DEF 14A 1 def14a_16723.htm DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT www.eXFILE.com 888.775-4789 --- SIGNATURE EYEWEAR -- PROXY STATMENT


SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
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SIGNATURE EYEWEAR, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 

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SIGNATURE EYEWEAR, INC.
498 North Oak Street
Inglewood, CA 90302


March 8, 2010

 
Dear Shareholders:
 
We cordially invite you to attend the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at 498 North Oak Street, Inglewood, California.
 
We have enclosed the Notice of the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Proxy Statement, a proxy card, a postage prepaid return envelope and a copy of our Annual Report to Shareholders, which includes our Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
At the meeting, you will be asked to elect five directors.  We will also report on our performance in fiscal 2009 and answer your questions regarding Signature Eyewear.
 
Fiscal 2009 was another solid year for Signature Eyewear.  Despite the weakening economy, domestic sales remained at the same level as the prior year.  However, we continued to experience declines in international sales due to the acquisition of major international customers by competitors and deep discounting in many international markets.
 
In light of the continuing adverse economic conditions, during the year we continued our efforts to improve our balance sheet.  We reduced inventory levels, greatly reducing our financing requirements.  As a result, we were able to reduce our accounts payable and accrued expenses.  We continue to reduce our long-term debt, which has declined from $6.4 million at October 31, 2005 to $4.2 million at October 31, 2009. In December 2009, we renewed our principal bank credit facility, extending the term to December 1, 2011.
 
We renewed our Laura Ashley license in January 2010, extending the term to December 2011 with a three-year renewal option.  We have successfully marketed this line since 1993, making it our oldest line.
 
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, it is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting.  Therefore, we urge you to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card by April 30, 2010 even if you plan to attend the meeting.
 
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
 
 
Sincerely,
 

Michael Prince
Chief Executive Officer
 
 

SIGNATURE EYEWEAR, INC.
498 North Oak Street
Inglewood, CA 90302
 

 
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
To be held on May 5, 2010
 


 
TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS:
 
Notice is hereby given to the holders of Common Stock of Signature Eyewear, Inc. that the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. (California time) at our corporate headquarters at 498 North Oak Street, Inglewood, California.
 
At the Annual Meeting we will ask you to:
 
 
1.
Elect five directors to serve for a term of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified.  The persons nominated by the board of directors (Edward Meltzer, Drew Miller, Ted Pasternack, Michael Prince and Richard M. Torre) are described in the accompanying Proxy Statement; and
 
 
2.
Transact any other business that may properly be presented at the meeting.
 
If you owned Common Stock of Signature Eyewear, Inc. on March 8, 2010, the record date, you are entitled to attend and vote at the Annual Meeting.  A complete list of shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available at the Annual Meeting.
 
 
By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
 
 
March 8, 2010
Ted Pasternack
Corporate Secretary



IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 5, 2010
 
This Proxy Statement, along with the proxy card, and our Annual Report to Shareholders, which includes our Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are available at our website, www.seye.com, under “Investor Information.”
 

THE PROMPT RETURN OF YOUR SIGNED PROXY WILL BE HELPFUL IN REDUCING EXPENSES INCIDENT TO THE COMPANY’S SOLICITATION OF PROXIES. 

 


SIGNATURE EYEWEAR, INC.
 

 
PROXY STATEMENT
 
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
To be held on Wednesday, May 5, 2010
 
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
 
Why did you send me this Proxy Statement and proxy card?
 
We sent you this Proxy Statement and proxy card because you own shares of Common Stock of Signature Eyewear, Inc.  This Proxy Statement, which is furnished by the Board of Directors of Signature Eyewear, Inc., provides you with information that will help you to cast your vote at the Annual Meeting.  However, you do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares.  Instead, you may simply complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card. 
 
When you complete, sign, date and return the proxy card, you appoint each of Richard M. Torre and Michael Prince, directors of Signature Eyewear, as your representatives at the Annual Meeting (your proxies).  Mr. Torre and Mr. Prince will vote your shares at the Annual Meeting as you have instructed them on your proxy card(s).  If an issue comes up for vote at the Annual Meeting that is not on the proxy card, Mr. Torre and Mr. Prince will vote your shares, under your proxy, in accordance with their best judgment.
 
