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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
COMPASS DIVERSIFIED TRUST
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
COMPASS GROUP DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
N/A
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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Compass Diversified Trust
Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
April 20, 2007
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be
held on Friday, May 25, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the Doubletree Hotel, 789
Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06854.
We enclose our proxy statement, a proxy card and our annual report. The proxy statement
contains important information about the Annual Meeting, the proposals we will consider and
how you can vote your shares.
Your vote is very important to us. We encourage you to promptly complete, sign, date
and return the enclosed proxy card, which contains instructions on how you would like your
shares to be voted. Please submit your proxy regardless of whether you will attend the
Annual Meeting. This will help us ensure that your vote is represented at the Annual
Meeting. Signing this proxy will not prevent you from voting in person should you be able to
attend the meeting, but will assure that your vote is counted, if for any reason, you are
unable to attend.
On behalf of the board of directors and the management of Compass Group Diversified
Holdings LLC, I extend our appreciation for your investment in Compass Diversified Trust. We
look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.
Sincerely,
C. Sean Day
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Compass Diversified Trust
Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC
April 20, 2007
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held On Friday, May 25, 2007
Compass Diversified Trusts 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on
Friday, May 25, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the Doubletree Hotel, 789 Connecticut
Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06854, for the following purposes:
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to elect two directors to our board of directors to serve for a three-year term; |
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to vote on a proposal to amend the Trust Agreement; |
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to vote on a proposal to ratify the selection of Grant Thornton LLP to serve as the independent
auditor for the Trust and the company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007; and |
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to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. |
These matters are more fully described in the enclosed proxy statement. The board of
directors recommends that you vote FOR the election of directors, the amendment of the
Trust Agreement and the ratification of the independent auditor.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on April 10, 2007 will be entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and at any subsequent adjournments or
postponements. The share register will not be closed between the record date and the date
of the Annual Meeting. A list of shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is
available for inspection at our principal executive offices at 61 Wilton Road, Westport,
Connecticut 06880.
To be sure that your shares are properly represented at the meeting, whether or not
you attend, please promptly complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the
accompanying pre-addressed envelope. We must receive your proxy no later than 5:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time, on May 24, 2007.
You will be required to bring certain documents with you to be admitted to the Annual
Meeting. Please read carefully the sections in the proxy statement on attending and voting
at the Annual Meeting to ensure that you comply with these requirements.
By order of the board of directors.
Sincerely,
James J. Bottiglieri
Secretary
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS |
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PURPOSE OF MEETING |
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ATTENDING AND VOTING AT THE ANNUAL MEETING |
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APPOINTMENT OF PROXY |
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APPROVAL OF PROPOSALS AND SOLICITATION |
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PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
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PROPOSAL 2: AMENDMENT OF TRUST AGREEMENT |
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PROPOSAL 3: RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR |
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION |
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
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SHARE OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS |
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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT |
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT |
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
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SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE |
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SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS |
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION REPORTS |
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OTHER MATTERS |
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EXHIBIT A First Amendment to Amended and Restated Trust Agreement |
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Compass Diversified Trust, a Delaware statutory trust which we refer to as the Trust, owns
its businesses and investments through Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company which we refer to as the Company. Except where the context indicates otherwise,
Compass Group Diversified Holdings, we, us, and our refer to the Company. References to
shareholders refer to shareholders of Compass Diversified Trust.
COMPASS DIVERSIFIED TRUST
COMPASS GROUP DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC
61 Wilton Road
Westport, Connecticut 06880
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the
board of directors of Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC (the Company), a Delaware limited
liability company, for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Compass Diversified Trust (the
Trust), to be held on May 25, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the Doubletree Hotel, 789
Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06854 and for any adjournments or postponements of the
2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The notice of annual meeting, proxy statement and proxy are
first being mailed or given to shareholders on or about April 20, 2007.
PURPOSE OF MEETING
As described in more detail in this proxy statement, the Annual Meeting is being held for the
following purposes:
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to elect two directors to our board of directors, each to serve for a three-year term; |
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to vote on a proposal to amend the Trust Agreement; |
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to vote on a proposal to ratify the selection of Grant Thornton LLP to serve as the
independent auditor for the Trust and the Company for the fiscal year ending December
31, 2007; and |
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to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. |
ATTENDING AND VOTING AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
The Bank of New York has been selected as our inspector of election. As part of its
responsibilities, The Bank of New York is required to independently verify that you are a
shareholder of Compass Diversified Trust eligible to attend the Annual Meeting, and to determine
whether you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Therefore, it is very important that you
follow the instructions below to gain entry to the Annual Meeting.
Check-in Procedure for Attending the Annual Meeting
Shareholders of Record. The documents you will need to provide to be admitted to the Annual
Meeting depend on whether you are a shareholder of record or you represent a shareholder of record.
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Individuals. If you are a shareholder of record holding shares in your
own name, you must bring to the Annual Meeting a form of
government-issued photo identification (e.g., a drivers license or
passport). Trustees who are individuals and named as shareholders of
record are in this category. |
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Individuals Representing a Shareholder of Record. If you attend on
behalf of a shareholder of record, whether such shareholder is an
individual, corporation, trust or partnership: |
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you must bring to the Annual Meeting a form of
government-issued photo identification (e.g., a
drivers license or passport); AND |
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either: |
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you must bring to the Annual Meeting a letter from
that shareholder of record authorizing you to attend
the Annual Meeting on their behalf; OR |
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we must have received by 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on
May 24, 2007 a duly executed proxy card from the
shareholder of record appointing you as proxy. |
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Beneficial Owners. If your shares are held by a bank or broker (often referred to as holding
in street name) you should go to the Beneficial Owners check-in area at the Annual Meeting.
Because you hold in street name, your name does not appear on the share register of the Trust. The
documents you will need to provide to be admitted to the Annual Meeting depend on whether you are a
beneficial owner or you represent a beneficial owner.
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Individuals. If you are a beneficial owner, you must bring to the Annual Meeting: |
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either: |
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a form of government-issued photo identification (e.g., a drivers license or passport); AND |
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a legal proxy that you have obtained from your bank or broker; OR |
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your most recent brokerage account statement or a recent letter from your bank or broker showing
that you own shares of Compass Diversified Trust. |
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Individuals Representing a Beneficial Owner. If you attend on behalf of a beneficial owner, you must bring to the Annual Meeting: |
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a letter from the beneficial owner authorizing you to represent its shares at the Annual Meeting; AND |
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the identification and documentation specified above for individual beneficial owners. |
Voting in Person at the Annual Meeting
Shareholders of Record. Shareholders of record may vote their shares in person at the Annual
Meeting by ballot. Each proposal has a separate ballot. You must properly complete, sign, date and
return the ballots to the inspector of election at the Annual Meeting to vote in person. To receive
ballots, you must bring with you the documents described below:
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Individuals. You will receive ballots at the check-in table when you
present your identification. If you have already returned your proxy
card to us and do not want to change your votes, you do not need to
complete the ballots. If you do complete and return the ballots to us,
your proxy card will be automatically revoked. |
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Individuals Voting on Behalf of Another Individual. If you will vote
on behalf of another individual who is a shareholder of record, we
must have received by 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 24, 2007 a duly
executed proxy card from such individual shareholder of record
appointing you as his or her proxy. If we have received the proxy
card, you will receive ballots at the check-in table when you present
your identification. |
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Individuals Voting on Behalf of a Legal Entity. If you represent a
shareholder of record that is a legal entity, you may vote that legal
entitys shares if it authorizes you to do so. The documents you must
provide to receive ballots at the check-in table depend on whether
you are representing a corporation, trust, partnership or other legal
entity. |
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If you represent a corporation, you must: |
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bring to the Annual Meeting a letter or
other document from the corporation, on the
corporations letterhead and signed by an
officer of the corporation, that authorizes
you to vote the Corporations shares on
its behalf; OR |
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we must have received by 5:00 p.m., Eastern
Time, on May 24, 2007 a duly executed proxy
card from the corporation appointing you as
its proxy. |
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If you represent a trust, partnership or other legal entity, we must
have received by 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 24, 2007 a duly
executed proxy card from the legal entity appointing you as its proxy.
A letter or other document will not be sufficient for you to vote on
behalf of a trust, partnership or other legal entity other than a
corporation. |
Beneficial Owners. If you hold your shares in street name, these proxy materials are being
forwarded to you by your bank, broker or their appointed agent. Because your name does not appear
on the share register of the Trust, you will not be able to vote in person at the Annual Meeting
unless you request a legal proxy from your bank or broker and bring it with you to the Annual
Meeting.
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Individuals. As an individual, the legal proxy will have your name on it. You must present the legal
proxy at check-in to the inspector of election at the Annual Meeting to receive your ballots. |
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Individuals Voting on Behalf of a Beneficial Owner. Because the legal proxy will not have your name on
it, to receive your ballots you must: |
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present the legal proxy at check-in to the inspector of election at the Annual Meeting; AND |
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bring to the Annual Meeting a letter from the person or entity named on the legal proxy
that authorizes you to vote its shares at the Annual Meeting. |
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APPOINTMENT OF PROXY
General
Shareholders of Record. We encourage you to appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf by
promptly submitting the enclosed proxy card, which is solicited by our board and which, when
properly completed, signed, dated and returned to us, will ensure that your shares are voted as you
direct. We strongly encourage you to return your completed proxy to us regardless of whether you
will attend the Annual Meeting to ensure that your vote is represented at the Annual Meeting.
PLEASE RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD TO US IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE NO LATER THAN 5:00 P.M.,
EASTERN TIME, ON MAY 24, 2007. IF WE DO NOT RECEIVE YOUR PROXY CARD BY THAT TIME, YOUR PROXY WILL
NOT BE VALID. IN THIS CASE, UNLESS YOU ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOUR VOTE WILL NOT BE
REPRESENTED.
The persons named in the proxy card have been designated as proxies by our board. The
designated proxies are officers of the Company. They will vote as directed by the completed proxy
card.
Shareholders of record may appoint another person to attend the Annual Meeting and vote on
their behalf by crossing out the board-designated proxies, inserting such other persons name on
the proxy card and returning the duly executed proxy card to us. When the person you appoint as
proxy arrives at the Annual Meeting, the inspector of election will verify such persons
authorization to vote on your behalf by reference to your proxy card. If you would like to appoint
a person as proxy other than those designated by our board, you must do so by using the proxy card,
as described above.
