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
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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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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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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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AIRNET SYSTEMS, INC
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
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PROXY STATEMENT
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GENERAL
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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON SHARES
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 1.04(A) AND 1.04(B) OF AIRNETS CODE OF REGULATIONS
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
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BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF AIRNET
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
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TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
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SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
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AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS
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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
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HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS
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SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2008 ANNUAL MEETING
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OTHER BUSINESS
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AMENDMENT TO CODE OF REGULATIONS SECTIONS 1.04(A) AND (B)
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AIRNET SYSTEMS, INC.
7250 Star Check Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43217
April 30, 2007
Dear Shareholders:
The 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of AirNet Systems, Inc. (AirNet) will be held at
10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time, on Wednesday, June 6, 2007, at the Courtyard® by
Marriott® Columbus Airport, 2901 Airport Drive, 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 five directors, each for a term to expire at the 2008
Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote
FOR
each of the
nominees.
The Board of Directors has proposed the adoption of amendments to Sections 1.04(A) and 1.04(B)
of AirNets Code of Regulations to require that shareholders be given written notice at least 10
days (but not more than 60 days) in advance of all shareholder meetings in accordance with the
rules of the American Stock Exchange LLC and to permit electronic notices of shareholder meetings.
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote
FOR
the adoption of the proposed amendments.
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.
Sincerely,
/s/ Bruce D. Parker
Bruce D. Parker
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held On
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of AirNet Systems, Inc.
(AirNet) will be held on Wednesday, June 6, 2007, at the Courtyard® by Marriott® Columbus
Airport, 2901 Airport Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43219, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time,
for the following purposes:
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1.
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To elect five directors to serve for terms expiring at the 2008 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.
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2.
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To consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt amendments to Sections 1.04(A) and
1.04(B) of AirNets Code of Regulations to (a) require that shareholders be given
written notice at least 10 days (but not more than 60 days) in advance of all meetings
of the shareholders and (b) permit electronic notices of meetings of the shareholders.
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3.
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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 April 27, 2007, 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 in person, 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.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Gary W. Qualmann
Gary W. Qualmann
Secretary
AirNet Systems, Inc.
7250 Star Check Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43217
April 30, 2007
AirNet Systems, Inc.
7250 Star Check Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43217
(614) 409-4900
PROXY STATEMENT
for
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
To Be Held On
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
We are sending you this Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card because the Board of
Directors (the Board) of AirNet Systems, Inc. (AirNet) is soliciting your proxy to vote at the
2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Wednesday, June 6, 2007 (the 2007 Annual
Meeting), at the Courtyard® by Marriott® Columbus Airport, 2901 Airport Drive, Columbus, Ohio
43219, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time, or any adjournment thereof, for the purposes
described in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and proxy
card were first sent or given on or about April 30, 2007 to shareholders of AirNet entitled to
vote their common shares at the 2007 Annual Meeting.
GENERAL
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 27, 2007, are entitled to
receive notice of and to vote at the 2007 Annual Meeting. At the close of business on April 9,
2007, there were 10,168,588 common shares outstanding. Each common share entitles the holder to
one vote on each matter to be submitted to the shareholders at the 2007 Annual Meeting. A quorum
for the 2007 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 2007 Annual Meeting
by (i) delivering written notice revoking your proxy to the Secretary of AirNet at the address
shown on the cover page of this Proxy Statement, (ii) executing and returning a later-dated proxy
card which is received by AirNet prior to the 2007 Annual Meeting or (iii) if you are the
registered shareholder, attending the 2007 Annual Meeting and revoking your proxy in person.
Attendance at the 2007 Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.
If you hold your common shares in street name with a broker, a financial institution or
another record holder, you may be eligible to appoint your 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. If you hold your common shares in street
name, you should review the information provided to you by your nominee. This information will
describe the procedures you need to follow in instructing the holder of record how to vote the
street name common shares and how to revoke previously given instructions.
AirNet will pay 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 if a proxy is appointed electronically through a holder of record.
Proxies will be solicited by mail and may be further solicited by additional mailings, personal
contact, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile by directors, officers or employees of AirNet,
none of whom will receive additional compensation for these solicitation activities. AirNet will
reimburse its transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as well as brokers, financial
institutions, and other custodians, fiduciaries and nominees, who are record holders of common
shares not beneficially owned by them, for their reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy materials
to, and obtaining proxies from, the beneficial owners of the common shares entitled to vote at the
2007 Annual Meeting.
The inspectors of election appointed for the 2007 Annual Meeting will tabulate the results of
shareholder voting. Common shares represented by properly-executed proxy cards returned to AirNet
prior to the 2007 Annual Meeting will be counted toward the establishment of a quorum even though
they are marked For, Withhold, Against, Abstain or not at all. Broker non-votes are
common shares held of record by brokers or other nominees which are present in person or by proxy
at the 2007 Annual Meeting, but which are not voted with respect to a particular proposal because
instructions have not been received from the beneficial owner
1
and the broker or nominee does not have discretionary authority to vote the common shares on
the proposal. Broker non-votes are counted toward the establishment of a quorum. If you do not
return a proxy card and your common shares are held in street name, your broker may be
permitted, under the applicable rules of the self-regulatory organizations of which it is a
member, to vote your common shares on routine proposals, such as the uncontested election of
directors, even if you do not provide voting instructions. Your broker cannot, however, vote your
common shares on other non-routine matters without receiving voting instructions from you.
AirNets 2006 Annual Report, which includes AirNets Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 (the 2006 fiscal year), is being sent with this Proxy
Statement.
Additional copies of AirNets 2006 Annual Report and copies of AirNets Annual Report
on
Form 10-K
for the 2006 fiscal year may be obtained, without charge, by sending a written
request to: Gary W. Qualmann, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary, AirNet Systems,
Inc., 7250 Star Check Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43217. AirNets Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the
2006 fiscal year is posted under the SEC Filings link on the Investor Relations page of
AirNets website at www.airnet.com and is also on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the SEC) and available on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON SHARES
The following table furnishes information regarding the beneficial ownership of common shares
of AirNet by (i) each current director and nominee for re-election as a director of AirNet; (ii)
each individual named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 36; and (iii) all current
directors and executive officers of AirNet as a group, in each case as of April 9, 2007.
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Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1)
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Common Shares
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Which Can Be
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Acquired Upon
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Exercise of Options
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Which Are Currently
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Exercisable or
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Common
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Which Will First
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Name of Beneficial Owner
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Shares
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Become Exercisable
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Percent of
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or Number of Persons in Group
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Presently Held
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Within 60 Days
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Total
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Class (2)
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James M. Chadwick (3)
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522,600
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(3)
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8,800
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531,400
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(3)
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5.2
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%
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Russell M. Gertmenian
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5,000
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(4)
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46,000
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51,000
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(5
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Gerald Hellerman
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0
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8,800
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8,800
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(5
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Bruce D. Parker (6)
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0
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98,200
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98,200
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(5
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James E. Riddle
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5,000
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36,000
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41,000
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(5
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Larry M. Glasscock, Jr. (6)
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14,996
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36,000
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50,996
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(5
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Jeffery B. Harris (6)
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3,103
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69,130
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72,233
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(5
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Craig A. Leach (6)
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4,312
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33,000
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37,312
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(5
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Gary W. Qualmann (6)
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7,000
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32,000
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39,000
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(5
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Joel E. Biggerstaff (6)(7)
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20,000
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(8)
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0
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20,000
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(5
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All current directors and
executive officers as a
group (10 individuals) (9)
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562,011
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367,930
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929,941
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8.8
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%
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(1)
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Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, each beneficial owner has sole
voting and dispositive power with respect to all of the common shares reflected in this table
for such beneficial owner.
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(2)
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The Percent of Class computation is based upon the total number of common shares
beneficially owned by the named person or group divided by the sum of (i) 10,168,588 common
shares outstanding on April 9, 2007, and (ii) the number of common shares, if any, as to which
the named person or group has the right to acquire beneficial ownership upon the exercise of
options which are currently exercisable or which will first become exercisable within 60 days
of April 9, 2007.
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(3)
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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.
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(4)
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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.
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(5)
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Represents ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding common shares.
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(6)
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Individual named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 36. Mr. Parker also serves as a
director of AirNet.
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(7)
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Mr. Biggerstaff resigned from his positions as Chief Executive Officer and President of
AirNet effective December 28, 2006 and from his positions as a director and Chairman of the
Board of AirNet effective December 31, 2006.
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(8)
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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.
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(9)
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Includes the five directors identified in this table and Messrs. Ray L. Druseikis, Vice
President of Finance, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer; Larry M. Glasscock, Jr.,
Senior Vice President, Express Services; Jeffery B. Harris, Senior Vice President, Bank
Services; Craig A. Leach, Vice President, Information Systems; and Gary W. Qualmann, Chief
Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary.
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The following table furnishes information regarding the beneficial ownership of common shares
of AirNet by each person known by AirNet to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding common
shares as of April 9, 2007 (unless otherwise indicated).
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Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1)
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Common Shares
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Which Can Be
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Acquired Upon
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Exercise of Options
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Which Are Currently
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Exercisable or
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Common
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Which Will First
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Name and Address
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Shares
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Become Exercisable
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Percent of
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of Beneficial Owner
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Presently Held
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Within 60 Days
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Total
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Class (2)
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Heartland Advisors, Inc. (3)
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1,422,000
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(3)
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0
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1,422,000
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(3)
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14.0
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%
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William J. Nasgovitz
789 North Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
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Phillip Goldstein (4)
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1,327,300
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(4)
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0
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1,327,300
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(4)
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13.1
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%
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60 Heritage Drive
Pleasantville, NY 10570
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Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (5)
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890,577
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(5)
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0
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890,577
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(5)
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8.8
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%
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1299 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
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FMR Corp. (6)
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593,400
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(6)
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0
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593,400
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(6)
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5.8
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%
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Edward C. Johnson 3d
82 Devonshire Street
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
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Which Can Be
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Acquired Upon
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Exercise of Options
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Which Are Currently
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Exercisable or
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Common
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Which Will First
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Name and Address
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Shares
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Become Exercisable
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Percent of
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of Beneficial Owner
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Presently Held
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Within 60 Days
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Total
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Class (2)
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James M. Chadwick (7)
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522,600
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(7)
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8,800
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531,400
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(7)
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5.2
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%
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7383 Sean Taylor Lane
San Diego, CA 92126
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Hummingbird Management, LLC (8)
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517,900
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(8)
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0
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517,900
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(8)
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5.1
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%
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Paul D. Sonkin
Hummingbird Capital, LLC
Hummingbird Value Fund, L.P.
Hummingbird Microcap Value
Fund, L.P.
460 Park Avenue, 12
th
Floor
New York, NY 10022
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Clam Partners, LLC (9)
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430,000
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(9)
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0
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430,000
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(9)
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4.2
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%
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Clam Manager, LLC
Gregory A. Carlin
900 N. Michigan Avenue
Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60611
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BCB Consultants, LLC (9)
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220,000
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(9)
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0
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220,000
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(9)
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2.2
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%
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Black Sheep Partners, LLC
Black Sheep Partners II, LLC
Brian C. Black
900 N. Michigan Avenue
Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60611
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(1)
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Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, each beneficial owner has sole
voting and dispositive power with respect to all of the common shares reflected in this table
for such beneficial owner.
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(2)
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Except as otherwise noted, the Percent of Class computation is based upon the total number
of common shares beneficially owned by the named person divided by the sum of (i) 10,168,588
common shares outstanding on April 9, 2007, and (ii) the number of common shares, if any, 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 first become exercisable within 60 days
of April 9, 2007.
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(3)
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Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G amendment filed with the SEC with a filing
date of February 12, 2007, 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 1,422,000 common shares (14.0% of the outstanding common shares) as of
December 31, 2006, with shared voting power as to 1,322,000 common shares and shared
dispositive power as to 1,422,000 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 9.8% 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 1,422,000 common shares reported 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 1,422,000 common shares
reported 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.
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4
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(4)
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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 (7) to this table, 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 (7) to this table, James M. Chadwick has
sole voting and dispositive power as to those 34,800 common shares. Please see note (7) to
this table for further information concerning the beneficial ownership of common shares by
James M. Chadwick.
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(5)
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Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G amendment filed with the SEC with a filing
date of February 9, 2007, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, a registered investment adviser
(Dimensional), may be deemed to have beneficially owned 890,577 common shares as of December
31, 2006, 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.
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(6)
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In a Schedule 13G amendment filed with the SEC with a filing date of February 14, 2006 (the
2006 FMR Schedule 13G Amendment), which has not been further amended as of the date of this
Proxy Statement, each of FMR Corp. and Edward C. Johnson 3d was reported to have beneficially
owned 593,400 common shares (or 5.8% of the outstanding common shares) as of December 31,
2005, 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 593,400
common shares (or 5.8% 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 593,400 common shares (or 5.8% 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 593,400 common shares
owned by the Fund. The 2006 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 2006 FMR
Schedule 13G Amendment reported that members of the Edward C. Johnson 3d family were the
predominant owners, directly or through trusts, of Series B shares of common stock of FMR
Corp., representing approximately 49% of the voting power of FMR Corp. The 2006 FMR Schedule
13G Amendment reported that the Johnson family group and all other Series B shareholders have
entered into a shareholders voting agreement under which all Series B shares will be voted in
accordance with the majority vote of Series 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.
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(7)
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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.
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(8)
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Based on information contained in a Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on May 31, 2005 (which
has not been further amended as of the date of this Proxy Statement), 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 that
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 that
date. Hummingbird acts as investment manager to HVF and the Microcap Fund and was
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5
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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 D. 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 D. 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.
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(9)
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Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G jointly filed by the persons identified in
this note (9) [but without affirming the existence of a group] with the SEC with a filing date
of March 1, 2007 (the Clam Partners Black Sheep Schedule 13G), as of February 2, 2007,
Clam Partners, LLC (Clam Partners) beneficially owned 430,000 common shares (or 4.2% of the
outstanding common shares). Clam Manager, LLC (Clam Manager), the manager of Clam Partners,
was reported to have the power to direct the vote and disposition of the common shares held by
Clam Partners and may be deemed the beneficial owner of the 430,000 common shares owned by
Clam Partners. Gregory A. Carlin, as Managing Member of Clam Manager, may be deemed to
beneficially own the same number of common shares (430,000 common shares) reported by Clam
Manager. Each of Clam Manager and Gregory A. Carlin disclaimed beneficial ownership of the
430,000 common shares owned by Clam Partners except to the extent of their pecuniary interest
therein.
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Based on information contained in the Clam Partners Black Sheep Schedule 13G, as of February
2, 2007, Black Sheep Partners, LLC (Black Sheep) beneficially owned 142,900 common shares
(or 1.4% of the outstanding common shares) and Black Sheep Partners II, LLC (Black Sheep II)
beneficially owned 77,100 common shares (or 0.8% of the outstanding common shares). BCB
Consultants, LLC (BCB Consultants), the manager of each of Black Sheep and Black Sheep II,
was reported to have the power to direct the vote and disposition of the common shares held by
each of Black Sheep and Black Sheep II and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of an
aggregate amount of 220,000 common shares (or 2.2% of the outstanding common shares),
consisting of the common shares owned by Black Sheep and the common shares owned by Black
Sheep II. Brian C. Black, as Managing Member of BCB Consultants, may be deemed to
beneficially own the same number of common shares (220,000 common share) reported by BCB
Consultants. Each of BCB Consultants and Brian C. Black disclaimed beneficial ownership of
the 142,900 common shares owned by Black Sheep and the 77,100 common shares owned by Black
Sheep II, except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interests therein.
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Item 1 on Proxy)
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, there were five members of the Board, all of whose
terms expire at the 2007 Annual Meeting James M. Chadwick, Russell M. Gertmenian, Gerald
Hellerman, Bruce D. Parker and James E. Riddle. Effective December 31, 2006, Joel E. Biggerstaff
resigned from his positions as a director and Chairman of the Board of AirNet in accordance with
the terms of a separation agreement and general release entered into as of December 28, 2006
between Mr. Biggerstaff and AirNet. Mr. Biggerstaff had been a member of AirNets Board since
2000.
Upon the unanimous recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and as
permitted by Section 2.02 of AirNets Code of Regulations, at the meeting of the Board held on
March 28, 2007, the Board fixed the number of directors at five, reflecting the number of
individuals currently serving as directors.
Nominees Standing for Re-Election to the Board of Directors
Each individual elected as a director at the 2007 Annual Meeting will hold office for a new
term expiring at the 2008 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 for re-election as directors of AirNet, each of whom was recommended by the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee, are identified below. The individuals named as proxies in the
accompanying proxy card will vote the common shares represented by proxy for the Boards nominees
named below, unless otherwise instructed on the proxy card. While it is contemplated that all
nominees will stand for re-election at the 2007 Annual Meeting, if a nominee who would otherwise
receive the requisite number of votes becomes unable or unwilling to serve as a candidate for
re-election as a director, the individuals designated as proxies on the proxy card will have full
discretion to vote the common shares represented by the proxies they hold for the re-election of
the remaining nominees and for the election of any substitute nominee designated by the Board,
following recommendation by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Board knows of
no reason why any of the nominees of the Board named below would be unavailable or unable to serve
as a director if re-elected to the Board.
6
The following information, as of the date of this Proxy Statement, 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. Unless otherwise 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.
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James M. Chadwick
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Director since 2005
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Mr. Chadwick, age 33, has served as Managing Partner and Fund Manager of Monarch Activist
Partners LP, a hedge fund specializing in shareholder activism and deep value investing, since
January 2006. Prior thereto, he served as Managing Director of Cove Partners LLC, an investment
bank specializing in mergers and acquisitions, from July 2005 to December 2005. From October 2002
to June 2005, he served as Fund Manager of Pacific Coast Investment Partners, LLC, a hedge fund
specializing in shareholder activism. 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. He served as an analyst for Relational Investors, LLC from 1999 to 2001 and became a
Senior Analyst in 2002. Mr. Chadwick also serves as a director of Meade Instruments Corporation.
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Russell M. Gertmenian
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Director since 1996
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Mr. Gertmenian, age 59, has been a partner with Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP since
1979 and currently serves as Managing Partner and Chair of that firms Executive Committee.
Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP rendered legal services to AirNet and its subsidiaries during
the 2006 fiscal year and continues to do so. Mr. Gertmenian also serves as a director of
Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
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Gerald Hellerman
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Director since 2005
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Mr. Hellerman, age 69, 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, chief financial officer and chief compliance officer for The Mexico
Equity and Income Fund, Inc.; a director of MVC Capital, Inc.; a director of Old Mutual 2100
Absolute Return Fund, L.L.C.; a director of Old Mutual 2100 Absolute Return Institutional Fund,
L.L.C.; a director of Old Mutual 2100 Absolute Return Master Fund, L.L.C.; a director of Old Mutual
2100 Emerging Managers Fund, L.L.C.; a director of Old Mutual 2100 Emerging Managers Institutional
Fund, L.L.C.; a director of Old Mutual 2100 Emerging Managers Master Fund, L.L.C.; 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; and 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.
