-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, M0loPe/pPAs6AWWPVxm5XDVRArU5bFtGtgQSMPvMmevb8+FoSnh2NStAKjB3cmNZ stvpKyZZn2H8njZuF8AJgw== 0000950124-08-001589.txt : 20080328 0000950124-08-001589.hdr.sgml : 20080328 20080328080035 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950124-08-001589 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20080324 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20080328 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080328 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SYNTAX-BRILLIAN CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001232229 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RADIO & TV BROADCASTING & COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT [3663] IRS NUMBER: 050567906 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0630 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-50289 FILM NUMBER: 08716772 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1600 NORTH DESERT DRIVE CITY: TEMPE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85281-1230 BUSINESS PHONE: 6023898888 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1600 NORTH DESERT DRIVE CITY: TEMPE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85281-1230 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: BRILLIAN CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20030512 8-K 1 p75168e8vk.htm 8-K e8vk
 

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
March 24, 2008
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
Syntax-Brillian Corporation
 
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
         
Delaware   000-50289   05-0567906
         
(State or Other
Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer
Identification No.)
1600 N. Desert Drive
Tempe, Arizona
85281

 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(602) 389-8888
 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


 

Item 1.01   Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
     Please see the discussion of the Consulting Agreement between John S. Hodgson and our company as more fully described in Item 5.02 below.
Item 5.02.   Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
Resignation of John S. Hodgson
     On March 24, 2008, John S. Hodgson resigned as our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Director to pursue other opportunities. Mr. Hodgson was our Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer.
Appointment of Bradley Lines
     Our Board of Directors appointed Bradley Lines as our interim Chief Financial Officer effective March 24, 2008. Mr. Lines, 51, has been our Senior Vice President of Finance and Corporate Treasurer since November 30, 2007. Mr. Lines joined our company in May 2007 and previously served as our International Vice President of Finance from May 2007 to November 2007. Mr. Lines previously engaged in various business efforts and provided executive consulting services to a number of clients from 2003 to May 2007 and has served as the Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer of several public and private manufacturing and technology companies, including ProLink, Inc. from 2001 to 2003, Cirilium Corporation from 2000 to 2001, Axxess Technologies, from 1996 to 2000, and Ryobi Outdoor Products from 1984 to 1995. A certified public accountant, Mr. Lines worked for Coopers & Lybrand (now PriceWaterhouseCoopers) from 1980 to 1994. Mr. Lines graduated from Arizona State University with a BS in accounting. Mr. Lines has a working knowledge of and speaks conversational Mandarin Chinese.
     There is no arrangement or understanding pursuant to which Mr. Lines was selected as our interim Chief Financial Officer. There are no related party transactions between us and Mr. Lines reportable under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
Consulting Agreement with John S. Hodgson
     We entered into a Consulting Agreement under which Mr. Hodgson has agreed to provide us with advice and recommendations with respect to our financial and accounting matters. The term of the Consulting Agreement will begin on April 1, 2008 and will end on March 31, 2009. The Consulting Agreement provides for continuation of Mr. Hodgson’s compensation for a 12-month period (with the first three months’ compensation payable upon execution of the Consulting Agreement). Mr. Hodgson also agreed to release us from any claims for compensation based on his previous employment by us and to waive any right to any other compensation, including $137,500 of his signing bonus due to be paid April 1, 2008.

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     The description of the material terms of the Consulting Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit 10.82 and incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit.
Press Release
     On March 27, 2008, we issued a press release announcing the resignation of Mr. Hodgson and the interim appointment of Mr. Lines. A copy of this press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 9.01.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.
  (a)   Financial Statements of Business Acquired.
 
      Not applicable.
 
  (b)   Pro Forma Financial Information.
 
      Not applicable.
 
  (c)   Shell Company Transactions.
 
      Not applicable.
 
  (d)   Exhibits.
     
Exhibit
   
Number    
 
   
10.82
  Consulting Agreement by and between Syntax-Brillian Corporation and John S. Hodgson, dated March 24, 2008.
 
   
99.1
  Press release from Syntax-Brillian Corporation, dated March 27, 2008, entitled “Syntax-Brillian Corporation Board Appoints Bradley Lines as Interim CFO”

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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
  SYNTAX-BRILLIAN CORPORATION
 
 
Date: March 28, 2008  By:   /s/ James Ching Hua Li    
    James Ching Hua Li   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   

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EXHIBIT INDEX
10.82   Consulting Agreement by and between Syntax-Brillian Corporation and John S. Hodgson, dated March 24, 2008.
 
