simulations_def14a-021910.htm
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
SCHEDULE DEF 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
 
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
 
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. ___)
 
 
Filed by the Registrant x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
o Preliminary Proxy Statement
o Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
x Definitive Proxy Statement
 
o Definitive Additional Materials
 
o Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
 
 
Simulations Plus, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
 
________________________________________
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
 
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
x No fee required.
o Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
 

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3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
 

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o  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.

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4)   Date Filed:
 

 
 
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
To be held February 19, 2010
 
 
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Simulations Plus, Inc. (the "Company"), will be held on February 19, 2010, at 2:00 p.m., Pacific Time, at 42505 10th Street West, Lancaster, California, for the following purposes:
 
1. To elect to the Board of Directors five (5) directors, to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company or until their successors are elected and qualified, subject to prior death, resignation or removal.
 
2. To ratify the appointment of Rose, Snyder and Jacobs as independent auditors for the Company for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2010.
 
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
 
All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting, although only shareholders of record at the close of business on December 15, 2009, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. A list of shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be open to inspection by the shareholders at the Company's principal office, 42505 10th Street West, Lancaster, California, for a period of 10 days prior to the Annual Meeting and at the Annual Meeting itself.
 
Shares can be voted at the meeting only if the holder is present in person or represented by proxy. We urge you to date and sign the enclosed proxy and return it in the accompanying envelope promptly so that your shares may be voted in accordance with your wishes and the presence of a quorum may be assured. We encourage you to do so even if you plan to attend the meeting in person. The prompt return of your signed proxy, regardless of the number of shares you hold, will aid the Company in reducing the expense of additional proxy solicitation. The giving of such proxy does not affect your right to vote in person in the event you attend the meeting.
 
 
By Order of the Board of Directors
 
/s/ Virginia Woltosz
Virginia Woltosz
Secretary
 
Lancaster, California
January 18, 2010
 
2

 
YOUR PROXY
 
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTPAID ENVELOPE. SHOULD YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY VOTE IN PERSON EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE GIVEN A PROXY. THE PROMPT RETURN OF YOUR PROXY WILL BE OF GREAT HELP IN PREPARATION FOR THE MEETING.
 
SIMULATIONS PLUS, INC.
42505 10th STREET WEST,
LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA 93534-7059
(661) 723-7723
 
3

 
PROXY STATEMENT
 
The enclosed proxy is furnished to the shareholders of Simulations Plus, Inc., a California corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") to be held at the Company's Offices located at 42505 10th Street West, Lancaster, California 93534-7059, on February 19, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. local time.
 
A list of shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be open to inspection by the shareholders at the Company's principal office, 42505 10th Street West, Lancaster, California, for a period of 10 days prior to the Annual Meeting and at the Annual Meeting itself.
 
Requests should be addressed to the Company, Simulations Plus, Inc., to the attention of Ms. Renee Bouche, Investor Relations, 42505 10th Street West, Lancaster, California 93534-7059, (661) 723-7723.
 
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
 
Simulations Plus, Inc., a California corporation (the "Company") is currently subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and, in accordance therewith, files reports, proxy and Proxy Statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). To obtain paper copies of such reports, proxy and Proxy Statements and other information, use any of the following three methods to contact the Office of Investor Education and Advocacy. 1) Submit a written request to: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of FOIA/PA, 100 F Street N.E., Washington, DC 20549- 27360213. 2) Send a fax to: 202-772-9337. 3) Send an e-mail to: PublicInfo@sec.gov. Your written request should indicate a willingness to pay the reproduction cost of $.24 per page plus possible search fees. If you need certified copies your request should be submitted to certified@sec.gov. You may also call 202-551-8300 for further assistance. The Company intends to furnish its shareholders with annual reports containing audited financial statements and such other periodic reports as the Company may determine to be appropriate or as may be required by law.
 
A copy of the Company's 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K including financial state­ments for the years ended August 31, 2009 and 2008, is being mailed to all shareholders herewith. Except for any portion of the Form 10-K which is specifically incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement, the Form 10-K is not to be regarded as proxy solicitation material or as a communication by means of which any solicitation is being made. THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE ANY SHAREHOLDER WITH A COPY OF ANY EXHIBIT TO THE FORM 10-K/A PURSUANT TO THE REQUEST PROCEDURE DESCRIBED IN THE FORM 10-K.
 
4

 
INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
 
The following information is provided to shareholders to explain the use of this Proxy Statement for this Meeting:
 
RECORD DATE
 
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on December 15, 2009 are entitled to vote at the Meeting. The Company's Common Stock is its only class of voting securities. As of December 15, 2009, the Company had issued and outstanding 15,681,460 shares of Common Stock of record.
 
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
 
A PROXY FOR USE AT THE MEETING IS ENCLOSED. ANY STOCKHOLDER WHO EXECUTES AND DELIVERS A PROXY HAS THE RIGHT TO REVOKE IT AT ANY TIME BEFORE ITS EXERCISE BY FILING WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY AN INSTRUMENT REVOKING IT OR A DULY EXECUTED PROXY BEARING A LATER DATE. IN ADDITION, A STOCKHOLDER MAY REVOKE A PROXY PREVIOUSLY EXECUTED BY ATTENDING THE MEETING AND ELECTING TO VOTE IN PERSON.
 
