SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
_________________
SCHEDULE
14A
(Rule
14a-101)
INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE
14A INFORMATION
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
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the Registrant
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Filed by
a Party other than the Registrant
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appropriate box:
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Preliminary
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Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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£
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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Soliciting
Material Pursuant Under Rule 14a-12
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Rick’s
Cabaret International, Inc.
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(Name
of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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RICK'S
CABARET INTERNATIONAL, INC.
10959
CUTTEN ROAD
HOUSTON,
TEXAS 77066
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2008
The
Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") of Rick's Cabaret
International, Inc. (the "Company") will be held at 410 N. Sam Houston Parkway
(Beltway 8 at Imperial Valley), Houston, Texas 77060, on Tuesday,
September 2, 2008 at 10:00 AM (CST) for the following purposes:
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(1)
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To
elect six (6) directors;
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(2)
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To
approve an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to increase the
number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock from 15,000,000
to 20,000,000;
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(3)
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To
ratify the selection of Whitley Penn as the Company's independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2008; and
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(4)
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To
act upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting.
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Only
holders of common stock of record at the close of business on June 27, 2008,
will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment
thereof. You are cordially invited to attend the Annual
Meeting.
We have
elected to furnish proxy materials and our Fiscal 2007 Annual Report on
Form 10-KSB (“Annual Report”) to many of our stockholders over the Internet
pursuant to new Securities and Exchange Commission rules, which should allow us
to reduce costs. On or about July 21, 2008, began mailing to our stockholders a
Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) containing
instructions on how to access our Proxy Statement and Annual Report and how to
vote online. All stockholders who have previously expressed a specific request
to receive paper copies of proxy materials will receive a copy of the Proxy
Statement and Annual Report by mail beginning on or about July 25, 2008. The
Notice also contains instructions on how you can elect to receive a printed copy
of the Proxy Statement and Annual Report, if you only received a Notice by
mail.
The proxy
statement, annual report to security holders for the year ended September 30,
2007 and the proxy card are available at
www.amstock.com/proxyservices/requestmaterials.asp.
Whether
or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, it is important that your shares
be represented and voted at the meeting. If you received the proxy materials by
mail, you can vote your shares by completing, signing, dating, and returning
your completed proxy card, by telephone or over the Internet. If you received
the proxy materials over the Internet, a proxy card was not sent to you, and you
may vote your shares only by telephone or over the Internet. To vote by
telephone or Internet, follow the instructions included in the proxy
statement.
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BY
ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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/S/
ERIC S. LANGAN
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CHAIRMAN
OF THE BOARD AND PRESIDENT
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JULY
21, 2008
HOUSTON,
TEXAS
RICK'S
CABARET INTERNATIONAL, INC.
10959
CUTTEN ROAD
HOUSTON,
TEXAS 77066
PROXY
STATEMENT
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2008
This
proxy statement (the "Proxy Statement") is being furnished to stockholders (the
"Stockholders") in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of
Directors of Rick's Cabaret International, Inc., a Texas corporation (the
"Company") for their use at the Annual Meeting (the "Annual Meeting") of
Stockholders of the Company to be held at 410 N. Sam Houston Parkway (Beltway 8
at Imperial Valley, “Rick’s North”), Houston, Texas 77060, on
Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at 10:00 AM (CST), and at any adjournments thereof,
for the purpose of considering and voting upon the matters set forth in the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
We have
elected to furnish proxy materials and our Fiscal 2007 Annual Report on
Form 10-KSB (“Annual Report”) to many of our stockholders over the Internet
pursuant to new Securities and Exchange Commission rules, which should allow us
to reduce costs. On or about July 21, 2008, we began mailing to most of our
stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”)
containing instructions on how to access our Proxy Statement and Annual Report
and how to vote online. All stockholders who have previously expressed a
specific request to receive paper copies of proxy materials will receive a copy
of the Proxy Statement and Annual Report by mail beginning on or about July 25,
2008. The Notice also contains instructions on how you can elect to
receive a printed copy of the Proxy Statement and Annual Report, if you only
received a Notice by mail.
The proxy statement, annual report to
security holders for the year ended September 30, 2007 and the proxy card are
available at www.
www.amstock.com/proxyservices/requestmaterials.asp.
The cost
of solicitation of proxies is being borne by the Company.
The close
of business on June 27, 2008 has been fixed as the record date for the
determination of Stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting and any adjournment thereof. As of June 27, 2008, there were
8,825,447 shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
"Common Stock"), issued and outstanding. The presence, in person or
by proxy, of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock on the record
date is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Each
share is entitled to one vote on all issues requiring a Stockholder vote at the
Annual Meeting. Each nominee for Director named in Proposal Number 1
must receive a majority of the votes cast in person or by proxy in order to be
elected. Stockholders may not cumulate their votes for the election
of Directors. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of
Common Stock present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting is required for the ratification of Number 2 set forth in the
accompanying Notice.
All
shares represented by properly executed proxies, unless such proxies previously
have been revoked, will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the
directions on the proxies. If no direction is indicated, the shares
will be voted
(i) FOR THE
ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES NAMED HEREIN, (ii) FOR THE APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO
THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION INCREASING THE AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK OF THE
COMPANY FROM 15,000,000 to 20,000,000, AND (iii) FOR THE RATIFICATION OF WHITLEY
PENN AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2008.
The Board of Directors
is not aware of any other matters to be presented for action at the Annual
Meeting. However, if any other matter is properly presented at the
Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy
to vote in accordance with their best judgment on such matters.
The
enclosed Proxy, even though executed and returned, may be revoked at any time
prior to the voting of the Proxy (a) by execution and submission of a revised
proxy, (b) by written notice to the Secretary of the Company, or (c) by voting
in person at the Annual Meeting.
(1) TO
ELECT SIX (6) DIRECTORS FOR THE ENSUING YEAR
NOMINEES
FOR DIRECTORS
The
persons named in the enclosed Proxy have been selected by the Board of Directors
to serve as proxies (the "Proxies") and will vote the shares represented by
valid proxies at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and adjournments
thereof. Unless otherwise instructed or unless authority
to vote is withheld, the enclosed Proxy will be voted for the election of the
nominees listed below. Each duly elected Director will hold office
until his successor shall have been elected and qualified. Although
the Board of Directors of the Company does not contemplate that any of the
nominees will be unable to serve, if such a situation arises prior to the Annual
Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed Proxy will vote for the election of
such other person(s) as may be nominated by the Board of Directors.
The Board
of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the election of each of the
nominees listed below. All of the nominees are presently our
directors.
Eric S. Langan
, age 40, has
been a Director of the Company since 1998 and the President of the Company since
March 1999. Mr. Langan has been involved in the adult entertainment
business since 1989. From January 1997 through the present, he has
held the position of President with X.T.C. Cabaret, Inc. From
November 1992 until January 1997, Mr. Langan was the President of Bathing
Beauties, Inc. Since 1989, Mr. Langan has exercised managerial
control over the grand openings and operations of more than twelve adult
entertainment businesses. Through these activities, Mr. Langan has
acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully operate adult
entertainment businesses.
