DEF 14A 1 a06-7637_1def14a.htm DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.              )

Filed by the Registrant  x

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  o

Check the appropriate box:

o

Preliminary Proxy Statement

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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

x

Definitive Proxy Statement

o

Definitive Additional Materials

o

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

STANDARD PARKING CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

AND

PROXY STATEMENT

2006

GRAPHIC

STANDARD PARKING CORPORATION




April 3, 2006

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Standard Parking Corporation to be held on April 26, 2006, at 4:00 p.m., local time, at The Whitehall Hotel, 105 East Delaware Place, Chicago, Illinois 60611.

Details regarding admission to the meeting and the business to be conducted are more fully described in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the proxy statement. A copy of our Annual Report is also enclosed with these materials.

You may submit your proxy by returning the enclosed proxy card. If you submit your proxy before the meeting and subsequently decide to attend the meeting in person, you may still vote in person at the meeting. For further information regarding the matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting, I urge you to read the accompanying proxy statement carefully.

Whether you intend to vote in person or by proxy, please let us know whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting by informing us when you submit your proxy, as indicated in your proxy instructions. Please note that if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting but your shares are held in a name other than your own (for example, if your shares are held by a broker in “street name”), then certain steps, described in the accompanying proxy statement, will be required for you to be admitted into the meeting.

If you have any questions concerning the meeting, please contact Standard Parking’s Investor Relations Team at investor_relations@standardparking.com. For questions regarding your stock ownership, you may contact our transfer agent, Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, at (800) 468-9716 or www.wellsfargo.com/com /shareowner_services.

Thank you for your ongoing support and continued interest in Standard Parking Corporation.

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

 

James A. Wilhelm

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 




STANDARD PARKING CORPORATION

900 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600

Chicago, Illinois 60611

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Date

 

April 26, 2006

Time

 

4:00 p.m., local time

Place

 

The Whitehall Hotel
105 East Delaware Place
Chicago, Illinois 60611

Proposals

 

Election of our directors
Appointment of independent auditors

Record Date

 

March 3, 2006

Voting Methods

 

Written ballot—Complete and return a proxy card
In person—Attend and vote at the meeting

 

Stockholders will also transact any other business properly brought before the meeting. At this time, our Board of Directors knows of no other proposals or matters to be presented.

This proxy statement is accompanied by a copy of the annual report to stockholders.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

 

GRAPHIC

 

Robert N. Sacks,
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
April 3, 2006

 




GRAPHIC

PROXY STATEMENT

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Standard Parking Corporation (the “Company”) is soliciting your proxy for use at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on April 26, 2006. These proxy materials are first being mailed on or about April 3, 2006 to holders of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of record at the close of business on March 3, 2006.

A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 accompanies this proxy statement. Stockholders may obtain a copy of the exhibits to our Form 10-K by making a written request to our Investor Relations Team at Standard Parking Corporation, Investor Relations, 900 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600, Chicago, Illinois 60611.

Standard Parking is a leading national provider of parking facility management services. We provide on-site management services at multi-level and surface parking facilities for all major markets of the parking industry. We manage more than 1,900 parking facilities, containing over one million parking spaces in 303 cities across the United States and Canada. In addition, we manage parking-related and shuttle bus operations serving 64 airports.

Our website address is www.standardparking.com. We make available free of charge on the Investor Relations section of our website our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). We also make available through our website other reports filed with or furnished to the SEC under the Exchange Act, including our proxy statements and reports filed by officers and directors under Section 16(a) of that Act, as well as our Code of Business Conduct, our Code of Ethics for Certain Executives, Anti-Fraud Program and the charters of each of the Board’s committees. We do not intend for information made available through our website to be part of this proxy statement.

You also may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

Standard Parking Corporation’s headquarters is located at 900 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600, Chicago, Illinois 60611. Our telephone number in Chicago is 312-274-2000. You may contact our Investor Relations Team at this address or by email at investor_relations@standardparking.com.

We use the terms “Standard Parking,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” in this proxy statement to refer to Standard Parking Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

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ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

Date, Time and Place of the Annual Meeting

We will hold the Annual Meeting at 4:00 p.m., local time, on April 26, 2006, at The Whitehall Hotel, 105 East Delaware Place, Chicago, Illinois 60611, subject to any adjournments or postponements.

Who Can Vote; Votes Per Share

The Board has set March 3, 2006 as the record date for the Annual Meeting. All persons who were registered holders of Standard Parking’s common stock at the close of business on that date are stockholders of record for the purposes of the Annual Meeting and will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the close of business on that date, there were 10,126,482 shares of common stock outstanding.

Each stockholder of record will be entitled to one vote per share of common stock on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders, so long as those votes are represented at the Annual Meeting, either in person or by proxy. Your shares will be represented if you attend and vote at the Annual Meeting or if you submit a proxy.

How to Vote; Submitting Your Proxy; Revoking Your Proxy

You may vote your shares either by voting in person at the Annual Meeting or by submitting a completed proxy. By submitting your proxy, you are legally authorizing another person to vote your shares. The enclosed proxy designates James A. Wilhelm and Robert N. Sacks to vote your shares in accordance with the voting instructions you indicate in your proxy.

If you submit your proxy designating James A. Wilhelm and Robert N. Sacks as the individuals authorized to vote your shares, but you do not indicate how your shares are to be voted, then your shares will be voted by those individuals in accordance with the Board’s recommendations, which are described in this proxy statement. In addition, if any other matters are properly brought up at the Annual Meeting (other than the proposals contained in this proxy statement), then James A. Wilhelm and Robert N. Sacks will have the authority to vote your shares on those matters in accordance with their discretion and judgment. The Board currently does not know of any matters to be raised at the Annual Meeting other than the proposals contained in this proxy statement.

You may submit your proxy by mailing us a proxy card. Please let us know whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting by marking the appropriate box on your proxy card. In order for your proxy to be validly submitted and for your shares to be voted in accordance with your proxy, we must receive your mailed proxy by 5:00 p.m., local time, on April 24, 2006.

Once you have submitted your proxy, you may revoke your proxy before it is voted at the Annual Meeting by sending a written notice to our Secretary at 900 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600, Chicago, Illinois 60611. Any such notice must be received by 5:00 p.m., local time, on April 25, 2006. If you wish to revoke your submitted proxy card and submit new voting instructions, then you must sign, date and mail a new proxy card with your new voting instructions, which we must receive by 5:00 p.m., local time, on April 25, 2006, or you can revoke your proxy in person and vote your shares at the meeting. Attending the Annual Meeting without taking one of the actions above will not revoke your proxy.

Your vote is very important to us. If you do not plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to read the enclosed proxy statement and submit your completed proxy prior to the Annual Meeting so that your shares will be represented and voted in accordance with your instructions.

If your shares are not registered in your name but in the “street name” of a bank, broker or other holder of record (a “nominee”), then your name will not appear in Standard Parking Corporation’s

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register of stockholders. Those shares are held in your nominee’s name, on your behalf, and your nominee will be entitled to vote your shares. In order for you to attend the Annual Meeting, you must bring a letter or account statement showing that you beneficially own the shares held by the nominee. Note that even if you attend the Annual Meeting, you cannot vote the shares that are held by your nominee. Rather, you should instruct your nominee how to vote those shares on your behalf.

Quorum and Voting Requirements

The holders of shares having a majority of the voting power of our common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. For purposes of determining a quorum, abstentions and broker “non-votes” are counted as represented. A “non-vote” occurs when a nominee (such as a broker) holding shares for a beneficial owner abstains from voting on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power for that proposal and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner on how to vote those shares.

For each of the proposals being considered at the Annual Meeting, approval of the proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast. There is no cumulative voting in the appointment of directors. The appointments of the eight director nominees will be considered and voted upon as separate proposals. Abstentions and broker “non-votes” will not affect the voting results.

Proxy Solicitation

Standard Parking Corporation will bear the costs of soliciting proxies from the holders of our common stock. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail solicitation may be made by certain of our directors, officers and selected other Standard Parking employees telephonically, electronically or by other means of communication. Directors, officers and employees who help us in the solicitation will not be specially compensated for those services, but they may be reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation. Brokerage houses, nominees, fiduciaries and other custodians will be requested to forward soliciting materials to beneficial owners and will be reimbursed for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in sending proxy materials to beneficial owners. Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, our transfer agent, has agreed to send a representative to act as our Inspector of Election at the Annual Meeting and to assist us in tabulating the votes.

2005 Audited Financial Statements

Copies of the financial statements for our year ended December 31, 2005 are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which we are delivering to you with this proxy statement. You may also access these materials through our website at www.standardparking.com.

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PROPOSAL NO. 1:  ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The first proposal scheduled to be voted on at the meeting is the election of our directors. Our Board currently consists of eight members who are elected annually. The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee of our Board has recommended, and our Board has nominated, Charles L. Biggs, Karen M. Garrison, John V. Holten, Gunnar E. Klintberg, Leif F. Onarheim, A. Petter Ostberg, Robert S. Roath and James A. Wilhelm to serve as our directors. Each of these nominees is currently serving as a member of our Board and will serve a one-year term.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF

THE BOARD’S EIGHT NOMINEES.

