and efforts the continued success, growth and development
of the Company is dependent. Accordingly, the Board of Directors adopted the
American Ecology Corporation 2006 Restricted Stock Plan, for employees (the
"Plan"), subject to stockholder approval.
Summary
of the Plan
The
principal features of the Plan are summarized below. The summary does not
contain all information that may be important to you. The complete text of
the
Plan is set forth in Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement.
Plan
Administration
.
The
Plan will be administered by the Board of Directors. The plan administrator
has
the sole authority to, among other things (a) interpret and administer the
Plan,
(b) make rules and regulations relating to the administration of the Plan,
and
(c) make any other determinations that it deems necessary to administer the
Plan.
Eligibility
.
Employees of the Company or a Subsidiary, including any director who is also
an
employee, are eligible to participate in the Plan.
Issuance
and Restrictions.
Shares
of
Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be subject to restrictions on
transferability and other restrictions, if any, as the Board may impose at
the
date of grant or thereafter. Except to the extent restricted under an Award
Agreement relating to Restricted Stock, an Employee granted Restricted Stock
will have the rights of a stockholder. Awards may be granted either alone or
in
addition to, in tandem with, or in exchange or substitution for, other
awards.
Method
of Award.
The
Compensation Committee will make a recommendation to the Board and if accepted
the Board will advise the Participant by means of an Award Agreement, of the
terms, conditions and restrictions, including vesting, if any, related to the
offer, including the number of shares of Restricted Stock that the Participant
will be entitled to receive.
Shares
Subject to the Plan
.
The
Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 200,000 shares of common stock. If any
shares that are subject to an award under the Plan are forfeited, those shares
will again be available for grant under the Plan. Likewise, any shares that
are
tendered to the Company in payment of any withholding tax incurred in connection
with any award under the Plan will be available for issuance. The shares issued
under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized but unissued
shares or treasury shares.
Adjustments
.
In the
event of a merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, stock
dividend, stock split or other change in the corporate structure or
capitalization affecting the Company's common stock, the plan administrator
will
make appropriate adjustments to the number (including the aggregate number
of
shares authorized under the Plan) and kind of shares to be issued under the
Plan.
Effective
Date, Term, Amendment and Termination
.
The
Plan will become effective upon stockholder approval and will remain in effect
until ten (10) years after such Date.
Other
Provisions
.
The
plan administrator may establish procedures providing for the delivery of shares
of Company common stock in satisfaction of withholding tax obligations. During
the period that shares of restricted stock are subject to forfeiture, an
employee will be entitled to receive dividends or dividend equivalents with
respect to the number of shares of common stock covered by the
award.
Federal
Income Tax Consequences
.
We
believe that under present law, the following are the U.S. federal income tax
consequences generally arising with respect to awards of restricted stock under
the Plan. Generally, the recipient of a non-vested award of restricted stock,
who has not made an election otherwise under the Internal Revenue Code, will
not
recognize income until the stock becomes vested, at which time the recipient
will recognize ordinary compensation income equal to the excess, if any, of
the
fair market value of the stock on the date it becomes vested over any amount
paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. In the year that the recipient
of a restricted stock award recognizes ordinary taxable income in respect of
such award, the Company will be entitled to a deduction for federal income
tax
purposes equal to the amount of ordinary income that the recipient is required
to recognize, provided that the deduction is not otherwise disallowed under
the
Internal Revenue Code.
Vote
Required and Recommendation of Board of Directors
The
affirmative vote of the majority of the shares of common stock of the Company
present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled
to
vote on this proposal will be required for approval of the Plan. Abstentions
will be treated as being present and entitled to vote on the matter and,
therefore, will have the effect of votes against the proposal. A broker
"non-vote" is treated as not being entitled to vote on the matter and,
therefore, is not counted for purposes of determining whether the proposal
has
been approved.
The
Board
of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of the American Ecology Corporation
2006 Restricted Stock Plan.
STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS AT THE NEXT
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The
Company must receive stockholder proposals submitted for inclusion in the
Company's proxy materials and for consideration at the annual meeting of
stockholders in 2007
no
later than
December
12, 2006
.
Any
such proposals are requested to be submitted to Michael J. Gilberg, Secretary
of
American Ecology Corporation, 300 E. Mallard, Suite 300, Boise, Idaho 83706
and
should comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission rules governing
stockholder proposals submitted for inclusion in proxy materials.