99.1   Press release from Syntax-Brillian Corporation, dated March 27, 2008, entitled “Syntax-Brillian Corporation Board Appoints Bradley Lines as Interim CFO”

EX-10.82 2 p75168exv10w82.htm EX-10.82 exv10w82
 

EXHIBIT 10.82
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
     AGREEMENT made as of the 24th day of March 2008, by and between SYNTAX-BRILLIAN CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called “Company”) and JOHN S. HODGSON (hereinafter called “Consultant”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
     Consultant has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Company since October 1, 2007 and has also served as a Director of the Company since its inception in 2005 and previously served as Chairman of the Company’s Audit Committee.
     Consultant has also held various positions as an Officer and Director in several Subsidiaries and Affiliates of the Company to the present at various times since the inception of the Company.
     Consultant is hereby submitting his resignation of all positions with the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates as referenced in Schedule A hereto, including his positions as a Director, to the respective Boards of Directors of said entities to take effect on March 24, 2008. Consultant will be continue to be compensated as an employee through March 31, 2008.
     Company desires to maintain access to Consultant’s knowledge and experience to assist it in connection with the transition to a replacement for Consultant.
     Company desires to engage Consultant and Consultant desires to accept such engagement, all on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants set forth in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:
     1. Engagement.
          (a) The Engagement. Company hereby engages Consultant, and Consultant hereby accepts such engagement, as an independent contractor to perform the duties set forth in this Agreement and to act in the best interests of the Company as defined by its Board of Directors.
          (b) Duties of Consultant. During Consultant’s engagement by Company pursuant to this Agreement, Consultant shall render such advice and recommendations to Company as Company may reasonably request with respect to Company’s financial and accounting matters.
     2. Extent of Duties. Consultant shall devote such of Consultant’s business time, attention, and efforts as are reasonably necessary to the performance of Consultant’s duties under this Agreement, and shall perform such duties faithfully and diligently.

 


 

          3. Compensation.
          (a) Fixed Compensation. Company shall pay to Consultant as full compensation for the duties performed by Consultant during Consultant’s engagement under this Agreement, an annual fee in the amount of $275,000. One fourth of said fee ($68,750) shall be paid on April 1, 2008 with the remainder paid in installments of $22,916.67 on a monthly basis commencing with July 1, 2008 until the fee is paid in full. In addition, Consultant shall be paid an amount that matches the current Company contribution for the continuation of the medical, vision and dental insurance coverage. (These payments are specified in Schedule B as attached.) Consultant hereby waives any right to any other compensation and releases Company from any other claims for compensation related to any previous employment with the Company or service as an Officer and Director of the Company unless specified herein. The Consultant shall be responsible for any withholding for federal and state tax purposes.
          (b) Stock-Based Compensation. All vested stock-based compensation previously granted to Consultant shall continue in full force and effect during the period of Consultant’s service hereunder.
          (c) Reimbursement. Company shall reimburse Consultant for all travel and entertainment expenses and other ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by Consultant in connection with the business of Company and Consultant’s duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that Consultant shall not incur such expenses in an amount in excess of $200 during any month without written authorization from Company. The term “business expenses” shall not include any item not deductible by Company for federal income tax purposes. To obtain reimbursement, Consultant shall submit to Company receipts, bills, or sales slips for the expenses incurred. Reimbursements shall be made by Company monthly within 10 days of presentation by Consultant of evidence of the expenses incurred.
     4. Term of Engagement.
          (a) Engagement Term. The term of Consultant’s engagement hereunder shall commence on April 1, 2008 and shall continue until March 31, 2009.
          (b) Termination Under Certain Circumstances. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained:
                    (i) In the event of the Consultant’s death prior to the completion of the term of this Agreement, Consultant’s engagement shall be fully vested with the unpaid fee paid to Consultant’s estate;
                    (ii) If Consultant shall fail, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, or for 30 days within any 60-day period, to perform any of Consultant’s duties under this Agreement as the result of illness or other incapacity, Company may, at its option, upon notice to Consultant, terminate Consultant’s engagement effective on the date of that notice;
                    (iii) If Consultant shall breach or violate any of the provisions of this Agreement, or fail to perform in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Company any of the duties required of Consultant and such breach, violation, or failure shall continue for a period of 10 days after Company shall have given Consultant written notice specifying the nature thereof in