If you wish to change your vote, you may do so by revoking your proxy before the Annual
Meeting. Please see Revocation of Proxy below for more information.
Beneficial Owners. If you hold your shares in street name, these proxy materials are being
forwarded to you by your bank, broker or their appointed agent. You should also have received a
voter instruction card instead of a proxy card. Your bank or broker will vote your shares as you
instruct on the voter instruction card. We strongly encourage you to promptly complete and return
your voter instruction card to your bank or broker in accordance with their instructions so that
your shares are voted. As described above, you may also request a legal proxy from your bank or
broker to vote in person at the Annual Meeting.
Voting by the Designated Proxies
The persons who are the designated proxies will vote as you direct in your proxy card or voter
instruction card. Please note that proxy cards returned without voting directions, and without
specifying a proxy to attend the Annual Meeting and vote on your behalf, will be voted by the
proxies designated by our board in accordance with the recommendations of our board. Our board
recommends:
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a vote FOR each of the two nominees for director, each to serve for a three-year term (Proposal 1); |
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a vote FOR the proposal to amend the Trust Agreement (Proposal 2), and; |
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a vote FOR the proposal to ratify the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as the Trusts and the
Companys independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007 (Proposal 3). |
If any other matter properly comes before the Annual Meeting, your proxies will vote on that
matter in their discretion.
Revocation of Proxy
You may revoke or change your proxy before the Annual Meeting by:
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sending us a duly executed written notice of revocation prior to the Annual Meeting; |
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attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person; OR |
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ensuring that we receive from you, prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 24,
2007 a new proxy card with a later date. |
Any written notice of revocation must be sent to the attention of James J. Bottiglieri,
Secretary, Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC, 61 Wilton Road, Westport, Connecticut 06880 or
by facsimile to (203) 221-8253.
3
APPROVAL OF PROPOSALS AND SOLICITATION
Each shareholder who owned shares of Trust stock on April 10, 2007, the record date for the
determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, is entitled to one vote for
each share of Trust stock. On April 10, 2007, we had 20,450,000 shares of Trust stock issued and
outstanding that was held by approximately 5,500 beneficial holders.
Quorum
Under the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust dated April 25, 2006 (the Trust
Agreement), the shareholders present in person or by proxy holding a majority of the outstanding
shares of Trust stock entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of shareholders of
Compass Diversified Trust. Holders of shares of Trust stock are the only shareholders entitled to
vote at the Annual Meeting. Shares represented by proxies that are marked abstain will be
counted as shares present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. Shares of Trust
stock that are represented by broker non-votes will be counted as shares present for purposes of
determining the presence of a quorum. A broker non-vote occurs when the broker holding shares for
a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the broker does not have
discretionary voting power to vote on that proposal without specific voting instructions from the
beneficial owner. All three proposals described in this proxy are discretionary items.
If the persons present or represented by proxies at the Annual Meeting do not constitute a
majority of the holders of outstanding Trust stock entitled to vote as of the record date, we will
postpone the Annual Meeting to a later date.
Approval of Proposals
For the election of directors (Proposal 1), the affirmative vote of at least a plurality of
the votes cast on such proposal is required. For the approval of the proposal to amend the Trust
Agreement (Proposal 2) and the proposal to ratify the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as the
independent auditor for the Trust and the Company (Proposal 3), the affirmative vote of at least a
majority of the outstanding shares present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting
is required. An abstention will not be counted as a vote cast. With the exception of certain
business combinations, as such term is defined in the Trust Agreement, any other proposal that
properly comes before the Annual Meeting must be approved by the affirmative vote of at least a
majority of the votes cast. A broker non-vote would also not be counted as a vote cast.
Proposals 1, 2 and 3 are discretionary items. Nasdaq Global Select Market Exchange, which we
refer to as Nasdaq, member brokers that do not receive instructions from beneficial owners may vote
your shares in their discretion. We currently do not have any proposals that are
non-discretionary items. In the case of non-discretionary items, member brokers may not vote on
the proposal without specific voting instructions from beneficial owners, resulting in a broker
non-vote.
Under the terms of the second amended and restated operating agreement of Compass Group
Diversified Holdings LLC, which we refer to as the LLC agreement, and the Trust Agreement, with
respect to those matters subject to vote by the members of the Company, the Company will act at the
direction of the Trust. The Trust Agreement requires Compass Diversified Trust to vote 100% of
the limited liability interests of the Company, or the LLC interests, of which it is the sole
holder, in the same proportion as the vote of holders of the Trust stock. In this way the voting
rights of members of the Company will effectively be exercised by the shareholders of the Trust by
proxy. The LLC agreement provides that the members are entitled, at the annual meeting of members
of the Company, to vote for the election of all of the directors other than the director, appointed
by our manager, Compass Group Management LLC (our Manager). At this meeting, Class I directors
will be elected in accordance with the LLC agreement; see Board Compensation and Independence for
a description of Class I directors. The Trust will vote its LLC interests as directed at the
Companys annual members meeting promptly following the tabulation of votes cast at this Annual
Meeting.
All votes will be tabulated by The Bank of New York, the proxy tabulator and inspector of
election appointed for the Annual Meeting. The Bank of New York will separately tabulate
affirmative and negative votes, abstentions and broker non-votes.
Solicitation of Proxies
We will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies, including the preparation, printing and
mailing of this proxy statement and the proxy card. We have retained Innisfree M&A Incorporated to
distribute copies of these proxy materials to banks, brokers, fiduciaries and custodians, or their
agents, holding shares in their names on behalf of beneficial owners so that they may forward these
proxy materials to our beneficial owners for a base fee of $10,000, plus reimbursement of expenses.
We may supplement the original solicitation of proxies by mail with solicitation by telephone,
telegram and other means by directors, officers and/or employees of our Manager. We will not pay
any additional compensation to these individuals for any such services.
4
PROPOSAL 1:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Board Composition
Our board of directors, which we sometimes refer to as our board, consists of seven directors,
all of whom were initially appointed by our Manager, at the time of our initial public offering and
four of whom are the Companys independent directors. Our Board has the ability to decrease or
increase the size of the board of directors to no less than five or up to thirteen directors,
respectively. Six of our directors are elected by our shareholders and one director is appointed
by our Manager. The board of directors is divided into three classes serving staggered three year
terms. The terms of office of Classes I, II and III expire at different times in annual
succession, with one class being elected at each annual meeting of shareholders. Messrs. Edwards
and Lazarus are members of Class I and are up for election at this years annual meeting. Messrs.
Bottiglieri and Waitman are Class II members and will serve until the 2008 annual meeting and
Messrs. Day and Ewing are members of Class III and will serve until the 2009 annual meeting.
Pursuant to the LLC agreement, as holder of the allocation interest, our Manager has the right
to appoint one director to the Companys board of directors. Mr. Massoud, our Chief Executive
Officer, was initially appointed as the Managers appointed director and is currently serving as
the director appointed by our Manager. Any appointed director will not be required to stand for
election by the shareholders.
Director Independence
Pursuant to our governing documents, our Board will consist of at least a majority of
independent directors at all times. Our Board has reviewed the materiality of any relationship
that each of our directors has with the Trust or the Company, either directly or indirectly. Based
on this review, the Board has determined that the following directors are independent directors
as defined by the Nasdaq Global Select Market: Messrs. Edwards, Ewing, Lazarus and Waitman.
Election of Directors
The Class I directors will be elected at this Annual Meeting and will serve a term that
expires at our 2010 Annual Meeting. Messrs. Edwards and Lazarus have been nominated for re-election
as Class I directors.
The following paragraphs describe the business experience and education of our directors. The
two nominees for election at the Annual Meeting are listed first.
Harold S. Edwards has served as a director of the Company since April 2006. Mr. Edwards has
been the president and chief executive officer of Limoneira Company, an agricultural, real estate
and community development company, since November 2004. Prior to joining Limoneira Company, Mr.
Edwards was the president of Puritan Medical Products, a division of Airgas Inc. from January 2003
to November 2004; vice president and general manager of Latin American and Global Expert of Fischer
Scientific International, Inc. from September 2001 to December 2002; general manager of Cargill
Animal Nutrition Philippines operations, a division of Cargill, Inc. from May 2001 to September
2001; and managing director of Agribrands Philippines, Inc., a division of Agribrands International
(Purina) from 1999 to May 2001. Mr. Edwards is a graduate of American Graduate School of
International Management and Lewis and Clark College.
Mark H. Lazarus has served as a director of the Company since April 2006. Mr. Lazarus has
been the president of Turner Entertainment Group since 2003. In this capacity, he oversees TBS,
Turner Network Television, Turner Classic Movies and Turner South, the Turner animation unit, which
includes Cartoon Network, Boomerang and cartoonnetwork.com, Turner Sports, and Turner Entertainment
Sales and Marketing. Prior to being named the Turner Entertainment Groups president, Mr. Lazarus
served as president of Turner Entertainment Sales and Marketing and president of Turner Sports from
1999 to 2003. Prior to joining Turner Broadcasting in 1990, Mr. Lazarus was a network buyer and
planner for Backer, Spielvogel, Bates, Inc., and an account executive for NBC Cable. Mr. Lazarus is
a graduate of Vanderbilt University.
C. Sean Day has served as a director of the Company since April 2006. Since 1999, Mr. Day has
been the president of Seagin International and was the chairman of the board of directors of The
Compass Group International LLC, which we refer to as The Compass Group. Previously, Mr. Day was
president and chief executive officer of Navios Corporation, a large bulk shipping company based in
Stamford, Connecticut. Mr. Day has also held a number of senior management positions in the
shipping and finance industries. Mr. Day is a graduate of the University of Capetown and Oxford
University. Mr. Day is currently the chairman of the boards of directors of Teekay Shipping
Corporation, Teekay Offshore GP LLC, the general partner of Teekay Offshore Partners LP, Teekay GP
LLC, the general partner of Teekay LNG Partners LP, and a member of the board of directors of Kirby
Corporation, all NYSE listed companies, and serves as a director for certain of our subsidiary
companies.
