TRC COMPANIES INC /DE/
DEF 14A, 1999-09-29
HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
Previous: PUROFLOW INC, DEFR14A, 1999-09-29
Next: WATERS INSTRUMENTS INC, 10KSB, 1999-09-29



<PAGE>
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

                  Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
            the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.    )

    Filed by the Registrant /X/
    Filed by a party other than the Registrant / /

    Check the appropriate box:
    / /  Preliminary Proxy Statement
    / /  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
         14a-6(e)(2))
    /X/  Definitive Proxy Statement
    / /  Definitive Additional Materials
    / /  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section
         240.14a-12
                       TRC Companies, Inc.
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

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

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

/X/  No fee required

/ /  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
     and 0-11

    (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
        pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
        filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (5) Total fee paid:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------

/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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

    (1) Amount Previously Paid:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (3) Filing Party:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (4) Date Filed:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD OCTOBER 22, 1999


TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS:

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of TRC Companies, Inc. will be held Friday,
October 22, 1999 at 10:00 a.m., at the Company's executive offices, 5 Waterside
Crossing, Windsor, Connecticut, to consider and take action on the following
items:

         1.       The election of five directors for the ensuing year;

         2.       The appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent
                  accountants for the Company for the fiscal year ending June
                  30, 2000; and

         3.       Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or
                  any adjournments thereof.

Shareholders of record at the close of business on September 8, 1999 will be
entitled to vote at the meeting.

Shareholders who do not expect to attend the meeting and wish their shares voted
pursuant to the accompanying proxy are requested to sign and date the proxy and
return it as soon as possible in the enclosed reply envelope.

By Order of the Board of Directors



     /s/ Harold C. Elston, Jr.
Harold C. Elston, Jr.
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary



Dated at Windsor, Connecticut
September 17, 1999



<PAGE>



                                 PROXY STATEMENT


GENERAL INFORMATION

         This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation
of proxies by and on behalf of TRC Companies, Inc. (the "Company") from the
holders of the Company's Common Stock for the Annual Meeting (the "Meeting") to
be held October 22, 1999, and any adjournments thereof. The giving of a proxy
does not affect your right to vote should you attend the Meeting in person, and
the proxy may be revoked at any time before it is voted by voting in person at
the Meeting or by giving the Secretary of the Company a signed instrument
revoking the proxy or a signed proxy of a later date. Each properly executed
proxy not revoked will be voted in accordance with instructions therein. If no
instructions are specified in the proxy, it is the intention of the persons
named in the accompanying proxy to vote FOR the election of the nominees named
therein as directors of the Company and FOR the matters described in item 2 in
the Notice of Annual Meeting.

         The vote required for the election of directors and approval of the
other proposal is set forth in the discussion of the proposals. Abstentions are
not counted as votes "for" or "against" a proposal, but where the affirmative
vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present or represented on a
proposal is required for approval (Proposal 2), abstentions are counted in
determining the number of shares present or represented. On proposals which
require the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares for
approval, abstentions have the same effect as a vote "against." New York Stock
Exchange rules permit brokers to vote on both proposals in instances where the
broker has not received instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares.

         The Company's Annual Report, including financial statements, for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1999, is being mailed to shareholders along with the
Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement. The financial statements and the
discussion and analysis by management of the Company's results of operations and
financial condition contained in the Annual Report of the Company for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1999 are incorporated herein by reference.

         The record date for determining those shareholders entitled to vote at
the Annual Meeting was September 8, 1999. On that date, the Company had
6,246,323 shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote.* Each share
of Common Stock is entitled to one vote.

         The mailing address of the Company's principal executive office is 5
Waterside Crossing, Windsor, CT 06095, and the approximate date on which this
Proxy Statement and the form of proxy are first being sent to shareholders is
September 28, 1999.


- -----------------------
*Does not include 459,770 shares issued in connection with the acquisition of
Environmental Solutions, Inc. which will not be votable until delivered in
December 1999, and 94,100 shares issued in connection with the acquisition of
Hydro-Geo Consultants, Inc. which will not be votable until delivered in
February 2003.