If you submit your proxy designating James A. Wilhelm and Robert N. Sacks as your proxies but do not indicate how your shares should be voted, then your shares will be voted in favor of the election of all of the nominees. If any nominee is unwilling or unable to serve as a director, then the Board will propose another person in place of that original nominee, and the individuals designated as your proxies will vote to appoint that proposed person, unless the Board decides to reduce the number of directors constituting the full Board. It is currently anticipated that all of the nominees will be willing and able to serve as directors.

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BOARD AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS

Director Biographies

Set forth below are the biographies of our director nominees.

Charles L. Biggs

 

Mr. Biggs has served as a director since June 2004. Mr. Biggs

Age: 65

Board Committees: Audit,
Compensation (Chair)

 

was a consultant for Deloitte Consulting, a professional services firm that provides assurance and advisory, tax and management consulting services, from 1968 until his retirement in November 2002. At Deloitte, he held various management positions, including National Director of Strategy Services for Deloitte’s strategy arm and chairman of Deloitte/Holt Value Associates. He has served as a director of Qwest Communications International Inc. since April 2004 and is a member of their audit committee. He is also on the advisory committee of CABC, a technology firm in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Biggs earned his B.S. degree in Industrial Management from Kent State University.

Karen M. Garrison

 

Ms. Garrison has served as a director since June 2004. She

Age: 57

Board Committees: Audit, Nominating
& Corporate Governance (Chair)

 

was president of Pitney Bowes Business Services from 1999 to 2003. In her 25 years with Pitney Bowes, Ms. Garrison held a series of positions with increasing responsibilities, including vice president of operations, and vice president of finance and chief financial officer. She is also a director and member of the audit committee of North Fork Bank. She is a director of Tenant Healthcare and is a member of Tenant’s Quality & Governance Committee & Nominating Committee. She received her B.S. degree in Accounting from Rollins College in 1983 and her M.B.A. degree from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1986.

John V. Holten

 

Mr. Holten has served as a director and our chairman of the

Age: 49

Chairman of the Board
Board Committees: Compensation, Nominating & Corporate Governance

 

board of directors since March 1998. Mr. Holten is the sole manager of Steamboat Industries LLC and the sole managing director of Steamboat Industries N.V. Steamboat Industries LLC, along with Steamboat Industries N.V. (Steamboat Industries LLC owns 100% of the common stock of Steamboat Industries N.V.), has been our majority stockholder since May 2004. Steamboat Industries LLC was established in, and Steamboat Industries LLC acquired 100% of the common stock of Steamboat Industries N.V. in, May 2004. Mr. Holten has also served as a director and chairman of the board of directors of AP Holdings, Inc., our parent company until May 2004, since April 1989. Mr. Holten has also served as the chairman and chief executive officer of Holberg Incorporated since 1986. Holberg Incorporated was our indirect parent until March 2001. Mr. Holten received his M.B.A. degree from Harvard University in 1982 and graduated from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration in 1980.

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Gunnar E. Klintberg

 

Mr. Klintberg has served as a director since 1989, as Vice

Age: 57

 

President from 1998 to 2005 and as a consultant since 2004. Mr. Klintberg is the vice chairman of Steamboat Holdings, Inc. Mr. Klintberg has also been a director and vice chairman of Holberg Incorporated since 1989. Mr. Klintberg has also served as a vice president and director of AP Holdings, Inc. since April 1989 and as vice chairman and secretary since May 2004. Mr. Klintberg received his B.A. degree from Dartmouth College in 1972 and a degree in Business Administration from the University of Uppsala, Sweden in 1974.

Leif F. Onarheim

 

Mr. Onarheim has served as a director since June 2004. He

Age: 71

 

was a director of Holberg Industries, Inc. from 1989 to July 2004 and a director of Steamboat Holdings, Inc. from 2000 to March 2005. He was elected as a member of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Norway in 2001 and served until 2005. Mr. Onarheim is also the Chairman of Lovenskiold Vaekero (since 2001), AHW A/S (since 2000), and Fjord Seafood (ASA since 2005). He served for 10 years as managing director and chief executive officer of Nora Industries before its merger with Orkla ASA in 1991, and served as chairman of the merged Orkla Group after the merger until 1992. Mr. Onarheim served as chairman of NHO, Norway’s largest association of business and industry, from 1996 until 2000. Mr. Onarheim graduated from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration in 1960.

A. Petter Østberg

 

Mr. Østberg has served as a director since June 2004. He

Age: 44

Board Committees: Compensation, Nominating & Corporate Governance

 

joined Holberg Incorporated in 1994 and is currently a senior vice president and its chief financial officer. Mr. Østberg was a vice president of the Company and AP Holdings, Inc. from October 1999 until January 2001. Mr. Østberg became a senior vice president and chief financial officer of AP Holdings, Inc. in May 2004. Mr. Østberg received his B.A. degree in International Relations and Economics from Tufts University in 1985, and his M.B.A. degree from Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 1989.

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Robert S. Roath

 

Mr. Roath has served as a director and the chair of our Audit

Age: 63

Board Committees: Audit (Chair)

 

Committee since June 2004. He has been chairman of the advisory board to L.E.K. Consulting, a stockholder-value consulting firm, since May 1997. Mr. Roath retired as chief financial officer and senior vice president of RJR Nabisco, Inc. in April 1997 where he worked from September 1990. He has been a director of the InterDigital Communications Corporation since May 1997 and is chairman of the audit committee, chairman of the finance committee and a member of the compensation committee. Mr. Roath is also a member of the advisory board of the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. Previously, Mr. Roath was employed by Colgate-Palmolive, General Foods, GAF Corporation and Price Waterhouse & Co. He received his B.S. degree in Accounting and Economics from the University of Maryland in 1966 and is a CPA in New York.

James A. Wilhelm

 

Mr. Wilhelm has served as our president since

Age: 52

 

September 2000 and as our chief executive officer and a director since October 2001. Mr. Wilhelm served as executive vice president—operations from March 1998 to September 1999, and he served as senior executive vice president and chief operations officer from September 1999 to August 2000. Mr. Wilhelm joined the predecessors of Standard Parking Corporation in 1985, serving as executive vice president beginning in January 1998. Prior to March 1998, Mr. Wilhelm was responsible for managing the Midwest and Western Regions, which included parking facilities in Chicago and sixteen other cities throughout the United States and Canada. Mr. Wilhelm received his B.A. degree from Northeastern Illinois University in 1976.

 

Communicating with the Board

The Board welcomes your questions and comments. If you would like to communicate directly with our Board, or our independent directors as a group, then you may submit your communication to our General Counsel and Secretary, Standard Parking Corporation, 900 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600, Chicago, Illinois 60611. All appropriate communications and concerns will be forwarded to our Board or our independent directors as a group, as applicable.

Board Meetings and Committees

The Board expects that its members will diligently prepare for, attend and participate in all Board and applicable committee meetings, and each annual meeting of stockholders. Directors are also expected to become familiar with Standard Parking’s management team and operations, as a basis for discharging their oversight responsibilities. During 2005, the Board held five meetings. Each of the directors who served during 2005 attended 100% of the Board meetings, and meetings of any Board committee on which he or she served during 2005, except Mr. Roath was unable to attend one Board meeting.

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The Board maintains an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee. Each of these committees operates pursuant to a written charter, which is available in the Corporate Governance section of our website, accessible through our Investor Relations page at www.standardparking.com. Each of the directors who served on these committees in 2005 attended 100% of the committee meetings, except Mr. Biggs was unable to attend two Audit Committee meetings.

Director Independence and Controlled Company Status

The Board has determined that three of its outside directors—Mr. Biggs, Mr. Roath and Ms. Garrison—have no material relationship with our Company that would conflict with the independence requirements of applicable federal law and the Nasdaq rules. Although the Nasdaq rules generally require Nasdaq-traded companies to have a board of directors comprised of a majority of independent directors, a “controlled company” is exempt from this requirement. Our parent company, Steamboat Industries LLC, and its affiliates (including Mr. Holten), collectively control more than 50% of the voting power of the Company and, accordingly, Standard Parking is an exempt controlled company. We rely on the “controlled company” exception to the board of directors and committee composition requirements under the Nasdaq rules. Pursuant to this exception, we are exempt from the rule that requires that our board of directors be composed of a majority of “independent directors,” and we are exempt from the rules that require our Compensation Committee and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee to be composed solely of “independent directors” as defined in the Nasdaq rules. The “controlled company” exception does not modify the independence requirements for our Audit Committee composition which complies with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Nasdaq independence rules for audit committees. The independent directors meet from time to time in connection with Audit Committee meetings at which only independent directors are present. Fourteen such meetings occurred in 2005.

The Board determined that, given Mr. Onarheim’s and Mr. Ostberg’s relationship with Mr. Holten and his affiliates, our controlling stockholder, they may not be considered independent (although Mr. Onarheim is considered an outside director). Mr. Klintberg is not considered independent because of his relationship with Mr. Holten and his affiliates, our controlling stockholder, and because until June 30, 2005, he was an officer of the Company and is presently a paid consultant to the Company. Mr. Wilhelm is not considered independent because he is an executive officer of Standard Parking.