VOTING AND SOLICITATION
 
Proxies are being solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company. The cost of this solicitation will be borne by the Company. Solicitation will be primarily by mail, but may also be made by telephone, fax transmission or personal contact by certain officers and directors of the Company, who will not receive any compensation therefore. Shares of Common Stock represented by properly executed proxies will, unless such proxies have been previously revoked, be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated thereon. IN THE ABSENCE OF SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY, PROPERLY EXECUTED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE PROPOSALS DESCRIBED ABOVE. No business other than that set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders is expected to come before the Meeting. Should any other matter requiring a vote of shareholders properly arise, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy will vote such proxy in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors.
 
Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held as of record, and there are no preemptive rights. The law of the state of California and the Company's current Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation") and Bylaws do provide for cumulative voting for the election of directors or any other purpose.
 
The effect of cumulative voting is that the holders of a majority of the noutstanding shares of Common Stock may not be able to elect all of the Company's directors. No shareholder will be entitled to cumulate votes for a candidate, however, unless that candidate's name has been placed in nomination prior to the voting and the shareholder, or any other shareholder, has given notice at the meeting, prior to the voting, of an intention to cumulate votes. A favorable vote consists of a simple majority of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting. The Company believes that as of December 15, 2009, the approximate number of shareholders of record of its common stock was 58 and that there were approximately 1424 beneficial owners. This includes shares held in nominee or "street" accounts.
 
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Only shareholders of record at the close of business on December 15, 2009, will be entitled to vote at the meeting. On December 15, 2009, there were 15,681,460 shares of the Common Stock issued and outstanding. Shareholders are entitled to one vote per share on all matters being submitted to shareholders at the meeting, other than with respect to the election of directors, for which cumulative voting is currently required under certain circumstances by applicable provisions of California Law. Under cumulative voting, each shareholder may give any one candidate whose name is placed in nomination prior to the commencement of voting a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected, multiplied by the number of votes to which the shareholder's shares are normally entitled, or distribute such number of votes among as many candidates as the shareholder sees fit.
 
The Board of Directors knows of only two shareholders who owned more than five percent of the outstanding voting securities of the Company as of the record date: Walter S. Woltosz and Virginia E. Woltosz. See "Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock."
 
QUORUM; ABSTENTIONS; BROKER NON-VOTES
 
Shares representing 50% of the voting power of the 15,681,460 shares of Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date, which have voting rights, must be represented at the Meeting to constitute a quorum for conducting business. In the absence of a quorum, the shareholders present in person or by proxy, by majority vote and without further notice, may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum is attained. At any reconvened meeting following such adjournment at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the Meeting as originally notified.
 
The required quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting is a majority of the votes eligible to be cast by holders of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on the Record Date. Shares that are voted "FOR" or "AGAINST" a matter are treated as being present at the Meeting for purposes of establishing a quorum and are also treated as shares entitled to vote at the Meeting (the "Votes Cast") with respect to such matter.
 
The Company will count abstentions for purposes of determining both: (i) the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business, and (ii) the total number of Votes Cast with respect to a proposal (other than the election of directors). Accordingly, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal.
 
Further, the Company intends to count broker non-votes for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business, although broker non-votes will not be counted for purposes of determining the number of Votes Cast with respect to the particular proposal on which the broker has expressly not voted. Thus, a broker non-vote will not affect the outcome of the voting on a proposal.
 
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DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
Proposals of shareholders of the Company that are intended to be presented by such shareholders at the Company's next Annual Meeting of Shareholders for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2010, must be received by the Company no later than August 20, 2010, in order to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting.
 
COMPANY STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE
 
The stock price performance graph below is required by the SEC and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed soliciting material or filed under such Acts.
 
The graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the Common Stock of the Company from the last day of the first month of trading of the Company's Common Stock from August 31, 2000 to August 31, 2009 with the cumulative total return on the Russell 2000 Index, and the S&P 600 Small Cap Index (assuming the investment of $100 in the Company's Common Stock and in each of the indices on August 31, 2000, and reinvestment of all dividends).
 
