UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________

 

FORM 10-K/A

 

(Mark One)
x	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
or
o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______________ to _____________

 

Commission File Number 000-54010
_________________

GREAT AMERICAN GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware	27-0223495
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
21860 Burbank Boulevard, Suite 300 South Woodland Hills, CA	91367
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

(818) 884-3737
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

(Title of Class)

__________________

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.     Yes:   ¨     No  x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  ¨    No  x

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes:  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes:  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer         Accelerated filer         

 

Non-accelerated filer  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes:  ¨    No  x

 

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates, based on the closing price of the registrant’s common stock as reported on the OTC Bulletin Board on June 30, 2011, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $1.8 million. For purposes of this calculation, it has been assumed that all shares of the registrant’s common stock held by directors, executive officers and shareholders beneficially owning five percent or more of the registrant’s common stock are held by affiliates. The treatment of these persons as affiliates for purposes of this calculation is not conclusive as to whether such persons are, in fact, affiliates of the registrant.

 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock as of April 25, 2012 was 31,001,609.

 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

The undersigned registrant hereby amends in its entirety Part III of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 as set forth in the pages attached hereto. This Form 10-K/A does not reflect events occurring after the filing of the original Annual Report on Form 10-K and, other than the amendment described above, does not modify or update the disclosures in the original Annual Report on Form 10-K in any way.

 

PART III

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

 

We have a classified board of directors (the “Board”) consisting of two Class I directors (Bryant R. Riley and Mark D. Klein), three Class II directors (Hugh J. Hilton, Michael J. Levitt and Harvey M. Yellen), and two Class III directors (Andrew Gumaer and Matthew J. Hart). Our Class III directors will serve until the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2012 and our Class I and II directors will serve until the annual meetings of stockholders to be held in 2013 and 2014 or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. The following table provides the name, age and position(s) of each of our directors as of April 30, 2012:

 

Name		Age		Committees
Class I Directors
Bryant R. Riley		45		None.
Mark D. Klein		50		Compensation Committee, Corporate Governance Committee
Class II Directors
Hugh G. Hilton		60		Audit Committee, Compensation Committee*, Corporate Governance Committee
Michael J. Levitt		53		None.
Harvey M. Yellen		65		None.
Class III Directors
Andrew Gumaer		51		None.
Matthew J. Hart		60		Audit Committee*, Compensation Committee, Corporate Governance Committee*
*Chairman of the respective committee.

 

Bryant R. Riley has served as a director since August 2009. Mr. Riley has served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley & Co., LLC, a stock brokerage firm, since founding the firm in 1997. Mr. Riley also has served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Riley Investment Management, LLC, an investment management company, since founding the company in 2000. Mr. Riley serves on the boards of directors of Alliance Semiconductor Corp., DDI Corp., Strasbaugh and Trans World Entertainment Corp. He also serves on the board of directors for several private companies.  Mr. Riley also previously served on the board of directors of Aldila, Inc. from 2003 to February 2010, Celeritek, Inc. from 2003 to 2007, Integrated Silicon Solutions, Inc. from 2006 to 2008, Mossimo, Inc. from 2005 to 2006, Silicon Storage Technology, Inc. from 2008 to 2009 and Transmeta Corporation from 2008 to 2009. From 1996 to 1997, Mr. Riley was an equity salesman with Dabney/Resnick Inc., a stock brokerage firm. From 1995 to 1996, Mr. Riley managed the institutional equity department of Gaines, Berland Inc., a stock brokerage firm. From 1993 to 1995, Mr. Riley co-managed the equity department of Dabney/Resnick Inc. In 1991, Mr. Riley co-founded Huberman Riley, a brokerage firm based in Dallas, Texas, and served as its President until 1993. From 1989 to 1991, Mr. Riley served in various positions with LH Friend, Weinress & Frankson, an Irvine, California based stock brokerage firm. Mr. Riley received his B.S. in Finance from Lehigh University. Mr. Riley’s experience and expertise in the investment banking industry provides our Board with valuable insight into the capital markets. Mr. Riley’s extensive experience serving on other public company boards is an important resource for our Board.

 

 

Mark D. Klein has served as a director of Great American Group since July 2009. Since January of 2011, Mr. Klein has been a director of NeXt BDC Capital Corp. From April 2010 to May 2011, Mr. Klein was the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of Crumbs Bake Shop, Inc., formerly 57^th Street General Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company he helped form, and a director since its inception. Also in April 2010, Mr. Klein became a managing member and majority partner of M. Klein & Company, LLC, which owns the Klein Group, LLC, a registered broker dealer. Mr. Klein also maintains registration with the Klein Group, LLC as a registered representative and principal. Between March 2007 and July 2009, Mr. Klein was the Chief Executive Officer, President and a director of Alternative Asset Management Corporation (“AAMAC”), a special purpose acquisition company he helped form in 2007 and which completed a merger with Great American Group LLC in July 2009. Mr. Klein was one of the Principals of Aldebaran Investments, LLC, a private fund which invested in special purpose acquisition companies. From April 2007 until August 2008, Mr. Klein was the Chief Executive Officer of Hanover Group US LLC, an indirect US subsidiary of the Hanover Group, a business services firm. Prior to joining Hanover in 2007, Mr. Klein was Chairman of Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., a leading underwriter of blank check companies, which is engaged in retail and institutional securities brokerage, investment banking and asset management services. From March 2005 to September 2006, he was Chief Executive Officer and President of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services, Inc., the parent of Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., and Chief Executive Officer of Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management Inc., a subsidiary of Ladenburg Financial Services, Inc. Prior to joining Ladenburg Thalmann, from June 2000 to March 2005, Mr. Klein served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of NBGI Asset Management, Inc. and NBGI Securities, which were the US subsidiaries of the National Bank of Greece, the largest financial institution in Greece. Prior to joining NBGI, Mr. Klein was President and founder of Newbrook Capital Management, founder and managing member of Independence Holdings Partners, LLC, a private equity fund-of-funds company, and founder and general partner of Intrinsic Edge Partners, a long/short equity hedge fund. Prior to the formation of Newbrook Capital Management and Independence Holdings Partners, LLC, Mr. Klein was a Senior Portfolio Manager for PaineWebber and Smith Barney Shearson, both investment banking firms. Mr. Klein is a graduate of J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, with a Masters of Management Degree and also received a Bachelors of Business Administration Degree with high distinction from Emory University. Mr. Klein’s experience and expertise in the investment banking industry provides our Board with valuable insight into the capital markets and investment community.

