SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
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))
[X ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss.240.14a-12
Donegal Group Inc.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
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[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
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2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the
amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined):
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by the
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offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by
registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of
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4) Date Filed:
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DONEGAL GROUP INC.
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD APRIL 17, 2003
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To the Stockholders of
DONEGAL GROUP INC.:
The annual meeting of stockholders of Donegal Group Inc. will be held
at 10:00 a.m., local time, on April 17, 2003, at the Company's offices, 1195
River Road, Marietta, Pennsylvania 17547. At the annual meeting, the
stockholders will act on the following matters:
1. Election of one Class B director, to serve until the expiration of
his three-year term and until his successor is elected; and
2. Any other matters that properly come before the meeting.
All stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 21,
2003 are entitled to vote at the annual meeting.
The Company's 2002 Annual Report, which is not part of the proxy
soliciting material, is enclosed.
It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the annual
meeting. Please complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card in the
envelope provided whether or not you expect to attend the annual meeting in
person.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/S/ Donald H. Nikolaus
Donald H. Nikolaus,
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
March 24, 2003
Marietta, Pennsylvania
DONEGAL GROUP INC.
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PROXY STATEMENT
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This proxy statement contains information relating to the annual
meeting of stockholders of Donegal Group Inc. to be held on Thursday, April 17,
2003, beginning at 10:00 a.m., at the offices of the Company, 1195 River Road,
Marietta, Pennsylvania 17547, and at any adjournment, postponement or
continuation of the meeting. This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy are
first being mailed to stockholders on March 24, 2003.
Effective as of the close of business on April 19, 2001, the Company:
(a) effected a one-for-three reverse stock split of its previously authorized
common stock and redesignated that common stock as Class B common stock; and (b)
declared a dividend of two shares of Class A common stock payable on each share
of Class B common stock outstanding at the time. As a result of the reverse
stock split and stock dividend, each person who held shares of the Company's
previously authorized common stock as of the close of business on April 19, 2001
thereafter continued to hold, exclusive of any fractional interest in a share of
Class B common stock, the same number of shares of the Company's capital stock,
two-thirds of which were shares of Class A common stock and one-third of which
were shares of Class B common stock. All share information set forth in this
proxy statement for periods after April 19, 2001 reflects these transactions.
Additional information regarding these transactions is contained in the
Company's 2002 Annual Report to Stockholders.
ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING?
At the Company's annual meeting, stockholders will act upon the matters
outlined in the notice of meeting on the cover page of this proxy statement,
including the election of one Class B director. In addition, the Company's
management will report on the performance of the Company during 2002 and respond
to appropriate questions from stockholders.
WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE MEETING?
Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock of record at
the close of business on the record date, February 21, 2003, are entitled to
receive notice of and to vote at the annual meeting, and any adjournment,
postponement or continuation of the meeting.
WHAT ARE THE VOTING RIGHTS OF THE STOCKHOLDERS?
The Company has two classes of stock outstanding: the Class A common
stock and the Class B common stock. As of the record date, 6,187,569 shares of
Class A common stock were outstanding, each of which is entitled to one-tenth of
a vote with respect to each matter to be voted on at the annual meeting, and
2,988,757 shares of Class B common stock were outstanding, each of which is
entitled to one vote with respect to each matter to be voted on at the annual
meeting. Therefore, the holders of Class A common stock will be entitled to cast
a total of 618,757 votes and the holders of Class B common stock will be
entitled to cast a total of 2,988,757 votes, resulting in a total of 3,607,514
votes entitled to be cast at the annual meeting.
As of the record date, Donegal Mutual Insurance Company (the "Mutual
Company") owned 4,083,639 shares, or 66.0%, of the outstanding Class A common
stock and 1,852,088 shares, or 62.0%, of the outstanding Class B common stock,
and therefore will have the right to cast 62.7% of the votes entitled to be cast
at the annual meeting. The Mutual Company has advised the Company that the
Mutual Company will vote its shares for the election of Donald H. Nikolaus as
Class B director. Therefore, Mr. Nikolaus will be elected as a Class B director,
irrespective of the votes cast by the stockholders of the Company other than the
Mutual Company.
1
WHO CAN ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING?
All stockholders as of the record date, or their duly appointed
proxies, may attend the annual meeting. Even if you currently plan to attend the
meeting, we recommend that you also submit your proxy as described below so that
your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the meeting.
If you hold your shares in "street name" (that is, through a broker or
other nominee), you will need to bring a copy of a brokerage statement
reflecting your stock ownership as of the record date and check in at the
registration desk at the meeting.
WHAT CONSTITUTES A QUORUM?
The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a
majority of the total votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the Class A
common stock and the Class B common stock outstanding on the record date will
constitute a quorum, permitting the conduct of business 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.
HOW DO I VOTE?
If you complete, properly sign and return the accompanying proxy card
to the Company, it will be voted as you direct. If you are a registered
stockholder and attend the meeting, you may deliver your completed proxy card in
person. "Street name" stockholders who wish to vote at the meeting will need to
obtain a signed proxy from the institution that holds their shares.
MAY I CHANGE MY VOTE AFTER I RETURN MY PROXY CARD?
Yes. Even after you have submitted your proxy, you may change your vote
at any time before the proxy is exercised by filing with the Secretary of the
Company either a notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later
date. The powers of the proxy holders will be revoked if you attend the meeting
in person and request that your proxy be revoked, although attendance at the
meeting will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy.
HOW DO I VOTE MY 401(K) PLAN SHARES?
If you participate in the Donegal Mutual Insurance Company 401(k) Plan,
you may vote the number of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common
stock equivalent to the interests in Class A common stock and Class B common
stock credited to your account as of the record date. You may vote by
instructing Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company, the trustee of the plan, pursuant to
the instruction card being mailed with this proxy statement to plan
participants. The trustee will vote your shares in accordance with your duly
executed instructions provided that they are received by April 10, 2003.