We began sending this Proxy Statement, the attached Notice of Annual Meeting and the enclosed proxy card on or around March 10, 2010 to all shareholders entitled to vote.  Shareholders who owned Common Stock on March 8, 2010 (the record date) are entitled to vote.  On the record date, there were 6,955,639 shares of Common Stock outstanding.  The Common Stock is our only class of voting stock outstanding.
 
We have enclosed our Annual Report to Shareholders, which includes our Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our Annual Report to Shareholders is also available at www.seye.com.  The Annual Report is not to be considered part of the soliciting materials.
 

What am I voting on?
 
We ask you to vote on the election of five directors.  The section entitled “Election of Directors” gives you more information on this proposal.
 
At the time this Proxy Statement was printed, we knew of no other matters to be acted on by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting.
 
How many votes do I have?
 
You have one vote for each share of our Common Stock.  In the election of directors, you may be permitted to “cumulate” your votes.
 
What is “cumulative voting”?
 
Cumulative voting is a manner of voting in the election of directors in which each shareholder is entitled to a total number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of votes the shareholder would have on a single matter.  The number of votes a shareholder has on a single matter is the number of shares of Common Stock held by the shareholder.  For example, if you hold 1,000 shares of Common Stock, you are entitled to 5,000 total votes in the election of directors (five – the number of directors – multiplied by one vote per share of Common Stock, or 5,000 votes).  A shareholder may use all of his or her votes for one nominee, or may distribute his or her votes among two or more nominees, as the shareholder sees fit.  No shareholder may cumulate votes unless at least one shareholder gives notice at the Annual Meeting of his or her intention to cumulate votes.
 
Your proxies may, in their discretion, cumulate votes for shares with respect to which they have proxies.
 
How are abstentions and broker non-votes treated?
 
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be included in the number of shares present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.  Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted either as a vote cast for or against in the election of directors.
 
How can I vote?
 
You may vote by mail
 
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided.
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If you mark your voting instructions on the proxy card, your shares will be voted as you instruct.  If you return a signed proxy card but do not provide voting instructions, your shares will be voted FOR the election of the nominees for director identified in this Proxy Statement.
 
You may vote in person at the Annual Meeting
 
You may attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person.  If you hold your shares in street name, you must request a legal proxy from your stockbroker in order to vote at the Annual Meeting.  Otherwise, we cannot count your votes.
 
May I revoke my proxy?
 
If you have returned your signed proxy card, you may revoke it at any time before it is exercised.  You may revoke your proxy in any one of three ways:
 
·  
You may send in another proxy with a later date;
 
·  
You may notify our Secretary in writing at our corporate headquarters before the Annual Meeting that you have revoked your proxy; or
 
·  
You may vote in person at the Annual Meeting.
 
How will shares I hold in street name be voted?
 
If your shares are held in street name, your brokerage firm, under certain circumstances, may vote your shares.  Brokerage firms have authority under New York Stock Exchange rules to vote customers’ shares on certain “routine” matters.  If you do not vote your proxy, your brokerage firm may either vote your shares on routine matters or leave your shares unvoted.
 
We encourage you to provide instructions to your brokerage firm by voting your proxy.  This ensures your shares will be voted at the Annual Meeting.
 
What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?
 
If you have more than one account at the transfer agent and/or with stockbrokers, you will receive separate proxy cards for each account.  Please sign and return all proxy cards to ensure that all your shares are voted.
 
How many votes may be cast at the Annual Meeting?
 
Based on the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the record date, up to 6,955,639 votes may be cast on any matter.
 
How many shares do you need to hold the Annual Meeting (what are the quorum requirements)?
 
Shares representing a majority of our outstanding votes on the record date of March 8, 2010 must be present at the Annual Meeting in order to hold the Annual Meeting and conduct business.  This is called a quorum.  Accordingly, a quorum will be 3,477,820 shares.
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Shares are counted as present at the Annual Meeting if the shareholder either:
 
·  
is present at the Annual Meeting; or
 
·  
has properly submitted a proxy card.
 
Who nominates individuals for election to the Board of Directors?
 
Nominations for the election of individuals to the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any holder of our voting stock.
 
How many votes must the director nominees have to be elected?
 
The five nominees receiving the highest number of votes will be elected as directors.  This number is called a plurality.  If you do not vote for a particular nominee, or you withhold authority to vote for a particular nominee on your proxy card, your vote will not count either “for” or “against” the nominee.
 
