-----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, NQkeOohqtT65t9qxXgGzWG7S7WO2LceLWU41AWZ4xiMSHt1oaXHMW1J7zkyQCewA W3Z6RITLuVhifHuRJnWJJw== 0001140437-04-000057.txt : 20040126 0001140437-04-000057.hdr.sgml : 20040126 20040126061020 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001140437-04-000057 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: DEF 14A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20040117 FILED AS OF DATE: 20040126 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20040126 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AMERICAN PACIFIC CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000350832 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: INDUSTRIAL INORGANIC CHEMICALS [2810] IRS NUMBER: 596490478 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: DEF 14A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-08137 FILM NUMBER: 04542219 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3770 HOWARD HUGHES PKWY STE 300 CITY: LAS VEGAS STATE: NV ZIP: 89109 BUSINESS PHONE: 7027352200 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3770 HOWARD HUGHES PKWY STE 300 STREET 2: 3770 HOWARD HUGHES PKWY STE 300 CITY: LAS VEGAS STATE: NV ZIP: 89109 DEF 14A 1 ap906055.htm FORM DEF 14A

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

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

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

o

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 Rule 14a-12


AMERICAN PACIFIC CORPORATION


(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 


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

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

x

No fee required.

 

 

 

o

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

 

 

 

1.

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

 

 

 



 

2.

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

3.

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

4.

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

5.

Total fee paid:

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

o

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. 

 

 

 

o

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.

 

 

 

 

1.

Amount Previously Paid:

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

2.

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

3.

Filing Party:

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

4.

Date Filed:

 

 

 

 

 





AMERICAN PACIFIC CORPORATION

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held March 9, 2004

          Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of American Pacific Corporation (the “Company”) will be held at the Las Vegas Country Club, Rotunda Room, located at 3000 Joe W. Brown Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 9, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. local time, for the following purposes:

 

1.

To elect three Class A Directors to hold office until the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and thereafter until their successors are duly elected and qualify; and

 

 

 

 

2.

To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004; and

 

 

 

 

3.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

          Reference is made to the accompanying Proxy Statement for more complete information concerning the foregoing matters.  The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on Friday, January 16, 2004, as the date as of which the stockholders who are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, said meeting and any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, are to be identified.  Only persons who were stockholders of record as of the close of business on January 16, 2004 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

          All stockholders of the Company are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person.  You may vote your shares by telephone, via the internet or by mail by following the instructions on your proxy card.  If you vote by telephone or via the internet, you should not return your proxy card.  If you choose to vote by mail, please sign, date and return the proxy card in the envelope provided.  Stockholders who attend the Annual Meeting may vote in person at the Annual Meeting even if they have previously returned a proxy.  If you receive more than one proxy because your shares are registered in different names or at different addresses, please sign and return each such proxy so that all of your shares may be represented at the Annual Meeting.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

David N. Keys, Secretary

January 26, 2004


[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


PROXY STATEMENT

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
of
AMERICAN PACIFIC CORPORATION
3770 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 300
Las Vegas, Nevada  89109
(702) 735-2200

          The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of American Pacific Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for use at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at 10:30 a.m., local time, or at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.  The Annual Meeting will be held at the Las Vegas Country Club, Rotunda Room, located at 3000 Joe W. Brown Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada.  This Proxy Statement was first sent to stockholders on or about January 26, 2004, accompanied by the Company’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.

          At the Annual Meeting, the following matters will be considered and voted on:

 

1.

Election of three Class A Directors to hold office until the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and thereafter until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualify; and

 

 

 

 

2.

Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004; and

 

 

 

 

3.

Such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR election of the Directors proposed in Item No. 1 below and FOR the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP proposed in Item 2 below.  Officers and Directors of the Company, collectively owning, directly or indirectly, 520,358 shares, or approximately 7.2% percent, of the Company’s $.10 par value common stock (the “Common Stock”) as of January 16, 2004 (the “Record Date”), have indicated that they intend to vote in favor of election of the Directors proposed in Item No. 1 below and for the ratification of the appointment of  Deloitte & Touche LLP proposed in Item No. 2 below.  The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 3770 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 300, Las Vegas, Nevada  89109, and its telephone number at that address is (702) 735-2200.

QUORUM AND VOTING RIGHTS

          Stockholders of record as of the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.  On January 16, 2004, 7,274,171 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding.  The holder of each share is entitled to cast one vote on all matters.  The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting.

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SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

          The solicitation of Proxies pursuant to this Proxy Statement will be made primarily by mail.  In addition, officers, employees and other representatives of the Company and its subsidiary corporations, without compensation, may solicit proxies by telephone, telegraph, facsimile transmission, mail or personal interview.  Arrangements will also be made with banks, brokerage firms and others to forward solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of shares held of record by them.  The total cost of the solicitation process, including the reimbursement of the expenses of brokers and nominees, will be borne by the Company.  During the fiscal year ending in 2004, the Company will provide its stockholders with information on how to elect to receive future Proxy Statements and Annual Reports via the internet. 

VOTING AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES; ADJOURNMENT

          Shares represented by valid proxies received by the Company will be voted in accordance with the specifications made therein by the stockholder.  Any valid proxy that does not specify otherwise will (unless the proxy is validly revoked) be voted “for” the election of the Directors proposed in Item No. 1, “for” the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP proposed in Item No. 2 and, in the discretion of the proxy holders, on such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.  The election of Directors requires the affirmative vote of 80% of the shares of Common Stock present and voting at the Annual Meeting.  According to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, in the event that nominees of a Class (or Classes) of Directors standing for election do not receive the affirmative vote of 80% of such shares present and voting, the incumbent Directors will remain in office until the next annual meeting, at which time such Class (or Classes) and the next Class (whose terms would expire in 2005) will stand for election.  The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present and voting at the Annual Meeting will be required to approve the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP and to take any other action at the meeting. 

          The Board of Directors does not know of any matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting other than the election of Class A Directors and the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP described herein.  A stockholder may revoke any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person, or by delivering to the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal executive offices identified above prior to the Annual Meeting a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date than that of the previous proxy.  The mere presence of a stockholder at the Annual Meeting will not revoke a proxy previously given.

          In the event that sufficient votes in favor of election of the Directors proposed in Item No. 1 are not received by the date of the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Annual Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies.  Any such adjournments will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Stock present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting, whether or not a quorum is present.  The persons named as proxies will vote in favor of any such proposed adjournments.

          Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting will be counted by the person appointed by the Company to act as election inspector for the meeting.  The election inspector will treat shares represented by proxies that “withhold authority to vote” as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum and the election of Directors.  Pursuant to Delaware law, shares voted by brokers as to discretionary matters only and shares abstaining will be counted as present for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present.  With respect to the proposal for the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP, abstentions and shares with respect to which a registered holder has indicated on the proxy that the registered holder does not have discretionary authority to vote on the matter (“broker non-

- 2 -


votes”) will be treated as not present and voting with respect to that matter and, accordingly, will have no effect on the result.

PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES

          The following table sets forth information as of the most recent practicable date as to those persons known to the Company to own beneficially five percent or more of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company, the only outstanding voting securities of the Company.

 

Name and Address
of Beneficial Owner

 

Amount and Nature
of Beneficial Ownership (1)

 

% of Common
Stock Outstanding

 


 


 


 

Artisan Partners Limited Partnership (2)

 

 

1,014,127

(2)

 

13.9

%

1000 North Water Street, #1770

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Berno, Gambal & Barbee, Inc. (4)

 

 

981,590

(3)

 

13.5

%

1100 North Glebe Road

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boston, MA 00211-2690

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Franklin Advisory Services, LLC (3)

 

 

702,078

(4)

 

9.7

%

One Parker Plaza, 16th Floor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Lee, NJ 07024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fred D. Gibson, Jr.

 

 

436,932

(5)

 

6.0

%

Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. (5)

 

 

427,500

(6)

 

5.9

%

1099 Ocean Avenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11th Floor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santa Monica, CA 90401

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

(1)

Each stockholder in the table exercises sole voting and investment power with respect to the Company’s Common Stock indicated as beneficially owned by such stockholder.

