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135 N. LOS ROBLES AVENUE |
April 19, 2005
Dear Stockholder:
You are invited to attend the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. to be held on Thursday, May 19, 2005, at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa, Monarch Ballroom, One Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, California, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) local time.
At this years meeting you will be asked to elect seven directors and ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accountants for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2005. The accompanying Notice of Meeting and proxy statement describe these matters. We urge you to read this information carefully.
Your Board of Directors unanimously believes that election of its nominees for directors and ratification of its selection of independent registered public accountants are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and, accordingly, recommends a vote FOR election of the nominees for directors and FOR the ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accountants.
In addition to the formal business to be transacted, management will report on the progress of our business and respond to comments and questions of general interest to stockholders.
We sincerely hope that you will be able to attend and participate in the meeting. Whether or not you plan to come to the meeting, however, it is important that your shares be represented and voted. You may vote your shares by completing the accompanying proxy card or giving your proxy authorization via telephone or the Internet. Please read the instructions on the accompanying proxy card for details on giving your proxy authorization via telephone or the Internet.
BY COMPLETING AND RETURNING THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD OR BY GIVING YOUR PROXY AUTHORIZATION VIA TELEPHONE OR THE INTERNET, YOU AUTHORIZE MANAGEMENT TO REPRESENT YOU AND VOTE YOUR SHARES ACCORDING TO YOUR INSTRUCTIONS. SUBMITTING YOUR PROXY NOW WILL NOT PREVENT YOU FROM VOTING IN PERSON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, BUT WILL ASSURE THAT YOUR VOTE IS COUNTED IF YOUR PLANS CHANGE AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND.
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Jerry M. Sudarsky |
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Chairman of the Board |
ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES, INC.
135 North Los Robles Avenue, Suite 250
Pasadena, California 91101
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be Held on Thursday, May 19, 2005
To the Stockholders of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2005, at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa, Monarch Ballroom, One Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, California, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) local time. At the annual meeting, stockholders will be asked:
1. To elect seven directors to serve until the Companys next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
2. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public accountants for the year ending December 31, 2005.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof and may properly be voted upon.
The Board of Directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on March 31, 2005 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting in person. Stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 31, 2005, the record date, will be admitted to the annual meeting upon presentation of identification. Stockholders who own shares of Common Stock beneficially through a bank, broker or other nominee will be admitted to the annual meeting upon presentation of identification and proof of ownership or a valid proxy signed by the record holder. A recent brokerage statement or a letter from a bank or broker are examples of proof of ownership. If you own shares of the Companys Common Stock beneficially and want to vote in person at the annual meeting, you should contact your broker or applicable agent in whose name the shares are registered to obtain a brokers proxy and bring it to the annual meeting in order to vote.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE RETURN YOUR PROXY (BY COMPLETING AND RETURNING THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD OR BY GIVING PROXY AUTHORIZATION VIA TELEPHONE OR THE INTERNET) AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING. EVEN IF YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR PROXY, YOU MAY STILL VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING. IF YOU OWN SHARES OF THE COMPANYS COMMON STOCK BENEFICIALLY AND WANT TO VOTE IN PERSON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR BROKER OR APPLICABLE AGENT IN WHOSE NAME THE SHARES ARE REGISTERED TO OBTAIN A BROKERS PROXY AND BRING IT TO THE ANNUAL MEETING IN ORDER TO VOTE.
By Order of the Board of Directors |
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Peter J. Nelson |
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Secretary |
Pasadena, California |
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April 19, 2005 |
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ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES, INC.
135 North Los Robles Avenue, Suite 250
Pasadena, California 91101
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
to be held
Thursday, May 19, 2005
General
This Proxy Statement is provided to the stockholders of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), to solicit proxies, in the form enclosed, for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on Thursday, May 19, 2005, at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa, Monarch Ballroom, One Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, California, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) local time, and any and all adjournments or postponements thereof. The Board of Directors knows of no matters to come before the annual meeting other than those described in this Proxy Statement. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy are first being mailed to stockholders on or about April 19, 2005.
Solicitation
This solicitation is made by mail on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company. The Company will pay for the costs of the solicitation. Further solicitation of proxies may be made, including by mail, telephone, fax, in person or other means, by the directors, officers or employees of the Company or its affiliates, none of whom will receive additional compensation for such solicitation. In addition, the Company has engaged The Altman Group, Inc., a firm specializing in proxy solicitation, to solicit proxies and assist in the distribution and collection of proxy material for an estimated fee of approximately $14,000. The Company will reimburse banks, brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred by them in sending proxy materials to their customers or principals who are the beneficial owners of shares of the Companys common stock, par value $.01 per share (the Common Stock).
Voting Procedures
Only those holders of Common Stock of record as of the close of business on March 31, 2005, the record date, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting. A total of 21,075,793 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding as of the record date. Each share of Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote. Cumulative voting of shares of Common Stock is not permitted.
The presence in person or by proxy of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote will be necessary to constitute a quorum to transact business at the annual meeting. Abstentions will be treated as present for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum. At the annual meeting, directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast and a majority of the votes cast will be required to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public accountants. Abstentions will have no effect on the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP. It is expected that brokers will have discretionary power to vote on each of the proposals.
Shares represented by properly executed proxies in the form enclosed that are timely received by the Secretary of the Company and not revoked will be voted as specified on the proxy. If no specification is
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made on a properly executed and returned proxy, the shares represented thereby will be voted FOR the election of each of the seven nominees for director named in this proxy statement and FOR ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accountants of the Company. If any other matters properly come before the annual meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote such proxies in their discretion. In order to be voted, each proxy must be filed with the Secretary of the Company prior to exercise.
Revocability of Proxies
Stockholders may revoke a proxy at any time before the proxy is exercised. This may be done by filing a notice of revocation of the proxy with the Secretary of the Company, by filing a later-dated proxy with the Secretary of the Company, or by voting in person at the annual meeting.
PROPOSAL NUMBER ONEELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Stockholders will be asked at the annual meeting to elect seven directors, who will constitute the full Board of Directors as currently authorized by the Companys Bylaws. Each elected director will hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until the directors successor is duly elected and qualified. If any nominee becomes unavailable to serve for any reason, an event the Company does not anticipate, solicited proxies will be voted for the election of the person, if any, designated by the Board of Directors to replace the unavailable nominee.
Stockholders may withhold authority to vote their proxies for either (i) the entire slate of nominated directors by checking the box marked WITHHOLD on the proxy card, or (ii) any one or more of the individual nominees, by following the instructions on the proxy card. Instructions on the accompanying proxy card that withhold authority to vote for one or more of the nominees will cause any such nominee to receive fewer votes.
The following seven persons have been selected by the Board of Directors as nominees for election to the Board of Directors: Jerry M. Sudarsky, Joel S. Marcus, James H. Richardson, Richard B. Jennings, Richard H. Klein, Alan G. Walton and Richmond A. Wolf. All of the nominees are incumbent directors. Additional information about these nominees is provided in the table and biographical information that follow.
