HEALTHSTREAM, INC. - FORM DEF 14A
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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 (Amendment No. )
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
HEALTHSTREAM, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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HEALTHSTREAM, INC.
209 10TH Avenue South, Suite 450
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
(615) 301-3100
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held May 24, 2007
Dear Shareholder:
On Thursday, May 24, 2007, HealthStream, Inc. will hold its 2007 annual meeting of
shareholders at 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. The
meeting will begin at 2:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time.
We welcome shareholders that own our common stock at the close of business on April 3, 2007 to
vote at this meeting. A list of our shareholders will be available at our principal executive
offices at 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee, during ordinary
business hours beginning two days after this notice of the annual meeting is first sent to
shareholders. At the meeting, we will consider the following proposals:
1. to elect four (4) Class I directors to hold office for a term of three (3) years and
until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified and to elect one (1)
Class III director to hold office for a term of two (2) years and until his successor is
duly elected and qualified; and
2. to ratify the appointment of Ernst and Young LLP as the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007, and
3. to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
postponement or adjournment of the meeting.
Our 2006 Annual Report to Shareholders is being mailed to shareholders with this proxy
statement. The annual report is not part of the proxy solicitation materials. Cameras and
recording devices are not permitted at the meeting. Street name holders will need to bring a copy
of a brokerage statement reflecting stock ownership as of the record date.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN, AND RETURN AS
PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ACCOMPANYING REPLY ENVELOPE. SHAREHOLDERS WHO ATTEND
THE MEETING MAY REVOKE THEIR PROXIES AND VOTE IN PERSON EVEN IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY SIGNED AND
RETURNED YOUR PROXY.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Robert A. Frist, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
Nashville, Tennessee
April 30, 2007
HEALTHSTREAM, INC.
209 10TH AVENUE SOUTH, SUITE 450
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37203
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
May 24, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
What is the Purpose of the Annual Meeting?
At HealthStreams annual meeting, shareholders will act upon the election of four (4) Class I
directors and one (1) Class III director, the ratification of Ernst and Young LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007, and
any other matters that may properly come before the meeting. In addition, our management will
respond to questions from shareholders.
What are the Board of Directors Recommendations?
Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote:
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FOR the election of each of the nominees to serve as directors on our Board of
Directors; and |
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FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP. |
If you complete and properly sign the accompanying proxy card and return it but do not specify
your vote, the proxy will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of
Directors set forth above. Further, if any other matter properly comes before the Annual
Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the proxy holders will vote as recommended
by the Board of Directors, or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion.
Who May Attend the Annual Meeting?
Shareholders of record on April 3, 2007 may attend the meeting. Street name holders will need
to bring a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting their ownership of our common stock as of
the record date. Cameras and recording devices are not permitted at the meeting.
Who is Entitled to Vote at the Annual Meeting?
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on Tuesday, April 3, 2007 as the record
date. Shareholders of record of our common stock at the close of business on April 3, 2007 (the
record date) may vote at this meeting.
As of the record date, there were 22,219,741 shares of our voting common stock outstanding.
These shares were held by 162 holders of record. Every shareholder is entitled to one vote for
each share of common stock the shareholder held of record on the record date.
1
Who is Soliciting My Vote?
This proxy solicitation is being made and paid for by HealthStream. In addition, we have
retained ComputerShare, Georgeson Shareholder and Corporate Election Services to assist in the
solicitation. We will pay these entities approximately $1,800 plus out-of-pocket expenses for
their assistance. Our directors, officers and other employees not specially employed for this
purpose may also solicit proxies by personal interview, mail, telephone or facsimile. They will
not be paid additional remuneration for their efforts. We will also request brokers and other
fiduciaries to forward proxy solicitation material to the beneficial owners of shares of the
common stock that the brokers and fiduciaries hold of record. We will reimburse them for their
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
On What Matters May I Vote?
You may vote on the election of four (4) Class I directors and one (1) Class III director to
our board of directors and the ratification of Ernst and Young LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.
How Do I Vote?
Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, we urge you
to submit your voting instructions to the proxy holders as soon as possible by completing,
signing, dating, and promptly returning the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed prepaid
envelope provided or by voting by telephone or Internet as described below. If you complete and
properly sign the accompanying proxy card and return it in the enclosed prepaid envelope, your
shares will be voted as you direct. If you return your signed proxy card but do not mark the
boxes showing how you wish to vote, your shares will be voted FOR the proposals. You have the
right to revoke your proxy at any time before the meeting by:
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notifying our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, Susan
A. Brownie, at 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, TN 37203; |
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voting in person; or |
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submitting a later-dated proxy card. |
Can I Vote by Telephone or the Internet?
Yes, if you are a registered shareholder you may vote by telephone or Internet by following the
instructions included with your proxy card. The deadline for shareholders of record to submit
voting instructions by telephone or Internet is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time on May
23, 2007.
If your shares are held by your broker, often referred to as in street name, you may submit
voting instructions by telephone or electronically through the Internet as instructed on your
proxy card. The deadline for street name holders to submit voting instructions by telephone
or the Internet is 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, on May 23, 2007.
2
How Will Voting on Any Other Business be Conducted?
We do not know of any business to be considered at the 2007 annual meeting other than the
election of four (4) Class I directors and one (1) Class III director to our board of directors
and the ratification of Ernst and Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting
firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007. If any other business is presented at the
annual meeting, your signed proxy card gives authority to Robert A. Frist, Jr., our Chief
Executive Officer, and Susan A. Brownie, our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary, or either of them, to vote on such matters at their discretion.
What is a Quorum?
A quorum is a majority of the outstanding shares. They may be present at the meeting or
represented by proxy. There must be a quorum for business to be conducted at the meeting.
Proxies received but marked as abstentions and broker non-votes will be included in the
calculation of the number of shares considered to be present at the meeting.
What Vote is Required to Approve Each Item?
Each of the director nominees must receive affirmative votes from a plurality of the shares
voting to be elected.
The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007 must receive
affirmative votes from a majority of the shares voting to be elected.
What if I Abstain from Voting?
If you attend the meeting or send in your signed proxy card but abstain from voting on the
proposal, you will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists. If you
abstain from voting on the election of directors or the ratification of the independent
registered public accounting firm, your abstention will have no effect on the outcome.
How do I Vote My Shares if They are Held in the Name Of My Broker (Street Name)?
If your shares are held by your broker, often referred to as in street name, you will receive
a form from your broker seeking instruction as to how your shares should be voted. The Nasdaq
National Market rules provide that brokers and nominees may not exercise their voting
discretion on certain non-routine matters without receiving instructions from the beneficial
owner of the shares. Therefore, if you do not issue instructions to your broker, your broker is
not allowed to exercise his or her voting discretion on certain non-routine matters and will
return a proxy card with no vote (the non-vote) on the non-routine matter. In cases of a
broker non-vote, the vote is treated as a vote against the related matter. For the remainder
of issues, including election of directors and ratification of the independent registered
public accounting firm, your broker will vote your shares at his or her discretion on your
behalf.
3
What is the Effect of a Broker Non-Vote?
A broker non-vote is treated as a vote against certain non-routine matters. Because directors
are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by shareholders represented and entitled to vote
at the Annual Meeting, non-votes are not considered in the election and because the
independent registered public accounting firm is ratified by a majority of the votes cast by
shareholders represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, non-votes are not
considered in the ratification.
Who Will Count the Votes?
A representative of our transfer agent, ComputerShare, Atlanta, will count the votes and act as
inspector of elections.
Where Can I Find the Voting Results?
We will announce the voting results at the Annual Meeting. We also will report the voting
results in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal year 2007, which
we expect to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, in August 2007.
When are Shareholder Proposals Due in Order to be Included in Our Proxy Statement
for the 2008 Annual Meeting?
Any shareholder proposals to be considered for inclusion in next years proxy statement must be
submitted in writing to Secretary, HealthStream, Inc., 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450,
Nashville, Tennessee 37203, prior to the close of business on January 1, 2008.
When are Other Shareholder Proposals Due?
Our Bylaws contain an advance notice provision that requires that a shareholders notice of a
proposal to be brought before an annual meeting must be timely. In order to be timely, the
notice must be addressed to our Secretary and delivered or mailed and received at our principal
executive offices not less than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date this notice
of annual meeting was provided to shareholders.
How Can I Obtain Additional Information About the Company?
We will provide a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006,
excluding certain of its exhibits, without charge to any shareholder who makes a written
request to Investor Relations Department, HealthStream, Inc., 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450,
Nashville, Tennessee 37203 or an oral request by calling (615) 301-3237. The Companys Annual
Report on Form 10-K and various other filings also may be accessed on the World Wide Web at
www.healthstream.com or www.sec.gov. A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2006, excluding certain of its exhibits, is being mailed with this proxy
statement.
4
Can I Communicate Directly with Members of the Companys Board of Directors?
Yes, shareholders may communicate with any of the Companys directors by writing to them c/o
HealthStream, Inc., 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. Shareholders
may also communicate with our directors by sending an email to
boardofdirectors@healthstream.com. Shareholders may communicate with the chair of any
board committee by sending an email to auditchair@healthstream.com (Audit Committee),
nomgovchair@healthstream.com (Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee) or
compchair@healthstream.com (Compensation Committee), or with our outside directors as a
group by sending an email to outsidedirectors@healthstream.com. Our Compliance
Officer, Arthur Newman, reviews all such correspondence and regularly forwards to the Board a
summary of all such correspondence and copies of all correspondence that, in the opinion of the
Compliance Officer, deals with the functions of the Board or committees thereof or that he
otherwise determines requires their attention. Concerns relating to accounting, financial
reporting, internal controls or auditing matters are immediately brought to the attention of
the Companys Audit Committee and handled in accordance with procedures established by the
Audit Committee.
Who Should I Contact if I Have Questions?
If you have any questions about the Annual Meeting or these proxy materials, please contact
Susan A. Brownie, our Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary, or Mollie Condra, our
Senior Director of Communications, Research and Investor Relations, at 209 10th Avenue South,
Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, (615) 301-3100. If you are a registered stock holder and
have any questions about your ownership of our common stock, please contact our transfer agent,
ComputerShare, at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021 and
(800) 568-3476. If your
shares are held in a brokerage account, please contact your broker.
