ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
Avalon Holdings Corporation (“Avalon”) was formed on April 30, 1998 as a subsidiary of American Waste Services, Inc. (“AWS”). On June 17, 1998, AWS distributed, as a special dividend, all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Avalon to the holders of AWS common stock on a pro rata and corresponding basis (the “Spin-off”). The history and organization of the remaining operations, some of which were contributed to Avalon as a result of the Spin-off, are described below.
In June 1990, AWS purchased approximately 5.6 acres of real estate located in Warren, Ohio on which it constructed Avalon’s corporate headquarters. In connection with the acquisition of such property, Avalon Lakes Golf, Inc. (“ALGI”), a former subsidiary of AWS and now a subsidiary of Avalon, acquired the real and personal property associated with the Avalon Lakes Golf Course, an 18-hole golf course adjacent to the office property. The corporate headquarters and ALGI were contributed to Avalon by AWS. The Avalon corporate headquarters building has been remodeled to include a clubhouse, restaurant and pro shop for the Avalon Golf and Country Club at Avalon Lakes Golf Course.
In 1995, American Waste Management Services, Inc. (“AWMS”) commenced its waste disposal brokerage and management operations and in 1997, American Landfill Management, Inc. (“ALMI”) started its captive landfill management operations. Both companies were contributed to Avalon by AWS and now are subsidiaries of Avalon.
In November 2003, TBG, Inc. (“TBG”), a subsidiary of ALGI, entered into a long-term lease agreement with Squaw Creek Country Club to lease and operate its golf course and related facilities. As a result of the transaction, Avalon created a newly organized subsidiary, Avalon Golf and Country Club, Inc. (“AGCC”) which manages all the golf courses and related operations.
On October 23, 2006, Avalon, through a newly created subsidiary, Avalon Country Club at Sharon, Inc., completed the acquisition of the Sharon Country Club assets. The primary assets of the Sharon Country Club include the golf course and clubhouse. Avalon renovated the clubhouse and constructed additional recreational facilities and operates the Sharon Country Club facilities as part of its Avalon Golf and Country Club.
Business Segments Information
Avalon’s business segments are waste management services and golf and related operations. The waste management services segment includes waste disposal brokerage and management services and captive landfill management operations. The golf and related operations segment includes the operation and management of golf courses, fitness centers, dining and banquet facilities and a travel agency. For the years 2009 and 2008, no one customer accounted for 10% or more of Avalon’s consolidated net operating revenues.
Waste Management Services
Avalon’s waste management subsidiaries provide hazardous and nonhazardous waste brokerage and management services and captive landfill management services. Waste management services are provided to industrial, commercial, municipal and governmental customers primarily in selected northeastern and midwestern United States markets. For the years 2009 and 2008, the net operating revenues of the waste management services segment represented approximately 75% and 80%, respectively, of Avalon’s total segments’ net operating revenues.
American Waste Management Services, Inc. (“AWMS”) assists customers with managing and disposing of wastes at approved treatment and disposal sites based upon a customer’s needs.
Because waste generators remain liable for their waste, both before and after disposal, they require assurance that their waste will be safely and properly transported, treated and disposed of. To give
customers this confidence, as well as to limit its own potential liability, AWMS has instituted procedures designed to minimize the risks of improper handling or disposal of waste.
Before AWMS will provide waste brokerage or management services, a potential customer must complete a detailed waste profile setting forth the amount, chemical composition and any unique characteristics for each type of waste to be handled. Representative samples of the waste are analyzed by a state or federally certified laboratory. In addition, an AWMS representative generally inspects the process generating the waste, the location where the waste may be temporarily stored or the site of the remediation project producing the waste, and interviews representatives of the generator familiar with the waste. This inspection, along with the laboratory results, allows AWMS to determine whether the waste is within acceptable parameters for disposal and, if so, what special handling and treatment procedures must be instituted. If the waste is continuously generated, new representative samples are tested on a periodic basis.
These procedures are important to both AWMS and its customers because the key to proper handling of waste is accurate identification. Hazardous waste which is not identified as such, and thus, improperly disposed of can result in substantial liability to the waste generator, the disposal facility, AWMS and potentially to all other waste generators that have used the disposal site. Conversely, waste that could safely and legally be disposed of in a solid waste landfill, but is instead sent to a hazardous waste facility for treatment and disposal, will result in substantial and unnecessary expense to the generator.