Required Vote
A plurality of the votes cast at the annual meeting is required for the election of directors.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR each of the named nominees.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Directors, Executive Officers And Senior Management
The following sets forth certain information concerning the directors, executive officers and senior management of the Company as of the record date for the annual meeting:
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Jerry M. Sudarsky |
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86 |
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Chairman of the Board |
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Joel S. Marcus |
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Chief Executive Officer and Director |
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James H. Richardson |
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President and Director |
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Peter J. Nelson |
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Secretary |
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Dean A. Shigenaga |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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Vincent R. Ciruzzi |
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Richard B. Jennings |
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Director |
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Richard H. Klein |
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Director |
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Alan G. Walton |
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Director |
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Richmond A. Wolf |
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Director |
Jerry M. Sudarsky has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors since the Companys inception in 1994. He served as the Chief Executive Officer from inception to March 1997. From 1986 to 1994, Mr. Sudarsky served as Vice Chairman of Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., an engineering and construction firm. Mr. Sudarsky has extensive experience in the design, engineering, construction and operation of commercial and pharmaceutical properties. In 1946, Mr. Sudarsky founded Bioferm Corp., a company that pioneered the production of Vitamin B12 and the first commercial bio-insecticide products, where he served until 1965. In 1967, Mr. Sudarsky founded and became Chairman of Israel Chemicals, where he served until 1972.
Joel S. Marcus has been Chief Executive Officer since March 1997 and has served as a director since the Companys inception. Mr. Marcus was previously Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer from inception to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer. He was Secretary from inception to April 1997. From 1986 to 1994, Mr. Marcus was a partner at the law firm of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, LLP (including a predecessor firm), specializing in corporate finance and capital markets, venture capital and mergers and acquisitions, in the bio-pharmaceutical industry. From 1984 to 1994, he also served as General Counsel and Secretary of Kirin-Amgen, Inc., a joint venture which financed the development of, and owned patents to, two multi-billion dollar genetically-engineered biopharmaceutical products. Mr. Marcus was formerly a practicing certified public accountant specializing in the financing and taxation of real estate. He received his undergraduate and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of California at Los Angeles. He is a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT). Mr. Marcus received the Ernst & Young 1999 Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Los AngelesReal Estate).
James H. Richardson has been President since August 1998 and has served as a director since March 1999. Mr. Richardson previously served as Executive Vice President from January 1998 to August 1998 and as Senior Vice President from August 1997 to December 1997. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Richardson held management and brokerage positions for nearly 15 years at CB Richard Ellis, Inc., a full-service provider of commercial real estate services. From March 1996 to August 1997, Mr. Richardson served as Senior Vice President, Area Manager, for the San Francisco peninsula and San Jose offices of CB Richard Ellis. From December 1982 to March 1996, he was a top producing professional in CB Richard Ellis brokerage operations group. During his time at CB Richard Ellis, Mr. Richardson was instrumental in the creation and development of the biosciences and corporate services practice groups. Mr. Richardson received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Claremont McKenna College.
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Peter J. Nelson has been Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since April 1997, Senior Vice President since May 1998 and Secretary since February 2002. Mr. Nelson was also Secretary from April 1997 to January 2000. Mr. Nelson resigned as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer effective August 11, 2004 for important personal family reasons and resigned as Senior Vice President effective October 20, 2004. Mr. Nelson continues to serve the Company in the capacity of a senior advisory consultant and Secretary of the Company and intends to continue to do so through at least April 30, 2007. Prior to joining the Company, from 1995 to 1997, Mr. Nelson served as Chief Financial Officer of Lennar Partners, Inc. (now LNR Property Corp.), a diversified real estate company, where he was responsible for the financial management of the firms real estate portfolio. From 1990 to 1995, Mr. Nelson was Chief Financial Officer of Westrec Properties, Inc., a national owner and operator of boat marinas and resort properties. Mr. Nelson also served as Vice President, Corporate Financial Planning of Public Storage, Inc. from 1986 to 1990, and as an audit manager at Ernst & Young LLP from 1979 to 1986. Mr. Nelson is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, where he has served on the Real Estate Committee. Mr. Nelson received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, summa cum laude, from California State University, Northridge.
Dean A Shigenaga has been Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since December 2004, Vice President and Acting Chief Financial Officer from August 2004 to December 2004, Vice President from July 2002 to August 2004 and Assistant Vice President from December 2000 to July 2002. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Shigenaga was an Assurance and Advisory Business Services Manager in Ernst & Young LLPs Real Estate Practice. In his role at Ernst & Young LLP, from 1993 through 2000, Mr. Shigenaga provided assurance and advisory services to several publicly traded REITs, over a dozen private real estate companies and many other public and private companies. Mr. Shigenaga assisted clients, in addition to providing audit and attestation services, with services related to initial public offerings, secondary offerings, debt offerings and technical research. Mr. Shigenaga is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Shigenaga received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from the University of Southern California.
Vincent R. Ciruzzi has been a Senior Vice President since June 2000 and was a Vice President from September 1996 until June 2000. In 1993, Mr. Ciruzzi founded a real estate consulting business, which provided consulting services to the Company from September 1995 until his appointment as Vice President of the Company. From 1986 to 1993, Mr. Ciruzzi served as Project Manager for Home Capital Development Group, a real estate development company, where he specialized in project management of master planned communities as well as real estate development. Mr. Ciruzzi received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Real Estate from the University of Southern California.
Richard B. Jennings has served as a director since May 1998. Mr. Jennings is President of Realty Capital International Inc., a real estate investment banking firm, that he founded in 1991, and is President of Jennings Securities Corporation, a National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD) member securities firm, that he founded in 1995. From 1990 to 1991, Mr. Jennings served as Senior Vice President of Landauer Real Estate Counselors, and from 1986 to 1989, Mr. Jennings served as Managing Director, Real Estate Finance at Drexel Burnham Lambert. From 1969 to 1986, Mr. Jennings oversaw the REIT investment banking business at Goldman, Sachs & Co. During his tenure at Goldman, Sachs & Co., Mr. Jennings founded and managed the Mortgage Finance Group from 1979 to 1986. Mr. Jennings also serves as a director of Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc. He is a licensed NASD Principal and a New York real estate broker. Mr. Jennings has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude, from Yale University, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School.
Richard H. Klein has served as a director since December 2003. Mr. Klein has a diverse 25-year background as a senior advisor to a variety of domestic and international businesses, with a particular focus
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on real estate organizations. From 1978 to 1983, Mr. Klein provided tax consulting and auditing services for PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP. From 1984 to 2000, Mr. Klein was with Ernst & Young LLP, and a predecessor firm, Kenneth Leventhal & Company. At these firms, Mr. Klein served in a variety of capacities, including as partner in the REIT Advisory Practice, the Financial Restructuring and Insolvency Practice and the Public Relations and Practice Development Department. After leaving Ernst & Young LLP, Mr. Klein was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Environmental Industries, Inc. a large privately held landscape contractor and maintenance company. Subsequently, Mr. Klein served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of General Connect LLC, a startup company created to provide new financing opportunities for residential real estate developers and telecommunication service providers. In 2003, Mr. Klein founded and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Chefmakers Cooking Academy LLC, which provides culinary education services and sales of high end retail products and services oriented to the home chef. Mr. Klein is a certified public accountant in the State of California. Mr. Klein received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Southern California.
Alan G. Walton has served as a director since September 1998. Dr. Walton has been a General Partner of Oxford Bioscience Partners, an investment fund concentrating on investments in the medical, medical services and biotechnology fields, since 1987. From 1981 to 1987, Dr. Walton was President and Chief Executive Officer of University Genetics Co., a publicly-traded biotechnology company involved in technology transfer and seed investments in university-related projects. Prior to 1981, Dr. Walton was a professor at Harvard Medical School, Indiana University and Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Walton currently serves as a director of Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Targecept, Inc., Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Asterand. Dr. Walton received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Chemistry and his Doctor of Science degree in Biological Chemistry from Nottingham University in England.