5
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
You can access our corporate charter, Bylaws, Corporate Governance Principles, current
committee charters, Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics for Executive Officers and Directors and other
corporate governance-related information on our website, www.healthstream.com (under the
Governance section of the Investor page), or by addressing a written request to HealthStream,
Inc., Attention: Secretary, 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee
37203.
We believe that effective corporate governance is important to our long-term health and our
ability to create value for our shareholders. With leadership from our Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee, our Board of Directors regularly evaluates regulatory developments and trends
in corporate governance to determine whether our policies and practices in this area should be
enhanced. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also administers an annual skills
assessment process as well as an annual self and peer evaluation process for the Board. In
addition, our directors are encouraged to attend director education programs.
Board of Directors Meetings and Committees
Our business is managed under the direction of our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors
is responsible for establishing our corporate policies and strategic objectives, reviewing our
overall performance and overseeing managements performance. The Board of Directors delegates the
conduct of the business to our senior management team. Directors have regular access to senior
management. They may also seek independent, outside advice. The Board of Directors considers all
major decisions. The Board of Directors holds regular quarterly meetings, an annual strategic
planning meeting, and meets on other occasions when required by special circumstances. The Board
operates pursuant to our Corporate Governance Principles, a copy of which may be accessed in the
governance section of our website at www.healthstream.com.
The Board currently consists of ten members, a portion of which are standing for election or
re-election and are identified, along with their biographical information, under Proposal I
Election of Directors. During 2006, our Board of Directors held six meetings, the Audit Committee
held five meetings, the Compensation Committee held two meetings and the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee held four meetings. As a group, the Board members attended 97% of their
Board and committee meetings. Mr. Polley attended 67% of the Board and committee meetings since
joining the Board and Audit Committee in September 2006. Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Robert A. Frist, Jr., as well as Frank Gordon, Ronald Hinds, Jeffrey L. McLaren, Linda Rebrovick,
Michael Shmerling and William Stead attended last years annual shareholder meeting. Our Board of
Directors has adopted a policy strongly encouraging all of our directors to attend the annual
meeting of shareholders.
Each of our directors also devotes his or her time and attention to the Board of Directors
principal standing committees. The Board of Directors has established three standing committees so
that certain areas can be addressed in more depth than may be possible at a full board meeting. Ad
hoc task forces are also formed to consider acquisitions or other strategic issues. Each standing
committee has a written charter that has been approved by the committee and the Board and that is
reviewed at least annually. The committees, their primary functions and memberships are as follows:
Audit Committee. The Audit Committees primary duties and responsibilities are
oversight of the integrity of HealthStreams financial reporting process; oversight of our system
of internal controls regarding finance, accounting and legal compliance; selecting and evaluating
the qualification, independence and performance of our independent registered accounting firm;
6
monitoring compliance with the Companys Code of Ethics for Executive Officers and Directors
and Code of Conduct; monitoring the reporting hotline; and providing an avenue of communication
among the independent registered accounting firm, management and the Board of Directors.
The Audit Committee operates pursuant to the terms of a Restated Audit Committee Charter, a
copy of which is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A and may be accessed in the
governance section of our website at www.healthstream.com. During 2006, the members of the
Audit Committee were Messrs. Hinds, Gordon, and McLaren. In addition, Mr. Hayden and Mr. Polley
joined the audit committee in September 2006. Mr. Gordon was excused from the Committee after the
October meeting. Mr. Hinds served as the Chairman of our Audit Committee until March 2007, at which
time Mr. Polley assumed the role of Chairman. Mr. Hinds resigned from the Board and his Committee
responsibilities effective April 2, 2007. Each of our audit committee members is independent
within the meaning of the listing standards of Nasdaq and Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange
Act. See Audit Committee Report for 2006.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the responsibility
for reviewing and approving the salaries, bonuses, and other compensation and benefits of
our executive officers; evaluating the performance of the CEO; establishing and reviewing
board compensation; reviewing and advising management regarding benefits and other terms
and conditions of compensation of management; reviewing the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis section of this Proxy statement; issuing the Compensation Committee report
included in this Proxy statement; and administering the Companys 2000 Stock Incentive
Plan (the 2000 Stock Plan). The Compensation Committee operates pursuant to the terms
of a Compensation Committee Charter, a copy of which may be accessed in the governance
section of our website at www.healthstream.com. Members of the Compensation
Committee during 2006 included Thompson S. Dent, Frank Gordon and Michael Shmerling, each
of whom is independent within the meaning of the listing standards of Nasdaq. Mr.
Shmerling joined the Compensation Committee after the February board meeting. See
Compensation Committee Report for 2006.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee provides assistance to the Board of Directors in identifying and recommending
individuals qualified to serve as directors of the Company, reviews the composition of the Board of
Directors, reviews and recommends corporate governance policies for the Company and annually
evaluates the skills and performance of the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee operates pursuant to the terms of a Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee Charter, a copy of which may be accessed in the governance section of our
website at www.healthstream.com. Members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee during 2006 included Linda Rebrovick, James F. Daniell and William W. Stead, each of whom
is independent within the meaning of the listing standards of Nasdaq.
Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer proposes the agenda for the board meetings and
presents the agenda to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which reviews the agenda
with our Chairman and may raise other matters to be included in the agenda or at the meetings. All
directors receive the agenda and supporting information in advance of the meetings. Directors may
raise other matters to be included in the agenda or at the meetings. Our Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer and other members of senior management make presentations to the board at the
meetings and a substantial portion of the meeting time is devoted to the Board of Directors
discussion of and questions regarding these presentations.
7
Executive Sessions
The independent directors meet in executive session (i.e. with no members of management
present) periodically, in at least two regularly scheduled meetings each year. The Chair of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has been designated by the independent directors to
preside at these meetings. During 2006, the independent directors met in executive session twice.
Independent Directors
The Board of Directors has determined that James F. Daniell, Thompson S. Dent, Frank Gordon,
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr., Ronald Hinds, Jeffrey L. McLaren, Dale Polley, Linda Rebrovick, Michael
Shmerling, and William W. Stead do not have any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board,
would interfere with the exercise of the Board members independent judgment in carrying out the
responsibilities of a director and none of such directors has any relationship with the Company
which would cause him or her to fail to meet the definition of independent under the listing
standards of Nasdaq. All members of the standing committees of the Board of Directors are
considered independent consistent with these rules.
Independence, Financial Literacy and Designation of Financial Experts
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Audit
Committee are financially literate under the current listing standards of Nasdaq. The Board also
determined that Ronald Hinds, Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. and Dale Polley qualify as Audit Committee
Financial Experts as defined by the regulations of the SEC adopted pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002 and that Messrs. Hayden, Hinds and Polley are independent as that term is used in
item 7(d)(3)(iv) of Schedule 14A of the Securities Exchange Act. Mr. Hinds resigned from the Board
and his Committee responsibilities effective April 2, 2007.
Skills Assessment and Board Evaluation Process
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for assessing the Boards
skills, evaluating director performance and providing feedback to directors for performance
improvement. Further, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee annually assesses the
skills required of the board to support appropriate governance and corporate oversight. In
connection with these responsibilities, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee annually
conducts a board skills assessment as well as self and peer evaluations for the full board. The
board evaluation process includes self and peer reviews, suggestions for individual improvement,
year to year comparison and trend analysis for both individual board members and the board on a
composite basis. The Board annually reviews the results to improve effectiveness of the board as a
whole. The skills assessment and board evaluation processes are used to determine skill
requirements for new board member nominations, assessing committee assignments, reviewing the
qualifications of incumbent directors to determine whether to recommend them to the Board of
Directors as nominees for reelection and to support improvement of the effectiveness of the Board.
8
Nominating Committee Process
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying qualified
individuals to serve as members of the companys Board of Directors as well as reviewing the
qualifications and performance of incumbent directors to determine whether to recommend them to the
Board of Directors as nominees for reelection. In identifying candidates for membership on the
Board of Directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall take into account all
factors it considers appropriate, which may include (a) ensuring that the Board of Directors, as a
whole, is diverse and consists of individuals with various and relevant career experience, relevant
technical skills, industry knowledge and experience, financial expertise (including expertise that
could qualify a director as an audit committee financial expert, as that term is defined by the
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission), and local or community ties and (b) minimum
individual qualifications, including strength of character, mature judgment, time availability,
familiarity with the Companys business and industry, independence of thought and an ability to
work collegially. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also may consider the extent
to which the candidate would fill a present need on the Board of Directors. With respect to new
candidates for Board service, a full evaluation generally also includes a detailed background
check.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider nominees for the Board of
Directors recommended by shareholders. Shareholders may propose nominees for consideration by the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee by submitting the names and supporting information
to: Secretary, HealthStream, Inc., 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville,
Tennessee 37203. Shareholder recommendations for nominees must include certain biographical and
other information, which may be found in the Companys Amended and Restated Bylaws, and the
proposed nominees written consent to nomination. The recommendations must be delivered or mailed
and received at our principal executive offices not less than 120 days prior to the first
anniversary of the date this notice of annual meeting was provided to shareholders (January 1,
2008).
Limitations on Other Board Service
Our Code of Conduct and Governance Principles provide that a member of the board may not serve
on more than two other public company boards without Board approval. Otherwise, we do not believe
that our directors should be categorically prohibited from serving on boards and/or board
committees of other organizations. Service on boards and/or committees of other organizations must
also be consistent with our conflict of interest policy, as set forth in our Code of Conduct and
Code of Ethics for Executive Officers and Directors, which, among other things, require a director
to provide notice to the Board of his or her acceptance of a nomination to serve on the board of
another public company.
Communication with the Board of Directors
Shareholders may communicate with any of the Companys directors by writing to them c/o
HealthStream, Inc., 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203.
