simulations_def14a-022709.htm
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
DEF 14A
(Rule
14a-101)
INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE
14A INFORMATION
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment
No. ___)
Filed by
the Registrant x
Filed by
a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check the
appropriate box:
¨
Preliminary Proxy Statement
|
¨ Confidential,
For Use of the
|
x Definitive
Proxy Statement
|
Commission Only (as permitted
|
¨
Definitive Additional Materials
|
by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
|
¨
Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule
14a-12
|
|
|
Simulations Plus,
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 No fee
required.
¨ Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
1) Title
of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
3)
|
Per
unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the
amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
determined):
|
4) Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total
fee paid:
¨ Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials:
¨
|
Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which
the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the
previous filing by registration statement
number, or the form or schedule and the date of its
filing.
|
|
1)
|
Amount
previously paid:
|
|
2)
|
Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement
No.:
|
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To
be held February 27, 2009
The
Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Simulations Plus, Inc. (the "Company"), will
be held on February 27, 2009, at 2:00 p.m., Pacific Time, at 42505 10th Street
West, Lancaster, California, for the following purposes:
1. To
elect to the Board of Directors five (5) directors, to serve until the next
Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company or until their successors are
elected and qualified, subject to prior death, resignation or
removal.
2. To
ratify the appointment of Rose, Snyder and Jacobs as independent auditors for
the Company for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2009.
3. To
transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any
adjournments or postponements thereof.
All
shareholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting, although only
shareholders of record at the close of business on December 19, 2008, will be
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. A list of shareholders
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be open to inspection by the
shareholders at the Company's principal office, 42505 10th Street West,
Lancaster, California, for a period of 10 days prior to the Annual Meeting and
at the Annual Meeting itself.
Shares
can be voted at the meeting only if the holder is present in person or
represented by proxy. We urge you to date and sign the enclosed proxy and return
it in the accompanying envelope promptly so that your shares may be voted in
accordance with your wishes and the presence of a quorum may be assured. We
encourage you to do so even if you plan to attend the meeting in person. The
prompt return of your signed proxy, regardless of the number of shares you hold,
will aid the Company in reducing the expense of additional proxy solicitation.
The giving of such proxy does not affect your right to vote in person in the
event you attend the meeting.
|
By
Order of the Board of Directors
Virginia
Woltosz
Secretary
Lancaster,
California
January
22, 2009
|
YOUR
PROXY
PLEASE
SIGN AND RETURN YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTPAID
ENVELOPE.
SHOULD
YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY VOTE IN PERSON EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE GIVEN A
PROXY. THE PROMPT RETURN OF YOUR PROXY WILL BE OF GREAT HELP IN PREPARATION FOR
THE MEETING.
SIMULATIONS
PLUS, INC.
42505
10th STREET WEST,
LANCASTER,
CALIFORNIA 93534-7059
(661)
723-7723
PROXY
STATEMENT
The
enclosed proxy is furnished to the shareholders of Simulations Plus, Inc., a
California corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders (the "Meeting") to be held at the Company's Offices located at
42505 10th Street West, Lancaster, California 93534-7059, on February 27, 2009,
at 2:00 p.m. local time.
A list of
shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be open to inspection
by the shareholders at the Company's principal office, 42505 10th Street
West, Lancaster, California, for a period of 10 days prior to the Annual Meeting
and at the Annual Meeting itself.
Requests
should be addressed to the Company, Simulations Plus, Inc., to the attention of
Ms. Renee Bouche, Investor Relations, 42505 10th Street West, Lancaster,
California 93534-7059, (661) 723-7723.
INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
Simulations
Plus, Inc., a California corporation (the "Company") is currently subject to the
reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act") and, in accordance therewith, files reports, proxy and Proxy
Statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission"). To obtain paper copies of such reports, proxy and Proxy
Statements and other information, use any of the following three methods to
contact the Office of Investor Education and Advocacy. 1) Submit a written
request to: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor
Education and Advocacy, 100 F Street N.E., Washington, DC 20549-0213. 2) Send a
fax to: 202-772-9295. 3) Send an e-mail to: [email protected]. Your written
request should indicate a willingness to pay the reproduction cost of $.24 per
page for regular service or $.36 per page for priority service, and delivery
charges. If you need certified copies your request should be submitted to
[email protected]. You may also call 202-551-8090 for further assistance. The
Company intends to furnish its shareholders with annual reports containing
audited financial statements and such other periodic reports as the Company may
determine to be appropriate or as may be required by law.
A copy of
the Company's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-KSB including financial statements
for the years ended August 31, 2008 and 2007, is being mailed to all
shareholders herewith. Except for any portion of the Form 10-KSB which is
specifically incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement, the Form
10-KSB is not to be regarded as proxy solicitation material or as a
communication by means of which any solicitation is being made. The Company will provide any
Shareholder with a copy of any exhibit to the Form 10-KSB/A pursuant to the
Request Procedure described in the Form 10 KSB.
INFORMATION
CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
The
following information is provided to shareholders to explain the use of this
Proxy Statement for this Meeting:
RECORD
DATE
Only
shareholders of record at the close of business on December 19, 2008 are
entitled to vote at the Meeting. The Company's Common Stock is its only class of
voting securities. As of December 19, 2008, the Company had issued and
outstanding 16,360,318 shares of Common Stock of record.
