<PAGE> 1
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
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement Commission Only (as permitted
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule
14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
WASTE CONNECTIONS, 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:
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
(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> 2
Notice and Proxy Statement
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held May 26, 1999
Dear Stockholder of WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.:
You are invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of WASTE
CONNECTIONS, INC. to be held on Wednesday, May 26, 1999, at 9:00 A.M., Pacific
Time. The meeting will be held at the Hyatt Regency, 1209 L Street, Sacramento,
CA 95814 for the following purposes:
1. To elect one Class I director to serve for a term of three years;
2. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent
accountants for the year 1999; and
3. To consider such other business as may properly come before the
annual meeting or any adjournment of the annual meeting.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 1999,
are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the annual meeting or any
adjournment of the annual meeting.
Waste Connections' Annual Report for the year 1998 is enclosed for your
convenience.
Stockholders of record may vote their proxies by signing, dating and
returning the enclosed proxy card. If your shares are held in the name of a bank
or broker, you may be able to vote by telephone or on the Internet. Please
follow the instructions on the form you receive from your bank or broker. The
method by which you decide to vote will not limit your right to vote at the
annual meeting. If you later decide to attend the annual meeting in person, you
may vote your shares even if you have submitted a proxy in writing, by telephone
or on the Internet.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
DARRELL W. CHAMBLISS
Secretary
April 22, 1999
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL
MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY OR FOLLOW ANY TELEPHONE OR
INTERNET PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY YOUR BANK OR BROKER.
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<PAGE> 3
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
2260 Douglas Boulevard, Suite 280
Roseville, California 95661
-------------------
PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 26, 1999
The Board of Directors of WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC., a Delaware
corporation, is furnishing this proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card
to solicit proxies from holders of our common stock for the annual meeting of
stockholders to be held on Wednesday, May 26, 1999, for the purposes described
in the Notice of Annual Meeting. We will bear the costs of soliciting proxies
from our stockholders. In addition to soliciting proxies by mail, our directors,
officers and employees, without receiving additional compensation, may solicit
proxies by telephone, by telegram or in person. We will arrange for brokerage
firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward solicitation
materials to the beneficial owners of common stock these brokerage firms,
custodians, nominees and fiduciaries hold of record, and we will reimburse them
for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in forwarding these materials. We
are first mailing this proxy statement to our stockholders on or about April 22,
1999.
VOTING AT THE MEETING
The record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and
to vote at the annual meeting was the close of business on March 31, 1999. On
that date 17,190,103 shares of common stock were outstanding, all of which are
entitled to vote on all matters that properly come before the annual meeting.
Each stockholder has one vote for each share of common stock held.
Each proxy that we receive prior to the annual meeting will, unless
revoked, be voted in accordance with the instructions we are given for that
proxy. If no instruction is given, the shares will be voted FOR the election of
our nominee for director listed in this proxy statement and FOR ratification of
the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP. A stockholder who has given a proxy in
writing may revoke it at any time before it is voted at the annual meeting in
any of three ways:
- by delivering a written notice of revocation to the
Secretary of Waste Connections;
- by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later
date to the Secretary of Waste Connections; or
- by attending the meeting and voting in person.
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to take action at the annual
meeting. A majority of the outstanding shares of common stock, represented in
person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum. We will use an automated system
administered by our transfer agent to tabulate the votes at the annual meeting.
Under certain circumstances, a broker or other nominee may have discretionary
authority to vote certain shares of common stock if the broker or nominee has
not received instructions from the beneficial owner or other person entitled to
vote. We will treat directions to withhold authority, abstentions and broker
non-votes (which occur when a broker or other nominee holding shares for a
beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the broker or
other nominee does not have discretionary voting power for that item and has not
received instructions from the beneficial owner) as present and entitled to vote
for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the annual meeting.
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Accordingly, directions to withhold authority, abstentions and broker non-votes
will have no effect on the election of directors or on the voting on a matter
that requires the affirmative vote of a certain percentage of the votes cast or
shares voting on a matter, but will be the equivalent of a "no" vote on a matter
that requires the affirmative vote of a certain percentage of the votes entitled
to be cast on a matter.
No minimum number of votes is required to elect our nominee as a
director. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock
present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting is required to
ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent accountants for the
year 1999.
