UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14 INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. *)
Filed by the Registrant /X/ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / / Check
the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted
by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
/ x / Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule
14a-12
AEROCENTURY CORP.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ No fee required.
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4)
and 0-11.
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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):
N/A
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/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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(4) Date Filed:
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ..... No .X.
AEROCENTURY CORP.
NOTICE OF 2003 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 24, 2003
TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
AeroCentury Corp. (the "Company"), which will be held at the Hiller Aviation
Museum, 601 Skyway Road, San Carlos, California at 5:30 p.m. on April 24, 2003,
for the following purposes:
1. To elect two directors to the Board of Directors;
2. To consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the selection
of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent public
accountants for the Company for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2003; and
3. To act upon such other business as may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
These matters are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this
Notice.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 3, 2003, as the
record date for determining those stockholders who will be entitled to vote at
the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The stock transfer books will not be
closed between the record date and the date of the meeting.
A quorum comprising the holders of the majority of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock of the Company on the record date must be present or represented by
proxy for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, it is
important that your shares be represented at the 2003 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE,
DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
Your proxy may be revoked at any time prior to the time it is voted.
If you plan to attend the meeting, please call the Company's Investor Relations
Department at (650) 340-1888, so that your name can be placed on the guest list
at the Hiller Aviation Museum entrance.
Please read the proxy material carefully. Your vote is important and the Company
appreciates your cooperation in considering and acting on the matters presented.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Neal D. Crispin
Neal D. Crispin
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
March 21, 2003
Burlingame, California
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
2003 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF
AEROCENTURY CORP.
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 24, 2003
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the
Board of Directors of AEROCENTURY CORP. (the "Company") of proxies to be voted
at the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "2003 Annual Meeting" or the
"Annual Meeting"), which will be held at 5:30 p.m. on April 24, 2003, at the
Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Road, San Carlos, California, or at any
adjournments or postponements thereof, for the purposes set forth in the
accompanying Notice of 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. This Proxy Statement
and the proxy card were first mailed to stockholders on or about March 21, 2003.
The Company's 2002 Annual Report is being mailed to stockholders concurrently
with this Proxy Statement. The 2002 Annual Report is not to be regarded as proxy
soliciting material or as a communication by means of which any solicitation of
proxies is to be made.
VOTING RIGHTS AND SOLICITATION
The close of business on March 3, 2003, was the record date for stockholders
entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2003 Annual Meeting. As of that date,
the Company had 1,543,257 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value (the "Common
Stock"), issued and outstanding. The presence at the Annual Meeting of a
majority of the issued and outstanding Common Stock, or 771,629 shares, either
present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. All of the shares of the
Company's Common Stock outstanding on the record date are entitled to vote at
the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and stockholders of record entitled to
vote at the Annual Meeting will have one vote for each share of Common Stock so
held with regard to each matter to be voted upon.
If your shares are registered directly in your name with the Company's transfer
agent, Continental Stock & Transfer Co., you are considered, with respect to
those shares, the "stockholder of record" and these proxy materials are being
sent directly to you by the Company. As the stockholder of record, you have the
right to grant your voting proxy directly to the Company or to vote in person at
the Annual Meeting. The Company has enclosed a proxy card for your use, which
should be returned to the Company.
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other
nominee, you are considered the "beneficial owner" of shares held "in street
name" and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your broker or
nominee who is considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of
record. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker on how
to vote and are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, since you
are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote those shares in person at
the Annual Meeting. Your broker or nominee has enclosed a voting instruction
card for your use, which must be returned to your broker or nominee.
Shares of the Company's Common Stock represented by proxies in the accompanying
form that are properly executed and returned to the Company will be voted at the
2003 Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions of the stockholder of
record contained therein. In the absence of contrary instructions, shares
represented by such proxies will be voted FOR the election of each of the
directors as described herein under "Proposal 1: Election of Directors" and FOR
ratification of the selection of accountants as described herein under "Proposal
2: Ratification of Selection of Independent Public Accountants." Management does
not know of any matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than those
set forth in this Proxy Statement and in the Notice accompanying this Proxy
Statement. If other matters should properly come before the Annual Meeting, the
proxy holders will vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
Any stockholder of record has the right to revoke his or her proxy at any time
before it is voted at the Annual Meeting. Election of directors by stockholders
shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders of
record entitled to vote at the election present in person or represented by
proxy. Ratification of the selection of accountants shall be determined by a
majority of the votes cast by the stockholders of record entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting.
