UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
(Amendment
No. )
Filed by
the Registrant x
Filed by
a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check the
appropriate box:
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
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x
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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¨
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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¨
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Soliciting
Material Under Rule 14a-12
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FORTRESS
INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
(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
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No
fee required.
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¨
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Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
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1)
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Title
of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
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2)
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Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
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3)
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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):
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4)
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Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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5)
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Total
fee paid:
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Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials.
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¨
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Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing:
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1)
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Amount
previously paid:
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2)
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Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No:
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3)
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Filing
party:
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4)
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Date
Filed:
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7226
Lee DeForest Drive, Suite 203
Columbia,
Maryland 21046
(410)
423-7438
April 30,
2009
Dear
Stockholder,
We
cordially invite you to attend our 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be
held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on Friday, June 5, 2009, at our
corporate offices at 7226 Lee DeForest Drive, Suite 203, Columbia, Maryland
21046. The attached notice of annual meeting and this proxy statement describe
the business we will conduct at the annual meeting and provide information about
us, that you should consider when you vote your shares.
At the
annual meeting, three persons will be elected as Class I directors. In addition,
we will ask stockholders to ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending
December 31, 2009. The Board of Directors recommends the approval of each of
these proposals. Such other business will be transacted as may properly come
before the annual meeting.
We hope
you will be able to attend the annual meeting. Whether you plan to attend the
annual meeting or not, it is important that your shares are represented.
Therefore, when you have finished reading the proxy statement, you are urged to
complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card promptly in accordance
with the instructions set forth on the card. We encourage you to vote by proxy
so that your shares will be represented and voted at the meeting, whether or not
you can attend.
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Sincerely,
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Thomas
P. Rosato
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Chief
Executive Officer
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FORTRESS
INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
7226
Lee DeForest Drive, Suite 203
Columbia,
Maryland 21046
(410)
423-7438
NOTICE
OF 2009 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON JUNE 5, 2009
To the
Stockholders
of
Fortress International Group, Inc.:
NOTICE IS
HEREBY GIVEN that the 2009 annual meeting of Fortress International Group, Inc.
will be held on June 5, 2009 (the “Annual Meeting”), for the following
purposes:
1. To
elect Messrs. Gerard J. Gallagher, Asa Hutchinson and David J. Mitchell, as
three Class I directors to serve three-year terms expiring in 2012;
2. To
ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009;
and
3. To
transact such other business as may properly presented before the Annual Meeting
and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Only
those holders of our common stock of record as of the close of business on April
29, 2009, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and at
any adjournments or postponements thereof. A list of stockholders of record will
be available at the meeting and, during the 10 days prior to the meeting, at our
offices 7226 Lee DeForest Drive, Suite 203, Columbia, Maryland
21046.
A total
of 12,661,716 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding as of that
record date. Each share of our common stock entitles its holder to one vote.
Cumulative voting of shares of common stock is not permitted.
All
stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. At least a
majority of all issued and outstanding shares of common stock on the record date
is required to constitute a quorum. Accordingly, whether you plan to attend the
Annual Meeting or not, we ask that you complete, sign, date and return the
enclosed proxy card as soon as possible in accordance with the instructions on
the proxy card. A pre-addressed, postage prepaid return envelope is enclosed for
your convenience.
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BY
ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Thomas
P. Rosato
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Chief
Executive Officer
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Table of
Contents
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Page
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GENERAL
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
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1
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SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
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5
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MANAGEMENT
AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
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7
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COMPENSATION
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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12
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COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
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14
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EXECUTIVE
OFFICER AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
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15
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EQUITY
COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
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21
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REPORT
OF AUDIT COMMITTEE
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22
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SECTION
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
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23
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CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
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23
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PROPOSALS
TO BE VOTED UPON BY STOCKHOLDERS
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26
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CODE
OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS
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29
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OTHER
MATTERS
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29
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STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS
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29
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PROXY
CARD
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30
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FORTRESS
INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
7226
Lee DeForest Drive, Suite 203
Columbia,
Maryland 21046
(410)
423-7438
PROXY
STATEMENT
2009
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
GENERAL
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
Why
Did You Send Me this Proxy Statement?
We sent
you this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card because our Board of
Directors is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2009 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting to be held at
10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on Friday, June 5, 2009, at 7226 Lee DeForest
Drive, Suite 203, Columbia, Maryland 21046. This proxy statement along with the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders summarize the purposes of
the meeting and the information you need to know to vote at the annual
meeting.
Important Notice
Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to Be
Held on June 5, 2009. The proxy statement
and annual report to security holders are available at
http://www.cstproxy.com/thefigi/2009.
On or
around April 30, 2009, we will begin sending this proxy statement, the
attached notice of annual meeting and the enclosed proxy card to all
stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting. Although not part of this proxy
statement, we are also sending along with this proxy statement, our 2008 Annual
Report to Stockholders, which includes our financial statements for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2008. You can also find a copy of this proxy statement
and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 at http://www.cstproxy.com/thefigi/2009.
Who
Can Vote?
Only
stockholders who owned our common stock at the close of business on April 29,
2009 are entitled to vote at the annual meeting. On this record date, there
were 12,661,716 shares of our common
stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Our common stock is our only class of
voting stock.
You do
not need to attend the annual meeting to vote your shares. Shares represented by
valid proxies, received in time for the meeting and not revoked prior to the
meeting, will be voted at the meeting. A stockholder may revoke a proxy before
the proxy is voted by providing a signed statement of revocation or a duly
executed proxy card bearing a later date to us at 7226 Lee DeForest Drive, Suite
203, Columbia, Maryland 21046, Attention: Timothy C. Dec, Chief Financial
Officer. Any stockholder who has executed a proxy card but attends the meeting
in person may revoke the proxy and vote at the meeting.
How
Many Votes Do I Have?
Each
share of our common stock that you own entitles you to one vote.
How
Do I Vote?
Whether
you plan to attend the annual meeting or not, we urge you to vote by proxy.
Voting by proxy will not affect your right to attend the annual meeting. If your
shares are registered directly in your name through our stock transfer agent,
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 17 Battery Place, New York, NY
10004, or you have stock certificates, you may vote:
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•
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By
mail. Complete and
mail the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope.
Your proxy will be voted in accordance with your instructions. If you sign
the proxy card but do not specify how you want your shares voted, they
will be voted as recommended by our Board of
Directors.
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•
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In person at
the meeting. If you
attend the annual meeting, you may deliver your completed proxy card in
person or you may vote by completing a ballot, which will be available at
the meeting.
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If your
shares are held in “street name” (held in the name of a bank, broker or other
nominee), you must provide the bank, broker or other nominee with instructions
on how to vote your shares and can do so as follows:
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By
mail. You will
receive instructions from your bank, broker or other nominee explaining
how to vote your shares.
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In person at
the meeting. Contact
the bank, broker or other nominee who holds your shares to obtain a
broker’s proxy card and bring it with you to the meeting. You will not be
able to vote at the meeting unless you have a proxy card from your
broker.
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How
Does the Board of Directors Recommend That I Vote on the Proposals?
The Board
of Directors recommends that you vote as follows:
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“ FOR ” the election of Messrs. Gerard
J. Gallagher, Asa Hutchinson and David J. Mitchell as Class I directors;
and
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“ FOR ” the ratification of the
appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public
accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31,
2009.
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If any
other matter is presented, the proxy card provides that your shares will be
voted by the proxy holder listed on the proxy card in accordance with his or her
best judgment. At the time this proxy statement was printed, we knew of no
matters that needed to be acted on at the annual meeting, other than those
discussed in this proxy statement.
May
I Revoke My Proxy?
If you
give us your proxy, you may revoke it at any time before the meeting. You may
revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways:
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signing a new proxy card and
submitting it, as instructed
above;
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notifying us at 7226 Lee DeForest
Drive, Suite 203, Columbia, Maryland 21046, Attention: Thomas P. Rosato,
Chief Executive Officer, in writing before the annual meeting that you
have revoked your proxy; or
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•
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attending the meeting in person
and voting in person. Attending the meeting in person will not in and of
itself revoke a previously submitted proxy, unless you specifically
request it.
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What
if I Receive More Than One Proxy Card?
You may
receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction form if you hold shares
of our common stock in more than one account, which may be in registered form or
held in street name. Please vote in the manner described under “How Do I Vote?”
for each account to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Will
My Shares be Voted if I Do Not Return My Proxy Card?
If your
shares are registered in your name or if you have stock certificates, your
shares will not be voted if you do not return your proxy card by mail or vote at
the meeting as described above under “How Do I Vote?”
If your
shares are held in street name and you do not provide voting instructions to the
bank, broker or other nominee that holds your shares as described above under
“How Do I Vote?,” the bank, broker or other nominee has the authority to vote
your unvoted shares on both Proposals 1 and 2, even if it does not receive
instructions from you. We encourage you to provide voting instructions. This
ensures your shares will be voted at the meeting in the manner you desire. If
your bank, broker or other nominee cannot vote your shares on a particular
matter because it has not received instructions from you and does not have
discretionary voting authority on that matter or because your bank, broker or
other nominee chooses not to vote on a matter for which it does have
discretionary voting authority, this is referred to as a “broker
non-vote.”
What
Vote is Required to Approve Each Proposal and How are Votes
Counted?
Proposal
1: Elect Three Class I Directors
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The
affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares of common stock cast by
stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the annual
meeting is required to elect Messrs. Gerard J. Gallagher, Asa Hutchinson
and David J. Mitchell, the nominees for election as Class I directors. You
may vote either FOR all of the nominees, WITHHOLD your vote from all of
the nominees or WITHHOLD your vote from any one or more of the nominees.
Votes that are withheld will not be included in the vote for the election
of directors. Brokerage firms have authority to vote customers’ unvoted
shares held by the firms in street name for the election of directors. If
a broker does not exercise this authority, such broker non-votes will have
no effect on the results of this vote.
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Proposal
2: Ratify the Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
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The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present or represented by
proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to ratify the
appointment of independent registered public accounting firm. Abstentions
will have no effect on the results of this vote. Brokerage firms have
authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street
name on this proposal. If a broker does not exercise this authority, such
broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this vote. We are
not required to obtain the approval of our stockholders to appoint our
independent registered public accounting firm. However, if our
stockholders do not ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December
31, 2009, our Audit Committee of our Board of Directors will reconsider
its appointment.
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Is
Voting Confidential?
We will
keep all the proxies, ballots and voting tabulations private. We only let our
Inspectors of Election, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, examine
these documents. Management will not know how you voted on a specific proposal
unless it is necessary to meet legal requirements. We will, however, forward to
management any written comments you make, on the proxy card or
elsewhere.
What
Are the Costs of Soliciting these Proxies?
We will
pay all of the costs of soliciting these proxies. Our directors and employees
may solicit proxies in person or by telephone, fax or email. We will pay these
employees and directors no additional compensation for these services. We will
ask banks, brokers and other institutions, nominees and fiduciaries to forward
these proxy materials to their principals and to obtain authority to execute
proxies. We will then reimburse them for their expenses.
What
Constitutes a Quorum for the Meeting?
The
presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of our common stock as of the record date is necessary to constitute a
quorum at the meeting. Votes of stockholders of record who are present at the
meeting in person or by proxy, abstentions, and broker non-votes are counted for
purposes of determining whether a quorum exists.
Attending
the Annual Meeting
The
annual meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on Friday,
June 5, 2009, at our corporate offices at 7226 Lee DeForest Drive, Suite 203,
Columbia, Maryland 21046. When you arrive at our offices, signs will direct you
to the appropriate meeting rooms. You need not attend the annual meeting in
order to vote.
Householding
of Annual Disclosure Documents
In
December 2000, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted a rule concerning
the delivery of annual disclosure documents. The rule allows us, or your broker,
to send a single set of our annual report and proxy statement to any household
at which two or more of our stockholders reside, if we or your broker believe
that the stockholders are members of the same family. This practice, referred to
as “householding,” benefits both you and us. It reduces the volume of duplicate
information received at your household and helps to reduce our expenses. The
rule applies to our annual reports, proxy statements and information statements.
Once you receive notice from your broker or from us that communications to your
address will be “householded,” the practice will continue until you are
otherwise notified or until you revoke your consent to the practice. Each
stockholder will continue to receive a separate proxy card or voting instruction
card.
