UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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| Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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| Definitive Proxy Statement |
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| Definitive Additional Materials |
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| Soliciting Materials Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Signalife, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
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[ ], 2008
To Our Shareholders:
I am pleased to invite you to attend the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Signalife, Inc., to be held on [ ], [ ], 2008, at [ ]., Pacific Coast Time, at the [ ] located at [ ], California (the Annual Meeting).
In anticipation of the annual meeting, we enclose for your review a formal Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement which describes the business to come before the meeting, and a proxy card. We also enclose a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for our 2007 fiscal year, which provides additional current information relating to Signalife and our business.
If you hold shares of our common stock or series A preferred stock as of the close of business on June 30, 2008, you will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The principal purpose of the Annual Meeting, as more particularly described in the enclosed Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement accompanying this letter, is to (1) elect seven directors to our board of directors, (2) amend our certificate of incorporation to increase our authorized number of common shares to 300,000,000 and our authorized number of preferred shares to 30,000;000; (3) approve the issuance of shares under our Standby Equity Distribution Agreement; (4) ratify the appointment of our independent auditors for 2008; and (5) transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any postponements or adjournments thereof.. You should note that our board of directors recommends a vote for each of the nominated directors, as well as the other proposals. Please note that we plan to conduct a short meeting to focus on these items, and related discussion. After that, we will provide time for your questions and comments.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, it is important that your shares be represented and voted. For that reason we request that you submit your proxy as soon as possible by either mail, facsimile or internet. If you decide to attend the Annual Meeting, and desire to vote your shares personally, you will of course have that opportunity.
We would like to express our appreciation for your continued interest in Signalife, and hope you can be with us at the annual meeting.
Sincerely |
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Rowland Perkins |
SIGNALIFE, INC.
4705 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Suite 203
Studio City, California 29601
Telephone: (864) 233-2300 / Facsimile: (864) 233-2100
2008 Annual Meeting Of Shareholders
Notice Of Annual Meeting And Proxy Statement
Date and Time | [ ],[ ], 2008, at [ ], Pacific Coast Time. |
Place | The [ ] located at [ ], California |
Items of Business | · To elect seven directors to serve until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in the year 2009; · To amend our certificate of incorporation to increase our authorized number of common shares to 300,000,000 and our authorized number of preferred shares to 30,000;000; · To approve the issuance of shares under our Standby Equity Distribution Agreement; · To ratify the appointment of Elliott Davis, LLC,. as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008; and · To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any postponements or adjournments thereof. |
Who May Vote | You may vote if you are a holder of our common stock or series A preferred stock as of the record date for the Annual Meeting. |
Record Date | [ ], 2008. |
Annual Report | Our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 is enclosed. |
Voting By Proxy | Please submit your proxy as soon as possible by either mail, facsimile or internet so that your shares can be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with your instructions. For specific instructions, please refer to the Questions And Answers section beginning on page 1 of this proxy statement and the instructions on the proxy card. |
Mailing Date | This Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement and accompanying Proxy Card and Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 are being distributed on or before [ ], 2008. |
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: Why Am I Receiving These Materials?
A:
The board of directors of Signalife, Inc., a Delaware corporation (sometimes referred to in these proxy materials as we, our company or Signalife), is providing these proxy materials to you in connection with our annual meeting of shareowners to be held on [ ], [ ], 2008 (the Annual Meeting). As a holder of record or beneficial owner of shares of our common stock or series A preferred stock you are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement.
For purposes of this proxy statement, shares of our common stock and series A preferred stock are sometimes referred to as common shares and series A preferred shares, respectively, and collectively as voting shares, while holders of our common shares and series A preferred shares are sometimes referred to as common shareholders and series A shareholders, respectively, and collectively as voting shareholders.
Q:
What Information Is Contained In These Materials?
A:
The information included in this proxy statement relates to the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting and the voting process, as well as additional information concerning Signalife we are required to give you under the regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). We are also including with this proxy statement our annual report on form 10-KSB for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, which includes an updated description of our business and audited financial statements for our most recent fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
Q:
What Proposals Are Our Voting Shareholders Entitled To Vote Upon At The Annual Meeting?
A:
There are two principal proposals scheduled to be voted on at the Annual Meeting by our voting shareholders, voting together as a single class:
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to elect seven directors to serve until their successors are duly appointed, which we anticipate will occur at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in the year 2009, and
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to ratify the appointment of Elliott Davis, LLC, as our independent auditors for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2008; and
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to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any postponements or adjournments thereof.
Q:
What Is Signalifes Voting Recommendation To Our Voting Shareholders?
A:
Our board of directors recommends that you vote your shares FOR each of the seven director nominees to our board of directors, and FOR each of the other proposals.
Q:
What Shares Can I Vote?
A:
You may vote any voting shares which you own as of the close of business on [ ], 2008, the record date for the Annual Meeting (the Record Date). These shares include shares held directly in your name as the shareowner of record, and shares held for you as the beneficial owner through a stockbroker or bank.
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Q:
Do I Need An Admission Ticket To Attend The Annual Meeting?
A:
All Signalife shareholders are welcomed to attend the Annual Meeting. You may, however, be required to provide proof of identification and ownership of shares.
Q:
Can I Vote My Shares In Person At The Annual Meeting?
A:
Yes, you may vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting. If you choose to do so, please bring the enclosed proxy card and proof of identification and ownership of shares.
Even if you currently plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you also submit your proxy card as described below so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend.
Q:
How Can I Vote My Shares Without Attending The Annual Meeting?
A:
To vote your shares without attending the Annual Meeting, you should submit your proxy card directly to Signalifes stock transfer and registrar, Standard Registar and Transfer Company, Inc., either by mail, facsimile or internet. Please see the proxy card for faxing or internet voting instructions. If you provide specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted as you instruct. If you sign but do not provide instructions, your shares will be voted as described below in Q: How Are Votes Counted?. For Standards contact information see Q: How Can I Get Further Information? below.
Q:
Can I Change My Vote?
A:
You may change your proxy instructions at any time prior to the vote at the Annual Meeting. You may accomplish this by granting a new proxy card bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy) or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the meeting will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you specifically so request.
Q:
How Are Votes Counted?
A:
In the election of directors, you may vote FOR each or all of the director nominees, or your vote may be WITHHELD with respect to one or more of those nominees.
With respect to the other proposals contained in this proxy statement, you may vote FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN. If you ABSTAIN, it has the same effect as a vote AGAINST.
If you sign your proxy card with no further instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of our board of directors.
Each of our seven director nominees has consented to his or her nomination for election. Should any director nominee no longer remain a candidate at the time of the Annual Meeting, your proxy card will be voted for the election of a replacement nominee to be designated by our board of directors to fill that vacancy.
Q:
What Is The Voting Requirement To Approve Each Of The Proposals?
A:
In the case of the election of the director positions, the seven persons receiving the highest number of FOR votes of our voting shares voting as a single class will be elected. All other proposals require the affirmative FOR vote of a majority of those shares present and entitled to vote.
Q:
What Happens If Additional Proposals Are Presented At The Annual Meeting?
A:
Other than the proposals described in this proxy statement, we do not expect any
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other matters to be presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting. If you grant a proxy, the persons named as proxy holders on the proxy card, namely, Mr. Rowland Perkins (our Chief Executive Officer) and Mr. Kevin F. Pickard (our Interim Chief Financial Officer), will have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the meeting.
Q:
How Many Votes Do I Have?
A:
Each voting share outstanding as of the Record Date is entitled to one vote for each of the seven director positions, and one vote for each of the other proposals. There were [ ] voting shares issued and outstanding as of the Record Date.
Q:
Is Cumulative Voting Permitted For The Election Of Directors?
A:
No. Cumulative voting does not apply to any of the matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting as we are not required under Delaware corporate law, and have not elected under our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, to provide for cumulative voting.
Q:
What Is The Quorum Requirement For The Annual Meeting?
A:
The quorum requirement for holding the Annual Meeting and transacting business is a majority of the shares entitled to vote. In determining whether a quorum is present, all shares present in person or represented by proxy with respect to the matter to be voted upon are counted as present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum, including shares to which the holder abstains from voting on the matter.
Q:
Who Will Count The Votes?
A:
A representative of our company, or our legal counsel, will tabulate the votes and act as the inspector of election.
Q:
Where Can I Find The Voting Results Of The Annual Meeting?
A:
We will announce preliminary voting results at the meeting and anticipate that we will publish final results either on our website, a form 8-K filed with the SEC, or in our quarterly report on form 10-QSB for the [ ] quarter of fiscal 2008 which we expect to file with the SEC on or before [ ], 2008.
Q:
Who Will Bear The Cost Of Soliciting Votes For The Annual Meeting?
A:
Signalife will pay the entire cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing and distributing these proxy materials. In addition to the mailing of these proxy materials, the solicitation of proxies or votes may be made in person, by telephone or by electronic communication by our directors, officers and employees, who will not receive any additional compensation for those solicitation activities.
Q:
May I Nominate A Director For Election At The Annual Meeting?
A:
So long as you are a shareholder as of the Record Date, you may nominate a director for election at the Annual Meeting provided that you provide Signalife with adequate prior written notice of that nomination not more than 90 days and not fewer than 10 days in advance of the Annual Meeting (i.e., no later than [ ], 2008). In addition, the notice must meet all other requirements contained in our bylaws or corporate governance charters and codes.
Any nomination for a director nominee must contain the following information: (1) the nominee's name, age, business address and, if known, residence address; (2) the nominees principal occupation or employment; and (3) the number of shares of each class of company stock which the nominee beneficially owns.
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Any nomination for a director nominee must also comply with SEC regulations regarding the inclusion of shareowner proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials. We suggest that any nominations be submitted by certified mail-return receipt requested. Signalife reserves the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other appropriate action with respect to any nomination that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.
Q:
May I Propose Actions For Consideration At The Annual Meeting?
A:
It is too late to propose actions at this years Annual Meeting. You may, however, make a proposal for next years annual meeting of shareholders.
If you intend to tender a shareowner proposal to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for next years annual meeting of shareholders, then you must, pursuant to SEC rules, deliver the written proposal to Signalife by no later than 120 days in advance of the day specified as the mailing date of this proxy statement. Thus, since [ ], 2008 is specified as the mailing date for this proxy statement, we must receive your written proposal by no later than [ ], 2009 (i.e., 120 days prior to the one year anniversary of the mailing date for this proxy statement) in order for the proposal to be deemed delivered in a timely manner.