Richmond A. Wolf has served as a director since February 2004. Since 1997, Dr. Wolf has served in various positions at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), a non profit university that also manages the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Since November 2003, Dr. Wolf has served as Caltechs Director of the Office of Technology Transfer. In this role, Dr. Wolf assesses the commercial and technical merit of technologies developed at Caltech and JPL, and manages the operations of the intellectual property portfolio, which includes over 2,000 issued and pending patents. Dr. Wolf has substantial experience in technology licensing transactions in numerous fields, including molecular biology, medical devices, semiconductors and telecommunications. He has been an observer to the board of directors of several companies, and he has been or is a member of the advisory board of ITU Ventures, Oak Grove Systems, the Los Angeles Regional Technology Alliance and The Egg Factory. Dr. Wolf is a graduate of Princeton University cum laude and received a Ph.D. from Caltech.
Information on Board of Directors and its Committees
The Board of Directors held four regular meetings and fourteen special meetings in 2004 and took action on two occasions during 2004 by unanimous written consent. No director attended less than 75% of the aggregate number of meetings held by the Board of Directors during 2004 and by all committees of which such director is a member.
The Company encourages each member of the Board of Directors to attend each annual meeting of the Companys stockholders. All continuing directors attended the annual meeting of stockholders held on May 12, 2004.
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominating & Governance Committee.
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Audit Committee
The Audit Committee consists of Directors Klein (Chairperson), Jennings and Sudarsky. It held nine meetings in 2004. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. The charter of the Audit Committee is published on our website at www.labspace.com. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accountants who audit the Companys financial statements. In addition, the role of the Audit Committee is to discuss the scope and results of the audit with the independent registered public accountants, review the Companys interim and year-end operating results with management and the independent registered public accountants, consider the adequacy of the Companys internal accounting controls and audit procedures and pre-approve all engagements with the Companys independent registered public accountants, including both audit and non-audit services. The Audit Committee also reviews and recommends to the Board of Directors any changes that may be required to the Companys business integrity policy (described further under Code of Ethics).
The Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Klein and Jennings is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Audit Committee Report
This Audit Committee Report shall not be deemed to be soliciting material or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission nor shall this information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into a filing.
The Audit Committee is comprised of three directors and acts under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board of Directors. Each member of the Audit Committee has been determined by our board of directors to be an independent director in conformity with the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Management has the primary responsibility for the Companys financial statements and reporting process. The Companys independent registered public accountants are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the Companys audited financial statements to generally accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committee reviews the Companys financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. The limitations inherent in the oversight role of a committee of the Board of Directors, however, do not provide the Audit Committee with a basis independent of management and the Companys independent registered public accountants to determine that accounting and financial reporting principles and policies have been appropriately applied by management or that the Companys internal control procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations have been appropriately implemented.
The Audit Committee has reviewed the Companys audited financial statements and has discussed them with management and the independent registered public accountants. The Audit Committee has also discussed with the independent registered public accountants the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees) and has received from the independent registered public accountants the written disclosures required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussion with Audit Committees) and discussed with them their independence from the Company and its management. The Audit Committee has further considered whether the independent registered public accountants provision of non-audit services to the Company is compatible with the auditors independence.
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The Audit Committee meets with the internal and independent registered public accountants, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Companys internal controls and the overall quality of the Companys financial reporting. In addition, the Audit Committee met with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company to discuss the processes that they have undertaken to evaluate the accuracy and fair presentation of the Companys financial statements and the effectiveness of the Companys system of disclosure controls and procedures.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions described above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
AUDIT COMMITTEE |
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Richard H. Klein, Chairperson |
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Richard B. Jennings |
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Jerry M. Sudarsky |
Nominating & Governance Committee
The Nominating & Governance Committee consists of Directors Sudarsky (Chairperson), Jennings and Walton, each of whom meets the independence criteria of the New York Stock Exchange. The Committee met five times and took action on two occasions during 2004 by unanimous written consent. The charter for the Nominating & Governance Committee is published on our website at www.labspace.com. The Nominating & Governance Committee is responsible for, among other things, making recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to corporate governance policies and reviewing and recommending changes to the Companys corporate governance guidelines that have been adopted by the Board of Directors. The Committee also recommends to the Board of Directors candidates for nomination for election as directors of the Company and appointments of directors as members of the committees of the Board of Directors.
The Nominating & Governance Committee considers candidates for director suggested by stockholders for elections to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders. Stockholders can suggest qualified candidates for director by complying with the advance notification and other requirements of the Companys Bylaws regarding director nominations. Director nomination materials submitted in accordance with the Bylaw procedures will be forwarded to the Chairperson of the Nominating & Governance Committee for review and consideration. Director nominees suggested by stockholders will be evaluated in the same manner, and subject to the same criteria, as other nominees evaluated by the Committee. The Committee also considers candidates for director suggested by its members, other directors and management and may from time to time retain a third-party executive search firm to identify director candidates for the Committee.
Generally, once the Nominating & Governance Committee has identified a prospective nominee, the Committee makes an initial determination as to whether to conduct a full evaluation of the candidate based on information provided to the Committee with the recommendation of the candidate, as well as the Committees own knowledge of the candidate, which may be supplemented by inquiries to the person making the recommendation or others. The initial determination is based primarily on the need for additional directors to fill vacancies or expand the size of the Board of Directors and the likelihood that the candidate can satisfy the evaluation factors described below. If the Committee determines, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board and other directors, as appropriate, that additional consideration is warranted, it may request a third-party search firm to gather additional information about the candidates background and experience and to report its findings to the Committee. The Committee
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then evaluates the candidate against the standards and qualifications set out in guidelines for director candidates adopted by the Board of Directors, including the nominees management, leadership and business experience, skill and diversity, such as financial literacy and knowledge of directorial duties, and integrity and professionalism.
The Committee also considers such other relevant factors as it deems appropriate, including the current composition of the Board of Directors, the balance of management and independent directors, the need for particular expertise (such as Audit Committee expertise) and the evaluations of other prospective nominees. In connection with this evaluation, the Committee determines whether to interview the prospective nominee, and, if warranted, one or more members of the Committee, and others as appropriate, interview prospective nominees in person or by telephone. After completing this evaluation and interview, the Committee makes a recommendation to the full Board of Directors as to the persons who should be nominated by the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors determines the nominees after considering the recommendation of the Committee.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee consists of Directors Jennings (Chairperson), Walton and Wolf, each of whom meets the independence criteria of the New York Stock Exchange. It held seven meetings in 2004. The Compensation Committee has the authority to review and approve compensation arrangements, grant annual incentive awards for executive officers and other employees, adopt and amend employment agreements for executive officers and other employees of the Company, and administer the Companys stock option and other incentive plans. The charter for the Compensation Committee is published on our website at www.labspace.com.
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
This Compensation Committee Report shall not be deemed to be soliciting material or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission nor shall this information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into a filing.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving the Companys compensation policies and the compensation paid to executive officers. The following is the report of the Compensation Committee to the Board of Directors describing compensation policies and rationales applicable to the Companys executive officers with respect to compensation paid to such officers for 2004.