Abstentions and broker non-votes are each included in the determination of the
number of shares present for quorum purposes. Abstentions are counted in
tabulations of the votes cast on proposals presented to stockholders and have
the same effect as a negative vote. Broker non-votes are not counted for
purposes of determining whether a proposal has been approved and therefore, do
not have the same effect as votes in opposition to a specific proposal.
The entire cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. Proxies will
be solicited principally through the use of the mails, but, if deemed desirable,
may be solicited personally or by telephone, telegraph or special letter by
officers and regular Company employees for no additional compensation.
Arrangements may be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees
and fiduciaries to send proxies and proxy material to the beneficial owners of
the Company's Common Stock, and such persons may be reimbursed for their
expenses.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Two of the Company's six directors will be elected at the 2003 Annual Meeting.
The nominees for the Board of Directors are set forth below. The proxy holders
intend to vote all proxies received by them in the accompanying form for the
nominees for director listed below, unless instructions to the contrary are
marked on the proxy. In the event that a nominee is unable or declines to serve
as a director at the time of the 2003 Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted
for any nominee who shall be designated by the present Board of Directors to
fill the vacancy. In the event that additional persons are nominated for
election as directors, the proxy holders intend to vote all proxies received by
them for the nominees listed below. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the
Board of Directors is not aware of any nominee who is unable or will decline to
serve as a director. The term of office of each person elected as a director at
the Annual Meeting will continue until the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
or until the director's successor has been elected.
Nominees To Board Of Directors
Mr. Marc J. Anderson, age 66. Mr. Anderson has been a member of the
Company's Board of Directors since its inception in 1997. Mr. Anderson is the
Company's Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President. He holds the same
officer positions with JetFleet Management Corp. ("JMC"). Prior to joining JMC
in 1994, Mr. Anderson was an aviation consultant (1992 to 1994) and prior to
that spent seven years (1985 to 1992) as Senior Vice President-Marketing for PLM
International ("PLM"), a transportation equipment leasing company where he was
responsible for the acquisition, modification, leasing and remarketing of all
aircraft. Prior to PLM, Mr. Anderson served as Director-Contracts for Fairchild
Aircraft Corp.; Director of Aircraft Sales for Fairchild SAAB Joint Venture; and
Vice President, Contracts for SHORTS Aircraft USA, Inc. Prior to that, Mr.
Anderson was employed with several airlines in various roles of increasing
responsibility beginning in 1959.
Mr. Thomas W. Orr, age 69. Mr. Orr has served on the Company's Board of
Directors since 1997, and was also, during that time, a member of the Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Orr is currently a self-employed
consultant on accounting matters. From 1992 until 2002, he was a partner at the
accounting firm of Bregante + Company LLP. Prior to that, beginning in 1986, Mr.
Orr was Vice President, Finance, at Scripps League Newspapers, Inc. Beginning in
1958, Mr. Orr was in the audit department of Arthur Young & Company, where he
retired as a partner in 1986. Mr. Orr received his Bachelor's Degree in Business
Administration, with distinction (Accounting major), from the University of
Minnesota. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants, the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, and a
former member of the California State Board of Accountancy.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE NOMINEES LISTED
ABOVE
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP served as independent public accountants
for the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. The Board of
Directors desires the firm to continue in this capacity for the current fiscal
year. Accordingly, a proposal will be presented at the Annual Meeting to ratify
the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP by the Board of Directors as
independent public accountants to audit the accounts and records of the Company
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2003, and to perform other appropriate
services. In the event that stockholders fail to ratify the selection of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Board of Directors would reconsider such
selection.
A representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be present at the Annual
Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires
and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF
THE SELECTION OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.
INFORMATION REGARDING
AUDITORS
Change in Auditors. On June 15, 2002, the Company terminated its
relationship with its former auditor, Arthur Andersen LLP ("Andersen"), due to
the conviction of Andersen on criminal charges in connection with Andersen's
activities with respect to Enron Corp. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP replaced
Andersen as the Company's auditors.
Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed by the Company's auditors,
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (the "Auditors"), for professional services rendered
for the audit of the Company's financial statements for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2002 and for the reviews of the financial statements included in
the Company's Forms 10-QSB during the 2002 fiscal year was $55,500. An
additional $7,000 was billed by the Auditors in connection with their review of
the Company's 2001 tax return. No other fees were billed by the Auditors to the
Company.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the
Company's previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that might incorporate future
filings, including this Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the following
Report of the Audit Committe shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or
to be "filed" with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall such
information be incorporated by reference into any such filings under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company serves as
the representative of the Board for general oversight of the Company's financial
accounting and reporting process, internal controls, audit process and process
for monitoring compliance with laws and regulations. The Audit Committee is
responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of the
Auditors. The members of the Audit Committee are independent (as defined in
Section 12(A) of the American Stock Exchange Company Guide). The Company's
management has primary responsibility for preparing the Company's financial
statements and the Company's financial reporting process. The Company's
Auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, are responsible for expressing an opinion
on the fairness and conformity of the Company's audited financial statements to
generally accepted accounting principles. In this context, the Audit Committee
hereby reports as follows:
1. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial
statements with the Company's management.
2. The Audit Committee has discussed with the Auditors the matters
required to be discussed by SAS 61 (Codification of Statements on Auditing
Standard, AU 380).
3. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the
letter from the independent accountants required by Independence Standards Board
Standard No. 1 (Independence Standards Board Standards No. 1, Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees) and has discussed with the Auditors their
independence.
4. Based on the review and discussion referred to in paragraphs (1)
through (3) above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors of
the Company, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements
be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2002, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Audit Committee held three meetings during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2002.
The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit
Committee. The Audit Committee reviewed and reassessed the charter. In light of
the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "New Law"), the
Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board approved, amendments to the
charter (a copy of the charter, as amended, is attached hereto as Appendix A)
conforming the charter to the current requirements of the New Law. Aside from
that amendment, the Committee concluded that no changes are currently advisable.
The Committee noted that further changes may need to be made when the Securities
and Exchange Commission and the applicable national securities exchange or
association on which the Company's shares are listed take further actions
carrying out their responsibilities under the New Law.
Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors:
Thomas W. Orr, Chair
Evan M. Wallach
INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPANY'S
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Current Board Of Directors
The following directors have terms expiring at the Company's 2003 Annual
Stockholder Meeting: Thomas W. Orr and Marc J. Anderson. They have been
nominated for election to the Board of Directors. For their biographical
information, see "PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS," above.
The following directors have terms expiring at the Company's 2004 Annual
Stockholder Meeting:
Mr. Neal D. Crispin, age 57. Mr. Crispin is Chairman of the Board and
President of the Company. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Board
and has served on the Board since its inception in 1997. He is also President
and a Chairman of CMA Consolidated, Inc. ("CMA") and JMC. Prior to forming CMA
in 1983, Mr. Crispin spent two years as Vice President-Finance of an oil and gas
company. Previously, Mr. Crispin was a manager with Arthur Young & Co.,
Certified Public Accountants. Prior to joining Arthur Young & Co., Mr. Crispin
served as a management consultant, specializing in financial consulting. Mr.
Crispin is the husband of Toni M. Perazzo, a Director and Officer of JMC and the
Company. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from the University of
California at Santa Barbara and a Master's Degree in Business Administration
(specializing in Finance) from the University of California at Berkeley. Mr.
Crispin, a CPA, is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Mr. Evan M. Wallach, age 48. Mr. Wallach is Managing Director, Fixed
Income, at US Bancorp Piper Jaffray. Prior to that he served as Vice President,
Finance of C-S Aviation from 1998 to 2001. He is a member of the Audit Committee
and has served on the Board since 1997. From 1996 to 1998, he was President and
Chief Executive Officer of Global Airfinance Corporation. He has specialized in
aircraft and airline financing over the past seventeen years, having held senior
level positions with The CIT Group (1994 to 1996), Bankers Trust Company (1992
to 1994), Kendall Capital Partners (1990 to 1992), Drexel Burnham Lambert (1987
to 1990), and American Express Aircraft Leasing (1985 to 1987). Mr. Wallach
received a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from State University of New
York at Stony Brook and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the
University of Michigan.
The following directors have terms expiring at the Company's 2005 Annual
Stockholder Meeting:
Mr. Maurice J. Averay, age 72. Mr. Averay has been an aviation
consultant since 1996 and has served on the Board since 1997. From 1995 to 1996
he was a full-time consultant to Saab Aircraft of America and its parent company
with respect to marketing and new aircraft development. From 1990 to 1995, he
was Senior Vice President of the Sales and Marketing team of Saab Aircraft of
America responsible for North and South American turboprop airliner sales. Prior
to that Mr. Averay was Vice President of Sales Support for Saab Aircraft
International, Ltd.; Sales Engineering Manager for Fairchild Aircraft, Inc., San
Antonio, Texas; Vice President, Planning, for Chautauqua Airlines, Jamestown,
New York, a U.S. Airways commuter associate; and Vice President of Shorts
Aircraft USA, Inc. Mr. Averay holds a Bachelor's Degree in Aero Engineering from
the University of Bristol, United Kingdom.