 

 

 

 

(2)

Information with respect to this stockholder was obtained from a Form 13F-HR filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2003.

 

 

 

 

(3)

Information with respect to this stockholder was obtained from a Form 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2003.

 

 

 

 

(4)

Information with respect to this stockholder was obtained from a Form 13F-HR filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 15, 2003.

 

 

 

 

(5)

Includes 14,000 shares of Common Stock subject to options granted to Mr. Gibson pursuant to the Company’s stock option plans, which options are exercisable within 60 days after January 16, 2004.

 

 

 

 

(6)

Information with respect to this stockholder was obtained from a Form 13F-HR filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 5, 2003.

- 3 -


ITEM NO. 1 - ELECTION OF CLASS A DIRECTORS

          On November 13, 2003 the Board of Directors, upon recommendation from the Corporate Governance Committee (see below), nominated the following persons, all of whom are presently Directors, for re-election to serve in the class and for the term indicated below, and until their respective successors have been elected and qualify:

Name

 

Class of Director

 

To Serve Until
Annual Meeting in


 


 


John R. Gibson

 

A

 

2007

David N. Keys

 

A

 

2007

Dean M. Willard

 

A

 

2007

          The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Company’s Board of Directors shall comprise not less than three nor more than twelve Directors and shall be divided into three classes.  Such classes are to be as nearly equal in number as possible and the number of Directors comprising the whole Board and comprising each class is to be determined by the Board of Directors.  The Company’s Board of Directors presently consists of three Class A Directors, four Class B Directors, and three Class C Directors.  Except as specified above under “Voting and Revocation of Proxies,” one Class of Directors is elected annually and Directors in a Class are elected for a term of office of three years and until a successor is duly elected and qualifies.  

          The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR” each of the above-named nominees.  It is intended that the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote for the election of those nominees, unless the stockholder giving the proxy withholds authority to vote for one or more of them.  The Board of Directors believes that each of the nominees will be available and able to serve as a Director, but if for any reason any of them is not, the persons named as proxy may exercise discretionary authority to vote for a substitute nominee (or substitute nominees) proposed by the Board of Directors.  However, the Board of Directors does not intend to make any such substitution.  Proxies cannot be voted for a number of persons greater than the number of Class A nominees named herein.

          Information concerning the Directors of the Company, including the nominees, is set forth below.  The table below indicates the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each Director, or that such Director has the right to vote or the right to acquire within 60 days after January 16, 2004, and by all of the Directors and executive officers of the Company as a group, as of January 16, 2004.

Name

 

 

Age

 

 

Director Since

 

 

Stock Ownership Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1)

 

 

Percent of
Common Stock

 















NOMINEES FOR ELECTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Directors (term of office expires in 2004)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John R. Gibson

 

 

66

 

 

1988

 

 

160,135

(2)

 

2.2

%

David N. Keys

 

 

47

 

 

1997

 

 

7,500

 

 

(7

)

Dean M. Willard

 

 

57

 

 

1997

 

 

14,000

(3)

 

(7

)

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Name

 

 

Age

 

 

Director Since

 

 

Stock Ownership Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1)

 

 

Percent of
Common Stock

 















CONTINUING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class B Directors (term of office expires in 2005)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jan H. Loeb

 

 

45

 

 

1997

 

 

10,000

(4)

 

(7

)

Norval F. Pohl

 

 

60

 

 

1986

 

 

16,500

(3)

 

(7

)

C. Keith Rooker

 

 

66

 

 

1988

 

 

5,000

(5)

 

(7

)

Jane L. Williams

 

 

65

 

 

1993

 

 

19,000

(3)

 

(7

)

Class C Directors (term of office expires in 2006)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fred D. Gibson, Jr.

 

 

76

 

 

1982

 

 

436,932

(3)

 

6.0

%

Victor M. Rosenzweig

 

 

65

 

 

1988

 

 

9,000

(6)

 

(7

)

Berlyn D. Miller

 

 

66

 

 

1993

 

 

18,155

(3)

 

(7

)

All Directors and executive officers
as a group (13 persons)

 

 

 

 

 

739,358

(8)

 

9.9

%


 

(1)

Each Director and executive officer exercises sole voting and investment power with respect to the Common Stock indicated as beneficially owned by him, unless otherwise indicated.

 

 

 

 

(2)

Includes, with respect to Mr. John R. Gibson, 95,000 shares of Common Stock subject to options, which options are exercisable within 60 days after January 16, 2004.

 

 

 

 

(3)

Includes, with respect to such Director, 14,000 shares of Common Stock subject to options, which options are exercisable within 60 days after January 16, 2004.

 

 

 

 

(4)

Consists of 10,000 shares of Common Stock subject to options held by Mr. Loeb, which are exercisable within 60 days after January 16, 2004.

 

 

 

 

(5)

Consists of 5,000 shares of Common Stock subject to options held by Mr. Rooker, which are exercisable within 60 days after January 16, 2004.

 

 

 

 

(6)

Consists of 9,000 shares of Common Stock subject to options held by Mr. Rosenzweig, which are exercisable within 60 days after January 16, 2004.

 

 

 

 

(7)

Less than 1%.

 

 

 

 

(8)

Includes, with respect to all Directors and executive officers as a group, an aggregate of 219,000 shares of Common Stock subject to options, which options are exercisable by such persons within 60 days after January 16, 2004.

THE DIRECTORS

Independence of Directors

          The Board of Directors of the Company has determined that each of the Company’s Directors, other than Mr. John R. Gibson, Mr. David N. Keys and Mr. Fred D. Gibson, Jr., and each member of the Audit

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Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, is an “independent director” as currently defined in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.  In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is independent within the meaning of Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

Business Experience of Directors

          Fred D. Gibson, Jr. has been a Director of the Company since 1982.  Mr. Gibson served as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and President of the Company and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of each of the Company’s subsidiaries, from 1985 to July 1997, and Chairman of the Board until March 1998.  Mr. Gibson also served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Engineering & Production Co. of Nevada, predecessor company to American Pacific Corporation, from April 1966 until May 1988.  Until July 2002, Mr. Gibson was a Director of Nevada Power Company (now Sierra Pacific Resources), an electric utility for more than five years.  Mr. Gibson has also been a director of Cashman Equipment Company, a distributor of heavy machinery for more than five years.  Mr. Gibson currently is a private consultant and serves as a consultant to the Company on an “as requested” basis.  Mr. Gibson is the brother of John R. Gibson.

          John R. Gibson has been a Director of the Company since 1988, became Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company in July 1997 and was appointed Chairman of the Board in March 1998.  Mr. Gibson has also served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of each of the Company’s subsidiary corporations since July 1997.  Mr. Gibson was the Company’s Vice President-Engineering & Operations from March 1992 to July 1997 and has been the President of American Azide Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, since 1993.  Prior to that time, Mr. Gibson was the Director of Modernization of USS-POSCO Industries, a finishing mill for flat rolled steel products, a position Mr. Gibson held for more than five years.  Mr. Gibson is the brother of Fred D. Gibson, Jr. 

          David N. Keys was elected a Director of the Company in July 1997.  Mr. Keys is the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer and has been employed by the Company since 1989.  Prior to that time, Mr. Keys, a CPA, CMA and CFM, was with Deloitte, Haskins & Sells (now Deloitte & Touche LLP) for more than five years.  Mr. Keys was a Director of Amfed Financial, Inc., a financial institution (now Wells Fargo Nevada), from 1993 through 2000.  In 1999, Mr. Keys was appointed to the West Coast Advisory Board of Directors of Factory Mutual Insurance Company (FM Global), a property and casualty insurer.

          Jan H. Loeb was elected a Director of the Company in January 1997.  Mr. Loeb is a Managing Director of Jefferies & Company, Inc., a New York based investment firm.  From 1994 to 2001 Mr. Loeb was a Managing Director of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, Inc. (formerly known as Wasserstein Perella & Co., Inc.), a New York-based investment banking firm.  Mr. Loeb was employed by Legg Mason Wood Walker, Inc. from 1991 to 1994, and operated his own firm, Loeb Financial Services, from 1988 to 1991. 