5
I. Joseph Massoud has served as a director of the Company since December 2005. In addition to
being the managing partner of our Manager, Mr. Massoud has been the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company since its inception on November 18, 2005. From 1998 to November 2005, Mr. Massoud was the
president and managing partner of The Compass Group. Previously, Mr. Massoud was an executive
officer with Petroleum Heat and Power, Inc., which we refer to as Petro, an active acquirer and
manager of home heating oil businesses. Prior to joining Petro, Mr. Massoud was with Colony
Capital, Inc., a Los Angeles based private equity firm. Mr. Massoud has also worked as a management
consultant with McKinsey & Co. Mr. Massoud is a summa cum laude graduate of Claremont McKenna
College and the Harvard Business School. Mr. Massoud currently serves as a director for all of our
subsidiary companies, as well as for Teekay LNG Partners, an NYSE Company.
James J. Bottiglieri has served as a director of the Company since December 2005. Mr.
Bottiglieri has been the Chief Financial Officer of the Company since its inception on November 18,
2005. Mr. Bottiglieri has also been an executive vice president of The Compass Group since October
2005. Previously, Mr. Bottiglieri was the senior vice president/controller of WebMD Corporation,
which we refer to as WebMD, a leading provider of business, technology and information solutions to
the health care industry. Prior to joining WebMD, Mr. Bottiglieri was vice president/controller of
Star Gas Corporation, a diversified home energy distributor and service provider which was also an
affiliate of Petro. Mr. Bottiglieri has also worked with a predecessor firm of KPMG LLP, a public
accounting firm. Mr. Bottiglieri became a certified public accountant in 1980. Mr. Bottiglieri is a
graduate of Pace University. Mr. Bottiglieri serves as a director for all of our subsidiary
companies.
D. Eugene Ewing has served as a director since April 2006. Mr. Ewing is the managing member
of Deeper Water Consulting, LLC, which we refer to as Deeper Water, which provides long term
strategic financial and business operating advice to its clients. His areas of specialty include
business management, financial structuring, and strategic tax planning and corporate transactions.
Deeper Waters clients include companies in a variety of industries including real estate,
manufacturing and professional services. He was formerly a partner at Arthur Andersen LLP for 18
years and an executive of the Fifth Third Bank. Mr. Ewing is on the advisory boards for the
business schools at Northern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky. Mr. Ewing is a
graduate of the University of Kentucky. Mr. Ewing is also a member of the board of directors of
CBS Personnel Holdings, Inc.
Ted Waitman has served as a director of the company since April 2006. Mr. Waitman is presently
the chief executive officer and member of the board of directors of CPM-Roskamp Champion, or CPM, a
leading designer and manufacturer of process equipment for the oilseed and animal feed industries
based in Waterloo, Iowa. Mr. Waitman has served in a variety of roles with CPM since 1978,
including manufacturing manager of worldwide operations and general manager for the Roskamp
Champion division. Mr. Waitman is currently the president of the Process Equipment Manufacturers
Association. Mr. Waitman is a graduate of the University of Evansville.
Recommendation of the Board
Our board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the election of Messrs. Edwards and
Lazarus to our board as Class I directors for a term ending at our 2010 Annual Meeting.
6
PROPOSAL 2:
AMENDMENT OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT
On February 22, 2007, the board of directors approved, subject to shareholder approval, an
amendment to the Trust Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit A. The amendment would add a new
provision to the Trust Agreement providing that, in the event that the sponsor of the Trust, which
is the Company, determines that the Trust is, or is reasonably likely to be, required to issue
Schedules K-1 to shareholders, or if the board of directors determines that it is otherwise
reasonable and prudent to do so, the sponsor may, in lieu of the procedures set forth in the Trust
Agreement and without the consent or approval of any other person, amend or amend and restate the
Trust Agreement as necessary so that with respect to all or any periods the Trust will be treated
as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and to provide for those provisions that are
customary, necessary or useful for an entity treated as a partnership for federal income tax
purposes. Shareholders are being asked to approve one amendment to the Trust Agreement.
The board of directors believes that it is in the best interests of the Trust and its
shareholders to adopt the amendment to the Trust Agreement. Recent guidance from the Internal
Revenue Service, which we refer to as the IRS, has suggested that certain attributes of the Trust
may cause it to not constitute a fixed-investment Trust, and thus, may prevent it from qualifying
to be a grantor Trust for federal income tax purposes. If the Trust were to be determined not to
constitute a grantor trust for federal income tax purposes, it likely would be regarded as a
partnership. While such recharacterization would affect the manner in which the Trust reports tax
information to holders of shares it should not materially affect the timing of income or loss
recognition or the character of income realized by and reportable by holders of shares. As a
result, the board of directors would like to have, and would like to provide the Company with, the
ability to respond to such guidance, and any additional guidance that may be provided by the IRS in
the future, by directing the sponsor to amend or amend and restate the Trust Agreement without
shareholder approval to incorporate those provisions that are customary, necessary or useful for an
entity treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
The amendment, if approved, will give the Company, in the event that it determines the Trust
is, or is reasonably likely to be, required to issue Schedules K-1 to shareholders, or the board of
directors determines that it is otherwise reasonable and prudent to do so, the ability to amend or
amend and restate the Trust Agreement without shareholder approval to incorporate those provisions
that are customary, necessary or useful for an entity treated as a partnership for federal income
tax purposes.
The affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding shares present in person or by
proxy at the annual meeting is required to approve the amendment to the Trust Agreement.
Recommendation of the Board
Our board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the amendment of the Trust Agreement.
7
PROPOSAL 3:
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
General
Our board has recommended and asks that you ratify the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as
independent auditor for the Company and the Trust for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.
You would be so acting based on the recommendation of our audit committee.
Grant Thornton LLP was engaged by us to audit the annual financial statements of the Trust for
our 2005 fiscal year and was appointed by our audit committee to audit the annual financial
statements for the 2006 fiscal year. Based on its past performance during these audits, the audit
committee of the board has selected Grant Thornton LLP as the independent auditor to perform the
audit of our financial statements for 2007. Grant Thornton LLP is a registered public accounting
firm. Information regarding Grant Thornton LLP can be found at: www.grantthornton.com.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares present in person or represented
by proxy at the annual meeting is required to ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP. If you
do not ratify the selection of Grant Thornton LLP, our board will reconsider its selection of Grant
Thornton LLP and may, in its sole discretion, make a new proposal for independent auditor.
Representatives of Grant Thornton LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will
have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond
to questions.
Fees
The chart below sets forth the total amount billed to us by Grant Thornton LLP for services
performed in 2006 and 2005, respectively, and breaks down these amounts by category of service:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Audit Fees (1) |
|
$ |
1,256,556 |
|
|
$ |
84,524 |
|
Audit-Related Fees (2) |
|
|
515,294 |
|
|
|
900,906 |
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Fees (3) |
|
|
100,221 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
1,880,071 |
|
|
$ |
985,430 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Audit Fees are fees billed by Grant Thornton LLP for professional
services for the audit of our consolidated financial statements
included in our annual reports on Form 10-K and review of financial
statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, or for
services that are normally provided by the auditors in connection with
statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. |
|
(2) |
|
Audit-Related Fees are fees billed by Grant Thornton LLP for
assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the
performance of the audit or review of our financial statements, which
were rendered in connection with our initial public offering. |
|
(3) |
|
Other Fees are fees billed by Grant Thornton LLP for the performance
of due diligence services related to the acquisition by our
subsidiary, CBS Personnel Holdings, Inc. of PMC Staffing Solutions,
Inc. completed in November 2006. |
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The audit committee has established policies and procedures for its appraisal and approval of
audit and non-audit services. The audit committee has also delegated to the chairman of the
committee the authority to approve additional audit and non-audit services and, subject to
compliance with all applicable independence requirements, to approve the engagement of additional
accounting firms to provide such services. The audit committee or its chairman has pre-approved
all of the services provided by Grant Thornton LLP since its engagement. All other audit-related,
tax and other fees may be approved by the audit committee prospectively.
In making its recommendation to ratify the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as independent
auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007, the audit committee has considered whether
the services provided by Grant Thornton LLP are compatible with maintaining the independence of
Grant Thornton LLP and has determined that such services do not interfere with Grant Thornton LLPs
independence.
Recommendation of the Board
Our board of directors recommends that, based on the recommendation of the audit committee,
you vote FOR the ratification of the selection of Grant Thornton LLP to serve as independent
auditor for the Company and the Trust for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.
8
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Certain Information Regarding our Directors and Executive Officers
The name and age of each director or executive officer and the positions held by each of them
as of March 31, 2007 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director |
|
Age |
|
Serving as Officer or Director Since |
|
Position |
C. Sean Day |
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
Chairman/Director |
Harold S. Edwards |
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
Director |
D. Eugene Ewing |
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
Director |
Mark H. Lazarus |
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
Director |
Ted Waitman |
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
Director |
I. Joseph Massoud |
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
Director, Chief Executive Officer |
James J. Bottiglieri |
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
Director, Chief Financial Officer |
Board Meetings and Committees
Our board has met ten times in total in 2006. All independent directors attended 100% of the
combined board and committee meetings on which they served in 2006.
The LLC agreement gives our board the authority to delegate its powers to committees appointed
by the board. All of our standing committees are composed solely of independent directors. Our
committees are required to conduct meetings and take action in accordance with the directions of
the board, the provisions of our LLC agreement and the terms of the respective committee charters.
We have three standing committees: the audit committee, the compensation committee and the
nominating and corporate governance committee. Copies of all committee charters are available on
our website at www.compassdiversifiedtrust.com, and in print from us without charge upon request by
writing to Investor Relations at our principal executive offices at 61 Wilton Road, Westport,
Connecticut 06880. The information on our website is not, and shall not be deemed to be,
incorporated by reference into this proxy statement or incorporated into any other filings that the
Company or the Trust makes with the Securities Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the SEC.