Performance Graph
 
The graph above was plotted using the following data:
 
7

 
Stock Performance: 8/31/08
 
 
Russell 2000
S&P 600
Simulations Plus, Inc.
8/31/2000
537.89
135.704
223.49
138.341
0.62
100
8/31/2001
468.56
118.213
223.04
138.063
0.3
48.39
8/31/2002
391.57
98.789
200.255
123.959
0.38
61.29
8/31/2003
508.87
128.383
243.425
150.681
0.64
103.23
8/31/2004
547.93
138.237
277.222
171.601
0.82
132.26
8/31/2005
661.51
166.892
347.42
215.054
0.85
137.10
8/31/2006
720.53
181.8
368.82
228.3
1.1
177.42
8/31/2007
786.53
198.43
417.61
258.50
6.68
1077.4
8/31/2008
739.50
186.568
387.35
240.00
1.81
291.94
8/31/2009
572.07
144
302.22
187
1.81
292
 
INFORMATION RELATING TO VARIOUS PROPOSALS
 
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
The Board of Directors acts as a whole in determining the persons to be nominated as members of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors identifies, screens and reviews potential directors for nominees for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting and candidates to fill any vacancies on the Board. When considering a potential candidate for membership on the Company's Board, the Board of Directors considers relevant business and industry experience and demonstrated character and judgment. The Board of Directors has not received any recommended nominations from any of the Company's shareholders in connection with this Annual Meeting.
 
INFORMATION REGARDING NOMINEES
 
The Board of Directors has nominated the persons named below for election as directors of the Company to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
 
In order to be elected as a director, a nominee will have to receive a majority of the votes cast for that nominee, assuming a quorum (which consists of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting) is present at the meeting. See "Voting," above.
 
At the time of the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors will consist of five incumbent members who are seeking to be elected at the meeting to hold office until the next meeting of shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified. The Company's Bylaws presently provide for a Board of no less than three and no more than five directors, with the number of directors currently fixed at five.
 
Walter S. Woltosz, Virginia E. Woltosz, Dr. David Z. D'Argenio, Dr. Richard R. Weiss, and H. Wayne Rosenberger, all of whom are incumbent directors, have been nominated by the Board of Directors for election as directors of the Company. All of the nominees have informed the Company that they are willing to serve, if elected, and management has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unavailable. In the event a nominee for director should become unavailable for election, the persons named in the proxy will vote for the election of any other person who may be recommended and nominated by the Board for the office of director. Information regarding director nominees and directors is set forth below:
 
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DIRECTORS AND DIRECTOR NOMINEES
 
NAME
 
AGE
 
POSITION WITH THE COMPANY
 
DIRECTOR SINCE
           
 
Walter S. Woltosz
 
64
 
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company.
 
1996
Virginia E. Woltosz
 
58
 
Secretary and Director of the Company
 
1996
Dr. David Z. D'Argenio
 
60
 
Director
 
1997
Dr. Richard R. Weiss
 
76
 
Director
 
1997
Wayne Rosenberger
 
69
 
Director
 
2007
 
WALTER S. WOLTOSZ is a co-founder of the Company and has served as its Chief Executive Officer and President and as Chairman of the Board of Directors since its incorporation in July 1996. Mr. Woltosz is also a co-founder of Words+ and served as its Chief Executive Officer and President from its incorporation in 1981 until the appointment of Jeffrey Dahlen as President of Words+ in 2004.
 
VIRGINIA E. WOLTOSZ is a co-founder of the Company and has served as its Senior Vice President and Secretary since its incorporation in July 1996 until January 31, 2003. Mrs. Woltosz is also a co-founder of Words+ and served as its Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer from its incorporation in 1981 until January 31, 2003. Mrs. Woltosz retired from the position of Senior Vice President as of January 31, 2003, but remains as Secretary and Treasurer of Simulations Plus. Virginia E. Woltosz is the wife of Walter S. Woltosz.
 
DR. DAVID Z. D'ARGENIO has served as a Director of the Company since June 1997. He is currently Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California ("USC"), and has been on the faculty at USC since 1979. He also serves as the Co-Director of the Biomedical Simulations Resource Project at USC, a project funded by the National Institutes of Health since 1985.
 
DR. RICHARD R. WEISS has served as a Director of the Company since June 1997. From October 1994 to the present, Dr. Weiss has acted as a consultant to a number of aerospace companies through his own consulting entity, Richard R. Weiss Consulting Services. From June 1993 through July 1994, Dr. Weiss was employed by the U.S. Department of Defense as its Deputy Director, Space Launch & Technology.
 
H. WAYNE ROSENBERGER Began serving as a Director of the Company in November 2007. Mr. Rosenberger has been a career banker, holding various senior and executive positions in banking since 1963. From August 1997 to present, Mr. Rosenberger has been Senior Regional Vice President of American Security Bank.
 
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VOTE REQUIRED.
 
Approval of Proposal 1 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present and voting at a meeting if a quorum is present.
 
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
 
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of Proposal 1.
 
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT ALSO DIRECTORS:
 
NAME
 
AGE
 
POSITION WITH THE COMPANY
 
OFFICER SINCE
Momoko A. Beran
 
57
 
Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Words+, Inc.
 
1996
Jeffrey A. Dahlen
 
48
 
President of Words+, Inc.
 
2003
 
MOMOKO A. BERAN joined Words+ in June 1993 as Director of Accounting and was named the Company's Chief Financial Officer in July 1996. Prior to joining Words+, Ms. Beran had been Financial Controller for AB Component Systems Inc., which had its headquarters in the U.K. Since February 1, 2003, Ms. Beran has also been the Company's Director of Human Resources and Director of Facilities and Equipment.
 