Other
shareholder communications to the Board of Directors may be sent at any time
to
corporatesecretary@americanecology.com
.
Management intends to summarize shareholder communications for presentation
to
the Board of Directors at its next meeting; however, this is subject to change
based upon the volume of communications.
OTHER
MATTERS
The
Management and Board of Directors of the Company know of no other matters that
may come before the Meeting. However, if any matters other than those referred
to above should properly come before the Meeting, it is the intention of the
persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote all proxies in accordance with
their
best judgment.
A
copy of
the Company's Annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31,
2005, as filed with the SEC, excluding exhibits, may be obtained by stockholders
without charge by written request addressed to Investor Relations, 300 E.
Mallard, Suite 300, Boise, Idaho 83706 or may be accessed on the Internet at:
http://www.americanecology.com.
EXHIBIT
A
AMERICAN
ECOLOGY CORPORATION
2006
RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN
1.
Purpose
.
The
purpose of the American Ecology Corporation 2006 Restricted Stock Plan is to
advance the interests of American Ecology Corporation and its stockholders
by
providing a means to attract, retain, motivate and reward employees of the
Company and its Subsidiaries upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the
continued success, growth and development of the Company is
dependent.
2.
Definitions
.
For
purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set
forth
below:
(a)
"
Award
"
means a
grant of Restricted Stock, subject to any restrictions and risk of forfeiture
that may be set forth in an Award Agreement.
(b)
"
Award
Agreement
"
means
any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing
an
Award.
(c)
"
Beneficiary
"
means
the person, persons, trust or trusts which have been designated by an Eligible
Employee in his or her most recent written beneficiary designation filed with
the Company to receive the benefits specified under this Plan upon the death
of
the Eligible Employee or, if there is no designated Beneficiary or surviving
designated Beneficiary, then the person(s) or trust(s) entitled by will or
the
laws of descent and distribution to receive such benefits.
(d)
"
Board
"
means
the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e)
"
Code
"
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. References
to
any provision of the Code shall be deemed to include successor provisions
thereto and regulations thereunder.
(f)
"
Committee
"
means
the Compensation Committee of the Board, or such other Board committee (which
may include the entire Board) as may be designated by the Board to administer
the Plan; provided, however, that, unless otherwise determined by the Board,
the
Committee shall consist of two or more directors of the Company, each of whom
is
a "non-employee director" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange
Act.
(g)
"
Common
Stock
"
means
common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company.
(h)
"
Company
"
means
American Ecology Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of
Delaware, or any successor corporation.
(i)
"
Continuous
Status as a Participant
"
means
the absence of any interruption or termination of service as an Eligible
Employee. Continuous Status as a Participant shall not be considered interrupted
in the case of sick leave, maternity leave, infant care leave, medical emergency
leave, military leave, or any other leave of absence for which Continuous Status
is not considered interrupted in accordance with the Company's policies on
such
matters.
(j)
"
Eligible
Employee
"
means
an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, including any director who is also
an employee. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Plan to the contrary, the
Company may make a commitment to grant an Award to an employee in connection
with his or her hiring or retention prior to the date the employee first
performs services for the Company or a Subsidiary; provided, however, that
any
such Award shall be granted only at or after the date the employee first
performs such services.
(k)
"
Exchange
Act
"
means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time. References
to
any provision of the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include successor
provisions thereto and regulations thereunder.
(l)
"
Fair
Market Value
"
means,
with respect to Restricted Stock or other property, the fair market value of
such Restricted Stock or other property determined by such methods or procedures
as shall be established from time to time by the Board. If the Company's Common
Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system,
unless otherwise determined by the Board in good faith, the Fair Market Value
of
Restricted Stock shall mean the closing price per share of the Company's Common
Stock on the date in question (or, if the Common Stock was not traded on that
day, the next preceding day that the Common stock was traded) on the principal
exchange or market system on which the Company's Common Stock is traded, as
such
prices are officially quoted on such exchange.
(m)
"
Participant
"
means
an Eligible Employee who has been granted an Award under the Plan.
(n)
"
Performance-Based
Award
"
means a
grant of Restricted Stock under the Plan, subject to performance-based
restrictions intended to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the
Code.
(o)
"
Plan
"
means
this American Ecology Corporation 2006 Restricted Stock Plan.