 

Hugh G. Hilton has served as a director since July 2009. Mr. Hilton has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Alvarez & Marsal Capital Real Estate, LLC, which co-founded in December 2008, the real estate and investment management arm of Alvarez & Marsal. From 2003 to December 2008, Mr. Hilton served as the founding Managing Director of Catalyst, LLC, a restructuring and turnaround firm.  Mr. Hilton has been involved in over 25 corporate restructuring and turnaround engagements, during which he provided financial advisory services and/or filled interim senior management roles, such as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and/or Chief Restructuring Officer at both public and private middle market companies.  Prior to 2003, Mr. Hilton served as a Managing Director of Alvarez & Marsal, President of HVK, Inc., President First Interstate Bancorp’s real estate fund advisory arm, and Vice President of BankAmerica Investment Real Estate. Mr. Hilton holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan as well as a Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado. Mr. Hilton is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and the Colorado Bar Association. Mr. Hilton’s financial experience and expertise in the real estate and restructuring industries is particularly relevant to the Board as we expand our current service offerings. He provides the Board with important insight into the real estate marketplace.

 

 

Michael J. Levitt has served as a director since July 2009. Mr. Levitt is currently Vice Chairman of Apollo Capital Markets.  From 2001 to April 2012, Mr. Levitt served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Stone Tower Capital LLC (“STC”), an investment firm he founded that focused on credit assets. STC merged businesses with Apollo Capital Markets in April 2012. Mr. Levitt served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of 57^th Street Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, from October 2009 to April 2010. From March 2007 to July 2009, Mr. Levitt served as the Chairman of the Board of AAMAC. Mr. Levitt has spent his entire 25-year career managing or advising non-investment grade businesses and investing in non-investment grade assets. Previously, Mr. Levitt served as the managing partner of the New York office of Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated. Prior thereto, Mr. Levitt served as the co-head of the investment banking division of Smith Barney Inc. Mr. Levitt has a B.B.A. from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. Mr. Levitt’s experience and expertise in the investment banking industry and understanding of credit and credit related assets provides our Board with valuable insight into the markets in which we operate.

 

Matthew J. Hart has served as a director since July 2009. Mr. Hart was President and Chief Operating Officer of Hilton Hotels Corporation, referred to herein as Hilton, from May 2004 until the buyout of Hilton by the Blackstone Group in October 2007. Mr. Hart also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hilton from 1996 to 2004. Prior to joining Hilton in 1996, Mr. Hart was Senior Vice President and Treasurer of The Walt Disney Company and was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Host Marriot Corp. Mr. Hart received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology from Vanderbilt University in 1974 and earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from Columbia University in 1976. Mr. Hart currently serves on the board of directors of US Airways Group, Air Lease Corporation. Mr. Hart formerly served on the board of directors of Kilroy Realty Corp. from 1997 to 2007 and American West Holdings Corp. from 2005 to 2006. Mr. Hart’s extensive experience and expertise with public companies is well suited for his role as the designated financial expert and chairman of our Audit Committee. He also brings extensive experience serving on other public company boards which provide important resources in his service on our Board.

 

Andrew Gumaer has served as our Chief Executive Officer since July 2009 and our Chairman since March 2012. Prior to July 2009, Mr. Gumaer was a co-founder of GAG, LLC, had served as GAG, LLC’s Chief Executive Officer since May 2007 and previously served as GAG, LLC’s President from June 2006 to May 2007. Mr. Gumaer also currently serves as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Great American Home Auctions, LLC. Prior to assuming his current responsibilities, Mr. Gumaer was the President of The Pride Capital Group, LLC, predecessor in interest to GAG, LLC, from 2002 to May 2006. Mr. Gumaer also served as the Senior Vice President of Garcel, Inc. from 1997 to 2002 and as a Senior Vice President with the investment banking firm Drexel Burnham Lambert prior to his service with Garcel, Inc. Mr. Gumaer is the brother-in-law of Mark Weitz our President, Wholesale and Industrial Services. Mr. Gumaer’s in depth knowledge of our business and operations, his experience in the investment banking industry, and leadership as GAG, LLC’s Chief Executive Officer and President since 2006 positions him well to serve as our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board.

 

Harvey M. Yellen has served as our Vice Chairman and President since July 2009 and as our Chief Operating Officer since September 2010. Prior to July 2009, Mr. Yellen was a co-founder of GAG, LLC, had served as GAG, LLC’s Chairman since June 2007 and previously served as GAG, LLC’s President from June 2006 to June 2007 and the President of The Pride Capital Group, LLC, predecessor in interest to GAG, LLC, from 2002 to May 2006. Mr. Yellen was also the Executive Vice President of Garcel, Inc. from 1994 to 2002. Prior to beginning his services at Garcel, Inc., Mr. Yellen held senior management positions at various retail companies, including: Allied Department Stores, Sieferts/Spurgeons and Fashion Crossroads. Mr. Yellen received his Bachelor of Science in Business from Louisiana State University in 1968. Mr. Yellen’s in depth knowledge of our business and operations, his experience in the retail industry, positions him well to serve as our Vice Chairman and President.

