DEFA14A 1 d530257ddefa14a.htm DEFA14A DEFA14A

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.     )

 

 

Filed by the Registrant  x                              Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ¨

Check the appropriate box:

 

¨   Preliminary Proxy Statement
¨   Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
¨   Definitive Proxy Statement
x   Definitive Additional Materials
¨   Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

SIGNATURE GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

x   No fee required.
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  (1)  

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

     

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¨   Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
¨   Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
  (1)  

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LOGO

May 20, 2013

Dear Stockholder:

Your Board of Directors of Signature Group Holdings, Inc., elected only nine months ago at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, welcomes the opportunity to share our thoughts with you regarding yet another proxy contest for control of your Company’s Board of Directors. We greatly appreciate your investment of time to review and consider our accomplishments to date and our strategy to create value for you. We respect that you have a decision to make and value your stockholdings. It is a shame we have the distraction of yet another costly proxy fight, but your Board is committed to continuing its progress and growing our Company and creating value for all stockholders.

In nine short months, we have made significant progress in focusing the management of the Company on creating value for the stockholders as a whole. The enclosure to this letter and information you will receive in future communications should prove this reality to you.

On the other hand, we have deep concerns about what we believe to be a fantasy strategy, and the capabilities and intentions, of the slate of directors proposed by the dissident stockholders.

Our desire is to continue our efforts on your behalf and we ask you to return the WHITE proxy card in support of our recommended nominees.

Respectfully submitted,

G. Christopher Colville, Director

John Koral, Director

Patrick E. Lamb, Director

Philip Tinkler, Director

In support,

Peter Bynoe, Director Nominee

15303 Ventura Blvd., Ste 1600 ¡ Sherman Oaks, CA ¡ 91403


Our Stockholders’
Choice: Reality Versus Fantasy
May 20, 2013


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
This
presentation
may
contain
certain
“forward-looking
statements”
within
the
meaning
of
the
Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements with regard to the future performance of
Signature
Group
Holdings,
Inc.
(“Signature”
or
the
“Company”).
Words
such
as
“believes,”
“expects,”
“projects,”
“anticipates,”
and “future”
or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting
future results and conditions.  Certain factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected
in
these
forward-looking
statements,
and
such
factors
are
identified
from
time
to
time
in
our
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995, Signature undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 
No
representation
or
warranty,
express
or
implied,
is
made
as
to
the
accuracy
or
completeness
of
the
information contained herein, and nothing shall be relied upon as a promise or representation as to the
future of the Company.
For more specific financial information please refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2012, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March,
31, 2013 and other SEC filings.
2


NINE MONTHS OF PROGRESS
Increased stock price 104%
Strengthened management team adding acquisition experience and skills
Evaluated the strategic business plan of management and enacted changes such
as monetizing Special Situation assets for acquisition capital
Honed our acquisition strategy to focus on larger acquisitions
Driven growth at NABCO
Reduced
operating
costs
(eg
Q1
2013
SG&A
Costs
are
down
25%
year
over
year)
Prepared the Company to be able to execute non dilutive, pro rata rights
offerings
3
We have made meaningful changes while taking
stockholder feedback under advisement.


OUR EFFORTS REFLECTED IN 104% STOCK PRICE INCREASE
4


OUR BUSINESS PLAN
5
Executing Acquisitions with Least Dilutive Approach
Maximizing Value of NABCO
Further Cost Reductions
Preparing the Company for Large Acquisitions
Your
Board’s
Focus
Larger transactions ($20+MM EBITDA) preferable
Accretive deals with strong NOL utilization
Prepare for future pro rata rights offering(s)
Strengthen management team and sales staff
Invest in inventory
Expand market presence
Right sizing headcount
More efficient use of professionals
Tightly manage legal expenses
Increasing liquidity by monetizing Special
Situation assets
Ready for registration offerings, integration,
compliance
Seeking increase in authorized shares