Ms. Toni M. Perazzo, age 55. Ms. Perazzo is a member of the Executive
Committee of the Board of Directors and has served on the Board since its
inception in 1997. She is the Company's Senior Vice President-Finance and
Secretary and has held these same positions with JMC, the management company for
the Company since 1994, and CMA since 1990. Prior to joining CMA in 1990, she
was Assistant Vice President for a savings and loan, controller of an oil and
gas syndicator and a senior auditor with Arthur Young & Co., Certified Public
Accountants. Ms. Perazzo is the wife of Neal D. Crispin, a director and officer
of JMC and the Company. She received her Bachelor's Degree from the University
of California at Berkeley, and her Master's Degree in Business Administration
from the University of Southern California. Ms. Perazzo, a CPA, is a member of
the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Board Meetings And Committees
The Board of Directors of the Company held a total of five meetings during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 (the "2002 fiscal year"). Each director
attended every meeting of the Board and every meeting held by all committees of
the Board on which the director served, except for Mr. Anderson, who was not
present at two meetings, and Mr. Crispin, who was not present at one meeting.
The Company has an Audit Committee and an Executive Committee of the Board of
Directors. There is no compensation or nominating committee or committee
performing the functions of such committees, and such matters are considered by
the entire Board.
The Audit Committee was formed pursuant to a written charter approved by the
Board of Directors. The Audit Committee meets with the Company's financial
management and its independent public accountants to review internal financial
information, audit plans and results, and financial reporting procedures. This
committee currently consists of Thomas W. Orr, Chairman, and Evan M. Wallach.
Both Mr. Orr and Mr. Wallach are "independent" directors as that term is defined
in the American Stock Exchange Company Guide. The Audit Committee held three
meetings during the 2002 fiscal year, and has held one meeting in the 2003
fiscal year to date.
The Executive Committee has the authority to acquire, dispose of and finance
investments for the Company and execute contracts and agreements, including
those related to the borrowing of money by the Company, and generally exercises
all other powers of the Board of Directors except for those which require action
by all of the directors or the independent directors under the Certificate of
Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company, or under applicable law. The
Executive Committee currently consists of three directors, Neal D. Crispin,
Chairman, Toni M. Perazzo and Marc J. Anderson.
Director Compensation
Non-employee members of the Board are each paid an annual fee of $14,000 and are
reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with
their attendance at such meetings. Non-employee members also receive $1,000
annually for each committee membership. Board members who are officers of the
Company do not receive any compensation for Board or committee membership.
Officers And Key Employees
For biographies of Neal D. Crispin, President & Chairman of the Board, Marc J.
Anderson, Chief Operating Officer & Senior Vice President, and Toni M. Perazzo,
Senior Vice President - Finance & Secretary, see "Board of Directors" above.
Listed below are the other officers of AeroCentury Corp. who are also key
officers and employees of JMC, the Company's management company, and are
responsible for the management of various aspects of the Company's business:
Mr. Brian J. Ginna, Vice President, Corporate Development, age 34. Mr. Ginna has
been responsible for all corporate communications, investor relations and public
relations of the Company and JMC and its related companies since joining JMC in
2001. He is also Controller for CMA, which he joined in 1991 and where he has
held various positions of increasing responsibility. Mr. Ginna received a
Bachelor's Degree in Finance from Babson College.
Mr. Jack Humphreys, Vice President-Maintenance, age 55. Mr. Humphreys is
responsible for portfolio aircraft maintenance and acts as a liaison with
manufacturers and the technical departments of lessees. Mr. Humphreys has over
33 years of experience in aviation and has been with the Company since July
2002. He has held several positions in the industry in the areas of aviation
maintenance management, quality assurance, aviation safety and training
development. Before joining the Company, Mr. Humphreys was an Aviation Quality
Control Manager for Raytheon-Range Systems Engineering-Raytheon Corporation from
1992 to 2002, where he was responsible for maintaining airworthiness for a fleet
of airplanes and helicopters. Mr. Humphreys holds a degree in Professional
Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a Bachelor's Degree in
Business Management from Columbia College, and an FAA Airframe and Powerplant
certification.
