-----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, H1UjJWrqaeFgBNHB1Sr6X/PI5lxMGWPD+Q6/mASmsrPXSLiqO420NukzuDaKP4V2 xGiEaoaLEj9TscXtYHLLrw== 0000950130-96-000623.txt : 19960228 0000950130-96-000623.hdr.sgml : 19960228 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950130-96-000623 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: DEF 14A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19960417 FILED AS OF DATE: 19960227 SROS: AMEX FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000357294 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: OPERATIVE BUILDERS [1531] IRS NUMBER: 221851059 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1031 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: DEF 14A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-08551 FILM NUMBER: 96526021 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 10 HWY 35 STREET 2: PO BOX 500 CITY: RED BANK STATE: NJ ZIP: 07701 BUSINESS PHONE: 9087477800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 10 HWY 35 PO BOX 500 STREET 2: 10 HWY 35 PO BOX 500 CITY: RED BANK STATE: NJ ZIP: 07701 DEF 14A 1 DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ) Filed by the Registrant [_] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [x] Check the appropriate box: [_] Preliminary Proxy Statement [_] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) [x] Definitive Proxy Statement [_] Definitive Additional Materials [_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): [x] $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2) or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A. [_] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-6(i)(3). [_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) 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: [_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. [_] 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: Notes: [LETTERHEAD OF HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC.] March 8, 1996 Dear Shareholder: You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 1996, in the Boardroom of the American Stock Exchange, 13th Floor, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York. The meeting will start promptly at 10:30 a.m. It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. Therefore, we urge you to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided for this purpose. Of course, if you attend the meeting, you may still choose to vote your shares personally, even though you have already returned a signed proxy. Important items to be acted upon at the meeting include the election of directors and the ratification of the selection of independent accountants. We sincerely hope you will be able to attend and participate in the Company's 1996 Annual Meeting. We welcome the opportunity to meet with many of you and give you a firsthand report on the progress of your Company. Sincerely yours, /s/ Kevork S. Hovnanian Kevork S. Hovnanian Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. ---------------- NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS MARCH 8, 1996 ---------------- Notice is Hereby Given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 1996, in the Board Room of the American Stock Exchange, 13th Floor, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York at 10:30 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. The election of Directors of the Company for the ensuing year, to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company and until their respective successors may be elected and qualified. 2. The ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP (successor by merger to Kenneth Leventhal & Company) as independent accountants to examine financial statements for the Company for the year ended October 31, 1996. 3. The transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment thereof. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on February 20, 1996 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. Accompanying this Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders is a proxy statement, a form of proxy and the Company's Annual Report for the year ended October 31, 1996. All shareholders are urged to attend the meeting in person or by proxy. Shareholders who do not expect to attend the meeting are requested to complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy and return it promptly in the self-addressed envelope provided. By order of the Board of Directors, Timothy P. Mason Secretary March 8, 1996 PLEASE INDICATE YOUR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD, DATE AND SIGN IT, AND RETURN IT IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED. NO POSTAGE IS NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. 10 HIGHWAY 35 P.O. BOX 500 RED BANK, NEW JERSEY 07701 ---------------- PROXY STATEMENT ---------------- GENERAL The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company") for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders referred to in the foregoing notice and at any adjournment thereof. It is expected that this Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy will be mailed commencing March 8, 1996 to each shareholder entitled to vote. The Company's Annual Report for the year ended October 31, 1995 accompanies this Proxy Statement. Shares represented by properly executed proxies, if such proxies are received in time and not revoked, will be voted in accordance with the specifications thereon. If no specifications are made, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote such proxy for the Board of Directors' slate of Directors, for the ratification of selected independent accountants and as recommended by the Board of Directors unless contrary instructions are given. Any person executing a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised by delivering written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company or by voting in person at the meeting. VOTING RIGHTS AND SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting is the close of business on February 20, 1996. On February 20, 1996, the voting securities of the Company outstanding consisted of 15,090,170 shares of Class A Common Stock, each share entitling the holder thereof to one vote and 7,946,883 shares of Class B Common Stock, each share entitling the holder thereof to ten votes. Other than as set forth in the table below, there are no persons known to the Company to own beneficially shares representing more than 5% of the Company's Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock. The following table sets forth as of February 20, 1996 the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned by each Director and nominee for Director, by all Directors and officers of the Company as a group (including the named individuals) and holders of more than 5%:
