Edgar Filing: WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORP

Unassociated Document

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

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))

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

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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	(5)	Total fee paid:


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¨	Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

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June 30, 2008

To the Shareholders of

World Acceptance Corporation:

In connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of your Company to be held on August 6, 2008, we enclose a Notice of the Meeting, this Proxy Statement containing information about the matters to be considered at the Meeting, and a form of proxy relating to those matters.

In addition, we enclose our 2008 Annual Report, which provides information relating to the Company’s activities and operating performance during the most recent fiscal year.

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. We would appreciate your signing and returning the form of proxy so that your shares can be voted in the event that you are unable to attend the Meeting. A postage-paid return envelope for that purpose is provided for your convenience. Your proxy will, of course, be returned to you if you are present at the Meeting and elect to vote in person. It may also be revoked in the manner set forth in the Proxy Statement. We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.

Sincerely yours,

A.A. McLean

Chairman of the Board and

Chief Executive Officer

WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION

108 Frederick Street

Greenville, South Carolina 29607

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To Our Shareholders:

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of World Acceptance Corporation will be held at the Company’s main office at 108 Frederick Street, Greenville, South Carolina, on Wednesday, August 6, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:

To elect seven (7) directors to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified; and

To consider and act upon a proposal to approve the 2008 Stock Option Plan authorizing the grant of stock purchase options and restricted stock awards for a maximum of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company in the aggregate; and

To consider and act upon a proposal to ratify the action of the Audit Committee in selecting KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009; and

To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on June 27, 2008 as the record date for determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

The Board of Directors of the Company would appreciate your signing and returning the accompanying form of proxy promptly so that, if you are unable to attend, your shares can nevertheless be voted at the Annual Meeting.

A.A. McLean

Chairman of the Board and

Chief Executive Officer

June 30, 2008

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Please Sign and Mail Your Proxy Promptly

WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION

108 Frederick Street

Greenville, South Carolina 29607

PROXY STATEMENT

The following statement, first mailed on or about June 30, 2008, is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of World Acceptance Corporation (the “Company”) of proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company (the “Meeting”) to be held on August 6, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., local time, at the Company’s main office at 108 Frederick Street, Greenville, South Carolina, and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

The accompanying form of proxy is for use at the Meeting if a shareholder is unable to attend in person or plans to attend but prefers to vote by proxy. The proxy may be revoked by the shareholder at any time before it is exercised by submitting to the Secretary of the Company written notice of revocation, or a properly executed proxy of a later date, or by attending the Meeting and electing to vote in person. All shares represented by valid proxies received pursuant to this solicitation, and not revoked before they are exercised, will be voted in the manner specified therein. If no specification is made, the proxies will be voted in favor of:

The election to the Board of the seven (7) nominees named in this Proxy Statement; and

The approval of the 2008 Stock Option Plan; and

The ratification of the Audit Committee’s selection of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009.

The entire cost of soliciting these proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to the solicitation of the proxies by mail, the Company will request banks, brokers, and other record holders to send proxies and proxy materials to the beneficial owners of the Company’s common stock, no par value (the “Common Stock”), and secure the beneficial owners’ voting instructions, if necessary. The Company will reimburse them for their reasonable expenses in so doing. If necessary, the Company may use several of its regular employees, who will not be specially compensated, to solicit proxies from shareholders, either personally or by other forms of communication.

Pursuant to the provisions of the South Carolina Business Corporation Act, the Board of Directors has fixed June 27, 2008 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting and, accordingly, only holders of record of outstanding shares (the “Shares”) of the Common Stock at the close of business on that date will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting.

The number of outstanding Shares entitled to vote as of the record date was 16,360,543. Each Share is entitled to one vote. In accordance with South Carolina law and the Company’s bylaws, a majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the election of directors, the approval of the 2008 Stock Option Plan and the ratification of the selection of auditors. Abstentions and broker non-votes (if any) will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum.

With regard to the election of directors, votes may either be cast in favor of or withheld, and directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Votes that are withheld will be excluded entirely from the vote and will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors. Approval of the 2008 Stock Option Plan and the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm will be ratified if more votes are cast in favor of such proposal than are cast against it. Accordingly, abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on these proposals. Broker non-votes (if any), will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on any proposals. Cumulative voting is not permitted under the Company’s articles of incorporation.

On June 27, 2008, the only class of voting securities the Company had issued and outstanding was its Common Stock. The following table sets forth the names and addresses of, and the numbers and percentages of Shares beneficially owned by, persons known to the Company to beneficially own five percent or more of the outstanding Shares. Except as noted otherwise, each shareholder listed below possesses sole voting and investment power with respect to the Shares listed opposite the shareholder’s name.

Ownership of Shares by Certain Beneficial Owners as of June 27, 2008

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner	Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership		Percent of Class
Columbia Wanger Asset Management L.P. (1) Columbia Acorn Trust 227 West Monroe Street, Suite 3000 Chicago, Illinois 60606		2,593,900		15.39	%

Thomas W. Smith (2) Scott J. Vassalluzzo Idoya Partners 323 Railroad Avenue Greenwich, Connecticut 06830		2,564,641		15.10	%

Wellington Management Company, LLP (3) 75 State Street Boston, MA 02109		1,179,400		7.00	%

NorthPointe Capital, LLC (4) 101 W. Big Beaver, Suite 745 Troy, MI 48084		947,308		5.62	%

Barclays Global Investors, N.A. (5) Barclays Global Fund Advisors et al. 45 Fremont Street San Francisco, California 94105		919,042		5.45	%

(1)	Based on an Amended Schedule 13G filed January 29, 2008. Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. reported sole voting power over 2,337,700 Shares listed and shared voting power over 256,200 Shares listed.

(2)

Based on an amended Schedule 13G filed February 14, 2008. Mr. Thomas W. Smith has the sole power to vote or to direct the vote of 413,490 Shares and the sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 597,900 Shares. Mr. Scott J. Vassalluzzo has the sole power and direct the vote of 11,700 Shares and the sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 47,700 Shares. Messrs. Smith and Vassalluzzo have the shared power to vote or dispose or to direct the vote or the disposal of 1,966,741 Shares. Idoya Partners has the sole power to vote or direct the vote and dispose or to direct the disposition of 976,917 Shares.

(3)	Based on a Schedule 13G filed February14, 2008, Wellington Management Company, LLP reported shared power to vote over 644,600 Shares listed and shared voting power to dispose over 1,179,400 Shares listed.

(4)	Based on a Schedule 13G filed January 14, 2008 NorthPointe Capital, LLC reported sole power over 880,783 Shares listed and sole dispositive power over 947,308 Shares listed.

(5)

Based on a Schedule 13G filed February 5, 2008 Barclays Global Investors, N.A. reported sole voting power over 336,729 Shares listed and sole dispositive power over 403,855 Shares listed. Barclays Global Fund Advisors reported sole voting power over 357,135 and dispositive power over 497,899 Shares listed. Barclays Global Investors, LTD reported sole dispositive power over 17,288 Shares listed. Barclays Global Investors Japan Trust and Banking Company Limited, Barclays Global Investors Japan Limited, Barclays Global Investors Canada Limited, Barclays Global Investors Australia Limited, and Barclays Global Investors (Deutschland) AG reported no sole or dispositive power over listed Shares.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Company’s bylaws provide for seven directors. The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, has nominated the director candidates described below. It is intended that the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote only for the seven nominees for director named on the following pages, except to the extent authority to so vote is withheld with respect to one or more nominees. Each director will be elected to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until a successor is elected and qualified. Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast.