In order for you to raise a shareowner proposal from the floor during next years annual meeting of shareholders, you must, pursuant to SEC rules, deliver the written proposal to us by no later than 45 days in advance of the day specified as the mailing date in our proxy statement for that annual meeting. Thus, since [ ], 2008 is specified as the mailing date for this proxy statement, in order for you to make any such proposal from the floor, we must receive the written proposal by no later than [ ], 2009 (i.e., 45 days prior to the one year anniversary of the mailing date for this proxy statement) in order for the proposal to be deemed delivered in a timely manner. .
Any proposal you may make must also comply with SEC regulations regarding the inclusion of shareowner proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials. We suggest that any nominations or proposals be submitted by certified mail-return receipt requested. Signalife reserves the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.
Q:
How Can I Contact Signalifes Directors?
A:
If you would like to contact or board or directors or any of our directors, you may send a communication to the board or that director in care of Signalife at any of the following company addresses, and we will forward that communication to the board or that director:
Signalife, Inc.
4705 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Suite 203
Studio City, California 91607
Tel: (864) 233-2300
Fax: (864) 233-2100
E-mail: info@signalife.com
After reviewing shareholder messages, our board of directors or the specified director will, at its or his or her discretion, determine whether any response is necessary.
Q:
How Can I Get Further Information?
A:
If you have questions or need more information about the Annual Meeting, you may contact Signalife at the addresses previously described in Q: How Can I Contact Signalifes Directors?.
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Any questions you may have relating to title to your securities or your address of record should be addressed to Signalifes stock transfer and registrar, Standard Registrar and Transfer Company, Inc., at the following addresses:
Standard Registrar & Transfer Company, Inc.
12528 South 1840 East,
Draper, Utah 84020
Tel: (801) 571-8844
Fax: (801) 57125517
E-mail: standard@comcast.net
Q:
What happens if several shareholders reside at the same address but we only receive one set of proxy materials?
A:
In an effort to reduce printing costs and postage fees, we have adopted a practice approved by the SEC called householding. Under this practice, shareholders who have the same address and last name and do not participate in electronic delivery of proxy materials will receive only one copy of our proxy materials unless one or more of these shareholders notifies us that they wish to continue receiving individual copies. Shareholders who participate in householding will continue to receive separate proxy cards.
If you share an address with another shareholder and received only one set of proxy materials and would like to request a separate copy of these materials and/or future proxy materials, please send your request Signalife at any of the addresses previously described in Q: How Can I Contact Signalifes Directors?. You may also contact the company if you received multiple copies of the proxy materials and would prefer to receive a single copy in the future.
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PROPOSAL NO. 1:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the Annual Meeting, our voting shareholders will elect seven directors. Each director so elected will serve in that position until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, which we anticipate will occur at next our annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2009.
There are seven nominees for election to our board of directors at this Annual Meeting, namely, Mr. Rowland Perkins, Mr. Lee B. Ehrlichman, Ms. Jennifer Black, Mr. Charles Harrison, Dr. Jay A. Johnson, Dr. Robert Koblin and Mr. Willie Gault. With the exception of Dr. Johnson, Mr. Ehrlichman, Dr. Koblin and Mr. Gault, each of the director nominees has served as a director since our last annual meeting of shareholders. Information regarding the business experience of each of these nominees is provided below. Dr. Johnson was appointed as a director on July 11, 2007. Mr. Ehrlichman was appointed as a director on May 10, 2008. Dr. Koblin was appointed as a director on July 9, 2008. Mr. Gault was appointed as a director on July 28, 2008.
There are no family relationships between any two or more of our directors or executive officers. There is no arrangement or understanding between any of our directors or executive officers and any other person pursuant to which any director or officer was or is to be selected as a director or officer, and there is no arrangement, plan or understanding as to whether non-management shareholders will exercise their voting rights to continue to elect the current board of directors. There are also no arrangements, agreements or understandings to our knowledge between non-management shareholders that may directly or indirectly participate in or influence the management of our affairs.
The designated proxy holders will vote each proxy they received from our voting shareholders as directed on their proxy cards or, if no direction is made, for the seven nominees named above. If any of these nominees should be unable or unwilling to serve, the discretionary authority granted to the proxy holders as provided in the proxy card will be exercised to vote for a substitute nominee designated by our board of directors. We have no reason to believe that any substitute nominee will be required. In the event that additional persons are nominated for election as directors, the proxy holders intend to vote all proxies received by them in such a manner as will assure the election of as many of the nominees named above as possible, and, in such event, the specific nominees to be voted for will be determined by the proxy holders.
The seven nominees receiving the highest number of votes cast by our voting shareholders, voting as a single class, will be elected to fill the seven director positions. The proxies cannot be voted for more than seven nominees.
Our board of directors recommends to our voting shareholders that you vote FOR the election of Mr. Perkins, Mr. Ehrlichman, Ms. Black, Mr. Harrison, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Koblin and Mr. Gault as our seven directors. Proxies solicited by our board of directors will be so voted unless the voting shareholder tendering the proxy specifies otherwise.
Nomination Procedures
The seven director nominees were recommended for election by our nomination and qualifications committee (the nominations committee) comprised of Ms. Black, as chairman, and Mr. Harrison as members. These nominees were then approved by the board of directors.
There are no minimum qualifications for serving on our board of directors. Nevertheless, in evaluating the suitability of individual board members, the nominations committee and the board consider, among other factors, the prospective nominee's: (1) personal and professional integrity; (2) business judgment; (3) general understanding of marketing, finance and other disciplines relevant to the success of a small start-up publicly-traded company in todays business environment; (4) general understanding of the company's business on a technical level; (5) educational and professional background, (6) overall ability to effectively work with the other members of the board to collectively serve the long-term interests of the shareholders; and (7) commitment and
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ability to devote sufficient time and energy to diligently his or her duties. In determining whether to recommend a director for re-election, the nominations committee and the board consider the directors past attendance at meetings and participation in and contributions to the activities of the board. The nominations committee and the board evaluate each individual in the context of the board as a whole, with the objective of recommending a group that can best perpetuate the success of the business and represent shareholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment, using its diversity of experience. The foregoing standards and procedures are set forth in our corporate governance guidelines, which may be viewed on the companys website at www.signalife.com. As a practical matter, we strive to achieve an effective balance and range of experience and expertise, including operational experience and financial expertise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our ability to attract and engage a board of directors comprised of individuals having all of the above ideal attributes is limited by our status as a development stage company with limited resources and market capitalization. No consultants or search firms were used by the nominations committee or the board in identifying and selecting the director nominees.
Background Of Director Nominees
ROWLAND PERKINS | Mr. Perkins has served as a director since August 23, 2005, as our Chief Executive Officer since June 2, 2008, and as our Interim Administrative Chief Executive Officer from May 1, 2008 until June 2, 2008. Mr. Perkins has been involved in the entertainment industry for more than 40 years. Since 1995, Mr. Perkins has been President of Double Eagle Entertainment, Inc., a company he established to develop and Produce feature, network and cable television films. Mr. Perkins was the founding President of Creative Artists Agency, Inc., a company he co-founded in 1975 to represent all areas of creative talent in the entertainment industry. From 1959 to 1975, Mr. Perkins was an executive with the William Morris Agency, Inc. At William Morris, Mr. Perkins established and led its TV Talent Division as Director, and then organized and led its Creative Services Department as Vice President. Since 2001, Mr. Perkins has been Chairman of the Board of NPOWR Digital Media, Inc., a privately-held tech company which is promoting stimTV, which allows consumers to personalize their entertainment choices automatically on the broadband market. Mr. Perkins also serves as a consultant, executive producer and the U.S. representative for Eagle Pictures SpA, an Italian film production and distribution company involved in the motion picture and television businesses internationally. He also continues to executive produce select films. In addition to the above, Mr. Perkins has been a long time member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and has served on its Board of Governors. He also has been a long time member of the Hollywood Radio and Television Society and served on its Board of Directors. He has also served for fifteen years on the USC Libraries Scripters Award selection panel that annually selects the best screenplay/novel adaptation each year and gives awards to the novels author and the screenwriter. Mr. Perkins graduated from UCLA with a Bachelors of Science degree in business administration ,and also holds an Honorary PhD in Media Communications from Pacific Western University.. |
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LEE B. EHRLICHMAN | Mr. Ehrlichman has served as a director since May 10, 2008 and as President and Chief Operating Officer since June 1, 2008. From May 1, 2008 until his appointment as President and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Ehrlichman provided services as a consultant to the company. Mr. Ehrlichman has extensive experience not only as a chief executive officer and a sales and marketing executive, but also in the cardiac business in which Signalife competes. From August 1995 until July 2007, Mr. Ehrlichman was Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Cardiac Telecom Corporation, a pioneer of outpatient real-time cardiac telemetry technology and call center monitoring. In that capacity, Mr. Ehrlichman oversaw both the development and commercialization of ECG devices and the heart monitoring business, growing revenues from zero to $5.8 million; raised $8 million in financing; developed and executed FDA strategy, including leading clinical trials and obtaining FDA 510(k) clearance in minimal time; oversaw product manufacturing functions; and negotiated with Medicare and other insurers (at medical director level) to write specific reimbursement policies for Cardiac Telecoms a new technology, which led to reimbursement and cash flow. Prior to that position, Mr. Ehrlichman was Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Tartan, Inc., a defense industry-oriented embedded systems software tools company, from January 1990 to June 1995. Earlier in his career, Mr. Ehrlichman was also Vice President of Sales of Alsys, Inc. for five years, and held various progressive positions in sales, sales management, marketing and marketing management, including Marketing Manager of the Japanese Business Development Group, of Data General Corporation for seven years. Mr. Ehrlichman holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology, minors in Management and Economics, and a Masters Degree in Consumer Behavior (Marketing), from the University of Arizona. |
JENNIFER BLACK | Ms. Jennifer Black has served as a director since January 20, 2004. Ms. Black has been President of her own business, Jennifer Black & Associates LLC., since September 2003. Her firm provides independent research for institutional clients. Previously, since 1979, Ms. Black was with Black & Co., where she was responsible for research coverage on the apparel and specialty retail industries. Ms. Black was President of Black & Co. when First Security Van Kasper acquired it in April 2000. Subsequently, Wells Fargo Securities acquired First Security Van Kasper in September 2000. Ms. Black left Wells Fargo Securities in September 2003. Ms. Black served on the State of Oregon Governors Council of Economic Advisors from 1999 to January 2006. In addition, Ms. Black sat on the Business Advisory Council for Portland State University from 2004-2007. In 1999, Ms. Black was ranked #1 by the Wall Street Journal under textiles and apparel as a Wall Street All Star Analyst. In 1997, the Reuters Large Company Investment Research Survey rated her the number one analyst in the nation. Ms. Black attended Washington State University, University of Oregon and Portland State Universities. |
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WILLIE GAULT | Mr. Gault has served as a director since July 28, 2008. Mr. Gault is a well-known businessman, celebrity and retired professional athlete. Since August 2006, Mr. Gault has been President and principal spokesman of Athletes For Life Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation incorporated in Washington D.C. which Mr. Gault co-founded for the dual purpose of developing protocols to test professional and amateur athletes for cardiovascular disease and abnormalities as part of their regular training regime, and also promoting testing for impoverished communities where early detection of cardiovascular disease simply does not exist. Athletes For Life Foundation conducts free mobile screening tests using its 48-foot trailer and Signalifes Fidelity 100 Heart Monitor. Since 2004, Mr. Gault has also been President of IBS Capital Management, a private investment management company he owns which has over $260 million under management. Prior to that, Mr. Gault was involved in numerous capacities in numerous businesses over a twenty year period both as a principal, officer and agent, with his efforts principally focused on sales, marketing and financing functions. Mr. Gault has also been involved in numerous charitable activities. During the course of his athletic career, Mr. Gault was an All-American sprinter and hurdler and football wide receiver at the University of Tennessee, an All-Pro wide receiver during a twelve-year career in the National Football League, a member of the United States 4X100 meter relay team which would have participated in the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow had the United States not boycotted that event, and an alternate member of the United States Bobsled Team which participated in the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. At the 1983 World Track and Field Championships, Mr. Gault won a bronze medal in the 110 meter hurdles, and a gold medal on the world record setting 4x100 meter relay team. Mr. Gault continues to compete in track and field on the senior level, having set world records in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 4X100 meter relay in the masters division for athletes aged 45 to 49. Mr. Gault holds a joint degree in Marketing from the University of Tennessee and Americas University. Mr. Gault has also won numerous awards, including the Jim Thorpe Award as the Greatest Athlete in the World in 1991, and the city of Hope Man of the Year Award in 1992. |
Board Of Directors; Board Attendance
Our bylaws set the authorized number of directors on our board of directors at not less than three nor more than nine, with the actual number fixed by a resolution of our board or by practice. As noted above, there are currently seven directors serving on our board. Each director serves until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualified by our shareholders, both common and preferred, voting on a cumulative basis as one class, or until his or her earlier death, retirement, resignation or removal.