Who pays the costs of soliciting these proxies?
 
We pay for distributing and soliciting proxies and reimburse brokers’, nominees’, fiduciaries’ and other custodians’ reasonable fees and expenses in forwarding proxy materials to shareholders.  Our directors, officers and regular employees may solicit proxies in person, through mail, telephone or other means.  We do not pay those individuals additional compensation for soliciting proxies.
 
What are the Board of Directors’ recommendations?
 
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR election of the directors named in this Proxy Statement.  The proxy holders will vote in their discretion with respect to any other matter that properly comes before the Annual Meeting.
 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
Our bylaws state that the Board of Directors will consist of not less than four directors nor more than seven directors, with the exact number fixed from time to time by the Board.  The authorized number of directors is currently five.
 
Under the Certificate of Determination creating our Series A 2% Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred”), because the Company had missed two or more dividend payments with respect to the Series A Preferred, the holders of the Series A Preferred have the right to cause the number of authorized directors to be increased by two and to elect directors to fill those vacancies.  This right will continue until all arrears in dividends have been paid and dividends for the current period have been paid or declared and set aside for payment.  As of the record date, there was one holder of the Series A Preferred, and this holder has advised the Company that it does not intend to exercise its right to elect directors.
 
The Board of Directors has nominated the five current directors for re-election by the holders of the Common Stock.  Each nominee has indicated that he is willing to serve as a director.  If any nominee is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, Mr. Torre and Mr. Prince (your
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proxies) may vote for another nominee proposed by the Board of Directors.  If any director resigns, dies or is otherwise unable to serve out his term, the Board of Directors may fill the vacancy until the next annual meeting.
 
 Information About the Nominees
 
The following information is provided regarding the nominees:
 
Name
Age at
3/3/10
Year First
Elected or
Appointed
Director
Principal Occupation
Edward Meltzer
74
2003
Mr. Meltzer has been the President of Elanday Equities, Inc., an exporter of various products, since 1987.
 
Drew Miller
51
2003
Mr. Miller has been the President of Heartland Consulting Group since 1994, and is the President of Global Vantage Securities.  Mr. Miller is a Certified Management Accountant, Certified Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor, Certified Financial Planner and Certified Government Financial Manager.
 
Ted Pasternack
67
2003
Mr. Pasternack is a Certified Public Accountant who for more than the past ten years has been a financial consultant through Betafam, Inc., a corporation wholly owned by him.
 
Michael Prince
60
1994
Mr. Prince joined the Company in 1993 and has served as the Chief Financial Officer since 1994, and as Chief Executive Officer since 2003.
 
Richard M. Torre
64
2003
Mr. Torre has served as Chairman of the Board since 2003.  For the past eight years, he has been Chairman of Dartmouth Associates, Inc., a merchant and investment bank with diverse holdings in commercial banking, fish processing, office products and technology.  He is currently also Chairman of Dauntless Capital Partners, LLC.; Chairman, The Hydrogen Fund; and Chairman, Dartmouth Commerce of Manhattan, Inc.

 
Messrs. Meltzer, Miller, Pasternack and Torre are “independent” directors under the listing standards for Nasdaq.
 
 Board and Committee Meetings
 
The Board of Directors held five meetings during fiscal 2009.  Each director attended more than 75% of all meetings of the Board of Directors and Board Committees on which he served during the period he was a director in fiscal 2009.
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 Board Committees
 
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee.
 
Audit Committee.  The functions of the Audit Committee and its activities during fiscal 2009 are described below under the heading “Report of the Audit Committee.”
 
The Audit Committee is comprised of two directors, Ted Pasternack (Chairman) and Drew Miller.  Each of these directors is “independent” under the listing standards for Nasdaq.  In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Pasternack, a member of the Audit Committee, is an “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined in Regulation S-K of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, and the Audit Committee within the past year has reviewed and assessed the adequacy of the charter.  A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available on our website at www.seye.com.
 
The Audit Committee met four times in fiscal 2009.
 
Compensation Committee.  The Compensation Committee recommends to the Board of Directors all elements of compensation for the executive officers.  The Committee consists of Messrs. Meltzer (Chairman) and Pasternack.  Each of these directors is “independent” under the listing standards for Nasdaq.  The Compensation Committee met two times in fiscal 2009.  The Compensation Committee does not have a charter.
 
