-----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, Vhu/k1yu0DUJiGmF/KZ6+bCLVDGHLWq7cdmcp8az37rhXO+06Yn59t8KOiF+rD4v ETog78Pb1bz/kJzFNqIGuA== 0000935836-98-000020.txt : 19980218 0000935836-98-000020.hdr.sgml : 19980218 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000935836-98-000020 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 19980213 SROS: NYSE SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NU SKIN ASIA PACIFIC INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001021561 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: WHOLESALE-DRUGS PROPRIETARIES & DRUGGISTS' SUNDRIES [5122] IRS NUMBER: 870565309 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-49939 FILM NUMBER: 98538743 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 75 WEST CENTER ST CITY: PROVO STATE: UT ZIP: 84601 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 75 WEST CENTER ST CITY: PROVO STATE: UT ZIP: 84606 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WEST HIGHLAND CAPITAL INC/LHG/WHP/PB/BP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000904938 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000] IRS NUMBER: 680152277 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 DRAKES LANDING RD SUITE 290 CITY: GREENBRAE STATE: CA ZIP: 94904 BUSINESS PHONE: 4154619453 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 DRAKES LANDING ROAD STREET 2: SUITE 290 CITY: GREENBRAE STATE: CA ZIP: 94904 SC 13D 1 OMB APPROVAL OMB Number:3235-0145 Expires: December 31, 1997 Estimated average burden hours per form 14.00 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 13D Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ) Nu Skin Asia Pacific, Inc. (Name of Issuer) Class A Common Stock (Title of Class of Securities) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 67018T105 (CUSIP Number) Carolyn S. Reiser, Esq. Shartsis Friese & Ginsburg One Maritime Plaza, 18th Floor San Francisco, CA 94111 (415) 421-6500 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications) November 25, 1996 (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement) If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box / /. Check the following box if a fee is being paid with the statement / /. (A fee is not required only if the reporting person: (1) has a previous statement on file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.) (See Rule 13d-7.) Note: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed with the Commission. See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies are to be sent. * The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes). SEC 1746 (12-91) SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 67018T105 Page 2 of 12 Pages - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON West Highland Capital, Inc. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X / (b) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* AF - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION California - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER SHARES -0- BENEFICIALLY -------------------------------------------------- OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER EACH 1,000,000 REPORTING -------------------------------------------------- PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER WITH -0- -------------------------------------------------- 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,000,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,000,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 8.5 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* CO and IA - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION. SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 67018T105 Page 3 of 12 Pages - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON Estero Partners, LLC - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X / (b) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* AF - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION California - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER SHARES -0- BENEFICIALLY -------------------------------------------------- OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER EACH 840,005 REPORTING -------------------------------------------------- PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER WITH -0- -------------------------------------------------- 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 840,005 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 840,005 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 7.2 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* OO - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION. SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 67018T105 Page 4 of 12 Pages - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON Lang H. Gerhard - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X / (b) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* AF - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER SHARES -0- BENEFICIALLY -------------------------------------------------- OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER EACH 1,000,000 REPORTING -------------------------------------------------- PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER WITH -0- -------------------------------------------------- 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,000,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,000,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 8.5 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* IN - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION. SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 67018T105 Page 5 of 12 Pages - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON West Highland Partners, L.P. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X / (b) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* WC - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION California - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER SHARES -0- BENEFICIALLY -------------------------------------------------- OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER EACH 699,905 REPORTING -------------------------------------------------- PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER WITH -0- -------------------------------------------------- 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 699,905 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 699,905 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 6.0 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* PN - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION. SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 67018T105 Page 6 of 12 Pages - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON Buttonwood Partners, L.P. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X / (b) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* WC - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION California - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER SHARES -0- BENEFICIALLY -------------------------------------------------- OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER EACH 140,100 REPORTING -------------------------------------------------- PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER WITH -0- -------------------------------------------------- 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 140,100 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 140,100 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 1.2 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* PN - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION. SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 67018T105 Page 7 of 12 Pages ITEM 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER. This amended statement relates to shares of Class A Common Stock (the "Stock") of Nu Skin Asia Pacific, Inc. ("NUS"). The principal executive office of NUS is located at 75 West Center Street, Provo, Utah 84601. ITEM 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND. The persons filing this statement and the persons enumerated in Instruction C of Schedule 13D and, where applicable, their respective places of organization, general partners, directors, executive officers and controlling persons, and the information regarding them, is as follows: (a) Lang H. Gerhard ("Gerhard"); West Highland Capital, Inc., a California corporation ("WHC"); Estero Partners, LLC, a California limited liability company ("LLC"); West Highland Partners, L.P., a California limited partnership ("WHP"); Buttonwood Partners, L.P., a California limited partnership ("BP"). (b) The business address of Gerhard, WHC, LLC, WHP and BP is 300 Drake's Landing Road, Suite 290, Greenbrae, California 94904. (c) Gerhard is the sole director and occupies all the executive offices of WHC, which is an investment adviser. Gerhard is the sole manager of LLC. WHC, LLC and Gerhard are the general partners of WHP and BP, which are investment limited partnerships. (d) During the last five years, none of such persons has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors). (e) During the last five years, none of such persons was a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws. (f) Gerhard is a citizen of the United States of America. ITEM 3. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION. The source and amount of funds used in purchasing the Stock were as follows: Purchaser Source of Funds Amount WHC Funds Under Management(1) $25,817,240.95 WHP Working Capital $18,012,202.41 BP Working Capital $ 3,654,454.35 (1) Includes funds invested by WHP and BP in Stock. SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 67018T105 Page 8 of 12 Pages ITEM 4. PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION. The sole purpose of the acquisitions of the Stock reported herein was and is for investment. ITEM 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER. The beneficial ownership of the Stock of the persons named in Item 2 of this statement is as follows at the date hereof: Aggregate Beneficially Owned Voting Power Dispositive Power Name Number Percent Sole Shared Sole Shared WHC 1,000,000 8.5 -0- 1,000,000 -0- 1,000,000 Gerhard 1,000,000 8.5 -0- 1,000,000 -0- 1,000,000 LLC 840,005 7.2 -0- 840,005 -0- 840,005 WHP 699,905 6.0 -0- 699,905 -0- 699,905 BP 140,100 1.2 -0- 140,100 -0- 140,100 The persons filing this statement effected the following transactions in the Stock on the dates indicated, and such transactions are the only transactions by the persons filing this statement in the Stock since September 25, 1996: Purchase Number Price Name or Sale Date of Shares Per Share WHP P 11-22-96 40,000 29.6388 BP P 11-22-96 50,000 29.6388 WHC P 11-22-96 60,000 29.6388 WHP P 11-22-96 50,000 23.00 BP P 11-22-96 20,000 29.221 WHC P 11-22-96 30,000 29.221 WHP P 11-22-96 150,000 30.125 WHP P 11-22-96 100,000 30.6563 WHP P 11-25-96 54,400 29.8519 BP P 11-25-96 11,200 29.8519 WHC P 11-25-96 14,400 29.8519 WHP P 11-26-96 13,600 29.75 BP P 11-26-96 2,800 29.75 WHC P 11-26-96 3,600 29.75 WHP P 12-16-96 13,600 26.50 BP P 12-16-96 2,800 26.50 WHC P 12-16-96 3,600 26.50 WHP S 1-2-97 20,000 30.165 WHP P 8-15-97 34,500 22.00 BP P 8-15-97 7,000 22.00 WHC