Although the Board does not expect that any of the nominees named will be unavailable for election, in the event of a vacancy in the slate of nominees occasioned by death or any other unexpected occurrence, it is intended that Shares represented by proxies in the accompanying form will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee selected by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

During the most recent fiscal year, the Board of Directors held four regularly scheduled meetings and took a number of actions by written consent. Each director attended all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of each committee on which he served, except Mr. Hummers who did not attend one audit committee meeting and Mr. Whitaker, who was appointed to the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy on May 19, 2008. The Board typically schedules a meeting in conjunction with the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders and expects that all directors will attend the annual meeting absent a schedule conflict or other valid reason. All of our directors attended the Company’s 2007 Annual Meeting, except Mr. Whitaker, who was not appointed to the Board of Directors until May 19, 2008.

The Board of Directors maintains an Audit Committee on which Messrs. Way (Chairman), Bramlett, and Mr. Whitaker serve effective May 19, 2008. Prior to May 19, 2008, when the Board made committee reassignments, Messrs. Way (Chairman), Bramlett and Hummers served on this committee. The Audit Committee reviews the results and scope of each audit, the service provided by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and all related-party transactions. The Board has determined, in accordance with NASDAQ independence requirements, that each member of the Audit Committee is an independent director. In addition, the Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee meets the heightened standards of independence for audit committee members under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Audit Committee met four times during fiscal 2008 and once in fiscal 2009 prior to the filing of this Proxy. This included quarterly conference call meetings with management and the Company’s independent auditors to review interim financial information prior to its public release. Additional information regarding the Audit Committee is set forth below under “Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accountants.”

The Company’s Audit Committee, consistent with its established practice, reviews and considers any “related person” transactions, within the meaning of Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as well as any matters regarding the Company’s outside directors, that the Committee believes may present a conflict of interest or potentially impair the independence of one of the Company’s outside directors. The Committee typically conducts this review in conjunction with the preparation of materials for the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders, or on any such other occasion when such transactions are brought to the attention of the Committee, and applies its own judgment, in conjunction with SEC disclosure and NASDAQ independence rules, in assessing such transactions and determining the impact of such transactions on the independence of an outside director.

The Board also maintains a Compensation and Stock Option Committee on which Messrs. Bramlett (Chairman), Hummers and Way serve effective May 19, 2008. Prior to May 19, 2008, Messrs. Gilreath (Chairman), Bramlett, Hummers and Way served on this committee. This Committee establishes and reviews the compensation criteria and policies of the Company, reviews the performance of selected officers of the Company and recommends appropriate compensation levels to the Board of Directors. Additionally, this Committee administers the Company’s 1992, 1994, 2002 and 2005 Stock Option Plans. The Board has determined, in accordance with NASDAQ independence requirements, that each member of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee is an independent director. The Compensation and Stock Option Committee met twice during the most recent fiscal year and twice in fiscal 2009 prior to the filing of this proxy. Additional information regarding the Compensation and Stock Option Committee is set forth below under “Executive Compensation - Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

The Board also maintains a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee on which Messrs. Gilreath (Chairman), Hummers and Whitaker serve effective May 19, 2008. Prior to May 19, 2008, Messrs. Bramlett (Chairman), Gilreath, Hummers and Way served. This committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding nominations for director and senior executive candidates, makes recommendations regarding membership of Board Committees and reviews issues with respect to the structure of Board meetings. This Committee meets at the discretion of the Board or at the call of any two directors. The Board has determined, in accordance with NASDAQ independence requirements, that each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is an independent director. This Committee met twice in fiscal 2008. Additional information regarding the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is set forth below under “Corporate Governance Matters - Director Nominations.”

Below is a list of nominees for election to the Board of Directors. Each nominee’s name, age, current principal occupation (which has continued for at least five years unless otherwise indicated) and the name and principal business of the organization in which that occupation is carried on, the year each incumbent was first elected to the Board, all positions and offices presently held with the Company, and directorships in other public companies are set forth below. Except for Mr. Whitaker, each of the nominees served on the Board of Directors during the Company’s last fiscal year. None of the following nominees or current directors is related (as first cousin or closer) by blood, marriage, or adoption to any other nominee, director, or person who may be deemed to be an executive officer of the Company.

The Board unanimously recommends a vote FOR the election of these nominees for Director.

A. ALEXANDER McLEAN, III (57), Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, World Acceptance Corporation. Mr. McLean has served as Chairman of the Board since August 2007 and as chief executive officer since March 2006, as executive vice president from August 1996 to March 2006, as senior vice president from 1992 to August 1996, as vice president from 1989 to 1992, and as chief financial officer from June 1989 until March 2006. Mr. McLean has served as a director of the Company since June 1989.

JAMES R. GILREATH (66), Attorney, The Gilreath Law Firm, P. A., Greenville, South Carolina, a law firm. Mr. Gilreath has practiced law in Greenville, South Carolina since 1968 and in addition to his law degree also has a LLM in taxation. Mr. Gilreath has served as a director of the Company since April 1989.

WILLIAM S. HUMMERS, III (62), Retired. Mr. Hummers served as Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President of The South Financial Group, Inc., formerly Carolina First Corporation, from 1988 until December 2006. Mr. Hummers currently serves as a director of The South Financial Group, Inc. Mr. Hummers has served as a director of the Company since April 1989.

CHARLES D. WAY (55), Retired. From 1989 until 2006, Mr. Way served as chief executive officer of Ryan’s Restaurant Group, Inc., and as its chairman from 1992 until 2006. From 1988 to 2004, Mr. Way served as President of Ryan’s Family Steak House, Inc. From 1986 until 1988, Mr. Way served as executive vice president, treasurer and secretary of Ryan’s Family Steak House, Inc. Mr. Way has served as a director of the Company since September 1991.

KEN R. BRAMLETT, JR. (48), Senior Vice President and General Counsel, COMSYS IT Partners, Inc. a public IT Services Company (NASDAQ: CITP) from January 1, 2006 to present. From 2005 to 2006, Mr. Bramlett was a partner of Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman, LLP, a Charlotte, North Carolina law firm. From 1996 to 2004, Mr. Bramlett served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Venturi Partners, Inc., (formerly known as Personnel Group of America, Inc.), Charlotte, North Carolina, an information technology and personnel staffing services company. Mr. Bramlett also served as chief financial officer of Venturi from October 1999 to January 2001, and as a director of that company from August 1997 to January 2001. Prior to October 1996, Mr. Bramlett was an attorney with Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A., a Charlotte, North Carolina, law firm, for 12 years. Mr. Bramlett also serves as a director of Raptor Networks Technology, Inc. Mr. Bramlett has served as a director of the Company since October 1993.

MARK C. ROLAND (51), President and Chief Operating Officer, World Acceptance Corporation. Mr. Roland has served as president since March 2006 and chief operating officer since April 2005. Mr. Roland served as executive vice president from April 2002 to March 2006, and senior vice president from January 1996 to April 2002. Mr. Roland served as senior vice president - operations support of Fleet Finance in Atlanta, Georgia from January 1993 to January 1996. Mr. Roland has served as a director of the Company since August 2007.

DARRELL E. WHITAKER (50), President and Chief Operating Officer of IMI Resort Holdings, Inc. a sales and marketing company of luxury real estate. Before joining IMI in January of 2004, Mr. Whitaker served as the Chief Operating Officer and VP of Finance and Corporate Secretary of The Cliffs Communities, Inc., a developer of high end resort communities. He joined the Cliffs Communities, Inc. in July 1998 as Chief Financial Officer, a position he held until becoming COO in August 2001. In addition, he has held executive management positions with leading corporations such as Ryan’s Family Steak House, Inc. from the hospitality industry, Baby Superstores, Inc. from the retail industry and Food Lion, Inc. from the supermarket industry. Mr. Whitaker has served as a director of the Company since May 2008.

The following table sets forth the sole (unless otherwise indicated) beneficial ownership, as defined by Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, of Shares as of June 27, 2008, for each director, nominee, or executive officer identified in the Summary Compensation Table and all directors and executive officers as a group.

OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK OF MANAGEMENT AS OF JUNE 27, 2008

	Shares Beneficially Owned
Name of Individual or Number in Group	Amount ⁽¹⁾			Percent of Class

A. Alexander McLean, III		227,112	⁽²⁾		1.4	%
James R. Gilreath		102,500	⁽³⁾		*
Ken R. Bramlett, Jr.		54,280			*
Mark C. Roland		42,459			*
Charles D. Way		39,000			*
William S. Hummers, III		23,780			*
Kelly M. Malson		23,486			*
James Daniel Walters		11,300	⁽⁴⁾		*
Jeff Tinney		3,800			*
Darrell E. Whitaker		2,000			*
Directors and all executive officers as a group (12 persons)		538,800			3.2	%

*Less than 1%.

(1)

Includes the following Shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of June 27, 2008: Mr. McLean – 104,500; Mr. Gilreath – 36,000; Mr. Bramlett – 42,000; Mr. Roland – 27,500; Mr. Way – 30,000; Mr. Hummers – 13,500; Ms. Malson – 10,600; Mr. Walters – 8,400; Mr. Tinney – 3,800. Directors and Executive Officers as a group – 279,900.

(2)	Includes 51,000 Shares in a self-directed retirement account maintained for the benefit of Mr. McLean. Also includes 45,271 Shares which are pledged as security.

(3)	Includes 7,500 Shares held in a profit-sharing trust for which Mr. Gilreath serves as trustee. Also includes 53,000 Shares in a limited partnership in which Mr. Gilreath is a partner.

(4)	Includes 900 Shares held by Mr. Walters’ spouse. Mr. Walters disclaims beneficial ownership of these Shares.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS

Corporate Governance Policy and Committee Charters

In furtherance of its goal of providing effective governance of the Company’s business and affairs for the benefit of shareholders, the Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a corporate governance policy. Copies of the governance policy and the committee charters for the Company’s Audit Committee, Compensation and Stock Option Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are available on the Company’s website, at www.worldacceptance.com as well as by mail to any shareholder who requests a copy by writing to the Company’s Corporate Secretary at P.O. Box 6429, Greenville, SC 29606.

Director Independence

The Board of Directors has determined that a majority of its members, specifically, Mr. James R. Gilreath, Mr. William S. Hummers, III, Mr. Charles D. Way, Mr. Ken R. Bramlett, Jr. and Mr. Darrell E. Whitaker, are independent within the meaning of the independence requirements of NASDAQ. In considering its independence determination with respect to Mr. Hummers, the Board considered Mr. Hummers’ position, a director of the parent corporation of one of the lenders under the Company’s revolving credit facility, and determined that this relationship did not impair Mr. Hummers’ independence. Mr. A. Alexander McLean, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Mark C. Roland, President and Chief Operating Officer, do not meet the independence requirements of NASDAQ.

Audit Committee Financial Experts

The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee who served as such during the last fiscal year, Mr. Way, Mr. Bramlett and Mr. Hummers, is an audit committee financial expert. As of May 19, 2008, Mr. Whitaker replaced Mr. Hummers on the Audit Committee. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Whitaker also is an audit committee financial expert. Each of these four directors is also “independent” as that term is defined in accordance with the independence requirements of NASDAQ.

Executive Sessions of Non-Management Directors

Non-management Board members meet without management present at regularly scheduled executive sessions. In addition, to the extent that the group of non-management directors include directors that are not independent directors, at least once a year an executive session including only independent directors will be scheduled. Mr. Gilreath, effective May 19, 2008, or any successor Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, will preside over meetings of the non-management or independent directors. Prior to May 19, 2008, Mr. Bramlett served as the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Code of Ethics and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The Company has adopted a written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to all directors, employees and officers of the Company (including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)). The Code of Ethics has been filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2008. A copy of the Code of Ethics is also available on the Company’s website at www.worldacceptance.com, and to any shareholder who requests a copy by writing to the Company’s Corporate Secretary at P.O. Box 6429, Greenville, South Carolina 29606.

Shareholder Communications with Directors

Any shareholder who wishes to communicate with the board of directors, or one or more individual directors, may do so by writing to this address:

World Acceptance Corporation

Board Administration

c/o Corporate Secretary

P. O. Box 6429

Greenville, South Carolina 29606

Your letter should indicate that you are a shareholder. Depending on the subject matter, management will:

Forward the communication to the director or directors to whom it is addressed;

Attempt to address the communication directly, for example, where it is a request for information about the Company or a stock-related matter; or

Not forward the communication if it is primarily commercial in nature or if it relates to an improper or irrelevant topic.

At each meeting of the Board, a member of management will present a summary of all communications received since the last meeting that were not forwarded. Those communications are available to the directors on request.

Director Nominations

The Board of Directors is responsible for nominating members of the Board and for filling vacancies on the Board that may exist between annual meetings of shareholders, except to the extent that the Company’s bylaws or applicable South Carolina law require otherwise. The Board of Directors has delegated the screening process for director nominees to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Governance Committee”). The Company’s Governance Committee consists of three “independent” directors, as determined by the Board in accordance with applicable NASDAQ standards.

The Company’s corporate governance policy outlines certain minimum criteria for Board membership. These criteria reflect the Board’s belief that all directors should have the highest personal and professional integrity and, as a general rule, should be persons who have demonstrated exceptional ability, diligence and judgment. In addition, the policy requires that at least a majority of the Board consist of independent directors. The Governance Committee has not developed or recommended to the Board any specific criteria for Board membership to complement these general criteria. However, the Governance Committee believes that directors should, at a minimum, have expertise that may be useful to the Company. Directors should also be willing and able to devote the required amount of time to Company business.

The Governance Committee applies these criteria when evaluating all nominee candidates. When current Board members are considered for nomination for re-election, the Governance Committee also considers their prior Board contributions and meeting attendance records.

When seeking director candidates, the Governance Committee may solicit suggestions from incumbent directors, management or others. Consistent with the Company’s corporate governance policy, the Governance Committee will also consider candidates recommended by shareholders, provided that such nominations are made in writing and are received by the Company at its executive offices not later than, in the case of nominees to be considered for election at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, March 2, 2009 (which is the business day closest to, but not greater than, 120 days prior to the anniversary of this Proxy Statement). Any nomination should be sent to the attention of the Company Secretary and must include, concerning the director nominee, the following information: full name, age, date of birth, educational background and business experience, including positions held for at least the preceding five years. The nomination must also include the nominee’s home and business addresses and telephone numbers and include a signed representation by the nominee to timely provide all information requested by the Company as part of its disclosure in regard to the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors. The name of each such candidate for director must be placed in nomination at the Annual Meeting by a shareholder present in person. The nominee must also be present in person at the meeting. A vote for a person who has not been duly nominated pursuant to these requirements is void.

The Governance Committee’s process for recommending nominees begins with a preliminary assessment of each candidate based on the individual’s resume and biographical information, willingness to serve and other background information. This information is evaluated against the criteria stated above and the specific needs of the Company at that time. After these preliminary assessments, the candidates who appear best suited to meet the Company’s needs may be invited to participate in a series of interviews to continue the evaluative process. Incumbent directors, however, generally are not required to interview again. On the basis of the information learned during this process, the Governance Committee determines which nominees to recommend to the Board for nomination. Mr. Whitaker was recommended by one of the Company’s non-management directors as a potential nominee.

The Company’s Governance Committee does not currently use the services of any third party search firm to assist in identifying or evaluating board candidates. However, the Committee may engage a third party to provide these services in the future, as it deems appropriate at the time.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10 percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the Company. Executive officers, directors, and greater-than-10-percent shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. To the Company’s knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports were required, all of the Company’s executive officers, directors, and greater-than-10-percent beneficial owners have complied with such reporting requirements during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.

