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SCHEDULE 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
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[_] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY RULE
14A-6(E)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material
Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
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[LOGO] LabCorp
Laboratory Corporation of America
Laboratory Corporation of America(R) Holdings
358 South Main Street
Burlington, NC 27215
Telephone: 336-229-1127
April 15, 2002
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings. The meeting will be held at The
Paramount Theater, 128 East Front Street, Burlington, NC 27215, on Wednesday,
May 15, 2002 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Saving time.
The attached Notice of the Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement provide
information concerning the matters to be considered at the meeting.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that the Company's
stockholders approve each of the proposals set forth in the Notice. The
enclosed Proxy Statement sets forth more detailed information regarding these
proposals. Please carefully review the information in the Proxy Statement.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, your shares should
be represented and voted at the meeting. Accordingly, after reading the
enclosed Proxy Statement, kindly mark the proxy card to indicate your vote,
date and sign the proxy card, and return it in the enclosed, postage-paid
envelope as soon as conveniently possible. If you desire to vote in accordance
with the Board of Directors' recommendations, you need not mark your votes on
the proxy card, but you do need to sign, date, and return it in the enclosed
postage-paid envelope in order to record your vote. Proxy voting via the
Internet or telephone is now available to many stockholders. Using the Internet
to vote results in substantial savings on return postage for the Company. Your
enclosed proxy card will indicate whether these voting options are available to
you and how to use them. If you later decide to attend the meeting and wish to
vote your shares personally, you may revoke your proxy at any time before it is
exercised.
Sincerely,
/s/ Thomas P. Mac Mahon
Thomas P. Mac Mahon
Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer
[LOGO] LabCorp
Laboratory Corporation of America
LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To the Stockholders of
Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings:
Notice is hereby given that the 2002 Annual Meeting (the "Annual Meeting")
of the Stockholders of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (the
"Company") will be held at The Paramount Theater, 128 East Front Street,
Burlington, NC 27215, on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight
Saving time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect all of the members of the Company's Board of Directors to
serve until the Company's next annual meeting and until such directors'
successors are elected and shall have qualified;
2. To approve amendments to the Company's 2000 Stock Incentive Plan to
increase from 3.4 million to 7.4 million the number of authorized shares for
issuance under such plan and to increase from 1.5 million to 3 million the
number of shares of common stock as to which Restricted Shares and/or
Performance Awards may be granted under such plan (the "Stock Plan
Amendment");
3. To ratify the appointment by the Board of Directors of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent accountants for the
year ending December 31, 2002; and
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting or at any adjournments thereof.
A proxy statement describing the matters to be considered at the Annual
Meeting is attached to this notice. Only stockholders of record at the close of
business on April 12, 2002 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the
Annual Meeting and at any adjournments thereof.
A copy of the Annual Report of the Company for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2001 has either preceded or accompanies this notice.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Bradford T. Smith
Bradford T. Smith
Secretary
April 15, 2002
PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, AND DATE THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD, AND RETURN IT
PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. THIS WILL ENSURE THAT YOUR SHARES ARE VOTED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR WISHES.
LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
358 SOUTH MAIN STREET
BURLINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 27215
-----------------
PROXY STATEMENT
-----------------
This Proxy Statement is being furnished in connection with the solicitation
by the Board of Directors of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), of proxies to be voted at the 2002 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be held at The Paramount Theater, 128 East Front
Street, Burlington, NC 27215, on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern
Daylight Saving time, and at any adjournments thereof (the "Annual Meeting").
The Notice of Annual Meeting, this Proxy Statement, and the accompanying proxy
card are first being mailed to stockholders on or about April 15, 2002.
At the Annual Meeting, the Company's stockholders will be asked (i) to elect
the following persons as directors of the Company to serve until the Company's
next annual meeting and until such directors' successors are elected and shall
have qualified: Thomas P. Mac Mahon, Jean-Luc Belingard, Wendy E. Lane, Robert
E. Mittelstaedt, Jr., James B. Powell, M.D., David B. Skinner, M.D. and Andrew
G. Wallace, M.D., (ii) to approve amendments to the Company's 2000 Stock
Incentive Plan to increase from 3.4 million to 7.4 million the number of
authorized shares for issuance under such plan and to increase from 1.5 million
to 3 million the number of shares of common stock as to which Restricted Shares
and/or Performance Awards may be granted under such plan (the "Stock Plan
Amendment"), (iii) to ratify the appointment by the Board of Directors of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent accountants for the
year ending December 31, 2002, and (iv) to take such other action as may
properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
Unless otherwise indicated, all share amounts set forth in this Proxy
Statement and related proxy materials have been adjusted to reflect the
1-for-10 reverse stock split of the Company's Common Stock, effective May 4,
2000, and the 2-for-1 forward stock split in the form of a stock dividend,
effective June 11, 2001.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Solicitation and Voting of Proxies; Revocation; Record Date
All proxies duly executed and received by the Company will be voted on all
matters presented at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions
given therein by the person executing such proxy or, in the absence of such
instructions, will be voted in favor of the election to the Company's Board of
Directors of the seven nominees for director identified in this Proxy
Statement, the approval of the Stock Plan Amendment, and the ratification of
the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent
accountants for 2002. Any stockholder may revoke his/her proxy at any time
prior to the Annual Meeting before it is voted by written notice to such effect
delivered to the Company at 358 South Main Street, Burlington, North Carolina
27215, Attention: Bradford T. Smith, Secretary, by delivery prior to the Annual
Meeting of a properly executed and subsequently dated proxy or by attending the
Annual Meeting and voting in person.
Solicitation of proxies may be made by mail and may also be made by personal
interview, telephone and facsimile transmission, and by directors, officers,
and regular employees of the Company without special compensation therefor. The
expenses of the preparation of proxy materials and the solicitation of proxies
for the Annual Meeting will be paid by the Company. The Company expects to
reimburse banks, brokers, and other persons for their reasonable, out-of-pocket
expense in handling proxy materials for beneficial owners.
1
Only holders of record of common stock of the Company (the "Common Stock")
at the close of business on April 12, 2002 (the "Record Date") will be entitled
to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on
March 29, 2002, there were issued and outstanding 71,267,623 shares of Common
Stock. Holders of Common Stock as of the Record Date will be entitled to one
vote per share at the Annual Meeting.
A quorum for the Annual Meeting consists of a majority of the total number
of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date and entitled to vote,
present in person or represented by proxy. Directors of the Company will be
elected by a plurality vote of the shares of Common Stock represented at the
Annual Meeting and entitled to vote. The affirmative vote of a majority of
shares of Common Stock represented at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote
is required for approval of the Stock Plan Amendment and the ratification of
the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent
accountants for the year ending December 31, 2002. An abstention or broker
non-vote will have no effect on the election of the directors or the vote to
approve and adopt the Stock Plan Amendment and to ratify the appointment of
independent accountants. As of March 29, 2002, the directors and executive
officers of the Company beneficially owned an aggregate of 249,745 shares of
Common Stock, representing approximately 0.35% of the total number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding (after excluding Restricted Shares, which have no
voting rights until fully-vested) on the Record Date and entitled to vote.
The Board of Directors of the Company recommends that stockholders vote
"FOR" the election of each of the nominees for director of the Company (as
specified below), the approval of the Stock Plan Amendment, and the
ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's
independent accountants for 2002.
ITEM ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
All of the Company's directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting to
serve until the next succeeding annual meeting of the Company and until their
successors are elected and shall have been qualified. All of the nominees
listed below are currently serving as members of the Board of Directors. Except
as herein stated, the proxies solicited hereby will be voted FOR the election
of such nominees unless the completed proxy card directs otherwise.
In 1995, the Company and affiliates of Roche Holdings, Inc., an affiliate of
Roche Holdings Ltd ("Roche"), entered into a stockholder agreement dated as of
April 28, 1995 (the "Stockholder Agreement"). The Stockholder Agreement
contained certain provisions relating to Roche's right to designate for
nomination candidates for director as long as Roche owned at least 10% of the
Company's Common Stock.
On March 12, 2002, Roche's ownership of the Company's Common Stock fell
below 10% and therefore, Roche no longer has the right to designate candidates
for nomination to the Board of Directors. At this time, neither the composition
of the Board of Directors, nor the manner by which it conducts its business, is
expected to change.
The Board of Directors has been informed that all of the nominees listed
below are willing to serve as directors, but if any of them should decline or
be unable to act as a director, the individuals named in the proxies may vote
for a substitute designated by the Board of Directors. The Company has no
reason to believe that any nominee will be unable or unwilling to serve.
Nominees For Election As Directors
The name, age as of April 5, 2002, principal occupation for the last five
years, selected biographical information, and period of service as a director
of the Company of each nominee are set forth below:
Thomas P. Mac Mahon (55) has served as Chairman of the Board and a director
since April 28, 1996. Prior to such date and since April 28, 1995, the date of
the merger of Roche Biomedical Laboratories ("RBL") and the
2
Company (the "Merger"), he served as the Vice Chairman and a director. Mr. Mac
Mahon has been President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the
Executive and Management Committees of the Company since January 1997. Mr. Mac
Mahon was Senior Vice President of Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. ("Hoffmann-La Roche")
from 1993 to January 1997 and President of Roche Diagnostics Group and a
director and member of the Executive Committee of Hoffmann-La Roche from 1988
to January 1997. Mr. Mac Mahon was also a director of HLR Holdings Inc. until
December 1996. As Senior Vice President of Hoffmann-La Roche and President of
Roche Diagnostics Group, Mr. Mac Mahon was responsible for the management of
all United States operations of the diagnostic business of Hoffmann-La Roche.
Mr. Mac Mahon is a director of Express Scripts, Inc. and was formerly a
director of AutoCyte, Inc. (now known as TriPath Imaging, Inc.).
Jean-Luc Belingard (53) has served as a director of the Company since the
Merger, April 28, 1995. Mr. Belingard is Chief Executive Officer of Beaufour
Ipsen SA, a diversified French health care holding company. Prior to this
position, Mr. Belingard was Chief Executive Officer from 1999 to 2001 of
bioMerieux-Pierre Fabre, a diversified French health care holding company,
where his responsibilities included the management of the company's worldwide
pharmaceutical, cosmetic and communication business. Prior to bioMerieux-Pierre
Fabre, Mr. Belingard joined F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland, a
subsidiary of Roche in 1982 where he held various positions, including Director
General of the Diagnostics Division and was a member of the Executive
Committee. Mr. Belingard is also a director of Applera Corporation, Norwalk,
Connecticut, a director of ExonHit, a member of the Advisory Board of Chugai,
Japan, and a Foreign Trade Advisor to the French Government.
Wendy E. Lane (50) has been a director of the Company since November 1996.
Ms. Lane has been Chairman of Lane Holdings, Inc., an investment firm, since
1992. Prior to forming Lane Holdings, Inc., Ms. Lane was a Principal and
Managing Director of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, an investment banking firm,
serving in these and other positions from 1980 to 1992. Ms. Lane is also a
director of Tyco International, Ltd.
Robert E. Mittelstaedt, Jr. (58) has been a director of the Company since
November 1996. Mr. Mittelstaedt is Vice Dean, Executive Education of The
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and director of the Aresty
Institute of Executive Education. Mr. Mittelstaedt has served with The Wharton
School since 1973, with the exception of the period from 1985 to 1989 when he
founded, served as President and Chief Executive Officer, and sold Intellego,
Inc., a company engaged in practice management, systems development, and
service bureau billing operations in the medical industry. Mr. Mittelstaedt
also serves as a director of Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc. and HIP
Foundation, Inc. and was formerly a director of A.G. Simpson Automotive, Inc.
James B. Powell, M.D. (63) has served as a director of the Company since the
Merger, April 28, 1995. From the Merger to January 1997, Dr. Powell served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Previously, Dr. Powell
was President of RBL from 1982 until the Merger. Dr. Powell was President and
Chief Executive Officer of TriPath Imaging, Inc., a developer of analytical
systems for cytology and pathology, from January 1997 to June 2000. He is a
medical doctor and became certified in anatomic and clinical pathology in 1969.
Dr. Powell serves as a director of Warren Land Co., Carolina Doctors Care, U.S.
Trust Co. of N.C., Mid-Carolina Bank, Green Cap Finance, Mercury MD, and
Pathology Partners.
David B. Skinner, M.D. (66) has served as a director of the Company since
the Merger, April 28, 1995. Dr. Skinner is President Emeritus of the New
York-Presbyterian Hospital and the New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System, and
was President and Chief Executive Officer of New York Hospital and Professor of
Surgery at Cornell Medical School from 1987 to 2000, and Vice Chairman of New
York Hospital from 1997 to 2000. He was the Chairman of the Department of
Surgery and Professor of Surgery at the University of Chicago Hospitals and
Clinics from 1972 to 1987. Dr. Skinner serves as a director of Medix Resources
Inc. and CardioActs Inc.