SIGNATURE IS IMPLEMENTING AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY
Seek to appoint seasoned CEO
Want “top notch”
Board of
Directors
Pursue meaningful acquisitions
Develop appropriate capital
structure
6
Signature Accomplishments
Charlestown’s “Plan”
Well Qualified CEO In Place
Experienced Board with Diverse Skills
Positioning Company for Optimal Capital Structure
CHARLESTOWN HAS NO
NEW IDEAS
Nearly 20 years of M&A experience
Public company operations and leadership
Knowledge of Signature and long-standing stockholder
Furthering corporate objective of reducing overhead
Actively engaged with management on Company matters
Skills sets include: M&A, Operations, Integrations, Governance,
Aligned incentives with stockholders
More than a dozen deals of this size evaluated in past 9 months
Engaged in detailed negotiations, diligence, and financing efforts 
Size
isn’t
only
factor
business
dynamics
to
fit
within
a
public
Focused on $20+MM EBITDA Opportunities
Preparing for registrations of pro rata rights offerings
Actively engaged with credit markets
Seeking to increase share count to have optimal flexibility to
make meaningful acquisitions
at the time Charlestown initiated the proxy contest
vehicle with large tax assets is critical
Compliance, and NOL Utilization


WE BELIEVE CHARLESTOWN’S STRATEGY IS FLAWED…
7
Reality
Covanta (NYSE: CVA) is a great model to follow…
Significant stockholder value creation from NOLs
Used pro rata, non dilutive rights offerings to raise equity
…two of our candidates have Board and/or executive
management experience at Covanta
Strong executive management is critical…
Operations, acquisition execution, integration
Recruiting new personnel is challenging and risky
…the Board has put in place highly skilled executive
management with performance incentives
Operations experience at Board level is needed…
Oversee management to develop and implement strategy
Only 2 of 5 Charlestown candidates are operators
…four of our candidates have Board and/or executive
management experience with large public companies
Fantasy
Large, highly profitable companies are readily
available at low multiples
Recruiting new CEO and management is easy, and
other quick fixes are available to create stockholder
value
Large deals can be magically financed with equity
raises without regard to authorized shares or
potential limitations on NOLs
CEO-experienced board and vision will raise stock
price significantly
Competition is fierce and multiples are rising…
Requires patience, planning, and right capital resources
We believe 6.5x multiple is highly unrealistic
…the Board has positioned the Company to execute and
is actively seeking out realistic acquisitions
…AND FANTASY BASED


CHARLESTOWN’S
GREAT
IDEA:
PURSUE
NON-EXISTENT
DEALS
8
Source: Thomson Reuters
Note: Based on U.S. deals and excludes
multiples below 0.0x and above 25.0x
Charlestown suggested
purchase multiple (6.5x)
Aside from valuation fantasies,
Charlestown’s other implausible
assumptions include:
50-150 million new shares issued even
though the Company does not have
sufficient authorized shares (and
Charlestown is opposing an increase)
Share issuance sizes that could result in a
change of control and limitation of NOL
usage
New equity capital is an immediately
available currency
transactions have exceeded 8.8x in 5 of last 6 years
9.2x
8.0x
6.9x
8.7x
9.1x
9.4x
10.1x
10.8x
7.2x
10.0x
8.9x
9.9x
12.0x
10.8x
9.9x
9.8x
10.3x
10.1x
0.0x
2.0x
4.0x
6.0x
8.0x
10.0x
12.0x
14.0x
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Under $250 million
$250 to $500 million
Over $500 million
A large acquisition at 6.5x would be great, but…
…actual market data tells a different story
Median multiples for $250+ million enterprise value
Median EV / EBITDA Multiples


WHAT IS CHARLESTOWN’S REAL AGENDA?
Charlestown was aware, under a confidentiality agreement signed with the Company, that we were in
detailed discussions regarding a very sizable acquisition when they initiated this proxy fight
Stockholders
deserve
to
know
how
Charlestown’s
“Plan”
is
really
going
to
work
Their actions and materials bring into question their true objectives
They present an acquisition model that cannot be accomplished without additional share authorization (which
they oppose)
Assumptions about share issuance demonstrates an apparent lack of understanding of NOL preservation and
utilization rules
We believe Charlestown is not presenting all the facts
Net asset value calculations suggest that real liabilities do not really exist and even convert into assets
Former board member Steven Gidumal has failed to disclose the full reasons for not being renominated in 2012
9
Another New Board, Mystery CEO, Unknown Management, Unrealistic Strategy
Charlestown Cannot Guarantee Results. . . We Do Not Think You Should Take The Risk!
WE BELIEVE OUR BOARD IS THE BEST CHOICE TO LEAD THE COMPANY
PLEASE VOTE THE WHITE PROXY CARD


