SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [xx]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[XX] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12
AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORPORATION
----------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
_______________________________________________________
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[xx] No fee required
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and
0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
..................................................................
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5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
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which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the
previous filing by registration statement number, or the
Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
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4) Date Filed:
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1
[GRAPHIC OMITTED] [GRAPHIC OMITTED]
AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORPORATION
300 E. MALLARD, SUITE 300
BOISE, IDAHO 83706
208-331-8400
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TIME 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time on
Thursday, May 29, 2003
PLACE The Standard Club
Chicago Room, 4th Floor
320 S. Plymouth Court
Chicago, Illinois 60604
PROPOSALS (1) To elect seven directors of the Board of Directors
to serve a one year term.
(2) To ratify the selection of Moss Adams LLP as the
Company's independent auditors for the Company's
fiscal year ending December 31, 2003.
(3) To provide a 10 year extension of the 1992
Employee Stock Option Plan.
(4) To transact other business as may properly come
before the meeting or any adjournments or
postponements thereof.
RECORD DATE You are entitled to vote if you were a stockholder at
the close of business on March 31, 2003. A list of
shareholders will be available for inspection for a
period of 10 days prior to the meeting at the Company's
principal office identified above and will also be
available for inspection at the meeting.
VOTING BY PROXY Please submit a proxy as soon as possible so that your
shares can be voted at the meeting in accordance with
your instructions. For specific instructions on voting,
please refer to the instructions on the proxy card.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ROGER P. HICKEY
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Boise, Idaho
April 16, 2003
All Stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. Whether
or not you expect to attend the meeting, please complete, date, sign and return
the enclosed proxy as promptly as possible in order to ensure your
representation at the meeting. A return envelope (postage is prepaid if mailed
in the United States) is enclosed for that purpose. Even if you have given your
proxy, you may still vote in person if you attend the meeting and revoke your
proxy. PLEASE NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT IF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD OF RECORD BY A BROKER,
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BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE AND YOU WISH TO VOTE AT THE MEETING, YOU WILL NOT BE
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PERMITTED TO VOTE IN PERSON AT THE MEETING UNLESS YOU FIRST OBTAIN A PROXY
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ISSUED IN YOUR NAME FROM THE RECORD HOLDER.
-------------------------------------------
2
AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 29, 2003
PROXY STATEMENT
__________________________________
This Proxy Statement relates to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of American
Ecology Corporation, (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, to be held on May
29, 2003, at 10:00 a.m., at the Standard Club in the Chicago Room 4th Floor, 320
S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, Illinois 60604, including any adjournments or
postponements thereof (the "Meeting"). This Proxy Statement, the accompanying
proxy card and the Company's Annual Report are first being mailed to
stockholders of the Company on or about April 25, 2003. THEY ARE FURNISHED IN
CONNECTION WITH THE SOLICITATION BY THE COMPANY OF PROXIES FROM THE HOLDERS OF
THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE ("COMMON STOCK"), FOR USE
AT THE MEETING.
The principal solicitation of proxies is being made by mail; however, additional
solicitation may be made by telephone, facsimile or personal visits by
directors, officers and regular employees of the Company and its subsidiaries,
who will not receive additional compensation. The Company will reimburse
brokerage firms and others for their reasonable expenses in forwarding
soliciting material.
All shares represented by duly executed proxies in the accompanying form
received prior to the Meeting will be voted in the manner specified therein. Any
stockholder granting a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is voted by
filing with the Secretary of the Company either an instrument revoking the proxy
or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. Any stockholder present at the
Meeting who expresses a desire to vote their shares in person may also revoke
their proxy. As to any matter for which no choice has been specified in a duly
executed proxy, the shares represented thereby will be voted FOR each proposal
listed herein and in the discretion of the persons named in the proxy in any
other business that may properly come before the Meeting.
STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED, WHETHER OR NOT THEY EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, TO
COMPLETE, SIGN AND DATE THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
The Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2002 is being furnished with this Proxy Statement to stockholders of record
as of March 31, 2003. The Annual Report to Stockholders does not constitute a
part of the proxy solicitation material except as otherwise provided by the
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or as expressly provided for
herein.
OUTSTANDING SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS
------------------------------------
The Board of Directors of the Company fixed March 31, 2003 as the record date
("Record Date") for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and
to vote at the Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 16,960,901 shares of
common stock issued, outstanding and entitled to vote. The Company has no other
voting securities outstanding. Each stockholder of record is entitled to one
vote per share held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, except
that in electing directors, each stockholder is entitled to cumulate his or her
votes and give any one candidate an aggregate number of votes equal to the
number of directors to be elected (seven) multiplied by the number of his or her
shares, or to distribute such aggregate number of votes among as many candidates
3
as he or she chooses. For a stockholder to exercise cumulative voting rights,
the stockholder must give notice of his or her intention to cumulatively vote
prior to the Meeting, or at the Meeting in person, prior to voting. If any
stockholder has given such notice, all stockholders may cumulatively vote. The
holders of proxies will have authority to cumulatively vote and allocate such
votes in their discretion to one or more of the director nominees. The holders
of the proxies solicited hereby do not, at this time, intend to cumulatively
vote the shares they represent, unless a stockholder indicates his intent to do
so, in which instance the proxy holders intend to cumulatively vote all the
shares they hold by proxy in favor of some or all of the director nominees
identified herein.
The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock on the
Record Date present at the Meeting in person or by proxy will constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting. An affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares present and voting at the Meeting is required for
approval of all matters. Abstentions and broker non-votes are each included in
the determination of the number of shares present. Abstentions are counted in
tabulations of the votes cast on proposals presented to stockholders, and thus,
have the effect of voting against a proposal, whereas broker non-votes are not
counted for purposes of determining whether a proposal has been approved.
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
DIRECTORS.
At the Meeting, seven directors are to be elected to hold office until the next
Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until the election and qualification of their
respective successor. It is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to
vote the proxies that are not marked to the contrary for the election as
directors of the persons named below as nominees. If any such nominee refuses or
is unable to serve as a director, the persons named as proxies may in their
discretion vote for any or all other persons who may be nominated. The seven
nominees receiving the greatest number of votes cast will be elected directors
if each nominee receives at least a majority of the votes cast.
In July 2002, Rotchford L. Barker was appointed to replace a resigning Director.
Mr. Barker had previously served as a Director of the Company from 1996 through
May 30, 2002.
In February 2003, David B. Anderson was appointed to replace a resigning
Director.
Director nominees standing for election to serve until the Annual Meeting in
2004 are:
NAME AGE POSITION WITH COMPANY RESIDENCE DIRECTOR SINCE
------------------- --- ------------------------------------ --------------- --------------
David B. Anderson 61 Director Chicago, IL 2003
Rotchford L. Barker 66 Director Cody, WY 1996
Roy C. Eliff 67 Director Houston, TX 2002
Edward F. Heil 58 Director Miami Beach, FL 1994
Roger P. Hickey 41 Chairman of the Board of Directors Chicago, IL 2002
Stephen A. Romano 48 Chief Executive Officer and Director Boise, ID 2002
Stephen M. Schutt 45 Nominee for Director Atlanta, GA --
4
DAVID B. ANDERSON
-----------------
Mr. Anderson joined the Board of Directors in February 2003. Mr. Anderson is a
Principal at Lochborn Partners LLC, in Chicago, Illinois. He has held senior
executive positions with GATX Corporation and Inland Steel Industries. An
attorney, Anderson has extensive experience in corporate strategy, compliance,
acquisitions, and business development.