Compensation Philosophy. The Companys compensation program is designed to offer executive officers competitive compensation based on the Companys performance, its unique niche, strategy, business model and execution and on the individuals contribution, performance and leadership. The Companys compensation policies are intended to motivate, reward and retain highly qualified executives for long-term strategic management and the enhancement of stockholder value, to support a performance-oriented environment that rewards achievement of specific internal Company goals, and to attract and retain executives whose abilities are critical to the long-term success and competitiveness of the Company.
The three main components in the Companys executive compensation program are:
· Base Salary
· Incentive Bonus
· Stock Incentives
8
Base Salary. The salaries of Messrs. Marcus, Richardson and Ciruzzi are established by their respective employment agreements with the Company and are modified as determined by the Compensation Committee. The salaries of other senior executive officers are determined annually by the Compensation Committee with reference to surveys of salaries paid to executives with similar responsibilities at comparable companies. The peer group for each senior executive officer is composed of executives whose responsibilities are similar in scope and content. In general, the Company seeks to set executive compensation levels that are competitive and take into account the unique niche of the Company as well as reflect its performance.
Incentive Bonus. Annual incentive bonuses for executive officers, if any, are intended to reflect the Compensation Committees belief that a portion of the annual compensation of each executive officer should be contingent upon the performance of the Company, as well as the individual contribution of each officer.
Stock Incentives. The Company, from time to time, grants restricted stock, stock options and other incentives (the stock incentives), as appropriate, as long-term incentives to motivate, reward and retain executive officers. The Compensation Committee, which has responsibility for making grants of stock incentives under the Companys Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Award and Incentive Plan (the 1997 Incentive Plan), believes that stock incentives provide an incentive that focuses the executives attention on the Company from the perspective of an owner with an equity stake in the business. For example, stock options have been granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant, which provides value to the recipient only when the price of the Companys stock increases above the exercise price (that is, only to the extent that stockholders as a whole have benefited). Generally, stock options granted to executive officers vest ratably over a three-year period based on the option holders continuous service with the Company.
Employment Contracts. The Company offers employment contracts to key executives only when it is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders to attract, motivate and retain such key executives and to ensure continuity and stability of management.
Compensation of Chief Executive Officer and Other Executives. The Compensation Committee increased Mr. Marcus salary during 2004 by 5.0%. The increase reflected the Compensation Committees assessment of his performance in light of the Companys performance in the prior fiscal year and Mr. Marcus service to the Company. Salary increases of the other senior executive officers effected during 2004 ranged from 2.7% to 5.9% and were based on similar considerations, including individual performance, position, tenure, experience, expertise, leadership and competitive data in compensation surveys.
Mr. Marcus and other executive officers in good standing may receive a discretionary annual bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee. In determining the amounts of such bonuses, the Compensation Committee considers the individual performance of each executive and the performance of the Company.
Messrs. Marcus, Richardson, Nelson, Shigenaga and Ciruzzi are eligible for cash bonuses and restricted stock awards under the Companys long-term compensation cash and stock-based incentive program adopted by the Compensation Committee in 2001. Restricted stock awards paid under this program are made pursuant to the 1997 Incentive Plan, and are based on performance that occurs over a period of one fiscal year or less.
Section 162(m) Policy. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, generally provides that publicly held companies may not deduct compensation paid to certain of their top executive officers to the extent such compensation exceeds $1 million per officer in any year. However, pursuant to regulations issued by the Treasury Department, certain limited exceptions to Section 162(m) apply with
9
respect to performance-based compensation. Awards granted under the 1997 Incentive Plan are intended to constitute qualified performance-based compensation. The Company will continue to monitor the applicability of Section 162(m) to its ongoing compensation arrangements. The Company does not expect that amounts of compensation paid to its executive officers will fail to be deductible because of Section 162(m).
|
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE |
|
Richard B. Jennings, Chairperson |
|
Alan G. Walton |
|
Richmond A. Wolf |
Compensation Committee Interlocks And Insider Participation
The current members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Jennings, Walton and Wolf. Anthony M. Solomon, a former director of the Company, also served on the Compensation Committee during 2004 until his resignation from the Board on August 4, 2004 due to personal health reasons. Mr. Wolf was appointed to the Compensation Committee in July 2004. No member of the Compensation Committee in 2004 (Messrs. Jennings, Solomon, Walton and Wolf) has had any relationship or transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 402(j) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Compensation of Directors
The Company currently pays each of its non-employee directors annual compensation of $20,000 for services to the Company. In addition, each non-employee director receives fees of $1,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors, or committee thereof, attended in person and $500 for each such meeting attended by telephone and is reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred to attend such meetings. Directors who chair committees receive the following additional annual fees: Board Chairperson, $10,000; Audit Committee Chairperson, $15,000; Compensation Committee Chairperson, $10,000 and Nominating & Governance Committee Chairperson, $5,000.
Non-employee directors are also eligible to receive awards of restricted stock under the 1997 Incentive Plan as compensation for their services as directors. In December 2004, the Board of Directors approved a restricted stock grant of 1,200 shares of Common Stock to each non-employee director under the 1997 Incentive Plan. The per share fair market value of the Common Stock on the effective date of the grant was $72.98. These restricted stock awards will vest in full as of January 1, 2008. In connection with each of the restricted stock grants, each non-employee director was also paid in cash a tax gross-up fee equal to $35,030. Employees of the Company who are also directors do not receive any fees or stock awards for their services as directors.
The Companys Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (the Directors DC Plan) established in December 2001 permits non-employee directors to elect to defer receipt of their annual compensation, meeting fees and restricted stock awards. In 2003, a distribution was made to a director under the Directors DC Plan in the form of 708 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the 1997 Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had not made any other distributions under the Directors DC Plan.
10
The following table summarizes the compensation paid by the Company to its Chief Executive Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company (the Named Executive Officers) for services rendered to the Company in all capacities in 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Compensation Awards |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
Annual Compensation |
|
Restricted |
|
Securities |
|
All Other |
|
||||||||||||
Name and Principal Positions |
|
Year |
|
Salary($) |
|
Bonus($) |
|
Other Annual |
|
Stock |
|
Underlying |
|
Compensation |
|
||||||
Joel S. Marcus |
|
2004 |
|
625,000 |
|
210,000 |
(2) |
|
20,799 |
|
|
571,000 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
200,544 |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
2003 |
|
595,000 |
|
510,000 |
(5) |
|
6,510 |
|
|
2,219,188 |
(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
188,274 |
|
|
|
2002 |
|
550,000 |
|
280,000 |
(7) |
|
86,895 |
(8) |
|
1,127,500 |
(9) |
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
167,440 |
|
|
|
James H. Richardson |
|
2004 |
|
450,000 |
|
150,000 |
(2) |
|
18,242 |
|
|
|
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
76,503 |
|
|
President |
|
2003 |
|
425,000 |
|
250,000 |
(5) |
|
3,845 |
|
|
1,556,283 |
(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
75,650 |
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
410,000 |
|
200,000 |
(7) |
|
26,710 |
(8) |
|
845,625 |
(9) |
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
76,650 |
|
|
Peter J. Nelson(11) |
|
2004 |
|
322,500 |
|
80,328 |
(2) |
|
27,100 |
(3) |
|
|
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
90,711 |
|
|
Secretary |
|
2003 |
|
375,000 |
|
256,250 |
(5) |
|
2,370 |
|
|
1,296,858 |
(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
92,400 |
|
|
|
2002 |
|
350,000 |
|
175,000 |
(7) |
|
16,782 |
(8) |
|
704,688 |
(9) |
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
93,400 |
|
|
|
Dean A. Shigenaga(12) |
|
2004 |
|
185,000 |
|
|
|
|
4,708 |
|
|
74,775 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
5,308 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vincent R. Ciruzzi |
|
2004 |
|
247,500 |
|
|
|
|
17,237 |
|
|
471,555 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
55,683 |
|
|
Senior Vice President |
|
2003 |
|
240,000 |
|
62,500 |
(5) |
|
2,683 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,525 |
|
|
|
2002 |
|
225,000 |
|
125,000 |
(7) |
|
13,500 |
(8) |
|
333,750 |
(10) |
|
|
|
|
|
56,525 |
|
|
(1) All Other Compensation includes the following contributions made by the Company to employee accounts under the Companys 401(k) plan and Cash Balance Pension Plan in 2002, 2003 and 2004 respectively: Mr. Marcus, $162,800, $182,564 and $192,956; Mr. Richardson, $76,000, $75,000 and $75,000; Mr. Nelson, $91,000, $90,000 and $90,000; Mr. Shigenaga, $5,159 (for the period from August 11, 2004 to December 31, 2004); and Mr. Ciruzzi, $56,000, $55,000 and $55,000. All Other Compensation also includes the following term life insurance premiums paid by the Company during 2002, 2003 and 2004 respectively: Mr. Marcus, $4,640, $5,710 and $7,588; Mr. Richardson, $650, $650 and $1,503; Mr. Nelson, $2,400, $2,400 and $711; Mr. Shigenaga, $149 (for the period from August 11, 2004 to December 31, 2004); and Mr. Ciruzzi, $525, $525 and $683.