          Berlyn D. Miller was elected a Director of the Company in November 1993.  Mr. Miller was also a Director of Western Electrochemical Company, the Company’s former principal operating subsidiary, from 1989 until 1995.  Mr. Miller was the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of ACME Electric of Las Vegas, Nevada, a construction contractor, until 1997, a position he held for more than five years.  Mr. Miller is currently CEO of Berlyn Miller & Associates, a Government relations and business consulting firm.  He is also Vice President of N.F.K. International, a furniture manufacturer.

          Norval F. Pohl has been a Director of the Company since 1986.  Dr. Pohl was also a Director of Western Electrochemical Company from 1989 until 1995.  In October 2000, Dr. Pohl was appointed President of the University of North Texas, where he served as Provost and Executive Vice President from January 1999

- 6 -


through October 2000.  He was the Vice President of Finance and Administration of the University of Nevada Las Vegas from 1994 to 1998, and also served as the Dean of its College of Business and Economics from 1986 to 1998.  Dr. Pohl is also a Director of the Flagstaff Institute, in Flagstaff, Arizona, and a Director of the Professional Development Institute, in Denton, Texas.

          C. Keith Rooker has been a Director of the Company since 1988.  Mr. Rooker was the Executive Vice President of the Company from 1988 to July 1997, and was also a Vice President of the Company from 1985 to 1988 and the Company’s Secretary and General Counsel from 1985 to July 1997.  Mr. Rooker has been a Partner in the Las Vegas, Nevada and Salt Lake City, Utah law firm of Rooker, Later & Rawlins, LLP for more than five years.  The Company has retained this law firm in the past and during the current fiscal year.

          Victor M. Rosenzweig has been a Director of the Company since 1988.  Mr. Rosenzweig has been a Partner in the New York, New York law firm of Olshan Grundman Frome Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP for more than five years.  The Company has retained this law firm in the past and during the current fiscal year.

          Dean M. Willard was elected a Director of the Company in January 1997.  Mr. Willard is an executive, business owner and investor.  He is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Permatex, Inc. and its parent company PBT Brands, Inc. Permatex is a leading supplier of functional chemicals to the automotive aftermarket.  Mr. Willard is also Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Automotive Performance Group, an automotive supplier.

          Jane L. Williams was elected a Director of the Company in November 1993.  Ms. Williams was also a Director of Western Electrochemical Company from 1989 until 1995.  Ms. Williams is the President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TechTrans International of Houston, Texas, a provider of technical language support services, a position she has held since 1993.  Before founding TechTrans International, Ms. Williams was a consultant to businesses in the aerospace industry for more than five years.

Standing Committees of the Board of Directors

          In July, 2003, the Board of Directors restructured its Board Committees.  Under this restructuring, a Corporate Governance Committee was created which assumed the duties and responsibilities of the Management and Compensation Committee, the Nominating Committee, and the Stock Option Committee.  The Strategic Planning Committee was also dissolved at that time, and its duties and responsibilities were absorbed by the entire Board.  Lastly, the Board created a new Finance Committee.  In addition, in January 2004, the Executive Committee was dissolved.  The Committees of the Board of Directors of the Company now consist of the following:  the Audit Committee, the Corporate Governance Committee, the Environmental Oversight Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Pension Plan Committee.  The membership and functions of these committees (and the former Executive Committee) are described below.

          Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee consisted of John R. Gibson, Chairman, Fred D. Gibson, Jr., David N. Keys, Berlyn D. Miller, and Norval F. Pohl.  The Executive Committee was authorized to exercise the power and authority of the Board of Directors with respect to the business of the Company to the extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.  The Executive Committee operated on a standby basis when it is impractical for the Board of Directors to meet or to act by consent in the absence of a meeting.  As noted above, in January 2004, the Executive Committee was dissolved.  The Executive Committee held three meetings during the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.

          Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee consists of Norval F. Pohl, Chairman, Jan H. Loeb, Berlyn D. Miller, Dean M. Willard and Jane L. Williams.  The Audit Committee’s primary responsibilities include: (a) appointment, compensation and oversight of the Company’s independent auditors, who shall report directly to the Committee, including (i) prior review of the independent auditors’ plan for the annual audit, (ii) pre-

- 7 -


approval of both audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors and (iii) annual assessment of the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent auditors; (b) overseeing and monitoring the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and internal control system, audits of the Company’s financial statements and the quality and integrity of the financial reports and other financial information issued by the Company; (c) providing an open avenue of communication among the independent auditors and financial and other senior management and the Board of Directors; (d) reviewing with management and, where applicable, the independent auditors, prior to release, required annual, quarterly and interim filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the type and presentation of information to be include in earnings press releases; (e) reviewing material issues, and any analyses by management or the independent auditors, concerning accounting principles, financial statement presentation, the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and significant financial reporting issues and judgments and the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives on the Company’s financial statements; (f) reviewing with the Company’s legal counsel any legal matters that could have a significant effect on the Company’s financial statements, compliance with applicable laws and regulations and inquiries from regulators or other governmental agencies; (g) reviewing and approving all related party transactions between the Company and any director, executive officer, other employee or family member; (h) reviewing and overseeing compliance with the Company’s Standards of Business Conduct; (i) establishing procedures regarding the receipt, retention and treatment of, and the anonymous submission by employees of the Company of, complaints regarding the Company’s accounting, internal controls or auditing matters; and (j) reporting Audit Committee activities to the full Board of Directors and issuing annual reports to be included in the Company’s proxy statement.  The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Norval F. Pohl, Mr. Jan H. Loeb and Mr. Dean M. Willard are “audit committee financial experts” as defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K.  See descriptions of their relevant experience above.  See below for the Report of the Audit Committee for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.  The Audit Committee held five meetings during the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.

          Corporate Governance Committee.  The Corporate Governance Committee consists of Berlyn D. Miller, Chairman, Jan H. Loeb, Norval F. Pohl, Dean M. Willard and Jane L. Williams.  The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing the Company’s compliance with policies and procedures respecting business ethics and conduct, identifying and proposing candidates to serve as Directors of the Company, recommending candidates to serve as executive officers of the Company, recommending the levels and types of executive compensation and overseeing the Company’s stock option plans.  A copy of the Corporate Governance Committee Charter and the Company’s policy entitled “Standards of Business Conduct” may be found on the Company’s website at www.apfc.com.  The Corporate Governance Committee has not adopted a policy or process by which stockholders may make recommendations to the Committee of candidates to be considered by the Committee for nomination for election as Directors.  The Committee has determined that it is appropriate not to have such a policy because the Corporate Governance Committee will consider any candidate for Director recommended by a stockholder of the Company if such recommendation is submitted in accordance with the process for stockholders to make nominations for Director of the Company, as set forth in the Company’s Bylaws, which process is described under the heading “Stockholder Proposals for 2005 Annual Meeting” in this Proxy Statement.  Apart from that procedure, the Corporate Governance Committee also remains open (albeit without a formal process) to nominees for Director.  The Committee will consider multiple sources for identifying and evaluating nominees for Director, including referrals from current Directors and stockholders.  The Committee has identified certain qualifications it believes an individual should possess before it recommends such person as a nominee for election to the Board of Directors.  The Committee believes that nominees for Director should possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity, values and judgment and be committed to representing the long-term interests of the Company’s stockholders.  The Committee seeks to ensure that the composition of the Board at all times adheres to the independence requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. and reflects a range of talents, ages, skills, diversity, background, experience and expertise, particularly in the areas of management, leadership, corporate governance and experience in the Company’s and related industries, sufficient to provide sound and prudent

- 8 -


guidance with respect to the operations and interests of the Company.  See below for the Report of the Corporate Governance Committee regarding executive compensation. 

          The Corporate Governance Committee held six meetings during the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.  Prior to the committee restructuring in July 2003, the Management and Compensation Committee, the Nominating Committee and the Stock Option Committee each held one meeting.

          Environmental Oversight Committee.  The Environmental Oversight Committee consists of C. Keith Rooker, Chairman, Fred D. Gibson, Jr., Jan H. Loeb, Victor M. Rosenzweig and Dean M. Willard.  The Environmental Oversight Committee oversees the Company’s compliance with applicable environmental standards, statutes and regulations.  The Environmental Oversight Committee held two meetings during the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.