10
APPENDIX


SIGNATURE’S BOARD CANDIDATES
11
Peter C.B. Bynoe (Age 62):  
Since February 2009, Mr. Bynoe has served as a partner and Chief Operating Officer of
Loop Capital LLC, a full-service investment banking firm based in Chicago, where he had been Managing Director
since February 2008. As Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Bynoe oversees the firm’s mergers and acquisitions practice in
the utility and power sector. Mr. Bynoe also currently serves as a Senior Counsel in the Chicago office of the
international law firm DLA Piper US LLP. From March 1995 until December 2007, Mr. Bynoe was a senior Partner at
DLA Piper US LLP and served on its Executive Committee. Mr. Bynoe has also been a principal of Telemat Ltd., a
consulting and project management firm, since 1982. Since 2004, Mr. Bynoe has been a director of Covanta Holding
Corporation, an internationally recognized owner of energy-from-waste and power generation projects. Since 2007,
Mr. Bynoe has been a director of Frontier Communications Corporation (formerly known as Citizens
Communication Corporation), a telephone, television and internet service provider, and was formerly a director of
Rewards Network Inc., a provider of credit card loyalty and rewards programs, from 2003 to May 2008. Mr. Bynoe
served as the Executive Director of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, a joint venture of the City of Chicago and
State of Illinois created to develop the new Comiskey Park for the Chicago White Sox and was Managing General
Partner of the National Basketball Association’s Denver Nuggets. Mr. Bynoe also served as a consultant to the
Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority and the Atlanta Committee to Organize the Olympic Games in
preparation for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Mr. Bynoe holds Juris Doctor and Master of Business
Administration degrees from Harvard University and is a member of the Illinois Bar and a registered real estate
broker. The Board will benefit from Mr. Bynoe’s extensive legal and financial expertise, his background in
infrastructure projects, his public sector service and his extensive knowledge of public policy issues. Mr. Bynoe’s
service as a board member for other public and private companies will also enable him to provide valuable insight
and perspective on governance matters, mergers and acquisitions activity and the utilization of net operating loss
carryforwards, of which Covanta reported approximately $392 million as of December 31, 2012.


:
:
SIGNATURE’S BOARD CANDIDATES
G.
Christopher
Colville
(Age
55)
Mr.
Colville
has
served
as
our
Chairman
of
the
Board
since
August
2012
and
as our
Chief
Executive
Officer
since
April
2013.
In
addition,
since
2007,
Mr.
Colville
has
served
as
a
strategic
advisor to various privately held enterprises, including, since 2008, KEG 1, LLC, a special-purpose acquisition
entity
focused
on
consolidating
segments
of
the
wholesale
beer
distribution
industry.
Mr.
Colville’s
principal
role as strategic advisor is to provide advice and counsel on mergers and acquisitions, capital structures,
including negotiation of bank credit facilities, corporate governance and organizational development. Prior to
that, Mr.
Colville served as an executive officer of Consolidated Graphics, Inc. (NYSE: CGX), one of North
America’s leading general commercial printing and print-related companies, from 1994 to 2000 and from
2002
to
2007.
From
2000
to
2002,
Mr.
Colville
served
as
Managing
Director
at
Murphy
Noell
Capital,
LLC,
an
investment
banking
firm.
Mr.
Colville
holds
Bachelor
of
Business
Administration
and
Master
in
Accounting
degrees from Texas Tech University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
John
Koral
(Age
54)
Mr.
Koral
has
served
as
a
director
of
Signature
since
2010
and
as
a
Developer/Managing
Partner
to
a
number
of
strategic
partnerships
focused
on
luxury
single-
and
multi-family
residential
construction projects in Colorado since 1999. In his work with the strategic partnerships, he maintains full
responsibility
for
all
aspects
of
the
projects,
from
land
purchase
to
approvals,
construction
and
sale.
Projects
under these partnerships have resulted in over 100,000 square feet of construction and approximately $25
million
of
sales
value.
From
1996
to
2011,
Mr.
Koral
served
as
a
Senior
Vice
President,
responsible
for
co-
managing the lending operations and managing the construction development operations, of U.S. Capital
Inc.,
an
asset-based
private
lender,
closing
in
excess
of
$100
million
of
loans
and
development
projects.
He
also participated in all of the company’s efforts to raise capital, including private participations, general
capitalization,
subordinated
notes
and
institutional
lines
of
credit.
Mr.
Koral
previously
managed
and
was
President
of
Apex
Mechanical
Services,
a
full
service
mechanical
contracting
firm,
from
1982
to
1996,
expanding
annual
sales
from
$5
million
to
$10
million.
He
has
also
been
an
active
investor
in
asset-based
loans since 1994.
Mr. Koral holds an Associate’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Alfred State
University with a minor in Business Administration.
12


