Edgar Filing: STEC, INC.

sc13da508762004_06242013.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

(Rule 13d-101)

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT

TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO

§ 240.13d-2(a)

(Amendment No. 5)1

STEC, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

784774101

(CUSIP Number)

Simon J. Michael

Balch Hill Capital, LLC

2778 Green Street

San Francisco, CA 94123

(415) 474-7055

and

Paul J. Solit

Eric Singer

Potomac Capital Partners II, L.P.

825 Third Avenue, 33rd Floor

New York, New York 10022

(212) 257-6083

With copies to:

Steve Wolosky, Esq.

Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP

Park Avenue Tower

65 East 55th Street

New York, New York 10022

(212) 451-2300

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person

Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

June 24, 2013

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box ¨.

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

_______________

1 The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

CUSIP NO. 784774101

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON BALCH HILL PARTNERS, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS WC
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER 2,801,000
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,801,000
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,801,000
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 6.0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON OO

CUSIP NO. 784774101

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON BALCH HILL CAPITAL, LLC
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS AF
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER 2,801,000
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,801,000
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,801,000
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 6.0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON OO

CUSIP NO. 784774101

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON SIMON J. MICHAEL
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS AF
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER 2,801,000
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,801,000
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,801,000
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 6.0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN

CUSIP NO. 784774101

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON POTOMAC CAPITAL PARTNERS L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS WC
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER - 0 -
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON - 0 -
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN

CUSIP NO. 784774101

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON POTOMAC CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS AF
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION NEW YORK
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER - 0 -
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON - 0 -
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON OO

CUSIP NO. 784774101

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON POTOMAC CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS WC
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER - 0 -
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON - 0 -
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN

CUSIP NO. 784774101

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON POTOMAC CAPITAL MANAGEMENT II, L.L.C.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS AF
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER - 0 -
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON - 0 -
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON OO

CUSIP NO. 784774101

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON POTOMAC CAPITAL PARTNERS III, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS WC
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER - 0 -
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON - 0 -
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN

CUSIP NO. 784774101

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON POTOMAC CAPITAL MANAGEMENT III, L.L.C.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS AF
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER - 0 -
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON - 0 -
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON OO

CUSIP NO. 784774101

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON PAUL J. SOLIT
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS AF
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER - 0 -
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON - 0 -
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN

CUSIP NO. 784774101

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON ERIC SINGER
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS AF
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER - 0 -
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON - 0 -
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN

CUSIP NO. 784774101

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON ADAM LEVENTHAL
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS PF
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 2,100 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER - 0 -
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 2,100 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON - 2,100 -
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) Less than 1%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN

CUSIP NO. 784774101

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON CLARK MASTERS
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS PF
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER - 0 -
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON - 0 -
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN

CUSIP NO. 784774101

The following constitutes Amendment No. 5 to the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned (“Amendment No. 5”). This Amendment No. 5 amends the Schedule 13D as specifically set forth herein.

Item 3.

Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

Item 3 is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

The aggregate purchase price of the 2,801,000 Shares owned directly by Balch Hill Partnership is approximately $13,412,769, including brokerage commissions. Such Shares were acquired with the working capital of Balch Hill Partnership.

The aggregate purchase price of the 2,100 Shares owned directly by Mr. Leventhal is approximately $10,038, excluding brokerage commissions. The Shares owned directly by Mr. Leventhal were acquired with his personal funds.

Item 4.

Purpose of Transaction.

Item 4 is hereby amended to add the following:

On June 24, 2013, the Issuer announced that it had entered into a definitive merger agreement with Western Digital Corporation (“Western Digital”), pursuant to which the Issuer would be acquired by HGST, a wholly owned subsidiary of Western Digital. While the Reporting Persons had hoped that the Issuer would have understood and addressed their business issues much earlier, which could have resulted in a higher merger consideration for shareholders, the Reporting Persons are encouraged by the news of the proposed merger. At the present time, Balch Hill Partnership is evaluating whether to continue to proceed with the nomination of director nominees for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting.

Item 5.

Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

Items 5(a)-(c) is hereby amended and restated as follows:

(a) The aggregate percentage of Shares reported owned by each person named herein is based upon 46,860,293 Shares outstanding as of May 13, 2013, which is the total number of Shares outstanding as reported in the Issuer’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on June 7, 2013.