          Finance Committee.  The Finance Committee consists of Jan H. Loeb, Chairman, Fred D. Gibson, Jr., David N. Keys, C. Keith Rooker and Victor M. Rosenzweig.  The Finance Committee oversees the Company’s treasury functions, including cash flow plans, proposed capital expenditures and acquisitions, tax planning and budgeting.  The Finance Committee held one meeting during the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.

          Pension Plan Committee.  The Pension Plan Committee consists of Jane L. Williams, Chairman, Fred D. Gibson, Jr., David N. Keys, C. Keith Rooker and Victor M. Rosenzweig.  The Pension Plan Committee administers the Company’s defined benefit pension and 401(k) plans and oversees the performance of the managers of pension plan assets.  The Pension Plan Committee held one meeting during the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.

Board Of Director’s Meetings and Annual Meeting of Stockholders

          A total of seven regularly scheduled and special meetings of the Company’s Board of Directors was held during the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.  Each Director attended at least 75 percent of the total of such meetings and of the meetings of all committees of the Board of Directors on which such Director served that were held during the period of time he or she was a Director and a member of such committees.  Generally, all of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors have attended the Company’s annual meetings of stockholders in the past, and are generally expected to continue to do so in the future.  Accordingly, the Company has not deemed it necessary to adopt a formal policy with respect to such attendance.  All of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors attended the Company’s 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Communications with the Board of Directors

          The Board of Directors provides a process for stockholders to send communications to the Board or to any Directors.  Stockholders may send written communications to the Board or to any of its Directors by sending such communications in care of the Secretary of the Company, American Pacific Corporation, 3770 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 300, Las Vegas, Nevada  89109.  All such communications will be compiled by the Secretary of the Company and relayed promptly to the Board or the individual Directors.

- 9 -


MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers

          The persons who were serving as executive officers of the Company as of September 30, 2003 are John R. Gibson, David N. Keys, Fortunato Villamagna, James J. Peveler and Linda G. Ferguson.  All officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors and serve until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified.  Mr. Gibson and Mr. Keys serve under employment agreements discussed below.

          For certain information concerning John R. Gibson and David N. Keys, see “The Directors,” above.

          Dr. Fortunato Villamagna, age 45, has been the Company’s Vice President – Business Development since March 2002.  From 2000 until he joined the Company, Dr. Villamagna was the Vice President Technology, Americas and Europe for Orica U.S.A. Inc., a global explosives company.  From 1998 to 2000, Dr. Villamagna was the Director of Bulk Delivered Products for Energetic Solutions, Inc., a part of ICI Explosives, an explosives company. 

          James J. Peveler, age 67, has been the Company’s Vice President and General Manager-Utah Operations since 1997.  From 1989 to July 1997, Mr. Peveler was the President of Western Electrochemical Company.  Mr. Peveler is the beneficial owner of 19,523 shares (less than 1%) of the Company’s Common Stock (including 15,000 shares subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days after January 16, 2004), with respect to all of which shares he exercises sole investment and voting power.

          Linda G. Ferguson, age 62, has been the Company’s Vice President-Administration, and Assistant Secretary since 1997.  Ms. Ferguson is the sister of Mr. John R. Gibson and Mr. Fred D. Gibson, Jr.  Ms. Ferguson is the beneficial owner of 23,613 shares (less than 1%) of the Company’s Common Stock (including 15,000 shares subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days after January 16, 2004), with respect to all of which shares she exercises sole investment and voting power.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

          Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires certain of the Company’s officers, the Company’s directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”).  Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by the Commission’s regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.  Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it, or written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that, during the fiscal year ended September 30 , 2003 there was compliance with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and ten percent stockholders, although, in October 2003, David N. Keys and John R. Gibson, each reported late a single exercise of options and disposition of common stock because the Company had requested on their behalf but had not received from the Commission the CIK numbers required to effect such filings on a timely basis.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION

Summary of Cash and Certain Other Compensation

          The following table provides certain summary information concerning the compensation paid or accrued by the Company and its subsidiaries to or on behalf of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its

- 10 -


four most highly compensated executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer (the “Named Executive Officers”).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Compensation (1)

 

Long-Term Compensation Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

Name and Principal Position

 

Fiscal
Year

 

Salary ($)

 

Bonus ($)

 

Other Annual Compensation ($)

 

Securities Underlying Options (#)

 


 


 


 


 


 


 

John R. Gibson (2)

 

 

2003

 

 

402,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

50,000

 

Chairman of the Board, Chief

 

 

2002

 

 

399,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Executive Officer and President

 

 

2001

 

 

325,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

50,000

 

David N. Keys

 

 

2003

 

 

330,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

45,000

 

Executive Vice President, Chief

 

 

2002

 

 

327,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

 

 

2001

 

 

270,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

45,000

 

Dr. Fortunato Villamagna

 

 

2003

 

 

212,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

39,000

 

Vice President – Business

 

 

2002

 

 

139,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Development

 

 

2001

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

James J. Peveler

 

 

2003

 

 

214,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

5,000

 

Vice President and General

 

 

2002

 

 

204,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Manager – Utah Operations

 

 

2001

 

 

197,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

5,000

 

Linda G. Ferguson

 

 

2003

 

 

141,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

5,000

 

Vice President – Administration,

 

 

2002

 

 

125,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Assistant Secretary

 

 

2001

 

 

114,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

5,000

 


 

(1)

The Company provides automobiles for certain of its executive officers.  After reasonable inquiry, the Company has concluded that the aggregate amount of such compensation for any Named Executive Officer does not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10 percent of the total of annual salary and bonus reported for the Named Executive Officers.

 

 

 

 

(2)

The cash compensation reported for Mr. John R. Gibson does not include compensation paid to Mr. Gibson’s sister, Ms. Ferguson or to Mr. Gibson’s son, Jeff Gibson, who is employed in an operating division of the Company.

Employment Agreements

          Mr. John R. Gibson and Mr. Keys are employed under employment agreements that were amended effective January 1, 2002, providing for the compensation disclosed above (including that payable under existing employment benefit plans), as well as any future compensation increases.  Each agreement provides for a term of three years, which term shall automatically extend, in the absence of notice to the contrary, from year to year up to age 70 for Mr. Gibson and age 65 for Mr. Keys.  Each agreement is terminable prior to the expiration of its term upon the death or disability of the executive or, at the Company’s election, for “cause” (as defined in the agreement) or due to a material breach by the executive of his obligations under the agreement.  In the event of certain Corporate Capital Transactions (as defined in the agreements) or termination by the

- 11 -


Company without “cause,” Mr. Gibson and Mr. Keys are each entitled to receive severance compensation equal to three years’ then current base salary under their respective agreements.

Stock Options

          The following tables provide information with respect to the Named Executive Officers concerning options exercised during the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, unexercised options held as of September 30, 2003, and the Company’s equity compensation plans as of September 30, 2003.    During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, 209,000 shares of Common Stock were issued to Employees of the Company under the 2001 Stock Option Plan, and 40,000 shares of Common Stock were issued to Directors of the Company under the 2002 Directors Stock Option Plan.

OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

 

 

Individual Grants

 

Potential Realizable Value
at Assumed Annual Rates
of Stock Price Appreciation
for Option term

 

 

 


 


 

Name

 

Number of Securities Underlying Options
Granted (#)

 

% of Total Options Granted to Employees in Fiscal Year

 

Exercise or
Base Price
($/Sh)

 

Expiration
Date

 

5% ($)

 

10% ($)

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

John R. Gibson

 

 

50,000

 

 

23.9

%

 

8.30

 

 

12/13/12

 

 

260,991

 

 

661,403

 

David N. Keys

 

 

45,000

 

 

21.5

%

 

8.30

 

 

12/13/12

 

 

234,982

 

 

595,263

 

Fortunato Villamagna

 

 

39,000

 

 

18.7

%

 

8.30

 

 

12/13/12

 

 

203,573

 

 

515,894

 

James J. Peveler

 

 

5,000

 

 

2.4

%

 

8.30

 

 

12/13/12

 

 

26,099

 

 

66,140

 

Linda G. Ferguson

 

 

5,000

 

 

2.4

%

 

8.30

 

 

12/13/12

 

 

26,099

 

 

66,140

 

AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Unexercised
Options at Fiscal
Year-End
(#)

 

Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options at
Fiscal Year-End(1)
($)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

Name

 

Shares Acquired
on Exercise (#)

 

Value
Realized ($)

 

Exercisable / Unexercisable

 

Exercisable / Unexercisable

 


 


 


 


 


 

John R. Gibson

 

 

20,000

 

 

69,500

 

 

170,000 / 25,000

 

 

284,455 / 4,500

 

David N. Keys

 

 

77,000

 

 

213,673

 

 

104,500 / 22,500

 

 

205,483 / 4,050

 

Fortunato Villamagna

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

19,500 / 19,500

 

 

3,510 / 3,510

 

James J. Peveler

 

 

9,500

 

 

18,894

 

 

15,000 / 2,500

 

 

25,851 / 450

 

Linda G. Ferguson

 

 

5,750

 

 

10,746

 

 

14,500 / 2,500

 

 

25,080 / 450

 


 

(1)

On September 30, 2003, the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market® was $8.48 per share.

- 12 -


EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN SUMMARY

 

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

 

 


 


 


 

Plan category

 

Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options and rights

 

Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options
and rights

 

Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))

 


 


 


 


 

Equity compensation plans (including directors) approved by security holders

 

 

660,500

 

$

6.57

 

 

395,000

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

660,500

 

$

6.57

 

 

395,000

 

 

 



 



 



 

Retirement Benefits

          Under the Company’s defined benefit pension plan, eligible employees, including employees who are Directors and executive officers, are entitled to receive a pension benefit based upon their years of service and their “average compensation.”  The term “average compensation” is defined to be the average of the employee’s earnings for the sixty consecutive months of employment during which the employee’s compensation was the highest, subject to applicable limitations provided by law.  Effective January 1, 1994, the applicable limitation on compensation was $150,000 subject to adjustment for inflation in future years.  During the calendar year 2003, the $150,000 figure, adjusted for inflation, amounted to $200,000.  The annual retirement benefit provided under the plan is two percent of each employee’s “average compensation,” plus 0.65 percent of each employee’s “average compensation” in excess of the applicable covered compensation, for each year of service, up to 20.  The covered compensation is derived from the 1988 social security tables and depends upon each individual’s year of birth.  The maximum benefit under the defined benefit pension plan is limited to the lesser of 100 percent of average compensation or the sum of $90,000, as adjusted for inflation.  Legislation that became effective on January 1, 2002 increased this figure to $200,000, subject to adjustment for inflation in future years.  Employees become vested in their pension benefits as they complete years of service in the employ of the Company or its subsidiary corporations, and are fully vested after seven years of service with the Company and its subsidiary corporations.

          The following table presents the noncontributory annual benefits payable for life under the Company’s pension plan to employees, assuming normal retirement at age 65 during the Company’s current fiscal year under a single life annuity.  The amounts shown below represent the application of the pension plan formula to the amounts of compensation and years of service shown.  The amounts shown below do not include social security benefits upon retirement.  Nor does the Company’s pension plan give credit for years of service in excess of 20.  Benefits payable under the pension plan must be in compliance with the applicable guidelines or maximums prescribed in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as currently stated or as adjusted from time to time.  The amounts shown below do not anticipate future changes in salary levels or inflation.  All benefits shown are for an employee born in 1938 (age 65 in 2003).  Benefits for employees born later may be lower.

- 13 -


PENSION PLAN TABLE

 

 

Years of Service

 

 

 


 

Average Compensation

 

15

 

20

 

25

 


 


 


 


 

$ 125,000

 

$

46,587

 

$

62,116

 

$

62,116

 

   150,000

 

 

56,525

 

 

75,366

 

 

75,366

 

   175,000

 

 

66,462

 

 

88,616

 

 

88,616

 

   200,000

 

 

76,400

 

 

101,866

 

 

101,866

 

          The credited years of service under the pension plan as of September 30, 2003 for each of the Company’s Named Executive Officers is as follows:  John R. Gibson, 12 years; David N. Keys, 14 years; Fortunato Villamagna, 2 years, James J. Peveler, 21 years; and Linda G. Ferguson, 18 years.

          John R. Gibson and David N. Keys also participate in the American Pacific Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”).  The SERP provides total annual retirement benefits, including annual retirement benefits provided under the Company’s defined benefit pension plan, equal to 60 percent of average compensation.  The SERP defines average compensation as the average of the employee’s earnings for the three consecutive years of employment during which the employee’s compensation was the highest.  Vesting in the SERP occurs over a 10-year period subject to meeting certain age plus years of service requirements.

          As of September 30, 2003, and assuming ten years of service and meeting the age plus years of service requirements, annual benefits payable in the form of a single life annuity under the SERP at the age of 65 were approximately $191,000 to John R. Gibson and $141,000 to David N. Keys.  These annual SERP benefits are in addition to the annual benefits currently accrued under the Pension Plan and do not anticipate future changes in salary levels or inflation.  At September 30, 2003, Mr. Gibson and Mr. Keys were both 100 percent vested in the above annual SERP benefits.

REPORT OF THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE REGARDING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Executive Compensation Principles

          The Company’s executive compensation program is based upon guiding principles designed to align executive compensation with the values, objectives, and business and financial performance of the Company, and to motivate the Company’s officers and key employees to achieve the Company’s goals of providing the Company’s stockholders with a competitive return on their investments, while at the same time providing the Company’s customers with quality products.  Toward that end, the executive compensation program is designed to attract and retain highly qualified individuals who are capable of making significant contributions to the long-term success of the Company; promote a performance-oriented environment that encourages Company and individual achievement; reward executive officers for long-term strategic management and the enhancement of stockholder value; and provide levels of total compensation that are competitive with those provided by other companies with which the Company may compete for executive talent.

Executive Compensation Program

          The Company’s executive compensation program consists of both cash and equity-based compensation.  The Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for establishing

- 14 -


and administering the policies that govern both cash and equity-based compensation.  The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing the executive compensation program on at least an annual basis to ensure conformance to the Company’s executive compensation principles.  Annual base salary increases reflect an individual’s performance and contribution to the Company over several years.

          Cash Compensation. The base salaries of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other executive officers as a group were established by the Corporate Governance Committee after considering rates of compensation then being paid by the Company, as well as salary trends, overall performance and compensation levels for comparable positions in the industry.  Salary levels were also influenced by the Company’s continuing focus on cost containment.  The Company does not currently have an annual bonus plan.  Except as provided in the Company’s 2001 Stock Option Plan and 1997 Stock Option Plan, the Company has not established a policy with regard to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, because the Company has not paid, and does not currently anticipate paying, compensation in excess of $1 million per annum to any employee.

          Equity Based Compensation.  The Company’s stock option plans are designed to advance the long-term interests of the Company by aligning the long-term interests of the Company’s executive officers with those of the Company’s stockholders by providing executive officers with an opportunity to build a meaningful equity position in the Company.  The Board of Directors or a committee thereof has in the past made grants of stock options to its executive officers.  The Corporate Governance Committee may recommend additional grants of stock options in the future.  No outstanding stock options were re-priced or modified during the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.  In December 2002, options to purchase Common Stock, all at an exercise price of $8.30 per share, were granted with respect to 50,000 shares to John R. Gibson, 45,000 shares to David N. Keys, 39,000 shares to Dr. Villamagna, and 5,000 shares to each of Linda G. Ferguson and James J. Peveler. 

January 26, 2004

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

 

 

 

Berlyn D. Miller, Chairman

 

 

 

Jan H. Loeb

 

Norval F. Pohl

 

Dean M. Willard

 

Jane L. Williams

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

          Directors of the Company (other than Messrs. John R. Gibson, Keys and Rosenzweig) are compensated at the rate of $5,000 per quarter, plus $1,100 per meeting of the Company’s Board of Directors attended, and $800 per committee meeting attended, and are reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending Directors’ meetings.  Committee chairmen receive an additional $300 per committee meeting attended and all non-employee members of the Executive Committee receive an additional $500 per month.  Mr. Rosenzweig bills the Company at his customary rates for time spent on behalf of the Company (whether as a Director or in the performance of legal services for the Company) and is reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending Directors’ meetings. 