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table shows the amount of Waste Connections' common stock
beneficially owned, as of March 31, 1999, by: (i) each person or entity that we
know owns more than 5% of our common stock; (ii) the "named executive officers"
identified in "Executive Compensation" and each director of Waste Connections;
and (iii) all current directors, nominees and executive officers of Waste
Connections as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1) NUMBER PERCENTAGE
- - --------------------------- --------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Murrey Trust UTA August 5, 1993, as amended(2) .................. 1,949,997 11.3%
Eugene P. Polk(2)(4) ............................................ 1,311,574 7.6
Ronald J. Mittelstaedt(2)(3) .................................... 1,058,376 6.1
Eugene V. Dupreau(2)(5) ......................................... 407,148 2.4
Irmgard R. Wilcox(2) ............................................ 144,944 0.8
Michael W. Harlan(2)(6) ......................................... 27,500 0.2
William J. Razzouk(2)(7) ........................................ 22,500 0.1
Steven F. Bouck(2)(8) ........................................... 116,668 0.7
Darrell W. Chambliss(2)(9) ...................................... 77,501 0.4
Michael R. Foos(2)(10) .......................................... 80,430 0.5
Eric J. Moser(2)(11) ............................................ 58,452 0.3
All executive officers and directors as a group (11 persons) .... 2,405,844 13.7
</TABLE>
- - ------------
(1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of
the Securities and Exchange Commission. In general, a person who has voting
power and/or investment power with respect to securities is treated as the
beneficial owner of those securities. Shares of common stock subject to options
and/or warrants currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days count as
outstanding for computing the percentage beneficially owned by the person
holding such options. Except as otherwise indicated by footnote, we believe that
the persons named in this table have sole voting and investment power with
respect to the shares of common stock shown.
(2) The address of the Murrey Trust is c/o US Bank, 5580 Pacific
Highway, Suite A, Fife, Washington 98424. The address of Messrs. Mittelstaedt,
Bouck, Chambliss, Foos and Moser is 2260 Douglas Boulevard, Suite 280,
Roseville, California 95661. The address of Eugene P. Polk is P.O. Box 1151,
Prescott, Arizona 86302. The address of Eugene V. Dupreau is Madera Disposal
Systems, Inc., 21739 Road 19, Chowchilla, California 93610. The address of
Irmgard R. Wilcox is 4622 70 Avenue East, Fife, Washington 98731. The address of
Michael W. Harlan is 1360 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 800, Houston, Texas 77056.
The address of William J. Razzouk is 5915 River Oaks Road, Memphis, Tennessee
38120.
(3) Includes 100,000 shares purchasable under currently exercisable
warrants and 33,333 shares purchasable under currently exercisable options. Also
includes 567,900 shares held by the Mittelstaedt Family Trust dated 6/18/97, of
which Mr. Mittelstaedt is the Trustee.
(4) Includes 297,704 shares beneficially owned through three trusts for
which Eugene Polk serves as a trustee (190,562 shares -- Eugene P. Polk and
Barbara J. Polk Revocable Trust U/A 11/18/68; 53,571 shares -- Margaret T.
Morris Trust U/A 5/1/67; and 53,571 shares -- Margaret T. Morris Trust U/A
4/19/69); and 170,714 shares held by the Polk Investment Partnership 93-1, for
which Eugene Polk serves as a Manager; and 281,052 shares held by Kieckhefer
Trust Partnership, for which Eugene Polk serves as Manager; and 562,104 shares
held by Kieckhefer Partnership 84-1, for which Eugene Polk serves as Managing
Partner.
(5) Includes 66,667 shares purchasable under immediately exercisable
warrants and 5,000 shares purchasable under immediately exercisable options.
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(6) Includes 5,000 shares purchasable under immediately exercisable
warrants and 22,500 shares purchasable under immediately exercisable options.
(7) Includes 22,500 shares purchasable under immediately exercisable
options.
(8) Includes 23,749 shares purchasable under currently exercisable
options.
(9) Includes 50,000 shares purchasable under currently exercisable
options.
(10) Includes 50,000 shares purchasable under currently exercisable
options.
(11) Includes 36,667 shares purchasable under currently exercisable
options.
PROPOSAL I--ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors is currently composed of five directors and is
divided into three classes. One class is elected each year for a three-year
term. At the annual meeting, Mr. Dupreau will be nominated to serve in Class I
until the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2002 and until his
successor has been duly elected and qualified. Proxies will be voted, unless
otherwise indicated, for the election of Mr. Dupreau for director. Proxies will
be voted in a discretionary manner if Mr. Dupreau is unable to serve. Mr.
Dupreau currently serves as a director of the Company.
Certain information about Mr. Dupreau and the directors serving in
Class II and Class III, whose terms expire in future years, is set forth below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Director
Name and Background Age Since
------------------- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
NOMINEES FOR CLASS I DIRECTOR FOR TERM EXPIRING IN 2002
Eugene V. Dupreau has been Vice President - California division and a director 51 1998
of Waste Connections since February 23, 1998. Mr. Dupreau served as
President and a director of Madera Disposal Systems, Inc. beginning in
1981 and 1985, respectively, and held both positions until Waste
Connections acquired Madera in 1998. He serves as a director of several
civic and charitable organizations in Madera County.