REVOCABILITY
OF PROXIES
A
PROXY FOR USE AT THE MEETING IS ENCLOSED. ANY STOCKHOLDER WHO EXECUTES AND
DELIVERS A PROXY HAS THE RIGHT TO REVOKE IT AT ANY TIME BEFORE ITS EXERCISE BY
FILING WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY AN INSTRUMENT REVOKING IT OR A DULY
EXECUTED PROXY BEARING A LATER DATE. IN ADDITION, A STOCKHOLDER MAY REVOKE A
PROXY PREVIOUSLY EXECUTED BY ATTENDING THE MEETING AND ELECTING TO VOTE IN
PERSON.
VOTING
AND SOLICITATION
Proxies
are being solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company. The cost of this
solicitation will be borne by the Company. Solicitation will be primarily by
mail, but may also be made by telephone, fax transmission or personal contact by
certain officers and directors of the Company, who will not receive any
compensation therefore. Shares of Common Stock represented by properly executed
proxies will, unless such proxies have been previously revoked, be voted in
accordance with the instructions indicated thereon. In the absence of specific
instructions to the contrary, properly executed proxies will be voted for each
of the proposals described above. No business other than that set forth
in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders is expected to come
before the Meeting. Should any other matter requiring a vote of shareholders
properly arise, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy will vote such
proxy in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of
Directors.
Each
share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held as of record,
and there are no preemptive rights. The law of the state of California and the
Company's current Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate of
Incorporation") and Bylaws do provide for cumulative voting for the election of
directors or any other purpose.
The
effect of cumulative voting is that the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock may not be able to elect all of the Company's directors.
No shareholder will be entitled to cumulate votes for a candidate, however,
unless that candidate's name has been placed in nomination prior to the voting
and the shareholder, or any other shareholder, has given notice at the meeting,
prior to the voting, of an intention to cumulate votes. A favorable vote
consists of a simple majority of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting. The
Company believes that as of December 19, 2008, the approximate number of
shareholders of record of its common stock was 70 and that there were
approximately 3075 beneficial owners. This includes shares held in nominee or
"street" accounts.
Only
shareholders of record at the close of business on December 19, 2008, will be
entitled to vote at the meeting. On December 19, 2008, there were 16,360,318
shares of the Common Stock issued and outstanding. Shareholders are entitled to
one vote per share on all matters being submitted to shareholders at the
meeting, other than with respect to the election of directors, for which
cumulative voting is currently required under certain circumstances by
applicable provisions of California Law. Under cumulative voting, each
shareholder may give any one candidate whose name is placed in nomination prior
to the commencement of voting a number of votes equal to the number of directors
to be elected, multiplied by the number of votes to which the shareholder's
shares are normally entitled, or distribute such number of votes among as many
candidates as the shareholder sees fit.
The Board
of Directors knows of only two shareholders who owned more than five percent of
the outstanding voting securities of the Company as of the record date: Walter
S. Woltosz and Virginia E. Woltosz. See "Beneficial Ownership of Common
Stock."
QUORUM;
ABSTENTIONS; BROKER NON-VOTES
Shares
representing 50% of the voting power of the 16,360,318 shares of Common Stock
outstanding on the Record Date, which have voting rights, must be represented at
the Meeting to constitute a quorum for conducting business. In the absence of a
quorum, the shareholders present in person or by proxy, by majority vote and
without further notice, may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum
is attained. At any reconvened meeting following such adjournment at which a
quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been
transacted at the Meeting as originally notified.
The
required quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting is a majority of
the votes eligible to be cast by holders of shares of Common Stock issued and
outstanding on the Record Date. Shares that are voted "FOR" or "AGAINST" a
matter are treated as being present at the Meeting for purposes of establishing
a quorum and are also treated as shares entitled to vote at the Meeting (the
"Votes Cast") with respect to such matter.
The
Company will count abstentions for purposes of determining both: (i) the
presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business, and (ii) the
total number of Votes Cast with respect to a proposal (other than the election
of directors). Accordingly, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote
against the proposal.
Further,
the Company intends to count broker non-votes for the purpose of determining the
presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business, although broker
non-votes will not be counted for purposes of determining the number of Votes
Cast with respect to the particular proposal on which the broker has expressly
not voted. Thus, a broker non-vote will not affect the outcome of the voting on
a proposal.
DEADLINE
FOR RECEIPT OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals
of shareholders of the Company that are intended to be presented by such
shareholders at the Company's next Annual Meeting of Shareholders for the fiscal
year ending August 31, 2009, must be received by the Company no later than
August 20, 2009, in order to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement
and form of proxy relating to that meeting.
COMPANY
STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE
The stock
price performance graph below is required by the SEC and shall not be deemed to
be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference
this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the
extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference,
and shall not otherwise be deemed soliciting material or filed under such
Acts.
The graph
below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the Common Stock of
the Company from the last day of the first month of trading of the Company's
Common Stock from August 31, 2000 to August 31, 2007 with the cumulative total
return on the Russell 2000 Index, and the S&P 600 Small Cap Index (assuming
the investment of $100 in the Company's Common Stock and in each of the indices
on August 31, 2000, and reinvestment of all dividends).
