Attached files

file filename
8-K/A - ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION 8-K/A 6-2-2015 - ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPform8ka.htm

Exhibit 99.1
 

 
DATE:
6/2/2015
 
TO:
HILTON H. HOWELL, CHAIRMAN OF BOARD
 
ATLANTIC AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANIES
     
COPIES TO:
2014-15 MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
 
ATLANTIC AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANIES
  JOHN SAMPLE, CFO
 
ATLANTIC AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANIES
 
FROM:
WILLIAM H. WHALEY, M.D. F.A.C.P.
 
Dear Hilton:
 
It is with heavy heart and great regret that I submit to you my resignation from the Board of Directors of Atlantic American Insurance Companies effective upon receipt of this letter. It was with humility and pride that I accepted Mack Robinson's suggestion that I join the Board of Rhodes Furniture Company greater than 30 years ago. Mack had served as my surrogate father and I was honored that he thought that I might have something to add. I carried on that honor when he moved me to the Board of Atlantic American. I asked him at the time what he wanted me to do. He indicated that I should be myself, speak my mind, and learn from the seasoned independent business savvy Board Members that were on those two Boards. He asked me to diligently represent the interests of the minority share holders. Over the last several years, I saw two of those seasoned directors resign their positions with the Board and I chose not to do so but to honor my commitment to Mack to represent the independent shareholders to the best of my ability. I was honored to serve as the chairman of the Compensation Committee and I took the responsibility seriously. I attended conferences held by the New York Stock Exchange in New York and regularly reviewed their correspondences and notices to compensation committee members. I was told that the Audit Committee commissioned a study by an outside group of consultants of issues that would overlap the purview and responsibility of the Compensation Committee. I sought advice from outside experts who assured me that any such work product could influence the work of the Compensation Committee. In my role as Chairman, I repeatedly requested of the Audit Committee Chairman and the outside counsel advising Atlantic American to allow me to review the findings of that outside survey. I was repeatedly denied access to the work product and was given minimal vague information regarding the contents of that study.
 
ATLANTA AND NORTH GEORGIA:
MACON AND CENTRAL GEORGIA: 
ATHENS:
1835 Savoy Drive 
308 Coliseum Drive
125 King Avenue
Suite 300
Suite 120
2nd Floor, Suite 200
Atlanta, Georgia 30341
Macon, Georgia 31217
Athens, Georgia 30606
Phone: (770) 496-9400
Phone: (478) 745-6130
Phone: (706) 369-4478
Fax: (770) 496-9495 Fax: (478) 745-4443 Fax: (706) 353-6639
 
www.gacancer.com
 

Subsequent events have led to a situation where 75% of the long term outside Directors of the Corporation have or are being separated from the Board and those outside Directors represent two-thirds of the Compensation Committee and two-thirds of the Audit Committee. I therefore believe that I am powerless to do the due diligence work of the Chairman of the Compensation Committee with these obstacles.. Therefore, I see no alternative than to resign from the Board effective with your receipt via email of this letter. I will mail a hard copy to you and the other members of the Board immediately.
 
I have enjoyed my many years of service as the Medical Director of Bankers. I believe that I have done everything expected of me and I would like to continue in that role. I would actually like to increase the involvement with the medical director professional organizations as I told you several years ago. I believe I can help the Company and play an active role in Company success in this way.
 
I wish you and the Company and the Robinson family continued success with the Company. I remain a substantial share holder and will certainly be interested in the Company’s progress.
 
Sincerely,
 
William H. Whaley, M.D., F.A.C.P.