If you do not send instructions, the share equivalents credited to your
plan account will be voted by the trustee in the same proportion that it votes
share equivalents for which it did receive timely instructions.
You may also revoke previously given voting instructions by April 10,
2003 by filing with the trustee either a written notice of revocation or a
properly completed and signed voting instruction card bearing a later date.
WHAT ARE THE BOARD'S RECOMMENDATIONS?
Unless you give other instructions on your proxy card, the persons
named as proxy holders on the proxy card will vote in accordance with the
recommendations of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors recommends a
vote for election of the nominated Class B director (see pages 7 through 9).
WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE EACH MATTER?
ELECTION OF CLASS B DIRECTOR. The person receiving the highest number
of "FOR" votes cast by the holders of the Class A common stock and the Class B
common stock, voting together without regard to class, will be
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elected. A properly executed proxy marked "WITHHOLD AUTHORITY" with respect to
the election of a director will not be voted with respect to that director,
although the proxy will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum
is present. Cumulative voting is not permitted in the election of directors.
OTHER MATTERS. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled
to be cast by the holders of the Class A common stock and Class B common stock
whose shares are represented at the annual meeting in person or by proxy, voting
together without regard to class, will be required to approve any other matters
that properly come before the meeting. Abstentions and shares held by brokers or
nominees as to which voting instructions have not been received from the
beneficial owner of or person otherwise entitled to vote the shares and as to
which the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power, I.E.,
broker non-votes, are considered shares of stock outstanding and entitled to
vote and are counted in determining the number of votes necessary for a
majority. An abstention or broker non-vote will therefore have the practical
effect of voting against approval of a proposal because each abstention and
broker non-vote will represent one fewer vote for approval of the proposal.
If you sign your proxy card or broker voting instruction card with no
further instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the
recommendations of the Board, I.E., for the election of the Company's nominee
for Class B director.
WHO WILL PAY THE COSTS OF SOLICITING PROXIES ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS?
The Company is making this solicitation and will pay the cost of
soliciting proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors, including expenses of
preparing and mailing this proxy statement. In addition to mailing these proxy
materials, the solicitation of proxies or votes may be made in person or by
telephone or telegram by the Company's regular officers and employees, none of
whom will receive special compensation for such services. Upon request, the
Company will also reimburse brokers, nominees, fiduciaries and custodians and
persons holding shares in their names or in the names of nominees for their
reasonable expenses in sending proxies and proxy material to beneficial owners.
STOCK OWNERSHIP
WHO ARE THE LARGEST OWNERS OF THE COMPANY'S STOCK?
The following table identifies each person who is known by the Company
to beneficially own more than 5% of the Company's outstanding Class A common
stock or Class B common stock and states the percentage of total votes entitled
to be cast by each. All information is as of February 21, 2003.
CLASS A CLASS B
SHARES PERCENT OF SHARES PERCENT OF
NAME OF INDIVIDUAL OR BENEFICIALLY CLASS A BENEFICIALLY CLASS B PERCENT OF
IDENTITY OF GROUP OWNED COMMON STOCK OWNED COMMON STOCK TOTAL VOTES
--------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
Donegal Mutual 4,083,639 66.0% 1,852,088 62.0% 62.7%
Insurance Company
1195 River Road
Marietta, PA 17547
HOW MUCH STOCK DO THE COMPANY'S DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OWN?
The following table shows the amount and percentage of the Company's
outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock beneficially owned by
each director, each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table
and all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group as of
February 21, 2003, as well as the percentage of total votes entitled to be cast
by reason of that beneficial ownership.
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CLASS A PERCENT OF CLASS B PERCENT OF
SHARES CLASS A SHARES CLASS B
NAME OF INDIVIDUAL OR BENEFICIALLY COMMON BENEFICIALLY COMMON PERCENT OF
IDENTITY OF GROUP OWNED(1) STOCK(2) OWNED(1) STOCK(2) TOTAL VOTES
--------------------- -------------- ----------- ------------ ---------- -----------
DIRECTORS:
Donald H. Nikolaus 364,677(3) 5.7% 142,478(4) 4.6% 4.8%
Robert S. Bolinger 1,982 -- 816 -- --
Thomas J. Finley, Jr.(4) 1,471 -- 561 -- --
Patricia A. Gilmartin 2,358 -- 1,004 -- --
Philip H. Glatfelter, II 4,055 -- 1,843 -- --
John J. Lyons 8,508(5) -- 500 -- --
R. Richard Sherbahn 1,115 -- 381 -- --
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS(6):
Ralph G. Spontak 110,308(7) 1.8% 37,982(7) 1.3% 1.3%
Robert G. Shenk 59,135(8) -- 20,318(8) -- --
Cyril J. Greenya 35,900(9) -- 12,906(9) -- --
Daniel J. Wagner 22,577(10) -- 11,204(10) -- --
All directors and
executive officers as
a group (11 persons) 612,087(11) 9.3% 229,993(11) 7.3% 7.7%
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(1) Information furnished by each individual named. This table includes shares
that are owned jointly, in whole or in part, with the person's spouse, or
individually by his or her spouse.
(2) Less than 1% unless otherwise indicated.
(3) Includes 222,223 shares of Class A common stock and 77,777 shares of Class
B common stock that Mr. Nikolaus has the option to purchase under stock
options granted by the Company that are currently exercisable or that
become exercisable within 60 days after the date of this proxy statement.
(4) Mr. Finley passed away on March 6, 2003.
(5) Includes 3,333 shares of Class A common stock Mr. Lyons has the option to
purchase under stock options granted by the Company that are currently
exercisable or that become exercisable within 60 days after the date of
this proxy statement.
(6) Excludes executive officers listed under "Directors."
(7) Includes 93,334 shares of Class A common stock and 33,333 shares of Class
B common stock that Mr. Spontak has the option to purchase under stock
options granted by the Company that are currently exercisable or that
become exercisable within 60 days after the date of this proxy statement.