The graph
above was plotted using the following data:
Stock
Performance: 8/31/08
|
Russell
2000
|
S&P
600
|
Simulations
Plus, Inc.
|
8/31/2000
|
537.89
|
135.704
|
223.49
|
138.341
|
0.62
|
100
|
8/31/2001
|
468.56
|
118.213
|
223.04
|
138.063
|
0.3
|
48.39
|
8/31/2002
|
391.57
|
98.789
|
200.255
|
123.959
|
0.38
|
61.29
|
8/31/2003
|
508.87
|
128.383
|
243.425
|
150.681
|
0.64
|
103.23
|
8/31/2004
|
547.93
|
138.237
|
277.222
|
171.601
|
0.82
|
132.26
|
8/31/2005
|
661.51
|
166.892
|
347.42
|
215.054
|
0.85
|
137.10
|
8/31/2006
|
720.53
|
181.8
|
368.82
|
228.3
|
1.1
|
177.42
|
8/31/2007
|
786.53
|
198.43
|
417.61
|
258.50
|
6.68
|
1077.4
|
8/31/2008
|
739.50
|
186.568
|
387.35
|
240.00
|
1.81
|
291.94
|
INFORMATION
RELATING TO VARIOUS PROPOSALS
PROPOSAL
1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board
of Directors acts as a whole in determining the persons to be nominated as
members of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors identifies, screens
and reviews potential directors for nominees for election to the Board at the
Annual Meeting and candidates to fill any vacancies on the Board. When
considering a potential candidate for membership on the Company's Board, the
Board of Directors considers relevant business and industry experience and
demonstrated character and judgment. The Board of Directors has not received any
recommended nominations from any of the Company's shareholders in connection
with this Annual Meeting.
INFORMATION
REGARDING NOMINEES
The Board
of Directors has nominated the persons named below for election as directors of
the Company to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until
their successors are duly elected and qualified. In order to be
elected as a director, a nominee will have to receive a majority of the votes
cast for that nominee, assuming a quorum (which consists of a majority of the
shares entitled to vote at the meeting) is present at the meeting. See "Voting,"
above.
At the
time of the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors will consist of five
incumbent members who are seeking to be elected at the meeting to hold office
until the next meeting of shareholders and until their successors are elected
and qualified. The Company's Bylaws presently provide for a Board of no less
than three and no more than five directors, with the number of directors
currently fixed at five.
Walter S.
Woltosz, Virginia E. Woltosz, Dr. David Z. D'Argenio, and Dr. Richard R. Weiss,
and H. Wayne Rosenberger, all of whom are incumbent directors, have been
nominated by the Board of Directors for election as directors of the Company.
All of the nominees have informed the Company that they are willing to serve, if
elected, and management has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will
be unavailable. In the event a nominee for director should become unavailable
for election, the persons named in the proxy will vote for the election of any
other person who may be recommended and nominated by the Board for the office of
director. Information regarding director nominees and directors is set forth
below:
DIRECTORS
AND DIRECTOR NOMINEES
NAME
|
|
AGE
|
|
POSITION
WITH THE COMPANY
|
|
DIRECTOR
SINCE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Walter
S. Woltosz
|
|
|
63 |
|
Chairman
of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the
Company.
|
|
1996
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virginia
E. Woltosz
|
|
|
57 |
|
Secretary
and Director of the Company
|
|
1996
|
Dr.
David Z. D'Argenio
|
|
|
59 |
|
Director
|
|
1997
|
Dr.
Richard R. Weiss
|
|
|
75 |
|
Director
|
|
1997
|
Wayne
Rosenberger
|
|
|
68 |
|
Director
|
|
2007
|
WALTER S. WOLTOSZ is a
co-founder of the Company and has served as its Chief Executive Officer and
President and as Chairman of the Board of Directors since its incorporation in
July 1996. Mr. Woltosz is also a co-founder of Words+ and served as its Chief
Executive Officer and President from its incorporation in 1981 until the
appointment of Jeffrey Dahlen as President of Words+ in 2004.
VIRGINIA E. WOLTOSZ is a
co-founder of the Company and has served as its Senior Vice President and
Secretary since its incorporation in July 1996 until January 31, 2003. Mrs.
Woltosz is also a co-founder of Words+ and served as its Vice President,
Secretary and Treasurer from its incorporation in 1981 until January 31, 2003.
Mrs. Woltosz retired from the position of Senior Vice President as of January
31, 2003, but remains as Secretary and Treasurer of Simulations Plus. Virginia
E. Woltosz is the wife of Walter S. Woltosz.
DR. DAVID Z. D'ARGENIO has
served as a Director of the Company since June 1997. He is currently Professor
of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California ("USC"), and
has been on the faculty at USC since 1979. He also serves as the Co-Director of
the Biomedical Simulations Resource Project at USC, a project funded by the
National Institutes of Health since 1985.
DR. RICHARD R. WEISS has
served as a Director of the Company since June 1997.From October 1994 to the
present, Dr. Weiss has acted as a consultant to a number of aerospace companies
through his own consulting entity, Richard R. Weiss Consulting Services. From
June 1993 through July 1994, Dr. Weiss was employed by the U.S. Department of
Defense as its Deputy Director, Space Launch & Technology.
H. WAYNE ROSENBERGER began
serving as a Director of the Company in November 2007. Mr. Rosenberger has been
a career banker, holding various senior and executive positions in banking since
1963. From August 1997 to present, Mr. Rosenberger has been Senior Regional Vice
President of American Security Bank.
VOTE
REQUIRED.
Approval
of Proposal 1 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of
Common Stock present and voting at a meeting if a quorum is
present.
Recommendation
of the Board of Directors
The Board
of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of Proposal 1.