Audit Committee. The audit committee is comprised entirely of independent directors who meet
the independence requirements of Nasdaq and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act, and includes at least
one audit committee financial expert, as required by applicable SEC regulations. The audit
committee is responsible for, among other things:
|
|
|
retaining and overseeing our independent accountants; |
|
|
|
|
assisting the Companys board of directors in its oversight of the integrity of our financial
statements, the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent auditors and our
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; |
|
|
|
|
reviewing and approving the plan and scope of the internal and external audit; |
|
|
|
|
pre-approving any audit and non-audit services provided by our independent auditors; |
|
|
|
|
approving the fees to be paid to our independent auditors; |
|
|
|
|
reviewing with our chief executive officer and chief financial officer and independent auditors
the adequacy and effectiveness of our internal controls; |
|
|
|
|
preparing the audit committee report to be filed with the SEC; and |
|
|
|
|
reviewing and assessing annually the audit committees performance and the adequacy of its charter. |
Messrs. Edwards, Ewing and Waitman serve on our audit committee, and the board has determined
that Mr. Ewing qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as defined by the SEC. The audit
committee met five times during 2006.
9
Compensation Committee. The compensation committee is comprised entirely of independent
directors who meet the independence requirements of Nasdaq. In accordance with the compensation
committee charter, the members are outside directors as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code and
non-employee directors within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The responsibilities
of the compensation committee include:
|
|
|
reviewing our Managers performance of its obligations under the management services agreement; |
|
|
|
|
reviewing the remuneration of our Manager and approving the remuneration paid to our Manager for the
compensation of our chief executive officer; |
|
|
|
|
determining the compensation of our independent directors; |
|
|
|
|
granting rights to indemnification and reimbursement of expenses to the Manager and any seconded individuals; and |
|
|
|
|
making recommendations to the board regarding equity-based and incentive compensation plans, policies and
programs. |
Messrs. Edwards, Ewing and Lazarus serve on our compensation committee. The compensation
committee met two times during 2006.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The nominating and corporate governance
committee is comprised entirely of independent directors who meet the independence requirements of
Nasdaq. The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for, among other things:
|
|
|
recommending the number of directors to comprise the board of directors; |
|
|
|
|
identifying and evaluating individuals qualified to become members of the board of directors,
other than our Managers appointed director and his or her alternate, and soliciting
recommendations for director nominees from the chairman and chief executive officer of the
Company; |
|
|
|
|
recommending to the board the director nominees for each annual shareholders meeting, other
than our Managers appointed director; |
|
|
|
|
recommending to the board of directors the candidates for filling vacancies that may occur
between annual shareholders meetings, other than our Managers appointed director; |
|
|
|
|
reviewing independent director compensation and board processes, self-evaluations and policies; |
|
|
|
|
overseeing compliance with our code of ethics and conduct by our officers and directors; and |
|
|
|
|
monitoring developments in the law and practice of corporate governance. |
Messrs. Edwards, Lazarus and Waitman serve on our nominating and corporate governance
committee. The nominating and corporate governance committee met one time during 2006.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of the Companys executive officers or members of the Companys board of directors has
served as a member of a compensation committee (or if no committee performs that function, the
board of directors) of any other entity that has an executive officer serving as a member of the
Companys board of directors or compensation committee.
Other Matters
In addition to his role as chief executive officer of CPM, Mr. Waitman is the acting general
manager of a subsidiary of CPM that is a direct competitor of Aeroglide, which we acquired on
February 28, 2007. As such, Mr. Waitman recused himself from all deliberations and approval of the
Aeroglide acquisition. Moreover, we and Mr. Waitman intend to take steps going forward to address
potential conflicts arising from Mr. Waitmans service on our board and Mr. Waitmans position with
the subsidiary of CPM that competes with Aeroglide.
Executive Sessions of our Board
Our corporate governance guidelines provide that the non-management directors will meet
without management directors at regularly scheduled executive sessions at least quarterly and at
such other times as they deem appropriate. To the extent that any non-management directors are not
independent, the independent directors will meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions at least
once annually. In accordance with our corporate governance guidelines, the chairman of the audit
committee, nominating and corporate governance committee or compensation committee will preside at
these executive sessions of the non-management directors as determined by the non-executive
directors based upon the subject matter to be discussed. Mr. Day presided, and continues to
preside, over these sessions. Our non-management directors met two times during 2006.
10
Nominations of Directors
As provided in its charter, the nominating and corporate governance committee will identify
and recommend to the board nominees for election or re-election to the board. The committee will
review candidates for the board recommended by the Companys management and other members of the
board who are not members of the committee, as well as candidates recommended by shareholders, in
accordance with the following criteria and as discussed in Shareholder Nominations of Directors
below.
The nominating and corporate governance committee, in making its recommendations regarding
board nominees, may consider some or all of the following factors, among others:
|
|
|
the candidates judgment, skill, diversity and experience with other organizations of comparable
purpose, complexity and size, and subject to similar legal restrictions and oversight; |
|
|
|
|
the relationship of the candidates experience to the experience of other board members; |
|
|
|
|
the extent to which the candidate would be a valuable addition to the board and any committees thereof; |
|
|
|
|
whether or not the person has any relationships that might impair his or her independence, including
any business, financial or family relationships with the Manager or the Companys management; and |
|
|
|
|
the candidates ability to contribute to the effective management of the Company, taking into account
the needs of the Company and such factors as the individuals experience, perspective, skills, and
knowledge of the industry in which the Company operates. |
In recommending candidates for election as directors, the nominating and corporate governance
committee will also take into consideration the need for the board of directors to have a majority
of directors that are independent under the requirements of Nasdaq and other applicable laws, and
at least three directors that are independent under these requirements and are not appointed by the
Manager pursuant to the terms of the management services agreement or otherwise affiliated with our
Manager.
In addition, the nominating and corporate governance committee will recommend candidates for
election as directors based on the following criteria and qualifications:
|
|
|
Financial Literacy. Such person should be financially literate as such
qualification is interpreted by the board of directors in its business
judgment. |
|
|
|
|
Leadership Experience. Such person should possess significant leadership
experience, such as experience in business, finance/accounting, law,
education or government, and shall possess qualities reflecting a proven
record of accomplishment and ability to work with others. |
|
|
|
|
Commitment to our Companys Values. Such person shall be committed to
promoting our financial success and preserving and enhancing our reputation
and shall be in agreement with our values as embodied in our code of ethics
and conduct. |
|
|
|
|
Absence of Conflicting Commitments. Such person should not have commitments
that would conflict with the time commitments of a director of our Company. |
|
|
|
|
Complementary Attributes. Such person shall have skills and talents which
would be a valuable addition to the board and any committees thereof and
that shall complement the skills and talents of our existing directors. |
|
|
|
|
Reputation and Integrity. Such person shall be of high repute and integrity. |
Under the corporate governance guidelines, directors must inform the chairman of the board and
the chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee in advance of accepting an
invitation to serve on another public company board or any committee thereof.
Shareholder Nominations of Directors
To make a director nomination, a shareholder must give written notice to our Secretary at our
principal executive office at 61 Wilton Road, Westport, Connecticut 06880, Attention: Investor
Relations. To be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, shareholder nominations must be received by the Company no later than January 25,
2008. In order for a notice to be timely, it must be delivered to our Secretary and the principal
executive office described in the preceding sentence not less than 120 days nor more than 150 days
prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting. In the event that the date
of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after such anniversary date,
notice by a shareholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the
120th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on
which public announcement of the date of such meeting if first made by the Trust.
When directors are to be elected at a special meeting, such notice must be given not earlier
than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the
later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the day on which a
public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed
by the board to be elected at such meeting.
11
In addition to any other requirements, for a shareholder to properly bring a nomination for
director before either an annual or special meeting, the shareholder must be a shareholder of
record on both the date of the shareholders notice of nomination and the record date relating to
the meeting.
The shareholder submitting the recommendation must submit:
|
|
|
the shareholders name and address as they appear on the share
register of the Trust, as well as the name and address of the
beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made; |
|
|
|
|
the number of shares of Trust stock which are owned beneficially and
of record by such shareholder and such beneficial owner, if any; and |
|
|
|
|
a description of all arrangements or understandings between the
shareholder and each nominee and any other person or persons pursuant
to which the recommendation is being made by the shareholder. |
In addition, any such notice from a shareholder recommending a director nominee must include
the following information:
|
|
|
the candidates name, age, business address and residence address; |
|
|
|
|
the candidates principal occupation or employment; |
|
|
|
|
the number of shares of Trust stock that are beneficially owned by the candidate; |
|
|
|
|
a copy of the candidates resume; |
|
|
|
|
a written consent from the candidate to being named in the proxy statement as a
nominee and to serving as director, if elected; and |
|
|
|
|
any other information relating to such candidate that would be required to be
disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors under the
federal securities laws, including Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act. |
We may require any proposed nominee to furnish any additional information that we reasonably
require to enable our nominating and corporate governance committee to determine the eligibility of
the proposed nominee to serve as a director. Candidates are evaluated based on the standards,
guidelines and criteria discussed above as well as other factors contained in the nominating and
corporate governance committees charter, our corporate governance guidelines, other of our
policies and guidelines and the current needs of the board.
12
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Our non-management directors receive annual cash retainers of $40,000, or $60,000 if serving
as the Companys chairman, payable in equal quarterly installments, as well as cash compensation
for attendance at committee meetings and an annual retainer for service as committee chairman, both
as described below. For fiscal year 2006, the annual retainers began to accrue to the directors as
of April 25, 2006. Directors (including the chairman) are reimbursed for reasonable out-of -pocket
expenses incurred in attending meetings of the board of directors or committees and for any
expenses reasonably incurred in their capacity as directors. The Company also reimburses directors
for all reasonable and authorized business expenses related to service to the Company by the
directors in accordance with the policies of the Company as in effect from time to time.
Messrs. Edwards, Ewing, Lazarus and Waitman have been independent directors since the closing
of our initial public offering in May 2006.
Each member of the Companys various standing committees also receives the following
compensation related to service to these committees:
|
|
|
for attending a committee meeting in person (if any): $2,000 for each
meeting of the audit committee; $2,000 for each meeting of the
nominating and corporate governance committee; and $2,000 for each
meeting of the compensation committee; and |
|
|
|
|
for attending a telephonic committee meeting (if any): $1,000 for each
meeting of the audit committee; $1,000 for each meeting of the
nominating and corporate governance committee; and $1,000 for each
meeting of the compensation committee. |
The chairperson of the audit committee, nominating and corporate governance committee and
compensation committee also receive an annual cash retainer payable in equal quarterly installments
of $10,000, $5,000 and $5,000, respectively.