Executive Compensation

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Process Overview

The Company’s Compensation and Stock Option Committee (sometimes referred to below as the Compensation Committee or the Committee) is empowered to review and approve, or in some cases recommend for approval by the full Board of Directors, the annual compensation paid to, and the compensation practices and procedures regarding, the five executive officers of the Company identified below in the Summary Compansation Table, who are also sometimes referred to in this Proxy Statement as the Company’s Named Executive Officers, (“NEOs”); Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”); President and Chief Operating Officer (“COO”); Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”); Senior Vice President - Western Division; and Senior Vice President - Southern Division. The Company’s Compensation Committee is also empowered to review and approve, or in some cases recommend for approval by the full Board of Directors, the annual compensation and compensation practices and procedures regarding the 2 executive officers who are not NEOs, and the 23 non-executive officers of the Company.

Role of Executives in Establishing Compensation

The Company’s CEO plays a role in the assessment and recommendation of compensation award decisions for his direct reports, including the assessment and recommendation of compensation for the Company’s CFO. He provides information to the Committee regarding compensation matters and, in such instances, helps set the agenda for compensation discussions. He does not play a role in recommendations regarding his own compensation, the compensation of the Company’s directors or the compensation of employees other than his direct reports.

Compensation Committee Activity

The Compensation Committee meets as often as it determines necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities. This includes regularly scheduled meetings and, if necessary, special meetings. The regular meeting schedule is established in consultation with management. The Committee members review and approve the minutes of each meeting. Any special meetings of the Committee are initiated by the Chairman of the Committee. Generally, the agenda for each meeting includes regular administrative items to be considered by the Committee and any specific topics the Chairman or any other Committee member may want to discuss. The Committee from time to time seeks input from the CEO in setting the agenda. Members of management provide information to the Committee that management believes will be helpful to the Committee in discussing agenda topics. Management also provides materials that the Committee specifically requests.

The Company’s CEO is typically invited to attend general sessions of the Compensation Committee, and, depending upon the topic to be discussed, may be invited to attend executive sessions of the Committee. The Committee believes that the CEO’s insight into particular compensation matters is an important factor when discussing and making such decisions regarding such matters. The Company’s CEO is not present during Committee discussions concerning his own compensation. Other members of management attend meetings and executive sessions upon invitation by the Committee if and when the Committee believes their advice and input regarding specific matters before the Committee would be useful and appropriate.

The Committee met twice since the beginning of the last fiscal year and twice in fiscal 2009 prior to the filing of this Proxy Statement. The Committee acted by written consent five times in fiscal 2008. The authority and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee are set forth in more detail in the Committee’s charter, which is available on the Company’s website, at www.worldacceptance.com.

Objectives of the Compensation Program

The primary objectives of the Company’s compensation program, including the executive compensation program, are (i) to attract and retain highly capable and well-qualified executives and other employees, (ii) to focus executive on driving specified operating results and (iii) to focus executives’ efforts on increasing shareholder value. A further objective of the compensation program is to provide incentives and rewards to executives and other employees for their contribution to the Company. In addition, the Company strives to promote an ownership mentality among executives, other employees and the Board of Directors and to structure compensation programs and make compensation decisions that are based on performance.

What the Company’s Compensation Program is Designated to Reward

The Company’s compensation program is designed to create a collegial atmosphere that encourages executives to cooperate toward the achievement of goals that benefit the Company and shareholders as a whole, while at the same time rewarding each executive’s and other employee’s individual contribution to the Company. The Committee has established a compensation package consisting of base salary, short-term incentive compensation in the form of annual cash bonuses based on the performance of the Company during the prior fiscal year, and long-term incentive compensation primarily in the form of discretionary stock options and restricted stock awards that historically have vested over a period of time.

The Compensation Committee believes that it is desirable to tie a significant percentage of the executive officer’s overall compensation to the achievement of performance goals designed to maximize shareholder value. Accordingly, executive employment agreements and Executive Incentive Plan provide for minimum base salary levels, subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, and potentially significant annual cash bonus awards based on the achievement of objective annual Company performance goals. The Committee intends to use stock options and restricted stock, with appropriate vesting criteria, as further means of attracting and retaining qualified and highly talented executive officers with a market competitive compensation program that supplements the base salary and bonus elements with longer-term incentives. The Committee also believes that these equity-based awards serve the useful purpose of fostering an ownership mentality in executives and fairly link the value of a significant component of executive compensation to the value realized by the Company’s shareholders. The same key components and compensation philosophy, at differing amounts, are applied to exempt employees at all levels within the Company.

The Executive Incentive Plan is based on the Company’s achievement of pre-established annual goals related to (1) increases in earnings per share, (2) growth in loan receivables, (3) expense control, and (4) charge-off control. The Compensation Committee selected these goals to motivate and reward the maximization of shareholder value based on its belief that earnings per share is the most direct measure of shareholder value and that growth in loans receivable combined with expense control and charge-off control are the three most significant determinants of earnings per share. In fiscal 2008, incentive compensation averaged approximately 75.8% of the total compensation earned by the NEOs.

Stock price performance has not been a factor in determining annual compensation because the price of the Company’s stock is subject to a variety of factors outside management’s control such as low float and trading volumes. The Company has not historically used a rigid formula for allocating between cash and non-cash compensation.

Peer Group

The Committee commissioned a compensation consultant to perform an analysis of the compensation package of certain executive officers, and to review comparative compensation data in an effort to ensure that the executive compensation packages in fiscal 2008 were competitive. In addition the Committee uses a peer group to benchmark future compensation. This analysis was provided to the committee in order to benchmark the fiscal 2009 and future compensation for certain executives. The Committee considered the peer group data and the consultant’s recommendations when considering the compensation packages of certain executive officers. Based on these considerations, Mr. McLean, Mr. Roland’s and Ms. Malson’s base salaries for fiscal 2009 were increased to $400,000, $300,000 and $175,000, respectively.

The Role of Employment Agreements

The Company maintains employment agreements with Mr. McLean, Mr. Roland and Ms. Malson, which are described below in more detail under “Executive Compensation - Retention Agreements.” The Committee believes that the employment contracts are necessary to secure the services of those individuals on the terms and conditions stated in the agreements, and to provide management stability should there occur a significant corporate change-of-control event. The employment agreements with these executives run for three-year terms expiring on May 20, 2010, May 20, 2010, and August 26, 2010, respectively. These agreements generally provide for the payment of severance benefits above and beyond compensation accrued through the date of separation only in cases in which the executive is terminated without cause or is constructively discharged. In cases of a change in control of the Company (as generally defined under the agreements in accordance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code), these additional severance benefits are triggered only in the event there is both a change in control and the executive is terminated without cause or constructively discharged within two years following the change in control. The Company and the Committee believe that the change in control severance triggers in these agreements strike an appropriate balance between Company and shareholder concerns about executive retention in the event of a change of control versus the executives’ legitimate concerns regarding termination or diminution of duties in such an event.

Elements of Company’s Compensation Program

Base Salary and Executive Incentive Plan

Annual executive officer cash compensation consists of a base salary component and the Executive Incentive Plan discussed above. It is the Compensation Committee’s intention to set total executive cash compensation high enough to attract and retain highly capable and well-qualified executives, but at levels that fairly balance the goals of compensation relative to the interests of the Company’s shareholders and are dependent to a significant extent on Company performance. The Compensation Committee targets base salary at the median of comparative market data, and normally provides bonus opportunities that are directly in line with Company’s performance. The Executive Incentive Plan is based on the Company’s achievement of pre-established annual goals related to (1) increases in earnings per share, (2) growth in loan receivables, (3) expense control, and (4) charge-off control. The Compensation Committee selected these goals to motivate and reward the maximization of shareholder value based on its belief that earnings per share is the most direct measure of shareholder value and that growth in loans receivable combined with expense control and charge-off control are the three most significant determinants of earnings per share.

Stock Option Grants and Restricted Stock Grants

Each of the Company’s executive officers receives stock option grants or restricted stock under the Company’s stock option plans. All of the Company’s full time employees are eligible for stock option grants through the Company’s stock option plans. Approximately 89% and 9% of the stock options and restricted stock, respectively, granted under the plan in fiscal 2008 were granted to employees who are not executive officers. Approximately 90% and 28% of the stock options and restricted stock, respectively, granted under the plan in fiscal 2007 were granted to employees who are not executive officers.

The Compensation Committee believes that through the Company’s broad-based plan, the economic interest of employees, including executives, are more closely aligned to those of the Company’s shareholders. The decision on the number of stock options or shares of restricted stock granted to each executive officer is made by the Compensation Committee on a discretionary rather than formula basis.

The Compensation Committee believes it is appropriate to position executive officer compensation at or around the median of the market for a comparable position. This results in the package remaining competitive enough to attract and retain top talent while not over rewarding average performance. Compensation is set higher for exceptional business performance, for key skills in critical demand, and for positions that are of particularly high internal value. The Company is willing to pay above the industry median to motivate, reward and retain performers that significantly exceed the Company and individual goals.

The Company grants all equity incentive awards based on the fair market value as of the date of grant. The value of restricted stock grants and the exercise price for stock option grants are determined by reference to the last quoted price per share on the NASDAQ at the close of business on the date of grant.

Option and restricted stock awards under the compensation programs are made at regularly scheduled Compensation Committee meetings or, as may be needed in the case of new hires, promotions, or inadvertent omissions of employees from the regularly scheduled annual grants, at properly noticed special meetings.

Post-Employment Compensation

The Company has instituted a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”), which is a non-qualified executive benefit plan in which the Company agrees to pay the participating executive additional benefits in the future, usually at retirement, in return for continued employment by the executive. The Company selects the key executives who participate in the SERP. The SERP is an unfunded plan, which means there are no specific assets set aside by the Company in connection with the establishment of the plan. The executive has no rights under the plan beyond those of a general creditor of the Company. There are currently nine senior level managers, including all the executive officers, except the Senior Vice President - Mexico, who participate in the SERP. The SERP contracts provide for a retirement benefit of 45% of the participant’s final base salary, multiplied by a “Days of Service Fraction” should the participant elect early retirement, for a period of 15 years. No participant will be granted early retirement until the participant has reached age 57, has been a participant of the plan for at least 8 years and obtains permission from the Board of Directors. More information regarding the SERP is set forth below under “Executive Compensation - Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan.”

Stock Ownership/Retention Guidelines

Currently, the Company does not maintain stock ownership guidelines or have a stock retention policy applicable to its executive officers, and is not considering any such guidelines or policy at this time.

Other Elements of Compensation and Perquisites:

In order to attract and retain top caliber executives and to pay them market levels of compensation, the Company provides NEOs and certain other employees the following benefits and perquisites:

Medical Insurance. The Company makes available to each NEO, the NEO’s spouse and dependents such health and dental insurance coverage as the Company may from time to time make available to its other employees, officers and executives. The Company pays the same portion of the premiums for these insurances for its NEOs as it does for all of its employees.

Life and Disability Insurance. The Company provides each NEO long term disability and life insurance as the Company in its sole discretion may from time to time make available to its other officers and employees.

Deferred Compensation. The Company maintains for its senior and executive officers a Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan. No executive officers currently participate in this plan and the plan is unfunded.

Defined Contribution Plan. The Company offers the Section 401(k) Retirement Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), a tax qualified retirement plan, to its eligible employees. The 401(k) Plan permits eligible employees to defer up to 15% of their annual eligible compensation, subject to certain limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. The employees’ elective deferrals are immediately vested and non-forfeitable in the 401(k) Plan. The Company makes a matching contribution equal to 50% of the employees’ contributions for the first 6% of annual eligible deferred compensation, which vest over a 6 year period

Company Car. The Company provides each NEO and each of its other officer level employees the unrestricted use of a Company car at no expense to the officer employee.

Company Aircraft. The Company allows the NEOs and their spouses or family members to fly on the Company aircraft when used concurrently with another official Company function. No other personal use of the Company aircraft is allowed.

Other. The Company makes available certain perquisites or fringe benefits to executive officers and other employees, such as professional society dues, food, and recreational fees incidental to official Company functions.

How the Company Chose Amounts and/or Formulas for Each Element

Base Compensation

As discussed above, the Company provides its NEOs with a base salary that is determined by reference to the comparative market data, but will vary from such levels based on:

The NEO’s industry experience, knowledge and qualification; and

The salary levels in effect for comparable positions within the Company’s principal industry marketplace competitors.

Annual Bonus

It is the Compensation Committee’s objective to have a substantial portion of each officer’s compensation contingent on the Company’s performance as well as upon his or her own level of performance and contribution towards the Company’s performance. Executive officers, as well as non-executive officers and other employees, receive bonus compensation in the event certain specified corporate performance measures are achieved. As an officer’s level of responsibility increases, it is the Compensation Committee’s intent to have a greater portion of the officer’s total compensation be dependent upon the Company’s performance rather than on base salary.

The table below shows the maximum incentive compensation payable to NEOs for fiscal 2008 as a percentage of base salary and the particular targets, as a percentage of the executive’s overall incentive opportunity, on which the incentive compensation opportunity is based.

Name	Maximum Incentive Compensation as a % of Base Salary		% of Incentive Opportunity tied to EPS Increase		% of Incentive Opportunity tied to Loan Receivable Growth		% of Incentive Opportunity tied to Expense Control		% of Incentive Opportunity tied to Charge- off Control
A. A. McLean III		150%		40%		30%		20%		10%
Kelly M. Malson		120%		40%		30%		20%		10%
Mark C. Roland		135%		40%		30%		20%		10%
James D. Walters		50%		40%		35%		25%		0%
Jeff Tinney		50%		40%		35%		25%		0%

In addition to the incentive compensation above, Messrs. Tinney and Walters are eligible for an additional incentive compensation amount equal to 50% of their base salary based on the achievement of business unit performance goals, which are as follows:

Name	Maximum Incentive Compensation as a % of Base Salary		% of Incentive Opportunity tied to Profit		% of Incentive Opportunity tied to Net Bad Debt		% of Incentive Opportunity tied to Delinquency		% of Incentive Opportunity tied to Loan Receivable Growth
Jeff Tinney		50%		20%		30%		20%		30%
James D. Walters		50%		20%		30%		20%		30%

Approximately 65.4% of the aggregate amount of annual bonus earned by Company employees in fiscal 2008 was awarded to employees who are not NEOs.

Timing of Compensation Decisions

All elements of executive officer and non-executive officer compensation are reviewed in May or June after a review of the financial statements, operating objectives and personal objectives for the prior fiscal year has been completed.

The Compensation Committee may, however, review salaries or grant stock options at other times as a result of new appointments or promotions during the year. The following table summarizes the approximate timing of the more significant compensation events:

Event		Timing
Set Board and Committee meeting dates		At least 1 year prior to meeting dates. Board meetings have historically been held in February, May, August and November. Compensation Committee meeting dates have historically been in May and November.

Establish executive and non-executive officer financial and personal objectives		May or June of each fiscal year for the current year.

Review and approve base salary for executive and non-executive officers		May of each fiscal year for the current year.

Determine stock option grants and restricted stock grants for executive officers, non-executive officers, and other employees		October or November of each fiscal year for the current year.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table includes information concerning compensation for the full fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 to the five NEOs, including the CEO, CFO and three other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company who were serving as such as of March 31, 2008.

Name and Principal Position	Year		Salary ($) (1)		Bonus ($)		Stock Awards ($) (2)		Option Awards ($) (3)		Non- Equity Incentive Plan Compen -sation ($) (4)		Change in Pension Value and Non- qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) (5)		All Other Compensation ($) (6)		Total ($)
A.A. Mclean, III Chief Executive Officer		2008 2007	$	323,863 268,180		- -	$	325,600 225,274	$	132,886 237,230	$	485,750 375,452	$	134,620 72,791	$	29,546 33,725	$	1,432,265 1,212,652

Kelly Malson		2008		151,667		-		229,686		88,127		179,800		26,293		24,406		699,980
Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer		2007		135,000		-		225,274		156,304		151,200		-		20,637		688,415

Mark C. Roland		2008		263,867		-		291,631		146,109		352,350		76,001		24,991		1,154,949
President and Chief Operating Officer		2007		233,200		-		225,274		259,212		293,832		53,143		27,085		1,091,746

James D. Walters Senior Vice President – Southern Division		2008 2007		121,916 113,940		- -		- -		143,970 94,225		103,392 99,416		20,065 17,940		13,386 9,947		402,729 335,468

Jeff Tinney		2008		110,000		-		-		72,897		92,644		34,764		4,535		314,840
Senior Vice President – Western Division		2007		93,049		-		-		43,431		59,888		-		4,026		200,394

(1)

Base salary for the named executive officers is based upon experience, overall qualifications, and information about compensation offered to executive officers of similar qualifications and experience at similar companies as discussed further above in “Executive Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

(2)

The amounts in this column reflect the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R) and thus include amounts from awards granted in and prior to the respective fiscal years. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in footnote 13 to the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 30, 2008.

(3)

The amounts in this column reflect the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R) and thus include amounts from awards granted in and prior to fiscal 2008. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts for fiscal years ended March 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 are included in footnote 13 to the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 30, 2008.

(4)	The bonus payment is based on the Company’s achievement of pre-established annual goals related to increases in earnings per share, growth in receivables, expense control and charge-off control.

(5)	These amounts consist of the increase in the present value of the NEOs benefit under the Company’s SERP.

(6)	Components of All Other Compensation are included in a separate table below.

Components of All Other Compensation

Benefits and Perquisites	McLean		Malson		Roland		Walters		Tinney
Company car	$	12,497	$	15,113	$	10,557	$	2,311	$	1,304
Company contributions to 401(k) Plan		12,766		8,915		12,279		7,464		3,164
Term life insurance premiums		500		378		500		301		67
Personal use of corporate plane		2,355		-		1,655		3,310		-
Club dues		1,428		-		-		-		-

Total	$	29,546	$	24,406	$	24,991	$	13,386	$	4,535

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

As discussed above under “Executive Compensation - Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Elements of the Company’s Compensation Program – Post-Employment Compensation” the Company has a SERP.

The expected benefits associated with the retirement of any of the NEOs at March 31, 2008 assuming retirement at projected base salary at the number of years of credited service, are indicated in the table below.

In the event of a participant’s death, the SERP is payable to the participant’s beneficiary or estate as if the participant had retired at 65 years of age.

Name	Number of Years Credited Service (#)		Present Value of Accumulated Benefit at Retirement ($) (1)		Payments During Last Fiscal Year ($)		Present Value of Accumulated Benefit at Death ($) (2)
A. A. McLean		18	$	941,221		-	$	1,464,122
K. M. Malson		2		45,162		-		764,840
M. C. Roland		12		499,247		-		1,180,038
J. D. Walters		11		168,264		-		532,835
J. Tinney		11		388,303		-		497,583

(1)

Based on the assumptions disclosed in footnote 13 of the March 31, 2008 Form 10-K filed May 30, 2008 and based on the assumption the NEO retires at age 65.

(2)

Present value of SERP benefits payable at death was calculated as 45% of the executive’s base salary for 15 years assuming a 6% interest rate.

Retention Agreements

Effective May 21, 2007, the Company entered into new employment agreements with Mr. A. Alexander McLean, III, its Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Mark C. Roland, its President and Chief Operating Officer. Effective August 28, 2007, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Kelly M. Malson, its Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. These new agreements run for an initial three-year term that expires on May 20, 2010, May 20, 2010 and August 27, 2010, respectively, but are subject to automatic extension for successive one-year periods thereafter unless either the Company or the executive gives notice of termination not less than 90 days prior to the date on which the agreement would otherwise be automatically extended. The agreements provide for annual base salaries of not less than $335,000, $270,000, and $155,000 for Mr. McLean, Mr. Roland and Ms. Malson, respectively, subject to annual adjustment as determined by the Compensation and Stock Option Committee (the “Committee”). In conjunction with the Company’s annual performance review, performed in June, the fiscal 2009 base salaries for Mr. McLean, Mr. Roland and Ms. Malson were increased to $400,000, $300,000, and $175,000 respectively. In addition Ms. Malson’s maximum annual bonus was increased from 120% to 125%. These increases were effective June 1, 2008.

The agreements further provide for payment, at the Company’s discretion, of annual cash incentive payments and equity or cash based long-term incentive compensation awards in accordance with criteria established by the Board or the Committee, including participation in the Company’s Executive Incentive Plan, as described above under “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” Each executive is also entitled to the use of a Company automobile (including maintenance and insurance) of a value commensurate with the executive’s position in accordance with the Company’s car policy and to participate in all other compensation benefits and programs and to receive such other benefits and perquisites as provided under any existing or future program for salaried employees. These benefits include the right to participate in the Company’s SERP in accordance with that plan, as described above.

Under the agreements, the Company has agreed to provide these executives with long-term disability insurance benefits equal to 60% of the executive’s base salary at the time of disability. These agreements also provide for severance payments and the continuation of certain benefits if the executive is terminated without cause or constructively discharged (as defined in the agreement). In the event of such termination without cause or constructive discharge, including any such termination or discharge that occurs within two years after a change of control of the Company, the executive is generally entitled to receive (i) a lump sum cash payment of accrued salary, unused vacation pay and any unpaid bonus earned for the year prior to the fiscal year in which termination occurs, (ii) a prorated bonus for the portion of the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, calculated based on the average of the executive’s bonus payments for the preceding three years, (iii) severance pay equal to two years’ base salary and two years’ bonus (calculated as the average of the bonus paid to the executive over the three years prior to termination), payable over 24 months and (iv) the continuation of all other welfare and fringe benefits until the earlier of 24 months from the date of termination or such time as the executive becomes employed and eligible for similar benefits from another company. In the event the executive is terminated without cause or is constructively discharged following a change in control, the severance payments described in item (iii) of the preceding sentence shall be payable in a lump sum, unless the termination occurs between the first and second anniversary of the change in control. In the event the executive’s employment is terminated for reasons other than a without cause termination or constructive discharge, the Company is generally obligated to pay to the employee or his estate the amount of accrued and unpaid compensation due the employee through the date of termination.

Under these agreements, Messrs. McLean and Roland and Ms. Malson have agreed to observe certain confidentiality and non-compete obligations during the term of employment and for 24 months thereafter.

The following table provides estimates of the amounts payable to Messrs. McLean and Roland and Ms. Malson under their employment agreements, assuming each was terminated without cause or constructively discharged on March 31, 2008. Note that the table excludes unpaid salary accrued through the termination date and reimbursement of any unpaid business expenses.

Name	Salary Continuation ($)		Bonus Continuation ($)		Benefits Continuation ($) (1)		Benefits from Accelerated Equity Vesting ($) (2)		Total ($)
A. A. McLean III	$	670,000	$	731,467	$	10,750	$	680,720	$	2,092,937
Kelly M. Malson		310,000		331,000		10,478		394,423		1,045,901
Mark C. Roland		540,000		584,700		10,750		615,055		1,750,505

(1)

The benefits continuation payment represent 24 months of health and dental insurance based on the executive’s current insurance cost.

(2)

Benefits from accelerated equity vesting represent the difference between the Company’s March 31, 2008 closing stock price and the option exercise price for any unvested shares.