If your
household received a single set of disclosure documents this year, but you would
prefer to receive your own copy, please contact our transfer agent, Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company by calling 212.509.4000 ext. 206, or by
e-mail at [email protected].
If you do
not wish to participate in “householding” and would like to receive your own set
of our annual disclosure documents in future years, follow the instructions
described below. Conversely, if you share an address with another stockholder
and together both of you would like to receive only a single set of our annual
disclosure documents, follow these instructions:
• If
your shares are registered in your own name, please contact our transfer agent,
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, and inform them of your request
by calling them at 212.509.4000 ext. 206, or by e-mail at
[email protected], or writing them at 17 Battery Place, New York, NY
10004.
• If
a broker or other nominee holds your shares, please contact the broker or other
nominee directly and inform them of your request. Be sure to include your name,
the name of your brokerage firm and your account number.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial
ownership of our common stock as of April 29, 2009 for (a) the executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 15 of this proxy
statement, (b) each of our directors and director nominees, (c) all of our
current directors and executive officers as a group, and (d) each stockholder
known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our common stock. Beneficial
ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes
voting or investment power with respect to the securities. We deem shares of
common stock that may be acquired by an individual or group within 60 days of
April 29, 2009, pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants to be
outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such
individual or group, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of
computing the percentage ownership of any other person shown in the table.
Except as indicated in footnotes to this table, we believe that the stockholders
named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all
shares of common stock shown to be beneficially owned by them based on
information provided to us by these stockholders. Percentage of ownership is
based on 12,661,716 shares of common stock outstanding on April 29,
2009. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each director and current
executive officer is c/o Fortress International Group, Inc., 7226 Lee DeForest
Drive, Suite 203, Columbia, Maryland 21046.
Directors and Executive Officers
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Beneficially
Owned
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Ownership
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C.
Thomas McMillen (1)
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575,000 |
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4.5 |
% |
Harvey
L. Weiss (2)
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1,100,000 |
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8.4 |
% |
Thomas
P. Rosato (3)
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2,692,906 |
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20.8 |
% |
Timothy
C. Dec (4)
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105,000 |
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* |
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Gerard
J. Gallagher
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1,360,516 |
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10.7 |
% |
David
J. Mitchell (5)
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20,000 |
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* |
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Donald
L. Nickles (6)
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240,000 |
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1.9 |
% |
John
Morton, III (7)
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78,416 |
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* |
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Asa
Hutchinson (8)
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225,000 |
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1.8 |
% |
William
L. Jews (9)
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38,416 |
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* |
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All
directors and offices combined as a group (10 persons) (10)
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6,435,254 |
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48.0 |
% |
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5%
Stockholders
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Hummingbird
Management, LLC, Hummingbird Capital, LLC, and Hummingbird Concentrated
Fund, LP (11)
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1,593,944 |
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12.5 |
% |
Paul
D. Sonkin (12)
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2,014,344 |
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15.3 |
% |
Wellington
Management Company, LLP (13)
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1,185,406 |
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9.1 |
% |
The
Pinnacle Fund, L.P. (14)
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924,663 |
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7.3 |
% |
Robert
I. Green (15)
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1,735,000 |
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12.1 |
% |
Norman
H. Pessin and Sandra F. Pessin
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836,340 |
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6.6 |
% |
*
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Represents beneficial ownership
of less than 1% of the outstanding shares of our common
stock.
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(1)
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Includes 575,000 shares held by
Washington Capital Advisors, LLC, of which Mr. McMillen is the chief
executive officer and the sole
owner.
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(2)
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Includes 452,000 shares of common
stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants held by Mr.
Weiss.
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(3)
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Includes 294,870 shares of common
stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants held by Mr.
Rosato.
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(4)
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Includes 85,000 shares of
restricted common stock which are subject to
forfeiture.
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(5)
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Includes 6,666 shares of
restricted common stock, the restrictions on which will lapse within 60
days of April 29, 2009, and 3,334 shares of unvested restricted common
stock which are subject to
forfeiture.
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(6)
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Includes 6,666 shares of
restricted common stock, the restrictions on which will lapse within 60
days of April 29, 2009, and 3,334 shares of unvested restricted common
stock which are subject to
forfeiture.
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(7)
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Includes 12,805 shares of
restricted common stock, the restrictions on which will lapse within 60
days of April 29, 2009, and 9,472 shares of unvested restricted common
stock which are subject to
forfeiture.
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(8)
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Includes 6,666 shares of
restricted common stock, the restrictions on which will lapse within 60
days of April 29, 2009, and 3,334 shares of unvested restricted common
stock which are subject to
forfeiture.
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(9)
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Includes 12,805 shares of
restricted common stock, the restrictions on which will lapse within 60
days of April 29, 2009, and 9,472 shares of unvested restricted common
stock which are subject to
forfeiture.
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(10)
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Includes 746,870 shares of common
stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants, 45,608 shares of restricted
common stock, the restrictions on which will lapse within 60 days of April
29, 2009, and 28,946 shares of unvested restricted common stock subject to
forfeiture.
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(11)
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Derived from Form 4s filed on
December 1, 2008 and December 8, 2008 jointly by Paul D. Sonkin, The
Hummingbird Value Fund, L.P. (“HVF”), The Hummingbird Microcap Value Fund,
L.P. (“Microcap Fund”), The Hummingbird Concentrated Fund, L.P.
(“Concentrated Fund”), The Tarsier Nanocap Value Fund, L.P. (“Nanocap
Fund”), Hummingbird Management, LLC (“Hummingbird”) and Hummingbird
Capital, LLC (“Hummingbird Capital”). HVF, Microcap Fund, Concentrated
Fund and Nanocap Fund are the beneficial owner of 379,567, 396,233,
721,644 and 1,500 shares of our common stock, respectively. Concentrated
Fund is also the beneficial owner of an additional 95,000 shares of common
stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants. Paul D. Sonkin is the
managing member of (a) Hummingbird Capital, the general partner of HVF,
Microcap Fund, Concentrated Fund and Nanocap Fund and (b) Hummingbird, the
investment manager of HVF, Microcap Fund, Concentrated Fund and Nanocap
Fund. Each of Paul D. Sonkin, Hummingbird Capital and Hummingbird may be
deemed to beneficially own the securities owned by HVF, Microcap Fund,
Concentrated Fund and Nanocap Fund. Each of Paul D. Sonkin, Hummingbird
and Hummingbird Management disclaims beneficial ownership of the
securities owned by Nanocap Fund, Microcap Fund or Concentrated Fund,
except to the extent that each such party has an interest, if any, in any
of these funds. The business address of Mr. Sonkin and the foregoing
Hummingbird entities is 145 East 57th Street, 8th Floor, New York, New York
10022.
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(12)
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Includes 392,000 shares of common
stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants held in Mr. Sonkin’s and Mrs.
Sonkin's IRA accounts and an additional 28,400 shares of common stock
issuable upon the exercise of warrants held in IRA accounts of various
other parties for which Mr. Sonkin has dispositive power and for which Mr.
Sonkin disclaims beneficial ownership. As the managing member and control
person of Hummingbird, Mr. Sonkin may also be deemed to have the sole
voting and investment authority over the shares beneficially owned by
Hummingbird. Mr. Sonkin disclaims any beneficial ownership of such shares,
except by pecuniary interest in the 392,000 warrants owned by him and his
wife personally.
|
(13)
|
Derived from a Schedule 13G/A
filed by Wellington Management Company, LLP (“Wellington”) on February 17,
2009. Wellington, in its capacity as an investment advisor, may be deemed
to beneficially own 1,185,406 shares of common stock which are held of
record by clients of Wellington. Those clients have the right to receive,
or the power to direct the receipt of, dividends from, or the proceeds
from the sale of, such securities. No such client is known to have such
right or power with respect to more than five percent of Wellington’s
common stock. Wellington has shared voting control over 822,706 shares of
common stock and shared investment control over 1,185,406 shares of common
stock. Wellington’s business address is 75 State Street, Boston, MA
02109.
|
(14)
|
Derived from a Schedule
13G/A filed jointly by The Pinnacle Fund, L.P. (Pinnacle) and Barry
M. Kitt (collectively “Reporting Persons”) on February 6, 2009. Pinnacle
Advisers, L.P. (“Advisers”) is the general partner of Pinnacle. Pinnacle
Fund Management, LLC (“Management”) is the general partner of Advisers.
Mr. Kitt is the sole member of Management. Mr. Kitt may be deemed to be
the beneficial owner of the shares of common stock beneficially owned by
Pinnacle. Mr. Kitt expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares
of common stock beneficially owned by Pinnacle. The principal business
office of the reporting persons is 4965 Preston Park Blvd., Suite 240,
Plano, TX 75093.
|
(15)
|
Derived from a Schedule 13D filed
by Robert I. Green on January 26, 2007. Includes 1,735,000 shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants beneficially owned by Mr.
Green. Of such shares, 1,485,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the
exercise of warrants are held by Starwood Group L.P. and 250,000 shares of
common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants are held by an
individual retirement account for the benefit of Mr. Green. Mr. Green is
the general partner of Starwood Group L.P. The business address of Mr.
Green is 150 Bears Club Drive, Jupiter, Florida
33477.
|
(16)
|
Derived
from a Schedule 13D filed by Norman H. Pessin and Sandra F. Pessin on
January 6, 2009. Mr. and Ms. Pessin business address is 366 Madison
Avenue, 14th
Floor, New York 10017.
|
MANAGEMENT
AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The
Board of Directors
Our
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and
Restated By-laws provide that our business is to be managed by or under the
direction of our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors is divided into
three classes for purposes of election. One class is elected at each annual
meeting of stockholders to serve for a three-year term. Our Board of Directors
currently consists of nine members, classified into three classes as
follows:
|
•
|
Messrs. Gerard J.
Gallagher, Asa Hutchinson and David J. Mitchell constitute a class with a
term ending at the 2009 annual meeting of
stockholders;
|
|
•
|
Messrs.
William L. Jews, Donald L. Nickles and Harvey L. Weiss constitute a class
with a term ending at the 2010 annual meeting of stockholders;
and
|
|
•
|
Messrs.
John Morton, III, C. Thomas McMillen and Thomas P. Rosato constitute a
class with a term ending at the 2011 annual meeting of
stockholders.
|
Any
additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors
will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each
class will consist of one-third of the directors.
On April
8, 2009, our Board of Directors voted to nominate Gerard J. Gallagher, Asa
Hutchinson and David J. Mitchell for election at the 2009 annual meeting
for a term of three years to serve until the 2012 annual meeting of
stockholders, and until their respective successors have been elected and
qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation or removal.
Set forth
below are the names of the persons nominated as directors, and our current
directors whose terms do not expire this year, their ages, their offices in the
company, if any, their principal occupations or employment for the past five
years, the length of their tenure as directors and the names of other public
companies in which such persons hold directorships.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position with the Company
|
John
Morton, III*(1)(3)
|
|
65
|
|
Chairman
|
Harvey
L. Weiss
|
|
66
|
|
Vice-Chairman
|
C.
Thomas McMillen*(4)
|
|
56
|
|
Vice-Chairman
|
Thomas
P. Rosato(4)
|
|
57
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer and Director
|
Gerard
J. Gallagher
|
|
52
|
|
President,
Chief Operating Officer and Director
|
Asa
Hutchinson*(1)(2)(3)
|
|
58
|
|
Director
|
William
L. Jews*(1)(3)
|
|
57
|
|
Director
|
David
J. Mitchell*(1)(2)(3)(4)
|
|
47
|
|
Director
|
Donald
L. Nickles*(2)
|
|
60
|
|
Director
|
*
Non-employee director.
(1)
Member of the Audit Committee
(2)
Member of the Compensation Committee
(3)
Member of the Special Committee
(4)
Member of the Finance Committee
John Morton,
III, age 65, has served as our Chairman since December 2008 and as a
Director since January 2007. Prior to his election as a Director, Mr. Morton had
served as a director of Broadwing Corp. from April 2006 until January 2007, when
Broadwing Corp. was acquired by Level 3 Communications, Inc. Prior to that, Mr.