2


 

reasonable detail, Company may, at its option, upon notice to Consultant, terminate Consultant’s engagement effective on the date of that notice.
     5. Competition and Confidential Information.
          (a) Non-Competition. During the period of Consultant’s engagement by Company and the period ending 12 months after the termination of Consultant’s engagement by Company, regardless of the reason therefor, Consultant shall not (whether directly or indirectly, as owner, principal, agent, stockholder, director, officer, manager, employee, partner, participant, or in any other capacity) perform any duties for or engage or become financially interested in any competitive business conducted within the Restricted Territory. As used herein, competitive business shall mean any business that sells or provides or attempts to sell or provide products or services the same as or substantially similar to the products or services sold or provided by Company; and the Restricted Territory shall mean any geographic area in which Company currently conducts business.
          (b) Confidential Information. Consultant shall maintain in strict secrecy all confidential or trade secret information relating to the business of Company (the “Confidential Information”) obtained by Consultant in the course of Consultant’s engagement as well as in the course of the Consultant’s prior employment with the Company and his service as a Director of the Company, and Consultant shall not, unless first authorized in writing by Company, disclose to, or use for Consultant’s benefit or for the benefit of any person, firm, or entity at any time either during or subsequent to the term of Consultant’s engagement, any Confidential Information, except as required in the performance of Consultant’s duties on behalf of Company. For purposes hereof, Confidential Information shall include without limitation any engineering, drawings, or other reproductions or materials of any kind; any trade secrets, knowledge, or information with respect to processes, inventions, formulae, machinery, manufacturing techniques, or know-how; any business methods or forms; any names or addresses of customers or data on customers or suppliers; and any business policies, financial information or other information relating to or dealing with the accounting, financial, purchasing, production, sales, or distribution policies or practices of Company.
          (c) Return of Books, Papers and other Company Property. Upon the termination of Consultant’s engagement with Company for any reason, Consultant shall deliver promptly to Company all manuals, memoranda, and specifications; all cost, pricing, and other financial data; all customer information; all other written or printed materials that are the property of Company (and any copies of them); and all other materials which that contain Confidential Information relating to the business of Company, which Consultant may then have in Consultant’s possession whether prepared by Consultant or not and any other Company property excluding computer and communication devices.
          (d) Disclosure of Information. Consultant shall disclose promptly to Company, or its nominee, any and all ideas, designs, processes, and improvements of any kind relating to the business of Company, whether patentable or not, conceived or made by Consultant, either alone or jointly with others, during working hours or otherwise, during the entire period of Consultant’s engagement with Company, or within six months thereafter.

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          (e) Assignment. Consultant hereby assigns to Company or its nominee, the entire right, title, and interest in and to all inventions, discoveries, and improvements, whether patentable or not, which Consultant may conceive or make during Consultant’s engagement with Company, or within six months thereafter, and which relate to the business of Company. Whenever requested to do so by Company, whether during the period of Consultant’s engagement or thereafter, Consultant shall execute any and all applications, assignments, and other instruments that Company shall deem necessary or appropriate to apply for, obtain, or maintain Letters Patent of the United States or of any foreign country or to protect otherwise the interest of Company therein.
          (f) Equitable Relief. In the event a violation of any of the restrictions contained in this paragraph is established, Company shall be entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief as well as damages and an equitable accounting of all earnings, profits, and other benefits arising from such violation, which right shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights or remedies to which Company may be entitled. In the event of a violation of any provision of subparagraph (a), (d) or (e) of this paragraph, the period for which those provisions would remain in effect shall be extended for a period of time equal to that period beginning when such violation commenced and ending when the activities constituting such violation shall have been finally terminated in good faith.
          (g) Restrictions Separable. Each and every restriction set forth in this paragraph is independent and severable from the others, and no restriction shall be rendered unenforceable by virtue of the fact that, for any reason, any other or others of them may be unenforceable in whole or in part.
     6. Miscellaneous.
          (a) Notices. All notices, requests, demands, and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given, made, and received when delivered against receipt, when sent by facsimile or by email, or when deposited in the United States mails, first class postage prepaid, addressed as set forth below:
     
(i)
  If to Company:
 
   
 
  1600 North Desert Drive
 
  Tempe, Arizona 85281
 
  Attention: General Counsel
 
   
(ii)
  If to Consultant:
 
   
 
  To the address set forth in the
 
  records of the Company
 
   
 
  with a copy, given in the manner prescribed above, to:

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          Either party may alter the address to which communications or copies are to be sent by giving notice of such change of address in conformity with the provisions of this paragraph for the giving of notice.
          (b) Indemnification and Insurance. Consultant shall continue to receive protection from claims under the Indemnification provisions for Officers and Directors of the Company’s By-Laws during the term of this Agreement. Consultant shall also be named as an Additional Insured party under the Directors and Officers Insurance Program maintained by the Company during the term of this Agreement.
          (c) Indulgences. Neither any failure nor any delay on the part of either party to exercise any right, remedy, power, or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power, or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right, remedy, power, or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power, or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power, or privilege with respect to any other occurrence.
          (d) Controlling Law. This Agreement and all questions relating to its validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Arizona, notwithstanding any Arizona or other conflict-of-interest provisions to the contrary.
          (e) Binding Nature of Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors, and assigns, except that neither party may assign or transfer such party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party.
          (f) Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original (including faxsimile or copies of original signatures) as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories.
          (g) Provisions Separable. The provisions of this Agreement are independent of and separable from each other, and no provision shall be affected or rendered invalid or unenforceable by virtue of the fact that for any reason any other or others of them may be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part.
          (h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, inducements and conditions, express or implied, oral or written, except as herein contained. The express terms hereof control and supersede any course of performance and/or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms hereof. This Agreement may not be modified or amended other than by an agreement in writing.