CLASS II DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE--TERM EXPIRING IN 2000
Michael W. Harlan is Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and a 38 1998
director of U.S. Concrete, Inc., a company focussed on acquiring
businesses in the ready-mix concrete industry. From November 1997 to
January 30, 1998, Mr. Harlan served as a consultant to Waste Connections
on various financial matters. From March 1997 to August 1998, Mr. Harlan
was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Apple Orthodontix, Inc.,
a publicly traded company that provides practice management services to
orthodontic practices in the U.S. and Canada. From April 1991 to December
1996, Mr. Harlan held various positions in the finance and acquisition
departments of USA Waste Services, Inc. (including Sanifill, Inc., which
was acquired by USA Waste Services, Inc.), including serving as Treasurer
and Assistant Secretary beginning in September 1993. From May 1982 to
April 1991, Mr. Harlan held various positions in the tax and corporate
financial consulting services division of Arthur Andersen LLP, where he
was a Manager since July 1986.
William J. Razzouk has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PlanetRx, an 51 1998
e-commerce start-up focused on healthcare and sales of prescription and
over-the-
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Director
Name and Background Age Since
------------------- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
counter medicines, health and beauty products and medical supplies since
September 1998. From April 1998 until September 1998, Mr. Razzouk owned a
management consulting business and an investment company that focused on
identifying strategic acquisitions. From September 1997 until April 1998,
he was also the President, Chief Operating Officer and a director of
Storage USA, Inc., a publicly traded real estate investment trust that
owns and operates more than 350 mini storage warehouses. He served as the
President and Chief Operating Officer of America Online from February 1996
to June 1996. From 1983 to 1996, Mr. Razzouk held various management
positions at Federal Express Corporation, most recently as Executive Vice
President, World Wide Customer Operations, with full worldwide profit and
loss responsibility. Mr. Razzouk previously held management positions at
ROLM Corporation, Philips Electronics and Xerox Corporation. He is a
member of the Board of Directors of Fritz Companies, Inc. and previously
was a director of Sanifill, Inc., Cordis Corp. and La Quinta Motor Inns.
CLASS III DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE TERM -- EXPIRING IN 2001
Ronald J. Mittelstaedt has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a 35 1997
director of Waste Connections since the company was formed, and was
elected Chairman in January 1998. He also served as a consultant to Waste
Connections in August and September 1997. Mr. Mittelstaedt has more than
ten years of experience in the solid waste industry. He served as a
consultant to United Waste Systems, Inc., with the title of Executive Vice
President, from January 1997 to August 1997, where he was responsible for
corporate development for all states west of Colorado. As Regional Vice
President of USA Waste Services, Inc. (including Sanifill, Inc., which was
acquired by USA Waste Services, Inc.) from November 1993 to January 1997,
he was responsible for all operations in 16 states and Canada. Mr.
Mittelstaedt held various positions at Browning-Ferris Industries, Inc.
from August 1987 to November 1993, most recently as Division Vice
President in northern California, overseeing the San Jose market.
Previously he was the District Manager responsible for BFI's operations in
Sacramento and the surrounding areas.
Irmgard R. Wilcox has been Vice President-- Finance-- Northern Washington 56 1999
Division of Waste Connections since January 19, 1999. Ms. Wilcox served as
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of the Murrey Companies
from 1982 until they merged with Waste Connections in 1999. Ms. Wilcox
joined the Murrey Companies in 1975. Ms. Wilcox also serves as a director
of Fife Commercial Bank, a privately held bank.
</TABLE>
INFORMATION REGARDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
Our Board of Directors held six meetings during 1998. The Board of
Directors has an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee and a Compensation
Committee. The Board as a whole operates as a committee to nominate directors,
although under his Employment Agreement Mr. Mittelstaedt may currently recommend
two nominees to the Board. Each director, other than Eugene Dupreau and William
Razzouk, attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the
committees on which he served in 1998.
The Executive Committee, whose Chairman is Mr. Mittelstaedt and whose
other current members are Mr. Harlan and Mr. Razzouk, met 18 times in 1998. The
Executive Committee is authorized to exercise all of the powers and authority of
the Board of Directors in managing Waste Connections' business and affairs,
other than to authorize matters required by Delaware law to be approved by the
stockholders and other than adopting, amending
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or repealing any By-Law. Between meetings of the board, the Executive Committee
approves all acquisitions by Waste Connections for stock and for cash or other
consideration of $1 million or more.
The Audit Committee, whose chairman is Mr. Harlan and whose other
current members are Mr. Razzouk and Mr. Mittelstaedt, met two times in 1998. The
committee's duties are to review our internal controls and the objectivity of
our financial reporting, and to meet with appropriate financial personnel and
our independent certified public accountants in connection with these reviews.
The audit committee also reviews the professional services provided by our
independent certified public accountants and reviews such other matters
concerning our accounting principles and financial and operating policies,
controls and practices, our public financial reporting policies and practices,
and the results of our annual audit as it may find appropriate or as may be
brought to its attention.