Morton had served as President of Premier Bank, Bank of America until his
retirement in September 2005 and was a member of Bank of America’s Management
Operating Committee. From 1997 to 2001, Mr. Morton served as President of
Mid-Atlantic Region, Bank of America. Prior to assuming the Regional President
position, Mr. Morton was President of the Private Client Group from 1996 to
1997. From 1994 to 1996, he was Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
of The Boatmen’s National Bank of St. Louis. From 1993 to 1994, he was Chief
Executive Officer and President of Farm and House Financial Corporation. From
1990 to 1991, Mr. Morton served as Perpetual Financial Corporation’s Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer and President. Mr. Morton was a member of the Executive
Committee of the Federal City Council in Washington D.C. and a former Chairman
of the Greater Baltimore Committee in Baltimore and currently serves as a member
of the board of directors of Boston Private Financial Holdings, Barry-Wehmiller
Companies and Dynamac International. In addition, Mr. Morton currently serves as
the Chairman of the Maryland Stadium Authority. Mr. Morton holds a Bachelor of
Science from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Master in Business Administration from
Harvard University. He served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant aboard the
nuclear submarine U.S.S. George Washington Carver.
Harvey L.
Weiss, age 66, has served as our Vice-Chairman of the Board since
December 2008 and prior to that he had served as Chairman of the Board from the
closing of our acquisition of TSS/Vortech on January 19, 2007. From our
inception through the closing of TSS/Vortech, Mr. Weiss had served as our Chief
Executive Officer, President and a member of our Board. He has over 35 years of
experience in the information technology and security market place. From 2002 to
August 1, 2004, Mr. Weiss was the Chief Executive Officer and President of
System Detection, Inc., a software security company. From 2000 to 2002, he
served as President of Engineering Systems Solutions, Inc., a security and
biometrics integration firm. During 1999, Mr. Weiss was the Chief Executive
Officer and President of Global Integrity Corporation, a SAIC subsidiary
specializing in information security and served as a Director until the company
was sold in 2002. From 1996 to 1998, until sold to Network Associates, Inc, Mr.
Weiss was President of the Commercial Division, Secretary and Director of
Trusted Information Systems, Inc., a NASDAQ-listed security network company.
Prior to that time, from 1994 to 1996, Mr. Weiss served as President of Public
Sector Worldwide Division for Unisys Corporation. From 1991 to 1993, Mr. Weiss
was the Vice President of Sales and the President and Chief Operating Officer of
Thinking Machines Corporation, a massively parallel processing company. Prior to
that time, he served in various senior capacities in Digital Equipment
Corporation. Mr. Weiss serves on the Board of Forterra Systems, Inc., a
simulation company, is a member of the Brookings Institution Council, and is a
trustee of Capitol College. Mr. Weiss received a Bachelor of Science in
Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh.
C. Thomas
McMillen, age 56, became our Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors upon
the closing of our acquisition of TSS/Vortech on January 19, 2007. From our
inception through the closing of the acquisition, Mr. McMillen had served as our
Chairman of the Board. He has over 20 years of experience in government, finance
and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. McMillen has also served, since August 2005,
as the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of directors
of Homeland Security Capital Corporation, a consolidator of homeland security
companies that provides capital, management advice and investments for
developing companies. Mr. McMillen co-founded Global Secure Corp., a homeland
security company providing critical infrastructure services, in 2003, and served
as its Chief Executive Officer until February 2004. From February 2004 until
February 2005, Mr. McMillen served as a consultant to Global Secure Corp. In
addition, from October 2004 through July 2005, he served as a Chairman of the
Board of Global Defense Corporation, a development stage company focused on
acquiring companies in critical infrastructure security. From December 2003 to
February 2004, Mr. McMillen served as Vice Chairman and Director of Sky Capital
Enterprises, Inc., a venture firm, and until February 2005 served as a
consultant. From March 2003 to February 2004, Mr. McMillen served as Chairman of
Sky Capital Holdings, Ltd, Sky Capital Enterprises’ London stock exchange-listed
brokerage affiliate. Mr. McMillen has also been Chief Executive Officer of
Washington Capital Advisors, LLC, a merchant bank and one of our stockholders,
since 2003. Mr. McMillen has also been an independent consultant throughout his
career. From 1994 through February 1999, Mr. McMillen served as the Founder,
Chief Executive Officer and Director of NASDAQ-listed Complete Wellness Centers,
Inc., a medical multi-disciplinary clinic management company. In addition, Mr.
McMillen is the Co-Chairman of the board of directors and Co-Chief Executive
Officer of Secure America Acquisition Corporation, a blank check company formed
for the purpose of acquiring one or more domestic and international operating
businesses in the homeland security industry, but not businesses that design,
build or maintain mission-critical facilities. Mr. McMillen was appointed by
President Clinton to Co-Chair the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and
Sports from 1993 to 1997. From 1987 through 1993, he served three consecutive
terms in the United States House of Representatives from the 4th Congressional
District of Maryland. Prior to that, Mr. McMillen played 11 years in the
National Basketball Association. Mr. McMillen received a Bachelor of Science in
chemistry from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of
Arts from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.
Thomas P.
Rosato, age 57, became a Director and our Chief Executive Officer upon
our acquisition of TSS/Vortech on January 19, 2007. Mr. Rosato has over 25 years
of experience in mission-critical service businesses. Since 2002, he has served
as the co-founder and chairman of TSS and the co-founder and chairman of
Vortech. From 1998 to 2001, Mr. Rosato served as the President - Group
Maintenance of America/Encompass Services Corporation, National Accounts
Division. From 1995 to 1998, he served as the founder and President of
Commercial Air, Power & Cable, Inc. From 1980 to 1995, he served in various
capacities at Com-Site Enterprises, most recently as Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Rosato started his career in 1973 as a certified
public accountant at Coopers & Lybrand. Mr. Rosato received a Bachelor of
Science in Accounting from Temple University.
Gerard J.
Gallagher, age 52, became a Director and our President and Chief
Operating Officer upon our acquisition of TSS/Vortech on January 19, 2007. Mr.
Gallagher has more than 25 years of experience in mission-critical fields. Since
2002, he has served as the co-founder and President of TSS and the co-founder
and President of Vortech. From 1998 to 2001, Mr. Gallagher served as the
President of the Total Site Solutions division of Encompass Services Corp. From
1997 to 1998, he served as the President of the Total Site Solutions division of
Commercial Air, Power & Cable, Inc. From 1991 to 1997, he served as the
Chief Facilities Operations and Security Officer of the International Monetary
Fund. From 1980 to 1991, Mr. Gallagher served in various capacities at Com Site
International, most recently as Senior Vice President of Engineering and Sales.
Mr. Gallagher received a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science from the University
of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management (Summa Cum Laude) from
Columbia Union College.
Asa
Hutchinson, age 58, has served as a Director since January 2007. Prior to
his election as a Director, Mr. Hutchinson had acted as our special advisor. Mr.
Hutchinson was one of the original leaders of the Department of Homeland
Security serving as Undersecretary for Border and Transportation Security for
the first two years of the Department’s history. Mr. Hutchinson served three
terms in the United States House of Representatives from the 3rd Congressional
District of Arkansas (1997-2001) and as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement
Administration (2001-2003). Since 2005, Mr. Hutchinson has been engaged in the
homeland security law practice in Little Rock, Arkansas, and he is also a law
partner in the firm of AH Law Group PLC. Mr. Hutchinson is also the principal of
Hutchinson Group, a consulting firm that provides homeland security counsel for
companies. Also, Mr. Hutchinson is a director of Secure America Acquisition
Corporation, a blank check company formed for the purpose of acquiring one or
more domestic and international operating businesses in the homeland security
industry, but not businesses that design, build or maintain mission-critical
facilities. Mr. Hutchinson received a Bachelor of Science from Bob Jones
University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of
Law.
William L.
Jews, age 57, has served as a Director since April 24, 2007. Mr. Jews
served as President and Chief Executive Officer of CareFirst, Inc., a health
care insurer and the seventh largest Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan, from1993 to
December 2006. During this period, Mr. Jews was also President and Chief
Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maryland and the Blue Cross and
Blue Shield Plan of the National Capital area and Chief Executive Officer of the
Delaware Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan. From 1990 to 1993, Mr. Jews was
President and Chief Executive Officer of Dimensions Health Corporation, a
multi-faceted healthcare corporation based in Landover, Maryland. From 1979 to
1990, Mr. Jews was President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Medical
Center, Inc., of Baltimore MD. Mr. Jews currently serves on the boards of The
Ryland Group Inc., Camden Learning Corporation and Choice Hotels International.
Mr. Jews received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from The Johns Hopkins University
and a Master from Morgan State University.
David J.
Mitchell, age 47, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since
its inception and has over 25 years of investment, finance and mergers and
acquisition experience. Mr. Mitchell is President of Mitchell Holdings
LLC, a New York-based merchant banking company he founded in January of 1991,
and since June 2004, Managing Partner of Las Vegas Land Partners LLC, a real
estate development firm. From 1996 until the business was sold to American
Express in August 1998, Mr. Mitchell was the Founder and Co-Chief Executive
Officer of Americash LLC. Mr. Mitchell served as a Director of Kellstrom
Industries from its inception until January 2002. Mr. Mitchell served as a
director of Centerpoint Corporation (including its predecessor companies) from
October 1996 until January 2003. Prior to 1991, Mr. Mitchell held various
senior positions at New York Stock Exchange member firms. From 1988 to 1990, he
was a Managing Director and Principal of Rodman & Renshaw, Inc., and from
1985 to 1988, he was a Managing Director of Laidlaw Adams & Peck, Inc.
Previous to 1985, Mr. Mitchell was with Bear Stearns and Oppenheimer &
Co.
Donald L.
Nickles, age 60, has served as a Director since February 2005. Mr.
Nickles currently serves as a member of the board of directors of Chesapeake
Energy Corporation, Valero Energy Corporation and Washington Mutual Investors
Fund. In 2005, after his retirement from the United States Senate, Senator
Nickles founded and is currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The
Nickles Group, LLC, a consulting and business venture firm headquartered in
Washington, D.C. Senator Nickles was elected to the United States Senate in 1980
where he represented the state of Oklahoma and held numerous leadership
positions, including Assistant Republican Leader from 1996 to 2002 and Chairman
of the Senate Budget Committee from 2003 to 2004. Senator Nickles also served on
the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Finance Committee. While
serving in the Unites States Senate, Senator Nickles was instrumental in several
key areas of legislation including securing Senate passage of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002, the legislation creating the Department of Homeland
Security and the 2003 Tax Relief Act. Prior to his service in the United States
Senate, Senator Nickles served in the Oklahoma State Senate from 1979 to 1980
and worked at Nickles Machine Corporation in Ponca City, Oklahoma, becoming Vice
President and General Manager. Senator Nickles served in the National Guard from
1970 to 1976 and graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1971.
Our Board
of Directors has reviewed the materiality of any relationship that each of our
directors has with the company, either directly or indirectly. Based upon this
review, our Board of Directors has determined that the following non-employee
members of the Board of Directors are “independent directors” as defined by The
NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC and has no relationship with us, except as a director
and/or stockholder: David J. Mitchell, Donald L. Nickles, Asa Hutchinson, John
Morton, III, and William L. Jews.
Committees
of the Board of Directors and Meetings
Meeting
Attendance
During
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, our Board of Directors and the various
committees of the Board of Directors held the following meetings:
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
Meetings
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board
of Directors
|
|
|
7 |
|
Audit
Committee
|
|
|
4 |
|
Compensation
Committee
|
|
|
4 |
|
Special
Committee |
|
|
2 |
|
Finance
Committee |
|
|
1 |
|
Although
we do not have any formal policy regarding director attendance at our annual
meetings, we will attempt to schedule our annual meetings so that all of our
directors can attend. The majority of our directors attended the 2008 annual
meeting either in person or telephonically. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2008, all of our directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of
the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors on which they
served.
Audit
Committee
Our Audit
Committee currently has four members, William L. Jews (Chairman), Asa
Hutchinson, David J. Mitchell and John Morton, III. Our Audit Committee’s role
and responsibilities are set forth in a written charter and include the
authority to retain and terminate the services of our independent registered
public accounting firm, review annual financial statements, review quarterly
financial statement, consider matters relating to accounting policy and internal
controls and review the scope of annual audits.