(8) Includes 51,112 shares of Class A common stock and 17,222 shares of Class
B common stock that Mr. Shenk has the option to purchase under stock
options granted by the Company that are currently exercisable or that
become exercisable within 60 days after the date of this proxy statement.
(9) Includes 34,889 shares of Class A common stock and 12,444 shares of Class
B common stock that Mr. Greenya has the option to purchase under stock
options granted by the Company that are currently exercisable or that
become exercisable within 60 days after the date of this proxy statement.
(10) Includes 22,223 shares of Class A common stock and 7,777 shares of Class B
common stock that Mr. Wagner has the option to purchase under stock
options granted by the Company that are currently exercisable or that
become exercisable within 60 days after the date of this proxy statement.
(11) Includes 427,114 shares of Class A common stock and 148,553 shares of
Class B common stock purchasable upon the exercise of options granted
under stock options granted by the Company that are currently exercisable
or that become exercisable within 60 days after the date of this proxy
statement.
4
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act") requires that the officers and directors of the Company, as well as
persons who own 10% or more of a class of equity securities of the Company, file
reports of their ownership of the Company's securities, as well as statements of
changes in such ownership, with the Company, the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") and the Nasdaq Stock Market. Based upon written
representations received by the Company from its officers, directors and 10% or
more stockholders, and the Company's review of the statements of ownership
changes filed with the Company by its officers, directors and 10% or more
stockholders during 2002, the Company believes that all such filings required
during 2002 were made on a timely basis.
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MUTUAL COMPANY
The Company was formed by the Mutual Company in August 1986 and was a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Mutual Company until November 1986, when the
Company sold shares of its previously authorized common stock in a public
offering. In September 1993, the Company sold additional shares of its common
stock in a public offering and, at the same time, the Mutual Company sold shares
of the Company's common stock. Since that date, the Mutual Company has at
various times purchased shares of the Company's previously authorized common
stock in the open market in exempt transactions under SEC Rule 10b-18 and in
private transactions and at all times has owned between 57% and 64% of the
Company's outstanding equity securities. The Mutual Company owned 4,083,639
shares, or approximately 66%, of the Company's Class A common stock and
1,852,088 shares, or approximately 62%, of the Company's Class B common stock as
of February 21, 2003.
The Company's operations are interrelated with the operations of the
Mutual Company, and various reinsurance arrangements and expense sharing
arrangements exist between the Company and the Mutual Company. The Company
believes that its various transactions with the Mutual Company have been on
terms no less favorable to the Company than the terms that could have been
negotiated with an independent third party.
All of the Company's officers are officers of the Mutual Company, four
of the Company's six directors are directors of the Mutual Company and two of
the Company's executive officers are directors of the Mutual Company. The
Company and the Mutual Company maintain a Coordinating Committee, which consists
of two outside directors from each of the Company and the Mutual Company, none
of whom holds seats on both Boards. Under the Company's and the Mutual Company's
By-laws, any new agreement between the Company and the Mutual Company and any
proposed change in any existing agreement between the Company and the Mutual
Company must first be submitted for approval by the respective Boards of
Directors of the Company and the Mutual Company and, if approved, submitted to
the Coordinating Committee for its approval. The proposed new agreement or
change in an existing agreement will receive Coordinating Committee approval
only if both of the Company's Coordinating Committee members conclude that the
new agreement or change in existing agreement is fair to the Company and it
stockholders and if both of the Mutual Company's Coordinating Committee members
conclude that the new agreement or change in existing agreement is fair and
equitable to the Mutual Company and its policyholders. The purpose of this
provision is to protect the interests of the stockholders of the Company and the
interests of the policyholders of the Mutual Company. The Coordinating Committee
meets on an as-needed basis. The Company's members on the Coordinating Committee
are Robert S. Bolinger and John J. Lyons. See "Election of Directors." The
Mutual Company's members on the Coordinating Committee are John E. Hiestand and
Frederick W. Dreher. Mr. Hiestand, age 64, has been a director of the Mutual
Company since 1983 and has been a self-employed provider of insurance
administrative services for more than five years. Mr. Dreher, age 62, has been a
director of the Mutual Company since 1996. He is a partner in the law firm of
Duane Morris LLP, where he has practiced law since 1965. See "Election of
Directors -- Certain Transactions."
The Mutual Company provides all personnel for the Company and its
insurance subsidiaries, Atlantic States Insurance Company ("Atlantic States")
and Southern Insurance Company of Virginia ("Southern"). Expenses are allocated
to the Company and Southern according to a time allocation and estimated usage
agreement, and to Atlantic States in relation to the relative participation of
the Mutual Company and Atlantic States in the pooling agreement described below.
Expenses allocated to the Company under the pooling agreement were $28,586,888
in 2002.
5
The Mutual Company leases office equipment and automobiles from the
Company. The Mutual Company made lease payments to the Company of $789,697 in
2002.
The Mutual Company and Atlantic States participate in an underwriting
pool, whereby Atlantic States cedes premiums, losses and loss adjustment
expenses on all of its business to the Mutual Company and assumes from the
Mutual Company a specified portion of the premiums, losses and loss adjustment
expenses of the Mutual Company and Atlantic States. Substantially all of the
Mutual Company's property and casualty insurance business is included in the
pooled business. All premiums, losses, loss adjustment expenses and other
underwriting expenses are prorated among the parties on the basis of their
participation in the pool. The pooling agreement may be amended or terminated at
the end of any calendar year by agreement of the parties, subject to approval by
the Boards of Directors of the Mutual Company and Atlantic States and by the
Coordinating Committee. The allocations of pool participation percentages
between the Mutual Company and Atlantic States are based on the pool
participants' relative amounts of capital and surplus, expectations of future
relative amounts of capital and surplus and the ability of the Company to raise
capital for Atlantic States. Atlantic States' participation in 2002 was 70%.
Additional information describing the pooling agreement is contained in the
Company's 2002 Annual Report to Stockholders.
Atlantic States and the Mutual Company are also currently parties to a
property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance agreement whereby the Mutual
Company reinsures Atlantic States for catastrophe losses in excess of $400,000
per event.
