DEF 14A 1 ddef14a.htm DEFINITIVE NOTICE AND PROXY STATEMENT Definitive Notice and Proxy Statement

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities and Exchange Act of 1934

 

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¨    Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-11(c) or § 240.14a-12

 

LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC.


(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

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Learning Tree International, Inc.

6053 West Century Boulevard

Los Angeles, California 90045

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

To Be Held on Tuesday, March 9, 2004

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Learning Tree International, Inc. will be held at Learning Tree International, 6053 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90045 on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. local time for the following purposes as more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement:

 

  1.   To elect two Class III directors for a term of three years.

 

  2.   To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on January 16, 2004 as the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting, or at any adjournment thereof. Only stockholders at the close of business on the record date are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

 

Accompanying this Notice are a Proxy Card and a Proxy Statement. If you will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting to vote in person, you may vote your shares by completing and returning the accompanying proxy card or by voting electronically via the Internet or by telephone. To vote by mail, please mark, sign and date the accompanying proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed postage paid envelope. To vote by Internet, go to http://www.proxyvote.com and to vote by telephone, call 1-800-690-6903, and follow the instructions to cast your vote. For voting by Internet or telephone, you will need to have your 12-digit control number, located on your proxy card, available. Please do not return the enclosed paper ballot if you are voting by Internet or telephone. The proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise at the Annual Meeting.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

/s/    DAVID C. COLLINS

 

David C. Collins, Ph.D.

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

 

January 20, 2004


LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC.

6053 West Century Boulevard

Los Angeles, California 90045

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

INTRODUCTION

 

This Proxy Statement is furnished to the stockholders of Learning Tree International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Learning Tree”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of Learning Tree. The proxies solicited hereby are to be voted at the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of Learning Tree to be held at Learning Tree International, 6053 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90045 on March 9, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time and at any and all adjournments thereof (the “Annual Meeting”).

 

At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to consider and vote upon the following proposals:

 

  1.   To elect two Class III directors for a term of three years.

 

  2.   To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

A form of proxy is enclosed. The shares represented by each properly executed unrevoked proxy will be voted as directed by the stockholder executing the proxy. The Learning Tree Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the election of the nominees for the Board of Directors named below. Unless a proxy directs otherwise, the shares represented by each properly executed unrevoked proxy will be voted in accordance with these recommendations. With respect to any other item of business that may come before the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders will vote the proxy in accordance with their best judgment.

 

If you will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting to vote in person, you may vote your shares by completing and returning the accompanying proxy card or by voting electronically via the Internet or by telephone. To vote by mail, please mark, sign and date the accompanying proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed postage paid envelope. To vote by Internet, go to http://www.proxyvote.com and to vote by telephone, call 1-800-690-6903, and follow the instructions to cast your vote. For voting by Internet or telephone, you will need to have your 12-digit control number, located on your proxy card, available. Please do not return the enclosed paper ballot if you are voting by Internet or telephone. Learning Tree has been advised by counsel that these procedures are consistent with the requirements of the applicable law.

 

Any proxy given may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise by filing, with the Secretary of Learning Tree, an instrument revoking such proxy or by the filing of a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. Any stockholder present at the meeting who has given a proxy may withdraw it and vote his or her shares in person if such stockholder so desires.

 

This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy are first being mailed to stockholders on or about January 30, 2004. Learning Tree intends to solicit proxies primarily by mail. However, directors, officers, agents and employees of Learning Tree may communicate with stockholders, banks, brokerage houses and others by telephone, e-mail, in person or otherwise to solicit proxies. Additionally, Learning Tree intends to post this Proxy Statement on its website for public review. Learning Tree has no present plans to hire special employees or paid solicitors to assist in obtaining proxies, but reserves the option to do so.

 

All expenses incurred in connection with this solicitation will be borne by Learning Tree. Learning Tree requests that brokerage houses, nominees, custodians, fiduciaries and other like parties forward the soliciting materials to the underlying beneficial owners of Learning Tree’s Common Stock. Learning Tree will reimburse reasonable charges and expenses in doing so.


VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

 

Outstanding Shares; Record Date

 

Only holders of record of Learning Tree’s voting securities at the close of business on January 16, 2004 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof. As of the Record Date, 17,081,075 shares of Learning Tree’s Common Stock were issued and outstanding. Holders are entitled to one vote at the Annual Meeting for each share of Common Stock held which was issued and outstanding as of the Record Date.

 

The presence, in person or by proxy, of stockholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding Common Stock will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock of Learning Tree as of January 9, 2004 by (i) each person or entity known by Learning Tree to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock (based upon review of 13F and 13G filings as of January 9, 2004), (ii) each of Learning Tree’s directors, (iii) each of the persons named in the Summary Compensation Table and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. Except as otherwise noted, the persons or entities named have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them.

 

     Common Stock(1)

 

Name and Address of Owner


   Number of
Shares


  

Percent of

Class


 

David C. Collins(1)(2)(3)(4)

   4,269,610    24.8 %

Eric R. Garen(2)(5)

   3,655,030    21.4 %

Gary R. Wright(1)

   319,700    1.9 %

Mary C. Adams(1)(2)(3)(4)

   4,269,610    24.8 %

Nicholas R. Schacht(1)

   25,000    *  

W. Mathew Juechter(1)

   35,593    *  

Curtis A. Hessler

   —      *  

Howard A. Bain III(1)

   4,167    *  

Theodore E. Guth(6)

   1,216,064    7.1 %

Lazard Asset Management LLC(8)

   1,282,700    7.5 %

30 Rockefeller Plaza

           

59th Floor

           

New York, NY 10112

           

Dalton Greiner Hartman Maher & Co(9)

   1,082,479    6.3 %

565 Fifth Avenue

           

Suite 2101

           

New York, NY 10017

           

All directors and executive officers as a group(8)(1)(7)

   8,309,100    48.3 %

*   Less than 1%

 

       Note: Pursuant to Item 403 of Regulation S-K, the number of shares listed for each individual reflects their beneficial ownership, as defined. As a result, in some cases, more than one beneficial owner has been listed for the same securities. In accordance with Instruction 5 of Item 403, where more than one beneficial owner has been listed for the same securities, in computing the aggregate number of shares owned by directors and officers of the registrant as a group, those shares have been counted only once. See the footnotes below for specific share ownership details.