 

 

Executive Officers

 

Executive officers are elected by our Board and serve at its discretion. Other than as described below, there are no family relationships between any director or executive officer and any other directors or executive officers. Set forth below is information regarding our executive officers as of April 30, 2012.

 

Name		Position		Age
Andrew Gumaer		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer		51
Harvey M. Yellen		Vice Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer		65
Paul S. Erickson		Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer		50
Scott K. Carpenter		Executive Vice President, Retail Services		56
Lester M. Freidman		Managing Director, Great American Group Advisory and Valuation Services, LLC		52
Mark Weitz		President, Wholesale and Industrial Services		52
Mark Naughton		Senior Vice President and General Counsel		49
Howard E. Weitzman		Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer		50

 

Mr. Gumaer’s biographical information is included with those of the other members of our Board.

 

Mr. Yellen’s biographical information is included with those of the other members of our Board.

 

Paul Erickson has served as our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer since July 2009 and as GAG, LLC’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer since June 2006. Prior to assuming his current responsibilities, Mr. Erickson was the Chief Financial Officer of The Pride Capital Group, LLC, predecessor in interest to Great American, from 2001 to May 2006. Mr. Erickson also served as the Controller of Garcel, Inc. beginning in 1995 and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 1997. From 1992 to 1996, Mr. Erickson served as Chief Financial Officer of Joan Vass, Inc. and 1001, Inc., both retail and manufacturing companies. Mr. Erickson received his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting from California State University—Northridge in 1986 and earned a Master of Science in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in 1997.

 

Scott K. Carpenter has served as our Executive Vice President, Retail Services since July 2009 and as GAG, LLC’s Executive Vice President and Director of Operations, Retail Services since June 2006. Prior to assuming his current responsibilities, Mr. Carpenter was the Senior Vice President of Operations of The Pride Capital Group, LLC, predecessor in interest to Great American, from 2001 to May 2006 and the Vice President of Operations of Garcel, Inc. from 1997 to 2000. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Carpenter was responsible for operations in 155 Office Depot stores in 17 states as Regional Operations Manager. Prior to his service with Office Depot, Mr. Carpenter served as a Buyer and as Director of Store Operations of Hechinger stores in both domestic and international operations from 1987 to 1995. Mr. Carpenter also previously worked for Booz, Allen and Hamilton and McDonnell Aircraft Company. Mr. Carpenter received his Bachelor of Science in Economics from George Mason University in 1978 and earned a Master of Arts from George Mason University in 1982.

 

Lester M. Friedman has served as the Managing Director of Great American Advisory and Valuation Services, LLC since April 2009 and previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of Great American Advisory and Valuation Services, LLC from 2002 to April 2009 and as the Chief Operating Officer from 2000 to 2002. Prior to assuming his current responsibilities, Mr. Friedman was the Chief Operating Officer of the Garcel, Inc. Appraisal Division from 1996 to 2000 and the Chief Financial Officer of Garcel, Inc. from 1994 to 1996. Mr. Friedman was also the Controller and Director of Inventory Appraisal and Valuations for Gordon Brothers Partners. Mr. Friedman received his Bachelor of Business Studies in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst in 1982 and was a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Massachusetts from 1982 to 1990 while he worked for Laventhol Horwath.

 

 

Mark Weitz has served as the President of our Wholesale and Industrial Services division since July 2009 and as GAG, LLC’s President, Wholesale and Industrial Services division since June 2006. Prior to assuming his current responsibilities, Mr. Weitz was the President, Wholesale and Industrial Services division of The Pride Capital Group, LLC, predecessor in interest to Great American, from 2001 to May 2006. Mr. Weitz also served as the President of the Wholesale and Industrial Services division of Garcel, Inc. from 1998 to 2000. Mr. Weitz attended the University of Washington and the University of California Los Angeles. Mr. Weitz also attended the Missouri Auction School in 1982 and has been a licensed auctioneer since such time. Mr. Weitz is the brother-in-law of Mr. Gumaer.

 

Mark P. Naughton has served as our Senior Vice President and General Counsel since July 2009, as Secretary since August 2009 and as GAG, LLC’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel since June 2006. Prior to assuming his current responsibilities, Mr. Naughton was the Vice President and General Counsel of The Pride Capital Group, LLC from May 2003 to May 2006 when The Pride Capital Group, LLC merged into Great American. Prior to joining Great American, Mr. Naughton was a partner in the Chicago office of Piper Rudnick (n/k/a DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary) from 1993 to May 2003 and was an associate from 1987 to 1993. Mr. Naughton received his Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Marquette University in 1984 and earned a J.D. from Northwestern University in 1987.

 

Howard E. Weitzman has served as Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer of GAG, Inc. since December 2009. Prior to December 2009, Mr. Weitzman worked as a consultant from November 2008 assisting clients with financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, including consulting for the Company from April 2009 on various accounting and financial reporting matters in connection with the Company’s transaction with AAMAC. From December 2006 to October 2008, Mr. Weitzman served as a Senior Manager in the SEC Services Group in the audit practice at Moss Adams, LLP. Mr. Weitzman also spent 12 years in public accounting at two “Big 4” accounting firms, most recently from 2003 to October 2005 as a Senior Manager in the financial services audit practice of Deloitte & Touche, LLP. Mr. Weitzman also held various senior financial management positions, including from 1994 to 2003, with Banner Holdings, Inc. as the Chief Financial Officer of Central Financial Acceptance Corporation and Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of Central Rents, Inc. Mr. Weitzman also served as a Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Peoples Choice Financial Corporation from October 2005 to October 2006. Mr. Weitzman received a B.S. in Accounting from California State University, Northridge and is a California licensed Certified Public Accountant.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

Our Board currently has three standing committees to facilitate and assist the Board in the execution of its responsibilities: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Audit Committee

 

Our Audit Committee is composed of Messrs. Matthew J. Hart (Chairperson) and Hugh G. Hilton. Our Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the Audit Committee is independent under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2), and meets all other qualifications under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(e) and the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our Board has also affirmatively determined that Matthew J. Hart qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933. During 2011, the Audit Committee held four meetings.