As of the close of business on June 24, 2013, Balch Hill Partnership beneficially owned 2,801,000 Shares, constituting approximately 6.0% of the Shares outstanding. By virtue of their relationships with Balch Hill Partnership discussed in further detail in Item 2, each of Balch Hill and Mr. Michael may be deemed to beneficially own the Shares beneficially owned by Balch Hill Partnership.

As of the close of business on June 24, 2013, PCP I, PCP II and PCP III beneficially owned 0 Shares, constituting 0% of the Shares outstanding.

As of the close of business on June 24, 2013, Mr. Leventhal directly owned 2,100 Shares, constituting less than one percent of the Shares outstanding.

CUSIP NO. 784774101

As of the close of business on June 24, 2013, Mr. Masters directly owned 0 Shares, constituting 0% of the Shares outstanding.

(b) Each of Balch Hill Partnership, Balch Hill and Mr. Michael has shared voting and dispositive power over the Shares owned directly by the Balch Hill Partnership. Mr. Leventhal has sole voting and dispositive power over the Shares he owns directly.

(c) Schedule A annexed hereto lists all transactions in the Shares by the Reporting Persons since the filing of Amendment No. 4. All of such transactions were effected in the open market.

CUSIP NO. 784774101

SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: June 24, 2013

BALCH HILL PARTNERS, L.P.

By:	Balch Hill Capital, LLC General Partner

By:	/s/ Simon J. Michael
	Name:	Simon J. Michael
	Title:	Manager

BALCH HILL CAPITAL, LLC

By:	/s/ Simon J. Michael
	Name:	Simon J. Michael
	Title:	Manager

	/s/ Simon J. Michael
	SIMON J. MICHAEL Individually and as attorney-in-fact for Adam Leventhal and Clark Masters

CUSIP NO. 784774101

	POTOMAC CAPITAL PARTNERS L.P.

	By:	Potomac Capital Management, L.L.C.
		General Partner

	By:	/s/ Paul J. Solit
	Name:	Paul J. Solit
	Title:	Managing Member

	POTOMAC CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.

	By:	/s/ Paul J. Solit
	Name:	Paul J. Solit
	Title:	Managing Member

	POTOMAC CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P.

	By:	Potomac Capital Management II, L.L.C.
		General Partner

	By:	/s/ Paul J. Solit
	Name:	Paul J. Solit
	Title:	Co-Managing Member

	POTOMAC CAPITAL MANAGEMENT II, L.L.C.

	By:	/s/ Paul J. Solit
	Name:	Paul J. Solit
	Title:	Co-Managing Member

	POTOMAC CAPITAL PARTNERS III, L.P.

	By:	Potomac Capital Management III, L.L.C.
		General Partner

	By:	/s/ Paul J. Solit
	Name:	Paul J. Solit
	Title:	Co-Managing Member

	POTOMAC CAPITAL MANAGEMENT III, L.L.C.

	By:	/s/ Paul J. Solit
	Name:	Paul J. Solit
	Title:	Co-Managing Member

CUSIP NO. 784774101

	/s/ Paul J. Solit
	PAUL J. SOLIT

	/s/ Eric Singer
	ERIC SINGER

CUSIP NO. 784774101

SCHEDULE A

Transactions in the Shares Since the Filing of Amendment No. 4

Shares Purchased / (Sold)

Price Per Share ($)

Date of Purchase/Sale

BALCH HILL PARTNERS, L.P.

50,000	3.4012	05/14/2013
329	3.6700	05/31/2013
(1,219,329)	6.7100	06/24/2013
(200,000)	6.7100	06/24/2013

BALCH HILL CAPITAL, LLC

None

SIMON J. MICHAEL

None

POTOMAC CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.

(65,659)

6.7101

06/24/2013

POTOMAC CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.L.C

None

POTOMAC CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P.

(234,134)

6.7101

06/24/2013

POTOMAC CAPITAL MANAGEMENT II, L.L.C

None

POTOMAC CAPITAL PARTNERS III, L.P.

(108,377)

6.7101

06/24/2013

POTOMAC CAPITAL MANAGEMENT III, L.L.C

None

PAUL J. SOLIT

None

CUSIP NO. 784774101

ERIC SINGER

None

ADAM LEVENTHAL

None

CLARK MASTERS

(1,000)	6.7106	06/24/2013
(200)	6.7110	06/24/2013