Shareholders may also communicate with our directors by sending an email to
boardofdirectors@healthstream.com. Shareholders may communicate with the chair of any board
committee by sending an email to auditchair@healthstream.com (Audit Committee),
nomgovchair@healthstream.com (Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee) or
compchair@healthstream.com (Compensation Committee), or with our outside directors as a
group by sending an email to outsidedirectors@healthstream.com. Our Compliance Officer,
Arthur Newman, reviews all such
9
correspondence and regularly forwards to the Board a summary of all such correspondence and
copies of all correspondence that, in the opinion of the Compliance Officer, deals with the
functions of the Board or committees thereof or that he otherwise determines requires their
attention. Concerns relating to accounting, financial reporting, internal controls or auditing
matters are immediately brought to the attention of the Companys Audit Committee and handled in
accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Since the beginning of the last fiscal year, we are aware of no related party transactions
between us and any of our directors, executive officers, 5% shareholders or their family members
which may require disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
Pursuant to its written charter, the Audit Committee reviews and approves all related-party
transactions involving our directors, executive officers, immediate family members, or other
entities in which any of the foregoing persons are employed (Related Party). In connection with
this review and approval, the Committee reviews the relevant information and facts available to it
regarding any transactions being considered or reviewed and takes into account factors such as the
Related Partys relationship to the Company and interest (direct or indirect) in the transaction,
the terms of the transaction and the benefits to the Company of the transaction.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The members of the Compensation Committee are responsible for determining executive
compensation and stock option grants to executive officers. During 2006, the following directors
served on the Compensation Committee: Thompson S. Dent, Frank Gordon and Michael Shmerling. Mr.
Shmerling was named to the committee during the board meeting in February 2006, thus did not attend
his first meeting until August. None of these persons has at any time been an officer or employee
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. In addition, there are no relationships among the
Companys executive officers, members of the Compensation Committee or entities whose executive
serves on the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee that require disclosure under
applicable SEC regulations.
Code of Conduct
The Company has established a Code of Conduct that applies to all directors and employees of
HealthStream, Inc. The purpose of the Code of Conduct is, among other things, to provide written
standards for our directors and employees that are reasonably designed to support high standards of
business and personal ethics in the discharge of their duties. A copy of the Code of Conduct may
be accessed in the governance section of our website at www.healthstream.com.
Code of Ethics for Executive Officers and Directors
The Company has established a Code of Ethics that applies to all executive officers and
directors of HealthStream, Inc, including our principal executive officer, principal financial
officer, and principal accounting officer. The purpose of the Code of Ethics is, among other
things, to provide written standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to
promote: honest and ethical conduct, including ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of
interest; full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents
filed with the SEC and other public communications by the Company; compliance with applicable
governmental laws, rules
10
and regulations; prompt internal reporting of violations of the code; and accountability for
adherence to the code. A copy of the Code of Ethics, as well as any amendments to or waivers from
the Code of Ethics, may be accessed in the governance section of our website at
www.healthstream.com.
Mandatory Holding Periods
During the first quarter of 2007, the Board amended our director stock option agreement to
make all future stock option grants to members of the Board subject to a mandatory one year holding
period after option exercise.
Succession Planning
Annually, during an executive session of our directors, our Board reviews the Companys
succession plan. In preparation for this session, the chairman of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee reviews with our Chairman and CEO the Companys succession plan.
Board Member Orientation
Upon nomination by the Board of a new board member, management and the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee conduct an orientation session with the new board member. During
this session, the board member is provided with an overview of the Companys operations, its
organizational structure, its products and services, managements risk assessment, corporate
governance documents and guidelines, compliance and reporting requirements, as well as our annual
board calendar. Orientation is further customized to address anticipated committee assignments or
specific requests of our board members.
Strategic Planning
The Board of Directors and executive team meet annually to review the Companys strategic
plan. During this session, discussions include a high level review of the Companys mission and
vision as well as the Companys strategic plan for the next three to five years.
11
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT FOR 2006
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised of three directors who are
independent directors as defined under Nasdaq Rule 4200(a)(15). The members of the Audit
Committee are considered independent because they satisfy the independence requirements for Board
members prescribed by the Nasdaq listing standards and Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act.
During 2006, the members of the Audit Committee were Messrs. Hinds, Gordon, and McLaren. In
addition, Mr. Hayden and Mr. Polley joined the audit committee in September 2006. Mr. Gordon was
excused from the Committee after the October meeting. Mr. Hinds served as the Chairman of our
Audit Committee until March 2007, at which time Mr. Polley assumed the role of Chairman. Mr.
Hinds resigned from the Board and his Committee responsibilities effective April 2, 2007.
In accordance with its written charter, the Audit Committee is charged with oversight of the
integrity of HealthStreams financial reporting process; our system of internal controls regarding
finance, accounting and legal compliance; and the qualification, independence and performance of
our independent registered accounting firm. Management has the primary responsibility for the
financial statements and the reporting process including the systems of internal controls. Among
other things, the Committee monitors preparation by our management of quarterly and annual
financial reports and interim earnings releases; reviews Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations prior to the filing of our periodic reports with the
SEC; supervises our relationship with our independent registered public accounting firm, including
making decisions with respect to appointment or removal, reviewing the scope of audit services,
approving audit and non-audit services and annually evaluating the audit firms independence; and
oversees managements implementation and maintenance of effective systems of internal accounting
and disclosure controls, including review of our policies relating to legal and regulatory
compliance. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed the
audited financial statements in the Annual Report with management including a discussion of the
quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of
significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.
The Audit Committee reviewed with the independent auditors, who are responsible for
expressing an opinion on the conformity of our audited financial statements with generally
accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of
the Companys accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with
the committee by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended by Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 90 (Communications with Audit Committees). In addition, the Audit Committee has
discussed with the independent auditors the auditors independence from management and the
Company, including matters in the written disclosures required by Independence Standards Board
Standard No. 1, and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the auditors
independence.
The Audit Committee discussed with the Companys independent auditors the overall scope and
plans for their audit. The Audit Committee meets with the independent auditors, with and without
management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their understanding of the
Companys internal controls, and the overall quality of the Companys financial reporting.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended
to the Board of Directors (and the Board approved) that the audited financial statements be
included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 for filing with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
12
The Audit Committee is governed by a restated charter (please see Appendix A). The Audit
Committee held five meetings during fiscal year 2006.
Dale Polley, Audit Committee Chairman
Ronald Hinds, Audit Committee Chairman (through March 2007)
Frank Gordon, Audit Committee Member (through October 2006)
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. Audit Committee Member
Jeffrey L. McLaren, Audit Committee Member
The foregoing report of the Audit Committee shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any
general statement incorporating by reference the Proxy Statement into any filing under the
Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company
specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed
under such acts.
ITEM ONE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors is divided into three classes (Class I, Class II and Class III). At
each annual meeting of shareholders, directors constituting one class are elected for a three-year
term. Directors who were elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy in a class whose term
expires in a later year are elected for a term equal to the remaining term for their respective
class. The Fourth Amended and Restated Charter of the Company provides that each class shall
consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting
the entire Board of Directors. The current Board of Directors is comprised of ten members. Four
members of the Board of Directors will be elected as Class I directors and one member will be
elected as a Class III director at the Annual Meeting.
The Board of Directors has nominated and recommends to the shareholders, James F. Daniell,
Thompson S. Dent, Dale Polley, and William W. Stead for election as Class I directors to serve
until the annual meeting of shareholders in 2010 and until such time as their respective successors
are duly elected and qualified. The Board of Directors has nominated and recommends to the
shareholders, Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. as a Class III director to serve until the annual meeting of
shareholders in 2009 and until such time as his respective successor is duly elected and qualified.
Messrs. Daniell, Dent, and Stead are currently Class I directors of the Company having been
previously elected by the shareholders. Mr. Polley is currently a Class I director having been
previously designated by the Board of Directors to fill a vacant seat. Mr. Hayden is currently a
Class III director of the Company having been previously designated by the Board of Directors to
fill a vacant board seat.
If any of the nominees should become unable to accept election, the persons named in the proxy
may vote for such other person or persons as may be designated by the Board of Directors.
Management has no reason to believe that any of the nominees named above will be unable to serve.
Certain information with respect to directors who are nominees for election at the Annual Meeting
and with respect to continuing directors who are not nominees for election at the Annual Meeting is
set forth on the following pages.
13
The directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the election by the holders
of the common stock represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
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Director |
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Principal Occupation/Directorships |
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Since |
Director Nominees: |
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Class I Directors
(Terms Expire 2010) |
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James F. Daniell, M.D.
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63 |
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Dr. Daniell has
maintained a private
medical practice at
Centennial Medical
Center in Nashville
since 1984. A founding
member of the Society
for Reproductive
Surgeons, he served as
past president of the
International Society of
Gynecologic Endoscopy
and the Nashville OB/GYN
Society. Dr. Daniell is
also a director of Safer
Sleep LLC, a health care
and technology company.
Dr. Daniell holds a
Bachelor of Science from
David Lipscomb
University and an M.D.
from the University of
Tennessee.
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1995 |
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Thompson S. Dent
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57 |
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Mr. Dent has served as
president and chief
executive officer of
MedTel International
Corporation, an
international diagnostic
imaging company based in
Nashville, TN, since
June 2004. Mr. Dent is a
co-founder of PhyCor,
Inc., a physician
practice and IPA
management company. Mr.
Dent served as chairman
of the board and chief
executive officer from
June 2000 to February
2002 at which time he
transitioned out of the
company and continued as
its chairman until
August 2002. Mr. Dent
holds a Masters in
Healthcare
Administration from The
George Washington
University and a
Bachelors degree in
Business from
Mississippi State
University. On January
31, 2002, PhyCor and
certain of its
subsidiaries filed a
voluntary petition for
reorganization relief
under Chapter 11 of the
Bankruptcy Code. The
Chapter 11
reorganization plan
captioned In re PhyCor,
Inc., et. al., Case No.
02-40278 (PcB) in the
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
for the Southern
District of New York,
was confirmed on July
31, 2002.
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1995 |
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Dale Polley
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57 |
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Mr. Polley retired as a
vice chairman and member
of the board of
directors of First
American Corporation and
First American National
Bank in 2000. In the
nine years preceding
these positions, Mr.
Polley served in various
executive management
positions at First
American, which included
serving as its president
from 1997 to 1999. Mr.
Polley serves on the
board of directors of
OCharleys Inc. and
Pinnacle Financial
Partners, Inc., both
public companies
headquartered in
Nashville, Tennessee,
as well as several
non-profit
organizations . Mr.