 

The Audit Committee acts pursuant to a written charter, which is available for review on our website at www.greatamerican.com/governance.cfm. The responsibilities of the Audit Committee include overseeing, reviewing and evaluating our financial statements, accounting and financial reporting processes, internal control functions and the audits of our financial statements. The Audit Committee is also responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, and as necessary, the termination of our independent auditors.

 

 

Compensation Committee

 

Our Compensation Committee is composed of Messrs. Hugh G. Hilton (Chairperson), Matthew J. Hart and Mark D. Klein. Our Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is independent as such term is defined under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2). During 2011, the Compensation Committee met three times. Our Board has adopted a charter for the Compensation Committee which is available for review on our website at www.greatamerican.com/governance.cfm. The Compensation Committee reviews and makes recommendations to our Board concerning the compensation and benefits of our executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, and directors, oversees the administration of our stock option and employee benefits plans, and reviews general policy relating to compensation and benefits.

 

Corporate Governance Committee

 

Our Corporate Governance Committee is composed of Messrs. Matthew J. Hart (Chairperson), Hugh G. Hilton and Mark D. Klein. The Corporate Governance Committee evaluates and recommends to the Board nominees for each election of directors. The Corporate Governance Committee met one time in 2011. Our Board has adopted a charter for the Corporate Governance Committee and a copy of that charter is available for review on our website at www.greatamerican.com/governance.cfm. The responsibilities of the Corporate Governance Committee include making recommendations to the Board with respect to the nominations or elections of directors and providing oversight of our corporate governance policies and practices.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Such persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed by such person.

 

Based solely on our review of such forms furnished to us and written representations from such reporting persons, we believe that all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and more than 10% stockholders were met in a timely manner.

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

Our Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available for review on our website at www.greatamerican.com/governance.cfm, and is also available in print, without charge, to any stockholder who requests a copy by writing to us at Great American Group, Inc., 21860 Burbank Boulevard, Suite 300 South, Woodland Hills, California, 91367, Attention: Investor Relations. Each of our directors, employees and officers, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller, and all of our other principal executive officers, are required to comply with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. There have not been any waivers of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics relating to any of our executive officers or directors in the past year.

 

Corporate Governance Documents

 

Our corporate governance documents, including the Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter and Code of Ethics, are available, free of charge, on our website at www.greatamerican.com/governance.cfm. Please note, however, that the information contained on the website is not incorporated by reference in, or considered part of, this Form 10-K. We will also provide copies of these documents, free of charge, to any stockholder upon written request to Great American Group, Inc., 21860 Burbank Boulevard, Suite 300 South, Woodland Hills, California, 91367, Attention: Investor Relations.

 

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table shows information concerning the annual compensation for services provided to us by our named executive officers during fiscal 2011 and 2010.

 

								Nonqualified
								Deferred
								Compensation				All Other				Total
		Year		Salary				Earnings				Compensation				Compensation
Name and Principal Position (1)		($)		($)				($)(2)				($)(3)				($)
Andrew Gumaer		2011			392,308				-				39,593				431,901
Chairman and Chief Executive		2010			535,385				-				28,021				563,406
Officer
Harvey M. Yellen		2011			392,308				-				34,587				426,895
Vice Chairman, President and		2010			535,385				-				28,760				564,145
Chief Operating Officer
Paul S. Erickson		2011			295,702				6,449				29,908				332,059
Executive Vice President, Chief		2010			312,692				10,471				18,337				341,500
Financial Officer

 

(1)

The table above summarizes the total compensation earned by each of our named executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

 

(2)

The amounts listed in this column includes nonqualified deferred compensation earnings which represents the above market earnings on the deferred compensation from the GAG, LLC Phantom Stock Plan. Earnings are for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. Above market earnings is the amount earned at 3.75% that exceeds 120% of the applicable federal tax long-term rate.

 

(3)

The amounts listed in this column includes other compensation detailed in the following table:

  

Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2011

 

There are no outstanding equity awards for our named executive officers as of December 31, 2011.

 

Employment Agreements

 

On July 31, 2009, we entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Gumaer, Yellen, and Erickson. These agreements have no defined length of employment. Either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time, subject to possible severance payments as set forth below. The terms and conditions of those agreements are generally as follows:

 

Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreements, Messrs. Gumaer, Yellen, and Erickson receive annual base salaries of $661,500, $661,500, and $330,750, respectively. These base salaries are subject to annual increases of no less than five percent. The agreements also provide for the award of an annual discretionary bonus. The Company provides Messrs. Yellen and Gumaer with monthly automobile allowances of $2,000 and Mr. Erickson with a monthly automobile allowance of $1,200. In September 2010, Messrs. Gumaer and Yellen agreed to a reduction in their respective base salaries to $392,308 during the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

Each agreement contains an indemnification provision wherein we promise to defend, indemnify, and hold the employee harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law against any and all liabilities incurred by the employee in connection with employment by us.

 

Severance will be owed if the employment relationship is terminated by us without cause or by the employee with “Good Reason,” or upon the death or disability of the employee. “Good Reason” is (i) a material diminution in the employee’s base salary, authority, duties, or responsibilities; (ii) a material diminution in the budget over which the employee retains authority; (iii) a material change in the geographic location at which the employee must perform services; or (iv) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach of the terms of the employment agreement. Severance for Messrs. Yellen, Gumaer, and Erickson will be payment of the following amounts: a lump sum equal to two years of base salary; a lump sum equal to two times the annual bonus paid during the term of employment or two times the first target bonus in the event of termination prior to any bonus being paid; and a lump sum equal to 24 times the monthly COBRA premiums for employee and employee’s spouse and dependents.