 Nominations for Director
 
The Board of Directors fills vacancies on the Board of Directors and nominates a slate of directors for election at annual meetings of shareholders.  Because all five of our directors participate in the process of identifying qualified director nominees, the Board of Directors does not believe that it is necessary to have a separate Nominating Committee.  The Board of Directors does not have a written charter that governs the director nomination process.
 
The Board of Directors seeks to achieve a balance of knowledge, experience and capability on the Board.  When considering candidates for director, the Board of Directors takes into account a number of factors, including the following (although candidates need not possess all of the following characteristics, and not all factors are weighted equally):
 
·  
Ability to attend regular and special board and committee meetings and willingness to perform the duties of a director
 
·  
Fine moral character, good personal and business reputation
 
·  
Industry knowledge and contacts in industries served by the Company
 
·  
Ability to be responsible, fair-minded, reliable, ethical and possess high integrity
 
·  
Candidates from the local community who are well known and respected will be given preferential consideration
 
·  
Prior experience on boards of directors
 
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·  
Senior-level management experience
 
·  
Possession of specific skills in electronic data processing, internal auditing, accounting, personnel, finance, etc., and/or demonstrated business or financial institution consulting expertise and experience
 
The Board of Directors will periodically assess the appropriate size of the Board of Directors and whether any vacancies on the Board of Directors are expected due to retirement or otherwise.  If vacancies are anticipated, or otherwise arise, or the size of the Board of Directors is expanded, the Board of Directors will consider various potential candidates for director.  Candidates may come to the attention of the Board of Directors through current Board of Directors members or management, shareholders or other persons.  These candidates will be evaluated at regular or special meetings of the Board of Directors, and may be considered at any point during the year.
 
The Board of Directors will consider candidates for directors recommended by shareholders who follow the proper procedures in submitting the recommendation.  The Board of Directors will consider candidates recommended by shareholders using the same criteria it applies to candidates recommended by directors.  To be considered for election at an annual meeting, the recommendation must be submitted no later than December 31 of the year prior to the year in which the meeting will be held.  The recommendation must be in writing addressed to the Corporate Secretary and must include the following:  (i) statement that the writer is a shareholder and is proposing a candidate for consideration by the Board; (ii) name and contact information for the candidate; (iii) statement of the candidate’s business and educational experience; (iv) information regarding each of the factors listed above (other than the factor regarding board size and composition) sufficient to enable the Board of Directors to evaluate the candidate; (v) statement detailing any relationship between the candidate and any competitor of the Company; (vi) detailed information about any relationship or understanding between the writer and the candidate; and (vii) statement that the candidate is willing to be considered and is willing to serve as a director if nominated and elected.
 
 Compensation of Directors
 
The following table provides information about the compensation of our directors for services in fiscal 2010:
 
Director Compensation(1)
 
 
Name
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash ($)
All Other
Compensation ($)
Total ($)
 
 
Edward Meltzer
$16,000
  —
$16,000
 
 
Drew Miller
$16,000
  —
$16,000
 
 
Ted Pasternack
$16,000
  —
$16,000
 
 
Richard M. Torre
        —
$55,000 (2)
        —
 
________________________
 
(1)
A Director who is an employee (Michael Prince) receives no separate compensation for services as director.  See “Executive Compensation” for information concerning compensation paid to Mr. Prince.
 
 
(2)
Represents consulting fees paid to Dartmouth Commerce of Manhattan, Inc., which is owned by Mr. Torre, pursuant to a consulting agreement that provides for annual compensation in the amount of $55,000 per year plus reimbursement for expenses and may be terminated by either party.
 
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In fiscal 2009, each outside director other than Richard M. Torre received a monthly fee of $1,000 and a fee of $1,000 per meeting attended, and the chairman of each Board committee received a quarterly fee of $250.  As a result of the consulting arrangement between the Company and Dartmouth Commerce of Manhattan, Inc., a corporation owned by Mr. Torre, Mr. Torre does not receive directors’ fees.
 
We may from time to time grant options or sell stock to our directors.  We did not grant options or sell stock to our directors in fiscal 2009.
 
 Director Attendance at Annual Meetings
 
We have scheduled a board meeting in conjunction with our Annual Meeting and expect that our directors will attend, absent a valid business or personal conflict.  All of our directors attended our 2009 Annual Meeting in person except for Drew Miller, who attended telephonically.
 