 

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(1)   For purposes of this table, a person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any shares that such person or group has the right to acquire within 60 days after January 9, 2004. These shares are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares held by each person or group on that date, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The number of shares in this table includes the following number of shares issuable upon vested options: 70,200 shares for Mr. Wright; 9,000 shares for Ms. Adams; 25,000 shares for Mr. Schacht; 5,833 shares for Mr. Juechter; 4,167 shares for Mr. Bain and 114,200 shares for all directors and executive officers as a group.
(2)   Dr. Collins is the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Learning Tree, Mr. Garen is the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Learning Tree and Ms. Adams is the Chief Administrative Officer, and Assistant Secretary of Learning Tree. The address of these individuals is Learning Tree International, Inc., 6053 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90045-0028.
(3)   Dr. Collins and Ms. Adams are married. Accordingly the shares listed for Dr. Collins include 206,640 shares and options beneficially owned by Ms. Adams, and those listed for Ms. Adams shares include 1,472,650 shares beneficially owned by Dr. Collins, although each disclaims beneficial ownership of the other’s shares.
(4)   The shares listed for Dr. Collins and Ms. Adams both include (i) 170,320 shares owned by the Collins Family Foundation, the directors of which are Dr. Collins and Ms. Adams, but as to which they disclaim beneficial ownership; (ii) 222,500 shares owned by The Pegasus Foundation, of which Dr. Collins and Ms. Adams are a minority of the trustees and as to which they disclaim beneficial ownership; (iii) 2,108,756 shares owned by DCMA Holdings LP, of which Dr. Collins and Ms. Adams are general partners, but as to which they disclaim beneficial ownership; (iv) 422 shares owned by the Collins Trust 99-1, an irrevocable defective trust for the benefit of their child, of which Dr. Collins and Ms. Adams are the trustees but as to which they disclaim beneficial ownership; and (v) 88,322 shares owned by the Collins Family Trust, of which David C. Collins and Mary C. Adams are the trustees.
(5)   The shares listed for Mr. Garen include (i) 270,380 shares owned by the Garen Family Foundation, of which Mr. Garen is a trustee, but as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership and (ii) 1,048,064 shares held by the Garen Children’s Trust and 163,000 shares held by the Garen Dynasty Trust, as to which Mr. Garen lacks voting and disposition power and as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership. See footnote 6.
(6)   Mr. Guth has sole voting and disposition power, as Trustee, of (i) 1,048,064 shares held by the Garen Children’s Trust and (ii) 163,000 shares held by the Garen Dynasty Trust, but as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership. Mr. Guth also holds, in his own name and not as Trustee, options to purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock from Learning Tree, all of which are vested. Mr. Guth’s address is Guth|Christopher LLP, 10866 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1250, Los Angeles, California 90024.
(7)   As described in Footnotes 3, 4, 5 and 6, certain of the shares have been listed for more than one of the named individuals. This total reflects the total number of shares owned by the director and officer group as a whole, eliminating the shares attributed to more than one individual.
(8)   Based upon information contained in the September 30, 2003 Schedule 13F filed by Lazard Asset Management LLC, it has sole investment discretion with respect to all 1,282,700 shares, but has shared voting with respect to 76,100 of those shares.
(9)   Based upon information contained in the September 30, 2003 Schedule 13F filed by Dalton Greiner Hartman Maher & Co, it has sole investment discretion with respect to all 1,082,479 shares, but has shared voting with respect to 175,597 of those shares.

 

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PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Learning Tree’s Board of Directors has five members and is divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III, with staggered terms. The current terms of the Class III directors expire at the Annual Meeting to be held this year, the terms of the Class I directors will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2005, and the term of the Class II director will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2006. At each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders, directors will be elected for a full three-year term to succeed the directors whose terms are then to expire.

 

Information Concerning Nominees and Other Directors

 

Name


   Age

  

Position with Learning Tree


Class III Directors—Nominees for election to terms expiring in 2007.

         

David C. Collins

   63   

Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer

Eric R. Garen

   56    Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors

Class I Directors—Present terms expire in 2005.

         

Howard A. Bain III

   57    Director

Curtis A. Hessler

   60    Director

Class II Director—Present term expires in 2006.

         

W. Mathew Juechter

   70    Director

 

Dr. Collins, a co-founder of Learning Tree, has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since Learning Tree began operations in August, 1974. Dr. Collins has a Bachelor of Science degree (with distinction) in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, and Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California.

 

Mr. Garen, a co-founder of Learning Tree, has served as Vice Chairman of Learning Tree’s Board of Directors since November 2003. Prior to November 2003, Mr. Garen served as President and Executive Vice President of Learning Tree since Learning Tree’s business began in 1974. Mr. Garen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology and a Masters degree in Computer Science from the University of Southern California, earning both degrees with honors.

 

Mr. Bain has served as a director of Learning Tree since June 2001. He has been Chief Financial Officer of Portal Software (NASDAQ: PRSF), a developer of customer management and billing software for communications and content service providers, since August 2001. Prior to joining Portal, Mr. Bain held CFO positions at Vicinity Corporation (NASDAQ: VCNT) in 2000, Informix (NASDAQ: IFMX) from 1999 to 2000, and Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ: SYMC) from 1991 to 1999. He has additional experience in various technology companies in the areas of semiconductor manufacturing equipment; semiconductor BiCMOS SRAMs; laser-based large screen projection systems; and disk drives. He has also held senior financial and accounting management positions with Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation and as a consultant with Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Bain is a certified public accountant and holds a B.S. in Business from California Polytechnic University.

 

Mr. Hessler has been a director of Learning Tree since April 2003. He has been Chairman and founding Chief Executive Officer of 101communications LLC, an international publishing and educational conference company serving advanced information technology professionals, since 1998. From 1997 to 1998 he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Quarterdeck Corporation, a software firm. From 1996 to 1997 he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of I-Net, Inc., a network management services company. From 1991 to 1995 he served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of the Times Mirror Company, a media

 

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company. From 1984 to 1991 he served as Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of the Unisys Corporation, a computer and computer services company. From 1981 to 1983 he was a partner of Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton and Garrison, a law firm. From 1977 to 1981 he held various positions with the Federal Government: Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury for Economic Policy, Executive Director of the President’s Economic Policy Group and Associate Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Mr. Hessler is a graduate of Harvard College (BA, summa), Oxford University (Rhodes Scholarship), the Yale Law School (JD), and the University of California, Berkeley (MA Economics).