 

Severance will not be owed if the employee terminates the employment relationship without Good Reason or if we terminate the relationship for “Cause.” “Cause” exists if the employee: (i) engages in gross misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of the employee’s duties or willfully and continuously failed or refused to perform any duties reasonably requested in the course of the employee’s employment consistent with the employee’s position with us; (ii) engages in fraud, dishonesty, or any other improper conduct that causes material harm to the Company or its business or reputation; (iii) materially breaches the employment agreement; or (iv) is convicted of, or pleads guilty or no contest to, a felony or crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude (excluding traffic offenses).

 

Director Compensation

 

We use cash and stock based incentive compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on our Board. In setting director compensation, we consider the significant amount of time that our directors expend in fulfilling their duties to our Company as well as the skill level required by our members of the Board.

 

Each non-employee director receives annual fees of $40,000, paid in quarterly installments, and an annual grant of $50,000 in options to purchase our common stock, restricted stock or other form of equity award for serving as a director. Such stock options, restricted stock or other form of award are subject to a one-year vesting period. In addition, annual fees of $12,000, $8,000 and $4,000 are paid to the chairperson of our audit committee, compensation committee and corporate governance committee, respectively. On July 15, 2010, each of our non-employee directors agreed to a 40% reduction in their fees. On August 16, 2011, each of our non-employee directors agreed to a 20% reduction in their annual fees and the directors agreed to forfeit the annual grant of $50,000 in restricted stock for serving as a director. Accordingly, through at least August 2012, our non-employee directors will receive annual fees of $32,000, and annual fees of $9,600 will be paid to the chairperson of our audit committee, $6,400 will be paid to the chairperson of our compensation committee, $3,200 will be paid to the chairperson of the corporate governance committee. A special committee comprised of Messrs. Mark D. Klein, Hugh G. Hilton, Michael J. Levitt, and Matthew J. Hart, each a non-employee director, were each paid a one-time fee of $24,000 as compensation for their services on such committee. A one-time $40,000 grant of stock options, restricted stock or other form of equity award are made to each non-employee director in connection with such individual’s appointment to our Board, which stock options, restricted stock or other form of equity award will be subject to a one-year vesting period.

  

 

The following table summarizes the total compensation that our directors (other than directors who are named executive officers) earned during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 for services rendered as members of our Board.

 

		Fees Earned or				Option
Name (1)		Paid in Cash ($)(2)				Awards ($)(3)				Total ($)
Bryant R. Riley			50,000				-				50,000
Mark D. Klein			26,000				-				26,000
Hugh G. Hilton			55,200				-				55,200
Michael J. Levitt			50,000				-				50,000
Matthew J. Hart			60,400				-				60,400

_________________

 

(1)

Andrew Gumaer, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Harvey M. Yellen, our Vice Chairman and President, are not included in this table because they are employees of the Company and thus receive no additional compensation for services as a director. The compensation received by Messrs. Gumaer and Yellen as employees of the Company is shown in the Summary Compensation Table above.

(2)

Amount reflects fees paid in cash during 2011 for the named director for services on the Board.

(3)

The directors elected to forego there annual restricted stock grant of $50,000. As such, there were no shares granted at the shareholders meeting on August 16, 2011 for services to the Board for the 2011 - 2012 annual term.

  

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the beneficial ownership of the shares of our common stock as of April 25, 2012, by (i) each person we know to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock; (ii) each executive officer listed in the Summary Compensation Table; (iii) each of our directors; and (iv) all of our executive officers and directors as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of the individuals listed below is the address appearing on the cover of this Annual Report.

 

		Shares Beneficially Owned(2)
Name or Group of Beneficial Owners (1)		Number				Percent
Named Executive Officers:
Harvey M. Yellen			5,280,000				17.2	%
Andrew Gumaer			5,280,000				17.2	%
Paul S. Erickson			191,653	*
Directors:
Bryant R. Riley  (3)			113,004	*
Mark D. Klein			278,630	*
Hugh G. Hilton			40,435	*
Michael J. Levitt			981,755				3.2	%
Matthew J. Hart			50,435	*
5% Stockholders:
Elliott Associates, L.P. (4)			6,129,000				19.8	%
712 Fifth Avenue 36th Floor
New York, NY  10019
Robeco Investment Management (5)			2,275,702				7.3	%
909 Third Avenue
New York, NY  10022
Lloyd I. Miller, III (6)			2,076,905				6.7	%
222 Lakeview Avenue, Suite 160-365
West Palm Beach, FL  33401
Executive officers and directors as a group (14 persons)			12,598,963				40.6	%

__________

 

*

Represents less than 1%.

 

(1)

Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each holder is c/o Great American Group, Inc., 21860 Burbank Blvd., Suite 300 South, Woodland Hills, California 91367.

 

(2)

Applicable percentage ownership is based on 31,001,609 shares of our common stock outstanding as of April 25, 2012. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, based on factors including voting and investment power with respect to shares, subject to the applicable community property laws. Shares of our common stock subject to options or other contractual rights currently exercisable, or exercisable within 60 days after April 25, 2012, are deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such options, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

 

(3)

Includes 68,749 shares held by B. Riley and Co., LLC. Mr. Riley is the sole indirect equity owner of B. Riley and Co., LLC.

 

(4)

Based solely on information provided on a Schedule 13D/A filed by Elliot Associates, L.P. with the SEC on August 9, 2011. Pursuant to the Schedule 13D/A, the securities are beneficially owned by Elliott Associates, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Elliott”), Elliott International, L.P., a Cayman Islands limited partnership (“Elliott International”), and Elliott International Capital Advisors Inc., a Delaware corporation (“EICA” and collectively with Elliott and Elliott International, the “Reporting Persons”). Elliott beneficially owns 2,451,600 shares of Common Stock.  Elliott International and EICA beneficially own an aggregate of 3,677,400 shares of Common Stock.  Collectively, Elliott, Elliott International and EICA beneficially own 6,129,000 shares of Common Stock. Elliott has the power to vote or direct the vote of, and to dispose or direct the disposition of, the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by it. Elliott International has the shared power with EICA to vote or direct the vote of, and to dispose or direct the disposition of, the shares of Common Stock owned by Elliott International.