These executives are also entitled to benefits discussed in the sections entitled “-Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan,” “-Death Benefits,” and “-Disability Benefits.”

Death Benefits

The Company also provides death benefits to the NEOs, which are payable to each participant’s designated beneficiary or estate. The participant’s designated beneficiary will be entitled to receive the proceeds of any life or other insurance or other death benefit programs. In addition, the beneficiaries will be eligible for SERP benefits according to the terms and conditions of that plan as if the executive had retired at age 65. Had any of the NEOs become deceased on March 31, 2008, the Company would have paid the following:

Name	Life insurance proceeds ($) (1)		Present Value of SERP benefits ($) (2)		Benefits from Accelerated Equity Vesting ($) (3)		Total ($)
A. A. McLean III	$	500,000	$	1,464,122	$	680,720	$	2,644,842
Kelly Malson		310,000		764,840		394,423		1,469,263
Mark C. Roland		500,000		1,180,038		615,055		2,295,093
James D. Walters		243,832		532,835		77,124		853,791
Jeff Tinney		220,000		497,583		62,172		779,755

(1)

Life insurance proceeds represent two times the participant’s base pay not to exceed $500,000.

(2)

Present value of SERP benefits payable at death was calculated as 45% of the executive’s base salary for 15 years assuming a 6% interest rate.

(3)

Benefits from accelerated equity vesting represent the difference between the Company’s March 31, 2008 closing stock price and the option exercise price for any unvested shares.

Disability Benefits

In the event of disability, the Company will continue to pay the NEO his or her salary for a period of 90 days. After the 90 days, the Company may terminate his or her employment, at which time the Company will provide long-term disability payments of 60% of the base salary at the time of disability until the NEO reaches age 65. At age 65, the NEO will begin to receive payments under the SERP plan.

Had any of the NEOs become disabled on March 31, 2008 his or her benefits would have been as follows:

Name	90 day continuation pay ($) (1)		Long term disability pay ($) (2)		Present Value of SERP benefits ($) (3)		Total ($)
A. A. McLean III	$	83,750	$	1,367,140	$	702,158	$	2,153,048
Kelly M. Malson		38,750		1,280,129		14,963		1,333,842
Mark C. Roland		67,500		1,573,384		267,657		1,908,541
James D. Walters		30,479		966,345		43,959		1,040,783
Jeff Tinney		27,500		663,444		131,280		822,224

(1)

Represents 3 months of the Executive’s current base salary.

(2)

Long term disability pay was calculated as the present value of 60% of the executive’s base pay from March 31, 2008 until the executive reaches age 65. The present value calculation assumed a 6% interest rate.

(3)

SERP benefits if the executive was disabled were calculated as the present value of 45% of the executive’s base pay, at the time the executive was disabled, for 15 years beginning when the executive reaches age 65. The present value calculation assumes an interest rate of 6%.

Stock Options and Restricted Stock

The Company currently has a 1992 Stock Option Plan, a 1994 Stock Option Plan, a 2002 Stock Option Plan a 2005 Stock Option Plan for the benefit of certain officers and employees. Under these plans 5,010,000 shares of authorized Common Stock have been reserved for issuance pursuant to grants of options, or in some cases, restricted stock, approved by the Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors. The authorized options have a maximum duration of 10 years, may be subject to certain vesting requirements, and are priced at the market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of the grant of the option.

As of March 31, 2008, options to purchase an aggregate of 4,923,592 shares of Common Stock (net of options canceled) had been granted pursuant to the plans, options to purchase 3,649,375 shares have been exercised, and restricted stock awards of 78,423 shares have been granted (net of cancellations). Options to purchase 1,274,217 shares remained outstanding under the plans as of such date, and 234,123 shares of Common Stock remained available under the plans for future grants. Of this remaining capacity, the entire amount may be granted as options, and up to 234,123 shares of the remaining capacity may be granted as restricted stock.

In addition, Board of Directors has approved, subject to shareholder approval, a new 2008 Stock Option Plan that would make available an additional 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock for awards under options. For more information regarding the proposed 2008 Stock Option Plan, see “Proposal to Approve the 2008 Stock Option Plan.”

Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the restricted stock and options granted during or for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 to each of the NEOs.

Name	Grant Date		Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards		Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)						All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)		All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#)		Exercise or Base Price of Stock and Option Awards ($)			Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)
					Threshold (#)		Target (#)		Maximum (#)
A. A. McLean		11/28/07		-		2,225		4,450		6,675		9,100		-	$	30.94		$	281,554
K. M. Malson		11/28/07		-		1,025		2,050		3,075		4,300		-		30.94			133,042
M. C. Roland		11/28/07		-		1,813		3,627		5,400		7,400		-		30.94			228,956
J. D. Walters		11/12/07		-		-		-		-		-		10,000		14.21	(2)		142,100
J. Tinney		11/12/07		-		-		-		-		-		10,000		14.21	(2)		142,100

(1)

Represent total potential future payouts of the 2009-2011 performance awards. Payout of performance share awards at the end of the 2009-2011 plan period will be dictated by the Company’s performance against pre-determined measures of EPS growth. The shares will vest in 3 years based on the Company’s compounded EPS growth according to the following:

Vesting Percentage	Compounded Annual EPS Growth
100%		15% or higher
67%		12% to 14.99	%
33%		10% to 11.99	%
0%		less than 10	%

(2)

Based on the Black Scholes model, options granted on November 12, 2007 had a fair value of $14.21.

Outstanding Equity Awards Value at Fiscal Year-End Table

The following table includes certain information with respect to the value at March 31, 2008 of all unexercised options and restricted shares previously awarded to the NEOs. The number of options held at March 31, 2008 includes options granted under the stock option plans discussed above.

	Option Awards											Stock Awards
Name	Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexerc- isable			Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)		Option Exercise Price ($)		Option Expiration Date		Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)			Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (9)		Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units, or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)			Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)
A. A. McLean		50,000		-			-		5.375		04/01/09		-			-		-			-
A. A. McLean		20,000		-			-		8.39		10/17/11		-			-		-			-
A. A. McLean		7,500		-			-		8.29		10/24/12		-			-		-			-
A. A. McLean		8,000		2,000	(1)		-		16.55		10/24/13		-			-		-			-
A. A. McLean		3,000		2,000	(2)		-		23.53		10/28/14		-			-		-			-
A. A. McLean		6,000		9,000	(3)		-		28.29		11/09/15		-			-		-			-
A. A. McLean		10,000		15,000	(4)		-		25.05		03/23/16		-			-		-			-
A. A. McLean		-		-			-		-		-		3,000	(5)		95,550		-			-
A. A. McLean		-		-			-		-		-		6,006	(8)		191,291		6,675	(10)		212,599
K. M. Malson		1,600		2,400	(3)		-		28.29		11/09/15		-			-		-			-
K. M. Malson		10,000		15,000	(4)		-		25.05		03/23/16		-			-		-			-
K. M. Malson		-		-			-		-		-		3,000	(5)		95,550		-			-
K. M. Malson		-		-			-		-		-		2,838	(8)		90,390		3,075	(10)		97,939
M. C. Roland		2,000		-			-		9.00		05/14/12		-			-		-			-
M. C. Roland		1,500		-			-		8.29		10/24/12		-			-		-			-
M. C. Roland		4,000		2,000	(1)		-		16.55		10/24/13		-			-		-			-
M. C. Roland		2,000		2,000	(2)		-		23.53		10/28/14		-			-		-			-
M. C. Roland		8,000		12,000	(3)		-		28.29		11/09/15		-			-		-			-
M. C. Roland		10,000		15,000	(4)		-		25.05		03/23/16		-			-		-			-
M. C. Roland		-		-			-		-		-		3,000	(5)		95,550		-			-
M. C. Roland		-		-			-		-		-		4,884	(8)		155,555		5,400	(10)		171,990
J. D. Walters		600		-			-		8.39		10/17/11		-			-		-			-
J. D. Walters		800		-			-		8.29		10/24/12		-			-		-			-
J. D. Walters		1,200		600	(1)		-		16.55		10/24/13		-			-		-			-
J. D. Walters		1,200		1,200	(2)		-		23.53		10/28/14		-			-		-			-
J. D. Walters		4,000		6,000	(3)		-		28.29		11/09/15		-			-		-			-
J. D. Walters		2,000		8,000	(7)		-		46.21		11/24/16		-			-		-			-
J. D. Walters		-		10,000	(11)		-		28.19		11/12/17		-			-		-			-
J. Tinney		600		-			-		8.39		10/17/11		-			-		-			-
J. Tinney		800		-			-		8.29		10/24/12		-			-		-			-
J. Tinney		1,200		600	(1)		-		16.55		10/24/13		-			-		-			-
J. Tinney		1,800		1,200	(2)		-		23.53		10/28/14		-			-		-			-
J. Tinney		1,200		1,800	(3)		-		28.29		11/9/15		-			-		-			-
J. Tinney		800		3,200	(6)		-		49.00		11/08/16		-			-		-			-
J. Tinney		-		10,000	(11)		-		28.19		11/12/17		-			-		-			-