 Recommendation of the Board of Directors
 
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the election of the Board nominees.
 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
 
The following Report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent Signature Eyewear, Inc. specifically incorporates this Report by reference therein.
 
The Audit Committee oversees the financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors.  In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the unaudited financial statements included with Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission.
 
The Audit Committee met and discussed with management and the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statements on Accounting Standards (SAS) No. 61.  These discussions included the clarity of the disclosures made therein, the underlying estimates and assumptions used in the financial reporting, and the reasonableness of the significant judgments and management decisions made in developing the financial statements.  In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditors their independence from Signature Eyewear, Inc. and has received the written letter from the independent auditors required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1.
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The Audit Committee also met and discussed with the independent auditors issues related to the overall scope and objectives of the audit, Signature Eyewear’s internal controls and critical accounting policies, and the specific results of the audit.  Management was present at part of some of these meetings.  Lastly, the Audit Committee met with management and discussed the engagement of the independent auditors.
 
Pursuant to the reviews and discussions described above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2009.
 
Management is responsible for Signature Eyewear’s financial reporting process, including its system of internal controls, and for the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  Signature Eyewear’s independent auditors are responsible for auditing those financial statements.  The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and review these processes.  It is neither the Committee’s duty nor responsibility to conduct auditing or accounting reviews or procedures.  Members of the Audit Committee are not employees of Signature Eyewear and may not be, and do not represent themselves to be or to serve as, accountants or auditors by profession or experts in the fields of accounting or auditing.  Therefore, members have relied, without independent verification, on management’s representation that the financial statements have been prepared with integrity and objectivity and in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and on the representations of the independent auditors included in their report on Signature Eyewear’s financial statements.  The Audit Committee’s oversight does not provide it with an independent basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles or policies, or appropriate internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations.  Furthermore, consultations and discussions with management and the independent auditors do not assure that Signature Eyewear’s financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, that the audit of Signature Eyewear’s financial statements has been carried out in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards or that the Company’s independent accountants are in fact “independent.”
 

 
 
Respectfully Submitted,

Ted Pasternack, Chairman
Drew Miller
 


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS, DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
The following table provides information as of the record date regarding the Common Stock and Series A Convertible 2% Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred”) owned by: (i) each person we know to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock or Series A Preferred; (ii) each of our directors; (iii) each of our executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table included in this Proxy Statement; and (iv) all of our executive officers and directors as a group.  Except as may be indicated in the footnotes to the table and subject to applicable community property laws, to our knowledge each person identified in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown as beneficially owned.
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Name and Address of
Beneficial Owner(1)
Number of Shares of
Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
Percent
of Class(2)
Number of Shares of
Series A Preferred
Beneficially Owned
Percent
of Class
           
Edward Meltzer
102,850(3)
 
1.5%
Drew Miller
97,500
 
1.4  
Ted Pasternack
200,000(4)
 
2.9  
Michael Prince
995,278
 
14.3  
Richard M. Torre
1,837,500
 
26.4  
Kevin D. Seifert
45,844
 
0.7  
Raul Khantzis
12,500
 
0.2  
Jill Gardner
12,500
 
0.2  
Bluebird Finance Limited
Box 957, Road Town, Tortola
British Virgin Islands
1,378,952(5)
 
16.5  
1,200,000
100%
Craig N. Springer
205 North Fourth Street
Grand Junction, CO 81502
650,000(6)
 
9.3  
Ashford Capital, LLC
2532 Dupont Drive
Irvine, CA 92612
600,000(7)
 
8.3  
All directors and executive officers as a group (8 persons)
3,303,972
 
47.5  

________________________
 
(1)
The business address of each director and executive officer (each person identified in the table for whom addresses are not included) is c/o Signature Eyewear, Inc., 498 North Oak Street, Inglewood, CA 90302.
 
(2)
Percent of class is based on number of outstanding shares of Common Stock plus number of shares that may be acquired upon exercise of warrants and conversion of Series A Preferred by the particular shareholder.
 
(3)
Represents shares held by trusts of which Mr. Meltzer is trustee.
 
(4)
Includes 87,500 shares held by Mr. Pasternack’s spouse in her individual retirement account.
 
(5)
Represents shares that may be acquired upon conversion of the Series A Preferred currently or within the following 60 days.
 