 

 

(5)

Based solely on information provided on a Schedule 13G filed by Robeco Investment Management with the SEC on December 31, 2011, with respect to 2,275,702 shares held by Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (RIM) for the discretionary account of certain clients. To the knowledge of RIM no person has the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from or the proceeds from the sale of such Common Stock which represents more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock.

 

(6)

Based solely on information provided on a Schedule 13G filed by Lloyd I. Miller, III with the SEC on December 30, 2011, with respect to 2,076,905 shares held by Lloyd I. Miller, III. Pursuant to Schedule 13G, Lloyd I. Miller, III has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 931,925 shares of Common Stock as (i) the manager of a limited liability company that is the adviser to certain family trusts and (ii) a manager of a limited liability company that is the general partner of a certain limited partnership and has shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 1,144,980 shares of Common Stock as (i) a co-member and co-manager of a limited liability company and (ii) an investment advisor to the trustee of a certain family trust.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

Information about our equity compensation plans at December 31, 2011 was as follows:

 

Plan Category		Number of Shares to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (a)				Weighted- Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options (b)				Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by our stockholders (1)			-				-				7,208,725
Equity compensation plans not approved by our stockholders (2)			-				-				-
Total			-				-				7,208,725

 

(1)

Includes our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

(2)

All of our equity compensation plans were approved by our stockholders.

 

For more information on our equity compensation plans, see Note 17 of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

 

Other than as described below, during fiscal year 2011, there were no transactions to which the Company was or is a party in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any director, officer or beneficial holder of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities or member of such person’s immediate family had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

 

Mark Weitz, our President, Wholesale and Industrial Services, is the brother-in-law of Andrew Gumaer, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and director. Mr. Weitz’s total compensation, consisting of base salary, bonus, auto allowance, company paid medical, dental and life and disability insurance, and above market interest on nonqualified deferred compensation, in fiscal 2011 and 2010 for services rendered to us was $308,969 and $295,175, respectively. Mr. Weitz participates in various employee benefit programs of the Company, including health insurance benefits, life insurance benefits, and group life and long-term disability coverage, under the plans generally available to all other salaried employees. Mr. Weitz also is a Phantom Equityholder and received additional consideration as more fully described below. Mr. Weitz’s annual base salary for fiscal 2012 is $275,000, plus an annual auto allowance of $10,800.

 

Brian Yellen, our Executive Vice President, is the son of Harvey M. Yellen, our Vice Chairman, President, Chief Operating Officer and director. Mr. B. Yellen’s total compensation, consisting of base salary, bonus, commissions, auto allowance, company paid medical, dental and life and disability insurance, and above market interest on nonqualified deferred compensation, in fiscal 2011 and 2010 for services rendered to us was $261,919 and $279,652, respectively. Mr. B. Yellen participates in various employee benefit programs of the Company, including health insurance benefits, life insurance benefits, and group life and long-term disability coverage, under the plans generally available to all other salaried employees. Mr. B. Yellen also is a Phantom Equityholder and received additional consideration as more fully described below. Mr. B. Yellen’s annual base salary for fiscal 2012 is $180,000, plus an annual auto allowance of $10,800.

 

Sandy Feldman, our Senior Vice President, is the son-in-law of Harvey M. Yellen. Mr. Feldman’s total compensation, consisting of base salary, bonus, commissions, auto allowance, company paid medical, dental and life and disability insurance in fiscal 2011 and 2010 for services rendered to us was $252,543 and $245,143, respectively. Mr. Feldman participates in various employee benefit programs of the Company, including health insurance benefits, life insurance benefits, and group life and long-term disability coverage, under the plans generally available to all other salaried employees. Mr. Feldman’s annual base salary for fiscal 2012 is $171,000, plus an annual auto allowance of $10,800.

 

 

The Acquisition

 

Except as otherwise required by the context, references in this Annual Report to:

·

“Great American,” “the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to the combined business of Great American Group, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries after giving effect to (i) the contribution to Great American Group, Inc. of all of the membership interests of Great American Group, LLC by the members of Great American, which transaction is referred to herein as the “Contribution”, and (ii) the merger of Alternative Asset Management Acquisition Corp. with and into its wholly-owned subsidiary, AAMAC Merger Sub, Inc., referred to herein as “Merger Sub”, in each case, which occurred on July 31, 2009, referred to herein as the “Merger”. The Contribution and Merger are referred to herein collectively as the “Acquisition”;

·

“GAG,Inc.” refers to Great American Group, Inc.;

·

“GAG, LLC” refers to Great American Group, LLC;

·

“the Great American Members” refers to the members of Great American Group, LLC prior to the Acquisition;

·

“Phantom Equityholders” refers to certain members of senior management of Great American Group, LLC prior to the Acquisition that were participants in a deferred compensation plan; and

·

“AAMAC” refers to Alternative Asset Management Acquisition Corp.