Committees

Our Board maintains three standing committees: Audit, Compensation, and Nominating & Corporate Governance.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee was established by the Board for the purpose of overseeing Standard Parking’s accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of our financial statements, in accordance with Section 10A(m) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee members are Charles L. Biggs, Karen M. Garrison and Robert S. Roath (who serves as Chair). The Board has determined that each of its members meets the financial literacy and independence requirements of the Nasdaq National Market, and that Ms. Garrison and Messrs. Biggs and Roath each qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” for purposes of the rules and regulations of the SEC. Standard Parking does not limit the number of audit committees on which its Audit Committee members may serve. Mr. Biggs currently serves on the audit committee of Qwest Communications International Inc., Ms. Garrison currently serves on the audit committee of North Fork Bank and Mr. Roath serves as the chair of the audit committee of InterDigital Communications Corporation. The Board will continue to monitor and assess the audit committee memberships of its Audit Committee members on a regular basis.

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The Audit Committee’s primary duties and responsibilities are to:

·       review and discuss with management and the independent auditors our annual audited financial statements, our quarterly financial statements and reports, and any releases, information or guidance related thereto;

·       appoint or replace our independent auditors and approve all audit engagement fees and terms for the Company and its subsidiaries; approve any audit and any permissible non-audit engagement or relationship with our independent auditors; review at least annually the qualifications, performance and independence of our independent auditors; review with our independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response; and set hiring policies related to employees or former employees of our independent auditors to ensure independence;

·       review and monitor any significant judgments made in the preparation of the financial statements or any significant difficulties encountered during the course of a review or audit;

·       review any significant disagreement between management and the independent or internal auditors with respect to the preparation of the financial statements; and review and discuss with our auditors the responsibilities, budget and staffing of our internal audit function;

·       discuss with management and our independent auditors our risk assessment and risk management guidelines and policies; oversee our compliance program and adherence to our Code of Business Ethics; establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; oversee the maintenance of an internal audit function; and

·       prepare a report to be included in our proxy statement and provide other regular reports to the Board.

The Audit Committee held fourteen meetings in 2005, eight of which were held by teleconference.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee consists of three directors: Charles L. Biggs (who serves as Chair), John V. Holten and A. Petter Ostberg. Mr. Biggs is the only independent director on this committee. The Compensation Committee’s primary duties and responsibilities are to:

·       assist in defining a total compensation policy for our executives that supports our overall business strategy and objectives, attracts and retains key executives; links total compensation with business objectives and organizational performance; and provides competitive total compensation opportunities at a reasonable cost;

·       act on behalf of the Board in setting executive compensation policy, administer compensation plans approved by the Board and stockholders, and make decisions or develop recommendations for the Board with respect to the compensation of key executives;

·       review and determine the annual base salary levels, annual incentive opportunity levels, long-term incentive opportunity levels, executive perquisites, employment agreements, change in control and severance provisions/agreements, benefits, and supplemental benefits of the named executive officers;

·       review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to the CEO’s compensation, evaluate the CEO’s performance in light of those goals and objectives, and determine the CEO’s compensation level based on this evaluation; evaluate the CEO’s and other key executives’ compensation levels and payouts against pre-established performance goals and objectives, an appropriate peer group, and the awards given to the CEO or other executive in past years; and

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·       prepare a report to be included in our proxy statement and provide other regular reports to the Board.

The Compensation Committee held one meeting in 2005.

Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee consists of three directors: Karen M. Garrison (who serves as Chair), John V. Holten and A. Petter Ostberg. Ms. Garrison is the only independent director on this committee. Ms. Garrison currently serves as a member of the Nominating Committee of Tenant Healthcare. The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee’s primary duties and responsibilities are to:

·       have general responsibility for Board selection, including the identification of qualified candidates for Board membership;

·       recommend to the Board the directors to serve on each committee of the Board;

·       develop and recommend to the Board for its approval a set of corporate governance guidelines that it will review at least annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for its approval; and

·       provide reports to the Board.

The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee held two meetings in 2005, one of which was held by teleconference.

Each of the foregoing nominees is currently serving as one of our directors and each was elected a director at our last annual meeting.

In evaluating candidates for Board membership, the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee has assessed the contribution that the candidate’s skills and expertise will make with respect to guiding and overseeing Standard Parking’s strategy and operations. This committee seeks candidates who have the ability to develop a deep understanding of our business and the time and the judgment to effectively carry out their responsibilities as a member of the Board.

To date, all of the Board’s independent directors have been identified with the assistance of a professional search firm specializing in this type of work. Others are individuals known to Board members through business or other relationships. In the future, potential candidates will be interviewed by members of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee (and, in some instances, other Board members) and, as appropriate, by members of our management team. Final consideration of the nominee will then be conducted by the entire Board.

If you would like to recommend a future nominee for Board membership, you can submit a written recommendation with the name and other pertinent information of the nominee to: Karen M. Garrison, Chair of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, c/o Standard Parking Corporation, 900 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600, Chicago, Illinois 60611, Attention: General Counsel and Secretary.

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REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

Report of the Audit Committee

The Audit Committee of the Board is primarily responsible for the oversight of the quality and integrity of the Company’s accounting and reporting practices and controls, and its financial statements and reports; compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; the independent auditors’ qualifications and independence; and the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent auditors. A complete description of the Committee’s function may be found in its charter, which may be accessed through the Corporate Governance section of our website, accessible through our Investor Relations page at www.standardparking.com.

The Audit Committee met fourteen times during 2005 and routinely reported its activities to the full Board. At these meetings, this committee typically met with senior members of management (typically including the Company’s CFO, principal accounting officer and its general counsel), director of internal audit, and the Company’s independent auditors. The attention of the Audit Committee has been focused on several topics, including:

(i)    the oversight of the Company’s Section 404 internal controls project, including a review and assessment of the scope, principles, plans, risk areas and budget for the project and direct discussions with the Company’s independent auditors and the Company’s internal audit department;

(ii)   a review and assessment of the Company’s internal audit, controllership and finance functions;

(iii)  a review of the Company’s risk management efforts, including its insurance and the Company’s compliance program and related investigations;

(iv)  discussions with Ernst & Young LLP and management of accounting topics, discussions concerning proposed rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and a review of the Company’s critical accounting policies;

(v)    monitoring the processes by which the Company’s CEO and CFO certify the information contained in the Company’s quarterly and annual filings;

(vi)  reviewing and approving the Company’s policy regarding the retention of auditors and considering and approving such retentions as appropriate;

(vii) reviewing the Company’s approach toward establishing reserves;

(viii)     reviewing and discussing with management each of the Company’s quarterly financial statements  and the audited financial statements of the Company for 2005, and related issues and disclosure items, along with a discussion with Ernst & Young LLP of those matters identified by the Statement of Auditing Standards Board Standard No. 61, as amended, “Communication with the Audit Committee,” and the Company’s related press releases in connection with its quarterly reports and discussed and reviewed the results of Ernst & Young LLP examination of the financial statements; and

(ix)  discussing with Ernst & Young LLP its written disclosure letter as required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, “Independence Discussions with Audit Committees,” and discussing its independence and related issues.

As part of its oversight role and in reliance upon its reviews and discussions as outlined above, the Audit Committee recommended, and the Board approved, the inclusion of the Company’s audited financial statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 for filing with the SEC and presentation to the Company’s stockholders. The Audit Committee also

11




recommended that Ernst & Young LLP be re-appointed as the Company’s independent auditors to serve until the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders, and that the Board submit this appointment to the Company’s stockholders for approval at the Annual Meeting.

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

Robert S. Roath (Chair)
Charles L. Biggs
Karen M. Garrison

Report of the Compensation Committee

Background

The Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board was established in June 2004 in conjunction with the Company’s initial public offering, so 2005 was the first year in which the Committee implemented a total compensation policy for our executives. For 2004 and prior years, the base salaries and performance-based compensation incentive targets for the Company’s senior management was established at the beginning of the year by the Board in accordance with the Company’s historical practices.

Committee Responsibilities

The Committee assists the Company in defining and setting a total compensation policy for its executives that supports the Company’s overall business strategy and objectives, attracts and retains key executives, links total compensation with business objectives and organizational performance, and provides competitive total compensation opportunities at a reasonable cost. A complete description of the Committee’s function may be found in its charter, a copy of which is available in the Corporate Governance section of our website, accessible through our Investor Relations page at www.standardparking.com. Consistent with the charter’s provisions, the Committee will review and compare its own performance against the charter’s requirements on an annual basis.

Compensation Philosophy and Policies for Executive Officers

The Company’s compensation program for its senior executive officers consists of base salary, performance-based incentive compensation payments and stock options.

Base Salary.   The Company’s goal is to compensate its senior executives at competitive levels that enable the Company to attract and retain executives who are best able to support the Company’s short and long-term objectives.

Performance-Based Compensation.   The Company maintains a performance-based compensation program that is intended to reward its executives for performance that enhances the Company’s profitability. This compensation component is also designed to attract and retain executives as part of their overall compensation package.

In 2005, senior executives with operations responsibility were rewarded based on the profitability of the Company’s operations in their assigned regions and, to a lesser extent, the profitability of the Company as a whole, as well as on their success in areas impacting the Company’s prospects for long-term financial performance.