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          (i) Paragraph Headings. The paragraph headings in this Agreement are for convenience only; they form no part of this Agreement and shall not affect its interpretation.
          (j) Gender. Words used herein, regardless of the number and gender specifically used, shall be deemed and construed to include any other number, singular or plural, and any other gender, masculine, feminine, or neuter, as the context requires.
          (k) Number of Days. In computing the number of days for purposes of this Agreement, all days shall be counted, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays; provided, however, that if the final day of any time period falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, then the final day shall be deemed to be the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or holiday.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date first above written.
         
    SYNTAX-BRILLIAN CORPORATION
 
       
 
  By:   /s/ Michael J. Miller
 
       
 
       
    /s/ John S. Hodgson
     
    John S. Hodgson

6


 

Schedule A

Syntax-Brillian Corporation, a Delaware corporation


Syntax-Brillian SPE, Inc., a Delaware corporation


Syntax Groups Corporation, a California corporation


Vivitar Corporation, a California corporation and any and all Subsidiary entities

7


 

Schedule B



Attached Payment Table

8

EX-99.1 3 p75168exv99w1.htm EX-99.1 exv99w1
 

Exhibit 99.1
Syntax-Brillian Corporation Board Appoints Bradley Lines as Interim CFO
TEMPE, Ariz. — March 27, 2008 — Syntax-Brillian Corporation (NASDAQ:BRLC), a leading manufacturer and marketer of LCD HDTVs, digital cameras, and consumer electronics products, announced today that Mr. Bradley Lines has been appointed to the position of interim Chief Financial Officer effective March 24, 2008. Mr. Lines has been serving as the firm’s Senior Vice President of Finance and Corporate Treasurer. He will replace Jack Hodgson, who has resigned as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director to pursue other opportunities.
Mr. Lines, age 51, brings over 26 years of experience in finance and operations before joining Syntax-Brillian in May 2007 and becoming Senior Vice President of Finance and Corporate Treasurer in November 2007. He will report directly to James Li, President and Chief Executive Officer, and will direct and oversee Syntax-Brillian’s worldwide financial management and accounting activities.
Mr. Lines has served as the Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer of several public and private manufacturing and technology companies including Ryobi Outdoor Products, Axxess Technologies and Cirilium. As a CPA with Coopers & Lybrand, which has since become PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Mr. Lines spent over four years performing audits and business services for companies in the Southwest. Mr. Lines graduated from Arizona State University with a BS in Accounting. Mr. Lines has a working knowledge of and speaks conversational Mandarin Chinese.
“Brad’s deep understanding of Syntax-Brillian and his global perspective make him the perfect choice for CFO and a major asset for all Syntax shareholders,” said James Li, President and Chief Executive Officer of Syntax-Brillian Corporation. “We thank Jack for his contributions and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
About Syntax-Brillian Corporation:
Syntax-Brillian Corporation (www.syntaxbrillian.com) is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of LCD HDTVs, digital cameras, and consumer electronics products. The Company’s lead products include its Olevia™ brand (www.Olevia.com) high-definition widescreen LCD televisions — one of the fastest growing global TV brands — and Vivitar brand (www.vivitar.com) digital still and video cameras. Syntax-Brillian has built an Asian supply chain coupled with an international manufacturing and distribution network to support worldwide retail sales channels and position the Company as a market leader in consumer digital entertainment products.
Forward-looking Statements:
Certain statements contained in this press release may be deemed to be forward-looking statements under federal securities laws, and Syntax-Brillian intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbor created thereby. Syntax-Brillian cautions that these statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Such factors include changes in markets for the Company’s products; changes in the market for customers’ products; the failure of the Company’s products to deliver commercially acceptable performance; the ability of the Company’s management, individually or collectively, to guide the Company in a successful manner; and other risks detailed in Syntax-Brillian’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Brillian and Vivitar are trademarks or registered trademarks of Syntax-Brillian Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contact:
Syntax-Brillian Corporation
Pattie Adams, (909) 859-8432 (Media)
pattie.adams@syntaxbrillian.com
Investor Relations, (909) 859-8445
investor.relations@syntaxbrillian.com

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