BUSINESS
EXPERIENCE OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO
ARE NOT
ALSO DIRECTORS:
NAME
|
|
AGE
|
|
POSITION
WITH THE COMPANY
|
|
OFFICER
SINCE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Momoko
A. Beran
|
|
|
56
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer of the Company and Words+,
Inc.
|
|
1996
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ronald
F. Creeley
|
|
|
57
|
|
Vice
President, Marketing and Sales of the Company
|
|
1997
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey
A. Dahlen
|
|
|
47
|
|
President
of Words+, Inc.
|
|
2003
|
MOMOKO A. BERAN joined Words+
in June 1993 as Director of Accounting and was named the Company's Chief
Financial Officer in July 1996. Prior to joining Words+, Ms. Beran had been
Financial Controller for AB Component Systems Inc., which had its headquarters
in the U.K. Since February 1, 2003, Ms. Beran has also been the Company's
Director of Human Resources and Director of Facilities and
Equipment.
RONALD F. CREELEY joined the
Company in February 1997 as its Vice President, Marketing and Sales. Prior to
joining the Company, Mr. Creeley had been Marketing Director at Union Pen
Company, Time Resources, and New England Business Services, Inc., with
experience in marketing and research.
JEFFREY A. DAHLEN rejoined the
Company in April 2003 as Vice President of Research and Development for Words+
after five years with iAT, a software consulting firm he founded based in
Pasadena, California. Mr. Dahlen was promoted to President of Words+, Inc. in
April 2004. He is a graduate of Stanford University in Electrical Engineering
and has 20 years' experience in both software and hardware design, which
includes development of extremely high speed processing hardware with the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology, and over 10
years of software and hardware design and
development
at Words+.
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
The goal
of our named executive officer compensation program is the same as our goal for
operating the company - to create long-term value for our shareholders. Toward
this goal, we have designed and implemented our compensation programs for our
named executives to reward them for sustained financial and operating
performance and leadership excellence, to align their interests with those of
our shareholders and to encourage them to remain with the company for long and
productive careers. Most of our compensation elements simultaneously fulfill one
or more of our performance, alignment and retention objectives. These elements
consist of salary and annual bonus, equity incentive compensation, and 401(k)
matching retirement benefits. In deciding on the type and amount of compensation
for each executive, we focus on both current pay and the opportunity for future
compensation. We combine the compensation elements for each executive in a
manner we believe optimizes the executive's contribution to the
company.
Determining Compensation. We
rely on our judgment in making compensation decisions, after reviewing the
performance of the company and carefully evaluating an executive's performance
during the year against established goals, leadership qualities, operational
performance, business responsibilities, career with the company, current
compensation arrangements and long-term potential to enhance shareholder
value.
The
following table sets forth certain information concerning compensation paid or
accrued for the fiscal year ended August 2008, 2007 and 2006 by the Company to
or for the benefit of the Company's CEO/President, Chief Financial Officer, Vice
President, Sales and Marketing, and President of our Words+, Inc. - subsidiary
(the "named executive officers"). For the fiscal year ended August 2008, no
other executive officers of the Company received total annual compensation for
the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 that exceeded
$100,000.
SUMMARY
COMPENSATION TABLE
Name
and Principal Position
|
|
Fiscal
Year
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Non-equity
incentive
plan
compensation
($)
|
|
|
Changes
in
pension
value
and
nonqualified
deferred
compensation
on
earnings
($)
|
|
|
All
Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(d)
|
|
|
(d)
|
|
|
(e)
|
|
|
(f)
|
|
|
(g)
|
|
|
(h)
|
|
|
(i)
|
|
|
(j)
|
|
Walter
S. Woltosz
|
|
2008
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
2007
|
|
|
172,000 |
|
|
|
146,289 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
2,293 |
|
|
|
320,582 |
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
172,000 |
|
|
|
49,887 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
2,580 |
|
|
|
236,887 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Momoko
A. Beran
|
|
2008
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
14,308 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
22,727 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
162,035 |
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
2007
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
|
6,640 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
4,800 |
|
|
|
131,400 |
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
3,332 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
4,360 |
|
|
|
107,692 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ronald
F. Creeley
|
|
2008
|
|
|
120,793 |
|
|
|
6,331 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
15,220 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
4,832 |
|
|
|
147,176 |
|
Vice
President, Sales
|
|
2007
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
|
4,505 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
4,800 |
|
|
|
129,305 |
|
and
Marketing
|
|
2006
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
2,472 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
4,360 |
|
|
|
106,832 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey
A. Dahlen
|
|
2008
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
1,700 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
15,220 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
120,920 |
|
President,
Words+, Inc.
|
|
2007
|
|
|
96,000 |
|
|
|
1,736 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
3,840 |
|
|
|
101,576 |
|
subsidiary
|
|
2006*
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
(d)
|
Amount
represents bonus earned during the applicable
year.
|
(f)
|
Amount
represents the stock-based compensation expense recorded by
us in fiscal 2008 measured using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model at the grant date based on the fair value of the
option award.
|
(i)
|
Amount
represents Company matching for 401(k)
Plan.
|
*
|
Annual
compensation less than $100,000.
|
COMPENSATION
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The
purpose of the Company's compensation program is to attract and retain talented
and dedicated professionals to manage and execute the Company's strategic plans
and tactical operations. Although the Company's salaries have been and remain
significantly lower than those of similar public companies, management and the
board of directors believe that the award of options has fairly rewarded loyal,
long-term employees who have contributed to the Company's growth and financial
success.