American Landfill Management, Inc. (“ALMI”) is a landfill management company that provides technical and operational services to customers owning captive disposal facilities. A captive disposal facility only disposes of waste generated by the owner of such facility. ALMI provides turnkey services, including daily operations, facilities management and management reporting for its customers. Currently, ALMI manages one captive disposal facility located in Ohio. In addition, American Construction Supply, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ALMI, sells construction mats.
Golf and Related Operations
Avalon’s golf and related operations segment operates golf courses and related facilities and a travel agency. For the years 2009 and 2008, the net operating revenues of the golf and related operations segment represented approximately 25% and 20%, respectively, of Avalon’s total segments’ net operating revenues.
Avalon Lakes Golf, Inc. (“ALGI”) owns and operates a Pete Dye designed championship golf course located in Warren, Ohio. ALGI generates revenue from membership dues, greens fees, cart rentals, merchandise sales, food and beverage sales. TBG, a subsidiary of ALGI, entered into a long-term agreement with Squaw Creek Country Club to lease and operate its golf course and related facilities. The lease, which commenced on November 1, 2003, has an initial term of ten (10) years with four (4) consecutive ten (10) year renewal term options unilaterally exercisable by TBG. In addition to a championship golf course, the Squaw Creek facilities include a swimming pool, tennis courts and a clubhouse that includes a fitness center, dining and banquet facilities. TBG generates its revenue in the same manner as ALGI. Avalon Travel, Inc., a subsidiary of ALGI, owns and operates a travel agency which generates its revenue from booking travel reservations.
In November 2003, Avalon formed the Avalon Golf and Country Club to manage the golf courses and the related operations. Members of the Avalon Golf and Country Club are entitled to privileges at all the facilities. Membership requires payment of annual dues and may require a one-time initiation fee. Members receive several benefits including reduced greens fees and preferential tee times.
On October 23, 2006, Avalon, through its subsidiary, Avalon Country Club of Sharon, Inc., completed the acquisition of the Sharon Country Club assets. The primary assets of the Sharon Country Club include the golf course and clubhouse. Avalon renovated the clubhouse and constructed additional recreational facilities and operates the Sharon Country Club facilities as part of its Avalon Golf and Country Club.
Although the golf courses continue to be available to the general public, the primary source of revenues is derived from the members of the Avalon Golf and Country Club. Avalon believes that the combination of these three facilities will result in additional memberships in the Avalon Golf and Country Club. Due to the state of the economy, the ability to retain current members and attract new members is becoming more difficult. Although Avalon was able to retain and slightly increase the number of members of the Avalon Golf and Country Club in 2009, as of December 31, 2009, Avalon has not attained its membership goals. There can be no assurance as to when such goals will be attained and when the golf and related operations will ultimately become profitable. Avalon is continually using different marketing strategies to attract new members, such as local television advertising and various membership promotions. A significant decline in members could adversely affect the future financial performance of Avalon.
The golf courses are significantly dependent upon weather conditions during the golf season as a result of being located in northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Avalon’s financial performance is adversely affected by adverse weather conditions.
Governmental Regulations
The federal government and numerous state and local governmental bodies are continuing to consider legislation or regulations to either restrict or impede the disposal and/or transportation of waste. A portion of Avalon’s waste brokerage and management services revenues is derived from the disposal and/or transportation of out-of-state waste. Any law or regulation restricting or impeding the transportation of waste or the acceptance of out-of-state waste for disposal could have a negative effect on Avalon. Avalon’s waste brokerage and management services may also be affected by the trend toward laws requiring the development of waste reduction and recycling or other programs.
All three of Avalon’s golf course operations currently hold liquor licenses for their respective facilities. If, for some reason, any one of these facilities were to lose their liquor license, the financial performance of the golf and related operations would be adversely affected.
Sales and Marketing
Avalon’s sales and marketing approach is decentralized, with each business segment being responsible for its own sales and marketing efforts. Each business segment employs its own sales force which concentrates on expanding its business.
Competition
The hazardous and nonhazardous waste disposal brokerage and management business is highly competitive and fragmented. Avalon’s waste disposal brokerage and management business competes with other brokerage companies, as well as, with companies which own treatment and disposal facilities. In addition to price, knowledge and service are key factors when competing for waste disposal brokerage and management business. Avalon’s waste disposal brokerage and management operations obtain and retain customers by providing services and identifying cost-efficient disposal options unique to a customer’s needs. Consolidation within the solid waste industry has resulted in a reduction in the number of disposal options available to waste generators and may cause disposal pricing to increase. Avalon may need to absorb all or a portion of these cost increases depending upon competitive conditions at the time.
Avalon’s golf courses are located in Warren, Ohio, Vienna, Ohio and Sharon, Pennsylvania and compete with many public courses and country clubs in the area.
Insurance
Avalon carries $5,000,000 of liability insurance coverage. This insurance includes coverage for comprehensive general liability, automobile liability and other customary coverage. Avalon also carries $5,000,000 of liability insurance for the golf courses and related operations which maintain separate insurance coverage. Avalon carries comprehensive property damage coverage and, also, professional liability insurance for its fitness, swimming and spa activities. No assurance can be given that such
insurance will be available in the future or, if available, that the premiums for such insurance will be reasonable.
If Avalon were to incur a substantial liability for damages not covered by insurance or in excess of its policy limits or at a time when Avalon no longer is able to obtain appropriate liability insurance, its financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Employees
As of December 31, 2009, Avalon had 230 employees, 27 of whom were employed by the waste management services segment, 180 of whom were employed by the golf and related operations and 23 of whom were employed in financial and administrative activities. Avalon believes that it has a good relationship with its employees.
Other Business Factors
None of Avalon’s business segments is materially dependent on patents, trademarks, licenses, franchises or concessions, other than permits, licenses and approvals issued by regulatory agencies. Avalon does not sponsor significant research and development activities.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The following factors, as well as, factors described elsewhere in the Form 10-K, or in other filings by Avalon with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could adversely affect Avalon’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Other factors not presently known to us or that we presently believe are not material could also affect our business operations and financial results.
Voting Control by Management
The holders of the Avalon Class B Common Stock (which has ten votes per share), consisting principally of the management of Avalon, have approximately 66 percent of the aggregate voting power of the outstanding Avalon Common Stock. Thus, the holders of the Avalon Class A Common Stock (which has one vote per share) will not, either alone or acting collectively, be able to elect a majority of the members of Avalon’s Board of Directors (the “Avalon Board”) or control many corporate actions. However, the holders of the Avalon Class A Common Stock, voting as a separate class, have the right to elect the number of directors equal to at least 25 percent of the total Board of Directors of Avalon until the outstanding Avalon Class B Common Stock constitutes less than 50 percent of the total voting power of the outstanding Avalon Common Stock, after which time the holders of the Avalon Class A and Class B Common Stock will vote as a single class for the election of directors and all matters presented for a vote to the shareholders. The holders of a majority of all outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, voting as separate classes, must also approve amendments to the Articles of Incorporation that adversely affect the shares of their class.
Each share of Class B Common Stock is convertible, at any time, at the option of the shareholder, into one share of Class A Common Stock. Shares of Class B Common Stock are also automatically converted into shares of Class A Common Stock on the transfer of such shares to any person other than Avalon, another holder of Class B Common Stock or a Permitted Transferee, as defined in Avalon’s Articles of Incorporation.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Articles of Incorporation, Code of Regulations and Ohio Law
The Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations of Avalon, as well as, Ohio statutory law, contain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging an acquisition of control of Avalon not approved by the Avalon Board. Such provisions may also have the effect of discouraging third parties from making proposals involving an acquisition or change of control of Avalon, even though such proposals, if made, might be considered desirable by a majority of the Avalon stockholders. Such provisions could also have the effect of making it more difficult for third parties to cause the replacement
of the current management of Avalon without the concurrence of the Avalon Board. These provisions have been designed to enable Avalon to develop its business and foster its long-term growth without disruptions caused by the threat of a takeover not deemed by the Avalon Board to be in the best interest of Avalon and its stockholders.
Dividend Policy
The dividend policy of Avalon is determined by the Avalon Board. Avalon presently intends to retain earnings for use in the operation and expansion of its business and, therefore, does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Avalon’s market for shares may be subject to greater volatility
Market fluctuations, as well as economic conditions, may adversely affect the market price of the Avalon Class A Common Stock. Given the relatively small market capitalization of Avalon, the market for its Class A Common Stock may be subject to greater volatility than would be the case for a large company. In addition, the selling and buying of shares on a daily basis may be limited because of the relatively small capitalization of Avalon.
A majority of Avalon’s business is not subject to long-term contracts
A significant portion of Avalon’s business is generated from waste brokerage and management services provided to customers and is not subject to long-term contracts. In light of current economic, regulatory and competitive conditions, there can be no assurance that Avalon’s current customers will continue to transact business with Avalon at historical levels. Failure by Avalon to retain its current customers or to replace lost business could adversely impact the future financial performance of Avalon.
Avalon’s captive landfill management business is dependent upon a single customer as its sole source of revenue. If the captive landfill management business is unable to retain this customer, Avalon’s future financial performance could be adversely impacted.
The golf operations primary source of revenues is derived from the members of the Avalon Golf and Country Club. Members are obligated to pay dues for a one year period. As such, the golf operations are primarily dependent on the sale and renewal of memberships in the Avalon Golf and Country Club, on a year to year basis.
Long-lived asset impairment
Certain events or changes in circumstances may indicate that the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets should be assessed. Such events or changes may include a significant decrease in market value, a significant change in the business climate in a particular market, or a current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with historical losses or projected future losses. If an event occurs or changes in circumstances are present, Avalon estimates the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the applicable groups of long-lived assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying value, Avalon would recognize an impairment loss to the extent the carrying value of the groups of long-lived assets exceeds their fair value. Avalon would determine the fair value by using quoted market prices, if available, for such assets; or if quoted market prices are not available, Avalon would discount the expected estimated future cash flows.
The ability to accurately predict future cash flows may impact the determination of fair value. Avalon’s assessments of cash flows represent management’s best estimate at the time of the impairment review. Avalon estimates the future cash flows expected to result from the use and, if applicable, the eventual disposition of the assets. The key variables that management must estimate include, among other factors, sales, costs, inflation and capital spending. Significant management judgment is involved in estimating these variables, and they include inherent uncertainties. If different cash flows had been estimated in the current period, the value of the long-lived assets could have been materially impacted. Furthermore, Avalon’s accounting estimates may change from period to period as conditions in markets change, and this could materially impact financial results in future periods.
Seasonality
Avalon’s operations are somewhat seasonal in nature since a significant portion of those operations are primarily conducted in selected northeastern and midwestern states. Additionally, Avalon’s golf courses are located in northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania and are significantly dependent upon weather conditions during the golf season. As a result, Avalon’s financial performance could be adversely affected by adverse weather conditions.
Environmental Liabilities
Avalon may be subject to liability for environmental contamination caused by pollutants, the transportation, treatment or disposal of which was arranged for by Avalon or one of its predecessors.
Although Avalon has compliance guidelines for its waste brokerage and management services business, Avalon could still incur a substantial liability for environmental damage not covered by or in excess of its insurance policy limits and, as such, its financial condition could be adversely affected.
Competitive pressures
The hazardous and nonhazardous waste disposal brokerage and management business is highly competitive and fragmented. Avalon’s waste disposal brokerage and management business competes with other brokerage companies, as well as, with companies which own treatment and disposal facilities. In addition to price, knowledge and service are key factors when competing for waste disposal brokerage and management business. Avalon’s waste disposal brokerage and management business obtains and retains customers by providing services and identifying cost-efficient disposal options unique to a customer’s needs. Consolidation within the solid waste industry has resulted in reducing the number of companies offering disposal options available to waste generators and may cause disposal pricing to increase. Avalon may need to absorb all or a portion of these cost increases depending upon competitive conditions at the time.
Golf Memberships and Liquor Licenses
The Avalon Golf and Country Club has golf courses and clubhouses at each of its three facilities. The Squaw Creek and Sharon facilities each have a swimming pool, a fitness center and dining and banquet facilities. The Squaw Creek facility also has tennis courts. The Avalon Golf and Country Club competes with many public courses and country clubs in the area. Although the golf courses continue to be available to the general public, the primary source of revenues is derived from the members of the Avalon Golf and Country Club. Avalon believes that the combination of these three facilities will result in additional memberships in the Avalon Golf and Country Club. Due to the state of the economy, the ability to retain current members and attract new members is becoming more difficult. Although Avalon was able to retain and slightly increase the number of members of the Avalon Golf and Country Club in 2009, as of December 31, 2009, Avalon has not attained its membership goals. There can be no assurance as to when such goals will be attained and when the golf and related operations will ultimately become profitable. Avalon is continually using different marketing strategies to attract new members, such as local television advertising and various membership promotions. A significant decline in members could adversely affect the future financial performance of Avalon.
All three of Avalon’s golf course operations currently hold liquor licenses for their respective facilities. If, for some reason, any one of these facilities were to lose their liquor license, the financial performance of the golf and related operations would be adversely affected.
Growth Strategy
The waste industry is a local and highly competitive business, requiring substantial labor and capital resources. The participants compete for accounts primarily on the basis of price and quality of service, and compete for disposal and processing business on the basis of tipping fees, geographic location and quality of operations. The waste industry has been consolidating and continues to consolidate as a result of a number of factors, including the increasing costs and complexity associated with waste management operations, lower volumes, and regulatory compliance. Many small independent operators and
municipalities lack the capital resources, management, operating skills and technical expertise necessary to operate effectively in such an environment. Avalon believes that this pressure will continue to fuel the consolidation within the waste industry and has positioned itself well to capitalize on these opportunities in the future, either through acquisitions or strategic partnerships.
Our growth strategy will focus on increasing revenue, gaining market share and enhancing shareholder value through internal growth and acquisitions. We will manage our growth strategy as follows:
Internal Growth: Our internal growth strategy focuses on retaining existing customers and obtaining new business through our well-managed sales and marketing activities.
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Pricing Activities. We seek to secure price increases necessary to offset increased costs, to improve our operating margins and to obtain adequate returns on our investments in assets.
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Long-Term Contracts. We seek to obtain long-term contracts with all of our customers. By obtaining such long-term agreements, we will have the opportunity to grow our contracted revenue base at the same rate as the underlying revenue growth of these customers. We believe that this positions us to eliminate further revenue deterioration and experience internal growth rates that are generally higher than our industry’s overall growth rate. Additionally, we believe that by securing a base of long-term recurring revenue, we are better able to protect our market position from competition and our business may be less susceptible to downturns in economic conditions.
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Sales and Marketing Activities. We seek to manage our sales and marketing activities to enable us to capitalize on our position in many of the markets in which we operate. We provide a tailored program to all of our customers in response to their needs by centralizing services to effectively manage their needs, such as minimizing their procurement costs. We currently have a number of professional sales and marketing employees in the field who are compensated using a commission structure that is focused on generating high levels of quality revenue. For the most part, these employees directly solicit business from existing and prospective customers. We emphasize our rate and cost structures when we train new and existing sales personnel.
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Development Activities. We will seek to identify opportunities to further position us as an integrated service provider in markets where we provide services. Where appropriate, we may seek to obtain permits that would provide vertically integrated waste services or expand the service offerings or leverage our existing volumes with current vendors to provide for long term, cost competitive strategic positioning within our existing markets. Development projects, while generally less capital intensive than acquiring such projects, typically require extensive permitting efforts that can take years to complete with no assurance of success. We may undertake development projects when we believe there is a reasonable probability of success and where reasonably priced acquisition opportunities are not available.
Acquisition Growth: We will look to acquire businesses that complement our existing business platform. Our acquisition growth strategy will focus primarily on privately held companies and the waste operations of municipal and other local governmental authorities. We believe that our ability to acquire privately held companies is enhanced by increasing competition in the waste industry, increasing capital requirements as a result of changes in waste regulatory requirements, and the limited number of exit strategies for these privately held companies’ owners. We also seek to acquire operations and facilities from municipalities that are privatizing, as they seek to increase available capital and reduce risk. In addition, we will continue to evaluate opportunities to acquire operations and facilities that are being divested by other publicly owned waste companies. In sum, our acquisition growth strategy will focus primarily on the following:
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acquiring privately held businesses that position us for growth in existing markets,
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acquiring well-managed companies and, when appropriate, retaining local management, and
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acquiring operations and facilities from municipalities that are privatizing and/or from publicly owned companies that are divesting assets.
