<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant / /
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
HEI, 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>
[HEI LOGO]
HEI, INC
P.O. Box 5000
1495 Steiger Lake Lane
Victoria, Minnesota 55386
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 24, 2001
----------------------------------------
SOLICITATION AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
This Proxy Statement is furnished to the shareholders of HEI, Inc. (the
"Company" or "HEI") in connection with the solicitation of proxies to be used in
voting at the Annual Meeting, and any adjournments thereof, of the Shareholders
which will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2001, at 3:00 p.m., Central
Standard Time, at The Planets, 50th Floor, IDS Center, 80 South Eighth Street,
Minneapolis, Minnesota. The enclosed Proxy is solicited by the Board of
Directors of the Company. The Annual Report of HEI, including financial
statements, for the year ended August 31, 2000, is being mailed to each
shareholder with this Proxy Statement. Copies of this Proxy Statement and the
Proxy will first be mailed to shareholders on or about December 13, 2000. The
shareholder giving the enclosed Proxy has the power to revoke it at any time
prior to the convening of the Annual Meeting. Revocation must be in writing,
signed in exactly the same manner as the Proxy, and dated. Revocations of the
Proxy will be honored if received at the offices of the Company, addressed to
Steve E. Tondera, Jr., on or before January 23, 2001. In addition, on the day of
the meeting, prior to the convening thereof, revocations may be delivered to the
tellers, who will be seated at the door of the meeting room. Revocation may also
be effected by delivery of an executed, later dated Proxy. Unless revoked, all
properly executed Proxies received in time will be voted.
Proxies not revoked will be voted in accordance with the choice
specified by the shareholders on the Proxy. Proxies which are signed but that
lack any such specification will, subject to the following, be voted FOR the
slate of directors proposed by the Board of Directors and listed herein and FOR
the increase in the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Company's
1998 Stock Option Plan. If a shareholder abstains from voting as to any matter,
then the shares held by such shareholder shall be deemed present at the meeting
for purposes of determining a quorum and for purposes of calculating the vote
with respect to such matter, but shall not be deemed to have been voted in favor
of such matter. Abstentions, therefore, as to any proposal will have the same
effect as votes against such proposal. If a broker turns in a "non-vote" Proxy,
indicating a lack of voting instruction by the beneficial holder of the shares
and lack of discretionary authority on
<PAGE>
the part of the broker to vote on a particular matter, then the shares covered
by such non-vote Proxy shall be deemed present at the meeting for purposes of
determining a quorum but shall not be deemed to be represented at the meeting
for purposes of calculating the vote required for approval of such matter. HEI
will pay for costs of soliciting Proxies, including the costs of preparing and
mailing the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and this Proxy Statement.
Solicitations will be made primarily by mail. In addition to the use of the
mails, Proxies may be solicited by personal interview, telephone, letter or
facsimile. Proxies may be solicited by officers or other employees of HEI who
will receive no special compensation for their services. HEI may reimburse
brokers, banks, and others holding shares in their names for others for the
costs of forwarding proxy materials to, and obtaining Proxies from, beneficial
owners.
2
<PAGE>
SHARES AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on November 20,
2000 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or at any
adjournment thereof. As of that date, there were 4,782,196 outstanding shares of
Common Stock of HEI; the only class of securities entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote. Cumulative voting
is not permitted. The following table shows as of November 20, 2000, information
regarding the share ownership of each person or group known to HEI to own
beneficially more than five percent of the outstanding Common Stock of HEI, each
director or nominee to become a director of the Company, each Named Executive
Officer (as defined below), and all directors and executive officers as a group.
Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that the persons listed in
the following table have sole voting and investment powers with respect to the
shares owned.
SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENTAGE
---- ---------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Anthony J. Fant, 1,360,273 28.4%
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer(1)
1495 Steiger Lake Lane
Victoria, MN 55386
Kyla B. Fant 286,850 6.0
2154 Highland Ave.
Birmingham, AL 35205
Steve E. Tondera, Jr., 92,900 1.9
Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial
Officer, Secretary, Treasurer and Director(2)
Donald R. Reynolds, 26,375 *
President and Chief Operating Officer(3)
W. Thomas Goodnow, 25,050 *
Vice President Sales and Marketing(4)
Stephen K. Petersen, Vice President Operations(5) 12,908 *
Edwin W. Finch, III, Director(6) 68,250 1.4
David W. Ortlieb, Director(7) 65,000 1.4
Mack V. Traynor, III, Director(8) 67,000 1.4
ALL DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS A GROUP 1,717,756 35.9
(8 persons)
</TABLE>
*Denotes share ownership of less than 1%
(1) Includes 10,000 shares owned directly by Fant Industries, LLC of which Mr.