On August 12, 2005, pursuant to a unanimous consent resolution, the Committee voted to award a special one-time bonus to James A. Wilhelm, our President and Chief Executive Officer, in the amount of $75,000. In addition, the Committee voted unanimously to create a special one time bonus pool in the

12




aggregate amount of $205,000, to be allocated among the following executive officers:  G. Marc Baumann, Thomas Hagerman, John Ricchiuto, Robert N. Sacks, Edward Simmons, Steven A. Warshauer and Michael K. Wolf.

Stock Options.   In recognition of Thomas L. Hagerman’s promotion to Executive Vice President in January 2005, the Company granted options to Mr. Hagerman to purchase 4,710.15 shares of the Company’s common stock in March 2005. The exercise price of those options is $14.81 per share, which was the market price of the Company’s stock on the date the options were granted. Mr. Hagerman’s options vest at the end of a twenty-seven month period from the date of the grant. As with stock options previously granted to other executive officers, the options have value to the holder only if the Company’s stock price has appreciated at the time those options vest as compared to the stock’s market price at the time the options were granted. Accordingly, the Company believes that the executives holding such options are properly focused on enhancing the shareholder value over a substantial period of time.

Review of All Components of CEO Compensation

The Committee has reviewed all components of the CEO’s compensation, including base salary, performance-based compensation, stock option grants, accumulated realized and unrealized stock option gains, the dollar value to the CEO and cost to the Company of all perquisites and other personal benefits, and the Company’s payout obligations to the CEO under several potential severance scenarios. A tally sheet and related materials setting forth all the above components were prepared and reviewed affixing dollar amounts under the various payout scenarios.

The Committee’s Conclusion

The Committee, in its review, found it necessary and appropriate to increase the CEO’s annual rate of base salary by $70,000, effective as of April 1, 2005. The change to the CEO’s compensation was disclosed on Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2005. The Sixth Amendment to Mr. Wilhelm’s Executive Employment Agreement setting forth the new terms of his compensation was filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2005 as Exhibit 10.4.

Our Committee Meetings

Prior to the first Committee meeting each year, the CEO’s proposed compensation is distributed to the members of the Committee. At the first Committee meeting during the year, the CEO’s proposed compensation is reviewed and analyzed in the context of all the components of his total compensation, and members then have the opportunity to ask for additional information and to raise and discuss further questions. A vote is then taken at the first meeting unless the discussion is continued at a second committee meeting, after which a vote is taken.

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Internal Pay Equity

The Committee believes that the relative difference between CEO compensation and the compensation of the Company’s Executive Vice Presidents has not increased significantly over the years. The comparisons in the Company’s internal pay equity study go back to 2002, which was Mr. Wilhelm’s first full year performing his responsibilities as CEO, and the percentage differences are not significantly different today from then. Over the period reviewed, our CEO’s total compensation has been in the range of 1.29 to 1.82 times the compensation of the next highest paid executive officer (with the exception of the Chairman).

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Charles L. Biggs (Chair)
John V. Holten
A. Petter Østberg

Report of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee of the Board is primarily responsible for: (1) assessing and selecting/ nominating (or recommending to the Board for its selection/nomination) qualified candidates for Board membership; (2) recommending to the Board the directors to serve on each committee of the Board; and (3) developing, reviewing and recommending corporate governance guidelines and changes thereto. A complete description of the Committee’s function may be found in its charter, as revised and approved by the Board in May 2004, a copy of which may be accessed through the Corporate Governance section of our website, accessible through our Investor Relations page at www.standardparking.com.

This committee held two meetings in 2005, one of which was by teleconference. At these meetings, this committee:

(i)    as part of its planning for the next year, assessed the composition of the Board;

(ii)   reviewed current Board committee membership, assessed the composition of each committee and made determinations related to the appropriate membership for each committee;

(iii)  considered whether Mr. Roath meets the criteria to be considered an “audit committee financial expert” and, applying such criteria, recommended to the Board that it conclude that he is an audit committee financial expert;

(iv)  considered the standards set forth by the Nasdaq regarding director independence, reviewed the Company’s standards for director independence, assessed each outside director’s independence based upon the standards and made recommendations to the Board regarding each outside director’s independence;

(v) reviewed the Company’s corporate governance guidelines to determine if any changes should be recommended to the Board;

(vi) reviewed the adequacy of the Committee’s Charter to determine if any changes should be recommended to the Board; and

(vii) reviewed the Committee’s performance against the requirements of the Committee’s charter.

This committee will continue to assess the needs of the Board and, as the need arises, will engage in a search for new or additional members. It will also continue to develop a corporate governance model and

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focus on ensuring that the Company’s governance model promotes the efficient and thorough governance of the Company for its benefit and that of its stockholders.

THE NOMINATING & CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

Karen M. Garrison (Chair)
John V. Holten
A. Petter Ostberg

PROPOSAL NO. 2—APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Audit Committee has recommended the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditors to audit our consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2006 and our stockholders are asked to approve the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as auditors for the year ending December 31, 2006.

We expect that one or more representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting. Each of these representatives will have the opportunity to make a statement, if he or she desires, and is expected to be available to respond to any questions.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE APPOINTMENT
OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP.

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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ FEES AND OTHER MATTERS

Independent Auditors’ Fees

The following table describes fees for professional audit services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP, Standard Parking’s principal accountant, for the audit of our annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, and fees billed for other services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP during these periods.

Type of Fee

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Audit Fees(1)

 

$

846,641

 

$

687,300

 

Audit Related Fees(2)

 

252,552

 

22,751

 

Tax Fees(3)

 

 

419,250

 

All Other Fees(4)

 

2,425

 

 

Total

 

$

1,101,618

 

$

1,129,301

 


(1)          Audit Fees include the aggregate fees paid by Standard Parking during the year indicated for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP for the audit of Standard Parking Corporation’s annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in Standard Parking’s Forms 10-Q and Form 10-K, including review of registration statements and issuance of consents.

(2)          Audit Related Fees include the aggregate fees paid by Standard Parking during the year indicated for assurance and related services by Ernst & Young LLP that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of Standard Parking Corporation’s financial statements and not included in Audit Fees, including general accounting advice and opinions related to various employee benefit plans and due diligence related to mergers and acquisitions. For 2005, Audit Related Fees consist of $22,750 for the 401(k) audit and $229,802 for due diligence related to mergers and acquisitions. For 2004, Audit Related Fees consist of $22,751 for the 401(k) audit.

(3)          Tax Fees include the aggregate fees paid by Standard Parking during the year indicated for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP for assistance with tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. There were no Tax Fees for 2005. For 2004, Tax Fees consist of $395,000 for our Form S-1 registration and recapitalization and $24,250 for the review of state, federal and foreign tax returns.

(4)          All Other Fees include the aggregate fees paid by Standard Parking during the year indicated for products and services provided by Ernst & Young LLP, other than the services reported above. In 2005 all Other Fees consist of fees related to online research tools. There were no Other Fees in 2004.

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Procedures For Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditor

Pursuant to its pre-approval policy and procedures, the Audit Committee was responsible for reviewing and approving, in advance, any audit and any permissible non-audit engagement or relationship between Standard Parking and its independent auditors. The Audit Committee has responsibility for appointing, setting compensation for and overseeing the work of the Company’s independent auditors, and has established a policy concerning the pre-approval of services performed by the Company’s independent auditors. Each proposed engagement not specifically identified by the Securities and Exchange Commission as impairing independence is evaluated for independence implications prior to entering into a contract with the independent auditor for such services. The Audit Committee has approved in advance certain permitted services whose scope is consistent with auditor independence. These services are the audit of our annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in our Forms 10-Q and Form 10-K, audit of the 401(k) plan and due diligence related to mergers and acquisitions. Prior to June 2004, our Board of Directors assumed this responsibility. Ernst & Young LLP’s engagement to conduct the audit of Standard Parking Corporation for 2005 was approved by the Audit Committee on August 8, 2005. Additionally, each permissible audit and non-audit engagement or relationship between Standard Parking and Ernst & Young LLP entered into since December 1, 2002 has been reviewed and approved by the Board or the Audit Committee, as provided in our pre-approval policies and procedures.

We have been advised by Ernst & Young LLP that substantially all of the work done in conjunction with its 2005 audit of our financial statements for the most recently completed year was performed by permanent, full-time employees and partners of Ernst & Young LLP. We have received confirmation and a letter from Ernst & Young LLP required by Independence Standards Board No. 1, and discussed with Ernst & Young LLP its independence.

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COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation earned, awarded or paid for services rendered to us in all capacities for the three years ended December 31, 2005 by our chief executive officer and each of our four most highly compensated executive officers (other than the chief executive officer) serving as executive officers at the end of 2005. These persons are referred to, collectively, as the “named executive officers.”

