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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 8, 2018

Registration No. 333-          

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

AAC HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Nevada   35-2496142

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

200 Powell Place

Brentwood, Tennessee 37027

(615) 732-1231

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Michael T. Cartwright

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

200 Powell Place

Brentwood, Tennessee 37027

(615) 732-1231

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

Jay H. Knight, Esq.

Laura R. Brothers, Esq.

Bass, Berry & Sims PLC

150 Third Avenue South, Suite 2800

Nashville, Tennessee 37201

(615) 742-6200

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☒

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

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If this form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

If this form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ☐    Accelerated filer   ☒
Non-accelerated filer   ☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ☐
     Emerging growth company   ☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☒

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Amount

to be

Registered(1)

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price

per Share(1)(2)

 

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price

 

Amount of

Registration Fee

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share(3)

              —  

Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share(3)

              —  

Warrants(3)

              —  

Units(3)

              —  

Total

          $150,000,000   $18,675.00(4)

 

 

(1) Omitted pursuant to General Instruction II.D of Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
(2) The registrant will determine the proposed maximum offering price per share from time to time in connection with, and at the time of, the issuance of the securities registered hereunder. Securities registered hereby may be sold separately or together in units with other securities registered hereby.
(3) Also includes such indeterminate number of securities as may be issued upon conversion or exchange of any securities that provide for conversion or exchange into other securities, including such indeterminable number of shares of common stock as may be issued from time to time upon exercise, conversion or exchange as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. Separate consideration may or may not be received by the registrant for securities that are issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities. The aggregate maximum offering price of all securities offered and sold by the registrant pursuant to this registration statement shall not exceed $150,000,000.
(4) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) of the Securities Act. Pursuant to Rule 457(p) of the Securities Act, the registrant is offsetting the registration fee due under this registration statement by $2,025.75, which represents the registration fee previously paid with respect to $20,116,658.62 of unsold securities previously registered on the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-207939), initially filed on November 12, 2015.

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) acting pursuant to said Section 8(a) may determine.

 

 

 

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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 8, 2018

PROSPECTUS

$150,000,000

 

LOGO

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Units

 

 

We may offer, from time to time, one or more series or classes of common stock, preferred stock, warrants and units. We refer to our common stock, preferred stock, warrants and units collectively as the “securities.” We may offer these securities with an aggregate initial public offering price of up to $150,000,000 in amounts, at initial prices and on terms determined at the time of an offering. We may offer these securities separately or together, in separate series or classes and in amounts, at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus.

In addition, selling security holders who may be named in a prospectus supplement may offer and sell these securities from time to time in such amounts and with such discounts and commissions as set forth in a prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of securities by any selling security holders.

We, or any selling security holder who may be named in any accompanying prospectus supplement, may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement with, between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in an accompanying prospectus supplement. For more detailed information, see “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus.

No securities may be sold without delivery of an accompanying prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those securities. Accordingly, we will deliver this prospectus together with an accompanying prospectus supplement setting forth the specific terms of the securities that we are offering. Where applicable, a prospectus supplement will also describe any material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities offered and indicate whether the securities offered are or will be quoted or listed on any quotation system or securities exchange.

Our common stock, par value $0.001, trades on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “AAC”. On June 7, 2018, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE was $10.29.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves substantial risks. See “ Risk Factors ” on page 3 of this prospectus, as well as the “Risk Factors” incorporated by reference herein from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports and information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time.

 

 

Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                 , 2018

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     1  

THE COMPANY

     2  

RISK FACTORS

     3  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     3  

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     3  

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

     3  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     4  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     7  

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

     8  

CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF NEVADA LAW AND OF OUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS

     9  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     13  

SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS

     16  

LEGAL MATTERS

     17  

EXPERTS

     17  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     18  

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     18  

No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus that we may provide to you in connection with an offering of securities. You must not rely upon any unauthorized information or representations not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus. This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor does this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. The information contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein are accurate only as of the date of such document. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process for the delayed offering and sale of securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. Under the shelf registration process, we or a selling security holder may, over time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. As allowed by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information that you can find in the registration statement or the exhibits thereto. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement, including any amendments thereto, including its exhibits.

We or selling security holders will not use this prospectus to offer and sell securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement that more fully describes the securities being offered and the terms of such offering. Any accompanying prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also update, add to, amend or supersede other information contained in this prospectus. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus together with the information incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or therein as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus.