(p)
"
Restricted
Stock
"
means
shares of Common Stock granted as an Award under the Plan, pursuant and subject
to the terms and conditions of an Award Agreement.
(q)
"
Rule
16b-3
"
means
Rule 16b-3, as from time to time in effect and applicable to the Plan and
Participants, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under
Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(r)
"
Subsidiary
"
means
any entity (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of entities beginning
with the Company if each of the entities (other than the last entity in the
unbroken chain) owns shares possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting
power of all classes of equity interests in one of the other entities in the
chain.
(a)
Authority
of the Board
.
The
Plan shall be administered by the Board. The Committee shall receive any and
all
authority from the Board and make recommendations to the Board, which shall
have
final authority to take the following actions, in each case subject to and
consistent with the provisions of the Plan:
(i)
to
select
Eligible Employees to whom Awards may be granted;
(ii)
to
determine the number of Awards to be granted, the number of shares of Restricted
Stock to which an Award may relate, the terms and conditions of any Award
granted under the Plan (including, but not limited to, any restriction or
condition, any schedule for lapse of restrictions or conditions relating to
transferability or forfeiture, and waiver or accelerations thereof, and waivers
of performance conditions relating to an Award, based in each case on such
considerations as the Committee shall recommend and the Board shall determine),
and all other matters to be determined in connection with an Award;
(iii)
to
determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may
be
settled in cash, shares of Restricted Stock or other property, or an Award
may
be canceled, forfeited, exchanged, or surrendered;
(iv)
to
prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for
each
Eligible Employee;
(v)
to
adopt,
amend, suspend, waive, and rescind such rules and regulations and appoint such
agents as the Board may deem necessary or advisable to administer the
Plan;
(vi)
to
correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in
the
Plan and to construe and interpret the Plan and any Award, rules and
regulations, Award Agreement or other instrument hereunder;
(vii)
to
accelerate the vesting of all or any portion of any Award; and
(viii)
to
make
all other decisions and determinations as may be required under the terms of
the
Plan or as the Board may deem necessary or advisable for the administration
of
the Plan.
(b)
Manner
of Exercise of Authority
.
The
Board shall have sole discretion in exercising its authority under the Plan.
Any
action of the Board with respect to the Plan shall be final, conclusive, and
binding on all persons, including the Company, Subsidiaries, Eligible Employees,
any person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Eligible
Employee and stockholders of any of the foregoing. The Board may delegate to
other members of the Board, the Committee or officers or managers of the Company
or any Subsidiary the authority, subject to such terms as the Board shall
determine, to perform administrative functions with respect to the
Plan.
(c)
Limitation
of Liability
.
Each
member of the Board or the Committee shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely
or act upon any report or other information furnished to him or her by any
officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, the Company's
independent certified public accountants or other professionals retained by
the
Company to assist in the administration of the Plan. No member of the Board
or
the Committee, and no officer or employee of the Company acting on behalf of
the
Board or the Committee, shall be personally liable for any action,
determination, or interpretation taken or made in good faith with respect to
the
Plan, and all members of the Board and the Committee and any officer or employee
of the Company acting on their behalf shall, to the extent permitted by law,
be
fully indemnified and protected by the Company with respect to any such action,
determination or interpretation.
|
4.
|
Shares
of Common Stock Subject to the Plan
.
|
(a)
Common
Stock Subject to Plan
.
Subject
to adjustment as provided in
Section
4(b)
hereof,
the total number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance in connection
with Awards of Restricted Stock under the Plan shall be 200,000. If any Awards
are forfeited, canceled, terminated, exchanged or surrendered, or such Award
is
settled in cash or otherwise terminates without a distribution of shares of
Restricted Stock to the Participant, or shares of Restricted Stock are withheld
at the time of lapse of the risk of forfeiture to cover withholding taxes,
any
such shares of Restricted Stock counted against the total number of shares
of
Common Stock reserved and available under the Plan with respect to such Award
shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, settlement, termination,
cancellation, exchange, surrender or withholding, again be available for Awards
under the Plan.
(b)
Adjustments
in the Event of Stock Splits, etc.