Board Committees
Our board of directors has established three active committees to date, an audit committee currently comprised of Mr. Harrison, as chairman, and Ms. Black as a member; a compensation committee currently comprised of Mr. Harrison, as chairman, and Ms. Black as a member; and a nomination and qualifications committee currently comprised of Ms. Black as chairman and Mr. Harrison as a member.
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Board Attendance
During fiscal 2007, our board of directors, audit committee, compensation committee and nomination and qualifications committee held five, eight, zero and one meetings, respectively. No director or committee member attended less than 75% of the total number of those meetings.
Signalife does not have a formal policy requiring directors to attend the Annual Meeting. Nevertheless, we encourage each director to, and anticipate that each director will, attend this years Annual Meeting. At our last Annual Meeting, each of our directors as of that date attended.
Independence; Audit Committee Financial Expert
Our board of directors has determined that each of our directors, other than Mr. Perkins and Mr. Ehrlichman, are independent as that term is defined by the American Stock Exchange (AMEX). Under the AMEX definition, an independent director is a person who (1) is not currently (or whose immediate family members are not currently), and has not been over the past three years (or whose immediate family members have not been over the past three years), employed by the company; (2) has not (or whose immediate family members have not) been paid more than $60,000 by the company during the current or past three fiscal years; or (3) has not (or whose immediately family has not) been a partner in or controlling shareholder or executive officer of an organization which the company made, or from which the company received, payments in excess of the greater of $200,000 or 5% of that organizations consolidated gross revenues, in any of the most recent three fiscal years.
Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Harrison is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of SEC rules. An audit committee financial expert is a person who can demonstrate the following attributes: (1) an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements; (2) the ability to assess the general application of such principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves; (3) experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the companys financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities; (4) an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; and (5) an understanding of audit committee functions.
Audit Committee
The function of the audit committee is to assist the board of directors in monitoring: (1) the integrity of the companys financial statements; (2) the qualifications, independence and performance of the companys independent auditors and recommending their appointment to the full board; (3) the performance of the companys internal accounting and audit personnel; and (4) the compliance by the company with legal and regulatory requirements.
Audit Committee Report
The following is a report from the members of the audit committee of our board of directors who supervised the preparation of our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007 concerning the audit of those financial statements and the appointment of our independent auditors. Note that Mr. Perkins is no longer on the committee as a consequence of being appointed as Interim Administrative Chief Executive Officer on May 1, 2008.
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The audit committee of the Signalifes board of directors oversees the companys financial reporting process on behalf of the full board of directors. Management is responsible for Signalifes financial statements and the financial reporting process, including the system of internal controls. Signalifes independent auditors are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the audit committee reviewed and discussed with management and the companys independent auditors the audited financial statements which were included in Signalifes annual report on form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007. The audit committee also discussed with the companys independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as amended. In addition, the audit committee also discussed with the companys independent auditors the auditors independence from the company and its management including the matters in the written disclosures provided to the audit committee as required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees. The audit committee recommended to Signalifes board of directors, and the board approved, the inclusion of the audited financial statements in Signalifes annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The audit committee also recommended the appointment of Elliott Davis, LLC, the companys independent auditors for fiscal 2007, to act in that capacity for fiscal 2008. |
The Audit Committee Charles Harrison, Chair Rowland Perkins Jennifer Black |
Nominations Committee
The function of the nominations committee is to evaluate and recommend to the board of directors a slate of director-nominees for election by the shareholders at each annual meeting, or to fill any vacancies in existing or new positions on the board which may arise.
There are no minimum qualifications for serving on our board of directors. Nevertheless, in evaluating the suitability of individual board members, the nominations committee and the board consider the various factors set forth in our corporate governance guidelines which are recited above in that section of this proxy statement captioned Nomination Procedures.
Our board of directors has the authority to hire and pay a fee to consultants or search firms to assist in the process of identifying and evaluating candidates. No such consultants or search firms have been used by the board to date and, accordingly, no fees have been paid to consultants or search firms.
We do not have any formal policies in place relative to the consideration of director candidates recommended by our shareholders, or the consideration of other proposals for corporate action made by our shareholders Nevertheless, minority shareholders are permitted to recommend nominees for election or appointment or to make other proposals pursuant to SEC guidelines, and our board in its discretion will determine whether or not to consider that candidate based upon such criteria as it deems relevant. To understand those guidelines, see Q:
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May I Nominate A Director For Election At The Annual Meeting? and Q: May I Propose Actions For Consideration At Next Years Annual Meeting Or Nominate Individuals To Serve As Directors? in the Questions And Answers section of this proxy statement above. Given the small size of our shareholder base, our limited company operations and our limited resources, and also given the concentration of stock holdings with several investors, we do not believe it to be necessary at this time to formulate formal policies to consider minority shareholder director nominations or proposals to take other corporate action.
Compensation Committee
The function of the compensation committee is review and recommend to the full board of directors for its approval by majority vote any matter relating to (1) the administration of our various stock plans that falls outside of the authority of, or has not otherwise been delegated to, our executive officers; (2) the form and amount of compensation or benefits payable or provided to any director or member of management, (3) any related party transaction between the company and any director or officer of the company, and (4) any other conflict of interest between the company and any director or officer of the company.
Director Compensation Policies
Our current policy with respect to compensating directors for serving on the full board is to compensate them through stock grants. Specifically, upon his or her appointment to our board, each new director is granted an option to purchase 50,000 common shares, exercisable at its then trading price. These options vest quarterly over one year based upon the continued provision of services on the board, and lapse in five years if not exercised. Each director will thereafter automatically be granted options on the anniversary of his or her appointment date entitling such director to purchase an additional 28,000 common shares, which options will vest quarterly based upon the continued provision of services on the board, and lapse in five years if not exercised. The exercise price for these options is fixed at current market price as of the date of grant.
Our current policy with respect to compensating directors for serving on our audit committee is to compensate the members with a combination of cash and common share purchase options. Specifically, the chairman of the audit committee is entitled to receive a $3,000 quarterly cash retainer, plus $1,500 fee per each meeting attended. Upon his or her appointment, the chairman is also granted an option to purchase 30,000 common shares, exercisable at its then trading price. The chairman will thereafter automatically be granted options on the anniversary of his or her appointment entitling him or her to purchase an additional 30,000 common shares. The other members of the audit committee receive slightly lower compensation, to wit, a $2,000 quarterly cash retainer, a $1,000 cash fee per each meeting attended; and the grant of an option to purchase 25,000 common shares, exercisable at its then trading price. All committee options vest in four quarterly installments, and lapse in five years if not exercised.
Our current policy with respect to compensating directors for serving on our compensation committee is to compensate the members with a combination of cash and common share purchase options. Specifically, each member is entitled to receive a $1,000 fee per each meeting attended. In addition, each member is also granted an option to purchase 5,000 common shares, exercisable at its then trading price, upon his or her appointment to the committee and upon each annual anniversary thereafter. All committee options vest in four quarterly installments subject to attendance at least 90% of the committee meetings during that quarter, and lapse in five years if not exercised.
We have not yet instituted a policy for compensating members on our nominations committee.
Director Overall Compensation Expense Table
The following table shows the overall compensation expense recognized by the company or included in its financial statements for the 2007 fiscal year with respect to each person who was a director as of December 31, 2007. Excluded from this table is compensation expense recognized by the company with respect to Dr. Lowell Harmison, a past director, solely in connection with the provision of his services as an executive officer of the
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company. For information relating to this compensation expense, see the table included in that section of this proxy statement below captioned Management Overall Compensation Expense Table.
Name | Fees | Pro-Rata | Pro Rata | Non- | Non- | All | Total |
Rowland Perkins | $ 18,000 | $ | $ 46,724 | $ | $ | $ | $ 64,724 |
Jennifer Black | $ 11,000 | $ | $ 52,720 | $ | $ | $ | $ 63,720 |
Charles H. Harrison | $ 21,500 | $ | $ 71,047 | $ | $ | $ | $ 92,547 |
Jay A. Johnson | $ 1,000 | $ | $ 10,217 | $ | $ | $ | $ 16,217 |
Ellsworth Roston (5) | $ | $ | $ 7,491 | $ | $ | $ | $ 7,491 |
Lowell T. Harmison (6) | $ 0 | $ | $ 21,749 | $ | $ | $ | $ 21,749 |
Robert E. Windom(7) | $ 6,000 | $ | $ 10,217 | $ | $ | $ | $ 16,217 |
Director Outstanding Option Table
The following table provides certain information concerning common share purchase options or warrants as of December 31, 2007 held by each person who was a director as of December 31, 2007, including options or warrants granted for services other than acting as a director.