          Directors of the Company (other than Messrs. John R. Gibson and Keys) have also been granted stock options under the 2002 Directors Stock Option Plan.  In November 2002, each such director was granted options to purchase Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.36 per share.  Future grants, if any, will be recommended by the Corporate Governance Committee.

- 15 -


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

          The Directors who served on the Corporate Governance Committee, or the Management and Compensation Committee of the Company prior to the committee restructuring, during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 were Berlyn D. Miller, as Chairman, Fred D. Gibson, Jr., Norval F. Pohl, C. Keith Rooker, Jane L. Williams and Dean M. Willard.  Mr. Fred D. Gibson, Jr. and Mr. C. Keith Rooker are former officers of the Company and are not members of the Corporate Governance Committee.

Indebtedness of Directors and Executive Officers

          In 1994, the Company loaned an aggregate of $553,000 to Fred D. Gibson, Jr., then the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.  Mr. Gibson’s loan is evidenced by an unsecured promissory note that bears interest at the prime rate and is payable on demand.  As of December 31, 2003, the balance owing by Mr. Gibson under the promissory note, including accrued interest, was $88,125.

          On June 16, 1993, James J. Peveler borrowed the sum of $100,000 from the Company.  On September 27, 1993, Mr. Peveler borrowed an additional $40,000.  Mr. Peveler’s loans are evidenced by his unsecured promissory notes payable to the Company, which bear interest at the prime rate and are payable upon demand.  As of December 31, 2003, the total balance owing by Mr. Peveler in respect of the two loans, including accrued interest, was $221,502. 

Transactions with Management and Others

          As discussed above, Mr. Fred D. Gibson, Jr., serves as a consultant to the Company on a “as requested” basis.  Payments made to Mr. Fred D. Gibson, Jr., including expense reimbursements, for consulting services were $0.1 million during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.

          The Company is the General Partner of Gibson Business Park Associates 1986-1, a Nevada limited partnership (the “Limited Partnership”).  The Company owns a 70 percent interest in the capital and profits of the Limited Partnership.  The remaining 30 percent is owned as follows: 10 percent by Fred D. Gibson, Jr., 10 percent by C. Keith Rooker, five percent by the estate of the late Audrey B. Gibson (the wife of deceased former officer and Director of the Company James I. Gibson and sister-in-law to Fred D. Gibson, Jr. and John R. Gibson), two percent by James B. Gibson (a nephew of Fred D. Gibson, Jr. and John R. Gibson and former Associate General Counsel of the Company), two percent by Thomas A. Turner (a former Director of the Company), and one percent by the estate of the late Thomas L. War (a former officer and Director of the Company).

          On July 31, 1990, the Company entered into a lease agreement with 3770 Hughes Parkway Associates Limited Partnership, a Nevada limited partnership (“Hughes Parkway”), pursuant to which the Company leased the third floor of a three-story building owned by Hughes Parkway.  In March 2001, the lease was extended for an additional five-year period.  The Company presently utilizes the third floor of this building as office facilities, but presently sublets approximately one-third of the total leased space.  Hughes Parkway is a limited partnership of which Howard Hughes Properties, a Delaware limited partnership, is the general partner, and of which the Limited Partnership is the sole limited partner, owning a 33 percent interest in Hughes Parkway.  Hughes Parkway financed the cost of construction of the building through contributions from its partners and borrowing from an unrelated lender.

          The Limited Partnership purchased its interest in Hughes Parkway in July 1990, by paying the sum of $1,040,490 in cash.  The Company contributed 70 percent of this amount and, accordingly, acquired a 70 percent interest in the Limited Partnership.  The remaining 30 percent was contributed by the aforenamed limited partners in the Limited Partnership.  The Limited Partnership and the limited partners are individually

- 16 -


liable with respect to a portion of the borrowing from the unrelated lender.  The partnership agreement for Hughes Parkway provides that if the lease agreement between the Company and Hughes Parkway should be terminated due to a default by the Company, Howard Hughes Properties can purchase the interest of the Limited Partnership in Hughes Parkway at a discount of as much as 25 percent.  The Company has agreed to indemnify the Limited Partnership on account of any financial loss it may suffer as a result of this provision.  The lease agreement and participation in the Hughes Parkway transaction were approved by the members of the Board of Directors who are not limited partners in the Limited Partnership or related parties.

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

          The following graph shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total returns for the Company’s Common Stock, the Wilshire 5000 Index, the S & P SmallCap 600 Index and the S & P Specialty Chemicals Index.

Message

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

          In accordance with its written charter adopted by the Board of Directors (the “Board”), (a copy of which is attached as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement), the Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of the Company.  During fiscal 2003, the Committee met five times.

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          In discharging its responsibility for oversight of the audit process, the Audit Committee obtained from the independent auditors, Deloitte & Touche LLP, a formal written statement describing any relationships between the auditors and the Company that might bear on the auditors’ independence consistent with the Independent Standards Board Standard No. 1, “Independence Discussions with Audit Committees.”  The Committee also discussed with the auditors any relationships that might impact the auditors’ objectivity and independence and satisfied itself as to the auditors’ independence. 

          The Committee discussed and reviewed with the independent auditors the communications required by generally accepted auditing standards, including those described in Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, “Communication with Audit Committees”, and discussed and reviewed the results of the independent auditors’ examination of the financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2003.

          The Committee reviewed the audited financial statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, with management and the independent auditors.  Management has the responsibility for preparation of the Company’s financial statements and the independent auditors have the responsibility for examination of those statements.

          Based upon the above-mentioned review and discussions with management and the independent auditors, the Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

          January 26, 2003

AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

 

 

Norval F. Pohl, Chairman

 

 

 

Jan H. Loeb

 

Berlyn D. Miller

 

Dean M. Willard

 

Jane L. Williams

ITEM NO. 2 – RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

          The firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP served as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.  The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004.  For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, Deloitte & Touche LLP has been engaged by the Audit Committee to audit the Company’s annual financial statements, review the Company’s quarterly financial statements and audit the Company’s 401(k) and Defined Benefit Pension Plans.  The Audit Committee approves all fees paid to Deloitte & Touche LLP prior to services being provided.  Although the selection of auditors does not require ratification, the Board has directed that the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP be submitted to stockholders for ratification due to the significance of such appointment.  If stockholders do not ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Board will consider the appointment of other certified public accountants. The approval of the proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of the Common Stock.

          A representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP is expected to attend the Annual Meeting and to have the opportunity to make a statement if he so desires, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.

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Fees Paid to Deloitte & Touche LLP

          The following table shows the aggregate fees paid or accrued by the Company for the audit and other services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP for the fiscal years ended September 30:

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 


 


 

Audit Fees

 

$

134,000

 

$

145,000

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

 

22,000

 

 

19,000

 

Tax Fees

 

 

13,000

 

 

25,000

 

All Other Fees

 

 

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 



 



 

Total

 

$

169,000

 

$

193,000

 

 

 



 



 

          Audit –Related fees represent fees for audits of the Company’s employee benefit plans.  Tax fees relate to reviews of the Company’s federal and state income tax returns for the years ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, and tax planning services.  Other fees in fiscal 2002 relate to consulting services associated with employee compensation.  The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of the non-audit services listed as “All Other Fees” in the table is compatible with maintaining the independence of Deloitte & Touche LLP.  As noted above, the Audit Committee approves all services to be provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP prior to services being provided (subject to the de minimis exception permitted by the Exchange Act).

Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The Board recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2005 ANNUAL MEETING AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

          In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14(a)(8), if a stockholder wishes to have a proposal considered for inclusion in the Company’s 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and accompanying proxy solicitation materials, the proposal must be stated in writing and must be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation on or before October 1, 2004.  The Board of Directors will review any proposal that is received by that date and will determine whether it should be included in the Company’s 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and proxy solicitation materials.