(2) Bonuses for Mr. Marcus, Mr. Richardson, and Mr. Nelson for services rendered in 2004 of $210,000, $150,000 and $80,328, respectively, were awarded in March 2005. These amounts will be paid in May 2005, contingent upon each officers continuous service to the Company through May 23, 2005, other than termination due to the officers death or disability.
(3) Other Annual Compensation for 2004 includes accrued vacation pay of $12,031 to Mr. Nelson.
(4) Mr. Marcus, Mr. Richardson, and Mr. Nelson will be granted restricted stock awards for services rendered in 2004 in the amounts of 31,250 shares, 23,438 shares, and 11,953 shares, respectively, of the Companys Common Stock effective April 1, 2005. The restricted stock agreements for these shares will describe a restricted period through January 31, 2009 for Mr. Marcus and Mr. Richardson. For Mr. Nelson, the restricted stock agreement will describe a restricted period through April 30, 2007. Also during 2004, Mr. Marcus received an award of 10,000 shares of restricted stock with a restricted period through April 30, 2006. In addition, Mr. Shigenaga and Mr. Ciruzzi received awards of 999 and 6,300 shares of restricted stock, respectively, with various restricted periods ranging from October 31, 2005 to February 1, 2008. During these restricted periods the shares may not be sold or transferred and will be subject to forfeiture in the event the officers employment with the Company is terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined in the applicable agreement), or, subject to the provisions of the applicable plan document, is terminated by the officer for any reason other than a termination due to the officers death or disability. The value of the awards of 10,000, 999 and 6,300 shares of restricted stock based on
11
the stock price as of December 31, 2004 was $744,200, $74,346 and $468,846 for Mr. Marcus, Mr. Shigenaga and Mr. Ciruzzi, respectively.
(5) Bonuses for Mr. Marcus, Mr. Richardson, Mr. Nelson and Mr. Ciruzzi for services rendered in 2003 of $210,000, $150,000, $131,250 and $62,500, respectively, were awarded and paid in 2004.
(6) Restricted stock awards for Mr. Marcus, Mr. Richardson and Mr. Nelson for services rendered in 2003 for 31,250 shares, 23,438 shares and 19,531 shares, respectively, were awarded in 2004. The restricted stock agreements for these shares describe a restricted period through April 30, 2007. In addition, during 2003, Mr. Marcus received an award of 5,000 shares of restricted stock with a restricted period through April 30, 2004. During these restricted periods the shares may not be sold or transferred and will be subject to forfeiture in the event the officers employment with the Company is terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined in the applicable agreement), or, subject to the provisions of the applicable plan document, is terminated by the officer for any reason other than a termination due to the officers death or disability. The value of these awards based on the stock price as of December 31, 2004 was $2,697,725 for Mr. Marcus, $1,744,256 for Mr. Richardson, and $1,453,497 for Mr. Nelson.
(7) Bonuses for Mr. Marcus, Mr. Richardson, Mr. Nelson and Mr. Ciruzzi for services rendered in 2002 of $280,000, $200,000, $175,000 and $125,000 respectively, were awarded and paid in 2003.
(8) Other Annual Compensation for 2002 includes accrued vacation pay of $80,385 to Mr. Marcus, $22,865 to Mr. Richardson, $14,808 to Mr. Nelson and $10,817 to Mr. Ciruzzi.
(9) Restricted stock awards for Mr. Marcus, Mr. Richardson and Mr. Nelson for services rendered in 2002 for 25,000 shares, 18,750 shares and 15,625 shares, respectively, were awarded in 2003. The restricted stock agreements for these shares describe a restricted period through July 31, 2004 during which the shares may not be sold or transferred and are subject to forfeiture in the event the officers employment with the Company is terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined in the applicable agreement), or, subject to the provisions of the applicable plan document, is terminated by the officer for any reason other than a termination due to the officers death or disability. The value of these awards based on the stock price as of December 31, 2004 was $1,860,500 for Mr. Marcus, $1,395,375 for Mr. Richardson, and $1,162,813 for Mr. Nelson.
(10) In 2003, Mr. Ciruzzi received an award of 7,500 shares of restricted stock for services rendered in 2002 with a restricted period through July 31, 2005, during which the shares may not be sold or transferred and are subject to forfeiture in the event his employment with the Company is terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined in the applicable agreement), or, subject to the provisions of the applicable plan documents, is terminated by him for any reason, other than a termination due to his death or disability. The value of this award based on the stock price as of December 31, 2004 was $558,150.
(11) Prior to 2004, Mr. Nelson served as our Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice PresidentOperations, Treasurer and Secretary. Mr. Nelson resigned as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer effective August 11, 2004 for important personal family reasons and resigned as Senior Vice President effective October 20, 2004. Mr. Nelson continues to serve as Secretary of the Company and as a senior advisory consultant to the Company.
(12) Mr. Shigenaga was appointed as an executive officer (Acting Chief Financial Officer) effective August 11, 2004 and made our permanent Chief Financial Officer in December 2004. Compensation related to Mr. Shigenaga prior to his appointment as an executive officer has been excluded from this table.
12
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
|
|
Individual Grants |
|
Potential |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Number of |
|
% of Total |
|
Exercise |
|
Expiration |
|
Stock Price |
|
||||||||||||||||
Name |
|
|
|
Granted(#) |
|
Fiscal Year(%) |
|
Price($/sh) |
|
Date |
|
5%($) |
|
10%($) |
|
||||||||||||
Joel S. Marcus |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
James H. Richardson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Peter J. Nelson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Dean A. Shigenaga |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Vincent R. Ciruzzi |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
No options were granted in 2004.