CLASS A COMMON STOCK CLASS B COMMON STOCK -------------------- -------------------- AMOUNT AND AMOUNT AND NATURE OF NATURE OF DIRECTORS, NOMINEES AND BENEFICIAL PERCENT BENEFICIAL PERCENT HOLDERS OF MORE THAN 5% OWNERSHIP(1) OF CLASS(2) OWNERSHIP(1) OF CLASS(2) ----------------------- ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- Kevork S. Hovnanian(3)(5).. 5,634,337 37.3% 5,843,837 73.5% Ara K. Hovnanian(4)........ 1,409,561 9.2% 1,234,096 15.1% Paul W. Buchanan........... 28,520 .2% 21,480 .3% Arthur M. Greenbaum........ 1,500 -- 1,500 -- Timothy P. Mason........... 23,157 .2% 15,337 .2% Desmond P. McDonald........ 3,750 -- 3,750 -- Peter S. Reinhart.......... 22,235 .2% 16,955 .2% John J. Schimpf............ 101,192 .7% 53,052 .7% Stephen D. Weinroth........ 2,250 -- 2,250 -- All Directors and officers as a group (10 persons).............. 7,263,662 46.6% 7,214,097 87.1%
- -------- Notes: (1) The figures in the table in respect of Class A Common Stock do not include the shares of Class B Common Stock beneficially owned by the specified persons, which shares of Class B Common Stock are convertible at any time on a share for share basis to Class A Common Stock. The figures in the table represent beneficial ownership (including ownership of 492,820 Class A Common Stock Options and 336,180 Class B Common Stock Options, currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days) and sole voting power and sole investment power except as noted in notes (3), (4) and (5) below. (2) Based upon the number of shares outstanding plus options for such director, nominee or holder. (3) Includes 297,812 shares of Class A Common Stock and 320,012 shares of Class B Common Stock as to which Kevork S. Hovnanian has shared voting power and shared investment power. Kevork S. Hovnanian's address is 10 Hwy 35, P.O. Box 500, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701. (4) Includes 8,350 shares of Class A Common Stock and 10,150 shares of Class B Common Stock as to which Ara K. Hovnanian has shared voting power and shared investment power. Ara K. Hovnanian's address is 10 Hwy 35, P.O. Box 500, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701. (5) Includes 2,829,413 shares of Class B Common Stock held by the Kevork S. Hovnanian Family Limited Partnership, a Connecticut limited partnership (the "Limited Partnership"), beneficial ownership of which is disclaimed by Kevork S. Hovnanian. Kevork S. Hovnanian's wife, Sirwart Hovnanian, as trustee of the Sirwart Hovnanian 1994 Marital Trust, is the Managing General Partner of the Limited Partnership and as such has the sole power to vote and dispose of the shares of Class B Common Stock held by the Limited Partnership. Also includes 279,562 shares of Class A Common Stock and 264,562 shares of Class B Common Stock held in trust for Mr. Hovnanian's daughter over which Sirwart Hovnanian, as trustee, shares with her daughter the power to dispose of and vote. In addition, includes 18,250 shares of Class A Common Stock and 55,450 shares of Class B Common Stock held in trust for Mr. Hovnanian's grandchildren, over which Sirwart Hovnanian, as trustee, has sole power to dispose of and vote. Mr. Hovnanian disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares described in the preceding two sentences. Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the Company's executive officers, directors, persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities and certain entities associated with the foregoing ("Reporting Persons") to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and the American Stock Exchange (the "ASE"). These Reporting Persons are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Forms 3, 4 and 5 they file with the SEC and the ASE. Based solely on the Company's review of the copies of such forms it has received, the following Reporting Persons each inadvertently filed one late Form 3 in connection with the formation of the Kevork S. Hovnanian Family Limited Partnership: the Kevork S. Hovnanian Family Limited Partnership; the Kevork S. Hovnanian 1991 Annual Exclusion Trust; Sirwart Hovnanian; the Sirwart Hovnanian 1994 Marital Trust; the Ara K. Hovnanian Family 1994 Long- Term Trust; the Sossie K. Najarian Family 1994 Long-Term Trust; the Esther K. Barry Family 1994 Long-Term Trust; the Lucy K. Kalian Family 1994 Long-Term Trust; the Nadia K. Rodriguez 1994 Long-Term Trust and the Nadia Hovnanian Conditionally Revocable Trust. 2 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS The Company's By-laws provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of nine Directors who shall be elected annually by the shareholders. The Company's Certificate of Incorporation requires that, at any time when any shares of Class B Common Stock are outstanding, one-third of the Directors shall be independent. The following persons are proposed as Directors of the Company to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified. In the event that any of the nominees for Directors should become unavailable, it is intended that the shares represented by the proxies will be voted for such substitute nominees as may be nominated by the Board of Directors, unless the number of Directors constituting a full Board of Directors is reduced. The Company has no reason to believe, however, that any of the nominees is, or will be, unavailable to serve as a Director.