P 8-15-97 8,500 22.00 WHP P 8-18-97 3,933 21.8936 BP P 8-18-97 798 21.8936 WHC P 8-18-97 969 21.8936 WHP P 8-19-97 966 22.1875 (Schedule continued on page 9) SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 67018T105 Page 9 of 12 Pages (Schedule continued from page 8) Purchase Number Price Name or Sale Date of Shares Per Share BP P 8-19-97 196 22.1875 WHC P 8-19-97 238 22.1875 WHP P 8-20-97 19,044 24.228 BP P 8-20-97 3,864 24.228 WHC P 8-20-97 4,692 24.228 WHP P 8-21-97 10,557 24.4673 BP P 8-21-97 2,142 24.4673 WHC P 8-21-97 2,601 24.4673 WHP P 9-24-97 34,500 19.75 BP P 9-24-97 7,000 19.75 WHC P 9-24-97 8,500 19.75 WHP P 11-5-97 9,453 19.9922 BP P 11-5-97 1,918 19.9922 WHC P 11-5-97 2,329 19.9922 WHP P 11-6-97 25,047 20.4914 BP P 11-6-97 5,082 20.4914 WHC P 11-6-97 6,171 20.4914 WHP P 11-7-97 4,761 19.9909 BP P 11-7-97 966 19.9909 WHC P 11-7-97 1,173 19.9909 WHP P 11-10-97 1,104 20.00 BP P 11-10-97 224 20.00 WHC P 11-10-97 272 20.00 WHP P 11-13-97 10,350 19.5633 BP P 11-13-97 2,100 19.5633 WHC P 11-13-97 2,550 19.5633 WHP P 11-14-97 7,245 19.8405 BP P 11-14-97 1,470 19.8405 WHC P 11-14-97 1,785 19.8405 WHP P 11-17-97 6,417 20.5297 BP P 11-17-97 1,302 20.5297 WHC P 11-17-97 1,581 20.5297 WHP P 11-18-97 7,176 20.555 BP P 11-18-97 1,456 20.555 WHC P 11-18-97 1,768 20.555 WHP P 11-19-97 14,697 20.4953 BP P 11-19-97 2,982 20.4953 WHC P 11-19-97 3,621 20.4953 WHP P 12-31-97 10,005 18.0638 BP P 12-31-97 2,030 18.0638 WHC P 12-31-97 2,465 18.0638 WHP P 1-13-98 21,200 16.50 BP S 1-13-98 2,700 16.50 WHC S 1-13-98 18,500 16.50 WHP P 1-14-98 350 17.375 BP P 1-14-98 70 17.375 WHC P 1-14-98 80 17.375 (Schedule continued on page 10) SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 67018T105 Page 10 of 12 Pages (Schedule continued from page 9) Purchase Number Price Name or Sale Date of Shares Per Share WHP P 1-23-98 77,000 20.4035 BP P 1-23-98 15,400 20.4035 WHC P 1-23-98 17,600 20.4035 All transactions were executed through the New York Stock Exchange. SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 67018T105 Page 11 of 12 Pages ITEM. 6. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER. Gerhard, WHC and LLC are the general partners of WHP and BP pursuant to limited partnership agreements providing to Gerhard, WHC and LLC the authority, among other things, to invest the funds of WHP and BP in Stock, to vote and dispose of stock and to file this statement on behalf of WHP and BP. Pursuant to such limited partnership agreements, the general partners of WHP and BP are entitled to allocations based on assets under management and realized and unrealized gains, if certain conditions are met. Pursuant to investment management agreements, WHC is authorized, among other things, to invest funds of its various investment advisory clients, and to vote and dispose of those securities. Such investment management agreements may be terminated by either party on notice as provided in such agreements and provide for fees payable to WHC based on assets under management and realized and unrealized gains. ITEM 7. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS. A. Agreement Regarding Joint Filing of Statement on Schedule 13D or 13G (including power of attorney). SIGNATURES After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. DATED: February 13, 1998. /s/ Lang H. Gerhard WEST HIGHLAND PARTNERS, L.P. Lang H. Gerhard WEST HIGHLAND CAPITAL, INC. By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard Lang H. Gerhard, General Partner By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard Lang H. Gerhard, President BUTTONWOOD PARTNERS, L.P. ESTERO PARTNERS, LLC By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard Lang H. Gerhard, General Partner By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard Lang H. Gerhard, Manager SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 67018T105 Page 12 of 12 Pages EXHIBIT A AGREEMENT REGARDING JOINT FILING OF STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 13D OR 13G The undersigned agree to file jointly with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") any and all statements on Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G (and any amendments or supplements thereto) required under section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with purchases by the undersigned of securities of Nu Skin Asia Pacific, Inc. For that purpose, the undersigned hereby constitute and appoint West Highland Capital, Inc., a California corporation, as their true and lawful agent and attorney- in-fact, with full power and authority for and on behalf of the undersigned to prepare or cause to be prepared, sign, file with the SEC and furnish to any other person all certificates, instruments, agreements and documents necessary to comply with section 13(d) and section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with said purchases, and to do and perform every act necessary and proper to be done incident to the exercise of the foregoing power, as fully as the undersigned might or could do if personally present. DATED: February 13, 1998. /s/ Lang H. Gerhard WEST HIGHLAND PARTNERS, L.P. Lang H. Gerhard WEST HIGHLAND CAPITAL, INC. By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard Lang H. Gerhard, General Partner By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard Lang H. Gerhard, President BUTTONWOOD PARTNERS, L.P. ESTERO PARTNERS, LLC By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard Lang H. Gerhard, General Partner By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard Lang H. Gerhard, Manager C:\DMS\2463\035\0251271.01 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----