Fant is the sole shareholder and 79,375 shares issuable upon exercise of
currently exercisable options.
(2) Includes 1,100 shares owned directly by Tondera's spouse and 80,000 shares
issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable options.
(3) Includes 16,875 shares issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable
options.
(4) Includes 23,750 shares issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable
options.
(5) Includes 10,500 shares issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable
options.
(6) Includes 55,000 shares issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable
options.
(7) Includes 65,000 issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable options.
(8) Includes 65,000 shares issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable
options.
3
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Five directors are standing for reelection. The affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares of Common Stock entitled to vote and present or
represented by Proxy is necessary for the election of directors. Each of the
five nominees has consented to being named in this Proxy Statement and to serve
if elected. If elected, these persons will serve as directors for the term of
one year and until their respective successors have been elected and qualified.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR election of the five
nominees. It is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying Proxy,
unless authority is specifically withheld, to vote for the nominees listed
below. Should any nominee become unable to serve, the persons voting the
enclosed Proxy may, in their discretion, vote for a substitute nominee.
Following is certain information about the nominees, all of whom are currently
directors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE DIRECTOR SINCE
---- --- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
ANTHONY J. FANT, Chairman of the Board and 40 1998
Chief Executive Officer of the Company
EDWIN W. FINCH, III, Director 55 1998
DAVID W. ORTLIEB, Director 70 1998
STEVE E. TONDERA, JR., Vice President of Finance,
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, and 37 1998
Director
MACK V. TRAYNOR, III, Director 42 1998
</TABLE>
Mr. Fant has been Chief Executive Officer of the Company since November
1998. Mr. Fant has been a director, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Fant Broadcasting Company (including, for these purposes, various affiliated
companies engaged primarily in television and radio broadcasting) since 1986.
From 1986 to 1996, Fant Broadcasting Company acquired, built or managed a number
of television and radio stations. Mr. Fant currently owns a number of businesses
in diverse industries.
Mr. Finch is the President of Diversified Drilling Corporation and has
been a director and President of FHL Capital Corporation, an investment banking
and business valuation firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions, since
1984. Mr. Finch also served as President of Pinson Valley Millworks, Inc., a
distributor of millworks products, from 1988 to 1996.
Mr. Ortlieb has been an independent management consultant since 1994
and is presently the Chairman of Cronus BioPharma, Inc. Mr. Ortlieb also served
as a director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Immunomedics, Inc., a
biopharmaceutical company, from 1992 to 1994. Mr. Ortlieb has served as a
director and executive officer
4
<PAGE>
of Texas Biotechnology Corporation, American Optical Corporation, Erbamont, N.V.
and Abbott Laboratories.
Mr. Tondera has served as Vice President of Finance, Secretary,
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since June 2000. Prior to
being appointed CFO he was Managing Director of the Mexico Division of HEI. From
October 1994 until June 2000 Mr. Tondera served as Chief Financial Officer of
Fant Industries, LLC.
Mr. Traynor served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
NeoNetworks, a private development stage company designing high-speed data
communications equipment, from October 1998 to January 1999. Mr. Traynor has
served as President of Manitou Investments, a private investment and business
management firm, since 1998. Mr. Traynor was a director of Telident, Inc., a
telecommunications products and services company, from 1998 to 2000. Mr. Traynor
also served as a director of Eltrax Systems, Inc., a networking products and
services company, from 1995 to 1999, serving as Chief Financial Officer from
1995 to 1996 and President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer
from 1995 to 1997. Mr. Traynor served as President and Chief Operating Officer
of Military Communications Center, Inc., a company that provided
telecommunications services to U.S. Military personnel, from 1988 to 1995. He
also served as President of U.S. West Enterprises, a division of U.S. West, Inc.
5
<PAGE>
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD AND CERTAIN COMMITTEES
During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2000, the Board held a total of
7 meetings. Each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total
number of meetings of the Board and the total number of meetings of all
committees of the Board on which he served.
The Executive Committee, which was established during fiscal 1999 and
consists of Messrs. Fant, Finch, and Tondera, has all the authority of the Board
of Directors, except with respect to certain significant and fundamental
actions. The Executive Committee did not meet during the 2000 fiscal year.