<PAGE>



PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

         The table below sets forth information as of September 8, 1999 with
respect to all persons known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more
than 5% of the Company's Common Stock. Information in the table was reported to
the Company by the beneficial owners on forms as required by the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             NAME AND ADDRESS OF                NUMBER OF SHARES            PERCENT OF
              BENEFICIAL OWNER                 BENEFICIALLY OWNED          COMMON STOCK
             -------------------               ------------------          ------------
<S>                                                    <C>                       <C>
Peter R. Kellogg                                       1,000,000(1)              14.7
  New York, New York
State of Wisconsin Investment Board                      664,900                  9.8
  Madison, Wisconsin
Richard D. Ellison                                       471,494(2)               6.8
  Chairman, President,
  Chief Executive Officer,
  and Director of the Company
  Windsor, Connecticut
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc.                           450,550                  6.6
  Santa Monica, California
The TCW Group, Inc.                                      444,100                  6.5
  Los Angeles, California

</TABLE>

- -------------------
(1) See disclaimer of beneficial ownership contained in a Form 3 filed on
    January 8, 1999 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(2) See Footnote, page 5.


                                       -2-
<PAGE>


ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

         The five individuals named in the following table have been nominated
for election to the Board of Directors, each to serve for a one-year term and
until his successor is duly elected and qualified. All of the nominees were
elected directors at the 1998 Annual Meeting.

         Should any of such nominees decline or become unable to serve as a
director prior to election, the persons named in the proxy will vote for the
election of a substitute nominee, if any, designated by the Board of Directors.
The Company has no reason to believe that any nominee will decline or be unable
to serve.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                NAME, PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION                                               SERVED AS
                DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND                                               DIRECTOR
               OTHER CORPORATE DIRECTORSHIPS                               AGE             SINCE
               -----------------------------                               ---           ---------
<S>                                                                        <C>             <C>
Richard D. Ellison                                                         60              1997
CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND
DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY AND PRESIDENT
OF TRC ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, INC.

Edward G. Jepsen                                                           56              1989
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
OF AMPHENOL CORPORATION

Edward W. Large, Esq.                                                      69              1990
COUNSEL TO THE LAW FIRMS OF CROWELL & MORING AND DAY, BERRY
& HOWARD; FORMERLY EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR
OF UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Richard J. McGuire, Jr.                                                    55              1997
FORMERLY PRESIDENT OF TRC ENVIRONMENTAL CORPORATION
AND TRC MARIAH ASSOCIATES, INC.

J. Jeffrey McNealey, Esq.                                                  55              1985
PARTNER IN THE LAW FIRM OF PORTER, WRIGHT, MORRIS & ARTHUR

</TABLE>


         At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on October 23, 1998,
approximately 90% of the total number of shares entitled to vote at that Meeting
for the election of directors were represented in person or by proxy. More than
99% of the shares voting at that Meeting were cast in favor of each of the
foregoing directors.

         The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual
Meeting is required to elect each nominee.

         THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF THE
ABOVE NOMINEES AS DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY.


                                       -3-
<PAGE>


BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES

         The Board of Directors held nine meetings during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1999. Dr. Ellison and Mr. McNealey were present at all meetings of the
Board of Directors, and Messrs. Jepsen, Large and McGuire attended all but one
of the meetings of the Board of Directors. All of the directors were present at
all meetings of the committees of which they were members.

         The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, currently composed of
Messrs. Jepsen (Chairman), Large, McGuire and McNealey, met two times during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1999. The Audit Committee, which is elected annually,
reviews with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company's independent accountants,
the audit plan and the internal accounting controls for the Company and its
subsidiaries, as well as the Company's consolidated financial statements. The
Audit Committee reports to the Board of Directors. It also recommends to the
Board the selection of the independent accountants for the Company.

         The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, currently
composed of Messrs. Large (Chairman), Jepsen, McGuire and McNealey, met two
times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999. The Committee approves the
general salary scale for senior employees of the Company and its subsidiaries
and specifically establishes the compensation package for the Chairman and the
executive officers. The Committee's actions are discussed more fully in the
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation (see page 9).

         The Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors, currently composed
of Messrs. McNealey (Chairman) and Large, met once during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1999. The Committee reviews the organization, structure, size and
composition of the Board and recommends to the Board nominees to serve as
directors.