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Bruce D. Parker
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Director since 2002
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Mr. Parker, age 59, was elected as AirNets Chief Executive Officer and President effective
December 28, 2006 and as AirNets Chairman of the Board effective December 31, 2006. Under the
terms of the employment agreement, dated December 28, 2006, between AirNet and Mr. Parker, AirNet
agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause Mr. Parker to be nominated as a director
at each annual meeting of shareholders of AirNet during the term of the employment agreement and
Mr. Parker agreed to serve on the AirNet Board if elected. Mr. Parkers employment agreement is
described under the heading
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Employment Contracts and Other
Arrangements Providing for Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control -
Employment Agreement for Bruce D. Parker
beginning on page 26. Mr. Parker 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., a company providing transportation and
supply-chain management solutions. Mr. Parker is also a director of Sapient Corporation.
7
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James E. Riddle
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Director since 2000
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Mr. Riddle, age 65, has been in the growth management and consulting business since July
1999, most recently as Chief Executive Officer/Partner of Astadia Consulting, LLC, a management
consulting firm, since October 2006, as Chief Executive Officer/Partner of GrowthCircle, LLC, a
management consulting firm, from August 2001 to October 2006, 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 Services, Inc., for four years, Mr. Riddle served Ryder System, Inc. in several
capacities, primarily in marketing and sales, including as President of Ryder International. Mr.
Riddle served Xerox Corporation for 26 years in a variety of senior management positions,
including Vice President of Marketing 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.
Recommendation and Vote
Under Ohio law and AirNets Code of Regulations, the five nominees for election to the Board
receiving the greatest number of votes
FOR
election will be elected as directors of AirNet.
The individuals named as proxies in the accompanying proxy card will vote the common shares
represented by valid proxies received under this solicitation prior to the 2007 Annual Meeting for
the Boards nominees unless otherwise instructed on the proxy card. Common shares as to which the
authority to vote is withheld will not be counted toward the election of directors or toward the
election of the individual nominees specified on the proxy card.
The AirNet Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the re-election of all of the nominees
named above.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 1.04(A) AND 1.04(B) OF AIRNETS CODE OF REGULATIONS
(Item 2 on Proxy)
On March 28, 2007, the Board unanimously approved, subject to adoption by AirNets
shareholders, amendments to Sections 1.04(A) and 1.04(B) of AirNets Code of Regulations (i) to
permit AirNet to notify shareholders of the time, place and purposes of each meeting of the
shareholders by personal delivery or by mail, overnight delivery or any other means of
communication authorized by the shareholder receiving the notice and (ii) to require that
shareholders be provided written notice of an AirNet shareholder meeting not less than 10 days nor
more than 60 days before the date of the shareholder meeting.
The full text of Sections 1.04(A) and 1.04(B) of AirNets Code of Regulations reflecting these
amendments is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A. The following description of the
amendments is qualified in its entirety by reference to Appendix A.
Section 1.04(A) of AirNets Code of Regulations currently requires AirNet to give written
notices of a meeting to shareholders of record by personal delivery or by mail, setting forth the
time, place and purposes of each shareholder meeting. The current requirements of Section 1.04(A)
of AirNets Code of Regulations were consistent with Ohio law when AirNets Code of Regulations was
adopted. However, given recent developments in Ohio corporate law and advances in electronic
communications, the Board believes that the requirement that shareholder notices be personally
delivered or delivered by mail is no longer necessary or justified if a shareholder wishes to
receive notices electronically.
Ohio law now permits corporations to provide notices to shareholders regarding the time, place
and purposes of shareholder meetings by any alternative means of communication which is authorized
by the shareholder to whom the notice is given. Accordingly, the proposed amendment to Section
1.04(A) of AirNets Code of Regulations would allow AirNet, if authorized by the shareholder in
advance, to send notices of shareholder meetings to such shareholder by alternative means of
communication, such as e-mail.
A shareholder would not be compelled to receive such notices by e-mail or other electronic
means. Rather, electronic communication would be used only if authorized in advance by the
individual shareholder, as required by Ohio law, and a shareholder will have the right to revoke
the authorization at any time. In addition, if AirNet were unsuccessful in two consecutive attempts
to deliver a notice electronically to a shareholder and has received notice that delivery was
unsuccessful, the shareholders authorization would be deemed revoked under Ohio law.
8
Section 1.04(A) of AirNets Code of Regulations currently requires AirNet to provide
shareholders written notice of shareholder meetings not less than seven nor more than 60 days
before the date of the meeting. The shareholder notice requirements in Section 1.04(A) comply with
current Ohio law. However, Section 703 of the Company Guide of the American Stock Exchange LLC
(AMEX) requires that an AMEX listed company provide shareholders written notice of shareholder
meetings at least 10 days in advance of the date of the meeting. At the time AirNet submitted its
listing application to AMEX, AirNet represented to AMEX that AirNet would comply with the 10-day
notice requirement of Section 703 of the AMEX Company Guide and would submit a proposal to
shareholders to amend AirNets Code of Regulations to comply with the 10-day notice requirement
under the AMEX Company Guide. The Board believes that it would be fair and in the best interest
of the shareholders to provide for such 10-day notice requirement in AirNets Code of Regulations.
Section 1.04(B) of AirNets Code of Regulations currently requires that the President or
Secretary of AirNet provide shareholders written notice of a shareholder meeting not less than
seven nor more than 60 days after such officers receipt of a request to call a shareholder meeting
by a person entitled to call such a meeting. In order to comply with AirNets representation to
AMEX and conform Section 1.04(B) of AirNets Code of Regulations to the proposed changes to Section
1.04(A), both as described above, the Board believes that it would be fair and in the best interest
of the shareholders to amend Section 1.04(B) of AirNets Code of Regulations to require that
shareholders be provided with written notice of a shareholder meeting not less than 10 days nor
more than 60 days after the receipt of a request for such a shareholder meeting by a person
entitled to call such a meeting.
Recommendation and Vote
The affirmative vote of the holders of AirNet common shares entitling them to exercise not
less than a majority of the voting power of AirNet on the proposal to amend Sections 1.04(A) and
1.04(B) of AirNets Code of Regulations is necessary to adopt the amendments to Sections 1.04(A)
and 1.04(B) of AirNets Code of Regulations. Under Ohio law and AirNets Code of Regulations, the
effect of an abstention or a broker non-vote is the same as a no vote. The individuals named as
proxies in the accompanying proxy card will vote the common shares represented by valid proxies
received under this solicitation prior to the 2007 Annual Meeting as specified or, if no
instructions are given, except in the case of broker non-votes,
FOR
the adoption of the proposed
amendments to Sections 1.04(A) and 1.04(B) of AirNets Code of Regulations.
The AirNet Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the adoption of the proposed amendments
to Sections 1.04(A) and 1.04(B) of AirNets Code of Regulations.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Director Independence
The common shares of AirNet traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) until January 24,
2006 and on January 25, 2006, the common shares of AirNet began trading on AMEX.
Applicable sections of the AMEX Company Guide (the AMEX Rules) require that a majority of
the members of AirNets Board be independent directors. The definition of an independent
director for purposes of the AMEX Rules includes a series of objective tests, which AirNet has
used in determining whether the members of the AirNet Board are independent. In addition, a member
of AirNets Audit Committee will not be considered to be independent under the applicable AMEX
Rules if he (i) does not satisfy the independence standards in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or (ii) has participated in the preparation
of the financial statements of AirNet or any of AirNets current subsidiaries at any time during
the past three years.
As required by the AMEX Rules, AirNets Board has affirmatively determined that each
independent director has no relationship with AirNet or any of AirNets subsidiaries that would
interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a
director. In making determinations as to the independence of AirNets directors consistent with
the definition of independent directors in the applicable AMEX Rules, the Board reviewed,
considered and discussed:
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the relationships (including employment, commercial, industrial, consulting, legal,
accounting, charitable and family relationships) of each director (and the immediate
family members of each director) with AirNet and/or any of AirNets subsidiaries (either
directly or as a partner, manager, director, trustee, controlling shareholder, officer,
employee or member of any organization that has any such relationship) since January 1,
2004;
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9
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the compensation and other payments each director (and the immediate family members
of each director):
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has received from or made to AirNet and/or any of AirNets subsidiaries (either
directly or as a partner, manager, director, trustee, controlling shareholder,
officer, employee or member of an organization which has received compensation or
payments from or made payments to AirNet and/or any of AirNets subsidiaries) since
January 1, 2004; and
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presently expects to receive or make to AirNet and/or any of AirNets
subsidiaries (either directly or as a partner, manager, director, trustee,
controlling shareholder, officer, employee or member of an organization);
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the relationship, if any, between each director (and the immediate family members of
each director) and AirNets independent registered public accounting firm since January
1, 2004;
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whether any director (or any immediate family member of any director) is employed as
an executive officer of another entity where at any time since January 1, 2004, any of
AirNets executive officers served or presently serve on the compensation committee of
such other entity; and
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whether any director has participated in the preparation of the financial statements
of AirNet or any of AirNets current subsidiaries at any time since January 1, 2004.
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Based upon that review, consideration and discussion and the unanimous recommendation of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board has determined that at least a majority of
its members qualify as independent directors under the applicable AMEX Rules. The Board has
determined that each of James M. Chadwick, Gerald Hellerman and James E. Riddle qualifies as an
independent director because he has no financial or personal relationship, either directly or
indirectly, with AirNet or AirNets subsidiaries other than: (i) ownership of AirNet common shares
and (ii) compensation received in his capacity as a director of AirNet. In addition, during his
tenure on the Board for a portion of the 2006 fiscal year, upon the unanimous recommendation of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board determined that David P. Lauer qualified
as an independent director under the applicable AMEX Rules because he had no financial or personal
relationship, either directory or indirectly, with AirNet or AirNets subsidiaries other than
ownership of AirNet common shares and compensation received in his capacity as a director of
AirNet.
Bruce D. Parker qualified as an independent director under the applicable AMEX Rules until
December 28, 2006, when he was elected Chief Executive Officer and President of AirNet.
Joel E. Biggerstaff did not qualify as an independent director during his tenure on the Board
because he served as an executive officer of AirNet until his resignation from his positions as
Chief Executive Officer and President of AirNet effective December 28, 2006 and as Chairman of the
Board and a director of AirNet effective December 31, 2006.
The law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP performed legal services for AirNet and
its subsidiaries during the 2006 fiscal year and continues to do so. The fees received by that law
firm were less than 1% of such firms 2006 gross revenues. Russell M. Gertmenian is a partner with Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP. While the Board
feels that Mr. Gertmenians relationship with the law firm does not interfere with his exercise of
independent judgment in carrying out his responsibilities as a director, the Board has determined
that Mr. Gertmenians relationship may give the appearance of a conflict of interest and, as such,
has determined that he should not be considered an independent director.
Communications with the Board
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, the independent directors, a group of directors or a particular director may do so by
sending a letter to such individual or individuals, in care of Gary W. Qualmann, Chief Financial
Officer, Treasurer and Secretary 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, Shareholder Director
Communication, Shareholder Independent Director Communication or otherwise be marked as
appropriate. All such letters must identify the author as a shareholder and clearly state whether
the correspondence is directed to all members of the Board or to certain specified individual
directors. AirNets Secretary will make copies of all such letters and circulate them to the
appropriate director or directors. Correspondence marked personal and confidential will be
delivered to the intended recipient(s) without opening. There is no screening in respect of
shareholder communications. In addition, shareholders may contact
10
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 Gerald
Hellerman, 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. Hellerman.
Nominating Procedures
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommended the nominees identified under
the caption
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
for re-election as directors of AirNet at the 2007 Annual
Meeting. As detailed in its charter, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the
responsibility to identify and recommend to the full Board individuals qualified to become
directors and to recommend 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 a publicly traded or private company, 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 will consider candidates for the Board from
any reasonable source, including shareholder recommendations, but does not evaluate candidates
differently based on who has made the recommendation. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee has the authority under its charter to hire and pay a fee to consultants or search firms
to assist in the process of identifying and evaluating candidates. No such consultants or search
firms have been used by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or the full Board to
date.
Shareholders may recommend director candidates for consideration by the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee by sending the recommendation to James M. Chadwick, 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 must give the candidates name,
age, business address, residence address and principal occupation. The recommendation must also
describe the recommended director candidates qualifications, attributes, skills and other
qualities. A written statement from the candidate consenting to serve as a director, if elected,
and a commitment by the candidate to meet personally with the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee members, must 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 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
11
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.
Shareholders seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors at the 2007 Annual
Meeting were required to provide notice thereof to AirNet no later than the close of business on
April 7, 2007. No shareholder provided the requisite notice by such date.
Corporate Governance Documents
AirNets Board has adopted charters for each of the Audit Committee, the Compensation
Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee as well as Corporate Governance
Guidelines.
In addition, the AirNet Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics covering the
directors, officers and employees (team members) of AirNet and its subsidiaries, including AirNets
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President (the principal executive officer),
AirNets Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary (the principal financial officer) and
AirNets Vice President of Finance, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer (the principal
accounting officer). The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is intended to set forth AirNets
expectations for the conduct of ethical business practices by the officers, directors and employees
of AirNet and AirNets subsidiaries, to promote advance disclosure and review of potential
conflicts of interest and similar matters, to protect and encourage the reporting of questionable
behavior and to discipline appropriately those who engage in improper conduct.
The text of each of the Audit Committee Charter, the Compensation Committee Charter, the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, the Corporate Governance Guidelines and the
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted under the Corporate Governance link on the
Investor Relations page of AirNets Internet website located at www.airnet.com. Interested
persons may also obtain copies of the Audit Committee Charter, the Compensation Committee Charter,
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, the Corporate Governance Guidelines and
the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, without charge, by writing to the Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and Secretary of AirNet at AirNet Systems, Inc., 7250 Star Check Drive, Columbus, Ohio
43217, Attention: Gary W. Qualmann.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
Meetings of the Board and Attendance at Annual Meetings of Shareholders
The Board held 22 regularly scheduled or special meetings during the 2006 fiscal year. Each
incumbent director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings held by
the Board during the 2006 fiscal year, and the total number of meetings held by all Board
committees on which he served, during the period of the 2006 fiscal year when he served as a
committee member.
In accordance with AirNets Corporate Governance Guidelines, 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.
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 six directors who were then directors of AirNet
(Joel E. Biggerstaff, James M. Chadwick, Russell M. Gertmenian, Gerald Hellerman, Bruce D. Parker
and James E. Riddle) attended AirNets last annual meeting of shareholders held on August 3, 2006
.
Committees of the Board
The Board has three standing committees the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. On December 16, 2005, AirNets Board
established a Strategy Committee to work with management on the ongoing business strategy and
alternatives for AirNet to enhance shareholder value. The Strategy Committee was dissolved on
February 27, 2007.
12
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee was established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act
and is currently comprised of Gerald Hellerman (Chair), James E. Riddle and James M. Chadwick.
David P. Lauer served as a member and Chair of the Audit Committee during the 2006 fiscal year
until his resignation from the Board on May 11, 2006. On that same day, upon the recommendation of
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the AirNet Board appointed Gerald Hellerman to
serve as a member of the Audit Committee and also appointed Mr. Hellerman to serve as Chair of the
Audit Committee. Bruce D. Parker served as a member of the Audit Committee during the 2006 fiscal
year until December 28, 2006, when he resigned as a member of the Audit Committee immediately prior
to and in connection with his election as Chief Executive Officer and President of AirNet. Each of
Messrs. Riddle and Chadwick also served on the Audit Committee throughout the 2006 fiscal year.
Upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, AirNets Board has
determined that each current member of the Audit Committee qualifies as an independent director
under the applicable AMEX Rules and under SEC Rule 10A-3. During their tenure on the Audit
Committee, each of Messrs. Lauer and Parker was determined to qualify as an independent director by
the AirNet Board, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee,
under the applicable AMEX Rules and under SEC Rule 10A-3.
Upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, AirNets Board
has also determined that Gerald Hellerman qualifies as an audit committee financial expert for
purposes of Item 407(d)(5) of SEC Regulation S-K, and satisfies the financial sophistication
requirement of the AMEX Rules by virtue of his experience described above under the caption
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS Nominees Standing for Re-Election to the Board of Directors
. In addition
to the qualification of Mr. Hellerman as an audit committee financial expert, AirNets Board
strongly believes that each member of the Audit Committee is highly qualified to discharge his
duties on behalf of AirNet and AirNets subsidiaries, and satisfies the financial literacy
requirements of the AMEX Rules.
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, as amended, 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 Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of AirNet at AirNet
Systems, Inc., 7250 Star Check Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43217, 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 recommends changes to the full Board as
necessary.
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 consolidated 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) reviewing AirNets accounting policies and practices; (h) instituting
procedures for the receipt, review, retention and treatment of complaints received by AirNet
regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters; (i) reviewing and making
recommendations to the AirNet Board with respect to any proposed transaction involving AirNet or
any AirNet subsidiary, and any director or executive officer of AirNet or any AirNet subsidiary,
or any such transaction involving an immediate family member of any such director or executive
officer or involving any entity in which any such director or executive officer has more than a
modest financial interest; and (j) other matters required by the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board, the SEC, AMEX 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 five meetings during the 2006 fiscal year. The Audit Committees
report relating to the 2006 fiscal year begins on page 48.
13
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of James E. Riddle (Chair), Gerald Hellerman
and James M. Chadwick. David P. Lauer served as a member of the Compensation Committee during the
2006 fiscal year until his resignation from the Board on May 11, 2006. Bruce D. Parker served as a
member of the Compensation Committee during the 2006 fiscal year until December 28, 2006, when he
resigned as a member of the Compensation Committee immediately prior to and in connection with his
election as Chief Executive Officer and President of AirNet. Each of Messrs. Hellerman and Riddle
also served on the Compensation Committee throughout the 2006 fiscal year. Mr. Chadwick was
appointed to the Compensation Committee effective February 27, 2007. Upon the recommendation of
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, AirNets Board has determined that each member
of the Compensation Committee qualifies as an independent director under the applicable AMEX 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. During their tenure on the Compensation Committee, each of Messrs. Lauer and Parker
was determined by the AirNet Board, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee, to qualify as an independent director under the applicable AMEX Rules, an
outside director for purposes of Section 162(m) of 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, as amended, 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 Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and 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 recommends changes to the
full Board as necessary.
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 compensation plans and other plans in accordance
with applicable laws, rules and regulations; (vii) reviewing and recommending to the Board the
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) overseeing the preparation of the compensation discussion and analysis and recommending to
the full Board its inclusion in AirNets proxy statement in accordance with applicable AMEX Rules
and applicable SEC rules. Additional information concerning the Compensation Committees
processes and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive compensation is
addressed under the caption
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
below.
The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain consultants to assist in the
evaluation of director, Chief Executive Officer or senior management compensation. The
Compensation Committee has sole authority to retain and terminate any such compensation
consultants, including sole authority to approve the consultants fees and other retention terms.