Polley served as a
director for the Federal
Reserve Bank of Atlanta,
Nashville branch, from
1995 to 2001. Mr. Polley
earned a Bachelor of
Business Administration
in accounting from
Memphis State
University.
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Principal Occupation/Directorships |
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Since |
William W. Stead,
M.D.
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58 |
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Dr. Stead has served as associate
vice chancellor for
health affairs and chief
information officer of Vanderbilt
University Medical Center since
1991. In 2007, he added responsibility for strategy and
transformation at the medical center. He is a founding fellow
of the American College of
Medical Informatics and the
American Institute for
Engineering in Biology and
Medicine and a member of the
Institute of Medicine of the
National Academy of Sciences and
Computer Science and
Telecommunication Board of the
National Research Council. He
served as a presidential
appointee to the Systemic
Interoperability Commission. He
is past Chairman, Board of
Regents, National Library of
Medicine, and Past President of the
American College of Medical
Informatics. Dr. Stead earned a
Bachelor of Arts in chemistry and
an M.D. from Duke University.
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1998 |
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Class III Director
(Term Expires 2009) |
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Gerard M. Hayden,
Jr.
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52 |
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Mr. Hayden joined MedAvant, an
information technology company,
as Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer in April 2007. From
January 2005 through April 2007,
Mr. Hayden acted as a consultant
for various healthcare,
technology and other business
ventures. From November 2001
until January 2005, Mr. Hayden
served as Chief Financial Officer
for Private Business, Inc., a
public company offering
technology-based products and
services for financial
institutions. Mr. Hayden serves
on the board of directors of
Sy.Med Development, Inc. and Home
Health Laboratory of America,
Inc., both private companies. Mr.
Hayden earned a Bachelor of Arts
in government and international
studies from the University of
Notre Dame and holds a Masters of
Science in accounting from
Northeastern University.
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2006 |
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Since |
Continuing
Directors: |
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Class II Directors
(Terms Expire 2008) |
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Jeffrey L. McLaren
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40 |
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Jeffrey L. McLaren is chief
executive officer of Safer Sleep
LLC, a health care and technology
company. Mr. McLaren has also
served as chief executive officer
of Southern Genesis Inc., a
management consulting company
since October 2002. Mr. McLaren
is one of our co-founders, served
as our president from 1990
through November 2000 and as our
chief product officer from 1999
through November 2000. Mr.
McLaren graduated from Trinity
University with a Bachelor of
Arts in both business and
philosophy.
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1990 |
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Linda Rebrovick
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51 |
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Ms. Rebrovick is the vice
president of healthcare and
higher education services sales for
Dell Inc. She previously served
as vice president of health care
sales for Dell Inc. from May 2005
to December 2006. Prior to
joining Dell, Ms. Rebrovick was
executive vice president and
chief marketing officer of
BearingPoint, Inc., formerly KPMG
Consulting, Inc. from January
2001 to May 2005. Ms. Rebrovick
was an executive vice president
of KPMG Consultings Health Care
Consulting division from February
2000 to January 2001. Ms.
Rebrovick was a national managing
partner of KPMG LLPs Health Care
Consulting division, served on
its board of directors and was
the chair of its board process
and evaluation committee from
1997 to 2000. Ms. Rebrovick
received a Bachelor of Science in
marketing from Auburn University.
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2001 |
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Michael Shmerling
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51 |
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Mr. Shmerling is Chairman of the
Choice Food Group, a manufacturer
and distributor of food products
throughout the United States.
Mr. Shmerling has also served as
a senior advisor to Krolls
Background Screening Group, a
Marsh & McLennan Company since
August 2005. From August 2004
through August 2005, Mr.
Shmerling served as Chairman of
Krolls Background Screening
Group. From May 2001 until July
2004, Mr. Shmerling served as
Executive Vice President of
Kroll, Inc. as well as serving on
Krolls Board of Directors. Mr.
Shmerling was a co-founder of
Background America Inc.(BAI) in
1995, which was sold to The
Kroll-OGara Company in June
1999. Mr. Shmerling serves on
the board of directors of Capital
Bank & Trust Co., a financial
institution, as well as several
non-profit organizations. Prior
to founding BAI, Mr. Shmerling
spent over 16 years in public
accounting and the privatized
criminal justice industry. Mr.
Shmerling received a Bachelor of
Accountancy from the University
of Oklahoma.
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2005 |
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Director |
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Age |
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Principal Occupation/Directorships |
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Since |
Continuing
Directors: |
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Class III Directors
(Terms Expire 2009) |
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Robert A. Frist, Jr.
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40 |
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Robert A. Frist, Jr., one of our
co-founders, has served as our
chief executive officer and
chairman of the board of
directors since 1990. Mr. Frist
graduated with a Bachelor of
Science in business with
concentrations in finance,
economics and marketing from
Trinity University.
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1990 |
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Frank Gordon
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44 |
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Mr. Gordon is managing partner of
Crofton Capital LLP, a private
equity fund. From 1998 through
2004, Mr. Gordon served as vice
president of development and
managed care of MediSphere Health
Partners, Inc., a health care
services company. Mr. Gordon
serves on the board of directors
of Sy.Med Development, Inc. a
healthcare provider credentialing
application and data management
company. Mr. Gordon earned a
Bachelor of Science from the
University of Texas in Austin and
a Masters in Business
Administration from Georgia State
University.
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2002 |
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES.
17
ITEM TWO RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007. Services provided to the Company and
its subsidiaries by Ernst & Young LLP in fiscal 2006 are described below under Audit and Non-Audit
Fees.
Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have
the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and we expect that they will be
available to respond to questions.
Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP requires the affirmative vote from a
majority of the votes cast by the holders of the shares of common stock voting in person or by
proxy at the Annual Meeting. If the Companys shareholders do not ratify the appointment of Ernst
& Young LLP, the Audit Committee will reconsider the appointment and may affirm the appointment or
retain another independent accounting firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit
Committee may in the future replace Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public
accounting firm if it is determined that it is in the Companys best interest to do so.
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM OF THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2007.
Audit and Non-Audit Fees
Audit Fees. Fees for audit services totaled $182,750 and $170,000 in 2006 and 2005,
respectively, including fees associated with the audit of our annual financial statements and the
reviews of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
Audit-Related Fees. Fees for audit-related services during 2006 and 2005 totaled $166,400 and
$143,347, respectively. Audit-related services principally include acquisition audit services
associated with TJO in 2006 and DMR in 2005, consultation related to accounting and disclosure of
transactions, and the annual audit of the Companys employee benefit plans.
Tax Fees. Fees for tax services totaled $55,740 and $39,210 during 2006 and 2005,
respectively. The tax fees relate to federal and state tax compliance matters, including the
utilization of our net operating losses as well as tax advice and planning.
All Other Fees. There were no other fees paid during 2006 and 2005 that were not included in
the captions above.
All fees paid to Ernst
& Young LLP were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to Regulation S-X, Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i).
18
Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Fees
The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services provided by our independent
registered public auditing firm. In 2006 and 2005, the Audit Committee approved all audit and
non-audit fees disclosed above. The Audit Committees pre-approval policy provides for
pre-approval by the Audit Committee of specifically defined audit and non-audit services. Unless
the specific service has been previously pre-approved with respect to that year, the Audit
Committee must approve the permitted service before the independent registered public accounting
firm is engaged to perform it. The Audit Committee has delegated the Chairman of the Audit
Committee authority to approve permitted services provided that the Chairman reports any decisions
to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Overview of Compensation Process. The Compensation Committee of the Companys Board
of Directors (the Committee) is comprised solely of non-employee, outside, independent directors.
Mr. Dent and Mr. Gordon have each served as members of the Committee since the beginning of the
Companys last fiscal year, with Mr. Dent serving as the
Committees chair. Mr. Shmerling joined
the Committee after the February 2006 board meeting.
The Committee is responsible for setting the compensation of the Companys executive officers,
overseeing the Boards evaluation of the performance of our chief executive officer and
administering the Companys equity-based and incentive plans, among other things. The Committee
undertakes these responsibilities pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Committee which is
reviewed at least annually by the Committee. The Compensation Committee Charter may be accessed on
our website in the governance section of our investor tab at www.healthstream.com.
The Committee annually reviews executive compensation and the Companys compensation policies
to ensure that the Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officers are rewarded
appropriately for their contributions to the Company and that the overall compensation strategy
supports the objectives and values of our organization, as well as shareholder interests.
The Committee also solicits the views and recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer when
setting the base salaries of each member of the executive team, given his insight into internal pay
equity and positioning issues, as well as executive performance. At a Committee meeting typically
held during the first quarter of each year, the Chief Executive Officer summarizes his assessment
of the performance during the previous year of each member of the executive team, including his
recommendations on any compensation adjustments for members of the executive team. Following the
Chief Executive Officers presentation and Committee discussion, the Committee discusses and
approves any compensation adjustments for each member of the executive team, based on competitive
considerations, the Chief Executive Officers assessment of individual performance, the Companys
performance and the executives current salary.
The process is similar for determining the compensation adjustments for the Chief Executive
Officer, except that the Chief Executive Officer does not provide the Committee with a
recommendation. The Chief Executive Officer presents a self-assessment of his performance during
the year to the Committee, which then meets to discuss and approve any compensation adjustment,
based on its assessment of the Chief Executive Officers performance, the Companys performance
19
and the Chief Executive Officers current salary. Historically, Mr. Frist has elected to
receive annual cash compensation at levels below the average base compensation levels of chief
executive officers at comparable companies and below those recommended by the Committee.
Compensation Philosophy. The fundamental objective of our executive compensation
policies is to attract and maintain executive leadership to the Company that will execute our
business strategy, uphold our Company mission, vision and values and deliver results and long-term
value to our shareholders. Accordingly, the Committee seeks to develop and maintain a compensation
structure that will attract, retain and motivate highly qualified and high-performing executives
through compensation that is fair, balanced, aligned with shareholder interests, and linked to
overall financial performance.