Mr. John Myers, Senior Vice President, age 57. Mr. Myers has been responsible
for the administration of aircraft leases, marketing agreements and vendor
agreements for the Company and JMC since joining the companies in March 2001.
From 1991 to 2001, Mr. Myers was Vice President of Raytheon Aircraft Credit
Corporation, where he was responsible for the management of a $1.3 billion
commuter airline portfolio, customer financing transactions, credit risk
analysis and structuring and negotiation and documentation of aircraft financing
transactions. From 1976 until 1991, he was Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Air Midwest, Inc., a regional airline. Mr. Myers has
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Wichita State University.
Mr. Glenn Roberts, Vice President, Controller, age 38. Mr. Roberts is
responsible for financial accounting and analysis. He has been employed by
affiliates of the Company for thirteen years in various capacities of increasing
responsibility.
Mr. Christopher B. Tigno, General Counsel, age 41. Mr. Tigno is responsible for
all legal matters of the Company and JMC and its related companies, including
supervision of outside counsel, documentation of aircraft asset acquisition
transactions and corporate and securities matters. He is also General Counsel of
CMA. He joined JMC and CMA in 1996. He was most recently employed as Senior
Counsel with the firm of Wilson, Ryan & Campilongo (1992 to 1996), and prior to
that was associated with Fenwick & West and Morrison & Foerster. Mr. Tigno
received his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of California at Berkeley,
Boalt Hall School of Law, and was admitted to the California Bar in 1986. He
also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University.
Mr. Steven H. Wallace, Vice President, Remarketing, age 57. Mr. Wallace is
responsible for remarketing of the Company's portfolio of aircraft assets. Prior
to joining the Company in June 2002, Mr. Wallace was an aviation consultant
(June 2000 to June 2002), and prior to that was Aviation Services Manager for
Raytheon Aircraft Services (January 1995 to June 2000). Prior to his tenure at
Raytheon Aircraft Services, Mr. Wallace served in the U.S. Army, where he
attained the rank of Major. Mr. Wallace graduated from Troy State University
with a Bachelor's Degree in 1971, and received a Master's Degree in Business
Administration from Pepperdine University in 1975.
Employee Compensation
Since the Company receives management services from JMC, the Company has no
employees and does not pay any compensation to its executive officers The cash
compensation received by Neal Crispin from JMC in 2002 was $1, including
bonuses, and is expected to be $1 in 2003. 2002 cash compensation received by
Ms. Perazzo from JMC was $87,550, including bonuses, and is expected to be
$90,100 in 2003. The only executive officer of JMC whose compensation exceeds
$100,000 is Marc J. Anderson, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer,
whose salary, including bonus, was $256,000 in 2002, and is expected to be
$225,000 in 2003. Two additional non-executive officers received and expect to
receive compensation from JMC in excess of $100,000 as follows: John Myers
received salary and bonus of $154,500 in 2002 and is expected to receive
$160,400 in 2003, and Glenn Roberts received salary and bonus of $98,750 in
2002, and is expected to receive $101,000 in 2003.
Compensation Committee Interlocks And Insider Participation
Neal Crispin and Toni M. Perazzo are executive officers and directors of both
the Company and JMC. Marc Anderson is an executive officer and director of the
Company and an executive officer of JMC. As described above under "Employment
Contracts," the Company has no employees and does not pay any compensation to
its executive officers. No executive officers of the Company currently serve on
the compensation committee (or any other committee of the board of directors
performing similar functions) of another entity.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of
the Company's Common Stock as of March 3, 2003, by: (i) each person or entity
that is known to the Company to own beneficially more than five percent of the
outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock; (ii) each director; and (iii)
all directors and executive officers as a group.
Percentage of
Ownership of
No. Common
Name, Position, & Address of Shares(1) Stock(2)
Neal D. Crispin 315,286 20.43%
Chairman of the Board,
President and Principal
Stockholder (3)(4)
Toni M. Perazzo 315,286 20.43%
Director, Senior Vice President - Finance,
Secretary and Principal
Stockholder (3)(4)(5)
Marc J. Anderson 13,847 *
Director, Senior Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer (3)(6)
Maurice J. Averay, 300 *
Director (3)
Thomas W. Orr, 1,500 *
Director (3)
Evan M. Wallach, 1,175 *
Director (3)
JetFleet Holding Corp. 199,992 12.96%
Principal Stockholder (3)(7)
All directors and executive 327,508 21.22%
officers as a group (6 persons)(8)
----------------------------------------------------
* Less than 1%
Footnotes to Security Ownership:
(1) Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, the stockholders named
in the table are known to the Company to have sole voting and investment power
with respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by them,
subject to community property laws where applicable. The number of shares
beneficially owned includes Common Stock of which such individual has the right
to acquire beneficial ownership either currently or within 60 days after March
3, 2003, including, but not limited to, upon the exercise of an option.