In the
event that any dividend in Common Stock (other than ordinary cash dividends),
recapitalization, Common Stock split, reverse split, reorganization, merger,
consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase or share exchange, or other
similar corporate transaction or event, affects the Common Stock such that
an
adjustment is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the
rights of Participants under the Plan, then the Committee shall recommend and
the Board shall make such equitable changes or adjustments as it deems
appropriate and, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all
of
(i) the number and kind of shares which may thereafter be issued under the
Plan,
and (ii) the number and kind of shares, other securities or other consideration
issued or issuable in respect of outstanding Awards (taking into account any
direct effect on the Participant's shares of Restricted Stock subject to the
outstanding Award), in order to preserve, without enlarging, the rights of
each
affected Participant. In addition, the Board is authorized to make adjustments
in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria and performance objectives,
if
any, included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events
(including, without limitation, events described in the preceding sentence)
affecting the Company or any Subsidiary or the financial statements of the
Company or any Subsidiary, or in response to changes in applicable laws,
regulations, or accounting principles.
(c)
Use
of Treasury Shares, etc
.
Any
shares of Restricted Stock distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in
whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Common Stock or treasury Common
Stock including Common Stock acquired by purchase in the open market or in
private transactions.
|
5.
|
Specific
Terms of Awards
.
|
(a)
General
.
Awards
may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this
Section
5
.
In
addition, the Committee may recommend and the Board may impose on any Award,
at
the date of grant or thereafter (subject to
Section
7(d)
hereof),
such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions
of
the Plan, as the Committee shall recommend and the Board shall
determine.
(b)
Terms
and Conditions of Awards
.
The
Board is authorized to grant Awards to Eligible Employees on the following
terms
and conditions:
(i)
Issuance
and Restrictions
.
Shares
of Restricted Stock subject to the Award may be subject to such restrictions
on
transferability and other restrictions, if any, as the Board may impose at
the
date of grant or thereafter, which restrictions may lapse separately or in
combination at such times, under such circumstances (including, without
limitation, upon achievement of performance criteria if deemed appropriate
by
the Board), in such installments or otherwise, as the Board may determine.
Except to the extent restricted under the Award Agreement relating to the
Restricted Stock, an Eligible Employee granted Restricted Stock shall have
all
of the rights of a stockholder including, without limitation, the right to
vote
the shares of Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends thereon.
In
case of any shares of Restricted Stock that are issued out of authorized but
unissued shares (rather than treasury shares), the Participant's services prior
to the grant of the Award, or services from the date the Award is authorized
until the date the shares of Restricted Stock are issued, shall be deemed lawful
consideration equal in value to the aggregate par value of such
shares.
(ii)
Forfeiture
.
Except
as otherwise determined by the Board, at the date of grant or thereafter, upon
termination of service during the applicable restriction period, shares of
Restricted Stock and any accrued but unpaid dividends that are at that time
subject to restrictions shall be forfeited; provided, however, that the Board
may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award Agreement, or may determine
in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating
to
the shares of Restricted Stock will be waived in whole or in part in the event
of terminations resulting from specified causes, and the Board may in other
cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of Restricted Stock and any
unpaid dividends.
(iii)
Certificates
for Shares
.
Shares
of Restricted Stock granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by certificates.
Certificates representing the Restricted Stock shall be registered in the name
of the Eligible Employee, such certificates shall bear an appropriate legend
referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such shares,
and the Company shall retain physical possession of the certificate until all
restrictions have been lifted or requirements met.
(iv)
Dividends
.
Dividends paid on Common Stock shall be either paid at the dividend payment
date, or deferred for payment to such date as determined by the Board, in cash
or in unrestricted Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount
of such dividends. Common Stock distributed in connection with a Common Stock
split or dividend in shares Common Stock, extraordinary cash dividends, and
other property distributed as a dividend, shall be subject to restrictions
and a
risk of forfeiture (and mandatory deferral if necessary to result in tax
deferral until the vesting date) to the same extent as the shares of Restricted
Stock with respect to which such Common Stock, extraordinary cash dividends
or
other property has been distributed.
(v)
Performance-Based
Awards
.