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

         Each non-employee director of the Company receives an annual retainer
of $20,000. Directors who are also employees of the Company or any of the
Company's subsidiaries receive no remuneration for serving as directors. In
addition, the directors participate in the Company's Stock Option Plan. In lieu
of receiving their retainers for fiscal 1999 and 2000, Messrs. Large, Jepsen,
McGuire and McNealey each elected to receive options to purchase 20,000 shares
of the Company's Common Stock. These options vest in equal quarterly
installments over two years assuming continued service during that period. See
Footnote 4 on page 6 for a further description of these options. In fiscal 1999,
Messrs. Large, Jepsen, McGuire and McNealey each received options to purchase
7,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.125
pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan on terms as described in Footnote 3
on page 6.


                                       -4-
<PAGE>


STOCK OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

         The following table sets forth as of September 8, 1999, the total
number of shares of the Company's Common Stock beneficially owned by each
director and named executive officer of the Company and all directors and
executive officers as a group based upon information furnished by each director
and executive officer.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                                           OWNED DIRECTLY                   PERCENT OF
NAME OF INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP                                OR INDIRECTLY(1)                COMMON STOCK(2)
- ---------------------------                              -------------------               ---------------
<S>                                                      <C>                               <C>
John H. Claussen                                               59,6653                          *
Richard D. Ellison                                            471,4944                          6.8
Glenn E. Harkness                                              18,3005                          *
Edward G. Jepsen                                              205,2666                          3.0
Miro Knezevic                                                 248,6137                          3.6
Edward W. Large                                                59,1666                          *
Richard J. McGuire, Jr.                                       251,9808                          3.7
J. Jeffrey McNealey                                            34,4066                          *
All directors and executive officers as a group             1,376,3899                         19.1
 (9 individuals)

</TABLE>

- -----------------
*Indicates that the number of shares owned represents less than 1% of the Common
Stock.

(1)      Includes shares which may be acquired within sixty (60) days by the
         exercise of outstanding options and warrants.

(2)      The number of shares that may be acquired within sixty (60) days by the
         exercise of outstanding options and warrants has been added to the
         number of shares actually outstanding for purposes of computing
         ownership percentages.

(3)      Includes 52,708 shares that may be acquired by the exercise of
         outstanding stock options.

(4)      Includes 126,666 shares that may be acquired by the exercise of
         outstanding options and warrants. Also includes 344,828 shares payable
         pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement dated March 21, 1994, under
         which the Company purchased the business assets, liabilities and
         obligations of Environmental Solutions, Inc. These shares are not
         deliverable until December 1999, and Mr. Ellison disclaims beneficial
         ownership of these shares. See Certain Transactions, page 12.

(5)      Includes 13,291 shares that may be acquired by the exercise of
         outstanding stock options.

(6)      Includes 24,166 shares that may be acquired by the exercise of
         outstanding stock options.

(7)      Includes 92,813 shares that may be acquired by the exercise of
         outstanding options and warrants. Also includes 114,942 shares payable
         pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement dated March 21, 1994, under
         which the Company purchased the business assets, liabilities and
         obligations of Environmental Solutions, Inc. These shares are not
         deliverable until December 1999, and Mr. Knezevic disclaims beneficial
         ownership of these shares. See Certain Transactions, page 12.

(8)      Includes 17,166 shares that may be acquired by the exercise of
         outstanding stock options.

(9)      Includes 395,225 shares for directors and executive officers that may
         be acquired by the exercise of outstanding options and warrants.


                                       -5-
<PAGE>


COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

         a) SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

         The Summary Compensation Table that follows sets forth the compensation
for services in all capacities earned by the Company's Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and President and the other four most highly compensated executive
officers of the Company and its subsidiaries (the "named executive officers")
for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 1999.