The Compensation Committee held eight meetings during the 2006 fiscal year. The compensation
discussion and analysis regarding executive compensation for the 2006 fiscal year begins on page
17 and the Compensation Committee Report for the 2006 fiscal year is on page 35.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is currently comprised of James M. Chadwick
(Chair), James E. Riddle and Gerald Hellerman. Each of Messrs. Hellerman and Riddle also served on
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee throughout the 2006 fiscal year. Mr. Chadwick
was appointed to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee on August 3, 2006 and appointed
Chair of such Committee on February 27, 2007. David P. Lauer served as a member of the
14
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee during the 2006 fiscal year until his resignation from the Board
on May 11, 2006. Bruce D. Parker served as a member and Chair of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee during the 2006 fiscal year until December 28, 2006, when he resigned as a
member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee immediately prior to and in connection
with his election as Chief Executive Officer and President of AirNet. AirNets Board has
determined that each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee qualifies as an
independent director under the applicable AMEX Rules. During their tenure on the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee, each of Messrs. Lauer and Parker was determined by AirNets Board
to qualify as an independent director under applicable AMEX 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, as amended, 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 Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and 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 recommends
changes to the full Board as necessary.
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 and periodically reviewing a set of written
corporate governance guidelines applicable to AirNet in accordance with applicable laws, rules,
regulations and listing standards; (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 sole 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 2006 fiscal
year.
Strategy Committee
On December 16, 2005, AirNets Board established a Strategy Committee to work with management
on the ongoing business strategy and alternatives for AirNet to enhance shareholder value. The
Strategy Committee was comprised of Bruce D. Parker (Chair) and James M. Chadwick. The Strategy
Committee met 45 times during the 2006 fiscal year. The Strategy Committee was dissolved on
February 27, 2007.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation Committee of AirNets Board is currently comprised of James E. Riddle
(Chair), James M. Chadwick and Gerald Hellerman. David P. Lauer served as a member of the
Compensation Committee during the 2006 fiscal year until his resignation from the Board on May 11,
2006. Bruce D. Parker served as a member of the Compensation Committee during the 2006 fiscal year
until December 28, 2006, when he resigned as a member of the Compensation Committee immediately
prior to and in connection with his election as Chief Executive Officer and President of AirNet.
Each of Messrs. Hellerman and Riddle also served on the Compensation Committee throughout the 2006
fiscal year. Mr. Chadwick was appointed to the Compensation Committee effective February 27, 2007.
All of the current members of the Compensation Committee qualify as independent directors
under the applicable AMEX Rules and during their tenure on the Compensation Committee, each of
Messrs. Lauer and Parker qualified as an independent director under the applicable AMEX Rules. No
current member of the Compensation Committee is a present or past employee or officer of AirNet or
any of AirNets subsidiaries. Neither Mr. Lauer nor Mr. Parker was an employee or officer of
AirNet or any of AirNets subsidiaries during his tenure on the Compensation Committee or prior
thereto. None of the current members of the Compensation
15
Committee has had, and during their
tenure on the Compensation Committee, neither Mr. Lauer nor Mr. Parker had, any relationship with
AirNet or any of AirNets subsidiaries requiring disclosure under any paragraph of Item 404 of SEC
Regulation S-K.
None of AirNets executive officers has served on the board of directors or compensation
committee (or other committee serving an equivalent function) of any other entity, one of whose
executive officers served on AirNets Board or Compensation Committee.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF AIRNET
The following table identifies the executive officers of AirNet. The executive officers are
elected annually and serve at the pleasure of the Board and, in the case of Bruce D. Parker, Gary
W. Qualmann, Larry M. Glasscock, Jr. and Jeffery B. Harris, pursuant to employment agreements.
This table lists each executive officers age as of the date of this Proxy Statement as well as
the positions held by each executive officer with AirNet and his individual business experience.
There are no family relationships among any of the directors and current executive officers of
AirNet.
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Name
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Age
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Positions
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Bruce D. Parker
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59
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Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer,
President and a director
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Gary W. Qualmann
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55
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Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary
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Larry M. Glasscock, Jr.
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50
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Senior Vice President, Express Services
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Jeffery B. Harris
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48
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Senior Vice President, Bank Services
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Ray L. Druseikis
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55
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Vice President of Finance, Controller and
Principal Accounting Officer
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Craig A. Leach
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50
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Vice President, Information Systems
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Bruce D. Parker
was elected as AirNets Chief Executive Officer and President effective December
28, 2006 and as AirNets Chairman of the Board effective December 31, 2006. He 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., a company providing transportation and
supply-chain management solutions. Mr. Parker is also a director of Sapient Corporation.
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 in
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.
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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.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Introduction
The following Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes AirNets executive compensation
philosophy, objectives and policies and the components of compensation for the individuals who are
identified in the Summary Compensation Table on page 36. As described on page 14, the Compensation
Committee is responsible for, among other things, approving the general compensation policies
applicable to AirNets executive officers, determining the goals and objectives relevant to the
compensation of AirNets executive officers, evaluating the performance of AirNets executive
officers, determining the amount, form and terms of compensation awarded to AirNets executive
officers and ensuring that such compensation adheres to AirNets compensation policies and is fair,
reasonable and competitive.
The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of three directors who qualify as
independent directors under the applicable AMEX Rules. James E. Riddle (Chair) and Gerald
Hellerman served as members of the Compensation Committee throughout the 2006 fiscal year and
continue to serve as members. James M. Chadwick began serving as a member of the Compensation
Committee effective as of February 27, 2007. David P. Lauer served as a member of the
Compensation Committee during the 2006 fiscal year until his resignation from the Board on May 11,
2006. Bruce D. Parker served as a member of the Compensation Committee during the 2006 fiscal year
until December 28, 2006 when he resigned as a member of the Compensation Committee immediately
prior to and in connection with his election as Chief Executive Officer and President of AirNet;
however, Mr. Parker did not participate in the deliberations of the Compensation Committee
regarding the terms of his compensation.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
AirNets executive compensation programs are designed and administered to promote the
following philosophy and objectives:
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Attract and retain highly qualified executives.
Compensation should reflect the
value of the job in the marketplace. To attract and retain highly qualified executives,
AirNet must remain competitive with the compensation programs of AirNets peer
groupconsisting of public companies of similar size that are engaged in cargo
transportationwhich competes with AirNet for talent.
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Motivate and encourage.
Compensation should motivate and encourage AirNets
executive officers to perform at the highest level and in a manner that is consistent
with AirNets corporate goals and objectives.
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Reward performance.
Compensation should be dependent on, and reward executive
officers on the basis of, both individual and company performance consistent with the
expectations defined by leadership practices and measurable objectives which support
AirNets corporate goals and business and financial metrics.
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Alignment with AirNets shareholders.
Compensation should be structured to align the
interests of AirNets executive officers with those of AirNets shareholders with the
overall goal of improving shareholder value.
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AirNet believes that the overall structure of its compensation programs should be similar
across the management team. Accordingly, while compensation levels will always reflect differences
in job responsibilities and marketplace considerations, the types of compensation programs provided
to AirNets executive officers are fundamentally the same as those provided to the other members of
AirNets management team.
Market Data
The Compensation Committee uses a variety of information and data to assist in determining
appropriate executive officer compensation. In accordance with its written charter, the
Compensation Committee has the authority to engage consultants to assist it in carrying out its
responsibilities. In 2003, the Compensation Committee retained Vivient Consulting LLC (Vivient),
an independent compensation consultant, to prepare an executive compensation and benchmarking study
to help assess overall executive compensation. Vivient assisted AirNet in evaluating its
compensation philosophy and programs by comparing the base salary, annual cash incentive
compensation and long-term incentive compensation of AirNets executive officers to that of
executive officers in comparable positions at a selected group of peer companies. The peer group
consisted of public companies of similar size that are engaged in cargo transportation. Vivient
also considered executive compensation data published in the following sources:
Watson Wyatt
2002/2003 Industry Report on Top Management Compensation, 2003 Mercer Benchmark Database, Executive
Positions
, and
Aspen Publishers 2003 Officer Compensation Report: The Executive Compensation Survey
for Small to Medium Sized Businesses
. For purposes of such comparison, Vivient gave one-third
weighting to the peer group of companies and two-thirds weighting to the published surveys.
A portion of the 2003 study also provided recommendations for the modification of AirNets
long-term incentive compensation program to allow for incentive awards which are based on the
satisfaction of multiple-year performance goals tied to profitability and revenue growth. However,
as a result of AirNets decision in January 2005 to engage Brown Gibbons Lang & Company to evaluate
certain strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value, the Compensation Committee decided to
suspend the granting of options and other forms of long-term incentive compensation awards to
executive officers and other employees of AirNet. Accordingly, no options or other long-term
incentive compensation awards were made to executive officers or other employees of AirNet during
2005 or 2006, other than the 150,000 options awarded to Mr. Parker in connection with his election
as the Chief Executive Officer and President of AirNet on December 28, 2006 and certain options
granted to directors under the 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan as described on page 46.
In 2006, the Compensation Committee engaged Vivient to update the 2003 executive compensation
and benchmarking study. Vivient compared the base salary, annual cash incentive compensation and
long-term incentive compensation paid to AirNets executive officers during 2005 and prior years to
a selected group of peer companies and certain published survey sources. The peer group consisted
of public companies of similar size that are engaged in cargo transportation. Vivient also
considered executive compensation data published in the following sources:
Watson Wyatt 2005/2006
Industry Report on Top Management Compensation
and
2005 Mercer Benchmark Database, Executive
Positions
. Vivient compared the various components of compensation paid to AirNets executive
officers to the median amounts paid to executive officers in the peer group of companies and to
median compensation amounts reported in the published surveys. For purposes of such comparison,
Vivient gave one-third weighting to the peer group of companies and two-thirds weighting to the
published surveys. Vivient concluded that the base salaries of AirNets executive officers, with
the exception of AirNets chief executive officer, were at the median of the amounts paid to
executive officers at the peer group of companies and in the published surveys. Vivient also
concluded that:
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Targeted maximum annual cash incentive compensation for AirNets executive officers,
if actually paid, would have exceeded median competitive levels for the peer group of
companies and as reported in the published surveys;
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Actual annual cash incentive compensation payments to AirNets executive officers
since 2003 had been below median competitive levels actually paid for the peer group of
companies and as reported in the published surveys;
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Total cash compensation (base salary and annual cash incentive compensation) paid to
AirNets executive officers was at median levels for the peer group of companies and as
reported in the published surveys;
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The value of long-term incentive compensation awards granted to AirNets executive
officers during the prior three year period has been well below median competitive
levels for the peer group of companies and as reported in the published surveys due to
AirNets stock price performance and AirNets decision to suspend the granting of
equity-based awards after the 2004 fiscal year; and
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Total direct compensation (total cash compensation paid plus the average value of
long-term incentive compensation awards during the prior three year period) was below
median competitive levels for the peer group of companies and as reported in the
published surveys due to below market levels of long-term incentive compensation.
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The Compensation Committee also requested that Vivient provide more detailed benchmarking of
the compensation of AirNets chief executive officer. Vivient concluded that the base salary of
AirNets chief executive officer had fallen behind the competitive median salary of the peer group
of companies and as reported in the published surveys due to steady annual increases in the
compensation of chief executive officers of companies identified in the compensation studies and
the fact that the salary of AirNets chief executive officer had been frozen for several years.
The Compensation Committee considered the input of Vivient in determining the terms of Mr. Parkers
employment agreement and the various components of Bruce D. Parkers compensation when he was
elected as AirNets Chief Executive Officer and President on December 28, 2006, including the award
of 150,000 options to Mr. Parker. The Compensation Committee increased the salary of AirNets
chief executive officer to $360,000 to bring such salary in line with the median salaries paid to
chief executive officers at the peer group of companies and as reported in the published surveys.
The Compensation Committee also granted Mr. Parker 150,000 options to provide Mr. Parker with
long-term incentive compensation potential and to align his interests with those of AirNets
shareholders, with the overall goal of improving shareholder value.
The Compensation Committee believes that it may be necessary to increase the level of
long-term incentive compensation for certain executive officers as a result of the below market
levels of this compensation component currently being provided to AirNets executive officers. In
the future, the Compensation Committee may consider all types of equity awards under AirNets 2004
Incentive Stock Plan, including awards of restricted stock, stock options and other
performance-based equity units. The Compensation Committee also may consider offering hiring
bonuses to attract certain qualified executive officers to AirNet.
Setting Compensation and Role of Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions
At its regularly scheduled meeting in March of each year, the Compensation Committee evaluates
the performance of AirNets executive officers, determines whether they will receive incentive
compensation payments for the prior year based on performance in that year and evaluates their
compensation (including performance criteria for annual incentive compensation) for the current
year. In the course of its deliberations, the Compensation Committee from time to time solicits
the recommendations of the executive officers on various matters relating to compensation as
discussed below. However, the Compensation Committee makes all final decisions regarding executive
compensation.
Various officers of AirNet assist the Compensation Committee in compensation decisions,
including the design of incentive compensation programs, the establishment of personal goals under
such programs, and the assessment of the performance of participants in such programs.
AirNets Chief Executive Officer and AirNets Chief Financial Officer assist the Compensation
Committee in the design and implementation of AirNets annual incentive compensation plan. The
Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer make recommendations to the Compensation
Committee regarding various components of the annual incentive compensation plan, including the
threshold financial performance level at which incentive compensation will begin to be paid, the
maximum amount of incentive compensation available under the incentive compensation plan, and the
financial performance level at which the maximum incentive compensation payout would be achieved.
While the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer assist the
Compensation Committee in this regard, the final design and operation of AirNets annual
incentive compensation plan resides exclusively with the Compensation Committee.
Joel E. Biggerstaff, who was then AirNets Chief Executive Officer and President, and Gary W.
Qualmann, AirNets Chief Financial Officer, made recommendations to the Compensation Committee
regarding the design of the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan. Bruce D. Parker, AirNets Chief
Executive Officer and President, and Mr. Qualmann made recommendations to the Compensation
Committee regarding the design of the 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan. Mr. Parker, at the request
of the Compensation Committee, also recommended that certain discretionary bonuses be paid under
the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan to designated participants and employees not participating in
that plan.
AirNets executive officers are also involved in setting personal goals for participants in
the annual incentive compensation plans and the determination as to whether such goals have been
achieved.
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Under the 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan, Mr. Parker established the personal goals for the
other executive officers. The other executive officers recommend personal goals for participants
in the 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan that report through such officers, which goals are approved
by Mr. Parker.
2006 Executive Compensation Program
During the 2006 fiscal year, AirNet focused primarily on a combination of base salary and
annual cash incentive compensation. As discussed below, there were no options or other equity-based
awards granted to any of the executive officers of AirNet, except to Mr. Parker in connection with
his election as AirNets Chief Executive Officer and President. For the 2006 fiscal year, the
principal components of compensation for AirNets executive officers were:
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base salary based on the strategic importance to AirNet of the executive officers job
functions, the individuals performance and level of experience in his position, and a
comparison of industry compensation practices;
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annual cash incentive compensation based on performance in respect of business and financial metrics; and
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perquisites.
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The base salary provided to AirNets executive officers is designed to provide a competitive
level of base compensation and reward each executive officer based upon such executive officers
individual performance and level of experience. The annual cash incentive compensation provides
the opportunity for AirNets executive officers to earn variable compensation for short-term
performance and is designed to reward executive officers for AirNets annual operating results and
the achievement of personal objectives. AirNets option and other equity-based awards, when
granted, are intended to provide long-term pay opportunities based upon achieving consistent
operating results and growth that increases shareholder value. As discussed above, AirNet has not
issued options to its executive officers, with the exception of Mr. Parker, since the 2004 fiscal
year. Consequently, AirNets executive compensation during the 2005 and 2006 fiscal years
consisted primarily of salary and annual cash incentive compensation payments. However, in the
future, the Compensation Committee may consider all types of equity awards under AirNets 2004
Incentive Stock Plan in order to increase the long-term incentive compensation potential of certain
executive officers.
The Compensation Committee does not have a pre-established policy or target for the allocation
between cash and non-cash compensation or short-term and long-term compensation. Instead, the
Compensation Committee annually reviews the current facts and circumstances relating to AirNet and
its executive officers to determine an appropriate mix of compensation that furthers AirNets
compensation philosophy and objectives.
Base Salary
AirNet uses base salary as the guaranteed component of the executive officers annual
compensation and believes that it is an important tool in attracting and retaining executive
officers and rewarding individual performance. Base salaries for executive officers are set to
reflect the duties and level of responsibility inherent in each position and to reflect the quality
of performance. The employment agreements entered into by certain of the executive officers
establish a minimum base salary to be paid to those individuals. Salaries are reviewed
periodically and may be adjusted based on individual performance, upon a promotion or other change
in job responsibility, level of experience, business unit performance and industry analysis and
comparisons. With the exception of Craig A. Leach, there were no increases in the salaries of
executive officers for the 2006 fiscal year, as AirNet continued
shifting its focus in compensation to incentive-based compensation tied to AirNets annual
performance in relation to pre-established financial objectives. The base salary of Craig A.
Leach, AirNets Vice President, Information Systems, was increased from $150,000 to $160,000,
effective March 27, 2006, based upon the recommendation of Joel E. Biggerstaff, who was then
serving as AirNets Chief Executive Officer and President. The adjustment of Mr. Leachs salary
was based upon an evaluation of Mr. Leachs continuing contributions to AirNet and his relative
salary when compared to other executive officers of AirNet and the general marketplace.
After considering the information provided by Vivient regarding the base salaries being paid
to chief executive officers at peer group companies, the Compensation Committee determined that
Bruce D. Parkers base salary should be $360,000 following his appointment as Chief Executive
Officer and President effective December 28, 2006.
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Hiring Bonuses
Prior to 2006, AirNet did not use sign-on bonuses to compensate executive officers. In
connection with Bruce D. Parkers appointment as AirNets Chief Executive Officer and President on
December 28, 2006, and as an inducement to accept such position, AirNet awarded Mr. Parker a
sign-on bonus of $125,000. Mr. Parkers sign-on bonus was paid on December 29, 2006 and was deemed
earn when paid. In the future, the Compensation Committee may also consider, where deemed
appropriate, offering hiring bonuses to attract certain qualified executive officers to AirNet.
Performance-Based Incentive Compensation
Prior to the 2004 fiscal year, annual cash 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. Under AirNets
2005 and 2006 Incentive Compensation Plans, payment of any annual cash incentive compensation to
executive officers was contingent upon AirNets attaining a threshold level of pre-tax income
established at the beginning of the fiscal year.
2006 Incentive Compensation Plan
On March 24, 2006, the AirNet Board, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee,
adopted the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan. The purpose of the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan
was to promote the following goals of AirNet for the 2006 fiscal year by providing incentive
compensation to certain employees of AirNet and its subsidiaries:
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Attaining designated levels of pre-tax income;
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Improving cash flow and reducing debt;
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Defining and executing plans to offset expected declines in Bank Services revenues;
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Reducing the fixed cost structure of AirNet; and
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Meeting high priority deadlines of AirNet.
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Participants in the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan included the following individuals who
served as executive officers of AirNet during the 2006 fiscal year: Joel E. Biggerstaff (Chairman
of the Board until December 31, 2006 and Chief Executive Officer and President until December 28,
2006), Gary W. Qualmann (Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary), Larry M. Glasscock, Jr.