YEAR FIRST BECAME A NAME AGE COMPANY AFFILIATION DIRECTOR ---- --- -------------------- ---------- Kevork S. Hovnanian............. 72 Chairman of the Board, Chief 1967 Executive Officer and Director of the Company. Ara K. Hovnanian................ 38 President and Director of the 1981 Company. Paul W. Buchanan................ 45 Senior Vice President-- 1982 Corporate Controller and Director of the Company. Arthur M. Greenbaum............. 70 Director of the Company. 1992 Timothy P. Mason................ 55 Senior Vice President-- 1980 Administration/Secretary and Director of the Company. Desmond P. McDonald............. 68 Director of the Company. 1982 Peter S. Reinhart............... 45 Senior Vice President and 1981 General Counsel and Director of the Company. John J. Schimpf................. 46 Executive Vice President and 1986 Director of the Company. Stephen D. Weinroth............. 57 Director of the Company. 1982
- -------- Mr. K. Hovnanian founded the predecessor of the Company in 1959 and has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since its initial incorporation in 1967. Mr. K. Hovnanian was also President of the Company from 1967 to April 1988. Mr. A. Hovnanian was appointed President in April 1988, after serving as Executive Vice President from March 1983. Mr. A. Hovnanian is the son of Mr. K. Hovnanian. Mr. Buchanan has been Senior Vice President--Corporate Controller since May 1990. Mr. Greenbaum has been a senior partner of Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith, Ravin & Davis, a law firm since 1953. Mr. Greenbaum qualifies as an independent Director as defined in the Company's Certificate of Incorporation. 3 Mr. Mason was appointed Senior Vice President of Administration/Secretary in March 1991 after serving as Vice President--Administration and Secretary/Treasurer from March 1982. Mr. McDonald was a Director of Midlantic Bank N.A. from 1976 to December, 1995, Executive Committee Chairman of Midlantic Bank N.A. from August 1992 to December, 1995 and was President of Midlantic Bank N.A. from 1976 to June 1992. He was also a Director of Midlantic Corporation to December, 1995 and was Vice Chairman of Midlantic Corporation from June 1990 to July 1992. Mr. McDonald qualifies as an independent Director as defined in the Company's Certificate of Incorporation. Mr. Reinhart has been Senior Vice President and General Counsel since April 1985. Mr. Schimpf has been Executive Vice President of the Company since April 1988. Mr. Weinroth is Chairman of the Board of Core Laboratories N.V., a publicly- owned worldwide oil field services and manufacturing company. He is also a senior partner in Andersen, Weinroth & Co., L.P. a merchant banking firm. He has held such positions since 1994 and the beginning of 1996, respectively. Since November 1993, he has also served as Co-chairman and Chief Executive Officer of VETTA Sports, Inc., a supplier of bicycle parts and accessories. From July 1989 to April 1992 he was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Resources, Inc. He is a director of Core Laboratories N.V.; First Britannia Mezzanine, an international buyout firm; SCS Communications, Inc., a media company with magazine and music industry interests; and VETTA Sports, Inc. In February 1990. Integrated Resources, Inc. filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code. Mr. Weinroth qualifies as an independent Director as defined in the Company's Certificate of Incorporation. MEETINGS OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS The members of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors currently are Messrs. McDonald, Weinroth and Mason. The Audit Committee is chaired by Mr. McDonald and is responsible for reviewing and approving the scope of the annual audit undertaken by the Company's independent accountants and meeting with them to review the results of their work as well as their recommendations. The Audit Committee has direct access to the Company's independent accountants and also reviews the fees of independent accountants and recommends to the Board of Directors the appointment of independent accountants. The Internal Audit Manager for the Company reports directly to the Audit Committee on, among other things, the Company's compliance with certain Company procedures which are designed to enhance management's consideration of all aspects of major transactions involving the Company. The Audit Committee has direct control over staffing, including compensation, of the internal audit department. The Company's Chief Accounting Officer reports directly to the Audit Committee on significant accounting issues. During the year ended October 31, 1995 the Audit Committee met twice. The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. McDonald and Weinroth. The Compensation Committee is currently chaired by Mr. Weinroth and is active in reviewing salaries, bonuses and other forms of compensation for officers and key employees of the Company, in establishing salaries and in other compensation and personnel areas as the Board of Directors from time to time may request. For a discussion of the criteria utilized and factors considered by the Compensation Committee in reviewing and establishing executive compensation, see "Report of the Compensation Committee" below. During the year ended October 31, 1995 the Compensation Committee met once. 4 The Company has no executive or nominating committees. Procedures for nominating persons for election to the Board of Directors are contained in the Company's Bylaws. During the year ended October 31, 1995 the Board of Directors held four regularly scheduled meetings. In addition, the directors considered Company matters and had numerous communications with the Chairman of the Board of Directors and others wholly apart from the formal meetings. DIRECTOR COMPENSATION Each director who is not an officer of the Company is paid $2,000 per regularly scheduled meeting, $1,000 for each committee meeting attended, $2,000 for special meetings attended and a bonus. All directors are reimbursed for expenses related to his attendance at Board of Directors and committee meetings. During the year ended October 31, 1995, including an accrued bonus paid on February 2, 1996, Mr. McDonald received $18,000, Mr. Greenbaum received $18,000 and Mr. Weinroth received $20,000. RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF AND RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS The selection of independent accountants to examine financial statements of the Company made available or transmitted to shareholders and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended October 31, 1996 is to be submitted to the meeting for ratification. Ernst & Young LLP (successor by merger to Kenneth Leventhal & Company) has been selected by the Board of Directors of the Company to examine such financial statements. The Company has been advised that a representative of Ernst & Young LLP will attend the Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions and will be afforded the opportunity to make a statement if the representative so desires. 5 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE The following table summarizes the compensation paid or accrued by the Company for the chief executive officer and the other four most highly compensated executives during the year ended October 31, 1995, the eight month transition period ended October 31, 1994 and the year ended February 28, 1994 and 1993.