Our primary focus will be to acquire facilities that operate in markets that we are already servicing in order to fully integrate our operations. We believe these activities allow us to increase our revenue and market share, lower our cost of operations as a percentage of revenue, and maximize cost efficiencies and economies of scale.
Several private country clubs in the northeast Ohio area are experiencing economic difficulties. Avalon believes some of these clubs may represent an attractive investment opportunity and is giving consideration to the possibility of acquiring one or more additional golf courses. While Avalon has not entered into any pending agreements for acquisitions, it may do so at any time and will continue to consider acquisitions that make economic sense. Such potential acquisitions could be financed by existing working capital, utilizing its line of credit, secured or unsecured debt, issuance of common stock, or issuance of a security with characteristics of both debt and equity, any of which could impact liquidity in the future.
Government regulations
The federal government and numerous state and local governmental bodies are continuing to consider legislation or regulations to either restrict or impede the disposal and/or transportation of waste. A portion of Avalon’s waste management services revenues is derived from the brokerage of the disposal and/or transportation of out-of-state waste. Any law or regulation restricting or impeding the transportation of waste or the acceptance of out-of-state waste for disposal could have a negative effect on Avalon. Avalon’s waste brokerage and management services may also be affected by the trend toward laws requiring the development of waste reduction and recycling or other programs.
Changes in laws, regulations and accounting standards
Our implementation of new accounting rules and interpretations or compliance with changes in existing accounting rules could adversely affect our balance sheet or results of operations or cause unanticipated fluctuations in our results of operations in future periods.
Accounting estimates and judgments
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and subsequent adjustments could have a material adverse effect on operating results for the period or periods in which the change is identified.
Inflation
Avalon has not entered into any long-term fixed price contracts that could have a material adverse impact upon its financial performance in periods of inflation. In general, management believes that rising costs resulting from price inflation could be passed on to customers; however, Avalon may need to absorb all or a portion of these cost increases depending upon competitive conditions at the time.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
There were no unresolved comments from the Staff of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission at December 31, 2009.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Avalon owns a 37,000 square foot headquarters building located on approximately 5.6 acres of property in Warren, Ohio adjacent to the Avalon Lakes Golf Course. The corporate and administrative offices of ALMI, AWMS and all the golf operations are located at the headquarters building of Avalon in
Warren, Ohio. Avalon’s corporate headquarters building also includes a clubhouse, restaurant and pro shop for the Avalon Golf and Country Club at Avalon Lakes Golf Course.
ALGI owns an 18-hole golf course and practice facility on approximately 200 acres, a maintenance and storage building of approximately 12,000 square feet, a restaurant building of approximately 10,400 square feet, and a banquet facility of approximately 7,000 square feet. ALGI currently leases the restaurant building and banquet facility to a third party operator. All of ALGI’s facilities are located in Warren, Ohio.
TBG, Inc. leases and operates the Avalon Golf and Country Club at Squaw Creek in Vienna, Ohio, which includes an 18-hole golf course and practice facility on approximately 224 acres, an outdoor swimming pool, 4 outdoor tennis courts, 4 indoor tennis courts and a 67,000 square foot clubhouse that includes a pro shop, fitness center, restaurants and banquet facilities.
Avalon Country Club at Sharon, Inc. owns an 18-hole golf course on approximately 130 acres. The clubhouse has been renovated and additional banquet and recreational facilities have been constructed. The renovated clubhouse and recreational facilities are approximately 80,000 square feet and include a pro shop, dining and banquet facilities, an outdoor swimming pool, a spa and fitness center.
The captive landfill management operations use approximately six pieces of equipment (such as bulldozers, excavators and backhoes) all of which are owned or leased by ALMI.