Non-management directors also receive on or around January 1st of each year
$20,000, or $30,000 if serving as the Companys chairman, of shares in the Trust. The
non-management directors receive that number of shares in the Trust that can be purchased with
$20,000 or $30,000, as applicable, at the market price on the date of purchase.
Mr. Day is an equity owner in an entity that is entitled to receive a percentage of any profit
allocation paid by the Company to our Manager, as more particularly described herein under the
section entitled Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.
The following table provides compensation paid or accrued by us to our directors in 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Non - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Qualified |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
|
Deferred |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option |
|
|
Incentive Plan |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
All other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Paid in Cash |
|
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
Awards |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
Earnings |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
Total |
|
C. Sean Day |
|
$ |
41,045 |
|
|
$ |
30,000 |
(1) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
71,045 |
|
Harold S. Edwards |
|
|
42,783 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,783 |
|
D. Eugene Ewing |
|
|
45,204 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
65,204 |
|
Mark H. Lazarus |
|
|
31,363 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,363 |
|
Ted Waitman |
|
|
40,783 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,783 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Totals |
|
$ |
201,178 |
|
|
$ |
110,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
(2) |
|
$ |
|
(2) |
|
$ |
|
(2) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
311,178 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents 1,683 fully vested shares for C. Sean Day and 1,122 fully vested shares for each
other director issued pursuant to the
annual award described above. These shares were received by the directors on January 3, 2007. |
|
(2) |
|
The Company does not have any stock option, non-equity incentive or deferred compensation
arrangements for any of its directors. |
13
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Overview of our Executive Compensation
The Company was formed on November 18, 2005 and completed its initial public offering on May
16, 2006. It had no prior operating history. The current executive officers, Messrs. Massoud and
Bottiglieri, are employed by our Manager and are seconded to the Company which means that they have
been assigned by our Manager to work for the Company during the term of the management services
agreement between us and our Manager. The Company does not have any other executive officers. Our
Manager determines and pays the compensation of these officers who we refer to as the Named
Executive Officers, subject to the reimbursement described below.
We do not pay any compensation to our executive officers seconded to us by our Manager. Our
Manager is responsible for the payment of compensation to the executive officers seconded to us.
We do not reimburse our Manager for the compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer, I. Joseph
Massoud. We do, however, pay our Manager a quarterly management fee and our Manager uses the
proceeds from the management fee, in part, to pay compensation to Mr. Massoud. Pursuant to the
management services agreement with our Manager, we reimburse our Manager for the compensation paid
to our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. James J. Bottiglieri. Such reimbursement is approved by the
Companys compensation committee. Mr. Bottiglieri is paid pursuant to an employment agreement as
described below.
Our Manager owns 100% of the allocation interests of the Company, which generally will entitle
our Manager to receive a 20% profit allocation as a form of equity incentive, subject to the
Companys profits with respect to a business exceeding an annualized hurdle rate of 7%, which
hurdle is tied to such business growth relative to our consolidated net equity. No amounts were
paid under these allocation interests during fiscal year 2006.
The discussion that follows relates to the compensation policies and philosophy for Mr.
Bottiglieri only, as the compensation of Mr. Massoud is not reimbursed by the Company.
Elements of Our Executive Compensation and How Each Relates to Our Overall Compensation Objectives
Annual compensation for Mr. Bottiglieri is paid pursuant to an employment agreement. Mr.
Bottiglieris employment agreement provides that his annual compensation is to be paid through a
combination of a base salary and an annual cash bonus. Both elements are designed to be
competitive with comparable employers in our industry and intended to provide incentives and reward
Mr. Bottiglieri for his contributions to the Company.
Objectives of Our Executive Compensation and What it is Designed to Reward
The primary objective of the base salary and annual cash bonus elements of our executive
compensation is to attract and retain a qualified and talented individual as Chief Financial
Officer. Through payment of a competitive base salary, we recognize particularly the experience,
skills, knowledge and responsibilities required of the Chief Financial Officer position. An annual
cash bonus is designed to reward our Chief Financial Officers individual performance during the
year and can therefore be variable from year to year.
How We Determine the Amount of Each Element
To determine the amount of our Chief Financial Officers base salary and annual cash bonus, we
informally consider competitive market practices, by speaking with reputable recruitment agencies
and reviewing annual reports on Form 10-K or similar information of other companies. We do not use
compensation consultants at this time.
When establishing Mr. Bottiglieris 2006 base salary, the compensation committee and
management considered a number of factors including Mr. Bottiglieris seniority, the functional
role of his position, the level of his responsibility, the ability to replace Mr. Bottiglieri and
the base salary of Mr. Bottiglieri at his prior employment.
Mr. Bottiglieris salary is reviewed on an annual basis, as well as at the time of promotion
or other changes in responsibilities. The leading factor in determining increases in salary level
is the employment market in Connecticut for other senior financial executives. We expect the
salary of our Chief Financial Officer to stay relatively constant with adjustments largely
reflecting additional responsibilities assumed or to compensate for cost of living increases.
14
The annual cash bonus element of our executive compensation policy is determined on a
discretionary basis and is largely based upon the job performance of Mr. Bottiglieri in completing
his responsibilities. It is not based upon the performance of the Company and is unrelated to the
amount of Mr. Bottiglieris base salary. The employment agreement for Mr. Bottiglieri defines the
minimum amount of annual cash bonus to be paid for any fiscal year to be $100,000, but does not
limit the amount of his annual bonus. The amount of Mr. Bottiglieris annual cash bonus for 2006
was established by our chief executive officer and approved by our compensation committee. Mr.
Bottiglieris annual cash bonus is accrued quarterly in the Companys consolidated financial
statements and is updated based on the amount of the annual cash bonus approved by the compensation
committee.
Summary Compensation Table
The following Summary Compensation Table summarizes the total compensation accrued for our
Chief Financial Officer in 2006.
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change In |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
And Non- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Qualified |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
Deferred |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
Option |
|
Incentive Plan |
|
Compensation |
|
All |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
Awards |
|
Awards |
|
Compensation |
|
Earnings |
|
Other Compensation |
|
Total |
Name |
|
Year |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
James J. Bottiglieri
Chief Financial
Officer (1)(2) |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
218,750 |
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41,004 |
(3) |
|
|
334,754 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Mr. Bottiglieri began employment with our Manager on May 16, 2006. Mr. Bottiglieris
annual rate of salary for 2006 was $350,000 and was increased to $360,000 as of January 1,
2007 |
|
(2) |
|
The named executive did not participate in any stock award, stock option, non equity
incentive or non qualified deferred stock compensation plans. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes the following payments we paid on behalf of the executive: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Healthcare |
|
Insurance |
|
401-K |
|
|
|
|
Contributions |
|
Premiums |
|
Contributions |
|
Total |
Name |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
James J. Bottiglieri |
|
$ |
9,711 |
|
|
$ |
68 |
|
|
$ |
30,625 |
|
|
$ |
41,004 |
|
Grants of Plan Based Awards
None of our named executives participate in or have account balances in any plan based award
programs.
Employment Agreements
Employment Agreement with James J. Bottiglieri. In September 2005, The Compass Group entered
into an employment agreement with Mr. Bottiglieri, our Chief Financial Officer that provided for a
two-year term. This agreement was assigned to our current Manager as part of our initial public
offering, which we refer to as the IPO. A summary of the terms of Mr. Bottiglieris current
employment agreement is set forth below.
Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Bottiglieris base salary was $350,000. The Manager
has the right to increase, but not decrease, the base salary during the term of the employment
agreement. The employment agreement provides that Mr. Bottiglieri is entitled to receive an annual
bonus, which bonus must not be less than $100,000, as determined in the sole judgment of our board
of directors. Pursuant to the employment agreement, if Mr. Bottiglieris employment is terminated
by him without good reason (as defined in the employment agreement) before the completion of two
years of employment or terminated by our Manager for cause (as defined in the employment
agreement), he will be entitled to receive his accrued but unpaid base salary. In addition, if his
employment is terminated due to a disability, he will be entitled to receive an amount equal to six
months of his base salary and one-half times his average bonus for any fiscal year during his
employment. If Mr. Bottiglieri terminates his employment for good reason or without good reason
after the completion of two years of employment but prior to the completion of four years of
employment or if the Manager terminates his employment other than for cause, he will be entitled to
receive his accrued but unpaid base salary plus $300,000. The employment agreement prohibits Mr.
Bottiglieri from soliciting any of the Managers or Companys employees for a period of two years
after the termination of his employment. The employment agreement also requires that he protect the
Companys confidential information.
15
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End; Option Exercises and Stock Vested
None of our named executives have ever held options to purchase interests in us or other
awards with values based on the value of our interests.
Pension Benefits
None of our named executives participate in or have account balances in qualified or
non-qualified defined benefit plans sponsored by us.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
None of our named executives participate in or have account balances in non-qualified defined
contribution plans or other deferred compensation plans maintained by us.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
The following summarizes potential payments payable to our executive officers upon termination
of employment or a change in control of us under their current employment agreements.
Employment Agreement with James J. Bottiglieri. Pursuant to his employment agreement, if Mr.
Bottiglieris employment is terminated by him without good reason (as defined in the employment
agreement) before the completion of two years of employment or terminated by our Manager for cause
(as defined in the employment agreement), he will be entitled to receive his accrued but unpaid
base salary. In addition, if his employment is terminated due to a disability, he will be entitled
to receive an amount equal to six months of his base salary and one-half times his average bonus
for any fiscal year during his employment. If Mr. Bottiglieri terminates his employment for good
reason or without good reason after the completion of two years of employment but prior to the
completion of four years of employment or if the Manager terminates his employment other than for
cause, he will be entitled to receive his accrued but unpaid base salary plus $300,000. The
Company is accruing this obligation to Mr. Bottiglieri over a three year period and accrued $67,000
for this obligation during fiscal 2006.