Unless the context otherwise requires or indicates, all references to “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company” in this prospectus mean AAC Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “may,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements may include information concerning the Company’s possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of the Company’s revenue, profitability, outlook and overall business strategy. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results and performance to be materially different from the information contained in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation: (i) our inability to effectively operate our facilities or laboratories; (ii) our reliance on our sales and marketing program to continuously attract and enroll clients; (iii) a reduction in reimbursement rates by certain third-party payors for inpatient, outpatient and diagnostic services; (iv) our failure to successfully achieve growth through acquisitions and de novo projects; (v) our failure to achieve anticipated financial results from contemplated and prior acquisitions; (vi) maintaining compliance with applicable regulatory authorities, licensure and permits to operate our facilities and laboratories; (vii) a disruption in our business and reputational and economic risks associated with the civil securities claims brought by shareholders or claims by various parties; (viii) our inability to meet the covenants in our loan documents; (ix) our inability to effectively integrate acquired facilities; and (x) general economic conditions, as well as other risks discussed in the “Risk Factors” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2018 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2018, as well as our other filings with the SEC. As a result of these factors, we cannot assure that the forward-looking statements in this prospectus will prove to be accurate. Investors should not place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements.

 

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THE COMPANY

We are a provider of inpatient and outpatient substance use treatment services for individuals with drug addiction, alcohol addiction and co-occurring mental/behavioral health issues. In connection with our treatment services, we perform diagnostic laboratory services and provide physician services to our clients.

We are also an internet marketer in the addiction treatment industry operating a broad portfolio of internet assets that service millions of website visits each month. Through our portfolio of websites, such as Rehabs.com and Recovery.org, we serve families and individuals struggling with addiction and seeking treatment options through comprehensive online directories of treatment providers, treatment provider reviews, forums and professional communities. We also provide online marketing solutions to other treatment providers such as enhanced facility profiles, audience targeting, lead generation and tools for digital reputation management.

Our highly trained clinical staff deploy research-based treatment programs with structured curricula for detoxification, inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient care. By applying a tailored treatment program based on the individual needs of each client, many of whom require treatment for a co-occurring mental health disorder such as depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, we believe we offer the level of quality care and service necessary for our clients to achieve and maintain sobriety.

The Company was incorporated as a Nevada corporation on February 12, 2014 for the purpose of acquiring the common stock of American Addiction Centers, Inc. and to engage in certain reorganization transactions in connection with the initial public offering of our common stock, which was completed in October 2014.

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus involves substantial risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference herein from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and the other information contained in this prospectus, as updated, amended or superseded by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the risk factors and other information contained in any accompanying prospectus supplement before acquiring any of our securities. The occurrence of any of these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow and might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities. Much of the business information, as well as the financial and operational data contained in our risk factors, is updated in our periodic reports filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, which are also incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Although we have tried to discuss key risk factors, please be aware that these are not the only risks we face and there may be additional risks that we do not presently know of or that we currently consider not likely to have a significant impact. New risks may emerge at any time, and we cannot predict such risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our business or our financial performance. Please also refer to the section entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” above.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we specify otherwise in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the issuance or sale of our securities to provide additional funds for general corporate purposes, which may include, without limitation, the repayment of outstanding indebtedness, acquisitions, capital expenditures and working capital. Any specific allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of securities to a specific purpose will be determined at the time of such offering and will be described in the accompanying prospectus supplement to this prospectus. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of securities by any selling security holders.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges in each of the periods indicated is calculated by dividing earnings by fixed charges. As of the date of this prospectus, we have no preferred stock outstanding and, accordingly, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends is equal to the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and is not disclosed separately.

 

     Three Months
Ended 		     Year Ended December 31,  
     March 31,
2018 		     2017    2016    2015      2014      2013  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(1)

     N/A      N/A    N/A      3.35x        4.47x        1.72x  

 

(1) For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, earnings were not sufficient to cover fixed charges by $2.3 million, $30.8 million and $7.3 million, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

We or selling security holders may offer and sell, at any time and from time to time:

 

  •   shares of our common stock;

 

  •   shares of our preferred stock;

 

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  •   warrants to purchase any of the other securities that may be sold under this prospectus;

 

  •   units comprised of two or more shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock or warrants; or

 

  •   any combination of the foregoing securities.

The aggregate initial offering price of the offered securities that we or selling security holders may issue will not exceed $150,000,000.

This prospectus contains a summary of the general terms of the various securities that we and any selling security holder may offer. The prospectus supplement relating to any particular securities offered will describe the specific terms of the securities, which may be in addition to or different from the general terms summarized in this prospectus. Because the summary in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement does not and will not contain all of the information that you may find useful, you should read the documents relating to the securities that are described in this prospectus or in any applicable prospectus supplement. Please read “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to find out how you can obtain a copy of those documents.