The Audit Committee, which consists of Messrs. Finch (Chairman),
Ortlieb, and Traynor, reviews the annual audit plan and results with the
Company's independent certified public accountants and also reviews the
Company's financial statements and its accounting and reporting practices. The
Audit Committee held 5 meetings during fiscal 2000 to review the Company's
fiscal 1999 and 2000 financial statements and the related audit, and to consider
the selection of independent certified public accountants for fiscal 2001.
The Nominating Committee, consisting of all directors, met once during
fiscal 2000 to recommend nominees for the Board of Directors. The Committee will
consider persons whom the Company's shareholders recommend to the Nominating
Committee as candidates for election as directors. Any shareholder wishing to
make such a recommendation should submit their recommendation along with
complete biographical data to the Company's Secretary at least 50 days in
advance of the Company's annual meeting in accordance with the Company's Bylaws.
The Compensation Committee, which consists of Messrs. Ortlieb
(Chairman), Finch, and Traynor, met 4 times during the 2000 fiscal year to
discuss executive compensation.
DIRECTORS' FEES
The non-employee directors receive $1,000 per quarter plus $1,000 for
each regular board meeting, $300 for each committee meeting and $400 for each
special board meeting attended. Each committee chairperson receives an annual
fee of $300. For services during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2000, $35,200
in directors' fees was paid or accrued, in the aggregate, to the non-employee
directors.
DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTIONS
Non-employee directors are entitled to participate in the Company's
1998 Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors (the "1998 Director Plan").
The 1998 Director Plan was adopted by the Company effective as of November 18,
1998, and approved by the shareholders of the Company at the January 1999 Annual
Meeting.
6
<PAGE>
The 1998 Director Plan is administered by the full Board. The Board has
the power to interpret the 1998 Director Plan, to determine all questions
thereunder and to adopt and amend rules and regulations for the administration
of the 1998 Director Plan, except that the Board has no authority, discretion or
power to determine the number or timing of options to be granted under the 1998
Director Plan.
Subject to adjustment in the event of certain significant corporate
transactions, the number of shares of Common Stock issued or transferred, plus
the number of shares covered by outstanding options, under the 1998 Director
Plan may not exceed 425,000 (including any shares remaining under the 1991
Plan). Shares of Common Stock covered by an option which is cancelled or
terminated will again be available to be issued or to be the subject of a stock
option granted under the 1998 Director Plan. Effective as of November 18, 1998,
each individual who was then a non-employee director was granted options to
purchase 55,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to the approval of the adoption
of the 1998 Director Plan by the shareholders of the Company. Thereafter,
commencing with the 2000 Annual Meeting, each individual who is a non-employee
director upon the adjournment of an annual meeting of the Company's shareholder
will be granted options to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock, effective as
of the date of such annual meeting. All of the options granted under the 1998
Director Plan will have an exercise price per share equal to the fair market
value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the
1998 Director Plan will become exercisable in full upon the earliest to occur of
(i) the seventh anniversary of the date of grant, (ii) the first date after the
date of grant on which the fair market value of the Common Stock (as adjusted to
reflect any Antidilution Event) equals or exceeds $25.00 per share, (iii) the
date of the non-employee director's death or disability (as defined in the 1998
Director Plan), and (iv) the effective date of a change in control of the
Company (as defined in the 1998 Director Plan).
The exercise price of stock options granted under the 1998 Director
Plan may be paid in cash, nonforfeitable, nonrestricted shares of Common Stock
that are already owned by the optionee or a combination thereof. Any grant may
provide for deferred payment of the option price from the proceeds of sale
through a broker of some or all of the shares of Common Stock to which the
exercise relates. Shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the 1998 Director
Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury stock. Fractional shares
will not be issued in connection with the exercise of a stock option, and cash
in lieu thereof will be paid by the Company. No option granted under the 1998
Director Plan may be exercised more than 10 years from the date of grant.
Options are not be transferable other than (i) by will or the laws of descent or
distribution, (ii) to one or more members of the non-employee director's
immediate family, or (iii) to a trust established for the benefit of the
non-employee director and/or one or more members of his or her immediate family.
In addition, options may not be exercised during a non-employee director's
lifetime except by (i) the non-employee director, (ii) a permitted transferee of
the non-employee director, or (iii) in the event of
7
<PAGE>
the legal incapacity of the non-employee director or any such transferee, by the
guardian or legal representative of the non-employee director or such transferee
(as applicable) acting in a fiduciary capacity on behalf thereof under state law
and court supervision.