                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   Long-Term
                                                 Annual Compensation(1)          Compensation(2,3)
                                                 ----------------------          -----------------    All Other
    Name and                                                                        Option             Compen-
Principal Position                  Year       Salary ($)       Bonus ($)(6)      Awards (#)          Sation($)(7)
- ------------------                  ----       ----------       ------------      ----------          ------------

<S>                                 <C>        <C>              <C>             <C>                   <C>
RICHARD D. ELLISON                  1999         $244,000(4)      $ 5,700             40,000           $  3,200
Chairman, President and             1998          336,300               -            100,000(4)               -
 Chief Executive Officer            1997          340,800               -             18,000                  -

MIRO KNEZEVIC                       1999          113,300(4)        2,900             15,000              3,200
Senior Vice President               1998          205,500               -            112,500(4)               -
                                    1997          210,800               -             15,000                  -

JOHN H. CLAUSSEN                    1999          192,800(4)        2,900             15,000              4,873
Senior Vice President               1998          198,300          25,000             25,000(4)           5,276
                                    1997          198,500               -             35,000              5,415

GLENN E. HARKNESS                   1999          173,600(4)       11,400             10,000              4,975
Senior Vice President of TRC        1998          161,900          10,000              5,000(4)           5,424
 Environmental Corporation          1997          159,400               -              9,000              5,415

RICHARD J. MCGUIRE, JR.5            1999          116,500(4)            -              7,000              2,873
President of TRC                    1998          190,900               -             20,000(4)           5,380
 Mariah Associates, Inc.            1997          197,000               -             18,000              2,586

</TABLE>


(1)      Pursuant to the rules on executive compensation disclosure adopted by
         the Securities and Exchange Commission, no amounts for executive
         perquisites and other personal benefits are shown because the aggregate
         dollar amount per executive is less than either $50,000 or 10% of
         annual salary and bonus.

(2)      Options are granted at 100% of market price of the underlying Common
         Stock on the date of grant. The Company has not made any restricted
         stock awards and its long-term incentive awards to executive officers
         consist of stock options rather than cash payments.

(3)      All options granted in fiscal 1999 have ten-year terms; one-third vest
         immediately upon grant and the remainder vest equally on the first and
         second anniversaries of grant.

(4)      All options granted in fiscal 1998 have ten-year terms and vest in
         equal one-eighth increments in each of the eight fiscal quarters
         following the date of grant. Options were granted in fiscal 1998 in
         exchange for a reduction in cash compensation to grantees over the next
         two years with individuals receiving one option for every two dollars
         in aggregate salary reduction over such two-year period. As an example,
         Mr. Ellison's grant of 100,000 options reflects a commitment of a cash
         salary reduction of $100,000 in each of the next two years or an
         aggregate salary reduction of $200,000. These options do not terminate
         on termination of employment except to the extent not then vested.
         Vesting may accelerate in certain change of control situations. Series
         A and Series B options granted in fiscal 1997 lapsed in their entirety
         prior to vesting in accordance with their terms.

(5)      As of May 27, 1999, Mr. McGuire no longer served as President of TRC
         Mariah Associates, Inc. and continues as Director of the Company.

(6)      In fiscal 1999, the Company adopted a five-year Key Person Group Bonus
         Plan which provides for bonus payments to key persons based upon the
         Company's earnings performance. The annual bonus pool and percentages
         allocated to various management levels are keyed to earnings targets.

(7)      Amounts of all other compensation include  contributions by the Company
         under 401(k) retirement and savings plans.


                                       -6-
<PAGE>


         b) OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

         The following table sets forth information concerning individual grants
of options to purchase the Company's Common Stock during the 1999 fiscal year to
the named executive officers. The Company does not have a program to grant stock
appreciation rights.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                INDIVIDUAL GRANTS

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  Potential Realized Value
                                 Number of                                                         at Assumed Annual Rates
                                  Shares                                                         of Stock Price Appreciation
                                Underlying    % of Total Options     Exercise or                       For Option Term(2)
                                  Options          Granted in         Base Price   Expiration    ---------------------------
        Name                   Granted (#)(1)      Fiscal Year           (&/$h)       Date          5%                 10%
- -----------------------        -------------- ------------------     -----------   ----------    --------           --------

<S>                            <C>            <C>                    <C>           <C>           <C>                <C>
RICHARD D. ELLISON               40,000              19.8               $4.125      10/22/08     $103,769           $262,961
Chairman, President and
 Chief Executive Officer

MIRO KNEZEVIC                    15,000               5.9                4.125      10/22/08       38,913             98,610
Senior Vice President

JOHN H. CLAUSSEN                 15,000               5.9                4.125      10/22/08       38,913             98,610
Senior Vice President

GLENN E. HARKNESS                10,000               4.0                4.125      10/22/08       25,942             65,740
Senior Vice President of TRC
 Environmental Corporation

RICHARD J. MCGUIRE, JR.           7,000               2.8                4.125      10/22/08       18,159             46,018
President of TRC
 Mariah Associates, Inc.