The CEO's
compensation is determined by the Compensation Committee as described below
under Employment and Other Compensation Agreements. The salaries of all other
officers are determined by the CEO and the Compensation Committee together.
Option grants are determined by the CEO and CFO with the approval of the board
of directors.
The CEO's
bonus has been determined from the original underwriting agreement and carried
forward in subsequent employment agreements through the end of fiscal year 2007.
Beginning on September 1, 2007 (fiscal year 2008) the CEO's employment contract
was renewed without an annual bonus, at his request and with the agreement of
the Compensation Committee.
Bonuses
for all other employees are determined through a calculation of two factors, one
for longevity and one for performance, with the greater emphasis on performance.
Supervisors provide an evaluation of each employee in five areas: attendance,
attitude, productivity, skill level with respect to the position they occupy,
and contribution to the Company's profitability. A scoring system is used and
bonuses are awarded based on this system and the total budget for bonuses as
determined by the CEO and CFO with the approval of the board of
directors.
The
Company provides 401(k) matching up to 4% of employees' salaries or wages,
regardless of their position within the Company.
There are
no perquisites or other benefits of any kind for any officer or any other
employee or director of the Company.
The
following table provides a summary of grant made during fiscal year
2008.
GRANTS
OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS DURING FISCAL YEAR 2008
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated
future payouts under
Non-equity
incentive plan awards
|
|
|
Estimated
future payouts under
Equity
incentive plan awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Grant
Date
|
|
|
Threshold($)
|
|
|
Target($)
|
|
|
Maximum($)
|
|
|
Threshold($)
|
|
|
Target($)
|
|
|
Maximum($)
|
|
|
All
other stock awards. Number of shares of stock or
units(#)
|
|
|
All
other awards. Number of securities underlying
options(#)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
(d)
|
|
|
(e)
|
|
|
(f)
|
|
|
(g)
|
|
|
(h)
|
|
|
(i)
|
|
|
(j)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Walter
Woltosz
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Momoko
Beran
|
|
01/21/2008
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ronald
Creeley
|
|
01/21/2008
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey
Dahlen
|
|
01/21/2008
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
The
following table provides a summary of all outstanding equity awards for named
officers at the end of fiscal year 2008.
OUTSTANDING
EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END FOR FISCAL 2008
Name
(a)
|
|
Number
of Securities underlying unexercised options
(#)
Exercisable
(b)
|
|
|
Number
of securities underlying unexercised options
(#)
Unexercisable
(c)
|
|
|
Number
of securities underlying unexercised options unearned options
(#)
(d)
|
|
|
Option
exercise price
($)
(e)
|
|
Option
expiration
date
(f)
|
|
Number
of shares or units of stock that have not vested
(g)
|
|
|
Market
value of shares or units of stock that have not vested
($)
(h)
|
|
|
Number
of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested
(#)
(i)
|
|
|
Equity
incentive plan awards:
Market
or payout value of unearned shares units or other rights that have not
vested ($)(j)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Walter
Woltosz
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
1.2375 |
|
07/20/2011
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virginia
Woltosz
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
1.2375 |
|
07/20/2011
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Momoko
Beran
|
|
|
17,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
0.3275 |
|
10/30/2008
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.3750 |
|
06/16/2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
160,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.5625 |
|
11/23/2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
160,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.7500 |
|
04/17/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.4075 |
|
08/09/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.4075 |
|
12/01/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
140,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.3500 |
|
05/03/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.1050 |
|
06/22/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.1250 |
|
07/20/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.0200 |
|
01/21/2018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ronald
Creeley
|
|
|
64,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
0.3275 |
|
10/30/2008
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.3750 |
|
06/16/2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
172,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.5625 |
|
11/23/2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
160,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.7500 |
|
04/17/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.4075 |
|
08/09/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.4075 |
|
12/01/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
140,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.3500 |
|
05/03/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.1050 |
|
06/22/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.1250 |
|
07/20/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.0200 |
|
01/21/2018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey
Dahlen
|
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
1.1500 |
|
04/16/2014
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.0200 |
|
01/21/2018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EMPLOYMENT
AND OTHER COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS
The Board
of Directors renewed its employment agreement with Walter Woltosz commencing
September 1, 2007 for two years. The agreement provided for an annual salary of
$250,000. Pursuant to such agreement, Mr. Woltosz was entitled to such health
insurance and other benefits that are not inconsistent with that which we
customarily provide to our other management employees and to reimbursement of
customary, ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred in connection with
the rendering of services to the Company. The agreement also provides that we
may terminate the agreement without cause upon 30 days written notice, and that
our only obligation to Mr. Woltosz would be for a payment equal to the greater
of (i) 12 months of salary or (ii) the remainder of the term of the employment
agreement from the date of notice of termination. Further, the agreement
provides that we may terminate the agreement for cause (as defined) and that our
only obligation to Mr. Woltosz would be limited to the payment of Mr. Woltosz'
salary and benefits through and until the effective date of any such
termination.
