UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Filed by the Registrant
þ
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
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Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
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AirNet Systems, Inc.
(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):
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þ
No fee required.
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11.
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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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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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1) Amount Previously Paid:
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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AIRNET SYSTEMS, INC.
7250 Star Check Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43217
November 21, 2005
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of AirNet Systems, Inc. will be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern
Time, on Friday, December 16, 2005, at the Concourse Hotel, 4300 International Gateway, Columbus,
Ohio 43219. The enclosed Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement contain
detailed information about the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting.
The Board of Directors has nominated seven directors, each for a term to expire at the 2006
Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote
FOR
each of the
nominees.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and management, I cordially invite you to attend the
Annual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, the prompt return of your
proxy card in the enclosed return envelope will save AirNet additional expenses of solicitation and
will help ensure that as many common shares as possible are represented at the Annual Meeting.
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Sincerely,
/s/ Joel E. Biggerstaff
Joel E. Biggerstaff
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and President
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held On
Friday, December 16, 2005
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of AirNet Systems, Inc.
(AirNet) will be held on Friday, December 16, 2005, at the Concourse Hotel, 4300 International
Gateway, Columbus, Ohio 43219, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, for the following purposes:
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1.
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To elect seven directors to serve for terms expiring at the 2006 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.
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2.
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To transact any other business which properly comes before the Annual Meeting
or any adjournment.
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The close of business on November 7, 2005, has been fixed by the Board of Directors of AirNet
as the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at,
the Annual Meeting.
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the
Annual Meeting, you may ensure your representation by completing, signing, dating and promptly
returning the enclosed proxy card. A return envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the
United States, has been provided for your use. If you are the registered shareholder and attend
the Annual Meeting, you may revoke your proxy and vote your common shares in person.
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By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Gary W. Qualmann
Gary W. Qualmann
Secretary
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AirNet Systems, Inc.
7250 Star Check Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43217
November 21, 2005
AirNet Systems, Inc.
7250 Star Check Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43217
PROXY STATEMENT
for
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
To Be Held On
Friday, December 16, 2005
This Proxy Statement is furnished to the shareholders of AirNet Systems, Inc. (AirNet) in
connection with the solicitation, on behalf of the Board of Directors of AirNet (the Board), of
proxies for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Friday, December 16, 2005 (the
2005 Annual Meeting), at the Concourse Hotel, 4300 International Gateway, Columbus, Ohio 43219,
at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, or any adjournment, for the purposes described in the accompanying
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card were first sent or delivered to
shareholders of AirNet on or about November 21, 2005.
GENERAL
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on November 7, 2005, are entitled to
vote at the 2005 Annual Meeting. As of November 7, 2005, there were 10,149,205 common shares
outstanding. Each common share entitles the holder to one vote on each matter to be submitted to
the shareholders at the 2005 Annual Meeting. A quorum for the 2005 Annual Meeting is a majority of
the common shares outstanding. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. Other
than the common shares, there are no voting securities of AirNet outstanding.
You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is actually voted at the 2005 Annual Meeting
by (i) delivering written notice of revocation to the Secretary of AirNet, (ii) executing and
returning a subsequently-dated proxy card received by AirNet prior to the 2005 Annual Meeting or
(iii) if you are the registered shareholder, attending the 2005 Annual Meeting and giving notice
of revocation in person.
Attendance at the 2005 Annual Meeting will not, by itself, constitute
revocation of a previously-appointed proxy.
Shareholders holding common shares in street name with a broker/dealer, financial
institution or other holder of record may be eligible to appoint their proxy electronically via
the Internet or telephonically and may incur costs associated with the electronic access, such as
usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone companies. Shareholders holding common
shares in street name should review the information provided to them by the holder of record.
This information will describe the procedures to be followed in instructing the holder of record
how to vote the street name common shares and how to revoke previously given instructions.
AirNet will bear the costs of preparing, printing and mailing this Proxy Statement, the
accompanying proxy card and any other related materials, as well as all other costs incurred in
connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board, other than the Internet access
and telephone usage charges described above. Proxies will be solicited by mail and may be further
solicited by further mailings, personal contact, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile by
directors, officers or employees of AirNet, none of whom will receive additional compensation for
such solicitation activities. AirNet will reimburse its transfer agent, Computershare Shareholder
Services Inc., as well as broker/dealers, financial institutions, and other custodians,
fiduciaries and nominees for their reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial
owners of the common shares entitled to vote at the 2005 Annual Meeting.
On March 7, 2005, AirNet retained Georgeson Shareholder Communications Inc. (Georgeson) to
advise AirNet with respect to any contested proxy solicitation in connection with the annual
meeting of shareholders held in 2005 and to aid in the solicitation of proxies on behalf of AirNet
in connection with the annual meeting of shareholders held in 2005. AirNet has paid Georgeson
$25,000 in consulting fees and a retainer in the amount of $20,000 to act as a proxy solicitor on
behalf of AirNet. In addition, AirNet will pay the out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by
Georgeson on behalf of AirNet.
The inspectors of election appointed for the 2005 Annual Meeting will tabulate the results of
shareholder voting. Common shares represented by properly-executed proxy cards returned to AirNet
prior to the 2005 Annual Meeting will be counted toward the establishment of a quorum even though
they are marked For, Withhold or not at all. Under the applicable rules of the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE), the election of directors is considered a discretionary item on which
broker/dealers, who hold their clients common shares in street name, may vote in their discretion
on behalf of their clients, if those clients have not furnished voting instructions within the
required time frame before the 2005 Annual Meeting. Accordingly, there should be no broker
non-votes with respect to the matters submitted by AirNet for action by the shareholders at the
2005 Annual Meeting.
AirNets 2004 Annual Report, which includes AirNets Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (the 2004 fiscal year), is being delivered with this Proxy
Statement.
On August 5, 2005, AirNet publicly announced that it had received notification from NYSE that
a review of AirNets financial condition showed that AirNet was below the recently increased
criteria for continued listing. Based on NYSEs review, AirNet was not in compliance with the
applicable rules from Sections 801 and 802 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, which would lead to
AirNets common shares being de-listed from NYSE. Specifically, AirNet is below criteria because
AirNets total market capitalization is less than $75 million over a consecutive 30 trading-day
period and its total shareholders equity is less than $75 million. Since August 8, 2005, NYSE has
made available on its consolidated tape an indicator, .BC, to reflect AirNet is below NYSEs
quantitative continued listing standards. AirNet has requested that NYSE postpone actions that
would lead to the de-listing of AirNets common shares for a period of time sufficient to allow
AirNet to complete the going private transaction described below. By letter dated November 17,
2005, AirNet was notified by NYSE that NYSEs Listings and Compliance Committee had agreed to the
continued listing of AirNets common shares through the completion of the going private
transaction. NYSE has advised AirNet that NYSE will continue to review the status of the going
private transaction through February 2006, along with other developments in respect of AirNet, and
that if the going private transaction has not closed by that time, NYSE will review the
circumstances causing the delay, and reassess the previous decision to continue the listing of
AirNets common shares.
On October 26, 2005, AirNet publicly announced that it had entered into a letter of intent
for the sale of AirNet to a nationally recognized private equity firm in a going private
transaction. If AirNet enters into a definitive merger agreement with such private equity firm,
the merger contemplated by such an agreement would likely require approval by AirNets
shareholders. AirNet will not seek such approval at the 2005 Annual Meeting but rather will call
a special meeting of shareholders to be held at a date after the date of the 2005 Annual Meeting.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON SHARES
The following table furnishes information regarding the number and percentage of outstanding
common shares beneficially owned by (i) each current director of AirNet; (ii) each of the nominees
for election as a director; (iii) each individual named in the Summary Compensation Table; (iv)
all current directors and executive officers of AirNet as a group; and (v) each person known by
AirNet to own beneficially more than five percent of the outstanding common shares, in each case
as of November 7, 2005 (except as otherwise noted). Unless otherwise noted in the following table,
the address of each of the current executive officers and directors is c/o AirNet, 7250 Star Check
Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43217.
2
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Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1)
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Common Shares Which
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Can Be Acquired
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Upon Exercise of
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Options Currently
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Exercisable or
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Which Will Become
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Common Shares
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Exercisable Within
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Percent of
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Name of Beneficial Owner
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Presently Held
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60 Days
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Total
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Class (2)
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Joel E. Biggerstaff (3)
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20,000
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(4)
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187,270
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207,270
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2.0
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%
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James M. Chadwick (5)
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522,600
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(5)
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4,000
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526,600
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(5)
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5.2
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7383 Sean Taylor Lane
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San Diego, CA 92130
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Russell M. Gertmenian
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5,000
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(6)
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43,600
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48,600
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(7
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Gerald Hellerman
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0
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4,000
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4,000
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(7
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David P. Lauer
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2,000
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37,600
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39,600
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(7
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Bruce D. Parker
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0
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18,400
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18,400
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(7
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James E. Riddle
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5,000
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33,600
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38,600
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(7
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Larry M. Glasscock, Jr. (3)
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14,996
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20,000
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34,996
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(7
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Jeffery B. Harris (3)
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2,948
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64,130
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67,078
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(7
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Gary W. Qualmann (3)
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7,000
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20,000
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27,000
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(7
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Kendall W. Wright (3)
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0
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0
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0
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n/a
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All current directors and executive
officers as a group (13 individuals)
(8)
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589,233
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492,930
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1,082,163
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10.2
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%
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Heartland Advisors, Inc. (9)
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1,420,400
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(9)
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0
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1,420,400
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(9)
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14.0
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%
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William J. Nasgovitz
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789 North Water Street
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Milwaukee, WI 53202
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Phillip Goldstein (10)
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1,327,300
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(10)
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0
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1,327,300
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(10)
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13.1
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%
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60 Heritage Drive
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Pleasantville, NY 10570
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Royce & Associates, LLC (11)
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1,177,100
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(11)
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0
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1,177,100
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(11)
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11.6
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%
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1414 Avenue of the Americas
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New York, NY 10019
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Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. (12)
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858,600
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(12)
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0
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858,600
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(12)
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8.5
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%
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1299 Ocean Avenue, 11
th
Floor
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Santa Monica, CA 90401
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FMR Corp. (13)
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684,200
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(13)
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0
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684,200
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(13)
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6.7
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%
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Edward C. Johnson 3d
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Abigail P. Johnson
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82 Devonshire Street
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Boston, MA 02109
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3
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Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1)
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Common Shares Which
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Can Be Acquired
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Upon Exercise of
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Options Currently
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Exercisable or
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Which Will Become
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Common Shares
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Exercisable Within
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Percent of
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Name of Beneficial Owner
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Presently Held
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60 Days
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Total
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Class (2)
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QVT Financial LP (14)
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633,300
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(14)
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0
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633,300
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(14)
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6.2
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%
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QVT Financial GP LLC
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QVT Fund LP
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QVT Associates GP LLC
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527 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor
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New York, NY 10022
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|
|
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|
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Hummingbird Management, LLC (15)
|
|
|
517,900
|
(15)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
517,900
|
(15)
|
|
|
5.1
|
%
|
|
Paul D. Sonkin
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Hummingbird Capital, LLC
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Hummingbird Value Fund, L.P.
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Hummingbird Microcap Value
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Fund, L.P.
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460 Park Avenue, 12
th
Floor
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New York, NY 10022
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(1)
|
|
Unless otherwise indicated, the beneficial owner has sole voting and dispositive power as to
all of the common shares reflected in the table.
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
The percent of class is based upon the sum of (i) 10,149,205 common shares outstanding on
November 7, 2005, and (ii) the number of common shares as to which the named person has the
right to acquire beneficial ownership upon the exercise of options which are currently
exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days of November 7, 2005.
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
Individual named in the Summary Compensation Table.
|
|
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(4)
|
|
Of these 20,000 common shares, 5,000 common shares are held by Mr. Biggerstaffs minor
children in accounts established under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act.
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
Of these 522,600 common shares, 487,800 common shares (or 4.8% of the outstanding common
shares) are owned of record by Opportunity Partners, L.P. and 34,800 common shares (or 0.3% of
the outstanding common shares) are owned of record by Nadel and Gussman Combined Funds LLC.
Mr. Chadwick has sole voting and dispositive power as to the 487,800 common shares owned by
Opportunity Partners, L.P. and sole voting and dispositive power as to the 34,800 common
shares owned by Nadel and Gussman Combined Funds LLC.
|
|
|
|
(6)
|
|
Of these 5,000 common shares, 2,100 common shares are held of record by Mr. Gertmenians wife
who has sole voting and dispositive power as to the 2,100 common shares.
|
|
|
|
(7)
|
|
Represents ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding common shares.
|
|
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|
(8)
|
|
Includes the seven directors identified in the table; Messrs. Glasscock, Harris and Qualmann;
Ray L. Druseikis, Vice President of Finance, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer;
Craig A. Leach, Vice President, Information Systems; and Wynn D. Peterson, Senior Vice
President, Jetride Services.
|
|
|
|
(9)
|
|
Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G amendment filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the SEC) on January 13, 2005, Heartland Advisors, Inc., a registered
investment adviser (HAI), and William J. Nasgovitz, President and principal shareholder of
HAI, may be deemed to have beneficially owned 1,420,400 common shares (14.0% of the
outstanding common shares) as of December 31, 2004, with shared voting power as to 1,330,400
common shares and shared dispositive power as to 1,420,400 common shares. The Heartland Value
Fund, a series of the Heartland Group, Inc., a registered investment company, owned 1,000,000
of the common shares reported (or 9.9% of the outstanding common shares). The remaining
common shares reported were owned by various other accounts managed by HAI on a discretionary
basis. HAI may be deemed to have beneficially owned the common shares by virtue of its
investment discretion and voting authority granted by certain clients, which may be revoked at
any time. Mr. Nasgovitz may be deemed to have beneficially owned the common shares as a
result of his ownership interest in HAI. HAI and Mr. Nasgovitz specifically disclaimed
beneficial ownership of the common shares reported and did not admit that they constitute a
group.