Andrew G. Wallace, M.D. (67) has served as a director of the Company since
the Merger, April 28, 1995. Dr. Wallace has served as both the Dean of
Dartmouth Medical School and Vice President for Health Affairs at
3
Dartmouth College from 1990 to 1998. He was the Vice Chancellor for Health
Affairs at Duke University and the Chief Executive Officer of Duke Hospital
from 1981 to 1990. Dr. Wallace also serves as a director for Welch Allyn, Inc.,
Dorothy Rider Poole Trust, and The Durham Health Partners.
The Board of Directors of the Company recommends that stockholders vote
"FOR" the election of each of the nominees for director listed above.
Board of Directors and its Committees
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, an Employee Benefits
Committee, an Ethics and Quality Assurance Committee, and a Nominating
Committee.
The Audit Committee, currently consisting of Dr. Skinner, Ms. Lane, and Mr.
Mittelstaedt, makes recommendations, among other things, to the Board regarding
the engagement of the Company's independent accountants, reviews the plan,
scope and results of the audit, reviews with the accountants and management the
Company's policies and procedures with respect to internal accounting and
financial controls, and reviews changes in accounting policy and the scope of
the non-audit services which may be performed by the Company's independent
accountants.
The Ethics and Quality Assurance Committee, currently consisting of Dr.
Powell, Mr. Mac Mahon, Dr. Skinner, and Dr. Wallace, is responsible for
ensuring that the Company adopts and implements procedures that require the
Company's employees to act in accordance with high ethical standards and to
deliver high quality services.
The Employee Benefits Committee, currently consisting of Mr. Belingard, Ms.
Lane, and Mr. Mittelstaedt, makes recommendations to the Board regarding
compensation and benefit policies and practices and incentive arrangements for
the Executive Officers and key managerial employees of the Company. The
Employee Benefits Committee also considers and grants awards under the
Company's incentive plans.
The Nominating Committee, currently consisting of Mr. Mac Mahon, Ms. Lane,
and Dr. Wallace, is responsible for recommending the nomination of directors.
The Nominating Committee will consider suggestions for Board nominees made
by stockholders. A stockholder may recommend a person for nomination to the
Board at the 2003 annual meeting of stockholders by giving notice thereof and
providing certain information set forth in the Company's By-Laws, in writing,
to the Secretary of the Company at 358 S. Main Street, Burlington, NC 27215.
Such nominations must be received no later than December 30, 2002.
During 2001, the Board of Directors held eleven meetings, each in accordance
with the Company's By-Laws and applicable Delaware corporation law and acted
once by unanimous written consent. The Employee Benefits Committee held three
meetings, and acted once by unanimous written consent; the Audit Committee held
six meetings and the Ethics and Quality Assurance Committee held one meeting in
2001. The Nominating Committee held no meetings in 2001, but acted once by
unanimous written consent. During 2001, none of the directors attended fewer
than 75% of the total meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees of
which he or she was a member.
Compensation of Directors
Directors who are currently not receiving compensation as officers or
employees of the Company are paid an annual retainer of $30,000, payable in
monthly installments, and a fee of $1,000 for each meeting of the Board of
Directors or of any Committee thereof that they attend, and receive
reimbursement of expenses they incur for attending any meeting. Pursuant to the
Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan (the "Director Plan") approved by the
stockholders of the Company, 50% of such annual retainer shall be payable in
cash and 50% shall be payable
4
in Common Stock of the Company. In 2001, Messrs. Mittelstaedt and Belingard,
Drs. Skinner, Powell and Wallace, and Ms. Lane each earned 191 shares of Common
Stock under the Director Plan. Non-employee directors are also automatically
granted annual option awards with respect to shares having a Fair Market Value
(as defined in the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan) equal to $65,000 at the time of
grant.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth as of the date hereof the Executive Officers
of the Company.
Name Age Office
---- --- ------
Thomas P. Mac Mahon...... 55 Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer
Wesley R. Elingburg...... 45 Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer
Myla P. Lai-Goldman, M.D. 44 Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer, and Medical
Director
Richard L. Novak......... 61 Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Bradford T. Smith........ 48 Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Human Resources, Law,
and Compliance, and Secretary
Stevan R. Stark.......... 54 Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Thomas P. Mac Mahon has served as Chairman of the Board and a director since
April 28, 1996. Prior to such date and since the Merger on April 28, 1995, he
served as Vice Chairman and a director. Mr. Mac Mahon has been President and
Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Executive and Management Committees
of the Company since January 1997. Mr. Mac Mahon was Senior Vice President of
Hoffmann-La Roche from 1993 to January 1997 and President of Roche Diagnostics
Group and a director and member of the Executive Committee of Hoffmann-La Roche
from 1988 to December 1996. Mr. Mac Mahon was also a director of HLR Holdings,
Inc. until December 1996. As Senior Vice President of Hoffmann-La Roche and
President of Roche Diagnostics Group, Mr. Mac Mahon was responsible for the
management of all United States operations of the diagnostic business of
Hoffmann-La Roche. Mr. Mac Mahon is a director of Express Scripts, Inc. and was
formerly a director on the Board of AutoCyte, Inc. (now known as TriPath
Imaging, Inc.).
Wesley R. Elingburg has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer, and Treasurer since October 1996. Mr. Elingburg is a member of the
Executive and Management Committees of the Company. Prior to October 1996, and
since the Merger on April 28, 1995, Mr. Elingburg was Senior Vice
President-Finance. Mr. Elingburg is responsible for the day-to-day supervision
of the finance function of the Company, including billing and treasury
functions. Previously, Mr. Elingburg served as Senior Vice President-Finance
and Treasurer of RBL from 1988 through April 1995 and Assistant Vice President
of Hoffmann-La Roche from 1989 until the Merger.
Myla P. Lai-Goldman, M.D. was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief
Scientific Officer, and Medical Director in April 1998. Dr. Lai-Goldman manages
the Center for Molecular Biology and Pathology at the Company's Research
Triangle Park, NC facility; National Genetics Institute, Inc. in Los Angeles,
CA; and Viro-Med, Inc. in Minneapolis, MN. Dr. Lai-Goldman is Board Certified
in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and serves as a member of the Executive and
Management Committees of the Company. Dr. Lai-Goldman, who holds a medical
degree from Columbia University, was named Senior Vice President of the Company
in 1997 and has held the position of Medical Director for the Center for
Molecular Biology and Pathology since 1991 (with RBL and subsequently the
Company). Dr. Lai-Goldman joined RBL in 1990.
Richard L. Novak has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Company since January 1999. Prior to this date and since his
hire in March 1997, Mr. Novak served as Executive Vice President and oversaw
the Company's Eastern Operations which included the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast,
South, Florida, and South Atlantic Divisions. Mr. Novak is a member of the
Executive and Management Committees of the Company. Prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Novak was employed by SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories
serving in a variety of senior management positions including Senior Vice
President, U.S. Operations and President, International.
5
Bradford T. Smith has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal
Officer, and Secretary since September 2001 and previously as Executive Vice
President, General Counsel, and Secretary since the Merger. He was appointed
Compliance Officer in August 1996. Mr. Smith also oversees the Company's Public
Affairs, Human Resources and Law operations. Mr. Smith is a member of the
Executive and Management Committees of the Company. Previously, Mr. Smith
served as Assistant General Counsel of Hoffmann-La Roche, Division Counsel of
RBL and Assistant Secretary and member of RBL's Senior Management Committee
from 1988 until April 1995. Mr. Smith served as Assistant Secretary of
Hoffmann-La Roche from 1989 until the Merger and as an Assistant Vice President
of Hoffmann-La Roche during 1992 and 1993. He has served as a director of
Gensys Software, Inc. since August 2000.
Stevan R. Stark has served as Executive Vice President since October 1996
and was Senior Vice President, New York Division, Cranford Division, and
Alliance/Hospital Division since the Merger on April 28, 1995. Mr. Stark
oversees the Company's sales and marketing operations including business
alliances, managed care, and new business development. Mr. Stark is a member of
the Executive and Management Committees of the Company. Previously, Mr. Stark
was a Vice President and Division Manager from 1991 to 1995 and a Division
Manager from 1986 to 1991. Mr. Stark served as a director for Universal
Standard Healthcare; the directorship ended on March 30, 1999.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND BENEFIT PLANS
Executive Compensation
The compensation paid by the Company during the years ended December 31,
2001, 2000, and 1999 to the Chief Executive Officer during 2001 and the four
other most highly compensated Executive Officers serving at year end is set
forth below.
Summary Compensation Table
Long-Term
Compensation Awards
----------------------------
Annual Compensation(1)(2) Restricted Securities
------------------------- Stock Underlying
Name and Principal Position Year Salary(3)($) Bonus(4)($) Awards(5)($) Options/SARs(#)
--------------------------- ---- ------------ ----------- ------------ ---------------
Thomas P. Mac Mahon.............. 2001 $812,500 $1,850,295 $4,906,475 222,800
President and Chief Executive 2000 $741,667 $ 726,311 $3,462,344 181,200
Officer 1999 $683,333 $ 496,832 $1,100,000 --
Richard L. Novak................. 2001 $433,333 $ 691,728 $1,983,750 97,200
Executive Vice President and 2000 $391,667 $ 427,200 $1,695,219 69,200
Chief Operating Officer 1999 $350,000 $ 196,504 $ 371,250 --
Wesley R. Elingburg.............. 2001 $365,833 $ 573,576 $1,587,000 70,000
Executive Vice President, Chief 2000 $313,333 $ 254,400 $ 758,300 39,600
Financial Officer, and Treasurer 1999 $274,167 $ 152,537 $ 371,250 --
Bradford T. Smith................ 2001 $365,833 $ 532,554 $1,587,000 70,000
Executive Vice President, Chief 2000 $313,333 $ 245,400 $ 758,300 39,600
Legal Officer, and Secretary 1999 $274,167 $ 149,309 $ 371,250 --
Stevan R. Stark.................. 2001 $285,000 $ 298,706 $ 595,125 27,200
Executive Vice President-- 2000 $256,667 $ 176,488 $ 388,625 28,200
Sales and Marketing 1999 $233,333 $ 139,052 $ 371,250 --
--------
(1) No officer was paid other annual compensation in excess of the lesser of
either $50,000 or 10% of the total of annual salary and bonus reported
above.
(2) Does not include amounts that may be received by Messrs. Mac Mahon,
Elingburg and Smith under certain whole life insurance policies. Under the
terms of the policies, Messrs. Mac Mahon, Elingburg and Smith,
6
upon termination of their employment, may elect to continue coverage by
paying the annual premium, elect to receive the cash value of the policy, or
elect to receive a paid-up policy based on premiums paid through the end of
the policy year.
(3) Includes salary paid or accrued for each indicated year.
(4) Includes bonus accrued or paid for each indicated year and other payments,
excluding severance, made pursuant to employment agreements.
(5) Represents the value of restricted stock awarded during the year indicated
under the Company's 2000 Stock Incentive Plan and the Amended and Restated
1999 Incentive Plan. All outstanding restricted stock awards have a
six-year vesting period, with accelerated vesting of outstanding shares in
percentages of 33.3%, 66.7%, or 100%, if certain predefined profitability
targets are achieved as of December 31, 2001, 2002, and 2003. Aggregate
outstanding restricted stock unit awards and their value at December 31,
2001 were: for Mr. Mac Mahon, 249,400 shares valued at $20,163,990; Mr.
Novak, 97,000 shares valued at $7,842,450; Mr. Elingburg, 73,000 shares
valued at $5,902,050; Mr. Smith, 73,000 shares valued at $5,902,050; and
Mr. Stark, 48,800 shares valued at $3,945,480. No dividends are paid on
restricted stock awards during the restriction period.
Restricted Stock Transactions in 2001
During 2001, the following restricted stock grants, the aggregate value of
which are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table, were made under the 2000
Stock Incentive Plan for the current Executive Officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table:
Restricted Stock Awards in 2001
Performance Price on
Number of Period Until Date of Price on
Shares Maturation Grant 12/31/01
Name Granted(1) (1) ($/Sh) ($/Sh)
---- ---------- ------------ -------- --------
Thomas P. Mac Mahon................... 74,200 6 years $66.125 $80.85
Richard L. Novak...................... 30,000 6 years $66.125 $80.85
Wesley R. Elingburg................... 24,000 6 years $66.125 $80.85
Bradford T. Smith..................... 24,000 6 years $66.125 $80.85
Stevan R. Stark....................... 9,000 6 years $66.125 $80.85
--------
(1) Restrictions limit the sale or transfer of these shares during a six-year
period whereby the restrictions lapse. The plan provides for accelerated
vesting of outstanding shares in percentages of 33.3%, 66.7%, or 100%, if
certain predefined profitability targets are achieved as of December 31,
2003.