          The Company has adopted Bylaw provisions establishing procedures for stockholder proposals (other than those made pursuant to Rule 14(a)(8)) and for the nomination of Directors by stockholders, which, in the case of an annual stockholders’ meeting, require, among other things, notice by a stockholder to the Company not less than 70 days nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting (for the 2005 annual meeting, not later than January 1, 2005 nor earlier than December 12, 2004).  A copy of these Bylaw provisions may be found on the Company’s website at www.apfc.com.

          Rule 14a-4(c)(1) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, governs the Company’s use of its discretionary proxy voting authority with respect to a stockholder proposal that is not addressed in the Company’s proxy statement.  The rule provides that if the Company does not receive notice of the proposal at least 45 days prior to the first anniversary date of the date of mailing of the prior year’s proxy statement (or date specified in advance notice provisions), then the Company will be permitted to use its discretionary voting authority when the proposal is raised at the annual meeting, without any discussion of the matter in the proxy statement.  In accordance with the notice provisions described above, the Company will be permitted to use its discretionary voting authority as outlined above, with respect to the Company’s 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, if the Company is not provided notice of a stockholder proposal which has not been timely submitted for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement by January 1, 2005.

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ANNUAL REPORT

          The Company will provide without charge to any stockholder of the Company, upon written request, a copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

OTHER BUSINESS

          As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board of Directors does not intend to present, and has not been informed that any other person intends to present, any matter for action at the Annual Meeting, other than as set forth herein and in the Notice of Annual Meeting.  If any other matters properly come before the meeting, it is intended that the holders of the proxies will act in accordance with their best judgment.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

David N. Keys, Secretary

Dated:  January 26, 2004

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APPENDIX A

AMERICAN PACIFIC CORPORATION

AMENDED AND RESTATED AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

(as adopted by the Board of Directors on November 13, 2003)

Purpose of the Audit Committee

          The Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is a committee of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of American Pacific Corporation (the “Company”) established for the purpose of overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and audits of its financial statements.

          The purposes of the Committee shall be to assist the Board in overseeing: (i) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (ii) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, (iv) the performance of the Company’s independent auditor, and (iv) the Company’s system of disclosure controls and system of internal financial, accounting and legal compliance controls.  The Committee shall also provide an open avenue of communication among the independent auditors, financial and other senior management and the Board.

          The Committee shall oversee the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the quality and integrity of its financial reports and other financial information provided by the Company to any non-tax governmental body.

          The Committee shall be solely responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the Company’s independent auditors, and the independent auditors shall report directly to the Committee.

          The Committee shall serve as an independent and objective party to monitor the Company’s financial reporting process and internal control system.  In discharging its oversight role, the Committee is empowered to investigate any matter brought to its attention with full access to all books, records, facilities and personnel of the Company and to engage, determine funding for, and obtain advice and assistance from independent counsel and other advisors as the Committee deems necessary to carry out its duties.  The Company shall also provide funding for ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee that the Committee deems necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.

Composition and Membership Requirements

          The Board shall appoint the Committee and shall designate its Chairman.  The Committee shall consist of at least three independent directors, each of whom shall satisfy the independence requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the regulations thereunder (the “Act”), the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”).  Without limiting the foregoing, each appointed director shall be independent of the management of the Company, both directly and indirectly, and free from any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of his or her independent judgment as a member of the Committee. 

          The Committee members shall have working familiarity with basic finance and accounting practices and have the knowledge and experience required to fulfill their responsibilities, as specified by Nasdaq requirements.  At least one member of the Committee shall have past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or any other comparable experience or background that results in that individual’s financial sophistication, including being or

A-1


having been a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer or other senior officer with financial oversight responsibilities and, therefore, shall qualify as a “financial expert,” as contemplated by the Act and SEC and Nasdaq rules.  The identity of such member(s) shall be disclosed in periodic filings as required by the SEC.

Committee Meetings

          1.     Committee Meetings.  The Committee shall meet as a committee at least quarterly, or more frequently as circumstances require, either in person or by telephone conference call.  The Chairman shall prepare and/or approve an agenda in advance of each meeting.  The agenda should be developed in consultation with management, other Committee members and independent auditors, and shall be consistent with this Charter.  The Committee shall maintain minutes of meetings and report to the Board on significant results of its activities. The Chairman shall also be responsible for leadership of the Committee, including presiding over the meetings, making Committee assignments and reporting to the Board.  The Chairman shall also maintain regular liaison with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the lead independent audit partner.  If the Chairman is not present at any meeting, the members of the Committee may designate a Chairman by majority vote of the Committee members.  Meetings should be scheduled to permit appropriate prior review and timely filing of the Company’s interim and year-end financial statements.

          2.     Meetings with Independent Auditors.  The Committee shall meet with the independent auditors prior to the commencement of the audit and to review the annual financial statements prior to their release and at such other times that the Chairman may deem necessary or appropriate for any reason, including at the request of the independent auditors.  At the discretion of the Chairman, the principal accounting officers of the Company may be invited to attend the meetings of the Committee held with the independent auditors.

          3.     Separate Meetings.  Each regularly scheduled meeting may conclude with an executive session of the Committee, absent members of management, and on such terms and conditions as the Committee may elect.  As part of its job to foster open communication, the Committee may meet periodically with management and the independent auditors in separate executive sessions to discuss any matters that the Committee or either of these groups believe should be discussed privately.

          4.     Availability.  The Committee shall make itself available to meet with management of the Company to discuss any matters that it or management deems appropriate, and shall be available to the independent auditors during the year for consultation purposes.

Committee Responsibilities and Duties

          The Committee shall assist the Board in fulfilling the Board’s oversight responsibilities with respect to financial reporting to stockholders and the SEC, the system of controls that management has established, and the external audit process, and report the results of its activities to the Board.

          The following shall be the principal recurring processes of the Committee in carrying out its oversight responsibilities.  The processes are set forth as a guide with the understanding that the Committee may supplement them as appropriate:

A-2


          1.     Review and Oversight Procedures.

                   a.     Review of Charter.  The Committee shall review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter at least annually, propose changes to this Charter to the Board for its approval as necessary, and cause this Charter to be published at least triennially in accordance with SEC regulations.

                   b.     Review of Filings, Financial Statements and other Disclosures

                                   i.     The Committee shall review with management (including the principal accounting officers of the Company) and the independent auditors, prior to release, the filings required to be made by the Company with the SEC on an annual and quarterly basis, as well as any other required interim reports, filings or documents that contain financial information about the Company.   The Committee shall specifically review the results of the annual audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements prior to the filing or distribution thereof, including the Company’s disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” any appropriate matters regarding the clarity of the disclosures in such financial statements, accounting principles, practices and any other matters required to be communicated to the Committee by the independent auditors under Generally Accepted Auditing Standards.  The Committee shall cause the independent auditors to conduct a SAS 100 Interim Financial Review prior to each filing of the Company’s Form 10-Q.  The Committee shall recommend to the Board whether the financial statements should be included in the periodic filings of the Company.

                                   ii.    The Committee shall review: (a) material issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentations, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of accounting principles, and material issues as to the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies; (b) analyses prepared by management and/or the independent auditor setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including analyses of the effects on the financial statements of alternative methods pursuant to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”); (c) the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet structures, on the financial statements of the Company; and (d) the type and presentation of information to be included in earnings press releases (paying particular attention to any use of “pro forma,” or “adjusted” non-GAAP, information), as well as review of any financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies.

                                   iii.   The Committee shall review analyses and significant findings by the independent auditors with respect to financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection therewith, including (a) any material difficulties or problems with any audit work, (b) any restrictions on the scope of the independent auditors’ activities or access to requested information, (c) any significant disagreements with management and the independent auditors and any accounting adjustments noted or proposed by the independent auditors, but not accepted by management, (d) any communications between the independent auditing team and the firm’s national office respecting material auditing or accounting issues presented by the engagement, (e) any management or internal control letter issues raised, or proposed to be raised, by the independent auditors to the Company, and (f) any major issue as to the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and specific audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies.  After completion of such review, the Committee shall make its recommendation to the Board.

                   c.     Committee Oversight of Accounting Personnel.  The Committee shall meet from time to time with the principal accounting officers of the Company to review accounting policies followed, changes therein, accounting controls, and any issues that may be raised by the independent auditors.  In

A-3


conformity with the Company’s continuing policy, the accounting officers shall report to the Board upon submission of the annual and quarterly financial statements of the Company. 

                  d.     Annual Performance Evaluation.  The Committee shall perform an annual self-evaluation of its performance. 