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
(10)
|
|
Based on information contained in a Schedule 13D (the latest amendment to which was filed
with the SEC on July 7, 2005), Phillip Goldstein may be deemed to have beneficially owned
1,327,300 common shares (or 13.1% of the outstanding common shares) as of July 7, 2005, with
sole voting power as to 336,900 common shares, shared voting power as to 25,000 common shares
and sole dispositive power as to 839,500 common shares. Of the 1,327,300 common shares
reported by Mr. Goldstein, 487,800 common shares are owned of record by Opportunity Partners,
L. P. and, as disclosed in note (5) above, James M. Chadwick has sole voting and dispositive
power as to those 487,800 common shares. Mr. Goldstein, a self-employed investment advisor,
filed a joint Schedule 13D amendment with Andrew Dakos, Nadel and Gussman Combined Funds LLC,
and James M. Chadwick as members of a group. Andrew Dakos, whose business address is 43
Waterford Drive, Montville, NJ 07045, may be deemed to have beneficially owned 191,900 common
shares (or 1.9% of the outstanding common shares) as of July 7, 2005, with sole voting and
dispositive power as to those 191,900 common shares. Nadel and Gussman Combined Funds LLC,
whose business address is 15 East 5
th
Street, 32
nd
Floor, Tulsa, OK
74103, owned of record 34,800 common shares (or 0.3% of the outstanding common shares) as of
July 7, 2005, and, as discussed in note (5) to this table, James M. Chadwick has sole voting
and dispositive power as to those 34,800 common shares. Please see note (5) to this table for
further information concerning the beneficial ownership of common shares by James M. Chadwick.
|
|
|
|
(11)
|
|
Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G amendment filed with the SEC on January 20,
2005, Royce & Associates, LLC, a registered investment adviser, may be deemed to have
beneficially owned 1,177,100 common shares as of December 31, 2004, with sole voting and
dispositive power as to all of those common shares.
|
|
|
|
(12)
|
|
Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G amendment filed with the SEC on February 9,
2005, Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc., a registered investment adviser (Dimensional), may be
deemed to have beneficially owned 858,600 common shares as of December 31, 2004, all of which
were held in portfolios of four registered investment companies to which Dimensional furnishes
investment advice and of other commingled group trusts and separate accounts for which
Dimensional serves as investment manager. The common shares reported were owned by these
investment companies, trusts and accounts. In its role as investment adviser or investment
manager, Dimensional was reported to possess both sole voting power and sole dispositive power
as to the common shares held in the portfolios of these investment companies, trusts and
accounts. Dimensional disclaimed beneficial ownership of the reported common shares.
|
|
|
|
(13)
|
|
In a Schedule 13G amendment filed with the SEC on February 14, 2005 (the 2005 FMR Schedule
13G Amendment), each of FMR Corp., Edward C. Johnson 3d and Abigail P. Johnson was reported
to have beneficially owned 684,200 common shares (or 6.7% of the outstanding common shares) as
of December 31, 2004, with sole dispositive power as to those common shares. Fidelity
Management & Research Company, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109 (Fidelity), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR Corp. and a registered investment adviser, was reported to be
the beneficial owner of 684,200 common shares (or 6.7% of the outstanding common shares) as a
result of acting as investment adviser to various registered investment companies. The
ownership of one investment company, Fidelity Low Priced Stock Fund (the Fund), 82
Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109, was reported to have amounted to 684,200 common shares
(or 6.7% of the outstanding common shares). Each of Edward C. Johnson 3d, Chairman of FMR
Corp., FMR Corp., through its control of Fidelity, and the Fund was reported to have sole
power to dispose of the 684,200 common shares owned by the Fund. The 2005 FMR Schedule 13G
Amendment reported that Fidelity carries out the voting of the common shares under written
guidelines established by the Funds Board of Trustees, and neither FMR Corp. nor Edward C.
Johnson 3d has the sole power to vote or direct the voting of the common shares owned by the
Fund. The 2005 FMR Schedule 13G Amendment reported that members of the Edward C. Johnson 3d
family were the predominant owners of Class B shares of common stock of FMR Corp.,
representing approximately 49% of the voting power of FMR Corp. In the 2005 FMR Schedule 13G
Amendment, Mr. Johnson 3d was reported to own 12.0% and Abigail P. Johnson was reported to be
a director of FMR Corp. and to own 24.5% of the aggregate outstanding voting stock of FMR
Corp. The 2005 FMR Schedule 13G Amendment reported that the Johnson family group and all
other Class B shareholders have entered into a shareholders voting agreement under which all
Class B shares will be voted in accordance with the majority vote of Class B shares and that,
accordingly, through their ownership of voting common stock and the execution of the
shareholders voting agreement, members of the Johnson family may be deemed, under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, to form a controlling group with respect to FMR Corp.
|
|
|
|
(14)
|
|
Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on July 7, 2005, each of
QVT Financial LP and QVT Financial GP LLC, both of whose business address is 527 Madison
Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022, may be deemed to have beneficially owned 633,300 common
shares (or 6.2% of the outstanding common shares) as of July 7, 2005 and each of QVT Fund LP,
whose business address is Walkers SPV, Walkers House, P.O. Box 908GT,
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mary Street, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, and QVT Associates GP LLC,
whose business address is 527 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022, may be deemed to
have beneficially owned 516,366 common shares (or 5.1% of the outstanding common shares) as of
that date. QVT Financial LP is the investment manager for QVT Fund LP (the Fund). QVT
Financial LP is also the investment manager for a separate discretionary account managed for
Deutsche Bank AG (the Separate Account), which held 116,934 common shares (or 1.2% of the
outstanding common shares). QVT Financial LP was reported to have the power to direct the
vote and disposition of the common shares held by each of the Fund and the Separate Account
and, accordingly, may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 633,300 common
shares. QVT Financial GP LLC, as General Partner of QVT Financial LP, may be deemed to
beneficially own the same number of common shares as QVT Financial LP. QVT Associates GP LLC,
as General Partner of the Fund, may be deemed to beneficially own the 516,366 common shares
reported by the Fund. Each of QVT Financial LP and QVT Financial GP LLC disclaim beneficial
ownership of the 516,366 common shares owned by the Fund and the 116,934 common shares held in
the Separate Account.
|
|
|
|
(15)
|
|
Based on information contained in a Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on May 31, 2005, each of
Hummingbird Management, LLC (Hummingbird), Paul D. Sonkin and Hummingbird Capital, LLC
(HC) may be deemed to have beneficially owned 517,900 common shares (or 5.1% of the
outstanding common shares) as of May 31, 2005; Hummingbird Value Fund, L.P. (HVF) may be
deemed to have beneficially owned 261,300 common shares (or 2.6% of the outstanding common
shares) as of the date; and Hummingbird Microcap Value Fund, L.P. (the Microcap Fund) may be
deemed to have beneficially owned 256,600 common shares (or 2.5% of the outstanding common
shares) as of the date. Hummingbird acts as investment manager to HVF and the Microcap Fund
and was reported to have the sole investment discretion and voting authority with respect to
the common shares owned of record by each of HVF and the Microcap Fund. The managing member
and control person of Hummingbird is Paul Sonkin. Mr. Sonkin is also the managing member of
HC, the general partner of each of HVF and the Microcap Fund. Each of Hummingbird, Paul
Sonkin, HVF, the Microcap Fund and HC has a business address of 460 Park Avenue,
12
th
Floor, New York, NY 10022. Each of Hummingbird, Mr. Sonkin and HC disclaimed
beneficial ownership of the common shares reported in the Schedule 13D.
|
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
There are currently seven members of the Board, all of whose terms expire at the 2005 Annual
Meeting.
The Board has reviewed, considered and discussed each directors relationships, both direct
and indirect, with AirNet and its subsidiaries and the compensation and other payments each
director has, both directly and indirectly, received from or made to AirNet and its subsidiaries
and presently expects to receive from or make to AirNet and its subsidiaries, in order to determine
whether such director meets the independence requirements of the applicable sections of the NYSE
Listed Company Manual (the NYSE Rules) and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC (the
SEC Rules). As discussed below, the Board has affirmatively determined that five of the seven
directors qualify as independent under the NYSE Rules. The Board has established categorical
standards to assist it in making its determination of director independence. The Board defines an
independent director as a director who:
|
|
|
|
is not and within the last three years has not been an employee of, and has no
immediate family member who is or has within the last three years been an executive
officer of, AirNet or any of its subsidiaries;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
has not received, and has no immediate family member who has received (other than
for service as a non-executive officer employee), during any 12-month period within the
last three years, more than $100,000 in direct compensation from AirNet or any of its
subsidiaries, other than director and committee fees and pension or other forms of
deferred compensation for prior service (provided such compensation is not contingent
in any way on continued service);
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
is not and has no immediate family member who is a current partner of a firm that is
AirNets internal or external auditor;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
is not a current employee of a firm that is AirNets internal or external auditor;
|
6
|
|
|
|
has no immediate family member who is a current employee of a firm that is AirNets
internal or external auditor and participates in the firms audit, assurance or tax
compliance (but not tax planning) practice;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
has not been, and has no immediate family member who has been, within the last three
years (but is no longer) a partner or employee of a firm that is AirNets internal or
external auditor and personally worked on AirNets audit within that time;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
is not and has not been within the last three years, and has no immediate family
member who is or has been within the last three years, employed as an executive officer
of another company where any of AirNets present executive officers at the same time
serves or served on the other companys compensation committee;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
is not a current employee, and has no immediate family member who is a current
executive officer, of a company that has made payments to, or received payments from,
AirNet or any of its subsidiaries for property or services in an amount which, in any
of the last three fiscal years, exceeds the greater of $1 million, or 2% of such other
companys consolidated gross revenues; and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
has no other material relationship with AirNet or any of its subsidiaries (either
directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a
relationship with AirNet or any of its subsidiaries).
|
The Board has determined that each of James M. Chadwick, Gerald Hellerman, David P. Lauer,
Bruce D. Parker and James E. Riddle is independent under these standards and has no relationship
with AirNet or any of AirNets subsidiaries (either directly or indirectly), including, without
limitation, any commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable or
familial relationship, other than serving as a director of AirNet and holding common shares of
AirNet. Joel E. Biggerstaff and Russell M. Gertmenian do not qualify as independent directors.
Each individual elected as a director at the 2005 Annual Meeting will hold office for a new
term expiring at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until his successor is duly elected
and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal from office. The Boards
nominees, each of whom was recommended by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, are
identified below. The individuals named as proxies in the form of proxy solicited by the Board
intend to vote the common shares represented by proxy for the Boards nominees named below, unless
otherwise instructed on the proxy card. If any nominee who would otherwise receive the requisite
number of votes becomes unable or unwilling to serve as a candidate for election as a director, the
proxies reserve full discretion to vote the common shares represented by the proxies they hold for
the election of the remaining nominees and for the election of any substitute nominee designated by
the Board upon recommendation by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Board has
no reason to believe that any of the nominees of the Board will be unavailable or unable to serve
as a director if elected.
The following information, as of November 17, 2005, concerning the age, principal occupation,
other affiliations and business experience of each director during the last five years has been
furnished to AirNet by such director. Except where indicated, each director has had the same
principal occupation for the last five years. There are no family relationships among any of the
directors and current executive officers of AirNet.
Nominees Standing for Election to the Board of Directors
|
|
|
|
|
Joel E. Biggerstaff
|
|
Director since 2000
|
Mr. Biggerstaff, age 48, has served as AirNets Chairman of the Board since August 2001, Chief
Executive Officer since April 2000 and President since August 1999. He also served as Chief
Operating Officer from August 1999 to February 2004. Prior to joining AirNet, Mr. Biggerstaff
served as President of the Southern Region of Corporate Express Delivery Systems, a national
expedited distribution service, from February 1998 through July 1999. From September 1996 through
February 1998, Mr. Biggerstaff provided transportation consulting services and prior to September
1996, he held various positions, including Regional Vice President and General Manager, with Ryder
System, Inc., a company providing transportation and supply-chain management solutions.
7
|
|
|
|
|
James M. Chadwick
|
|
Director since 2005
|
Mr. Chadwick, age 32, served as the managing member of Pacific Coast Investment Partners, LLC,
a hedge fund specializing in shareholder activism, from January 2003 until June 2005. Pacific
Coast Investment Partners, LLC is the General Partner of Pacific Coast Investment Fund, L.P., a
private investment fund. From April 1999 to October 2002, Mr. Chadwick was employed by Relational
Investors, LLC, a registered investment advisor that invests in companies that it believes can be
improved. He served as an analyst for Relational Investors, LLC from 1999 to 2001 and became a
Senior Analyst in 2002.
|
|
|
|
|
Russell M. Gertmenian
|
|
Director since 1996
|
Mr. Gertmenian, age 58, has been a partner with Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP since 1979
and currently serves as Vice-Chair of that firms Executive Committee. Vorys, Sater, Seymour and
Pease LLP rendered legal services to AirNet during the 2004 fiscal year and continues to do so.
Mr. Gertmenian also serves as a director of Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
|
|
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|
|
Gerald Hellerman
|
|
Director since 2005
|
Mr. Hellerman, age 68, owns and has served as Managing Director of Hellerman Associates, a
financial and corporate consulting firm, since the firms inception in 1993. Mr. Hellerman
currently serves as a director and chief compliance officer for The Mexico Equity and Income Fund,
Inc.; a director of MVC Capital, Inc.; a director and President of Innovative Clinical Solutions,
Ltd., a company formerly engaged in clinical trials and physician network management which is
currently in liquidation; a director of FNC Realty Corporation, a successor to Franks Nursery &
Crafts, Inc., a company which operated the nations largest chain of lawn and garden retail stores,
which has emerged from bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 and is currently operating the
properties it owns; and a director of Brantley Capital Corporation.
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|
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David P. Lauer
|
|
Director since 1999
|
Mr. Lauer, age 63, served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Bank One, Columbus,
NA from June 1997 until his retirement in January 2001. His primary responsibility with Bank One
was to lead the commercial lending practice in central Ohio. Prior to that, Mr. Lauer, a Certified
Public Accountant since 1968, was the Managing Partner of the Columbus, Ohio office of the
accounting firm Deloitte & Touche LLP from January 1989 until he retired in June 1997. Mr. Lauer
is also a director of Wendys International, Inc., Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, R. G. Barry
Corporation and Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
|
|
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|
Bruce D. Parker
|
|
Director since 2002
|
Mr. Parker, age 57, is the Founder and President of IT Management Group, LLC, a specialty
consulting group that advises and manages information technology organizations for corporations in
Europe and the United States. Mr. Parker served as Executive Vice President of Sapient
Corporation, a business and technology consulting firm, from December 1999 until his retirement in
July 2002. From December 1997 to December 1999, Mr. Parker served as Senior Vice President and
Chief Information Officer at United Airlines, Inc. From September 1994 to December 1997, Mr.
Parker was Senior Vice President Management Information Systems and Chief Information Officer at
Ryder System, Inc. Mr. Parker is also a director of Sapient Corporation.
|
|
|
|
|
James E. Riddle
|
|
Director since 2000
|
Mr. Riddle, age 63, has been in the growth management and consulting business since July 1999,
most recently as Managing Partner of GrowthCircle Ventures, LLP, a management consulting firm,
since August 2001, and as Vice Chairman of Enterasys Systems, Inc., an enterprise network provider,
from August 2000 to April 2001. Previously, Mr. Riddle served from 1997 to 1999 as President and
Chief Operating Officer of Norrell Services, Inc., an outsourcing information technology and
staffing services company. Prior to joining Norrell, for four years, Mr. Riddle served Ryder
System, Inc. in several capacities, primarily in marketing and sales, including President of Ryder
International. Mr. Riddle served Xerox Corporation for 26 years in a variety of senior management
positions, including Vice President of Marketing
8
and Vice President of Field Operations for the United States operations and Vice President of
Marketing and Sales for the European operations. Mr. Riddle is also a director of Danka Business
Systems PLC.
James M. Chadwick and Gerald Hellerman were appointed to the Board effective July 20, 2005,
and were recommended by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Messrs. Chadwick and
Hellerman were recommended to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee by Pacific Coast
Investment Partners, LLC and Phillip Goldstein, respectively, in connection with the efforts of a
group of AirNets shareholders, including Pacific Coast Investment Fund, L.P., Mr. Goldstein,
Andrew Dakos, Pacific Coast Investment Partners, LLC, Nadel and Gussman Combined Funds LLC,
Opportunity Partners, L.P. and Full Value Partners, L.P. (the Shareholders Group), to call a
special meeting of AirNets shareholders to replace the Board. The Shareholders Group has publicly
withdrawn its solicitation of consents to call a special meeting of AirNets shareholders.
Recommendation and Vote
Under Ohio law and AirNets Code of Regulations, the seven nominees for election to the Board
receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected as directors.
Common shares represented by properly executed and returned proxy cards will be voted
FOR
the
election of the Boards nominees, unless authority to vote for one or more nominees is withheld.
Shareholders may withhold authority to vote for the entire slate as nominated or, by marking the
Exceptions box and writing the name of one or more nominees in the space provided on the proxy
card, withhold the authority to vote for one or more nominees. Common shares as to which the
authority to vote is withheld will not be counted toward the election of directors.
The AirNet Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the election of all of the nominees
named above.
Executive Officers of AirNet
The following table identifies the executive officers of AirNet as of November 17, 2005. The
executive officers serve at the pleasure of the Board and, in the case of Joel E. Biggerstaff, Gary
W. Qualmann, Larry M. Glasscock, Jr. and Jeffery B. Harris, pursuant to employment agreements.
|
|
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|
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Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Positions
|
|
Joel E. Biggerstaff
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and President
|
|
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|
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|
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|
|
Gary W. Qualmann
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and
Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
Larry M. Glasscock, Jr.
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, Express Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Jeffery B. Harris
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, Bank Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Wynn D. Peterson
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, Jetride Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ray L. Druseikis
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
Vice President of Finance, Controller and
Principal Accounting Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig A. Leach
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
Vice President, Information Systems
|
Joel E. Biggerstaff
has served as AirNets Chairman of the Board since August 2001, Chief Executive
Officer since April 2000, and President since August 1999. He also served as Chief Operating
Officer from August 1999 to February 2004. Prior to joining AirNet, Mr. Biggerstaff served as
President of the Southern Region of Corporate Express Delivery Systems, a national expedited
distribution service, from February 1998 through July 1999. From September 1996 through February 1998,
9
Mr. Biggerstaff provided transportation consulting services and prior to September 1996, he
held various positions, including Regional Vice President and General Manager, with Ryder System,
Inc., a company providing transportation and supply-chain management solutions.
Gary W. Qualmann
has served as AirNets Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary since
September 2003. From February 2002 through August 2003, Mr. Qualmann served as Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer of Metatec, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of electronic media which
filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code
on October 17, 2003. Mr. Qualmann provided financial consulting services to Metatec, Inc. from
October 2001 through February 2002. From March 1996 until June 2001, Mr. Qualmann was Chief
Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of MindLeaders.com, Inc., an e-learning company based on
Columbus, Ohio. From May 1988 until July 1995, Mr. Qualmann served as Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of Red Roof Inns, Inc., a lodging company based in Hilliard, Ohio.
Larry M. Glasscock, Jr.
has served as AirNets Senior Vice President, Express Services since
February 2003. From February 2002 through February 2003, Mr. Glasscock served as Senior Vice
President of Evercom Systems, Inc., a national provider of telecom services. From April 2001
through February 2002, Mr. Glasscock served as Executive Vice President of NextJet Technologies, a
software and technology solutions organization. Mr. Glasscock served as Chief Executive Officer of
Expedited Delivery Systems, Inc., a time-definite trucking concern, from August 1999 to September
2000 and as its President and Chief Operating Officer from January 1998 through August 1999.
Jeffery B. Harris
has served as AirNets Senior Vice President, Bank Services since May 2000. Mr.
Harris joined AirNet in June 1996 as the relationship manager for Banking Sales and was appointed
Vice President, Sales in the banking division in October 1997.
Wynn D. Peterson
has served as AirNets Senior Vice President, Jetride Services since June 2005.
From January 2005 to June 2005, Mr. Peterson served as AirNets Vice President, Strategic Planning
and Analysis and prior thereto, he had served since February 2000 as Vice President of Corporate
Development. Mr. Peterson joined AirNet in 1997 as Manager of Corporate Development. Prior to
joining AirNet, Mr. Peterson managed equity and fixed income portfolios from 1993 until 1997 at
Desert Mutual, a pension and benefits company in Salt Lake City, Utah. From 1988 until 1993, Mr.
Peterson held various management positions in Finance, Corporate Development and Strategic Planning
at AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines, Inc., in Dallas, Texas.
Ray L. Druseikis
has served as AirNets Vice President of Finance, Controller and Principal
Accounting Officer since June 30, 2005. Mr. Druseikis had served as an independent consultant to
AirNet from June 30, 2004 until his election as an officer of AirNet, providing assistance in the
process of documenting and testing AirNets internal control over financial reporting for purposes
of satisfying the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Prior to joining
AirNet, Mr. Druseikis had provided contract accounting and financial consulting services to
publicly traded and privately owned companies since October 2002. In addition, from September 2003
to April 2004, Mr. Druseikis served as the Chief Financial Officer of SEA, Ltd., a privately owned
forensic engineering services company. From February 2000 to March 2002, Mr. Druseikis served as
Corporate Controller for The Dispatch Printing Company, a privately owned enterprise with varies
business interests in media, real estate and venture capital. From January 1997 to February 2000,
Mr. Druseikis served as Controller and Chief Accounting Officer for Crown NorthCorp Inc., a
publicly traded real estate financial services company.
Craig A. Leach
has served as AirNets Vice President, Information Systems since January 2000. Mr.
Leach established AirNets Information Systems Department in 1985 and was named Director of
Information Systems in 1996.
Communications with the Board
Although AirNet does not have a formal policy requiring members of the Board to attend annual
meetings of the shareholders, AirNet encourages all incumbent directors and director nominees to
attend each annual meeting of shareholders. The five incumbent directors who were then directors
of AirNet (Joel E. Biggerstaff, Russell M. Gertmenian, David P. Lauer, Bruce D. Parker and James
E. Riddle) attended AirNets last annual meeting of shareholders held on June 4, 2004.
10
In accordance with AirNets Corporate Governance Guidelines and applicable NYSE Rules, the
non-management directors of AirNet meet (without management present) at regularly scheduled
executive sessions at least twice per year and at such other times as the non-management directors
deem necessary or appropriate. James E. Riddle has been chosen as the lead director and presides
at all executive sessions of the non-management directors of AirNet. In addition, at least once a
year, the independent directors of AirNet meet in executive session. Mr. Riddle also presides at
these meetings.
The Board believes it is important for shareholders to have a process to send communications
to the Board and its individual members. Accordingly, shareholders who wish to communicate with
the Board or a particular director may do so by sending a letter to such individual or
individuals, in care of AirNet, to AirNets executive offices at 7250 Star Check Drive, Columbus,
Ohio 43217. The mailing envelope must contain a clear notation indicating that the enclosed
letter is a Shareholder Board Communication or Shareholder Director Communication, as
appropriate. All such letters must identify the author as a shareholder and clearly state whether
the intended recipients are all members of the Board or certain specified individual directors.
Copies of all such letters will be circulated to the appropriate director or directors. In
addition, shareholders may contact the directors through the Mysafeworkplace.com Hotline. The
Mysafeworkplace.com Hotline can be reached at 800-461-9330 or via e-mail at
www.mysafeworkplace.com. All communications received through the Mysafeworkplace.com Hotline are
categorized by incident type and are then referred to David P. Lauer, Chair of the Audit
Committee; Gary W. Qualmann, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of AirNet; and/or
Beth Filipkowski, Director of Human Resources of AirNet, depending on the subject matter. All
communications involving accounting, securities, ethical or regulatory issues are referred to Mr.
Lauer.
Committees and Meetings of the Board
The Board held 11 regularly scheduled or special meetings during the 2004 fiscal year. Each
incumbent director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings held by
the Board during the period of the 2004 fiscal year when he served as a director, and the total
number of meetings held by all Board committees on which he served, during the period of the 2004
fiscal year when he served as a committee member. In addition, the Board has held 26 regularly
scheduled or special meetings during the period beginning January 1, 2005 and ending November 17,
2005. Each incumbent director has attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of
meetings held by the Board during the period beginning January 1, 2005 and ending November 17, 2005
when he served as a director, and the total number of meetings held by all Board committees on
which he served, during the period beginning January 1, 2005 and ending November 17, 2005 when he
served as a committee member.
The Board has three standing committees the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee
and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In addition, on April 29, 2005, the Board
established a Special Committee to oversee the process of reviewing, developing and evaluating
various strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee currently consists of David P. Lauer (Chair), James M. Chadwick, Bruce D.
Parker and James E. Riddle. Each of Messrs. Lauer, Parker and Riddle also served on the Audit
Committee throughout the 2004 fiscal year. Mr. Chadwick was appointed to the Audit Committee
effective July 20, 2005. The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee
qualifies as an independent director under the applicable NYSE Rules and under Rule 10A-3 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). The Board has also
determined that David P. Lauer qualifies as an audit committee financial expert for purposes of
Item 401(h) of SEC Regulation S-K. In addition to the qualification of Mr. Lauer as an audit
committee financial expert, the Board strongly believes that each member of the Audit Committee
is highly qualified to discharge his duties on behalf of AirNet and its subsidiaries and satisfies
the financial literacy requirement of the NYSE Rules.
David P. Lauer currently serves on the audit committee of five public companies, including
AirNet. The Board has affirmatively determined that such simultaneous service will not impair Mr.
Lauers ability to serve effectively on AirNets Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee is organized and conducts its business pursuant to a written charter
adopted by the Board. A copy of the Audit Committees charter is posted under the Corporate
Governance link on the Investor Relations page of AirNets website at www.airnet.com.
Shareholders may also obtain a copy of the Audit Committee charter, without charge, by writing to
the Secretary of AirNet at AirNet Systems, Inc., 7250 Star Check Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43217,
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Attention: Gary W. Qualmann. At least annually, the Audit Committee reviews and
reassesses the adequacy of its charter in consultation with the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee and will recommend any proposed changes to the full Board, as necessary, to
reflect changes in regulatory requirements, authoritative guidance and evolving practices.
The Audit Committees duties and responsibilities are set forth in its charter. The primary
functions of the Audit Committee are to assist the Board in its oversight of: (i) the integrity
of AirNets financial statements; (ii) AirNets compliance with legal and regulatory requirements,
including the legal compliance and ethics programs established by management and the Board; (iii)
the qualifications and independence of AirNets independent registered public accounting firm; and
(iv) the performance of AirNets internal audit function and its independent registered public
accounting firm. The Audit Committees specific responsibilities include: (a) overseeing
AirNets accounting and financial reporting processes on behalf of the Board; (b) appointing and
retaining AirNets independent registered public accounting firm for each fiscal year and
determining the terms of engagement, including the proposed fees and terms of service; (c)
monitoring the independence, qualifications and performance of AirNets independent registered
public accounting firm; (d) reviewing and approving in advance all audit and all permitted
non-audit services; (e) reviewing the activities of the personnel performing the internal audit
function and AirNets independent registered public accounting firm; (f) setting hiring policies
for employees or former employees of AirNets independent registered public accounting firm; (g)
preparing an annual report for inclusion in AirNets proxy statement; (h) reviewing AirNets
accounting policies and practices; and (i) other matters required by the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board, the SEC, NYSE and similar bodies or agencies. Pursuant to its charter, the Audit
Committee has the authority to engage and compensate such independent counsel and other advisors
as the Audit Committee determines necessary to carry out its duties.
The Audit Committee held nine meetings during the 2004 fiscal year and has met five times
during the period beginning January 1, 2005 and ending November 17, 2005. The Audit Committees
report relating to the 2004 fiscal year begins on page 31.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of James E. Riddle (Chair), Gerald
Hellerman, David P. Lauer and Bruce D. Parker. Each of Messrs. Riddle, Lauer and Parker also
served on the Compensation Committee throughout the 2004 fiscal year. Mr. Hellerman was appointed
to the Compensation Committee effective July 20, 2005. The Board has determined that each member
of the Compensation Committee qualifies as an independent director under the applicable NYSE
Rules, an outside director for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Internal Revenue Code), and a non-employee director for purposes of Rule 16b-3
under the Exchange Act.
The Compensation Committee is organized and conducts its business pursuant to a written
charter adopted by the Board. A copy of the Compensation Committees charter is posted under the
Corporate Governance link on the Investor Relations page of AirNets website at
www.airnet.com. Shareholders may also obtain a copy of the Compensation Committee charter,
without charge, by writing to the Secretary of AirNet at AirNet Systems, Inc., 7250 Star Check
Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43217, Attention: Gary W. Qualmann. The Compensation Committee periodically
reviews and reassesses the adequacy of its charter in consultation with the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee and will recommend any proposed changes to the full Board, as
necessary, to reflect changes in regulatory requirements, authoritative guidance and evolving
practices.
The Compensation Committees charter sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the
Compensation Committee, which include: (i) reviewing and approving the general compensation
policies applicable to AirNets Chief Executive Officer and other members of senior management;
(ii) determining the methods and criteria for the review and evaluation of the performance of
AirNets Chief Executive Officer and other members of senior management, including the corporate
goals and objectives relevant to their respective compensation; (iii) evaluating the performance
of AirNets Chief Executive Officer and other members of senior management in light of the
approved corporate goals and objectives and determining and approving the compensation of each
based on such evaluation; (iv) reviewing and discussing with the Board and AirNets Chief
Executive Officer the organizational structure of AirNet, succession planning and development
recommendations; (v) evaluating existing, and, if directed by the Board, negotiating and approving
proposed employment contracts or severance arrangement between AirNet and members of senior
management; (vi) administering, reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding
AirNets incentive-compensation plans, equity-based plans and other plans in accordance with
applicable laws, rules and regulations; (vii) reviewing and recommending to the Board the
12
compensation policy for the directors of AirNet who are not officers or employees of AirNet
(the Non-Employee Directors) and changes to the compensation of the Non-Employee Directors; and
(viii) preparing an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in AirNets proxy
statement. Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation Committee has the authority to retain
consultants to assist in the evaluation of director, Chief Executive Officer or senior management
compensation and to approve the fees and other retention terms for any such consultants.
The Compensation Committee held five meetings during the 2004 fiscal year and has met seven
times during the period beginning January 1, 2005 and ending November 17, 2005. The Compensation
Committees report on executive compensation for the 2004 fiscal year begins on page 27.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is currently comprised of Bruce D. Parker
(Chair), David P. Lauer and James E. Riddle, each of whom also served on such committee throughout
the 2004 fiscal year. The Board has determined that each member of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee qualifies as an independent director under the applicable NYSE Rules.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is organized and conducts its business
pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board. A copy of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committees charter is posted under the Corporate Governance link on the Investor
Relations page of AirNets website at www.airnet.com. Shareholders may also obtain a copy of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charter, without charge, by writing to the Secretary
of AirNet at AirNet Systems, Inc., 7250 Star Check Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43217, Attention: Gary
W. Qualmann. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee periodically reviews and
reassesses the adequacy of its charter and will recommend any proposed changes to the full Board,
as necessary, to reflect changes in regulatory requirements, authoritative guidance and evolving
practices.
The purpose of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to provide oversight on a
broad range of issues surrounding the composition and operation of the Board. The primary
responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee include: (i) establishing
and articulating the qualifications, desired background and selection criteria for members of the
Board; (ii) developing a policy with regard to the consideration of candidates for election or
appointment to the Board recommended by shareholders of AirNet and procedures to be followed by
shareholders in submitting such recommendations; (iii) making recommendations to the full Board
concerning all nominees for Board membership, including the re-election of existing Board members
and the filling of any vacancies; (iv) evaluating and making recommendations to the full Board
concerning the number and responsibilities of Board committees and committee assignments; (v)
periodically reviewing and making recommendations to the full Board regarding director
compensation and stock ownership; (vi) developing, recommending and periodically reviewing a set
of written corporate governance guidelines applicable to AirNet in accordance with the applicable
NYSE Rules; (vii) overseeing the annual review of the effectiveness of the operation of the Board
and the Board committees; and (viii) considering matters related to the retirement of Board
members, including consideration of a recommended retirement age. Pursuant to its charter, the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the authority to retain consultants and search
firms to assist in the process of identifying and evaluating director candidates and to approve
the fees and other retention terms for any such consultant or search firm.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held two meetings during the 2004 fiscal
year and has met four times during the period beginning January 1, 2005 and ending November 17,
2005.
Special Committee
On January 5, 2005, AirNets Board engaged Brown Gibbons Lang & Company to serve as AirNets
exclusive financial advisor and investment banker to review, develop and evaluate various
strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value. The Board established a Special Committee
consisting solely of independent directors to oversee the process of reviewing, developing and
evaluating such strategic alternatives.
The Special Committee is comprised of Gerald Hellerman, David P. Lauer, Bruce D. Parker and
James E. Riddle. Each of Messrs. Lauer, Parker and Riddle has served on the Special Committee
since it was established on April 29, 2005.
13
Mr. Hellerman was appointed to the Special Committee on August 9, 2005. The Special
Committee has met 21 times during the period from its establishment through November 17, 2005.
Nominating Procedures
As described above, AirNet has a standing Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee that
has responsibility for providing oversight on a broad range of issues surrounding the composition
and operation of the Board, including identifying candidates qualified to become directors and
recommending director nominees to the Board.
When considering candidates for the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
evaluates the entirety of each candidates credentials and does not have specific eligibility
requirements or minimum qualifications that must be met by a nominee recommended by the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers
those factors it considers appropriate, including judgment, skill, diversity, strength of
character, experience with businesses and organizations of comparable size or scope, experience as
an executive of or adviser to public and private companies, experience and skill relative to other
Board members, specialized knowledge or experience, and the desirability of the candidates
membership on the Board and any committees of the Board. Depending on the current needs of the
Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may weigh certain factors more or less
heavily. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does, however, believe that all
members of the Board should have the highest character and integrity, a reputation for working
constructively with others, sufficient time to devote to Board matters and no conflict of interest
that would interfere with performance as a director.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers candidates for the Board from any
reasonable source, including shareholder recommendations, but does not evaluate candidates
differently based on the source of the recommendation. As previously discussed, the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee has the authority to retain consultants and search firms to
assist in the process of identifying and evaluating director candidates and to approve the fees
and other retention terms for any such consultant or search firm. No such consultant or search
firm has been used to date, and, accordingly, no fees have been paid to any such consultant or
search firm.
Shareholders may recommend director candidates for consideration by the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee by sending the recommendation to the Chair of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee, in care of AirNet, to AirNets executive offices at 7250 Star
Check Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43217. The recommendation should include the candidates name, age,
business address, residence address and principal occupation. The recommendation should also
describe the qualifications, attributes, skills or other qualities possessed by the recommended
director candidate. A written statement from the candidate consenting to serve as a director, if
elected, should accompany any such recommendation.
The Board, taking into account the recommendations of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee, selects nominees for election as directors at each annual meeting of shareholders. In
addition, shareholders wishing to nominate directors for election may do so provided they comply
with the nomination procedures set forth in AirNets Code of Regulations. In order to nominate an
individual for election as a director at a meeting, a shareholder must give written notice of the
shareholders intent to make such nomination. The notice must be sent to AirNets Secretary and
delivered in person or mailed and received at AirNets principal executive offices not less than
60 days or more than 90 days prior to any meeting called for the election of directors. However,
if notice or public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made less than 70 days prior
to the meeting, the shareholder notice must be received by AirNets Secretary not later than the
close of business on the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of the meeting
was mailed or publicly disclosed. AirNets Secretary will deliver any shareholder notice received
in a timely manner to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for review. Each
shareholder notice must include the following information: (i) the name and address of the
shareholder who intends to make the nomination and of the individual to be nominated; (ii) a
representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of common shares and intends to appear
at the meeting in person or by proxy at the meeting to submit the nomination; (iii) a description
of any arrangement or understanding between the shareholder and the nominee or any other person
providing for the nomination; and (iv) any other information concerning the nominee proposed by
the shareholder that must be disclosed of nominees in proxy solicitations under applicable SEC
Rules. Each notice must also be accompanied by the written consent of the proposed nominee to
serve if elected. No individual may be elected as a director unless he or she has been nominated
by a shareholder in the manner just described or by the Board or the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee of the Board.
14
Shareholders seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors at the 2005 Annual
Meeting were required to provide notice thereof to AirNet no later than the close of business on
October 28, 2005. No shareholder provided the requisite notice by such date.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
In accordance with applicable NYSE Rules, the Board has adopted the AirNet Systems, Inc.
Corporate Governance Guidelines to promote the effective functioning of the Board and its
committees and to reflect AirNets commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance.
The Board, with the assistance of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, periodically
reviews the Corporate Governance Guidelines to ensure they are in compliance with all applicable
requirements. The Corporate Governance Guidelines are posted under the Corporate Governance
link of the Investor Relations page of AirNets website at www.airnet.com. Shareholders may
also obtain a copy of the Corporate Governance Guidelines, without charge, by writing to the
Secretary of AirNet at AirNet Systems, Inc., 7250 Star Check Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43217,
Attention: Gary W. Qualmann.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
In accordance with applicable NYSE Rules and SEC Rules, the Board has adopted the AirNet
Systems, Inc. Code of Business Conduct and Ethics which is posted under the Corporate Governance
link of the Investor Relations page of AirNets website at www.airnet.com. Shareholders may
also obtain a copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, without charge, by writing to the
Secretary of AirNet at AirNet Systems, Inc., 7250 Star Check Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43217,
Attention: Gary W. Qualmann.
Compensation of Directors
Cash Compensation
Non-Employee Directors of AirNet are paid fees for their services as members of the Board and
as members of Board committees. The quarterly fee paid during each of the 2004 fiscal year and
the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005 (the 2005 fiscal year) for serving as a Non-Employee
Director has been and remains $6,000. The fee for attending each meeting of the full Board in
person has been $2,000 during each of the 2004 fiscal year and the 2005 fiscal year and remains
that amount. The fee for attending telephonic meetings of the full Board was $2,000 during the
2004 fiscal year. Effective for the telephonic meetings of the full Board held after January 1,
2005, the fee has been and remains $1,000 for each meeting attended.
The fee for Audit Committee members was $2,000 per meeting attended during the 2004 fiscal
year, with the Chair of the Audit Committee receiving an additional $1,000 per meeting attended.
The fee for Compensation Committee members and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
members was $1,000 per meeting attended during the 2004 fiscal year, with the Chair of each of
those Committees receiving an additional $2,000 for each meeting of the Committee attended. The
fees for attending in person meetings of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held after January 1, 2005 have been and remain the
same as they had been during the 2004 fiscal year; however, the fees for attending telephonic
meetings of each Committee held after January 1, 2005 have been and remain one-half (50%) of the
amount of the fees for attending a meeting of the particular Committee in person. The Special
Committee was not in existence during the 2004 fiscal year. The fee for Special Committee members
for the 2005 fiscal year is $1,000 per meeting attended in person and $500 for attending
telephonic meetings.
As lead director of AirNet, James E. Riddle received an additional quarterly fee of $6,000
for service in that capacity during each of the 2004 fiscal year and the 2005 fiscal year and will
continue to receive that amount.
The Non-Employee Directors meet without management present in connection with each of the
regularly scheduled meetings of the full Board and receive no meeting fees for attending such
meetings. To the extent the Non-Employee Directors determine to meet by telephone or in person
other than in connection with a regularly scheduled Board meeting, they receive $2,000 per meeting
attended in person and $1,000 per telephonic meeting.
As an officer and employee of AirNet, Joel E. Biggerstaff receives no fees for serving as a
director.
15
The directors are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their
service as directors, including travel expenses.
Director Deferred Compensation Plan
Effective May 27, 1998, AirNet established the AirNet Systems, Inc. Director Deferred
Compensation Plan (the Director Deferred Plan). Voluntary participation in the Director Deferred
Plan enables a Non-Employee Director of AirNet to defer all or a part of his directors fees,
including federal income tax thereon. Such deferred fees may be credited to (i) a cash account
where the funds will earn interest at the rate prescribed in the Director Deferred Plan or (ii) a
stock account where the funds will be converted into a common share equivalent (determined by
dividing the amount to be allocated to the Non-Employee Directors stock account by the fair
market value of AirNets common shares when the credit to the stock account is made). In his
deferral election, a Non-Employee Director will elect whether distribution of the amount in his
account(s) under the Director Deferred Plan is to be made in a single lump sum payment or in equal
annual installments payable over a period of not more than ten years. Distributions will commence
within 30 days of the earlier of (a) the date specified by a Non-Employee Director at the time a
deferral election is made or (b) the date the Non-Employee Director ceases to so serve. Cash
accounts will be distributed in the form of cash and stock accounts will be distributed in the
form of common shares or cash, as selected by AirNet. As of November 17, 2005, none of the
Non-Employee Directors was participating in the Director Deferred Plan.
Options Granted under Amended and Restated 1996 Incentive Stock Plan
Under the AirNet Systems, Inc. Amended and Restated 1996 Incentive Stock Plan (the 1996
Plan), Non-Employee Directors were automatically granted options to purchase common shares. On
March 7, 1997, each individual then serving as a Non-Employee Director was automatically granted
an immediately exercisable option to purchase 2,000 common shares with an exercise price equal to
the fair market value of the common shares on the grant date. On August 19, 1998, each individual
then serving as a Non-Employee Director was granted an option to purchase 20,000 common shares
with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the common shares on the grant date.
Each option granted on August 19, 1998 vested and became exercisable with respect to 20% of the
common shares covered thereby on each of the grant date and the first, second, third and fourth
anniversaries of the grant date.
Pursuant to the 1996 Plan, each individual newly-elected or appointed as a Non-Employee
Director from August 19, 1998 until June 4, 2004 was automatically granted an option to purchase
20,000 common shares effective on the date of his election or appointment to the Board. In
addition, on the first business day of each of the 2002, 2003 and 2004 fiscal years, each
individual who was then serving, and had served for at least one full one-year term, as a
Non-Employee Director was automatically granted an option to purchase 4,000 common shares. All of
these options were granted with an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value of the
common shares on the grant date. In addition, all of these options vest and become exercisable
with respect to 20% of the common shares covered thereby on each of the grant date and the first,
second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date.
Each option granted to a Non-Employee Director under the 1996 Plan since August 18, 1999,
which has not expired, been cancelled or been exercised prior to the effective date of the event,
will become immediately exercisable in full (i) if the Non-Employee Director retires from service
as an AirNet director, becomes totally disabled or dies, (ii) if AirNet merges with another entity
and AirNet is not the survivor in the merger, or (iii) if all or substantially all of AirNets
assets or stock is acquired by another entity.
Each option granted to a Non-Employee Director under the 1996 Plan has a ten-year term. If a
Non-Employee Director ceases to be a member of the Board, his vested options may be exercised for
a period of three months (12 months in the case of a Non-Employee Director who becomes disabled or
dies) after the date his service ends, subject to the stated term of each option. However, a
Non-Employee Director who ceases to be a director after having been convicted of, or pled guilty
or nolo contendere to, a felony immediately forfeits all of his options.
Following approval of the AirNet Systems, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2004 Plan) by
the shareholders of AirNet at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, no further options have
been or will be granted to the Non-Employee Directors under the 1996 Plan.
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Options Granted under 2004 Stock Incentive Plan
Under the 2004 Plan, each individual newly-elected or appointed as a Non-Employee Director
after June 4, 2004 has been and is to be granted an option to purchase 20,000 common shares
effective on the date of his election or appointment to the Board. In accordance with the terms
of the 2004 Plan, on July 20, 2005, each of James M. Chadwick and Gerald Hellerman was
automatically granted an option to purchase 20,000 common shares with an exercise price of $4.26,
the fair market value of the underlying common shares on NYSE on the grant date.
In addition, on the first business day of each fiscal year of AirNet, each individual who is
then serving as a Non-Employee Director and has served for at least one full one-year term as a
Non-Employee Director, is to be automatically granted an option to purchase 4,000 common shares.
However, each of the individuals serving as a Non-Employee Director on January 3, 2005 (the first
business day of the 2005 fiscal year of AirNet) Russell M. Gertmenian, David P. Lauer, Bruce D.
Parker and James E. Riddle determined not to accept the option to purchase 4,000 common shares
which would have been automatically granted to him on that date.