Robert L. Watters
, age 57, has
been a director of the Company since 1986. Mr. Watters was president
and chief executive officer of the Company from 1991 until March
1999. He was also a founder in 1989 and operator until 1993 of the
Colorado Bar & Grill, an adult cabaret located in Houston, Texas and in 1988
performed site selection, negotiated the property purchase and oversaw the
design and permitting for the cabaret that became the Cabaret Royale, in Dallas,
Texas. Mr. Watters practiced law as a solicitor in London, England
and is qualified to practice law in New York state. Mr. Watters
worked in the international tax group of the accounting firm of Touche, Ross
& Co. (now succeeded by Deloitte & Touche) from 1979 to 1983 and was
engaged in the private practice of law in Houston, Texas from 1983 to 1986, when
he became involved in the full-time management of the Company. Mr.
Watters graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science,
University of London, in 1973 with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree and in
1975 with a Master of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, York
University. Since 1999, Mr. Watters has operated a cabaret in New
Orleans.
Alan Bergstrom
, age 63, has
been a director of the Company since 1999. Since 1997, Mr. Bergstrom
has been the Chief Operating Officer of Eagle Securities which is an investment
consulting firm. Mr. Bergstrom is also a registered stockbroker with
Choice Investments, Inc. From 1991 until 1997, Mr. Bergstrom was a
vice president--investments with Principal Financial Securities,
Inc. Mr. Bergstrom holds a B.B.A. Degree in Finance (1967) from the
University of Texas.
Travis Reese
, age 38, has been
a director of the Company since 1999 and is the Company's Director of
Technology. From 1997 through 1999, Mr. Reese was a senior network
administrator at St. Vincent's Hospital in Santa Fe, New
Mexico. During 1997, Mr. Reese was a computer systems engineer with
Deloitte & Touche. From 1995 until 1997, Mr. Reese was a
vice-president with Digital Publishing Resources, Inc., an Internet Service
Provider. From 1994 until 1995, Mr. Reese was a pilot with
Continental Airlines. From 1992 until 1994, Mr. Reese was a pilot
with Hang On, Inc., an airline company. Mr. Reese has an Associates
Degree in Aeronautical Science from Texas State Technical College.
Steven L. Jenki
ns, age 51, has
been a director of the Company since 2001. Mr. Jenkins has been a
certified public accountant with Pringle Jenkins & Associates, P.C., located
in Houston, Texas. Mr. Jenkins is the President and owner of Pringle
Jenkins & Associates, P.C. Mr. Jenkins has a BBA Degree (1979)
from Texas A&M University. Mr. Jenkins is a member of the AICPA
and the TSCPA.
Luke Lirot,
age 50, became a
Director on July 31, 2007. Mr. Lirot received his law degree from the
University of San Francisco in 1986. After serving as an intern in
the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office in 1986, Mr. Lirot returned to
Florida and established a private law practice where he continues to practice
and specializes in adult entertainment issues. He is a past President of the
First Amendment Lawyers’ Association and has actively participated in numerous
state and federal legal matters.
OUR
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Our
Directors are elected annually and hold office until the next annual meeting of
our stockholders or until their successors are elected and qualified. Officers
are elected annually and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
There is no family relationship between or among any of our directors and
executive officers. Our Board of Directors consists of six persons. The
following table sets forth our Directors and executive officers:
Name
|
Age
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Position
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Eric
S. Langan
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40
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Director
and CEO/President
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Phillip
K. Marshall
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58
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Chief
Financial Officer
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Travis
Reese
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38
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Director
and V.P.—Director of Technology
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Robert
L. Watters
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57
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Director
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Alan
Bergstrom
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63
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Director
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Steven
L. Jenkins
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51
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Director
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Luke
Lirot
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50
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Director
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Phillip
Marshall became our Chief Financial Officer in May 2007. Mr. Marshall
was previously controller of Dorado Exploration, Inc., an oil and gas
exploration and production company, from February 2007 to May
2007. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer of CDT Systems,
Inc., a publicly held water technology company, from July 2003 to January
2007. In 1972, Mr. Marshall began his public accounting career with
the international accounting firm, KMG Main Hurdman. After its merger with Peat
Marwick, Mr. Marshall served as an audit partner at KPMG for several
years. After leaving KPMG, Mr. Marshall was partner in charge of the
audit practice at Jackson & Rhodes in Dallas from 1992 to 2003, where he
specialized in small publicly held companies.
RELATED
TRANSACTIONS
Our Board
of Directors has adopted a policy that our business affairs will be conducted in
all respects by standards applicable to publicly held corporations and that we
will not enter into any future transactions and/or loans between us and our
officers, directors and 5% shareholders unless the terms are no less favorable
than could be obtained from independent, third parties and will be approved by a
majority of our independent and disinterested directors. In our view, all of the
transactions described below meet this standard.
In May
2002, we loaned $100,000 to Eric Langan who is our Chief Executive Officer. The
promissory note is unsecured, bears interest at 11% and is amortized over a
period of ten years. The note contains a provision that in the event Mr. Langan
leaves the Company for any reason, the note immediately becomes due and payable
in full. The balance of the note was $60,943 at September 30, 2007 and is
included in other assets in our consolidated balance sheet. In
November 2007, Mr. Langan paid the note in full.
On July
22, 2005, we issued a Secured Convertible Debenture to Ralph McElroy, a greater
than 10% shareholder, for the principal sum of $660,000. The
debenture matures on August 1, 2009 and bears interest at a rate of 12% per
annum. Under the terms of the Debenture, we were required to make
monthly interest payments beginning September 1, 2005. We have the right to
redeem the Debenture in whole or in part at any time during the term of the
Debenture. The Estate of Mr. McElroy has the option to convert all or any
portion of the principal amount of the Debenture into shares of our common stock
at a rate of $3.00 per share, subject to adjustment under certain conditions,
until August 1, 2008. The Debenture provides, absent shareholder
approval, that the number of shares of our common stock that may be issued by us
or acquired by the Estate of Mr. McElroy upon conversion of the Debenture shall
not exceed 19.99% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of our
common stock. The Debenture is secured by certain of our assets. Additionally,
we issued Mr. McElroy warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock at
an exercise price of $3.00 per share until July 22, 2008. The shares of Common
Stock underlying the principal amount of the Debenture and the Warrants had
piggyback registration rights and became registered with the SEC on September 1,
2005. Mr. McElroy passed away in June 2007 and his estate is
currently under settlement.
On April
28, 2006, we entered into convertible debentures with three shareholders, one of
which is a greater than 10% shareholder, for a principal sum of $825,000. The
debentures mature April 30, 2009 and bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum.
At the election of the holders, the holders have the right to convert (subject
to certain limitations) until April 30, 2008, all or any portion of the
principal amount of the debentures into shares of our common stock at a rate of
$6.55 per share, which approximates the closing price of our stock on April 28,
2006. The proceeds of the debentures were used for the acquisition Joint
Ventures, Inc. In April 2008, the holders of the debentures converted
the debentures into an aggregate of 125,955 shares of our common
stock.