Generally, Avalon’s fixed assets are in good condition and are satisfactory for the purposes for which they are intended.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In the ordinary course of conducting its business, Avalon becomes involved in lawsuits, administrative proceedings and governmental investigations, including those related to environmental matters. Some of these proceedings may result in fines, penalties or judgments being assessed against Avalon which, from time to time, may have an impact on its business and financial condition. Although the outcome of such lawsuits or other proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, Avalon does not believe that any uninsured ultimate liabilities, fines or penalties resulting from such pending proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on its liquidity, financial position or results of operations. See Item 1. “Business-Insurance.”
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. REMOVED and RESERVED
PART II
Information with respect to the following items can be found on the indicated pages of Exhibit 13.1, the 2009 Annual Report to Shareholders, if not otherwise included herein.
Information regarding financial statement schedules is contained in Item 15(a) of Part IV of this report.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), Avalon’s management conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by the Annual Report. For purposes of the foregoing, the term disclosure controls and procedures means controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Avalon’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives as outlined above. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that they believe that, as of December 31, 2009, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information required by Item 10 regarding Directors is contained under the caption “Election of Directors” in the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Proxy Statement”) which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to Regulation 14A, not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year, which information under such caption is incorporated herein by reference. The following information with respect to the Executive Officers of Avalon is included pursuant to Instruction 3 of Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K:
The above-listed individuals have been elected to the offices set opposite their names to hold office at the discretion of the Board of Directors of Avalon or its subsidiaries, as the case may be.
Ronald E. Klingle has been a director and Chairman of the Board of Avalon since June 1998. He was Chief Executive Officer from June 1998 until December 2002. He reassumed and held the position from March 15, 2004 until February 28, 2010. Mr. Klingle has over 30 years of environmental experience and received his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical Engineering from Youngstown State University. Mr. Klingle is the spouse of Frances R. Klingle who is the Chief Administrative Officer of Avalon.
Steven M. Berry was elected as a director and President and Chief Executive Officer on March 1, 2010 by the Board of Directors. Mr. Berry was Area Vice President for Waste Management, Inc. from 2006 until January 2009 and Vice President Marketing, Planning and Development from 1998 to 2006. Mr. Berry has over 25 years of experience in the waste management business and has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, customer service and sales and marketing. Mr. Berry received his Bachelor of Science degree from Kent State University.
Timothy C. Coxson has been Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since March 2006 and a director since April 2007. Mr. Coxson also became Secretary in April 2007. Mr. Coxson had been Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Avalon from June 1998 until August 2004. From September 2004 to March 2006, Mr. Coxson was Director of Corporate Services of Avalon. Mr. Coxson has over 25 years of experience working for publicly owned companies in accounting and external reporting. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from The Ohio State University.
Frances R. Klingle has been Chief Administrative Officer since June 1998. She was Controller of Avalon from June 1998 to April 2002. Ms. Klingle received a Bachelor of Arts degree in French from Kent State University and has completed postgraduate work in accounting at Youngstown State University. Ms. Klingle is the spouse of Ronald E. Klingle who is Chairman of the Board and a director of Avalon.
Kenneth J. McMahon has been Chief Executive Officer and President of American Waste Management Services, Inc. since June 1998. Mr. McMahon had previously been Executive Vice President, Sales and a director of American Waste Services, Inc. from September 1996 to June 1998. Mr. McMahon received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance and his Master of Business Administration degree from Youngstown State University.
CODE OF ETHICS
Avalon has adopted a Code of Ethics in the form of Standards of Business Ethics and Conduct. Such code applies to all employees of Avalon including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller and persons performing similar functions.
Copies of Avalon’s Code of Ethics may be obtained without charge by any shareholder. Written requests for copies should be directed to the Secretary of Avalon Holdings Corporation, One American Way, Warren, Ohio 44484.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by Item 11 is contained under the captions “Executive Compensation,” and “Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers” in the Proxy Statement. The information under such captions is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The information required by Item 12 is contained under the captions “Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof” and “Stock Ownership of Management” in the Proxy Statement which information under such captions is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
None.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by Item 14 is contained under the caption “Independent Public Accountants” in the Proxy Statement which information under such captions is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1. Financial Statements and Independent Auditors’ Report (See Part II, Item 8