Each option automatically granted under the 2004 Plan is to vest and become exercisable as to
20% of the common shares covered thereby on each of the grant date and the first, second, third
and fourth anniversaries of the grant date. Each option automatically granted under the 2004 Plan
is to have an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value of the underlying common
shares on the grant date. Each such option, which has not expired, been cancelled or been
exercised prior to the effective date of the event, will become vested and fully exercisable (i)
if the Non-Employee Director retires from service as an AirNet director after having served at
least one full one-year term, becomes totally disabled or dies, or (ii) if AirNet undergoes a
merger or consolidation or reclassification of the common shares or the exchange of the common
shares for the securities of another entity (other than a subsidiary of AirNet) that has acquired
AirNets assets or which is in control of an entity that has acquired AirNets assets.
Once vested and exercisable, each option automatically granted to a Non-Employee Director
under the 2004 Plan will remain exercisable until the earlier to occur of (i) ten years after the
grant date or (ii) three months after the Non-Employee Director ceases to be a member of the Board
(24 months in the case of a Non-Employee Director who becomes disabled, dies or retires after
having served at least one full one-year term), subject to the stated term of each option.
However, if a Non-Employee Directors service as a director is terminated for cause, he will
immediately forfeit his options.
At any time, the Board may, in its discretion and without the consent of the affected
director, cancel an outstanding option granted to a Non-Employee Director under the 2004 Plan,
whether or not then exercisable, by giving written notice to the director of AirNets intent to
buy out the option. In the event of such a buyout, AirNet will pay the difference between the
fair market value of the common shares underlying the exercisable portion of the option to be
cancelled and the exercise price associated therewith. No payment will be made for the portion of
an option which is not exercisable when cancelled. At the option of the Board, payment of the
buyout amount may be made in cash, common shares or a combination thereof.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary of Cash and Other Compensation
The following table shows, for the last three fiscal years, the cash compensation and other
benefits paid or provided by AirNet to its Chief Executive Officer and the other named
individuals.
17
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
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Long-Term
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Compensation
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Awards
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Annual
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Common Shares
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Name and Principal
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Compensation
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Underlying
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All Other
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Position during 2004
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Year
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Salary ($)
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Bonus ($)
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Options (#)
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Compensation ($)
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Joel E. Biggerstaff
Chairman of the Board,
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2004
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$
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325,000
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$
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0
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40,000
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$
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6,358
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(1)
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Chief Executive Officer
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2003
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$
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325,000
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$
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45,500
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8,500
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$
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8,462
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and President
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2002
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$
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321,154
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$
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0
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20,000
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$
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8,060
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Jeffery B. Harris
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2004
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$
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230,000
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$
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0
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20,000
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$
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4,197
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(1)
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Senior Vice President,
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2003
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$
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230,000
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$
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25,000
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5,000
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$
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5,162
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Bank Services
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2002
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$
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230,000
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$
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0
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8,000
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$
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6,145
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Gary W. Qualmann
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2004
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$
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190,000
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$
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0
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20,000
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$
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6,154
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(1)
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Chief Financial Officer,
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2003
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$
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58,462
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$
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25,000
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20,000
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$
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0
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Secretary and Treasurer (2)
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2002
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$
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0
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$
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0
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0
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$
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0
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Kendall W. Wright
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2004
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$
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210,000
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$
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0
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0
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$
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254,075
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(1)
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Vice President, Airline
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2003
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$
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210,000
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$
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7,000
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3,000
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$
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7,252
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Development (3)
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2002
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$
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210,000
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$
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0
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5,900
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$
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10,518
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Larry M. Glasscock, Jr.
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2004
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$
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215,000
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$
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0
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20,000
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$
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6,500
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(1)
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Senior Vice President,
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2003
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$
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190,192
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$
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30,000
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20,000
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0
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Express Services (4)
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2002
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$
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0
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0
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0
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0
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(1)
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All Other Compensation for the 2004 fiscal year includes: (a) employer matching
contributions in the amounts of $3,990, $2,550, $3,954, $4,895 and $6,500 allocated to their
accounts under the AirNet Systems, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan on behalf of Messrs.
Biggerstaff, Harris, Qualmann, Wright and Glasscock, respectively; (b) reimbursements in the
amounts of $2,368, $1,647, $2,200, $4,179 and $0 related to life insurance premium payments
made by Messrs. Biggerstaff, Harris, Qualmann, Wright and Glasscock, respectively; and (c)
for Mr. Wright, the amount of $245,000 which has been accrued and is to be paid in accordance
with the terms of Mr. Wrights employment separation agreement (discussed below under
Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment and
Change-in-Control Arrangements
) as a
result of the termination of his employment with AirNet. The AirNet Systems, Inc. Retirement
Savings Plan is a qualified, broad-based defined contribution plan under which amounts are
paid to the individuals only upon retirement, termination of employment, disability or death.
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(2)
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Mr. Qualmann became an executive officer of AirNet on September 2, 2003.
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(3)
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Mr. Wright ceased to be an executive officer and employee of AirNet effective December 31,
2004.
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(4)
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Mr. Glasscock became an executive officer of AirNet on February 17, 2004.
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Grants of Options
The following table summarizes information concerning options granted to the named
individuals during the 2004 fiscal year. No executive officer of AirNet has been granted any
options during the 2005 fiscal year. AirNet has never granted stock appreciation rights.
18
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
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% of
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Potential Realizable
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Number of
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Total
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Value at Assumed
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Common Shares
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Options
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Annual Rates of Share
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Underlying
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Granted to
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Exercise
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Price Appreciation
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Options
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Employees in
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Price
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Expiration
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for Option Term (2)
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Name
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Granted (#) (1)
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Fiscal Year
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($/Share)
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Date
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5% ($)
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10% ($)
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Joel E. Biggerstaff
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40,000
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19.4
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%
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$
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4.13
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2/17/14
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$
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103,893
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$
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263,286
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Jeffery B. Harris
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20,000
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9.7
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%
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$
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4.13
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2/17/14
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$
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51,947
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$
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131,643
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Gary W. Qualmann
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20,000
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9.7
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%
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$
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4.13
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2/17/14
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$
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51,947
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$
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131,643
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Kendall W. Wright
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Larry M. Glasscock, Jr.
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20,000
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9.7
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%
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$
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4.13
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2/17/14
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$
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51,947
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$
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131,643
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(1)
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Each option was granted on February 17, 2004 under the 1996 Plan. Each option vested and
became exercisable as to 20% of the common shares covered thereby on each of the grant date
and the first anniversary of the grant date and will vest and become exercisable as to 20% of
the common shares on each of the second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date. At
the discretion of the Compensation Committee, the options may have stock-for-stock exercise
and tax withholding features. If AirNet merges with another entity and AirNet is not the
survivor in the merger, or if all or substantially all of AirNets assets or stock is acquired
by another entity, each option which has not expired, been cancelled or been exercised prior
to the effective date of such event, will immediately vest and become exercisable in full. If
the employment of the option holder is terminated by reason of death or total disability, the
vested portion of the option may be exercised for a period of 12 months, subject to its stated
term. If the employment of the option holder is terminated for any other reason, the vested
portion of the option may be exercised for a period of three months, subject to its stated
term.
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(2)
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The dollar amounts reflected in this table are the result of calculations at the 5% and 10%
annual appreciation rates set by the SEC for illustrative purports, and assume the options are
held until their respective expiration dates. These dollar amounts are not intended to
forecast future performance or possible future appreciation in the price of AirNets common
shares. Shareholders are, therefore, cautioned against drawing any conclusions from the
appreciation data shown, aside from the fact that the option holders will only realize value
from the option grants shown if the price of AirNets common shares appreciates, which
benefits all shareholders commensurately.
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Option Exercises and Holdings
The following table summarizes information concerning unexercised options held as of December
31, 2004 by each of the named individuals. None of these individuals exercised any options during
the 2004 fiscal year.
19
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
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Number of
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Common Shares
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Number of Common Shares
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Value of Unexercised
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Underlying
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Underlying Unexercised Options
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In-the-Money Options
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Options
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Value
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at Fiscal Year-End (#)
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at Fiscal Year-End ($) (1)
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Name
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Exercised (#)
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Realized ($)
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Exercisable
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Unexercisable
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Exercisable
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Unexercisable
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Joel E. Biggerstaff
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N/A
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160,850
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53,820
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Jeffery B. Harris
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N/A
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52,410
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25,720
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Gary W. Qualmann
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N/A
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12,000
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28,000
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Kendall W. Wright (2)
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N/A
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30,620
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0
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Larry M. Glasscock, Jr.
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N/A
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12,000
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28,000
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(1)
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Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options at Fiscal Year-End is calculated on the basis of
the number of common shares subject to each option, multiplied by the excess of the fair
market value of AirNets common shares on December 31, 2004 ($3.49), over the exercise price
of the option. None of the options held by the named individuals were in-the-money on
December 31, 2004.
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(2)
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Following the termination of Mr. Wrights employment effective December 31, 2004, his vested
options (covering an aggregate of 30,260 common shares) held as of December 31, 2004 remained
exercisable until March 31, 2005; however, he did not exercise any of these vested options.
The unvested options (covering an aggregate of 6,640 common shares) held by Mr. Wright on
December 31, 2004 were forfeited in accordance with their respective terms.
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Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements
Employment Agreements with Mr. Biggerstaff and Mr. Harris
Each of Joel E. Biggerstaff, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President,
and Jeffery B. Harris, Senior Vice President, Bank Services, is party to an employment agreement
with AirNet, made as of January 1, 2001. Each employment agreement provided for an initial
employment period ending December 31, 2001, which has been and will be automatically renewed for
successive one-year periods unless either party gives notice to the other of non-renewal at least
90 days prior to the end of the relevant employment period. Messrs. Biggerstaff and Harris were
entitled to receive initial annual base salaries of $300,000 and $230,000, respectively, which may
be adjusted upward or downward on an annual basis by the Compensation Committee based on its
review of each individuals performance. Mr. Biggerstaffs annual base salary for the 2004 fiscal
year was $325,000 and remains at that amount for the 2005 fiscal year. Mr. Harris annual base
salary was $230,000 for the 2004 fiscal year and remains at that amount for the 2005 fiscal year.
Each individual is entitled to participate in any bonus plan which AirNet may establish and in the
incentive stock plans for AirNet (i.e., the 1996 Plan and the 2004 Plan), in each case at levels
determined by the Compensation Committee. Each individual is also entitled to receive all health
and life insurance coverages, sick leave and disability programs, tax-qualified retirement plan
contributions, paid holidays and vacations, perquisites and other fringe benefits provided by
AirNet to its actively employed senior executives.
If the named individuals employment is terminated by AirNet without cause or by the
individual for good reason, he will be entitled to have his base salary then in effect and
fringe benefits (other than under the 1996 Plan and the 2004 Plan) continued at the level then in
effect for a period of 24 months (in the case of Mr. Biggerstaff) or 12 months (in the case of Mr.
Harris, with group medical insurance continuing for 18 months). These periods are extended to 36
months and 18 months, respectively, if the termination occurs on or after a change in control
(as defined in each employment agreement). Each individual would also be entitled to receive a
single lump sum payment equal to the pro-rata portion
20
(based on days employed during the fiscal year in which employment terminated) of any
non-discretionary bonus payable based on employment throughout the fiscal year; become fully
vested in all employee benefit programs (other than the Retirement Savings Plan, in which his
interest would vest according to the Retirement Savings Plans terms); receive a lump sum payment
equal to his non-vested interest in the Retirement Savings Plan to the extent forfeited upon
termination of employment; and be paid his reasonable, out-of-pocket fees and expenses in
connection with outplacement services, in an amount not to exceed $15,000.
Cause is defined in each employment agreement to include: (i) any willful breach of the
material terms of the employment agreement; (ii) any willful breach of a material duty of
employment assigned to the named individual pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement;
(iii) material refusal to perform the duties assigned to the named individual pursuant to his
employment agreement; (iv) theft or embezzlement of a material amount of AirNets property; (v)
fraud; or (vi) indictment for criminal activity other than minor misdemeanor traffic offenses.
The following events qualify as good reason for each individual to terminate his employment:
(a) without the named individuals prior written consent, AirNet assigns such individual to duties
which are materially inconsistent with or result in a material diminution of his position,
authority, duties or responsibilities as set forth in the employment agreement, including failing
to reappoint or reelect him to any such position; (b) the named individuals base salary is
reduced for any reason other than in connection with the termination of his employment, unless
such reduction is in connection with proportionate reductions in the salaries of all other
executive officers of AirNet; (c) without the named individuals prior written consent, he is
assigned to an office of AirNet located outside the Greater Columbus, Ohio Metropolitan area; (d)
AirNet fails to obtain an agreement from any successor or assign of AirNet to assume and agree to
perform the named individuals employment agreement; (e) AirNet provides notice that it will not
extend the term of the named individuals employment period; or (f) AirNet otherwise materially
breaches its obligations to make payments to the named individual under his employment agreement.
If the named individuals employment were terminated by AirNet for cause or by the named
individual without good reason, AirNet would pay him any accrued but unpaid base salary and
provide any other rights or benefits, if any, to be provided under the applicable terms of
AirNets compensation plans and programs.
Each employment agreement also provides for the continuation of salary and bonus (reduced by
amounts payable under the terms of any disability benefit plan of AirNet), at the rate then in
effect, following a disability until the named individuals employment is terminated as a result
of the disability; and for the continuation of fringe benefits (other than under the 1996 Plan and
the 2004 Plan) for a period of 24 months (in the case of Mr. Biggerstaff) or 12 months (in the
case of Mr. Harris, with group medical insurance continuing for 18 months) following termination
of his employment due to the disability.
If a named individuals employment were terminated by his death, his beneficiary would be
entitled to receive any base salary that is accrued but unpaid and any fringe benefits then
provided by AirNet in accordance with the provisions of the applicable plan or program.
Immediately upon the occurrence of a change in control of AirNet (as defined in each
employment agreement), the named individual would become fully vested in all employee benefit
programs in which he was then a participant, including all options and other awards under the 1996
Plan or the 2004 Plan, but excluding any tax-qualified retirement or savings plan as to which the
named individuals interest would vest in accordance with the applicable plans terms.
Each employment agreement contains confidentiality and noncompetition provisions which
prevent the named individual from disclosing confidential information about AirNet and from
competing with AirNet during his employment therewith and for an additional two years (in the case
of Mr. Biggerstaff) or one year (in the case of Mr. Harris) thereafter. In addition, during the
named individuals employment with AirNet and for an additional two years (in the case of Mr.
Biggerstaff) or one year (in the case of Mr. Harris) thereafter, the named individual may not
solicit or hire, directly or indirectly, any employee of AirNet.