Prior to January 1, 2002, the Mutual Company and Southern were parties
to a reinsurance agreement, whereby the Mutual Company reinsured 50% of
Southern's business. Because the Mutual Company places substantially all of the
business assumed from Southern in the pool, from which the Company, through
Atlantic States, has an allocation of 70%, the Company's operations include
approximately 85% of the business written by Southern prior to 2002. The Mutual
Company is currently a party to a retrocessional reinsurance agreement with
Southern, whereby the Mutual Company assumes 100% of the net liability that may
accrue to Southern from its insurance operations and retrocedes 100% of the net
liability back to Southern. The Mutual Company and Southern are also parties to
a property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance agreement, whereby the Mutual
Company reinsures Southern for catastrophe losses in excess of $450,000 and an
excess of loss reinsurance agreement whereby the Mutual Company reinsures
Southern for individual losses in excess of $125,000, up to a limit of $175,000.
The Company owns 45% and the Mutual Company owns 55% of Donegal
Financial Services Corporation, the holding company for Province Bank FSB
("Province Bank"), a federal savings bank with offices in Marietta and Columbia,
Pennsylvania. The Company and the Mutual Company conduct banking operations in
the ordinary course of business with Province Bank.
The Mutual Company and Province Bank are parties to a lease whereby
Province Bank leases 3,600 square feet in one of the Mutual Company's buildings
located in Marietta, Pennsylvania from the Mutual Company for an annual rent
based on an independent appraisal. The Mutual Company and Province Bank are also
parties to an Administrative Services Agreement whereby the Mutual Company is
obligated to provide various human resource services, principally payroll and
employee benefits administration, administrative support, facility and equipment
maintenance services and purchasing, to Province Bank, subject to the overall
limitation that the costs to be charged by the Mutual Company may not exceed the
costs of independent vendors for similar services and further subject to annual
maximum cost limitations specified in the Administrative Services Agreement.
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
NOMINEES AND DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
The Company's Board of Directors currently consists of six members.
Each director is elected for a three-year term and until his successor has been
duly elected. The current three-year terms of the Company's directors expire in
the years 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively.
One Class B director is to be elected at the annual meeting. Unless
otherwise instructed, the proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will be
voted for the election of the nominee named below. This nominee is currently a
director of the Company. C. Edwin Ireland, who previously served as a Class B
director, retired as a member of the Company's Board of Directors effective
December 31, 2002.
If the nominee becomes unavailable for any reason, the proxies intend
to vote for a substitute nominee designated by the Board of Directors. The Board
of Directors has no reason to believe the nominee named will be unable to serve
if elected. Any vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors for any reason may
be filled by a majority of the directors then in office until the expiration of
the term of the class of directors in which the vacancy exists.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE
NOMINEE NAMED BELOW.
The name of the nominee for Class B director and the Class C directors
and Class A directors who will continue in office after the annual meeting until
the expiration of their respective terms, together with certain information
regarding them, are as follows:
DIRECTOR STANDING FOR ELECTION
CLASS B DIRECTOR
NAME AGE DIRECTOR SINCE YEAR TERM WILL EXPIRE*
---- --- -------------- ---------------------
Donald H. Nikolaus ............................... 60 1986 2006
------------------
*If elected at the annual meeting
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
CLASS C DIRECTORS
NAME AGE DIRECTOR SINCE YEAR TERM WILL EXPIRE
---- --- -------------- ---------------------
R. Richard Sherbahn .............................. 74 1986 2004
John J. Lyons .................................... 63 2001 2004
CLASS A DIRECTORS
NAME AGE DIRECTOR SINCE YEAR TERM WILL EXPIRE
---- --- -------------- ---------------------
Robert S. Bolinger ............................... 66 1986 2005
Patricia A. Gilmartin ............................ 63 1986 2005
Philip H. Glatfelter, II ......................... 73 1986 2005
Mr. Bolinger retired in 2001 as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc., a position he held since 1982. Mr. Bolinger is a
director of Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.
Mrs. Gilmartin has been an employee since 1969 of Donegal Insurance
Agency, which has no affiliation with the Company, except that Donegal Insurance
Agency receives insurance commissions in the ordinary course of business from
the Company's subsidiaries in accordance with such subsidiaries' standard
commission schedules and agency contracts. Mrs. Gilmartin has been a director of
the Mutual Company since 1979.
7
Mr. Glatfelter retired in 1989 as a Vice President of Meridian Bank, a
position he held for more than five years prior to his retirement. Mr.
Glatfelter has been a director of the Mutual Company since 1981, was Vice
Chairman of the Mutual Company from 1991 to 2001 and has been Chairman of the
Board of the Company and the Mutual Company since 2001.
Mr. Lyons has been President and Chief Operating Officer of Keefe
Managers, Inc., a manager of private investment funds, since February 1999. In
his capacity as a professional bank consultant, Mr. Lyons served (a) from
September 1997 to February 1999 as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Gateway American Bank of Florida, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, (b) from August 1996
to April 1997, as President and Chief Executive Officer of Regent National Bank,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (c) from April 1995 to August 1996, as President and
Chief Executive Officer and a director of Monarch Savings Bank, FSB, Clark, New
Jersey and (d) from December 1993 until April 1995, as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Jupiter Tequesta National Bank, Tequesta, Florida. Mr.
Lyons was Vice Chairman of Advest, Inc. during 1993 and from 1989 through 1993
was a member of its Board of Directors. He is a director of Bisys Group Inc.
Mr. Nikolaus has been President of the Mutual Company since 1981 and a
director of the Mutual Company since 1972. He has been President of the Company
since 1986. Mr. Nikolaus has been a partner in the law firm of Nikolaus &
Hohenadel since 1972.
Mr. Sherbahn has owned and operated Sherbahn Associates, Inc., a life
insurance and financial planning firm, since 1974. Mr. Sherbahn has been a
director of the Mutual Company since 1967.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors met six times in 2002. The Board of Directors
has an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Nominating Committee, a
Compensation Committee and, together with the Mutual Company, a four-member
Coordinating Committee.