(1)

Stock options vest at a rate of 20% per year, with vesting dates of 10/24/04, 10/24/05, 10/24/06, 10/24/07 and 10/24/08.

(2)

Stock options vest at a rate of 20% per year, with vesting dates of 10/28/05, 10/28/06, 10/28/07, 10/28/08 and 10/28/09.

(3)

Stock options vest at a rate of 20% per year, with vesting dates of 11/09/06, 11/09/07, 11/09/08, 11/09/09 and 11/09/10.

(4)

Stock options vest at a rate of 20% per year, with vesting dates of 3/23/07, 3/23/08, 3/23/09, 3/23/10 and 3/23/11.

(5)

Restricted shares vest at a rate of 33 1/3% immediately and 33 1/3% per year, with vesting dates of 11/24/06, 11/24/07 and 11/24/08.

(6)

Stock options vest at a rate of 20% per year, with vesting dates of 11/08/07, 11/08/08, 11/08/09, 11/08/10 and 11/08/11.

(7)

Stock options vest at a rate of 20% per year, with vesting dates of 11/24/06, 11/24/07, 11/24/08, 11/24/09 and 11/24/10.

(8)

Restricted shares vest at a rate of 34% immediately and 33% per year with vesting dates of 11/28/07, 11/28/08 and 11/28/09.

(9)

Represents the market value of the Company’s stock at the close of business on March 31, 2008.

(10)

Represent total potential future payouts of the 2009-2011 performance awards. Pay out of performance share awards at the end of the 2009-2011 plan period will be dictated by the Company’s performance against pre-determined measures of EPS growth. The shares will vest in 3 years based on the Company’s compounded EPS growth according to the following:

Vesting Percentage	Compounded Annual EPS Growth
100%		15% or higher
67%		12% to 14.99	%
33%		10% to 11.99	%
0%		less than 10	%

(11)

Stock options vest at a rate of 20% per year with vesting dates of 11/12/08, 11/12/09, 11/12/10, 11/12/11 and 11/12/12.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

The following table includes certain information with respect to the options exercised by the NEOs during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.

	Option Awards				Stock Awards
Name	Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)		Value Realized on Exercise ($)		Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)		Value Realized on Vesting ($)
A. A. McLean		20,182(1)	$	511,929		3,094	$	95,728
Kelly M. Malson		-		-		1,462		45,234
Mark C. Roland		-		-		2,516		77,845
James D. Walters		-		-		-		-
Jeff Tinney		-		-		-		-

(1)	All of these exercised options were due to the options expiring during the fiscal year.

Director Compensation for Fiscal 2008

The following table summarizes the compensation the Company paid to members of the Board of Directors for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008:

Name	Fees Earned or Cash Paid		Stock Awards ($) (1)		Option Awards ($)		Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)		Changes in Pension Value and Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) (2)		All Other Compensation ($)		Total ($)
K. R. Bramlett	$	26,500	$	82,283		-		-	$	(76,969)		-	$	31,814
J. R. Gilreath		25,500		82,283		-		-		-		-		107,783
W. S. Hummers		25,500		82,283		-		-		-		-		107,783
C. D. Way		28,000		82,283		-		-		-		-		110,283

(1)

Reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R) and thus includes amounts from awards granted in and prior to fiscal 2008. See the table below for information regarding the number of stock awards and option awards outstanding for these directors as of March 31, 2008. The fair value of restricted shares granted on May 1, 2006 was $28.96 per share.

(2)

Reflects the change in the fair value of the stock units held in the Deferred Fee Plan as of March 31, 2008.

Each director who is not an employee of the Company currently is paid a $4,500 quarterly retainer, plus $1,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors attended and $500 for attendance at each meeting of a committee on which he serves. The Chairman of each committee receives an additional $500 for each committee meeting attended. The Company offers a deferred fee plan for its non-employee directors under which participating directors may defer any or all of their retainer and meeting fees for specified time periods. The deferred fee plan is non-qualified for tax purposes. Deferred fees under the plan earn interest at the prime rate or, at each participating director’s option, a return based on the Company’s stock price performance over time. During fiscal 2008, none of the directors elected to defer any fees under this plan. All directors are reimbursed for ordinary and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees. On May 19, 2008 and April 30, 2007 each outside director received 2,000 shares of restricted stock. One half of these shares vested immediately upon issuance with the other half vesting one year from the date of grant. The fair value of the restricted shares granted on May 19, 2008 and April 30, 2007 was $43.67 and $42.93 per share, respectively. At the time of grant, the total fair value of the 2,000 shares granted to each director was $87,340 and $85,860, respectively. These shares were issued pursuant to the terms of the 2005 Stock Option Plan.

The table below sets forth information with respect to the value at March 31, 2008 of all unexercised options and shares of restricted stock held by non-employee directors.

	Option Awards										Stock Awards
Name	Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable		Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)		Option Exercise Price ($)		Option Expiration Date		Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) (1)		Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (2)		Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units, or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)		Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)
K. R. Bramlett		6,000		-		-		5.469		4/30/09		-		-		-		-
K. R. Bramlett		6,000		-		-		5.125		4/30/10		-		-		-		-
K. R. Bramlett		6,000		-		-		6.75		4/30/11		-		-		-		-
K. R. Bramlett		1,500		-		-		9.00		5/14/12		-		-		-		-
K. R. Bramlett		10,500		-		-		11.44		5/16/13		-		-		-		-
K. R. Bramlett		6,000		-		-		15.42		4/30/14		-		-		-		-
K. R. Bramlett		6,000		-		-		25.20		5/2/15		-		-		-		-
K. R. Bramlett		-		-		-		-		-		1,000		31,850		-		-
J. R. Gilreath		6,000		-		-		5.125		4/30/10		-		-		-		-
J. R. Gilreath		6,000		-		-		6.75		4/30/11		-		-		-		-
J. R. Gilreath		1,500		-		-		9.00		5/14/12		-		-		-		-
J. R. Gilreath		10,500		-		-		11.44		5/16/13		-		-		-		-
J. R. Gilreath		6,000		-		-		15.42		4/30/14		-		-		-		-
J. R. Gilreath		6,000		-		-		25.20		5/2/15		-		-		-		-
J. R. Gilreath		-		-		-		-		-		1,000		31,850		-		-
W. S. Hummers		1,500		-		-		9.00		5/14/12		-		-		-		-
W. S. Hummers		6,000		-		-		15.42		4/30/14		-		-		-		-
W. S. Hummers		6,000		-		-		25.20		5/2/15		-		-		-		-
W. S. Hummers		-		-		-		-		-		1,000		31,850		-		-
C. D. Way		6,000