</TABLE>

- ----------
(1)  Options are granted at 100% of market price of the underlying Common
     Stock on the date of grant. All options granted in fiscal 1999 have
     ten-year terms; one-third vest immediately upon grant and the remainder
     vest equally on the first and second anniversaries of grant.

(2)  These amounts represent certain assumed rates of appreciation in
     accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules. The actual
     value, if any, that an executive officer may realize is dependent upon
     the future performance of the Common Stock and continued employment
     through the vesting period. Vesting may accelerate in certain change of
     control situations.


                                       -7-
<PAGE>


         c) AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND OPTION VALUES AT
            FISCAL YEAR END

         The following table provides information with respect to the named
executive officers concerning the exercise of stock options during the 1999
fiscal year and unexercised options held as of the end of the fiscal year.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     Number of shares          Value of Unexercised
                                                                  Underlying Unexercised      In-the-Money Options at
                          Shares Acquired                            Options at 6/30/99             6/30/99 ($)(1)
    Name                   On Exercise (#)   Value Realized(3)   Eexercisable/Unexercisable   Exercisable/unexercisable
- ------------------------  ----------------   -----------------   --------------------------   -------------------------
<S>                                                                 <C>          <C>            <C>        <C>
RICHARD D. ELLISON              -                    -              63,333       76,667         $107,916   $134,584
Chairman, President and
 Chief Executive Officer

MIRO KNEZEVIC                   -                    -              61,250       66,250          101,406    111,406
Senior Vice President

JOHN H. CLAUSSEN                -                    -              44,583       29,167           55,312     52,814
Senior Vice President

GLENN E. HARKNESS               -                    -               9,333        9,167           10,728     17,396
Senior Vice President
 of TRC Environmental
 Corporation

RICHARD J. MCGUIRE, JR.         -                    -              12,333       14,667           20,916     25,584
President of TRC
 Mariah Associates, Inc.

</TABLE>

- ----------
(1)  Based upon the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on June 30,
     1999 of $6.125.

         d) EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION/CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS

         Pursuant to the Company's acquisition of Environmental Solutions, Inc.
in March 1994, the Company entered into employment agreements with Richard D.
Ellison and Miro Knezevic which automatically renew for one-year terms unless
terminated. In fiscal 1999, the Company adopted a Termination Policy for Key
Persons which provides for termination benefits ranging from three to twelve
months of salary in the event of certain terminations of employment including
those pursuant to a change of control.


                                       -8-
<PAGE>


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee")
is composed of four independent, outside directors. The Committee is responsible
for establishing and administering the Company's executive compensation
programs. The Committee seeks to achieve the following objectives:

         -        Competitive pay that allows the Company to attract and retain
                  personnel with skills critical to the long-term success of the
                  Company;

         -        Pay for performance to motivate and reward individual and team
                  performance in attaining business objectives and maximizing
                  shareholder value; and

         -        Maintenance of compensation costs that enable the Company to
                  remain competitive in the pricing of its services.

         The Company's executive compensation program includes three principal
components: (1) base salary; (2) annual bonus; and (3) long-term incentive
awards. It is the intent of the Committee to link executive compensation as
directly as possible with the Company's financial performance.

BASE SALARY. Ranges of appropriate base salaries are determined by an analysis
of salary data on positions of comparable responsibility within the
environmental services sector. Committee approval of individual salary changes
is based on performance of the executive against financial and strategic
objectives and position of the executive in the competitive pay range.
Consistent with the compensation philosophy discussed above, the Committee's
preference will be to enhance annual bonuses and long-term awards rather than
salaries when possible, given competitive salary conditions.

ANNUAL BONUS. In fiscal 1999, a five-year Key Person Group Bonus Plan was
adopted. The Plan provides a sliding bonus scale to keep rewards in line with
success with substantial awards to higher level executives, such as the
Chairman, being based on extraordinary earnings performance.