The applicable prospectus supplement will also contain the terms of a given offering, the initial offering price and net proceeds to us and/or any selling security holder. Where applicable, a prospectus supplement will also describe any material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities offered and indicate whether the securities offered are or will be quoted or listed on any quotation system or securities exchange.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Our authorized capital stock consists of 70,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share.

As of May 25, 2018, we had 24,599,394 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, held by 423 stockholders of record. We have no preferred stock outstanding.

The following description of our capital stock and provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws are summaries and are qualified by reference to the articles of incorporation and the bylaws, copies of which have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to our registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.

Governing Law and Organizational Documents

Stockholders’ rights and related matters are governed by the laws of the State of Nevada, our articles of incorporation and our bylaws. Our articles of incorporation may not be amended without the approval of our board of directors (“Board of Directors”) and the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of our then outstanding capital stock. Our bylaws may only be amended by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of all shares of capital stock outstanding and entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and the affirmative vote of a majority of our directors then holding office.

Common Stock

Voting Rights . Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as otherwise discussed below regarding the anti-takeover provisions of Nevada law, generally, all matters to be voted on by stockholders must be approved by a majority (or, in the case of election of directors, by a plurality) of the votes entitled to be cast by all shares of common stock that are present in person or represented by proxy. Our articles of

 

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incorporation and bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting rights. Because of this, the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they should so choose.

Dividends . Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our Board of Directors out of legally available funds.

Liquidation . In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities and obligations, subject to the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Rights and Preferences. Holders of common stock have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that our Board of Directors may designate and issue in the future.

National Securities Exchange. Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “AAC”.

Transfer Agent and Registrar . The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC.

Preferred Stock

Our Board of Directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time by resolution the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the shares of each wholly unissued series, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preference and sinking fund terms, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding).

Our Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could have the effect of restricting dividends on our common stock, diluting the voting power of our common stock, impairing the liquidation rights of our common stock or otherwise adversely affecting the rights of holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Future Classes or Series of Preferred Stock

The following description sets forth general terms and provisions of our preferred stock to which an accompanying prospectus supplement may relate. Specific terms of any class or series of preferred stock offered by an accompanying prospectus supplement will be described in that prospectus supplement. The description set forth below is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the certificate of designation filed with the Nevada Secretary of State fixing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of a particular class or series of preferred stock.

 

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If we offer preferred stock pursuant to this prospectus, an accompanying prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the class or series of shares of preferred stock being offered, including, but not limited to:

 

  •   the title and stated value of the class or series of shares of preferred stock and the number of shares constituting that class or series;

 

  •   the number of shares of the class or series of shares of preferred stock offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price of the shares of preferred stock;

 

  •   the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or the method(s) of calculation for those values relating to the shares of preferred stock of the class or series;

 

  •   the date from which dividends on shares of preferred stock of the class or series shall cumulate, if applicable;

 

  •   the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for shares of preferred stock of the class or series;

 

  •   the provision for a sinking fund, if any, for shares of preferred stock of the class or series;

 

  •   the provision for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, of shares of preferred stock of the class or series, and any restriction on our ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase rights;

 

  •   any listing of the class or series of shares of preferred stock on any securities exchange or market;

 

  •   the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which shares of preferred stock of the class or series will be convertible into shares of preferred stock of another class or series or common stock, including the conversion price, or manner of calculating the conversion price, and the conversion period;

 

  •   whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the exchange period;

 

  •   voting rights, if any, of the shares of preferred stock of the class or series;

 

  •   whether interests in shares of preferred stock of the class or series will be represented by global securities;

 

  •   a discussion of federal United States income tax considerations applicable to shares of preferred stock of the class or series;

 

  •   the relative ranking and preferences of shares of preferred stock of the class or series as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

 

  •   to the extent not otherwise addressed in this prospectus, any limitations on issuance of any class or series of shares of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the class or series of shares of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

 

  •   the registrar and transfer agent for the shares of preferred stock; and

 

  •   any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of the class or series of shares of preferred stock.

If we issue shares of preferred stock under this prospectus, the shares will be fully paid and non-assessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.

The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power, conversion or other rights of holders of common stock. Preferred stock could be issued quickly with terms designed to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following is a general description of the terms of the warrants we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any warrants we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants, as well as any warrant agreement that contains the terms of the warrants. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the warrants that we may sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete warrant agreements that will contain the terms of any warrants.