On
November 9, 2006, we entered into convertible debentures with three shareholders
for a principal sum of $600,000. The debentures bear interest at the rate of 12%
per annum and mature on November 9, 2008. At the election of the holders, the
holders have the right to convert (subject to certain limitations) all or any
portion of the principal amount of the debentures into shares of our common
stock at a rate of $7.50 per share, which was higher than the closing price of
our stock on November 9, 2006. The debentures provide, absent shareholder
approval, that the number of shares of our common stock that may be issued by us
or acquired by the holders upon conversion of the debentures shall not exceed
19.99% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of our common stock.
The proceeds of the debentures were used for the acquisition of a 51% ownership
interest of Playmates Gentlemen’s Club, LLC.
INFORMATION
CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES
The Board
of Directors held four (4) meetings during the fiscal year ended September 30,
2007, and took action by unanimous written consent six (6)
times. There is no family relationship between or among any of the
directors and executive officers of the Company. All of our Directors
attended at least 75% of our Board meetings.
AUDIT
COMMITTEE
The
Company has an Audit Committee whose members are Steven Jenkins, Alan Bergstrom
and Luke Lirot. Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Bergstrom and Mr. Lirot are
independent Directors. The primary purpose of the Audit Committee is
to oversee the Company's financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of
Directors. The Audit Committee meets privately with our Chief
Accounting Officer and with our independent registered public accounting firm
and evaluates the responses by the Chief Accounting Officer both to the facts
presented and to the judgments made by our outside independent registered public
accounting firm. Our Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed our
audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2007 with our
management. Steven L. Jenkins serves as the Audit Committee’s
Financial Expert.
In May
2000, our Board adopted a Charter for the Audit Committee. A
copy of the Audit Committee Charter is attached hereto as Exhibit
“A.” The Charter establishes the independence of our Audit Committee
and sets forth the scope of the Audit Committee's duties. The Purpose
of the Audit Committee is to conduct continuing oversight of our financial
affairs. The Audit Committee conducts an ongoing review of our
financial reports and other financial information prior to their being filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or otherwise provided to the
public. The Audit Committee also reviews our systems, methods and
procedures of internal controls in the areas of: financial reporting, audits,
treasury operations, corporate finance, managerial, financial and SEC
accounting, compliance with law, and ethical conduct. A majority of
the members of the Audit Committee will be independent. The Audit
Committee is objective, and reviews and assesses the work of our independent
registered public accounting firm and our internal audit
department.
The Audit
Committee reviewed and discussed the matters required by SAS 61 and our audited
financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 with
management and our independent registered public accounting firm. The
Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from our
independent registered public accounting firm required by Independence Standards
Board No. 1, and the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent
registered public accounting firm the independent registered public accounting
firm's independence. The Audit Committee recommended to the Board of
Directors that the Company's audited financial statements for the fiscal year
September 30, 2007 be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2007.
The Audit
Committee held six (6) meetings during the fiscal year ended September 30,
2007. All of our Audit Committee members attended
at least 75%
of our Audit
Committee meetings.
NOMINATING
COMMITTEE
The
Company has a Nominating Committee whose members are Steven Jenkins, Alan
Bergstrom and Luke Lirot. In July 2004, the Board unanimously adopted
a Charter with regard to the process to be used for identifying and evaluating
nominees for director. The Charter establishes the independence
of our Nominating Committee and sets forth the scope of the Nominating
Committee's duties. A majority of the members of the Nominating
Committee will be independent. A copy of the Nominating Committee’s
Charter can be found on the Company’s website at
www.ricks.com
. The
Nominating Committee held one (1) meeting during the fiscal year ended September
30, 2007. All of our Nominating Committee members attended
100%
of our Nominating
Committee meetings.
COMPENSATION
COMMITEE
The
Company has a Compensation Committee whose members are Steven Jenkins, Alan
Bergstrom and Luke Lirot. Decisions concerning executive officer
compensation for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007 were made by the full
Board of Directors. Eric S. Langan and Travis Reese are the only
directors of the Company who are also officers of the Company. The
primary purpose of the Compensation Committee is to evaluate and review the
compensation of executive officers. The Compensation Committee
held four (4) meetings during the fiscal year ended September 30,
2007. All of our Compensation Committee members attended at
least 75% of our Compensation Committee meetings.
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
We do not
currently pay any cash directors' fees, but we pay the expenses of our directors
in attending board meetings. In July 2007, we issued 10,000 options
to each Director who is a member of our audit committee and 5,000 options to our
other Directors. These options have a strike price of $9.40 per share and expire
in August 2009.
COMPLIANCE
WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors and
executive officers, and persons who own beneficially more than ten percent of
our common stock, to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Based solely on the reports we
have received and on written representations from certain reporting persons, we
believe that the directors, executive officers, and greater than ten percent
beneficial owners have complied with all applicable filing requirements, with
the exception of one filing by the Estate of Ralph McElroy.
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
The
following table reflects all forms of compensation for services to us for the
fiscal years ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 of certain executive
officers.
Summary
Compensation Table
Name
and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation Earnings
($)
|
|
|
All
other compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
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(d)
|
|
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(e)
|
|
|
(f)
|
|
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(g)
|
|
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(h)
|
|
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(i)
|
|
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(j)
|
|
Eric
S. Langan,
|
|
2007
|
|
|
400,010
|
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
19,125
|
(1)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
10,115
|
|
|
|
469,250
|
|
President/CEO
|
|
2006
|
|
|
395,300
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
8,617
|
(2)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
9,768
|
|
|
|
413,685
|
|
Phillip
Marshall, CFO
|
|
2007
|
|
|
50,481
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
4,725
|
(5)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
1,212
|
|
|
|
56,418
|
|
Travis
Reese,
|
|
2007
|
|
|
178,308
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
23,900
|
(3)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
5,274
|
|
|
|
207,482
|
|
VP/
Chief Technology Officer
|
|
2006
|
|
|
167,201
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
8,617
|
(4)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
4,782
|
|
|
|
180,600
|
|
1
|
Mr. Langan received 5,000 options
to purchase shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $9.40 as
Director compensation.
|
2
|
Mr. Langan received 5,000 options
to purchase shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $6.75 as
Director compensation.
|
3
|
Mr. Reese received 5,000 options
to purchase shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $9.40 as
Director compensation.
|
4
|
Mr. Reese received 5,000 options
to purchase shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $6.75 as
Director compensation.
|
5.
|
Mr.
Marshall received 20,000 options to purchase shares of our common stock at
an exercise price of $9.40 as
compensation.
|
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
|
|
OPTION
AWARDS
|
|
STOCK
AWARDS
|
|
Name
|
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Exercisable
|
|
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Unexercisable
|
|
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised
Unearned Options
(#)
|
|
|
Option
Exercise Price
($)
|
|
Option
Expiration Date
|
|
Number
of Shares or Units of Stock that have not Vested (#)
|
|
|
Market
Value of Shares or Units of Stock that have not Vested
($)
|
|
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights
that have not Vested
($)
|
|
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or
Other Rights that have not Vested
($)
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
(d)
|
|
|
(e)
|
|
(e)
|
|
(g)
|
|
|
(h)
|
|
|
(i)
|
|
|
(j)
|
|
Eric
S. Langan
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
1.40
|
|
9/10/08
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
75,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
2.20
|
|
2/6/09
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
2.54
|
|
9/14/09
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
2.49
|
|
9/14/09
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
2.80
|
|
7/20/10
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
6.75
|
|
5/31/11
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
9.40
|
|
8/24/09
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
58,200
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Phillip
Marshall
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
9.40
|
|
8/24/12
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
232,800
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Travis
Reese
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
2.54
|
|
9/14/09
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
2.49
|
|
9/14/09
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
2.80
|
|
7/20/10
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
6.75
|
|
5/31/11
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
9.40
|
|
8/24/09
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
58,200
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
We do not
currently pay any cash directors' fees, but we pay the expenses of our directors
in attending board meetings. In August 2007, we issued 10,000 stock options to
each Director who is a member of our Audit Committee and 5,000 options to our
other Directors. These options become exercisable on August 24, 2008, have a
strike price of $9.40 per share and expire in August 2009.