(Senior Vice President, Express Services), Jeffery B. Harris (Senior Vice President, Bank
Services), Ray L. Druseikis (Vice President of Finance, Controller and Principal Accounting
Officer), and Craig A. Leach (Vice President, Information Systems) as well as certain department
managers and department directors. As of the start of the 2006 fiscal year, there were 47
participants in the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan. New employees who qualified for the 2006
Incentive Compensation Plan were eligible to participate on the first day of the calendar quarter
following their date of hire. There were 46 participants who received payments under the 2006
Incentive Compensation Plan, including Mr. Biggerstaff. There were also 32 non-participants who
received discretionary awards totaling approximately $75,000.
Payments under the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan were based upon a combination of AirNets
pre-tax income (as determined under the terms of the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan) for the 2006
fiscal year, the operating performance of AirNets Delivery Services and Passenger Charter Services
business segments, and the achievement of personal goals assigned to each participant. The
Compensation Committee approved the personal goals for the chief executive officer. The personal
goals guidance approved by the Compensation Committee for each of the executive officers related to
specific business objectives related to general business operations (e.g., regulatory compliance,
expense reductions, etc.) and each business segment (e.g., execution of specific contracts with
customers and vendors, cost reductions, service improvements, etc.).
No incentive compensation was to be paid under the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan unless
AirNet achieved a designated threshold level of pre-tax income for the 2006 fiscal year. If the
designated threshold level were achieved, incentive compensation payments would increase based upon
predetermined pre-tax income levels until a maximum aggregate amount of $1.9 million in incentive
compensation payments was reached. After the overall amount of incentive compensation was
determined based upon AirNets pre-tax income for the 2006 fiscal year, incentive compensation was
allocated to individual participants based upon the following four factors: (i) level of pre-tax
income attained by AirNet; (ii) level of contribution margin attained by Delivery Services as
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compared to certain predetermined levels; (iii) levels of contribution margin attained by Passenger
Charter Services as compared to certain predetermined levels; and (iv) attainment of personal
goals.
Originally, a participants maximum incentive compensation payment was to range from 20% to
100% of the participants base salary, depending upon such participants level of responsibility
for achieving AirNets goals for the 2006 fiscal year. Twenty percent of each participants
incentive compensation payment was to be based upon the participants achievement of
pre-established personal goals. The remaining 80% of each participants incentive compensation
payment was to be based upon a combination of the other three factors discussed above, which were
allocated to each participant based upon such participants overall responsibility for attaining
the designated levels of AirNets pre-tax income and contribution margins for the Delivery Services
and Passenger Charter Services business segments.
In the event the incentive compensation payments otherwise available for payment under the
2006 Incentive Compensation Plan based upon AirNets level of pre-tax income were not paid to
certain participants as a result of those participants failure to attain their personal goals or
AirNets failure to attain the predetermined levels of budgeted contribution margins in Delivery
Services or Passenger Charter Services, such unpaid amounts could have been awarded at the
discretion of the Compensation Committee to participants in the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan or
to other employees of AirNet not participating in the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan.
On November 8, 2006, the AirNet Board, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee,
adopted the following amendments to the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan: (i) for purposes of
computing the pre-tax income of AirNet for the 2006 fiscal year for purposes of the 2006 Incentive
Compensation Plan, the $24.6 million non-cash impairment charge recorded by AirNet in the third
quarter of the 2006 fiscal year was to be disregarded and AirNets pre-tax income for the 2006
fiscal year was to be computed as if no impairment charge had been incurred; (ii) the incentive
compensation payable under the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan to each of AirNets executive
officers, Joel E. Biggerstaff, Gary W. Qualmann, Larry M. Glasscock, Jr., Jeffery B. Harris, Ray L.
Druseikis and Craig A. Leach, was to be reduced to 60% of the amount each such officer would
otherwise have been entitled to receive under the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan; (iii) for
purposes of the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan, the gain on the sale of the passenger charter
business of AirNets subsidiary Jetride, Inc. (Jetride) to Pinnacle Air, LLC (Pinnacle) was to
be excluded from the computation of AirNets pre-tax income for the 2006 fiscal year; and (iv)
Jetrides targeted pre-tax income for the fourth quarter of 2006 was to be disregarded for purposes
of the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan and the predetermined pre-tax income level at which the
maximum incentive compensation payout would be reached under the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan
was to be reduced by a comparable amount. The Compensation Committee believed such amendments to
the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan were necessary and appropriate to offset the impact of the
non-cash impairment charge on the operation of the plan and to permit the plan to serve its
intended purpose of providing participants the potential to earn annual incentive compensation
payments based upon AirNets business and financial objectives.
After reviewing AirNets pre-tax income, the operating performance of AirNets various
business components and the level of achievement of the personal goals assigned to each executive
officer, the potential incentive compensation payments available to each executive officer was
determined in accordance with the terms of the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan. Subsequently, at
a meeting of the Compensation Committee held on February 27, 2007, the Compensation Committee
requested that Bruce D. Parker, who was then serving as AirNets Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer and President, to recommend additional discretionary awards to officers, other
participants in the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan, and certain other employees who were not
participants in the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan to address individual performance and
retention considerations. Mr. Parker
based his recommendations for the amounts of such discretionary awards upon the following
components: (i) contributions such officers, participants and other employees made to the operating
performance of AirNet during the 2006 fiscal year, (ii) retention considerations for each
individual and (iii) the portion of each participants incentive compensation potential that was
withheld as a result of the performance of AirNets Passenger Charter business. The Compensation
Committee met again on March 5, 2007 and approved discretionary awards recommended by Mr. Parker in
the aggregate amount of $283,000. Because of such discretionary incentive compensation awards, the
total incentive compensation payments made to certain executive officers of AirNet exceeded the
amounts that otherwise would have been paid given the 60% limitation described above.
As previously reported, under the terms of the separation agreement and general release dated
as of December 28, 2006, between AirNet and Joel E. Biggerstaff, the incentive compensation payable
under the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan to Mr. Biggerstaff was calculated without regard to his
personal goals for the 2006 fiscal year and, with respect to the financial performance criteria, on
an equitable basis with the other executive officers of AirNet. Accordingly, the Compensation
Committee initially determined that Mr. Biggerstaff was entitled to the 20% of his incentive
compensation related to his personal goals and a
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comparable amount as other executives for AirNets
overall performance, after applying the 60% limitation described above. As a result, Mr.
Biggerstaff was paid $156,000 on March 15, 2007.
At the March 5, 2007 meeting of the Compensation Committee, the Compensation Committee decided
to award AirNets other executive officers certain discretionary amounts based upon the
determination that AirNet had exceeded the level of pre-tax income at which maximum incentive
compensation payments would have been achieved under the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan. A
portion of such discretionary awards given to the executive officers reflected the potential
amounts that each executive could have earned from the performance of AirNets Charter Passenger
business. On April 23, 2007, after consideration of the terms and conditions of Mr. Biggerstaffs
separation agreement, the Compensation Committee determined that it would be appropriate to make an
adjustment to the incentive compensation payment under Mr. Biggerstaffs separation agreement for
that portion of incentive bonus, calculated on an equitable basis with the discretionary payments
made to other executive officers, attributable to the performance of the Passenger Charter business
portion of the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan. As a result, on April 24, 2007, AirNet paid Mr.
Biggerstaff $39,000 as additional incentive compensation under the 2006 Incentive Compensation
Plan.
During the 2006 fiscal year and the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2007, AirNet made payments
under the terms of the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan in the aggregate amount of approximately
$1.5 million, which included $195,000 paid to Mr. Biggerstaff as described above. In March of
2007, the following executive officers of AirNet were paid the following amounts under the 2006
Incentive Compensation Plan: Jeffery B. Harris $160,000; Gary W. Qualmann $136,750; Larry M.
Glasscock, Jr. $125,000; Craig A. Leach $66,464; and Ray L. Druseikis $46,550. Such amounts
included the following additional discretionary awards described above: Jeffery B. Harris -
$66,850; Gary W. Qualmann $59,350; Larry M. Glasscock, Jr. $37,925; Craig A. Leach $29,600;
and Ray L. Druseikis $17,750.
Stock Option and Equity Incentive Programs
Prior to 2005, AirNet granted options under the AirNet Systems, Inc. Amended and Restated 1996
Incentive Stock Plan (the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan) and the AirNet Systems, Inc. 2004 Stock
Incentive Plan (the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan) to attract and retain key employees and directors
of AirNet and to enhance their interest in AirNets continued success. As a result of AirNets
decision in January 2005 to engage Brown Gibbons Lang & Company to evaluate certain strategic
alternatives to enhance shareholder value, the Compensation Committee decided to suspend the
granting of options and other forms of long-term incentive compensation awards to executive
officers and other employees of AirNet. Other than the grant of options to Bruce D. Parker
described below, the Compensation Committee did not grant any options or other long-term incentive
compensation awards to executive officers during the 2006 fiscal year, and none have been made
during the 2007 fiscal year through the date of this Proxy Statement.
On December 28, 2006, Bruce D. Parker was granted options to purchase 150,000 common shares of
AirNet under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan at an exercise price of $2.95 per share, the closing
price of AirNets common shares on December 28, 2006, in connection with his election as AirNets
Chief Executive Officer and President as contemplated by his employment agreement. The option
grant to Mr. Parker was designed to provide Mr. Parker with long-term incentive compensation
potential and to align his interests with those of AirNets shareholders. The options vested as to
75,000 of the common shares on the grant date, and will vest as to the remaining 75,000 common
shares on December 27, 2007. As discussed below, under
- Employment Contracts and Other
Arrangements Providing for Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control -
Employment Agreement for Bruce D. Parker
,
Mr. Parkers employment agreement provides for the
accelerated vesting of these options upon certain circumstances.
All awards of options under the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan and the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan
have been made at the market price of AirNets common shares at the time of the award. The
Compensation Committee has never granted options with an exercise price that is less than the
closing price of AirNets common shares on the grant date, nor has it granted options which are
priced on a date other than the grant date.
Each option granted under the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan vested and became exercisable as to
20% of the common shares covered by the option on the grant date and vests (or vested) and becomes
(or became) exercisable as to 20% of the common shares on each of the first, second, third and
fourth anniversaries of the grant date. 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. As discussed below in
- Employment Contracts and Other Arrangements
Providing for Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control,
the employment
agreements between AirNet
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and each of Jeffery B. Harris, Gary W. Qualmann and Larry M. Glasscock,
Jr. provide for the accelerated vesting of their options in certain circumstances.
Benefits and Perquisites
Employee Benefits
The executive officers of AirNet are entitled to participate in the AirNet Systems, Inc.
Retirement Savings Plan (the Retirement Savings Plan) on the same terms as all other employees.
The Retirement Savings Plan, which is qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code,
is a broad-based defined contribution plan under which amounts are paid to the individuals only
upon retirement, termination of employment, disability or death. Employees participating in the
Retirement Savings Plan may contribute a portion of their compensation to the Retirement Savings
Plan up to the maximum limits permitted under the Internal Revenue Code. AirNet may make matching
employer contributions to the Retirement Savings Plan, which are determined annually by the Board.
For the 2006 fiscal year, AirNet made a matching contribution to the Retirement Savings Plan equal
to 50% of the first 6% of compensation contributed to the Retirement Savings Plan by each
participating employee. The matching contributions made by AirNet to the Retirement Savings Plan
on behalf of Joel E. Biggerstaff, Gary W. Qualmann, Jeffery B. Harris, Larry M. Glasscock, Jr. and
Craig A. Leach with respect to the 2006 fiscal year are shown in the Summary Compensation Table on
page 36. Bruce D. Parker did not participate in the Retirement Savings Plan during the 2006 fiscal
year.
In an effort to maintain a healthy workforce, AirNet provides all employees, including
executive officers, with the opportunity to participate in various health and welfare benefit
programs, including medical, dental, life and short-term disability insurance. AirNet shares the
cost of these benefit programs with its employees.
Reimbursement of Life Insurance Premiums
AirNet reimburses each executive officer for certain insurance premiums paid by him to
maintain a term insurance policy on his life. The insurance benefits payable under each life
insurance policy was determined by the Chief Executive Officer and ranges from $300,000 to $500,000
for the executive officer, other than the Chief Executive Officer. The insurance benefits payable
under Mr. Biggerstaffs life insurance policy was set at $1,000,000. The executive officer is not
required to name AirNet as the beneficiary on the insurance policy and AirNet is not entitled to
any of the proceeds payable under the policy. The actual amount reimbursed to each executive
officer is equal to the amount of the premium paid to maintain the insurance policy, plus an amount
sufficient to offset all federal, state and local income taxes incurred by the executive officer
with respect to the amount reimbursed. The amounts reimbursed to Joel E. Biggerstaff, Jeffery B.
Harris, Gary W. Qualmann, Larry M. Glasscock, Jr. and Craig A. Leach during the 2006 fiscal year
under this program are shown in the Summary Compensation Table on page 36.
Reimbursement of Travel and Living Expenses
AirNet reimburses Bruce D. Parker and Larry M. Glasscock, Jr. for or pays directly on their
behalf certain non-business travel and living expenses incurred while in the Columbus, Ohio
metropolitan area. These reimbursements and payments are provided to offset Mr. Parkers and Mr.
Glasscocks travel and living expenses while in Columbus, Ohio and away from their primary place of
residence located, respectively, in Coral Gables, Florida and Dallas, Texas. Under the terms of
their respective employment agreements, Mr. Parker and Mr. Glasscock were not required to move
their primary residence to the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area as a condition of their employment.
Under the terms of Mr. Parkers employment agreement, AirNet is required to reimburse Mr.
Parker for the cost of maintaining an apartment in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area,
maintenance and utilities related to such apartment, and all reasonable living expenses incurred by
Mr. Parker while he is in Columbus, including meals. In addition, under Mr. Parkers employment
agreement, AirNet reimburses Mr. Parker for all reasonable travel expenses (at coach rates)
incurred by Mr. Parker between his residence and the Columbus area. In lieu of reimbursing Mr.
Parker for certain travel and living expenses, including the rental on his apartment, AirNet may
pay such expenses directly. The amounts reimbursed to Mr. Parker and the amount of any payments
made directly by AirNet on Mr. Parkers behalf, are reported by AirNet as compensation to Mr.
Parker. Any reimbursements made to Mr. Parker or payments made directly on his behalf are grossed
up to offset all federal, state and local income taxes incurred by Mr. Parker with respect to any
reimbursements made to him or expenses paid by AirNet on his behalf. The aggregate amount of
non-business living and travel expenses AirNet reimbursed to Mr. Parker or paid on his behalf
during the 2006 fiscal year is shown in the Summary Compensation Table on page 36.
24
AirNet provides or reimburses Larry M. Glasscock, Jr. for or pays directly on his behalf
certain non-business travel and living expenses while in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area.
AirNet pays the cost of maintaining an apartment in the Columbus metropolitan area for Mr.
Glasscock, including rent, maintenance and utilities related to such apartment. AirNet also
reimburses Mr. Glasscock for other reasonable living expenses incurred by Mr. Glasscock while he is
in Columbus, including temporary rental cars and meals. Commencing with the 2006 fiscal year,
amounts reimbursed to Mr. Glasscock and the amount of any payments made directly by AirNet on Mr.
Glasscocks behalf, have been reported by AirNet as compensation to Mr. Glasscock. Any
reimbursements made to Mr. Glasscock or payments made directly on his behalf are grossed up to
offset all federal, state and local income taxes incurred by the Mr. Glasscock with respect to any
reimbursements made to him or expenses paid by AirNet on his behalf. The aggregate amount of
non-business living and travel expenses AirNet reimbursed to Mr. Glasscock or paid on his behalf
during the 2006 fiscal year is shown in the Summary Compensation Table on page 36. Prior to the
2006 fiscal year and Mr. Glasscocks decision to retain his residence in Dallas, Texas,
reimbursements to Mr. Glasscock were considered business expenses of AirNet and were not included
in Mr. Glasscocks compensation.
Employment Contracts and Other Arrangements Providing for Payments Upon Termination of Employment
or Change in Control
AirNet has entered into employment agreements with each of Bruce D. Parker, Chairman of the
Board, Chief Executive Officer and President; Gary W. Qualmann, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary
and Treasurer; Jeffery B. Harris, Senior Vice President, Bank Services; and Larry M. Glasscock,
Jr., Senior Vice President, Express Services. Such employment agreements are designed to provide
such officers with a minimum level of financial and employment security to permit them to focus
their full attention on any strategic alternatives AirNet may consider or elect to pursue. Each
employment agreement establishes a minimum base salary to be paid to the executive officer, which
the Compensation Committee may increase, but not decrease.
The employment agreements of Messrs. Parker, Harris, Qualmann and Glasscock are each for an
annual term which automatically renews for an additional one-year term unless the Board provides
such executive officer written notice that it does not intend to renew his employment agreement.
The Compensation Committee believes these renewal provisions provide each executive officer with a
measure of employment security while affording AirNet the ability to re-evaluate the merits of the
relationship on an annual basis. Upon receipt of a notice of non-renewal, Mr. Harris would be
entitled to terminate his employment for good reason within 90 days of his receipt of such notice
and receive the 12 months severance benefits described below. If Mr. Parker receives notice that
his employment agreement will not be renewed, Mr. Parkers employment will automatically terminate
as of the end of the then current term. In such event, Mr. Parker would be entitled to receive
severance payments equal to six months of his annual base salary in effect as of the date of his
termination, payable in a lump sum within 30 days of such date. Mr. Glasscocks or Mr. Qualmanns
receipt of a notice that the Board does not intend to renew his employment agreement would not, in
and of itself, constitute good reason for either officer to voluntarily terminate his employment.
In the event Mr. Glasscock or Mr. Qualmann elected to voluntarily terminate his employment solely
as a result of the Boards decision not to renew his employment agreement, he would not be entitled
to any severance benefits.
AirNet does not maintain a formal severance plan designed to provide post-employment
compensation to employees upon their termination of employment. However, under the terms of their
respective employment agreements, Bruce D. Parker, Gary W. Qualmann, Jeffery B. Harris and Larry M.
Glasscock, Jr. are entitled to certain severance benefits in the event their employment is
terminated by AirNet without cause or by the executive officer for good reason, as those terms
are defined in their respective employment agreements. In addition, Mr. Parker is entitled to
certain severance benefits in the event he voluntarily terminates his employment in connection with
the transition to a new chief executive officer selected by the Board. These provisions are
intended to provide each executive officer with a level of financial protection.
If Messrs. Parker, Harris, Qualmann or Glasscocks employment is terminated by AirNet without
cause, or voluntarily by any of these executive officers for good reason, the executive officer
would be entitled to receive severance benefits equal to his annual base salary in effect as of the
date of his termination. In the case of Messrs. Harris, Qualmann and Glasscock, such severance
benefits would be payable over a period of 12 months in accordance with AirNets regular payroll
practices. In the case of Mr. Parker, such severance benefits would be payable in a lump-sum
within 30 days of his termination of employment.
If Mr. Parker voluntarily terminates his employment in connection with the transition to a new
chief executive officer selected by the Board, Mr. Parker is entitled to severance benefits equal
to six months of his annual base salary in effect as of the date of his termination, payable in a
lump sum within 30 days of his termination.