9
Director | Type | Option | Number of Common Shares | Option | Option | |
Exercisable | Unexercisable | |||||
Rowland Perkins | Board | 8/23/2005 | 50,000(1) | | $ 3.45 | 8/23/2010 |
| Audit Comm. | 8/8/2006 | 25,000(1) | | $ 2.76 | 8/8/2011 |
| Comp. Comm. | 8/8/2006 | 5,000(1) | | $ 2.76 | 8/8/2011 |
| Board | 8/23/2006 | 28,000(2) | | $ 2.16 | 8/23/2011 |
| Audit Comm. | 8/8/2007 | 6,250(2) | 18,750(2) | $ 0.77 | 8/8/2012 |
| Comp. Comm. | 8/8/2007 | 1,250(2) | 3,750(2) | $ 0.77 | 8/8/2012 |
| Board | 8/23/2007 | 7,000(2) | 21,000(2) | $ 0.84 | 8/23/2012 |
Jennifer Black | Board | 1/20/2004 | 50,000(1) | | $ 3.50 | 1/19/2009 |
| Audit Comm. | 4/1/2004 | 500(1) | | $ 6.00 | 3/31/2009 |
| Audit Comm. | 1/3/2005 | 10,000(2) | | $ 5.05 | 1/2/2010 |
| Board | 1/20/2005 | 28,000(2) | | $ 3.65 | 1/19/2010 |
| Audit Comm. | 1/3/2006 | 10,000(2) | | $ 2.70 | 1/2/2011 |
| Board | 1/20/2006 | 28,000(2) | | $ 2.90 | 1/19/2011 |
| Audit Comm. | 8/8/2006 | 25,000(2) | | $ 2.76 | 8/8/2011 |
| Comp. Comm. | 8/8/2006 | 5,000(1) | | $ 2.76 | 8/8/2011 |
| Board | 1/20/2007 | 21,000(2) | 71,000(2) | $ 1.60 | 1/19/2012 |
| Audit Comm. | 8/8/2007 | 6,250(2) | 18,750(2) | $ 0.77 | 8/8/2011 |
| Comp. Comm. | 8/8/2007 | 1,250(2) | 3,750(2) | $ 0.77 | 8/8/2011 |
Charles H. Harrison | Board | 10/23/2006 | 50,000(1) | | $ 1.61 | 10/23/2011 |
| Audit Comm. | 10/23/2006 | 25,000(1) | | $ 1.61 | 10/23/2011 |
| Board | 10/23/2007 | | 28,000(2) | $ 1.62 | 10/23/2012 |
| Audit Comm. | 10/23/2007 | | 30,000(2) | $ 1.62 | 10/23/2012 |
Jay A. Johnson | Board | 7/11/07 | 12,500(1) | 38,500(1) | $0.68 | 7/11/12 |
Ellsworth Roston (3) | Board | 2/6/2003 | 150,000(1) | | $ 0.88 | 2/5/2008 |
| Board | 11/3/2003 | 28,000(2) | | $ 4.40 | 11/2/2008 |
| Comp. Comm. | 4/1/2004 | 2,000(1) | | $ 6.00 | 3/31/2009 |
| Audit Comm. | 7/8/2004 | 1,500(1) | | $ 3.95 | 7/7/2009 |
| Board | 11/1/2004 | 28,000(2) | | $ 2.90 | 10/31/2009 |
| Audit Comm. | 1/3/2005 | 5,000(2) | | $ 5.05 | 1/2/2010 |
| Comp. Comm. | 1/3/2005 | 2,500(2) | | $ 5.05 | 1/2/2010 |
| Board | 11/1/2005 | 28,000(2) | | $ 3.18 | 10/31/2010 |
| Comp. Comm. | 8/8/2006 | 5,000(2) | | $ 3.18 | 10/31/2010 |
| Board | 11/1/2006 | 28,000(2) | | $ 1.80 | 10/31/2011 |
| Board | 11/1/2007 | | 28,000(2) | $ 1.05 | 10/31/2012 |
Lowell T. Harmison (4) | Board | 6/5/2003 | 50,000(1) | | $ 4.20 | 6/5/2008 |
| Board | 6/6/2004 | 28,000(2) | | $ 6.25 | 6/5/2009 |
| Board | 6/6/2005 | 28,000(2) | | $ 4.20 | 6/5/2010 |
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| Board | 6/6/2006 | 28,000(2) | | $ 2.36 | 6/5/2011 |
| Board | 6/6/2007 | 14,000(2) | 14,000(2) | $ 1.05 | 6/5/2012 |
Robert E. Windom(5) | Board | 7/11/07 | 12,500(1) | 38,500(1) | $0.68 | 7/11/12 |
Business Experience Of Executive Officers
Set forth below are Signalifes executive officers and a summary of their business experience:
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Other Significant Employees
Dr. Budimir S. Drakulic has served as our Director of Research & Development and chief scientist and technology spokesman since 2006,, and is responsible for managing our in-house research and development activities. In that capacity, he also is our principal technology manager and acts as our spokesman in connection with technical issues. From October 15, 2002 until 2006, Dr. Drakulic also served as our Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, an executive officer position. Dr. Drakulic has more than 25 years of experience in the design, development and integration of hardware and software modules for biomedical microelectronic circuits and systems. From 1997 through February of 2002, Dr. Drakulic was research and development principal for Advanced Heart Technologies, Inc., and its predecessor Advanced Heart Monitoring. From February of 2002 until October 15, 2002, Dr. Drakulic was involved in independent research. Dr. Drakulic was the Consultant and Chief Scientist, Medical Device Business Unit for Teledyne Electronic Technologies from 1992 through 1997. Before that, he held numerous positions affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles, including Visiting Assistant Professor with the Electrical Engineering Department and Director of the Microelectronics Development Lab at the Crump Institute for Medical Engineering. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Belgrade, Yugoslavia. He also holds a Masters degree and a Ph. D. in Electronic and Biomedical Engineering from the same university. Dr. Drakulic was the recipient of the Ralph and Marjorie Crump Prize for Excellence in Medical Engineering from UCLA in 1985, and was a Research Fellow with the Crump Institute for Medical Engineering at UCLA. The Crump Prize is given to the recipient deemed to have performed the best biomedical engineering research in the United States for that year.
William R. Matthews has served as our Director of Regulatory Affairs since July 2004. Prior to joining Signalife, Mr. Matthews provided consulting services to Signalife from December 2003 to July 2004 through his Biodevice Solutions, Inc. consulting company. Mr. Mathews was Vice President, Government Affairs and Product Assurance for Viasys Healthcare (NYSE:VAS) from February 1999 to December 2003, was Executive Vice President, Operations, of Xylum Corporation from 1993 to 1998; was Corporate Director Engineering and Manufacturing, and ultimately Corporate Director, Product Assurance and Regulatory Affairs for W.R. Grace Company (NYSE:GRA) from 1987 to 1993; was Plant Manager for Beiersdorf, Inc. from 1981 to 1987; and Production Supervisor, R&D Supervisor and ultimately Production Superintendent for Best Foods Inc. from 1976 to 1981. Mr. Matthews holds a Bachelors of Science degree in chemistry awarded by St. Peters University (New Jersey).
Employment And Consulting Agreements With Executive Management
Rowland Perkins, Chief Executive Officer
On June 16, 2008, Signalifes Board of Directors approved an employment agreement with an effective date of June 1, 2008 with Mr. Rowland Perkins in connection with the provision of services as our Chief Executive Officer. The essential terms of the employment agreement are as follows:
·
The employment agreement has a one year initial term, and is renewable annually thereafter.
·
Mr. Perkins is only obligated to work three days per week.
·
Mr. Perkins is entitled to a base salary of $120,000 per year (subject to adjustment after the first anniversary of the agreement upon a performance review by the board), plus a $2,000 per day diem for each day over three in a week in which he works.
·
Mr. Perkins is entitled to a number of employee benefits under the agreement, including the provision of an automobile and the right to participate in company benefit plans, including any bonus plans established for management or other benefit plans established for executive officers.
·
Mr. Perkins is granted a time-in-service share purchase options entitling him to purchase 500,000 common shares at $0.60 per share, reflecting a substantial premium to the closing price of our common stock as of the date of negotiations for the agreement. The right to exercise the options vest (become exercisable) quarterly
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over eight quarters based upon the continuous provision of services by Mr. Perkins, and lapse to the extent unexercised on May 30, 2018, subject to forfeiture and acceleration provisions.
·
For each $500,000 in EBIDTA (earnings before interest, depreciation, taxes and amortization) reported by Signalife during Mr. Perkins tenure under the employment agreement, he will also be prospectively granted financial performance share purchase options entitling him to purchase 50,000 common shares at $0.60 per share. The financial performance options lapse to the extent unexercised by the later of May 30, 2018 or five years after grant, subject to forfeiture and acceleration provisions. The grant of financial performance options is capped at 1,000,000 common shares, meaning that Signalife would be required to earn EBIDTA in the total amount of $10,000,000 in order for Mr. Perkins to be granted the maximum number of financial performance options issuable.
·
For each $0.30 in average stock price appreciation on Signalife common stock over a $0.60 per share baseline as reported on Signalifes principal trading over any two-week period market during Mr. Perkins tenure under the employment agreement, Mr. Perkins will also be prospectively granted stock performance share purchase options entitling him to purchase 50,000 common shares at $0.60 per share. The stock performance options lapse to the extent unexercised by the later of May 30, 2018 or five years after grant, subject to forfeiture and acceleration provisions. Only one grant of stock performance options may be made for any particular incremental $0.30 target point over the baseline, meaning that Mr. Perkins will not be entitled to a second grant of options should the stock price decrease and then later again hit the target point. The grant of stock performance options is capped at 1,000,000 common shares, meaning that the average price of Signalife common stock would need to increase to $6 in order for Mr. Perkins to be granted the maximum number of stock performance options issuable.