JEFFREY A. DAHLEN rejoined the Company in April 2003 as Vice President of Research and Development for Words+ after five years with iAT, a software consulting firm he founded based in Pasadena, California. Mr. Dahlen was promoted to President of Words+, Inc. in April 2004. He is a graduate of Stanford University in Electrical Engineering and has 20 years' experience in both software and hardware design, which includes development of extremely high speed processing hardware with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology, and over 10 years of software and hardware design and development at Words+.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
The goal of our named executive officer compensation program is the same as our goal for operating the company - to create long-term value for our shareholders. Toward this goal, we have designed and implemented our compensation programs for our named executives to reward them for sustained financial and operating performance and leadership excellence, to align their interests with those of our shareholders and to encourage them to remain with the company for long and productive careers. Most of our compensation elements simultaneously fulfill one or more of our performance, alignment and retention objectives. These elements consist of salary and annual bonus, equity incentive compensation, and 401(k) matching retirement benefits. In deciding on the type and amount of compensation for each executive, we focus on both current pay and the opportunity for future compensation. We combine the compensation elements for each executive in a manner we believe optimizes the executive's contribution to the company.
 
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DETERMINING COMPENSATION. We rely on our judgment in making compensation decisions, after reviewing the performance of the company and carefully evaluating an executive's performance during the year against established goals, leadership qualities, operational performance, business responsibilities, career with the company, current compensation arrangements and long-term potential to enhance shareholder value.
 
The following table sets forth certain information concerning compensation paid or accrued for the fiscal year ended August 2009, 2008 and 2007 by the Company to or for the benefit of the Company's CEO/President, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, and President of our Words+, Inc. - subsidiary (the "named executive officers"). For the fiscal year ended August 2009, no other executive officers of the Company received total annual compensation for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 that exceeded $100,000.
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
Name and Principal Position
 
Fiscal Year
 
Salary
   
Bonus
   
Stock
Awards
   
Option
Awards
   
Non-equity incentive
compensation
   
Changes in
pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation
on earnings
   
All other
compensation
   
Total
 
        $     $     $     $     $     $     $     $  
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
   
(d)
   
(e)
   
(f)
   
(g)
   
(h)
   
(i)
   
(j)
 
Walter Woltosz
 
2009
    250,000       0       0       -       0       0       0       250,000  
Chief Executive
 
2008
    250,000       0       0       -       0       0       0       250,000  
Officer
 
2007
    172,000       146,000       0               0       0       2,293       320,582  
Momoko Beran
 
2009
    135,000       15,147       0       6,199       0       0       5,400       161,746  
Chief Financial
 
2008
    125,000       14,308       0       22,727       0       0       5,000       162,035  
Officer
 
2007
    120,000       6,640       0       -       0       0       4.800       131,400  
Ronald Creeley
 
2009
    121,995       3,434       0       2,381       0       0       4,880       132,690  
Vice President
 
2008
    120,793       6,331       0       15,220       0       0       4,832       147,176  
Marketing & Sales
 
2007
    121,000       4,505       0               0       0       4,800       129,305  
Jeffrey A. Dahlen
 
2009
    100,000       1,132       0       2,326       0       0       4,000       107,458  
President,
 
2008
    100,000       1,700       0       15,229       0       0       4,000       120,920  
Words+, Inc
 
2007
    96,000       1,736       0               0       0       3,840       101,576  
Subsidiary
                                                                   
 
(d) Amount represents bonus earned during the applicable year.
(f) Amount represents the stock-based compensation expense recorded by us in fiscal 2009 measured using the Black-Scholes option pricing model at the grant date based on the fair value of the option award.
(i) Amount represents Company matching for 401(k) Plan.
 
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EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS
 
The Board of Directors renewed its employment agreement with Walter Woltosz commencing September 1, 2007 for two years. The agreement provided for an annual salary of $250,000. Pursuant to such agreement, Mr. Woltosz was entitled to such health insurance and other benefits that are not inconsistent with that which we customarily provide to our other management employees and to reimbursement of customary, ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred in connection with the rendering of services to the Company. The agreement also provides that we may terminate the agreement without cause upon 30 days written notice, and that our only obligation to Mr. Woltosz would be for a payment equal to the greater of (i) 12 months of salary or (ii) the remainder of the term of the employment agreement from the date of notice of termination. Further, the agreement provides that we may terminate the agreement for cause (as defined) and that our only obligation to Mr. Woltosz would be limited to the payment of Mr. Woltosz' salary and benefits through and until the effective date of any such termination.
 
As part of the agreement with the original underwriter and as partial compensation for the sale of Words+ to Simulations Plus in 1996, commencing with our fiscal year ending 1997 and for each fiscal year thereafter, Walter and Virginia Woltosz are entitled to receive bonuses not to exceed $150,000 and $60,000, respectively, equal to 5% of our net annual income before taxes. However, under the new agreement, effective as of September 1, 2007, at his request, Walter Woltosz will receive no bonus. The bonus to Virginia Woltosz remains the same. The Company's net income before taxes for FY09 was $2,026,660, thus we accrued a bonus in the total amount of $60,000 for Virginia Woltosz. This bonus was due and payable within 10 days after the filing of the annual report, and was paid on December 13, 2009.
 