Employment Agreements with Mr. Qualmann and Mr. Glasscock
On May 3, 2005, AirNet entered into employment agreements with each of Gary W. Qualmann and
Larry M. Glasscock, Jr. These employment agreements had been recommended to AirNets Board by an
independent third-party compensation consultant and the Boards Compensation Committee as
discussed below in the
Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation
under
Compensation Philosophy.
Under their respective
21
employment agreements, Mr. Qualmann is to be employed as Chief Financial Officer of AirNet
and Mr. Glasscock is to be employed as Senior Vice President, Express Services. Each employment
agreement provides for an initial employment period ending December 31, 2006, which will be
automatically renewed for successive one-year periods unless either party gives notice to the
other of non-renewal at least 90 days prior to the end of the relevant employment period.
Each of Messrs. Qualmann and Glasscock is entitled to receive an initial annual base salary
of $215,000, which may be adjusted upward or downward on an annual basis by the Compensation
Committee based on its review of each individuals performance. Each individual is entitled to
participate in any bonus plan which AirNet may establish, at the level determined by the
Compensation Committee. Each individual is also entitled to receive all health and life insurance
coverages, sick leave and disability programs, tax-qualified retirement plan contributions, paid
holidays and vacations, perquisites and other fringe benefits of employment provided by AirNet to
its actively employed senior executive officers. Each individual is also entitled to participate
in the 1996 Plan and the 2004 Plan, in each case at levels determined by the Compensation
Committee.
Each employment agreement contains confidentiality and non-competition provisions which
prevent the named individual from disclosing confidential information about AirNet and from
competing with AirNet during his employment therewith and for an additional period of one year
following termination of employment. In addition, during his employment with AirNet and for an
additional period of one year thereafter, each individual may not solicit or hire, directly or
indirectly, any employee of AirNet.
If a named individuals employment were terminated by AirNet without cause or by the
individual for good reason, he would be entitled to receive any base salary accrued but unpaid
and any fringe benefits then provided by AirNet in accordance with the provisions of the
applicable plan or program. Additionally, the named individuals medical and health care benefits
would be continued for a period of 12 months and his base salary continued at the level then in
effect for a period of 12 months provided that the level of base salary continued would in any
event be at least $215,000. In addition, the named individual would become fully vested in all
employee benefit programs (other than with respect to any restricted stock issued under the 2004
Plan and any tax-qualified retirement or savings plan as to which his interest would vest in
accordance with the terms of the applicable plan). He would also be entitled to receive a single
lump sum payment equal to the pro-rata portion (based on days employed during the fiscal year in
which employment terminated) of any non-discretionary bonus payable based on employment throughout
the fiscal year; receive a lump sum payment equal to his non-vested interest under any
tax-qualified retirement or savings plan maintained by AirNet to the extent forfeited upon
termination of employment; and be paid his reasonable, out-of-pocket fees and expenses in
connection with outplacement services, in an amount not to exceed $15,000.
Cause is defined in each employment agreement to include: (i) any willful breach of the
material terms of the named individuals employment agreement; (ii) any willful breach of a
material duty of employment assigned pursuant to the terms of the named individuals employment
agreement other than a breach related to an assignment that would be a basis for termination of
his employment by such individual for good reason; (iii) material refusal to perform the duties
assigned to him pursuant to the terms of the named individuals employment agreement other than a
refusal related to an assignment that would be a basis for termination of his employment by such
individual for good reason; (iv) theft or embezzlement of a material amount of AirNets
property; (v) fraud; or (vi) indictment for criminal activity other than minor misdemeanor traffic
offenses. The following events qualify as good reason for a named individual to terminate his
employment: (a) in the case of Mr. Qualmann, without his prior written consent, AirNet assigns
him to duties which are materially inconsistent with or result in a material diminution of his
position, authority, duties or responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer, including failing to
reappoint or reelect him to that position; (b) in the case of Mr. Glasscock, without his prior
written consent, AirNet assigns him to duties which are materially inconsistent with his
professional training and experience or to a position that is not substantially comparable to his
position as Senior Vice President, Express Services; (c) the named individuals base salary is
reduced for any reason other than in connection with termination of his employment; (d) in the
case of Mr. Qualmann, without his prior written consent, he is assigned to an office of AirNet
located outside the Greater Columbus, Ohio Metropolitan area; (e) in the case of Mr. Glasscock,
without his prior written consent, he is assigned to an office of AirNet located outside the
Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan area; (f) AirNet fails to obtain an agreement from any successor or
assign of AirNet to assume and agree to perform the named individuals employment agreement; or
(g) AirNet otherwise materially breaches its obligations to made payments to the named individual
under his employment agreement.
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If a named individuals employment were terminated by AirNet for cause or by such individual
without good reason, AirNet would pay him any accrued but unpaid base salary and provide any other
rights or benefits, if any, to be provided under the applicable terms of AirNets compensation
plans and programs.
Each employment agreement provides for the continuation of the named individuals base salary
and bonus (reduced by amounts payable under the terms of any disability benefit plan of AirNet),
at the rate then in effect, following a disability until such individuals employment is
terminated as a result of the disability. Upon termination of his employment because of
disability, the named individual would be entitled to receive any base salary accrued but unpaid
and any fringe benefits then provided by AirNet in accordance with the provisions of the
applicable plan or program; and his medical and health care benefits would be continued for a
period of 12 months. In addition, any disability plan in effect as of his date of termination
would be continued.
If a named individuals employment were terminated by his death, his beneficiary would be
entitled to receive any base salary accrued but unpaid and any fringe benefits then provided by
AirNet in accordance with the provisions of the applicable plan or program.
Amounts payable upon termination of a named individuals employment would be deferred to the
extent, if any, necessary to avoid the imposition of excise taxes and other penalties pursuant to
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code but not by more than six months plus one day from the
termination date.
Immediately upon the occurrence of a change in control of AirNet (as defined in each
employment agreement), the named individual would become fully vested in all employee benefit
programs in which he was then a participant, including all options and other awards under the 1996
Plan or the 2004 Plan but excluding any tax-qualified retirement or savings plan as to which his
interest would vest in accordance with the applicable plans terms.
Separation Agreement with Mr. Wright
On January 14, 2005, AirNet entered into an employment separation agreement and release of
claims (the Wright Agreement) with Kendall W. Wright, who had served as Vice President of Airline
Development of AirNet. Under the terms of the Wright Agreement, Mr. Wrights employment with
AirNet was terminated effective December 31, 2004 (the Separation Date) and all further
compensation, remuneration, bonuses and eligibility of Mr. Wright under AirNets benefit plans
terminated on the Separation Date. Following the Separation Date, Mr. Wright agreed to provide
consulting services for AirNet on such matters as both parties agree upon. Each hour of actual
consulting service was to be compensated at a rate of $100. AirNet agreed to offer a minimum of
100 hours of consulting service to Mr. Wright within the first two calendar quarters of 2005. As
of November 17, 2005, AirNet had paid Mr. Wright the aggregate amount of $12,100 for consulting
services provided under the terms of the Wright Agreement.
Since the Separation Date, AirNet has paid and will pay to Mr. Wright, as severance benefits,
an amount equal to his last annual base salary (i.e., $210,000) over the 12-month period from the
Separation Date to December 31, 2005, in 24 equal semi-monthly installments, less withholdings.
AirNet also agreed to directly pay reasonable outplacement fees, up to a maximum of $10,000, for
outplacement services provided to Mr. Wright during calendar year 2005; however, as of November 17,
2005, no such fees have been paid on behalf of Mr. Wright. AirNet also made a lump sum payment to
Mr. Wright of $6,397, representing an amount equal to Mr. Wrights cost of continuing the medical
insurance coverage for Mr. Wright and his eligible dependents under COBRA for the 12-month period
following the Separation Date, less an amount equal to the premium Mr. Wright would have paid for
such insurance had he continued employment for that 12-month period. All vested options held by
Mr. Wright as of the Separation Date (covering 30,260 common shares) remained exercisable by Mr.
Wright until March 31, 2005 in accordance with their respective terms; however, he did not exercise
any of those vested options. All unvested options held by Mr. Wright as of the Separation Date
(covering 6,640 common shares) were forfeited in accordance with their respective terms.
2005 Incentive Compensation Plan
On February 2, 2005, the Board, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, adopted
the 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan (the 2005 Incentive Plan). The Compensation Committee and
the Board subsequently approved clarifications and modifications to the 2005 Incentive Plan on
March 8, 2005 and March 29, 2005. In addition, as
23
discussed further below, on August 9, 2005, the Board, upon the recommendation of the
Compensation Committee, adopted amendments and clarifications to the 2005 Incentive Plan to address
the possibility that a transaction for the sale of AirNet is consummated prior to the end of the
2005 fiscal year.
The purpose of the 2005 Incentive Plan is to promote the following goals of AirNet for the
2005 fiscal year by providing incentive compensation to certain employees of AirNet and its
subsidiaries:
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Exceeding budgeted pre-tax income;
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Reducing fixed costs;
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Creating and executing contingency plans for changes in AirNets Bank business;
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Refining AirNets business plan for its Express and Jetride businesses to more
quickly and profitably diversify AirNet;
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Developing AirNets leadership team; and
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Meeting high priority deadlines related to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002 and other key projects.
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Participants in the 2005 Incentive Plan include AirNets executive officers, Joel E.
Biggerstaff, Gary W. Qualmann, Larry M. Glasscock, Jr., Jeffery B. Harris, Wynn D. Peterson, Ray L.
Druseikis and Craig A. Leach, and certain department managers and department directors. At the
start of the 2005 fiscal year, there were 45 participants in the 2005 Incentive Plan. As of
November 17, 2005, there were 43 participants in the 2005 Incentive Plan.
Payments under the 2005 Incentive Plan are based on a combination of AirNets pre-tax income
for the 2005 fiscal year, operating performance of AirNets various business components and the
achievement of personal goals assigned to each participant. The Compensation Committee approves
personal goals for executive officers and reviews the personal goals for other participants. The
personal goals approved by the Compensation Committee for each of the executive officers relate to
specific business objectives related to general business operations (e.g., regulatory compliance,
expense reductions, etc.) and each business component (e.g., execution of specific contracts with
customers and vendors, cost reductions, service improvements, etc.). No incentive compensation
will be paid to the executive officers under the 2005 Incentive Plan for the achievement of
personal goals unless AirNet attains the designated threshold level of pre-tax income (other than
certain amounts payable to Wynn D. Peterson, as discussed below).
No incentive compensation will be paid under the 2005 Incentive Plan unless AirNet achieves a
designated threshold level of pre-tax income for the 2005 fiscal year. Once the designated
threshold level is achieved, incentive compensation payments will increase at predetermined pre-tax
income levels until the maximum compensation payout of $1.9 million is reached at approximately
200% of pre-tax income for the 2004 fiscal year, determined without regard to the 2004 fiscal year
impairment charges related to property and equipment and goodwill.
Once the overall amount of incentive compensation is determined based upon AirNets pre-tax
income, incentive compensation will be allocated to Bank, Express, Jetride and corporate based upon
pre-established targets. Incentive compensation will then be allocated to the participants most
closely involved in managing each of those business areas based upon each participants base
salary. Finally, participants must achieve their pre-established personal goals to achieve their
maximum incentive compensation payment.
The maximum percentage of annual base salary that the following executive officers may receive
as incentive compensation under the 2005 Incentive Plan is: (i) for Joel E. Biggerstaff, 100%; (ii)
for Gary W. Qualmann, Larry M. Glasscock, Jr. and Jeffery B. Harris, 75%; and (iii) for Ray L.
Druseikis and Craig A. Leach, 50%. In connection with his promotion in June 2005 to Senior Vice
President, Jetride Services, the incentive compensation which Mr. Peterson may receive under the
2005 Incentive Plan was modified to include two components. He was eligible to receive incentive
compensation up to a maximum amount of $75,000 (50% of his $150,000 annual base salary prior to the
increase) based on the level of achievement through June 30, 2005 of his personal goals in the
position as Vice President, Strategic Planning
24
and Analysis, and achievement by AirNet of a designated level of pre-tax income for the six
months ended June 30, 2005. The amount of $60,000 in incentive compensation will be paid to Mr.
Peterson in respect of the six-month period ended June 30, 2005 and such payment will be made in
the first quarter of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006 (the 2006 fiscal year). Mr.
Peterson will also be eligible to receive incentive compensation from zero to a maximum amount of
$161,250 (75% of his $215,000 annual base salary after the increase) based on the level of
achievement of personal goals related to the performance of Jetride for the period from July 1
through December 31, 2005, and achievement by Jetride, and AirNet, of designated levels of pre-tax
income for the six months ending December 31, 2005. Payment of any incentive compensation to which
Mr. Peterson becomes entitled in respect of the six-month period ending December 31, 2005 will be
made to Mr. Peterson in the first quarter of the 2006 fiscal year, provided he is actively employed
by AirNet or one of its subsidiaries at the time the payment is made.
Except for payments to the executive officers, payments under the 2005 Incentive Plan have
been paid in quarterly payments commencing with the second quarter of the 2005 fiscal year based
upon AirNets year-to-date financial performance. Except as described above in respect of Mr.
Peterson and below, payments of incentive compensation to executive officers will be made in the
first quarter of the 2006 fiscal year based upon AirNets performance for the 2005 fiscal year and
in order to receive a payment, a participant must be actively employed by AirNet or one of its
subsidiaries at the time the payment is made. New employees who qualify for the 2005 Incentive
Plan will be eligible to participate on the first day of the calendar quarter following their date
of hire.
On August 9, 2005, the Board, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, adopted
the following amendments and clarifications to the 2005 Incentive Plan to address the possibility
that a transaction for the sale of AirNet is consummated prior to the end of the 2005 fiscal year.
In such event, (i) participants in the 2005 Incentive Plan will be entitled to receive incentive
compensation measured as a percentage of their full year base salary rather than a pro-rated
portion; (ii) to the extent that bonuses are based in part on pre-tax income for the 2005 fiscal
year, such pre-tax income will be measured through the month ending immediately prior to the
consummation date of the sale transaction; (iii) to the extent bonuses for any individual are
determined in part based upon the performance of a business unit against a pre-determined target,
the performance of such business unit would be based upon the performance through the month ending
immediately prior to the consummation date of the sale transaction versus the targeted performance
through such month end; and (iv) individuals who are employed by AirNet at the time of the
consummation of a sale transaction will be entitled to a bonus under the 2005 Incentive Plan
whether or not they are employed at the time the bonus is to be paid.
The Compensation Committee may further amend, modify or terminate the 2005 Incentive Plan at
any time.