AGGREGATED
OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
Name |
|
|
|
Shares Acquired |
|
Value |
|
Number of Securities |
|
Value of Unexercised |
|
||||||||||
Joel S. Marcus |
|
|
7,800 |
|
|
|
$ |
176,770 |
|
|
|
108,034/16,666 |
|
|
|
$ |
4,823,280/$445,482 |
|
|
||
James H. Richardson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90,500/10,000 |
|
|
|
3,888,630/267,300 |
|
|
||||
Peter J. Nelson |
|
|
24,800 |
|
|
|
912,721 |
|
|
|
34,534/6,666 |
|
|
|
1,487,970/178,182 |
|
|
||||
Dean Shigenaga(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,400/0 |
|
|
|
302,253/0 |
|
|
||||
Vincent R. Ciruzzi |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
420,808 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) The value realized is calculated by multiplying the number of securities underlying such options by the difference between the closing sale price of the Common Stock on the NYSE on the date of exercise and the option exercise price.
(2) The value of unexercised in-the-money options is calculated by multiplying the number of securities underlying such options by the difference between the closing price of the Common Stock on the NYSE at December 31, 2004 and the option exercise price.
(3) Mr. Shigenaga was appointed as an executive officer (Acting Chief Financial Officer) effective August 11, 2004 and made our permanent Chief Financial Officer in December 2004. The shares acquired and value realized related to Mr. Shigenaga reflects activity after his appointment as an executive officer.
Under our Cash Balance Plan (the Pension Plan), which became effective in 2002, a hypothetical cash balance account is established for each participant for recordkeeping purposes. Each year, a participants cash balance account is credited with a hypothetical employer contribution and with hypothetical earnings. Hypothetical employer contributions to the Pension Plan for the named executive officers are as follows: Mr. Marcus, the actuarial present value of one-tenth of the Internal Revenue Code Section 415 maximum benefit limit; Mr. Richardson, $47,000; Mr. Nelson, $62,000; Mr. Shigenaga, $100 and Mr. Ciruzzi, $27,000. The formula for hypothetical employer contributions for Mr. Marcus results in a
13
contribution of $164,956 for 2004. Hypothetical earnings are credited at a rate, compounded annually, equal to the rate for 30-year U.S. Treasury securities for the December preceding the applicable calendar year. The rate was 5.07% for 2004. Benefits under the Pension Plan are vested at all times and are payable in the form of a lump sum or a single or joint and survivor annuity upon retirement, death, disability, other termination of employment or attainment of age 62.
The estimated total annual pension payable under the Pension Plan in the form of a single life annuity to the named executive officers (other than Mr. Nelson) if they continue to receive hypothetical employer contributions and hypothetical earnings at current rates and retire at age 62 is as follows: Mr. Marcus, $475,942; Mr. Richardson, $148,195; Mr. Shigenaga, an amount less then $1,000 and Mr. Ciruzzi, $85,134. Due to Mr. Nelsons resignation as Senior Vice President effective October 20, 2004, Mr. Nelsons cash balance account will not be credited with any future hypothetical employer contributions. However, Mr. Nelsons cash balance account as of October 20, 2004 will be credited with hypothetical earnings at current rates pursuant to the terms of the Pension Plan until Mr. Nelson receives a distribution of such account in accordance with the terms of the Pension Plan. Participants also are entitled to receive their benefits in the form of a lump sum.
The Company has employment agreements with each of Messrs. Marcus, Richardson, and Ciruzzi.
Mr. Marcus employment agreement provides that he will serve as the Companys Chief Executive Officer through December 31, 2005, with an annual base salary of not less than $450,000. The employment agreements with each of Messrs. Richardson and Ciruzzi provide that they will serve in their current positions with the Company through December 31, 2005. Each employment agreement provides for automatic one-year extensions until notice is given by the executive or the Company. Messrs. Richardson and Ciruzzi are currently paid annual base salaries of $450,000 and $247,500, respectively, and are eligible to receive discretionary annual bonuses.
Each employment agreement provides that if the Company terminates the executives employment without Cause or if the executive terminates employment for Good Reason (each as defined in the employment agreements), or, in the case of Mr. Marcus, if he dies or becomes permanently disabled, then the executive would be entitled to receive a severance payment equal to the sum of the executives base salary for the remaining term of his employment agreement (the Severance Period). For each full year remaining in the Severance Period, Messrs. Marcus, Richardson and Ciruzzi each would also be entitled to receive the average of the annual bonuses earned in the two years preceding the date of termination (as defined in the agreements, the Average Bonus), but not, in the case of Mr. Marcus, less than 50% of his base salary.
If any of Messrs. Marcus, Richardson or Ciruzzi terminates his employment for Good Reason following a Change in Control (as defined in their respective agreements), then he will be entitled to receive a severance payment equal to three times the sum of his base salary, and his Average Bonus. If Mr. Marcus employment is terminated in connection with a dissolution of the Company under specified circumstances, he will be entitled to receive a severance payment equal to his base salary and Average Bonus for a period of one year following the date of his termination.
If any of Messrs. Marcus, Richardson or Ciruzzi is entitled to any severance payment, he will also become fully vested in the awards granted to him under the Companys stock option and incentive compensation plans. Mr. Marcus will also be entitled during the Severance Period to continue to participate in the Companys employee welfare and pension benefits plans. If amounts payable to any of the executives are subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company must also pay to the executive an amount sufficient to offset the effects of the excise tax.
14
The agreements with each of Messrs. Marcus, Richardson and Ciruzzi also provide that during their terms of employment, and the period, if any, during which they are entitled to receive severance payments, they will not engage in any activity that is competitive with the business of the Company.
Effective August 11, 2004, Mr. Nelson stepped down from his full-time duties and responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, for important personal family reasons. Mr. Nelson resigned as Senior Vice President as of October 20, 2004. Mr. Nelson continues to work with the Company in the capacity of Secretary of the Company and as a senior advisory consultant to the Company and intends to continue to do so through at least April 30, 2007. Mr. Nelson is paid $250 per hour for his actual hours of service under his consulting agreement. Effective August 11, 2004, Mr. Shigenaga was appointed Acting Chief Financial Officer of the Company and was appointed as the permanent Chief Financial Officer in December 2004.
The Company has in place its 2000 Deferred Compensation Plan (the DC Plan) and its 2000 Venture Investment Deferred Compensation Plan (the VI Plan), both of which are unfunded plans designed to permit compensation deferrals for a select group of the Companys management and highly compensated executives.
Eligibility to participate in the DC Plan is limited to employees of the Company who have annual compensation equal to or exceeding $150,000 and who fall within a select group of management or highly compensated employees for purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). As of December 31, 2004, the Company had not paid any amounts under the DC Plan, other than to terminated participants. Participants deferral amounts under the DC Plan are credited or charged, as the case may be, with the investment performance of mutual funds and other publicly traded securities designated by the participants.
Eligibility to participate in the VI Plan is limited to employees of the Company who have annual compensation equal to or exceeding $150,000, who qualify as accredited investors under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and who fall within a select group of management or highly compensated employees for purposes of ERISA. Participants deferrals of compensation under the VI Plan are credited or charged, as the case may be, based on the performance of certain investments designated by the Company. In 2004, participants accounts under the VI Plan were credited with gains reflecting the performance of designated investments during the year and participants received a distribution under the VI Plan reflecting their portion of their compensation deferrals deemed invested in those investments. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had not paid any other amounts under the VI Plan, other than to terminated participants who received refunds of their compensation deferrals without any adjustment for gains or losses.