 

 

 

Annual Compensation

 

Long-Term
Compensation

 

 

 

Name and Principal Position

 

 

 

Year

 

Salary ($)

 

Bonus ($)

 

Other Annual
Compensation
($)(1)

 

Securities
Underlying
Options/SARs
(#)

 

All Other
Compensation
($)(2)

 

James A. Wilhelm

 

2005

 

 

579,982

 

 

 

151,258

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44,530

 

 

President and Chief

 

2004

 

 

530,005

 

 

 

120,696

 

 

 

 

 

 

34,782.6

 

 

 

37,503

 

 

Executive Officer

 

2003

 

 

530,005

 

 

 

57,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,378

 

 

John V. Holten(3)

 

2005

 

 

414,474

 

 

 

 

 

 

280,358

 

 

 

 

 

 

315

 

 

Chairman of the Board

 

2004

 

 

187,692

 

 

 

 

 

 

119,324

 

 

 

 

 

 

158

 

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steven A. Warshauer

 

2005

 

 

377,976

 

 

 

78,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,862

 

 

Executive Vice

 

2004

 

 

333,411

 

 

 

91,835

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,260.9

 

 

 

4,583

 

 

President—Operations

 

2003

 

 

324,660

 

 

 

52,116

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,315

 

 

Michael K. Wolf

 

2005

 

 

375,580

 

 

 

55,974

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

87,724

 

 

Executive Vice President,

 

2004

 

 

375,268

 

 

 

73,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,260.9

 

 

 

56,603

 

 

Chief Administrative Officer,

 

2003

 

 

385,958

 

 

 

44,643

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,761

 

 

Associate General Counsel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

G. Marc Baumann

 

2005

 

 

333,364

 

 

 

86,556

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

105,344

 

 

Executive Vice President,

 

2004

 

 

324,707

 

 

 

101,171

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,260.9

 

 

 

96,173

 

 

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer

 

2003

 

 

297,452

 

 

 

54,868

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

97,483

 

 


(1)          The amounts shown in this column include various payments made by us pursuant to Mr. Holten’s employment agreement. They include (i) $231,059 (2005) and $93,204 (2004) paid to Holberg Incorporated, an affiliate of Mr. Holten, in reimbursement of various office-related expenses, (ii) $17,408 (2005) and $8,704 (2004) in reimbursement of automobile lease payments, and (iii) $31,891 (2005) and $17,416 (2004) for additional amounts paid by us for miscellaneous other payroll tax and insurance expenses that we incurred by reason of Mr. Holten’s employment. In accordance with SEC rules, amounts totaling less than the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of salary and bonus have been omitted for the other named executive officers.

(2)          The amounts shown in this column reflect 2005 contributions by us under our 401(k) plan in the following amounts: Mr. Wilhelm ($4,200); Mr. Wolf ($4,200); Mr. Warshauer ($4,200); and Mr. Baumann ($4,200). In addition, the amounts reflect insurance premium payments made in 2005 on behalf of Mr. Wilhelm ($36,338) which are being used primarily to fund supplemental retirement payments. The amounts also includes premium payments made in 2005 for insurance policies on behalf of Mr. Wilhelm ($813), Mr. Wolf ($80,345), Mr. Warshauer ($483) and Mr. Baumann ($81,168), which are intended to provide supplemental insurance benefits. The amounts shown also include ($3,179) each for Messrs. Wilhelm, Warshauer, Wolf and Baumann attributable to a

18




comprehensive physical exam paid for by the Company. Finally, the amount includes $16,797 in loan forgiveness for Mr. Baumann in 2005 related to a housing differential loan granted in 2001.

(3)          Effective as of June 2004, Mr. Holten began receiving compensation under an employment agreement for his services as our Chairman.

Stock Options

No named executive officer received stock options in the last fiscal year. We and four of our named executive officers (G. Marc Baumann, Steven A. Warshauer, James A. Wilhelm and Michael K. Wolf) previously entered into an Amended and Restated Stock Option Award Agreement dated January 30, 2002. On November 18, 2005, each of these agreements was amended pursuant to a First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Stock Option Award Agreement (the “Amendment”). Each Amendment extends the time that the optionee may exercise the option following his termination of employment for a reason other than death or disability. As amended, the options may now be exercised after such termination until the later of:  (i) the fifteenth day of the third month after which, or (ii) December 31 of the calendar year in which, the optionee’s employment or services are terminated. All other provisions of the option agreements continue in effect in accordance with their respective terms.

There is no immediate earnings impact to us by reason of signing these Amendments. The only impact to our earnings would be in the event an executive exercises his option after termination of his employment. At that time we would be required to record an amount equal to the difference between the market price of our common stock as of the effective date of the amendment and the initial public offering price of $11.50.

Fiscal Year-End Option Values

The following table presents information regarding the named executive officers concerning unexercisable options held as of December 31, 2005. No named executive officer exercised any options during 2005. The value of unexercised in-the-money options is based on a price of $19.59 per share, the closing sales price for our common stock on December 31, 2005 as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, minus the per share exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares underlying the option.

 

 

Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options at
December 31, 2005

 

Value of Unexercised
 In-The-Money Options at
December 31, 2005

 

Name

 

 

 

Exercisable

 

Unexercisable

 

Exercisable

 

Unexercisable

 

James A. Wilhelm

 

 

79,457.1

 

 

 

34,782.0

 

 

$

1,052,807

 

 

$

281,386

 

 

G. Marc Baumann

 

 

31,782.8

 

 

 

8,260.0

 

 

421,122

 

 

66,823

 

 

Steven A. Warshauer

 

 

31,782.8

 

 

 

8,260.0

 

 

421,122

 

 

66,823

 

 

Michael K. Wolf

 

 

31,782.8

 

 

 

8,260.0

 

 

421,122

 

 

66,823

 

 

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During 2005 none of our executive officers served as a member of the compensation committee of another entity. Mr. Wilhelm participates in deliberations with the Board and the Compensation Committee concerning executive compensation from time to time.

Compensation of Outside Directors

Charles L. Biggs, Karen M. Garrison, Leif F. Onarheim and Robert S. Roath, collectively referred to in this proxy statement as “outside directors,” received $20,000 in cash as an annual retainer, a fully vested stock option grant of 4,152 shares of common stock on October 12, 2005 with an exercise price of $19.00

19




per share expiring on October 12, 2015 and $2,000 for each Board or Committee meeting that they attend, as well as reimbursement for expenses incurred in connection with such meetings. The Chair of the Audit Committee received an additional annual retainer of $10,000, and the chair of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee and of the Compensation Committee received an additional retainer of $5,000 per year. For the year ended December 31, 2005, the outside directors received total fees as follows: Mr. Biggs - $63,000, Ms. Garrison - $69,000, Mr. Onarheim - $32,000, and Mr. Roath - $66,000. Other than with respect to reimbursement of expenses, we do not pay additional compensation to directors who are our employees, consultants, or officers or who are employees or officers of Steamboat Industries LLC, or of Holberg Incorporated, our indirect parent until March 5, 2001.

In addition, Steamboat Industries LLC, our parent company, and Leif F. Onarheim have entered into a Phantom Stock Appreciation Right Agreement dated ad of September 21, 2004, pursuant to which Steamboat Industries LLC has granted to Mr. Onarheim the right to participate in the potential price appreciation of 25,000 shares of our common stock to the extent the value of each share exceeds $6.34, subject to certain adjustments. The right may be exercised after November 27, 2006 and before May 27, 2014. We are not a party to this agreement.

Employment Contracts

We have employment agreements with each of our named executive officers. These agreements fix each of the officers’ minimum base compensation and the annual salary for each as of April 1, 2006 is as follows: Mr. Wilhelm—$600,000, Mr. Warshauer—$395,000, Mr. Wolf—$375,606 and Mr. Baumann—$346,905. Each of the named executive officers is entitled to an annual bonus based on corporate performance set annually. In addition, Mr. Wilhelm is entitled to reimbursement for country club initiation fees and monthly dues. The agreements also provide for reimbursement of travel and other expenses in connection with their employment.

As of April 3, 2006, the employment agreements terminate on the following dates, subject to the expiration of the annual renewal notice period: Mr. Wilhelm—April 30, 2007, Mr. Warshauer—December 31, 2006, Mr. Wolf—March 26, 2008, and Mr. Baumann—October 1, 2007. In general, Messrs. Wolf, Wilhelm, Warshauer and Baumann are subject to standard confidentiality agreements. Messrs. Wolf and Baumann are also subject to non-competition and  non-solicitation agreements for 24 months following termination of their respective employment agreements. Mr. Warshauer is subject to non-competition and non-solicitation agreements for 24 months following termination of his employment agreement, during which period we are obligated to continue paying Mr. Warshauer (i) his annual salary and bonus, if we terminate Mr. Warshauer’s employment without cause, or (ii) the sum of $50,000, if we terminate Mr. Warshauer’s employment for cause or if Mr. Warshauer voluntarily terminates his employment. Mr. Wilhelm is subject to a five-year non-solicitation agreement regarding customers and employees.

If Mr. Wilhelm’s employment is terminated for any reason, we are obligated to pay him or his estate, as applicable, an amount equal to his base salary earned through the date of termination plus accrued but unused vacation pay and other benefits earned through the date of termination. In addition, we are required to make the following payments to Mr. Wilhelm:

·       if his termination occurs for any reason other than cause, or he voluntarily terminates his employment without good reason as defined in his employment agreement, a payment equal to $600,000 payable in equal monthly installments for 60 months;

·       if we terminate him for cause, a payment equal to $100,000 payable in equal monthly installments for 60 months;

·       if we terminate him without cause and not because of performance reasons, or he voluntarily terminates his employment with good reason, as defined in his employment agreement, a payment

20




equal to the product of five times the sum of his current annual salary, plus the amount of any annual bonus paid to him for the preceding year, minus $600,000, payable in equal monthly installments over a 60-month period commencing on the date of termination.