The Compensation Committee renewed its employment agreement with Walter Woltosz commencing September 1, 2009 for two years. The agreement provided for; 1) a base salary of $275,000 per year, 2) options to purchase 50 shares of Common Stock for each $1,000 of net income before taxes at the end of each fiscal year (up to a maximum of 120,000 options – to be adjusted for stock split or reverse split) over the term of agreement, and 3) Bonus not to exceed 10% of salary, or $27,500 per year. The specific amount of the bonus will be determined by the Compensation Committee.
 
12

 
The following table provides a summary of all outstanding equity awards for named officers at the end of fiscal year 2009.
 
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END FOR FISCAL 2009
 
Name
 
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
Exercisable
 
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
Unexercisable
 
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
unearned options (#)
 
Option
exercise
price ($)
 
Option
expiration
date
 
Number of
shares or
units of
stock that
have not
vested
 
Market value
of shares or
units of stock
that have not
vested
 
Number of
unearned
shares
units or
other rights
that have
not vested
 
Equity
incentive
plan awards:
Market or payout value
of unearned
shares units
or other rights
that have not
vested
                                     
(a)   (b)   (c)   (d)   (e)   (f)   (g)   (h)   (i)   (j)
                                     
Walter Woltosz   30,000   -0-       1.2375   7/20/2011   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-
                                     
Virginia Woltosz   30,000   -0-   -0-   1.2375   7/20/2011   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-
                                     
Momoko Beran
  160,000   -0-   -0-   0.5625   11/23/2009   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-
    160,000   -0-   -0-   0.7500   4/17/2010   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-
    40,000   -0-   -0-   0.4075   8/09/2010   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-
    60,000   -0-   -0-   0.4075   12/01/2010   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-
    140,000   -0-   -0-   0.3500   5/03/2011   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-
    20,000   -0-   -0-   1.1050   6/22/2015   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-
    40,000   -0-   -0-   1.1250   7/20/2016   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-
    10,000   -0-   -0-   3.0200   1/21/2018   8,000   -0-   -0-   -0-
    30,000   -0-   -0-   1.0000   4/07/2019   30,000   -0-   -0-   -0-
                                     
Ronald Creeley
  172,000   -0-   -0-   0.5625   11/23/2009   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-
    160,000   -0-   -0-   0.7500   4/17/2010   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-
    40,000   -0-   -0-   0.4075   8/09/2010   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-
    60,000   -0-   -0-   0.4075   12/01/2010   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-
    140,000   -0-   -0-   0.3500   5/03/2011   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-
    20,000   -0-   -0-   1.1050   6/22/2015   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-
    40,000   -0-   -0-   1.1250   7/20/2016   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-
    5,000   -0-   -0-   3.0200   1/21/2018   4,000   -0-   -0-   -0-
    2,000   -0-   -0-   1.0000   4/07/2019   2,000   -0-   -0-   -0-
                                     
Jeffrey A. Dahlen
  65,000   -0-   -0-   1.1500   4/16/2014   -0-   -0-   -0-   -0-
    5,000   -0-   -0-   3.0200   1/21/2018   4,000   -0-   -0-   -0-
    1,000   -0-   -0-   1.0000   4/07/2018   1,000   -0-   -0-   -0-
 
13

 
The following table provides a summary of grants made during fiscal year 2009.
 
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS DURING FISCAL YEAR 2009
 
       
Estimated future payouts under
Non-equity incentive plan awards
 
Estimated future payouts under
Equity incentive plan awards
 
All other stock awards.
Number of
shares of stock
  All other stock awards.
Number of
shares of stock
Name
 
Grant Date
 
Threshold $
Target $
Maximum $
 
Threshold $
Target $
Maximum $
  or units #    or units #
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
(d)
(e)
 
(f)
(g)
(h)
  (i)   (j)
Walter Woltosz
 
n/a
 
n/a
n/a
n/a
 
n/a
n/a
n/a
  n/a   n/a
Momoko Beran
 
04/07/09
 
n/a
n/a
n/a
 
n/a
n/a
n/a
  n/a   30,000
Ronald Creeley
 
04/07/09
 
n/a
n/a
n/a
 
n/a
n/a
n/a
  n/a   2,000
Jeffrey A. Dahlen
 
04/07/09
 
n/a
n/a
n/a
 
n/a
n/a
n/a
  n/a   2,000
 
14

 
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
The purpose of the Company's compensation program is to attract and retain talented and dedicated professionals to manage and execute the Company's strategic plans and tactical operations. Although the Company's salaries have been and remain significantly lower than those of similar public companies, management and the board of directors believe that the award of options has fairly rewarded loyal, long-term employees who have contributed to the Company's growth and financial success.
 
The CEO's compensation is determined by the Compensation Committee as described below under Employment and Other Compensation Agreements. The salaries of all other officers are determined by the CEO and the Compensation Committee together. Option grants are determined by the CEO and CFO with the approval of the board of directors.
 