 

Mr. Juechter has been a director of Learning Tree since June 1987. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of IRA, Inc., a management consulting company that works primarily in the areas of strategy, structure and executive development. From 1991 to 1999, he was Chief Executive Officer of ARC International Ltd., a management consulting and training company. From 1986 to 1991, Mr. Juechter was Managing Director of IRA, Inc. in St. Paul, Minnesota. Mr. Juechter served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Wilson Learning Corp., a multi-national training organization, from 1977 to 1986. From 1989 to 1997, he also was President of the Board of Governors of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). Mr. Juechter is a graduate of Boston University and Harvard Business School.

 

Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

Name


   Age

  

Title


David C. Collins

   63   

Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer

Eric R. Garen

   56   

Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors

Nicholas R. Schacht

   44   

President and Chief Operating Officer

Gary R. Wright

   46   

Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Mary C. Adams

   48   

Chief Administrative Officer and Assistant Secretary

 

Mr. Schacht has been President and Chief Operating Officer of Learning Tree since November 2003. He was Chief Operating Officer of Learning Tree from 2002 to 2003. He was president of Global Learning Systems from 1999 to 2002, Group President for the Institute for International Research from 1998 to 1999, and held a variety of positions with ESI International from 1989 to 1998, culminating as its President. From 1987 to 1989, Mr. Schacht was a Research Fellow with Logistics Management Institute, and from 1981 to 1987, he was a U.S. Naval officer. Mr. Schacht holds a B.S. degree with honors from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master’s degree in General Administration from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Science degree from The George Washington University.

 

Mr. Wright has been Chief Financial Officer of Learning Tree since January 1995, and from January 1990 to that time he was Corporate Controller of Learning Tree. From April 1983 to January 1990, Mr. Wright was employed by The Flying Tiger Line, Inc. and its parent company, Tiger International, Inc., a publicly-held transportation company, where he held a variety of financial executive positions, including Assistant Controller and Director of Financial Reporting. Prior to April 1983, Mr. Wright worked at the public accounting firm of Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Wright is a certified public accountant.

 

Ms. Adams has served as Chief Administrative Officer since October 2003. She was Vice President Administration and Investor Relations from 1995 to 2003. She began her association with Learning Tree in September 1975 and has held a variety of key positions in Learning Tree. Ms. Adams is also the President of Advanced Technology Marketing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Learning Tree.

 

David C. Collins and Mary C. Adams are married. There are no other family relationships among any of the directors or executive officers of Learning Tree.

 

5


Audit Committee Financial Experts.

 

Learning Tree’s Board of Directors has determined that Howard A. Bain III, Chairman of Learning Tree’s Audit Committee, is a financial expert because he has the following attributes: (i) an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and financial statements; (ii) the ability to assess the general application of such principles in connection with accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves; (iii) experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by Learning Tree’s financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities; (iv) an understanding of internal control over financial reporting; and (v) an understanding of audit committee functions. Mr. Bain has acquired these attributes by means of having held various positions that provided relevant experience, as described above. Mr. Bain is independent as that term is used in Item 7(d)(3)(iv) of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act.

 

Board Meetings and Committees

 

The Board of Directors (“the Board”) held four meetings during fiscal 2003. The Board has three separately-designated standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. Messrs. Juechter, Bain and Hessler each currently serve as the members of these standing committees and have been determined to meet the standards for “director independence” as that term is used in Item 7(d)(3)(iv) of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act and as adopted by the NASD. Each incumbent director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the number of meetings of the Board and meetings of committees of the Board on which he served during fiscal 2003.

 

Audit Committee

 

The principal functions of the Audit Committee are to review the plan and results of Learning Tree’s independent audit with Learning Tree’s independent auditors and management, to review Learning Tree’s systems of internal control over financial reporting, and to engage or discharge Learning Tree’s independent auditors. The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is “independent” as required in the Audit Committee Charter. The Audit Committee met seven times during fiscal 2003. The material in this paragraph shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that Learning Tree specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed soliciting material or filed under such acts.

 

Compensation and Stock Option Committee

 

The principal functions of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee are to (a) review and make recommendations to the Board with respect to the direct and indirect compensation and employee benefits of the Chairman, President and other elected officers of Learning Tree, (b) review, administer and make recommendations to the Board with respect to any incentive plans and bonus plans that include elected officers, (c) review Learning Tree’s policies relating to the compensation of senior management and other employees, (d) address matters relating to Learning Tree’s stock option plans and provide recommendations to the Board as to grants of stock options. In addition, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee reviews management’s long-range planning for executive development and succession, establishes and periodically reviews policies on perquisites and performs certain other review functions relating to management compensation and employee relations policies. The Compensation and Stock Option Committee met three times during fiscal 2003.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Governance Committee”) has adopted a charter which is posted on Learning Tree’s website at http://www.learningtree.com/investor. The Governance Committee met three times during fiscal 2003.

 

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The Governance Committee manages the process for evaluating current Board members at the time they are considered for renomination. After considering the appropriate skills and characteristics required on the Board, the current makeup of the Board, the results of the evaluations, and the wishes of the Board members to be renominated, the Governance Committee recommends to the Board whether those individuals should be renominated.

 

On at least an annual basis, the Governance Committee reviews with the Board whether it believes the Board would benefit from adding a new member(s), and if so, the appropriate skills and characteristics required for the new member(s). If the Board determines that a new member would be beneficial, the Governance Committee solicits and receives recommendations for candidates and manages the process for evaluating candidates. All potential candidates, regardless of their source, are reviewed under the same process. The Governance Committee (or its chairman) screens the available information about the potential candidates. Based on the results of the initial screening, interviews with viable candidates are scheduled with Governance Committee members, other members of the Board and senior members of management. Upon completion of these interviews and other due diligence, the Governance Committee may recommend to the Board the election or nomination of a candidate.