ROTCHFORD L. BARKER
-------------------
Mr. Barker originally joined the Board of Directors in 1996. Mr. Barker did not
stand for re-election to the Board at its May 2002 annual meeting, but was asked
to return to the Board to fill a vacancy created by a director who resigned in
July of 2002. Mr. Barker is an independent businessperson and commodity trader.
Mr. Barker has been a member of the Chicago Board of Trade for more than thirty
years and has served on the board of directors of the exchange. Mr. Barker is
also a director of Idacorp, an energy services holding company that owns Idaho
Power Company.
ROY C. ELIFF
------------
Mr. Eliff joined the Board of Directors in 2002. Mr. Eliff is a consultant to
solid waste and environmental companies in the area of acquisitions and mergers.
Mr. Eliff has served as an officer, director, or CFO of publicly held companies,
including 20 years as Vice President of Corporate Development/Acquisition for
Browning Ferris Industries.
EDWARD F. HEIL
--------------
Mr. Heil joined the Board of Directors in 1994. Mr. Heil is a land developer and
private investor, and has owned and operated one of the largest solid waste
landfills in the midwestern United States. Mr. Heil has more than 40 years
experience in the construction and waste service industries.
ROGER P. HICKEY
-----------------
Mr. Hickey joined the Board of Directors in 2002. Mr. Hickey is Chairman of the
Board of American Ecology and President of Chicago Partners, a consulting firm
where he specializes in finance, intellectual property, and business strategy.
STEPHEN A. ROMANO
-------------------
Mr. Romano joined the Board of Directors in 2002. Mr. Romano is President and
Chief Executive Officer of American Ecology Corporation. Mr. Romano brings 22
years of experience in radioactive and hazardous waste management with the
Company, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Idaho National
Environmental and Engineering Laboratory, and the Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources.
STEPHEN M. SCHUTT
-------------------
Mr. Schutt has been nominated to serve on the Board of Directors. Mr. Schutt is
Vice President of Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc., a primary contractor for the
United States Navy. Mr. Schutt has over 25 years developing and applying
technology to solve complex problems in the nuclear reactor, enriched uranium,
and hazardous and radioactive waste markets. Mr Schutt is the son of Paul F.
Schutt, a current member of the Board of Directors whose term expires May 29,
2003.
5
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES.
During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Board of Directors held nine
meetings. Each of the directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the
Board and the Committees on which they served during the period for which they
were a Board or Committee member, respectively.
The Committees of the Board of Directors during 2002 were the Nominating,
Executive, Audit and Compensation Committees.
The members of the Nominating Committee are currently Messrs. Hickey, Romano,
and Eliff. Mr. Hickey is chairman. The Nominating Committee searches for and
recommends to the Board of Directors, qualified and experienced individuals to
fill vacancies and new director seats upon expansion of the board. The
Nominating Committee met twice during 2002 and twice in 2003. In 2003, the
Committee first met to recommend the appointment of Mr. Anderson to the Board
effective February 17, 2003, then met to nominate the seven directors to stand
for election at the annual shareholders meeting in 2003. The Board of Directors
unanimously approved the seven nominees to stand for election.
Effective March 15, 2002, the Board of Directors discontinued the Executive
Committee. Except certain powers which, under Delaware law, may only be
exercised by the full Board of Directors, the Executive Committee exercised all
powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of Company
business. The Executive Committee met once in 2002.
The members of the Audit Committee are currently Messrs. Anderson, Eliff, and
Paul F. Schutt. Mr. Eliff is chairman. The Audit Committee reviews the proposed
plan and scope of the Company's annual audit as well as the results when it is
completed. The Committee reviews the services provided by the Company's
independent auditors and their fees. The Committee meets with the Company's
financial officers to assure the adequacy of the Company's accounting
principles, financial controls and policies. The Committee is also charged with
reviewing transactions that may present a conflict of interest on the part of
management or directors. The Audit Committee meets at least quarterly to review
the financial results, discuss the financial statements and make recommendations
to the Board. Other items of discussion include the independent auditors'
recommendations for internal controls, adequacy of staff, and management's
performance concerning audit and financial controls. The Audit Committee met
six times in 2002, including a visit to the Company's Corporate office in Boise,
Idaho and its Grand View, Idaho waste treatment and disposal facility.
The members of the Compensation Committee are currently Messrs. Barker, Hickey,
and Paul F. Schutt. Mr. Paul F. Schutt is chairman. The Compensation Committee
makes recommendations concerning salaries and incentive compensation,
administers and approves stock options under the 1992 Employee and 1992
Directors stock option plans, determines executive compensation and contract
matters, and performs other functions regarding compensation as the Board may
delegate. The Compensation Committee met three times in 2002.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION.
During 2002, no member of the Compensation Committee except Mr. Rostenkowski,
whose term expired on May 30, 2002, was an officer or employee of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, or had any other relationship requiring disclosure by
the Company under Item 402 or 404 of Securities and Exchange Commission
regulations. Mr. Rostenkowski received compensation from the Company in the
amount of $8,615 for 2002.
6
During 2002, no executive officer of the Company served as:
- a member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing
equivalent functions) of an unrelated entity, one of whose executive
officers served on the Compensation Committee of the Company,
- a director of an unrelated entity, one of whose executive officers served
on the Compensation Committee of the Company, or
- a member of the Compensation Committee (or other board committee performing
equivalent functions) of another entity, one of whose executive officers
served as a director of the Company.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION.
Directors who are not employees of the Company or its subsidiaries receive an
annual fee of $16,000 payable quarterly, which at the director's discretion is
payable in stock of the Company at its then market price or in cash. Directors
who are employees of the Company receive no additional compensation for their
service as directors. Mr. Romano is the only director employed by the Company.
All directors are reimbursed for their reasonable travel and other expenses
involved in attendance at Board and committee meetings.
In addition, each non-employee director is granted a stock option to purchase
7,500 shares of the Company's common stock at the time of his or her initial
election to the Board. Upon each re-election to the Board, he or she is granted
a stock option to purchase 10,000 shares of the Company's common stock.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
------------------
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION AGE CITY/STATE OFFICER
------------------------------------------ --- ------------ -------
Stephen A. Romano 48 Boise, Idaho 1998
President, Chief Executive Officer
Chief Operating Officer
James R. Baumgardner 40 Boise, Idaho 1999
Senior Vice President, Treasurer,
Secretary, and Chief Financial Officer
Michael J. Gilberg 34 Boise, Idaho 2002
Vice President and Controller
STEPHEN A. ROMANO was appointed as President and Chief Operating Officer in
October, 2001 and Chief Executive Officer on March 15, 2002. Mr. Romano has
served with the Company for more than 13 years in various positions of
increasing responsibility. He originally joined the Company to site and license
the Ward Valley, California disposal site. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Romano held various positions with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the
State of Wisconsin and EG&G Idaho, Inc. Mr. Romano holds a BA from the
University of Massachusetts-Amherst and an MS from the University of
Wisconsin-Madison.
JAMES R. BAUMGARDNER joined the Company in November 1999 as Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Baumgardner was appointed Treasurer
and Secretary in October of 2001. From 1995 until joining the Company, Mr.
Baumgardner was the Corporate Treasurer of WaferTech and Symbios Logic, Inc.,
both large semiconductor manufacturing companies. From 1988 to 1995, Mr.
Baumgardner was a commercial banker, holding positions of increasing
responsibility with Silicon Valley Bank and First Interstate Bank. Mr.
Baumgardner holds a BS and MBA from Oregon State University.
7
MICHAEL J. GILBERG, CPA, joined the Company in February, 2002 as Vice President
and Controller. From 1997 until joining the Company, Mr. Gilberg was Vice
President and Controller for T.J.T. Inc., a publicly-traded manufacturing
company in Emmett, Idaho. Prior to joining T.J.T., Mr. Gilberg was employed at
Deloitte & Touche in Boise, Idaho, and KPMG Peat Marwick in Midland, Texas where
he audited a wide range of corporate and governmental organizations. Mr.