·
The employment agreement provides for early termination. In the event of Mr. Perkins death, Signalifes termination of Mr. Perkins without cause as that term is defined in the agreement, Mr. Perkins termination of employment for good reason as that term is defined in the agreement, then (i) Signalife will be obligated to pay Mr. Perkins his annual salary and benefits on the same periodic basis for an additional one year after the effective date of termination, (ii) Mr. Perkins time-in-service options shall fully vest, and (iii) in the case of Mr. Perkins financial performance and stock performance options, should the specified performance benchmarks be attained over the one-year period following termination, then Mr. Perkins will also receive the grant of these options. In the event of a sale of business (defined as the sale of all or substantially all of Signalifes assets), then Mr. Perkins would receive the same benefits as in the previous sentence except for a two year term. In the event of a change of control (defined as the acquisition by any shareholder or group of shareholders of more than 33% of Signalifes common shares in one or more related transactions, excluding certain permitted issuances by Signalife and transactions involving Signalifes founding shareholder), or certain changes in a majority of the board of directors over a three year period not approved by a majority of the current board or their approved successors), Mr. Perkins would receive the same benefits as in the previous sentence, except for a five year term. In the event of termination Signalifes termination of Mr. Perkins for cause, then Mr. Perkins would not be entitled to additional salary or benefits beyond the termination date, and his options would be fully forfeited. In the event of termination due to Mr. Perkins disability, or Mr. Perkins termination of employment without good reason, then Mr. Perkins would not be entitled to additional salary or benefits beyond the termination date, and his unvested options would be fully forfeited while the lapse date for his vested options would be accelerated.
Lee B. Ehrlichman, President and Chief Operating Officer
On June 16, 2008, Signalifes Board of Directors approved an employment agreement with an effective date of June 1, 2008 with Mr. Lee B. Ehrlichman in connection with the provision of services as our President and Chief Operating Officer. The essential terms of the employment agreement are as follows:
·
The employment agreement has a five-year initial term, and is renewable annually thereafter.
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·
Mr. Ehrlichman is entitled to a base salary of $500,000 per year (subject to adjustment after the first anniversary of the agreement upon a performance review by the board.
·
Mr. Ehrlichman is entitled to a number of employee benefits under the agreement, including the provision of an automobile, a two million dollar life insurance policy payable to his beneficiaries, and the right to participate in company benefit plans, including any bonus plans established for management or other benefit plans established for executive officers.
·
Mr. Ehrlichman will work out of Signalifes Los Angeles office, and the company will cover certain relocation costs to sell his home in Pennsylvania and to move his family to Los Angeles, and will also contribute an amount to be determined by Signalifes board of directors toward Mr. Ehrlichmans purchase of a home in Los Angeles.
·
Mr. Ehrlichman is granted a time-in-service share purchase options entitling him to purchase 1,000,000 common shares at $0.60 per share, reflecting a substantial premium to the closing price of our common stock as of the date of negotiations for the agreement. The right to exercise the options vest (become exercisable) quarterly over eight quarters based upon the continuous provision of services by Mr. Ehrlichman, and lapse to the extent unexercised on May 30, 2018, subject to forfeiture and acceleration provisions.
·
For each $500,000 in EBIDTA (earnings before interest, depreciation, taxes and amortization) reported by Signalife during Mr. Ehrlichmans tenure under the employment agreement, he will also be prospectively granted financial performance share purchase options entitling him to purchase 50,000 common shares at $0.60 per share. The financial performance options lapse to the extent unexercised by the later of May 30, 2018 or five years after grant, subject to forfeiture and acceleration provisions. The grant of financial performance options is capped at 6,000,000 common shares, meaning that Signalife would be required to earn EBIDTA in the total amount of $60,000,000 in order for Mr. Ehrlichman be granted the maximum number of financial performance options issuable.
·
For each $0.30 in average stock price appreciation on Signalife common stock over a $0.60 per share baseline as reported on Signalifes principal trading over any two-week period market during Mr. Ehrlichmans tenure under the employment agreement, Mr. Ehrlichman will also be prospectively granted stock performance share purchase options entitling him to purchase 50,000 common shares at $0.60 per share. The stock performance options lapse to the extent unexercised by the later of May 30, 2018 or five years after grant, subject to forfeiture and acceleration provisions. Only one grant of stock performance options may be made for any particular incremental $0.30 target point over the baseline, meaning that Mr. Ehrlichman will not be entitled to a second grant of options should the stock price decrease and then later again hit the target point. The grant of stock performance options is capped at 4,000,000 common shares, meaning that the average price of Signalife common stock would need to increase to $24 in order for Mr. Ehrlichman to be granted the maximum number of stock performance options issuable.
·
The employment agreement provides for early termination. In the event of Mr. Ehrlichmans death, Signalifes termination of Mr. Ehrlichman without cause as that term is defined in the agreement, or Mr. Ehrlichman termination of employment for good reason as that term is defined in the agreement, then (i) Signalife will be obligated to pay Mr. Ehrlichman his annual salary and benefits on the same periodic basis for an additional two years after the effective date of termination, (ii) Mr. Ehrlichman time-in-service options shall fully vest, and (iii) in the case of Mr. Ehrlichmans financial performance and stock performance options, should the specified performance benchmarks be attained over the two year period following termination, then Mr. Ehrlichman will also receive the grant of these options. In the event of a sale of business (defined as the sale of all or substantially all of Signalifes assets), then Mr. Ehrlichman would receive the same benefits as in the previous sentence except for a two year term. In the event of a change of control (defined as the acquisition by any shareholder or group of shareholders of more than 33% of Signalifes common shares in one or more related transactions, excluding certain permitted issuances by Signalife and transactions involving Signalifes founding shareholder), or certain changes in a majority of the
14
board of directors over a three year period not approved by a majority of the current board or their approved successors), Mr. Ehrlichman would receive the same benefits as in the previous sentence, except for a five year term. In the event of termination Signalifes termination of Mr. Ehrlichman for cause, then Mr. Ehrlichman would not be entitled to additional salary or benefits beyond the termination date, and his options would be fully forfeited. In the event of termination due to Mr. Ehrlichmans disability, or Mr. Ehrlichmans termination of employment without good reason, then Mr. Ehrlichman would not be entitled to additional salary or benefits beyond the termination date, and his unvested options would be fully forfeited while the lapse date for his vested options would be accelerated. In additional, should Mr. Ehrlichmans termination of employment without good reason occur in the first year of the term, he would be required to refund certain consideration.
Kevin F. Pickard, Interim Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Pickard provides his services as Interim Chief Financial Officer on an at-will contract basis through Pickard & Green, CPAs, P.C. Mr. Pickard is paid for his services at the rate of $250 per hour.
Management Overall Compensation Table
The following table shows the overall compensation expense recognized by the company or included in its financial statements over each of the past two fiscal years ending December 31, 2007 with respect to: (1) each person who served as the principal executive officer of Signalife during fiscal 2007; (2) Signalifes two most highly compensated executive officers as of December 31, 2007 with total compensation during fiscal 2007 of $100,000 or more; and (3) up to two other persons, if any, who would have otherwise been included in clause (2) above but for the fact they were not serving as an executive officer of the company as of December 31, 2007 (collectively, the Named Officers And Employees). Excluded from the following table is compensation expense recognized by the company solely in connection with services provided to the company by Dr. Lowell Harmison and Ms. Pamela Bunes in their capacity as directors of the company. For information relating to this compensation expense, see the table included in that section of this proxy statement above captioned Director Overall Compensation Expense Table.
Named Officer Or Employee | Year | Salary(1) | Bonus(2) | Stock | Option | Non- | Non- | All | Total Compen- |
Lowell T. Harmison (6) | 2007 | $ 70,000 | $ | $ | $ (7) | $ | $ | $ 70,000(8) | $ 140,000 |
Pamela M. Bunes (9) | 2007 | $ 188,846 | $ | $ | $ 178,230(10) | $ | $ | $ | $ 367,076 |
Budimir Drakulic | 2007 | $ 103,128(12) | $ 129,836 | $ (13) | $ (14) | $ | $ | $ (15) | $ 232,964 |
William R. Mathews | 2007 | $ 176,000(17) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ 176,000 |
15
16
(18) For fiscal 2006, reflects the vesting of 5,000 common share purchase options previously granted to Mr. Mathews in his capacity as an employee of the company. |
No outstanding common share purchase option or other equity-based award granted to or held by each Named Officer Or Employee were repriced or otherwise materially modified, including extension of exercise periods, the change of vesting or forfeiture conditions, the change or elimination of applicable performance criteria, or the change of the bases upon which returns are determined, nor was there any waiver or modification of any specified performance target, goal or condition to payout.
No Named Officer Or Employee is currently participating in any qualified or unqualified plan or other arrangement providing for the payment of retirement benefits or other benefits that will be paid primarily after retirement.
Management Outstanding Equity Awards Table
The following table provides certain information concerning any common share purchase options, stock awards or equity incentive plan awards as of December 31, 2007 held by each person who was a Named Officer Or Employee as hereinabove defined, including options or awards granted for services as a director.
| Option Awards |
| Stock Awards | |||||||
Named Officer Or Employee | Number of | Equity | Option | Option |
| Number | Market | Equity | Equity | |
Exercisable | Unexer- | |||||||||
Lowell T. Harmison | 50,000(3) | °°° | °°° | $ 4.20 | 6/5/08 |
| °°° | °°° | °°° | °°° |
Pamela M. Bunes | 50,000(9) | °°° | °°° | $ 3.43 | 8/17/08 |
| °°° | °°° | °°° | °°° |
Budimir Drakulic | (11) | °°° | °°° | °°° | °°° |
| °°° | °°° | °°° | °°° |
William R. Mathews | 20,000(12) | °°° | °°° | $ 4.05 | 1/31/10 |
| °°° | °°° | °°° | °°° |
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Transactions And Business Relationships With Management And Principal Shareholders
Summarized below are certain transactions with Signalife (exclusive of compensatory transactions or arrangements with executive officers or directors previously discussed in this proxy statement) which were entered into on or after January 1, 2006, or which are presently proposed, in which any person who is currently an executive officer, director, director nominee, or holder of more than five percent of any class of our securities, or any of their immediate family members, had or will have a direct or indirect interest:
·
From May 10, 2008, upon his appointment as a director, until June 1, 2008, upon his appointment as President and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Ehrlichman provided management consulting services to the company at the rate of $4,000 per day
Ownership Of Securities By Management And Principal Shareholders
The following table sets forth selected information, computed as of the [ ], 2008 record date for the Annual Meeting, about the amount of shares with voting rights beneficially owned or prospectively acquirable each person currently reported in this proxy statement to be an executive officer, each person currently reported in this proxy statement to be a current director and/or director nominee, and each person known to us to own beneficially more than 5% of any class of our voting securities as of the aforesaid record date; and the group comprised of the aforesaid executive officers and directors.
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The number and percentage of shares beneficially owned or prospectively acquirable is calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act and Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 promulgated by the SEC thereunder, which calculates ownership based solely upon whether a person has or is presumed to have voting power or investment power over those securities. See footnote (1) to this table. Accordingly, the number of shares stated as being beneficially owned or acquirable by the individual or entity named is therefore not necessarily indicative of actual or beneficial ownership for any other purpose, including the determination of the number of shares over which they a pecuniary interest and are reported as being owned under SEC forms 3, 4 and 5.