Name
|
|
Fees
Earned or Paid in Cash
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation Earnings
($)
|
|
|
All
Other Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
(d)
|
|
|
(e)
|
|
|
(f)
|
|
|
(g)
|
|
|
(h)
|
|
Eric
S. Langan
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
$
|
19,375
|
(1)
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
$
|
19,375
|
|
Travis
Reese
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
$
|
24,150
|
(2)
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
$
|
24,150
|
|
Robert
Watters
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
$
|
38,750
|
(3)
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
$
|
38,750
|
|
Alan
Bergstrom
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
$
|
38,750
|
(4)
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
$
|
38,750
|
|
Steve
Jenkins
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
$
|
38,750
|
(5)
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
$
|
38,750
|
|
Luke
Lirot
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
$
|
4,283
|
(6)
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
$
|
4,283
|
|
1
|
On August 24, 2007, Mr. Langan
received 5,000 options to purchase shares of our common stock at an
exercise price of $9.40 as Director compensation for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2008; these options will vest on August 24,
2008. Mr. Langan received 5,000 options in fiscal 2003, 280,000
in fiscal 2004, 5,000 in fiscal 2005, and 5,000 in fiscal 2006, for a
total of 295,000 options outstanding as of September 30,
2007.
|
2
|
On August 24, 2007, Mr. Reese
received 5,000 options to purchase shares of our common stock at an
exercise price of $9.40 as Director compensation for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2008; these options will vest on August 24,
2008. Mr. Reese received 5,000 options in fiscal 2003, 55,000
in fiscal 2004, 5,000 in fiscal 2005, and 5,000 in fiscal 2006, for a
total of 75,000 options outstanding as of September 30, 2007
.
|
3
|
On August 24, 2007, Mr. Watters
received 10,000 options to purchase shares of our common stock at an
exercise price of $9.40 as Director compensation for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2008; these options will vest on August 24,
2008. Mr. Watters received 10,000 options for each of the
fiscal years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and had 40,000 options outstanding as
of September 30, 2007 .
|
4
|
On August 24, 2007, Mr. Bergstrom
received 10,000 options to purchase shares of our common stock at an
exercise price of $9.40 as Director compensation for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2008; these options will vest on August 24,
2008. Mr. Bergstrom received 10,000 options for fiscal years
2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and had 20,000 options outstanding as of
September 30, 2007 .
|
5
|
On
August 24, 2007, Mr. Jenkins received 10,000 options to purchase shares of
our common stock at an exercise price of $9.40 as Director compensation
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008; these options will vest on
August 24, 2008. Mr. Jenkins received 10,000 options for fiscal
years 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and had 10,000 options outstanding as of
September 30, 2007.
|
6
|
On
August 24, 2007, Mr. Lirot received 10,000 options to purchase shares of
our common stock at an exercise price of $9.40 as Director compensation
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008; these options will vest on
August 24, 2008.
|
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENTS
We have a
two year employment agreement with Eric S. Langan. Mr. Langan’s Employment
Agreement extends through April 1, 2010 and provides for an annual base salary
of $600,000. Mr. Langan’s Employment Agreement also provides for participation
in all benefit plans maintained by us for salaried employees. Mr. Langan’s
Employment Agreement contains a confidentiality provision and an agreement by
Mr. Langan not to compete with us upon the expiration of his Employment
Agreement.
We also
entered into a two year Employment Agreement with Phillip K. Marshall to serve
as our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Marshall’s Employment Agreement extends
through May 30, 2009, and provides for an annual base salary of $175,000.
Pursuant to Mr. Marshall’s Employment Agreement, Mr. Marshall is also eligible
to participate in all benefit plans maintained by us for salaried employees.
Under the terms of his Employment Agreement, Mr. Marshall is bound to a
confidentiality provision and cannot compete with us upon the expiration of his
Employment Agreement.
We also
have a three-year employment agreement with Travis Reese. Mr. Reese’s Employment
Agreement extends through February 1, 2010, and provides for an annual base
salary of $192,500. Mr. Reese’s Employment Agreement also provides for
participation in all benefit plans maintained by us for salaried employees. Mr.
Reese is bound to a confidentiality provision and cannot compete with us upon
the expiration of his Employment Agreement.
We have
not established long-term incentive plans or defined benefit or actuarial
plans.
EMPLOYEE
STOCK OPTION PLANS
While we
have been successful in attracting and retaining qualified personnel, we believe
that our future success will depend in part on our continued ability to attract
and retain highly qualified personnel. We pay wages and salaries that
we believe are competitive. We also believe that equity ownership is
an important factor in our ability to attract and retain skilled
personnel. We have adopted Stock Option Plans for employee and
directors. The purpose of the Plans is to further our interests, our
subsidiaries and our stockholders by providing incentives in the form of stock
options to key employees and directors who contribute materially to our success
and profitability. The grants recognize and reward outstanding
individual performances and contributions and will give such persons a
proprietary interest in the Company, thus enhancing their personal interest in
our continued success and progress. The Plans also assist the Company
and our subsidiaries in attracting and retaining key employees and
directors. The Plans are administered by the Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors has the exclusive power to select
the participants in the Plans, to establish the terms of the options granted to
each participant, provided that all options granted shall be granted at an
exercise price equal to at least 85% of the fair market value of the common
stock covered by the option on the grant date and to make all determinations
necessary or advisable under the Plans.
In 1995
we adopted the 1995 Stock Option Plan. A total of 300,000 shares may
be granted and sold under the 1995 Plan. As of September 30, 2001, a
total of 167,500 stock options had been granted and are outstanding under the
Plan, none of which have been exercised. We do not plan to issue any
additional options under the 1995 Plan.
In August
1999 we adopted the 1999 Stock Option Plan (the “1999 Plan”) with 500,000 shares
authorized to be granted and sold under the 1999 Plan. In August
2004, shareholders approved an Amendment to the 1999 Plan which increased the
total number of shares authorized to 1,000,000. In July 2007,
shareholders approved a Second Amendment to the 1999 Plan which increased the
total number of shares authorized to 1,500,000. As of September 30,
2007, 545,000 stock options were outstanding under the 1999 Plan, as
amended. As of June 27, 2008, 40,000 of these stock options have been
exercised.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
(1)
The
following table sets forth all equity compensation plans as of September 30,
2007:
|
|
Number
of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants
and rights
|
|
|
Weighted-average
exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
|
|
|
Number
of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity
compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column
(a))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan
category
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
545,000
|
|
|
$
|
3.61
|
|
|
|
438,000
|
|
CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth certain information at June 27, 2008, with respect to
the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock by (i) each person known to
us who owns beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock,
(ii) each of our directors, (iii) each of our executive officers and (iv) all of
our executive officers and directors as a group. Unless otherwise indicated,
each stockholder has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares
shown. As of June 27, 2008, there were 8,825,447 shares of
common stock outstanding.