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE AWARDS. The purpose of this element of the executive
compensation program is to link management pay with the long-term interest of
shareholders, rather than performance in one single fiscal year. The Committee
is currently using ten-year stock options to achieve the long-term link and has
adopted a vesting requirement for the first two years of the grant. The options
are granted pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan. In fiscal 1999, Dr.
Ellison's compensation consisted of a base salary of $244,000, a bonus of $5,700
and 40,000 stock options. In fiscal 1998, Dr. Ellison elected to receive options
to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock in exchange for a
reduction in his cash salary compensation of $100,000 in each of the next two
years beginning June 1, 1998.

                    SUBMITTED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:

                                 Edward W. Large
                                 Edward G. Jepsen
                                 Richard J. McGuire, Jr.
                                 J. Jeffrey McNealey


                                       -9-
<PAGE>


STOCK PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG TRC, S&P 500 INDEX AND
INDEX OF PEER COMPANIES

         The annual changes for the five-year and twenty-seven month periods
shown in the graphs on this and the following page are based upon the assumption
that $100 had been invested in the Company's Common Stock on June 30, 1994 (as
required by SEC rules) and April 2, 1997, respectively. The figures presented
assume that all dividends, if any, paid over the performance periods were
reinvested.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    JUN-94       JUN-95       JUN-96      JUN-97       JUN-98        JUN-99

<S>                <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
TRC                $100.00     $  75.00     $  58.75     $  40.00     $  45.00     $  61.25
S&P 500 INDEX       100.00       126.07       158.85       213.97       278.51       341.88
PEER GROUP          100.00        77.00        71.30        62.19        78.93        61.25

</TABLE>


The companies included in the peer group are EA Engineering, Science and
Technology, Inc., Ecology & Environment, Inc., GZA GeoEnvironmental
Technologies, Inc., Harding Lawson Associates Group, Inc., Roy F. Weston, Inc.
and Versar, Inc. It was necessary for the Company to reconstitute the peer group
from the peer group used in prior years in that four members of the prior group
(Dames & Moore Group Company, Earth Tech, Inc., EMCON, Inc. and ICF Kaiser
International, Inc.) have either been acquired and no longer exist as
independent companies or are no longer in the same line of business as the
Company.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>


COMPARISON OF TWENTY-SEVEN MONTH CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG TRC, S&P 500
INDEX AND INDEX OF PEER COMPANIES

         This graph shows the cumulative total return since April 2, 1997 when
Dr. Ellison became Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, compared to their same indices shown in the previous graph,
illustrating the relative performance of the Company during his tenure in that
position.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       APR-97          JUN-97          JUN-98         JUN-99

<S>                   <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>
TRC                   $100.00         $114.29         $128.57        $175.00
S&P 500 INDEX          100.00          110.84          144.27         177.10
PEER GROUP             100.00          101.65          129.03         100.12

</TABLE>


Information concerning the peer group and the Standard & Poor's 500 Index was
supplied to the Company by Standard & Poor's Compustat, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies.


                                      -11-
<PAGE>


CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

         On March 21, 1994, a subsidiary of the Company acquired the business
assets, liabilities and obligations of Environmental Solutions, Inc., an
environmental engineering and consulting business headquartered in Irvine,
California. The purchase price for the assets consisted of approximately $4.8
million in cash; a $14 million 5.75% three-year promissory note (the "Note");
and 459,770 shares of the Company's Common Stock. The stock is not deliverable
until the end of 1999. Dr. Ellison was a 75% shareholder and Mr. Knezevic a 25%
shareholder of Environmental Solutions, Inc., and they are entitled to 75% and
25% of the purchase consideration, respectively. In July 1997, the Note was
amended to increase the interest rate to the greater of the interest rate paid
on the Company's bank debt or 7 3/4%, in exchange for an extension of the
payment term on the remaining principal balance of $7 million. Pursuant to the
amendment, the outstanding balance would be repaid in two equal installments of
$3.5 million on July 1, 1998 and 1999. Also, in connection with the amendment of
the Note, a warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at
an exercise price of $4.50 with a term expiring July 11, 2000 was issued.
Interest on the Note was payable quarterly at 5 3/4% with the excess accruing
and payable at final maturity. Principal and interest payments on the Note
totaled $3,751,428 in fiscal 1999 with an additional $86,974 of interest
accruing. Also, on July 1, 1999 the Company made the final principal and
interest payment on the Note totaling $3,823,515. Dr. Ellison's spouse and
brother-in-law were employed in the normal course of business by TRC
Environmental Solutions, Inc. during fiscal 1999 at annual salaries (including
bonus) of $74,239 and $122,843, respectively.

APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

         The Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Audit Committee, has
nominated the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to be independent accountants
for the Company for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000. PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP has been the Company's independent accountants for thirteen years. A
representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting and available to make statements and to respond to appropriate
questions from shareholders. The affirmative vote of a majority of shares
present and entitled to vote at the Meeting is required to approve this
proposal.

         THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE APPOINTMENT OF
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS OF THE COMPANY.

1999 SHAREHOLDER NOMINATIONS AND PROPOSALS

         Shareholders who wish to suggest nominees for election to the Board of
Directors at the 2000 Annual Meeting should write, on or before May 27, 2000, to
the Secretary of the Company at 5 Waterside Crossing, Windsor, CT 06095, stating
in detail the qualifications of such persons for consideration by the Nominating
Committee of the Board of Directors.

         If any shareholder intends to present a proposal for consideration at
the 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, such proposal must also be received by
the Secretary of the Company on or before May 27, 2000, in order to be included
in the Company's Proxy Statement. Such proposals may be included in next year's
Proxy Statement if they comply with certain rules and regulations established by
the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                      -12-
<PAGE>


OTHER BUSINESS

         As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors knows of
no other matters that may be brought before the meeting. However, if any other
matters do properly come before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed
proxy will vote upon them in their discretion and in accordance with their best
judgment.

         A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K, FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, WASHINGTON, D.C., IS AVAILABLE TO
SHAREHOLDERS WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST. ADDRESS REQUESTS TO: TRC COMPANIES,
INC., 5 WATERSIDE CROSSING, WINDSOR, CT 06095,
ATTENTION: INVESTOR RELATIONS.

         The cost of preparing and mailing the Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy
Statement and Form of Proxy will be paid by the Company. The Company will
request banks, brokers, fiduciaries and similar persons to forward copies of
such material to beneficial owners of the Company's Common Stock in a timely
manner and to request authority for execution of proxies, and the Company will
reimburse such persons and institutions for their out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection therewith. To the extent necessary in order to assure
sufficient representation, officers and regular employees of the Company may
solicit the return of the proxies by telephone, personal communication or other
methods. The extent of this solicitation by personal contact will depend upon
the response to the initial solicitation by mail. It is anticipated that the
costs of solicitation, if undertaken, will not exceed $1,000.

                       By Order of the Board of Directors



                            /s/ Harold C. Elston, Jr.
                              Harold C. Elston, Jr.
          Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Dated at Windsor, Connecticut
September 17, 1999


                                      -13-
<PAGE>


                     SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

                               TRC COMPANIES, INC.

                                      PROXY



         I (We) hereby appoint Richard D. Ellison and Harold C. Elston, Jr. and
each of them as proxies with power of substitution and revocation to vote all my
(our) shares of Common Stock in TRC Companies, Inc., at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held October 22, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. at the executive offices
of the Company at 5 Waterside Crossing, Windsor, Connecticut and at any
adjournments thereof: (Please place mark in one box only.)

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE FOLLOWING PROPOSALS:

ITEM 1 -  Election of five (5) nominees for directors.

FOR   WITHHOLD         Richard D. Ellison, Edward G. Jepsen, Edward W. Large,
 / /    / /            Richard J. McGuire, Jr. and J. Jeffrey McNealey.


                       TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE,
                       WRITE THAT NOMINEE'S NAME ON THE LINE PROVIDED BELOW.

                       --------------------------------------------------------


ITEM 2 - The appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent
         accountants for the Company for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000.

            / / FOR               / / AGAINST               / / ABSTAIN

The Proxies named above will, in their sole discretion, vote upon such other
matters as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments thereof.


<PAGE>


THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED ABOVE. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE 5 NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND FOR
ITEM 2.


                                  Dated                       , 1999
                                       -----------------------

                                       -----------------------------

                                       -----------------------------
                                              Signature(s)

                                  Please sign exactly as your name or names
                                  appear on this Proxy. Joint owners should each
                                  sign. Attorneys, executors, administrators,
                                  trustees or guardians should so indicate when
                                  signing.



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission