PROPOSALS TO BE VOTED ON
PROPOSAL ONE:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, the Board has determined that the board of directors be comprised of four directors, each of whom serves a one-year term and is subject to annual election. The Board has nominated four incumbent directors for re-election at the Annual Meeting. If elected, each director nominee will hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until his successor has been elected and qualified. Each nominee has expressed his intention to serve the entire term for which election is sought. The Board believes that all the nominees will be available to serve as directors. If any director nominee becomes unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, the Board may recommend a substitute nominee or leave a vacancy and fill the vacancy later. The shares represented by all valid proxies may be voted for the election of a substitute nominee if one is nominated.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” each of the director nominees.
The following is biographical information for the nominee directors.
Mark E. Schwarz, 62, became a director and Chairman of the Board of the Company in 2004. Mr. Schwarz is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Portfolio Manager of Newcastle Capital Management, L.P. (“NCM”), a private investment management firm he founded in 1993. NCM is the general partner of Newcastle Partners, L.P., which is the largest shareholder of the Company. (See, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners, Directors and Executive Officers.”) Mr. Schwarz is also Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of directors of Hallmark Financial Services, Inc., a specialty property and casualty insurance company, and Executive Chairman of Wilhelmina International, Inc., a model management and talent representation company. He also serves as a director of various privately held companies. The Board believes that Mr. Schwarz should serve as a director of the Company due to his extensive business and investment expertise, broad director experience and significant direct and indirect shareholdings in the Company.
Clinton J. Coleman, 45, became a director of the Company in 2007. He has since May 2021 served as the President of Synq3, Inc., a company focused on providing artificial intelligence solutions for managing consumer interactions. He served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Novo Labs, Inc. from its founding in 2017 until its acquisition by Synq3, Inc. in 2021. Previously, he had since 2010 served as the Chief Executive Officer of Bell Industries, Inc., a company primarily engaged in providing information technology services. Mr. Coleman served as an investment professional with NCM from 2005 to 2017, including as a Managing Director (2012 to 2017) and Vice President (2005 to 2012). He previously served as the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer from July 2016 until January 2017, and from June 2012 until November 2012. Mr. Coleman also served as Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company between July 2006 and January 2007. Prior to joining Newcastle, Mr. Coleman served as a portfolio analyst with Lockhart Capital Management, L.P., an investment partnership, from 2003 to 2005. From 2002 to 2003, he served as an associate with Hunt Investment Group, L.P., a private investment group. Previously, Mr. Coleman was an associate director with the Mergers & Acquisitions Group of UBS. Mr. Coleman presently serves as a director of Wilhelmina International, Inc., a model management and talent representation company. The Board believes that Mr. Coleman should serve as a director of the Company due to his experience in investment management and the management of publicly traded and privately held companies engaged in a wide range of industries.
William C. Hammett, Jr., 76, became a director of the Company in 2007. Mr. Hammett is retired. From 2010 to 2014, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of iH3, LLC, an integrated wellness and fitness company working with physicians and hospitals targeting chronic illnesses. He was the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Pegasus Solutions, Inc., a global provider of reservations-related services and technology in the hospitality industry, from 2006 through 2008. Mr. Hammett was the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Dave & Buster’s, Inc., an operator of restaurant/entertainment complexes, from 2001 through 2006. From 1997 to 2001, Mr. Hammett was self-employed in the restaurant industry. From 1992 to 1997, Mr. Hammett was the Chief Financial Officer/Senior Vice President Accounting & Administration for La Quinta Inns, Inc., a national hotel chain. Previously, he was employed by the accounting firm of PriceWaterhouseCoopers. The Board believes that Mr. Hammett should serve as a director of the Company due to his financial and management background and his experience in the restaurant, entertainment and hospitality industries.