Gilberg holds a BS from the University of Montana.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE.
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Section 16") requires that
reports of beneficial ownership of common stock and preferred stock and changes
in such ownership be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by
Section 16 "reporting persons" including directors, certain officers, holders of
more than 10% of the outstanding common stock or preferred stock, and certain
trusts of which reporting persons are trustees. The Company is required to
disclose in this proxy statement each reporting person whom it knows has failed
to file any required reports under Section 16 on a timely basis. Based solely
upon a review of copies of Section 16 reports furnished to the Company for the
year ended December 31, 2002 and written statements confirming that no other
reports were required, to the Company's knowledge, all Section 16 reporting
requirements applicable to known reporting persons were made timely throughout
the year except for the late filing by John Couzens, a former director, of his
Form 4 statement for a transaction on December 4, 2002 filed December 11, 2002
rather than December 6, 2002 as required.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE RESPONSIBILITY
The Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for the Company's corporate
governance. Good corporate governance ensures that the Company complies with
legal requirements such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. During 2003, the
Company anticipates amending the Audit Committee Charter as well as amending and
adopting additional policies and procedures as needed to further ensure good
corporate governance.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
----------------------
The following table shows, for each of the three years ended, compensation
awarded or paid to, or earned by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and its
other four most highly compensated management employees at December 31, 2002 and
the prior two years in all capacities.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Long-Term
Annual Compensation(1) Compensation All Other
Name and Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Grant Options Compensation(2)
---- -------- ------- ----- ------- ----------------
Stephen A. Romano 2002 $171,160 $25,000 -0- -0- $ 5,196
President, Chief Executive, 2001 $132,913 -0- -0- 40,000 $ 4,386
and Chief Operating Officer 2000 $105,000 $10,000 -0- -0- -0-
---------------
1 Includes dollar value base salary earned by the named executive officer during
the fiscal year ending December 31, 2002 as permitted by rules established by
the SEC.
2 Includes the amount of the Company's matching contribution under the Company's
401(k) Savings Plan and moving and housing allowances.
8
James R. Baumgardner 2002 $158,481 $25,000 -0- -0- $ 4,586
Senior Vice President, Treasurer, 2001 $145,077 -0- -0- 10,000 $ 4,788
Secretary, Chief Financial Officer 2000 $134,000 $ 7,000 -0- -0- $ 32,205
Michael J. Gilberg 2002 $ 84,704 -0- -0- 10,000 -0-
Vice President and Controller
Scott Nicholson 2002 $131,148 $ 1,000 -0- 15,000 $ 6,242
Director of Hazardous Waste 2001 $ 94,134 -0- -0- -0- $ 26,403
Operations
Steve Welling 2002 $110,000 $99,963 -0- -0- $ 3,630
National Sales Director 2001 $ 88,011 $59,770 -0- -0- $ 2,326
The Company, on a discretionary basis, may grant options to its executive
officers under the 1992 amended and restated employee stock option plan. As of
December 31, 2002, options to purchase 218,150 shares were outstanding with
842,150 shares remaining available for grant. The following table provides
information concerning 2002 stock option grants to the Company's executive
officers.
2002 OPTION GRANTS
Potential Realizable Value at Assumed
Number of Annual Rates of Stock Price
Securities Individual Grants Appreciation for Option Term
Underlying Percent of all Options Exercise
Name Options(3) Granted to Employees Price Expires 0% 5% 10%
---------- ----------- ----------------------- --------- ------- -------- ----------- -------------
M. Gilberg 2,500 3% $ 1.70 2-4-12 -0- $ 2,673 $ 6,773
M. Gilberg 2,500 3% $ 3.00 2-4-12 -0- -0- $ 3,523
M. Gilberg 5,000 5% $ 2.45 9-16-12 -0- $ 7,704 $ 19,523
The following table provides information concerning executive officers' stock
options exercised in 2002 and those remaining outstanding at the end of 2002.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 2002 AND YEAR-END VALUES
Shares Number of Shares Underlying Value of Unexercised In-the
Acquired on Value Unexercised Options Money Options(4) at FYE
Name Exercise Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
-------------------- ------------ -------- ----------- ------------- ------------ -------------
Stephen A. Romano -0- N/A 55,000 -0- $ 34,300 -0-
James R. Baumgardner -0- N/A 60,000 -0- $ 24,300 -0-
Michael J. Gilberg -0- N/A 10,000 -0- $ 4,425 -0-
---------------
3 All options granted were exercisable as of the option grant date, which was
February 4, 2002 and September 16, 2002.
4 A stock option is considered to be "in-the-money" if the price of the related
stock is higher than the exercise price of the option. The closing market price
of the Company's common stock was $2.79 per share on the NASDAQ National Market
at the close of business on December 31, 2002.
9
The following table summarizes the number of common shares issuable under equity
compensation plans as of December 31, 2002:
(a) NUMBER OF (b) WEIGHTED-
SECURITIES TO BE AVERAGE EXERCISE (c) NUMBER OF SECURITIES
ISSUED UPON EXERCISE PRICE OF REMAINING AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE
OF OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY
OPTIONS, WARRANTS OPTIONS, WARRANTS COMPENSATION PLANS (EXCLUDING
PLAN CATEGORY AND RIGHTS AND RIGHTS SECURITIES REFLECTED IN COLUMN (a)
----------------------------- -------------------- ----------------- ----------------------------------
Equity compensation plans
approved by security holders 753,150 3.42 893,665
Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders -- -- --
-------------------- ----------------- ----------------------------------
Total 753,150 3.42 893,665
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is composed of outside
directors and is responsible for developing and making recommendations to the
Board with respect to the Company's executive compensation policies. The
Committee also reviews and approves the Company's compensation and benefit plans
and administers the 1992 Employee Stock Option Plan. The following report
describes the basis on which the Compensation Committee made 2002 compensation
determinations for executive officers of the Company.
The Company believes that executive compensation should reflect value created
for stockholders in furtherance of the Company's strategic goals. The following
objectives are among those utilized by the Compensation Committee:
1. Executive compensation should be meaningfully related to long-term and
short-term value created for stockholders.
2. Executive compensation programs should support the long-term and
short-term strategic goals and objectives of the Company.
3. Executive compensation programs should reflect and promote the
Company's overall value, business growth and reward individuals for
outstanding contributions to the Company.
4. Short and long term executive compensation are critical factors in
attracting and retaining well-qualified executives.
Currently the Company has a compensation program based on three components: a
base salary, bonus payments tied to Company performance, and a stock option
program. The Compensation Committee regularly reviews the various components of
the compensation program to ensure that they are consistent with the Company's
objectives.
BASE SALARY -- The Compensation Committee, in determining the appropriate base
salaries of its executive officers, generally considers the level of executive
compensation in similar companies in the industry. The Compensation Committee
also considers (i) the performance of the Company and contributing roles of the
individual executive officers, (ii) the particular executive officer's specific
experience and responsibilities, and (iii) the performance of each executive
officer. The base salaries for 2002 were established by the Committee at levels
believed to be competitive with amounts paid to executives of companies in the
environmental industry with comparable qualifications, experience and
responsibilities. During 2002, the base salary of Stephen A. Romano was
increased by the Committee to $178,000. The Committee believes this to be
10
consistent with the base salary of executive officers with comparable
qualifications, experience and responsibilities of other companies in the
environmental industry. In recognition of Mr. Romano's performance as Chief
Executive Officer, on February 11, 2003 the Committee approved an employment
contract for Mr. Romano providing for a minimum annual base salary of $205,000
and an expiration date of December 31, 2005.