It is the Committees goal to have a portion of each executives compensation contingent upon
the Companys financial performance, provided a reasonable return is achieved consistent with
growth in earnings or similar financial metrics, as well as providing equity-based compensation
that balances sustained long-term performance. The Committees compensation philosophy for the
executive team emphasizes an overall analysis of the executives performance for the year,
projected role and responsibilities, required impact on execution of the Companys strategy,
external pay practices, total cash and equity compensation and other factors the Committee deems
appropriate. Our philosophy also considers employee retention, vulnerability to recruitment by
other companies and the difficulty and costs associated with replacing executive talent. Based on
these objectives, the Committee has determined that our Company should provide its executives
compensation packages comprised of three primary elements: (i) base salary, which reflects
individual performance and is designed primarily to be competitive within the Companys market;
(ii) annual cash bonuses based on the financial performance of the Company, in accordance with the
goals established by the Committee; and (iii) long-term stock-based incentive awards which
strengthen the mutuality of interest between executive officers and our shareholders.
The specific analysis regarding the components of total executive compensation for 2006 are
described below. The primary components of the 2006 program were cash compensation, consisting of
a mix of base salary and cash incentive plan compensation, and equity incentives, consisting of
stock options.
20
Base Salary. We seek to provide base salaries for our executive officers that provide
a secure level of guaranteed cash compensation in accordance with their experience, professional
status and job responsibilities. Each year the Committee reviews and approves a revised annual
salary plan for executive officers, taking into account several factors, including prior year
salary, responsibilities, tenure, performance, salaries paid by similar companies for comparable
positions, and the Companys recent financial performance. Taking these factors into account, the
Committee approved base salaries for Named Executive Officers in the following amounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 Base |
|
2005 Base |
|
Percentage |
Name and Title |
|
Salary(1) |
|
Salary(1) |
|
Increase |
Robert A Frist, Jr., President and Chief
Executive Officer (2) |
|
$ |
185,000 |
|
|
$ |
150,000 |
|
|
|
23.33 |
% |
Arthur E. Newman, Executive Vice
President (3) |
|
|
185,000 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
5.71 |
% |
Susan A. Brownie, Senior Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer,
and Secretary (3) |
|
|
170,000 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
13.33 |
% |
J. Edward Pearson, Senior Vice
President (4) |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
(1) |
|
Effective February 1 of each year. |
|
|
(2) |
|
Mr. Frists salary was adjusted to bring his salary in line with other members of the
executive team and to reflect compensation more in line with a comparable position in
comparable companies. |
|
|
(3) |
|
Effective March 30, 2006, Mr. Newman was promoted to Executive Vice President and Mrs.
Brownie was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. |
|
|
(4) |
|
Mr. Pearson joined the Company in June 2006. |
Cash Bonus Compensation. In addition to base salary, our cash bonus plan
compensation provides our executive officers with the potential for enhanced cash compensation
based on the financial performance of the Company. For the 2006 Cash Bonus Plan, the Committee
established performance objectives that would reward senior management for significant growth in
earnings and cash flows as measured by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization
and other non-cash items (EBITDA). The Committee chose EBITDA as a measure because it believed
that there is a strong relationship between the Companys operational and cash flow improvement, as
measured by EBITDA, and growth in shareholder value. The plan was structured to provide
incremental increases in bonus (as a percentage of base salary) starting from a baseline level of
EBITDA increasing over baseline performance levels up to a maximum of twenty-five percent of base
salary. Based on our EBITDA of $5.5 million for 2006, the following cash bonus compensation was
awarded to our Named Executive Officers in March 2007: Robert A. Frist, Jr. ($15,725); Arthur E.
Newman ($15,725); Susan A. Brownie ($14,450); and J. Edward Pearson ($9,208).
Long-Term Stock-Based Incentive Compensation. As described above, one of our key
compensation philosophies is that long-term stock-based incentive compensation should strengthen
and align the interests of our executive officers with our shareholders. The Committee believes
that the strategy of time-based vesting is in the best interest of shareholders.
Equity incentive awards are generally granted to our executive officers on an annual basis.
Award levels in 2006 were consistent with the objectives and approaches discussed above, and
consistent with the Companys retention, performance, and shareholder alignment objectives. The
Committee typically approves these awards at its first quarter Committee meeting. Awards are
granted on the date of the Committee meeting. The Committee may also approve additional equity
incentive awards in certain special circumstances, such as promotion of an executive officer to a
new position, new executive team members, or in recognition of special contributions or
achievements by an executive
21
officer. During 2006, the following stock options for the purchase of the Companys common
stock were granted to our Named Executive Officers pursuant to the Companys 2000 Stock Incentive
Plan (the 2000 Plan):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Subject to Time-Based |
|
Exercise |
Name and Title |
|
Vesting Option Grant |
|
Price(1) |
Robert A Frist, Jr., President and Chief
Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arthur E. Newman, Executive Vice
President |
|
|
36,000 |
|
|
$ |
2.75 |
|
Susan A. Brownie, Senior Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer,
and Secretary |
|
|
36,000 |
|
|
$ |
2.75 |
|
J. Edward Pearson, Senior Vice
President (2) |
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.39 |
|
|
(1) |
|
The exercise price per share is equal to the fair market value of the common stock on
the date of the grant. |
|
|
(2) |
|
Mr. Pearsons options were granted when he joined the Company in June 2006. |
The stock options are subject to the terms of the 2000 Plan and the individual grant
award agreements. The options vest annually, in four increments as of the first, second, third and
fourth anniversaries of the grant date, subject to acceleration as contemplated in the 2000 Plan.
Each of the options has an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock at the
time of the grant, as determined by the closing price of our common stock on Nasdaq on the date of
the grant. The aggregate grant date fair value of each option award (computed in accordance with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, or FAS 123R) is as follows: Arthur E. Newman
($63,270); Susan A. Brownie ($63,270) and J. Edward Pearson ($273,750).
Chief Executive Officer Compensation. In establishing the compensation of Robert A.
Frist, Jr., the Companys Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee utilized the same
compensation policies applicable to executive officers in general; however, Mr. Frist has elected
to receive annual cash compensation at levels below the average base compensation levels of chief
executive officers at comparable companies. Effective in 2006, Mr. Frists annual base salary was
increased to $185,000. Mr. Frists salary adjustment was intended to recognize performance by the
Company as well as to bring him in line with other members of the executive team and to reflect
compensation more in line with comparable companies.
Perquisites and Other Benefits. The Company has paid commuting expenses (of $22,686)
to Nashville, Tennessee to Arthur E. Newman including tax gross up payments to Mr. Newman to cover
income tax associated with such payments. In certain cases, we have also provided signing bonuses
in connection with new members of the executive team. When Mr. Pearson joined the Company in June
2006, we provided a $10,000 signing bonus. Our executive officers are also eligible for benefits
generally available to and on the same terms as the Companys employees including health insurance,
disability insurance, dental insurance, and life insurance. We reimburse our Chief Executive
Officer for life insurance coverage in an amount not to exceed $10,000. While the Company
maintains a 401(k) Plan, the Company has not provided any matching contributions under such plan.
22
Employment Agreement, Severance and Change In Control Agreements. We maintain an
employment agreement with Robert A. Frist, Jr. our chief executive officer, the term of which is
automatically extended for successive one year periods unless on or before a date that is 90 days
prior to the expiration of the employment term either the Company or Mr. Frist shall have given
written notice to the other of its or his intention not to further extend the employment term, in
which case the employment agreement shall expire and terminate at the end of the extended
employment term. Mr. Frist is also entitled to participate in any bonus program or stock option
plan that is generally available to our officers or senior management. In addition, Mr. Frist is
eligible for reimbursement of life insurance coverage in an amount not to exceed $10,000 annually.
Under this employment agreement, Mr. Frist has agreed not to compete with us and not to solicit our
customers or employees for one year after his employment is terminated, with limited exceptions.
Mr. Frist is entitled to severance benefits if we terminate him without cause. He is also entitled
to severance benefits if he resigns for good reason after a change in control, if he resigns upon
the occurrence of a material change in the terms of his employment or if he resigns upon the
occurrence of a material breach of the agreement by the Company. If any such termination occurs,
Mr. Frist will be entitled to a severance benefit equal to 1.5 times the most recent recommended
salary by our Compensation Committee for him. In addition, if Mr. Frist terminates his employment
for good reason after the occurrence of a change in control, all options, shares and other benefits
will fully vest immediately.
Under the 2000 Plan, any outstanding stock options become fully exercisable and immediately
vested upon a change of control, as defined in the 2000 Plan.
Compensation Decisions for 2007. In January 2007, the Committee reviewed the
performance and compensation of the executive team, discussed the addition of Mr. Kevin OHara to
the executive team, and discussed the grant of equity-based rewards to executive officers. In
addition, the Committee provided management with its philosophy with regard to the 2007 Cash Bonus
Plan, reflecting a change from an EBITDA basis to a net income basis. The Committee agreed to
grant stock options to management during the first quarter of 2007 through a written action and to
meet later in 2007 to address the 2007 Cash Bonus Plan, noting that it should reflect the potential
impact of the acquisition of The Jackson Organization, Inc. Research Consultants.
The table below summarizes the current base salary levels and 2007 equity incentive grants for
the Named Executive Officers and Mr. OHara, who we anticipate will be a Named Executive Officer in
our 2008 proxy statement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Subject to |
|
|
|
|
2007 Base |
|
Time-Based Vesting |
|
Exercise |
Name and Title |
|
Salary (1) |
|
Option Grant (2) |
|
Price |
Robert A Frist, Jr., President and Chief
Executive Officer |
|
$ |
195,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arthur E. Newman, Executive Vice
President |
|
|
195,000 |
|
|
|
34,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.75 |
|
Susan A. Brownie, Senior Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer,
and Secretary |
|
|
190,000 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.75 |
|
J. Edward Pearson, Senior Vice
President |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
34,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.75 |
|
Kevin P. OHara, Senior Vice
President, General Counsel (3) |
|
|
160,000 |
|
|
|
34,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.75 |
|
|
(1) |
|
Effective February 1 of each year. |
|
|
(2) |
|
The exercise price per share is equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the
date of the grant. |
|
|
(3) |
|
Mr. OHaras promotion was effective February 1, 2007. |
23
Tax Deductibility of Compensation. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
(the Code) generally disallows a corporate deduction for compensation over $1.0 million paid to
the Companys CEO and any of the other four most highly compensated executive officers. The $1.0
million limitation applies to all types of compensation, including amounts realized upon the
exercise of stock options, unless the awards and plan under which the awards are made qualify as
performance based under the terms of the Code and related regulations. Based on applicable tax
regulations, any taxable compensation derived from the Companys cash bonus plan and from the
exercise of stock options granted pursuant to the 2000 Stock Plan should qualify as performance
based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m). None of the Companys executive officers
received compensation that exceeded the applicable deductibility limits in 2006.