All
members of the Audit Committee satisfy the current independence standards
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and The NASDAQ Stock
Market, LLC, as such standards apply specifically to members of audit
committees. The Board has determined that Mr. Jews is an “audit committee
financial expert,” as the Securities and Exchange Commission has defined that
term in Item 407 of Regulation S-K. Please also see the report of the Audit
Committee set forth elsewhere in this proxy statement.
A copy of the Audit Committee’s written
charter is publicly available on our website at www.thefigi.com.
Compensation
Committee
Our
Compensation Committee currently has three members, Donald L. Nickles
(Chairman), Asa Hutchinson and David J. Mitchell. Our Compensation Committee
reviews, approves and makes recommendations regarding our compensation policies,
practices and procedures to ensure that legal and fiduciary responsibilities of
the Board of Directors are carried out and that such policies, practices and
procedures contribute to our success. The Compensation Committee is responsible
for the determination of the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer,
President and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer and conducts
its decision-making process with respect to their compensation without the Chief
Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial
Officer present. All members of the Compensation Committee qualify as
independent directors under the definition promulgated by The NASDAQ Stock
Market, LLC. Please also see the report of the Compensation Committee set forth
elsewhere in this proxy statement.
A copy of the
Compensation Committee’s written charter is publicly available on our website at
www.thefigi.com.
Special
Committee
Our
Special Committee currently has four members, John Morton, III (Chairman), David
J. Mitchell, Asa Hutchinson and William L. Jews. Our Special Committee’s role
and responsibility have been to review a potential related party transaction,
which did not occur. All members of the Special Committee qualify as independent
directors under the definition promulgated by The NASDAQ Stock Market,
LLC.
Finance
Committee
Our Finance Committee currently
has three members, David J. Mitchell, C. Thomas McMillen and Thomas P.
Rosato. Our Finance Committee’s role and responsibility have been to assist our
Board of Directors in its oversight responsibilities by conducting analyses and
making recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to our financial
affairs and policies, including financial planning, capital structure, capital
raising and proposed acquisitions or mergers. The Finance Committee
will also conduct other related actions as delegated by the Board
of Directors from time to time.
Nominations
for Directors
We do not
currently have a standing Nominating Committee since our Board of Directors
determined that Messrs. Mitchell, Nickles, Morton, Hutchinson and Jews, the
independent members of the Board of Directors, adequately fulfill the
obligations of a nominating committee without the need of incurring additional
costs of committee meetings.
The Board
of Directors considers recommendations of potential candidates from current
directors, management and stockholders. Stockholders’ nominations for directors
must be made in writing and include sufficient background information on the
nominee to enable the Board of Directors to assess his or her qualifications.
Nominations must be delivered to or mailed and received at our headquarters
address listed below, and generally must be received no later than 60 days nor
earlier than 90 days prior to the meeting. However, in the event that less than
75 days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is to
stockholders, notice by the stockholders to be timely must be received no later
than the close of business on the fifteenth day following the day on which such
notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made,
whichever first occurs.
Secretary
of Fortress International Group, Inc.
7226 Lee
DeForest Drive, Suite 203
Columbia,
Maryland 21046
Stockholder
Communications to the Board
Stockholders
who wish to address questions regarding our business directly with the Board of
Directors, or any individual director, should direct his or her questions in
writing to the Chairman of the Board of Directors at 7226 Lee DeForest Drive,
Suite 203, Columbia, Maryland 21046. Communications will be distributed to the
Board of Directors, or to any individual director or directors as appropriate,
depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communications. Items
that are unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board of Directors
may be excluded, such as:
•
junk mail and mass mailings,
•
resumes and other forms of job inquiries,
•
surveys, or
•
solicitations or advertisements.
In
addition, any material that is unduly hostile, threatening, or illegal in nature
may be excluded, provided that any communication that is filtered out will be
made available to any outside director upon request.
Executive
Officers
Set forth
below is information as of April 29, 2009 about our Chief Executive Officers,
Timothy C. Dec, our only executive officer who is not also director. We have an
employment agreement with Mr. Dec, a description of which is included elsewhere
in this proxy statement.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy
C. Dec
|
|
50
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
Timothy C.
Dec, age 50, was
appointed as Chief Financial Officer of the company, effective August 20, 2007.
Prior to his appointment and since June 2006, Mr. Dec was the Chief Financial
Officer of Presidio Networked Solutions Inc., the nation’s largest independent
value-added solutions provider that offers a wide range of Cisco-centric network
infrastructure and collaborative solutions. From 1999 until May 2006, Mr. Dec
was Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer & Treasurer of Broadwing
Corporation, a NASDAQ listed telecommunications company. Broadwing Corp was
acquired by Level 3 Inc in 2007. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Dec was Director of
Accounting and Administration for Thermo Trilogy Corporations, a subsidiary of
AMEX listed Thermo Electron Company. Earlier in his career, Mr. Dec held finance
and accounting related positions at North American Vaccine, Inc. an AMEX listed
company engaged in the research, development and manufacturing of vaccines,
privately held general contractor Clark Construction and Intertek Services
International, LTD, a division of Inchcape Group, a multinational public company
based in London, England. Mr. Dec holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
Accounting from Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and a
Masters of Business Administration from American University in Washington DC. He
is a Certified Public Accountant.
COMPENSATION
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Overview
Our
Compensation Committee has developed a comprehensive executive compensation
program and philosophy with respect to our executive officers. In 2009, the
Compensation Committee engaged a compensation consulting firm to assist in the
development of a comprehensive executive compensation program and
philosophy.
The
Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors makes all decisions regarding
the compensation of our executive officers, which decisions are subject to
ratification by our Board of Directors. On March 7, 2007, we established a
Compensation Committee which currently consists of Donald Nickles, Asa
Hutchinson and David J. Mitchell. Our Board of Directors has determined that
each of these directors is an “independent director” within the meaning of the
rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.
The
Compensation Committee has the responsibility to:
|
•
|
review,
modify and approve our overall compensation strategy;
|
|
•
|
recommend
to the Board of Directors the compensation and terms of employment of our
executive officers, including Thomas P. Rosato, our Chief Executive
Officer, Gerard J. Gallagher, our President and Chief Operating Officer,
and Timothy C. Dec, our Chief Financial Officer, and to evaluate their
respective performance in light of relevant goals and
objectives;
|
|
•
|
review
and recommend to our Board of Directors the type and amount of
compensation to be paid or awarded to the members of our Board of
Directors;
|
|
•
|
recommend
to our Board of Directors the adoption, amendment and termination of any
bonus, equity and other deferred compensation plans, including the 2006
Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”);
|
|
•
|
determine
appropriate insurance coverage for our executive officers and directors;
and
|
|
•
|
review,
discuss and assess its own performance at least
annually.
|
General
Compensation Philosophy
We
recognize the importance of maintaining sound principles for the development and
administration of our compensation and benefits programs. The overall
compensation philosophy of our company is primarily driven by our business
environment and our desire to align the interest of the employees with the
interests of our company. It is also based on the principles of competitive and
fair compensation, as well as our goal to attract, retain and motivate qualified
employees.
The
compensation and benefit plans are designed to enable us to meet our corporate
goals and performance. The objectives of our compensation structure are
to:
|
•
|
enable
the company to attract, engage and retain key executives and employees
critical to future success;
|
|
•
|
motivate
and inspire employee behavior which fosters a high performance culture;
and
|
|
•
|
support
the overall business objectives and ensure that a significant component of
the compensation opportunity will be related to factors that both directly
and indirectly influence stockholder
value.
|
We
measure the success of our compensation plans on overall business performance
and our ability to attract and retain key talent which, in turn, will minimize
risk and optimize return for our stockholders.
To this
end, the Compensation Committee affirms that the total compensation plan should
consist of:
|
•
|
Annual salary. Designed
to reward the core competence in the executive role relative to the
skills, experience and contribution to our company.
|
|
•
|
Annual cash incentive/bonus
awards. Designed to reward the executive for specific contributions
to our company aligned to both corporate and individual
objectives.
|
|
•
|
Long-term equity
compensation. Designed to align the executives’ interests with
those of the stockholders.
|
|
•
|
Certain
other benefits, including retirement and welfare
plans.
|
The use
of the above components of our overall compensation plan enables us to reinforce
our pay for performance philosophy and strengthen our ability to attract and
retain high caliber and experienced executives. We believe that our combination
of programs provides an appropriate mix of fixed and variable pay, balances
short-term operational performance with longer-term stockholder value and
facilitates effective executive recruitment and retention.
We will
seek to target both short and long-term compensation levels competitively among
a peer group of similar companies based on available survey data. The companies
that will comprise our peer group to benchmark executive compensation levels
against companies that have executive positions with responsibilities similar in
breadth and scope to ours and have businesses which compete with us for
executive talent.
Compensation
Components
Base
Salary
The
salaries of our executive officers are the only non-variable element of our
compensation and are reviewed on an annual basis. The salaries reflect each
executive’s responsibilities, the importance and impact of the executive’s role,
and the contribution each executive delivers to us. Salary revisions are based
on an evaluation of the individual’s performance, as part of our Annual
Performance Review process. Performance-related increases generally take effect
as of April 1 of each year.
Bonuses
Our
Compensation Committee will be responsible for establishing and implementing
pre-established quantitative and qualitative performance standards for executive
bonuses as well as guidelines and requirements for the distribution of such
bonuses. To the extent that our employment agreements contain qualitative
standards for discretionary bonuses, our Board of Directors intends to take the
following steps to ensure direct correlation between executive compensation and
performance:
|
•
|
initiate
a practice of periodically reviewing the performance of all senior
executives at Board of Directors meetings; and
|
|
•
|
establish
annual reviews of compensation reports for the named executive
officers.
|
Long-Term
Equity Compensation
We
believe that long-term incentive compensation, primarily in the form of
restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards, ensures that our
executive officers have an ongoing stake in the long-term success of the
company, as well as giving our employees the opportunity to share in any
appreciation in the value of our common stock. Under the Plan, stock options and
stock appreciation rights may be granted; however, we currently have no plans or
intentions of using these as a form of compensation.
The
Compensation Committee supports the belief that equity participation aligns
employees’ interests with those of the stockholders. However, we have not yet
instituted stock ownership or retention guidelines for our executive
officers.
Other
Benefits
We
provide a number of benefits as part of our overall remuneration package to all
eligible employees including the named executive officers.
We
operate a defined contribution retirement plan — a qualified 401(k) Plan which
allows each of our employees to contribute up to the limits imposed by the
Internal Revenue Code (US), on a pre-tax basis. We provided for matching
payments up to 50% of the first six percent of employee’s contributions through
August 26, 2008, following which matching payments were reduced to up to 50% of
the first three percent of employee’s contributions.
We also
provide other benefits such as medical, dental, life insurance and short and
long-term disability coverage to each named executive officer, as well as to all
of our full-time employees. In addition, we provide paid time off and other paid
holidays to all employees, including our named executive officers, which we
believe are in line with our peers in the industry.
Tax
Considerations
The
Compensation Committee’s compensation strategy is to be cost and tax effective.
Therefore, the Compensation Committee’s policy is to preserve corporate tax
deductions, while maintaining the flexibility to approve compensation
arrangements that it deems to be in the best interests of our company and our
stockholders, even if such arrangements do not always qualify for full tax
deductibility.
Employment
Agreements
Descriptions
of the employment agreements with Messrs. Rosato, Gallagher, Dec and Weiss are
set forth below. The initial terms and conditions of Messrs. Rosato’s and
Gallagher’s employment agreements were negotiated between the sellers of
TSS/Vortech as well as with such executives and the company as part of the
negotiation of the overall terms and conditions of the acquisition. We expect
that the Compensation Committee will, in connection with the development of a
comprehensive executive compensation program and philosophy, recommend to our
Board of Directors the compensation and terms of employment for our other
executive officers whereupon we may enter into appropriate employment agreements
with them.
Change
in Control and Severance
As
described below, the employment agreements of Messrs. Rosato, Gallagher, Dec and
Weiss provide for severance benefits. We have not yet developed any
comprehensive severance policies for our executive officers but expect to do so
in connection with the development of our comprehensive executive compensation
program and philosophy.