(6)
Includes (i) 550,000 shares owned by Springer Capital Corporation, a corporation owned by Mr. Springer; and (ii) 100,000 shares owned by Home Loan Investment Company; by virtue of being a director, officer and shareholder of that corporation, Mr. Springer shares voting and investment power with respect to these shares.
 
(7)
Includes 300,000 shares that may be acquired upon exercise of warrants, provided, however, that the warrants may not be exercised to the extent that such exercise would result in Ashford Capital, LLC owning more than 9.9% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company.
 
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COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
 
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission on changes in their beneficial ownership of Common Stock and to provide us with copies of the reports.  We believe that all of these persons filed all required reports on a timely basis in fiscal 2009.
 
 
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
The following table sets forth certain information regarding our executive officers (other than Mr. Prince, whose information is set forth under “Election of Directors—Information About the Nominees”).
 
Name
Age
Position
Principal Occupation
       
Jill Gardner
42
Senior Vice President
Ms. Gardner joined the Company in 2003 as Vice President of Design.  She was appointed Senior Vice President in 2006.
 
Raul Khantzis
56
Senior Vice President
Mr. Khantzis joined the Company in 2003 as Vice President of International Sales.  He was appointed Senior Vice President in 2006.
 
Kevin D. Seifert
47
Senior Vice President
Mr. Seifert joined the Company in 1998 and has served as Senior Vice President since 2006.


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
 Overview
 
Our Board of Directors determines executive compensation.  Our Board’s focus is to establish compensation at levels necessary to attract, retain and motivate the best possible executive talent.
 
In determining executive compensation, our Board considers the recommendations of its Compensation Committee.  Historically, the Compensation Committee has based its recommendations on input from the Chief Executive Officer, third-party compensation surveys, the officers’ current compensation, changes in cost of living, our financial condition, our operating results, and individual performance.
 
Executive compensation can consist of base salary, bonus and equity compensation, as well as various health and welfare benefits.  For the past several years, the Board has determined that salary should be the principal component of executive compensation.  The Board has not adopted a formal bonus plan, and all bonuses are discretionary.  The Board has not granted equity compensation since fiscal 2005, and our 1997 Stock Plan expired in 2007.  The Board is not currently considering any new equity compensation plan.
 
 Summary Compensation Table
 
The following table shows certain information regarding total compensation for fiscal 2007, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009 for the Chief Executive Officer/Chief Financial Officer and the three other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company (the “Named Executive Officers”).
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Name and
Principal Position
Fiscal
Year
Salary ($)
All Other
Compensation ($) (1)
Total ($)
 
                 
 
Michael Prince
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
2009
$325,200
$67,834 
(2)  
$393,034
 
 
2008
$310,154
$64,517 
(2)  
$374,671
 
 
2007
$285,193
$44,449 
(2)  
$329,642
 
               
 
Kevin D. Seifert
Senior Vice President
2009
$125,077
$12,818 
   
$137,895
 
 
2008
$119,385
$14,645 
(3)  
$134,030
 
 
2007
$112,537
$  6,971 
   
$119,508
 
               
 
Raul Khantzis
Senior Vice President
2009
$125,077
$17,366 
   
$142,443
 
 
2008
$119,385
$11,099 
   
$130,484
 
 
2007
$112,537
$  8,309 
   
$120,846
 
               
 
Jill Gardner
     Senior Vice President
2009
$112,961
$11,789 
   
$124,750
 
 
2008
$108,824
$  7,637 
   
$116,461
 
 
2007
$  98,333
$  3,208 
   
$101,541
 
               
________________
 
 
(1)
Includes company contributions under our 401(k) plan, automobile allowances and cash payments for accrued and unused vacation.
 
 
(2)
Of All Other Compensation, $24,300, $36,222 and $26,922 represent cash payments for accrued and unused vacation in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
 
(3)
Of All Other Compensation, $4,462 represents cash payment for accrued and unused vacation in fiscal 2008.

 
Executive compensation for fiscal 2009 consisted of base salary and our employee health and welfare plans, including matching contributions to our 401(k) plan.
 