The Compensation Committee, whose chairman is Mr. Razzouk and whose
other current member is Mr. Harlan, met four times in 1998. This committee is
responsible for establishing Waste Connections' executive officer compensation
policies and for administration of such policies. The Compensation Committee
studies, recommends and implements the amount, terms and conditions of payment
of any and all forms of compensation for our directors, executive officers,
employees, consultants and agents; approves and administers any loan to,
guarantee of any obligation of, or other financial assistance to any officer or
other employee; and approves the grant of options, warrants and other forms of
equity incentives to officers, directors, employees, agents and consultants. See
"Executive Compensation--Compensation Committee Report on Executive
Compensation."
The Board of Directors, acting as a nominating committee, will consider
candidates for director recommended by stockholders. A stockholder who wishes to
submit a candidate for consideration at the annual meeting of stockholders
scheduled to be held on May 24, 2000, must notify the Secretary of Waste
Connections in writing no earlier than February 24, 2000, nor later than March
25, 2000. The stockholder's written notice must include information about each
proposed nominee, including name, age, business address, residence address,
principal occupation, shares beneficially owned and any other information
required in proxy solicitations. The notice must also include the nominating
stockholder's name and address and the number of shares of our common stock
beneficially owned by the stockholder. The written notice must be accompanied by
the executed consent of each nominee to serve as a director if elected. These
procedures are prerequisites under Waste Connections' Amended and Restated
By-laws to a stockholder nominating a candidate at the meeting.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Directors who are officers or employees of Waste Connections do not
currently receive any compensation for attending meetings of the Board of
Directors. Each independent director receives a fee of $1,500 for attending each
Board meeting and each committee meeting (unless held on the same day as the
full Board meeting), in addition to reimbursement of reasonable expenses.
Each independent director who has not been an employee of Waste
Connections at any time during the 12 months preceding his initial election and
appointment to the Board is granted an option to purchase 15,000 shares of our
common stock at the time of his or her initial election or appointment. Waste
Connections granted to each of Messrs. Harlan and Razzouk options to purchase
15,000 shares of common stock at $3.00 per share, which became exercisable on
October 1, 1998.
Waste Connections grants each independent director, on February 1 of
each year during which such person serves on the Board, an option to purchase
7,500 shares of our common stock. All such options have an exercise price equal
to the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date, vest in full on
the grant date, and expire upon the earlier to occur of ten years after the
grant date or one year after the director ceases to be a member of the Board.
Effective February 1, 1999, Waste Connections granted to each of Messrs. Harlan
and Razzouk options to purchase 7,500 shares of common stock at an exercise
price of $17.9375 per share.
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<PAGE> 8
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION INFORMATION
Waste Connections was incorporated in September 1997. The following
table contains information about the annual and long-term compensation earned in
1997 and 1998 by the Chief Executive Officer, Ronald J. Mittelstaedt, and the
other executive officers who were paid or earned more than $100,000. The persons
named in the table are sometimes referred to herein as the "named executive
officers." No officer other than Mr. Mittelstaedt was paid or earned more than
$100,000 in 1997. The Chief Executive Officer has been compensated in accordance
with the terms of his Employment Agreement described below.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
- - --------------------------- -----------------------
SHARES
UNDERLYING
ANNUAL COMPENSATION OPTIONS/
---------------------------------------- RESTRICTED WARRANTS ALL OTHER
YEAR SALARY BONUS OTHER STOCK GRANTED(2) COMPENSATION
------ -------- -------- -------- --------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ronald J. Mittelstaedt ........... 1997 $ 39,903(1) $ 25,000(1) -- -- 200,000 $ 10,000(3)
President, Chief Executive 1998 176,577 100,000 $ 10,254 --
Officer and Chairman
Steven F. Bouck .................. 1998 92,887 115,008 -- -- 250,000 --
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Darrell W. Chambliss ............. 1998 89,972 89,322 -- -- -- --
Vice President - Operations and
Secretary
Michael R. Foos .................. 1998 89,809 71,788 -- -- -- --
Vice President and Corporate
Controller
Eric J. Moser .................... 1998 74,115 45,563 -- -- -- --
Treasurer
</TABLE>
- - ------------
(1) Mr. Mittelstaedt's salary and bonus figures for 1997 reflect
employment from October 1, 1997 through December 31, 1997. His bonus figure for
1997 reflects the portion earned during 1997; such bonus was paid in 1998.
(2) See "Option and Warrant Grants" below.
(3) Consists of consulting fees for services rendered prior to Waste
Connections' organization.
STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
OPTION AND WARRANT GRANTS. The following table contains information
concerning the grant of options and warrants to purchase shares of our common
stock during 1998 to the named executive officers. No options or warrants were
granted to Messrs. Mittlestaedt, Chambliss, Foos or Moser in 1998.