Role
of Executive Officers in Executive Compensation
We expect
that our Compensation Committee will approve and make recommendations to our
Board of Directors with respect to the compensation for our executive officers,
other than Mr. Rosato, with the advice of Mr. Rosato and/or one or more other
executive officers designated by Mr. Rosato. We expect Mr. Rosato and any such
other executive officers to play no role in the Compensation Committee’s
determination of their respective compensation. However, to the extent we enter
into employment agreements with our executive officers, such agreements would be
subject to negotiation between us and the applicable executive
officer.
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee of our Board
of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K, which appears elsewhere in this
annual report, with our management. Based on this review and discussion, the
Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in our annual
report.
Members
of Fortress International Group, Inc. Compensation Committee:
Donald L.
Nickles (Chairman)
Asa
Hutchinson
David J.
Mitchell
EXECUTIVE
OFFICER AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Summary
Compensation Table
The
following table shows the total compensation paid or accrued during the last two
fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 to (1) our Chief Executive
Officer, (2) our President and Chief Operating Officer, (3) our Chief Financial
Officer, and (4) our Vice-Chairman, who is the next most compensated executive
who earned more than $100,000 during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
(collectively, the “named executive officers”).
|
|
|
|
Annual
Compensation
|
|
Name
and Principal Position(s)
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
|
|
|
Bonus
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
(1)
|
|
|
All
Other
Compensation
(2)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas
P. Rosato
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
2008
|
|
$ |
384,411 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
147,172 |
|
|
$ |
531,583 |
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$ |
401,665 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
282,881 |
|
|
$ |
684,546 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gerard
J. Gallagher
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President
and Chief Operating Officer
|
|
2008
|
|
$ |
386,047 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
256,244 |
|
|
$ |
642,291 |
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$ |
405,865 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
277,505 |
|
|
$ |
683,370 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy
C. Dec (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
2008
|
|
$ |
208,834 |
|
|
$ |
55,000 |
|
|
$ |
136,439 |
|
|
$ |
6,835 |
|
|
$ |
407,108 |
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$ |
76,757 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
33,278 |
|
|
$ |
3,200 |
|
|
$ |
113,235 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harvey
L. Weiss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vice-Chairman
and former Chairman
|
|
2008
|
|
$ |
144,561 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
28,224 |
|
|
$ |
172,785 |
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$ |
180,769 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
34,091 |
|
|
$ |
214,860 |
|
|
(1)
|
This column represents the dollar
amount recognized as compensation expense for financial statement
reporting purposes with respect to the referenced fiscal year for the fair
value of restricted stock granted through that fiscal year. These values
have been calculated in accordance with SFAS 123R using the closing price
of our common stock on the grant date. Pursuant to SEC rules, the amounts
shown exclude the effect of estimated forfeitures related to service-based
vesting conditions. The amounts in this column reflect our accounting
expense for these awards, and may not correspond to the actual value that
will be recognized by the named executive officer. Mr. Timothy C. Dec was
the only executive officer to receive a stock grant during the fiscal
years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, see “Grant of Plan-Based Awards”
below.
|
|
(2)
|
See “All Other Compensation
Table” below for additional information regarding the components of the
amounts set forth in this
column.
|
|
(3)
|
Mr. Dec’s employment commenced on
August 20, 2007. Accordingly, compensation reflects the partial period
from August 20, 2007 through December 31,
2007.
|
All
Other Compensation Table
The
following table shows the components of all other compensation with respect to
our named executive officers.
|
|
401(k)
|
|
Club
|
|
Rent
|
|
Automobile
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Match
($)(1)
|
|
Membership
($)(2)
|
|
Expense
($)(3)
|
|
Allowance
($)(4)
|
|
Payments
($)(5)
|
|
Other
( $)(6)
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas
P. Rosato
|
|
7,278
|
|
-
|
|
12,000
|
|
5,100
|
|
122,794
|
|
-
|
|
147,172
|
|
Gerald
J. Gallagher
|
|
7,278
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
2,929
|
|
246,037
|
|
-
|
|
256,244
|
|
Timothy
C. Dec
|
|
4,680
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
2,155
|
|
6,835
|
|
Harvey
L. Weiss
|
|
4,224
|
|
-
|
|
24,000
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
28,224
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas
P. Rosato
|
|
|
7,654
|
|
4,645
|
|
|
33,000
|
|
19,248
|
|
|
218,334
|
|
-
|
|
|
282,881
|
|
Gerald
J. Gallagher
|
|
|
7,750
|
|
16,407
|
|
|
-
|
|
16,636
|
|
|
234,247
|
|
2,466
|
|
|
277,505
|
|
Timothy
C. Dec
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
3,200
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
3,200
|
|
Harvey
L. Weiss
|
|
|
1,091
|
|
-
|
|
|
33,000
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
34,091
|
|
|
(1)
|
We offered employees a 401(k)
matching contribution up to 50% of the first 6% of an employee’s
compensation contributed to our 401(k) Plan through August 26, 2008,
following which our matching contribution was reduced to up to 50% of the
of the first three percent of employee’s contribution. These amounts
reflect the company’s contributions to employees under the matching
program.
|
|
(2)
|
We reimbursed club memberships
not exclusively used for business entertainment. We ceased paying these
reimbursements on May 8, 2008 and no such reimbursements were paid in
2008.
|
|
(3)
|
Per their respective employment
agreements, Mr. Rosato and Mr. Weiss each received $3,000 per month for
the reimbursement of the cost associated with separately maintaining their
own office. We ceased paying these reimbursements on August 26,
2008.
|
|
(4)
|
Reflects reimbursement for
automobile and associated costs not exclusively used for
business.
|
|
(5)
|
Represents interest paid on our
convertible, promissory notes issued to Mr. Rosato and Mr. Gallagher in
conjunction with our purchase of TSS/Vortech. The notes bear interest at
6% per annum.
|
|
(6)
|
We paid premiums for a
supplemental long-term disability policy on behalf of Mr. Gallagher in
2007. In accordance with his employment agreement, we paid premiums for a
life insurance policy on behalf of Mr. Dec in
2008.
|
Grants
of Plan-Based Awards
Timothy
C. Dec was the only named executive officer that received an equity award under
the Plan, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards
Granted
|
|
|
Fair Value of Stock
Awards
|
|
Name
|
|
Grant Date
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy
C. Dec
|
|
12/31/2008(1)
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
23,750 |
|
|
|
12/31/2008(2)
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
14,250 |
|
|
(1)
|
The shares of restricted stock
awarded will vest and become non-forfeitable on December 31, 2011
(thirty-six months following the date of grant) or upon change-in-control
of the company. The market value of the stock award is determined
by multiplying the number of awards times $0.95, or the closing stock
price of our common stock on the grant
date.
|
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
The restricted stock units are
subject to restrictions and will vest upon attainment of a $3.00 per share
closing price of the company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share,
for twenty consecutive trading days, provided that Mr. Dec remains
employed by the company through such vesting date. If the vesting
condition is not met on or before December 31, 2010, the second
anniversary of the date of grant, no units shall vest and the restricted
stock unit awards shall terminate. In addition, the restricted stock units
will be fully vested upon the occurrence of change-in-control of the
company prior to December 31, 2010. The market value of the stock award is
determined by multiplying the number of awards times $0.95, or the
closing stock price of our common stock on the grant
date.
|
Outstanding
Equity Awards at 2008 Fiscal Year End
The
following table provides information on the current holdings of restricted stock
by Mr. Dec, who is the only named executive officer with outstanding equity
awards. This table includes unvested restricted stock and the vesting schedule
is footnoted accordingly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
of Shares of
|
|
Name
|
|
Grant Date
|
|
Shares that
Have not
Vested (#)
|
|
|
Stock that
Have Not
Vested ($)(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy
C. Dec
|
|
12/31/2008(1)
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
23,750 |
|
|
|
12/31/2008(2)
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
14,250 |
|
|
|
9/7/2007(3)
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
38,000 |
|
|
|
9/7/2007(4)
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
38,000 |
|
|
(1)
|
The shares of restricted stock
awarded will vest and become non-forfeitable on December 31, 2011
(thirty-six months following the date of grant) or upon change-in-control
of the company.
|
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
The restricted stock units are
subject to restrictions and will vest upon attainment of a $3.00 per share
closing price of the company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share,
for twenty consecutive trading days, provided that Mr. Dec remains
employed by the company through such vesting date. If the vesting
condition is not met on or before December 31, 2010, the second
anniversary of the date of grant, no units shall vest and the restricted
stock unit awards shall terminate. In addition, the restricted stock units
will be fully vested upon the occurrence of change-in-control of the
company prior to December 31, 2010.
|
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
50% of the shares of restricted
stock vested and became non-forfeitable on February 20, 2009 and the
remaining 50% will vest and become non-forfeitable on August 20,
2010.
|
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
Shares vest based on specific
performance targets established by the Board of
Directors.
|
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
The
market value of the stock awards is determined by multiplying the number
of shares times $0.95, the closing price of our common stock on the NASDAQ
Capital Market on December 31, 2008, the last day of our fiscal
year.
|
Options
Exercise and Stock Vested in 2008
As no
restricted shares of common stock vested during 2008, the named executive
officers acquired no shares during fiscal year 2008.
Pension
Benefits
Our named
executive officers did not participate in, or otherwise receive any benefits
under, any pension or retirement plan sponsored by us during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2008.
Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation
Our named
executive officers did not earn any nonqualified deferred compensation benefits
from us during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.
Employment
Agreements
Employment
Agreement with Thomas P. Rosato
On
January 19 2007, we entered into an employment agreement with Thomas P. Rosato
whereby Mr. Rosato agreed to serve as our Chief Executive Officer for a period
of three years. Under the original terms of the employment agreement,
Mr. Rosato’s base compensation is $425,000 per year (subject to a minimum annual
increase of 5% per year), Mr. Rosato is eligible to receive an annual bonus of
up to 50% of his then applicable base compensation (the amount of the bonus and
the criteria for the bonus to be determined by the Board), and Mr. Rosato is
eligible for the share performance bonus described below. In addition to base
compensation and bonus eligibility, (i) we will pay the premiums on the life
insurance policies, (ii) Mr. Rosato is entitled to an office allowance of $3,000
monthly, and (iii) Mr. Rosato is otherwise entitled to receive vacation, health
insurance and other benefits as generally made available to our other
executives.
Pursuant
to the terms of the employment agreement, if we terminate Mr. Rosato’s
employment for reasons other than “Cause” or Mr. Rosato terminates his
employment for “Good Reason” (as those terms are defined in the employment
agreement), Mr. Rosato is entitled to receive his base compensation as and when
it would otherwise be payable if his employment had not been terminated
(provided, however that if termination occurs during the last twelve months of
Mr. Rosato’s employment, then Mr. Rosato shall be entitled to receive amounts
equal to base compensation (as and on the terms otherwise payable) for twelve
months from the date of termination).
Share performance bonus . Mr.
Rosato was entitled to up to $5.0 million in additional shares of our common
stock upon the achievement of certain share performance thresholds, however, the
share performance bonus arrangement expired on July 13, 2008 and no shares were
issued thereunder.
On May 8,
2008, our Compensation Committee approved the elimination of certain perquisites
payments for club membership fees and car allowances paid to Mr. Rosato under
his employment agreement. Simultaneously, and in connection with the elimination
of these perquisites payments, the Compensation Committee approved an increase
of $30,000 in the annual base salary of Mr. Rosato, representing the aggregate
annual amount of the perquisite payments previously paid.
In
addition, on August 26, 2008, we entered into an amendment to Mr. Rosato’s
employment agreement. The amendment provides for a reduction of the current
annual base salary payable under Mr. Rosato’s employment agreement, from
$455,000 to $300,000, and for the elimination of the annual base salary increase
for subsequent years. Furthermore, effective August 26, 2008, the monthly
payment of $3,000 to which Mr. Rosato was entitled to under his employment
agreement for office allowance ceased.
Employment
Agreement with Gerard J. Gallagher
On
January 19, 2007, we entered into an employment agreement with Gerard J.
Gallagher whereby Mr. Gallagher agreed to serve as our President and Chief
Operating Officer for a period of three years. Under the terms of
the original employment agreement, Mr. Gallagher’s base compensation
is $425,000 per year (subject to a minimum annual increase of 5% per year), Mr.