Effective March 11, 2008, we entered into employment agreements with our four executive officers.  The employment agreement with Michael Prince, the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, superseded his prior employment agreement.  Under these employment agreements, the officers’ annual base salaries as of February 28, 2010 are as follows:  Michael Prince--$327,600; Kevin Seifert--$126,000; Raul Khantzis--$126,000 and Jill Gardner--$115,500.  The annual base salaries increase every year a minimum of 5% on April 15 of each year, commencing April 15, 2009.  In addition, we agreed to make contributions to the officers’ accounts in the Company's 401(k) plan each year in an amount equal to a specified percentage, ranging from 40% to 100%, depending on the officer’s age, of the maximum allowable employee contribution for such year under the rules of the Internal Revenue Service, up to a maximum of $30,000 each year.  We may terminate an officer’s employment at any time and each officer may terminate his or her employment at any time upon 30 days' prior notice.  If an officer’s employment is terminated by us without cause or by the officer for "good reason," the officer will be entitled to continue to receive base salary until the later to occur of six months from termination of employment or March 1, 2011 (2013 for Mr. Prince) and continuation of certain other benefits.  "Good reason" is defined to include, among other things, an adverse change in the employee's position, responsibilities or duties, a reduction in compensation or assignment to an office or location outside the Los Angeles metropolitan area on other than a temporary basis.
-12-

 
The Board of Directors did not award bonuses to executive officers for fiscal 2009.
 
 Plan-Based Awards
 
We granted no plan-based awards in fiscal 2009, there were no plan-based awards outstanding at October 31, 2009, and no Named Executive Officer exercised an option in fiscal 2009.
 
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
 
We have a credit facility with Bluebird Finance Limited (“Bluebird”) that we obtained in fiscal 2003.  The facility consists of a revolving credit line and support for the $1,250,000 letter of credit securing our credit facility with Comerica Bank.  Bluebird’s commitment on the revolving credit facility was $1,595,000 as of October 31, 2009, and is reduced by $72,500 each quarter.  The revolving credit line bears interest at the rate of 5% per annum, with payments of principal and interest on a 10-year amortization schedule that commenced in fiscal 2005, and is due and payable in April 2013.  The credit facility is secured by a security interest in our assets.  The outstanding principal balance on the revolving credit line was $1,523,000 as of January 31, 2010, and we paid $290,000 of principal and no interest on the credit line in fiscal 2009.  Accrued interest on the facility at January 31, 2010 was $803,000.  Bluebird owns all of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred of the Company.  These shares could have been converted into shares of Common Stock representing 16.5% of the outstanding Common Stock as of the record date.
 
CODE OF ETHICS
 
We have a code of ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees.  We will provide without charge a copy of the code of ethics to any person who so requests by a letter addressed to the Corporate Secretary, Signature Eyewear, Inc., 498 North Oak Street, Inglewood, California 90302.
 

INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
Crowe Horwath LLP (“Crowe”) audited our financial statements for fiscal 2008.  The audit report of Crowe on our financial statements as of and for fiscal 2008 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
 
On February 27, 2009, we dismissed Crowe as our independent auditors and we engaged Squar, Milner, Peterson, Miranda and Williamson, LLC (“Squar Milner”) for the audit for fiscal 2009.  Our Audit Committee approved the dismissal of Crowe and the engagement of Squar Milner.
 
During fiscal 2008 and 2007 and through February 27, 2009, we did not consult with Squar Milner on (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that may be rendered on our financial statements, and Squar Milner did not provide either a written report or oral advice to us that was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue; or (ii) the subject of any disagreement, as defined in Item 304 (a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions, or a reportable event within the meaning set forth in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
-13-


In connection with the audits of our financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008, there were: (i) no disagreements between us and Crowe on any matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Crowe, would have caused Crowe to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in their respective reports on our financial statements for such fiscal year, and (ii) no reportable events within the meaning set forth in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
 
We do not expect representatives of Squar Milner to be present at the Annual Meeting.
 
Aggregate fees billed to us by Crowe and Squar Milner for professional services rendered with respect to fiscal 2008 and 2009 were as follows:
 
 
Crowe
 
Squar Milner
 
2008
 
2009
Audit Fees
$46,581
   
$75,000
 
Audit-Related Fees
0
   
0
 
Tax Fees
0
   
0
 
All Other Fees
0
   
0
 
 
$46,581
   
$75,000
 
           

 
In the above table, in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s definitions and rules, “audit fees” are fees we paid for professional services for the audit of our consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K and the review of financial statements included in Form 10-Qs, and for services that are normally provided by the accountants in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements; “audit-related fees” are fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements; and “tax fees” are fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.  In fiscal 2009, Squar Milner performed all services generating audit fees.  In fiscal 2008, Crowe performed our audit and Grobstein, Horwath & Company, LLP reviewed our Form 10-Qs (and we paid $51,704 to Grobstein, Horwath & Company, LLP for those reviews).
 