We may issue warrants to purchase shares of our common or preferred stock. Such warrants may be issued in one or more series, independently or together with shares of common or preferred stock or other equity or debt securities and may be attached or separate from such securities. We may issue warrants directly or under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. We will name any warrant agent in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of a particular series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

The applicable prospectus supplement and the applicable warrant agreement will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants we may issue, including the following:

 

  •   the title of such warrants;

 

  •   the aggregate number of such warrants;

 

  •   the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;

 

  •   if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;

 

  •   the number of shares of common or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

  •   the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right will expire;

 

  •   whether such warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form;

 

  •   if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 

  •   if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

  •   information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

  •   the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

  •   the anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any;

 

  •   any redemption or call provisions;

 

  •   if applicable, a discussion of certain federal United States income tax considerations; and

 

  •   any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

 

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Prior to exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive distributions or dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise any voting rights.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units comprised of common stock, preferred stock, warrants or any combination thereof. Units may be issued in one or more series, independently or together with common stock, preferred stock or warrants, and the units may be attached to or separate from such securities. We may issue units directly or under a unit agreement to be entered into between us and a unit agent. We will name any unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any unit agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the units of a particular series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of units. Below is a description of certain general terms and provisions of the units that we may offer. Particular terms of the units will be described in the applicable unit agreements and the applicable prospectus supplement for the units. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the units that we may sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete unit agreements that will contain the terms of any units.

Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time, or at any time before a specified date. We may issue units in such amounts and in such numerous distinct series as we determine.

We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of unit agreement, including a form of unit certificate, if any, that describes the terms of the series of units we are offering before the issuance of the related series of units. The following summaries of material provisions of the units and the unit agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the unit agreement applicable to a particular series of units.

The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Capital Stock” and “Description of Warrants” will apply to each unit and to any common stock, preferred stock or warrant included in each unit, respectively. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of units, including the following:

 

  •   the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

  •   any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described in this section; and

 

  •   any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer, or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units.

 

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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF NEVADA LAW AND OF OUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS

Governing Law and Organizational Documents

Stockholders’ rights and related matters are governed by the Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”), our articles of incorporation and our bylaws. Our articles of incorporation may not be amended without the approval of our Board of Directors and the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of our then outstanding capital stock. Our bylaws may only be amended by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of all shares of capital stock outstanding and entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and the affirmative vote of a majority of our directors then holding office.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Nevada law provides that a Nevada corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, except an action by or in the right of the corporation (i.e., a “non-derivative proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if he or she:

 

  •   is not liable under Section 78.138 of the NRS for breach of his or her fiduciary duties to the corporation; or

 

  •   acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

In addition, a Nevada corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor (i.e., a “derivative proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit if he or she:

 

  •   is not liable under Section 78.138 of the NRS for breach of his or her fiduciary duties to the corporation; or

 

  •   acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.

Under Nevada law, indemnification may not be made for any claim, issue or matter as to which such a person has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to be liable to the corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper.

To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any non-derivative proceeding or any derivative proceeding, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the corporation shall indemnify him or her against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense.

 

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Further, Nevada law permits a Nevada corporation to purchase and maintain insurance or to make other financial arrangements on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise for any liability asserted against him or her and liability and expenses incurred by him or her in his or her capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation has the authority to indemnify him or her against such liability and expenses.

Under our current articles of incorporation and bylaws, we are obligated to indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent of the company to the fullest extent permitted by Nevada law as described above. We have entered, and intend to continue to enter, into separate indemnification agreements with our directors, in addition to the indemnification provided for in our articles of incorporation and bylaws. These agreements, among other things, require us to indemnify our directors who have met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under Chapter 78 of the NRS for us to indemnify the claimant for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of our directors, or any of our subsidiaries or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at our request. We believe that these articles of incorporation and bylaw provisions and indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors.

In addition, indemnification is required to continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and inures to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. However, subject to the exceptions detailed below, we may indemnify a person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by the person seeking indemnification only if the proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by our Board of Directors. We may indemnify any employee or agent of us to an extent greater than required by law only if and to the extent that our directors, in their discretion, may determine.

If we do not pay a claim for indemnification (following the final disposition of the proceeding with respect to which indemnification is sought, including any settlement of such action, suit or proceeding) or advancement of expenses under our bylaws in full within 30 days after a written claim has been received by us, the claimant may bring suit against us to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant also will be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. In any such action, we would have the burden of proving that the claimant is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Nevada State Law

We may be, or in the future we may become, subject to Nevada’s control share laws. A corporation is subject to Nevada’s control share law if it has more than 200 stockholders, at least 100 of whom are stockholders of record and residents of Nevada, and if the corporation does business in Nevada, including through an affiliated corporation. This control share law may have the effect of discouraging corporate takeovers. We currently have fewer than 100 stockholders of record who are residents of Nevada.

The control share law focuses on the acquisition of a “controlling interest,” which means the ownership of outstanding voting shares that would be sufficient, but for the operation of the control share law, to enable the acquiring person to exercise the following proportions of the voting power of the corporation in the election of directors:

 

  •   one-fifth or more but less than one-third;

 

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  •   one-third or more but less than a majority; or

 

  •   a majority or more.

The ability to exercise this voting power may be direct or indirect, as well as individual or in association with others.

The effect of the control share law is that an acquiring person, and those acting in association with that person, will obtain only such voting rights in the control shares as are conferred by a resolution of the stockholders of the corporation, but excluding those stockholders who are “interested stockholders,” including the acquiring person, and our officers, directors, and employees, approved at a special or annual meeting of stockholders. The control share law contemplates that voting rights will be considered only once by the other stockholders. Thus, there is no authority to take away voting rights from the control shares of an acquiring person once those rights have been approved. If the stockholders do not grant voting rights to the control shares acquired by an acquiring person, those shares do not become permanent non-voting shares, but if provided in our articles of incorporation or bylaws in accordance with Nevada law, may be redeemed by us at the average price paid for such control shares. Otherwise, the acquiring person is free to sell the control shares to others. If the buyer or buyers of those control shares themselves do not acquire a controlling interest, the control shares are not governed by the control share law.

If control shares are accorded full voting rights and the acquiring person has acquired control shares with a majority or more of the voting power, a stockholder of record, other than the acquiring person, who did not vote in favor of approval of voting rights, is entitled, unless otherwise provided in our articles of incorporation or bylaws in accordance with Nevada law, to demand fair value for such stockholder’s shares.

In addition to the control share law, Nevada has a business combination law, which prohibits certain business combinations between Nevada publicly traded corporations, or Nevada corporations that elect to be subject to the law, and “interested stockholders” for two years after the interested stockholder first becomes an interested stockholder, unless the corporation’s board of directors approves the transaction by which the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder in advance, or the proposed combination in advance of the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. The proposed combination may be approved after the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder with preapproval by the board of directors and a vote at a special or annual meeting of stockholders holding at least 60 percent of the voting power not owned by the interested stockholder or his/her/ its affiliates or associates. For purposes of Nevada law, an interested stockholder as defined under the business combination law, is any person who is: (a) the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10 percent or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation, or (b) an affiliate or associate of the corporation and at any time within the previous two years was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10 percent or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of the corporation. The definition of “business combination” contained in the statute is sufficiently broad to cover virtually any kind of transaction that would allow a potential acquirer to use the corporation’s assets to finance the acquisition or otherwise to benefit its own interests rather than the interests of the corporation and its other stockholders. After the two-year moratorium period, additional stockholder approvals or fair value requirements must be met by the interested shareholder up to four years after the stockholder became an interested stockholder.

The effect of Nevada’s business combination law is to potentially discourage parties interested in taking control of the company from doing so if they cannot obtain the approval of our Board of Directors.

Provisions of Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

Our articles of incorporation and our bylaws contain certain provisions that could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing another party from acquiring control of us, and therefore could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. These provisions may also discourage coercive takeover practices and

 

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inadequate takeover bids, and are designed, in part, to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our Board of Directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate more favorable terms with an unfriendly or unsolicited acquirer outweigh the disadvantages of potentially discouraging a proposal to acquire us.

Among other things, our articles of incorporation and bylaws:

 

  •   permit our Board of Directors to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with any rights, preferences and privileges as they may designate (including the right to approve an acquisition or other change of control);

 

  •   provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of our Board of Directors;

 

  •   provide that all vacancies, including newly created directorships, may, except as otherwise required by law, be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum;

 

  •   provide that stockholders seeking to present proposals at a meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders must provide advance notice in writing, and also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice;

 

  •   provide that our stockholders may not take action by written consent, but may only take action at annual or special meetings of our stockholders;

 

  •   do not provide for cumulative voting rights (therefore allowing the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors to elect all of the directors standing for election); and

 

  •   provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by the chairman of the Board of Directors, our Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors or the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of voting stock.

The amendment of any of these provisions would require the approval of our Board of Directors and the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of our then outstanding capital stock for amendments to our articles of incorporation and the approval by holders of a majority of the voting power of all shares of capital stock outstanding and entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and the affirmative vote of a majority of our directors then holding office for amendments to our bylaws.

The provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they might also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions might also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders might otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Offering and Sale of Securities

Unless otherwise set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement to this prospectus, we and/or one or more selling security holders may offer and sell the securities being offered hereby, from time to time, in one or more offerings, on a continuous or delayed basis, by one or more of the following methods:

 

  •   to or through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters;

 

  •   through one or more underwriters without a syndicate for them to offer and sell to the public;

 

  •   to or through dealers, brokers, placement agents or other agents;

 

  •   to investors directly in negotiated sales or in competitively bid transactions; and

 

  •   through any other methods described in a prospectus supplement.