The CEO's bonus has been determined from the original underwriting agreement and carried forward in subsequent employment agreements through the end of fiscal year 2007. Beginning on September 1, 2007 (fiscal year 2008) the CEO's employment contract was renewed without an annual bonus, at his request and with the agreement of the Compensation Committee. Effective as of September 1, 2009, the CEO’s employment contract was renewed by the Compensation Committee, and reported in the Company’s 10K as an exhibit.
 
Bonuses for all other employees are determined through a calculation of two factors, one for longevity and one for performance, with the greater emphasis on performance. Supervisors provide an evaluation of each employee in five areas: attendance, attitude, productivity, skill level with respect to the position they occupy, and contribution to the Company's profitability. A scoring system is used and bonuses are awarded based on this system and the total budget for bonuses as determined by the CEO and CFO with the approval of the board of directors.
 
The Company provides 401(k) matching up to 4% of employees' salaries or wages, regardless of their position within the Company.
 
There are no perquisites or other benefits of any kind for any officer or any other employee or director of the Company.
 
15

 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of our Common Stock as of December 12, 2009 by (i) each person who is known to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock, (ii) each of our directors and executive officers, and (iii) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group:
 
BENEFICIAL OWNER (1)(2)
 
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
 
PERCENT OF CLASS
Walter S. and Virginia E. Woltosz (3)
 
7,035,847
 
41.21%
Momoko Beran (4)
 
866,752
 
5.08%
Ronald F. Creeley (5)
 
694,595
 
4.07%
Jeffrey A. Dahlen (6)
 
261,000
 
1.53%
Dr. David Z. D'Argenio (7)
 
39,012
 
*
Dr. Richard R. Weiss (8)
 
30,012
 
*
H. Wayne Rosenberger (9)
 
2,100
 
*
All directors and officers as a group
 
8,929,318
 
52.30%
 
* Less than 1%
 
(1)
Such persons have sole voting and investment power with respect to all Shares of Common Stock shown as being beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws, where applicable, and the information contained in the footnotes to this table.
 
(2)
The address of each director and executive officer named is c/o the Company, 42505 Tenth Street West, Lancaster, California 93534-7059.
 
(3)
Own an aggregate of 6,975,847 plus 60,000 shares of common stock underlying an option exercisable within the next 60 days of the date of this Annual Report.
 
(4)
Owns 274,752 shares of common stock acquired from the exercise of options granted under the 1996 and 2007 Stock Option plans, plus 592,000 shares of common stock underlying an option exercisable within the next 60 days of the date of this Annual Report.
 
(5)
Owns 61,595 shares of common stock, plus 633,000 shares of common stock underlying an option exercisable within the next 60 days of the date of this Annual Report.
 
(6)
Owns 195,000 shares of common stock, plus 66,000 shares of common stock underlying an option exercisable within the next 60 days of the date of this Annual Report.
 
16

 
(7)
Owns 19,412 shares of common stock, plus 19,600 shares of common stock underlying an option exercisable within the next 60 days of the date of this Annual Report.
 
(8)
Owns 10,412 shares of common stock, plus 19,600 shares of common stock underlying an option exercisable within the next 60 days of the date of this Annual Report.
 
(9)
Owns 2,100 shares of common stock underlying an option exercisable within the next 60 days of the date of this annual report.
 
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") requires the Company's directors and executive officers and beneficial holders of more than 10% of the Company's Common Stock to file with the Commission initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of the Company's equity securities.
 
OPTION GRANTS/EXERCISES IN FY09 Option Grants
 
The following table discloses information about option grants to the Named Executive Officers during the year ended August 31, 2009, including hypothetical gains or "option spreads" for the options at the end of their respective ten-year terms, as calculated in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Each gain is based on an arbitrarily assumed annualized rate of compound appreciation of the market price at the date of the grant of 1% and 4% from the date the option was granted to the end of the option term. Actual gains, if any, on option exercises are dependent on the future performance of our common stock, overall market conditions and continued employment.
 
Name
 
Number of
Securities Underlying Options Granted
 
Percent of Total
Options Granted to Employees in FY09
 
Exercise Price
Per Share
 
Expiration Date
 
Potential Realizable Value at
Assumed Annual Rated of
Stock Price
Appreciation for Option
               
1%
 
4%
Momoko A. Beran
 
30,000
 
12.4%
 
$ 1.00
 
4/07/2019
 
$3,139
$14,407
Ronald F. Creeley
 
2,000
 
0.8%
 
$ 1.00
 
4/07/2019
 
$209
$960
Jeffrey A. Dahlen
 
1,000
 
0.4%
 
$ 1.00
 
4/07/2019
 
$480
$480
 
17

 
Aggregate Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year End Option Values
 
The following table discloses certain information regarding the options held at August 31, 2009 by the Chief Executive Officer and each other named executive officer.
 