Stock Purchase Program
All employees of AirNet and its subsidiaries, including the executive officers of AirNet, are
given the opportunity to purchase common shares of AirNet through a stock purchase program. The
stock purchase program was offered under the 1996 Plan through the offering period which ended June
30, 2004 and has been offered under the 2004 Plan since July 1, 2004. Pursuant to a payroll
deduction program, which is intended to qualify as an employee stock purchase plan within the
meaning of Section 423 under the Internal Revenue Code, employees are able to purchase common
shares of AirNet during offering periods of such duration (not exceeding 12 months) as the
Compensation Committee determines. The price at which common shares may be purchased will be the
price determined by the Compensation Committee prior to the start of an offering period and may not
be less than the lesser of (i) 85% of the fair market value of the common shares on the first
business day of each offering period and (ii) 85% of the fair market value of the common shares on
the last business day of each offering period. Under the stock purchase program as offered through
November 17, 2005, there have been four offering periods of three months each per calendar year.
While it is contemplated that there will continue to be four offering periods of three months each
calendar year under the stock purchase program and that the purchase price will be determined in
the same manner as it has been, the Compensation Committee has the discretion to determine
otherwise. As of November 17, 2005, 113,807 common shares remained reserved for issuance under the
stock purchase program portion of the 2004 Plan.
25
Performance Graph
The following line graph compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total
shareholder return on AirNets common shares with the cumulative return of the Russell 2000 and of
the Dow Jones Combined Transportation Index (the Transportation Index), in each case for the
period from December 31, 1999 to December 31, 2004. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on
December 31, 1999 in AirNet common shares and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes
reinvestment of dividends.
26
Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation
Role of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of four directors who qualify as independent
under the applicable NYSE Rules. David P. Lauer, Bruce D. Parker and James E. Riddle served as
members of the Compensation Committee throughout the 2004 fiscal year and continue to serve as
members. Gerald Hellerman was appointed to the Compensation Committee on July 20, 2005 and,
accordingly, did not participate in compensation decisions prior to that date including those in
respect of the 2004 fiscal year. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter
adopted by the Board. The Compensation Committee is responsible, among other duties, for setting
and administering the policies which govern executive compensation.
Compensation Philosophy
AirNet has developed a compensation philosophy and compensation programs designed to enable
it to attract, motivate and retain excellent executive talent. Compensation is earned based on
performance consistent with the expectations defined by AirNets leadership practices and
measurable objectives which support AirNets corporate goals and business and financial metrics.
To accomplish these corporate goals for the 2004 fiscal year, AirNet used a combination of
programs to offer a balance between short-term and long-term incentives. Components of these
programs included:
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base salary based on the strategic importance to AirNet of the executive
officers job functions, the individuals performance in his position, and a
comparison of industry compensation practices;
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a variable incentive bonus component based on performance in respect of business
and financial metrics; and
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long-term incentive compensation, in the form of options, to retain key talent
and align the interest of the executive officers with those of AirNets
shareholders.
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In 2003, the Compensation Committee retained a compensation consultant to prepare an
executive compensation and benchmarking study to help assess overall executive compensation. The
compensation consultant assisted AirNet in evaluating its compensation philosophy by:
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comparing the compensation of AirNets executive officers to that of executives
in comparable positions at various peer companies (which may not include all of
the companies included in the Transportation Index used for comparison purposes in
the performance graph on page 26) and other compensation survey data;
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recommending modifications to the long-term incentive compensation plan to allow
for incentive awards which are based on the satisfaction of multiple-year
performance goals tied to profitability and revenue growth as AirNet transitions
from a specialty air carrier with approximately 69% of its revenues in 2003
generated by services to the banking industry to a company providing premium
aviation services to a diverse customer base;
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assisting in the design of the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2004 Plan);
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recommending modifications to the 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan (the 2005
Incentive Plan) to allow for quarterly payments of incentive compensation to
non-executive officers participating in the 2005 Incentive Plan and to defer
payments of incentive compensation to the executive officers until the first
quarter of the 2006 fiscal year;
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recommending the manner in which incentive compensation for executive officers
is balanced between long-term incentives under the 2004 Plan and short-term
incentives under the 2005 Incentive Plan; and
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recommending terms and provisions of the employment agreements entered into with
certain executive officers, including Gary W. Qualmann and Larry M. Glasscock.
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Base Salary
Base salaries for executive officers are set so as to reflect the duties and levels of
responsibilities inherent in each position and to reflect the quality of performance. Salaries
are reviewed annually and may be adjusted based on individual performance, level of experience,
business unit performance and industry analysis and comparisons. There were no across the board
adjustments to the salaries of executive officers for either the 2004 fiscal year or the 2005
fiscal year, as AirNet shifted its focus in compensation to incentive-based compensation tied to
improving AirNets annual performance. The base salary of Gary W. Qualmann was increased from
$190,000 to $215,000, effective December 19, 2004, due to his increased responsibilities. The
base salary of Wynn D. Peterson was increased from $150,000 to $215,000, effective June 17, 2005,
as a result of his promotion to Senior Vice President, Jetride Services.
Effective as of January 1, 2001, AirNet entered into employment agreements with Joel E.
Biggerstaff and Jeffery B. Harris. Each employment agreement provided for an initial employment
period ending December 31, 2001, which has been and will be automatically renewed for successive
one-year periods unless either party gives notice to the other of non-renewal at least 90 days
prior to the end of the relevant employment period. These employment agreements provide for an
initial annual base salary, which may be adjusted upward or downward on an annual basis by the
Compensation Committee based on its review of the executive officers performance. The initial
base salaries were established based on information from an executive compensation consultant. If
AirNet were to provide notice under either employment agreement that it would not extend the term
of the named individuals employment agreement or to reduce the named individuals base salary for
any reason other than in connection with the termination of his employment, unless such reduction
is in connection with proportionate reductions in the salaries of all other executive officers of
AirNet, such action would qualify as good reason for such individual to terminate his employment
agreement. The base salaries of Messrs. Biggerstaff and Harris for the 2004 and the 2005 fiscal
years were unchanged from 2003.
On May 3, 2005, AirNet entered into employment agreements with Gary W. Qualmann and Larry M.
Glasscock, Jr. These employment agreements were recommended to AirNets Board by an independent
third-party compensation consultant and the Compensation Committee. Each employment agreement
provides for an initial employment period ending December 31, 2006, which will be automatically
renewed for successive one-year periods unless either party gives notice to the other of
non-renewal at least 90 days prior to the end of the relevant employment period. These employment
agreements provide for an initial annual base salary, which may be adjusted upward or downward on
an annual basis by the Compensation Committee based on its review of the executive officers
performance. The initial base salaries were established based upon the recommendation of the
Boards Compensation Committee. If AirNet were to reduce the named individuals base salary for
any reason other than in connection with the termination of his employment, such action would
qualify as good reason for such individual to terminate his employment agreement.
Incentive Compensation
Prior to the 2004 fiscal year, incentive compensation was awarded to executive officers based
upon a combination of predetermined personal goals and AirNets financial results compared to the
plan established at the beginning of the fiscal year. Prior to the 2004 fiscal year, executive
officers could be awarded incentive compensation based upon the attainment of personal goals
without regard to AirNets financial results for the fiscal year. Commencing with the 2004 fiscal
year, payment of any incentive compensation to executive officers was made contingent upon
AirNets attaining a threshold level of pre-tax income established at the beginning of the fiscal
year. In determining whether to award any incentive compensation in respect of the 2004 fiscal
year to the executive officers, the Compensation Committee first considered AirNets full year
financial results compared to the plan established at the beginning of the fiscal year. After
reviewing AirNets performance for the 2004 fiscal year, the Compensation Committee determined
that AirNet had not attained the level of pre-tax income established at the beginning of the
fiscal year. As a result, no incentive compensation was awarded to any of the executive officers
or other employees of AirNet. Because the threshold level of pre-tax income was not attained by
AirNet during the 2004 fiscal year, the Compensation Committee did not need to consider the
personal goals established at the beginning of the fiscal year for any of the executive officers
or other employees of AirNet .
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On February 2, 2005, the Board, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, adopted
the 2005 Incentive Plan. The purpose of the 2005 Incentive Plan has been to promote the following
goals of AirNet for the 2005 fiscal year by providing incentive compensation to certain employees
of AirNet and its subsidiaries:
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Exceeding budgeted pre-tax income;
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Reducing fixed costs;
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Creating and executing contingency plans for changes in AirNets Bank business;
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Refining AirNets business plan for its Express and Jetride businesses to more
quickly and profitably diversify AirNet;
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Developing AirNets leadership team; and
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Meeting high priority deadlines related to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002 and other key projects.
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Participants in the 2005 Incentive Plan include Joel E. Biggerstaff, Gary W. Qualmann, Larry
M. Glasscock, Jr., Jeffery B. Harris, Wynn D. Peterson, Ray L. Druseikis and Craig A. Leach, each
of whom is an executive officer, and certain department managers and department directors.
Payments under the 2005 Incentive Plan will be based on a combination of AirNets pre-tax
income for the 2005 fiscal year, operating performance of AirNets various business components and
the achievement of personal goals assigned to each participant. The Compensation Committee
approves personal goals for executive officers and reviews the personal goals for other
participants. The personal goals approved by the Compensation Committee for each of the executive
officers relate to specific business objectives related to general business operations (e.g.,
regulatory compliance, expense reductions, etc.) and each business component (e.g., execution of
specific contracts with customers and vendors, cost reductions, service improvements, etc.). No
incentive compensation will be paid to the executive officers under the 2005 Incentive Plan for the
achievement of personal goals unless AirNet attains the designated threshold level of pre-tax
income (other than certain amounts payable to Wynn D. Peterson, as discussed above under
2005
Incentive Compensation Plan
on pages 24 and 25).
No incentive compensation will be paid under the 2005 Incentive Plan unless AirNet achieves a
designated threshold level of pre-tax income for the 2005 fiscal year. Once the designated
threshold level is achieved, incentive compensation payments will increase at predetermined pre-tax
income levels until the maximum compensation payout of $1.9 million is reached at approximately
200% of pre-tax income for the 2004 fiscal year, determined without regard to the 2004 fiscal year
impairment charges related to property and equipment and goodwill.
Once the overall amount of incentive compensation is determined based upon AirNets pre-tax
income, incentive compensation will be allocated to Bank, Express, Jetride and corporate based upon
pre-established targets. Incentive compensation will then be allocated to the participants most
closely involved in managing each of those business areas based upon each participants base
salary. Finally, participants must achieve their pre-established personal goals to achieve their
maximum incentive compensation payment. The maximum incentive compensation each of AirNets
executive officers may receive is described above under
2005 Incentive Compensation Plan.
Except
as described above under
2005 Incentive Compensation Plan
and below, payments of incentive
compensation to executive officers will be made in the first quarter of the 2006 fiscal year based
upon AirNets performance for the 2005 fiscal year and in order to receive a payment, a participant
must be actively employed by AirNet or one of its subsidiaries at the time the payment is made.
On August 9, 2005, the Board, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, adopted
the following amendments and clarifications to the 2005 Incentive Plan to address the possibility
of a sale of AirNet prior to the end of the 2005 fiscal year. In such event, (i) participants in
the 2005 Incentive Plan will be entitled to receive incentive compensation measured as a percentage
of their full year base salary rather than a pro-rated portion; (ii) to the extent that bonuses are
based in part on pre-tax income for the 2005 fiscal year, such pre-tax income will be measured
through the month ending immediately prior to the consummation date of the sale transaction; (iii)
to the extent bonuses for any
29
individual are determined in part based upon the performance of a business unit against a
pre-determined target, the performance of such business unit would be based upon the performance
through the month ending immediately prior to the consummation date of the sale transaction versus
the targeted performance through such month end; and (iv) individuals who are employed by AirNet at
the time of the consummation of a sale transaction will be entitled to a bonus under the 2005
Incentive Plan whether or not they are employed at the time the bonus is to be paid.
Equity Compensation
AirNet has granted options under its 1996 Plan and its 2004 Plan to attract and retain key
employees and directors of AirNet and to enhance their interest in AirNets continued success. On
February 17, 2004, the Compensation Committee granted options to certain of the individuals then
serving as executive officers. The options granted to the individuals named in the Summary
Compensation Table are disclosed in the table included under
Grants of Options.
These grants
were based upon the Compensation Committees subjective analyses of each individuals function,
performance and value to AirNet, with no specific weighting given to any one factor.
CEO Compensation
As discussed above, Mr. Biggerstaff is party to an employment agreement with AirNet under
which his base salary may be adjusted upward or downward on an annual basis by the Compensation
Committee. The Compensation Committee subjectively evaluated Mr. Biggerstaffs individual
performance and AirNets performance and, in light of AirNets overall financial performance and
the fact that no across the board salary increases were being made to other executive officers,
determined not to change Mr. Biggerstaffs base salary for either the 2004 fiscal year or the 2005
fiscal year from the $325,000 level set in 2003.
As discussed above, because AirNet did not attain the threshold level of pre-tax income
established at the beginning of the 2004 fiscal year, no incentive compensation was awarded to Mr.
Biggerstaff for that fiscal year.
On February 17, 2004, Mr. Biggerstaff was granted an option covering 40,000 common shares
which vested and became exercisable as to 20% of the common shares covered thereby on each of the
grant date and the first anniversary of the grant date and will vest and become exercisable as to
20% of the underlying common shares on each of the second, third and fourth anniversaries of the
grant date. The exercise price of $4.13 per share represented the fair market value of the
underlying common shares on the grant date. This grant was based upon the Compensation
Committees subjective analysis of Mr. Biggerstaffs function, performance and value to AirNet,
with no specific weighting given to any one factor. The grant was also based upon the
Compensation Committees desire to increase the long-term equity participation of AirNets
executive officers in lieu of annual salary increases.
As discussed above, Mr. Biggerstaff participates in the 2005 Incentive Plan. No incentive
compensation will be paid under the 2005 Incentive Plan unless AirNet achieves a designated
threshold level of pre-tax income for the 2005 fiscal year. In addition, Mr. Biggerstaff must
achieve his pre-established personal goals to receive his maximum incentive compensation payment.
The personal goals of Mr. Biggerstaff correspond to the six goals established by the Compensation
Committee at the time it adopted the 2005 Incentive Plan as described above under
2005 Incentive
Compensation Plan.
The maximum percentage of annual base salary that Mr. Biggerstaff may receive
as incentive compensation under the 2005 Incentive Plan is 100%.
Section 162(m) Compliance
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally prohibits AirNet from deducting
non-performance-based compensation in excess of $1,000,000 per taxable year paid to the Chief
Executive Officer or any of the other four most highly compensated executive officers serving as
such at the end of the year. AirNet may continue to deduct compensation paid to these covered
employees in excess of $1,000,000 if the payment of that compensation qualifies for an exception,
including an exception for certain performance-based compensation.