The policy of the Audit Committee is that it must approve in advance all services (audit and non-audit) to be rendered by the Company’s independent auditors.  The Audit Committee approved in advance the engagements of Crowe and Squar Milner for their services in fiscal 2008 and 2009.
 

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIRECTORS
 
Shareholders who want to communicate with the Board of Directors or any individual director should write to: Corporate Secretary, Signature Eyewear, Inc., 498 North Oak Street, Inglewood, California 90302.  The letter should indicate that you are a shareholder of Signature Eyewear, Inc. and set forth the number of shares you hold and how the shares are held if they are not registered in your name.  Depending upon the subject matter, the Corporate Secretary will:
 
·  
Forward the communication to the director or directors to whom it is addressed;
 
-14-

·  
Delegate the inquiry to management where it is a request for information about Signature Eyewear or a stock-related matter; or
 
·  
Not forward the communication, if it is primarily commercial in nature, or if it relates to an improper or irrelevant topic, or is repetitive or redundant.
 

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
We anticipate holding our next Annual Meeting in April or May 2011.  If you wish to submit proposals to be included in our proxy statement for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, we must receive them on or before January 15, 2011.  Please address your proposals to: Corporate Secretary, Signature Eyewear, Inc., 498 North Oak Street, Inglewood, California 90302.
 

OTHER MATTERS
 
Management does not know of any matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than those set forth above.  However, if other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote said proxy in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors and authority to do so is included in the proxy.
 

AVAILABILITY OF ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
 
We will furnish without charge a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the financial statements and financial statement schedules thereto, to any shareholder who so requests by writing to: Corporate Secretary, Signature Eyewear, Inc., 498 North Oak Street, Inglewood, California 90302.  You can also access our Form 10-K online at www.seye.com or www.sec.gov.
 
Date:  March 8, 2010
By Order of the Board of Directors
 
 
Ted Pasternack, Corporate Secretary

-15-

PROXY
 
SIGNATURE EYEWEAR, INC.
 
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
May 5, 2010
 
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
 
SIGNATURE EYEWEAR, INC.
 
The undersigned hereby appoints Richard M. Torre and Michael Prince, and each of them, the proxy or proxies of the undersigned with full powers of substitution each to attend and to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Signature Eyewear, Inc. to be held on May 5, 2010 at 498 North Oak Street, Inglewood, California, beginning at 11:00 a.m. local time, and any adjournments thereof, and to vote all shares of Common Stock that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present, in the manner indicated below and on the reverse side, and on any other matters properly brought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof, all as set forth in the Proxy Statement dated March 10, 2010.
 
 
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON THE REVERSE SIDE)
 


ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
 
SIGNATURE EYEWEAR, INC.
 
MAY 5, 2010
 
NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL:
 
The Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card are available at – www.seye.com
 
Please sign, date and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible.
 
 
Please detach along the perforate line and mail in the envelope provided.
 
________________________________________________________________
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR”
ALL NOMINEES.   PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE  x
________________________________________________________________
 
(1)       Election of the following nominees as directors:
 
o FOR ALL NOMINEES
o WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES
o FOR ALL EXCEPT:
(See instructions below)
NOMINEES:
¡  Edward Meltzer
¡  Drew Miller
¡  Ted Pasternack
¡  Michael Prince
¡  Richard M. Torre
   
INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: l
 
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF THE NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING, PROXY STATEMENT AND ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS (INCLUDING OUR FORM 10-K) OF SIGNATURE EYEWEAR, INC.
 
This proxy will be voted FOR the nominees, unless otherwise indicated, and in the discretion of the proxies on all other matters properly brought before the Annual Meeting.
 
MARK “X” HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING. o
 

 

 

 
To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above.  Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method.  o
 
 
Signature of Shareholder ________________________
 
 
 
Date: ____________________
 
Signature of Shareholder________________________
Date: ____________________
 
 
Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy.  When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign.  When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such.  If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full titles as such.  If signer is a partnership, please sign partnership name by authorized person.