Mr.  Wilhelm is also party to a Deferred Compensation Agreement with us which provides him with an annual retirement benefit equal to $112,500 to begin upon his retirement at age 65 and continue for a period of 15 years thereafter or, if earlier, until his death. If Mr. Wilhelm’s employment with us is terminated (other than as a result of his disability) prior to his attaining age 65, he shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deferred Compensation Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, if Mr. Wilhelm’s employment is terminated (other than for cause or performance reasons) prior to his attaining age 55, he has the right to purchase certain annuity policies from us for the greater of (i) the cash value of the policies or (ii) the aggregate amount of premiums paid by us on such policies. If Mr. Wilhelm’s employment is terminated after he attains age 55 (other than for cause or performance reasons), he may elect to have the policies assigned to him or he may elect to have us maintain the policies, provided that the cost of maintaining such policies shall be Mr. Wilhelm’s obligation (subject to a contribution on our part for any year beyond age 55 and prior to age 65 during which Mr. Wilhelm continues to be employed by us). If Mr. Wilhelm’s employment is terminated at any time as a result of his disability, he may elect to have one hundred percent (100%) of our ownership interest in the annuity policies assigned to him or require us to maintain the policies, with the cost of such maintenance to be borne by us. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Mr. Wilhelm’s employment is terminated as the result of his death prior to his attainment of age 65 or he dies prior to his acquiring ownership in the annuity policies, we shall pay his beneficiary the full death benefits payable under the policies as reduced by the greater of (i) the total premiums paid by us in connection with such policies or (ii) the present value of future benefits provided by such policies.

Each of our employment agreements with Messrs. Wolf, Warshauer and Baumann is terminable by us for cause. If their employment is terminated by reason of their death, we are obligated to pay their respective estates an amount equal to the base salary earned through the end of the calendar month in which death occurs, plus any earned and unpaid annual bonus, vacation pay and other benefits earned through the date of termination. If the employment of Messrs. Wilhelm, Wolf, Warshauer or Baumann is terminated by reason of their disability, we are obligated to pay him or his legal representative an amount equal to his annual base salary for the duration of the employment period in effect on the date of termination, reduced by amounts received under any disability benefit program, plus any earned and unpaid annual bonus and other benefits earned through the date of termination. Upon termination of the employment of Messrs. Wolf, Warshauer or Baumann by us without cause, we must pay them their annual base salary and annual bonuses through the end of their then-current employment period and provide the executive and/or his family with certain other benefits.

If we terminate the employment of Messrs. Wolf or Baumann for any reason other than for cause during the three-year period following a change in control, we are obligated to:

·       pay them severance in an amount equal to the greater of (i) one and one-half times the sum of the executive’s current annual base salary plus the amount of any bonus paid to the executive in the preceding 12 months, or (ii) the annual base salary and annual bonus through the end of the then-current employment period; and

·       continue to provide the executive with certain other benefits for a certain period of time.

If Mr. Wolf or Mr. Baumann terminates his employment voluntarily following a change in control, he shall not be entitled to severance unless he has good reason.

Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Baumann’s employment agreement, we have agreed to pay the premiums on certain insurance policies owned by Mr. Baumann which will provide an annual cash benefit to Mr. Baumann of at least $100,000 per year for a period of 15 years, beginning in the year in which

21




Mr. Baumann attains age 65. If Mr. Baumann’s employment is terminated (other than for cause or other than by Mr. Baumann without good reason), we will continue to pay the premiums on the insurance policies until the earlier of Mr. Baumann’s death or his attainment of age 65.

On November 6, 2001, Mr. Baumann received a housing differential loan of $200,000 bearing interest at the applicable federal mid-term rate under section 1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with a term of four years. Commencing on May 1, 2002 and ending on May 1, 2005, one fourth of the principal balance and the accrued interest due thereon was forgiven by us and treated as additional compensation to Mr. Baumann in the year of such forgiveness. As of May 1, 2005, this loan has been fully forgiven. Mr. Baumann is responsible for the tax consequences of such forgiveness.

Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Wolf’s employment agreement, starting January 1, 2004 we have agreed to pay $62,000 in premiums annually on certain insurance policies or other investment vehicles owned by Mr. Wolf. Our obligations under the policies shall continue until the earlier of 2014 or Mr. Wolf’s death; provided, however, that if we terminate Mr. Wolf’s employment for cause or he terminates his employment without good reason, in either instance at any time prior to June 30, 2007, we shall have no further obligation to pay the premiums on such policies or other investment vehicles.

In compliance with Commission rules promulgated in 2003, we have implemented a policy prohibiting any additional loans to our executive officers.

John V. Holten Employment Agreement

We have an employment agreement with John V. Holten to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors and to be elected to, and serve as a member of, the Compensation and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committees, if such membership is permitted under applicable Nasdaq rules. Mr. Holten will receive a base salary of not less than $400,000 and an annual bonus and equity awards determined, if he directly or indirectly owns a majority of our outstanding equity interests, by the audit committee, or otherwise, by the compensation committee. The total expense of his salary, bonus, equity awards, automobile allowance, personal secretarial assistance and use of an executive office and all other compensation, benefits and perquisites for 2005 was $700,000.

The employment agreement began in May 2004 and will run through May 2009. The term of employment shall be renewed automatically for successive four year periods after the expiration of the initial five-year term, unless we provide Mr. Holten, or Mr. Holten provides us, with a written notice to the contrary at least one year prior to the end of the initial term or any four year renewal period. Any notice of non-renewal by us shall not be valid unless accompanied by a resolution duly adopted by not less than 3/4 of all of the disinterested members of the Board (or as otherwise required by applicable law, regulations or rules).

If Mr. Holten’s employment is terminated without cause, or he voluntarily terminates his employment for good reason, both as defined in his employment agreement, or we choose not to renew his employment term, he will be entitled to (i) in the event of termination without cause or for good reason, continue to receive through what would have been the last day of the employment term, plus for two years thereafter, the base salary and annual incentive bonus, as if no termination had occurred; or, in the event of non-renewal, the base salary and annual bonus for two years thereafter; (ii) medical insurance continuation coverage for the period during which base salary is being paid under clause (i) above; (iii) receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses for maintaining an executive office and secretarial assistance for five years from termination of employment; (iv) payment of unpaid base salary through the termination date; and (v) accrued but unused vacation days and any unpaid bonuses, and reimbursement for any unreimbursed expenses incurred, through the date of termination, and all other payments, benefits and rights under any benefit, compensation, incentive, equity or fringe benefit plan, program or arrangement or grant. Mr. Holten also agrees that, if his employment terminates at any time, that he will be subject to a

22




two-year non-competition agreement for which he will receive up to $200,000 in continuation payments for the two year period; provided, however, any severance payments described above will be reduced by such continuation payments. In the event Mr. Holten breaches the non-competition restrictions of the employment agreement at any time during the two-year period following the date of termination, our obligation to make any continuation payments shall immediately cease.

If Mr. Holten’s employment terminates due to death or disability, he or his estate, as the case may be, will receive: (i) payment of unpaid base salary through the termination date and the base salary for the then-remaining employment term; (ii) a pro-rata portion of the annual bonus amount for the year in which such termination occurs; and (iii) any benefits mandated under COBRA (the costs of which will be paid for by us); and (iv) the benefits under clause (v) of the preceding paragraph. If Mr. Holten’s employment is terminated for cause, if Mr. Holten terminates his employment without good reason, or if he fails to renew his employment term, he is entitled to the payment of his base salary through his final day of active employment, continuation payments (which shall be $50,000 if he is terminated for cause) during the two-year non-competition period, plus any accrued but unused vacation pay, to be paid within 30 days following the termination. If any payments to Mr. Holten upon a change of control are subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, we will make an additional tax equalization payment on his behalf to gross up those excise and other resulting taxes.

Gunnar Klintberg Consulting Agreement

We entered into a consulting agreement with Gunnar Klintberg, a member of our Board of Directors, on March 1, 2004, pursuant to which Mr. Klintberg has been engaged in the promotion and development of new parking operations and the consummation of contracts to operate parking facilities on our behalf primarily in the New York City metropolitan area. The initial term of Mr. Klintberg’s agreement was for one year, renewable year to year unless terminated by either party on 60 days’ notice. Upon the expiration of the initial term of the consulting agreement on March 31, 2005, the agreement was automatically extended for an additional year. On March 15, 2006, we amended Mr. Klintberg’s consulting agreement, effective as of July 1, 2005. The amendment changed the commencement date of the term of the consulting agreement from a fiscal year commencing March 1 to a calendar year so that each new one year term, as applicable, commences on January 1. Under the terms of the amendment to his consulting agreement Mr. Klintberg will be paid a retainer of $125,000 annually, in addition to the following percentages of the net profit, for up to three years, for any new parking location he is responsible for bringing to us and which results in the consummation of a final executed contract:  15% in year one, 10% in year two and 5% in year three. To the extent that Mr. Klintberg is not responsible for one or more aspects of consummating a contract to operate a new parking location, in the judgment of our executive vice president having operational responsibility for the New York City metropolitan area, his percentage of the net profit may be reduced. Mr. Klintberg additionally may receive up to 5% of the net profit for the renewal of an existing location. Mr. Klintberg is entitled to reimbursement of reasonable business expenses incurred in connection with the performance of his consulting services upon our advance approval. We have agreed to reimburse Holberg Incorporated in the amount of $62,500, which represents the amount Mr. Klintberg was paid by Holberg Incorporated during the period from July 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005 for the performance of his consulting services for the Company as an employee of Holberg Incorporated. Holberg Incorporated was our indirect parent until March 5, 2001. John V. Holten, our chairman of the board, has served as  the chairman and chief executive office of Holberg Incorporated since 1986.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a code of ethics as part of our compliance program. The code of ethics applies to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and controller. In addition we have adopted a code of business conduct that applies to all of our officers and employees. Any amendments to, or waivers from, this code of ethics will be posted on our website.