The Compensation Committee believes that Section 162(m) should not cause AirNet to be denied
a deduction for 2004 compensation paid to the executive officers of AirNet. The Compensation
Committee will continue to work to structure components of its executive compensation package to
achieve maximum deductibility under Section 162(m) while at the same time considering the goals of
its executive compensation philosophy.
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Additional Compensation Plans
At various times in the past, AirNet has adopted broad-based employee benefit plans in which
the executive officers are permitted to participate on the same terms as non-executive officer
employees who meet applicable eligibility criteria, subject to legal limitations on the amounts
that may be contributed or the benefits that may be payable under the plans. Benefits under these
plans are not tied to performance.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:
James E. Riddle, Chair; Gerald Hellerman*; David P. Lauer; and Bruce D. Parker
*Gerald Hellerman did not become a member of the Compensation Committee until July 20, 2005
and, accordingly, did not participate in compensation decisions prior to that date, including
those in respect of the 2004 fiscal year.
TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT
Ray L. Druseikis, Vice President of Finance, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of
AirNet, served as an independent consultant to AirNet from July 30, 2004 until his election as an
officer of AirNet effective June 30, 2005, providing assistance in the process of documenting and
testing AirNets internal control over financial reporting for purposes of satisfying the
requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In his capacity as an independent
consultant, Mr. Druseikis was paid an aggregate amount of $39,848 for services rendered during the
2004 fiscal year and an aggregate amount of $64,896 (including $794 of expense reimbursements) for
services rendered during the period from January 1, 2005 through June 29, 2005.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, ownership of and transactions in AirNets
common shares by officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the common
shares for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act are required to be reported to the SEC.
Based solely on a review of copies of the reports furnished to AirNet and written representations
that no other reports were required, AirNet believes that during the 2004 fiscal year, all filing
requirements were complied with, except that each of Robert L. Austin, Denise D. Brown, Joel E.
Biggerstaff, Larry M. Glasscock, Jr., Jeffery B. Harris, Craig A. Leach, Wynn D. Peterson, Gary W.
Qualmann and Michael Snyder, filed late one report, covering one transaction the grant of an
option. In addition, during the 2003 fiscal year, Mr. Qualmann filed late one report, covering
one transaction the grant of an option.
AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS
In accordance with the applicable SEC Rules, the Audit Committee has issued the following
report:
Report of the Audit Committee for the 2004 Fiscal Year
The Audit Committee is currently comprised of four directors who qualify as independent under
the applicable NYSE Rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. David P. Lauer, Bruce D. Parker
and James E. Riddle served as members of the Audit Committee throughout the 2004 fiscal year and
continue to serve as members. James M. Chadwick was appointed to the Audit Committee on July 20,
2005 and, accordingly, did not participate in the review of and discussions in respect of the
consolidated financial statements of AirNet as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board. In accordance
with its charter, on behalf of the Board, the Audit Committee oversees the accounting and
financial reporting processes of AirNet and its subsidiaries as well as the annual independent
audit of AirNets consolidated financial statements. During the 2004 fiscal
31
year, the Audit Committee met nine times, and the Audit Committee discussed the interim
financial and other information contained in each quarterly earnings announcement and periodic
filings with the SEC with management and the independent registered public accounting firm
employed by AirNet prior to public release of such information The Audit Committee is responsible
for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of the independent registered public
accounting firm employed by AirNet. Ernst & Young LLP (E&Y) was appointed by the Audit
Committee to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm for AirNet for the 2004
fiscal year.
Management of AirNet has the responsibility for the preparation, presentation and integrity
of AirNets consolidated financial statements and for AirNets accounting and financial reporting
processes, including the establishment and maintenance of an adequate system of internal control
over financial reporting for AirNet and its subsidiaries. E&Y is responsible for performing an
audit of AirNets consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and issuing a report on those consolidated
financial statements based on such audit. The Audit Committees responsibility is to provide
independent, objective oversight of the integrity of AirNets consolidated financial statements,
the qualifications and independence of the independent registered public accounting firm employed
by AirNet, the performance of AirNets internal audit function and the independent registered
public accounting firm employed by AirNet, and the annual independent audit of AirNets
consolidated financial statements.
In discharging its oversight responsibilities as to the audit process, the Audit Committee
met with management and E&Y throughout the year. The Audit Committee met with E&Y, with and
without management present, to discuss the results of E&Ys audit, E&Ys evaluation of AirNets
system of internal control over financial reporting and the overall quality of AirNets financial
reporting. In addition, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with E&Y all matters required
by the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), including those
described in Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,
Communication with Audit Committees
, as
modified.
The Audit Committee has received from E&Y the written disclosures and a letter describing all
relationships between E&Y and AirNet and its subsidiaries that might bear on E&Ys independence
consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1,
Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees
, as modified. The Audit Committee has discussed with E&Y any relationships with or
services to AirNet or any of AirNets subsidiaries that may impact the objectivity and
independence of E&Y, including the non-audit services rendered by E&Y, and the Audit Committee has
satisfied itself as to E&Ys independence.
The Audit Committee also discussed with management, the personnel responsible for AirNets
internal audit function and E&Y, the adequacy and effectiveness of AirNets internal control over
financial reporting and related accounting and financial controls, and the internal audit
functions organization, responsibilities, budget and staffing. The Audit Committee reviewed with
both E&Y and the personnel responsible for the internal audit function, their respective audit
plans, audit scope and identification of audit risks.
Management has represented to the Audit Committee that AirNets audited consolidated
financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, were prepared in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and the Audit
Committee has reviewed and discussed those audited consolidated financial statements with
management and E&Y.
Based on the Audit Committees discussions with management and E&Y and the Audit Committees
review of the report of E&Y to the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board
(and the Board approved) that AirNets audited consolidated financial statements be included in
AirNets Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, filed with the
SEC.
Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors*:
David P. Lauer (Chair); Bruce D. Parker; and James E. Riddle
*James M. Chadwick did not become a member of the Audit Committee until July 20, 2005 and,
accordingly, did not participate in the review of or discussions in respect of the consolidated
financial statements of AirNet as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
32
Pre-Approval of Services Performed by Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Under applicable SEC Rules, the Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and non-audit
services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm employed by AirNet in
order to ensure that such services do not impair that firms independence from AirNet. The SEC
Rules specify the types of non-audit services that an independent registered public accounting
firm may not provide to its client and establish the Audit Committees responsibility for
administration of the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm.
Consistent with applicable SEC Rules, the charter of the Audit Committee requires that the
Audit Committee review and pre-approve all audit services and permitted non-audit services
provided by the independent registered public accounting firm employed by AirNet or any of its
subsidiaries. The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more members of
the Audit Committee and if it does, the decision of that member or members must be presented to
the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
All requests or applications for services to be provided by the independent registered public
accounting firm must be submitted to the Audit Committee by both the independent registered public
accounting firm and the Chief Financial Officer, and must include a joint statement as to whether,
in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC Rules governing the
independence of the independent registered public accounting firm.
Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
E&Y was employed by AirNet during each of the 2004 and 2003 fiscal years. The aggregate fees
billed to AirNet and its subsidiaries by E&Y for professional services rendered in each of the
2004 fiscal year and the 2003 fiscal year were as follows:
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2004
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2003
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Fiscal Year
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Fiscal Year
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Audit Fees
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$
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236,985
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$
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191,485
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Audit-Related Fees
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$
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17,400
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$
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10,500
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Tax Fees
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$
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12,925
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$
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42,890
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All Other Fees
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$
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0
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$
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0
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Total
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$
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267,310
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$
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244,875
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In the above table, in accordance with the applicable SEC Rules, audit fees include fees
for professional services rendered by E&Y in connection with the audit of AirNets annual
consolidated financial statements and reviews of the consolidated financial statements included in
AirNets Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. In addition, the audit fees for the 2004 fiscal year
include fees for services rendered by E&Y in connection with filings made by AirNet with the SEC.
Audit-related fees include fees for services rendered in connection with the audit of AirNets
Retirement Savings Plan and the related Annual Report on Form 11-K filing, and internal control
reviews. Tax fees include fees for tax planning, research and compliance services.
All of the services rendered by E&Y to AirNet and its subsidiaries during each of the 2004
fiscal year and the 2003 fiscal year were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
As noted above, E&Y served as AirNets independent registered public accounting firm for the
2004 fiscal year and in that capacity, rendered a report on AirNets consolidated financial
statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. In addition, the Audit
Committee has appointed E&Y to serve as AirNets independent registered public accounting firm for
the 2005 fiscal year. E&Y has served as AirNets independent auditors/independent registered
public accounting firm since 1989.
33
Representatives of E&Y are expected to be present at the 2005 Annual Meeting, will be
available to respond to appropriate questions and will be given an opportunity to make a statement
if they so desire.
HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS
The SEC has implemented rules regarding the delivery of proxy materials (i.e., annual
reports, proxy statements, proxy statements combined with a prospectus or any information
statements provided to shareholders) to households. This method of delivery, often referred to as
householding, would permit AirNet to send a single annual report and/or a single proxy statement
to any household at which two or more different shareholders reside if AirNet believes such
shareholders are members of the same family or otherwise share the same address or that one
shareholder has multiple accounts. In each case, the shareholder(s) must consent to the
householding process. Each shareholder would continue to receive a separate notice of any meeting
of shareholders and proxy card. The householding procedure reduces the volume of duplicate
information you receive and reduces AirNets expenses. AirNet may institute householding in the
future and will notify registered shareholders who will be affected by householding at that time.
Many broker/dealers and other holders of record have instituted householding. If your family
has one or more street name accounts under which you beneficially own common shares of AirNet,
you may have received householding information from your broker/dealer, financial institution or
other nominee in the past. Please contact the holder of record directly if you have questions,
require additional copies of this Proxy Statement or AirNets 2004 Annual Report or wish to revoke
your decision to household and thereby receive multiple copies. You should also contact the
holder of record if you wish to institute householding. These options are available to you at any
time.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2006 ANNUAL MEETING
AirNet shareholders seeking to bring business before the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders,
or to nominate candidates for election as directors at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders,
must provide timely notice thereof in writing to AirNets Secretary. To be timely, a
shareholders notice must be personally delivered to or mailed and received at the principal
executive offices of AirNet not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the date of the
meeting. However, if less than 70 days notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the 2006
Annual Meeting is given or made to the shareholders, notice by a shareholder to be timely must be
received no later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which the
notice of the date of the 2006 Annual Meeting was mailed or the public disclosure was made.
AirNets Code of Regulations specifies certain requirements for a shareholders notice to be in
proper written form. The requirements applicable to nominations are described above in
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS Nominating Procedures.
The foregoing requirements will not, however, prevent any
shareholder proposal from being considered timely submitted if the shareholder proposal is
submitted in compliance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8, proposals
by shareholders intended to be presented at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be in the
form specified in Rule 14a-8 and received by the Secretary of AirNet no later than March 1, 2006
to be eligible for inclusion in AirNets proxy card, notice of meeting and proxy statement
relating to such meeting and should be mailed to AirNet Systems, Inc., 7250 Star Check Drive,
Columbus, Ohio 43217, Attention: Secretary.
OTHER BUSINESS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board knows of no matter that will be presented
for action by the shareholders at the 2005 Annual Meeting other than those discussed in this Proxy
Statement. However, if any other matter requiring a vote of the shareholders properly comes
before the 2005 Annual Meeting, the individuals acting under proxies solicited by the Board will
vote and act according to their best judgments in light of the conditions then prevailing.
The form of proxy card and this Proxy Statement have been approved by the Board and are being
mailed and delivered to shareholders by its authority.
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By Order of the Board of Directors,
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/s/ Gary W. Qualmann
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November 21, 2005
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Gary W. Qualmann
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Secretary
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34
MR A SAMPLE
DESIGNATION (IF ANY)
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MMMMMMMMMMMM
000000000.000 ext
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C 1234567890 J N T
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o
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Mark this box with an X if you have made
changes to your name or address details above.
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Annual Meeting Proxy Card
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the listed
nominees.
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1.
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To elect as a director of the Company each of the nominees listed below,
to serve for a term expiring at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
(except as marked to the contrary).
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For
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Withhold
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01
- Joel E. Biggerstaff
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o
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02
- James M. Chadwick
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o
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o
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03
- Russell M. Gertmenian
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o
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o
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04
- Gerald Hellerman
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o
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o
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05
- David P. Lauer
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o
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o
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06
- Bruce D. Parker
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o
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o
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07
- James E. Riddle
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o
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o
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The undersigned shareholder(s) authorize the individuals designated to vote this
proxy, to
vote, in their discretion, upon any other matters (none known at the
time of solicitation of this
proxy) which properly come before the Annual
Meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof.
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B
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Authorized Signatures - Sign Here - This section must be completed for your
instructions to be executed.
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Please sign below exactly as your name appears hereon. When common shares are
registered in two names, both shareholders should sign. When signing as
executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, attorney or agent, please give full
title as such. If shareholder is a corporation, please sign in full corporate
name by President or other authorized officer. If shareholder is a partnership
or other entity, please sign in entity name by an authorized person. (Please
note any change of address on this proxy card.)
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Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box
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Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box
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Date (mm/dd/yyyy)
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/ /
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1 U P X
H H H
P P P P 006543
Revocable Proxy AirNet Systems, Inc.
PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD
ON DECEMBER 16, 2005
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned holder(s) of common shares of AirNet Systems, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the
Company), hereby constitutes and appoints Joel E. Biggerstaff and Gary W. Qualmann, and each of
them, the lawful agents and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution in each, to
attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company (the Annual Meeting) to be held on
December 16, 2005, at the Concourse Hotel, 4300 International Gateway, Columbus, Ohio 43219, at
10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and any adjournment(s) thereof, and to vote all of the common shares of
the Company which the undersigned is entitled to vote at such Annual Meeting or at any
adjournment(s) thereof.
The common shares represented by this proxy card, when properly executed, will be voted in the
manner directed herein. If no direction is given, the common shares represented by this proxy card
will be voted FOR the election of each of the nominees listed in Proposal Number 1 as a director of
the Company. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment
or if a nominee for election as a director named in the proxy statement is unable to serve or for
good cause will not serve, the common shares represented by this proxy card will be voted in the
discretion of the individuals designated to vote the proxy, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, on such matters or for such substitute nominee(s) as the directors may recommend.
ALL PROXIES PREVIOUSLY GIVEN OR
EXECUTED BY THE UNDERSIGNED ARE HEREBY REVOKED. The undersigned
acknowledges receipt of the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy
Statement for the December 16, 2005 meeting.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AIRNET SYSTEMS, INC. PLEASE ACT
PROMPTLY- SIGN, DATE AND MAIL YOUR PROXY CARD TODAY.