Gallagher will be eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to 50% of his then
applicable base compensation (the amount of the bonus and the criteria for the
bonus to be determined by the Board), and Mr. Gallagher was entitled to up to
$5.0 million in additional shares of our common stock upon the achievement of
certain share performance thresholds, however, the share performance bonus
arrangement expired on July 13, 2008 and no shares were issued thereunder. In
addition to base compensation and eligibility for a bonus, (i) we pay the
premiums on the life insurance policies, and (ii) Mr. Gallagher is otherwise
entitled to receive vacation, health insurance and other benefits as generally
made available to our other executives. Pursuant to the terms of the employment
agreement, if we terminate Mr. Gallagher’s employment for reasons other than
“Cause” or Mr. Gallagher terminates his employment for “Good Reason” (as those
terms are defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Gallagher is entitled to
receive his base compensation as and when it would otherwise be payable if his
employment had not been terminated (provided, however that if termination occurs
during the last twelve months of Mr. Gallagher’s employment, then Mr. Gallagher
shall be entitled to receive amounts equal to base compensation (as and on the
terms otherwise payable) for twelve months from the date of
termination).
On May 8,
2008, our Compensation Committee approved the elimination of certain perquisites
payments for club membership fees and car allowances paid to Mr. Gallagher under
his employment agreement. Simultaneously, and in connection with the elimination
of these perquisites payments, the Compensation Committee approved an increase
of $30,000 in the annual base salary of Mr. Gallagher, representing the
aggregate annual amount of the perquisite payments previously paid.
In
addition, on August 26, 2008, we entered into an amendment to Mr. Gallagher’s
employment agreement. The amendment provides for a reduction of the current
annual base salary payable under the employment agreement, from $455,000 to
$300,000, and for the elimination of the annual base salary increase for
subsequent years.
Employment
Agreement with Timothy C. Dec
On August
20, 2007, we entered into an employment agreement with Timothy C. Dec whereby
Mr. Dec agreed to serve as our Chief Financial Officer and will be responsible
for our finance, accounting and treasury functions for a period of three years.
Under the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. Dec’s base compensation is
$225,000 per year (subject to a minimum annual increase of 5% per year), and he
is eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to 50% of his then applicable base
compensation (the amount of the bonus and the criteria for the bonus to be
determined by the Board of Directors). Mr. Dec received 40,000 shares of
restricted common stock of which 50% of the shares vest 18 months from his
commencement of employment date and the remainder vest 36 months from his
commencement of employment date. An additional 40,000 common shares were granted
to Mr. Dec and vest on achieving certain milestones set by the Board. In
addition to base compensation, eligibility for a bonus, and equity compensation
(i) we will pay the premiums on a life insurance policy, and (ii) Mr. Dec is
otherwise entitled to receive vacation, health insurance and other benefits as
generally made available to our other executives. Pursuant to the terms of the
employment agreement, if we terminate Mr. Dec’s employment for reasons other
than “Cause” or Mr. Dec terminates his employment for “Good Reason” (as those
terms are defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Dec is entitled to receive
his base compensation as and when it would otherwise be payable if his
employment had not been terminated (provided, however that if termination occurs
during the last twelve months of Mr. Dec’s employment, then Mr. Dec shall be
entitled to receive amounts equal to base compensation (as and on the terms
otherwise payable) for twelve months from the date of termination).
In
addition, on August 26, 2008, we entered into an amendment to Mr. Dec’s
employment agreement. The amendment provides for a decrease of $5,000 in the
current annual base salary payable under the employment agreement.
Employment
Agreement with Harvey L. Weiss
On
January 19, 2007, we entered into an employment agreement with Harvey L. Weiss
whereby Mr. Weiss agreed to serve as our chairman for a period of three years.
Under the terms of the original employment agreement, Mr. Weiss’ base
compensation is $200,000 per year (subject to a minimum annual increase of 5%
per year) and Mr. Weiss is eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to 50% of
his then applicable base compensation (the amount of the bonus and the criteria
for the bonus to be determined by the Board of Directors). In addition to base
compensation and eligibility for a bonus, (i) Mr. Weiss is entitled to a
referral fee equal to 5% of the “Gross Profits” (as defined in the Employment
Agreement) attributable to any client or customer (other than the federal
government, or any agency or subdivision thereof) identified by Mr. Weiss to us
or our subsidiaries, (ii) Mr. Weiss is entitled to an “office allowance” of
$3,000 per month and (iii) Mr. Weiss is otherwise entitled to receive vacation,
health insurance and other benefits as generally made available to our other
executives. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, if we terminates
Mr. Weiss’ employment for reasons other than “Cause” or Mr. Weiss terminates his
employment for “Good Reason” (as those terms are defined in the Employment
Agreement), Mr. Weiss is entitled to receive his base compensation as and when
it would otherwise be payable if his employment had not been terminated
(provided, however that if termination occurs during the last twelve months of
Mr. Weiss’ employment, then Mr. Weiss shall be entitled to receive amounts equal
to base compensation (as and on the terms otherwise payable) for twelve months
from the date of termination).
Since
December 3, 2008, Mr. Weiss has been our Vice-Chairman of the Board of
Directors.
On August
26, 2008, we entered into an amendment to Mr. Weiss’s employment agreement. The
amendment provides for a reduction of the current annual base salary payable
under the employment agreement, from $200,000 to $100,000, and for the
elimination of the annual base salary increase for subsequent years.
Furthermore, effective August 26, 2008, the monthly payment of $3,000 to which
Mr. Weiss was entitled to under his employment agreement for office allowance
ceased. The amendment also provides for a two-year extension of the employment
period.
Executive
2008 Performance and Compensation Review
During
2008, our Compensation Committee completed its 2008 annual performance reviews
for our executive officers, Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors
consistent with terms of their respective employment or consulting agreements,
as applicable. Per their respective agreements, the aforementioned individuals
were entitled to a minimum 5% raise of their base salary and were eligible for
annual bonuses up to 50% of their base salary. The Compensation Committee
elected to leave their base salary unchanged during the first half of 2008, and
agreed to reevaluate it in the second half of the 2008, resulting in the
amendment of the employment agreements of each of our executive officers on
August 26, 2008, as discussed above. In December 2008, the
Compensation Committee approved a fiscal year 2008 cash bonus of $55,000 to our
Chief Financial Officer, Timothy C. Dec. Otherwise, no other bonuses were
approved for any of our executive officers during fiscal years 2008 and 2007.
Potential
Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control
Termination
by the Company for reasons other than “Cause” or by the Executive for “Good
Reason.”
Pursuant
to terms of their respective employment agreements, if we terminate each of Mr.
Rosato’s, Mr. Gallagher’s, Mr. Dec’s or Mr. Weiss’s employment for reasons other
than “Cause” or the executive terminates his employment for “Good Reason” (as
those terms are defined in their respective employment agreement), each of the
named executive officers is entitled to severance and health care payments, as
described in the following table. Additionally, per the terms of his restricted
stock agreement, Mr. Dec is entitled to accelerated vesting of any unvested
restricted stock outstanding at the date of termination.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance ($)
|
|
|
Health
Care ($)(4)
|
|
|
Stock and
Restricted
Stock
Unit
Awards($)
|
|
|
Total($)
|
|
Thomas
P. Rosato (1)
|
|
|
315,616 |
|
|
|
10,642 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
326,258 |
|
Gerald
J. Gallagher (1)
|
|
|
315,616 |
|
|
|
13,791 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
329,408 |
|
Timothy
C. Dec (2)
|
|
|
220,000 |
|
|
|
13,791 |
|
|
|
114,000 |
|
|
|
347,791 |
|
Harvey
L. Weiss (3)
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
10,642 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
410,642 |
|
|
(1)
|
Per their respective employment
agreement, each of Mr. Rosato and Mr. Gallagher is entitled to receive
base compensation as and when it would otherwise payable if his employment
had not been terminated from the date of termination through January 19,
2010, the expiration date of the employment period. If the termination
occurs during the last twelve months of their employment, then the
executive shall be entitled to receive amounts equal to his base
compensation (as and on terms otherwise payable) for twelve months from
the date of termination.
|
|
(2)
|
Per his employment agreement, Mr.
Dec is entitled to amounts equal to his base compensation (as and on terms
otherwise payable) for 12 months from the date of termination. Mr. Dec’s
restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards are valued at $0.95 per
share based on our closing stock price at December 31,
2008.
|
|
(3)
|
Per his employment agreement, Mr.
Weiss is entitled to receive base compensation as and when it would
otherwise payable if his employment had not been terminated from the date
of termination through the expiration date of the employment period.
If the termination occurs during the last 24 months of his employment,
then the executive shall be entitled to receive amounts equal to base
compensation (as and on terms otherwise payable) for 24 months from the
date of termination.
|
|
(4)
|
Per their respective employment
agreements, each of Mr. Rosato, Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Dec and Mr. Weiss is
entitled to the reimbursement of a portion of any elected COBRA coverage
for twelve months from the date of termination. We will pay a percentage
of the premium for such COBRA health coverage equal to the percentage of
the premium for health insurance coverage paid by the company on the date
of termination.
|
As
defined in the Plan, any remaining restrictions on the restricted common stock
will lapse immediately, upon the occurrence of a change of control of Fortress
International Group, Inc.
Director
Compensation
During
2008 fiscal year and until August 26, 2008, each of our non-employee directors,
other than Mr. McMillen, received an annual retainer fee of $20,000 and $3,000
for each in-person Board of Directors meeting attended and $1,000 for each
telephonic Board of Directors meeting attended. In addition, each member of the
Audit Committee (except the chairman) shall receive $10,000 per year and the
chairman of the Audit Committee shall receive $30,000 per year. Each member of
the Compensation Committee (except the chairman) shall receive $5,000 per year
and the chairman of the Compensation Committee shall receive $15,000 per year.
Each member of the Special Committee shall receive $1,000 for each
committee meeting attended. However, on August 26, 2008, our Board of Directors
and Compensation Committee approved a reduction of 50% of all the aforementioned
cash fees payable to our non-employee directors for their participation as
members of the Board of Directors and its committees through 2009.
We also
compensate our non-employee directors, other than Mr. McMillen, with restricted
stock. The compensation policy provides such non-employee directors with an
annual grant of 10,000 shares of restricted stock under our Plan to be granted
on or about May 1 of each calendar year (unless the Board of Directors
determines otherwise), and which vest over a two-year period with one-third of
the shares vesting on the grant date, and each one-half of the balance of such
shares vesting on the first and second anniversaries of the grant date,
respectively.
In
addition, each new members who joined the Board of Directors is entitled to
receive a one-time grant of $100,000 worth of restricted stock under the Plan,
based on the closing price on the grant date of our common stock on the NASDAQ
Stock Market. Such shares will vest over a three-year period, with one-third of
such shares vesting on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the
grant date. We had no new members who joined the Board of Directors in
2008.
On
January 7, 2009, our Board of Directors issued, pursuant and subject to the
Plan, an equity grant of an aggregate of 40,000 restricted stock awards and
20,000 restricted stock unit awards to John Morton, III, in connection with his
appointment as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. In lieu of any cash
compensation, the restricted stock awards issued to Mr. Morton for his
role as the company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2009
and will vest one month following the date of grant and will be
fully vested upon the occurrence of change-in-control of the Company. The
restricted stock unit awards issued to Mr. Morton will vest upon attainment of a
$3.00 per share closing price of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001
per share, for twenty consecutive trading days, provided that Mr. Morton remains
on the Board through such vesting date. If the vesting condition is not met on
or before January 7, 2011, the second anniversary of the date of grant, no
portion of the restricted stock units shall vest and the restricted stock units
shall terminate. In addition, the restricted stock units will be fully vested
upon the occurrence of change-in-control of the Company prior to January 7,
2011.
We also
reimburse our directors for travel, lodging and other reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses in connection with the attendance at Board, committees, and stockholder
meetings, as well as for other reasonable expenses related to service on the
Board. We also provide liability insurance for our directors and officers.
American International Group and XL Insurance Company are the primary carriers.
The annual cost of this coverage is approximately $0.2 million.
We do not
maintain any pension, nonqualified defined contribution or other deferred
compensation plans for our non-employee directors. The following table
summarizes compensation earned by our non-employee directors during fiscal year
2008.