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
set forth above with our management. Taking this review and discussion into account, the
undersigned Committee members recommended to the Board of Directors that the Board approve the
inclusion of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for
filing with the SEC.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:
Thompson S. Dent, Compensation Committee Chairman
Frank Gordon, Compensation Committee Member
Michael Shmerling, Compensation Committee Member
The foregoing report of the Compensation Committee shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by
any general statement incorporating by reference the Proxy Statement into any filing under the
Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company
specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed
under such acts.
24
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information for fiscal year 2006, regarding the compensation
earned by the Chief Executive Officer and the other most highly compensated executive officers
based on salary and bonus earned during 2006 (Named Executive Officers).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option |
|
All Other |
|
|
Name |
|
Year |
|
Salary |
|
Bonus(1) |
|
Awards(2) |
|
Compensation(3) |
|
Total |
Robert A. Frist, Jr. |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
182,083 |
|
|
$ |
12,750 |
|
|
$ |
49,280 |
|
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
254,113 |
|
Chief Executive Officer,
President |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arthur E. Newman (4) |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
184,167 |
|
|
|
14,875 |
|
|
|
53,399 |
|
|
|
22,686 |
|
|
|
275,127 |
|
Executive Vice President |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Susan A. Brownie (4) |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
168,333 |
|
|
|
12,750 |
|
|
|
45,808 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
226,891 |
|
Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Edward Pearson (5) |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
108,333 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
36,643 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
154,976 |
|
Senior Vice President |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fred Perner (6) |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
41,843 |
|
|
|
14,875 |
|
|
|
14,230 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,948 |
|
Senior Vice President |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Bonuses listed for each fiscal year relate to payments within a fiscal year of amounts
related to the previous fiscal year. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents the proportionate amount of the total value of all option awards to named
executive officers recognized as an expense during 2006 for financial accounting purposes
under SFAS 123R, and for the purpose of this schedule, excludes the estimate of
forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. For significant assumptions with
regard to such valuation under SFAS 123R, see Note 11 Stock Based Compensation in the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30,
2007. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes other compensation for the reimbursement of life insurance premiums for Mr.
Frist and reimbursement of expenses associated with commuting to Nashville, Tennessee as
well as related gross up tax payments for Mr. Newman. |
|
(4) |
|
Effective March 30, 2006, Mr. Newman was promoted to Executive Vice President and Mrs.
Brownie was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. |
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Pearson joined the Company in June 2006. |
|
(6) |
|
Mr. Perner left the Company in March 2006. |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table provides information related to options granted to the Named Executive
Officers during the 2006 fiscal year and the exercise price of the stock options. Grants are made
in accordance with the 2000 Plan, which includes grants made at fair market value on the date of
grant, vesting in four equal installments on the anniversary of the grant date, and eight year
terms. The aggregate grant date fair value of such annual option grants have ranged from one-fifth
to one-fourth of the Named Executive Officers total compensation. We have not issued restricted
stock, stock appreciation rights or other equity-based awards to our executive officers. We have
not modified or repriced outstanding options.
25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards: Number |
|
|
|
|
|
Grant Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Securities |
|
Exercise or |
|
Fair Value |
|
|
Grant |
|
Underlying |
|
Base Price |
|
of Option |
Name |
|
Date |
|
Options |
|
of Award |
|
Awards (1) |
Robert A. Frist, Jr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Arthur E. Newman |
|
|
2/9/2006 |
|
|
|
36,000 |
|
|
$ |
2.75 |
|
|
|
63,720 |
|
Susan A. Brownie |
|
|
2/9/2006 |
|
|
|
36,000 |
|
|
$ |
2.75 |
|
|
|
63,720 |
|
J. Edward Pearson |
|
|
6/14/2006 |
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.39 |
|
|
|
273,750 |
|
Fred Perner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents the aggregate fair value computed in accordance with SFAS 123R. For significant
assumptions with regard to such valuation under SFAS 123R, see Note 11 Stock Based
Compensation in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
March 30, 2007. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table provides information related to options outstanding held by the Named
Executive Officers at the end of fiscal year 2006. We have not issued stock appreciation rights or
warrants to our executive officers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying |
|
Option |
|
Option |
|
|
Unexercised Options |
|
Unexercised Options |
|
Exercise |
|
Expiration |
Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Price |
|
Date |
Robert A. Frist, Jr. |
|
|
83,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.06 |
|
|
|
9/2/2007 |
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
2.69 |
|
|
|
2/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
42,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.18 |
|
|
|
2/25/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Susan A. Brownie |
|
|
26,825 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6.49 |
|
|
|
12/3/2007 |
|
|
|
|
46,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
10.00 |
|
|
|
2/28/2008 |
|
|
|
|
925 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
11.89 |
|
|
|
4/3/2008 |
|
|
|
|
29,429 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.13 |
|
|
|
10/17/2008 |
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
1.32 |
|
|
|
4/16/2011 |
|
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
$ |
2.69 |
|
|
|
2/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.18 |
|
|
|
2/25/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,000 |
|
|
$ |
2.75 |
|
|
|
2/9/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arthur E. Newman |
|
|
129,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6.49 |
|
|
|
1/28/2008 |
|
|
|
|
28,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.13 |
|
|
|
10/17/2008 |
|
|
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.10 |
|
|
|
9/17/2009 |
|
|
|
|
37,500 |
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
$ |
1.32 |
|
|
|
4/16/2011 |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
$ |
2.69 |
|
|
|
2/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.18 |
|
|
|
2/25/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,000 |
|
|
$ |
2.75 |
|
|
|
2/9/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Edward Pearson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.39 |
|
|
|
6/14/2014 |
|
26
Options Exercised During 2006
The following table provides information related to options exercised and values realized by
our Named Executive Officers under the Companys 2000 Plan during the 2006 fiscal year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
Value Realized |
Name |
|
Acquired on Exercise |
|
on Exercise (1) |
Susan A. Brownie |
|
|
14,956 |
|
|
$ |
30,274 |
|
Fred Perner |
|
|
181,000 |
|
|
$ |
439,172 |
|
(1) |
|
The value realized equals the difference between the option exercise price and the closing
price of the Companys stock on the date of exercise, multiplied by the number of shares to
which the exercise relates. |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information related to securities available and outstanding under the
Companys equity compensation plans as of the end of the 2006 fiscal year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of securities |
|
|
securities to |
|
|
|
|
|
remaining available for |
|
|
be issued upon |
|
|
|
|
|
future issuance under |
|
|
exercise |
|
Weighted-average |
|
equity compensation |
|
|
of outstanding |
|
exercise price of |
|
plans (excluding |
|
|
options, |
|
outstanding options, |
|
securities reflected in the |
Plan Category |
|
warrants and rights |
|
warrants and rights |
|
first column) |
|
Equity compensation
plans approved by
security holders |
|
|
2,806,679 |
|
|
$ |
3.52 |
|
|
|
2,126,123 |
|
Equity compensation
plans not approved
by security holders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
2,806,679 |
|
|
$ |
3.52 |
|
|
|
2,126,123 |
|
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control
As of December 31, 2006, we maintained only one employment agreement with Robert A. Frist, Jr., our
Chief Executive Officer. The term of the agreement automatically extends for successive one year
periods unless either party provides 90 days advance notice of their intent not to further extend
the employment term, in which case the employment agreement shall expire and terminate at the end
of the extended employment term. Mr. Frist is entitled to severance benefits if we terminate him
without cause; if he resigns for good reason after a change-in-control; if he resigns upon the
occurrence of a material change in the terms of his employment; or if he resigns upon the
occurrence of a material breach of the agreement by the Company. If any such termination occurs,
Mr. Frist will be entitled to a severance benefit equal to 1.5 times the most recent recommended
salary by our Compensation Committee for him. In addition, if Mr. Frist terminates his employment
for good reason after the occurrence of a change-in-control, all options, shares and other benefits
will fully vest immediately. If Mr. Frist is terminated for cause, or because of his death,
disability, or voluntary resignation without good reason, he would not be entitled to any
compensation or benefits beyond his effective termination date, other than benefits provided
through statutory requirements.
Under the terms of the 2000 Plan, any outstanding stock options will become fully vested and
exercisable upon a change-in-control. Further, the 2000 Plan also provides for cash payments based
on the difference between the change-in-control price per share of common stock and the per share
exercise price of each outstanding option, multiplied by the number of shares of common stock that
would be issued if such option were exercised, upon a change-in-control. Under the terms of the
2000 Plan, the change-in-control price is to be based on the highest price paid per share for any
transaction reported on Nasdaq at any time during the 60 day period immediately preceding the
occurrence of the change-in-control.