Supplemental Put Agreement. Our Manager is also the owner of 100% of the allocation
interests in the Company. Our Manager is owned and controlled by its managing member, our Chief
Executive Officer, Mr. Massoud. Concurrent with our IPO, we entered into a supplemental put
agreement with our Manager pursuant to which our Manager shall have the right to cause the Company
to purchase the allocation interests then owned by our Manager upon either (i) the termination of
the management services agreement (other than as a result of our Managers resignation), or (ii)
our Manager resigns on any date that is at least three years after the closing of our IPO.
Essentially, the put rights granted to our Manager require us to acquire our Managers initial
allocation interests in the Company at a price based on a percentage of the increase in fair value
in the Companys businesses over its basis in those businesses. If we terminate the management
services agreement, the payment to the Manager will be determined at two times the increase in fair
value in the Company businesses over its initial basis in those businesses. Each fiscal quarter
the fair value of our subsidiaries is estimated for the purpose of determining the Companys
potential liability associated with the supplemental put agreement. Any change in the potential
liability is accrued currently as a non-cash charge to earnings. For the year ended December 31,
2006, the Company accrued approximately $22.5 million for the potential liability associated with
the supplemental put agreement. See the section Certain Relationships and Related Party
Transactions for additional information related to the supplemental put agreement.
16
SHARE OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of
Trust stock by each person who is known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent
of the outstanding shares of Trust stock, each of our directors and executive officers and our
directors and executive officers as a group as of March 31, 2007, based on 20,450,000 shares issued
and outstanding.
All holders of shares of Trust stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters
submitted to a vote of holders of shares of Trust stock. The voting rights attached to shares of
Trust stock held by our directors, executive officers or major shareholders do not differ from
those that attach to shares of Trust stock held by any other holder.
Under Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, beneficial ownership includes shares for which the
individual, directly or indirectly, has voting power, meaning the power to control voting
decisions, or investment power, meaning the power to cause the sale of the shares, whether or not
the shares are held for the individuals benefit. The address for each Director, Executive
Officer, Compass Group International and Pharos I, LLC is 61 Wilton Road, Westport, Connecticut,
06880.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares of Trust Stock |
|
|
|
|
Representing Sole |
|
Percent of |
|
|
Voting and/or |
|
Shares |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
|
Investment Power |
|
Outstanding |
5% Beneficial Owners |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CGI(1) |
|
|
7,350,000 |
|
|
|
35.9 |
% |
Prides Capital Partners, L.L.C.(2) |
|
|
1,308,653 |
|
|
|
6.4 |
% |
Chilton Investment Company, L.L.C.(3) |
|
|
1,105,045 |
|
|
|
5.4 |
% |
Directors and Executive Officers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Sean Day |
|
|
323,350 |
|
|
|
1.6 |
% |
I. Joseph Massoud(4) |
|
|
266,667 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
% |
James J. Bottiglieri |
|
|
6,667 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Harold S. Edwards |
|
|
3,830 |
|
|
|
* |
|
D. Eugene Ewing |
|
|
9,455 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Mark H. Lazarus |
|
|
1,122 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Ted Waitman |
|
|
14,455 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group |
|
|
625,546 |
|
|
|
3.1 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Less than 1%. |
|
(1) |
|
These shares are owned by CGI Diversified Holdings LP, a wholly owned subsidiary of CGI. Upon
completion of the Follow-on Offering and the separate private placement transaction, CGI will own
shares representing 30.2% of our shares. See the section below entitled Certain Relationships and
Related Party Transactions for more information about the relationship of CGI and its affiliates. |
|
(2) |
|
Number of shares presented is based solely on the information provided in a filing by such
person with the SEC on Schedule 13D. The address for Prides Capital Partners, L.L.C. is 200 High
Street, Suite 700, Boston, Massachusetts 02110 |
|
(3) |
|
The address for Chilton Investment Company, L.L.C. is 300 Park Avenue, 19th floor,
New York, N.Y. 10022. |
|
(4) |
|
Our chief executive officer, Mr. Massoud, as managing member of Pharos, exercises sole voting
and investment power with respect to the shares owned by Pharos. Amounts with respect to Mr.
Massoud reflect his beneficial ownership of shares through his interest in and control of Pharos. |
17
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the
Companys two classes of equity interests.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Percent of |
|
|
Interests(1) |
|
Class |
Compass Group Management LLC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allocation interests |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
Trust interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compass Diversified Trust(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allocation interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trust interests |
|
|
20,450,000 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC has two classes of interests: allocation interests and
trust interests. |
|
(2) |
|
Each beneficial interest in the trust corresponds to one underlying trust interest of the
company. Unless the trust is dissolved, it must remain the sole holder of 100% of the trust
interests and at all times the company will have outstanding the identical number of trust
interests as the number of outstanding shares of the trust. As a result of corresponding interest
between shares and trust interests, each holder of shares identified in the table above relating to
the trust must be deemed to beneficially own a correspondingly proportionate interest in the
company. |
The following table sets forth certain information as of March 31, 2007, regarding the
beneficial ownership by certain executive officers and directors of the Company of equity interests
in certain of our businesses.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Percent of |
|
|
Shares |
|
Class |
C. Sean Day Advanced Circuits, Series B Common Stock(1) |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
% |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Mr. Day is the direct owner of 6,480 shares of Series B Common Stock and Mr. Days children are
the owners in the aggregate of 3,520 shares of Series B Common Stock. |
18
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Our audit committee is composed of three independent directors, all of whom are financially
literate. In addition, the board has determined that Mr. Ewing, an independent director and the
chairman of the audit committee, qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as defined by the
SEC. The audit committee operates under a written charter, which reflects Nasdaq listing standards
and Sarbanes-Oxley Act requirements regarding audit committees. A copy of the audit committee
charter is available on the Companys website at www.compassdiversifiedtrust.com.
The audit committees primary role is to assist the board in fulfilling its responsibility for
oversight of (1) the quality and integrity of the consolidated financial statements and related
disclosures, (2) compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) the independent auditors
qualifications, independence and performance and (4) the performance of our internal audit and
control functions.
The Companys management is responsible for the preparation of the financial statements, the
financial reporting process and the system of internal controls. The independent auditors are
responsible for performing an audit of the financial statements in accordance with auditing
standards generally accepted in the United States, and issuing an opinion as to the conformity of
those audited financial statements to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The audit
committee monitors and oversees these processes.
The audit committee has adopted a policy designed to ensure proper oversight of our
independent auditor. Under the policy, the audit committee is directly responsible for the
appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of any registered public accounting
firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing any other audit
review (including resolution of disagreements among management, the Manager, and the auditor
regarding financial reporting), or attestation services. In addition, the audit committee is
responsible for pre-approving any non-audit services provided by the Companys independent
auditors. The audit committees charter also ensures that the independent auditor discusses with
the audit committee important issues such as internal controls, critical accounting policies, any
instances of fraud and the consistency and appropriateness of our accounting policies and
practices.
The audit committee has reviewed and discussed with management and Grant Thornton LLP, the
Companys independent auditor, the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2006. The audit committee has also discussed with Grant Thornton LLP the matters
required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit
Committees). In addition, the audit committee has received from the independent auditor its
written report required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions
with Audit Committees) and has discussed its independence from the Company and its management. The
audit committee also considered whether the non-audit services provided by Grant Thornton LLP to us
during 2006 were compatible with its independence as auditor.
Based on these reviews and discussions, the audit committee has recommended to the board, and
the board has approved, the inclusion of the audited financial statements in the Companys Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Members of the Audit Committee
D. Eugene Ewing, Chairman
Harold S. Edwards
Ted Waitman
The information contained in the report above shall not be deemed to be soliciting material
or to be filed with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any
future filing under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except to the
extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference in such filing.
19
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
We have reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
provisions to be included in the Companys 2007 Proxy Statement filed pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, we
recommend to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis referred to above
be included in the Companys proxy statement.
Members of the Compensation Committee
Harold S. Edwards
D. Eugene Ewing
Mark H. Lazarus
The information contained in the report above shall not be deemed to be soliciting material
or to be filed with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any
future filing under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except to the
extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference in such filing.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics and Conduct
Our board has adopted corporate governance guidelines that set forth our corporate governance
objectives and policies and govern the functioning of the board. Our corporate governance
guidelines are available on our website at www.compassdiversifiedtrust.com and in print from us
without charge upon request by writing to Investor Relations at Compass Group Diversified Holdings
LLC, 61 Wilton Road, Westport, Connecticut 06880.
We also have a code of ethics and conduct that sets forth our commitment to ethical business
practices. Our code of ethics and conduct applies to our directors, officers and employees,
including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, and also applies to our Manager,
its employees and any affiliates of our Manager that perform management services for us. Our code
of ethics and conduct is available on our website and in print from us without charge upon request.
Communications with our Board
Communications to our board or to any director individually may be made by writing to the
following address:
Attention: [Board of Directors] [Board Member]
c/o James J. Bottiglieri, Secretary
61 Wilton Road
Westport, CT 06880
Communications sent to the physical mailing address are forwarded to the relevant director, if
addressed to an individual director or to the chairman of our board if addressed to the board.
20
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Policy for Approval of Related Person Transactions
Our independent directors, through the various committees of our board of directors, are
responsible for reviewing and approving, prior to our entry into any such transaction, all
transactions in which we are a participant and in which any of the following related parties have
or will have a direct or indirect material interest:
|
|
|
our chief executive officer and chief financial officer; |
|
|
|
|
our directors; and |
|
|
|
|
other members of the management team involved in the oversight of the day-to-day
operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. |
Any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K (related
party transactions) must be reviewed and approved for potential conflict of interest by our
independent directors, through the various committees of our board of directors. The Company may
not enter into or engage in any related party transaction with a related party without such
approval. All related party transactions involving an acquisition from or sale to an affiliate of
our Manager, including any entity managed by an affiliate of our Manager, must be submitted to the
nominating and corporate governance committee for pre-approval. Details of related party
transactions will be publicly disclosed as required by applicable law.