We believe that each individual or entity named has sole investment and voting power with respect to the securities indicated as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws, where applicable, except where otherwise noted. Unless otherwise stated, the address of each person is 4705 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Suite 203, Studio city, California 91607.
| Class Of Stock(1) | ||||
| Common |
| Series A Preferred (2) | ||
Name | Amount | % |
| Amount | % |
Rowland Perkins (3)(4) | 226,000(8) | [ ]% |
| 0 | |
Lee B. Ehrlichman (3)(4) | 12,500(9) | — |
| 0 | — |
Kevin F. Pickard (3) | 100,000(10) | * |
| 0 | — |
Jennifer Black (4) | 296,500(11) | [ • ]% |
| 0 | — |
Charles H. Harrison (4) | 118,500(12) | [ • ]% |
| 0 | — |
Jay A. Johnson (4) | 50,000(13) | * |
| 0 | — |
Robert Koblin (4) | — | * |
| 0 | — |
Willie Gault (4) | 20,145 | * |
| 0 | — |
Tracey Hampton / ARC Finance Group, LLC (5)(6) | 22,605,800(14) | [ • ]% |
| 0 | — |
Trellus Management Co. (5)(7) | 6,198,885(15) | [ • ]% |
| 0 | — |
John Viney (5) | — | — |
| 14,574 | 100% |
Directors and executive officers, as a group | 853,500(16) | [ • ]% |
| 0 | — |
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Compliance With Section 16
Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 requires any person who is a director or executive officer of Signalife, or who beneficially holds more than 10% of any class of our securities which have been registered with the SEC, to file reports of initial ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. These persons are also required under SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file. To our knowledge based solely on our review of the copies of the Section 16(a) reports furnished to us and written representations to us that no other reports were required, the following directors and executive officers were late or deficient with respect to the following filings under Section 16(a) during or relating to fiscal 2007: (1) each of our directors as of December 31, 2007 failed to timely file a form 5 with respect to the automatic annual grant of common share options to them during fiscal 2007 in connection with their appointment or continued service as a director.
Code of Ethics
Our Board of Directors adopted a code of ethics applicable to our management. We will provide a copy of the code without charge to any person who sends a request for a copy to our principal executive offices.
Shareholder Communication Policies And Procedures
Under our corporate governance guidelines, we have adopted a policy pursuant to which shareholders may send communications to individual directors or the full board of directors as a whole. Any such communications may be sent by mail or courier to the Company's principal executive offices, addressed to the individual director or to
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the full board of directors, or by facsimile transmission at the Company's general facsimile number. These procedures are set forth in Q: How Can I Contact Signalifes Directors? in the Questions And Answers section of this proxy statement above.
PROPOSAL NO. 2
INCREASE IN AUTHORIZED COMMON SHARES
General
On July 9, 2008, our board of directors approved an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to increase the number of common shares we are authorized to issue from 100,000,000 shares to 300,000,000 shares (the Common Share Increase), and an increase in the boilerplate preferred shares we are authorized to designate and issue from 10,000,000 shares to 30,000,000 shares (the Preferred Share Increase), subject to shareholder approval. As of the [ ], 2008, we had issued and outstanding or accrued for issuance a total of: (1) [ ] common shares; (2) 14,574 series A preferred shares, plus an additional [ ] unissued series A preferred shares accrued for issuance as dividends through March 31, 2008; and (3) stock purchase options and warrants entitling the holders to purchase up to [ ] and 179,292 common shares and series A preferred shares, respectively. In the event we receive shareholder approval for this action, the Common Share Increase and the Preferred Share Increase (collectively, the Authorized Share Increase) will be implemented through, and become effective upon, the filing with the Delaware Secretary of State of a certificate of amendment to our certificate of incorporation.
Our board of directors recommends that you vote "FOR" the Authorized Share Increase. Proxies solicited by our board of directors will be so voted unless your proxy specifies otherwise.
Reason For Authorized Share Increase
The purpose of the Authorized Share Increase is to increase the number of common and preferred shares available for issuance to ensure that sufficient shares remain available for issuance by the company for future corporate needs. Our board of directors would be able to issue these additional common shares in its discretion from time to time, subject to any rules or listing requirements of any securities exchange or market on which our common shares are listed or trade, and subject to any other applicable rules and regulations in the case of any particular issuance or reservation for issuance that might require our shareholders to approve such transaction. The newly authorized common shares could be could be sold or issued in public or private sales (including under the companys equity distribution facility with YA Global Investments, L.P.), including the sale or issuance of debt or other equity securities convertible into common shares, to raise working capital, to satisfy indebtedness, to provide compensation including under current or future equity compensation plan, to make additional acquisitions or enter into business combinations, or to facilitate stock splits or stock dividends. Our board of directors believes that these additional shares will provide us with needed flexibility to issue shares in the future without the potential expense or delay incident to obtaining shareholder approval for any particular issuance.
There are currently no plans, arrangements, commitments or understandings with respect to the issuance of any of the additional common or preferred shares that would be added to the companys capitalization pursuant to the Authorized Share Increase, with the potential exception of sales of common shares by Signalife to YA Global Investments, L.P. pursuant to the exercise by Signalife of put options which Signalife may deliver from time-to-time through January 2011 under the companys Standby Equity Distribution Agreement with YA Global Investments, L.P. In the latter case, since the decision to exercise the put options remain in the sole control of Signalife, and the number of shares to be sold are dependent upon future market conditions, it is unknown if any additional common shares added to the companys capitalization pursuant to the Authorized Share Increase would be used for such purpose.
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Rights of Additional Common Shares
Any additional common shares authorized as a result of the Common Share Increase would, if and when issued, be part of our existing class of common shares and would have the same rights and privileges as common shares currently outstanding. Our shareholders do not have pre-emptive rights with respect to the common shares. Accordingly, should our board of directors issue additional common shares authorized as a result of the Common Share Increase, existing shareholders would not have any preferential rights to purchase any of such shares.
Rights of Additional Preferred Shares
Any additional preferred shares authorized as a result of the Preferred Share Increase would augment our existing class of authorized but unissued boilerplate preferred shares. These shares may be issued from time to time in one or more series as designated by our board of directors. The voting powers and preferences, the relative rights of each series, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof may be established by our board of directors without any further vote or action by our shareholders. Our shareholders do not have pre-emptive rights with respect to the preferred shares or any designated series of preferred shares. Accordingly, should our board of directors designate a series of preferred shares authorized as a result of the Preferred Share Increase, existing shareholders would not have any preferential rights to purchase or otherwise acquire or receive any of such shares.
Effect Of Approval Of Authorized Share Increase
The future issuance of additional common and preferred shares, including those issued as the result of the Authorized Share Increase, would have a dilutive effect on the voting power and interest of current shareholders, and could have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share and book value per share. In addition, the issuance of additional common and preferred shares, including those issued as the result of the Authorized Share Increase, could also have an anti-takeover effect by permitting the issuance of shares to purchasers who might oppose a hostile takeover bid or oppose any efforts to amend or repeal certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws.
The company is not aware of any attempt, or contemplated attempt, to acquire control of the company, with the possible exception of a single alleged shareholder who claims he has recently (in the past three months) bought a significant amount of Signalife stock, and is now repeatedly demanding that (1) that the company change management and operations under his leadership, and (2) that he be allowed to fully investigate each and every facet of the company. In making these demands, the shareholder has stated that other shareholders holding a significant number of shares also share his desire. However, despite repeated requests, the shareholder (1) adamantly refuses to provide any evidence confirming his claims about holding any common shares, much less a significant amount of common shares as claimed, (2) adamantly refuses to give the names of any other shareholders allegedly sharing his demands, much less establishing that they hold a significant number of common shares as claimed. Management is also unaware of any such supporting shareholders after canvassing its known major shareholder base. Unless and until this shareholder can verifiably demonstrate significant shareholder support for his demands, the board sees no point in even considering entering into discussions with the shareholder, much less taking any other steps to comport with his demands. Moreover, the board is already in the process of augmenting management. This proposal is not being presented with the intent that it be used to prevent or discourage any acquisition attempt, whether by the aforesaid shareholder or any other party. However, nothing would prevent our board of directors from taking any such actions that it deems to be consistent with its fiduciary duties.
Rejection Of Proposed Authorized Share Increase
In the event that our shareholders reject the proposed amendment, we might not be able to make acquisitions, raise additional working capital or enter into business combinations, or engage qualified officers, employees, directors or consultants, which may not be in the best interests of the company or its shareholders.
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PROPOSAL NO. 3
AUTHORIZATION OF THE PROSPECTIVE SALE OF MORE THAN 3,565,679 COMMON SHARES UNDER STANDBY EQUITY DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT TO COMPLY WITH AMEX REQUIREMENTS
General
On August 6, 2007, Signalife entered into a Standby Equity Distribution Agreement with YA Global Investments, L.P. (YA Global Investments) pursuant to which YA Global Investments granted to Signalife the right at its election without any obligation to do so, over a three-year period commencing as of January 16, 2008 (the effective date of the registration statement registering shares issuable under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement), to incrementally sell up to $100,000,000 in common shares to YA Global Investments at a price equal to 97% of the lowest daily VWAP for Signalifes common stock on its primary market over a five-day trading period (the pricing period) following the date of notice of Signalifes exercise of its selling rights. In order to comply with the requirements of the American Stock Exchange (AMEX), Signalife is seeking shareholder approval (the SEDA Approval) which would allow the company to exercise its put rights under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement to the extent it desires to sell more than 3,565,679 common shares to YA Global Investments over the three-year term of the agreement.
Our board of directors recommends that you vote "FOR" the SEDA Approval. Proxies solicited by our board of directors will be so voted unless your proxy specifies otherwise.
Background
To date, Signalife has sold 2,780,468 common shares to YA Global Investments its equity distribution facility to provide working capital. Prior to entering into the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, management had discussed meeting the companys cash flow needs with a number of investors, however, it considered the terms of other financing proposals given or indicated by these investors to be unduly harsh and unfair to both the company and existing shareholders, being based in many cases on the provision of convertible debentures with unfavorable terms to the company, including the provision of full ratchet repricing provisions which the company considered to constitute so-called death spiral financing. The company found the equity distribution facility with YA Global Investment to have numerous positive elements, including (1) an absence of death spiral or toxic features; (2) providing the company with the ability to control sales of common shares or drawdowns based upon its requirements; (3) pricing sales at a nominal discount to market; and (4) ultimately affording the company with the ability to fund operations over a three-year period for up to $100,000,000. Moreover, since YA Global Investments concurrently invested $2,000,000 in Signalife to purchase 2,956,830 common shares and common share purchase warrants entitling it to purchase an addition 1,500,000 shares, the company was comfortable that YA Global Investments would have a significant disincentive to disrupting the market should it elect to sell any shares put to it under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement or otherwise held by it. As of this date, YA Global Investments continues to hold the aforesaid 2,956,830 common shares and 1,500,000 warrants.