ANNUAL INCENTIVES -- The management incentive plan in effect during 2002 allowed
for direct financial incentives to select individuals in the form of a cash
bonus for exceeding the Company's goals or for outstanding performance. Based on
the Company's financial performance in 2002, cash bonuses were awarded to
executives and key employees as specified by the 2002 management incentive plan.
Effective January 1, 2003, the Committee approved a Management Incentive Plan
covering executive incentive compensation for Company performance through 2005.
Other key employee incentives will be evaluated during 2003.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES -- The stock option program is the Company's long-term
incentive plan for executive officers and key employees. The objectives of the
stock option program are to align executive officer compensation and shareholder
return, and to enable executive officers to develop and maintain a significant,
long-term stock ownership position in the Company's common stock. In addition,
grants of stock options to executive officers and others are intended to retain
and motivate executives to improve long-term corporate and common share
performance. Stock options are generally granted at no less than market value on
the grant date, and will only have value if the Company's stock price increases
above the grant price. In furtherance of these objectives, the Committee
approved the grant of 97,500 options to certain executives and key employees
during 2002. On February 11, 2003 the Committee approved the grant of an
additional 758,724 shares to certain executives and key employees.
This report is respectfully submitted by the Compensation Committee of the
Company's Board of Directors:
Paul F. Schutt, Compensation Committee Chairman
Rotchford L. Barker
Roger P. Hickey
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT, CHARTER, INDEPENDENCE
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company's audited financial
statements with management. The Audit Committee has discussed with Moss Adams,
the Company's independent auditors, the matters required to be discussed by
Statement on Auditing Standards 61, which includes, among other items, matters
related to the conduct of the audit of the Company's financial statements.
The Audit Committee has received written disclosures and the letter from the
auditors required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, which relates
to the auditor's independence from the Company and its related entities, and has
discussed with the auditors the auditor's independence from the Company. The
Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of services by the
auditors, other than audit services and review of Forms 10-Q, is compatible with
maintaining the auditor's independence.
Based on the review and discussions of the Company's audited financial
statements with management and discussion with the independent auditors, the
Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company's audited
financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.
11
While the Audit Committee has performed the functions of board-level oversight,
advice and direction, management is responsible for the financial statements and
system of internal controls. Similarly, it is the responsibility of the
independent accountants, and not the Audit Committee, to conduct the audit and
express an opinion as to the conformity of the financial statements with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
This report is respectfully submitted by the Audit Committee of the Company's
Board of Directors:
Roy C. Eliff, Audit Committee Chairman
David B. Anderson
Paul F. Schutt
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee
that was filed with the 2001 annual meeting proxy.
AUDIT COMMITTEE INDEPENDENCE
The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Eliff, Anderson, and Schutt
all meet the requirements for independence set forth in the Listing Standards of
the National Association of Securities Dealers.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
---------------------
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
----------------------------------------
The following tables set forth, as of March 31, 2003, the beneficial ownership
(as defined in the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission) of the
Company's common stock by (a) beneficial owners of more than five percent; and
(b) beneficial ownership of management. Unless otherwise noted, each beneficial
owner identified has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares
indicated.
(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Name and Address Number of Shares Percent of
of Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned Class
------------------------- ------------------ -----------
Edward F. Heil(5)........ 4,650,526 27.36%
8052 Fisher Island Drive
Fisher Island, FL 33109
Rotchford L. Barker(6)... 3,383,471 19.89%
40 County Road 2AC
Cody, Wyoming 82414
---------------
5 Mr. Heil's beneficial ownership includes 3,983,566 shares of common stock
owned individually by Mr. Heil and 629,460 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Heil
in his capacity as trustee of a trust and 37,500 options subject to exercise.
6 Mr. Barker's beneficial ownership includes 3,335,971 shares of common stock
and 47,500 options subject to exercise.
12
Harry J. Phillips, Jr.(7) 925,258 5.46%
917 Franklin, Suite 510
Houston, Texas 77002
JP Morgan Chase Bank(8).. 1,349,843 7.37%
712 Main Street
Houston, Texas, 77002
Fayez Sarofim(9)......... 863,694 5.09%
Fayez Sarofim & Co.
2907 Two Houston Center
Houston, Texas 77010
(b) DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Name Of Director Shares Owned Right to Acquire Total Percent Of Class
------------------------ ------------ ---------------- --------- -----------------
DIRECTORS
David B. Anderson -0- -0- -0- 0.00%
Rotchford L. Barker 3,335,971 47,500 3,383,471 19.89
Roy C. Eliff 12,000 7,500 19,500 0.11
Edward F. Heil 4,613,026 37,500 4,650,526 27.36
Roger P. Hickey(10) 84,394 7,500 91,894 0.54
Stephen A. Romano(11) 36,800 147,527 184,327 1.08
Paul F. Schutt(12) 306,999 67,500 374,499 2.20
Stephen M. Schutt -0- -0- -0- 0.00
---------------
7 Pursuant to a Schedule 13-G filing on December 31, 2002, Mr. Phillips reported
that he may be deemed the beneficial owner of, 922,906 shares of common stock
owned of record by ECOL Partners II, ltd. ("Ecol Partners II") and 2,352 shares
owned of record by Phillips Investments, Inc. The shares reported on Schedule
13-G are used above. As a sole shareholder of Phillips Investments, Inc., which
is the general partner of ECOL Partners II, Mr. Phillips shares voting and
investment power over the common stock owned by Phillips Investments, Inc. and
ECOL Partners II.
8 Pursuant to a 1998 settlement agreement between the Company and Chase Bank of
Texas ("Chase"), the Company granted Chase 1,349,843 warrants to purchase one
share of common stock each at $1.50 per share, which replaced an earlier warrant
for a lesser number of shares.
9 Pursuant to a Schedule 13-G filing on February 14, 2003, Fayez Sarofim & Co.,
a registered investment advisor, and Mr. Fayez Sarofim reported that they may be
deemed the beneficial owner of an aggregate 863,694 shares of the Company,
consisting of 826,656 shares held by Mr. Sarofim, 25,167 shares in investment
advisory accounts of his firm of which he has dispositive power, 11,784 shares
held by Sarofim International Management Company, which he controls, and 87
shares as trustee over which he has shared voting power.
10 Mr. Hickey's beneficial ownership includes 27,294 shares of common stock
owned individually by Mr. Hickey and 57,100 shares beneficially owned by Mr.
Hickey in his capacity as trustee of a trust.
11 Mr. Romano's beneficial ownership includes 36,800 shares of common stock and
147,527 options currently exercisable. Mr. Romano also holds 267,583 options
unexercisable as of March 31, 2003 that are not included in the table.
12 Mr. Schutt's beneficial ownership includes 123,933 shares of common stock and
7,500 options held by him and 183,066 shares held by Nuclear Fuel Services,
Inc.. Mr. Schutt, as the Chairman of the Board of Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc.,
shares voting and investment power over the securities held by it.
13
Name Of Officer Shares Owned Right to Acquire Total Percent Of Class
------------------------ ------------ ---------------- --------- -----------------
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Stephen A. Romano 36,800 147,527 184,327 1.08%
James R. Baumgardner(13) 15,000 97,010 112,010 0.66
Michael J. Gilberg(14) 5,000 33,132 38,132 0.22
All directors and
executive officers as a
group 8,409,190 445,169 8,854,359 50.87
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
----------------------------------------------
During 2002 the Company had no relationships or related transactions with its
officers, directors or securities holders of more than five percent that would
require disclosure under Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K, Item
404.
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
----------------------------------
During 2002 the Board of Directors approved the following potential conflicts of
interest involving members of the Board of Directors or Management:
The Company paid a Director $14,581 for services related to the February 13,
2003 sale of the Company's El Centro Municipal Landfill.
The Company engaged KPMG LLP for advice and preparation of the Company's 2002
income tax returns. The Company anticipates paying KPMG less than $40,000 for
these services. The spouse of a member of Management is a Senior Manager with
KPMG's audit practice.
STOCK PERFORMANCE(15)
The following graph compares the most recent five-year market-value performance
of the Company's common stock to the NASDAQ Composite Index, and a hazardous
waste industry 2002 peer group(16) that the Company believes accurately reflects
its competitors for fiscal 2002. The hazardous waste industry 2001 peer group is
included for comparison. The 2002 peer group is composed of the 2001 peer group
with one additional company added, and two companies removed(17). The Company
believes the 2002 peer group more adequately reflects the composition of its
peers. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in the Company's
common stock and each index was $100 at December 31, 1997.
---------------
13 Mr. Baumgardner's beneficial ownership includes 15,000 shares of common stock
and 97,010 options currently exercisable. Mr. Baumgardner also holds 111,033
options unexercisable as of March 31, 2003 that are not included in the table.
14 Mr. Gilberg's beneficial ownership includes 5,000 shares of common stock and
33,132 options currently exercisable. Mr. Gilberg also holds 69,396 options
unexercisable as of March 31, 2003 that are not included in the table.
15 Notwithstanding filings by the Company with the SEC that have incorporated or
may incorporate by reference other SEC filings (including this proxy statement)
in their entirety, this performance graph shall not be incorporated by reference
into such filings and shall not be deemed to be filed with the SEC except as
specifically provided otherwise or to the extent required by Item 402 of
Regulation S-K.
16 The companies which make up the Company's 2002 peer group are: Clean Harbors,
Inc.; Duratek, Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc; and Waste Management Inc.
17 The companies which make up the Company's 2001 peer group are: Allied Waste;
Clean Harbors, Inc.; Duratek, Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc; and Safety
Kleen Corp.
14
[GRAPH OMITTED]
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
American Ecology Corporation 100 100 135 170 140 223
2001 Peer Group 100 74 65 66 96 165
2002 Peer Group 100 81 73 70 98 188
Nasdaq Composite 100 140 259 157 124 85
PROPOSAL NO. 2
SELECTION OF AUDITORS
The Board of Directors has selected Moss Adams LLP, as independent auditors for
the Company's 2003 fiscal year. Moss Adams has examined the financial statements
of the Company for its 2002 fiscal year. A representative of Moss Adams is
expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will be available to make a
statement or respond to questions.
Stockholder ratification of the selection of Moss Adams as the Company's
independent accountants is not required by the Company's Articles, Bylaws or
otherwise. However, the Board is submitting the selection of Moss Adams to the
stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice, and
recommends that the stockholders vote for approval. If the stockholders fail to
ratify the selection, the Board, in conjunction with the Audit Committee may
reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the selection is
ratified, the Board and the Audit Committee in their discretion may direct the
appointment of a different independent accounting firm at any time during the
year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the
Company and its stockholders.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in
person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting is requested
to ratify the selection of Moss Adams. Abstentions will be counted toward the
tabulation of votes cast on this Proposal No. 2 and will have the same effect as
negative votes. Broker non-votes are counted towards a quorum, but are not
counted for any purpose in determining whether this matter has been ratified.
AUDITOR FEES
-------------
The aggregate fees billed by Moss Adams, for professional services rendered for
the audit of the Company's annual financial statements and the review of the
financial statements included in the Company's third quarter report on Form
10-Q, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 were $66,000.
15
ALL OTHER FEES
----------------
No services were rendered by Moss Adams other than the fees disclosed above
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.
16
PROPOSAL NO. 3
AMENDMENT OF 1992 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN
TO EXTEND TERM OF PLAN
The Company currently maintains one Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), first
adopted in 1992, amended in 1994, and amended and restated in 1999, which
provides employees of the Company additional incentive for their service. There
are currently 92,926 options available for grant under the Plan. However, the
Plan currently expires on March 3, 2004, after which date no new options can be
granted.
In the past, the Company has used stock options to attract and retain key
employees, believing that employee stock ownership and stock-related
compensation encourage parallel interests between employees and shareholders. In
order to be able to continue issuing options, the Board of Directors determined
it is necessary and appropriate to amend the Plan. Accordingly, on April 7,
2003, the Board approved an amendment to extend the term of the Plan for ten
years from such date and directed that the amendment be submitted to
stockholders for approval and ratification.
The following is a summary of the principal features of the current Plan, a copy
of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Shares Subject to the Plan. Currently, up to an aggregate of 1,300,000 shares of
the Company's Common Stock may be issued under the Plan. The proposed amendment
would not increase the number of shares which could be issued. Shares which are
not issued prior to expiration or termination of an option will be available for
future option grants and do not increase the aggregate number of shares
available under the Plan. The Plan provides for appropriate adjustment of shares
available under the Plan and of shares subject to outstanding options in the
event of any changes in the outstanding Common Stock of the Company by reason of
recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock
split or other similar transaction.
Type of Options. Two types of options may be granted under the Plan: (1) options
intended to qualify as incentive stock options under the Internal Revenue Code,
and (2) non-qualified stock options not specifically authorized or qualified for
preferential federal income tax consequences. Generally, gains on the stock
purchased through the exercise of incentive stock options are taxed to the
recipient upon the sale of the stock. Gains in respect of non-qualified stock
options are taxed upon the exercise of the option.
Administration. The Plan is administered by the Company's Compensation Committee
which is comprised of directors who are not eligible to participate the Plan.
Eligibility and Participation. All employees, including employee directors, of
the Company are eligible to participate in the Plan.
Rights as a Stockholder. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, the recipient
of an option has no rights as a stockholder (such as voting or dividends) with
respect to shares covered by the recipient's option until the date of issuance
of a stock certificate for such shares.
Transferability. During the life of the option holder, any stock option will be
exercisable only by the recipient, and will be transferable only by will or the
laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations
order.
17
Duration of the Plan. The Plan is effective until all options have been granted
under the Plan or ten years from March 3, 1994, the date the Plan was last
restated and approved. The proposed amendment would extend this date to April
7, 2013.
Purchase Price. The purchase price payable to exercise an option must be at
least the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date the option is
granted. Payment in full for the number of shares purchased upon the exercise of
options is required. On April 3, 2003 the closing price for the Common Stock on
the NASDAQ National Market was $2.76 per share.
Basic Terms of Options. Each option is evidenced by a stock option agreement
containing terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of the
Plan. The Compensation Committee has discretion to set vesting schedules for
options. When vested, options are exercisable in whole or in part upon grant
until the option terminates or expires. Options expire within ten years of grant
and terminate 30 days after termination of employment or one year following the
death of the holder.
The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR the proposed
amendment to extend the term of the Plan. Proposal No. 3 will be adopted if a
majority of the outstanding common stock represented at the Meeting is voted in
favor.
18
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AT THE NEXT
---------------------------------
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
------------------------------
The Company must receive stockholder proposals submitted for inclusion in the
Company's 2004 proxy materials and consideration at the annual meeting of
stockholders in 2004 no later than December 12, 2003. Stockholder proposals
should be submitted to James R. Baumgardner, Secretary of American Ecology
Corporation, 300 E. Mallard, Suite 300, Boise, Idaho 83706. Any such proposal
should comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission rules governing
stockholder proposals submitted for inclusion in proxy materials.
OTHER MATTERS
The Management and Board of Directors of the Company know of no other matters
that may come before the Meeting. However, if any matters other than those
referred to above should properly come before the Meeting, it is the intention
of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote all proxies in accordance
with their best judgment.
A copy of the Company's Annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2002, as filed with the SEC, excluding exhibits, may be obtained by
stockholders without charge by written request addressed to Investor Relations,
300 E. Mallard, Suite 300, Boise, Idaho 83706 or may be accessed on the Internet
at: http://www.americanecology.com.
-------------------------------
19
EXHIBIT A
AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORPORATION
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED 1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Second Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan") of American Ecology Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company")
is to secure for the Company and its shareholders the benefits arising from
stock ownership by selected executive and other key employees of the Company or
its subsidiaries as the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), or a
Committee constituted for such purpose, may from time to time determine. The
Plan will provide a means whereby (i) such employees may purchase shares of the
Common Stock of the Company pursuant to stock options which will qualify as
"incentive stock options" under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code") and (ii) such employees or other persons may
purchase shares of the Common Stock of the Company pursuant to "non-incentive"
or "non-qualified" stock options.
ARTICLE II
ADMINISTRATION
The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee. The Committee
shall at all times consist of not less than two members of the Board, and shall
not include any persons that are not members of the Board. All members of the
Committee shall be selected by (and serve at the pleasure of) the Board. All
members of the Committee shall be "disinterested persons" within the meaning of
Rule 16b-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act of
1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"). Subject to the express provisions of the Plan
and the policies of each stock exchange on which any of the Company's stock may
at any time be traded, the Committee shall have plenary authority, in its
discretion, to recommend to the Board the individuals within the class set forth
in Article IV to whom, and the time and price per share at which, stock options
shall be granted, the number of shares to be subject to each stock option and
the other terms and provisions of their respective Agreements (as defined
herein), which need not be identical. In making such recommendations and
determinations, the Committee may take into account the nature of the services
rendered by the respective employees, their present and potential contributions
to the Company's success and such other factors as the Committee in its
discretion shall deem relevant.
Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have
authority (i) to construe and interpret the Plan, (ii) to define the terms used
therein, (iii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to
the Plan (iv) to recommend to the Board the terms and provisions of the
respective stock options, (v) to approve and determine the duration of leaves of
absence which may be granted to participants without constituting a termination
of their employment for the purposes of the Plan, and (vi) to make all other
determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. All
determinations and interpretations made by the Committee shall be binding and
conclusive on all participants in the Plan and their legal representatives and
beneficiaries. The Committee shall hold meetings at such time and places as it
may determine. Acts by the majority of the Committee or acts reduced to or
approved in writing by a majority of the members of the Committee shall be the
valid acts of the Committee. From time to time, the Board may increase the size
of the Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or
without cause), and appoint new members in substitution therefor, or fill
vacancies however caused, subject to the requirements that the members of the
Committee shall be "disinterested persons" as described above and that there
always be at least two members of the Committee. No member of the Committee
shall be liable for any action, failure to act, determination or interpretation
made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any transaction under the Plan.
20
ARTICLE III
SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN AND DURATION OF PLAN
Under the Plan, the Board may, but only upon recommendation of the Committee,
grant to eligible persons incentive stock options (as defined in the Code)
and/or non-qualified stock options, to purchase up to but not exceeding an
aggregate amount of 1,300,000 shares of the Company's common stock, $0.01 per
share par value ("Common Stock"). Shares subject to stock options under the Plan
may be either authorized and unissued shares or issued shares that have been
acquired by the Company and held in its treasury, in the sole discretion of the
Board. When stock options have been granted under the Plan and have lapsed
unexercised or partially unexercised or have been surrendered for cancellation
by the optionee thereof, the unexercised shares which were subject thereto may
be reoptioned under the Plan. No stock options shall be granted more than ten
years after the effective date of the Plan or after April 7, 2013.
ARTICLE 1V
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws, all executive and other key
employees of the Company or of any subsidiary corporation (as defined in Section
424(f) of the Code) shall be eligible for selection to fully participate in the
Plan; provided, however, that no member of the Committee shall be entitled to
receive a stock option under this Plan while serving as a member of the
Committee. Directors of the Company who are not regular employees of the Company
are not eligible to participate in the Plan. An individual who has been granted
a stock option may, if such individual is otherwise eligible, be granted an
additional stock option or options if the Board or the Committee shall so
determine, subject to the other provisions of the Plan.
ARTICLE V
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK OPTIONS
Each stock option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a stock option
agreement (the "Agreement"), the form of which shall have been approved by the
Committee. The Agreement shall be executed by the Company and the optionee and
shall set forth the terms and conditions of the stock option, which terms and
conditions shall include, but not be limited to the following:
Stock Option Price. The stock option price shall be determined by the Committee,
but shall not in any event be less than the par value of the Common Stock.
Term of Stock Option. The term of the stock option shall be selected by the
Committee, but in no event shall such term exceed ten years from the date such
stock option is granted. Each such stock option shall be subject to earlier
termination as hereinafter provided.
Transferability. The stock options granted hereunder shall not be transferable
other than by will or operation of the laws of descent and distribution or
pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined in the Code or Title
I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or the rules thereunder.
During the lifetime of the optionee, stock options granted hereunder shall be
exercisable only by the optionee or the optionee's guardian or legal
representative.
Vesting. The Committee shall have complete discretion in determining when stock
options granted hereunder are to vest; provided, however, that the sale of
shares issued on the exercise of a stock option by any person subject to Section
16 of the 1934 Act shall not be allowed until at least six months after the
21
later of (i) the approval of this Plan by the shareholders of the Company in
accordance with Article XV hereof or (ii) the grant of the stock option. Such
determination for each stock option is to be made prior to or at the time that
the stock option is granted.
Termination of Employment. In the event of an optionee's termination of
employment with the Company for any reason other than death, all stock options
shall terminate to the extent they were not exercisable at the date of the
optionee's termination, but to the extent they were then exercisable by the
optionee, the optionee shall be entitled to exercise such stock options for a
period of 30 days from the date of the optionee's termination. Upon the
termination of an optionee's employment by reason of death, the optionee's stock
options shall terminate to the extent they were not exercisable at the date of
the optionee's death, but to the extent they were then exercisable by the
optionee, the optionee's estate or the beneficiaries thereof shall be entitled
to exercise such stock options for a period of one year from the date of the
optionee's death but not thereafter. Notwithstanding any other provisions of
this subparagraph (e), no stock option shall be exercised after the expiration
of ten years from the date such stock option is granted.
Other Conditions. At its sole discretion, the Committee may impose other
conditions upon the stock options granted hereunder, so long as those conditions
do not conflict with any other provisions of the Plan. Such conditions may
include, by way of illustration, but not by way of limitation, percentage
limitations upon the exercisability of stock options granted hereunder.
ARTICLE VI
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS
The Committee and the Board, in recommending and granting stock options
hereunder, shall have the discretion to determine that certain stock options
shall be incentive stock options, as defined in Section 422 of the Code, while
other stock options shall be non-qualified stock options. Neither the members of
the Committee, the members of the Board nor the Company shall be under any
obligation or incur any liability to any person by reason of determination by
the Committee or the Board whether a stock option granted under the Plan shall
be an incentive stock option or a non-qualified stock option. The provisions of
this Article VI shall be applicable to all incentive stock options at any time
granted or outstanding under the Plan.
All incentive stock options granted or outstanding under the Plan shall be
granted and held subject and in compliance with terms and conditions physically
set forth in Articles II, III, IV and V hereof, and, in addition, subject to and
in compliance with the following further terms and conditions:
The stock option price of all incentive stock options shall not be less than
100% of the Fair Market Value (as defined below) of one share of the Company's
Common Stock at the time the stock option is granted (not withstanding any
provision of Article V hereof to the contrary);
No incentive stock option shall be granted to any person who, at the time of the
grant, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of
all classes of stock of the Company or any subsidiary corporation of the
Company, provided, however, that this ownership limitation will be waived if at
the time the stock option is granted the stock option price is at least 110% of
the Fair Market Value of one share of the Company's Common Stock and such stock
option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from
the date such option is granted;
An incentive stock option shall not be transferable other than by will or by
laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable during the lifetime
of the optionee, only by the optionee; and
22
The aggregate Fair Market Value of all shares of Common Stock (determined at the
time of the grant of the stock option) with respect to which incentive stock
options are exercisable for the first time by any optionee during any one
calendar year shall not exceed $100,000.
ARTICLE VII
EXERCISE OF STOCK OPTIONS
Each stock option granted hereunder may be exercised in such installments during
the period prior to its expiration date as the Board or the Committee shall
determine; provided that, unless otherwise determined by the Board or Committee,
if the optionee shall not in any given installment period purchase all of the
shares which the optionee is entitled to purchase in such installment period,
then the optionee's right to purchase any shares not purchased in such
installment period shall continue until the expiration date or sooner
termination of the optionee's stock option. No stock option may be exercised for
a fraction of a share and no partial exercise of any stock option may be for
less than 100 shares.
The purchase price of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of a
stock option shall be paid in full at the time of exercise in cash or by
certified or cashier's check payable to the order of the Company, or, upon
receipt of all required regulatory approvals, if any, by delivery of shares of
Common Stock of the Company already owned by, and in the possession of the stock
option holder having a Fair Market Value equal to such stock option price, or
any combination thereof. Shares of Common Stock used to satisfy the exercise
price of a stock option shall be valued at their Fair Market Value determined as
of the close of business on the date such stock option is exercised, or if such
date is not a business day, on the business day immediately preceding the date
of exercise. Deliveries of cash, shares and notices to the Company shall be
directed to the Secretary of the Company.
No stock option granted hereunder shall be exercisable unless the Plan and all
shares issuable on the exercise thereof have been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and all other applicable
securities laws, and there is available for delivery a prospectus meeting the
requirements of Section 10 of the 1933 Act, or the Company shall have first
received the opinion of its counsel that registration under the 1933 Act and all
other applicable securities laws is not required in connection with such
issuance. At the time of exercise, if the shares with respect to which the stock
option is being exercised have not been registered under the 1933 Act and all
other applicable securities laws, the Company may require the optionee to
provide the Company whatever written assurance counsel for the Company may
require that the shares are being acquired for investment and not with a view to
the distribution thereof, and that the shares will not be disposed of without
the written opinion of such counsel that registration under the 1933 Act and all
other applicable securities laws is not required. Share certificates issued to
the optionee upon exercise of the stock shall bear a legend to the foregoing
effect to the extent counsel for the Company deems it advisable.
ARTICLE VIII
FAIR MARKET VALUE OF COMMON STOCK
For purposes of the Plan, the term "Fair Market Value" on any date shall mean
(i) if the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trade on a national securities
exchange or national market system, the closing price of the Common Stock, as
published in the Wall Street Journal, so listed or admitted to trade on such
date or, if there is no trading of the Common Stock on such date, then the
closing price of the Common Stock on the next preceding date on which there was
trading in such shares; (ii) if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to
trade on a national securities exchange or national market system, the mean
between the bid and asked price for the Common Stock on such date, as furnished
23
by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. through NASDAQ or a
similar organization if NASDAQ is no longer reporting such information, or (iii)
if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trade on a national securities
exchange and if bid and asked prices for the Common Stock are not so furnished
through NASDAQ or a similar organization, the value established by the Board for
purposes of the Plan. In addition to the above rules, Fair Market Value shall be
determined without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by
its terms, will never lapse
ARTICLE IX
WITHHOLDING TAX
Upon (i) the disposition by an employee or other person of shares of Common
Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option granted
pursuant to the Plan within two years of the granting of the incentive stock
option or within one year after exercise of the incentive stock option, or (ii)
the exercise of "non-incentive" or "non-qualified" stock options, the Company
shall have the right to require such employee or such other person to pay the
Company the amount of any taxes which the Company may be required to withhold
with respect to such shares.
ARTICLE X
ADJUSTMENTS
Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by
the Company's directors and shareholders, the number of shares provided for in
each outstanding stock option and the price per share thereof, and the number of
share provided for in the Plan, shall be proportionately adjusted for any
increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of the Company's Common
Stock resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of shares or the payment of
a stock dividend (but only on the Common Stock), a stock split, a reverse stock
split, or any other increase or decrease in the number of such shares effected
without receipt of consideration by the Company, and shall also be
proportionately adjusted in the event of a spin-off, spin-out, or other
distribution of assets to shareholders of the Company, to the extent necessary
to prevent dilution of the interests of grantees pursuant to the Plan or of the
other shareholders of the Company, as applicable. If the Company shall engage in
a merger, consolidation, reorganization or recapitalization, each outstanding
stock option (or if such transaction involves less than all of the shares of the
Company's Common Stock, then a number of stock options proportionate to the
number of such involved shares), shall become exercisable for the securities and
other consideration to which a holder of the number of shares of the Company's
Common Stock subject to each such stock option would have been entitled to
receive in any such merger, consolidation reorganization or recapitalization.
Significant Event. In the event of a potential merger or consolidation involving
the Company regardless of whether the Company is the surviving entity of such
merger or consolidation, a potential liquidation or dissolution of the Company,
a potential sale or other disposition by the Company of all or substantially all
of its assets, or a potential sale or other disposition by the shareholders of
the Company of all or substantially all of the outstanding Common Stock to one
purchaser (any such merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution or sale
being referred to herein as a "Significant Event"), then the Company shall have
the option of terminating all outstanding stock options upon the actual
occurrence of the Significant Event, by notice to all optionees at least 15 days
before the occurrence of the Significant Event. In consideration for this option
of the Company to terminate outstanding stock options, the Company, if it
exercises its option, shall waive any and all restrictions on the vesting of
optionees' rights under stock options granted pursuant to this Plan, and
optionees' rights under their respective stock options shall vest in full,
subject to the actual occurrence of the Significant Event. Any exercise by an
optionee in these circumstances may be conditioned upon the occurrence of the
Significant Event. If the Company exercises its option under this paragraph,
upon the actual occurrence of the Significant Event, each outstanding stock
option shall terminate. If the potential Significant Event does not in fact
occur for any reason, then the Company's exercise of its option under this
paragraph shall have no effect and the optionees' rights will be vested only to
the extent that they would be vested if the Company had never exercised its
option under this paragraph.
24
Change of Par Value. In the event of a change in the Company's Common Stock
which is limited to a change of all of its authorized shares with par value into
the same number of shares with a different par value or without par value, the
shares resulting from any such change shall be deemed to be Common Stock within
the meaning of the Plan.
Miscellaneous. The adjustments provided for in this Article shall be made by the
Committee whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and
conclusive. Except as hereinbefore expressly provided in this Article, the
holder of a stock option shall not be entitled to the privilege of stock
ownership as to any shares of Common Stock or other stock not actually issued
and delivered to the holder. Any issue by the Company of shares of stock of any
class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall not
affect and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to the
number or price of shares of the Company's Common Stock subject to any stock
option. The grant of a stock option pursuant to the Plan shall not affect in any
way the right or power of the Company to, among other things, make adjustments,
reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business
structure or to merge or to consolidate or to dissolve or liquidate or sell or
transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
ARTICLE XI
PRIVILEGES OF STOCK OWNERSHIP
No person entitled to exercise any stock option granted under the Plan shall
have any of the rights or privileges of a shareholder of the Company in respect
of any shares of stock issuable upon exercise of such stock option until
certificates representing such shares shall have been issued and delivered.
ARTICLE XII
ISSUANCE OF STOCK CERTIFICATES
Upon exercise of a stock option, the person exercising the stock option shall be
entitled to one stock certificate evidencing the shares acquired upon such
exercise; provided, however, that any person who tenders Common Stock of the
Company in payment of a portion or all of the purchase price of Common Stock
purchased upon exercise of the stock option shall be entitled to receive a
separate certificate representing the number of shares purchased in
consideration of the tender of such Common Stock.
ARTICLE XIII
CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT
Nothing contained in the Plan (or in any stock option granted pursuant to the
Plan) shall confer upon any employee any right to continue in the employ of the
Company or any subsidiary corporation or constitute or any contract or agreement
of employment or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any
subsidiary corporation to reduce any person's compensation from the rate in
existence at the time of the granting of a stock option or to terminate such
person's employment. Nothing contained herein or in any Agreement shall affect
any other contractual rights of an employee.
ARTICLE XIV
AMENDMENT OR DISCONTINUANCE
The Board or the Committee may at any time and from time to time amend, rescind,
suspend or terminate the Plan, as it shall deem advisable, provided that the
Plan may not be amended in any manner which would cause the Plan to no longer
comply with Rule 16b-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the 1934 Act,
or any successor rule, or the provision of the Code applicable to incentive
stock options, as such rule or provision shall read as of the time of amendment.
In addition to Board approval of any amendment to the Plan, if Rule 16b-3 of the
General Rules and Regulations under the 1934 Act, or any successor rule, or the
provisions of the Code applicable to incentive stock options, as such rule or
25
provision shall read as of the time of amendment, requires shareholder approval
of such amendment, then such amendment shall be approved by the holders of a
majority of the voting stock of the Company (voting as a single class) present,
or represented, and entitled to vote at a meeting of such shareholders duly held
in accordance with the applicable laws of this state or of the jurisdiction in
which the Company is incorporated.
No change may be made in, and no amendment, rescission, suspension or
termination of the Plan shall have an effect on, stock options previously
granted under the Plan which may impair or alter the rights or obligations of
the holders thereof, except that any change may be made in stock options
previously granted with the consent of the optionees.
ARTICLE XV
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN; SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL
The Plan shall be effective as of April 7, 2003, the date on which it received
the approval of a majority of the disinterested members of the Board. However,
the Plan and all stock options granted under the Plan (but not the previous
Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan of the Company) shall be void if the
Plan is not approved by the shareholders within 12 months from the date the Plan
is approved by the Board in which case, the previous Amended and Restated 1992
Stock Option Plan of the Company shall remain in full force and effect. The Plan
shall be deemed approved by the holders of the outstanding voting stock of the
Company by the affirmative votes of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
voting stock of the Company present, or represented, and entitled to vote at a
meeting duly held in accordance with the applicable laws of the state or other
jurisdiction in which the Company is incorporated. Any stock options granted
under the Plan (but not the previous Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan
of the Company) prior to obtaining such shareholder approval shall be granted
under the conditions that the stock options so granted (1) shall not be
exercisable prior to such shareholder approval, and (2) shall become null and
void if such shareholder approval is not obtained.
26
AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORPORATION
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
The undersigned, hereby revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoints Stephen
A. Romano, James R. Baumgardner, and Michael J. Gilberg and each of them,
proxies with full and several power of substitution, to represent and to vote
all the shares of Common Stock of AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORPORATION that the
undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORPORATION to be held on May 29,
2003, and at any adjournment(s) thereof.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFIC INDICATIONS ON THE
REVERSE SIDE. IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH INDICATIONS, A SIGNED PROXY WILL BE VOTED
FOR PROPOSALS 1-3, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE JUDGMENT OF THE PROXY WITH RESPECT
TO ANY OTHER BUSINESS PROPERLY BEFORE THE MEETING.
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ADDRESS CHANGE/COMMENTS (MARK THE CORRESPONDING BOX ON THE REVERSE SIDE)
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FOLD AND DETACH HERE
YOU CAN NOW ACCESS YOUR AMERICAN ECOLOGY ACCOUNT ONLINE.
Access your American Ecology shareholder account online via Investor
ServiceDirect(R) (ISD).
Mellon Investor Services LLC, agent for American Ecology Corporation, now makes
it easy and convenient to get current information on your shareholder account.
After a simple and secure process of establishing a Personal Identification
Number (PIN), you are ready to log in and access your account to:
- View account status - View payment history for dividends
- View certificate history - Make address changes
- View book-entry information - Obtain a duplicate 1099 tax form
- Establish/change your PIN
VISIT US ON THE WEB AT HTTP://WWW.MELLONINVESTOR.COM
AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS SHOWN ON THIS PAGE.
STEP 1: FIRST TIME USERS - ESTABLISH A PIN STEP 2: LOG IN FOR ACCOUNT ACCESS STEP 3: ACCOUNT STATUS SCREEN
You must first establish a Personal You are now ready to log in. To access You are now ready to access your
Identification Number (PIN) online by your account please enter your: account information. Click on the
following the directions provided in the appropriate button to view or
upper right portion of the web screen - SSN or Investor ID initiate transactions.
as follows. You will also need your - PIN
Social Security Number (SSN) or - Then click on the SUBMIT button - Certificate History
Investor ID available to establish - Book-Entry Information
a PIN. If you have more than one account, - Issue Certificate
you will now be asked to select the - Payment History
THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF YOUR PERSONAL appropriate account. - Address Change
INFORMATION IS PROTECTED USING - Duplicate 1099
SECURE SOCKET LAYER (SSL)
TECHNOLOGY.
- SSN or Investor ID
- PIN
- Then click on the ESTABLISH PIN button
Please be sure to remember your PIN,
or maintain it in a secure place for
future reference.
FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CALL 1-877-978-7778 BETWEEN
9AM-7PM MONDAY-FRIDAY EASTERN TIME
Please [ ]
Mark Here
for Address
Change or
Comments
SEE REVERSE SIDE
1. Election of directors (to withhold authority to FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
vote for any individual members, strike a line 2. To ratify the selection of Moss Adams LLP [ ] [ ] [ ]
through the members name in the list below). This as the Company's independent auditors.
proxy confers on the proxyholders the power of FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
cumulative voting and the power to vote 3. To provide a 10 year extension of the [ ] [ ] [ ]
cumulatively for less than all of the nominees as 1992 Employee Stock Option Plan.
described in the Proxy Statement.
FOR all nominees WITHHOLD 01 David B. Anderson In their discretion, the proxies are
listed to the right AUTHORITY 02 Rotchford L. Barker authorized to vote upon such other
(except as marked to vote for all nominees 03 Roy C. Eliff matters as come before the meeting.
to the contrary) listed to the right 04 Edward F. Heil
[ ] [ ] 05 Roger P. Hickey Please sign below exactly as your name appears on
06 Stephen A. Romano this Proxy Card. If shares are registered in more
07 Stephen M. Schutt than one name, the signature of all such persons
are required. A corporation should sign in its
full corporate name by a duly authorized officer,
stating his/her title. Trustees, guardians, and
administrators should sign in their official
capacity, giving their title as such. Partnerships
should sign in the partnership name by the
authorized person(s).
The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of the
Notice of the aforesaid Annual Meeting and Proxy
Statement, and the Annual Report accompany the
same, dated April 1, 2003.
Date: ____________________________________, 2003
_________________________________________________
SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER
_________________________________________________
SIGNATURE IF HELD JOINTLY
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FOLD AND DETACH HERE