7
Stock Option Transactions in 2001
During 2001, the following grants were made under the 2000 Stock Incentive
Plan for the Executive Officers named in the Summary Compensation Table:
Option/SAR Grants in 2001
Percentage of
Number of Total
Securities Options/SARs Exercise
Underlying Granted to or Base Grant Date
Options/SARs Employees in Price Expiration Present
Name Granted(1) 2001 ($/Sh) Date Value ($)(2)
---- ------------ ------------- -------- ---------- ------------
Thomas P. Mac Mahon 222,800 21% $66.125 2/05/11 $8,787,433
Richard L. Novak... 97,200 9% $66.125 2/05/11 $3,833,655
Wesley R. Elingburg 70,000 7% $66.125 2/05/11 $2,760,863
Bradford T. Smith.. 70,000 7% $66.125 2/05/11 $2,760,863
Stevan R. Stark.... 27,200 3% $66.125 2/05/11 $1,072,792
--------
(1) For each grant of non-qualified options made in 2001, the exercise price is
equivalent to the fair market price per share on the date of the grant as
defined in the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan. The options will vest with
respect to one-third of the shares covered hereby on the first anniversary
of the date of grant and an additional one-third will vest on each of the
second and third anniversaries of such date, subject to their earlier
termination.
(2) Valuation based upon the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the
following assumptions: expected dividend yield 0.0%, volatility of 0.546,
risk-free interest rate of 4.30%, and an expected life of seven years.
The following chart shows, for 2001, the number of stock options exercised
and the 2001 year-end value of the options held by the Executive Officers named
in the Summary Compensation Table:
Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in 2001
and Year-End 2001 Option/SAR Values
Number of Securities
underlying Value of Unexercised In-
Shares Options/SARs at the-Money Options/SARs at
Acquired Year-End Year-End ($)(1)
on Value ------------------------- -------------------------
Name Exercise(#) Realized($) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
---- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Thomas P. Mac Mahon 107,734 $7,722,548 22,667 343,599 $622,067 $9,069,777
Richard L. Novak... 40,000 $2,481,938 3,067 143,333 $ 84,170 $3,352,958
Wesley R. Elingburg 24,068 $1,728,186 9,600 96,400 $205,491 $2,319,103
Bradford T. Smith.. 31,600 $2,073,618 6,000 96,400 $ 95,100 $2,319,103
Stevan R. Stark.... 24,868 $1,769,650 5,000 46,000 $ 79,250 $1,401,625
--------
(1) Calculated using the actual December 31, 2001 closing price per common
share on the NYSE Composite Tape of $80.85, less the applicable aggregate
option exercise price of in-the-money options, multiplied by the number of
unexercised in-the-money options that are exercisable and unexercisable,
respectively.
Retirement Benefits and Savings Plan
The following tables set forth the estimated annual retirement benefits
payable at age 65 to persons retiring with the indicated average direct
compensation and years of credited service, on a straight life annuity basis
after Social Security offset, under the Company's Employees' Retirement Plan,
as supplemented by the Company's Pension Equalization Plan.
8
Pension Plan Table(1)
Wesley R. Elingburg and Bradford T. Smith
Five-year average 10 15 20 25 30
Compensation(2) Years(3) Years(3) Years(3) Years(3) Years(3)
--------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
$ 50,000...................... $ 7,685 $11,019 $ 14,354 $ 17,688 $ 17,688
100,000...................... 17,325 25,479 33,634 41,788 41,788
150,000...................... 27,325 40,479 53,634 66,788 66,788
200,000...................... 37,325 55,479 73,634 91,788 91,788
250,000...................... 47,325 70,479 93,634 116,788 116,788
300,000...................... 57,325 85,479 113,634 141,788 141,788
339,706...................... 65,266 97,391 129,516 161,641 161,641
Pension Plan Table(4)
Thomas P. Mac Mahon, Richard L. Novak, and Stevan R. Stark
Five-year average 10 15 20 25 30
Compensation(2) Years(3) Years(3) Years(3) Years(3) Years(3)
--------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
$ 50,000...................... $ 6,362 $ 9,543 $ 12,724 $ 15,905 $ 19,086
100,000...................... 15,398 23,097 30,796 38,495 46,194
150,000...................... 24,758 37,137 49,516 61,895 74,274
200,000...................... 34,118 51,177 68,236 85,295 102,354
250,000...................... 43,478 65,217 86,956 108,695 130,434
300,000...................... 52,838 79,257 105,676 132,095 158,514
339,706...................... 60,271 90,406 120,542 150,677 180,813
--------
(1) The Retirement Plan, as supplemented by the Pension Equalization Plan, is a
defined benefit pension plan designed, in conjunction with the Company's
Pension Equalization Plan, to provide an employee having 25 years of
credited service with an annuity equal to 50% of final average compensation
less 50% of estimated individual Social Security benefits. The benefit is
then converted from a life annuity to an actuarially equivalent life
annuity with a ten-year guarantee. In addition, following retirement from
active service, an additional benefit is paid from the Pension Equalization
Plan designed to provide for a portion of the Executive Officer's
postretirement medical benefit. For 2001, this additional benefit amounted
to $1,016 per year, based on a retiree over age 65, with a dependent under
the age of 65.
(2) Highest consecutive five-year average base compensation during final ten
years. Compensation considered for this five-year average is reflected in
the Summary Compensation Table under the heading "Salary." Under the
Pension Equalization Plan, a maximum of $300,000 final average compensation
is considered for benefit calculation indexed beginning in 1997 based on
the percentage change in the unrounded compensation limit under Section 401
(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code. For 2001, this limit is $339,706. No
bonuses are considered.
(3) Under the plans, the normal form of benefit for an unmarried participant is
a life annuity with a guaranteed minimum payment for ten years. For a
married participant, the normal form is a 50% joint and survivor annuity,
which is actuarially equivalent to the normal form for an unmarried
participant. The above tables are determined with regard to a life only
form of payment; thus, payment using a ten-year guarantee would produce a
lower annual benefit.
(4) The Retirement Plan, as supplemented by the Pension Equalization Plan, is a
defined benefit pension plan designed, in conjunction with the Company's
Pension Equalization Plan, to provide an employee having 30 years of
credited service with an annuity equal to 52% of final average compensation
less 50% of estimated individual Social Security benefits.
Credited service is defined generally as all periods of employment with the
Company, a participating subsidiary or with Revlon prior to 1992, or RBL or an
affiliate, after attainment of age 21 and completion of one year of service
(age 25 and completion of one year of service if hired before January 1, 1985).
Final average compensation is defined as average annual base salary during the
five consecutive years in which base salary was highest out of the last ten
years prior to normal retirement age or earlier termination. The Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, places certain maximum
limitations upon the annual benefit payable under all qualified plans of an
employer to any one individual. The limitation solely with respect to defined
benefit pension plans was $140,000 for 2001 and will be subject to cost of
living adjustments for future years. In addition, the Tax Reform Act of 1986
limits the amount of compensation that can be considered in determining the
level of benefits under qualified plans. The applicable limit for 2001 was
$170,000. The Company believes
9
that, with respect to certain employees, annual retirement benefits computed in
accordance with the Retirement Plan's benefit formula may be greater than those
which would be provided with regard to such qualified plan limitation. The
Company's non-qualified, unfunded, Pension Equalization Plan is designed to
provide for the payment of the difference, if any, between the amount of such
maximum limitation and the annual benefit that would be payable under the
Retirement Plans but for such limitation, subject to the allowed maximum
compensation limit under the Pension Equalization Plan.
As of December 31, 2001, credited years of service under the retirement
plans for the following individuals are for Mr. Mac Mahon--4.0 years, Mr.
Elingburg--20.4 years, Mr. Smith--18.9 years, Mr. Stark--17 years, and Mr.
Novak--3.5 years.
Compensation Plans and Arrangement
On April 17, 1996, the Board of Directors approved the Master Senior
Executive Severance Plan (the "Severance Plan"), which provides severance
payments to certain key employees. The Severance Plan provides for severance
payments of three times annual salary and targeted bonus then in effect for a
change in control (as defined in the Severance Plan) and two times annual
salary and targeted bonus then in effect for all other qualifying terminations
for the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice Presidents
of the Company. The Severance Plan also provides severance payments of one
times annual salary and targeted bonus then in effect for Senior Vice
Presidents upon the occurrence of a qualifying termination. Qualifying
termination is generally defined as involuntary termination without cause or
voluntary termination with Good Reason, as defined. "Good Reason" is defined as
a reduction in base salary or targeted bonus as a percentage of salary,
relocation to an office location more than 75 miles from the employee's current
office without consent of the employee, or a material reduction in job
responsibilities or transfer to another job without the consent of the
employee. Good Reason shall not include a reduction in base salary or targeted
bonus where such reduction is pursuant to a Company-wide reduction of base
salaries and/or targeted bonuses. In addition, the Severance Plan may not be
amended or terminated within 36 months of a change in control, as defined.
Employee Benefits Committee Report on Executive Compensation
The Employee Benefits Committee of the Board of Directors (for the purposes
of this section, the "Committee") makes recommendations to the Board of
Directors regarding compensation and benefit policies and practices and
incentive arrangements for Executive Officers and key managerial employees of
the Company. The Committee also considers and grants awards under the Company's
incentive plans as described above under "Item 1: Election of Directors."
During 2001, the Committee held three meetings and acted once by unanimous
consent to review and evaluate executive compensation and benefit programs,
including information provided to the Company by independent compensation and
benefit consultants.
Executive Officer Compensation Policies. The Committee's executive
compensation policies are designed to (a) attract and retain the best
individuals critical to the success of the Company, (b) motivate and reward
such individuals based on corporate business unit and individual performance,
and (c) align executives' and stockholders' interests through equity-based
incentives.
Compensation for executives is based on the following principles: variable
compensation should comprise a significant part of an executive's compensation,
with the percentage at-risk increasing at increased levels of responsibility;
employee stock ownership aligns the interest of employees and stockholders;
compensation must be competitive with that offered by companies that compete
with the Company for executive talent; and differences in executive
compensation within the Company should reflect differing levels of
responsibility and/or performance.
A key determinant of overall levels of Executive Officer compensation has
been the pay practices of a group of public companies in the medical supply and
medical service industry with revenue comparable to the
10
Company's (the "peer group"). The peer group was chosen by the Company's
independent compensation and benefit consultants and includes some, but not
all, of the members of the peer group used for stock price comparisons (see
"--Common Stock Performance" below).
2001 Executive Officer Compensation. There are three components to the
Company's executive compensation program: base salary, annual incentive
compensation, and long-term incentive compensation. The more senior the
position, the greater the portion of compensation that varies with performance.
Base salaries are set by the Committee and are designed to be competitive with
the peer group companies described above. Generally, the Committee has targeted
salary levels in the second and third quartile of the peer group, adjusted to
reflect the individual's job experience and responsibility.
Changes in base salaries are based on the peer group's practices, the
Company's performance, the individual's performance, and increases in cost of
living indexes. The corporate performance measures used in determining
adjustments to Executive Officers' base salaries are the same performance
measures used to determine annual and long-term incentive compensation
discussed below. Base salaries are reviewed and adjusted annually.
Under the Company's annual Bonus Incentive Plan, adopted by the stockholders
in 1995, annual incentive compensation is paid in the form of a cash bonus and
is generally based on the attainment of specified corporate performance goals,
which are established by the Committee at the beginning of the year. The
primary measures used for Executive Officer bonuses in 2001 were earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), revenue
growth, operating expenses and certain other specific measures. Each Executive
Officer has a target bonus expressed as a percentage of salary. The Committee
increased target bonus opportunities for Executive Officers for 2001 based on
its review of competitive market data. As determined by the Company's
outstanding performance results in 2001, bonuses paid to Executive Officers
other than the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") averaged 140 percent of the
target amount (see "Summary Compensation Table" for amounts paid to certain
Executive Officers under the plan).
Long-term incentive compensation is provided through the granting of stock
options and restricted stock under the Company's Stock Option Plans. The
Committee believes that grants of stock options and restricted stock align
stockholder and Executive Officer interests. Generally, the Committee approves
grants at the beginning of the year with the size of grants determined by each
Executive Officer's level of responsibility after comparison to the equity
grant practices of the peer group. Competitive grant practices are evaluated in
terms of annualized expected value, and the size of grants to Company Executive
Officers reflect the Committee's evaluation of the Company's performance as
compared to the peer group. The mix between stock options and restricted stock
is such that a majority of the expected value is delivered through the granting
of stock options. The size of previous grants and the number of shares held by
an executive are not considered in determining annual award levels.
As provided in the Company's Stock Option Plans, stock options are granted
with an exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value (as defined in the
Company's Stock Option Plans) per share on the date of grant. Grants of
restricted stock will vest on the sixth anniversary of grant, although vesting
of shares granted in 2001 may be accelerated if certain predefined
profitability targets are achieved as of December 31, 2003. No stock option or
restricted stock awards are made in the absence of satisfactory performance,
which is evaluated by the Committee based on the executive's individual
contribution to the long-term health and growth of the Company.
2001 Chief Executive Officer Compensation. In 2001, the Committee reviewed
Mr. Mac Mahon's base salary, annual incentive and long-term incentive
compensation in the same manner as described above for other Executive
Officers. The Committee increased Mr. Mac Mahon's base salary, effective in
early 2001, to $825,000.