1998 OPTION AND WARRANT GRANTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
% OF TOTAL VALUE AT ASSUMED
NUMBER OF OPTIONS AND ANNUAL RATES OF
SHARES WARRANT STOCK PRICE
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO APPRECIATION FOR
OPTIONS AND EMPLOYEES OPTION/WARRANT TERM(3)
NAME OF WARRANT IN EXERCISE PRICE EXPIRATION --------------------------
BENEFICIAL OWNER GRANTED(1) 1998 PER SHARE(2) DATE 5% 10%
- - ---------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ------------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Steven F. Bouck ......... 150,000 29.4% $ 2.80 Jan. 31, 2008 $3,873,956 $6,134,140
50,000 9.8% 9.50 Jan. 31, 2008 956,319 1,709,713
50,000 9.8% 12.50 Jan. 31, 2008 806,319 1,559,713
</TABLE>
- - ------------
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<PAGE> 9
(1) All options vested 33% on October 1, 1998, and will vest an
additional 33% on October 1, 1999, and 34% on October 1, 2000.
(2) The options and warrant were granted at or above fair market value
as determined by the Board of Directors on the date of grant.
(3) Amounts reported in these columns represent amounts that the named
executive officer could realize on exercise of options and the warrant
immediately before they expire, assuming that our common stock appreciates at 5%
or 10% annually. These amounts do not take into account taxes and expenses that
may be payable on such exercise. The amount actually realized will depend on the
price of our common stock when the options are exercised, which may be before
the term expires. The Securities and Exchange Commission requires the table to
reflect 5% and 10% annualized rates of stock price appreciation. We do not
project those rates and our common stock may not appreciate at those rates.
OPTION AND WARRANT VALUES. The following table shows information about
the named executive officers' exercises of options and warrants during 1998 and
the value of their unexercised options and warrants outstanding as of December
31, 1998.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 1998 AND YEAR-END OPTION AND WARRANT VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES UNDERLYING VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN-
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AND THE-MONEY OPTIONS AND
WARRANT AT WARRANT AT
SHARES DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1998(1)
ACQUIRED VALUE ----------------------------- -----------------------------
ON EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
----------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ronald J. Mittelstaedt ....... -- -- 133,333 66,667 $2,071,475 $1,043,525
Steven F. Bouck .............. 92,919 $ 861,311 23,749 133,332 160,711 1,529,985
Darrell W. Chambliss ......... -- -- 50,000 100,000 650,422 1,300,828
Michael R. Foos .............. -- -- 50,000 100,000 650,422 1,300,828
Eric J. Moser ................ -- -- 36,667 48,333 351,466 702,909
</TABLE>
- - ----------
(1) Based on the closing price of our common stock of $18.375 on the
Nasdaq National Market on December 31, 1998, less the per share exercise price.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
We have entered into employment agreements with each of the named
executive officers. We entered into an employment agreement with Ronald J.
Mittelstaedt, our President and the Chief Executive Officer, on October 1, 1997.
His initial annual base salary was $170,000, and was adjusted to $200,000 on
October 1, 1998. Mr. Mittelstaedt is also entitled to a performance bonus of up
to 100% of his annual base salary. The other named executive officers were
entitled to base salaries and maximum performance bonuses in the percentage of
annual base salary set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Base Salary(1) Maximum Bonus
--------------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Steven F. Bouck $115,000 35%
Darrell W. Chambliss $ 90,000 50%
Michael R. Foos $ 90,000 35%
Eric J. Moser $ 82,500 20%
</TABLE>
- - ------------
(1) Actual base salaries for calendar 1998; base salaries were
increased effective October 1, 1998, and these data reflect three months at the
higher level.
Each agreement has a three-year term, except Mr. Mittelstaedt's
agreement, which has a five year term. Each of these agreements automatically
renews for additional successive one-year terms unless terminated earlier
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upon written notice of either the named executive officer or Waste Connections
or extended further by the Board. Waste Connections or the named executive
officer may terminate the agreement with or without cause at any time. If we
terminate the agreement without cause (as defined in the agreement) or if the
named executive officer terminates the agreement for good reason (as defined in
the agreement), we are required to make certain severance payments, and all of
the named executive officer's unvested options, warrants and rights relating to
our common stock will immediately vest. A change of control of Waste Connections
(as defined in the agreement) is generally treated as a termination of the named
executive officer without cause.