 

Candidates for independent Board members have typically been found through recommendations from directors or others associated with Learning Tree or with the help of executive search firms (which receive a fee for their services). Where executive search firms have been used, Learning Tree has provided the search firm with a written description of both minimum and desired qualifications for that specific candidate. Based upon these qualifications, the search firm collects resumes and other data about potential candidates and recommends potential candidates to the Governance Committee. Learning Tree’s stockholders may also recommend candidates by sending the candidate’s name and resume to the Governance Committee under the provisions, set forth below, for communication with the Board. No such suggestions from Learning Tree’s stockholders were received in time for the 2004 Annual Meeting.

 

The Governance Committee has no predefined minimum criteria for selecting Board nominees, although it believes that all independent directors should share qualities such as, independence; experience at the corporate, rather than divisional, level in multi-national organizations larger than Learning Tree; relevant, non-competitive experience; and strong communication and analytical skills. In any given search, the Governance Committee may also define particular characteristics for candidates to balance the overall skills and characteristics of the Board and the perceived needs of Learning Tree. In recent years, for example, Learning Tree has sought a nominee with significant financial expertise and a nominee with significant relevant operating experience. The Governance Committee believes that it is necessary for at least one independent Board member to possess each of these skills. However, during any search the Governance Committee reserves the right to modify its stated search criteria for exceptional candidates.

 

Stockholder Communications

 

The Board, including its independent directors, has unanimously adopted a procedure for its stockholders to communicate with the Board. Communications may be addressed to the Secretary of the Company, Learning Tree International, Inc. at 6053 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045, marked to the attention of the Board or of any of its individual Committees. Copies of all communications so addressed will be promptly forwarded to the chairman of the Committee involved or, in the case of communications addressed to the Board as a whole, to the chairman of the Governance Committee.

 

Annual Meeting Attendance

 

The Board members are not required to attend Learning Tree’s Annual Meeting. However, based upon the nature of the matters to be addressed, they may attend. At the 2004 Annual Meeting (as in the 2003 Annual Meeting) the only matter to be decided is the election of certain Board members. Further, attendance by shareholders at Learning Tree’s

 

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Annual Meetings has historically been low. Thus, the Board believes the cost of requiring attendance is not generally justified. At the time of the 2003 Annual Meeting, the Board had four members. Two of the Board members attended the 2003 Annual Meeting.

 

Compensation of Directors

 

No director who is an employee of Learning Tree is compensated for service as a member of the Board. Directors that are not employees of Learning Tree currently receive a monthly retainer of $2,000. Non-employee directors that serve as a chairperson of a committee also receive an annual retainer of $5,000. All non-employee directors also receive a $1,500 fee for each Board or Committee meeting attended in person and $1,000 if attended telephonically (only a single $1,500 or $1,000 fee is paid for attendance at multiple committee meetings on a single day). In addition, non-employee directors are granted 5,000 stock options on joining the Board and 2,500 stock options annually thereafter, which vest over a 3-year period. Directors are reimbursed for travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of Learning Tree.

 

Quorum; Vote Required

 

Nominees will be elected as directors by a plurality of the votes cast. The shares of each properly executed unrevoked proxy will be voted FOR the election of all of the nominees, unless the proxy otherwise directs. Abstentions, broker non-votes and instructions on a proxy to withhold authority to vote for one or more of such nominees will result in the respective nominees receiving fewer votes.

 

All of the nominees have indicated a willingness to serve as directors, but if any of them should decline or be unable to act as a director, the proxy holders will vote for the election of another person or persons as the Board recommends.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE ABOVE-NAMED NOMINEES.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to compensation for (a) Learning Tree’s Chief Executive Officer, (b) its four most highly compensated executive officers as of September 30, 2003 and (c) up to two additional executive officers who would have been included in the top four but they were not serving as an executive officer at year-end:

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

     Fiscal
Year


   Annual Compensation(1)

   Long-Term
Compensation
Options


   All Other
Compensation(2)


Name and Principal Position


      Salary

   Incentive

     

David C. Collins

Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer

  

2003

2002

2001

  

$

$

$

432,600

405,979

413,942

  

$

$

$

56,779

65,904

46,266

  

—  

—  

—  

  

$

$

$

9,000

8,156

7,875

Eric R. Garen(3)

President and Director

  

2003

2002

2001

  

$

$

$

175,750

190,865

313,584

  

$

$

$

22,712

26,362

37,013

  

—  

—  

—  

  

$

$

$

8,744

7,900

7,875

Nicholas R. Schacht(4)

Chief Operating Officer

  

2003

2002

  

$

$

270,000

6,231

  

$

 

18,900

—  

  

100,000

—  

  

$

 

6,750

—  

Gary R. Wright

Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

  

2003

2002

2001

  

$

$

$

227,100

227,100

220,500

  

$

$

$

14,785

17,161

10,238

  

—  

—  

133,600

  

$

$

$

8,250

7,980

7,560

Mary C. Adams

Vice President Administration and Investor Relations, and Assistant Secretary

  

2003

2002

2001

  

$

$

$

180,528

171,134

193,326

  

$

$

$

14,081

16,344

9,253

  

—  

—  

12,000

  

$

$

$

8,852

7,701

7,791


(1)   Certain of Learning Tree’s executive officers receive personal benefits in addition to salary and cash bonuses. The aggregate amount of such personal benefits, however, does not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total of the annual salary and bonus reported for the named executive officers.
(2)   These amounts represent contributions made by Learning Tree to a defined contribution plan.
(3)   For fiscal 2002 and 2003, the decline in Mr. Garen’s annual salary reflects a reduction in his hours during the two years.
(4)   Mr. Schacht joined Learning Tree as Chief Operating Officer in September 2002.

 

Stock Option Plans

 

1999 Stock Option Plan

 

In March 1999, Learning Tree adopted the Learning Tree International, Inc. 1999 Stock Option Plan (the “1999 Plan”). The 1999 Plan permits the grant of options to officers, employees and directors of the Company. It provides for the issuance of incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code and non-qualified stock options. The 1999 Plan, as amended, provides for options covering up to an aggregate of 3,964,000 shares of Common Stock.

 

1995 Stock Option Plan

 

In September 1995, Learning Tree adopted the 1995 Stock Option Plan (the “1995 Plan” and together with the 1999 Plan, the “Stock Option Plans”), which provided for options covering up to an aggregate of 2,250,000 shares of Common Stock. The 1995 Plan permitted the grant of options to officers, employees and directors of Learning Tree. Learning Tree is no longer granting options under the 1995 Plan, although certain previously granted options remain outstanding.