The Committee believes that Mr. Mac Mahon's leadership and individual
performance has significantly contributed to the achievement of remarkable
growth in earnings and stockholder value for the Company during his tenure as
CEO. Mr. Mac Mahon's annual target bonus opportunity was increased in 2001 to
150 percent of
11
salary. Based on the Company's outstanding performance achievements during
2001, Mr. Mac Mahon received an annual bonus payment that was 150 percent of
this targeted level.
The majority of Mr. Mac Mahon's compensation opportunity for 2001 was
delivered through equity-based vehicles linked directly to the interests of
stockholders. In 2001, Mr. Mac Mahon received grants of 222,800 stock options
and 74,200 shares of restricted stock. The size of these grants was determined
by the Committee after reviewing competitive equity grants to peer group CEOs
and reflect the Committee's determination that the performance of both the
Company and Mr. Mac Mahon have been outstanding. As with the grants of
restricted stock to other Executive Officers, these shares will vest on the
sixth anniversary of grant, but vesting may be accelerated on the basis of the
Company achieving profitability targets through December 31, 2003.
Mr. Mac Mahon became eligible to participate in the Company's Retirement
Benefits and Savings Plan in 1998.
Changes for 2002. In 2001, the Committee engaged in a thorough review of
its executive compensation program. As part of the process, the Company
retained the services of an experienced executive compensation consulting firm
to assess the overall competitiveness and effectiveness of the program. As a
result of this study, the Company will incorporate some changes to its program
beginning in 2002. The objectives of the changes are to increase the program's
pay-for-performance focus and to more closely align the program with
stockholder interests and competitive practice.
The competitive study expanded the peer group to include other organizations
in the Health Care Services industry that engage in diagnostics and genomic
research. The Committee believes this new peer group better reflects the
Company's market for executive talent as the Company expands its operations
beyond traditional clinical testing.
The Committee determined to maintain a philosophy of targeting base salary
for Executive Officers at the median of the peer group. Target bonus
opportunities are established so that annual cash compensation will fall
between the median and the 75th percentile if a target bonus is earned. Annual
cash compensation for Executive Officers may be higher or lower than the
targeted positioning based on the performance of the Company and the individual
executive.
The Company has enjoyed superior performance as compared to its competitors
for the past several years. In order to continue this trend, the Company will
provide management with additional incentive to increase stockholder value by
granting equity opportunities with expected values targeted at the 75th
percentile of this new peer group. Stock options will be granted on an annual
basis, and performance-accelerated restricted stock will be granted once every
three years.
The resulting overall competitive positioning for Executive Officers will
approximate the 75th percentile of the peer group if performance meets
expectations, with this positioning varying based on performance results.
Limit on Deductibility of Compensation. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act of 1993 ("OBRA") limits the deductibility of compensation paid to the chief
executive officer and each of the four highest paid employees of public
companies to $1 million per year. The Company's general policy is to preserve
the tax deductibility of compensation paid to its Executive Officers. OBRA
recognizes stock option plans as performance-based if such plans meet certain
requirements. The Company's Option Plans are structured to meet the
requirements of OBRA. However, the Committee also recognizes the importance of
attracting, motivating and retaining key personnel whose performance increases
the value of the Company. Accordingly, the Committee may, from time to time,
exercise its discretion to award compensation that may not be deductible under
OBRA when, in its judgment, such award would be in the best interests of the
Company.
THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS COMMITTEE
Jean-Luc Belingard
Wendy E. Lane
Robert E. Mittelstaedt, Jr.
12
COMMON STOCK PERFORMANCE
The Commission requires a five-year comparison of stock performance for the
Company with stock performance of appropriate similar companies. The Common
Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "NYSE"). Set forth
below is a line graph comparing the yearly percentage change in the cumulative
total stockholder return on the Common Stock and the cumulative total return on
the Standard & Poor's Composite-500 Stock Index and the weighted average
cumulative total return (based on stock market capitalization) on the stock of
each of the members of a peer group of companies. The peer group includes six
publicly traded medical service and medical supply companies and one clinical
laboratory company which is a direct competitor of the Company, all with sales
ranging from approximately $1.1 billion to $4.0 billion. Other direct
competitors of the Company are either substantially smaller than the Company or
are subsidiaries of much larger diversified corporations and are, therefore,
not believed to be appropriate peer companies. The peer group includes:
Allergan, Inc., Quest Diagnostics, Incorporated, C.R. Bard Inc., Magellan
Health Services Inc., Fisher Scientific International Inc., Thermo Electron
Corporation, and Bausch & Lomb Inc. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on
December 30, 1996 in each of the Company's Common Stock, Standard & Poor's
Composite-500 Stock Index and the peer group index and that all dividends were
reinvested.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
12/1996 12/1997 12/1998 12/1999 12/2000 12/2001
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings $100 $ 61 $ 48 $128 $612 $562
S&P 500................................... $100 $133 $171 $208 $189 $166
Industry Peer Index....................... $100 $107 $113 $142 $232 $213
[CHART]
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Laboratory Corporation S&P 500 Industry
Of America Holdings Peer Index
12/1996 $100 $100 $100
12/1997 $ 61 $133 $107
12/1998 $ 48 $171 $113
12/1999 $128 $208 $142
12/2000 $612 $189 $232
12/2001 $562 $166 $213
13
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL HOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth as of March 29, 2002, the total number of
shares of Common Stock beneficially owned, and the percent so owned, by (i)
each director of the Company who is a beneficial owner of any shares of Common
Stock, (ii) each person known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more
than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock, (iii) the officers named in the
"Summary Compensation Table" set forth above, and (iv) all current directors
and Executive Officers as a group. The number of shares owned are those
"beneficially owned," as determined under the rules of the Commission, and such
information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other
purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which
a person has sole or shared voting power or investment power and any shares of
Common Stock which the person has the right to acquire within 60 days through
the exercise of any option, warrant or right, through conversion of any
security, or pursuant to the automatic termination of power of attorney or
revocation of trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement. Except as
otherwise indicated below, the persons named in the table have sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by them as set
forth opposite their respective names.
Amount and Nature of Beneficial
Beneficial Owner Ownership of Common Stock Percent of Class
---------------- ------------------------------- ----------------
Janus Capital Corporation........... 6,289,465(1) 8.9%
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, Colorado 80206-4923
Thomas P. Mac Mahon................. 439,240(2,3) *
Jean-Luc Belingard.................. 8,642 *
Wendy E. Lane....................... 8,862 *
Robert E. Mittelstaedt, Jr.......... 5,512 *
James B. Powell..................... 6,190 *
David B. Skinner.................... 7,740 *
Andrew G. Wallace................... 6,656 *
Wesley R. Elingburg................. 129,980(2,3) *
Richard L. Novak.................... 182,544(2,3) *
Bradford T. Smith................... 108,377(2,3) *
Stevan R. Stark..................... 85,083(2,3) *
All directors and Executive Officers
as a group (12 persons)........... 1,055,345 1.5%
--------
* Less than 1%
(1) As reported on Schedule 13G filed with the Commission on February 13, 2002,
on behalf of Janus Capital Corporation. Janus Capital Corporation is a
registered investment adviser with sole voting power for 6,289,465 of the
above listed shares.
(2) Beneficial ownership by officers of the Company includes shares of Common
Stock which such officers have the right to acquire upon the exercise of
options which either are vested or which may vest within 60 days. The
number of shares of Common Stock included in the table as beneficially
owned which are subject to such options is as follows: Mr. Mac
Mahon--96,934; Mr. Elingburg--20,556; Mr. Novak--32,400; Mr. Smith--0; Mr.
Stark--14,067; all directors and Executive Officers as a group--185,966.
(3) Includes shares of Restricted Common Stock. The number of shares of
Restricted Common Stock included in the table is as follows: Mr. Mac
Mahon--338,600; Mr. Elingburg--107,600; Mr. Novak--149,500; and Mr.
Smith--107,600; Mr. Stark--51,300; all directors and Executive Officers as
a group--805,900.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the
"Exchange Act") requires the Company's Executive Officers, directors and
persons who own more than 10% of the Company's equity securities to file
reports on ownership and changes in ownership with the Commission and the
securities
14
exchanges on which its equity securities are registered. Additionally,
Commission regulations require that the Company identify in its proxy
statements any individuals for whom one of the referenced reports was not filed
on a timely basis during the most recent fiscal year or prior fiscal years. To
the Company's knowledge, based solely on review of reports furnished to it, all
Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its Executive Officers,
directors and more than 10% beneficial owners were complied with, except that
Dr. Wallace inadvertently reported late his May 15, 2001 acquisition of an
aggregate total of 343 shares of Common Stock on a Form 4 (statement of changes
of beneficial ownership of securities) filed with the Commission on June 12,
2001.
ITEM TWO: AMENDMENT TO 2000 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
On April 3, 2002, the Board of Directors adopted the Stock Plan Amendment to
the Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (the
"Plan") to increase from 3.4 million to 7.4 million the number of shares
available under the Plan, plus any shares which remain available for grants of
awards under the Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan and the 1994
Stock Option Plan (the "Prior Plans") and to increase from 1.5 million to 3
million the maximum number of shares of Common Stock as to which Restricted
Shares and/or Performance Awards may be granted from time to time under section
5 of this Plan. The summary description herein of the principal features of the
Plan, as amended by the Stock Plan Amendment, is qualified by reference to the
Plan and the Stock Plan Amendment. The Plan was originally adopted following
approval at the annual meeting of stockholders on May 2, 2000. As of March 29,
2002, 5,728,427 shares had been issued under this Plan and Prior Plans, and
40,385 shares were available from this Plan and Prior Plans for future
issuance. A copy of the Plan, as proposed to be amended, is attached hereto as
Annex I.
The purpose of the Plan is to attract and retain the best available
employees, directors, and consultants for the Company and to encourage the
highest level of performance by such persons, thereby enhancing the value of
the Company for the benefit of its stockholders. The Plan is also intended to
motivate such persons to contribute to the Company's future growth and
profitability, to reward the performance of employees and consultants and
increase the proprietary and vested interest of all such persons in the growth
and performance of the Company in a manner that provides them with a means to
increase their holdings of Common Stock and aligns their interests with the
interests of the stockholders of the Company. Potentially all employees
(approximately 19,500), officers and directors of the Company are eligible to
participate in the Plan. As of March 29, 2002, there were 226 participants
under the Plan.
The exercise price of incentive stock options ("ISOs") within the meaning of
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and
non-qualified stock options ("NSOs") ("Option Price") may not be less than 100%
of the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of grant,
except that, in the case of an ISO granted to an individual who, at the time
the ISO is granted, owns shares possessing more than 10% of the total combined
voting power of all classes of Common Stock, such Option Price may not be less
than 110% of such fair market value. The Option Price of, and the number of
shares covered by, each option will not change during the life of the option,
except for adjustments to reflect stock dividends, splits, other
recapitalizations or reclassifications or changes affecting the number or kind
of outstanding shares.
Except as otherwise provided in an award agreement, no award may be
transferred by an optionee during his lifetime except by will or the laws of
descent and distribution. Options may be exercised in whole or in installments
and must be exercised within a fixed period, which period may not exceed 10
years from the date of the option grant. In the case of ISOs granted to any
holder on the date of the grant of more than 10% of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company, the options must be exercised
within five years from the date of grant of the option. Options may expire
before the end of the option period due to termination of service with the
Company.
The shares of Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of an option are to
be paid for in cash (including cash that may be received from the Company at
the time of exercise as additional compensation), or through the delivery of
other shares of Common Stock held for at least six months with a value equal to
the total option price or in a combination of cash and such shares, or with
money lent by the Company to the optionee in compliance with applicable law and
on terms and conditions to be determined by the Company.
15
The shares of Common Stock to be delivered under the Plan will be made
available from the authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or from
treasury shares and prior to delivery will be registered by the Company with
the Commission on Form S-8 and upon registration will be freely tradable,
subject to applicable restrictions under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
The Plan is administered by the Board of Directors. Subject to the
provisions of the Plan, the Board shall be authorized to interpret the Plan, to
establish, amend, and rescind any rules and regulations relating to it and to
make all other determinations necessary or advisable for its administration;
provided, however, that the Board shall have no discretion with respect to the
selection of directors to receive shares of Common Stock or the timing or
pricing of grants of shares of Common Stock. The determinations of the Board of
Directors in the administration of the Plan, as described herein, shall be
final and conclusive. The Secretary of the Company shall be authorized to
implement the Plan in accordance with its terms and to take such actions of a
ministerial nature as shall be necessary to effectuate the intent and purpose
thereof.
In the event of a stock split, stock dividend, subdivision or combination of
the shares of Common Stock or other change in corporate structure affecting the
shares of Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock authorized by the
Plan shall be increased or decreased proportionately, as the case may be.
No award may be granted under the Plan after May 4, 2010.
The Plan may be amended by the Board as it shall deem advisable or to
conform to any change in any law or regulation applicable thereto; provided,
that the Board may not, except in the limited circumstances described above,
without the authorization and approval of stockholders in any respect make any
amendment that would require stockholder approval under Rule 16b-3 of the
Exchange Act or state law.