The Company's Executive Committee met eleven times in 2002. Messrs.
Nikolaus, Sherbahn and Glatfelter are the members of the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee has the authority to take all action that can be taken
by the full Board of Directors, consistent with Delaware law, between meetings
of the Board of Directors.
The Audit Committee of the Company consists of Messrs. Bolinger,
Glatfelter and Lyons. The Audit Committee, which met one time in 2002, selects
the Company's independent auditors and reviews the Company's financial reporting
process, audit reports and management recommendations made by the Company's
independent public accountants.
The Nominating Committee of the Company consists of Messrs. Sherbahn
and Glatfelter. The Nominating Committee, which met one time in 2002, is
responsible for the nomination of candidates to stand for election to the Board
of Directors at the annual meeting and the nomination of candidates to fill
vacancies on the Board of Directors between meetings of stockholders. The
Nominating Committee will consider written nominations for directors from
stockholders to the extent such nominations are made in accordance with the
Company's By-laws. See "Stockholder Proposals."
The Compensation Committee of the Company consists of Messrs. Sherbahn
and Glatfelter. The Compensation Committee met two times in 2002 to review and
recommend compensation plans, approve certain compensation changes and determine
employees who participate in and grant options under the Company's employee
stock option plans. Mr. Dreher, in his capacity as a member of the Coordinating
Committee, consults with the Compensation Committee with respect to the
participation of Mutual Company employees in the Company's equity incentive
plans.
8
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Directors of the Company were paid an annual retainer of $17,000 in
2002. Directors who are members of committees of the Board of Directors received
$250 for each committee meeting attended. If a director serves on the Board of
Directors of both the Mutual Company and the Company, the director receives only
one annual retainer. In such event, the retainer is allocated 30% to the Mutual
Company and 70% to the Company.
Pursuant to the Company's 2001 Equity Incentive Plan for Directors,
each director of the Company and the Mutual Company receives an annual
restricted stock award of 175 shares of the Company's Class A common stock,
provided that the director served as a member of the Board of Directors of the
Company or the Mutual Company during any portion of the preceding calendar year.
The Mutual Company reimburses the Company for the cost of the options granted to
directors of the Mutual Company who are not also directors of the Company.
Pursuant to the 2001 Director Plan, each outside director of the Company and the
Mutual Company is also eligible to receive non-qualified options to purchase
shares of common stock in an amount determined by the Company's Board of
Directors from time to time.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table shows the compensation paid by the Company and the
Mutual Company during each of the three fiscal years ended December 31, 2002 for
services rendered in all capacities to the chief executive officer of the
Company and the four other most highly compensated executive officers of the
Company whose compensation exceeded $100,000 in the fiscal year ended December
31, 2002.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG-TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION(1) COMPENSATION AWARDS
--------------------------------------------- ----------------------
OTHER RESTRICTED SECURITIES
NAME AND ANNUAL STOCK UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) COMPENSATION($) AWARDS($) OPTIONS(#) COMPENSATION($)
------------------ ---- --------- -------- --------------- ----------- ----------- ---------------
Donald H. Nikolaus, 2002 390,000 172,512 -- 1,822 -- 77,039(2)
President and Chief 2001 390,000 -- -- 1,682 100,000 71,547
Executive Officer 2000 340,000 85,821 -- 1,480 -- 71,593
Ralph G. Spontak, 2002 254,000 60,588 -- 1,822 -- 25,631(2)
Senior Vice President, 2001 250,601 -- -- 1,682 40,000 26,009
Chief Financial 2000 234,385 42,911 -- 12,480 -- 29,510
Officer and Secretary
Robert G. Shenk 2002 180,000 37,594 -- -- -- 11,603(2)
Senior Vice President, 2001 166,293 -- -- -- 25,000 11,103
Claims 2000 165,385 22,585 -- -- -- 11,013
Cyril J. Greenya, 2002 125,000 26,277 -- -- -- 7,408(2)
Senior Vice President, 2001 114,242 -- -- -- 15,000 6,738
Commercial 2000 114,154 16,938 -- -- -- 6,714
Underwriting
Daniel J. Wagner 2002 124,600 21,750 -- -- -- 11,270(2)
Vice President and 2001 107,351 -- -- -- 10,000 10,760
Treasurer 2000 111,846 15,357 -- -- -- 10,293
-----------------
(1) All compensation of officers of the Company is paid by the Mutual Company.
Pursuant to the terms of an intercompany allocation agreement between the
Company and the Mutual Company, the Company is charged for its proportionate
share of all such compensation.
(2) In the case of Mr. Nikolaus, the total shown also includes premiums of
$42,323 paid under split-dollar life insurance policies, premiums of $3,366
paid under a term life insurance policy and directors and committee meeting
fees of $20,350. In the case of Mr. Spontak, the total shown includes
premiums of $7,458 paid under a split-dollar life insurance policy, premiums
of $1,173 paid under a term life insurance policy and directors and
committee meeting fees of $17,000. In the case of Messrs. Shenk, Greenya and
Wagner, the totals shown also include term life insurance premiums of $603,
$1,161 and $270, respectively.
No stock options were issued by the Company during 2002.
9
The following tables show information with respect to options exercised
during the year ended December 31, 2002 and held on December 31, 2002 by the
persons named in the Summary Compensation Table and the status of their options
at December 31, 2002.