          2.     Independent Auditors

                  a.     Committee Oversight of Independent Auditors.  The Committee shall have the sole authority regarding, and shall be directly responsible for, the appointment, compensation, oversight, termination and replacement of, as well as funding for, the independent auditors for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work, or any non-audit work, subject, if applicable, to stockholder ratification.  The Committee shall have a clear understanding with management and the independent auditors that the independent auditors report directly to the Committee, as representatives of the Company’s stockholders. 

                  b.     Auditors’ Independence.  The Committee shall annually request from the auditors, a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the auditors and the Company consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard 1, including fees paid by the Company to the auditors, in accordance with the Act’s requirements; review with the auditors all relationships between the auditors and management of the Company that may impact the objectivity and independence of the auditor and take, or recommend that the full Board take, appropriate action to oversee the independence of the outside auditor. 

                  c.     Audit Plan.  Prior to the commencement of the annual audit, the scope of the independent auditors’ examination and the planning therefor shall be presented to the Committee by the independent auditors.  The Committee shall review the independent auditors’ plan and discuss scope, staffing, locations, reliance upon management and general audit approach.  The Committee should be satisfied that the audit plan is sufficiently detailed and covers any significant areas of concern that the Committee may have. 

                  d.     Pre-Approval of the Independent Auditors’ Fees.  The Committee shall review and pre-approve both audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditor (other than with respect to the de minimis exceptions permitted by the Act).  This duty may be delegated to one or more designated members of the Committee with any such pre-approval reported to the Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.  Approval of non-audit services shall be disclosed to investors in periodic reports required by Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                  e.     Independent Auditors’ Report on Practices.  The independent auditors shall report promptly to the Committee (a) all critical accounting policies and practices to be used; (b) all alternative treatments of financial information, ramifications of such treatment, and the treatment preferred by the auditors; and (c) all material written communications between the independent audit firm and Company management.  The Committee shall also review any problems with management and any other matters required to be communicated to the Committee under Generally Accepted Auditing Standards or applicable rules under or of the Act, the SEC, Nasdaq, or other regulatory authorities.  The independent auditors shall also report on  recently issued and adopted accounting standards, the Company’s compliance therewith, and the effect of unusual or extraordinary transactions.  The independent auditors must discuss their judgments about the quality and content of the Company’s accounting principles with the Committee.

A-4


                  f.     Quality Control of the Independent Auditors.  On an annual basis, the Committee shall obtain a report from the independent auditors describing (i) the independent auditors’ internal quality-control procedures, and (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one or more independent audits carried out by such firm, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues.  The Committee shall then present its conclusions with respect to the independent auditor to the full Board. 

                  g.     Rotation of the Independent  Auditors.  The Committee shall annually (i) assess the qualifications, performance and independence of the auditors and the lead (or coordinating) audit partner (or other audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit); and ii) take any actions necessary to ensure the rotation, not less than every five years, of the audit partner. 

                  h.     Hiring Policies.  The Committee shall confirm that the Company complied with the Act in the hiring of any employees or former employees of the independent auditors, after consultation with management. 

          3.     Legal Compliance.

                  a.     Legal Compliance.  The Committee shall review with the Company’s counsel any legal matters that could have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and inquiries received from regulators or governmental agencies, including corporate securities trading policies. 

                  b.     Review of Disclosures by Officers.  The Committee shall review disclosures made by the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer regarding compliance with their certification obligations under the Act, including the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls for financial reporting. 

                  c.     Related Party Transactions.  The Committee shall be responsible for reviewing and approving all related party transactions involving the Company and any director, executive officer, other employee, or family member thereof. 

                  d.     Committee Review of Corporate Policies.  The Committee shall review the Company’s policy entitled Standards of Business Conduct, the Company’s policy regarding expense accounts and vehicles (such as cars and airplanes), the general use of corporate assets and any other Company policies. 

                  e.     Compliance with Conflicts of Interests Policy.  The Committee shall, on behalf of the Board and stockholders of the Company, satisfy itself that the Company’s Standards of Business Conduct policy is strictly adhered to by its officers, directors and employees.

          4.     Other Committee Activities.

                  a.     Earnings Releases.  The Committee shall discuss earnings releases, prior to their release to the public, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. 

                  b.     Complaint Procedures.  The Committee shall establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding the Company’s accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing matters and for the confidential, anonymous submissions by employees of the Company of concerns relating to questionable accounting or auditing matters.

A-5


                  c.     Committee Reports.  The Committee shall prepare reports to stockholders as required by the SEC ‘s proxy rules to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement. 

                  d.     Other.  The Committee shall have the power and authority to perform any other activities consistent with this Charter, the Company’s by-laws, and governing law, as the Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate.

Limitation

Nothing in this Charter is intended to alter in any way the standard of conduct that applies to any of the directors of the Company under the Delaware General Corporation Law, as from time to time amended, and this Charter does not impose, nor shall it be interpreted to impose, any duty on any director greater than, or in addition to, the duties or standard established by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

A-6



A M E R I C A N   P A C I F I C   C O R P O R A T I O N

Message

VOTE BY INTERNET – www.proxyvote.com


3770 HOWARD HUGHES PARKWAY •  SUITE 300 •  LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89109
PHONE (702) 735-2200 •  FAX (702) 735-4876


c/o PROXY SERVICES
P. O. BOX 9141
FARMINGDALE, NY 11735

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on March 8, 2004.  Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site.  You will be prompted to enter your 12-digit Control Number which is located below to obtain your records and create an electronic voting instruction form.

 

 

 

 

 

VOTE BY PHONE – 1-800-690-6903

 

 

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on March 8, 2004.  Have your proxy card in hand when you call.  You will be prompted to enter your 12-digit Control Number which is located below and then follow the simple instructions the Vote Voice provides you.

 

 

 

 

 

VOTE BY MAIL

 

 

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we’ve provided or return to AMERICAN PACIFIC CORPORATION c/o ADP, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY  11717 no later than March 8, 2004.

 

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

KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS



 

DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

AMERICAN PACIFIC CORPORATION

 

THE DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE “FOR” ITEMS 1 AND 2

 

 

 

Vote on Directors

 

 

 

1.

To elect as Class A Directors, each to hold office until the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and thereafter until their successors have been duly elected and qualify, the nominees listed below:


 

 

 

 

For
All

Withhold
All

For All
Except

 

To withhold authority to vote for specific nominees, mark “For all Except” and write the number(s) of such nominees on the line below.

 

 

01)

John R. Gibson

o

o

o

 

 

 

02)

David N. Keys

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

03)

Dean M. Willard

 

 

 

 



 

Vote on Proposal
 

For

Against

Abstain

 

2.

To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004.

o

o

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The shares represented by this proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned Stockholder(s).  If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR items 1 and 2.  If any other matters properly come before the meeting the persons named in this proxy will vote in their discretion.

 

 

 


 



 



 

 

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]

Date

 

Signature (Joint Owner)

Date

 


AMERICAN PACIFIC CORPORATION

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN CONNECTION WITH
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD MARCH 9, 2004

The undersigned hereby appoints John R. Gibson and David N. Keys, and each of them, with full power of substitution and revocation, the attorneys and proxies of the undersigned to attend and vote all shares of Common Stock of American Pacific Corporation that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if then personally present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of American Pacific Corporation, a  Delaware corporation, to be held on March 9, 2004 at 10:30 a.m., local time, at the Las Vegas Country Club, Rotunda Room, located at 3000 Joe W. Brown Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada, and at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, hereby revoking any proxy heretofore given.  The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, each dated January 19, 2004.

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED OR, IF NO CHOICE IS SPECIFIED, WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR PROPOSED IN ITEM NO. 1, FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP PROPOSED IN ITEM NO. 2 AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DETERMINATION OF A MAJORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT(S) OR POSTPONEMENT(S) THEREOF.

(Continued and to be signed on other side)

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