Each prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the offering of the respective securities, including:

 

  •   the name or names of any underwriters, dealers, brokers, placement agents or other agents, if any;

 

  •   the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we and/or any selling security holder will receive from the sale;

 

  •   any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us and/or any selling security holder;

 

  •   any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;

 

  •   any public offering price;

 

  •   any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

  •   any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

  •   at fixed prices which may be changed;

 

  •   at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale;

 

  •   at varying prices determined at the time of sale; or

 

  •   at negotiated prices.

Each prospectus supplement will set forth the manner and terms of the offering of the respective securities including:

 

  •   the number and terms of the securities to which such prospectus relates;

 

  •   the name or names of any underwriters, dealers, brokers, placement agents or other agents with whom we and/or any selling security holder have entered into arrangements with respect to the sale of such securities;

 

  •   any delayed delivery arrangements;

 

  •   any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;

 

  •   the rules and procedures for any auction or bidding process, if used;

 

  •   the public offering or purchase price of such securities and the net proceeds we and/or any selling security holder will receive from such sale; and

 

  •   any other applicable terms of the offering.

 

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If we do not name a firm in the prospectus supplement, the firm may not directly or indirectly participate in any underwriting of those securities, although it may participate in the distribution of securities under circumstances entitling it to a dealer’s allowance or agent’s commission.

Sales Through Underwriters

If underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell them from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. We and/or one or more selling security holders may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities of the series offered by the prospectus supplement. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time. Any underwriting compensation paid to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts or concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement. We and/or one or more selling security holders may use underwriters with whom we and/or one or more selling security holders have a material relationship. We will describe the nature of any such relationship with any such underwriter in the prospectus supplement.

Sales Through Agents

We and/or one or more selling security holders may sell securities directly or through agents designated from time to time. We and/or one or more selling security holders will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities, and will describe any commissions that such agent will be paid in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, an agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

Securities bought in accordance with a redemption or repayment under their terms also may be offered and sold, if so indicated in the accompanying prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing by one or more firms acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us and/or one or more selling security holders. Any remarketing firm will be identified, and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and/or one or more selling security holders and its compensation will be described in the prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities remarketed by them. If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we and/or one or more selling security holders may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain specified institutions to purchase securities at a price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date specified in the prospectus supplement. These contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commissions payable for solicitation of these contracts.

Direct Sales

We and/or one or more selling security holders may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from us and/or one or more selling security holders at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. We and/or one or more selling security holders will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions that must be paid for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.

General Information

We will file a supplement to this prospectus, if required, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, if we and/or one or more selling security holders enter into any material arrangement with a broker, dealer, agent or

 

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underwriter for the sale of securities through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or dealer. Such prospectus supplement will disclose:

 

  •   the name of any participating broker, dealer, agent or underwriter;

 

  •   the number and type of securities involved;

 

  •   any securities exchanges on which such securities may be listed;

 

  •   the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to any such broker, dealer, agent or underwriter where applicable; and

 

  •   other facts material to the transaction.

We and/or one or more selling security holders may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to such liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us and/or one or more selling security holders in the ordinary course of business.

Our common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “AAC”. All securities that we offer, other than our common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market, and may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange, quotation system or over-the-counter market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any securities sold by us and/or one or more selling security holders.

Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price in accordance with Rule 104 of Regulation M. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Short covering transactions also may be effected through a partial or full over-allotment exercise granted to them by us. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

We and/or one or more selling security holders may sell the securities in exchange in whole or part for consideration other than cash. This consideration may consist of services or products, whether tangible or intangible, and including services or products we may use in our business; outstanding debt or equity securities of ours or one or more of our subsidiaries; debt or equity securities or assets of other companies, including in connection with investments, joint ventures or other strategic transactions, or acquisitions; release of claims or settlement of disputes; and satisfaction of obligations, including obligations to make payments to distributors or other suppliers and payment of interest on outstanding obligations. We may sell the securities as part of a transaction in which outstanding debt or equity securities of ours or one or more of our subsidiaries are surrendered, converted, exercised, canceled or transferred.

Some of the underwriters, dealers and agents and their affiliates may engage in transactions with or perform services for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business. Underwriters have from time to time in the past provided, and may from time to time in the future provide, investment banking services to us for which they have in the past received, and in the future may receive, customary fees.