OPTIONS EXERCISED AND VALUES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING OPTIONS IN-THE-MONEY
SHARES AT FISCAL YEAR END OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR END
ACQUIRED VALUE --------------------------- ---------------------------
NAME ON EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
------------ ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Donald H. Nikolaus --- --- 277,779 66,667 $183,334 ---
Ralph G. Spontak --- --- 124,445 26,667 $ 73,334 ---
Robert G. Shenk --- --- 60,556 16,667 $ 45,834 ---
Cyril J. Greenya --- --- 47,667 10,000 $ 29,334 ---
Daniel J. Wagner --- --- 30,741 6,667 $ 18,334 ---
CLASS B COMMON STOCK
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING OPTIONS IN-THE-MONEY
SHARES AT FISCAL YEAR END OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR END
ACQUIRED VALUE --------------------------- ---------------------------
NAME ON EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
------------ ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Donald H. Nikolaus --- --- 122,221 --- $108,332 ---
Ralph G. Spontak --- --- 55,554 --- $ 43,332 ---
Robert G. Shenk --- --- 26,111 --- $ 27,082 ---
Cyril J. Greenya --- --- 21,333 --- $ 17,332 ---
Daniel J. Wagner --- --- 13,702 --- $ 10,832 ---
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
THE FOLLOWING REPORT OF THE COMPANY'S COMPENSATION COMMITTEE AND THE
PERFORMANCE GRAPH THAT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS SUCH REPORT SHALL NOT BE DEEMED PROXY
SOLICITATION MATERIAL, SHALL NOT BE DEEMED FILED WITH THE SEC OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE INTO ANY COMPANY FILING UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT OR THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT") AND SHALL NOT OTHERWISE BE SUBJECT TO THE
LIABILITIES OF SECTION 18 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT.
Under the rules established by the SEC, the Company is required to
provide certain information about the compensation and benefits provided to the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officers listed in the
Summary Compensation Table. The disclosure requirements as to these officers
include the use of specified tables and a report of the Company's Compensation
Committee reviewing the factors that resulted in compensation decisions
affecting these officers and the Company's other executive officers. The
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has furnished the following
report in fulfillment of the SEC's requirements.
The Compensation Committee reviews the general compensation policies of
the Company, including the compensation plans and compensation levels for
executive officers, and administers the Company's equity incentive plans and the
cash incentive compensation program in which the Company's executive officers
participate. No members of the Compensation Committee are former or current
officers of the Company, or have other interlocking relationships, as defined by
the SEC.
Compensation of the Company's executive officers has two principal
elements: (i) an annual portion, consisting of a base salary that is reviewed
annually and cash bonuses based on the Company's annual underwriting results,
and (ii) a long-term portion, consisting of stock options. In general, the
executive compensation program of the Company has been designed to:
(i) attract and retain executive officers who contribute to the
long-term success of the Company;
10
(ii) motivate key senior executive officers to achieve strategic
business objectives and reward them for the achievement of these
objectives; and
(iii) support a compensation policy that differentiates in compensation
amounts based on corporate and individual performance and
responsibilities.
A major component of the Company's compensation policy, which has been
approved by the Compensation Committee, is that a significant portion of the
aggregate annual compensation of the Company's executive officers should be
based upon the Company's annual underwriting results, the achievement of the
Company's other business and financial objectives and the contribution of the
individual officer. For a number of years, the Company has maintained a cash
incentive compensation program for the Company's executive officers. This
program provides a formula pursuant to which a fixed percentage of the Company's
underwriting results for the year is computed, as specified in the program, and
then allocated on a discretionary basis among the executive officers selected to
participate in the program for the particular year. The identity of the
executive officers selected to participate in the program for the particular
year as well as their participation in the amount determined by application of
the fixed formula is based upon recommendations submitted by the Company's
senior executive officers to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation
Committee reviews those recommendations and fixes the percentage participation
of the Company's executive officers in the program. The executive officers named
in the Summary Compensation Table received total payments of $318,721 under the
cash incentive compensation program for 2002 based on the Company's underwriting
gain of $2,328,321 in 2002, primarily resulting from an increase in premium
rates and a significant decrease in the Company's underwriting expense ratio. In
2001, the named executive officers received no allocation under the cash
compensation plan, due to the Company's underwriting loss for that year of
$6,434,816, which resulted from increases in claim frequency and competitive
pressures on premium levels. Because the payments under the cash incentive plan
reflect the underwriting results of the Company, the Compensation Committee
believes that the amount of the incentive payments are tied directly to the
Company's performance.
The principal factors considered by the Company when it established the
cash incentive compensation program were:
(i) achievement of the Company's long-term underwriting objectives; and
(ii) the Company's long-term underwriting results compared to the
long-term underwriting results of other property and casualty
insurance companies.
In determining the total compensation of Mr. Nikolaus as the Company's
Chief Executive Officer in 2002, the Compensation Committee conducted a
subjective analysis of Mr. Nikolaus' leadership and performance as well as the
following objective factors:
o the Company's continued better-than-industry underwriting results;
evidenced by statutory combined ratios of 98.0%, 102.9% and 100.6%
for 2002, 2001 and 2000 respectively, compared to industry combined
ratios of 106.0%, 118.0% and 110.5% for the industry;
o the successful maintenance of the Company's cost control program
initiated in 1999, which has resulted in a GAAP expense ratio of
28.2% in 2002 compared to 36.6% in 1999;
o completion of the reduction of the number of the Company's insurance
subsidiaries from five at the start of 2001 to two at the end of 2002
and the resultant cost savings and enhanced efficiency;
o consistent growth of the Company, with premiums earned of
$185,841,193, $167,769,854 and $151,646,199 for 2002, 2001 and 2000,
respectively;
o completion of the home office technical center and implementation of
current technology for agents and employees;
11
o the initiation of the expansion of the Company's areas of operation
to the Mid-West through the successful establishment of a
relationship with Le Mars Mutual Insurance Company of Iowa, whereby
the Mutual Company has made a surplus note investment and is
overseeing a reunderwriting process designed to restore Le Mars to
profitability and designees of the Mutual Company constitute a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Le Mars.
The Company's executive officers participate in the Equity Incentive
Plans, under which stock options are granted from time to time at not less than
the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The
options typically vest over three years. The primary purpose of the Equity
Incentive Plans is to provide an incentive for the Company's long-term
performance. Such stock options provide an incentive for the creation of
stockholder value over the long term because the full benefit of the options can
be realized only if the price of the Company's common stock appreciates over
time. During 2002, no options were granted to the Company's executive officers.