The most significant limitation on the use of the equity distribution facility from managements prospective is not any contractual restrictions contained in the underlying agreements, but rather the effect on the market. Specifically, before exercising its put options with YA Global Investments to initiate draw-downs under the equity distribution facility, management balances the amount requested with current and prospective market conditions over the pricing period, including price and volume, in an attempt to target the number of shares to be sold to reflect an appropriately small fraction of market volume, thereby hopefully minimizing any adverse effect on the market should YA Global Investments decide to sell any other shares it may own in the interim five-day pricing period to hedge its position. For the most part, market prices have remained stable or increased during the five-day pricing periods where it would be expected that YA Global Investments would sell such shares to hedge its position should it determine it necessary to do so.
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Although the credit facility with YA Global Investments allows us to sell up to $100,000,000 in common shares over its three-year term, our ability to sell such shares is nevertheless circumscribed by a number of contractual restrictions and limitations contained in the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, including (1) the availability of a sufficient number of registered shares to be so sold under the registration statement filed with the SEC registering shares to be sold under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement based, in part, on limitations imposed by the SEC as to the number of shares that may be registered in relation to our public float; (2) a potential restriction on the maximum proceeds that we may raise under any put notice (restricted to the greater of $1,000,000 or the VWAP of our common stock on our principal market during the five trading days immediately prior to such notice multiplied by the average daily volume traded on such market during such period); (3) a restriction on our ability to exercise our put rights to the extent that such exercise would cause the total shares beneficially held by YA Global Investments and its affiliates to exceed 9.99% of our then outstanding common shares, calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act; (4) a restriction on our ability to exercise our put rights to the extent that such exercise would cause the number of shares we sell to YA Global to exceed 20% of our outstanding shares as of the date the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement was entered into, unless we otherwise procure shareholder approvals or consents in accordance with AMEX rules; and (5) the availability of a sufficient number of authorized but unreserved common shares under Signalifes certificate of incorporation.
Reason For SEDA Approval
Under the rules of the American Stock Exchange (AMEX), for Signalife to exercise its rights to put more than 3,565,679 common shares to YA Global Investments over the three-year term of the equity distribution facility, Signalife would need to acquire shareholder approval. Thus, unless and until shareholder approval is received, Signalife will only be able to sell an additional 785,211 shares under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement.
The foregoing limitation arises as a consequence of an AMEX rule requiring shareholder approval for issuances of more than 20% of an issuers outstanding shares as of the date of the underlying transactions. In calculating the 20%, AMEX includes (i.e., deems as part of the aforesaid 20%) shares issued or issuable in related transactions. Accordingly, in the instant case, the company includes in its 20% calculation: (1) 1,404,495 common shares issued to YA Global Investments as compensation for entering into the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement and committing to selling shares to Signalife over its three-year term; (2) 2,956,830 common shares issued and 1,500,000 common shares issuable under common share purchase warrants purchased by YA Global Investments in a private placement entered into concurrently with the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, and (3) 14,405 shares in connection with the aforesaid private placement issued to a registered broker-dealer as compensation for acting as Signalifes exclusive placement agent. As a result of the aforesaid inclusions, under AMEX rules Signalife will be able to exercise its put rights under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement with YA Global Investments only to the extent of 3,565,679 common shares unless and until it procures shareholder approval.
Advantages Of SEDA Approval
Described below are a number of advantages relating to the equity distribution facility with YA Global Investments. The order of presentation of each such matter should not be inferred to be indicative of the relative importance of such matter. Moreover, the following list should not be construed to imply that it is exhaustive.
Sales Under The Equity Distribution Make A Significant Contribution Toward Short-Term Liquidity Requirements.
The equity distribution facility with YA Global Investments has provided substantial assistance to Signalife in meeting its short-term (immediate) working capital requirements since January 2008, and Signalife would like for that contribution to continue.
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The Equity Distribution Facility Affords Signalife With Flexibility In Raising Capital Near Current Market Prices.
Since the decision as to whether to utilize the equity distribution facility remains under control of Signalife, the company exclusively determines whether to exercises the facility at all or in part, at what times and for what amounts.
The Equity Distribution Facility May Allow Signalife To Procure Up To $100,000,000 In Financing In The Longer Term.
The ability to procure $100,000,000 in financing over the three-year term of the Standby Equity Distribution Facility allows Signalife to have a substantial equity distribution facility in place to cover substantial long-term growth.
It Is More Likely That We Will Need To Procure Additional Financing From Third Parties If The SEDA Approval Is Not Granted.
We are currently in a position where we have only limited amounts of cash available to fund operations and working capital requirements going forward. In the meantime, our cash requirements are increasing as we ramp-up product manufacturing and shipment activities under our current purchase orders, as there will be a lag time in receiving associated revenues. As of this date, the only active credit facility we have in place to fund, or assist in funding these requirements is the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement. It is unclear as of this date if, given recent market conditions and pending purchase order requirements, the cash we can raise from this equity distribution facility will provide sufficient funding to cover any shortfall. Nevertheless, the likelihood that we will be required to procure additional financing from third parties to continue operations absent the equity distribution facility with YA Global Investments is very high.
To The Extent That Signalife Is Able To Finance Its Operations Through The Equity Distribution Facility, It May Enable Us To Avoid Raising Additional Financing On Terms That Are Unduly Expensive Or Burdensome To The Company Or Disadvantageous To Our Existing Shareholders.
To the extent it becomes necessary to raise additional cash, we anticipate we would seek to raise it through the public or private sale of debt or equity securities, the procurement of advances on contracts or licenses, funding from joint-venture or strategic partners, debt financing or short-term loans, or a combination of the foregoing. The terms of such transactions may be unduly expensive or burdensome to the company or disadvantageous to our existing shareholders. For example, we may be forced to sell or issue our securities at significant discounts to market, or pursuant to onerous terms and conditions, including the issuance of preferred stock with disadvantageous dividend, voting or veto, board membership, conversion, redemption or liquidation provisions; the issuance of convertible debt with disadvantageous interest rates and conversion features; the issuance of warrants with cashless exercise features; the issuance of debt or preferred stock with full-ratchet death spiral conversion provisions; and the grant of registration rights with significant penalties for the failure to quickly register. If we raise debt financing, we may be required to secure the financing with all of our business assets, which could be sold or retained by the creditor should we default in our payment obligations. We also might be required to sell or license our products or technologies under disadvantageous circumstances we would not otherwise consider, including granting licenses with low royalty rates and exclusivity provisions.
Disadvantages Of SEDA Approval
Described below are a number of uncertainties, risks factors and other disadvantages relating to the equity distribution facility with YA Global Investments. The order of presentation of each such matter should not be inferred to be indicative of the relative importance of such matter. Moreover, the following list should not be construed to imply that it is exhaustive.
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We May Not Be Able To Access Sufficient Funds Under The Standby Equity Distribution Agreement When Needed.
Our ability to continue to use the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement is circumscribed by a number of restrictions and limitations contained in the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, including (1) the availability of a sufficient number of registered shares to be so sold under the Standby Equity Purchase Agreement based, in part, on limitations imposed by the SEC as to the number of shares that may be registered in relation to our public float; (2) a potential restriction on the maximum proceeds that we may raise under any put notice (restricted to the greater of $1,000,000 or the volume weighted average price or VWAP of our common stock on our principal market during the five trading days immediately prior to such notice multiplied by the average daily volume traded on such market during such period); (3) a restriction on our ability to exercise our put rights to the extent that such exercise would cause the total shares beneficially held by YA Global Investments and its affiliates to exceed 9.99% of our then outstanding common shares, calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act; (4) a restriction on our ability to exercise our put rights to the extent that such exercise would exceed 20% of our outstanding shares as of the date the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement was entered into without procuring shareholder approvals or consents in accordance with AMEX rules; and (5) the availability of a sufficient number of authorized but unreserved common shares under our certificate of incorporation. Based upon the foregoing limitations, no assurances can be given that financing will be available under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement in sufficient amounts or at all when needed.
We May Be Limited In The Amount We Can Raise Under The Standby Equity Distribution Agreement Because Of Concerns About Selling More Shares Into The Public Market Than The Market Can Absorb Without A Significant Price Adjustment.
We will want to avoid placing more shares into the public market than the markets ability to absorb without a significant downward pressure on the price of our common stock. This potential adverse impact on the stock price may limit our willingness to use the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement.
We Will Not Be Able To Exercise Our Put Rights Under The Standby Equity Distribution Agreement When We Are In Possession Of Material Nonpublic Information.
Whenever we are issuing shares to YA Global Investments, we will be deemed to be involved in an indirect primary offering. We cannot engage in any offering of securities without disclosing all information that may be material to an investor in making an investment decision. Accordingly, we may be required to either disclose such information in a registration statement or prospectus supplement or refrain from exercising our put rights under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement.
The Standby Equity Distribution Agreement May Restrict Our Ability To Engage In Alternative Financings.
Because of the structure of standby equity distribution transactions, we will be deemed to be involved in a near continuous indirect primary public offering of our securities. As long as we are deemed to be engaged in a public offering, our ability to engage in a private placement may be limited because of integration concerns.
The Pricing For The Standby Equity Distribution Agreement Is Relatively Expensive If Only A Small Part Of The Standby Equity Distribution Agreement Facility Is Ever Used.
We do not know how much of the commitment amount under the standby equity distribution agreement we will be eligible to use or otherwise elect to use. The pricing for the commitment under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, the cost to register the common shares offered under this prospectus, and the transactional costs for the exercise of our put rights, will be relatively expensive if only a small part of the facility is ever used.
Sales of Shares To YA Global Investments Will Dilute Existing Shareholders.
The sale and issuance of common shares to YA Global Investments under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement will dilute the overall proportionate voting, dividend participation and other and pecuniary ownership
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rights of existing common shareholders. Further, our net loss per share or net income per share, as the case may be, would increase or decrease, respectively, as the result of the issuance of common shares to YA Global Investments under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, which could be a factor in causing the market price of our common stock to decline. In addition, the lower our stock price, the more shares of common stock we will have to issue under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement to draw down the full amount. If our stock price is lower, then our existing stockholders would experience greater dilution.
YA Global Investments Will Pay Less Than The Then-Prevailing Market Price For The Common Shares Offered Under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, Which May Cause The Price Of Our Common Stock To Decline.