Name/Address
|
|
Number
of shares
|
|
Title
of class
|
|
Percent of Class
(
1
3
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eric S. Langan
President/CEO/Director
10959
Cutten Road
Houston,
Texas 77066
|
|
1,199,865
(1)
|
Common
stock
|
|
13.16
%
|
Robert
L. Watters/Director
315
Bourbon Street
New
Orleans, Louisiana 70130
|
|
55,000
(2)
|
Common
stock
|
|
<1%
|
Steven
L. Jenkins/Director
16815
Royal Crest Drive
Suite
160
Houston,
Texas 77058
|
|
10,000
(3)
|
Common
stock
|
|
|
Travis
Reese
Vice
President/Director
10959
Cutten Road
Houston,
Texas 77066
|
|
77,275
(4)
|
Common
stock
|
|
|
Alan
Bergstrom/Director
904
West Avenue, Suite 100
Austin,
Texas 78701
|
|
11,150
(5)
|
Common
stock
|
|
|
Luke
Lirot/Director
2240
Belleair Road, Suite 190
Clearwater,
GL 33764
|
|
10,000
(6)
|
Common
stock
|
|
|
Phillip
K. Marshall
Chief
Financial Officer
10959
Cutten Road
Houston,
Texas 77066
|
|
10,000
(7)
|
Common
stock
|
|
|
All
of our Directors and Officers as a Group of seven (7)
persons
|
|
1,373,290
(8)
|
Common
stock
|
|
14.8
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E.
S. Langan. L.P.
10959
Cutten Road
Houston,
Texas 77066
|
|
578,632
(
9)
|
Common
stock
|
|
6.56
%
|
JLF
Asset Management/Jeff Feinberg
2775
Via D La Valle, Suite 204
Del
Mar, CA 92014
|
|
575,098
(10)
|
Common
stock
|
|
6.51
%
|
Estate
of Ralph McElroy
1211
Choquette
Austin,
Texas, 78757
|
|
978,116
(11)
|
Common
stock
|
|
10.75
%
|
Burlingame
Asset Management/
Blair
Sanford
One
Market Street Suite 3750
San
Francisco, CA 94105
|
|
460,223
(12)
|
Common
stock
|
|
5.21
%
|
(1)
|
Mr.
Langan has sole voting and investment power for 326,233 shares that he
owns directly. Mr. Langan has shared voting and investment power for
578,632 shares that he controls indirectly through E. S. Langan, L.P. Mr.
Langan is the general partner of E. S. Langan, L.P. This amount also
includes options to purchase up to 290,000 shares of common stock that are
presently exercisable and 5,000 shares of common stock that will become
exercisable in August 2008.
|
(2)
|
Includes
5,000 shares of common stock, options to purchase up to 40,000 shares of
common stock that are presently exercisable and options to purchase up to
10,000 shares of common stock that will become exercisable in August
2008.
|
(3)
|
Includes
options to purchase up to 10,000 shares of common stock that will become
exercisable in August 2008.
|
(4)
|
Includes
12,275 shares of common stock held, options to purchase up to 60,000
shares of common stock that are presently exercisable and options to
purchase 5,000 shares of common stock that will become exercisable in
August 2008.
|
(5)
|
Includes
1,150 shares of common stock and options to purchase up to 10,000 shares
of common stock that will become exercisable in August
2008.
|
(6)
|
Includes
options to purchase up to 10,000 shares of common stock that will become
exercisable in August 2008.
|
(7)
|
Includes
options to purchase up to 10,000 shares of common stock that will become
exercisable in August 2008.
|
(8)
|
Includes
options to purchase up to 390,000 shares of common stock that are
presently exercisable and options to purchase 60,000 shares of common
stock that will become exercisable in August
2008.
|
(9)
|
Eric
Langan is the general partner of this entity and has shared voting and
investment power for these shares.
|
(10)
|
Includes
244,819 shares of common stock held by JLF Partners I, LP, 18,563 shares
of common stock held by JLF Partners II, LP, and 311,716 shares of common
stock held by JLF Offshore Fund, Ltd. Mr. Feinberg is the managing member
of JLF Asset Management, LLC, which is the investment manager of JLF
Partners I, LP, JLF Partners, II, LP and JLF Offshore Fund,
Ltd.
|
(11)
|
Mr.
McElroy passed away on July 26, 2007. The Estate of Ralph
McElroy is currently being administered by the Executor and holds 708,116
shares of common stock and 50,000 warrants to purchase shares of common
stock that are presently exercisable at $3.00 per share. This number
also includes shares of our common stock underlying a convertible
debenture in the amount of $660,000 which is convertible at a price of
$3.00 per share, subject to adjustment under certain conditions. The
terms of the debenture provides, absent shareholder approval, that the
number of shares of our common stock that may be issued to or acquired by
the Estate of Mr. McElroy upon conversion of any debenture shall not
exceed 19.99% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of our
common stock.
|
(12)
|
Includes
305,482 shares of common stock held by Burlingame Equity Investors, LP,
42,194 shares of common stock held by Burlingame Equity Investors II, LP,
and 112,547 shares of common stock held by Burlingame Equity Investors
(Offshore) Ltd. Mr. Blair Sanford is the managing member of Burlingame
Asset Management LLC, which is the general partner of Burlingame Equity
Investors, LP, Burlingame Equity Investors II, LP, and Burlingame Equity
Investors (Offshore) Ltd.
|
(13)
|
These
percentages exclude treasury shares in the calculation of percentage of
class.
|
We are
not aware of any arrangements that could result in a change of
control.
(2)
TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION
TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
AUTHORIZED
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FROM
15,000,000
TO 20,000,000
Our
Stockholders are being asked to approve an amendment to the Corporation’s
Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of the
Corporation’s common stock from 15,000,000 to 20,000,000.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS PLACE A VOTE
“FOR” PROPOSAL “2”, AND YOUR PROXY WILL BE SO VOTED UNLESS YOU SPECIFY
OTHERWISE.
Voting
Rights with Respect to the Increase in Authorized Shares
The Board
is of the opinion that the amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to
Increase the Authorized Shares of Common Stock is advisable and in the
Corporation’s best interests and recommends a vote "
FOR
" the approval this
proposal. The form of Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation
is attached hereto as Exhibit “B”. The affirmative vote of a majority
of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock is required for the
approval of the amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to increase the
authorized shares of Common Stock. For purposes of the vote to amend
the Articles of Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of Common Stock,
as amended, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote
against this proposal. All proxies will be voted to approve the amendment to the
Articles of Incorporation unless a contrary vote is indicated on the enclosed
proxy card.
Proposal
to Increase Authorized Common Stock
The Board
has approved, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment to our Articles of
Incorporation, as amended, which will increase the aggregate number of shares of
common stock authorized for issuance from 15,000,000 shares to 20,000,000
shares.
