16 May 2005
- Evolving Systems Reports Results of Annual Stockholders' Meeting
Not All Measures Pass Due to Low Voter Participation
ENGLEWOOD, Colorado - Evolving Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ-EVOL), a leading provider of innovative software solutions and services to the wireless, wireline and IP carrier market, today announced results from the Company's annual stockholders' meeting on May 16, 2005.
The Company had solicited stockholder support on four proposals. By large margins stockholders re-elected two directors, Peter J. Skinner and Steve B. Warnecke, and ratified the selection of KPMG LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2005. The proposal to amend the Company's Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of shares of authorized common stock, which required the affirmative vote of a majority of all outstanding shares, did not pass despite receiving support from 91% of those who voted on this proposal. As a result, the proposal to approve the exchange of long-term notes for convertible notes, issued in connection with the Company's recent acquisition of Tertio Telecoms Limited, which had sufficient stockholder support to pass, failed because the proposal to increase the Company's authorized common stock, necessary to effect any future conversion, did not pass.
"We are pleased that stockholders who voted supported all four of the Company's proposals by wide margins," said Stephen Gartside, president and CEO. "Even though we had great participation from our institutional stockholders, we had a large number of shares - more than 8.1 million, or 51% of the total shares outstanding - that were not voted. In management's view, it was a lack of significant turnout by our retail stockholders that led to a disappointing result for two important proposals.
"While the exchange of approximately $12.7 million in long-term notes for convertible notes would have strengthened our balance sheet, management is confident that we can effectively pursue our growth objectives while using cash generated from operations to service interest payments on the long-term notes," Gartside added.
As of May 16, 2005, Evolving Systems has 16,025,602 shares of common stock outstanding and 966,666 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into approximately 2.9 million shares of common stock.
The results of today's proxy tabulation are as follows:
Proposal #1: Election of Two Directors
Peter J. Skinner was elected to serve a three-year term.
For 14,885,090
Withheld 483,754
Steve B. Warnecke was elected to serve a three-year term.
For 15,030,717
Withheld 338,127
Proposal #2: Exchange of Long-Term Notes for Convertible Notes
Stockholders approved the exchange of long-term notes for convertible notes,
but this proposal failed because Proposal #3 did not pass.
For 6,487,036
Against 1,332,103
Abstain 50,473
Proposal #3: Amend Certificate of Incorporation to Increase Authorized Shares
For 7,162,598
Against 650,230
Abstain 56,784
This proposal required "Yes" votes representing a majority (8,012,052) of the
shares of the Company's common stock issued and outstanding (16,024,102) as
of the record date of March 22, 2005.
Proposal #4: Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
KPMG LLP was ratified as the independent registered public accounting firm
for the year ended December 31, 2005.
For 15,180,948
Against 118,088
Abstain 69,808
About Evolving Systems®
Evolving Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ-EVOL) is a provider of software and services to
more than 50 network operators in 38 countries worldwide. Its portfolio includes
market-leading solutions for Service Activation, Mediation & Assurance
and Numbering Solutions. Founded in 1985, the Company has headquarters in
Englewood, Colorado, with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany,
India and Malaysia. Further information at www.evolving.com
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, based on current
expectations, estimates and projections that are subject to risk. Specifically,
statements about the Company's growth strategies and its ability to service
its debt obligations are forward-looking statements. These statements are based
on our expectations and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in
circumstances. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, and the Company may not undertake to update these statements. Actual
results could vary materially from these expectations.
For a more extensive discussion of Evolving Systems' business, please refer to the Company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2005, as well as subsequently filed Form 10-Q, and 8-K reports.
CONTACTS:
Investor Relations
Jay Pfeiffer
Pfeiffer High Investor Relations, Inc.
303.393.7044
jay@pfeifferhigh.com
Public Relations Contact (Americas)
Dan La Russo
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
212.880.5315
dan.larusso@ogilvypr.com