Under the terms of the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, YA Global Investments Partners will purchase the common shares offered at a price equal to 97% of the lowest daily volume weighted average price or VWAP for our common stock on our primary market over a five-day trading period (the pricing period) following the date of notice of the exercise of our selling rights under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement. Although such purchases will not be directly reflected in the market price for our common stock, market awareness of such below-market purchases may cause the market price for our common stock to decline.
YA Global Investments May Have An Incentive To Sell Common Shares It Holds, Which May Cause The Price Of Our Common Stock To Decline. The Perception Of Such Sales Could Also Cause The Price Of Our Common Stock To Decline.
Since YA Global Investments will be purchasing common shares at a three percent discount to prevailing market prices as described above, YA Global Investments will have an incentive to immediately sell such shares (or other common shares it owns or acquires), in order to realize a gain on the difference between the purchase price and the then-prevailing market price of our common stock. Such sales could be facilitated either during the pricing period (YA Global Investments will be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock corresponding to a particular advance on the date that we exercise our put rights) or after delivery of shares. In addition, we are precluded under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement from exercising our put rights to the extent that it would cause YA Global Investments to increase its position to more than 9.99% of our outstanding common shares. In either of such cases, YA Global Investments will have an incentive to immediately sell the common shares offered under this prospectus (or other common shares it owns or acquires) in order to ensure that YA Global Investments has an opportunity to purchase the common shares offered under this prospectus at a discount pursuant to the terms of the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement. To the extent YA Global Investments sells our common shares, the market price for our common stock may decrease due to the additional shares in the market. A reduction in the market price for our common stock may also influence YA Global Investments to sell a greater number of common shares, which would further depress the stock price.
The Sale Of The Common Shares By YA Global Could Encourage Short Sales By Third Parties, Which Could Contribute To The Future Decline Of Our Stock Price.
In many circumstances the provision of financing based on the distribution of equity for companies whose common stock is publicly traded has the potential to cause a significant downward pressure on the price of such common stock. This is especially the case if the shares being placed into the public market exceed the markets ability to take up the increased stock or if we have not performed in such a manner to show that the equity funds raised will be used to grow our business. Such an event could place further downward pressure on the price of our common stock. Under the terms of Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, we may request numerous cash advances. Even if we use the cash advances to grow our revenues and profits or invest in assets that are materially beneficial to us, the opportunity exists for short sellers and others to contribute to the future decline of our stock price. If there are significant short sales of our common stock, the price decline that would result from this activity will cause the share price to decline more to which in turn may cause long holders of the stock to sell their shares, thereby contributing to sales of common stock in the market. If there is an imbalance on the sell side of the market for our common stock, the price will likely decline.
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Private Equity Lines Are Relatively New Concepts And It Is Not Clear How The Courts And The SEC Will Treat Them.
Private equity lines of credit are relatively recent creations and differ in significant ways from traditional PIPE financing transactions. The staff of the SECs Division of Corporation Finance has taken the position that, as long as certain criteria are met, the staff will not recommend enforcement action with respect to the private equity lines of credit or the related resale registration statement containing this prospectus. It should be noted however, that the staffs position, although significant, is not a definitive interpretation of the law and is not binding on courts. Accordingly, there is a risk that a court may find this type of financing arrangement, or the manner in which it is implemented, to violate securities laws.
PROPOSAL NO. 4:
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Appointment Of Independent Auditors
The audit committee of our board of directors has recommended, and our board has approved, the appointment of Elliott Davis, LLC (Elliott Davis), as our independent auditors for our 2008 fiscal year. Elliott Davis also served as our independent auditors for our 2007 fiscal year. Since we believe it is important for Signalife to receive your input on our selection of independent auditors for our company, that appointment is being presented to you for ratification. We have afforded Elliott Davis with the opportunity for a representative to attend the Annual Meeting and to make a statement should he or she desire to do so. This representative will also be available to answer any questions you may have.
You should note that your ratification of our selection of Elliott Davis as our independent auditors for our 2008 fiscal year is advisory only and not binding upon Signalife, although our audit committee will seriously consider your objections in not ratifying the appointment. Even if our audit committee were to seek other independent auditors as a consequence of your objections, it is likely, because of the difficulty and expense of making any change in independent auditors, that the appointment of Elliott Davis would stand unless the audit committee were to find other good reason to make a change. Our audit committee also reserves the right to engage any other independent auditors at any time, notwithstanding your ratification of Elliott Davis as our independent auditors for fiscal 2008, should it deem it to be in the best interests of Signalife and its shareholders.
Our board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of Elliott Davis as our independent auditors for our 2008 fiscal year. Proxies solicited by our board of directors will be so voted unless the holder of voting shares tendering the proxy specifies otherwise.
Audit and Accounting Fees
Summarized below is the aggregate amount of various audit and other professional fees billed by our principal auditors and accountants with respect to our last two fiscal years:
| 2007 |
| 2006 |
Audit fees | $ 95,650 |
| $ 93,350 |
Audit-related fees | $ 9,500 |
| $ 16,000 |
Tax fees | $ 9,500 |
| $ 9,500 |
All other fees | $ |
| $ |
All other fees, including tax consultation and preparation | $ |
| $ |
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Under our corporate governance guidelines and audit committee charter, our audit committee approves the engagement of our auditors, the scope of their work, and monitors their performance. In performing its duties, our audit committee has determined our auditors to be independent as that term is defined under the federal securities laws.
PROPOSAL NO. 5:
OTHER MATTERS
The enclosed proxy card gives the proxy holder discretionary authority to vote the shares held by the voting shareholder tendering the proxy in accordance with the proxy holders best judgment with respect to all additional matters which might come before the Annual Meeting. In addition to the scheduled items of business, the Annual Meeting may consider shareholder proposals omitted from this proxy statement pursuant to the SECs proxy rules and matters related to the conduct of the Annual Meeting. At the date of printing of this proxy statement, we are not aware of any other matter which would be presented for action before the Annual Meeting.
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Proxy For Holders Of Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock
SIGNALIFE, INC.
Annual Meeting of Shareholders [ ], 2008
The undersigned hereby appoints ROWLAND PERKINS and KEVIN PICKARD and each of them (with full power to act without the other) the true and lawful proxies of the undersigned, each having full power to substitute, to represent the undersigned and to vote all shares of common stock, par value $0.001 (the common shares) and series A preferred stock, par value $0.001 (the series A preferred shares) of SIGNALIFE, INC., a Delaware corporation (Signalife), which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Signalife (the Annual Meeting) to be held at the [ ] located at [ ], California, on [ ], [ ], 2008, at the hour of [ ], Pacific Standard Time, or any postponed or adjourned meetings thereof, as described in Signalifes Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders And Proxy Statement dated [ ], 2008 (the Proxy Statement).
1.
PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The election of the following seven nominees identified in the Proxy Statement to serve on Signalifes board of directors until their successors have been elected and qualified:
ROWLAND PERKINS LEE B. EHRLICHMAN JENNIFER BLACK CHARLES H. HARRISON
JAY A. JOHNSON ROBERT KOBLIN JOHNSON WILLIE GAULT
FOR | o | WITHHOLD | o |
You may withhold authority to vote for the election of any of the director nominees by lining through his or her name above.
SIGNALIFES BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE AFORESAID SEVEN DIRECTOR NOMINEES TO SERVE ON ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS. UNLESS SPECIFIC DIRECTION IS GIVEN TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL OF THE AFORESAID DIRECTOR NOMINEES OR ANY OF THEM, THE COMMON OR SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY SHALL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE AFORESAID DIRECTOR NOMINEES (INCLUDING WHERE THIS PROXY HAS BEEN DULY SIGNED BUT NO SPECIFIC VOTING INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN GIVEN).
2.
PROPOSAL NO. 2: INCREASE AUTHORIZED CAPITALIZATION
To amend our certificate of incorporation to increase our authorized number of common shares to 300,000,000 and our authorized number of preferred shares to 30,000,000.
FOR | o | AGAINST | o | ABSTAIN | o |
1
SIGNALIFES BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE INCREASE IN THE COMPANYS AUTHORIZED CAPITALIZATION. UNLESS SPECIFIC DIRECTION IS GIVEN TO VOTE AGAINST OR TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THIS PROPOSAL, THE COMMON AND SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSAL (INCLUDING WHERE THIS PROXY HAS BEEN DULY SIGNED BUT NO SPECIFIC VOTING INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN GIVEN).
3.
PROPOSAL NO. 3: APPROVAL OF ISSUANCE OF SHARES
To approve the issuance of shares under our Standby Equity Distribution Agreement.
FOR | o | AGAINST | o | ABSTAIN | o |
SIGNALIFES BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE ISSUANCE OF SHARES UNDER THE STANDBY EQUITY DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT. UNLESS SPECIFIC DIRECTION IS GIVEN TO VOTE AGAINST OR TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THIS PROPOSAL, THE COMMON AND SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSAL (INCLUDING WHERE THIS PROXY HAS BEEN DULY SIGNED BUT NO SPECIFIC VOTING INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN GIVEN).
4.
PROPOSAL NO. 4: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Ratification of the appointment of Elliott Davis, LLC, as Signalifes independent auditors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.
FOR | o | AGAINST | o | ABSTAIN | o |
SIGNALIFES BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF ELLIOTT DAVIS, LLC, AS SIGNALIFES INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008. UNLESS SPECIFIC DIRECTION IS GIVEN TO VOTE AGAINST OR TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THIS PROPOSAL, THE COMMON AND SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSAL (INCLUDING WHERE THIS PROXY HAS BEEN DULY SIGNED BUT NO SPECIFIC VOTING INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN GIVEN).
5.
PROPOSAL NO. 5: OTHER MATTERS
All other matters that may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting for vote by the holders of the common and series A preferred shares, or any postponements or adjournments thereof, as to which the undersigned hereby confers discretionary authority upon said proxies.
FOR | o | AGAINST | o | ABSTAIN | o |
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SIGNALIFES BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL. UNLESS SPECIFIC DIRECTION IS GIVEN TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR THE AFORESAID PROPOSAL, THE COMMON AND SERIES A SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY THE PROXY HOLDERS IN THEIR DISCRETION.
All other proxies heretofore given by the undersigned to vote common or series A preferred shares which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof are hereby expressly revoked. This proxy may be revoked at any time prior to the voting hereof.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Proxy Statement dated [ ], 2008 relating to the Annual Meeting.
NOTE: Please date this proxy and sign it exactly as your name or names appear on your shares. If signing as an attorney, executor, administrator, guardian or trustee, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer or officers, affix corporate seal and attach a certified copy of resolution or bylaws evidencing authority.
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