The following table shows the potential payments described above for our Named Executive Officers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
without cause, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
resignation for |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
good reason, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Involuntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or resignation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
termination for |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
for good |
|
|
|
|
|
|
cause or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
reason after a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
resignation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
change-in- |
|
|
Change-in- |
|
|
without good |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Death or |
|
Name |
|
control |
|
|
control |
|
|
reason |
|
|
Retirement |
|
|
disability |
|
Robert A. Frist, Jr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash severance(1) |
|
$ |
277,500 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Accelerated vesting of stock option awards(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
153,738 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arthur E. Newman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accelerated vesting of stock option awards(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
640,390 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Susan A. Brownie |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accelerated vesting of stock option awards(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
223,807 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Edward Pearson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accelerated vesting of stock option awards(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
107,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Based on the employment agreement described above, based on Mr. Frists salary as of
December 31, 2006. |
|
(2) |
|
Based on the highest price paid for our stock reported on Nasdaq in the 60 day period prior
to December 31, 2006 of $4.25 per share, less the exercise price of any outstanding
in-the-money stock options, multiplied by the total of the respective outstanding in-the-money
stock options. |
27
Director Compensation
The following table summarizes the compensation for the Companys non-employee directors during
2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
Nonqualified |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earned or |
|
Stock |
|
Option |
|
Incentive |
|
Deferred |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
Paid in |
|
Awards |
|
Awards |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
|
Name |
|
Cash ($) (1) |
|
($) |
|
($) (2) (3) |
|
($) |
|
Earnings |
|
($) |
|
Total ($) |
|
James F. Daniell, M.D. |
|
$ |
7,500 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
12,850 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
20,350 |
|
Thompson S. Dent |
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,850 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,850 |
|
Frank Gordon |
|
|
10,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,850 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,350 |
|
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. |
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,188 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,688 |
|
Ronald Hinds |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,530 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,530 |
|
Jeffrey L. McLaren |
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,850 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,850 |
|
Dale Polley |
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,188 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,688 |
|
Linda Rebrovick |
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,850 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,850 |
|
Michael Shmerling |
|
|
6,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,850 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,350 |
|
William W. Stead, M.D. |
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,850 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,350 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Due to timing of payments to non-employee directors, such amounts may not correspond to
actual cash paid during 2006. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents the total value of option awards to directors recognized as an expense
during 2006 for financial accounting purposes under SFAS 123R. Option awards to directors
are fully vested upon the date of grant. For significant assumptions with regard to such
valuation under SFAS 123R, see Note 11 Stock Based Compensation in the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2007. |
|
(3) |
|
The aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by directors at fiscal year end
2006 was as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
|
Option Awards |
Name |
|
Outstanding |
|
Name |
|
Outstanding |
|
James F. Daniell, M.D. |
|
|
54,800 |
|
|
Jeffrey L. McLaren |
|
|
71,625 |
|
Thompson S. Dent |
|
|
59,800 |
|
|
Dale Polley |
|
|
3,750 |
|
Frank Gordon |
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
Linda Rebrovick |
|
|
50,000 |
|
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. |
|
|
3,750 |
|
|
Michael Shmerling |
|
|
5,000 |
|
Ronald Hinds |
|
|
41,420 |
|
|
William W. Stead, M.D. |
|
|
59,800 |
|
Cash Compensation of Directors. We pay each member of the board, who is not an officer
or employee of the company, $1,000 for each board meeting personally attended or attended via
teleconference. In addition, we pay non-employee board members $500 for each board committee
meeting personally or telephonically attended and pay committee chairpersons $1,000 for each board
committee meeting attended. During 2006, we provided our Audit Committee Chairman with an annual
payment of $20,000, paid quarterly.
Equity Compensation of Directors. During 2006, we granted 5,000 options to each
non-employee director of the company with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our
common stock on the date of grant in addition to options issued pursuant to the provisions of the
2000 Stock Plan as discussed below. Mr. Hayden and Mr. Polley were each granted 3,750 options upon
their appointment to the board during September 2006. In February 2007, the Board approved
increasing the annual non-employee director option grant to 6,000 per year. During 2006, we
provided our Audit Committee
28
Chairman with options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock in lieu of the meeting-based fees
and option grants provided to other board members. In addition, our Audit Committee Chairman was
provided additional options to purchase 6,420 shares of common stock during 2006.
Employee directors are not eligible for any compensation for service on the board or its
committees.
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common
stock as of March 31, 2007 (unless otherwise noted), for:
|
|
|
each person who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding
shares of our common stock; |
|
|
|
|
each of our directors and nominees; |
|
|
|
|
each of our Named Executive Officers; and |
|
|
|
|
all of our directors and executive officers as a group. |
The percentages of shares outstanding provided in the table are based on 22,182,056 shares
outstanding as of March 31, 2007. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules
of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with
respect to securities. Unless otherwise indicated, each person or entity named in the table has
sole voting and investment power, or shares voting and investment power with his or her spouse,
with respect to all shares of stock listed as owned by that person. The number of shares shown does
not include the interest of certain persons in shares held by family members in their own right.
Shares issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2007 are
considered outstanding for the purpose of calculating the percentage of outstanding shares of our
common stock held by the individual, but not for the purpose of calculating the percentage of
outstanding shares held by any other individual. The address of each of our directors and executive
officers listed below is c/o HealthStream, Inc., 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450,
Nashville, Tennessee 37203.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Name |
|
Shares |
|
Percent |
Robert A. Frist, Jr. |
|
|
5,698,690 |
(1) |
|
|
25.7 |
% |
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. |
|
|
2,473,300 |
(2) |
|
|
11.2 |
% |
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. |
|
|
1,188,740 |
(3) |
|
|
5.4 |
% |
Arthur E. Newman |
|
|
383,000 |
(4) |
|
|
1.7 |
% |
Jeffrey L. McLaren |
|
|
362,180 |
(5) |
|
|
1.6 |
% |
Frank Gordon |
|
|
242,386 |
(6) |
|
|
1.1 |
% |
Susan A. Brownie |
|
|
200,061 |
(7) |
|
|
* |
|
James F. Daniell |
|
|
94,748 |
(8) |
|
|
* |
|
Thompson S. Dent |
|
|
89,194 |
(9) |
|
|
* |
|
William W. Stead |
|
|
63,500 |
(10) |
|
|
* |
|
Linda Rebrovick |
|
|
50,000 |
(11) |
|
|
* |
|
Ronald Hinds |
|
|
41,420 |
(12) |
|
|
* |
|
Michael Shmerling |
|
|
14,036 |
(13) |
|
|
* |
|
J. Edward Pearson |
|
|
12,800 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Dale Polley |
|
|
8,750 |
(14) |
|
|
* |
|
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. |
|
|
3,750 |
(15) |
|
|
* |
|
Fred Perner |
|
|
|
(16) |
|
|
* |
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons) |
|
|
7,264,515 |
(17) |
|
|
32.7 |
% |
29
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes 148,750 shares issuable upon exercise of options. |
|
(2) |
|
100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-1009. Based upon information set
forth in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 13, 2007 jointly by T. Rowe Price
Associates, Inc. (Price Associates) and T. Rowe Price New Horizons Fund, Inc. (New
Horizons), these shares are held by various individual and institutional investors for
which Price Associates and New Horizons serve as investment advisor with power to direct
investments and/or sole power to vote the shares. Price Associates and New Horizons
disclaim beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of their pecuniary
interest in those shares. |
|
(3) |
|
1221 Avenue of the Americas, 39th Floor, New York, New York 10020.
Morgan Stanley Venture Partners III, L.P. owns 999,284 common shares. Morgan Stanley
Venture Investors III, L.P. owns 95,947 common shares. The Morgan Stanley Venture
Partners Entrepreneur Fund, L.P. owns 43,709 common shares. Morgan Stanley Venture
Partners III, L.L.C. (the General Partner) owns options to purchase 49,800 common
shares. The General Partner is the general partner of Morgan Stanley Venture Partners
III, L.P., Morgan Stanley Venture Investors III, L.P. and The Morgan Stanley Venture
Partners Entrepreneur Fund, L.P. (collectively, the Funds), and, as such, has the power
to vote or direct the vote and to dispose or direct the disposition of all of the shares
held by the Funds. Morgan Stanley Venture Capital III, Inc. is the institutional
managing member of the General Partner, and, as such, shares, together with the remaining
managing members, the power to direct the actions of the General Partner. Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter & Co., as the sole shareholder of Morgan Stanley Venture Capital III, Inc.,
controls the actions of Morgan Stanley Venture Capital III, Inc. |
|
(4) |
|
Includes 352,500 shares issuable upon exercise of options. |
|
(5) |
|
Includes 71,625 shares issuable upon exercise of options. |
|
(6) |
|
136,000 of these shares are held by Crofton Capital. Mr. Gordon disclaims
beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in
those shares. 11,386 of these shares are held by The Joel Company. Mr. Gordon disclaims
beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in
those shares. Also includes 30,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options. |
|
(7) |
|
Includes 159,429 shares issuable upon exercise of options. |
|
(8) |
|
Includes 54,800 shares issuable upon exercise of options. |
|
(9) |
|
Includes 59,800 shares issuable upon exercise of options. |
|
(10) |
|
Includes 59,800 shares issuable upon exercise of options. |
|
(11) |
|
Includes 50,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options. |
|
(12) |
|
Includes 41,420 shares issuable upon exercise of options. |
|
(13) |
|
Includes 5,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options. |
|
(14) |
|
Includes 3,750 shares issuable upon exercise of options. |
|
(15) |
|
Includes 3,750 shares issuable upon exercise of options. |
|
(16) |
|
Mr. Perner left the Company on March 13, 2006 and as of such time he owned 16,688
shares of our common stock, including shares acquired though the exercise of stock
options. We do not have any information regarding his share ownership after March 13,
2006. |
|
(17) |
|
Includes 1,040,624 shares issuable upon exercise of options. |
30
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
We believe that during the 2006 fiscal year, all SEC filings of directors, officers and
greater than ten-percent shareholders complied with the requirements of Section 16(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except as follows, (1) Susan A. Brownie who failed to
timely file one Form 4 reporting the grant of stock options, (2) Arthur Newman who failed to timely
file one Form 4 reporting the grant of stock options, and (3) Frank Gordon who failed to timely
file one Form 4 reporting the grant of stock options. This belief is based on our review of forms
filed or written representations that no forms were required.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Important Notice Regarding Delivery of Shareholder Documents
The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission allow the Company to send a single copy of
the Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Shareholders to any household at which two or more
shareholders reside if the Company believes the shareholders are members of the same family, unless
the Company has received contrary instructions from a shareholder. This process, known as
householding, reduces the volume of duplicate information received at your household and helps
reduce the Companys expenses. The rule applies to the Companys annual reports and proxy
statements. Each shareholder in the household will continue to receive a separate proxy card.
If your shares are registered in your own name and you would like to receive your own set of
the Companys annual disclosure documents this year or in future years, or if you share an address
with another shareholder and together both of you would like to receive only a single set of the
Companys annual disclosure documents, please contact the Companys Secretary by calling (800)
845-1579 or writing to the Company at HealthStream, Inc., Investor Relations Department, 209
10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. If a bank, broker or other
nominee holds your shares, please contact your bank, broker or other nominee directly. The Company
will deliver within 30 days upon oral or written request a separate copy of the Proxy Statement or
Annual Report to Shareholders to a shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the
documents was delivered.