This prospectus may also be used in connection with any issuance of common stock or preferred stock upon exercise of a warrant if such issuance is not exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

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In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders. In some cases, we or dealers acting with us or on our behalf may also purchase securities and reoffer them to the public by one or more of the methods described above. This prospectus may be used in connection with any offering of our securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS

The securities covered by this prospectus include securities that may be offered or sold by holders other than us. In such a case, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement naming the selling security holders, the amount of securities of the class owned by such holder before and after the offering, the amount of securities to be registered and sold and any other terms of the securities being sold by each selling security holder. The securities that may be offered or sold by certain selling security holders were obtained (i) in private placements of our common stock which were completed prior to our initial public offering of our common stock in October 2014, (ii) through grants of equity based awards pursuant to our compensatory plans and (iii) in connection with open market purchases. A selling security holder may resell all, a portion or none of such holder’s securities at any time and from time to time in an offering covered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. Selling security holders may also sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of some or all of their securities in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. We may pay all expenses incurred with respect to the registration of the securities owned by the selling security holders, other than underwriting fees, discounts or commissions, which will be borne by the selling security holders.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain matters of Nevada law, including the validity of the securities offered thereby, will be passed upon for us by Ballard Spahr LLP, Las Vegas, Nevada, and certain other legal matters will be passed upon for us by Bass, Berry & Sims PLC, Nashville, Tennessee.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of AAC Holdings, Inc. as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2018, and incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The consolidated financial statements of AdCare, Inc. (“AdCare”) as of September 30, 2017 and 2016 and for the fiscal years then ended included in our Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed with the SEC on May 17, 2018, and incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of BDO USA, LLP, independent auditor, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

O’Connor, Maloney & Company, P.C., independent auditors, or O’Connor, Maloney & Co, has audited the financial statements of AdCare, included in our Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed with the SEC on May 17, 2018, for the year ended September 30, 2015, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. AdCare’s financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2015 are incorporated by reference in reliance on O’Connor, Maloney & Co’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are a public company and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document that we file at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may request copies of these documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the Public Reference Room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We also make available free of charge through our website our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as well as our definitive proxy statement and Section 16 reports on Forms 3, 4 and 5. Our website address is www.americanaddictioncenters.org. However, the information located on, or accessible from, our website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, except as described below, a part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or incorporated into any other filings that we make with the SEC.

This prospectus comprises only part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and, therefore, omits some of the information contained in the registration statement. We have also filed exhibits to the registration statement, which are excluded from this prospectus, and you should refer to the applicable exhibit for a complete description of any statement referring to any contract or other document. You may inspect or obtain a copy of the registration statement, including any exhibit, as described in the previous paragraph.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information that we file with it which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to comprise a part of this prospectus from the date we file that document. Any reports filed by us with the SEC after this prospectus is filed and before the date that the offering of the securities by means of this prospectus is terminated will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

We previously filed the following documents with the SEC, and such filings are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

  •   Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, filed on February 23, 2018 (including portions of our definitive Proxy Statement, filed on March 13, 2018, for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders incorporated therein by reference);

 

  •   Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018, filed on May 9, 2018;

 

  •   Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed on January 4, 2018, February 26, 2018 (except with respect to Item 7.01), March 2, 2018, May 16, 2018 and the Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed on May 17, 2018; and

 

  •   The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed September 25, 2014, including any subsequent amendment or any report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, from the date of this prospectus until all of the securities offered by this prospectus have been sold or we otherwise terminate the offering of these securities, including all filings made after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus

 

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is a part and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement; provided, however, that information “furnished” under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K, including the related exhibits under Item 9.01, or other information “furnished” to the SEC which is not deemed filed is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. Information that we subsequently file with the SEC will automatically update and may supersede information in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and information previously filed with the SEC.

You may request a copy of these filings (other than exhibits, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into these documents) at no cost by writing or calling Investor Relations at the following address and telephone number:

Investor Relations

AAC Holdings, Inc.

200 Powell Place

Brentwood, Tennessee 37027

(615) 732-1231

 

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$150,000,000

 

 

LOGO

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Units

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

                , 2018

 

 

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the various expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, to be incurred by us in connection with the registration of the securities being registered hereby, all of which will be borne by AAC Holdings, Inc. (except any underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses incurred by the selling security holders for brokerage, accounting, tax or legal services or any other expenses incurred by the selling security holders in disposing of securities). All of the amounts shown are estimated, except the SEC registration fee:

 

SEC Registration Fee

   $ 18,675.00  

Printing and Engraving Expenses

     *  

Legal Fees and Expenses

     *  

Transfer Agent Fees

     *  

Accounting Fees and Expenses

   $ *  
  

 

 

 

Total

  
  

 

 

 

 

* These fees depend on the securities offered and the number of issuances and cannot be estimated at this time.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Nevada law provides that a Nevada corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, except an action by or in the right of the corporation (i.e., a “non-derivative proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if he or she:

 

  •   is not liable under Section 78.138 of the NRS for breach of his or her fiduciary duties to the corporation; or

 

  •   acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

In addition, a Nevada corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor (i.e., a “derivative proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit if he or she:

 

  •   is not liable under Section 78.138 of the NRS for breach of his or her fiduciary duties to the corporation; or

 

  •   acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.