Name
 
Shares Acquired
on Exercise
   
Value Realized
(2)
   
Number of Options at
August 31, 2009
   
Value of Options at
August 31, 2009 (1)
 
               
Exercisable
   
Unexercisable
   
Exercisable
   
Unexercisable
 
Walt S. Woltosz
     -       -        30,000       -    
$
 16,875 *  
$
-  
Virginia E. Woltosz
    -       -       30,000       -    
$
16,875 *  
$
 -  
Momoko A. Beran
    67,000     $ 63,900       592,000       38,000     $ 707,375     $ 24,000  
Ronald F. Creeley
    88,000     $ 76,880       633,000       6,000     $ 764,000     $ 4,000  
Dr. David D’Argenio
    6,412     $ 6,019       19,600       4,400     $ 17,195     $ 40  
Dr. Richard R. Weiss
    6,412     $ 7,005       19,600       4,400     $ 17,195     $ 40  
Jeffrey A. Dahlen
    -       -       66,000       5,000     $ 42,250     $ 1,600  
H. Wayne
                                               
Rosenberger
    -       -       600       2,400     $ 0     $ 30  
 
(1)  
Based on a per share price of $1.80 at August 31, 2009 less applicable option exercise prices.
(2)  
The value realized represents the difference between the aggregate closing price of the shares on the date of exercise less the aggregate exercise price paid.
 
* Granted at $1.2375, 110% of market price of the issue date.
 
OPTION PLANS
 
As of September 30, 2006, the un-issued portion of the 1996 Stock Option Plan was cancelled by its Terms.
 
In February 2007, the Board of Directors adopted and the shareholders approved the 2007 Stock Option Plan (the "2007 Option Plan") under which a total of 500,000 (1,000,000 shares after the 2-for-1 split on October 1, 2007) shares of common stock were reserved for issuance.
 
COMPANY CODE OF ETHICS
 
Our Code of Ethics is posted on our web site: www.simulations-plus.com.
 
BOARD COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS
 
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee.
 
Audit Committee
 
The Audit Committee reviews, acts on and reports to the Board of Directors with respect to various auditing and accounting matters, including selecting our independent auditors, the scope of the annual audits, fees to be paid to the auditors, the performance of our independent auditors and our accounting practices. This committee is responsible for selecting the Company's independent auditors, reviewing the Company's internal audit procedures, reviewing quarterly and annual financial statements independently and with the Company's independent auditors, reviewing the results of the annual audit and implementing and monitoring the Company's cash investment policy. In addition, this committee assists the Board in its oversight of corporate accounting and internal controls, reporting practices and the quality and integrity of the financial reports of the Company. The Audit Committee met oncethree times during fiscal 2009.
 
18

 
Audit Committee Financial Expert
 
Currently our three independent directors, Mr. H. Wayne Rosenberger, Dr. Richard R. Weiss and Dr. David Z. D'Argenio, are the members of the Audit Committee. Under the new rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission brought about by the Sarbanes­Oxley Act, companies are required to disclose whether their audit committees have an "audit committee financial expert" as defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-B under the Exchange Act and whether that expert is "independent" as that term is used in Item 7(d)(3)(iv) of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act. The Board of Directors believes that all members of the current audit committee are qualified to read and understand financial reports, and that Mr. H. Wayne Rosenberger meets the description of "audit committee financial expert" as defined in the Regulation.
 
Compensation Committee
 
The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation and benefits of our key executive officers, administers our employee benefit plans and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding such matters. Dr. Richard R. Weiss and Dr. David Z. D'Argenio are members of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee met once during fiscal 2009.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
At the Board of Directors' meeting held on July 19, 2006, the stipend for the outside directors increased to $5,000 per year, which was the first increase since the Company was incorporated. The payment per meeting was increased to $1,000 at the Board meeting held on May 10, 2007. In addition, stock options which each outside director receive annually were increased to 2,000 shares (4,000 shares after the 2-for-1 split on October 1, 2007) at the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant.
 
PROPOSAL 2: TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF ROSE, SNYDER AND JACOBS CPA'S AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
The Board has selected Rose, Snyder and Jacobs CPA's as its independent registered accounting firm for the Company for fiscal year 2009. A resolution is being submitted to shareholders at the meeting for ratification of such selection and the accompanying proxy will be voted for such ratification, unless instructions to the contrary are indicated therein. Although ratification by shareholders is not a legal prerequisite to the Board's selection of Rose, Snyder and Jacobs as the Company's independent registered accounting firm, the Company believes such ratification to be appropriate. If the shareholders do not ratify the selection of Rose, Snyder and Jacobs, the selection of our independent registered accounting firm will be reconsidered by the Board; however, the Board may select Rose, Snyder and Jacobs, notwithstanding the failure of the shareholders to ratify its selection.
 
19

 
The Board expects that a representative of Rose, Snyder and Jacobs will be present at the meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
 
AUDIT FEES
 
The Company incurred the following fees to Rose, Snyder & Jacobs, CPAs for services rendered during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009:
 
Fee Category   FY09 Fees     FY08 Fees  
Audit fees   $ 79,270     $ 74,010  
Tax fees     -       15,880  
All other fees     -       -  
Total fees   $ 79,270     $ 89,890  
 
AUDIT FEES - Consists of fees incurred for professional services rendered for the audit of Simulations Plus, Inc.'s consolidated financial statements and for reviews of the interim consolidated financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB and consents for filings with the SEC.
 