 

9


Both of the Stock Option Plans were approved by Learning Tree’s stockholders. For information on the number of options remaining for grant and the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, see Note 5 to Learning Tree’s audited financial statements for the year ending September 30, 2003.

 

Administration of the Stock Option Plans

 

The Stock Option Plans are administered by the Compensation and Stock Option Committee. Each option is evidenced by a written agreement in a form approved by the Compensation and Stock Option Committee. No options granted under either of the Stock Option Plans are transferable by the optionee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and each option is exercisable, during the lifetime of the optionee, only by the optionee.

 

Under the Stock Option Plans, the exercise price of an incentive stock option must be at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant (110% of the fair market value in the case of options granted to employees who hold more than ten percent of the voting power of the Company’s capital stock on the date of grant). The exercise price of a non-qualified stock option must be not less than 75% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. For both incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options, the exercise price must not be less than the par value of a share of the Common Stock on the date of grant. The term of any stock option is not to exceed ten years (five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a ten percent holder). The Compensation and Stock Option Committee has the discretion to determine the vesting schedule and the period required for full exercisability of stock options; however, in no event can the Compensation and Stock Option Committee shorten such period to less than six months. Upon exercise of any option granted under either of the Stock Option Plans, the exercise price may be paid in cash, and/or such other form of payment as may be permitted under the applicable option agreement, including, without limitation, previously owned shares of Common Stock.

 

Option Grants During Fiscal 2003

 

The following table, sets forth certain information concerning options granted during fiscal 2003 to the executive officers named above:

 

Name


   Individual Grants

  

Potential Realizable

Value at Assumed

Annual Rates of Stock
Price Appreciation for
Option Term(1)


   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
Granted


   % of Total
Options
Granted to
Employees
In 2003


    Exercise
Price
Per
Share(2)


   Expiration
Date


  
              5%

   10%

David C. Collins(3)

   —      —   %   $ —      —      $ —      $ —  

Eric R. Garen(3)

   —      —         —      —        —        —  

Nicholas R. Schacht

   70,000    22.4 %   $ 14.69    9/30/07    $ 284,100    $ 627,787
     30,000    9.6 %   $ 13.52    12/31/07    $ 112,060    $ 247,623

Gary R. Wright

   —      —         —      —        —        —  

Mary C. Adams

   —      —         —      —        —        —  

(1)   The potential realizable value illustrates the value that would be realized if the options were exercised immediately prior to the expiration of their terms, assuming the specified compounded rates of appreciation of Learning Tree’s Common Stock over the term of the options. The assumed annual rates of appreciation are specified in the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not represent Learning Tree’s estimate or projection of future share prices.
(2)   The exercise price was equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of the grant.
(3)   Not eligible for option grants.

 

10


Aggregated Option Exercises in Fiscal 2003 and Fiscal Year-End Option Values

 

The following table presents the number and value of options exercised during fiscal 2003 and of exercisable and unexercisable options held as of September 30, 2003 by the executive officers named above:

 

Name                                           


   Shares
Acquired
on
Exercise


   Value
Realized ($)


  

Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised

Options at
September 30, 2003


   Value of Unexercised
In-the-Money Options at
September 30, 2003(2)


         Exercisable

   Unexercisable

   Exercisable

   Unexercisable

David C. Collins(1)

   —      $ —      —      —      $ —      $ —  

Eric R. Garen(1)

   —        —      —      —        —        —  

Nicholas R. Schacht

   —        —      17,500    82,500    $ 36,400    $ 206,700

Gary R. Wright

   —        —      70,200    63,400      —        —  

Mary C. Adams

   —        —      9,000    3,000      —        —  

(1)   Not eligible for option grants.
(2)   The amount by which the closing price for the Common Stock on September 30, 2003 exceeded the exercise price of any then unexercised options, without including any options whose exercise price exceeded the closing price.

 

Other Employee Benefit Plans

 

Learning Tree has adopted the Learning Tree International 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), which is intended to qualify under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Under Section 401(k) of the Code, contributions by employees or by Learning Tree to the 401(k) Plan, and income earned on plan contributions, are not taxable to employees until withdrawn from the 401(k) Plan, and contributions by Learning Tree are deductible by Learning Tree when made.

 

All employees of Learning Tree and its U.S. subsidiary who have attained 18 years of age and have met the plan’s service requirements are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. Each eligible employee may contribute to the 401(k) Plan up to 15% of his or her salary, through payroll deductions, subject to statutory limitations. For fiscal 2001 through 2003, for each $1.00 invested by an employee, Learning Tree contributed $0.75 up to four and one-half percent of such employee’s salary. The 401(k) Plan permits, but does not require, additional contributions to the 401(k) Plan by Learning Tree.

 

Employment Agreements

 

Pursuant to an employment agreement dated as of October 1, 1995 (the “Collins Agreement”), David C. Collins is employed as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Learning Tree. Pursuant to the Collins Agreement, Dr. Collins receives an annual base salary and additional incentive compensation based upon the achievement of certain performance targets. In addition, Dr. Collins is entitled to reimbursement of reasonable travel and business entertainment expenses authorized by Learning Tree, as well as certain fringe benefits. In the event of the termination of Dr. Collins’ employment with Learning Tree, Dr. Collins has agreed, for a period of one year after the termination, not to offer any service or product in competition with Learning Tree, whether directly or indirectly, in any area served by Learning Tree at the date of termination. On September 25, 2002, the Collins Agreement was renewed through September 30, 2004.

 

Pursuant to an employment agreement dated as of October 1, 2001 (the “Garen Agreement”), as amended and renewed through September 30, 2003, Eric R. Garen was employed as President of Learning Tree. Pursuant to the Garen Agreement, Mr. Garen received an annual base salary and additional incentive compensation based upon the achievement of certain performance targets. In addition, Mr. Garen was entitled to reimbursement of reasonable travel and business entertainment expenses authorized by Learning Tree, as well as certain fringe benefits. Upon termination of Mr. Garen’s employment with Learning Tree, Mr. Garen agreed, for a period of one year after the termination, not to offer any service or product in competition with Learning Tree, whether directly or indirectly, in any area served by Learning Tree at the date of termination. On November 16, 2003, Mr. Garen became Vice Chairman of the Board and a new employment agreement was established (the “New Garen Agreement”). Pursuant to the New Garen Agreement,

 

11


Mr. Garen reports directly to the Board and performs executive duties and functions as specified from time to time by the Board. Mr. Garen receives compensation on an hourly basis as provided for in the New Garen Agreement. The New Garen Agreement may be terminated by either party on three months written notice.