25
If Mr. Harriss employment is terminated without cause or for good reason following a change in
control, as defined in his employment agreement, Mr. Harriss severance benefits would be increased
to 18 months of his annual base salary in effect as of the date of his termination, payable over a
period of 18 months in accordance with AirNets regular payroll practices. The severance benefits
payable to Messrs. Parker, Qualmann and Glasscock do not increase in the event of a termination of
employment following a change in control. However, in addition to any severance benefits Mr.
Parker may be entitled to upon a termination of employment, upon a change in control Mr. Parker is
also entitled to receive a lump-sum payment equal to 12 months of his base salary in effect as of
the date of such change in control. Payment of such amount is not conditioned upon Mr. Parkers
termination of employment following a change in control. See the description below of Mr. Parkers
employment agreement under the caption
Employment Agreement for Bruce D. Parker
.
The Compensation Committee recognizes that, in certain circumstances, it may be necessary or
appropriate to provide for a separation arrangement that is different from that originally
contemplated when an employment relationship began. AirNet entered into such an arrangement with
Joel E. Biggerstaff. As discussed below, AirNet and Mr. Biggerstaff entered into a separation
agreement and general release, dated as of December 28, 2006, which provided for his resignation
from the positions he held with AirNet and terminated the employment agreement between AirNet and
Mr. Biggerstaff dated as of January 1, 2001.
Craig A. Leach is not a party to an employment agreement or severance agreement with AirNet.
As a result, AirNet is not obligated to pay any severance or other enhanced benefits to Mr. Leach
upon termination of his employment or a change in control of AirNet, other than benefits that are
provided to all participants in AirNets benefit plans.
Employment Agreement for Bruce D. Parker
In connection with the election of Bruce D. Parker as AirNets Chief Executive Officer and
President on December 28, 2006, AirNet and Mr. Parker entered into an employment agreement. The
term of Mr. Parkers employment agreement is one year beginning December 28, 2006, unless earlier
terminated or extended. The term of the Parker Employment Agreement will be automatically extended
for successive one-year periods if the Board does not notify him that the term will not be extended
at least 90 days prior to the end of the relevant term. Mr. Parkers Employment Agreement
expressly permits Mr. Parker to continue to own and operate his existing consulting company during
the term of his employment.
As previously noted, the Compensation Committee considered the input of its independent
compensation consultant, Vivient, in determining the various components of Mr. Parkers
compensation. Under the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Parker will receive an annual base
salary of $360,000, which will be reviewed annually and may be increased, but not decreased without
Mr. Parkers written consent, by the Board. The Compensation Committee determined that this level
of base salary was appropriate in order to bring Mr. Parkers base salary to a more competitive
level. Additionally, Mr. Parker received a sign-on bonus of $125,000 and will be eligible for an
annual bonus of up to 100% of his annual base salary, based upon the attainment of annual
performance goals. The annual bonus, if any, will be paid in two installments, with the first based
upon a target of 50% of his base salary and the attainment of goals for the period of January 1st
through June 30th, and the second based upon a target of the remaining 50% of his base salary and
the attainment of goals from July 1st through December 31st. Additionally, Mr. Parker was granted
options to purchase an aggregate of 150,000 common shares of AirNet under the 2004 Stock Incentive
Plan at an exercise price of $2.95 per share, the closing price of AirNets common shares on
December 28, 2006. The options vested as to 75,000 of the common shares on the grant date, and
will vest as to the remaining 75,000 common shares on December 27, 2007.
During the term of his employment agreement, Mr. Parker is entitled to receive all fringe
benefits provided to AirNets senior executives, and will receive four weeks of vacation annually.
As previously noted, AirNet will provide Mr. Parker with an apartment in the Columbus, Ohio
metropolitan area and will reimburse him for his reasonable living expenses while in Columbus and
his reasonable travel expenses (at coach rates) between his home and Columbus. The reimbursement
and payment of these living and travel expenses will be grossed-up for federal income tax purposes.
If Mr. Parkers employment is terminated due to his death or his disability (as defined in his
employment agreement), he is terminated for cause (as defined in his employment agreement) or he
voluntarily terminates his employment, he or his beneficiary will be entitled to receive any
accrued and unpaid base salary, the value of unused vacation, the value of unreimbursed expenses,
and any rights to which Mr. Parker is entitled under AirNets benefit plans and programs, paid in
accordance with such plans and programs. If Mr. Parker voluntarily terminates his employment, he
will also be entitled to his accrued bonus as of the date of termination. If Mr. Parkers
employment had terminated voluntarily as of December 31, 2006 or due to his death or disability,
the amounts he or his beneficiary would have received in respect of the items described in this
paragraph would have been de minimus due to the fact that Mr. Parker was only employed for three
days in 2006.
26
If Mr. Parkers employment is terminated without cause or he terminates his employment for
good reason (as defined in his employment agreement), in addition to receiving all of the payments
discussed in the preceding paragraph related to a voluntary termination of employment, all
outstanding equity awards held by him will immediately vest in full and he will receive, within 30
days of the date of termination of employment, a lump-sum payment equal to 12 months base salary.
Based upon Mr. Parkers salary in effect on December 31, 2006, such lump-sum payment would be
$360,000. If Mr. Parker voluntarily terminates his employment in connection with the transition to
a new chief executive officer selected by the Board or Mr. Parkers employment agreement expires
without being renewed, Mr. Parker will receive all of the payments discussed in the preceding
paragraph related to a voluntary termination of employment, all outstanding equity awards will
immediately vest and he will receive, within 30 days of the date of termination of employment, a
lump-sum payment equal to six months base salary. Based upon Mr. Parkers salary in effect on
December 31, 2006, such lump-sum payment would be $180,000. As of December 31, 2006, Mr. Parker
held 75,000 unvested options. Based upon the difference between the closing price of AirNets
common shares on December 29, 2006 (the last day of trading in the 2006 fiscal year) and the
exercise price, the value of Mr. Parkers 75,000 options as to which vesting would be accelerated
would have been $750 had Mr. Parkers employment been terminated on December 31, 2006 without
cause, by Mr. Parker for good reason or in connection with the transition to a new chief executive
officer selected by the Board, or as a result of the expiration of Mr. Parkers employment
agreement without renewal.
Cause is defined in Mr. Parkers employment agreement to include: (i) intentionally causing
AirNet or any of its affiliates to violate a law which is reasonable grounds for serious civil or
criminal penalties against AirNet, an affiliate or the Board; (ii) committing fraud or acting with
intentional misconduct or gross negligence in carrying out his duties under his employment
agreement which has caused demonstrable and serious injury to AirNet; (iii) being convicted of any
crime involving moral turpitude or a violation of federal or state securities laws; or (iv)
intentionally committing a material breach of any material covenant, provision, term or condition
in his employment agreement and, if the breach is capable of being cured, failing to cure the same
within 10 days of written notice of the breach from the Board.
The following events qualify as good reason for Mr. Parker to terminate his employment: (i)
Mr. Parker is not nominated as a director during the term of his employment agreement; (ii) the
Board significantly and adversely changes the nature or scope of Mr. Parkers authority, powers,
functions, duties or responsibilities; (iii) without Mr. Parkers prior consent, there is a
substantial and continued reduction in the level of support services, staff, secretarial and other
assistance to a level below that which is reasonably necessary for the performance of Mr. Parkers
duties; (iv) AirNet commits a material breach of any material covenant, provision, term or
condition in his employment agreement and, if the breach is capable of being cured, fails to cure
the same within 10 days of written notice of the breach from Mr. Parker; or (v) without Mr.
Parkers prior consent, AirNet fails to keep in place director and officer liability insurance
covering Mr. Parker under substantially the same terms and in substantially the same amount as in
existence prior to December 28, 2006.
Mr. Parkers employment agreement also provides for certain payments to Mr. Parker following a
change in control as defined in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. Upon a change in
control, Mr. Parker will be entitled to receive a lump-sum payment equal to 12 months of his base
salary in effect as of the date of such change in control. Payment of such amount is not
conditioned upon Mr. Parkers termination of employment following a change in control and is
required to be made within 30 days of the change in control. The Compensation Committee believes
that this single trigger for payment is appropriate in order to incentivize Mr. Parker to
consider and pursue all strategic alternatives approved by the Board. Based upon Mr. Parkers
salary in effect on December 31, 2006, the lump-sum payment would have been $360,000 had a change
in control occurred on such date. In addition, all outstanding equity awards held by Mr. Parker
will immediately vest in full upon a change in control and, for purposes of exercising such option
awards, any subsequent termination of employment by Mr. Parker will be treated as a retirement
under the terms of the 2004 Incentive Stock Plan. As of December 31, 2006, Mr. Parker held 75,000
unvested options. Based upon the difference between the closing price of AirNets common shares on
December 29, 2006 (the last day of trading in the 2006 fiscal year)
and the exercise price, the value of Mr. Parkers 75,000 options as to which vesting would be
accelerated would have been $750 had a change in control occurred on December 31, 2006.
In the event the Board approves a strategic alternative that is completed based upon Mr.
Parkers efforts, Mr. Parker will be deemed to have met all his financial objectives and personal
goals established for him under AirNets 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan for the six-month
incentive compensation period in which the strategic alternative is completed. In such event, Mr.
Parker will be entitled to receive his maximum incentive compensation target established under the
2007 Incentive Compensation Plan for such six-month period, prorated from the first day of such
six-month period to the date the strategic alternative is completed. Such payment would be subject
to, and made in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan
applicable to Mr. Parker. Mr. Parkers maximum incentive compensation payment for each six-month
period under AirNets 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan is $180,000.
27
To the extent any excise taxes are due on the amounts paid to Mr. Parker under the terms of
his employment agreement, Mr. Parker will receive a gross-up payment that, after taxes, equals the
amount of all excise taxes due.
Mr. Parkers employment agreement prohibits him from disclosing, both during and after his
termination of employment, any secret or confidential information of AirNet, without the Boards
prior written consent.
Employment Agreement for Jeffery B. Harris
Jeffery B. Harris is party to an employment agreement with AirNet, effective as of March 1,
2001. Mr. Harris 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. AirNet did not give Mr. Harris notice of the non-renewal of the
employment agreement, and consequently, the employment agreement was renewed for a one-year period
ending December 31, 2007. Mr. Harris was entitled to receive an initial base salary of $230,000,
which may be adjusted upward or downward on an annual basis by the Compensation Committee based on
a review of his performance. The initial base salary was the salary in effect for Mr. Harris on
the date the employment agreement was entered into. Mr. Harris base salary for the 2006 fiscal
year was $230,000 and remains at that amount for the 2007 fiscal year. Mr. Harris is entitled to
participate in any bonus plan which AirNet may establish and in the incentive stock plans for
AirNet, in each case at levels determined by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Harris is also
entitled to receive all health and life insurance coverage, 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 Mr. Harris employment were terminated by AirNet without cause (as defined in his
employment agreement) or if Mr. Harris terminated his employment for good reason (as defined in
his employment agreement), he will be entitled to receive (i) a continuation of his base salary
then in effect for a period of 12 months, (ii) a continuation of group medical insurance for 18
months and (iii) any accrued but unpaid salary, accrued but unused vacation and unreimbursed
business expenses. Based on Mr. Harris base salary in effect on December 31, 2006, he would have
received $230,000 of salary continuation over a 12-month period and continuing group medical
insurance for 18 months in an estimated amount of $13,464 if his employment had been terminated as
of December 31, 2006. The salary continuation period is extended to 18 months if the termination
occurs on or after a change in control (as defined in his employment agreement). Based on Mr.
Harris base salary in effect on December 31, 2006, he would have received $345,000 of salary
continuation over an 18-month period and continuing group medical insurance for 18 months in an
estimated amount of $13,464 if his employment had been terminated as of December 31, 2006 following
a change in control. Mr. Harris would also be entitled to receive a single lump-sum payment, within
30 days of the date his employment is terminated, 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; 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. If Mr. Harris employment had been terminated by AirNet without cause or by
Mr. Harris for good reason as of December 31, 2006, Mr. Harris would have received an accrued bonus
payment equal to the amount actually awarded to him under the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan and
shown in the Summary Compensation Table on page 36. Mr. Harris is fully vested under AirNets
Retirement Savings Program; consequently, there would have been no payment to Mr. Harris related to
any forfeiture under the Retirement Savings Plan. As of December 31, 2006, all of the unvested
options held by Mr. Harris had an exercise price greater than the closing price of AirNets common
shares on December 29, 2006 (the last day of trading in the 2006 fiscal year) and, thus, had no
value.
Cause is defined in Mr. Harris 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 Mr. Harris pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement; (iii) material
refusal to perform the duties assigned to Mr. Harris 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 Mr. Harris to terminate his employment: (a)
without his prior written consent, AirNet assigns Mr. Harris to duties which are materially
inconsistent with or result in a material diminution of his position, authority, duties or
responsibilities as set forth in his employment agreement, including failing to reappoint or
reelect him to any such position; (b) Mr. Harris 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 Mr.
28
Harris 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 Mr. Harris employment agreement; (e) AirNet
provides notice that it will not extend the term of Mr. Harris employment period; or (f) AirNet
otherwise materially breaches its obligations to make payments to Mr. Harris under his employment
agreement.
If Mr. Harris employment were terminated by AirNet for cause or by Mr. Harris without good
reason, AirNet would pay him any accrued but unpaid base salary, any accrued but unused vacation
and any unreimbursed business expenses.
Mr. Harris 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 his employment is terminated as a result of the
disability and for the continuation of group medical benefits for a period of 18 months following
termination of his employment due to the disability. If Mr. Harris employment had terminated as
of December 31, 2006 due to his disability, he would have received continuing group medical
insurance for 18 months in an estimated amount of $13,464. Mr. Harris would also be entitled to
receive payment, determined as of the date of his termination, for any accrued but unpaid base
salary, any accrued but unused vacation and any unreimbursed business expenses. If Mr. Harris
employment were terminated by his death, his beneficiary would be entitled to receive any base
salary that is accrued but unpaid, any accrued but unused vacation and any unreimbursed business
expenses.
Immediately upon the occurrence of a change in control of AirNet (as defined in his
employment agreement), Mr. Harris would become fully vested in all employee benefit programs in
which he was then a participant, including all options, but excluding any tax-qualified retirement
or savings plan as to which his interest would vest in accordance with the applicable plans terms.
As of December 31, 2006, all of the unvested options held by Mr. Harris had an exercise price
greater than the closing price of AirNets common shares on December 29, 2006 (the last day of
trading in the 2006 fiscal year) and, thus, had no value.
Mr. Harris employment agreement contains confidentiality and non-competition provisions which
prevents him from disclosing confidential information about AirNet and from competing with AirNet
during his employment therewith and for an additional one year thereafter. In addition, during his
employment with AirNet and for an additional one year thereafter, Mr. Harris may not solicit or
hire, directly or indirectly, any employee of AirNet.
Employment Agreements for Gary W. Qualmann and Larry M. Glasscock, Jr.
On May 3, 2005, AirNet entered into employment agreements with each of Gary W. Qualmann and
Larry M. Glasscock, Jr. Each employment agreement provides for an initial employment period ending
December 31, 2006, which is 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. AirNet did not give either Mr. Qualmann or Mr. Glasscock notice of the
non-renewal of his employment agreement, and consequently both employment agreements were renewed
for a one-year period ending December 31, 2007.
Each of Messrs. Qualmann and Glasscock was 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. The initial base salaries were the
salaries in effect for Mr. Qualmann and Mr. Glasscock on the date the employment agreements were
entered into. The base salary for each of Messrs. Qualmann and Glasscock was $215,000 for the 2006
fiscal year and remain at that amount for the 2007 fiscal year. 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 incentive stock plans of AirNet, 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 Mr. Qualmanns or Mr. Glasscocks employment is terminated by AirNet without cause (as
defined in his employment agreement) or by the individual for good reason (as defined in his
employment agreement), he will be entitled to receive (i) a continuation of his base salary then in
effect (but no less than $215,000) for a period of 12 months, (ii) a continuation of group
29
medical insurance for 12 months and (iii) any accrued but unpaid salary, accrued but
unused vacation and unreimbursed business expenses. Based upon their respective base salaries and
medical and health care benefits in effect on December 31, 2006, each of Mr. Qualmann and Mr.
Glasscock would receive $215,000 of salary continuation benefits over this 12-month period and
continuing group medical insurance for 12 months in an estimated amount of $8,976. In addition,
Mr. Qualmann or Mr. Glasscock would become fully vested in all employee benefit programs (other
than with respect to any restricted stock which may be issued under the 2004 Stock Incentive 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. If their employment had terminated as
of December 31, 2006, Messrs. Qualmann and Glasscock would have received an accrued bonus payment
equal to the amount actually awarded to him under the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan and shown in
the Summary Compensation Table on page 36. Mr. Glasscock was not fully vested under AirNets
Retirement Savings Program as of December 31, 2006; consequently, he would have been entitled to a
payment of $8,724 related to his forfeiture under the Retirement Savings Plan if his employment had
been terminated on December 31, 2006. Mr. Qualmann is fully vested under AirNets Retirement
Savings Program; consequently, there would have been no payment to Mr. Qualmann related to any
forfeiture under the Retirement Savings Plan. As of December 31, 2006, all of the unvested options
held by Messrs. Qualmann and Glasscock had an exercise price greater than the closing price of
AirNets common shares on December 29, 2006 (the last day of trading of the 2006 fiscal year) and,
thus, had no value.
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 pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement other than a breach related
to an assignment that would be a basis for termination of the individuals employment by him for
good reason; (iii) material refusal to perform the duties assigned to the individual pursuant to
the terms of his 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 Mr. Qualmann or Mr. Glasscock 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 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 individuals base salary is reduced for any reason
other than in connection with the 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 individuals employment agreement; or (g) AirNet otherwise
materially breaches its obligations to make payments to the individual under his employment
agreement.
If Mr. Qualmanns or Mr. Glasscocks employment is terminated by AirNet for cause or by the
individual without good reason, AirNet would pay him any accrued but unpaid base salary, any
accrued but unused vacation and any unreimbursed business expenses.
Each employment agreement provides for the continuation of 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 the individuals employment is terminated as a result of the
disability and for the continuation of group medical benefits for a period of 12 months following
termination of his employment due to the disability. In addition, any disability plan in effect as
of his date of termination would be continued. If Mr. Qualmanns employment or Mr. Glasscocks
employment had terminated as of December 31, 2006 due to a disability, Mr. Qualmann and Mr.
Glasscock would have received continuing group medical insurance for 12 months in an estimated
amount of $8,976. Mr. Qualmann and Mr. Glasscock would also be entitled to receive payment,
determined as of the date of his termination, for any accrued but unpaid base salary, any accrued
but unused vacation and any unreimbursed business expenses.
If Mr. Qualmanns or Mr. Glasscocks employment is terminated by his death, his beneficiary
would be entitled to receive any accrued but unpaid base salary, any accrued but unused vacation
and any unreimbursed business expenses.
30
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 but excluding any tax-qualified
retirement or savings plan as to which his interest would vest in accordance with the applicable
plans terms. As of December 31, 2006, all of the unvested options held by Messrs. Qualmann and
Glasscock had an exercise price greater than the closing price of AirNets common shares on
December 29, 2006 (the last day of trading of the 2006 fiscal year) and, thus, had no value.