Annual Report
Our 2006 Annual Report to Shareholders is being mailed to shareholders with this proxy
statement. The Annual Report is not part of the proxy solicitation materials.
Additional Information
A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, excluding
certain of the exhibits thereto, may be obtained without charge by writing to HealthStream, Inc.,
Investor Relations Department, 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee
37203 or by making an oral request by calling (615) 301-3237. We will furnish any exhibits to our
Annual Report on Form 10-K upon the payment of fees equal to our reasonable expenses in furnishing
such exhibits. The Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K and various other filings also may be
accessed in the governance section of our website at www.healthstream.com or
www.sec.gov.
Nashville, Tennessee
April 30, 2007
31
APPENDIX A
RESTATED CHARTER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF HEALTHSTREAM, INC.
I. AUDIT COMMITTEE PURPOSE
The Audit Committee (the Committee) is appointed by the Board of Directors to assist the Board in
fulfilling its oversight responsibilities. The Committees primary duties and responsibilities are
to:
|
- |
|
Oversee the Companys accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of the
Companys financial statements. |
|
|
- |
|
Oversee the integrity of the Companys financial reporting process and systems of
internal controls regarding finance, accounting, and legal compliance. |
|
|
- |
|
Oversee the independence and performance of the Companys independent auditors. |
|
|
- |
|
Provide an avenue of communication among the independent auditors, management and the
Board of Directors. |
The Committee has the authority to conduct any investigation appropriate to fulfilling its
responsibilities and it has direct access to the independent auditors as well as anyone in the
organization. The Committee has the ability to retain independent legal, accounting, or other
advisors as it deems necessary or appropriate in the performance of its duties. The Company shall
provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for payment of compensation to the
independent auditor for the purpose of rendering or issuing an audit report or performing other
audit, review or attest services and to any advisors employed by the Committee and for payment of
ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out
its duties.
The Committees oversight responsibility recognizes that the Companys management is responsible
for preparing the Companys financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and that the outside auditors are responsible for auditing those financial statements.
Additionally, the Committee recognizes that the Companys financial management, as well as its
outside auditors, have more time, knowledge and more detailed information on the Company and its
financial reports than do Committee members; consequently, in carrying out its duties and
responsibilities, the Committee is not providing any expert or special assurance as to the
Companys financial statements and is not conducting an audit or investigation of the financial
statements or determining that the Companys financial statements are true and complete or are in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
II. AUDIT COMMITTEE COMPOSITION AND MEETINGS
The Committee shall be comprised of three or more directors as determined by the Board, each of
whom shall be independent non-executive directors, free from any relationship that would interfere
with the exercise of his or her independent judgment. Each member of the Committee must also
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meet the other qualification standards set by federal and state legislation and regulation and the
applicable listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. All members of the Committee shall
have a basic understanding of finance and accounting and be able to read and understand fundamental
financial statements, and at least one member of the Committee shall be an audit committee
financial expert as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Committee shall meet at least four times annually, or more frequently as circumstances require,
including teleconferences when appropriate. The Committee Chair shall prepare and/or approve an
agenda for each meeting. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the Committee
shall act only on the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present at the meeting;
provided that the Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees or members when
appropriate. The Committee shall meet privately in executive session at least annually with
management, the independent auditors and as a committee to discuss any matters that the Committee
or each of these groups believes should be discussed. In addition, the Committee shall communicate
with management and the independent auditors quarterly to review the Companys financial
statements and significant findings based upon the auditors limited review procedures.
III. AUDIT COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
The following functions shall be the common recurring activities of the Committee in carrying out
its oversight duties and responsibilities. The Committee may undertake additional duties and
responsibilities as the Board or the Committee deems appropriate given the circumstances.
Document/Reports Review Procedures
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The Committee shall review and assess the adequacy of this Charter at least
annually, submit the Charter to the Board of Directors for approval and have the document
published in accordance with SEC regulations or applicable listing standards. |
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The Committee shall review and discuss with the Companys management and independent auditors
the Companys annual audited financial statements, the Companys disclosures under
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and
the selection, application and disclosure of critical accounting policies and practices used
in such financial statements. Additionally, based on such review, the Committee shall
consider whether to recommend to the Board that the audited financial statements be included
in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K. The discussion of financial statements and the
related critical accounting policies and practices shall occur prior to the public release of
such financial statements or results, and the discussion of the related disclosure, including
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, shall
occur prior to the filing of the Form 10-K. |
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The Committee shall review with management and the independent auditors the Companys
quarterly financial results and quarterly unaudited financial statements, the Companys
disclosures under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, and the Companys selection, application and disclosure of critical accounting
policies and practices used in such financial statements. The discussion of financial
statements and the related critical accounting policies and practices shall occur prior to the
public release of such financial statements or results, and the discussion of the |
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related disclosure, including Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations, shall occur prior to the filing of the Form 10-Q. |
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Discuss with management and the independent auditors policies with respect to risk assessment
and risk management and the quality and adequacy of the Companys processes and controls that
could materially affect the Companys financial statements and financial reporting. Discuss
significant financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor, control
and report such exposures. Review significant findings prepared by the independent auditors
together with managements responses. |
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Discuss with management the Companys earnings guidance prior to the release thereof. |
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Discuss with the independent auditors any significant changes to the Companys accounting
principles and any items required to be communicated by the independent auditors in accordance
with SAS 61 and SAS 90, as such standards may be modified or supplemented. |
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Review disclosures made to the Committee by the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer during their certification process for the Form 10-K and Forms 10-Q about
any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls or material
weaknesses therein and any fraud involving management or other employees who have a
significant role in the Companys internal controls. |
Independent Auditors
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The independent auditors are accountable to the Committee and the Board of Directors and
shall report directly to the Committee. The Committee shall review the independence and
performance of the auditors annually. In addition, the Committee shall: |
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oversee the work of the outside auditors and review the independent auditors audit
plan including scope, staffing, locations, reliance upon management and general audit
approval; |
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resolve disagreements between management and the outside auditors regarding financial
reporting; |
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establish hiring policies for employees or former employees of the outside auditors; |
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pre-approve all auditing services to be provided by the outside auditors; |
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pre-approve all non-auditing services, including tax services, to be provided by the
outside auditors, subject to such exceptions as may be determined by the Committee to be
appropriate and consistent with federal and regulatory provisions; |
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receive reports from the outside auditors regarding critical accounting policies and
practices, alternative treatments of financial information and generally accepted
accounting principles, and such other information as may be required by federal and
regulatory provisions; |
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receive from the outside auditors annually a formal written statement delineating all
relationships between the outside auditors and the Company that may impact the objectivity
and independence of the outside auditors; and |
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discuss with the outside auditors in an active dialogue any such disclosed
relationships or services and their impact on the outside auditors objectivity and
independence. |
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The Committee shall have the ultimate authority and responsibility to select (subject, if
sought, to shareholder ratification), determine the compensation of, oversee the work of,
and where appropriate, terminate and replace the outside auditors. |
Legal Compliance
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On at least an annual basis, review with the Companys counsel any legal matters that could
have a significant impact on the organizations financial statements, the Companys compliance
with applicable laws and regulations, inquiries received from regulators or governmental
agencies. |
Other Audit Committee Responsibilities
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Review and approve all related-party transactions involving Covered Persons as defined in the
Companys Code of Ethics. |
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Monitor, oversee and review compliance with the provisions of the Companys Code of Ethics
that relate to accounting disclosures and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) or The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (Nasdaq). |
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Serve as the initial reviewing body for allegations of violations of the Code of Ethics or
requests for waivers of the provisions of the Code of Ethics by a director or executive
officer of the Company that relate to accounting disclosures and regulations of the SEC or
Nasdaq. |
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Annually prepare a report to shareholders as required by the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The report should be included in the Companys annual proxy statement. |
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Perform any other activities consistent with this Charter, the Companys Bylaws and governing
law, as the Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate. |
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Maintain minutes of meetings and periodically report to the Board of Directors on significant
results of the foregoing activities. |
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Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding
accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and of the confidential, anonymous
submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. |
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THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF HEALTHSTREAM, INC.
The undersigned shareholder(s) of HealthStream, Inc., a Tennessee corporation, hereby
acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement, each
dated April 30, 2007, and hereby appoints Robert A. Frist, Jr. and Susan A. Brownie, and each of
them, proxies and attorneys-in-fact, with full power to each of substitution, on behalf and in the
name of the undersigned, to represent the undersigned at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
HealthStream, Inc. to be held on Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time, at 209
10th Avenue, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, and at any adjournment or
adjournments thereof, and to vote all shares of Common Stock which the undersigned would be
entitled to vote if then and there personally present, on the matters set forth below:
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of each of the nominees for director
listed below and FOR Proposal 2 below.
(1) To elect James F. Daniell, Thompson S. Dent, Dale Polley, and William W. Stead for election as
Class I directors to the Board of Directors until the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until
their respective successors are elected and qualified and to elect Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. for
election as Class III director to the Board of Directors until the 2009 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and until his respective successor is elected and qualified.
[ ] FOR all nominees listed below (except as indicated to the contrary below):
James F. Daniell, Thompson S. Dent, Dale Polley, and William W. Stead, and Gerard M. Hayden,
Jr.
[ ] WITHHOLD authority to vote for all nominees
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write that nominees name in
the space below:
(2) To ratify the appointment of Ernst and Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.
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[ ] FOR
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[ ] AGAINST
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(3) To vote in accordance with their best judgment with respect to any other matters which may
properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY.
This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in accordance with the directions given by
the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, it will be voted FOR the proposals set forth
herein and as the proxies deem advisable on such other matters as may come before the meeting.
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Dated:
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Signature: |
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Dated:
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Signature: |
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(This Proxy should be marked, dated, and signed by the shareholder(s) exactly as his or her name
appears hereon, and returned promptly in the enclosed envelope. Persons signing in a fiduciary
capacity should so indicate. If shares are held by joint tenants or as community property, both
should sign.)