In 2001, the Employee Benefits Committee granted NSOs to purchase an
aggregate of 1,048,088 shares of Common Stock and 174,244 shares of restricted
stock under the Plan to Executive Officers, non-employee directors, and
non-executive employees of the Company. No ISO's, stock appreciation rights
("SARs"), or performance awards were granted in 2001. There has been no
decision with respect to the number or terms of options that may be granted
following stockholder approval of the Stock Plan Amendment or the number or
identity of future optionees under the Plan.
2000 Stock Incentive Plan Benefits
Number of
Dollar Number of Restricted
Name and Position Value ($) Options (#) Shares (#)
----------------- --------- ----------- ----------
Thomas P. Mac Mahon................................... (1) 222,800 74,200
President and Chief Executive Officer
Richard L. Novak...................................... (1) 97,200 30,000
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Wesley R. Elingburg................................... (1) 70,000 24,000
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
and Treasurer
Bradford T. Smith..................................... (1) 70,000 24,000
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer,
and Secretary
Stevan R. Stark....................................... (1) 27,200 9,000
Executive Vice President--Sales and Marketing
All current Executive Officers as a group............. (1) 514,400 170,200
All current non-employee directors as a group......... (1) 5,688
All current non-executive officer employees as a group (1) 528,000 4,044
16
--------
(1) All options granted to Executive Officers and non-executive officer
employees in 2001 have an exercise price of $66.125 per share. Options
granted to non-employee directors in 2001 have an exercise price of $68.50
per share. All options granted in 2001 have a ten-year term and are subject
to earlier termination as described above. The dollar value of each of the
options granted is not determinable due to fluctuating market prices. As of
March 28, 2002, the Company's Common Stock had a closing price of $95.86
per share.
Federal Income Tax Consequences. The following summary generally describes
the federal income tax consequences to optionees and the Company and is based
on current laws and regulations. The summary is general in nature and is not
intended to cover all tax consequences that could apply to a particular
individual or the Company. The summary does not cover any state or local tax
consequences of participation in the Plan.
Generally, when an optionee exercises a NSO, the difference between the
option price and any higher fair market value of the shares of Common Stock on
the date of exercise will be ordinary income to the optionee and will be
generally allowed as a deduction for federal income tax purposes to the
employer. Any gain or loss realized by an optionee on disposition of the Common
Stock acquired upon exercise of a NSO will generally be capital gain or loss to
such optionee, long-term or short-term depending on the holding period, and
will not result in any additional tax consequences to the employer. The
optionee's basis in the shares of Common Stock is determined generally at the
time of exercise.
When an optionee exercises an ISO while employed by the Company or a
subsidiary or within three months (one year for disability) after termination
of employment by reason of retirement or death, no ordinary income will be
recognized by the optionee at that time, but the excess (if any) of the fair
market value of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise over the
Option Price will be an adjustment to taxable income for purposes of the
federal alternative minimum tax applicable to individuals. If the shares of
Common Stock acquired upon exercise of the ISO are not disposed of prior to the
expiration of one year after the date of acquisition and two years after the
date of grant of the option, the excess (if any) of the sales proceeds over the
aggregate Option Price of such shares of Common Stock will be long-term capital
gain, but the employer will not be entitled to any tax deduction with respect
to such gain. Generally, if the shares of Common Stock are disposed of prior to
the expiration of such periods (a "Disqualifying Disposition"), the excess of
the fair market value of such shares at the time of exercise over the aggregate
Option Price (but not more than the gain on the disposition if the disposition
is a transaction on which a loss, if realized, would be recognized) will be
ordinary income at the time of such Disqualifying Disposition (and the employer
will generally be entitled to a federal income tax deduction in a like amount).
Any gain realized by the optionee as the result of a Disqualifying Disposition
that exceeds the amount treated as ownership income will be capital in nature,
long-term or short-term depending on the holding period. If an ISO is exercised
more than three months (one year for disability) after termination of
employment, the tax consequences are the same as described above for NSOs.
Certain additional special rules apply if the exercise price for an option
is paid in shares of Common Stock previously owned by the optionee rather than
in cash.
ACCORDINGLY, EACH OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT HIS OR HER TAX ADVISOR TO
DETERMINE THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OR HER OF INCENTIVE PLAN
AWARDS, AS WELL AS THE USE OF SHARES FOR EXERCISE, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION
AND EFFECT OF FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, OR FOREIGN INCOME TAX AND OTHER LAWS.
When a participant exercises "SARs", the amount of cash and the fair market
value of property received (including Shares), unless the property is subject
to transfer restrictions or forfeiture, will be ordinary income to the
participant and will be allowed as a deduction for federal income tax purposes
to the Company or a subsidiary.
In the absence of an election by a participant under Section 83(b) of the
Code, the grant of restricted shares will not result in taxable income to the
participant or a deduction to the Company or its subsidiary or affiliate in the
year of the grant. The value of such restricted shares will be taxed to a
participant in the year in which the
17
restrictions lapse. Alternatively, a participant may elect to treat as income
in the year of grant the fair market value of the restricted shares on the date
of grant, provided the participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the
Code within thirty days after the date of such grant. If such an election were
made, a participant would not be allowed to deduct at a later date the amount
included as taxable income if he/she should forfeit the restricted shares to
the Company or its subsidiary or affiliate. Generally, the amount of ordinary
income recognized by a participant is deductible by the Company or its
subsidiary or affiliate in the year the income is recognized by the
participant. If the participant does not make an election under Section 83(b)
of the Code, dividends paid on the shares prior to the lapse of restrictions on
such shares will be taxable to the participant as additional compensation in
the year received free of restrictions, and the Company or its subsidiary or
affiliate will be allowed a corresponding deduction subject to Section 162(m).
In general, the grant of performance awards will not result in taxable
income to the participant or a deduction to the Company or its subsidiary or
affiliate in the year of the grant. The value of the award will be taxed to a
participant in the year in which the award is settled, and the Company will
receive a deduction in the same amount, subject to Section 162(m).
The Board of Directors of the Company recommends that stockholders vote
"FOR" approval and adoption of the Stock Plan Amendment.
ITEM THREE: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors has
appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC") to audit the accounts of the
Company for the year ending December 31, 2002. For the year ended December 31,
2001, the Company's accounts were audited by PwC.
PwC's report on the financial statements of the Company for the year ended
December 31, 2001 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion
and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting
principles.
To the knowledge of management and the Audit Committee, in connection with
the audit of the Company's financial statements for the year ended December 31,
2001, there were no disagreements with PwC on any matters of accounting
principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope and
procedure which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of PwC, would have caused
PwC to make reference to the matter in its reports.
Representatives of PwC will be present at the Annual Meeting with the
opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available
to respond to appropriate questions.
Stockholder ratification of the appointment of PwC as the Company's
independent accountants is not required by the Company's By-Laws or otherwise.
The Board of Directors has elected to seek such ratification as a matter of
good corporate practice. Should the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment
of PwC as the Company's independent accountants for the year ending December
31, 2002, the Board of Directors will consider whether to retain that firm for
such year.
Audit Fees
Amounts billed by PwC related to the 2001 annual financial statement audit
and reviews of quarterly financial statements filed in the report on Forms 10-Q
totaled $406,000, of which an aggregate amount of $226,500 has been billed
through December 31, 2001.
Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation Fees
No amounts were billed by PwC in 2001 for financial information systems
design and implementation services.
18
All Other Fees
Amounts billed by PwC for all other services rendered to the Company for the
year ended December 31, 2001 totaled $239,500. These fees related to assistance
provided with filing certain registration statements during 2001 and for
assistance regarding statistical sampling methodology for compliance-related
activities.
The Audit Committee has considered the other services rendered and believes
that they are compatible with PwC remaining independent.
The Board of Directors of the Company recommends that stockholders vote
"FOR" the ratification of the appointment of PwC as the Company's independent
accountants for 2002.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Beneficial Ownership by Roche
In 1995, the Company and affiliates of Roche entered into the Stockholder
Agreement. The Stockholder Agreement contains certain provisions relating to
(i) the governance of the Company, including, but not limited to, the
composition of the Board of Directors, (ii) the issuance, sale, and transfer of
the Company's Equity Securities (as defined in the Stockholder Agreement) by
the Company and Roche, and (iii) registration rights granted by the Company to
Roche with respect to the Company's Equity Securities. A copy of the
Stockholder Agreement was included as an exhibit to the Company's report on
Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 12, 1995.
On February 21, 2002, Roche registered to sell 7,000,000 shares with a
700,000 over-allotment option pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3
filed with the Commission. At that time, Roche owned 10,705,074 shares of
Common Stock (approximately 15.13% of the Common Stock outstanding). On March
12, 2002, Roche sold the 7,000,000 shares of Common Stock and on March 18,
2002, an additional 700,000 shares of Common Stock were sold to cover
over-allotments of shares, leaving Roche with 3,005,074 shares of the Company's
outstanding Common Stock, or approximately 4.22% at March 29, 2002.
Prior to March 12, 2002, Roche had the right to designate one director for
nomination to the Board of Directors. Because Roche's ownership fell below 10%
on March 12, 2002, Roche's rights under the Stockholder Agreement terminated
with respect to (i) changing the total number of members of the Board of
Directors, (ii) designating a replacement director upon the death, resignation
or retirement of a director selected by Roche, (iii) causing the Board of
Directors to create vacancies on the Board for Roche's designated directors,
(iv) voting and solicitation of votes, (v) directors serving on Board
committees, (vi) vacancies on Board committees and the management committee and
(vii) action taken to conform the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and
By-laws to the Stockholder Agreement.
Roche's right to (i) have its shares included in a registration statement
which the Company prepares and (ii) have the Company furnish it with certain
financial information, terminated when Roche's ownership fell below 20%. If
Roche ceases to own any Registrable Securities (as defined under the
Stockholder Agreement), then (i) all of its registration rights and (ii)
covenants of the Company in its favor with respect to transfers made by Roche
pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 under the Stockholder
Agreement would terminate.
Certain Transactions with Roche
The Company has certain on-going arrangements with Roche for the purchase by
the Company of certain products and the licensing by the Company from Roche of
certain diagnostic technologies, with an aggregate value of approximately $62.3
million in 2001. In addition, the Company made royalty payments to Roche in the
amount of approximately $4.4 million in 2001. The Company provides certain
diagnostic testing and support services to Roche in connection with Roche's
clinical pharmaceutical trials, with an aggregate value of approximately $2.6
million in 2001. Each of these arrangements was entered into in the ordinary
course of business, on an arm's-length basis, and on terms which the Company
believes are no less favorable to it than those obtainable from unaffiliated
third parties.
19
AUDIT COMMITTEE'S REPORT
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, comprised entirely of
non-management directors, held six meetings during 2001. The members meet the
independence and experience requirements of the New York Stock Exchange. The
charter of the Audit Committee has not been modified since it appeared in the
proxy statement dated April 26, 2001 and is attached hereto as Annex II.
The Audit Committee met with the independent public accountants, management,
and internal auditors to assure that all were carrying out their respective
responsibilities. The Audit Committee reviewed the performance and fees of the
independent public accountants prior to recommending their appointment, and met
with them to discuss the scope and results of their audit work, including the
adequacy of internal controls and the quality of financial reporting. The Audit
Committee discussed with the independent public accountants their judgments
regarding the quality and acceptability of the Company's accounting principles,
the clarity of its disclosures and the degree of aggressiveness or conservatism
of its accounting principles and underlying estimates, and other communications
required by Statement of Accounting Standards No. 61, Communications with Audit
Committees, as currently in effect. The Audit Committee discussed with and
received a letter from the independent public accountants confirming their
independence, as required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1. Both
the independent public accountants and the internal auditors had full access to
the Audit Committee, including regular meetings without management present.
Additionally, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial
statements with management and recommended to the Board of Directors that these
financial statements be included in the Company's Form 10-K for filing with the
Commission.
As part of its duties, the Audit Committee also considered whether the
provision of services other than audit services during fiscal year 2001 by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company's independent public accountants, is
compatible with maintaining the accountant's independence. See "Item Three:
Ratification of Independent Accountants."
Management is responsible for the Company's financial reporting process,
including its system of internal control, and for the preparation of
consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. The Company's independent auditors are responsible for
auditing those financial statements. The Audit Committee's responsibility is to
monitor and review these processes. It is not the Audit Committee's
responsibility to conduct auditing or accounting reviews or procedures. The
members of the Audit Committee are not employees of the Company and they may or
may not be experts in the fields of accounting or auditing. Therefore, the
Audit Committee has relied, without independent verification, on (a)
management's representation that the financial statements have been prepared
with integrity and objectivity and in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States and (b) the representations of the
independent auditors appearing in the auditor's report on the Company's
financial statements.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
David B. Skinner, M.D., Chairman
Wendy E. Lane
Robert E. Mittelstaedt, Jr.