Separation Agreement for Joel E. Biggerstaff
Joel E. Biggerstaff and AirNet entered into a separation agreement and general release, dated
as of December 28, 2006, which provided for his resignation as Chief Executive Officer and
President of AirNet effective December 28, 2006 and as Chairman of the Board and a director of
AirNet effective December 31, 2006 and terminated the employment agreement between AirNet and Mr.
Biggerstaff dated as of January 1, 2001.
Under the terms of his separation agreement, Mr. Biggerstaff was entitled to received a lump
sum payment of $487,500 for severance benefits, a lump-sum payment of $27,936 equivalent to the
premiums required for Mr. Biggerstaff and his eligible dependents to continue COBRA coverage under
AirNets group health plan, $12,500 for his accrued and unused vacation, and $12,500 for his
accrued but unpaid base salary. The aggregate amount of these payments, $540,436, was paid to Mr.
Biggerstaff on January 11, 2007. Mr. Biggerstaff was also entitled to payment of unreimbursed
business expenses and the incentive compensation earned by Mr. Biggerstaff for the 2006 fiscal year
under the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan, calculated without regard to his personal objectives
for such year and, with respect to the financial performance criteria, on an equitable basis with
the other senior executives of AirNet. On January 18, 2007, AirNet paid Mr. Biggerstaff $3,049 for
unreimbursed business expenses. On March 15, 2007, Mr. Biggerstaff received a lump-sum payment of
$156,000, representing the amounts the Compensation Committee initially determined were due him
under the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan. On April 24, 2007, after consideration of the terms
and conditions of his separation agreement, AirNet paid Mr. Biggerstaff an additional $39,000 in
incentive compensation under his separation agreement, which the Compensation Committee determined
was appropriate based upon certain discretionary payments made to other executive officers under
the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan, as described above. Mr. Biggerstaff is also entitled to all
benefits due him under AirNets employee benefit plans, paid in accordance with the terms of such
plans, and up to $15,000 for outplacement services.
AirNet also retained Mr. Biggerstaff as an independent contractor consultant effective January
1, 2007. Mr. Biggerstaff was entitled to be compensated for a minimum of 40 days of consulting
work at a fee of $2,000 per day prior to April 30, 2007, and is to be reimbursed for reasonable
expenses incurred in the performance of these consulting services. The term of the consulting
relationship will terminate on June 30, 2007, unless earlier terminated by either party on two
weeks prior notice or extended by the mutual agreement of the parties. As of the date of this
Proxy Statement, Mr. Biggerstaff had not been paid any fees related to this consulting arrangement.
Mr. Biggerstaff also agreed to not compete with AirNet for a period of 18 months following
December 31, 2006, and that he would maintain the confidentiality of information regarding AirNet
and its affiliates obtained by him through his employment and service on the Board. Further, Mr.
Biggerstaff released AirNet from any claims or causes of action he may have against AirNet, and
AirNet agreed to indemnify him to the fullest extent permitted by AirNets Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations for any expenses from suits related to his
service with AirNet.
Other Information
AirNet does not require its executive officers or directors to own a minimum number of AirNet
common shares.
If the relevant company performance measures, upon which an award or payment is based, are
restated or otherwise adjusted in a manner that would reduce the size of the award or payment, the
Compensation Committee has the discretion to determine whether, and to what extent, the award or
payment will be adjusted, or recovered if already made, to reflect the restatement or adjustment of
the relevant company performance measures.
31
Tax and Accounting Implications
Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally prohibits AirNet from taking a deduction
for 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. As part of its role, the Compensation Committee considers the
deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) and seeks to qualify all executive
compensation for full deductibility to the extent feasible. The Compensation Committee believes
that all compensation paid to AirNets executive officers for the 2006 fiscal year was fully
deductible for federal income tax purposes. The Compensation Committee will continue to work to
structure components of AirNets executive compensation package to achieve maximum deductibility
under Section 162(m) while at the same time considering the goals of its executive compensation
philosophy.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
On October 22, 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 was signed into law changing the
tax rules applicable to nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements. AirNet believes it is
operating in good faith compliance with the statutory provisions (Section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code) which became effective on January 1, 2005. The final regulations under Section 409A
were issued on April 10, 2007. AirNet intends to amend its compensation arrangements which are
subject to Section 409A and the final regulations to the extent necessary to ensure compliance with
Section 409A and the final regulations.
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R)
Effective January 1, 2006, AirNet began accounting for stock-based compensation, including the
options awarded to Bruce D. Parker on December 28, 2006 under the terms of his employment
agreement, in accordance with the requirements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004),
Share-Based Payment
(FAS
123(R)).
2007 Update
For the 2007 fiscal year, the components of AirNets executive compensation program will
remain largely the same as for the 2006 fiscal year, focusing primarily on base salary and annual
cash incentive compensation. However, the Compensation Committee believes it may also be necessary
to increase the current level of equity-based compensation available to certain of AirNets
executive officers as a result of the below-market level of long-term compensation currently being
provided to executive officers. The Compensation Committee may consider any of the types of
equity-based awards available under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, including awards of restricted
stock, options and other performance-based equity awards.
Base Salaries
On March 28, 2007, the Compensation Committee approved the annual base salaries for the 2007
fiscal year for Gary W. Qualmann, Jeffery B. Harris, Larry M. Glasscock, Jr. and Craig A. Leach.
None of their base salaries were changed from the 2006 fiscal year level. Bruce D. Parkers base
salary for the 2007 fiscal year was set at $360,000 under the terms of his employment agreement.
2007 Incentive Compensation Plan
On March 28, 2007, the AirNet Board, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee,
adopted the 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan. The purpose of the 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan
is to promote the following goals of AirNet for the 2007 fiscal year by providing incentive
compensation to certain employees of AirNet:
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attaining designated levels of pre-tax income;
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achieving designated levels of Express Services revenues and contribution margin;
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reducing AirNets operating costs;
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32
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establishing AirNet as the express air carrier of choice for highly controlled and time sensitive shipments;
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leveraging AirNets aviation infrastructure to improve contribution margin;
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operating in all areas of AirNets business in an absolutely safe, highly
professional, dependable, efficient and customer focused manner; and
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developing AirNets leadership team.
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Participants in the 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan include AirNets executive officers
Bruce D. Parker (Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer), Gary W. Qualmann (Chief
Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary), Larry M. Glasscock, Jr. (Senior Vice President,
Express Services), Jeffery B. Harris (Senior Vice President, Bank Services), Ray L. Druseikis (Vice
President of Finance, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer) and Craig A. Leach (Vice
President, Information Systems) and certain department managers and department directors. As of
the date of this Proxy Statement, there were 37 participants in the 2007 Incentive Compensation
Plan.
The maximum incentive compensation payment a participant may earn under the 2007 Incentive
Compensation Plan ranges from 20% to 100% of the participants base salary, depending upon such
participants level of responsibility for achieving AirNets goals for the 2007 fiscal year. The
maximum percentage of annual base salary that each of AirNets executive officers may earn as
incentive compensation under the 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan is as follows: Bruce D. Parker,
100%; Gary W. Qualmann, Larry M. Glasscock, Jr., and Jeffery B. Harris, 75%; and Ray L. Druseikis
and Craig A. Leach, 50%.
Payments under the 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan will be based on a combination of (i)
AirNets pre-tax income for the 2007 fiscal year, (ii) Express Services revenues and contribution
margins for the 2007 fiscal year, and (iii) the achievement of personal goals assigned to each
participant. The Compensation Committee determined the personal goals of the Chief Executive
Officer. The Chief Executive Officer determined the personal goals for the other executive
officers, which are reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee. The personal goals of
other participants were approved by the Chief Executive Officer and reviewed by the Compensation
Committee. 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 segment (e.g., execution of
specific contracts with customers and vendors, cost reductions, service improvements, etc.).
With the exception of Bruce D. Parker, no incentive compensation will be paid under the 2007
Incentive Compensation Plan unless AirNet achieves at least 80% of its targeted pre-tax income for
the 2007 fiscal year. At 80% of AirNets targeted pre-tax income and 100% of its targeted Express
Services contribution margins for the 2007 fiscal year, participants will receive approximately 30%
of their maximum incentive compensation payments. At 100% of AirNets targeted pre-tax income and
100% of its targeted Express Services contribution margins for the 2007 fiscal year, participants
will receive approximately 45% of their maximum incentive compensation payments. Mr. Parker will
be eligible to receive the portion of his incentive compensation potential allocated to his
personal goals without regard to AirNets attainment of its financial objectives. Once the
designated threshold level of pre-tax income is achieved, potential incentive compensation payouts
will increase at predetermined levels until the maximum incentive compensation payout of
approximately $1.7 million is reached at approximately 140% of AirNets targeted pre-tax income for
the 2007 fiscal year.
Once the aggregate potential incentive compensation payout is determined based upon the level
of pre-tax income achieved by AirNet during the 2007 fiscal year, each participants incentive
compensation payment will be determined based upon the following three components of the 2007
Incentive Compensation Plan (i) AirNets pre-tax income for the 2007 fiscal year; (ii) Express
Services revenues and contribution margins for the 2007 fiscal year, and (iii) the achievement of
personal goals. With the exception of Mr. Parker, 20% of each participants incentive compensation
payout is allocated to the attainment of personal goals. Forty percent of Mr. Parkers incentive
compensation payment is allocated to the attainment of personal goals. The portion of each
participants incentive compensation potential that is not allocated to the attainment of personal
goals will be allocated to the attainment of predetermined levels of pre-tax income and Express
Services revenues and contribution margin based upon such participants responsibility for
achieving such goals. At least 40% of each participants incentive compensation award is allocated
to the attainment of AirNets targeted levels of Express Services revenues and contribution margin.
The percentage of each executive officers incentive compensation award that is allocated to the
attainment of AirNets targeted levels of Express Services revenues and contribution margin is as
follows: Bruce D. Parker, 30%; Larry M. Glasscock, Jr. 70%; and Jeffery B. Harris, Gary W.
Qualmann, Ray L. Druseikis and Craig A. Leach, 40%.
33
No incentive compensation will be earned with respect to the Express Services component of the
2007 Incentive Compensation Plan unless AirNet achieves at least 100% of its targeted Express
Services revenues and contribution margin. Once the designated threshold levels of Express
Services revenues and contribution margin are achieved, potential incentive compensation payouts
under the Express Services component of the 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan will increase at
predetermined levels until the maximum Express Services compensation payout level is achieved.
Mr. Parkers incentive compensation payments under the 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan will
be based upon the achievement of certain pre-determined financial objectives and personal goals for
the first six months of the 2007 fiscal year and the last six months of the 2007 fiscal year. Mr.
Parker will be eligible to receive up to 50% of his annual base salary in each six-month period,
subject to the attainment of Mr. Parkers predetermined financial objectives and personal goals.
In each six-month incentive compensation period, Mr. Parkers incentive compensation potential will
be allocated among Mr. Parkers financial objectives and personal goals as follows:
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30% of Mr. Parkers incentive compensation potential will be based upon attaining at
least 100% of the targeted pre-tax income for the applicable six-month period;
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30% of Mr. Parkers incentive compensation potential will be based upon attaining at
least 100% of the targeted Express Services revenues and contribution margin for the
applicable six-month period; and
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40% of Mr. Parkers incentive compensation potential will be based upon the
attainment of the personal goals established for Mr. Parker by the Board of Directors.
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The Board of Directors established the following personal goals for Mr. Parker for the 2007
fiscal year:
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development of an AirNet operating vision, including specific objectives and strategy;
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development of a chief executive officer succession plan; and
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developing AirNets management into an integrated team working to achieve specific objectives.
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The AirNet Board will evaluate Mr. Parkers performance at the end of each six-month incentive
compensation period and determine his incentive compensation payment based upon AirNets financial
performance and achievement of Mr. Parkers personal goals during such period. In the event the
Board approves a strategic alternative that is completed based upon Mr. Parkers efforts, Mr.
Parker will be deemed to have met all his financial objectives and personal goals for the six-month
incentive compensation period in which the strategic alternative is completed. In such event, Mr.
Parker will be entitled to receive his maximum incentive compensation for such six-month period,
prorated from the first day of such six-month period to the date the strategic alternative is
completed.
Except for payments to Mr. Parker and AirNets other executive officers, payments under the
2007 Incentive Compensation Plan will be paid in quarterly payments commencing with the first
quarter of the 2007 fiscal year based upon AirNets year to date financial performance. With the
exception of Mr. Parker, payments of incentive compensation to AirNets executive officers will be
made in the first quarter of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008 based upon AirNets
performance and each executive officers performance for the 2007 fiscal year. Mr. Parkers
incentive compensation payments will be made in two installments no later than July 31, 2007 and
March 15, 2008. In order to receive a payment, a participant must be actively employed by AirNet
at the time the payment is made. New employees who qualify for the 2007 Incentive Compensation
Plan will be eligible to participate on the first day of the calendar quarter following their date
of hire.
In the event the incentive compensation payments otherwise available for payment under the
2007 Incentive Compensation Plan based upon AirNets level of pre-tax income are not to be paid to
certain participants as a result of such participants failure to attain their personal goals or
AirNets failure to attain the predetermined levels of Express Services revenues or contribution
margin, such unpaid amounts may be awarded at the discretion of the Compensation Committee to
participants in the 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan or to other employees of AirNet not
participating in the 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan. In the event such discretionary awards are
made to any participant, including AirNets executive officers, the total incentive compensation
payment to any such participant may exceed the targeted incentive compensation payment to such
participant as described above.
34
The Compensation Committee may amend, modify or terminate the 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan
at any time.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
required by Item 402(b) of SEC Regulation S-K with AirNets management and, based on such review
and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the AirNet Board that the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:*
James E. Riddle (Chair); James M. Chadwick; Gerald Hellerman
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*
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James M. Chadwick was appointed to the Compensation Committee effective February 27, 2007. Bruce
D. Parker ceased to be a member of the Compensation Committee on December 28, 2006 when he resigned
from the Compensation Committee immediately prior to and in connection with his election as Chief
Executive Officer and President of AirNet. Mr. Parker participated in the review and discussion of
the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in his capacity as a member of AirNets management.
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35
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes total compensation for each of the named individuals for the
2006 fiscal year.
Summary Compensation Table for 2006
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Non-Equity
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Option
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Incentive Plan
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All Other
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Name and
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Salary
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Bonus
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Awards
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Compensation
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Compensation
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Total
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Principal Position
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Year
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($)(1)
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($)
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($)(2)
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($)(3)
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($)
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($)
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Bruce D. Parker
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2006
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$
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2,769
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$
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125,000
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(5)
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$
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120,997
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(6)
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$
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146,576
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(7)
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$
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395,342
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Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer
and President (4)
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Joel E. Biggerstaff
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2006
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$
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325,000
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$
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15,935
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(9)
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$
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195,000
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$
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536,341
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(10)
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$
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1,072,276
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Former Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive
Officer (8)
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Gary W. Qualmann
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2006
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$
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215,000
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$
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12,949
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$
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136,750
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$
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8,328
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(11)
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$
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373,027
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Chief Financial Officer,
Secretary and Treasurer
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Jeffery B. Harris
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2006
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$
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230,000
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$
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8,227
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$
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160,000
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$
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5,092
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(12)
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$
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403,319
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Senior Vice President,
Bank Services
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Larry M. Glasscock, Jr.
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2006
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$
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215,000
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$
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12,974
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$
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125,000
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$
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90,243
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(13)
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$
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443,217
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Senior Vice President,
Express Services
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Craig A. Leach
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2006
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$
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160,000
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$
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3,496
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$
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66,464
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$
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6,154
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(14)
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$
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236,114
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Vice President,
Information Systems
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(1)
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The amounts shown in this column represent the base salary earned by each named
individual for the 2006 fiscal year. Base salary represented 1%, 30%, 58%, 57%, 49%, and 68%
of the respective total compensation of Messrs. Parker, Biggerstaff, Qualmann, Harris,
Glasscock and Leach, respectively.
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(2)
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During the 2006 fiscal year, no options were granted to any individual named in this table
other than Bruce D. Parker, who was granted options to purchase an aggregate of 150,000
common shares under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan on December 28, 2006 in connection with his
election as Chief Executive Officer and President as contemplated by the terms of Mr.
Parkers employment agreement. Please see the description of Mr. Parkers employment
agreement under the caption
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Employment Contracts and
Other Arrangements Providing for Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control
Employment Agreement for Bruce D. Parker
beginning on page 26. For each of Mr.
Biggerstaff, Mr. Qualmann, Mr. Harris, Mr. Glasscock and Mr. Leach, the amount shown in this
column reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes
(without reduction for assumed forfeitures) for the 2006 fiscal year in accordance with FAS
123(R) for option awards granted under the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan prior to 2006. For Mr.
Parker, the amount shown in this column reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial
statement reporting purposes (without reduction for assumed forfeitures) for the 2006 fiscal
year in accordance with FAS 123(R) for (a) options granted to Mr. Parker under the 1996
Incentive Stock Plan prior to 2006 in his capacity as a non-employee director of AirNet and
(b) the options to purchase 150,000 common shares granted to Mr. Parker under the 2004 Stock
Incentive Plan on December 28, 2006. Assumptions used in the calculation of the amounts in
this column are included in Note 5. Incentive Stock Plans of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements
|
36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
included in ITEM 8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA of AirNets Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the 2006 fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
The amounts shown in this column represent the amount earned (in respect of the 2006 fiscal
year performance) under the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan, which is discussed in further
detail beginning on page 21 under the caption
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 2006
Executive Compensation Program
Performance-Based Incentive Compensation
2006
Incentive Compensation Plan
.
Please also see the Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2006
table on page 38 for more information concerning awards made under the 2006 Incentive
Compensation Plan in respect of the 2006 fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
Mr. Parker became an executive officer of AirNet on December 28, 2006.