 

On July 31, 2009, the Company, GAG, LLC and AAMAC completed the Acquisition pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of May 14, 2009, as amended (the “Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Great American Members contributed all of their membership interests of GAG, LLC to the Company and AAMAC merged with and into Merger Sub. As a result of the Acquisition, GAG, LLC and AAMAC became subsidiaries of the Company.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, at the effective time of the Acquisition, (i) each of the 10,923,313 shares of AAMAC common stock which were outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Acquisition were exchanged for two shares of GAG, Inc,’s common stock and (ii) each of the 46,025,000 outstanding AAMAC warrants were exchanged for a warrant to purchase GAG, Inc. common stock; and (iii) each outstanding unit of AAMAC was separated into one share of AAMAC common stock and a warrant to purchase one share of AAMAC common stock, both of which were exchanged pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above, respectively. Pursuant to a letter agreement, dated as of July 28, 2009 (the “Letter Agreement”) by and among GAG, Inc., AAMAC, GAG, LLC, and certain shareholders that founded AAMAC, including our current directors Mark Klein and Michael Levitt (the “AAMAC Founders”), the AAMAC Founders agreed to cancel 7,850,000 shares of their 10,350,000 shares of AAMAC common stock immediately prior to the Acquisition and to cancel 2,500,000 shares of the GAG, Inc.’s common stock that they received in exchange for their AAMAC common stock in the Acquisition. In accordance with the Letter Agreement, of the 2,500,000 shares of GAG, Inc.’s common stock the AAMAC Founders received in exchange for their AAMAC shares, 1,500,000 of such shares are being held in escrow for a period of one year from the closing of the Acquisition and the remaining 1,000,000 of such shares will continue to be held in escrow until GAG, LLC’s achievement of any one of the Adjusted EBITDA targets discussed below. The 1,000,000 shares, which are subject to voting restrictions while in escrow, will be forfeited and cancelled if GAG, LLC fails to achieve any of the Adjusted EBITDA targets. Upon filing the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 on March 30, 2012, the 1,000,000 shares held in escrow by the AAMAC Founders will be forfeited since the Company did not achieve the Adjusted EBITDA targets for the years ending December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2010.

 

Promissory Notes

 

We have entered into multiple amendments to and waivers of our obligations under the unsecured subordinated promissory notes issued in connection with the Acquisition. As a result of these amendments and waivers, in 2010 the interest rate was reduced to 3.75% with respect to an aggregate of $52.4 million of the then-outstanding $55.6 million in promissory notes. In addition, the maturity date for the then-outstanding $47.0 million in notes payable to the Great American Members was extended to July 31, 2018, subject to annual prepayments based upon our cash flow, provided that we are not obligated to make such prepayments if our minimum adjusted cash balance is below $20.0 million.  The 2010 amendments and waivers also permitted us to defer the payment of interest owed under $52.4 million of the notes until July 31, 2011.  

 

Effective July 31, 2011, we entered into individual amendments with the Great American Members that increased the principal amount of the promissory notes for the $1.8 million of accrued interest that was due to them on July 31, 2011. The addition to the principal amount will accrue interest at the note rate of 3.75% and continue to be subject to annual prepayments based upon our cash flow and the maintenance of a minimum adjusted cash balance as provided in the notes prior to the capitalization of the accrued interest. We are not required to make any principal prepayments under these notes for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011. Also effective July 31, 2011, we entered into agreements permitting us to defer payment of $1.4 million in interest owed to the Phantom Equityholders from July 31, 2011 to the fourth quarter of 2011. As of December 31, 2011, there was $48.8 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding under the notes payable to the Great American Members and $5.1 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding under the notes payable to the Phantom Equityholders. Of this amount, $52.0 million accrues interest at 12% and $1.9 million accrues interest at 3.75%.

 

 

The consideration received by each of the Contribution Consideration Recipients in 2010 and 2011 in connection with the subordinated unsecured promissory notes is as follows:

 

Phantom Equity-holder		Year				Consideration (in the form of Interest Earned on the Promissory Notes)(3)				Consideration (in the form of Principal Payments Paid on the Promissory Notes)(4)				Total Consideration on the Promissory Notes(5)				Principal Balance outstanding on the Promissory Notes at December 31,  2011
Former Great American Members
Andrew Gumaer			2011			$	895,032			$	-			$	895,032			$	23,379,316
			2010				1,057,416				-				1,057,416				n/a
Harvey M. Yellen			2011			$	895,032			$	-			$	895,032			$	23,379,316
			2010				1,057,416				-				1,057,416				n/a
Phantom Equityholders
Scott Carpenter			2011			$	150,083			$	333,701			$	483,784			$	1,001,104
			2010				183,435				333,701				517,136				n/a
Paul Erickson			2011			$	44,296			$	315,162			$	359,458			$	945,488
			2010				65,180				315,162				380,342				n/a
Lester Friedman			2011			$	42,726			$	296,623			$	339,349			$	889,870
			2010				61,346				296,623				357,969				n/a
Mark Weitz (1)			2011			$	42,147			$	296,623			$	338,770			$	889,870
			2010				61,346				296,623				357,969				n/a
Brian Yellen (2)			2011			$	25,369			$	176,120			$	201,489			$	528,360
			2010				36,424				176,120				212,574				n/a

 

(1)	Mr. Weitz is the brother-in-law of Andrew Gumaer, a director and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
(2)	Mr. Yellen is the son of Harvey M. Yellen, a director and the Vice Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company.
(3)	Consideration represents interest earned on the promissory notes for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.
(4)	Consideration represents principal payments on the promissory notes for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.
(5)	Total consideration represents the sum of interest earned on the promissory notes and principal payments on the promissory notes for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

 

Financial Advisory Fees

 

In August 2011, the Company paid a loan origination fee of $0.1 to million B. Riley & Co., LLC (“B. Riley”) (2% of the $7.0 million note payable to Dialectic Capital Partners, LP as more fully described in note 12 of our consolidated financial statements filed on Form 10-K on March 30, 2012). Bryant Riley, a member of our Board of Directors, is the controlling shareholder, President and Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley.