The
proposed increase in the authorized Common Stock has been recommended by the
Board to assure that an adequate supply of authorized unissued shares is
available for use primarily in connection with corporate acquisitions. The
shares may also be used for general corporate needs, such as future stock
dividends or stock splits. There currently are no plans or arrangements relating
to the issuance of any of the additional shares of Common Stock proposed to be
authorized.
General
Our
authorized capital stock currently consists of 16,000,000 shares of which there
are 15,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, and 1,000,000
shares of preferred stock, par value $.10 per share.
As of
June 27, 2008, there were 8,825,447 shares of common stock
outstanding. The rights of all holders of the common stock are
identical in all respects. The holders of the common stock are
entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the
Board of Directors out of legally available funds. The current policy
of the Board of Directors, however, is to retain earnings, if any, for
reinvestment. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company, the holders of the common stock are entitled to share ratably in all
aspects of the Company that are legally available for distribution, after
payment of or provision for all debts and liabilities. The holders of
the common stock do not have preemptive subscription, redemption or conversion
rights under our Articles of Incorporation. Cumulative voting in the
election of Directors is not permitted. The outstanding shares of
common stock are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The
rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock will be subject
to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of shares of any
series of preferred stock that are presently outstanding or that may be
designated and issued by us in the future. If the Proposal is
adopted, the first full paragraph of Article Four of the Corporation’s Articles
of Incorporation, as amended, will read as follows:
“ARTICLE
FOUR”
“The
aggregate number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall
have authority to issue is 21,000,000 consisting of and divided into the
following classes:
|
(i)
|
Twenty
Million (20,000,000) shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share
(hereinafter designated the “Common Stock”);
and
|
|
(ii)
|
One
Million (1,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share
(hereinafter designated the “Preferred
Stock”).”
|
CERTAIN
EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT
The Board
believes that approval of this Proposal is essential for the growth and
development of the Corporation. However, the following should be considered by a
stockholder in deciding how to vote upon this Proposal.
The
additional shares that the Board would be authorized to issue upon approval of
the Proposal, if so issued, would have a dilutive effect upon the percentage of
the Corporation’s equity owned by present stockholders. The issuance of the
additional shares might be disadvantageous to current stockholders in that any
additional issuances would potentially reduce per share dividends, if any.
Stockholders should consider, however, that the possible impact upon dividends
is likely to be minimal in view of the fact that the Corporation has never paid
dividends on shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock and do not have any
current plans to pay a cash dividend in the foreseeable future, except to the
extent we would be required to satisfy any obligations with respect to any
Preferred Stock we may issue in the future. The Corporation presently intends to
retain earnings, for investment and use in business operations.
EFFECTIVENESS
OF THE AUTHORIZED INCREASE
If the
Authorized Share Increase Amendment is approved by the requisite vote of the
Corporation’s stockholders, the Authorized Share Increase will be effective upon
the close of business on the date of filing of the Authorized Share Increase
Amendment with the Texas Secretary of State, which filing is expected to take
place shortly after the Stockholder Meeting. If this Proposal is not approved by
the stockholders, then the Authorized Share Increase Amendment will not be
filed.
(3)
TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF WHITLEY PENN LLP
AS
THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
FOR
THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING
The Board
of Directors has selected Whitley Penn LLP as the Company's independent
registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal
year. Although not required by law or otherwise, the selection is
being submitted to the Stockholders of the Company as a matter of corporate
policy for their approval. The Board of Directors wishes to obtain
from the Stockholders a ratification of their action in appointing their
existing independent registered public accounting firm, Whitley Penn LLP for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Such ratification requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
In the
event the appointment of Whitley Penn LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm is not ratified by the Stockholders, the
adverse vote will be considered as a direction to the Board of Directors to
select another independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2008. A representative of Whitley Penn LLP is
expected to be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a
statement if he so desires and to respond to appropriate
questions. The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote
FOR
the ratification of
Whitley Penn LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm
for fiscal year ending September 30, 2008.
The
following table sets forth the aggregate fees paid or accrued for professional
services rendered by Whitley Penn LLP for the audit of our annual financial
statements for fiscal year 2007 and fiscal year 2006 and the aggregate fees paid
or accrued for audit-related services and all other services rendered by Whitley
Penn LLP for fiscal year 2007 and fiscal year 2006.
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
fees
|
|
$
|
170,208
|
|
|
$
|
97,768
|
|
Audit-related
fees
|
|
|
13,070
|
|
|
|
16,210
|
|
Tax
fees
|
|
|
30,170
|
|
|
|
3,850
|
|
All
other fees
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
213,448
|
|
|
$
|
117,828
|
|
The
category of “Audit fees” includes fees for our annual audit, quarterly reviews
and services rendered in connection with regulatory filings with the SEC, such
as the issuance of comfort letters and consents.
The
category of “Audit-related fees” includes employee benefit plan audits, internal
control reviews and accounting consultation.
The
category of “Tax fees” includes consultation related to corporate development
activities.
All above
audit services, audit-related services and tax services were pre-approved by the
Audit Committee, which concluded that the provision of such services by Whitley
Penn LLP was compatible with the maintenance of that firm’s independence in the
conduct of its auditing functions. The Audit Committee’s outside auditor
independence policy provides for pre-approval of all services performed by the
outside auditors.
AUDITOR
INDEPENDENCE
Our Audit
Committee considered that the work done for us in fiscal 2007 by Whitley Penn
was compatible with maintaining Whitley Penn's independence.
AUDITOR'S
TIME ON TASK
All of
the work expended by Whitley Penn on our fiscal 2007 audit was attributed to
work performed by Whitley Penn's full-time, permanent employees.
(4)
OTHER
MATTERS
The Board
of Directors is not aware of any other matters to be presented for action at the
Annual Meeting. However, if any other matter is properly presented at
the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed
proxy to vote in accordance with their best judgment on such
matters.
FUTURE
PROPOSALS OF STOCKHOLDERS
The
deadline for stockholders to submit proposals to be considered for inclusion in
the Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is April 23,
2009.
|
BY
ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
|
|
|
|
/S/ ERIC S.