Name
|
|
Fees Earned
or Paid in Cash ($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards ($)(1)
|
|
|
All
Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asa
Hutchinson
|
|
$ |
46,500 |
|
|
$ |
42,008 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
88,508 |
|
William
L. Jews
|
|
|
41,500 |
|
|
|
75,342 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
116,842 |
|
C.
Thomas McMillen (2)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
161,538 |
|
|
|
161,538 |
|
David
J. Mitchell
|
|
|
42,750 |
|
|
|
42,008 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
84,758 |
|
John
Morton, III
|
|
|
66,500 |
|
|
|
75,342 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
141,842 |
|
Donald
L. Nickles
|
|
|
45,500 |
|
|
|
42,008 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
87,508 |
|
(1)
|
This column represents the dollar
amount recognized as compensation expenses for financial statement
reporting purposes with respect to the referenced fiscal year for the fair
value of restricted stock granted through that fiscal year. These values
have been calculated in accordance with SFAS 123R using the closing price
of our common stock on the grant date. Pursuant to SEC rules, the amounts
shown exclude the effect of estimated forfeitures related to service-based
vesting conditions. The amounts in this column reflect our accounting
expense for these awards, and may not correspond to the actual value that
will be recognized by the
director.
|
(2)
|
Represents fees earned under the
consulting agreement between us and the Washington Capital Advisors, LLC,
which is principally owned and managed by Mr. McMillen. See description of
the consulting agreement below under the caption “Related Party
Transactions.”
|
The
non-employee directors without a consulting agreement received the following
equity awards under our Plan during fiscal year 2008.
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted Stock
|
|
|
Grant Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
Fair Value of Stock
|
|
Name
|
|
Grant Date
|
|
(#)(1) |
|
|
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asa
Hutchinson
|
|
5/5/008
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
45,300 |
|
William
L. Jews
|
|
5/5/008
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
45,300 |
|
David
J. Mitchell
|
|
5/5/008
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
45,300 |
|
John
Morton, III
|
|
5/5/008
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
45,300 |
|
Donald
L. Nickles
|
|
5/5/008
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
45,300 |
|
(1)
|
These
shares of restricted stock will vest and become non-forfeitable over a
two-year period; one-third of the shares were vested and became
non-forfeitable on the grant date, and each one-half of the balance will
vest and become non-forfeitable on the first and second anniversaries of
the grant date, respectively.
|
EQUITY
COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The
following table provides certain aggregate information with respect to all of
the company’s equity compensation plan in effect as of December 31,
2008.
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan
category
|
|
Number
of
securities
to be
issued
upon
vesting
of stock
awards
|
|
|
Weighted-average
exercise
price
of outstanding
options,
warrants
and rights
|
|
|
Number
of securities
remaining
available for
future
issuance under
equity
compensation
plans
(excluding
securities
reflected
in column (a))
|
|
Equity
compensation plan approved
by security holders
(1)
|
|
|
668,667 |
|
|
$ |
2.49 |
|
|
|
617,168 |
|
(1) This
plan consist of: Fortress International Group, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Incentive
Compensation Plan. There were 2,100,000 shares of common stock of the company
available for issuance under the Plan, of which 617,168 remain available
for issuance at December 31, 2008.
REPORT
OF AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors, which consists entirely of directors who
meet the independence and experience requirements of The NASDAQ Stock Market,
has furnished the following report:
The Audit
Committee assists the Board of Directors in overseeing and monitoring the
integrity of our financial reporting process, compliance with legal and
regulatory requirements and the quality of internal and external audit
processes. This committee’s role and responsibilities are set forth in a charter
adopted by the Board of Directors, which is available on our website at www.thefigi.com. This
committee reviews and reassesses our charter annually and recommends any changes
to the Board of Directors for approval. The Audit Committee is responsible for
overseeing our overall financial reporting process, and for the appointment,
compensation, retention, and oversight of the work of our independent registered
public accounting firm. In fulfilling its responsibilities for the financial
statements for fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Audit Committee took the
following actions:
• Reviewed
and discussed the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2008 with management and Grant Thornton LLP, our independent
registered public accounting firm;
• Discussed
with Grant Thornton LLP the matters required to be discussed by Statement on
Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, as adopted by the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T, relating to the conduct of the audit;
and
• Received
written disclosures and the letter from Grant Thornton LLP regarding its
independence as required by applicable requirements of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board regarding Grant Thornton LLP communications with the
Audit Committee and the Audit Committee further discussed with Grant Thornton
LLP their independence. The Audit Committee also considered the status of
pending litigation, taxation matters and other areas of oversight relating to
the financial reporting and audit process that the committee determined
appropriate.
Based on
the Audit Committee’s review of the audited financial statements and discussions
with management and Grant Thornton LLP, the Audit Committee recommended to the
Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 for
filing with the SEC.
Members
of the Audit Committee:
William
L. Jews (Chairman)
John
Morton, III
David J.
Mitchell
Asa
Hutchinson
SECTION
16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Our
executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders are required under Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to file reports of
ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Copies of these reports must also be furnished to us.
Based
solely on our review of copies of reports furnished to us, or written
representations that no reports were required, we believe that during 2008 our
executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders complied with all filing
requirements of Section 16(a) in a timely manner, except that (i) five reports,
covering an aggregate of 68 transactions, were filed late by Paul D. Sonkin and
Hummingbird, (ii) two reports, covering an aggregate of two transactions, were
filed late by Asa Hutchinson, and (iii) one report, covering one transaction,
was filed late by each of Messrs. Donald L. Nickles, Williams L. Jews and David
J. Mitchell and John Morton, III.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
Convertible
Note Repayment
On August
29, 2007, we, acting upon approval of our disinterested directors and approved
by our Audit Committee, entered into a prepayment agreement (the “Agreement”)
with Thomas P. Rosato, our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board, to
revise the repayment terms of the $5,000,000 Convertible Promissory Note, dated
January 19, 2007, issued to Mr. Rosato us (the “Rosato Note”), as consideration
in connection with our acquisition of TSS/Vortech. Pursuant to the Agreement, we
paid down a portion of the Rosato Note in the amount of $2,000,000 as a
prepayment of the Rosato Note and Mr. Rosato agreed that such prepayment retired
$2,500,000 of the Rosato Note. In addition, pursuant to a 10b5-1 Plan with a
designated broker in accordance with the conditions of Rule 10b-18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Mr. Rosato used the $2,000,000 of
funds received from us to purchase 273,398 shares of our publicly traded common
stock at a weighted average price of $5.96 per share and warrants to purchase an
additional 294,870 shares of common stock at weighted average cost of $1.31 per
warrant.
On August
26, 2008, we issued 333,333 and 133,333 shares of our common stock to Thomas P.
Rosato and Gerard J. Gallagher, respectively, in connection with the election by
Messrs. Rosato and Gallagher to convert $2,500,000 and $1,000,000, respectively,
of the outstanding principal under their convertible promissory notes dated
January 19, 2007 (each, the “Promissory Note”) issued to Messrs. Rosato and
Gallagher by us as consideration in connection with the acquisition of
TSS/Vortech. Pursuant to the terms of the Promissory Notes, the Promissory Notes
were exercised at a conversion price of $7.50 per share. In addition, Mr.
Gallagher also agreed to postpone any principal and interest payments payable to
him under his remaining $4,000,000 Promissory Note until March, 2010, with such
interest to be accrued to the outstanding principal. The notes are convertible
at any time by the selling members at a conversion price of $7.50 per share and
are automatically convertible if the average closing price of our common stock
for 20 consecutive trading days equals or exceeds $7.50 per share.
Prior
Share Issuances
On March
9, 2005, we issued 1,750,000 shares of our common stock to the individuals set
forth below for $25,000 in cash, at an average purchase price of approximately
$0.014 per share, as follows:
Name
|
|
Number of
Shares
|
|
Washington Capital
Advisors, LLC
|
|
|
575,000 |
|
Harvey
L. Weiss
|
|
|
575,000 |
|
David
J. Mitchell
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
Donald
L. Nickles
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
Asa
Hutchinson
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
Paladin
Homeland Security Fund, L.P.
|
|
|
24,765 |
|
Paladin
Homeland Security Fund, L.P.
|
|
|
15,926 |
|
Paladin
Homeland Security Fund, L.P.
|
|
|
5,553 |
|
Paladin
Homeland Security Fund, L.P.
|
|
|
3,756 |
|
All of
the shares of our common stock outstanding prior to our initial public offering
(“initial shares”) and held by the above stockholders (“initial stockholders”)
were placed in escrow with Continental Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow
agent. All of these shares were released from escrow in the first
quarter of 2009.
Registration Rights. The
holders of the majority of the initial shares are entitled to make up to two
demands that we register the initial shares. The holders of the majority of the
initial shares may elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after
the date on which the initial shares are released from escrow, which, except in
limited circumstances, is not before July 13, 2008. In addition, the initial
stockholders have certain “piggyback” registration rights on registration
statements filed subsequent to the date on which these shares of common stock
are released from escrow. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with
the filing of any such registration statements. On October 10, 2008, we filed a
registration statement on Form S-3 for the resale of the initial shares,
pursuant to a demand of the holders of the initial shares.
Consulting
Agreement with C. Thomas McMillen
On
January 19, 2007, we entered into a consulting agreement with Washington Capital
Advisors, of which Mr. C. Thomas McMillen , our vice chairman and a director, is
the principal equity owner and officer, pursuant to which Washington Capital
Advisors is engaged to serve as a consultant for a period of three years. Under
the terms of the Consulting Agreement, Washington Capital Advisors provides
advisory services relating to strategic, financial, marketing and business
development matters and will also provide mergers and acquisitions assistance.
The base compensation to Washington Capital Advisors is $200,000 per year
(subject to a minimum annual increase of 5% per year) and Washington Capital
Advisors is eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to 50% of its then
applicable base compensation (the amount of the bonus and the criteria for the
bonus to be determined by the Board). In addition to base compensation and
eligibility for a bonus, Washington Capital Advisors is entitled to a referral
fee equal to 5% of the “Gross Profits” (as defined in the Consulting Agreement)
attributable to any client or customer (other than the federal government, or
any agency or subdivision thereof) identified by Washington Capital Advisors to
us or any of our subsidiaries. Pursuant to the terms of the Consulting
Agreement, if we terminate the Consulting Agreement for reasons other than
“Cause” or Washington Capital Advisors terminates the Consulting Agreement for
“Good Reason” (as those terms are defined in the Consulting Agreement),
Washington Capital Advisors is entitled to receive its base compensation as and
when it would otherwise be payable if the Consulting Agreement had not been
terminated (provided, however that if termination occurs during the last twelve
months of the Consulting Agreement, then Washington Capital Advisors shall be
entitled to receive amounts equal to base compensation (as and on the terms
otherwise payable) for twelve months from the date of termination). During the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, $200,000 was paid pursuant to this
agreement. In addition, on August 26, 2008, we entered into an amendment to the
Consulting Agreement pursuant to which the annual base fee payable under the
consulting agreement will be reduced from $200,000 to $100,000 and we will not
be obligated to pay a minimum base fee increase for subsequent years. In
addition, on September 9, 2008 the Consulting Agreement was further amended
to clarify that the Consultant Agreement shall be in effect until the
consultant fees payable under the original Consulting Agreement are paid in
full.
Related
Party Transactions
Our Audit
Committee in accordance with its written charter reviews and approves in advance
all related party transactions greater than $25,000 and follows a pre-approved
process for contracts with related party for less than $25,000.
We
participate in transactions with the following entities affiliated through
common ownership and management. The Audit Committee of the Board reviewed and
approved in advance all of these related party transactions in accordance with
its written charter.
S3 Integration LLC S3
Integration LLC (S3 Integration) is owned 15% each by the our Chief Executive
Officer and President. S3 Integration provides commercial security systems
design and installation services as a subcontractor to us.
Chesapeake Systems, LLC
(Chesapeake Systems) is 9% owned and significantly indebted to our Chief
Executive Officer. Chesapeake Systems is a manufacturers’ representative and
distributor of mechanical and electrical equipment and purchased certain assets
of Chesapeake Tower Systems, Inc. in February 2007.