23




CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

The following list is a summary of transactions during 2005 between the Company and its executive officers, directors, nominees, principal stockholders and other related parties involving amounts in excess of $60,000. Any new related party transactions will be reviewed by our Audit Committee.

Stock Redemption from Majority Stockholder

On March 4, 2005, our Board authorized us to repurchase our common stock, on the open market or through private repurchases, for a value not to exceed $6.0 million, provided that we meet certain financial tests. In connection with this stock repurchase program, we also entered into an agreement on March 14, 2005 with Steamboat Industries LLC, our majority shareholder, to repurchase from Steamboat shares equal to its pro-rata ownership at the same price that we pay in each open-market purchase. On June 10, 2005, we amended and restated this agreement to clarify the closing date of our repurchases from Steamboat.

On March 15, 2005, Steamboat sold to us 99,136 shares at $15.60 per share. Steamboat sold to us 32,956 shares in the second quarter at an average price of $16.93. Steamboat sold to us 52,921 shares in the third quarter at an average price of $17.79. The total value of our transactions with Steamboat was approximately $3.05 million.

Management Contracts and Related Arrangements with Affiliates

We have management contracts to operate two surface parking lots in Chicago. Steven A. Warshauer and Michael K. Wolf own membership interests in a limited liability company that is a member of the limited liability companies that own those lots. We received a total of $39,900 in 2005 under the applicable management contracts.

In connection with the acquisition of a 76% interest in Executive Parking Industries, LLC, we entered into a management agreement dated May 1, 1998, with D&E Parking, Inc., a privately held company entirely owned by Ed Simmons, an executive officer, and Dale Stark, a former Senior Vice President and presently a consultant of the Company. The management agreement is for a period of nine years, terminating on April 30, 2007. In consideration of the services provided by D&E under this arrangement, we paid D&E an annual base and incentive fee of $941,878 in 2005.

On December 31, 2000, we entered into an agreement to sell, at fair market value, certain contract assets to D&E. We continue to operate the parking facilities and receive management fees and reimbursement for support services in connection with the operation of the parking facilities. We received a total of $159,287 in 2005 and D&E received $388,479 under this arrangement.

In 2005, Standard Parking provided property management services to eight separate retail shopping centers and commercial office buildings in which D&E have a minority ownership interest. Dale Stark is the managing member of each of the property ownership entities. In consideration of the property management services we provided for these eight properties, we received fees totaling $273,218 in 2005.

In 2005, our wholly owned subsidiary, Preferred Response Security Services, Inc., provided security services to a property owned by D&E. We received net fees amounting to $17,981 for these security services. In 2005, we provided sweeping and power washing for three properties owned by D&E. For these services we received fees totaling $26,331.

We entered into a management agreement dated as of September 19, 2000, with Circle Line Sightseeing Yachts, Inc. to manage and operate certain parking facilities located along the Hudson River and Piers located in New York City and under the control of Circle Line. Until June of 2005, Circle Line was approximately 41.25% indirectly owned by John V. Holten’s immediate family. Mr. Holten was

24




previously a Director of New York Cruise Lines, Inc., which owned all of the outstanding stock of Circle Line, from 1990 to February 2005. We received a total of $78,900 in 2005 under this arrangement. Additionally, Circle Line has the right to require us to temporarily advance to Circle Line on or before each December 31st and April 1st the anticipated net profit in increments of $100,000 each. We made an advance of $100,000 in 2005, which has been repaid as of December 31, 2005.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our directors, executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our equity securities to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of beneficial ownership of the common stock and reports of changes in their beneficial ownership and to furnish us with copies of those reports.

To our knowledge, based solely upon a review of copies of reports furnished to us or written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that during 2005, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and 10% stockholders were met in a timely manner, except in the following instances: Gunnar E. Klintberg and Karen M. Garrison, each of whom serve as a director, each filed a late Form 4 reporting one transaction.

25




STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The performance graph below shows the cumulative total stockholder return of our common stock for the period starting on May 27, 2004, which was the initial trading date of our common stock, to December 31, 2005. This performance is compared with the cumulative total returns over the same period of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and the Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 Commercial Services and Supplies Index, which includes our two publicly traded direct competitors, Central Parking Corporation and ABM Industries Incorporated. The graph assumes that on May 27, 2004, $100 was invested in our common stock and $100 was invested in each of the other two indices, and assumes reinvestment of dividends. The stock performance shown in the graph represents past performance and should not be considered an indication of future performance.

GRAPHIC

 

5/27/04

 

Q2 04

 

Q3 04

 

Q4 04

 

Q1 05

 

Q2 05

 

Q3 05

 

Q4 05

 

Standard Parking Corporation

 

100.00

 

106.07

 

109.73

 

127.62

 

130.87

 

135.48

 

158.32

 

162.98

 

S&P 500 Index

 

100.00

 

101.89

 

99.99

 

109.22

 

106.87

 

108.33

 

112.24

 

114.58

 

S&P SmallCap 600 Commercial Services and Supplies

 

100.00

 

102.82

 

93.88

 

101.01

 

95.96

 

97.98

 

99.32

 

99.03

 

 

Due to the restructuring of the S&P SmallCap 600 in 2005, the index that we used last year, S&P SmallCap 600 Diversified Commercial Services, has been renamed S&P SmallCap 600 Diversified Commercial and Professional Services and no longer contains our two direct competitors. Therefore, we have switched the comparative index to the S&P SmallCap 600 Commercial Services and Supplies index, which is a more representative index whose constituents include our two direct competitors.

The graph is based on the $12.02 opening price of our common stock on May 27, 2004, the first day that our common stock was publicly traded. The initial price of our common stock to the public was $11.50 per share on May 27, 2004 and the closing price on that date was $12.50 per share.

26




BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 3, 2006, by:

·       each of the individuals listed on the “Summary Compensation Table” above;

·       each of our directors; and

·       all current directors and executive officers as a group.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock subject to options held by that person that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of March 3, 2006, are deemed issued and outstanding. These shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing percentage ownership of each other stockholder.

Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to applicable community property laws, each stockholder named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown as beneficially owned by them. This table also includes shares owned by a spouse as community property.

Percentage of ownership is based on 10,126,482 shares of common stock outstanding on March 3, 2006, and is calculated in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the individuals named below is: c/o Standard Parking Corporation, 900 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600, Chicago, Illinois 60611.

 

 

Beneficial Ownership

 

 

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned

 

Shares Issuable
Pursuant to Options
Exercisable Within
60 days of
March 3, 2006

 

Percent
Beneficially
Owned (%)

 

John V. Holten(1)

 

 

5,121,179

 

 

 

 

 

 

50.6

 

 

James A. Wilhelm

 

 

2,300

 

 

 

79,457.1

 

 

 

*

 

 

Michael K. Wolf

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

31,782.8

 

 

 

*

 

 

Steven A. Warshauer

 

 

8,695

 

 

 

31,782.8

 

 

 

*

 

 

G. Marc Baumann

 

 

2,000

 

 

 

31,782.8

 

 

 

*

 

 

Gunnar E. Klintberg.

 

 

6,100

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

Charles L. Biggs

 

 

9,761

 

 

 

4,152

 

 

 

*

 

 

Karen M. Garrison

 

 

8,761

 

 

 

4,152

 

 

 

*

 

 

Leif F. Onarheim

 

 

3,761

 

 

 

4,152

 

 

 

*

 

 

A. Petter Østberg

 

 

2,050

(2)

 

 

158,914.2

(3)

 

 

1.6

 

 

Robert S. Roath

 

 

19,761

 

 

 

4,152

 

 

 

*

 

 

All directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons)

 

 

5,187,923

 

 

 

418,307.58

 

 

 

53.2

 

 


*                    Less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock.