LANGAN
|
|
CHAIRMAN
OF THE BOARD AND PRESIDENT
|
JULY
21, 2008
HOUSTON,
TEXAS
EXHIBIT
“A”
RICK'S
CABARET INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CHARTER
OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1.
|
Purpose. The
Audit Committee of the Board of Directors shall conduct continuing
oversight of the financial affairs of Rick's Cabaret International,
Inc.
|
2.
|
Scope
of Review. The Audit Committee shall conduct an ongoing review
the Corporation's:
|
|
*
|
Financial
reports and other financial information prior to their being filed with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise provided to the
public.
|
|
*
|
Systems,
methods and procedures of internal controls in the areas of: financial
reporting, audits, treasury operations, corporate finance, managerial,
financial and SEC accounting, compliance with law, and ethical
conduct.
|
3.
|
General
Tasks. The Audit Committee
shall:
|
|
*
|
Be
objective. A majority of the Audit Committee shall be
independent.
|
|
*
|
Recommend
and encourage improvements in the Corporation's financial
affairs.
|
|
*
|
Review
and assess the work of the Corporation's independent accountant and
internal audit department.
|
|
*
|
Solicit
and encourage comments from the Corporation's independent accountant,
financial and senior management, internal audit department and the Board
of Directors.
|
4.
|
Audit
Committee Members. The Audit Committee shall consist of one or
more Members (the "Members"), a majority of whom are independent
Directors. The Board of Directors shall elect the Members
annually. Members shall serve until their successors are duly
elected and qualified. Unless an Audit Committee Chairperson is
elected by the full Board, the Members of the Committee may designate a
Chairperson by majority vote of the all
Members.
|
5.
|
The
independent members shall be free from any relationship that could
conflict with an independent member's independent judgment. Any
non-independent member shall exercise judgment as if that member was
independent. All Members must be able to read and understand
fundamental financial statements, including a balance sheet, income
statement, and cash flow statement. At least one member must
have past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite
professional certification in accounting, or other comparable experience
or background, including a current or past position as a chief executive
or financial officer or other senior officer with financial oversight
responsibilities.
|
6.
|
Independence. Independent
Director is defined as a director who
has:
|
|
*
|
Not
been employed by the Corporation or its affiliates in the current or past
three years.
|
|
*
|
Not
accepted any compensation from the Corporation or its affiliates in excess
of $60,000 during the previous fiscal year (except for board service,
retirement plan benefits, or non-discretionary
compensation).
|
|
*
|
No
immediate family member who is, or has been in the past three years,
employed by the Corporation or its affiliates as an executive
officer.
|
|
*
|
Not
been a partner, controlling shareholder or an executive officer of any
other for-profit entity to which the Corporation made, or from which it
received, payments (other than those which arise solely from investments
in the Corporation's securities) that exceed five percent of the other
entity's consolidated gross revenues for that year, or $200,000, whichever
is more, in any of the past three
years.
|
|
*
|
Not
been employed as an executive of another entity where the Corporation's
executives serve on the other entity's compensation
committee.
|
7.
|
Meetings. The
Audit Committee shall meet at least four times per year, and may meet as
frequently as deemed necessary. The Audit Committee shall meet
separately in closed meetings at least once each year with management, the
director of internal audit and the independent accountant to discuss any
matter. The Audit Committee shall select one of its Members
each quarter to meet with management, the director of internal audit and
the independent accountant for the purposes set forth
below.
|
8.
|
Specific
Tasks. The Audit Committee
shall:
|
|
(a)
|
Assess
and, if necessary, update this Charter at least
annually.
|
|
(b)
|
Review
the Corporation's annual, quarterly and other financial statements and any
other reports, financial information or other material filed with any
governmental body (except for litigation matters in the ordinary course of
business) or announced to the public, including the independent
accountant's certifications, reports, opinions, or
reviews.
|
|
(c)
|
Review
the regular internal reports to management prepared by the internal audit
department and management's response
thereto.
|
|
(d)
|
Review
with management and the independent accountant all Form 10-QSB's prior to
the filing or prior to the release of earnings information to the
public. The Chairperson of the Audit Committee may represent
the entire Audit Committee for the review of the Form
10-QSB.
|
|
(e)
|
Recommend
to the Board of Directors the selection of the independent accountant for
each fiscal year, considering independence and effectiveness, and approve
the fees and other compensation to be paid to the independent
accountant. On an annual basis, the Audit Committee shall
review and discuss with the independent accountant all significant
relationships the independent accountant has with the Corporation to
determine the accountant's
independence.
|
|
(f)
|
Review
the performance of the independent accountant and approve any proposed
discharge of the independent accountant when circumstances
warrant.
|
|
(g)
|
Periodically
consult with the independent accountant, out of the presence of
management, about internal controls and the completeness and accuracy of
the Corporation's financial
statements.
|
|
(h)
|
Continually
review the integrity of the Corporation's internal and external financial
reporting processes. The Audit Committee shall consult with the
independent accountant and the internal auditors for this
review.
|
|
(i)
|
Consider
the independent accountant's judgments about the quality and
appropriateness of the Corporation's accounting principles in relation to
the Corporation's internal and external financial
reporting.
|
|
(j)
|
Consider
and approve, if appropriate, major changes to the Corporation's auditing
and accounting principles and
practices.
|
|
(k)
|
Establish
regular and separate systems of reporting to the Audit Committee by each
of management, the independent accountant and the internal auditors in
connection with the appropriateness and application of accounting
principles made in management's preparation of the financial
statements.
|
|
(l)
|
Following
completion of the annual audit, review separately with each of management,
the independent accountant and the internal audit department whether any
difficulties were encountered during the course of the audit, including
any restrictions on the scope of work or access to required
information.
|
|
(m)
|
Review
any disagreement among management and the independent or the internal
auditing department in connection with the preparation of the financial
statements or the appropriateness and application of accounting principles
made in management's preparation of the financial
statements.
|
|
(n)
|
Review
with the independent accountant, the internal audit department and
management whether and how changes or improvements in the Corporation's
financial or accounting practices, as approved by the Audit Committee,
have been implemented. The Audit Committee shall conduct this
review promptly after the implementation of the changes or
improvements.
|
|
(o)
|
Establish
a code of corporate compliance with law and a code of ethical conduct, and
review the Corporation's implementation and enforcement of these
codes.
|
|
(p)
|
Review
activities, organizational structure, and qualifications of the internal
audit department.
|
|
(q)
|
Review,
with the Corporation's counsel, legal compliance matters including
policies regarding trading in the Corporation's
securities.
|
|
(r)
|
Review,
with the Corporation's counsel, any legal matter that could have a
material impact on the Corporation's financial
statements.
|
|
(s)
|
Perform
any other activities consistent with this Charter, the Corporation's
Articles of Incorporation, By-laws and governing law, as the Audit
Committee or the Board of Directors deems necessary or
appropriate.
|
EXHIBIT
“B”
[Form of
Certificate of Amendment
To the
Articles of Incorporation]
CERTIFICATE
OF AMENDMENT TO THE
ARTICLES
OF INCORPORATION OF
RICK’S
CABARET INTERNATIONAL, INC.
I, the
undersigned hereby certify that:
Pursuant
to the provisions of the Texas Business Corporation Act, the undersigned
corporation adopted the following Articles of Amendment to its Articles of
Incorporation.
The first
paragraph of Article Four of the Articles of Incorporation is amended in its
entirety to read:
“ARTICLE
FOUR”
“The
aggregate number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall
have authority to issue is 21,000,000 consisting of and divided into the
following classes:
|
(i)
|
Twenty
Million (20,000,000) shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share
(hereinafter designated the “Common Stock”);
and
|
|
(ii)
|
One
Million (1,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share
(hereinafter designated the “Preferred
Stock”).”
|
***************************
The Board
of Directors recommended and consented to this amendment on July 2,
2008. A majority of the shareholders of the corporation voted at a
meeting of shareholders to amend the Articles of Incorporation. A
total of _______________ shares of common stock voted in favor of the amendment
to the Articles of Incorporation, which constituted the vote of a majority of
the shares entitled to vote on this amendment. There are no other
classes of stock outstanding.