As part
of the agreement with the original underwriter and as partial compensation for
the sale of Words+ to Simulations Plus in 1996, commencing with our fiscal year
ending 1997 and for each fiscal year thereafter, Walter and Virginia Woltosz are
entitled to receive bonuses not to exceed $150,000 and $60,000, respectively,
equal to 5% of our net annual income before taxes. However, under the new
agreement, effective as of September 1, 2007, at his request, Walter Woltosz
will receive no bonus. The bonus to Virginia Woltosz remains the same. The
Company's net income before taxes for FY08 was $2,446,177, thus we accrued a
bonus in the total amount of $60,000 for Virginia Woltosz. This bonus was due
and payable within 10 days after the filing of the annual report, and was paid
on December 12, 2008.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of
our Common Stock as of December 12, 2008 by (i) each person who is known to own
beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock, (ii)
each of our directors and executive officers, and (iii) all directors and
executive officers of the Company as a group:
(The
numbers in the following table reflect the 2-for-1 split on October 1,
2007)
BENEFICIAL
OWNER (1)(2)
|
|
BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP
|
|
|
OF
CLASS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Walter
S. and Virginia E. Woltosz (3)
|
|
|
7,371,900 |
|
|
|
41.05 |
% |
Momoko
Beran (4)
|
|
|
820,450 |
|
|
|
4.57 |
% |
Ronald
F. Creeley (5)
|
|
|
825,595 |
|
|
|
4.60 |
% |
Jeffrey
A. Dahlen (6)
|
|
|
260,000 |
|
|
|
1.45 |
% |
Dr.
David Z. D'Argenio (7)
|
|
|
26,812 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Dr.
Richard R. Weiss (8)
|
|
|
26,812 |
|
|
|
* |
|
H.
Wayne Rosenberger (9)
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All
directors and officers as a group
|
|
|
9,331,569 |
|
|
|
51.96 |
% |
*
|
Less
than 1%
|
|
|
(1)
|
Such
persons have sole voting and investment power with respect to all Shares
of Common Stock shown as being beneficially owned by them, subject to
community property laws, where applicable, and the information contained
in the footnotes to this table.
|
|
|
(2)
|
The
address of each director and executive officer named is c/o the Company,
42505 Tenth Street West, Lancaster, California
93534-7059.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Own
an aggregate of 7,311,900 plus 60,000 shares of common stock underlying an
option exercisable within the next 60 days of the date of this Annual
Report.
|
|
|
(4)
|
Owns
159,450 shares of common stock acquired from the exercise of options
granted under the 1996 Stock Option plan, plus 661,000 shares of common
stock underlying an option exercisable within the next 60 days of the date
of this Annual Report.
|
|
|
(5)
|
Owns
105,595 shares of common stock, plus 720,000 shares of common stock
underlying an option exercisable within the next 60 days of the date of
this Annual Report.
|
|
|
(6)
|
Owns
195,000 shares of common stock, plus 65,000 shares of common stock
underlying an option exercisable within the next 60 days of the date of
this Annual Report.
|
|
|
(7)
|
Owns
4,000 shares of common stock, plus 22,812 shares of common stock
underlying an option exercisable within the next 60 days of the date of
this Annual Report. Does not include stock options for 3,200 shares, which
are not exercisable within the next 60 days of the date of this Annual
Report.
|
|
|
(8)
|
Owns
4,000 shares of common stock, plus 22,812 shares of common stock
underlying an option exercisable within the next 60 days of the date of
this Annual Report. Does not include stock options for 3,200 shares, which
are not exercisable within the next 60 days of the date of this Annual
Report.
|
|
|
(9)
|
Does
not include stock options for 1,500 shares, which are not exercisable
within the next 60 days of this
report.
|
COMPLIANCE
WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")
requires the Company's directors and executive officers and beneficial holders
of more than 10% of the Company's Common Stock to file with the Commission
initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of the
Company's equity securities.
Ronald F.
Creeley was late in filing two reports on Form 4s to report an exercise of stock
options and a sale of stock. Richard R. Weiss and H. Wayne Rosenberger were each
late in filing one report on Form 4s to report a grant of stock
options.
OPTION
GRANTS/EXERCISES IN FY08
Option
Grants
The
following table discloses information about option grants to the Named Executive
Officers during the year ended August 31, 2008, including hypothetical gains or
"option spreads" for the options at the end of their respective ten-year terms,
as calculated in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Each gain is based on an
arbitrarily assumed annualized rate of compound appreciation of the market price
at the date of the grant of 1% and 4% from the date the option was granted to
the end of the option term. Actual gains, if any, on option exercises are
dependent on the future performance of our common stock, overall market
conditions and continued employment.
Name
|
|
No.
of
Securities
Underlying
Options
Granted
|
|
|
Percent
of
Total
Options
Granted
to
Employees
in
FY06
|
|
|
Potential
Realizable Value at
Assumed
Annual Rated of Stock
Exercise
Price
Per
Share
|
|
Price
Appreciation for Option
Expiration
Date
|
|
Term
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1%
|
|
|
|
4%
|
|
Momoko
A. Beran
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
11.5 |
% |
|
$ |
3.02 |
|
01/21/2018
|
|
$ |
3,161 |
|
|
$ |
14,511 |
|
Ronald
F. Creeley
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
5.7 |
% |
|
$ |
3.02 |
|
01/21/2018
|
|
$ |
1,567 |
|
|
$ |
7,192 |
|
Jeffrey
A. Dahlen
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
5.7 |
% |
|
$ |
3.02 |
|
01/21/2018
|
|
$ |
1,567 |
|
|
$ |
7,192 |
|
Aggregate Option Exercises
in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year End Option Values
The
following table discloses certain information regarding the options held at
August 31, 2008 by the Chief Executive Officer and each other named executive
officer.
|
|
Shares
Acquired
on
Exercise
|
|
|
Value
Realized
(2)
|
|
|
Number
of Options at August 31, 2008
|
|
|
Value
of Options at
August
31, 2008 (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
Walter
S. Woltosz
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
17,175 |
* |
|
$ |
0.00 |
* |
Virginia
E. Woltosz
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
17,175 |
* |
|
$ |
0.00 |
* |
Momoko
Beran
|
|
|
36,000 |
|
|
$ |
88,590 |
|
|
|
661,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
814,993 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
Ronald
F. Creeley
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
$ |
75,750 |
|
|
|
720,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
899,640 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
Dr.