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION ----------------------------- ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS --------------------------- ----------------------------- NUMBER OF OTHER SECURITIES YEAR ANNUAL RESTRICTED UNDERLYING ALL OTHER NAME AND PRINCIPAL OR COMPEN- STOCK OPTIONS/ LTIP COMPEN- POSITION PERIOD SALARY BONUS(1) SATION(2) AWARDS SARS(3) PAYOUTS SATION(4) ------------------ ------ -------- -------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- Kevork S. Hovnanian..... 1995 $739,335 $200,000 $0 $0 0 N/A $ 9,885 Chairman of the Board of 10/94 $506,160 $133,334 $0 $0 0 N/A $ 7,811 Directors, Chief Execu- tive 1994 $720,352 $300,000 $0 $0 0 N/A $11,038 Officer, and Director of 1993 $681,178 $150,000 $0 $0 0 N/A $ 9,744 the Company Ara K. Hovnanian........ 1995 $678,182 $200,000 $0 $0 50,000 N/A $10,270 President and Director 10/94 $487,794 $133,334 $0 $0 0 N/A $ 6,932 of the Company 1994 $632,600 $300,000 $0 $0 0 N/A $16,143 1993 $619,381 $200,000 $0 $0 295,000 N/A $ 947 John J. Schimpf......... 1995 $213,638 $ 74,139 $0 $0 25,000 N/A $19,937 Executive Vice Presi- dent 10/94 $144,086 $ 48,251 $0 $0 0 N/A $18,443 and Director of the 1994 $200,277 $100,000 $0 $0 0 N/A $15,304 Company 1993 $186,599 $ 80,000 $0 $0 70,000 N/A $11,463 J. Larry Sorsby......... 1995 $185,202 $ 63,000 $0 $0 20,000 N/A $16,158 Senior Vice President/ 10/94 $121,403 $ 50,833 $0 $0 0 N/A $11,085 Finance and Treasurer of 1994 $169,371 $ 82,500 $0 $0 0 N/A $ 7,953 the Company 1993 $157,223 $ 60,000 $0 $0 35,000 N/A $ 5,264 Peter S. Reinhart....... 1995 $152,481 $ 45,119 $0 $0 15,000 N/A $13,998 Senior Vice President/ 10/94 $102,879 $ 29,394 $0 $0 0 N/A $13,748 General Counsel and 1994 $152,022 $ 56,800 $0 $0 0 N/A $12,141 Director of the Company 1993 $137,945 $ 50,000 $0 $0 15,000 N/A $10,445
- -------- Notes: (1) Includes awards not paid until after year end. (2) Includes perquisites and other personal benefits unless the aggregate amount is lesser than either $50,000 or 10% of the total of annual salary and bonus reported for the named executive officer. (3) The Company does not have a stock appreciation right ("SAR") program. (4) Includes accruals under the Company's savings and investment retirement plan (the "Retirement Plan"), deferred compensation plan (the "Deferred Plan") and term life insurance premiums for each of the named executive officers for the year ended October 31, 1995 as follows:
RETIREMENT DEFERRED TERM PLAN PLAN INSURANCE TOTAL ---------- -------- --------- ------- K. Hovnanian........................ $9,500 $ 0 $385 $ 9,885 A. Hovnanian........................ $9,500 $ 0 $770 $10,270 Schimpf............................. $9,500 $9,898 $539 $19,937 Sorsby.............................. $9,500 $6,201 $457 $16,158 Reinhart............................ $9,500 $4,113 $385 $13,998
6 OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR The following table provides information on option grants in fiscal 1995 to the named executive officers.
POTENTIAL REALIZED VALUE AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION INDIVIDUAL GRANTS FOR OPTION TERM(1) ----------------------------------------- -------------------- % OF TOTAL NUMBER OF OPTIONS EXERCISE SECURITIES GRANTED TO OR BASE UNDERLYING EMPLOYEES PRICE OPTIONS IN FISCAL PER EXPIRATION NAME GRANTED 1993 SHARE DATE 5% 10% - ------------------------ ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- ---------- Kevork S. Hovnanian..... 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Ara K. Hovnanian........ 46,875 17.4% $ 6.40 5/4/00 $44,253 $130,408 Ara K. Hovnanian........ 3,125 1.1% $5.8125 5/4/00 $ 4,786 $ 10,530 John J. Schimpf......... 25,000 9.3% $5.8125 5/4/00 $38,289 $ 84,238 J. Larry Sorsby......... 20,000 7.4% $5.8125 5/4/00 $30,631 $ 67,391 Peter S. Reinhart....... 15,000 5.6% $5.8125 5/4/00 $ 22,973 $ 50,543
- -------- Note: (1) The potential realizable value is reported net of the option exercise price, but before income taxes associated with exercise. These amounts represent assumed annual compounded rates of appreciation of 5% and 10% only from the date of grant to the end of the option. Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises are dependent on the future performance of the Company's Class A Common Stock, overall stock market conditions, and the optionee's continued employment through the vesting period. The amounts reflected in this table may not necessarily be achieved. AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES DURING THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1995 AND OPTION VALUES AT OCTOBER 31, 1995 The following table provides information on option exercises during the year ended October 31, 1995 by the named executive officers and the value of such officers' unexercised options at October 31, 1995.