(signed)
|
|
|
by
/s/ Eric Langan, CEO/President
|
STATE OF
TEXAS
COUNTY OF
HARRIS
BEFORE
ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared Eric Langan,
known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing
instrument and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and
consideration therein expressed.
GIVEN
UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL of office this _____ day of ______________,
2008.
(signed)
|
|
[Notary
Seal]
|
NOTARY
PUBLIC IN AND FOR THE
|
|
STATE
OF TEXAS
|
My
commission expires _______________________
PROXY
RICK'S
CABARET INTERNATIONAL, INC.
THIS
PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS FOR THE
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2008
The
undersigned hereby appoints Eric S. Langan and Travis Reese, and each of them as
the true and lawful attorneys, agents and proxies of the undersigned, with full
power of substitution, to represent and to vote all shares of Common Stock of
Rick's Cabaret International, Inc. held of record by the undersigned on June 27,
2008, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday, September 2,
2008, at 10:00 AM (CST) at 410 N. Sam Houston Parkway (Beltway 8 at Imperial
Valley), Houston, Texas 77060, and at any adjournments
thereof. Any and all proxies heretofore given are hereby
revoked.
WHEN
PROPERLY EXECUTED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DESIGNATED BY THE
UNDERSIGNED. IF NO CHOICE IS SPECIFIED, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED
FOR
THE NOMINEES
LISTED IN NUMBER 1,
FOR
THE APPROVAL IN
NUMBER 2, AND FOR THE RATIFICATION IN NUMBER 3.
1.
|
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY. (INSTRUCTION: TO
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, STRIKE A LINE
THROUGH, OR OTHERWISE STRIKE, THAT NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE LIST
BELOW.)
|
£
|
FOR
all nominees listed
|
|
£
|
WITHHOLD
authority to
|
|
below
except as marked
|
|
|
vote
for all nominees
|
|
to
the contrary.
|
|
|
below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eric
S. Langan
|
|
|
Alan
Bergstrom
|
|
Robert
L. Watters
|
|
|
Travis
Reese
|
|
Steven
L. Jenkins
|
|
|
Luke
Lirot
|
2.
|
APPROVAL
OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THENUMBER OF
AUTHORIZED SHARES OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK FROM 15,000,000 TO
20,000,000.
|
£
FOR
|
£
AGAINST
|
£
ABSTAIN
|
3.
|
PROPOSAL
TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF WHITLEY PENN LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT
AUDITOR FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
2008.
|
4.
|
IN
THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER
BUSINESS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL
MEETING.
|
£
FOR
|
£
AGAINST
|
£
ABSTAIN
|
Please
sign exactly as name appears below. When shares are held by joint
tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, as executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as
such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by
President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign
in partnership name by authorized person.
NUMBER
OF
|
|
|
|
SHARES
OWNED
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRINTED
NAME:
|
|
|
|
DATED:
|
|
THIS
PROXY MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS VOTED AT THE MEETING. PLEASE MARK,
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY.
Letter to Shareholders of
Rick’s Cabaret International, Inc.
Chief
Executive Officer
Subject:
|
Fiscal
2007 Results
|
Dear
Shareholder,
It seems
long ago that Rick’s Cabaret began our 2007 fiscal year confident it would be
the most successful year in the history of our company. As it turned out, our
progress in 2007 exceeded our own expectations. And, we are registering even
stronger advances as we move through 2008.
Your
company generated revenues of $32 million in the fiscal year ending September
30, 2007 -- a
30.7
percent increase
over 2006; net income was $3 million, a
74.3 percent increase
over the previous year.
Here are
some of the highlights that contributed to the outstanding 2007
performance:
|
·
|
Our
flagship Rick’s Cabaret in Midtown Manhattan continued its exceptional
growth.
|
|
·
|
Our
acquisitions in Ft. Worth, San Antonio and Austin began
contributing.
|
|
·
|
Revenues
increased by 11.8 percent year over year from clubs open more than one
year.
|
|
·
|
Cash
flows improved significantly, with net cash provided by operating
activities increasing to $4.38 million, compared with $2.73 million in
2006.
|
|
·
|
Our
balance sheet strengthened, with total assets as of September 30, 2007 at
$47 million, compared with $30.60 million at the end of fiscal
2006.
|
|
·
|
Our
management team continued to strengthen, enabling us to absorb our new
acquisitions with few integration
problems.
|
Full
fiscal year earnings were 54 cents per basic share in 2007, which exceeded the
company’s guidance of 48 cents. Earnings per fully diluted share were 50 cents,
compared with 35 cents in the previous year.
Revenue
from Internet businesses decreased by 9.1 percent in 2007, but web-based
activities still generated operating income of $111,919. While only modestly
profitable on a standalone basis, our Internet business continues to be a
valuable segment of our overall operations because it essentially enables us to
have
profitable in-house
IT
and graphics
departments
that we can call on at any time to meet our overall
promotional, marketing and IT needs.
Our
company is now being followed by well-respected analysts
Eric Wold
of
Merriman Curhan Ford
and
James Clement
of
Sidoti & Company LLC
. In
addition, buy-side coverage of RICK has been initiated by
Singular Research
,
Montgomery Street Research
and
Stonegate
Securities
.
The other
exciting story behind the successes your company enjoyed last year is that we
build a strong foundation for more growth in 2008. Here are some of
the major accomplishments so far:
|
·
|
Tootsie’s
Cabaret, our 47,000 sq. ft. adult nightclub in Miami, is contributing over
$2 million in revenue and solid profits, each
month.
|
|
·
|
Our
new 25,000 sq. ft. nightclub in Philadelphia is a prize location that that
is already considered the finest adult cabaret, steakhouse and sports bar
combo in the region.
|
|
·
|
We
signed definitive documents to acquire the former Scores-Las Vegas
cabaret, which will give us a powerful presence in the most popular
recreation-leisure destination in the
country.
|
|
·
|
We
acquired two clubs in Dallas -- the former Executive Club in Dallas and
the nearby Platinum II club, which will become a Club Onyx. These
acquisitions give us three locations in the strong Dallas-Ft. Worth
market.
|
|
·
|
We
continued to report strong comparative same-club growth through the first
half of the year, with our midtown Manhattan club again leading the
way.
|
|
·
|
We
acquired ED Publications, providing us with a media platform in adult
entertainment industries.
|
Our
success is due to that unique mix of employees and outstanding entertainers who
are dedicated to enabling each of our customers to enjoy a great time on their
visits to Rick’s Cabaret, Club Onyx, XTC Cabaret and Tootsie’s Cabaret. We are
extremely fortunate to have over 700 outstanding individuals on our staffs and
over 3,000 of the best nightclub entertainers in the business. Our management
team has been strengthened through our internal training programs and
supplemented with people who have come to us through our acquisition of new
clubs.
I thank
you for your confidence in Rick’s Cabaret. Your support makes it possible for us
to grow and prosper. We will continue to keep your interests uppermost as we
complete transactions and build our brands nationally.
Please
feel free to ask me any questions you may have by emailing me at
eric@ricks.com
, or
talk to our investor relations representatives at
ir@ricks.com
.
Thank
you.
/s/ Eric
Langan
Eric
Langan
President/CEO