 

Pursuant to an employment agreement dated as of September 23, 2002, (the “Schacht Agreement”), Nicholas R. Schacht was employed as Chief Operating Officer of Learning Tree. Pursuant to the Schacht Agreement, Mr. Schacht received an annual base salary, as well as incentive compensation. Upon termination of employment by Learning Tree, Mr. Schacht would receive severance compensation equal to six months’ base salary. In addition, Mr. Schacht agreed, for a period of two years following the termination of the Schacht Agreement, not to (i) solicit any of Learning Tree’s customers with whom he did business or was acquainted during the term of the Schacht Agreement or (ii) disclose any information pertaining to Learning Tree’s customers or the contents of any mailing list prepared or used by Learning Tree during or prior to the term of the Schacht Agreement. The Schacht Agreement was terminable by either party at any time. On November 16, 2003, Mr. Schacht became President and Chief Operating Officer of Learning Tree and a new employment agreement (“the New Schacht Agreement”) was established. Pursuant to the New Schacht Agreement, Mr. Schacht will continue to receive an annual base salary, as well as incentive compensation, and severance compensation equal to six months’ base salary upon termination of employment by Learning Tree. In addition, Mr. Schacht agreed, for a period of one year following termination, not to offer any service in competition with Learning Tree, whether directly or indirectly, in any area served by Learning Tree at the date of termination; and for a period of two years, not to disclose any information pertaining to Learning Tree’s customers or the contents of any mailing list prepared or used by Learning Tree during or prior to the term of the New Schacht Agreement. The New Schacht Agreement is also terminable by either party at any time.

 

Pursuant to an employment agreement dated as of January 8, 1990, as amended (the “Wright Agreement”), Gary R. Wright is employed as Chief Financial Officer of Learning Tree. Pursuant to the Wright Agreement, Mr. Wright receives an annual base salary, as well as incentive compensation. Upon termination of employment by Learning Tree, Mr. Wright would receive severance compensation equal to eight months’ base salary. In addition, Mr. Wright has agreed, for a period of two years following the termination of the Wright Agreement, not to (i) solicit any of Learning Tree’s customers with whom he did business or was acquainted during the term of the Wright Agreement or (ii) disclose any information pertaining to Learning Tree’s customers or the contents of any mailing list prepared or used by Learning Tree during or prior to the term of the Wright Agreement. The Wright Agreement is terminable by either party at any time.

 

Pursuant to an employment agreement dated as of February 9, 1978, as amended (the “Adams Agreement”), Mary C. Adams was employed as Vice President Administration and Investor Relations of Learning Tree. Pursuant to the Adams Agreement, Ms. Adams receives an annual base salary, as well as incentive compensation. Upon termination of employment by Learning Tree, Ms. Adams would receive severance compensation equal to eight months’ base salary. In addition, Ms. Adams has agreed, for a period of two years following the termination of the Adams Agreement, not to (i) solicit any of Learning Tree’s customers with whom she did business or was acquainted during the term of the Adams Agreement or (ii) disclose any information pertaining to Learning Tree’s customers or the contents of any mailing list prepared or used by Learning Tree during or prior to the term of the Adams Agreement. The Adams Agreement is terminable by either party at any time. In October 2003, Ms. Adams became Chief Administrative Officer of Learning Tree.

 

Stockholders Agreement

 

Dr. Collins and Mr. Garen have entered into a Stockholders Agreement dated as of October 1, 1995 and amended as of October 23, 1995 (the “Stockholders Agreement”). The Stockholders Agreement provides that (i) the non-transferring stockholder shall have a right of first refusal with respect to any transfer that is not made to certain affiliates or pursuant to either an underwritten public offering or Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933 (a “Restricted Transfer”); and (ii) in addition to the foregoing restriction, no Restricted Transfer to any person or group involving more than five percent of the then outstanding Common Stock may be effected without the prior consent of the non-transferring stockholder.

 

12


CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

 

During fiscal 2003, Learning Tree paid $150,000 for legal services performed by Guth | Christopher LLP, a law firm in which Mr. Guth is a partner. Mr. Guth has sole voting and disposition power, as Trustee of 1,211,064 shares of Learning Tree Common Stock held by the Garen Children’s Trust and Garen Dynasty Trust, but as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership. Mr. Guth also holds, in his own name, options to purchase 5,000 shares of Learning Tree Common Stock.

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

 

No member of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee is or was a Learning Tree officer or employee, or is related to any other member of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee, or any other member of the Board, or any Learning Tree executive officer.

 

13


REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE

 

Compensation and Stock Option Committee Report on Executive Compensation

 

The Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) is responsible for overseeing and, as appropriate, making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the annual salaries and other compensation, including stock option grants, of the officers of Learning Tree. In addition, the Compensation Committee provides assistance and recommendations with respect to Learning Tree’s compensation policies and practices and assists with the administration of Learning Tree’s other compensation plans. The Compensation Committee also administers Learning Tree’s Stock Option Plans.

 

Compensation Policy for Executive Officers

 

The Compensation Committee believes that attracting and retaining well-qualified executives is crucial to Learning Tree’s success. The Compensation Committee’s general approach to compensating executives is to pay cash salaries which are commensurate with the executives’ experience and expertise and, where relevant, are comparable with the salaries paid to executives in competitive businesses. Consequently, except as described below as to Dr. Collins (and except in the case of Eric Garen, Learning Tree’s President during fiscal 2003, whose salary was determined in a manner similar to that of Dr. Collins, adjusted for his part-time status), base salaries for Learning Tree’s executives have been determined as part of the total compensation package by reference to such factors as salary history, competitive factors in the market, and relative merit. Learning Tree has not employed any formal process for evaluating its base salaries, believing that the benefits would not be justified by the costs.