SECURITIES UNDERLYING NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED VALUE OF UNEXERCISED SHARES OPTIONS AT IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT ACQUIRED OCTOBER 31, 1995(1) OCTOBER 31, 1995(1) ON VALUE ------------------------- ------------------------- NAME EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE - ------------------------ -------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- ------------- Kevork S. Hovnanian..... 0 $ 0 None None N/A N/A Ara K. Hovnanian........ 0 $ 0 421,667 148,333 $278,438 $25,586 John J. Schimpf......... 0 $ 0 106,667 48,333 $105,000 $26,563 J. Larry Sorsby......... 0 $ 0 44,333 31,667 $ 36,750 $21,250 Peter S. Reinhart....... 0 $ 0 34,000 20,000 $ 42,000 $15,938
- -------- Notes: (1) The closing price of the Class A Common Stock on the last trading day of October, 1995 on the American Stock Exchange was $6.875. 7 TEN-YEAR OPTION REPRICINGS For the year ended October 31, 1995, there was no adjustment or amendment to the exercise price of the stock options previously awarded. REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE The Compensation Committee is charged with the responsibility of determining the cash and other incentive compensation, if any, to be paid to the Company's executive officers and key employees. The amount and nature of the compensation received by the Company's executives during the year ended October 31, 1995 was determined in accordance with the compensation program and policies described below. The executive compensation program is designed to attract, retain and reward highly qualified executives while maintaining a strong and direct link between executive pay, the Company's financial performance and total shareholder return. The executive compensation program contains three major components: base salaries, annual bonuses and stock options. Base Salary The Compensation Committee believes that, due to the Company's success in its principal markets, other companies seeking proven executives may view members of the Company's highly experienced executive team as potential targets. The base salaries paid to the Company's executive officers during the year ended October 31, 1995 generally were believed to be necessary to retain their services. Base salaries, including that of Mr. K. Hovnanian, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, are reviewed annually and are adjusted based on the performance of the executive, any increased responsibilities assumed by the executive, average salary increases or decreases in the industry and the going rate for similar positions at comparable companies. Mr. K. Hovnanian set the year ended October 31, 1995 base salaries of the Company's executive officers. Each executive officer's base salary, including the base salary of Mr. K. Hovnanian, was reviewed in accordance with the above criteria by the members of the Compensation Committee and thereafter approved. Annual Bonus Program The Company maintains an annual bonus program under which executive officers and other key management employees have the opportunity to earn cash bonuses. The annual bonus program is intended to motivate and reward executives for the achievement of individual performance objectives and for the attainment by the Company of strategic and financial performance goals, including levels of return on equity. For the year ended October 31, 1995, the Company's executives received a bonus based on the Company's overall Return on Equity ("ROE"). Mr. K. Hovnanian, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and Mr. A. Hovnanian, President and Chief Operating Officer received a fixed amount bonus based on the Company's ROE. All other executive officers participate in a plan based on ROE but instead of receiving a fixed amount, they receive a percentage of their base salary. As the Company's ROE reaches higher targeted levels, the bonus percentage of salary increases. 8 The Company's annual bonus program is designed to be cost and tax effective. Accordingly, in light of recent federal tax law changes under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, the bonus plan for executives receiving compensation in excess of $1,000,000 was approved by shareholders at the July 13, 1994 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and reflects the Compensation Committee's policies of maximizing corporate tax deductions, wherever feasible. Stock Option Plan The Option Plan established by the Board of Directors is intended to align the interests of the Company's executives and shareholders in the enhancement of shareholder value. The ultimate value received by option holders is directly tied to increases in the Company's stock price and, therefore, stock options serve to closely link the interests of management and shareholders and motivate executives to make decisions that will serve to increase the long-term total return to shareholders. Additionally, grants under the Option Plan include vesting and termination provisions which the Compensation Committee believes will encourage option holders to remain employees of the Company. The Option Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee. See "Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year" above. No member of the Compensation Committee, while a member, is eligible to participate in the Option Plan. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE Stephen D. Weinroth Desmond P. McDonald 9 COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION Mr. Weinroth is Chairman of the Compensation Committee which also includes Mr. McDonald. Both Messrs. McDonald and Weinroth are non-employee directors and were never officers or employees of the Company. See "CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS" for information concerning Messrs. McDonald's and Greenbaum's business relationship with the Company. PERFORMANCE GRAPH The following graph compares on a cumulative basis the yearly percentage change over the five year period ending October 31, 1995 in (i) the total shareholder return on the Class A Common Stock of the Company with (ii) the total return on the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index and with (iii) the total shareholder return on the common stocks of a peer group of twelve companies. Such yearly percentage change has been measured by dividing (i) the sum of (a) the amount of dividends for the measurement period, assuming dividend reinvestment, and (b) the price per share at the end of the measurement period less the price per share at the beginning of the measurement period, by (ii) the price per share at the beginning of the measurement period. The price of each unit has been set at $100 on October 31, 1990 for the preparation of the graph. The peer group index is composed of the following peer companies: Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., Centex Corporation, PHM Corporation, U.S. Home Corporation, Standard Pacific Corp., The Ryland Group, Inc., MDC Holdings, Inc., NVR L.P., Toll Brothers, Inc., Kaufman and Broad Home Corporation, Lennar Corporation and UDC-Universal Development L.P. Note: The stock price performance shown on the following graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance. [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return of Hovnanian Enterprise, Inc., the S&P 500 Index and a Peer Group Index (October 31) COMPANY 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 HOVNANIAN 100 207.69 292.31 546.15 184.62 219.23 PEER GROUP 100 216.89 313.30 450.17 269.42 371.45 BROAD MARKET 100 133.51 146.83 168.78 175.31 221.67 10 CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS The Company's Board of Directors has adopted a general policy providing that it will not make loans to officers or directors of the Company or their relatives at an interest rate less than the interest rate at the date of the loan on six month U.S. Treasury Bills, that the aggregate of such loans will not exceed $2,000,000 at any one time, and that such loans will be made only with the approval of the members of the Company's Board