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
The amount shown represents the sign-on bonus received by Mr. Parker under the terms of his
employment agreement. Please see the description of Mr. Parkers employment agreement under
the caption
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Employment Contracts and Other
Arrangements Providing for Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control
Employment Agreement for Bruce D. Parker
beginning on page 26. This bonus represented 32%
of Mr. Parkers total compensation.
|
|
|
|
(6)
|
|
Mr. Parker did not participate in the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan.
|
|
|
|
(7)
|
|
The amount shown in this column includes $25,767 for AirNets reimbursement of travel
expenses incurred by Mr. Parker as a non-employee director, $120,000 in fees earned or paid
in cash to Mr. Parker as a non-employee director of AirNet for Board and Board committee
service and $809 for AirNets reimbursement of non-business travel and living expenses
incurred by Mr. Parker while serving as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
President of AirNet as contemplated by Mr. Parkers employment agreement. Please see the
description of Mr. Parkers employment agreement under the caption
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION
AND ANALYSIS
Employment Contracts and Other Arrangements Providing for Payments Upon
Termination of Employment or Change in Control
Employment Agreement for Bruce D. Parker
beginning on page 26.
|
|
|
|
(8)
|
|
Mr. Biggerstaff resigned from his positions as Chief Executive Officer and President of
AirNet effective December 28, 2006 and from his positions as a director and Chairman of the
Board of AirNet effective December 31, 2006.
|
|
|
|
(9)
|
|
Following the resignation of Mr. Biggerstaff, his vested options (covering an aggregate of
196,970 common shares) held as of December 28, 2006 remained exercisable until March 29,
2007; however, he did not exercise any of these options. The unvested options (covering an
aggregate of 17,700 common shares) held by Mr. Biggerstaff on December 28, 2006 were
forfeited in accordance with their respective terms.
|
|
|
|
(10)
|
|
The amount shown in this column includes $7,125 for AirNets matching contributions under
the Retirement Savings Plan, $1,280 for AirNets reimbursement of life insurance premiums
paid by Mr. Biggerstaff and $527,936 representing the amount paid or payable under the terms
of Mr. Biggerstaffs separation agreement. Please see the description of Mr. Biggerstaffs
separation agreement under the caption
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Employment
Contracts and Other Agreements Providing for Payments Upon Termination of Employment or
Change in Control
Separation Agreement for Joel E. Biggerstaff
beginning on page 31.
|
|
|
|
(11)
|
|
The amount shown in this column includes $5,928 for AirNets matching contributions under
the Retirement Savings Plan and $2,400 for AirNets reimbursement of life insurance premiums
paid by Mr. Qualmann.
|
|
|
|
(12)
|
|
The amount shown in this column includes $4,202 for AirNets matching contributions under
the Retirement Savings Plan and $890 for AirNets reimbursement of life insurance premiums
paid by Mr. Harris.
|
|
|
|
(13)
|
|
The amount shown in this column includes $7,707 for AirNets matching contributions under
the Retirement Savings Plan, $3,221 for AirNets reimbursement of life insurance premiums
paid by Mr. Glasscock and $79,315 for AirNets reimbursement and payment of non-business
travel and living expenses incurred by Mr. Glasscock while in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan
area.
|
37
|
|
|
|
|
(14)
|
|
The amount shown in this column includes $6,154 for AirNets matching contributions under
the Retirement Savings Plan.
|
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table supplements the information in the Summary Compensation Table with respect
to plan-based awards granted to each of the named individuals during the 2006 fiscal year.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Option
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant Date Fair
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)
|
|
Underlying
|
|
Exercise or Base
|
|
Value of Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Threshold
|
|
Target
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
Price of Option
|
|
and Option
|
|
Name
|
|
Grant Date
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
Maximum ($)
|
|
(#)
|
|
Awards ($/Sh)
|
|
Awards
|
|
Bruce D. Parker
|
|
|
12/28/06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
(2)
|
|
$
|
2.95
|
|
|
$
|
214,528
|
(3)
|
|
Joel E. Biggerstaff (4)
|
|
|
03/24/06
|
|
|
$
|
135,646
|
|
|
$
|
169,557
|
|
|
$
|
325,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gary W. Qualmann
|
|
|
03/24/06
|
|
|
$
|
67,301
|
|
|
$
|
84,126
|
|
|
$
|
161,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffery B. Harris
|
|
|
03/24/06
|
|
|
$
|
71,997
|
|
|
$
|
89,996
|
|
|
$
|
172,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Larry M. Glasscock, Jr.
|
|
|
03/24/06
|
|
|
$
|
67,301
|
|
|
$
|
84,126
|
|
|
$
|
161,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig A. Leach
|
|
|
03/24/06
|
|
|
$
|
33,390
|
|
|
$
|
41,737
|
|
|
$
|
80,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
The amounts shown reflect awards made pursuant to the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan and
the original range of payments that each named individual was eligible to receive with
respect to the 2006 fiscal year based on the award formulae and performance goals established
on March 24, 2006 by the Compensation Committee pursuant to the 2006 Incentive Compensation
Plan for each such individual as described under the caption
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS 2006 Executive Compensation Program
Performance-Based Incentive Compensation
2006 Incentive Compensation Plan
.
These amounts do not reflect the amendments to
the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan made on November 8, 2006 by the AirNet Board, upon the
recommendation of the Compensation Committee. Subsequent to those amendments, the range of
payments that each named individual was eligible to receive with respect to the 2006 fiscal
year was 60% of the threshold, target, and maximum amounts reflected in the table above for
each individual.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The actual amounts earned by each of the named individuals under the 2006 Incentive
Compensation Plan are reported in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the
Summary Compensation Table on page 36. Please also see the discussion of the additional
discretionary awards made under the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan under the caption
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 2006 Executive Compensation Program
Performance-Based
Incentive Compensation
2006 Incentive Compensation Plan
beginning on page 21.
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
These options were granted under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan as contemplated by Mr.
Parkers employment agreement. These options vested as to 75,000 common shares on the date
of grant and will vest as to the remaining 75,000 common shares on December 27, 2007 and
expire after ten years unless sooner exercised or forfeited. These options were granted at
the closing market price of AirNets common shares on the date of grant.
|
38
|
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
The amount shown reflects the grant date fair value (determined in accordance with FAS
123(R)) of the options granted to Mr. Parker.
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
Mr. Biggerstaff resigned from his positions as Chief Executive Officer and President of
AirNet effective December 28, 2006 and from his positions as a director and Chairman of the
Board of AirNet effective December 31, 2006. Under the terms of Mr. Biggerstaffs separation
agreement, the amount payable under the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan to Mr. Biggerstaff
was calculated without regard to his personal goals for the 2006 fiscal year. Please see the
description of Mr. Biggerstaffs separation agreement under the caption
COMPENSATION
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Employment Contracts and Other Agreements Providing for Payments
Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control
Separation Agreement for Joel E.
Biggerstaff
beginning on page 31.
|
39
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table provides information about outstanding options held by each of the named
individuals at the end of the 2006 fiscal year. AirNet has never granted any other form of
equity-based award to the named individuals.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End for 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards(1)
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
Number of Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities Underlying
|
|
Underlying Unexercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised Options(#)
|
|
Options (#)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
Option Exercise Price ($)
|
|
Option Expiration Date
|
|
Bruce D. Parker
|
|
|
20,000
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
4.4000
|
|
|
|
11/8/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,400
|
(2)
|
|
|
1,600
|
(2)(3)
|
|
$
|
3.9000
|
|
|
|
1/2/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,000
|
(4)
|
|
|
75,000
|
(4)(5)
|
|
$
|
2.9500
|
|
|
|
12/28/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joel E. Biggerstaff
|
|
|
10,100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9.8750
|
|
|
|
3/29/2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
69,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9.8750
|
|
|
|
3/29/2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
6.1250
|
|
|
|
3/29/2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,350
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5.2500
|
|
|
|
3/29/2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,220
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5.2500
|
|
|
|
3/29/2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3.8125
|
|
|
|
3/29/2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3.8125
|
|
|
|
3/29/2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
8.5800
|
|
|
|
3/29/2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,400
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
8.5800
|
|
|
|
3/29/2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,800
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
4.9500
|
|
|
|
3/29/2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
4.1300
|
|
|
|
3/29/2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gary W. Qualmann
|
|
|
16,000
|
|
|
|
4,000
|
(6)
|
|
$
|
4.2800
|
|
|
|
9/2/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,000
|
|
|
|
8,000
|
(7)
|
|
$
|
4.1300
|
|
|
|
2/17/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffery B. Harris
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
14.250
|
|
|
|
4/11/2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9.5000
|
|
|
|
6/8/2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9.5000
|
|
|
|
6/8/2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9.5000
|
|
|
|
6/8/2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9.5000
|
|
|
|
6/8/2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9.5000
|
|
|
|
6/8/2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9.5000
|
|
|
|
6/8/2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
6.1250
|
|
|
|
1/6/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,930
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5.2500
|
|
|
|
2/4/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3.8125
|
|
|
|
1/2/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
8.5800
|
|
|
|
1/2/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,000
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
(8)
|
|
$
|
4.9500
|
|
|
|
1/24/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,000
|
|
|
|
8,000
|
(7)
|
|
$
|
4.1300
|
|
|
|
2/17/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Larry M. Glasscock, Jr.
|
|
|
16,000
|
|
|
|
4,000
|
(9)
|
|
$
|
4.5100
|
|
|
|
2/3/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,000
|
|
|
|
8,000
|
(7)
|
|
$
|
4.1300
|
|
|
|
2/17/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig A. Leach
|
|
|
2,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
14.250
|
|
|
|
4/11/2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
17.500
|
|
|
|
8/19/2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9.5000
|
|
|
|
6/8/2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
6.1250
|
|
|
|
1/6/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3.8125
|
|
|
|
1/2/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
8.5800
|
|
|
|
1/2/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,400
|
|
|
|
600
|
(10)
|
|
$
|
4.9500
|
|
|
|
1/24/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,500
|
|
|
|
3,000
|
(11)
|
|
$
|
4.1300
|
|
|
|
2/17/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
With the exception of the options to purchase an aggregate of 150,000 common shares granted
to Mr. Parker as contemplated by his employment agreement, each of the options reported in
this table was granted under the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan and vests (or vested) and becomes
(or became) exercisable in 20% increments on each of the grant date and the first, second,
third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant. Mr. Parkers options to purchase an
aggregate of 150,000 common shares were granted under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan and
vested and became exercisable as to 75,000 common shares on December 28, 2006 and will vest
and become exercisable as to the remaining 75,000 common shares on December 27, 2007. Each
of the options reported will expire ten
|
40
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
years after the date of grant (except in the case of
Joel E. Biggerstaff whose options expired on March 29, 2007 (three months after his
separation from AirNet)) in accordance with the terms of the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan or the
2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as appropriate.
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
These options were granted to Mr. Parker in his capacity as a non-employee director of
AirNet. Please see
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION Options Granted under the 1996 Incentive Stock
Plan
on page 46 for more information concerning these options.
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
These options vested as to 800 common shares on January 2, 2007 and will vest as to 800
common shares on January 2, 2008.
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
These options were granted to Mr. Parker as contemplated by his employment agreement.
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
These options will vest on December 27, 2007.
|
|
|
|
(6)
|
|
These options will vest on September 2, 2007.
|
|
|
|
(7)
|
|
These options vested as to 4,000 common shares on February 17, 2007 and will vest as to
4,000 common shares on February 17, 2008.
|
|
|
|
(8)
|
|
These options vested on January 24, 2007.
|
|
|
|
(9)
|
|
These options vested on February 3, 2007.
|
|
|
|
(10)
|
|
These options vested on January 24, 2007.
|
|
|
|
(11)
|
|
These options vested as to 1,500 common shares on February 17, 2007 and will vest as to
1,500 common shares on February 17, 2008.
|
Exercises of Options and Vesting of Stock
No options were exercised by any of the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table
during the 2006 fiscal year. AirNet has never granted any other form of equity-based award to the
named individuals.
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 Incentive Stock Plan through the offering
period which ended June 30, 2004 and has been offered under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan since
July 1, 2004. Pursuant to this 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 85% of the fair market
value of the common shares on the first business day of each offering period and 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 the date of this Proxy Statement, there have been four
offering periods of three months each per calendar year and the purchase price has been equal to
the lesser of 85% of the fair market value of the common shares on the first business day of
each offering period and 85% of the fair market value of the common shares on the last business
day of each offering period. 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 the date of this Proxy Statement,
92,885 common shares remained reserved for issuance under the stock purchase program portion of
the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan.
41
Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control
AirNet does not maintain a formal severance place designed to provide post-employment
compensation to employees upon their termination of employment. However, as discussed in
the section captioned
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Employment Contracts and Other Arrangements
Providing for Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control
beginning on
page 25, the employment agreements between AirNet and each of Bruce D. Parker, Gary W.
Qualmann, Jeffery B. Harris and Larry M. Glasscock, Jr. provide for severance benefits in
the event their employment is terminated under specified circumstances. In addition, Mr.
Parker is entitled to a payment equal to 12 months of his base salary upon a change in
control as defined in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
Under the terms of the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan, 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. As of December 31, 2006, all of the unvested options held
by Joel E. Biggerstaff, Jeffery B. Harris, Gary W. Qualmann, Larry M. Glasscock, Jr. and
Craig A. Leach had an exercise price greater than the closing price of AirNets common
shares on December 29, 2006 (the last trading day of 2006 fiscal year) and, thus, had no
value.
Under the terms of the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, unless otherwise specified in the
applicable option agreement, if an option holders employment is terminated due to
retirement (as defined in the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan), death or disability, each option
which has not expired, been cancelled or been exercised, will immediately vest and become
exercisable. In addition, if AirNet undergoes a merger or consolidation or reclassification
of AirNets common shares or the exchange of AirNets 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, 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. As of December 31, 2006, Bruce D.
Parker held 75,000 unvested options which had been granted under the 2004 Stock Incentive
Plan. Based upon the difference between the closing price of AirNets common shares on
December 29, 2006 (the last trading day of the 2006 fiscal year) and the exercise price, the
value of Mr. Parkers 75,000 accelerated options would be $750 if one of the events
described in this paragraph had occurred on December 31, 2006.
In connection with his separation from AirNet in December 2006, AirNet entered into a
separation agreement and general release with Joel E. Biggerstaff. For information
regarding the separation benefits provided to Mr. Biggerstaff, see the discussion under the
caption
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Employment Contracts and Other Arrangements
Providing for Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control
Separation
Agreement for Joel E. Biggerstaff
beginning on page 31.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
AirNet has three equity compensation plans under which common shares may be issued to
eligible officers, directors or employees of AirNet and its subsidiaries in exchange for
consideration in the form of goods or services: the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan, the 2004 Stock
Incentive Plan and the AirNet Systems, Inc. Director Deferred Compensation Plan (the Director
Deferred Plan). The 1996 Incentive Stock Plan and the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan have been
approved by the shareholders of AirNet, while the Director Deferred Plan has not.
The following table shows, as of December 31, 2006: (a) the number of common shares issuable
upon exercise of outstanding options granted under the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan and the 2004
Stock Incentive Plan, and outstanding rights to purchase granted pursuant to the stock purchase
program portion of the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan; (b) the weighted average exercise price of
outstanding options granted under the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan and the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan;
and (c) the number of common shares remaining available for future issuance under the 2004 Stock
Incentive Plan, excluding common shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and rights
to purchase. As of December 31, 2006, none of the directors of AirNet was participating in the
Director Deferred Plan.
42
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of common shares
|
|
|
|
Number of common
|
|
|
|
|
|
remaining available for
|
|
|
|
shares to be issued upon
|
|
Weighted-average
|
|
future issuance under
|
|
|
|
exercise of outstanding
|
|
exercise price of
|
|
equity compensation plans
|
|
|
|
options, warrants and
|
|
outstanding options,
|
|
(excluding common shares
|
|
|
|
rights
|
|
warrants and rights
|
|
reflected in column (a))
|
|
Plan Category
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
Equity compensation
plans approved by
shareholders
|
|
|
830,344
|
(1)
|
|
$
|
6.43
|
(2)
|
|
|
752,885
|
(3)
|
|
Equity compensation
plans not approved
by shareholders
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
Total
|
|
|
830,344
|
|
|
$
|
6.43
|
|
|
|
752,885
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Includes 637,550 common shares issuable upon the exercise of options granted under the
1996 Incentive Stock Plan, 190,000 common shares issuable upon the exercise of options
granted under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, and 2,794 common shares subject to outstanding
rights to purchase granted pursuant to the stock purchase program portion of the 2004 Stock
Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
Represents the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options granted under the 1996
Incentive Stock Plan and the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. Rights to purchase common shares
under the stock purchase program portion of the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan are priced based on
the lesser of 85% of the fair market value of AirNets common shares on the first business
day of the offering period or 85% of the fair market value of AirNets common shares on the
last business day of the offering period. All of the 2,794 rights to purchase common shares
outstanding as of December 31, 2006 under the stock purchase program portion of the 2004
Stock Incentive Plan were exercised on March 19, 2007 at a price of $2.54 per share.
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
No further grants may be made under the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan. Of the 752,885 common
shares remaining available for issuance under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan as of December
31, 2006, 92,885 common shares are reserved for issuance under the stock purchase program
portion of the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
As of December 31, 2006, none of the directors of AirNet was participating in the Director
Deferred Plan.
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
The number of common share equivalents attributable to participants accounts under the
Director Deferred Plan will depend upon the number of non-employee directors of AirNet
electing to defer their fees, the amount deferred by each non-employee director and whether
the deferred fees are allocated to a stock account or a cash account under the Director
Deferred Plan. The Director Deferred Plan does not specify a limit as to the number of
common shares which may be issued thereunder. Please see the description of the Director
Deferred Plan under the caption
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Director Deferred Compensation
Plan
.
|
43
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The following table summarizes the total compensation of each of the individuals who served as
a non-employee director of AirNet during the 2006 fiscal year, with the exception of Bruce D.
Parker as explained below.
Director Compensation for 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned or
|
|
Option
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid in Cash
|
|
Awards
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Total
|
|
Name(1)
|
|
($)(2)
|
|
($)(3)
|
|
($)(4)
|
|
($)
|
|
James M. Chadwick
|
|
$
|
72,500
|
|
|
$
|
6,923
|
|
|
$
|
2,913
|
|
|
$
|
82,336
|
|
|
|
|
Russell M. Gertmenian
|
|
$
|
48,000
|
|
|
$
|
2,687
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
50,687
|
|
|
|
|
Gerald Hellerman
|
|
$
|
66,500
|
|
|
$
|
6,923
|
|
|
$
|
2,401
|
|
|
$
|
75,824
|
|
|
|
|
David P. Lauer (5)
|
|
$
|
50,500
|
|
|
$
|
2,687
|
(6)
|
|
$
|
707
|
|
|
$
|
53,894
|
|
|
|
|
James E. Riddle
|
|
$
|
109,500
|
|
|
$
|
2,687
|
|
|
$
|
6,165
|
|
|
$
|
118,352
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Bruce D. Parker, who became Chief Executive Officer and President of AirNet effective
December 28, 2006 and Chairman of the Board effective December 31, 2006, is not included in
this table. Mr. Parker served as a non-employee director of AirNet until December 28, 2006.
The compensation paid to him in that capacity as well as the compensation paid to him in his
capacity as Chief Executive Officer and President of AirNet for the 2006 fiscal year are shown
in the Summary Compensation Table on page 36.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joel E. Biggerstaff, who resigned from his positions as Chief Executive Officer and President of
AirNet effective December 28, 2006 and from his positions as a director and Chairman of the
Board of AirNet effective December 31, 2006, is not included in this table as he was an employee
of AirNet and thus received no compensation for his services as a director. The compensation
received by Mr. Biggerstaff as an executive officer and employee of the AirNet is shown in the
Summary Compensation Table on page 36.
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
The amounts shown in this column reflect the amount of cash compensation earned by each
non-employee director in the 2006 fiscal year for Board and Board committee service.
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
During the 2006 fiscal year, no options were granted to the non-employee directors of AirNet
for their service in that capacity. The amounts shown in this column reflect the dollar
amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes (without reduction for assumed
forfeitures) for the 2006 fiscal year in accordance with FAS 123(R) of option awards granted
under the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan and the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan prior to 2006.
Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 5. Incentive Stock
Plans of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in ITEM 8 FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA of AirNets Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2006 fiscal
year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The aggregate number of common shares underlying options outstanding at December 31, 2006 for
each of the individuals included in this table were: (a) James M. Chadwick 20,000 common
shares (8,000 exercisable and 12,000 unexercisable); (b) Russell M. Gertmenian 46,000 common
shares (43,600 exercisable and 2,400 unexercisable); (c) Gerald Hellerman 20,000 common shares
(8,000 exercisable and 12,000 unexercisable); (d) David P. Lauer none; and (e) James E. Riddle
36,000 common shares (33,600 exercisable and 2,400 unexercisable).
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
The amounts shown in this column represent the reimbursement of travel expenses incurred by
each non-employee director during the 2006 fiscal year.
|
44
|
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
David P. Lauer served as a member of the AirNet Board during the 2006 fiscal year until his
resignation from the Board on May 11, 2006.
|
|
|
|
(6)
|
|
Following the resignation of Mr. Lauer, his vested options (covering an aggregate of 37,600
common shares) held as of May 11, 2006 remained exercisable until August 11, 2006; however, he
did not exercise any of these vested options. The unvested options (covering an aggregate of
2,400 common shares) held by Mr. Lauer on May 11, 2006 were forfeited in accordance with their
respective terms.
|
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 the 2006 fiscal year and to be paid
during the 2007 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 was $2,000 during the 2006 fiscal
year and continues to be the same amount during the 2007 fiscal year. The fee for attending
telephonic meetings of the full Board was $1,000 for each meeting attended during the 2006 fiscal
year and remains that amount during the 2007 fiscal year.
The fee for Audit Committee members has been and remains $2,000 per meeting attended in person
during each of the 2006 fiscal year and the 2007 fiscal year, with the Chair of the Audit Committee
receiving an additional $1,000 per meeting attended in person. The fee for Compensation Committee
members and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee members has been and remains $1,000 per
meeting attended in person during each of the 2006 fiscal year and the 2007 fiscal year, with the
Chair of each of those Committees receiving an additional $2,000 for each meeting of the Committee
attended in person. The fees for attending telephonic meetings of each Committee held during each
of the 2006 fiscal year and the 2007 fiscal year have been and remain one-half (50%) of the amount
of the fees for attending a meeting of the particular Committee in person.
The fees for Strategy Committee members during the 2006 fiscal year were $1,000 per meeting
attended in person and $500 for each telephonic meeting attended. In addition, on May 11, 2006,
the Board approved a $5,000 quarterly fee for Bruce D. Parker for service in the capacity as Chair
of the Strategy Committee, retroactive to January 1, 2006. The Strategy Committee did not meet
during the 2007 fiscal year and no fees were paid to Strategy Committee members during the 2007
fiscal year prior to the dissolution of the Strategy Committee on February 27, 2007.
As the lead director of AirNet, James E. Riddle received an additional quarterly fee of $6,000
for service in that capacity during the 2006 fiscal year and Mr. Riddle continues to receive that
amount during the 2007 fiscal year.
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.
Since December 28, 2006, Bruce D. Parker has not received and will not receive any fees for
serving as a director of AirNet because he also serves as an officer and employee of AirNet in his
capacity as Chief Executive Officer and President. Joel E. Biggerstaff, who resigned from his
positions as Chief Executive Officer and President of AirNet effective December 28, 2006 and as a
director and Chairman of the Board of AirNet effective December 31, 2006, received no fees for
serving as a director of AirNet during the 2006 fiscal prior to his resignation because he was an
officer and employee of AirNet.
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 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
45
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
the date of this Proxy Statement, none of the non-employee directors was participating in the
Director Deferred Plan.
Options Granted under 1996 Incentive Stock Plan
Prior to the approval of the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan by AirNets shareholders in June 2004,
non-employee directors were automatically granted options to purchase AirNet common shares in
accordance with the terms of the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan. Each option granted to a non-employee
director under the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan was granted with an exercise price equal to the fair
market value of AirNets common shares on the grant date and a ten-year term. Each option granted
to a non-employee director under the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan, 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. 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 in
each case 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.
Options Granted under 2004 Stock Incentive Plan
Under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, each individual newly-elected or newly-appointed as a
non-employee director after June 4, 2004 has been and is to be granted an option to purchase 20,000
AirNet common shares effective on the date of his election or appointment to the Board. In
accordance with the terms of the 2004 Stock Incentive 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.
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 AirNet common
shares. Each of the individuals serving as a non-employee director on January 2, 2006 (the first
business day of the 2006 fiscal year) who had served for at least one full one-year term on that
date, thereby being eligible for the grant Russell M. Gertmenian, David P. Lauer, Bruce D. Parker
and James E. Riddle determined not to accept the option to purchase 4,000 AirNet common shares
which would have been automatically granted to him on such date. On January 2, 2007 (the first
business day of the 2007 fiscal year), each of the individuals serving as a non-employee director
who had served for at least one full one-year term on that date, thereby being eligible for the
grant James M. Chadwick, Russell M. Gertmenian, Gerald Hellerman and James E. Riddle was
automatically granted an option to purchase 4,000 AirNet common shares with an exercise price of
$2.91.
Each option automatically granted under the 2004 Stock Incentive 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 Stock Incentive Plan is to have an exercise price per share equal to the closing price of
the underlying common shares as reported on AMEX on the grant date (or, if the grant date is not a
trading day on AMEX, the first trading day following 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
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.
46
Once vested and exercisable, each option automatically granted to a non-employee director
under the 2004 Stock Incentive 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 in each case 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.
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
Pursuant to the terms of its written charter, the Audit Committee of AirNets Board is
responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to any proposed
transaction involving AirNet or any subsidiary of AirNet, and any director or executive officer of
AirNet or any subsidiary of AirNet, or any such transaction involving an immediate family member of
any such director or executive officer or involving any entity in which any such director or
executive officer has more than a modest financial interest. Further, under AirNets Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and overseeing all
actions and transactions in which the personal interests of an officer or director may be in
conflict with those of AirNet and determining whether any such action or transaction represents a
potential conflict of interest. A transaction creates a potential conflict of interest when
business judgments or decisions may be influenced by personal interests not shared by AirNet as a
whole. A conflict of interest may, for example, arise when an officer or director, or a member of
his family, has an interest in a transaction to which AirNet or one of its subsidiaries is a
participant, competes with AirNet or one of its subsidiaries, uses corporate property for personal
gain or takes advantage of an opportunity that belongs to AirNet or one of its subsidiaries. Under
AirNets Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, AirNets officers and directors must report
transactions involving a potential conflict of interest to the Chairman of the Audit Committee for
review and approval by the Audit Committee. When reviewing a transaction involving a potential
conflict of interest, the Audit Committee will consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances
and either approve or disapprove of the transaction. While the relevant facts and circumstances
will vary depending on the transaction, they generally include:
|
|
§
|
|
the benefits to AirNet or one of its subsidiaries of the transaction;
|
|
|
|
|
§
|
|
the terms of the transaction;
|
|
|
|
|
§
|
|
the interest of the officer or director (or a member of his family) in the transaction;
|
|
|
|
|
§
|
|
the alternatives to entering into the transaction;
|
|
|
|
|
§
|
|
whether the transaction is on terms comparable to those available to third parties; and
|
|
|
|
|
§
|
|
the overall fairness of the transaction.
|
To the extent practicable, all transactions involving a potential conflict of interest
will be approved in advance. If a transaction involving a potential conflict of interest that has
not been pre-approved is discovered or, to the extent advance approval is not practicable, the
Audit Committee will promptly consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances. If the
transaction is ongoing, the Audit Committee will ratify, amend or terminate the transaction as it
deems appropriate. If the transaction has been completed, the Audit Committee will consider if
rescission of the transaction is appropriate and whether disciplinary action is warranted.
Transactions with Related Persons since January 1, 2006
One of AirNets directors, Russell M. Gertmenian, is a partner with the law firm of Vorys,
Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP and serves as Chair of that firms Management Committee and Executive
Committee. Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP rendered legal services to AirNet and its
subsidiaries during the 2006 fiscal year and continues to do so during the 2007 fiscal year.
During the 2006 fiscal year, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP was paid approximately $552,000 in
fees and expenses in connection with such legal services. This amount represents less than 1% of
such firms 2006 gross revenues. These legal services were provided on an arms-length basis, and
paid for at fair market value. AirNet believes that such services were effected on terms no less
favorable to AirNet than those that would have been realized in transactions with unaffiliated
entities or individuals. Consistent with its responsibility, the Audit Committee has reviewed and
approved the relationship with Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP as being consistent with the
best interests of AirNet and its subsidiaries.
47
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 2006 fiscal year, all filing
requirements were complied with.
AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS
Report of the Audit Committee for the 2006 Fiscal Year
In accordance with the applicable SEC rules, the Audit Committee has issued the following
report:
Role of the Audit Committee, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Management
The Audit Committee is currently comprised of three directors who qualify as independent
directors under the applicable AMEX Rules and SEC Rule 10A-3. 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. In particular, the Audit Committee assists the Board in overseeing: (i) the integrity
of AirNets consolidated financial statements; (ii) AirNets compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements; (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 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 2006 fiscal year.
During the 2006 fiscal year, the Audit Committee met five times, and the Audit Committee
discussed with AirNets management and E&Y the interim financial and other information contained
in each quarterly earnings announcement and periodic filings with the SEC prior to public release
of such information.
AirNets management has the responsibility for the preparation, presentation and integrity of
AirNets consolidated financial statements, for the appropriateness of the accounting principles
and reporting policies that are used by AirNet and AirNets subsidiaries and for AirNets
accounting and financial reporting processes, including the establishment and maintenance of
AirNets system of internal control over financial reporting. 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 E&Ys report on those
consolidated financial statements based on such audit and for reviewing AirNets unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements. The Audit Committees responsibility is to provide
independent, objective oversight of these processes.
Review and Discussion with Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Management
In discharging its oversight responsibilities as to the audit process, the Audit Committee
met with AirNets 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 the matters
required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, as adopted by the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T.
The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from E&Y required by
Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board in Rule 3600T, relating to that firms independence and discussed with E&Y that firms
independence. 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.
48
AirNets management has represented to the Audit Committee that AirNets audited consolidated
financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, 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.
Conclusion
Based on the Audit Committees discussions with AirNets 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 that AirNets audited consolidated financial statements be included in AirNets Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, for filing with the SEC.
Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors:
Gerald Hellerman (Chair); James M. Chadwick; James E. Riddle
Pre-Approval of Services Performed by Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Under applicable SEC rules, the Audit Committee is required to pre-approve the audit and
non-audit services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm employed by
AirNet in order to ensure that those 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 the 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
AirNets independent registered public accounting firm to AirNet or any of its subsidiaries. The
Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to a member of the Audit Committee and, if it
does, the decision of that member must be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next
scheduled meeting.
All services proposed to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm are
discussed with the Audit Committee by both the independent registered public accounting firm and
AirNets Chief Financial Officer. These discussions address whether, in their view, the provision
of the proposed services is consistent with 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 2006 and 2005 fiscal years. The aggregate fees
billed to AirNet and its subsidiaries by E&Y for each of the 2006 fiscal year and the 2005 fiscal
year were as follows:
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2006
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2005
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|
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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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348,217
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$
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280,301
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Audit-Related Fees
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$
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$
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17,000
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Tax Fees
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$
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123,325
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$
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12,146
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All Other Fees
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$
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$
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Total
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$
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471,542
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$
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309,447
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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
49
the 2005 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 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 for each of the 2006 fiscal
year and the 2005 fiscal year had been 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
2006 fiscal year and in that capacity, rendered a report on AirNets consolidated financial
statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. In addition, the Audit
Committee has appointed E&Y to serve as AirNets independent registered public accounting firm for
the 2007 fiscal year. E&Y has served as AirNets independent auditors/independent registered
public accounting firm since 1989.
Representatives of E&Y are expected to be present at the 2007 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
and proxy statements) 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 brokerage firms 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, 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 2006 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.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2008 ANNUAL MEETING
AirNet shareholders seeking to bring business before the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders,
or to nominate candidates for election as directors at the 2008 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 2008
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 2008 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 under the
caption
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 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 2007 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders must be in the form specified in Rule 14a-8 and received by the Secretary of AirNet
no later than January 1, 2008 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.
50
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 2007 Annual Meeting other than those matters discussed in
this Proxy Statement. However, if any other matter requiring a vote of the shareholders properly
comes before the 2007 Annual Meeting, the individuals acting under the proxies solicited by the
Board will vote and act according to their best judgments in light of the conditions then
prevailing, to the extent permitted under the applicable law.
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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April 30, 2007
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Gary W. Qualmann
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Secretary
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51
Appendix A
AMENDMENT TO
CODE OF REGULATIONS
SECTIONS 1.04(A) AND (B)
The current text of Sections 1.04(A) and 1.04(B) of AirNets Code of Regulations reads as
follows:
(A) Written notice stating the time, place and purposes of a meeting of the shareholders
shall be given either by personal delivery or by mail not less than seven nor more than
sixty days before the date of the meeting, (1) to each shareholder of record entitled to
notice of the meeting, (2) by or at the direction of the president or the secretary. If
mailed, such notice shall be addressed to the shareholder at his address as it appears on
the records of the corporation. Notice of adjournment of a meeting need not be given if
the time and place to which it is adjourned are fixed and announced at such meeting. In
the event of a transfer of shares after the record date for determining the shareholders
who are entitled to receive notice of a meeting of shareholders, it shall not be necessary
to give notice to the transferee. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the setting of a
record date in the manner provided by law, the Articles or the Regulations for the
determination of shareholders who are entitled to receive notice of or to vote at any
meeting of shareholders or for any purpose required or permitted by law.
(B) Following receipt by the president or the secretary of a request in writing, specifying
the purpose or the purposes for which the persons properly making such request have called
a meeting of shareholders, delivered either in person or by registered mail to such officer
by any persons entitled to call a meeting of shareholders, such officer shall cause to be
given to the shareholders entitled thereto notice of a meeting to be held on a date not
less than seven nor more than sixty days after the receipt of such request, as such officer
may fix. If the notice is not given within fifteen days after the receipt of such request
by the president or the secretary, then, and only then, the persons properly calling the
meeting may fix the time of meeting and give notice thereof in accordance with the
provisions of the Regulations.
If the amendments proposed for adoption by the shareholders as described in the section
captioned
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 1.04(A) AND 1.04(B) OF AIRNETS CODE OF REGULATIONS
of
this Proxy Statement are adopted, then Sections 1.04(A) and 1.04(B) would be amended to read in
their entirety as follows:
Section 1.04. Notice of Meetings
.
(A) Written notice stating the time, place and purposes of a meeting of the shareholders
shall be given either by personal delivery or by mail, overnight delivery service, or any
other means of communication authorized by the shareholder to whom the notice is given, not
less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting (i) to every
shareholder of record entitled to notice of the meeting (ii) by or at the direction of the
president, the secretary, or another officer expressly authorized by action of the
directors to give such notice. If mailed or sent by overnight delivery service, such
notice shall be sent to the shareholder at such shareholders address as it appears on the
records of the corporation. If sent by another means of communication authorized by the
shareholder, the notice shall be sent to the address furnished by the shareholder for those
transmissions. Notice of adjournment of a meeting need not be given if the time and place
to which it is adjourned are fixed and announced at such meeting. In the event of a
transfer of shares after the record date for determining the shareholders who are entitled
to receive notice of a meeting of shareholders, it shall not be necessary to give notice to
the transferee. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the setting of a record date in the
manner provided by law, the Articles or the Regulations for the determination of
shareholders who are entitled to receive notice of or to vote at any meeting of
shareholders or for any purpose required or permitted by law.
A-1
(B) Upon request in writing delivered either in person or by registered mail to the president or
the secretary, specifying the purpose or the purposes for which the persons properly making such
request have called a meeting of shareholders, that officer shall cause to be given to the
shareholders entitled thereto notice of a meeting to be held on a date not less than ten nor more
than sixty days after the receipt of such request, as the officer may fix. If the notice is not
given within fifteen days after the receipt of such request by the president or the secretary,
then, and only then, the persons properly calling the meeting may fix the time of the meeting and
give notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations, or cause the
notice to be so given by any designated representative.
A-2
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. NNNNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNNNNNNN C123456789 000004 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext
000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) 000000000.000000 ext
000000000.000000 ext ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5 NNNNNNNNN ADD 6 Using a
black ink
pen, mark
your votes with an
X
as shown in X this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.
Annual Meeting Proxy Card
3
PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM
PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
3
A Proposals The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR
each of the listed nominees and FOR Proposal 2. Election of Directors
1. To elect as a director of
the Company each of the nominees listed below, to serve for a term expiring at the 2008 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders (except as marked to the contrary). +
B For Withhold For Withhold For
Withhold
01 James M. Chadwick 02 Russell M. Gertmenian 03 Gerald Hellerman 04 Bruce D.
Parker 05 James E. Riddle
Amendment of Code of Regulations For Against Abstain
2.Toadopttheproposedamendmentsto S ections 1.04 (A) and 1.04 (B) of the shareholders be given
Companys Code of notice atleast10days(butnot morethan60days)inadvanceofallshareholdermeetings
permitelectronicnoticesofmeetingsoftheshareholders. and The undersigned shareholder(s) authorize
the individuals designated to at the time of solicitation of this proxy) which properly come before
the such substitute nominee as the directors of the Company may recommend.
B Non-Voting Items
Change of Address
Please print new address below.
C AuthorizedSignaturesSignHere
Thissectionmustbecompletedforyourinstructionstobeexecuted. DateandSignBelow
Pleasesignbelowexactlyasyournameappearshereon.Whencommonsharesareregisteredintwonames,bothshareholde
rsshouldsign.Whensigningasexecutor,administrator,trustee,
guardian,attorneyoragent,pleasegivefulltitleassuch.Ifshareholderisacorporation,pleasesigninfullcorpo
ratenamebyPresidentorotherauthorizedo
fice
r.Ifshareholderisa
partnershiporotherentity,pleasesigninentitynamebyanauthorizedperson.(Pleasenoteanychangeofaddressont
hisproxycard.) Date(mm/dd/yyyy) Pleaseprintdatebelow. Signature1 Pleasekeepsignaturewithinthebox.
Signature2 Pleasekeepsignaturewithinthebox. C 1234567890 J N T MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP
TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A
SAMPLE AND NNNNNNN1 U P X 0 1 3 4 8 9 1 MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND +
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3
PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
3
Revocable Proxy AirNet Systems, Inc. PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 6, 2007 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 Bruce D. Parker 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 June
6, 2007, at the Courtyard
®
by Marriott
®
Columbus Airport, 2901 Airport Drive,
Columbus, Ohio 43219, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Saving 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, when properly executed, will be voted FOR
the election of each of the nominees listed in Proposal Number 1 as a director of the Company and
FOR Proposal Number 2 to adopt the proposed amendments to Sections 1.04 (A) and 1.04 (B) of the
Companys Code of Regulations. 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 TO VOTE THE COMMON SHARES
WHICH THE UNDERSIGNED IS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING ARE HEREBY REVOKED. The
undersigned acknowledges receipt of the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and
Proxy Statement for the June 6, 2007 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.
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