Chesapeake Mission Critical,
LLC (Chesapeake MC) is 9% owned each by our Chief Executive Officer and
President. Additionally, it is significantly indebted to our Chief Executive
Officer. Chesapeake MC is a manufacturers’ representative and distributor of
electrical equipment and purchased certain assets of Chesapeake Tower Systems,
Inc. in February 2007.
CTS Services, LLC (CTS) is 9%
owned by the our Chief Executive Officer and was 5% owned by our former
Treasurer until the sale of his interest on December 31, 2008. CTS is a
mechanical contractor that acts as a subcontractor to us for certain projects.
In addition, CTS utilizes us as a subcontractor on projects as
needed.
L.H. Cranston Acquisition Group,
Inc. At
December 31, 2008, L.H. Cranston Acquisition Group, Inc. (Cranston) is 25% owned
by our Chief Executive Officer. Cranston is a mechanical, electrical and
plumbing contractor that acts, directly or through its Subsidiary L.H. Cranston
and Sons, Inc., as subcontractor to us on a project-by-project basis. On
February 28, 2009, our Chief Executive Officer sold his 25% interest in
Cranston.
Telco P&C, LLC Telco
P&C, LLC is 55% owned by our Chief Executive Officer. Telco P&C is a
specialty electrical installation company that acts as a subcontractor to us. We
have also acted as a subcontractor to Telco as needed.
Automotive Technologies, Inc.
Automotive Technologies, Inc. is 60% owned by our Chief Executive Officer and
provides vehicle maintenance and repair services to us.
TPR Group Re Three, LLC As of
November 1, 2006, TPR Group Re Three, LLC (TPR Group Re Three) is owned 50% each
by our Chief Executive Officer and President. TPR Group Re Three leases office
space to us under the terms of a real property lease to TSS/Vortech. We had an
independent valuation, which determined the lease to be at fair
value.
The
following table sets forth transactions that we have entered into with the above
related parties for the year ended December 31, 2008. It should be
noted that revenue represents amounts earned on contracts with related parties
under which we provide services; and cost of revenue represents costs incurred
in connection with related parties which provide services to us on contracts for
our customers. Accordingly, a direct relationship to the revenue and cost of
revenue information below by our company should not be expected.
|
|
For the Year
Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
CTS
Services, LLC
|
|
$
|
201,902
|
|
Chesapeake
Systems, LLC
|
|
|
2,410
|
|
Chesapeake
Mission Critical, LLC
|
|
|
93,385
|
|
S3
Integration, LLC
|
|
|
7,667
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
305,364
|
|
Cost
of Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
CTS
Services, LLC
|
|
$
|
2,944,485
|
|
Chesapeake
Systems, LLC
|
|
|
147,931
|
|
Chesapeake
Mission Critical, LLC
|
|
|
105,516
|
|
S3
Integration, LLC
|
|
|
203,735
|
|
LH
Cranston & Sons, Inc.
|
|
|
111,950
|
|
Telco
P&C, LLC
|
|
|
383,268
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
3,896,885
|
|
Selling,
general and administrative
|
|
|
|
|
Office
rent paid on Chesapeake sublease agreement
|
|
$
|
257,825
|
|
Office
rent paid to TPR Group Re Three, LLC
|
|
|
394,440
|
|
Vehicle
repairs to Automotive Technologies, Inc.
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
652,265
|
|
The
following table sets forth transactions we entered into with the above related
parties during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. It should be noted that
revenue represents amounts earned on contracts with related parties under which
we provide services; and cost of revenue represents costs incurred in connection
with related parties which provide services to us on contracts for our
customers. Accordingly, a direct relationship to the revenue and cost of revenue
information below should not be expected.
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Accounts receivable/(payable):
|
|
|
|
CTS
Services, LLC
|
|
$
|
50,437
|
|
CTS
Services, LLC
|
|
|
(584,460
|
)
|
Chesapeake
Mission Critical, LLC
|
|
|
15,900
|
|
Telco
P&C, LLC
|
|
|
(21,154
|
)
|
LH
Cranston & Sons, Inc.
|
|
|
(67,455
|
)
|
S3
Integration, LLC
|
|
|
(53,630
|
)
|
Total
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
66,337
|
|
Total
Accounts (payable)
|
|
$
|
(726,699
|
)
|
PROPOSALS
TO BE VOTED UPON BY STOCKHOLDERS
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
(Notice
Item 1)
On April
8, 2009, our Board of Directors voted to nominate Gerard J. Gallagher, Asa
Hutchinson and David J. Mitchell, for election at the 2009 annual meeting of
stockholders for a term of three years to serve until the 2012 annual meeting of
stockholders, and until their respective successors have been elected and
qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation or removal.
The Board
of Directors currently consists of nine members, classified into three classes
as follows:
|
•
|
Messrs. Gerard J. Gallagher, Asa
Hutchinson and David J. Mitchell constitute a class with a term ending at
the 2009 annual meeting of stockholders;
and
|
|
•
|
Messrs. William L. Jews, Donald
L. Nickles and Harvey L. Weiss constitute a class with a term ending at
the 2010 annual meeting of
stockholders.
|
|
•
|
Messrs. John Morton, III, C.
Thomas McMillen and Thomas P. Rosato constitute a class with a term ending
at the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders;
and
|
At each
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, directors are elected for a full term of three
years to succeed those directors whose terms are expiring. Any additional
directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be
distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class
will consist of one-third of the directors.
The Board
of Directors has voted to nominate Messrs. Gerard J. Gallagher, Asa Hutchinson
and David J. Mitchell for election at the 2009 Annual Meeting for a term of
three years to serve until the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and until
their respective successors are elected and qualified, or until their earlier
death, resignation or removal. The Class II directors, Messrs. William L. Jews,
Donald L. Nickles and Harvey L. Weiss and the Class III directors, Messrs. John
Morton, III, C. Thomas McMillen and Thomas P. Rosato will serve until the Annual
Meetings of Stockholders to be held in 2010 and 2011, respectively, and until
their respective successors have been elected and qualified, or until their
earlier death, resignation or removal.
Unless
authority to vote for any of these nominees is withheld, the shares represented
by the enclosed proxy will be voted FOR the election as directors
of Messrs. Gerard J. Gallagher, Asa Hutchinson and David J. Mitchell. In the
event that either nominee becomes unable or unwilling to serve, the shares
represented by the enclosed proxy will be voted for the election of such other
person as the Board of Directors may recommend in his place. We have no reason
to believe that any nominee will be unable or unwilling to serve as a
director.
A
plurality of the shares voted affirmatively at the annual meeting is required to
elect each nominee as a director.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THE ELECTION OF MESSRS. GERARD J. GALLAGHER, ASA
HUTCHINSON AND DAVID J. MITCHELL, AS DIRECTORS, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE
BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR THEREOF UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED
OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.
INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
(Notice
Item 2)
The Audit
Committee has appointed Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”), independent
registered public accounting firm, to audit our financial statements for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2009. The Board proposes that the stockholders
ratify the appointment. Grant Thornton audited our financial statements for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008. We expect that representatives of
Grant Thornton will be present at the meeting, will be able to make a statement
if they so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
The
following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by Grant
Thornton for the audit of our annual financial statements for the years ended
December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively, and fees billed for other services
rendered by Grant Thornton during those periods.
Audit
and Non-Audit Fees
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Audit
fees
|
|
$ |
240,150 |
|
|
$ |
315,352 |
|
Audit-related
fees
|
|
|
49,275 |
|
|
|
61,270 |
|
Tax
fees
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,822 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
289,425 |
|
|
$ |
378,444 |
|
Audit
Fees
Audit
fees consisted of professional services rendered by Grant Thornton for the audit
of the annual consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K, for the reviews of the consolidated quarterly financial statements
included in our Forms 10-Q and assistance and review of such documents filed
with the SEC.
Audit-Related
Fees
Audit-related
fees consisted principally of fees for professional services associated with the
audits in connection with acquisitions. In 2007 and 2008, we paid Grant Thornton
$49,275 and $61,270, respectively, in connection with opening balance sheet
audits and other related work for our acquisitions and our 401(k)
Plan.
Tax
Fees
Tax fees
consisted of professional services provided associated with tax compliance, tax
planning and tax advice. We have paid zero and $1,822 to our principal auditor
for tax compliance or consultation in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
Policy
on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-audit Services of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consistent
with policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding auditor
independence, the Audit Committee has responsibility, pursuant to its written
charter, for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing the work of the
independent registered public accounting firm. In recognition of this
responsibility, the audit committee pre-approves all audit and permissible
non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting
firm. The Audit Committee’s policy is to approve all audit and non-audit
services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm prior to
the commencement of the services using a combination of pre-approvals for
certain engagements up to predetermined dollar thresholds in accordance with the
pre-approval policy and specific approvals for certain engagements on a
case-by-case basis. The Audit Committee has delegated authority to the
committee’s chairman to pre-approve between committee meetings those services
that have not already been pre-approved by the committee. The chairman of the
Audit Committee is required to report any such pre-approval decisions to the
full committee at its next scheduled meeting.
Prior to
engagement, the Audit Committee pre-approves these services by category of
service. The fees are budgeted and the Audit Committee requires the independent
registered public accounting firm and management to report actual fees versus
the budget periodically throughout the year by category of service. During the
year, circumstances may arise when it may become necessary to engage the
independent registered public accounting firm for additional services not
contemplated in the original pre-approval. In those instances, the Audit
Committee requires specific pre-approval before engaging the independent
registered public accounting firm.
The Audit
Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The
member to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational
purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next
scheduled meeting.
In the
event the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as
our independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee will
reconsider its appointment.
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented and entitled
to vote at the 2008 Annual Meeting is required to ratify the appointment of the
independent registered public accounting firm.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF GRANT THORNTON
LLP AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY
THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF SUCH RATIFICATION UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER
INDICATES OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.
CODE
OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS
We have
adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our employees, including our
chief executive officer and chief financial and accounting officers. The text of
the code of conduct and ethics is posted on our website at www.thefigi.com.
The code of ethics is also available to stockholders, without charge, upon
request in writing to our Secretary at 7226 Lee DeForest Drive, Suite 203,
Columbia, Maryland 21046. Disclosure regarding any amendments to, or waivers
from, provisions of the code of ethics that apply to our directors, principal
executive and financial officers will be included in a Current Report on Form
8-K within four business days following the date of the amendment or
waiver.
OTHER
MATTERS
The Board
of Directors knows of no other business which will be presented to the annual
meeting. If any other business is properly brought before the annual meeting,
proxies in the enclosed form will be voted in accordance with the judgment of
the persons voting the proxies.
STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS
Proposals
of shareholders intended for inclusion in the proxy statement to be furnished to
all shareholders entitled to vote at our next annual meeting must be received at
our principal executive offices no later than February 5, 2010, provided,
however, that in the event that we hold our 2010 Annual Meeting of stockholders
more than 30 days before or after the one-year anniversary date of the 2009
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we will disclose the new deadline by which
shareholders proposals must be received in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In
addition, shareholder proposals must otherwise comply with the requirements of
Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In accordance
with our Amended and Restated By-laws, to be considered for inclusion in the
proxy statement relating to our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in
2009, stockholder proposals must be delivered to or mailed and received at our
principal executive offices not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to
the meeting; provided , however , that in the
event that less than 75 days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of
the meeting is given or made to the stockholders, notice by the stockholder to
be timely must be so received no later than the close of business on the
fifteenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting
was mailed or such public disclosure was made, whichever first occurs. Proposals
received after that date will not be voted on at the annual meeting. If a
proposal is received before that date, the proxies that management solicits for
the meeting may still exercise discretionary voting authority on the proposal
under circumstances consistent with the proxy rules of the SEC. All stockholder
proposals should be marked for the attention of Chief Executive Officer,
Fortress International Group, Inc., 7226 Lee DeForest Drive, Suite 203,
Columbia, Maryland 21046.
COLUMBIA,
MARYLAND
April
30, 2009
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 (other than exhibits thereto) filed with
the SEC, which provides additional information about us, is available on the
Internet at www.thefigi.com
and is available in printed
copy to beneficial owners of our common stock without charge upon written
request to Thomas P. Rosato, Chief Executive Officer, Fortress International
Group, Inc., 7226 Lee DeForest Drive, Suite 203, Columbia, Maryland 21046.
Exhibits will be provided upon written request and payment of an appropriate
processing fee.