of Directors who have no interest in the transaction. At October 31, 1995, loans under this policy amounted to $1,954,000. Notwithstanding the policy stated above, the Board of Directors of the Company concluded that the following transactions were in the best interests of the Company. On March 1, 1990, the Company sold all of the assets and liabilities of its wholly owned engineering subsidiary Najarian & Associates, Inc. ("N & A") for $3,600,000 to Najarian & Associates L.P., a partnership consisting of the employees of N & A. One of these employees and former President of N & A was Tavit O. Najarian, the son-in-law of Mr. K. Hovnanian, Chairman of the Board of the Company. At the closing, the Company received a cash payment of $720,000 and a $2,880,000 note. The sale was approved by disinterested members of the Company's Board of Directors. Originally the note carried an annual interest rate of 10% and was to amortize over ten years. As long as any portion of the note is outstanding, the Company receives 25% of the net cash flow of Najarian & Associates, L.P. During the year ended February 29, 1992, Najarian & Associates, L.P. began to experience a significant decrease in business activity. As a result, the note was modified to change the interest rate to prime, to add accrued interest from September 1, 1991 to September 1, 1992 to principal and to reschedule principal payments over the balance of the term of the note. As a result of continued financial difficulties, a committee consisting of independent directors of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Committee") engaged an outside consultant to determine the fair market value of the above note. Based on the consultant's findings, the Committee recommended a reduction in the note including accrued interest from $2,983,000 to $1,100,000 at February 28, 1994. This reduction of the note was charged to operations during the year ended February 28, 1994. In addition, the Committee recommended a new term of ten years with annual interest on the note of 5% for the first two years adjusting to prime thereafter. Amortization would begin in year three with an annual minimum amount of 5%, ranging up to 30% in year 10, or 85% of cash flow after interest, whichever is greater. The Committee also recommended a $300,000 discount if the loan was paid in full during the first two years. The Company provides property management services to various limited partnerships including two partnerships in which Mr. A. Hovnanian, President and a Director of the Company, is general partner, and members of his family and certain officers and directors of the Company are limited partners. At October 31, 1995, no amounts were due the Company by these partnerships. On May 10, 1994, the Board of Directors approved the acquisition of the 10% minority interest in certain Florida subsidiaries owned by Paul W. Asfahl, President of the Company's Florida Division. For his 10% interest, the Company issued 45,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to Mr. Asfahl. On August 2, 1994, the Board of Directors approved the acquisition of the 15% minority interest in the New Fortis Corporation owned primarily by Marvin D. Gentry, President of the New Fortis Corporation. For the 15% interest, the Company issued 135,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to Mr. Gentry and the other owners. 11 Mr. Desmond McDonald, a Director of the Company, was the President of Midlantic Bank N.A. ("Midlantic") until July 1992. At October 31, 1995 Mr. McDonald owned 9,844 shares of common stock of Midlantic. In January, 1996 Midlantic's parent corporation merged with PNC Bank, National Association "PNC" at which time Mr. McDonald received PNC common stock in exchange for his Midlantic stock. From time to time the Company obtains services and financing from Midlantic and PNC. The Company has a Revolving Credit Agreement with a group of banks, including Midlantic and PNC. At October 31, 1995 the Company and its subsidiaries owed $51,255,000 to Midlantic and $7,025,000 to PNC pursuant to a Revolving Credit Agreement and other financing arrangements. Mr. Arthur Greenbaum is a senior partner of Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith, Ravin & Davis, a law firm retained by the Company during the year ended October 31, 1995. GENERAL The expense of this solicitation is to be borne by the Company. The Company may also reimburse persons holding shares in their names or in the names of their nominees for their expenses in sending proxies and proxy material to their principals. Unless otherwise directed, the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy intend to vote all proxies received by them in favor of the election of nominees to the Board of Directors of the Company named herein and in favor of the ratification of selected independent accountants. All proxies will be voted as specified. Each share of Class A Common Stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote and each share of Class B Common Stock entitles the holder thereof to ten votes. Votes of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock will be counted together without regard to class and will be certified by the Inspectors of Election, who are employees of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides that each share of Class B Common Stock held, to the extent of the Company's knowledge, in nominee name by a stockbroker, bank or otherwise will be entitled to only one vote per share unless the Company is satisfied that such shares have been held, since the date of issuance, for the benefit or account of the same beneficial owner of such shares or any permitted transferee. Beneficial owners of shares of Class B Common Stock held in nominee name wishing to cast ten votes for each share of such stock must (i) obtain from their nominee a proxy card designed for beneficial owners of Class B Common Stock, (ii) complete the certification on such card and (iii) execute the card and return it to their nominee. The Company has also supplied nominee holders of Class B Common Stock with specially designed proxy cards to accommodate the voting of the Class B Common Stock. In accordance with the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, shares of Class B Common Stock held in nominee name will be entitled to ten votes per share only if the beneficial owner proxy card or the nominee proxy card relating to such shares is properly completed and received by Midlantic Bank N.A., the Company's transfer agent, not less than 3 nor more than 20 business days prior to April 17, 1996. Completed proxy cards should be sent to Post Office Box 600, Edison, New Jersey 08818, Attention: Corporate Trust Department. All items to be acted upon at this Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be determined by a majority of the votes cast. Mr. K. Hovnanian and certain members of his family have informed the Company that they intend to vote in favor of all proposals submitted on behalf of the Company. Because of the voting power of Mr. K. Hovnanian and such members of his family, all of the foregoing proposals are assured passage. 12 Management does not intend to present any business at the meeting other than that set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and it has no information that others will do so. If other matters requiring the vote of the shareholders properly come before the meeting and any adjournments thereof, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote the proxies held by them in accordance with their judgment on such matters. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 1997 ANNUAL MEETING Shareholder proposals for inclusion in the proxy materials related to the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company no later than November 8, 1996. By Order of the Board of Directors Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. Red Bank, New Jersey March 8, 1996 13 HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. P R CLASS A COMMON STOCK O X Y THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Kevork S. Hovnanian, Ara K. Hovnanian and Desmond P. McDonald, and each of them, his true and lawful agents and proxies with full power of substitution in each, to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. to be held in the Boardroom of the American Stock Exchange, 13th Floor, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York, at 10:30 A.M. on April 17, 1996, and at any adjournments thereof, upon the matters set forth in the notice of meeting and Proxy Statement dated March 8, 1996 and upon all other matters properly coming before said meeting. SEE REVERSE SIDE [X] PLEASE MARK YOUR 0000 VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE. THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED (1) FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; (2) FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS; AND (3) ON ANY OTHER MATTERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DISCRETION OF THE NAMED ATTORNEYS AND AGENTS, IF NO INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY ARE INDICATED IN ITEMS (1), (2) AND (3). FOR WITHHELD 1. Election of Directors, Nominees: [_] [_] K. Hovnanian, A. Hovnanian, P. Buchanan, A. Greenbaum, T. Mason, D. McDonald, P. Reinhart, J. Schimpf, S. Weinroth FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 2. Ratification of the selection of Ernst & [_] [_] [_] Young LLP as independent accountants for the year ended October 31, 1996. 3. In their discretion, upon other matters as may properly come before the meeting. For, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s): - -------------------------------------------------------- Please mark, sign, date and return the proxy card promptly using the enclosed envelope. This Proxy must be signed exactly as name appears hereon. Executors, administrators, trustees, etc., should give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SIGNATURE(S) DATE Class A Common Stock HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. P R CLASS B COMMON STOCK O X Y THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Kevork S. Hovnanian, Ara K. Hovnanian and Desmond P. McDonald, and each of them, his true and lawful agents and proxies with full power of substitution in each, to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. to be held in the Boardroom of the American Stock Exchange, 13th Floor, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York, at 10:30 A.M. on April 17, 1996, and at any adjournments thereof, upon the matters set forth in the notice of meeting and Proxy Statement dated March 8, 1996 and upon all other matters properly coming before said meeting. SEE REVERSE SIDE [X] PLEASE MARK YOUR 0000 VOTES AS IN THIS -- EXAMPLE. THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED (1) FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; (2) FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS; AND (3) ON ANY OTHER MATTERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DISCRETION OF THE NAMED ATTORNEYS AND AGENTS, IF NO INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY ARE INDICATED IN ITEMS (1), (2) AND (3). FOR WITHHELD 1. Election of Directors, Nominees: [_] [_] K. Hovnanian, A. Hovnanian, P. Buchanan, A. Greenbaum, T. Mason, D. McDonald, P. Reinhart, J. Schimpf, S. Weinroth FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 2. Ratification of the selection of Ernst & [_] [_] [_] Young LLP as independent accountants for the year ended October 31, 1996. 3. In their discretion, upon other matters as may properly come before the meeting. For, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s): - -------------------------------------------------------- Please mark, sign, date and return the proxy card promptly using the enclosed envelope. This Proxy must be signed exactly as name appears hereon. Executors, administrators, trustees, etc., should give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SIGNATURE(S) DATE Class B Common Stock HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. P R BENEFICIAL OWNER OF CLASS B COMMON STOCK O X Y THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Kevork S. Hovnanian, Ara K. Hovnanian and Desmond P. McDonald, and each of them, his true and lawful agents and proxies with full power of substitution in each, to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. to be held in the Boardroom of the American Stock Exchange, 13th Floor, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York, at 10:30 A.M. on April 17, 1996, and at any adjournments thereof, upon the matters set forth in the notice of meeting and Proxy Statement dated March 8, 1996 and upon all other matters properly coming before said meeting. By signing on the reverse hereof, the undersigned certifies that (A) with respect to of the shares represented by this proxy, the undersigned has been the beneficial owner of such shares since the date of their issuance or is a Permitted Transferee (as defined in paragraph 4(A) of Article FOURTH of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation) of any such beneficial owner and (B) with respect to the remaining shares represented by this proxy, the undersigned has not been the beneficial owner of such shares since the date of their issuance nor is the undersigned a Permitted Transferee of any such beneficial owner. If no certification is made, it will be deemed that all shares of Class B Common Stock represented by this proxy have not been held, since the date of issuance, for the benefit or account of the same beneficial owner of such shares or any Permitted Transferee. SEE REVERSE SIDE [X] PLEASE MARK YOUR 0000 VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE. THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED (1) FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; (2) FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS; AND (3) ON ANY OTHER MATTERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DISCRETION OF THE NAMED ATTORNEYS AND AGENTS, IF NO INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY ARE INDICATED IN ITEMS (1), (2) AND (3). FOR WITHHELD 1. Election of Directors, Nominees: [_] [_] K. Hovnanian, A. Hovnanian, P. Buchanan, A. Greenbaum, T. Mason, D. McDonald, P. Reinhart, J. Schimpf, S. Weinroth FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 2. Ratification of the selection of Ernst & [_] [_] [_] Young LLP as independent accountants for the year ended October 31, 1996. 3. In their discretion, upon other matters as may properly come before the meeting. For, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s): - -------------------------------------------------------- Please mark, sign, date and return the proxy card promptly using the enclosed envelope. This Proxy must be signed exactly as name appears hereon. Executors, administrators, trustees, etc., should give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SIGNATURE(S) DATE Class B Common Stock HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. P R NOMINEE HOLDER OF CLASS B COMMON STOCK O X Y THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Kevork S. Hovnanian, Ara K. Hovnanian and Desmond P. McDonald, and each of them, his true and lawful agents and proxies with full power of substitution in each, to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. to be held in the Boardroom of the American Stock Exchange, 13th Floor, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York, at 10:30 A.M. on April 17, 1996 and at any adjournments thereof, upon the matters set forth in the notice of meeting and Proxy Statement dated March 8, 1996 and upon all other matters properly coming before said meeting. SEE REVERSE SIDE THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED (1) FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; (2) FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31 1996; AND (3) ON ANY OTHER MATTERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DISCRETION OF THE NAMED ATTORNEYS AND AGENTS, IF NO INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY ARE INDICATED IN ITEMS (1), (2) AND (3).