(1)          Mr. Holten is the sole trustee of The JVH Descendants’ 2004 Trust, a New York trust for the benefit of his descendants (the “2004 Trust”). The 2004 Trust is the owner of 100% of the membership units of Steamboat Industries LLC, a New York limited liability company (“SIL “), which is the owner of 100% of the common stock of Steamboat Industries N.V., a Netherlands Antilles company (“SINV”). Mr. Holten is the sole trustee of The JVH Descendants’ 2001 Trust, a Connecticut trust for the

27




benefit of his descendants (the “2001 Trust”). The 2001 Trust is the owner of 100% of the common stock of Steamboat Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“SHI”), which is the owner of 100% of the common stock of AP Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“APH”). Includes 1,221,152.7 shares of common stock beneficially owned by SIL (and not held by SINV), 3,900,000 shares of common stock directly owned by SINV and 26.3 shares held by APH. Mr. Holten disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by SIL, SINV and APH. Includes 150,000 shares of common stock subject to pre-paid variable share forward contracts with an unaffiliated securities brokerage firm over which SIL retains voting power until June 23, 2008, December 23, 2008 and June 23, 2009, the respective settlement dates of such contracts. John V. Holten, in his capacity as sole trustee of the 2004 Trust, sole manager of SIL and sole managing director of SINV, and in his capacity as sole trustee of the 2001 Trust, chairman and chief executive officer of SHI and chairman and chief executive officer of APH, has sole voting power over all the shares of common stock owned by SIL, SINV and APH. All of the common stock directly owned by SINV, a total of 1,067,616 shares of common stock directly owned by SIL (plus the 150,000 shares subject to pre-paid variable share forward contracts), 100% of the membership interests in SIL owned by the 2004 Trust and 65% of the common stock of SINV owned by SIL (collectively, the “Pledged Securities”) are subject to pledges to other person, including one pledge of 3,478,260.87 shares of the common stock directly owned by SINV to a financial institution. In the event that some or all of such Pledged Securities are foreclosed upon following default of the obligations secured thereby, Mr. Holten may no longer control a majority of the voting power of the Company. Does not include four shares of 18% Senior Redeemable Series D preferred stock owned by APH. Mr. Holten disclaims beneficial ownership of the four shares of 18% Senior Redeemable Series D preferred stock owned by APH. The address of the 2004 Trust,  SIL, SINV, the 2001 Trust, SHI and APH and the business address of Mr. Holten is 545 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.

(2)          Includes 350 shares held by Mr. Østberg’s wife. Mr. Østberg disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by his wife.

(3)          Comprised of options to purchase 105,942.8 shares of common stock held by Mr. Ostberg and options to purchase 52,971.4 shares of common stock that are owned by the Ostberg Family Trust. Mr. Østberg disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by this trust.

Change in Control

All of the common stock directly owned by SINV, a total of 1,067,616 shares of common stock directly owned by SIL (plus the 150,000 shares subject to pre-paid variable share forward contracts), 100% of the membership interests in SIL owned by the 2004 Trust and 65% of the common stock of SINV owned by SIL (collectively, the “Pledged Securities”) are subject to pledges to other person, including one pledge of 3,478,260.87 shares of the common stock directly owned by SINV to a financial institution. In the event that some or all of such Pledged Securities are foreclosed upon following default of the obligations secured thereby, John V. Holten may no longer control a majority of the voting power of the Company.

28




BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT OF ANY
CLASS OF VOTING SECURITIES

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 3, 2006, by each person (or group of affiliated persons) who is known by us to own beneficially 5% or more of our common stock.

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

 

 

Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned

 

Percent
Beneficially Owned

 

John V. Holten and The JVH Descendants’ 2004 Trust

 

 

5,121,179

(1)

 

 

50.6

%

 

545 Steamboat Road

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenwich, CT 06830

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pequot Capital Management Inc.

 

 

664,500

(2)

 

 

6.6

%

 

500 Nyala Farm Road

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Westport, CT 06880

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)          Mr. Holten is the sole trustee of The JVH Descendants’ 2004 Trust, a New York trust for the benefit of his descendants (the “2004 Trust”). The 2004 Trust is the owner of 100% of the membership units of Steamboat Industries LLC, a New York limited liability company (“SIL”), which is the owner of 100% of the common stock of Steamboat Industries N.V., a Netherlands Antilles company (“SINV”). Mr. Holten is the sole trustee of The JVH Descendants’ 2001 Trust, a Connecticut trust for the benefit of his descendants (the “2001 Trust”). The 2001 Trust is the owner of 100% of the common stock of Steamboat Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“SHI”), which is the owner of 100% of the common stock of AP Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“APH”). Includes 1,221,152.7 shares of common stock beneficially owned by SIL (and not held by SINV), 3,900,000 shares of common stock directly owned by SINV and 26.3 shares held by APH. Mr. Holten disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by SIL, SINV and APH. Includes 150,000 shares of common stock subject to pre-paid variable share forward contracts with an unaffiliated securities brokerage firm over which SIL retains voting power until June 23, 2008, December 23, 2008 and June 23, 2009, the respective settlement dates of such contracts. John V. Holten, in his capacity as sole trustee of the 2004 Trust, sole manager of SIL and sole managing director of SINV, and in his capacity as sole trustee of the 2001 Trust, chairman and chief executive officer of SHI and chairman and chief executive officer of APH, has sole voting power over all the shares of common stock owned by SIL, SINV and APH. All of the common stock directly owned by SINV, a total of 1,067,616 shares of common stock directly owned by SIL (plus the 150,000 shares subject to pre-paid variable share forward contracts), 100% of the membership interest in SIL owned by the 2004 Trust and 65% of the common stock of SINV owned by SIL (collectively, the “Pledged Securities”) are subject to pledges to other person, including one pledge of 3,478,260.87 shares of the common stock directly owned by SINV to a financial institution. In the event that some or all of such Pledged Securities are foreclosed upon following default of the obligations secured thereby, Mr. Holten may no longer control a majority of the voting power of the Company. Does not include four shares of 18% Senior Redeemable Series D preferred stock owned by APH. Mr. Holten disclaims beneficial ownership of the four shares of 18% Senior Redeemable Series D preferred stock owned by APH.

(2)          Based solely on information obtained from a Schedule 13G filed by Pequot Capital Management Inc. with the SEC on or about February 16, 2006. The foregoing has been included solely in reliance upon, and without independent investigation of, the disclosures contained in Pequot’s Schedule 13G.

29




SUBMISSION OF FUTURE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

In order for a shareowner proposal to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the proposal must be received at our offices no later than the close of business on November 15, 2006. Proposals submitted thereafter will be opposed as not timely filed.

If a stockholder intends to present a proposal for consideration at the 2007 Annual Meeting outside the processes of SEC Rule 14a-8, we must receive notice of such proposal not earlier than December 25, 2006 and not later than January 26, 2007. Otherwise the proposal will be considered untimely. In addition, our proxies will have discretionary voting authority on any vote with respect to such proposal, if presented at the meeting, without including information regarding the proposal in its proxy materials.

Any stockholder who wishes to submit a stockholder proposal should send it to the General Counsel and Secretary, Standard Parking Corporation, 900 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1600, Chicago Illinois 60611.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

To the extent that this proxy statement is incorporated by reference into any other filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, the sections of this proxy statement entitled “Report of the Audit Committee” (to the extent permitted by the rules of the SEC), “Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation,” “Report of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee” and “Performance Graph” will not be deemed incorporated, unless specifically provided otherwise in that other filing.

April 3, 2006

30




 

Please detach here

 

The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Each of the Following:

 

1.    Election of eight directors to serve until the 2007 annual meeting of Standard Parking stockholders, and until the respective successor of each is duly elected and qualified.

 

 

01 Charles L. Biggs

 

02 Karen M. Garrison

 

o

 

Vote FOR

 

o

 

Vote WITHHELD

 

 

03 John V. Holten

 

04 Gunnar E. Klintberg

 

 

 

all nominees

 

 

 

from all nominees

 

 

05 Leif F. Onarheim

 

06 A. Petter Ostberg

 

 

 

(except as marked)

 

 

 

 

 

 

07 Robert S. Roath

 

08 James A. Wilhelm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee,

 

 

write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.)

 

 

 

2.    To appoint Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors for fiscal 2006.         o    For         o    Against         o    Abstain

 

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH PROPOSAL.

Address Change? Mark Box

Indicate changes below:

 

o

 

 

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature(s) in Box

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear on proxy. If held in joint tenancy, all persons must sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the proxy.

 



 

STANDARD PARKING CORPORATION

 

900 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE, SUITE 1600

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60611

 

proxy

 

Proxy solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company for the Annual Meeting on April 26, 2006.

 

The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints James A. Wilhelm – President and Chief Executive Officer and Robert N. Sacks – Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary or any of them acting in the absence of the other, his or her true and lawful agents and proxies, with full power of substitution, and hereby authorizes them to represent the undersigned and to vote for the undersigned as designated on the reverse side, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at The Whitehall Hotel, 105 East Delaware Place, Chicago, IL 60611, on April 26, 2006, at 4:00 p.m. local time, and at any adjournments thereof, on all matters coming before said meeting.

 

The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, both dated April 3, 2006 and hereby revokes any proxy or proxies heretofore given to vote at said meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

You are encouraged to specify your choice by marking the appropriate boxes on the reverse side, but you need not mark any boxes if you wish to vote in accordance with the board of directors’ recommendations. The proxy holders cannot vote your shares unless you sign and return this card. Action taken pursuant to this proxy card will be effective as to all shares that you own.

This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR item 1 and FOR item 2. This proxy will be voted, in the discretion of proxy holders, upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

STANDARD PARKING

CORPORATION

 

c/o Shareowner Services

P.O. Box 64873

St. Paul, MN 55164-0873

 

I plan to attend the Annual Meeting.

 

o

 

(Continued and to be dated and
signed on the reverse side.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See reverse for voting instructions.