20
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Under the rules and regulations of the Commission as currently in effect,
any holder of at least $2,000 in market value, or 1%, of Common Stock who
desires to have a proposal presented in the Company's proxy material for use in
connection with the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2003 must
transmit that proposal (along with his name, address, the number of shares of
Common Stock that he holds of record or beneficially, the dates upon which the
securities were acquired and documentary support for a claim of beneficial
ownership) in writing as set forth below. Such holder must continue to hold his
Common Stock through the date of the meeting. Proposals of stockholders
intended to be presented at the next annual meeting must be received by
Bradford T. Smith, Secretary, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, 358
South Main Street, Burlington, North Carolina 27215, no later than December 14,
2002. This date was based on a planned meeting date in late May 2003.
Regarding stockholder proposals intended to be presented at the 2003 Annual
Meeting but not included in the Company's proxy statement, stockholders must
give the Company notice not later than March 2, 2003 of their proposals in
order to be considered timely under applicable Commission rules. Notice shall
be given in the form and manner described in the paragraph above. The persons
named as proxies in the enclosed proxy card may vote in their discretion on any
proposals for which timely notice is not received in the manner described above.
Holders of Common Stock who want to have proposals submitted for
consideration at future meetings of stockholders should consult the applicable
rules and regulations of the Commission with respect to such proposals,
including the permissible number and length of proposals and other matters
governed by such rules and regulations.
HOUSEHOLDING
As permitted by the Exchange Act, we have adopted a procedure approved by
the Commission called "householding." Under this procedure, stockholders of
record who have the same address and last name and do not participate in
electronic delivery of proxy materials will receive only one copy of this proxy
statement and annual report unless one or more of these stockholders provides
notification of their desire to receive individual copies. This procedure will
reduce our printing costs and postage fees. Stockholders who participate in
householding will continue to receive separate proxy cards.
If you and other stockholders of record with whom you share an address
currently receive multiple copies of annual reports and/or proxy statements, or
if you hold stock in more than one account and in either case, you wish to
receive only a single copy of the annual report or proxy statement for your
household, please contact our transfer agent (in writing: American Stock
Transfer and Trust Company, Shareholder Services, 6201 Fifteenth Avenue,
Brooklyn, NY 11219; by telephone: 800-937-5449) with the names in which all
accounts are registered.
If you participate in householding and wish to receive a separate copy of
the 2001 annual report or this Proxy Statement, or if you wish to receive
separate copies of future annual reports or proxy statements, please contact
American Stock Transfer and Trust Company at the above address or phone number.
We will deliver the requested documents to you promptly upon your request.
Beneficial stockholders can request information about householding from
their banks, brokers or other holders of record.
You may also obtain an on-line version of the proxy statement at
www.labcorp.com.
21
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Company will make available a copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2001 and any quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed
thereafter, without charge, upon written request to the Secretary, Laboratory
Corporation of America Holdings, 358 South Main Street, Burlington, North
Carolina 27215. Each such request must set forth a good faith representation
that, as of the Record Date (April 12, 2002), the person making the request was
a beneficial owner of Common Stock entitled to vote.
In order to ensure timely delivery of such document prior to the annual
meeting, any request should be received by the Company promptly.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Company knows of no other matters which may come before the Annual
Meeting. However, if any such matters properly come before the Annual Meeting,
the individuals named in the proxies will vote on such matters in accordance
with their best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Bradford T. Smith
Bradford T. Smith
Secretary
April 15, 2002
22
ANNEX I
LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
2000 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
As Amended and Restated Effective April 3, 2002
1. Purpose; Restrictions on Amount Available under this Plan.
This 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective April 3,
2002, (this "Plan") is intended to encourage stock ownership by employees,
consultants, and non-employee directors of Laboratory Corporation of America
Holdings (the "Company") and employees and consultants of Affiliate
Corporations (as defined in Section 2(a) hereof), so that they may acquire or
increase their proprietary interest in the Company, and to encourage such
employees, consultants and non-employee directors to remain in the employ
and/or service of the Company and to put forth maximum efforts for the success
of the business of the Company. It is further intended that options granted by
the Committee pursuant to Section 6 of this Plan shall constitute "incentive
stock options" ("Incentive Stock Options") within the meaning of Section 422 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations issued
thereunder (the "Code"), and options granted by the Committee pursuant to
Sections 7 and 8 of this Plan shall constitute "nonqualified stock options"
("Nonqualified Stock Options"). Grants under this Plan may consist of Incentive
Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options (collectively, "Options"), stock
appreciation rights ("Rights"), which Rights may be either granted in
conjunction with Options ("Related Rights") or unaccompanied by Options ("Free
Standing Rights"), restricted stock awards ("Restricted Shares"), or
performance awards ("Performance Awards"), as hereinafter set forth.
2. Definitions.
As used in this Plan, the following words and phrases shall have the
meanings indicated:
(a) "Affiliate Corporation" or "Affiliate" shall mean any corporation,
directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with the Company.
(b) "Award" shall mean an Option, a Right, Restricted Share, or
Performance Award granted hereunder.
(c) "Award Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3
hereof.
(d) "Change in Control" shall mean an event of a nature that:
(i) any "person" (as the term is defined in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, "the Exchange Act")
who is not now presently but becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined
in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the Company's
outstanding securities except for any securities purchased by any
tax-qualified employee benefit plan of the Company; or
(ii) individuals who constitute the Board of Directors on the
Effective Date (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person
becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election was
approved by a vote of at least three-quarters of the directors
comprising the Incumbent Board, or whose nomination for election by the
Company's stockholders was approved by the Incumbent Board, shall be for
purposes of this clause (ii), considered as though he or she were a
member of the Incumbent Board; or
(iii) a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of all
or substantially all the assets of the Company or similar transaction
occurs in which the Company is not the resulting entity; or
I-1
(iv) a proxy statement soliciting proxies from shareholders of the
Company, by someone other than the current management of the Company,
seeking stockholder approval of a plan of reorganization, merger or
consolidation of the Company or similar transaction with one or more
corporations, as a result of which the outstanding shares of the class
of securities not issued by the Company shall be distributed.
(e) "Common Stock" shall mean shares of the Company's common stock, par
value $0.10 per share.
(f) "Covered Officer" as of a particular date shall mean (i) any
individual who, with respect to the previous taxable year of the Company,
was a "covered employee" of the Company within the meaning of Section 162(m)
of the Internal Revenue Code; provided, however, that the term "Covered
Officer" shall not include any such individual who is designated by the
Committee, in its discretion, at the time of any Award or at any subsequent
time, as reasonably expected not to be such a "covered employee" with
respect to the current taxable year of the Company and (ii) any individual
who is designated by the Committee, in its discretion, at the time of any
Award or at any subsequent time, as reasonably expected to be such a
"covered employee" with respect to the current taxable year of the Company
or with respect to the taxable year of the Company in which any applicable
Award will be paid.
(g) "Disability" shall mean a Participant's inability to engage in any
substantial gainful activity by reason of medically determinable physical or
mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted
or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve
(12) months.
(h) "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(i) "Fair Market Value" per share as of a particular date shall mean (i)
the closing sales price per share of Common Stock on a national securities
exchange for the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such
Common Stock on such exchange, or (ii) if the shares of Common Stock are
then traded on an over-the-counter market, the average of the closing bid
and asked prices for the shares of Common Stock in such over-the-market for
the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such Common Stock in
such market, or (iii) if the shares of Common Stock are not then listed on a
national securities exchange or traded in an over-the-counter market, such
value as the Committee in its discretion may determine.
(j) "Parent Corporation" shall mean any corporation (other than the
Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company if, at
the time of granting an Award, each of such corporations (other than the
Company) owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other
corporations in such chain.
(k) "Participant" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4 hereof.
(l) "Prior Plans" shall mean the Laboratory Corporation of America
Holdings Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan and the Laboratory
Corporation of America Holdings 1994 Stock Option Plan.
(m) "Retirement" shall mean a Participant's termination of employment in
accordance with the provisions of the Company's Employee Retirement Plan at
such Participant's Normal Retirement Date, as defined in such Plan.
(n) "Subsidiary Corporation" shall mean any corporation (other than the
Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if,
at the time of granting an option, each of such corporations other than the
last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing fifty percent
(50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in
one of the other corporations in such chain.
(o) "Ten Percent Stockholder" shall mean a Participant who, at the time
an Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock possessing more than ten
percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of
the Company or of its Parent Corporation or Subsidiary Corporations.
I-2
3. Administration.
This Plan shall be administered by a committee (the "Committee") appointed
by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), which shall be
comprised of two or more persons, each of whom shall qualify as a "Non-Employee
Director" as described in Rule 16b-3(b)(3)(i) promulgated under the Exchange
Act.
The Committee shall have the authority in its discretion, subject to and not
inconsistent with the express provisions of this Plan, to administer this Plan
and to exercise all the powers and authorities either specifically granted to
it under this Plan or necessary or advisable in the administration of this
Plan, including, without limitation, the authority to grant Awards; to
designate Participants, other than as set forth in Section 8 hereof; to
determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; to
determine which Options shall constitute Incentive Stock Options and which
Options shall constitute Nonqualified Stock Options; to determine which Rights
(if any) shall be granted in conjunction with Options; to determine the
purchase price of the shares of Common Stock covered by each Option (the
"Option Price"); to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times at
which, Awards shall be granted; to determine the number of shares to be covered
by each Award; to interpret this Plan; to prescribe, amend and rescind rules
and regulations relating to this Plan; to determine the terms and provisions of
the agreements (which need not be identical) entered into in connection with
Awards granted under this Plan (each an "Award Agreement"); and to make all
other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of
this Plan. The Committee may delegate to one or more of its members or to one
or more agents such administrative duties as may be deemed advisable, and the
Committee or any person to whom it has delegated duties as aforesaid may employ
one or more persons to render advice with respect to any responsibility the
Committee or such person may have under this Plan.
No member of the Board of Directors or Committee shall be liable for any
action taken or determination made in good faith with respect to this Plan or
any Award granted hereunder.
4. Eligibility.
Awards may be granted to key employees (including, without limitation,
officers and directors who are employees) and non-employee directors of the
Company or its present or future Affiliate Corporations. For purposes of the
foregoing, "employee" shall mean any employee, independent contractor,
consultant, advisor, or similar individual who is providing or who has agreed
to provide services to the Company or to any of its present or future Affiliate
Corporations. Notwithstanding any provision of this paragraph, Incentive Stock
Options shall be granted only to individuals who, on the date of such grant,
are employees of the Company or a Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary
Corporation. In determining the persons to whom Awards shall be granted and the
number of shares to be covered by each Award, the Committee shall take into
account the duties of the respective persons, their present and potential
contributions to the success of the Company and such other factors as the
Committee shall deem relevant in connection with accomplishing the purpose of
this Plan. A person to whom an Award has been granted hereunder is sometimes
referred to herein as a "Participant" or "Optionee."
A Participant shall be eligible to receive more than one grant of an Award
during the term of this Plan, but only on the terms and subject to the
restrictions hereinafter set forth.
5. Stock.
The stock subject to Awards hereunder shall be shares of Common Stock. Such
shares may, in whole or in part, be authorized but unissued shares or shares
that shall have been or that may be reacquired by the Company. The aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock as to which Awards may be granted from time to
time under this Plan shall not exceed 7.4 million, plus any shares which remain
available for grants of awards under the Prior Plans, of which the number of
shares of Common Stock as to which Restricted Shares and/or Performance Awards
may be granted from time to time under this Plan shall not exceed 3 million. No
person may be granted Options or Rights under this Plan representing an
aggregate of more than 300,000 shares of Common Stock in any year. The
limitations established by the preceding three sentences shall be subject to
adjustment as provided in Sections 14 and 18 hereof.
I-3
To the extent that (1) any Award granted under the Plan or the Prior Plans
expires, is terminated or forfeited without being exercised, settled or with
respect to Restricted Shares, vested, (2) any Option granted under the Plan or
the Prior Plans is surrendered on exercise of a Right for cash or the issuance
of fewer shares of Common Stock than issuable under such surrendered Option, or
(3) any Free Standing Right granted under the Plan or the Prior Plans expires
or is terminated without being exercised, the shares of Common Stock issuable
thereunder, less such shares issued, shall become available for grants of
Awards.
6. Incentive Stock Options.
Options granted pursuant to this Section 6 are intended to constitute
Incentive Stock Options and shall be subject to the following special terms and
conditions, in addition to the general terms and conditions specified in
Sections 5 and 9 hereof:
(a) Value of Shares. The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of
the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted) of the shares of Common
Stock with respect to which Options granted under this Plan and all other
option plans of the Company, any Parent Corporation and any Subsidiary
Corporation become exercisable for the first time by a Participant during
any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000.
(b) Ten Percent Stockholders. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option
granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, (i) the Option Price shall not be less
than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of
Common Stock of the Company on the date of grant of such Incentive Stock
Option, and (ii) the exercise period shall not exceed five (5) years from
the date of grant of such Incentive Stock Option.