The
Committee may recommend and the Board may grant Performance-Based Awards that
are intended to qualify as performance-based for the purposes of Section 162(m)
of the Code. The Board shall provide that shares of Restricted Stock issued
to a
Participant in connection with a Performance-Based Award may not be sold,
assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, except
by
will or the laws of descent and distribution, for such period as the Board
shall
determine, beginning on the date on which the Award is granted (the
"
Restricted
Period
"),
and
that the Restricted Period applicable to such Restricted Stock shall lapse
(if
at all) only if certain pre-established objectives are attained. Performance
goals may be based on any of the following criteria: (i) earnings or earnings
per share, (ii) return on equity, (iii) return on assets, (iv) revenues, (v)
expenses, (vi) one or more operating ratios, (vii) stock price, (viii)
stockholder return, (ix) market share, (x) charge-offs, (xi) credit quality,
(xii) reductions in non-performing assets, (xiii) customer satisfaction measures
and (xiv) the accomplishment of mergers, acquisitions, dispositions or similar
extraordinary business transactions. The Board shall establish one or more
objective performance goals for each such Performance-Based Award on the date
of
grant. The Board shall determine whether such performance goals are attained
and
such determination shall be final and conclusive. In the event that the
performance goals are not met, the shares of Restricted Stock shall be forfeited
and transferred to, and reacquired by, the Company at no cost to the Company.
|
6.
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Certain
Provisions Applicable to Awards
.
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(a)
Stand-Alone,
Additional, Tandem and Substitute Awards
.
Awards
granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Board, be granted to
Eligible Employees either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in
exchange or substitution for, any other Award granted under the Plan or any
award granted under any other plan or agreement of the Company, any Subsidiary
or any business entity to be acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary, or any
other right of an Eligible Employee to receive payment from the Company or
any
Subsidiary. Awards may be granted in addition to or in tandem with such other
Awards or awards, and may be granted either as of the same time as or a
different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.
(b)
Method
of Award
.
After
the Committee recommends and the Board determines that it will offer an Award,
it will advise the Participant in writing or electronically, by means of an
Award Agreement, of the terms, conditions and restrictions, including vesting,
if any, related to the offer, including the number of shares of Restricted
Stock
that the Participant shall be entitled to receive and the time within which
the
Participant must accept the offer. The offer shall be accepted by execution
of
an Award Agreement in the manner determined by the Committee or the
Board.
(c)
Non-transferability
.
Until
restrictions on the Award (including the risk of forfeiture) lapse, Awards
shall
not be transferable by a Participant except by will or the laws of descent
and
distribution (except pursuant to a Beneficiary designation in the event of
death). A Participant's rights under the Plan may not be pledged, mortgaged,
hypothecated, or otherwise encumbered, and shall not be subject to claims of
the
Participant's creditors.
(d)
Non-competition
.
The
Board may, by way of the Award Agreements or otherwise, establish such other
terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations, if any, of any Award,
provided they are not inconsistent with the Plan, including, without limitation,
the requirement that the Participant not engage in competition with the Company
during the Participant's employment or for a specified period of time after
employment is terminated.
(a)
Compliance
with Legal and Trading Requirements
.
The
Plan, the granting and exercising of Awards thereunder, and the other
obligations of the Company under the Plan and any Award Agreement, shall be
subject to all applicable federal, state and foreign laws, rules and
regulations, and to such approvals by any regulatory or governmental agency
as
may be required. The Company, in its discretion, may postpone the issuance
or
delivery of shares of Restricted Stock under any Award until completion of
such
stock exchange or market system listing or registration or qualification of
such
shares or other required action under any state or federal law, rule or
regulation as the Company may consider appropriate, and may require any
Participant to make such representations and furnish such information as it
may
consider appropriate in connection with the issuance or delivery of Restricted
Stock in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. No provisions
of the Plan shall be interpreted or construed to obligate the Company to
register any shares of Restricted Stock under federal, state or foreign law.
The
Restricted Stock issued under the Plan may be subject to such other restrictions
on transfer as determined by the Board.
(b)
No
Right to Continued Employment or Service
.
Neither
the Plan nor any action taken thereunder shall be construed as giving any
employee the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company
or
any of its Subsidiaries to terminate any employee's employment at any
time.
(c)
Taxes
.