The purpose of the DC Plan and the VI Plan is to attract, motivate and retain selected officers and employees of the Company and any affiliate of the Company that adopts such plans.
15
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the annual cumulative total stockholder return on the Common Stock over a five year period ending December 31, 2004, to the cumulative total return on the S&P 500 Stock Index, Russell 2000 Index, the All Equity REIT Index prepared by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts and the SNL Office REITs Index. The graph assumes an investment of $100 in the Common Stock in each of the indices on December 31, 1999, and that all dividends were reinvested. The return shown on the graph is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
Index |
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
||||||||||||
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. |
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
121.57 |
|
|
|
140.86 |
|
|
|
154.51 |
|
|
|
219.82 |
|
|
|
293.78 |
|
|
||
S&P 500 Index |
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
91.20 |
|
|
|
80.42 |
|
|
|
62.64 |
|
|
|
80.62 |
|
|
|
89.47 |
|
|
||
Russell 2000 Index |
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
96.98 |
|
|
|
99.39 |
|
|
|
79.03 |
|
|
|
116.38 |
|
|
|
137.71 |
|
|
||
NAREIT Index |
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
126.37 |
|
|
|
143.97 |
|
|
|
149.47 |
|
|
|
204.98 |
|
|
|
269.70 |
|
|
||
SNL Office REITs |
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
135.99 |
|
|
|
142.84 |
|
|
|
136.90 |
|
|
|
182.64 |
|
|
|
223.36 |
|
|
The Performance Graph shall not be deemed to be soliciting material or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission nor shall the information in the graph be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into a filing.
16
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table provides information regarding the beneficial ownership of Common Stock as of the record date for the annual meeting by (1) each of the Companys directors, (2) each of the Named Executive Officers, (3) all directors and executive officers as a group, and (4) each person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. This table is based on information provided to the Company or filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Companys directors, executive officers and principal stockholders. Except as otherwise indicated, the Company believes, based on information furnished by such owners, that the beneficial owners of the Common Stock listed below have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject to community property laws where applicable.
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Number of Shares |
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) |
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Number |
|
Percent |
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Joel S. Marcus(2) |
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339,576 |
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|
1.6 |
% |
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James R. Richardson(3) |
|
202,335 |
|
|
1.0 |
% |
|
||
Peter J. Nelson(4) |
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136,221 |
|
|
* |
|
|
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Dean A. Shigenaga(5) |
|
9,399 |
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|
* |
|
|
||
Vincent R. Ciruzzi |
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32,499 |
|
|
* |
|
|
||
Jerry M. Sudarsky(6) |
|
92,535 |
|
|
* |
|
|
||
Richard B. Jennings(7) |
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11,000 |
|
|
* |
|
|
||
Richard H. Klein |
|
3,400 |
|
|
* |
|
|
||
Alan G. Walton |
|
8,450 |
|
|
* |
|
|
||
Richmond A. Wolf |
|
3,400 |
|
|
* |
|
|
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Executive officers and directors as a group (ten persons)(8) |
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838,815 |
|
|
4.0 |
% |
|
||
Mac-Per-Wolf Company(9) |
|
1,052,995 |
|
|
5.0 |
% |
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* less than 1%.
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each beneficial owner is c/o Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., 135 N. Los Robles Avenue, Suite 250, Pasadena, CA 91101.
(2) Includes 46,324 shares held by the Joel and Barbara Marcus Family Trust, of which Mr. Marcus is the trustee, and 124,700 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options.
(3) Includes 100,500 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options.
(4) Includes 38,200 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options.
(5) Includes 8,400 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options.
(6) Includes 78,835 shares held by the Jerry M. and Mildred Sudarsky 1979 Revocable Trust, of which Mr. Sudarsky is the trustee, and 12,500 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options.
(7) Includes 7,500 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options.
(8) See notes (2) through (7) above.
(9) Share amount as reported on Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 31, 2005. Address: 310 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 2600, Chicago, IL 60604. According to such Schedule 13G, Mac-Per-Wolf Company has sole voting power and sole dispositive power with respect to all 1,052,995 shares.
17
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the Companys directors and officers and beneficial owners of 10% or more of the Companys Common Stock to file reports of ownership of, and transactions in, the Companys securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the New York Stock Exchange and the Company. Based solely on the Companys review of copies of such forms received by it and written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that all Securities and Exchange Commission filing requirements applicable to the Companys directors and officers and beneficial owners of 10% or more of the Companys Common Stock for 2004 were timely met, except that on February 24, 2005, the Company reported on Form 4 on behalf of Vincent Ciruzzi, who is an executive officer of the Company, the December 15, 2004 award of 6,300 shares of restricted stock.
18
PROPOSAL NUMBER TWORATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP, which has served as the Companys independent registered public accountants since 1994, to be the Companys independent registered public accountants for the year ending December 31, 2005. Ernst & Young LLP has advised the Company that it does not have any direct or indirect financial interest in the Company. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to attend the annual meeting and will be given the opportunity to make a statement if they choose to do so. They will also be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Before appointing Ernst & Young LLP, the Audit Committee carefully considered Ernst & Young LLPs qualifications, including the firms performance as independent registered public accountants for the Company in prior years and its reputation for integrity and competence in the fields of accounting and auditing. The Audit Committee also considered whether Ernst & Young LLPs provision of non-audit services to the Company is compatible with that firms independence from the Company.
Stockholders will be asked at the annual meeting to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP. If the stockholders ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee may still, in its discretion, appoint a different independent public accounting firm at any time during the year 2005 if it concludes that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company. If the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider, but not necessarily rescind, the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP.
Fees Billed by Independent Registered Public Accountants
The SEC requires disclosure of the fees billed by the Companys independent registered public accountants for certain services. The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed by Ernst & Young LLP during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003:
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|
2004 |
|
2003 |
|
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Fees Billed: |
|
|
|
|
|
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Audit Fees |
|
$ |
673,000 |
|
$ |
218,000 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
2,000 |
|
|
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Tax Fees |
|
303,000 |
|
245,000 |
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All Other Fees |
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|
|
|
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Total |
|
$ |
978,000 |
|
$ |
463,000 |
|
Audit Fees include amounts billed to the Company related to the audit of our consolidated financial statements, review of our quarterly financial statements and other services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings. The increase in Audit Fees from 2003 to 2004 is due to fees related to the audit of managements report on internal control over financial reporting (no fees were incurred for this audit in 2003) and fees for regulatory filings related to equity offerings and other matters.
Included in Tax Fees in 2004 is $254,000 related to tax return preparation and compliance (including cost segregation studies) and $49,000 of other tax related services. Included in Tax Fees in 2003 is $239,000 related to tax return preparation and compliance (including cost segregation studies) and $6,000 of other tax-related services.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy
The Audit Committee approves, prior to engagement, all audit and non-audit services provided by Ernst & Young LLP and all fees to be paid for such services. All services are considered and approved on an individual basis. In its pre-approval and review of non-audit service fees, the Audit Committee
19
considers, among other factors, the possible effect of the performance of such services on the auditors independence.
A majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting will be required to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public accountants for 2005.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposal Number Two.