Based upon all of the foregoing factors, the Compensation Committee
believes the compensation of Mr. Nikolaus and the other executive officers of
the Company was reasonable in view of the Company's performance and the
contribution of those officers to that performance in 2002, as well as the
performance of the Company in 2002 compared to its performance in 2001 and to
the performance of other property and casualty insurance companies in 2002.
Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a tax deduction to
publicly held companies for compensation of more than $1 million paid to a
company's chief executive officer or any executive officer named in its Summary
Compensation Table. Qualifying performance-based compensation is not subject to
the deduction limit if certain requirements are met. The policy of the
Compensation Committee is to structure the compensation of the Company's
executive officers, including Mr. Nikolaus, to avoid the loss of the
deductibility of any compensation, although Section 162(m) will not preclude the
Compensation Committee from awarding compensation in excess of $1 million, if it
should be warranted in the future.
The Company believes that Section 162(m) will not have any effect on
the deductibility of the compensation of Mr. Nikolaus and the other executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table for 2002.
Submitted by:
February 20, 2003 Compensation Committee
R. Richard Sherbahn
Philip H. Glatfelter, II
12
COMPARISON OF TOTAL RETURN ON THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK WITH CERTAIN AVERAGES
The following graph provides an indicator of cumulative total
stockholder returns on the Company's common stock compared to the Russell 2000
Index and a peer group of property and casualty insurance companies selected by
Value Line, Inc. The members of the peer group are as follows: 21st Century
Industries, ACE Limited, Allmerica Financial Corp., Allstate Corp., American
Financial Group Inc., W.R. Berkley Corporation, Berkshire Hathaway Group, The
Chubb Corporation, Cincinnati Financial Corporation, CNA Financial Corp.,
Everest Re Group Ltd., HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc., Markel Corporation, Mercury
General Corporation, Ohio Casualty Corporation, Old Republic International
Corp., PartnerRe Ltd., PMI Mortgage Group, Progressive Corp. Ohio, RLI
Corporation, SAFECO Corporation, Selective Insurance Group, Inc., The St. Paul
Companies, Inc., Travelers Property & Casualty, Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. and
XL Capital Limited.
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
DONEGAL GROUP INC.**, DONEGAL GROUP INC. 'A'**, DONEGAL GROUP INC. 'B'**,
RUSSELL 2000 INDEX AND VALUE LINE INSURANCE (PROP/CASUALTY)
(Performance Results Through 12/31/02)
[CHART OMITTED: PLOT POINTS SHOWN]
1997 1998 1999 2000 4/19/2001 2001 2002
---- ---- ---- ---- --------- ---- ----
Donegal Group Inc.** $100 $95.95 $40.52 $63.35 $23.91
Donegal Group Inc. 'A'** $23.91 $20.24 $21.50
Donegal Group Inc. 'B'** $23.91 $24.39 $26.81
Russell 2000 Index $100 $97.27 $114.62 $110.15 $111.28 $87.27
Insurance (Prop/Casualty) $100 $101.52 $84.77 $117.42 $122.16 $126.49
Assumes $100 invested at the close of trading on December 1997 in
Donegal Group Inc.** common stock, Donegal Group Inc. 'A'**, Donegal Group Inc.
'B'**, Russell 2000 Index and Value Line Insurance (Property/Casualty).
-----------------
*Cumulative total return assumes reinvestment of dividends.
**As of April 19, 2001 SOURCE: VALUE LINE, INC.
13
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
THE FOLLOWING REPORT OF THE COMPANY'S AUDIT COMMITTEE SHALL NOT BE
DEEMED PROXY SOLICITATION MATERIAL, SHALL NOT BE DEEMED FILED WITH THE SEC OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO ANY COMPANY FILING UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT OR THE
SECURITIES ACT AND SHALL NOT OTHERWISE BE SUBJECT TO THE LIABILITIES OF SECTION
18 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors reviews the financial
reporting process, including the overview of the financial reports and other
financial information provided by the Company to governmental or regulatory
bodies, the public and others who rely thereon, the Company's systems of
internal accounting and financial controls, the selection, evaluation and
retention of independent public accountants and the annual independent audit of
the Company's financial statements. Each of the Audit Committee members
satisfies the definition of independent director as established in the Audit
Committee Policy of the Nasdaq Stock Market and complies with the financial
literacy requirements thereof. The Board of Directors adopted a written charter
for the Audit Committee on June 13, 2000.
The Audit Committee has reviewed the Company's audited consolidated
financial statements and discussed those statements with management. The Audit
Committee has also discussed with KPMG LLP, the Company's independent public
accountants during 2002, the matters required to be discussed by Statement of
Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees, as amended).
The Audit Committee received from KPMG LLP the written disclosures
required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees) and discussed with KPMG LLP matters relating
to its independence. The Audit Committee also considered the compatibility of
the provision of non-audit services by KPMG LLP with the maintenance of KPMG
LLP's independence.
The Audit Committee has determined that the provision of the non-audit
services described above is compatible with maintaining KPMG LLP's independence.
On the basis of these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company's audited consolidated
financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, and be filed with the SEC.
Submitted by:
February 20, 2003 Audit Committee
R. Richard Sherbahn
Philip H. Glatfelter, II
John J. Lyons
14
AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT FEES
AUDIT FEES. The aggregate fees billed to the Company by KPMG LLP, the
independent public accountants for the Company, in connection with (i) the audit
of the Company's annual consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2002 and (ii) the reviews of the consolidated financial
statements included in the Company's Form 10-Q quarterly reports for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2002 was $225,700.
FINANCIAL DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION FEES. No financial information
system design and implementation services were rendered to the Company by KPMG
LLP during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.