TAX FEES - Consists of fees billed for professional services relating to tax compliance, tax reporting, and tax advice.
 
ALL OTHER FEES - Consists of fees billed for all other services. The appointment of auditors is approved annually by the Board.
 
The appointment of auditors is approved annually by the Board.
 
VOTE REQUIRED
 
Approval of Proposal 2 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present and voting at a meeting if a quorum is present.
 
Recommendation of the Board of Directors:
 
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of Proposal 2.
 
20

 
OTHER MATTERS
 
The Board of Directors of the Company knows of no other matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than those described above. However, if any other matters properly come before the meeting, it is intended that any shares voted by proxy will be voted in the discretion of the Board of Directors.
 
 
By Order of the Board of Directors
 
/s/ Virginia E. Woltosz
Virginia E. Woltosz
Secretary
Dated: January 18, 2010
 
21

 
Appendix 1: Audit Committee Charter
 
ORGANIZATION:
 
The audit committee shall be composed of directors, the majority of whom are independent of the management of the corporation and are free of any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with their exercise of independent judgment as a committee member.
 
STATEMENT OF POLICY:
 
The audit committee shall provide assistance to the corporate management in fulfilling their responsibility to the shareholders, potential shareholders, and investment community on matters relating to corporate finances. In so doing, it is the responsibility of the audit committee to maintain free and open means of communication between the
directors, the independent registered accounting firm ("independent auditors"), and the financial management of the corporation.
 
RESPONSIBILITIES:
 
In carrying out its responsibilities, the audit committee believes its policies and procedures should remain flexible, in order to best react to changing conditions and to ensure to the directors and shareholders that the corporate accounting and reporting practices of the corporation are in accordance with all requirements and are of high quality.
 
In carrying out these responsibilities, the audit committee will:
 
Review and recommend to the management the independent auditors to be selected to audit the financial statements of the corporation and its subsidiaries.
   
Review with the independent auditors, the company's management, and financial and accounting personnel, the adequacy and effectiveness of the accounting and financial controls of the corporation, and elicit any recommendations for the improvement of such internal control procedures or particular areas where new or more detailed controls or procedures are desirable. Particular emphasis should be given to the adequacy of such internal controls to expose any payments, transactions, or procedures that might be deemed illegal or otherwise improper. Further, the committee periodically should review company policy.
   
Review the financial statements contained in the annual report to shareholders with management and the independent auditors to determine that the independent auditors are satisfied with the disclosure and content of the financial statements to be presented to the shareholders. Any changes in accounting principles should be reviewed.
   
Provide sufficient opportunity for independent auditors to meet with the members of the audit committee without members of management present. Among the items to be discussed in these meetings are the independent auditors' evaluation of the corporation's financial, accounting, auditing personnel, and the cooperation that the independent auditors received during the course of the audit.
   
Investigate any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its duties, with the power to retain outside counsel for this purpose if, in its judgment, that is appropriate.
 
A-1

 
Appendix 2: Form of Proxy Card
 
APPENDIX 2: FORM OF PROXY CARD
 
Exhibit to Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders Simulations Plus, Inc.
 
Proxy
 
Solicited by the Board of Directors of Simulations Plus, Inc. -- Annual Meeting of Shareholders -- February 19, 2010
 
The undersigned hereby appoints Walter S. Woltosz and Momoko Beran, or either of them, attorneys and proxies for the undersigned, with full power of substitution, for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, to represent and vote, as designated below, all shares of stock of Simulations Plus, Inc., a California Corporation, held of record by the undersigned on December 15, 2009, at the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders to be held at 42505 10th Street West, Lancaster, California at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on February 19, 2010, or at any adjournment or postponement of such meeting, in accordance with and as described in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement. If no direction is given, this proxy will be voted FOR Proposals 1 and 2 and in the discretion of the proxy as to such other matters as may properly come before the meeting.
 
[X] Please mark the votes as in this example.
 
The Board of Directors recommends a vote for Proposals 1 and 2.
 
1.  Election of Directors
 
Nominees: Walter S. Woltosz, Virginia E. Woltosz, Dr. David Z. D'Argenio, Dr. Richard R. Weiss, and H. Wayne Rosenberger
 
  FOR o WITHHELD o  
 
FOR all nominees except as stated on line above
 
2.  Ratification of selection of Rose, Snyder and Jacobs CPA's as Auditors
 
FOR o AGAINST o ABSTAIN o
 
The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy or proxies heretofore given to vote upon or act with respect to such stock and hereby ratifies all that the proxies, their substitutes, or any of them, may lawfully do by virtue hereof.
 
Please sign exactly as your name appears on the address label affixed hereto. If acting as attorney, executor, trustee or in other representative capacity, sign name and title.
 
Date:
 
Signature:
 
Signature if held jointly:
 
A-2