7. Employee Nonqualified Stock Options.
Options granted pursuant to this Section 7 are intended to constitute
Nonqualified Stock Options and shall be subject only to the general terms and
conditions specified in Sections 5 and 9 hereof.
8. Director Nonqualified Stock Options.
(a) Each non-employee director shall be granted an Option to purchase
that number of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to
$65,000 as of the date of each annual meeting of the stockholders of the
Company (the "Annual Grant Amount") following the meeting at which the Plan
is approved at which such individual is elected or reelected to the office
of director (the "Meeting Grant Date") with each such grant effective as of
each Meeting Grant Date. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, (i)
options will be granted to directors elected at the meeting at which the
Plan is approved for a number of shares having a Fair Market Value equal to
$65,000 as of the Effective Date to be effective as of the Effective Date
and (ii) with respect to any person who is elected or nominated as and
becomes a director other than in connection with an annual meeting of the
stockholders of the Company, such director shall be granted an Option, to be
effective as of the date of his or her election or appointment, in an amount
equal to the product of the Annual Grant Amount and a fraction the numerator
which is the number of months from the date of such election or appointment
until the expected date of the next annual meeting and the denominator of
which is twelve. Options granted pursuant to this Section 8 are intended to
constitute Nonqualified Stock Options and shall be subject, to the extent
applicable, to the general terms and conditions specified in Sections 5 and
9 hereof.
(b) No fractional shares shall be issued under this provision. Any
fractional share that would otherwise be granted in connection with the
Annual Grant Amount shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share, with
the remainder being paid in cash.
(c) With respect to the Options granted pursuant to this Section 8,
neither the Board nor the Committee shall have discretion with respect to
the selection of directors to receive Options, the number of shares subject
to such Options, the purchase price thereunder or the timing of the grant of
Options under this Section 8.
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(d) Unless otherwise provided in an award agreement, the Options granted
pursuant to this Section 8 shall vest in equal one-third installments on
each of the three anniversaries following the grant date.
9. Terms and Conditions of Options.
Each Option granted pursuant to this Plan shall be evidenced by a written
Award Agreement between the Company and the Participant, which agreement shall
comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:
(a) Number of Shares. Each Award Agreement shall state the number of
shares of Common Stock to which the Option relates.
(b) Type of Option. Each Award agreement shall specifically identify
the portion, if any, of the Option that constitutes an Incentive Stock
Option and the portion, if any, which constitutes a Nonqualified Stock
Option.
(c) Option Price. Each Award Agreement shall state the Option Price per
share of Common Stock, which shall be not less than one hundred percent
(100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock of the Company on
the date of grant of the Option and which, in the case of Incentive Stock
Options, shall be further subject to the limitation described in Section
6(b) hereof. The Option Price shall be subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 14 hereof. The date on which the Committee adopts a resolution
expressly granting an Option shall be considered the day on which such
Option is granted.
(d) Medium And Time of Payment. The Option Price shall be paid or
satisfied in full, at the time of exercise, in cash or in shares of Common
Stock owned by the Participant for at least six months (which are not the
subject of any pledge or other security interest) having a Fair Market Value
equal to such Option Price or in a combination of cash and such shares, and
may be effected in whole or in part, at the discretion of the Committee (i)
with monies received from the Company at the time of exercise as a
compensatory cash payment, or (ii) with monies borrowed from the Company
pursuant to repayment terms and conditions as shall be determined from time
to time by the Committee, in its discretion separately with respect to each
exercise of Options and each Participant; provided, however, that each such
method and time for payment and each such borrowing and terms and conditions
of security, if any, and repayment shall be permitted by and be in
compliance with applicable law.
(e) Term and Exercise of Options. Options shall be exercisable over the
exercise period as and at the times and upon the conditions that the
Committee may determine, as reflected in the Award Agreement; provided,
however, that the Committee shall have the authority to accelerate the
exercisability of any outstanding Option at such time and under such
circumstances as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. The exercise
period shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that in the
case of any Incentive Stock Option, such exercise period shall not exceed
ten (10) years from the date of grant of such Incentive Stock Option and
such exercise period shall be further limited in circumstances described in
Section 6(b) hereof. The exercise period shall be subject to earlier
termination as provided in Section 9(f) and 9(g) hereof. An Option may be
exercised as to any or all full shares of Common Stock as to which the
Option has become exercisable, by giving written notice of such exercise to
the Committee; provided, however, that an Option may not be exercised at any
one time as to fewer than one hundred (100) shares (or such number of shares
as to which the Option is then exercisable if such number of shares is less
than one hundred (100)).
(f) Termination of Employment. Except as provided in this Section 9(f)
and in Section 9(g) hereof, an Option may not be exercised unless the
Participant is then in the employ or service of (1) the Company, (2) an
Affiliate Corporation or (3) a corporation issuing or assuming the Option in
a transaction to which Section 424 of the Code applies or a parent
corporation or subsidiary corporation of the corporation described in this
Clause 3, and unless the Participant has remained continuously so employed
since the date of grant of the Option. In the event that the employment or
service of a Participant shall terminate (other than by reason of death,
Disability or Retirement), all Options of such Participant that are
exercisable at the
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time of such termination may, unless earlier terminated in accordance with
their terms, be exercised within three (3) months after such termination.
Nothing in this Plan or in any Option or Right granted pursuant hereto shall
confer upon an individual any right to continue in the employ or service of
the Company or any of its Affiliate Corporations or interfere in any way
with the right of the Company or any such Affiliate Corporation to terminate
such employment or service at any time.
(g) Acceleration of Benefits upon Death, Disability or Retirement of
Participant or a Change in Control. If (i) a Participant shall die while
employed by the Company or an Affiliate Corporation thereof, (ii) a
Participant shall die within three (3) months after the termination of such
Participant's employment, (iii) the Participant's employment shall terminate
by reason of Disability or Retirement, or (iv) there is a Change in Control,
then in any such case all Options theretofore granted to such Participant
(whether or not then exercisable) may, unless earlier terminated or expired
in accordance with their terms, be exercised by the Participant or by the
Participant's estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise such
Option by bequest or inheritance or otherwise by reason of the death or
Disability of the Participant, at any time within one year after the date of
death, Disability or Retirement of the Participant or the Change in Control.
(h) Nontransferability of Options. Except as otherwise provided in an
Award Agreement, Options granted under this Plan shall not be transferable
otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and
Options may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by
the Participant or by his guardian or legal representative.
(i) Rights as a Stockholder. A Participant who is the holder of an
Option or a transferee of an Option shall have no rights as a stockholder
with respect to any shares covered by the Option until the date of the
issuance of a stock certificate to him or her for such shares. No adjustment
shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash,
securities or other property) or distribution of other rights for which the
record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued, except as
provided in Section 14 hereof.
(j) Other Provisions. The Award Agreements authorized under this Plan
shall contain such other provisions, including, without limitation, (i) the
granting of Rights, (ii) the imposition of restrictions upon the exercise of
an Award, and (iii) in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the inclusion
of any condition not inconsistent with such Option qualifying as an
Incentive Stock Option, as the Committee shall deem advisable.
10. Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a) Grant and Exercise. In the case of a Nonqualified Stock Option,
Related Rights may be granted either at or after the time of the grant of
such Option. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, related Rights may be
granted only at the time of the grant of the Incentive Stock Option.
A Related Right or applicable portion thereof granted with respect to a
given Option shall terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the termination
or exercise of the related Option, except that, unless otherwise provided by
the Committee at the time of grant, a Related Right granted with respect to
less than the full number of shares covered by a related Option shall only be
reduced if and to the extent that the number of shares covered by the exercise
or termination of the related Option exceeds the number of shares not covered
by the Right.
A Related Right may be exercised by a Participant, in accordance with
paragraph (b) of this Section 10, by surrendering the applicable portion of the
related Option. Upon such exercise and surrender, the Participant shall be
entitled to receive an amount determined in the manner prescribed in paragraph
(b) of this Section 10. Options, which have been so surrendered, in whole or in
part, shall no longer be exercisable to the extent the Related Rights have been
exercised.
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(b) Terms and Conditions. Rights shall be subject to such terms and
conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan, as shall be
determined from time to time by the Committee and as evidenced by a written
Award Agreement between the Company and the Participant, including the
following:
(i) Related Rights shall be exercisable only at such time or times
and to the extent that the Options to which they relate shall be
exercisable in accordance with the provisions of Section 6, 7, 9 and
this Section 10 of this Plan.
(ii) Upon the exercise of a Related Right, a Participant shall be
entitled to receive up to, but not more than, an amount in cash or
shares of Common Stock equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market
Value of one (1) share of Common Stock over the option price per share
specified in the related Option multiplied by the number of shares in
respect of which the Related Right shall have been exercised, with the
Committee having the right to determine the form of payment.
(iii) Related Rights shall be transferable only when and to the
extent that the underlying Option would be transferable under paragraph
(h) of Section 9 of this Plan.
(iv) A Related Right granted in connection with an Incentive Stock
Option may be exercised only if and when the market price of the Common
Stock subject to the Incentive Stock Option exceeds the exercise price
of such Option.
(v) Free Standing Rights shall be exercisable at such time or times
and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the
Committee at or after grant.
(vi) The term of each Free Standing Right shall be fixed by the
Committee, but no Free Standing Right shall be exercisable more than ten
(10) years after the date such right is granted.
(vii) Upon the exercise of a Free Standing Right, a Participant
shall be entitled to receive up to, but not more than, an amount in cash
or shares of Common Stock equal in value to the excess of the Fair
Market Value of one share of Common Stock over the price per share
specified in the Free Standing Right (which shall be no less than one
hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on
the date of grant) multiplied by the number of shares in respect of
which the Right is being exercised, with the Committee having the right
to determine the form of payment.
(viii) No Free Standing Right shall be transferable by the
Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution, and all such rights shall be exercisable, during the
Participant's lifetime, only by the Participant or his legal guardian or
legal representative.
(ix) In the event of the termination of employment of a recipient of
a Free Standing Right, such right shall be exercisable to the same
extent that an Option would have been exercisable in the event of the
termination of employment of a Participant.
11. Restricted Shares.
(a) Grant. Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Committee shall
have sole and complete authority to determine the Participants to whom
Restricted Shares shall be granted, the number of Restricted Shares to be
granted to each Participant, the duration of the period during which, and
the conditions under which, the Restricted Shares may be forfeited to the
Company, and the other terms and conditions of such Awards (including
whether or not such Restricted Shares shall qualify as Performance Awards).
(b) Transfer Restrictions. Restricted Shares may not be sold, assigned,
transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered, except as otherwise provided
in an Award Agreement. Certificates issued in respect of Restricted Shares
shall be registered in the name of the Participant and deposited by such
Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the
Company. Upon the lapse of the restrictions applicable to such Restricted
Shares, the Company shall deliver such certificates to the Participant or
the Participant's legal representative.
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(c) Dividends and Distributions. Dividends and other distributions paid
on or in respect of Restricted Shares, if any, may be paid directly to the
Participant, or may be reinvested in additional Restricted Shares, as
determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
(d) Acceleration of Benefits upon Death, Disability or Retirement of
Participant or a Change in Control. If (i) a Participant shall die while
employed by the Company or an Affiliate Corporation thereof, (ii) the
Participant's employment shall terminate by reason of Disability or
Retirement, or (iii) there is a Change in Control, then in any such case all
Restricted Shares theretofore granted to such Participant shall become
immediately vested and nonforfeitable.
12. Performance Awards.
(a) Grant. Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Committee shall
have sole and complete authority to determine the Participants to whom
Performance Awards shall be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock
subject to Performance Awards, the duration of the period during which, and
the conditions under which, the Performance Awards may be forfeited to the
Company, and the other terms and conditions of such Awards. Performance
Awards may be (i) denominated in cash or Shares, (ii) valued, as determined
by the Committee, in accordance with the achievement of such performance
goals during such performance periods as the Committee shall establish, and
(iii) payable at such time and in such form as the Committee shall determine.
(b) Terms and Conditions. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any
applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine the performance
goals to be achieved during any performance period, the length of any
performance period, the amount of any Performance Award and the amount and
kind of any payment or transfer to be made pursuant to any Performance
Award. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, Performance Awards
may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered.
(c) Payment of Performance Awards. Performance Awards may be paid in a
lump sum or in installments following the close of the performance period
or, in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, on a
deferred basis.
13. Provisions Applicable to Covered Officers.
To the extent the Committee determines, all performance-based Restricted
Shares and Performance Awards granted to Covered Officers shall be subject to
the terms and provisions of this Section 13.
(a) Performance goals shall be limited to one or more of the following
Company, subsidiary, operating unit or division financial performance
measures:
(i) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization
(ii) operating income or profit
(iii) return on equity, assets, capital, capital employed, or
investment
(iv) after tax operating income
(v) net income
(vi) earnings or book value per share
(vii) cash flow(s)
(viii) total sales or revenues or sales or revenues per employee
(ix) stock price or total shareholder return
(x) dividends
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(xi) strategic business objectives, consisting of one or more
objectives based on meeting specified cost targets, business expansion
goals, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures or any
combination thereof. Each goal may be expressed on an absolute and/or
relative basis, may be based on or otherwise employ comparisons based on
internal targets, the past performance of the Company and/or the past or
current performance of other companies, and in the case of
earnings-based measures, may use or employ comparisons relating to
capital, shareholders' equity and/or shares outstanding, or to assets or
net assets.