Copies of the Companys Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, including the Companys consolidated financial statements, will be mailed to interested stockholders, without charge, upon written request. Exhibits to the Form 10-K will be provided upon written request and payment to the Company of the cost of preparing and distributing those materials. The current charters of the Boards Audit, Compensation, Nominating & Governance Committees, along with the Companys corporate governance guidelines and business integrity policy, are available to interested stockholders upon request and are posted on our website at www.labspace.com. Written requests should be sent to Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., 135 North Los Robles Avenue, Suite 250, Pasadena, California 91101, Attention: Investor Relations.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES AND CODE OF ETHICS
The board of directors governance guidelines, which include guidelines for determining director independence, director responsibilities, director access to management and independent advisors, and director and executive officer stock ownership guidelines, are posted on our website at www.labspace.com. The board of directors has determined that the following five directors satisfy the New York Stock Exchanges independence requirements: Messrs. Sudarsky, Jennings, Klein, Walton and Wolf.
The Company has adopted a business integrity policy that applies to all directors, officers and employees and that is intended, among other things, to comply with Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related Securities and Exchange Commission and New York Stock Exchange rules requiring a code of ethics for a companys directors, officers and employees. A copy of the business integrity policy is posted on our website at www.labspace.com. The Audit Committee must approve any requests for amendments to or waivers from the policy with respect to directors and executive officers and the Company intends to report such amendments or waivers that are required to be reported pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and New York Stock Exchange on Form 8-K.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE COMPANYS 2006 ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholder proposals that are intended to be presented at the Companys 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, must be received by the Secretary of the Company, in writing, no later than December 20, 2005 in order to be considered for inclusion in the Companys proxy materials for that annual meeting. Stockholder proposals and stockholder nominations for election to the Board of Directors must also comply with the current advance notice and other requirements set forth in the Companys current Bylaws to be eligible to be presented at an annual meeting. These requirements include, in part, the requirement that any such proposal or nomination must, with certain exceptions if the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed more than 30 days from that of the first anniversary of this years annual meeting, be submitted to the Secretary of the Company at least 120 and not more than 150 days prior to the first anniversary of the
20
date of mailing of the notice for this years annual meeting (or between November 20, 2005 and December 20, 2005 based on this years notice mailing date of April 19, 2005).
The Board of Directors has designated Richard B. Jennings, an independent director of the Company, as the contact person for communications between the Companys stockholders and other interested parties, on the one hand, and the Board of Directors or the non-management directors as a group, on the other hand. Stockholders and other parties interested in communicating with the Board of Directors or with the non-management directors of the Company may do so by writing to Richard B. Jennings, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., 135 North Robles Avenue, Suite 250, Pasadena, California 91101.
Proxy authorizations submitted via telephone or the Internet must be received by 2:00 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) on May 18, 2005. To give your proxy authorization via telephone or the Internet, please read the instructions on the enclosed proxy card. Costs associated with electronic access, such as from access providers or telephone companies, will be borne by the stockholder.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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Peter J. Nelson |
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Secretary |
Pasadena, California |
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April 19, 2005 |
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21
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES, INC.
May 19, 2005
Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
v Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. v
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE ý
1. Election of Directors:
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NOMINEES: |
o |
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FOR ALL NOMINEES |
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o Jerry M. Sudarsky o Joel S. Marcus |
o |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES |
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o James H. Richardson o Richard B. Jennings o Richard H. Klein |
o |
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FOR ALL EXCEPT (See instructions below) |
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o Alan G. Walton o Richmond A. Wolf |
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote
for any individual nominee(s), mark FOR ALL
EXCEPT
and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as
shown here: ý
To change the address on your account, please check the box at right
and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that
changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via
this method. o
2.
Ratification of the
appointment of Ernst & Young LLP
to serve as the Companys independent registered
public accountants for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2005.
FOR |
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AGAINST |
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ABSTAIN |
o |
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o |
|
o |
3. To transact such
other business as may properly come before the
Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof
and as to which the undersigned hereby confers discretionary
authority to the proxies.
THE VOTES ENTITLED TO BE CAST BY THE UNDERSIGNED WILL
BE CAST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS MADE BY
THE UNDERSIGNED. IF THIS PROXY IS EXECUTED, BUT NO
SPECIFICATION IS MADE BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THE VOTES
ENTITLED TO BE CAST BY THE UNDERSIGNED WILL BE CAST
FOR ALL NOMINEES AND THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS AND
OTHERWISE IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES AT THE
ANNUAL MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT(S) OR POSTPONEMENT(S)
THEREOF.
CHECK HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING o
Signature of Stockholder |
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Date: |
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Signature of Stockholder |
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Date: |
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Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES, INC.
Proxy For Annual Meeting of Stockholders
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned stockholder
of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the
Company), hereby appoints Jerry M. Sudarsky and Joel S. Marcus, and each of
them, as proxies for the
undersigned, with full power of substitution in each of them, to attend the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of the Company to be held on Thursday, May 19, 2005, at 12:00 p.m. noon, local
time, at the St. Regis
Monarch Beach Resort & Spa, Monarch Ballroom, One Monarch Beach Resort,
Dana Point,
California, and any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, to cast on
behalf of the undersigned
all votes that the undersigned is entitled to cast at such meeting and otherwise
to represent the
undersigned at the meeting, with the same effect as if the undersigned were
present. The undersigned
hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and
the accompanying
Proxy Statement and revokes any proxy previously given with respect to such
shares.
(Continued and to be signed on reverse side)
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES, INC.
May 19, 2005
PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
MAIL - Date, sign and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible. |
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- OR - |
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TELEPHONE - Call toll-free 1-800-PROXIES from any touch-tone telephone prior to 2:00 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) on May 18, 2005, and follow the instructions. Have your control number and proxy card available when you call. |
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COMPANY NUMBER |
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ACCOUNT NUMBER |
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- OR - |
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INTERNET - Access www.voteproxy.com prior to 2:00 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) on May 18, 2005, and follow the on-screen instructions. Have your control number available when you access the web page. |
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v Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. v
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE ý
1. Election of Directors:
|
|
|
|
NOMINEES: |
o |
|
FOR ALL NOMINEES |
|
o Jerry M. Sudarsky o Joel S. Marcus |
o |
|
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES |
|
o James H. Richardson o Richard B. Jennings o Richard H. Klein |
o |
|
FOR ALL EXCEPT (See instructions below) |
|
o Alan G. Walton o Richmond A. Wolf |
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote
for any individual nominee(s), mark FOR ALL
EXCEPT
and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as
shown here: ý
To change the address on your account, please check the box at right
and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that
changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via
this method. o
2.
Ratification of the
appointment of Ernst & Young LLP
to serve as the Companys independent registered
public accountants for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2005.
FOR |
|
AGAINST |
|
ABSTAIN |
o |
|
o |
|
o |
3. To transact such
other business as may properly come before the
Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof
and as to which the undersigned hereby confers discretionary
authority to the proxies.
THE VOTES ENTITLED TO BE CAST BY THE UNDERSIGNED WILL
BE CAST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS MADE BY
THE UNDERSIGNED. IF THIS PROXY IS EXECUTED, BUT NO
SPECIFICATION IS MADE BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THE VOTES
ENTITLED TO BE CAST BY THE UNDERSIGNED WILL BE CAST
FOR ALL NOMINEES AND THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS AND
OTHERWISE IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES AT THE
ANNUAL MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT(S) OR POSTPONEMENT(S)
THEREOF.
CHECK HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING o
Signature of Stockholder |
|
Date: |
|
Signature of Stockholder |
|
Date: |
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Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.