Under Mr. Mittelstaedt's employment agreement, Waste Connections sold
Mr. Mittelstaedt 617,500 shares of our common stock for $0.01 per share and
357,143 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock for $1,000,000. Mr. Mittelstaedt
may recommend nominees for election to the Board of Directors. If the Board has
five or fewer members, Mr. Mittelstaedt may recommend two nominees, and if it
consists of more than five members, he may recommend three nominees.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The full Board of Directors served as the Compensation Committee of the
Board during 1997. When the employment agreement with Mr. Mittelstaedt was
approved by the Board of Directors, Mr. Mittelstaedt was one of three members of
the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee was appointed in 1998, and
Mr. Mittelstaedt served on that committee for the remainder of the year. He is
no longer a member of the Compensation Committee. No executive officer of Waste
Connections served as a director or member of the Compensation Committee of
another entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director or member
of the Compensation Committee of Waste Connections.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee has furnished the following report on
executive compensation to our stockholders.
COMPENSATION PROCEDURES AND POLICIES. The Compensation Committee
determines the compensation of all of the executive officers, including the
named executive officers. All decisions by the Compensation Committee relating
to the compensation of executive officers including decisions relating to stock
options, are reviewed and approved by the full Board of Directors.
Our executive compensation philosophy and specific compensation plans
tie a significant portion of executive compensation to our success in meeting
specified targets of growth in revenues and earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") as well as budgeted earnings per share
annually. Our compensation objectives include attracting and retaining the best
possible executive talent, motivating executive officers to achieve our
performance objectives, rewarding individual performance and contributions, and
linking executive and stockholder interests through equity based plans.
Our executive compensation consists of three key components: base
salary, performance bonuses and stock options, each of which is intended to
complement the others and, taken together, satisfy our compensation objectives.
The Compensation Committee's policies with respect to each of the three
components, including the bases for the compensation awarded to Ronald J.
Mittelstaedt, as the Company's Chief Executive Officer, are discussed below.
The Compensation Committee considered the effect of the limitations on
the deductibility of executive compensation in excess of $1 million under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code on the Company's compensation
policies and practices and did not make any changes in such policies and
practices for 1998. The Company did not pay any non-deductible executive
compensation in 1998.
BASE SALARY. In the early part of each fiscal year, the Compensation
Committee reviews the base salary of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, the
recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer with regard to the base salary of
the other executive officers of the Company and approves, with any modifications
it deems appropriate, annual base salaries for each of the executive officers.
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Recommended base salaries of the executive officers are based upon the
base salary ranges recommended annually by the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company. National survey data available regarding salaries of those persons
holding comparable positions at comparably sized solid waste service companies
is reviewed by the Compensation Committee to establish base salary ranges. In
addition, Waste Connections retained Towers Perrin, a management and
compensation consulting firm, to perform a compensation study evaluating the
competitiveness of Waste Connections' total direct compensation of executive
officers for the 1999 year. The base salary range is based upon a fair market
base salary that is at the low end of the range for comparable companies. The
base salaries paid in 1998 to each of the executive officers, including the
Chief Executive Officer, were within the recommended ranges.
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE BONUS. The Compensation Committee also considers the
payment of cash performance bonuses as part of its compensation program. Annual
cash bonuses reflect a policy of requiring a certain level of financial and
operational performance, generally measured in growth in revenues through
acquisitions and on achieving target levels of EBITDA and earnings per share,
for the prior fiscal year before any cash bonuses are earned by executive
officers. In general, the Compensation Committee has tied maximum potential
bonus compensation to base salary at levels that make us competitive in the
comparably sized solid waste services companies.
STOCK OPTIONS. The Company's executive officers are also entitled to
participate in the 1997 Stock Option Plan. The Compensation Committee believes
that it is to Waste Connections' advantage to increase the interest of the
executives in our welfare, as such employees share the primary responsibility
for our management and growth. In addition, the Compensation Committee believes
that, because new option grants are set at fair market value, such grants have
the effect of increasing the executive's price targets for our common stock.
Moreover, our stock option plan provides a significant non-cash form of
compensation, which is intended to benefit Waste Connections and its
stockholders by enabling us to continue to attract and to retain qualified
personnel without having a negative impact on our cash flow. The Compensation
Committee generally sets option grant levels at ranges that exceed those of
comparably sized solid waste companies.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S COMPENSATION FOR 1998. Mr. Mittelstaedt's base salary
and performance bonus for 1998 were negotiated when he joined us in 1997. His
Employment Agreement called for an increase in his base salary for $170,000 per
year to $250,000 per year effective October 1, 1998. Consistent with the
philosophy expressed above, Mr. Mittelstaedt recommended, and the Compensation
Committee agreed, that his salary be increased only to $200,000 per year
effective October 1, 1998, and his Employment Agreement was amended accordingly.
Mr. Mittelstaedt's performance bonus for 1998 was based on Waste Connections
achieving specified levels of growth in revenues through acquisitions and in
achieving a specified level of EBITDA. These levels were achieved in 1998.
No options were granted to Mr. Mittelstaedt in 1998.
This report is submitted on behalf of the Compensation Committee.