CLASS B COMMON STOCK SHARES CLASS B COMMON STOCK SHARES NOT OWNED BY SAME BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED BY SAME BENEFICIAL OWNER OR PERMITTED TRANSFEREE SINCE OR PERMITTED TRANSFEREE SINCE ISSUANCE ISSUANCE ------------------------------ ------------------------------- FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- (POST NUMBER OF SHARES NOT (POST NUMBER OF SHARES NOT NUMBER OF VOTES) NUMBER OF VOTES) 1. Directors: K. Hovnanian ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. A. Hovnanian ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. P. Buchanan ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. A. Greenbaum ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. T. Mason ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. D. McDonald ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. P. Reinhart ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. J. Schimpf ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. S. Weinroth ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. 2. Ratification of independent accountants ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs. ____ shs.
3. In their discretion, upon other matters as may properly come before the meeting. Please mark, sign, date and return the proxy card promptly using the enclosed envelope. This proxy must be signed exactly as name appears hereon. Executors, administrators, trustees, etc., should give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer. ------------------------------------------------ 1996 ------------------------------------------------ Class B Common Stock SIGNATURE(S) DATE VOTING PROCEDURES-- BENEFICIAL OWNERS CLASS B COMMON STOCK OF HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. TO ALL BANKS, BROKERS AND NOMINEES: In accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company"), each share of Class B Common Stock entitles the holder thereof to ten votes; provided, however, that each share of Class B Common Stock held, to the extent of the Company's knowledge, in nominee name by a stockbroker, bank or otherwise will be entitled to only one vote per share unless it is established to the Company's satisfaction that such shares have been held, since the date of issuance, for the benefit or account of the same beneficial owner of such shares or any Permitted Transferee (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation). To enable the Company to tabulate the voting by beneficial owners of Class B Common Stock held in your name, a special proxy card has been devised in accordance with suggestions made by representatives of brokerage houses and banks. On this card, the beneficial owner will certify the number of ten-vote shares and one-vote shares, respectively, he or she is entitled to vote, and will by the same signature give instructions as to the voting of those shares. ALL UNCERTIFIED SHARES, WHETHER INSTRUCTED OR NOT, ARE TO BE LISTED AS ONE-VOTE SHARES. THIS IS NOT TO BE REGARDED AS A NON-ROUTINE VOTE MERELY BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE VOTING RIGHTS OF THE CLASS B COMMON STOCK. The beneficial owner proxy card certification is as follows: By signing on the reverse hereof, the undersigned certifies that (A) with respect to of the shares represented by this proxy, the undersigned has been the beneficial owner of such shares since the date of their issuance or is a Permitted Transferee (as defined in paragraph 4(A) of Article FOURTH of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation) of any such beneficial owner and (B) with respect to the remaining shares represented by this proxy, the undersigned has not been the beneficial owner of such shares since the date of their issuance nor is the undersigned a Permitted Transferee of any such beneficial owner. If no certification is made, it will be deemed that all shares of Class B Common Stock represented by this proxy have not been held, since the date of issuance, for the benefit or account of the same beneficial owner of such shares or any Permitted Transferee. The nominee's proxy card has also been designed to accommodate the voting of the Class B Common Stock. Please note, you do not have to tabulate, only record the numbers shown on the certification. Please note also that you do not certify if you are a nominee, the beneficial owner certifies. Shares of Class B Common Stock held in nominee name will be entitled to ten votes per share only if the beneficial owner proxy card or the nominee proxy card relating to such shares is properly completed and received by Midlantic National Bank, the Company's transfer agent, not less than 3 nor more than 20 business days prior to April 17, 1996. Completed proxy cards should be sent to Post Office Box 600, Edison, New Jersey 08818, Attention: Corporate Trust Department. By order of the Board of Directors, Timothy P. Mason Secretary -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----