 

Fiscal 2003 Salary and Incentive Compensation of Chief Executive Officer and Other Officers

 

In fiscal 2003, Dr. David Collins, Learning Tree’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, received compensation under the terms of an Employment Agreement between Learning Tree and Dr. Collins dated as of October 1, 1995 (the “Collins Agreement”). The Collins Agreement provides that Dr. Collins shall receive a base salary of at least $300,000 and also entitles Dr. Collins to participate in an incentive plan each year, whereby he may receive an “on-target” incentive payment of at least $155,000 if certain specified performance criteria are met.

 

At the beginning of fiscal 2003, the Compensation Committee approved Dr. Collins’ fiscal 2003 compensation plan. As contemplated by the Collins Agreement, Dr. Collins received a base salary rate of $432,600. The fiscal 2003 incentive plan for Dr. Collins was based on achievement of specified targets for Learning Tree’s net income and the average quality rating of Learning Tree’s courses, with an “on-target” incentive of $270,375. The incentive compensation earned by Dr. Collins under this formula for fiscal 2003 was $56,779.

 

The basic format for the incentive compensation of Dr. Collins mirrors those of other senior line executives and has been in place for several years, with variations from year to year on the particular incentive components and their relative weights. These components have included the results for the fiscal year in three areas: (1) the “net income component,” which bases a portion of the incentive on Learning Tree achieving a specified operating income (as defined by the plan), (2) the “revenue growth component,” which bases a portion of the incentive upon Learning Tree achieving a specified growth in revenues over the prior year (as defined by the plan) and (3) the “quality component,” which bases a portion of the incentive upon the average quality rating of Learning Tree’s courses based upon reviews completed by course attendees (the target quality rating being based upon a desired improvement over the prior year’s average quality rating). An executive can earn in excess of the targeted amount for any of these components if the applicable performance factor exceeds the budgeted or targeted level or no incentive if certain minimum standards are not met.

 

14


For fiscal 2002 and 2003 (and for fiscal 2004), the Compensation Committee felt that determining a revenue target that would merit an incentive payment would be difficult, given the uncertainty about the timing and extent of any recovery in IT spending. Accordingly, the revenue growth component of the plan was eliminated in these years, and the weight of the net income component was increased from the previous 60% rate to 85%, while the remaining 15% continued to be based on the “quality component.”

 

For officers whose responsibilities are limited to particular business units of Learning Tree, the criteria used relate directly to the financial and quality parameters attained by the units for which they are responsible. Non-line officers generally do not have any portion of their bonus determined by a “quality component,” based on their limited influence over course quality. At or around the beginning of each fiscal year, the budget for each area, and the targeted range of salary to be paid, are set for each individual. In addition, adjustments may be made in the case of any individual as warranted.

 

The Compensation Committee believes that this approach focuses the officers of Learning Tree on its growth, profitability and quality assurance.

 

Equity Incentives

 

The Compensation Committee also believes that equity ownership by key executives provides a valuable incentive and further aligns executives’ and stockholders’ interests. Learning Tree previously adopted the Stock Option Plans, pursuant to which Learning Tree was authorized to grant stock options to executives (as well as other employees and directors) to purchase an aggregate of up to 6,214,000 shares of Common Stock. Learning Tree granted 100,000 stock options to Mr. Schacht in fiscal 2003.

 

Messrs. Collins and Garen are not eligible to receive grants under the Stock Option Plans. The Compensation Committee believes that grants of options for additional equity would not have a measurable effect on the incentives provided to them in light of their significant current holdings of Common Stock. The Compensation Committee did not consider alternatives for equity-based compensation.

 

Deductibility of Executive Compensation

 

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, could under certain circumstances result in limits on Learning Tree’s ability to deduct compensation of $1,000,000 paid to certain executive officers. Exceptions to this deductibility limit may be made for various forms of performance-based compensation. Based on the fiscal 2003 compensation levels and the terms of the incentive compensation plans, no such limits on the deductibility of compensation applied for any officer of Learning Tree. While Learning Tree has not adopted a policy specifically prohibiting compensation at a level that would limit deductions, the Compensation Committee does not currently anticipate any restrictions on the future deductibility of compensation for Learning Tree’s officers. However, the Compensation Committee will not necessarily limit executive compensation to that deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

January 5, 2004

 

COMPENSATION AND STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE

   

W. Mathew Juechter, Chairman

   

Howard A. Bain III

   

Curtis A. Hessler

 

15


REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

The material in this report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that Learning Tree specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed soliciting material or filed under such acts.

 

The Audit Committee oversees Learning Tree’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee’s activities are governed by a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee charter was not amended in fiscal 2003.

 

Management has the primary responsibility for Learning Tree’s financial statements and the reporting process, including disclosure controls and procedures and the system of internal controls over financial reporting. The independent auditors audit the annual financial statements prepared by management and express an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

 

In this context, the Audit Committee met and held discussions with management and the independent auditors. Management represented to the Audit Committee that Learning Tree’s financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors, including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of specific judgments and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements. In addition, the Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statements on Auditing Standards No. 61, “Communication with Audit Committees.”

 

The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountants required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, “Independence Discussions with Audit Committees.” The Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors the auditors’ independence from Learning Tree and its management and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the auditors’ independence.

 

Prior to the commencement of the audit, the Audit Committee discussed with Learning Tree’s financial management and independent auditors the overall scope and plans for the audit. Subsequent to the audit and each of the quarterly reviews, the Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors, with and without management present, the results of their examinations or reviews, their evaluation of Learning Tree’s internal controls over financial reporting and the overall quality of the Learning Tree’s financial reporting. In addition, the Audit Committee considered other areas of its oversight relating to the financial reporting process that it determined appropriate.

 

Based upon the reviews and discussions referred to in the foregoing paragraphs, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in Learning Tree’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

January 5, 2004

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

   

Howard A. Bain III, Chairman

   

W. Mathew Juechter

   

Curtis A. Hessler

 

16


COMPANY STOCK PERFORMANCE

The stock price performance graph below is required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that Learning Tree specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed soliciting material or filed under such acts.

 

The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the Common Stock of Learning Tree from September 30, 1998 to September 30, 2003 with the cumulative total return on the NASDAQ Stock Market Composite Index and an appropriate “peer group” index (assuming the investment of $100 in Learning Tree’s Common Stock and in each of the indexes on September 30, 1998).