The
Company or any Subsidiary is authorized to withhold from any Award granted
or
any payment relating to an Award under the Plan, including from a distribution
of Restricted Stock, or any payroll or other payment to an Eligible Employee,
amounts of withholding and other taxes due in connection with any transaction
involving an Award, and to take such other action as the Committee may recommend
and the Board deem advisable to enable the Company and Eligible Employees to
satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax
obligations relating to any Award. This authority shall include authority to
withhold or receive shares of Restricted Stock or other property and to make
cash payments in respect thereof in satisfaction of an Eligible Employee's
tax
obligations; provided, however, that the amount of tax withholding to be
satisfied by withholding shares of Restricted Stock shall be limited to the
minimum amount of taxes, including employment taxes, required to be withheld
under applicable Federal, state, local and foreign law.
(d)
Changes
to the Plan and Awards
.
The
Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan or any
of
the Committee's previously granted authority, without the consent of
stockholders of the Company, the Committee or Participants, except that any
such
amendment or alternation shall be subject to the approval of the Company's
stockholders to the extent such stockholder approval is required under the
rules
of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Shares
may then be listed or quoted or under the terms of the Company's Certificate
of
Incorporation or Bylaws; provided, however, that, without the consent of an
affected Participant, no amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation,
or
termination of the Plan may materially and adversely affect the rights of such
Participant under any Award theretofore granted to him or her. The Board may
waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or amend, alter,
suspend, discontinue or terminate, any Award theretofore granted, prospectively
or retrospectively; provided, however, that, without the consent of a
Participant, no amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or
termination of any Award may materially and adversely affect the rights of
such
Participant under any Award theretofore granted to him or her.
(e)
No
Rights to Awards; No Stockholder Rights
.
No
Eligible Employee or employee shall have any claim to be granted any Award
under
the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Eligible
Employees and employees. No Award shall confer on any Eligible Employee any
of
the rights of a stockholder of the Company unless and until shares of Restricted
Stock are duly issued or transferred to the Eligible Employee in accordance
with
the terms of the Award.
(f)
Nonexclusivity
of the Plan
.
Neither
the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor its submission to the stockholders
of
the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on
the
power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem
desirable, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only
in
specific cases.
(g)
Not
Compensation for Benefit Plans
.
No
Award payable under this Plan shall be deemed salary or compensation for the
purpose of computing benefits under any benefit plan or other arrangement of
the
Company for the benefit of its employees unless the Company shall determine
otherwise.
(h)
No
Fractional Shares of Restricted Stock
.
Unless
otherwise determined by the Board, no fractional shares of Restricted Stock
shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. In lieu of
issuing fractional shares, on the scheduled date of vesting of a fraction of
an
Award, the Company shall round the shares of Restricted Stock down to the
nearest whole share and any such Restricted Stock which represents a fraction
of
an Award will remain unvested until the next subsequent vesting
date.
(i)
Governing
Law
.
The
validity, construction, and effect of the Plan, any rules and regulations
relating to the Plan, and any Award Agreement shall be determined in accordance
with the laws of the State of Idaho, without giving effect to principles of
conflict of laws thereof (but applying applicable provisions of the Delaware
General Corporation Law).
(j)
Effective
Date; Plan Termination
.
The
Plan shall become effective upon stockholder approval (the "
Effective
Date
").
The
authority to grant further Awards under the Plan shall terminate on the date
which is ten (10) years after the Effective Date.
(k)
Titles
and Headings
.
The
titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference
only. In the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such
titles or headings, shall control.
(l)
Reservation
of Common Stock
.
The
Company, during the term of this Plan, shall at all times reserve and keep
available such number of shares of Common Stock as shall be sufficient to
satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
(m)
Stockholder
Approval
.
The
Plan is subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company, pursuant to
a
vote meeting the applicable requirements of the Marketplace Rules of the Nasdaq
National Market.
EXHIBIT
B
AMERICAN
ECOLOGY CORPORATION
AUDIT
COMMITTEE CHARTER
Purpose
The
Committee will provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling its oversight
responsibility to the shareholders and others relating to the integrity of
the
Company's financial statements, the financial reporting process, the systems
of
internal accounting and financial controls, the annual independent audit of
the
Company's financial statements, the Company's compliance with legal and
regulatory requirements, and its ethics programs as established by management
and the Board. The Committee shall also oversee the independent auditors'
qualifications and independence. The Committee will evaluate the performance
of
the Company's independent auditors, including a review and evaluation of the
engagement partner. In so doing, it is the responsibility of the Committee
to
maintain free and open communication between the Committee, independent
auditors, and management of the Company.