David Z. D'Argenio
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
20,812 |
|
|
|
5,600 |
|
|
$ |
25,418 |
|
|
$ |
852 |
|
Dr.
Richard R. Weiss
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
20,812 |
|
|
|
5,600 |
|
|
$ |
25,418 |
|
|
$ |
852 |
|
Jeffrey
A. Dahlen
|
|
|
195,000 |
|
|
$ |
616,150 |
|
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
42,900 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
H.
Wayne Rosenberger
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
(1)
|
Based
on a per share price of $1.81 at August 31, 2008 less applicable option
exercise prices.
|
(2)
|
The
value realized represents the difference between the aggregate closing
price of the shares on the date of exercise less the aggregate exercise
price paid.
|
*
|
Granted
at $2.48, 110% of market price of the issue
date.
|
OPTION
PLANS
As of
September 30, 2006, the un-issued portion of the 1996 Stock Option Plan was
cancelled by its Terms.
In
February 2007, the Board of Directors adopted and the shareholders approved the
2007 Stock Option Plan (the "2007 Option Plan") under which a total of 500,000
(1,000,000 shares after the 2-for-1 split on October 1, 2007) shares of common
stock were reserved for issuance.
COMPANY
CODE OF ETHICS
Our Code
of Ethics is posted on our web site: www.simulations-plus.com.
BOARD
COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS
The Board
of Directors has an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee.
Audit
Committee
The Audit
Committee reviews, acts on and reports to the Board of Directors with respect to
various auditing and accounting matters, including selecting our independent
auditors, the scope of the annual audits, fees to be paid to the auditors, the
performance of our independent auditors and our accounting practices. This
committee is responsible for selecting the Company's independent auditors,
reviewing the Company's internal audit procedures, reviewing quarterly and
annual financial statements independently and with the Company's independent
auditors, reviewing the results of the annual audit and implementing and
monitoring the Company's cash investment policy. In addition, this committee
assists the Board in its oversight of corporate accounting and internal
controls, reporting practices and the quality and integrity of the financial
reports of the Company. The Audit Committee met three times during fiscal
2008.
Audit Committee Financial
Expert
Currently
our three independent directors, Mr. H. Wayne Rosenberger, Dr. Richard R. Weiss
and Dr. David Z. D'Argenio, are the members of the Audit Committee. Under the
new rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission brought about by the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act, companies are required to disclose whether their audit
committees have an "audit committee financial expert" as defined in Item 401(h)
of Regulation S-B under the Exchange Act and whether that expert is
"independent" as that term is used in Item 7(d)(3)(iv) of Schedule 14A under the
Exchange Act. The Board of Directors believes that all members of the current
audit committee are qualified to read and understand financial reports, and that
Mr. H. Wayne Rosenberger meets the description of "audit committee financial
expert" as defined in the Regulation.
Compensation
Committee
The
Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation and benefits of our
key executive officers, administers our employee benefit plans and makes
recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding such matters. Dr. Richard R.
Weiss and Dr. David Z. D'Argenio are members of the Compensation Committee. The
Compensation Committee did not meet during fiscal 2008.
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
At the
Board of Directors' meeting held on July 19, 2006, the stipend for the outside
directors increased to $5,000 per year, which was the first increase since the
Company was incorporated. The payment per meeting was increased to $1,000 at the
Board meeting held on May 10, 2007. In addition, stock options which each
outside director receive annually were increased to 2,000 shares (4,000 shares
after the 2-for-1 split on October 1, 2007) at the fair market value of the
shares on the date of grant.
PROPOSAL
2: TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF ROSE, SNYDER AND JACOBS CPA'S AS THE COMPANY'S
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Board
has selected Rose, Snyder and Jacobs CPA's as its independent registered
accounting firm for the Company for fiscal year 2009. A resolution is being
submitted to shareholders at the meeting for ratification of such selection and
the accompanying proxy will be voted for such ratification, unless instructions
to the contrary are indicated therein. Although ratification by shareholders is
not a legal prerequisite to the Board's selection of Rose, Snyder and Jacobs as
the Company's independent registered accounting firm, the Company believes such
ratification to be appropriate. If the shareholders do not ratify the selection
of Rose, Snyder and Jacobs, the selection of our independent registered
accounting firm will be reconsidered by the Board; however, the Board may select
Rose, Snyder and Jacobs, notwithstanding the failure of the shareholders to
ratify its selection.
The Board
expects that a representative of Rose, Snyder and Jacobs will be present at the
meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires,
and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
AUDIT
FEES
The
Company incurred the following fees to Rose, Snyder & Jacobs, CPAs for
services rendered during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008:
Fee Category
|
|
FY08 Fees
|
|
|
FY07 Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
fees
|
|
$ |
74,010 |
|
|
$ |
67,845 |
|
Tax
fees
|
|
|
15,880 |
|
|
|
10,030 |
|
All
other fees
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Total fees
|
|
$ |
89,890 |
|
|
$ |
77,875 |
|
Audit Fees - Consists of fees
incurred for professional services rendered for the audit of
Simulations Plus, Inc.'s consolidated financial statements and for
reviews of the interim consolidated financial statements included in
our quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB and consents for filings with
the SEC.