 

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 

In connection with the consummation of the Acquisition, the Company entered into that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2009 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), with the Contribution Consideration Recipients and the AAMAC Founders. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Contribution Consideration Recipients and the AAMAC Founders are entitled to registration rights, subject to certain limitations, with respect to the Company’s common stock they received in the Acquisition. The holders of a majority in interest of the Company’s common stock held by each of the Contribution Consideration Recipients and the AAMAC Founders are entitled to require the Company, on one occasion each, to register, under the Securities Act, the shares of common stock they received in consideration for the Acquisition as well as any securities issued in place of or as a dividend or distribution on such common stock (the “Demand Registration Rights”). The majority in interest of each of the Contribution Consideration Recipients and the AAMAC Founders may elect to exercise Demand Registration Rights at any time after January 17, 2010, the six-month anniversary following the date of effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-4, as amended, filed by the Company with the SEC in connection with the Acquisition, so long as the estimated market value of the shares of common stock to be registered is at least $500,000. In addition, the Contribution Consideration Recipients and the AAMAC Founders have certain “piggyback” registration rights on registration statements filed after the Company consummates the Acquisition. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

 

Escrow Agreements

 

In connection with the consummation of the Acquisition, GAG, Inc. entered into that certain Escrow Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2009 (the “Escrow Agreement”), with GAG, LLC, the Great American Members and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent, to provide a fund (a) to secure the indemnification obligations of Great American to AAMAC against losses that the Company, as the surviving entity of the Acquisition, may sustain as a result of (i) the inaccuracy or breach of any representation or warranty made by Great American in the Purchase Agreement or any schedule or certificate delivered by Great American in connection with the Purchase Agreement and (ii) the non-fulfillment or breach of any covenant or agreement made by Great American in the Purchase Agreement, (b) to offset against any working capital shortfall pursuant to the Purchase Agreement or (c) to offset against any inventory amount shortfall (together with the claims set forth in clauses (a) and (b), the “Escrow Claims”). Pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, the Great American Members placed in escrow an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Escrowed Indemnification Stock”).

 

On April 30, 2010 and 2011, 72,000 and 108,000 shares of the Escrowed Indemnification Stock, respectively, were released from escrow to the Phantom Equityholders. The remaining 1,320,000 shares that are currently held in escrow are reserved to offset against any inventory amount shortfall pursuant to the Escrow Agreement until the date that all of the specified inventory assets of Great American are sold. These shares will remain in escrow until such claims are resolved, at which time the remaining Escrowed Indemnification Stock shall be promptly returned to the Contribution Consideration Recipients.

 

 

Letter Agreement with AAMAC Founders

 

Pursuant to that certain letter agreement, dated as of May 14, 2009 (the “Letter Agreement”), as amended on July 8, 2009 (the “July 8 Amendment”), and as further amended on July 28, 2009 (the “July 28 Amendment” and, together with the July 2 Amendment, the “Letter Agreement Amendments”), by and among GAG, Inc., the AAMAC Founders, AAMAC and GAG, LLC, the AAMAC Founders agreed to cancel 7,850,000 shares of their AAMAC common stock before the consummation of the Acquisition and to cancel 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock that they received in exchange for their AAMAC common stock. The AAMAC Founders also agreed that 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock that they received in exchange for their AAMAC shares, which were deposited into escrow in connection with AAMAC’s initial public offering, will continue to be held in escrow and subject to the restrictions on voting and disbursements for a period of one year from the closing of the Acquisition. Moreover, the AAMAC Founders also agreed that 1,000,000 of their shares of the Company’s common stock will continue to be held in escrow until Great American’s achievement of any one of the Adjusted EBITDA targets described in the Purchase Agreement. These shares will be forfeited and cancelled if GAG, LLC fails to achieve any of the Adjusted EBITDA targets. Upon filing the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 on March 30, 2012, the 1,000,000 shares held in escrow by the AAMAC Founders will be forfeited since the Company did not achieve the Adjusted EBITDA targets for the years ending December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2010.

 

Procedures for Approval of Related Party Transactions

 

Under its charter, the Audit Committee is charged with reviewing all potential related party transactions. Our policy has been that the Audit Committee, which is comprised solely of independent, disinterested directors, reviews and then recommends such related party transactions to the entire Board for further review and approval. All such related party transactions are then required to be reported under applicable SEC rules. Aside from this policy, we have not adopted additional procedures for review of, or standards for approval of, related party transactions, but instead review such transactions on a case-by-case basis.

 

Director Independence

 

Our Board of Directors has unanimously determined that five (5) of our directors, a majority of the Board, are “independent” directors as that term is defined by Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2). In addition, based upon such standards, the Board determined that Messrs. Gumaer and Yellen are not “independent” because they are employees of the Company. 

 

 

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

 

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for services provided to us by Marcum for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011:

 

		Fiscal 2010				Fiscal 2011
Audit Fees(1)		$	380,000			$	333,000
Audit-Related Fees			-				-
Tax Fees (2)			6,000				-
All Other Fees			-				-
TOTAL		$	386,000			$	333,000

 

(1)

Audit Fees consist of audit and various attest services performed by Marcum, LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, and include the following: (1) fees for fiscal 2010 include (a) reviews of our financial statements for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2010, June 30, 2010 and September 30, 2010 and (b) the audit of our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010 and (2) fees for fiscal 2011 include (a) reviews of our financial statements for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2011, June 30, 2011 and September 30, 2011 and (b) the audit of our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

(2)

Tax fees consist of corporate tax compliance services for one of our subsidiaries.

 

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy

 

 As a matter of policy, all audit and non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm are approved in advance by the audit committee of the Company, which considers whether the provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining such firm's independence. All services provided by Marcum LLP during fiscal years 2010 and 2011 were pre-approved by the audit committee. The audit committee has considered the role of Marcum LLP in providing services to us for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, and has concluded that such services are compatible with their independence as our auditors.

 

 

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

 

(b)

Exhibits:

 

Exhibit Number	Description of Documents
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: April 30, 2012

 

	Great American Group, Inc.
	By:	/s/ Paul S. Erickson Paul S. Erickson Chief Financial Officer