(b) The maximum annual number of shares in respect of which
performance-based Restricted Shares and Performance Awards may be granted to
any Participant under the Plan is 200,000 and the maximum annual amount of
any such Award settled per Participant in cash is $5 million.
(c) To the extent necessary to comply with Section 162(m), no later than
90 days following the commencement of each performance period (or such other
time as may be required or permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code), the
Committee shall, in writing, (A) select the performance goal or goals
applicable to the performance period, (B) establish the various targets and
bonus amounts which may be earned for such performance period and (C)
specify the relationship between performance goals and targets and the
amounts to be earned by each Covered Officer for such performance period.
Following the completion of each performance period, the Committee shall
certify in writing whether the applicable performance targets have been
achieved and the amounts, if any, payable to Covered Officers for such
performance period. In determining the amount earned for a given performance
period, subject to any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall have
the right to reduce (but not increase) the amount payable at a given level
of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee
may deem relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance
for the performance period.
14. Effect of Certain Changes.
(a) If there is any change in the number of outstanding shares of Common
Stock by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization,
combination, exchange of shares, merger, consolidation, liquidation,
split-up, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization, any
distribution to shareholders, including a rights offering, other than cash
dividends, or any like change, then the number of shares of Common Stock
available for Awards, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may
be subject to Awards, the number of such shares of Common Stock covered by
outstanding Awards, and the price per share of Options or the applicable
market value of Rights, shall be proportionately adjusted by the Committee
to reflect such change or distribution; provided, however, that any
fractional shares resulting from such adjustment shall be eliminated.
(b) In the event of a change in the Common Stock as presently
constituted, which is limited to a change of all of its authorized shares
with par value into the same number of shares with a different par value or
without par value, the shares resulting from any such change shall be deemed
to be Common Stock within the meaning of this Plan.
(c) To the extent that the foregoing adjustments relate to stock or
securities of the Company, such adjustments shall be made by the Committee,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive,
provided that each Incentive Stock Option granted pursuant to this Plan
shall not be adjusted in a manner that causes such option to fail to
continue to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of
Section 422 of Code.
15. Agreement by Participant Regarding Withholding Taxes.
If the Committee shall so require, as a condition of grant, exercise, or
settlement or otherwise, each Participant shall agree that:
(a) no later than the date a Participant recognizes taxable income in
connection with an Award granted hereunder in connection with the exercise
or settlement of such Award or otherwise, the Participant
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will pay to the Company or make arrangements satisfactory to the Committee
regarding payment of any federal, state or local taxes of any kind required
by law to be withheld upon the exercise or settlement of such Award (any
such tax, a "Withholding Tax"); and
(b) the Company shall, to the extent permitted or required by law, have
the right to deduct any Withholding Tax from any payment of any kind
otherwise due to the Participant.
16. Gross-Up for Excise Tax.
An Award Agreement may provide that in the event that a Participant becomes
entitled by reason of a Change of Control to the accelerated vesting of an
Award, if such Participant will be subject to excise tax (the "Excise Tax")
under Section 4999 of the Code, the Company shall pay to such Participant as
additional compensation an amount (the "Gross-Up Payment") which, after payment
by such Participant of all taxes (including any federal, state and local income
tax and excise tax upon the payment provided for by this Section 16) allows
Participant to retain an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise
Tax. For purposes of determining whether a Participant will be subject to the
Excise Tax and the amount of such Excise Tax, (i) any other payments or
benefits received or to be received by such Participant in connection with a
Change in Control of the Company or the Participant's termination of employment
(whether pursuant to the terms of the Award Agreement or any other plan,
arrangement or agreement with the Company, any entity whose actions result in a
Change in Control of the Company or any entity affiliated with the Company or
such entity) shall be treated as "parachute payments" within the meaning of
Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, and all "excess parachute payments" within the
meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code shall be treated as subject to the
Excise Tax, unless in the opinion of tax counsel selected by the Company's
independent auditors and reasonably acceptable to the Participant such other
payments or benefits (in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute
payments, including by reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code, or such
excess parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent reasonable
compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of Section
280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, or are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax, (ii)
the amount of payments or benefits treated as subject to the Excise Tax shall
be equal to the lesser of (A) the total amount of payments or benefits
conferred on such Participant by reason of the Change of Control or (B) the
amount of excess parachute payments within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of
the Code (after applying clause (i), above), and (iii) the value of any noncash
benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be determined by the
Company's independent auditors in accordance with the principles of Sections
280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code. For purposes of determining the amount of the
Gross-Up Payment, the Participant shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes
at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in
which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at
the highest marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of the
Participant's residence on the date on which the Excise Tax is incurred, net of
the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from
deduction of such state and local taxes. In the event that the Excise Tax is
subsequently determined to be less than the amount taken into account
hereunder, the Participant shall repay to the Company, at the time that the
amount of such reduction in Excise Tax is finally determined, the portion of
the Gross-Up Payment attributable to such reduction (plus that portion of the
Gross-Up Payment attributable to the Excise Tax and federal, state and local
income tax deduction) plus interest on the amount of such repayment at the rate
provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code. In the event that the Excise Tax
is determined to exceed the amount taken into account hereunder (including by
reason of any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be determined at
the time of the Gross-Up Payment), the Company shall make an additional
Gross-Up Payment in respect of such excess (plus any interest, penalties or
additions payable by the Participant with respect to such excess) at the time
that the amount of such excess finally is determined. The Participant and the
Company each shall reasonably cooperate with the other in connection with any
administrative or judicial proceedings concerning the existence or amount of
liability for Excise Tax.
17. Termination and Amendment.
Unless terminated by action of the Board of Directors or the Committee, no
Awards may be granted under this Plan after May 4, 2010. This Plan may be
amended or terminated at any time by the Committee, except that
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no amendment may be made without shareholder approval if the Committee
determines that such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory
requirement, including any approval requirement which is a prerequisite for
exemptive relief from Section 16 of the Exchange Act, for which or with which
the Committee determines that it is desirable to qualify or comply. The
Committee may amend the terms of any Award Agreement and any Award granted,
retroactively or prospectively, but no amendment may adversely affect any
vested Award without the holder's consent.
18. Effectiveness; Approval of Stockholders.
Except as otherwise provided herein, this amended and restated Plan shall
take effect as of May 15, 2002 (the "Effective Date"), subject to the approval
of the holders of the majority of the voting shares of the Company at the
Company's 2002 annual meeting of Stockholders (the "2002 Annual Meeting"). If
the Plan amendments to increase from 3.4 million to 7.4 million the number of
authorized shares for issuance under such plan and to increase from 1.5 million
to 3 million the number of shares of common stock as to which Restricted Shares
and/or Performance Awards may be granted under such plan are not approved by
the holders of the majority of the voting shares of the Company, this Plan will
be restated so that the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for
issuance shall be adjusted so that the limitations set forth therein shall
revert to the unamended Plan. The limitations established by the preceding
sentence shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Sections 14 hereof.
19. Effect of Headings.
The section and subsection headings contained herein are for convenience
only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
20. Governing Law
The validity, construction and effect of the Plan shall be determined in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
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ANNEX II
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board to assist the Board in
monitoring (1) the integrity of the financial statements of the Company, (2)
the compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements, and (3)
the independence and performance of the Company's internal and external
auditors.
The members of the Audit Committee shall meet the independence and
experience requirements of the New York Stock Exchange. The members of the
Audit Committee shall be appointed by the Board on the recommendation of the
Nominating Committee.
The Audit Committee shall have the authority to retain special legal,
accounting or other consultants to advise the Committee. The Audit Committee
may request any officer or employee of the Company or the Company's outside
counsel or independent auditor to attend a meeting of the Committee or to meet
with any members of, or consultants to, the Committee.
The Audit Committee shall make regular reports to the Board.
The Audit Committee shall:
1. Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and
recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.
2. Review the annual audited financial statements with management,
including major issues regarding accounting and auditing principles
and practices as well as the adequacy of internal controls that could
significantly affect the Company's financial statements.
3. Review an analysis prepared by management and the independent auditor
of significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in
connection with the preparation of the company's financial statements.
4. Review with management and the independent auditor the Company's
quarterly financial statements prior to the release of quarterly
earnings.
5. Meet periodically with management to review the Company's major
financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor
and control such exposures.
6. Review major changes to the Company's auditing and accounting
principles and practices as suggested by the independent auditor,
internal auditors or management.
7. Recommend to the Board the appointment of the independent auditor,
which firm is ultimately accountable to the Audit Committee and the
Board.
8. Approve the fees to be paid to the independent auditor.
9. Receive periodic reports from the independent auditor regarding the
auditor's independence, discuss such reports with the auditor, and if
so determined by the Audit Committee, recommend that the Board take
appropriate action to satisfy itself of the auditor.
10. Evaluate together with the Board the performance of the independent
auditor and, if so determined by the Audit Committee, recommend that
the Board replace the independent auditor.
11. Review the appointment and replacement of the senior internal auditing
executive.
12. Review the significant reports to management prepared by the internal
auditing department and management's responses.
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13. Meet with the independent auditor prior to the audit to review the
planning and staffing of the audit.
14. Obtain from the independent auditor assurance that Section 10A of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 has not been
implicated.
15. Obtain reports from management, the Company's senior internal auditing
executive and the independent auditor that the Company's
subsidiary/foreign affiliated entities are in conformity with
applicable legal requirements and the Company's Code of Conduct.
16. Discuss with the independent auditor the matters required to be
discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 relating to the
conduct of the audit.
17. Review with the independent auditor any problems or difficulties the
auditor may have encountered and any management letter provided by the
auditor and the Company's response to that letter. Such review should
include:
(a) Any difficulties encountered in the course of the audit work,
including any restrictions on the scope of activities or access to
required information.
(b) Any changes required in the planned scope of the internal audit.
(c) The internal audit department responsibilities, budget and staffing.
18. Prepare the report required by the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission included in the Company's annual proxy statement.
19. Advise the Board with respect to the Company's policies and procedures
regarding compliance with applicable laws and regulations and with the
Company's Code of Conduct.
20. Review with the Company's general counsel legal matters that may have
a material impact on the financial statements, the Company's
compliance policies and any material reports or inquiries received
from regulators or governmental agencies.
21. Meet at least annually with the chief financial officer, the senior
internal audit executive and the independent auditor in separate
executive sessions.
* * * * *
While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in
this Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct
audits or to determine that the Company's financial statements are complete and
accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
This is the responsibility of management and the independent auditor. Nor is it
the duty of the Audit Committee to conduct investigations, to resolve
disagreements, if any, between management and the independent auditor or to
assure compliance with laws and regulations and the Company's Code of Conduct.
II-2
STOCKHOLDERS' PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
To: Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
I appoint Bradford T. Smith and Wesley R. Elingburg, individually and
together, as my proxies, with power of substitution, to vote all of my
LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS common stock at the Annual Meeting of
stockholders of LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS to be held at The
Paramount Theater, 128 East Front Street, Burlington, NC, 27215 on Wednesday,
May 15, 2002 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight time, and at any adjournment or
postponement of the meeting.
My proxies will vote the shares represented by this proxy as directed
on the other side of this card, but in the absence of any instructions from me,
my proxies will vote "FOR" the election of all the nominees listed under Item 1
and "FOR" Item 2 and Item 3. My proxies may vote according to their discretion
on any other matter which may properly come before the meeting. I may revoke
this proxy prior to its exercise.
Please sign and date the other side of the card.
(Please fill in the appropriate boxes on the other side.)
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote "FOR" all the nominees listed
under Item No. 1 and "FOR" Item No. 2 and Item No. 3.
FOR ALL WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
1. Election of all NOMINEES for all nominees
the members of the
Company's Board of
Directors. [_] [_]
For, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s).
______________________________________________________________
Nominees:
Thomas P. Mac Mahon, Jean-Luc Belingard, Wendy E. Lane, Robert E. Mittelstaedt,
Jr., James B. Powell, M.D., David B. Skinner, M.D. and Andrew G. Wallace, M.D.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2. Approval of the Stock Plan [_] [_] [_]
Amendment to the Laboratory
Corporation of America Holdings
2000 Stock Incentive Plan
3. Ratification of the appointment [_] [_] [_]
of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
as Laboratory Corporation of
America Holdings' independent
accountants for 2002.
SHAREHOLDER NAME AND ADDRESS
Signature(s) ___________________________________________ Date: _______________
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name(s) appear(s) above. If acting as an executor,
administrator, trustee, guardian, etc. you should so indicate signing. If the
shareholder is a corporation, please sign the full corporate name, by duly
authorized officer. If shares are held jointly, each shareholder should sign.
Date and promptly return the card in the envelope provided.