William Razzouk, Chairman
Michael Harlan
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
OPTIONS AND WARRANTS TO MANAGEMENT GROUP. On February 1, 1998, Steven
F. Bouck was granted options to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock,
pursuant to his employment agreement with Waste Connections. These options
include an option to purchase 100,000 shares at an exercise price of $2.80 per
share, of which one-third is first exercisable on each of October 1, 1998,
October 1, 1999, and October 1, 2000. Of Mr. Bouck's remaining options, an
option to purchase 50,000 shares has an exercise price of $9.50 per share, and
an option to purchase 50,000 shares has an exercise price of $12.50 per share;
one-third of each of these options is first exercisable on each of October 1,
1998, October 1, 1999, and October 1, 2000. On February 1, 1998, Mr. Bouck was
granted an immediately exercisable warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of common
stock at an exercise price of $2.80 per share, which he exercised in March 1998.
On February 23, 1998, Eugene V. Dupreau, a director of Waste
Connections, was granted warrants in connection with Waste Connections'
acquisition of Madera. See "Purchase of Madera Disposal Systems, Inc." below.
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PURCHASE OF WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IDAHO, INC.. On January 30, 1998,
Waste Connections purchased all of the outstanding stock of Waste Connections of
Idaho, Inc. from Ronald J. Mittelstaedt and two former directors of Waste
Connections, J. Bradford Bishop and James N. Cutler. The purchase price was
$3,000, which was the aggregate price that Messrs. Mittelstaedt, Bishop and
Cutler had paid initially for the shares. Messrs. Mittelstaedt, Bishop and
Cutler formed Waste Connections of Idaho, Inc. in September 1997 for the purpose
of acquiring certain assets from Browning-Ferris Industries of Idaho, Inc.
PURCHASE OF MADERA DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, INC. Eugene V. Dupreau was
President and a 16.7% shareholder and Charles B. Youngclaus was Chief Operating
Officer and a 16.7% shareholder of Madera Disposal Systems, Inc. before Waste
Connections acquired it on February 23, 1998. For their shares of Madera's
common stock, each of Messrs. Dupreau (who is a director and our Vice
President-Operations-California division) and Youngclaus (who is our Vice
President - Operations - California division) received $630,662 in cash, 333,333
shares of Waste Connections common stock and warrants to purchase 66,667 shares
of Waste Connections common stock at an exercise price of $4.00 per share. Each
of Messrs. Dupreau and Youngclaus has been engaged by Waste Connections as Vice
President -- Madera. Mr. Dupreau was appointed a director of Waste Connections,
effective February 23, 1998 and is a nominee for director at the annual meeting.
Pursuant to the agreement under which Waste Connections acquired
Madera, in January 1999, we issued an aggregate of 15,444 additional restricted
shares of our common stock to former Madera shareholders, including Messrs.
Dupreau and Youngclaus, with respect to the successful extension of a franchise
agreement that was being negotiated by Madera at the time we acquired Madera.
PURCHASE OF YOUNGCLAUS ENTERPRISES. On September 9, 1998, our
wholly-owned subsidiary, Madera Disposal Systems, Inc., purchased the business
assets of Youngclaus Enterprises, a proprietorship, from Charles B. Youngclaus.
The aggregate purchase price was $139,000, which was paid through the issuance
of 6,510 restricted shares of our common stock.
MERGERS WITH THE MURREY COMPANIES. Donald J. Hawkins was President,
Chief Executive Officer and a 5% shareholder of the Murrey Companies and Irmgard
R. Wilcox was Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Secretary and a 5% shareholder
of the Murrey Companies until Waste Connections merged with those companies in
January 1999. For their shares of the Murrey Companies' common stock, each of
Mr. Hawkins and Ms. Wilcox received 144,442 shares of Waste Connections common
stock. We have engaged Mr. Hawkins as Vice President -- Operations -- Northern
Washington division and Ms. Wilcox as Vice President-Finance -- Northern
Washington division, and have appointed Ms. Wilcox to our Board of Directors.
Pursuant to their Employment Agreements, each of Mr. Hawkins and Ms. Wilcox was
paid a $2,000,000 signing bonus.
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COMMON STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following common stock price performance graph compares the change
in cumulative total stockholder returns on our common stock since May 22, 1998,
the date of our initial public offering, through December 31, 1998, with the
cumulative total return of the NASDAQ Composite Index and an index of peer group
issues ("Peer Group Index") over the same period, assuming the investment of
$100 on May 22, 1998 and the reinvestment of dividends (rounded to the nearest
dollar). The Peer Group Index includes Allied Waste Industries, Inc.,
Browning-Ferris Industries, Inc., Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Republic
Services, Inc., Superior Services, Inc., Waste Industries, Inc. and Waste
Management, Inc.