Committee
Membership
The
Committee shall be appointed by the Board and shall comprise at least three
directors. Each Committee member shall meet the requirements of the Nasdaq
listing standards, and federal laws and regulations, with respect to audit
committees, as they may become applicable from time to time. No member may
receive compensation from the Company other than Board approved director's
fees.
All Committee members will be financially literate, and at least one member
of
the Committee will have accounting or related financial management expertise
as
determined by the Board and shall be deemed the Committee's "financial expert."
Committee
Authority and Responsibilities
The
primary responsibility of the Committee is to oversee the Company's financial
reporting process on behalf of the full Board of Directors. The Board will
designate a Chairman for the Committee and the Committee shall have such
authority as determined and delegated by the Board. The Committee may delegate
authority to subcommittees, or to the Chairman of the Committee when
appropriate.
Management
is responsible for preparing the Company's financial statements, and the
independent auditors are responsible for auditing those financial statements.
The Committee provides oversight and sets the overall corporate standards for
quality financial reporting, sound risk management, and ethical behavior, but
it
is the role of management to perform the day-to-day responsibilities associated
with the preparation of the Company's financial statements and
reports.
The
following shall be the principal recurring duties of the Committee in carrying
out its oversight responsibilities. The Committee may perform such other duties
and responsibilities as are consistent with its purpose and as the Board or
the
Committee deems appropriate.
1.
Independent auditors
.
The
Committee shall have the sole authority and responsibility to hire, evaluate
and
replace the independent auditors and, in its capacity as a committee of the
Board, shall be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and
oversight of the work of the independent auditors. The Committee shall discuss
the auditors' independence from management and the Company, including whether
the auditors' performance of permissible non-audit services is compatible with
their independence. This process will include, at least annually, the
Committee's review of the independent auditors' internal control and audit
procedures, any material issues raised by the most recent financial review
or
audit and (to assess the auditors' independence) all relationships between
the
independent auditors and management. Annually, the Committee will review the
qualifications and performance of the Company's current independent auditors
and
select the Company's independent auditors for the next year.
2.
Audit services
.
The
Committee shall discuss with the independent auditors the overall scope and
plans for their respective audits including their respective responsibilities
and the adequacy of staffing and compensation. The Committee shall approve
in
advance all audit engagement fees and the terms of all audit services to be
provided by the independent auditors.
3.
Permissible non-audit services
.
The
auditors shall be engaged by the Committee for permissible non-audit services,
as delineated by applicable securities laws and regulation.
4.
Review of interim financial statements; earnings releases
.
The
Committee shall review the interim financial statements, and the Company's
disclosures under Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations, with management and the independent auditors prior
to
the filing of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 1O-Q. The Committee will
review and question management regarding the Company's quarterly financial
statements, earnings releases and Reports on Form 10-Q. The Committee will
discuss the results of the quarterly review and any other matters required
to be
communicated to the Committee by the independent auditors under generally
accepted auditing standards.
5.
Review of annual audited financial statements
.
The
Committee shall review with management and the independent auditors the
financial statements to be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K,
including (a) their judgment about the quality, of the Company's accounting
principles, including significant financial reporting issues and judgments
made
in connection with the preparation of the financial statements; (b) the clarity
of the disclosures in the financial statements; and (c) the Company's
disclosures under Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations, including critical accounting policies.
The
Committee will also review with management and the independent auditors (a)
major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement
presentations, including significant changes in the selection or application
of
accounting principles; (b) major issues regarding the adequacy of internal
controls and steps taken in light of material deficiencies; and (c) the effects
of alternative accounting methods and regulatory and accounting initiatives
on
the financial statements.
The
Committee will discuss the results of the annual audit and any difficulties
the
independent auditors encountered in the course of their audit work, including
any restrictions on the scope of the auditors' activities or on access to
requested information, and any significant disagreements with management. The
Committee will also discuss any other matters required to be communicated to
the
Committee by the independent auditors under generally accepted auditing
standards.
Based
on
these reviews, the Committee will make a recommendation to the Board as to
whether the audited financial statements are adequate for inclusion in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.
6.
Risk assessment and risk management
.
The
Committee will review and discuss with management and the independent auditors
the Company's policies with respect to risk assessment and risk
management.
7.
Internal controls; disclosure controls and procedures
.