Tax Fees - Consists of fees
billed for professional services relating to tax compliance, tax reporting, and
tax advice.
All Other Fees - Consists of
fees billed for all other services.
The
appointment of auditors is approved annually by the Board.
The
appointment of auditors is approved annually by the Board.
VOTE
REQUIRED
Approval
of Proposal 2 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of
Common Stock present and voting at a meeting if a quorum is
present.
Recommendation
of the Board of Directors:
The Board
of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of Proposal 2.
OTHER
MATTERS
The Board
of Directors of the Company knows of no other matters to be presented at the
Annual Meeting other than those described above. However, if any other matters
properly come before the meeting, it is intended that any shares voted by proxy
will be voted in the discretion of the Board of Directors.
|
By
Order of the Board of Directors
/s/
Virginia E.
Woltosz
Virginia
E. Woltosz
Secretary
Dated:
January 22,
2009
|
Appendix
1: Audit Committee Charter
ORGANIZATION:
The audit
committee shall be composed of directors, the majority of whom are independent
of the management of the corporation and are free of any relationship that, in
the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with their exercise of
independent judgment as a committee member.
STATEMENT
OF POLICY:
The audit
committee shall provide assistance to the corporate management in fulfilling
their responsibility to the shareholders, potential shareholders, and investment
community on matters relating to corporate finances. In so doing, it is the
responsibility of the audit committee to maintain free and open means of
communication between the directors, the independent registered accounting firm
("independent auditors"), and the financial management of the
corporation.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
In
carrying out its responsibilities, the audit committee believes its policies and
procedures should remain flexible, in order to best react to changing conditions
and to ensure to the directors and shareholders that the corporate accounting
and reporting practices of the corporation are in accordance with all
requirements and are of high quality.
In
carrying out these responsibilities, the audit committee will:
·
|
Review
and recommend to the management the independent auditors to be selected to
audit the financial statements of the corporation and its
subsidiaries.
|
·
|
Review
with the independent auditors, the company's management, and financial and
accounting personnel, the adequacy and effectiveness of the accounting and
financial controls of the corporation, and elicit
any recommendations for the improvement of such internal
control procedures or particular areas where new or more detailed controls
or procedures are desirable. Particular emphasis should be given to the
adequacy of such internal controls to expose any payments, transactions,
or procedures that might be deemed illegal or otherwise improper. Further,
the committee periodically should review company
policy.
|
·
|
Review
the financial statements contained in the annual report to shareholders
with management and the independent auditors to determine that the
independent auditors are satisfied with the disclosure and content of the
financial statements to be presented to the shareholders. Any changes in
accounting principles should be
reviewed.
|
·
|
Provide
sufficient opportunity for independent auditors to meet with the members
of the audit committee without members of management present. Among the
items to be discussed in these meetings are the independent auditors'
evaluation of the corporation's financial, accounting, auditing personnel,
and the cooperation that the independent auditors received during the
course of the audit.
|
·
|
Investigate
any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its duties, with
the power to retain outside counsel for this purpose if,
in its judgment, that is
appropriate.
|
A-1
Appendix
2: Form of Proxy Card
APPENDIX
2: FORM OF PROXY CARD
Exhibit
to Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Simulations
Plus, Inc.
Proxy
Solicited
by the Board of Directors of Simulations Plus, Inc. -- Annual Meeting of
Shareholders -- February 27, 2009
The
undersigned hereby appoints Walter S. Woltosz and Momoko Beran, or either of
them, attorneys and proxies for the undersigned, with full power of
substitution, for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, to
represent and vote, as designated below, all shares of stock of Simulations
Plus, Inc., a California Corporation, held of record by the undersigned on
December 19, 2008, at the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders to be held at 42505
10th Street West, Lancaster, California at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on
February 27, 2009, or at any adjournment or postponement of such meeting, in
accordance with and as described in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
and Proxy Statement. If no direction is given, this proxy will be voted FOR
Proposals 1 and 2 and in the discretion of the proxy as to such other matters as
may properly come before the meeting.
[X]
Please mark the votes as in this example.
The Board
of Directors recommends a vote for Proposals 1 and 2.
1. Election
of Directors
Nominees:
Walter S. Woltosz, Virginia E. Woltosz, Dr. David Z. D'Argenio, Dr.
Richard
R. Weiss, and H. Wayne Rosenberger
|
FOR
[_]
|
WITHHELD
[_]
|
|
|
|
|
FOR
all nominees except as stated on line
above
|
2. Ratification
of selection of Rose, Snyder and Jacobs CPA's as Auditors
|
FOR
[_]
|
AGAINST
[_]
|
ABSTAIN
[_]
|
The
undersigned hereby revokes any proxy or proxies heretofore given to vote upon or
act with respect to such stock and hereby ratifies all that the proxies, their
substitutes, or any of them, may lawfully do by virtue hereof.
Please
sign exactly as your name appears on the address label affixed hereto. If acting
as attorney, executor, trustee or in other representative capacity,
sign
name and
title.
Date:
Signature:
Signature
if held jointly
A-2