[PERFORMANCE GRAPH]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
5/22/98 12/31/98
------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Index 100 94
WCNX 100 129
Nasdaq 100 121
</TABLE>
PROPOSAL 2--APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Subject to ratification by the stockholders, the Board of Directors has
reappointed Ernst & Young LLP as independent accountants to audit the
consolidated financial statements of Waste Connections for the year 1999. The
Board of Directors recommends a vote in favor of ratification of the
appointment. If the stockholders should fail to ratify the appointment of the
independent accountants, the Board of Directors would reconsider the
appointment.
It is expected that representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be
present at the annual meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if
they desire to do so and will be available to answer appropriate questions.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP COMPLIANCE REPORTING
Based solely upon a review of reports on Forms 3, 4 and 5 and any
amendments thereto furnished to the Company pursuant to Section 16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and written representations from the
executive officers and directors that no other reports were required, we believe
that the following executive officers and directors each filed one initial
report of beneficial ownership on Form 3 late during 1998: Ronald J.
Mittelstaedt, Steven F. Bouck, Darrell W. Chambliss, Michael R. Foos, Eric J.
Moser, Eugene V. Dupreau, Charles B. Youngclaus, William J. Razzouk, Michael W.
Harlan, James N. Cutler, Jr., J. Bradford Bishop and Eugene P. Polk.
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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2000 ANNUAL MEETING
To be considered for inclusion in next year's proxy materials,
stockholder proposals to be presented at the Company's 2000 Annual Meeting must
be in writing and be received by Waste Connections no later than December 24,
1999.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board of Directors does not know of any business to be brought
before the annual meeting other than the matters described in the Notice of
Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters are properly presented for action,
it is the intention of each person named in the accompanying proxy to vote the
proxy in accordance with his judgment on such matters.
By Order of the Board of Directors
DARRELL W. CHAMBLISS
Secretary
April 22, 1999
A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S 1998 ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FORM 10-K WILL BE FURNISHED TO STOCKHOLDERS FREE OF
CHARGE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT--FINANCE OF THE
COMPANY.
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<PAGE> 15
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
2260 DOUGLAS BOULEVARD, SUITE 280
ROSEVILLE, CALIFORNIA 95661
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS ON MAY 26, 1999
The undersigned holder of Common Stock of Waste Connections, Inc. ("WCI")
acknowledges receipt of WCI's Proxy Statement dated April 22, 1999, and Annual
Report to Stockholders for 1998. The undersigned revokes all prior proxies and
appoints Ronald J. Mittelstaedt and Steven F. Bouck, and each of them,
individually and with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, proxies
for the undersigned to vote all shares of WCI Common Stock that the undersigned
would be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at
the Hyatt Regency, 1209 L Street, Sacramento, California 95814, 9:00 a.m.
(Pacific Time) on May 26, 1999, and any adjournment thereof, as designated on
the reverse side of this Proxy Card.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED ACCORDING TO THE SPECIFICATIONS YOU MAKE BELOW. IF YOU
DO NOT SPECIFY BELOW BUT YOU DO SIGN AND DATE THIS PROXY CARD, THIS PROXY WILL
BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSALS REFERRED TO IN (1) AND (2) BELOW, AND IN THE
DISCRETION OF THE PERSONS NAMED AS PROXIES AS TO ANY OTHER MATTERS THAT PROPERLY
COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND DATE THIS PROXY CARD ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN IT
PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE)
<PAGE> 16
(CONTINUED FROM FACE OF CARD)
/x/ Please mark your votes as in this example.
THE WCI BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE NOMINEE IN PROPOSAL 1.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. Election of the following nominees as directors:
Mr. Eugene V. Dupreau
/ / FOR / / WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
THE WCI BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 2.
2. Ratification of Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent
accountants.
/ / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
3. OTHER BUSINESS. To transact such other matters as may properly come before
the special meeting or any adjournments thereof.
/ / AUTHORIZED / / NOT AUTHORIZED
If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, please mark the
following box and promptly return this Proxy Card. / /
DATED:____________________________, 1999
________________________________________
SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER
________________________________________
TITLE, IF ANY
________________________________________
SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER IF HELD
JOINTLY
________________________________________
TITLE, IF ANY
PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME OR NAMES APPEAR ON THIS PROXY CARD. IF YOU HOLD
SHARES JOINTLY, EACH STOCKHOLDER SHOULD SIGN. IF YOU SIGN AS AN ATTORNEY,
EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE OR GUARDIAN, PLEASE GIVE YOUR FULL TITLE.
IF THE SIGNER IS A CORPORATION, PLEASE SIGN THE FULL CORPORATE NAME BY THE
PRESIDENT OR AN AUTHORIZED OFFICER. IF THE SIGNER IS A PARTNERSHIP, PLEASE SIGN
THE FULL PARTNERSHIP NAME BY AN AUTHORIZED PERSON. PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND
MAIL THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY, USING THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