(2) For purposes of calculating percentages, total outstanding shares consists
of 1,543,257 shares of outstanding Common Stock, which excludes shares held by
the Company as treasury stock.
(3) The mailing address is c/o AeroCentury Corp., 1440 Chapin Avenue Suite 310,
Burlingame, California 94010.
(4) Includes 282,211 shares owned by corporations of which Mr. Crispin is an
officer, director and/or principal shareholder.
(5) Consists of shares owned by corporations, of which Ms. Perazzo is an
officer, director and/or principal shareholder, plus other shares owned
beneficially by Mr. Crispin, spouse of Ms. Perazzo.
(6) Includes 5,100 shares issuable upon exercise of stock bonus plan rights to
receive AeroCentury Common Stock owned by JetFleet Holding Corp ("JHC").
(7) Consists of 111,692 shares owned directly and 88,300 shares owned by a
wholly-owned subsidiary.
(8) Consists of shares beneficially owned by officers and directors, but
excludes 5,100 stock bonus plan shares described in footnote (6), since the
shares issuable under this JHC plan are already counted in the 199,992 shares
beneficially owned by Mr. Crispin and Ms. Perazzo indirectly through JHC, and
therefore included in the shares counted as beneficially owned by officers and
directors.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Management Agreement. JMC acts as the management company for the Company under
the Management Agreement, dated December 31, 1997, as amended on February 3,
1998, between JMC and the Company. The officers of the Company are also officers
of JMC and two members of JMC's Board of Directors are on the Board of Directors
of the Company.
Under the Management Agreement, the Company pays a monthly management fee to JMC
equal to 0.25% of the net book value of the Company's assets as of the end of
the month for which the fee is due. In addition, JMC may receive an acquisition
fee for locating assets for the Company, provided that the aggregate purchase
price including chargeable acquisition costs and any acquisition fee does not
exceed the fair market value of the asset based on appraisal, and a remarketing
fee in connection with the sale or re-lease of the Company's assets. The
management fees, acquisition fees and remarketing fees may not exceed the
customary and usual fees that would be paid to an unaffiliated party for such
services. During 2002 and 2001, the Company recognized as expense $1,725,330 and
$1,758,050, respectively, of management fees payable to JMC. In connection with
aircraft purchases during 2002 and 2001, the Company paid JMC a total of
$325,500 and $0, respectively, in acquisition fees, which are included in the
capitalized cost of the aircraft. During 2002 and 2001, the Company accrued a
total of $0 and $13,500, respectively, in remarketing fees due to JMC.
Office Space. The Company maintains its principal office at the offices of JMC
at 1440 Chapin Avenue, Suite 310, Burlingame, California, without reimbursement
to JMC.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the
Company's directors and executive officers and persons who own more than ten
percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file with
the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership and reports
of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the
Company. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are
required by Securities and Exchange Commission regulation to furnish the Company
with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
Based solely upon review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company
and written representations that no other reports were required, the Company
believes that there was compliance for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002
with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to the Company's officers,
directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Requirements for Stockholder Proposals to be Brought Before 2004 Annual Meeting.
For stockholder proposals to be considered properly brought before an annual
meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof
in writing to the Secretary of the Company. For the 2004 Annual Meeting, to be
timely, notice of stockholder proposals must be delivered to, or mailed and
received by, the Secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of
the Company between February 9, 2004, and March 10, 2004. A stockholder's notice
to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to
bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired
to be brought before the Annual Meeting and the reasons for conducting such
business at the Annual Meeting, (ii) the name and record address of the
stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the number of shares of the Company's
Common Stock which are beneficially owned by the stockholder, and (iv) any
material interest of the stockholder in such business.
Requirements for Stockholder Proposals to be Considered for Inclusion in the
Company's Proxy Materials. Stockholder proposals submitted pursuant to Rule
14a-8 under the Exchange Act and intended to be presented at the Company's 2004
Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Company not later than
November 20, 2003 in order to be considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy
materials for that meeting.
OTHER MATTERS
Management does not know of any matters to be presented at this Annual Meeting
other than those set forth herein and in the Notice accompanying this Proxy
Statement.
It is important that your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting,
regardless of the number of shares that you hold. YOU ARE, THEREFORE, URGED TO
EXECUTE PROMPTLY AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE THAT HAS BEEN
ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. Stockholders who are present at the Annual
Meeting may revoke their proxies and vote in person or, if they prefer, may
abstain from voting in person and allow their proxies to be voted.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Neal D. Crispin
Neal D. Crispin, President
March 21, 2003
Burlingame, California
ATTACHMENT A
RESTATED AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
AEROCENTURY CORP.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
CHARTER
Revised February, 2003
I. ORGANIZATION
The Audit Committee shall be comprised of two or more directors, as
determined by the Corporation's Board of Directors (the "Board"). The Audit
Committee members shall be designated by the Board and shall serve at the
discretion of the Board.
Each member of the Audit Committee shall be an independent director.
For purposes hereof, an "independent director" shall be one:
o who accepts no consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from
the Corporation other than in his or her capacity as a member of
the Committee, the Board or any other committee of the Board or is
not otherwise an affiliated person of the Corporation, and
o who is free from any relationship that, in the opinion of the
Board, would interfere with the exercise of his or her independent
judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
Each member of the Audit Committee shall be able to read and understand
fundamental financial statements in accordance with the rules of the American
Stock Exchange (the "AMEX") audit committee requirements. At least one member
shall have past employment experience in finance or accounting, a professional
certification in accounting or other comparable experience or background that
results in the individual's possessing the requisite financial sophistication,
including a current or past position as a chief executive or financial officer
or other senior officer with financial oversight responsibilities.
II. STATEMENT OF POLICY
The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board to oversee the accounting
and financial reporting processes of the Corporation and audits of the financial
statements of the Corporation and to have the sole responsibility for the
appointment, compensation, oversight and termination of the Corporation's
independent auditors ("Auditors"). The Audit Committee shall further provide
assistance and expertise to the full corporate board of directors in fulfilling
their responsibility to the shareholders, potential shareholders, and investment
community relating to corporate accounting, reporting practices of the
corporation, and the quality and integrity of the financial reports of the
corporation. In so doing, it is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to
maintain free and open means of communication between the directors, the
Auditors, and the financial management of the Corporation. In addition, the
Audit Committee shall review the policies and procedures adopted by the
Corporation to fulfill its responsibilities regarding the fair and accurate
presentation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission and the AMEX audit committee requirements.
III. POWERS
The Audit Committee shall have the power to conduct or authorize
investigations into any matters within the Committee's scope of
responsibilities. The Committee shall be empowered to engage independent counsel
and other advisers, as it determines necessary to carry out its duties. While
the Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it
is not the duty of the Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that
the Corporation's financial statements are complete and accurate and are in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Those tasks are the
responsibility of management and the independent auditor. The Board and the
Committee are in place to represent the Corporation's stockholders. Accordingly,
the independent auditor is ultimately accountable to the Board and the
Committee.
IV. RESPONSIBILITIES
The Audit Committee shall undertake those specific duties and
responsibilities listed below and such other duties as the Board shall from time
to time prescribe. All powers of the Committee are subject to the restrictions
designated in the Corporation's Bylaws and applicable law. In carrying out its
responsibilities, the Audit Committee believes its policies and procedures
should remain flexible, in order to best react to changing conditions and to
ensure to the directors and shareholders that the corporate accounting and
reporting practices of the Corporation are in accordance with all requirements
and are of the highest quality.
The Audit Committee's responsibilities shall be as follows:
1. Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually.
2. With respect to the Corporation's Auditors:
a. The Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation
and oversight of the work of the Corporation's Auditors. The
Committee shall pre-approve all auditing services (including the
provision of comfort letters) and non-audit services provided by
the Auditors to the Corporation, other than as may be allowed by
applicable law. The Committee may delegate to one or more
designated Committee members the authority to grant pre-approvals
required by the foregoing sentence. The decisions of any
Committee member to whom authority is delegated hereunder shall
be presented to the Committee at each of its scheduled meetings.
The Auditors shall be ultimately accountable to the Board and to
the Committee as representatives of the Corporation's
stockholders.
b. Review the independence of the Auditors, including a review of
management consulting services, and related fees, provided by the
Auditors. The Committee shall request that the Auditors at least
annually provide a formal written statement delineating all
relationships between the Auditors and the Corporation consistent
with the AMEX audit committee requirements and request
information from the Auditors and management to determine the
presence or absence of a conflict of interest. The Committee
shall actively engage the Auditors in a dialogue with respect to
any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the
objectivity and independence of the Auditors. The Committee shall
take, or recommend that the full Board take, appropriate action
to oversee the independence of the Auditors.
3. Review and discuss with management, before release, the audited
financial statements and the Management's Discussion and Analysis
proposed to be included in the Corporation's Annual Report on Form
10-KSB. Make a recommendation to the Board whether or not the
audited financial statements should be included in the
Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB.
4. In consultation with the Auditors and management, consider and
review at the completion of the annual examinations and such other
times as the Committee may deem appropriate:
a. The Corporation's annual financial statements and related
notes.
b. The Auditors' audit of the financial statements and their
report thereon.
c. The Auditors' reports regarding critical accounting
policies, alternative treatments of financial information
and other material written communications between the
Auditors and management.
d. Any deficiency in, or suggested improvement to, the
procedures or practices employed by the Corporation as
reported by the Auditors in their annual management letter.
5. Periodically and to the extent appropriate under the
circumstances, it may be advisable for the Committee, with the
assistance of the Auditors and/or management, to consider and
review the following:
a. Any significant changes required in the Auditors' audit
plan.
b. Any difficulties or disputes with management encountered
during the course of the audit.
c. The adequacy of the Corporation's system of internal
financial controls.
d. The effect or potential effect of any regulatory regime,
accounting initiatives or off-balance sheet structures on
the Corporation's financial statements.
e. Any correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies
and any employee complaints or published reports that raise
material issues regarding the Corporation's financial
statements or accounting policies.
f. Other matters related to the conduct of the audit, which are
to be communicated to the Committee under generally accepted
auditing standards.
6. Discuss with the Auditors the matters required to be discussed by
Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as modified or
supplemented.
7. Obtain from the Auditor assurance that it has complied with
Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
8. Establish procedures for (a) the receipt, retention and treatment
of complaints received by the Corporation regarding accounting,
internal accounting controls or auditing matters and (b) the
confidential, anonymous submission by the Corporation's employees
of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
9. Prepare a report in the Corporation's proxy statement in
accordance with SEC requirements.
10. Review accounting and financial human resources and succession
planning with the Corporation.
11. Submit the minutes of all meetings of the Audit Committee to, or
discuss the matters discussed at each Committee meeting with, the
Board
12. Investigate any matter brought to its attention within the scope
of its duties, with the power to retain separate outside counsel,
solely representing and reporting to the Audit Committee, for this
purpose if, in its judgment, that is appropriate.
V. MEETINGS
Periodic meetings of the Audit Committee should be regularly scheduled,
and should include at least the following meetings:
1. Prior to the annual audit;
2. After completion of the annual audit and before financial statements
are issued;
3. Before the annual meeting of shareholders, which would include the
preparation of the Audit Committee's report to the entire Board.
Meetings should provide the opportunity not only to review the
Corporation's quarterly and annual financial results but also perform a
preliminary review of annual and quarterly financial reports of the Corporation,
and review filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit
Committee should set its own agenda and should be able to secure whatever
information it may feel it needs to be well informed as to the issues before it.
Special meetings of the Committee may be called by any member of the
Audit Committee or at the request of the Auditor.
VI. MINUTES
Minutes shall be kept of each meeting of the Committee and will be
provided to each member of the Board. Any action of the Committee shall be
subject to revision, modification or rescission by the Board.
PROXY
[FRONT SIDE]
AeroCentury Corp.
1440 Chapin Avenue, Suite 310, Burlingame, California 94010
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors.
The undersigned hereby appoints Neal D. Crispin and Toni M. Perazzo, as Proxies,
with full power of substitution, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to
vote, as designated below, all of the shares of Common Stock of AeroCentury
Corp. held of record by the undersigned on March 3, 2003, at the 2003 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on April 24, 2003, or at any
adjournment or postponement thereof.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS FOR all nominees listed below (except as marked to the
contrary below) WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below
(Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee strike a
line through the nominee's name in the list below)
Marc J. Anderson
----------
Thomas W. Orr
----------
2. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPERS LLP as
independent auditors for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2003.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
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3. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
matters as may properly come before the meeting.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" PROPOSALS NO. 1 AND 2
PLEASE TURN OVER, DATE AND SIGN REVERSE SIDE
[REVERSE SIDE]
PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED ON THE REVERSE
SIDE. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THEN THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE
NOMINEES LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND "FOR"
PROPOSAL NO. 2 .
SIGNATURE
Title (if any) Date
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Title (if any) Date
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(Second Signature, if held jointly)