 

LOGO

 

     Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

     1998

   1999

   2000

   2001

   2002

   2003

Learning Tree International, Inc. Common Stock

   100    129    372    158    115    131

Peer Group Index(1)

   100    89    161    169    188    300

NASDAQ Stock Exchange Composite Index

   100    163    217    89    70    106

(1)   Peer Group index includes: Apollo Group, Inc.; Skillsoft Public Limited Company (formerly SmartForce PLC); DeVry, Inc.; ITT Educational Services, Inc. and New Horizons Worldwide, Inc. The returns of each issuer within the Peer Group Index have been weighted according to such issuer’s respective stock market capitalization at the beginning of the period presented.

 

17


COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires Learning Tree’s directors and executive officers, as well as persons who own more than ten percent of Learning Tree’s Common Stock, to file with the SEC initial reports of beneficial ownership and reports of changes in beneficial ownership of Learning Tree’s Common Stock. Directors, executive officers and greater-than-ten-percent stockholders are required by the SEC regulations to furnish Learning Tree with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

 

Based solely on a review of copies of reports filed with the SEC and submitted to Learning Tree and on written representations by certain directors and executive officers of Learning Tree, Learning Tree believes that all of Learning Tree’s directors and executive officers filed all required reports on a timely basis during fiscal 2003.

 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

 

For fiscal 2003, Learning Tree’s independent auditors, as recommended by its Audit Committee and approved by its Board of Directors, were Ernst & Young LLP.

 

On April 5, 2002, Learning Tree dismissed Arthur Andersen LLP who had previously acted as Learning Tree’s independent auditors. Learning Tree engaged Ernst & Young LLP as its new independent auditors to audit the financial statements of Learning Tree for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, as well as to perform timely reviews of its fiscal 2002 second and third quarter results. This decision was approved by Learning Tree’s Board upon the recommendation of its Audit Committee.

 

During Learning Tree’s fiscal years ended September 30, 2000 and 2001 and the subsequent interim period through April 5, 2002:

 

1.    There were no disagreements between Learning Tree and Arthur Andersen LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to Arthur Andersen LLP’s satisfaction, would have caused Arthur Andersen LLP to make a reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports;

 

2.    None of the reportable events described under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K occurred; and

 

3.    Neither Learning Tree nor anyone on its behalf consulted with Ernst & Young LLP regarding the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on Learning Tree’s consolidated financial statements, or any other matters or reportable events set forth in Item 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.

 

The audit reports of Arthur Andersen LLP on the consolidated financial statements of Learning Tree as of and for Learning Tree’s fiscal years ended September 30, 2000 and 2001 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

 

Fees for services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP in fiscal 2003 were as follows:

 

Audit Fees

   $ 237,000

All Other Fees, including taxes

   $ 26,000

 

The Audit Committee considered and determined that the provision of these non-audit services by Ernst & Young LLP was compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence. The Audit Committee has not yet considered the selection of an auditor for fiscal 2004. It is anticipated that the Audit Committee will consider the selection and make a decision by September 15, 2004.

 

18


A representative of Ernst & Young LLP will be available at the Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions or make any other statements such representative deems appropriate.

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ PROPOSALS FOR 2005 ANNUAL MEETING

 

Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the SEC, proposals by eligible stockholders, which are intended to be presented at Learning Tree’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2005, must be received by Learning Tree by September 24, 2004 in order to be considered for inclusion in Learning Tree’s proxy materials.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

The Board is not aware of any matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting other than as described in this Proxy Statement. If any other matter properly comes before the meeting, however, the proxy holders are authorized to vote on that matter or matters in accordance with their best judgments.

 

ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

 

Learning Tree’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 is being mailed to Shareholders along with this Proxy Statement. Learning Tree’s Annual Report is not to be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that Learning Tree specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed soliciting material or filed under such acts.

 

   

By Order of the Board of Directors,

   

/s/    DAVID C. COLLINS        


January 20, 2004

  David C. Collins, Ph.D.
    Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

 

19


 


 


 

PROXY

LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Proxy for Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held March 9, 2004

 

The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Learning Tree International, Inc. (“Learning Tree”) dated January 20, 2004, and the accompanying Proxy Statement relating to the above-referenced Annual Meeting, and hereby appoints David C. Collins or Eric R. Garen, with full power of substitution in each, as attorneys and proxies of the undersigned.

 

Said proxies are hereby given authority to vote all shares of Common Stock, $.0001 par value, of Learning Tree which the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Learning Tree, to be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at Learning Tree International, 6053 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90045, and at any and all adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Annual Meeting”), on behalf of the undersigned on the matters set forth on the reverse side hereof and in the manner designated thereon.

 

The Board of Directors of Learning Tree solicits this proxy, and when properly executed, the shares represented hereby will be voted in accordance with the instructions in this proxy. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of all nominees named as a Directors of Learning Tree on the reverse side hereof.

 


Address Changes/Comments:

  

 


    

 



(If you noted any address changes/comments above, please mark corresponding box on other side.)

 

PLEASE MARK, DATE AND SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

 



[LOGO OF LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL]

6053 W. CENTURY BLVD.

SUITE 200

LOS ANGELES, CA 90045

 

VOTE BY INTERNET—www.proxyvote.com

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

 

VOTE BY PHONE—1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

 

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign, and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Learning Tree International, Inc., c/o ADP, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

 

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:            LRNTR1

KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS


DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

 


LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

1.

  

Vote On Directors

              
    

Election of Two (2) Class III Directors:

   For All    Withhold All    For All Except
    

NOMINEES:        01)  David C. Collins

   ¨    ¨    ¨
    

                              02)  Eric R. Garen

              

 

To withhold authority to vote, mark “For All Except” and write the number of the nominee for which your vote is withheld below:

 


 

Note: Please date and sign exactly as your name(s) appear on this proxy card. If shares are registered in more than one name, all such persons should sign. A corporation should sign in its full corporate name by a duly authorized officer, stating his title. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please sign in your official capacity and give your full title as such. If a partnership, please sign in the partnership name by an authorized person.

 

In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote “FOR” the election of such substitute nominee(s) for director as the Board of Directors of the Company shall select, and upon other such matters as may come before the Annual Meeting.

 

For address changes and/or comments, please check this box and write them on the back where indicated.    ¨  

 


   
                     

   

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]

   Date         Signature (Joint Owners)    Date