The
Committee will review and discuss with management and the independent auditors
the Company's internal controls. The Committee will review and discuss the
Company's disclosure controls and procedures, and the quarterly assessments
of
such controls and procedures by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer.
8.
Complaint procedures
.
The
Committee will establish and maintain procedures for handling complaints
regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, and auditing matters,
including procedures for confidential, anonymous submission of concerns by
employees regarding accounting and auditing matters.
9.
Compliance programs
.
The
Committee will review and discuss with management and the independent auditors
the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company's legal, regulatory and ethical
compliance programs, including the Company's Code of Ethics for Executive and
Financial Officers.
10.
Report for inclusion in proxy statement
.
The
Committee shall prepare the Audit Committee report that SEC rules require to
be
included in the Company's annual proxy statement.
11.
Charter
.
The
Committee shall periodically review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter
and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.
12.
Investigative authority
.
In
discharging its oversight role, the Committee is empowered to investigate any
matter brought to its attention with full access to all books, records,
facilities and personnel of the Company. The Company shall budget funds that
enable the Committee to directly engage Outside Advisors, as defined
below.
Outside
Advisors
The
Committee shall have the authority to retain such outside counsel, experts,
investigators, and other advisors as it deems appropriate to assist the
Committee in the performance of its functions. The Committee shall have the
authority to set an annual budget for its use during the year regarding the
discharge of its duties, subject to approval by the full Board of Directors.
The
Committee shall not engage or contact for review purposes outside accounting
firms without the approval of the full Board of Directors.
Meetings
The
Committee will meet as often as may be deemed necessary or appropriate in its
judgment, but at least quarterly each year, and at such times and places as
the
Committee shall determine. The majority of the members of the Committee shall
constitute a quorum. The Committee will meet separately, at least quarterly,
with the independent auditors and management to discuss any matters that they
wish to bring to the Board's attention.
The
Committee shall report to the Board with respect to its meetings, including
any
issues that arise with respect to the quality or integrity of the Company's
financial statements, the Company's compliance with legal or regulatory
requirements, and the performance and independence of the Company's independent
auditors.
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
AMERICAN
ECOLOGY CORPORATION
May
25, 2006
Please
date, sign and mail
your
proxy card in the
envelope
provided as soon
as
possible.
|
↓
Please
detach along perforated line and mail In the envelope
provided.
↓
|
|
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
AND
"FOR" PROPOSALS 2 AND 3.
PLEASE
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE
MARK YOUR
VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE
x
|
|
|
FOR
|
AGAINST
|
ABSTAIN
|
1.
Ele
ction
of Directors
|
2.
To ratify the selection of Moss Adams LLP as the Company's
independent
auditors for 2006.
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
|
NOM
INEES:
|
3.
To approve the new 2006 Restricted Stock Plan for
employees.
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
o
FOR
ALL NOMINEES
|
○
Roy
C. Eliff
|
|
|
○
Edward
F. Heil
|
|
o
WITHHOLD
AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES
|
○
Kenneth
C. Leung
|
The
undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting
and
Proxy Statement and Annual Report, both dated March 31,
2006.
|
|
○
Richard
Riazzi
|
|
|
○
Stephen
A. Romano
|
o
FOR
ALL EXCEPT
|
○
Jimmy
D. Ross
|
(see
instructions below)
|
○
Richard
T. Swope
|
|
INSTRUCTION:
To
withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark
“
FOR
ALL EXCEPT
”
and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold,
as shown
here:
●
|
|
To
change the address on your account, please check the box at right
and
indicate your new address in the address space above. Please
not that
changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted
via
this method.
o
|
Signature
of Stockholder
|
|
Date:
|
|
Signature
of Stockholder
|
|
Date:
|
|
▀
|
Note:
Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy.
When
shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing
as
executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please
give full
title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full
corporate
name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If
signer is a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
|
▀
|
AMERICAN
ECOLOGY CORPORATION
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 25, 2006
THIS
PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The
undersigned hereby appoints Stephen A. Romano and Michael J. Gilberg as proxies,
each with full power of substitution, to represent and vote as designated
on the
reverse side, all
the
shares of Common Stock of American Ecology Corporation held of record by
the
undersigned
on
March
31, 2006, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the The Chicago
Club,
81
East
Van Buren Street, Chicago, IL 60605, or any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
(Continued
and to be signed on the reverse side)