ALL OTHER FEES. The aggregate fees billed by KPMG LLP for non-audit
services other than information technology services during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2002 were $40,000 for statutory auditing and actuarial reviews and
$1,700 relating to the review of SEC filings and responses to comment letters.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Donald H. Nikolaus, President and a director of the Company and the
Mutual Company, is also a partner in the law firm of Nikolaus & Hohenadel. Such
firm has served as general counsel to the Mutual Company since 1970 and to the
Company since 1986, principally in connection with the defense of claims
litigation arising in Lancaster, Dauphin and York counties. Such firm is paid
its customary fees for such services.
Patricia A. Gilmartin, a director of the Company and the Mutual
Company, is an employee of Donegal Insurance Agency, which has no affiliation
with the Company except that Donegal Insurance Agency receives insurance
commissions in the ordinary course of business from the Company's subsidiaries
and affiliates in accordance with such subsidiaries' and affiliates' standard
commission schedules and agency contracts.
Frederick W. Dreher, a director of the Mutual Company and one of the
Mutual Company's representatives on the Coordinating Committee, is a partner in
the law firm of Duane Morris LLP, which represents the Company and the Mutual
Company in certain legal matters. Such firm is paid its customary fees for such
services.
John J. Lyons, a director of the Company, is also a director of Bisys
Groups Inc. Province Bank, a subsidiary of the Company and the Mutual Company,
purchases consulting and software services from Bisys Group and pays Bisys Group
its customary fees for such services.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any stockholder who, in accordance with and subject to the provisions
of Rule 14a-8 of the proxy rules of the SEC, wishes to submit a proposal for
inclusion in the Company's proxy statement for its 2004 annual meeting of
stockholders must deliver such proposal in writing to the Company's Secretary at
the Company's principal executive offices at 1195 River Road, Marietta,
Pennsylvania 17547, not later than November 25, 2003.
Pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Company's By-laws, if a stockholder
wishes to present at the Company's 2004 annual meeting of stockholders (i) a
proposal relating to nominations for and election of directors for consideration
by the Nominating Committee of the Company's Board of Directors or (ii) a
proposal relating to a matter other than nominations for and election of
directors, otherwise than pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the proxy rules of the SEC,
the stockholder must comply with the provisions relating to stockholder
proposals set forth in the Company's By-laws, which are summarized below.
Written notice of any such proposal containing the information required under
the Company's By-laws, as described herein, must be delivered in person, by
first class United States mail postage prepaid or by reputable overnight
delivery service to the Company's Secretary at the Company's principal executive
offices at 1195 River Road, Marietta, Pennsylvania 17547 during the period
commencing on November 25, 2003 and ending on December 26, 2003.
A written proposal of nomination for a director must set forth (A) the
name and address of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination (the
"Nominating Stockholder"), (B) the name, age, business address and, if known,
residence address of each person so proposed, (C) the principal occupation or
employment of each person so proposed for the past five years, (D) the number of
shares of capital stock of the Company beneficially owned within the meaning of
SEC Rule 13d-3 by each person so proposed and the earliest date of acquisition
of
15
any such capital stock, (E) a description of any arrangement or understanding
between each person so proposed and the Nominating Stockholder with respect to
such person's proposal for nomination and election as a director and actions to
be proposed or taken by such person as a director, (F) the written consent of
each person so proposed to serve as a director if nominated and elected as a
director and (G) such other information regarding each such person as would be
required under the proxy solicitation rules of the SEC if proxies were to be
solicited for the election as a director of each person so proposed. Only
candidates nominated by stockholders for election as a member of the Company's
Board of Directors in accordance with the By-law provisions summarized herein
will be eligible to be considered by the Nominating Committee for nomination for
election as a member of the Company's Board of Directors at the 2004 annual
meeting of stockholders, and any candidate not nominated in accordance with such
provisions will not be considered or acted upon for election as a director at
the 2004 annual meeting of stockholders.
A written proposal relating to a matter other than a nomination for
election as a director must set forth information regarding the matter
equivalent to the information that would be required under the proxy
solicitation rules of the SEC if proxies were solicited for stockholder
consideration of the matter at a meeting of stockholders. Only stockholder
proposals submitted in accordance with the By-law provisions summarized above
will be eligible for presentation at the 2004 annual meeting of stockholders,
and any matter not submitted to the Company's Board of Directors in accordance
with such provisions will not be considered or acted upon at the 2004 annual
meeting of stockholders.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors does not know of any matters to be presented for
consideration at the annual meeting other than the matters described in the
notice of annual meeting, but if any matters are properly presented, proxies in
the enclosed form returned to the Company will be voted in accordance with the
recommendation of the Board of Directors or, in the absence of such a
recommendation, in accordance with the judgment of the proxy holder.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/S/ Donald H. Nikolaus
Donald H. Nikolaus,
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
March 24, 2003
16
DONEGAL GROUP INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD APRIL 17, 2003
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Daniel J. Wagner and Ralph G. Spontak,
and each or either of them, proxies of the undersigned, with full power of
substitution, to vote all of the shares of Class A common stock and Class B
common stock of Donegal Group Inc. (the "Company") that the undersigned may be
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held
at the Company's offices, 1195 River Road, Marietta, Pennsylvania 17547, on
April 17, 2003 at 10:00 a.m., and at any adjournment, postponement or
continuation thereof, as set forth on the reverse side of this proxy card.
PROXY
Election of Class B Director, Nominee:
Donald H. Nikolaus
You are encouraged to specify your choice by marking the appropriate box, SEE
REVERSE SIDE, but you need not mark any box if you wish to vote in accordance
with the Board of Directors' recommendations.
|X| Please mark your vote as in this example.
This proxy will be voted as specified. If a choice is not specified, the proxy
will be voted FOR the nominee for Class B Director.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the nominee for Class B Director.
FOR WITHHELD
[ ] [ ]
1. Election of Class B Director
For, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s):
_____________________________________________________
2. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment,
postponement or continuation thereof.
This proxy should be dated, signed by the stockholder exactly as his or her name
appears below and returned promptly to EquiServe Trust Company NA in the
enclosed envelope. Persons signing in a fiduciary capacity should so indicate.
Signature(s)
_________________________
_________________________
Date:
---------------------