 

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Under Nevada law, indemnification may not be made for any claim, issue or matter as to which such a person has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to be liable to the corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper.

To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any non-derivative proceeding or any derivative proceeding, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the corporation shall indemnify him or her against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense.

Further, Nevada law permits a Nevada corporation to purchase and maintain insurance or to make other financial arrangements on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise for any liability asserted against him or her and liability and expenses incurred by him or her in his or her capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation has the authority to indemnify him or her against such liability and expenses.

Under our current articles of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, which we refer to as our bylaws, we are obligated to indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent of the company to the fullest extent permitted by Nevada law as described above.

In addition, indemnification is required to continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and inures to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. However, subject to the exceptions detailed below, we may indemnify a person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by the person seeking indemnification only if the proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by our Board of Directors. We may indemnify any employee or agent of us to an extent greater than required by law only if and to the extent that our directors, in their discretion, may determine.

If we do not pay a claim for indemnification (following the final disposition of the proceeding with respect to which indemnification is sought, including any settlement of such action, suit or proceeding) or advancement of expenses under our bylaws in full within 30 days after a written claim has been received by us, the claimant may bring suit against us to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant also will be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. In any such action, we would have the burden of proving that the claimant is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

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Item 16. Exhibits

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Exhibit Description

  1.1†    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  3.1    Articles of Incorporation of AAC Holdings, Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-197383), filed on September 10, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).
  3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of AAC Holdings, Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-199161), filed on October 3, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.1    Form of Common Stock Certificate of AAC Holdings, Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No.  1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-197383), filed on August 15, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.3†    Form of Preferred Stock Certificate.
  4.4†    Form of Warrant Agreement.
  4.5†    Form of Warrant Certificate.
  4.6†    Form of Unit Agreement, including form of Unit.
  5.1*    Opinion of Ballard Spahr LLP.
12.1*    Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
23.1*    Consent of BDO USA, LLP.
23.2*    Consent of BDO USA, LLP.
23.3*    Consent of O’Connor, Maloney & Company, P.C.
23.4*    Consent of Ballard Spahr LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
24.1*    Power of Attorney (included on the Signature Page of this Registration Statement).

 

* Filed herewith.
† To be filed by amendment to the registration statement or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K in reference to the specific offering of securities, if any, to which it relates, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 17. Undertakings

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding

 

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the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

Provided, however , that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide  offering thereof.  Provided, however,  that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

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(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Exchange Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Brentwood, State of Tennessee, on June 8, 2018.

 

AAC Holdings, Inc.
By:  

/s/ Michael T. Cartwright

 

Michael T. Cartwright

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each of the undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint Michael T. Cartwright and Kathryn Sevier Phillips, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact with power of substitution and resubmission to sign in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to do any and all things and execute any and all instruments that the attorney may deem necessary or advisable under the Securities Act of 1933, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this registration statement, including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power and authority to sign his name, in his respective capacity as a member of the board of directors or officer of the registrant, the registration statement and/or any other form or forms as may be appropriate to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as any of them may deem appropriate in connection therewith, to any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, to such registration statement, to any related Rule 462(b) registration statement and to any other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, and his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this prospectus.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Michael T. Cartwright

Michael T. Cartwright

  

Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

  June 8, 2018

/s/ Andrew W. McWilliams

Andrew W. McWilliams

  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  June 8, 2018

/s/ Darrell S. Freeman, Sr.

Darrell S. Freeman, Sr.

  

Lead Independent Director

  June 8, 2018

/s/ Michael J. Blackburn

Michael J. Blackburn

  

Director

  June 8, 2018

/s/ Jerry D. Bostelman

Jerry D. Bostelman

  

Director

  June 8, 2018

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Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Lucius E. Burch, III

Lucius E. Burch, III

  

Director

  June 8, 2018

/s/ W. Larry Cash

W. Larry Cash

  

Director

  June 8, 2018

/s/ David W. Hillis, Sr.

David W. Hillis, Sr.

  

Director

  June 8, 2018

/s/ David C. Kloeppel

David C. Kloeppel

  

Director

  June 8, 2018
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