Relationships with Related Parties
CGI
Compass Group Investments, Inc., which we refer to as CGI, through its wholly owned
subsidiaries, was the sole limited partner in each of the entities from which the Company acquired
a controlling interest in our initial businesses and Anodyne, as well as the sole limited partner
in CGI Diversified Holdings, LP. CGI is also an affiliate of Navco Management, Inc., the general
partner of CGI Diversified Holdings, LP and the entities from which the Company acquired
controlling interests in our initial businesses and Anodyne.
We used a portion of the net proceeds from the IPO, the separate private placement
transactions that are described below and our initial borrowing from our prior credit agreement to
acquire controlling interests in our businesses from CGI and its subsidiaries. Such controlling
interests were acquired or otherwise obtained by CGI and its subsidiaries pursuant to equity
investments totaling approximately $71.9 million, which controlling interests we acquired from CGI
and its subsidiaries for approximately $147.7 million in cash.
CGI was the sole owner of The Compass Group, the former manager of these businesses. The
members of our management team, while working for The Compass Group, advised CGI on the acquisition
and management of these businesses.
CGI Diversified Holdings, LP currently owns an aggregate of 7,350,000, or 35.9% of our shares.
CGI Diversified Holdings, LP purchased, in conjunction with the IPO in a separate private placement
transaction, 5,733,333 shares at the IPO price per share, having an aggregate purchase price of
approximately $86 million. In addition, CGI Diversified Holdings, LP purchased 666,666 shares
having an aggregate purchase price of $10 million through the IPO. As indicated above, the proceeds
of these sales were used in part to pay the purchase price to CGI Diversified Holdings, LP and its
subsidiaries for the acquisition of our businesses. CGI Diversified Holdings, LP also became a
non-managing member of our Manager following the IPO. In addition, in connection with the
acquisition of Anodyne on August 1, 2006, we issued 950,000 of our newly issued shares to CGI
Diversified Holdings, LP valued at $13.1 million, or $13.77 per share. In November of 2006, CGI
Diversified Holdings, LP contributed its membership interest in our Manager to a newly formed
entity: CGI Seagin Holdings, LLC, which we refer to as CGI Seagin, in exchange for a managing
membership interest in CGI Seagin. As a result, CGI Seagin is entitled to receive 10% of any profit
allocation paid by the Company to our Manager and CGI Diversified Holdings, LP, is indirectly
entitled to receive half of any such profit allocation paid CGI Seagin. Mr. Day, our chairman, also
holds a 50% non-managing membership interest in CGI Seagin, which entitles him, indirectly, to
receive half of any profit allocation paid by the Company to CGI Seagin.
CGI has agreed to purchase, in conjunction with the closing of our proposed follow-on public
offering of stock, which we refer to as the Follow-on Offering, in a separate private placement
transaction, that number of shares, at a per share price equal to the Follow-on Offering price,
having an aggregate purchase price of approximately $30 million. CGI will have certain registration
rights in connection with the shares it acquires in the separate private placement transaction. See
the section entitled Registration Rights below for more information about these registration
rights. CGI is a 50% managing member in CGI Seagin, a non-managing member of our Manager. CGI
Seagin is entitled to receive 10% of any profit allocation paid by the Company to our Manager.
21
Our Manager
Our relationship with our Manager is governed principally by the following three agreements:
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the management services agreement relating to the management services our Manager
performs for us and the businesses we own and the management and transaction fees to be
paid to our Manager in respect thereof; |
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the Companys LLC agreement setting forth our Managers rights with respect to the
allocation interests our Manager owns, including the right to receive profit allocations
from the Company; and |
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the supplemental put agreement relating to our Managers right to cause the Company to
purchase the allocation interests owned by our Manager. |
Concurrent with the IPO, all the employees of The Compass Group became employees of our
Manager. While our Manager will provide management services to the Company, our Manager is also
permitted to provide services, including services similar to the management services provided to
us, to other entities. In this respect, the management services agreement and the obligation to
provide management services will not create a mutually exclusive relationship between our Manager
and the Company or our businesses. As such, our Manager, and our management team, will be permitted
to engage in other business endeavors, which may be related to or affiliated with CGI. Mr. James
Bottiglieri, our chief financial officer, will devote 100% of his time to our affairs.
The Company reimbursed our Manager and its affiliates after the closing of the IPO, for
certain costs and expenses incurred prior to and in connection with the closing of the IPO in the
amount of approximately $6 million. The Company paid our Manager approximately $300,000 in
transaction services fees and expense payments in respect of our Managers services as an advisor
to us in connection with the acquisition of Anodyne from CGI.
Mr. Massoud, as managing member of our Manager, will beneficially receive the management fees,
offsetting management fees, fees under any transaction services agreements and expense
reimbursements related to the foregoing, and he will use such proceeds to pay the compensation,
overhead, out-of-pocket and other expenses of our Manager, satisfy its contractual obligations and
otherwise distribute such proceeds to the members of our Manager in accordance with our Managers
organizational documents.
Mr. C. Sean Day
Mr. Day, the chairman of our board, was the chairman of The Compass Group, a wholly owned
subsidiary of CGI. Mr. Day is not an employee, director or officer of our Manager. Mr. Day owns a
50% non-managing membership interest in CGI Seagin, a non-managing member of our Manager. CGI
Seagin is entitled to receive 10% of any profit allocation paid by the Company to our Manager.
Pharos I LLC
Pharos purchased, in conjunction with the closing of the IPO in a separate private placement
transaction, 266,667 shares at the IPO price per share having an aggregate purchase price of $4
million. As indicated above, this amount was used in part to pay the purchase price to CGI and its
subsidiaries for the acquisition of our businesses by the Company. Pharos is owned by certain
employees of our Manager, including Mr. Massoud, our chief executive officer. Mr. Massoud, as
managing member, controls Pharos.
Contractual Arrangements with Related Parties
The following discussion sets forth the agreements that we entered into with related parties
in connection with the IPO.
Stock Purchase Agreement with Sellers, including CGI and its Subsidiaries
CGI and its subsidiaries, together with the other sellers, entered into stock purchase
agreements with the Company pursuant to which the Company acquired controlling interests in our
initial businesses and Anodyne. Upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by the stock
purchase agreements, the Company succeeded to the rights and interests of the applicable selling
CGI subsidiaries under certain shareholders agreements and registration rights agreements then in
place at our initial businesses and Anodyne.
Loan Agreements with each of our Subsidiaries
The Company is a party to a loan agreement with each of our businesses pursuant to which the
Company will make loans and financing commitments to each of our businesses.
Management Services Agreement
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The Company entered into a management services agreement pursuant to which we will pay our
Manager, for services performed by our Manager, a quarterly management fee equal to 0.5% (2.0%
annualized) of the Companys adjusted net assets as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. The
management services agreement was amended on November 8, 2006, to clarify that adjusted net assets
are not reduced by non-cash charges associated with the supplemental put agreement. Such amendment
was unanimously approved by our board and the compensation committee of our board. The management
fee paid to our Manager is required to be paid prior to the payment of any distributions to
shareholders. The management fee will be offset by fees paid to our Manager by our businesses under
management services agreements that our Manager entered into with, or be assigned with respect to,
our businesses, which we refer to as offsetting management services agreements. We accrued and paid
approximately $3.0 million of management fees under this agreement during fiscal 2006.
Offsetting Management Services Agreements
Our Manager has entered into and may, at any time in the future, enter into offsetting
management services agreements directly with the businesses that we own relating to the performance
by our Manager of offsetting management services for such businesses. All fees, if any, paid by the
businesses that we own to our Manager pursuant to an offsetting management services during any
fiscal quarter will offset, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, the management fee otherwise due and
payable by the Company to our Manager under the management services agreement for such fiscal
quarter. The Manager has entered into offsetting management services agreements with all of its
subsidiaries. Offsetting management fees were approximately $1.4 million during fiscal 2006.
LLC Agreement
The Trust and our Manager are each equity holders of the Companys limited liability company
interests and parties to the LLC agreement relating to their respective interests in the Company.
The LLC agreement sets forth our Managers rights with respect to their profit allocation interest
among other things. The LLC agreement was amended on January 9, 2007, to address a drafting error
related to the methodology used to calculate our Managers profit allocation. The impact of the
amendment to the LLC agreement is positive for shareholders as it ensures that 100% of the
Companys overhead and equity are allocated among our businesses for purposes of the hurdle
calculation prior to payment of profit allocation to our Manager. The amendment to the LLC
agreement was unanimously approved by our board of directors on January 4, 2007.
The Company will pay a profit allocation with respect to its businesses to our Manager, as
holder of 100% of the allocation interests, upon the occurrence of certain events if the Companys
profits with respect to a business exceeding an annualized hurdle rate of 7%, which hurdle is tied
to such business adjusted net assets (as defined in the LLC agreement) relative to the sum of all
of our subsidiaries adjusted net assets. The calculation of profit allocation with respect to a
particular business will be based on:
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such business contribution-based profit, which generally will be equal to such
business aggregate contribution to the Companys profit during the period such business is
owned by the Company; and |
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the Companys cumulative gains and losses to date. |
Generally, a profit allocation will be paid in the event that the amount of profit allocation
exceeds the annualized hurdle rate of 7% in the following manner: (i) 100% of the amount of profit
allocation in excess of the hurdle rate of 7% but that is less than the hurdle rate of 8.75%, which
amount is intended to provide our Manager with an overall profit allocation of 20% once the hurdle
rate of 7% has been surpassed; and (ii) 20% of the amount of profit allocation in excess of the
hurdle rate of 8.75%. Our Manager has the right to cause the Company to purchase the allocation
interests it owns, as described below under the heading Supplemental Put Agreement. Mr. Day owns
a 50% non-managing membership interest in CGI Seagin, a non-managing member of our Manager. CGI
Seagin is entitled to receive 10% of any profit allocation paid by the Company to our Manager.
Supplemental Put Agreement
As distinct from its role as our Manager, our Manager is also the owner of 100% of the
allocation interests in the Company. Concurrent with the IPO, we entered into a supplemental put
agreement with our Manager pursuant to which our Manager shall have the right to cause the Company
to purchase the allocation interests then owned by our Manager upon termination of the management
services agreement. Essentially, the put rights granted to our Manager require us to acquire our
Managers allocation interests in the Company at a price based on a percentage of the increase in
fair value in the Companys businesses over its basis in those businesses. At any point in time,
the supplemental put liability recorded on the Companys balance sheet is our Managers estimate of
what its allocation interests are worth based upon a percentage of the increase in fair value of
our businesses over our basis in those businesses. Because the supplemental put price would be
calculated based upon an assumed profit allocation for the sale of all of our businesses, the
growth of the supplemental put liability over time is indicative of our Managers estimate of the
Companys unrealized gains on its interests in our businesses. A decline in the supplemental put
liability is indicative either of the realization of gains associated with the sale a business and
the corresponding payment of a profit allocation to our Manager (as with Crosman), or a decline in
our Managers
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estimate of the Companys unrealized gains on its interests in our businesses. We account for
the change in the estimated value of the supplemental put liability on a quarterly basis in our
income statement. The expected value of the supplemental put liability effects our results of
operation but it does not affect our cash flows or our cash flow available for distribution. See
the financial statements included in our annual report accompanying this proxy statement and
footnotes B and O thereto for further information concerning the Supplemental Put Agreement.
Private Placement Agreement
CGI has agreed to purchase, in conjunction with the closing of the Follow-on Offering in a
separate private placement transaction, that number of shares, at a per share price equal to the
Follow-on Offering price, having an aggregate purchase price of approximately $30 million.
Registration Rights Agreements
In connection with CGIs and Pharos purchase of 5,733,333 and 266,667 shares, respectively,
pursuant to the separate private placement transactions in connection with the IPO and described
above, we entered into registration rights agreements with CGI Diversified Holdings, LP and Pharos
for the registration of such shares under the Securities Act, which we refer to as the IPO
registration rights agreements. Likewise, in connection with the grant of 950,000 restricted shares
to CGI in connection with the Companys purchase of Anodyne from CGIs subsidiary Compass Medical
Mattress Partners L.P., we entered into a registration rights agreement with CGI Diversified
Holdings, LP for the registration of such shares under the Securities Act.
The IPO registration rights agreements require us to file a shelf registration statement under
the Securities Act relating to the resale of all the shares acquired by Pharos and CGI in the
private placement transactions in connection with the IPO as soon as reasonably possible following
the first anniversary of the closing of the IPO, or earlier if so requested by the holders of
registration rights, to permit the public resale of (i) 30% of CGIs and Pharos shares, as the
case may be, after November 16, 2006, (ii) an additional 35% of CGIs and Pharos shares, as the
case may be, after November 16, 2007, and (iii) all of CGIs and Pharos shares, as the case may
be, after May 15, 2009. The registration rights agreement we entered into with CGI with respect to
the 950,000 shares issued to CGI in connection with our acquisition of Anodyne requires us to file
a shelf registration statement under the Securities Act relating to the resale of all the shares
issued to CGI in connection with our acquisition of Anodyne as soon as reasonably possible
following the first anniversary of the closing of the acquisition, or earlier if so requested by
the holders of registration rights, to permit the public resale of (i) 30% of CGIs shares until
January 31, 2007, (ii) an additional 35% of CGIs shares after January 31, 2007 until July 31,
2009, and (iii) all of CGIs shares after July 31, 2009. In addition, we will enter into a
registration rights agreement with CGI in connection with the separate private placement
transaction described in this above. This registration rights agreement will require us to file a
shelf registration statement under the Securities Act relating to the resale of all shares issued
to CGI in connection with such separate private placement transaction as soon as reasonably
possible following May 16, 2007. In each case, we have agreed, or will agree, to use our best
efforts to have the registration statement declared effective as soon as possible thereafter and to
maintain effectiveness of the registration statement (subject to limited exceptions). We are
obligated to take certain actions and are required to permit resales of the registrable shares. In
addition, the holders of registration rights may require us to include their shares in future
registration statements that we file, subject to cutback at the option of the underwriters of any
such offering. Each registration statement will provide that we will bear the expenses incurred in
connection with the filing of any registration statements pursuant to the exercise of registration
rights. We do not expect any holders of registration rights to include their shares in the
Follow-on Offering.
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SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and officers, and persons who
beneficially own more than ten percent of our Trust stock, to file initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership of our Trust stock and our other equity securities with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. As a practical matter, we assist our directors and officers by
monitoring transactions and completing and filing Section 16 reports on their behalf. Based upon
this assistance, as well as upon our review of copies of reports filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of
the Exchange Act, we believe that all filings required to be made were timely made in accordance
with the requirements of the Exchange Act in 2006.
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SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, shareholder proposals must be received by the Company no later than December 20, 2007
and no earlier than November 20, 2007. In order to be included in Company-sponsored proxy
materials, shareholder proposals will need to comply with Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange
Act. If you do not comply with Rule 14a-8, we will not be required to include the proposal in the
proxy statement and the proxy card we will mail to shareholders. No other business (other than
matters included in our proxy statement in accordance with Rule 14a-8) may be presented for action
at the annual meeting unless a shareholder gives timely notice of the proposal in writing to the
Secretary. To be timely, a shareholders notice is required to be delivered to the Secretary not
less than 120 days no more than 150 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years
annual meeting. Shareholder proposals should be sent to the Secretary at Compass Group Diversified
Holdings LLC, 61 Wilton Road, Westport, Connecticut 06880, Attention: Investor Relations.
Any stockholder desiring to present a proposal pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to be included in the proxy statement and voted on by the
stockholders at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in May 2008 must submit in writing
proposals, including all supporting materials, to the Company at its principal executive offices no
later than December 20, 2008 (120 days before the date of mailing based on this years proxy
statement date) and meet all other requirements for inclusion in the proxy statement.
Additionally, pursuant to the Companys By-Laws, if a stockholder intends to nominate a person for
the election to the Companys Board of Directors or present a proposal for business in the
Companys proxy statement for such meeting, the Company must receive the nomination or proposal
after December 24, 2007 and before January 25, 2008 for it to be considered timely received. If
the notice of a stockholder nomination or proposal is not timely received, the Company will be
authorized to exercise discretionary voting authority with respect to the nomination or proposal.
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION REPORTS
Copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, as
filed with the SEC, are available to shareholders free of charge on our website at
www.compassdiversifiedtrust.com under the caption Investor Relations SEC Filings or by writing
to us at 61 Wilton Road, Westport, Connecticut 06880, Attention: Investor Relations.
OTHER MATTERS
We know of no other business that will be brought before the Annual Meeting. If any other
matter or any proposal should be properly at their discretion and in accordance with their best
judgment presented and should properly come before the meeting for action, the persons named in the
accompanying proxy will, at their discretion and in accordance with their best judgment, vote upon
such proposal.
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Exhibit A
FIRST AMENDMENT
THIS FIRST AMENDMENT (First Amendment) dated May ___, 2007, to Amended and Restated Trust
Agreement (Agreement) of Compass Diversified Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the Trust), is
made effective as of April 25, 2006, the effective date of the Agreement, by and among COMPASS
GROUP DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Sponsor), THE BANK OF
NEW YORK (DELAWARE), a Delaware banking corporation, as Delaware trustee (in such capacity, the
Delaware Trustee), and MR. ALAN B. OFFENBERG and MR. JAMES J. BOTTIGLIERI, as the regular
trustees (each a Regular Trustee, together Regular Trustees and, collectively with the Delaware
Trustee, the Trustees).
The Sponsor and the Trustees hereby agree as follows:
1. A new Section 9.6 is added to the Agreement to read as follows:
Section 9.6 Treatment of Trust as Tax Partnership
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, in the event that
the Sponsor, acting through the Board of Directors, determines that the Trust is, or is
reasonably likely to be, required to issue Schedules K-1 to Shareholders, or if the Board of
Directors determines that it is otherwise reasonable and prudent to do so, the Sponsor may,
in lieu of the procedure provided in Section 9.2 and without the consent or approval of any
other Person pursuant to Section 10.2, amend or amend and restate this Agreement as necessary
so that with respect to any or all periods the Trust will be treated as a partnership for
federal income tax purposes and to provide for those provisions that are customary, necessary
or useful for an entity treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
2. The Sponsor and the Trustees otherwise ratify and confirm the Agreement.
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6PLEASE DETACH PROXY CARD HERE AND RETURN IN THE
ENVELOPE PROVIDED6
COMPASS GROUP DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE 2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 25, 2007.
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The undersigned hereby appoints I. Joseph Massoud and James J. Bottiglieri, and each of
them, attorneys and proxies with full power of substitution, to represent and to vote on behalf of
the undersigned all of the shares of Trust stock of Compass Diversified Trust that the undersigned
is entitled in any capacity to vote if personally present at the 2007 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on May 25, 2007, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof, in
accordance with the instructions set forth on the reverse and with the same effect as though the
undersigned were present in person and voting such shares. The proxies are authorized in their
discretion to vote for the election of a person to the board of directors if any nominee named
herein becomes unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, upon all matters incident to the
conduct of the meeting, and upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. |
PLEASE RETURN THIS PROXY CARD AFTER SIGNING AND DATING IT.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF THIS PROXY IS RETURNED SIGNED, BUT NO
DIRECTION IS MADE,
IT WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF COMPASS GROUP
DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON THE REVERSE SIDE)
6 PLEASE DETACH PROXY CARD HERE AND RETURN IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED 6
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Please mark your
votes as in this example
using dark ink only. |
Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLCs Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Proposals 1, 2 and 3, below:
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
1.
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To elect as directors all nominees listed (except as
marked to the contrary below):
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FOR
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WITHHOLD
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FOR ALL EXCEPT
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To approve the
amendment of the
Trust Agreement:
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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01 Harold S. Edwards
02 Mark H. Lazarus
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3. |
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To ratify the
appointment of Grant
Thomton LLP as
independent auditor:
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INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark For All Except box and
strike a line through the nominees name. Your shares
will be voted for the remaining
nominee(s).
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Date , 2007 |
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Signature(s) |
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Signature(s) (Co-Owner if any) |
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Sign exactly
as imprinted (do not print). If shares are held jointly, EACH holder
should sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, guardians and
others signing in a representative capacity should indicate the
capacity in which they sign. An authorized officer signing on behalf
of a corporation should indicate the name of the corporation and the officers title. |