SIGNATURE’S BOARD CANDIDATES
13
Officer for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association and has served in that capacity since
July 2007. Mr. Lamb has over 20 years of chief financial officer experience in various public and public
subsidiary entities, specifically in the financial services arena, including banking, commercial finance,
commercial and residential real estate, debt and equity capital markets and insurance. He also has extensive
experience in mergers, divestitures and acquisitions, financing and securitization structures as well as public
accounting. From 2004 to July 2007, Mr. Lamb served as the Senior Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial
Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, when it was known as Fremont General Corporation
(“Fremont”). Prior to that, Mr. Lamb served as Vice President-Finance for Fremont and as the Chief Financial
Officer of Fremont Financial Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company. Before joining Fremont, Mr. Lamb
worked at Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young) in San Francisco, serving primarily in the financial services
industries in various audit and consulting engagements. Mr. Lamb holds Bachelor of Science and Master in
Accounting degrees from the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University. Mr. Lamb also
serves on two advisory boards for the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University.
Patrick E. Lamb (Age 53):
Mr.
Lamb
has
served
as
a
director
of
Signature
since
2011.
He
is
the
Chief
Financial


:
SIGNATURE’S BOARD CANDIDATES
14
the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Equity Group Investments (“EGI”) and has served in
various leadership capacities for EGI and its affiliates since 1990. He has been the firm’s Chief Financial
Officer since 2002, and the Chief Operating Officer since 2006. In his role at EGI, he works closely with the
investment team on structuring transactions, due diligence, bank financings, and securities offerings. Since
2009, he has also been Chief Financial Officer for Chai Trust Company, LLC, an Illinois registered trust
company that is trustee for many of the Zell family trusts. Mr. Tinkler oversees EGI’s financial services group,
which houses EGI’s accounting, treasury, and tax functions. He also serves as Chief Operating Officer,
managing EGI’s human resources, administration and facilities functions. From 2003 to 2004, Mr. Tinkler
worked at the company that is known today as Covanta Holding Corporation (NYSE: CVA), an internationally
recognized owner/operator of energy-from-waste and power generation projects. During his tenure there,
Mr. Tinkler served as Chief Financial Officer while the company’s predecessor, Danielson, purchased Covanta,
emerged from bankruptcy, and underwent an integration. He also served on the board of directors of
Covanta’s wholly owned California-based insurance subsidiary. Earlier in his career, Mr. Tinkler served as the
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer at First Capital Financial, L.L.C. and the Managing General
Partner of the First Capital real estate funds. He began his career at Ernst & Young. Mr. Tinkler serves on the
board of directors of another EGI investment company, WRS Holdings Company, an environmental
construction and remediation company. Mr. Tinkler holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern
Illinois University and a Master of Science degree in Taxation from DePaul University.
Philip
G.
Tinkler
(Age
48)
Mr.
Tinkler
has
served
as
a
director
of
Signature
since
August
2012.
Mr.
Tinkler
is