The Board may at any time amend or terminate the 1998 Director Plan.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) except for the adjustments described above,
without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, no such amendment may
increase the maximum number of shares covered by the 1998 Director Plan or cause
the 1998 Director Plan or any grant made pursuant thereto to cease to satisfy
any applicable condition of Rule 16b-3 ("Rule 16b-3") under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"); and (ii) no amendment or
termination will adversely affect any outstanding award without the consent of
the director holding such award.
Options under the 1998 Director Plan are granted automatically. The
number of options to be granted will depend on the number of non-employee
directors elected to the Board and the timing of any such election. No options
may be granted under the 1998 Director Plan after the tenth anniversary of its
effective date. The options to purchase 55,000 shares of Common Stock granted to
each of the non-employee directors as of November 18, 1998 have an exercise
price of $5.50 per share. On January 20, 2000, options to purchase 10,000 shares
of Common Stock were granted to each of the non-employee directors with an
exercise price of $10.75 per share.
8
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following is a list of the Company's executive officers, their
ages, positions, and offices as of November 20, 2000. Each of the Executive
Officers are appointed annually and serve until their respective successors have
been appointed and qualified. The principal business address for each of the
executive officers is P.O. Box 5000, 1495 Steiger Lake Lane, Victoria, Minnesota
55386.
ANTHONY J. FANT. Mr. Fant became Chief Executive Officer of the Company in
November 1998. Mr. Fant has been a director, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Fant Broadcasting Company (including, for these purposes, various
affiliated companies engaged primarily in television and radio broadcasting)
since 1986. From 1986 to 1996, Fant Broadcasting Company acquired, built or
managed a number of television and radio stations. Mr. Fant currently owns a
number of businesses in diverse industries. He is 40 years old.
DONALD R. REYNOLDS. Mr. Reynolds joined the Company in March 1998 as Executive
Vice President, was appointed President in April 1998 and Chief Operating
Officer in January 1999. Before joining the Company, he was employed with BF
Goodrich in senior executive positions in product engineering, marketing and
business unit management, and most recently as Business Unit Director for a
business unit having approximately $30 million in revenues. This business unit
designed and manufactured high technology products (sensors, electronics,
software) for the aerospace industry. He is 42 years old.
STEVE E. TONDERA, JR. Mr. Tondera joined the Company in 1998 as Managing
Director of the Mexico Division. He was appointed Vice President of Finance,
Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company in June 2000.
Prior to joining the Company, he was employed as the Chief Financial Officer of
Fant Industries, LLC. He is 37 years old.
W. THOMAS GOODNOW. Mr. Goodnow joined the Company in June of 1999 as Vice
President of Sales and Marketing. He was made an officer in September 2000.
Before joining the Company, he was employed as the Director of Sales for GSI
Incorporated, Laser Systems Division. He is 47 years old.
STEPHEN K. PETERSEN. Mr. Petersen joined the Company in March 1998 as Director
of Manufacturing. He was appointed Vice President of Operations in September
2000. Before joining the Company, he was employed with Sheldahl in a variety of
positions ranging from Engineer to Plant Manager and most recently as the
Operations Manager. He is 48 years old.
9
<PAGE>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth certain information regarding
compensation paid during each of the Company's last three fiscal years to the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and the other Executive Officers whose total
annual compensation for fiscal 2000 (based on salary and bonus) exceeded
$100,000 (the "Named Executive Officers").
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
NAME AND FISCAL ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION OTHER
PRINCIPLE POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS AWARDS/OPTIONS COMPENSATION
------------------ ------ ------ ----- -------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ANTHONY J. FANT 2000 $150,010 --- 45,000 $2,913(2)
Chief Executive Officer 1999 $75,293(1) --- 90,000 $216(2)
1998 --- --- --- ---
DONALD R. REYNOLDS 2000 $151,731 --- 30,000 ---
President and Chief 1999 $138,788 --- 25,000 ---
Operating Officer 1998 $55,734 $15,000 52,500 $118,519(3)
STEVE E. TONDERA, JR. 2000 $110,011 --- 30,000 ---
Vice President Finance and 1999 $62,094 --- 75,000 ---
Chief Financial Officer 1998 --- --- --- ---
W. THOMAS GOODNOW 2000 $137,394 $31,792 20,000 $3,891(2)
Vice President Sales and 1999 $33,440 $12,000 50,000 ---
Marketing 1998 --- --- --- ---
STEPHEN K. PETERSON 2000 $133,286 --- 17,500 $2,665(2)
Vice President Operations 1999 $115,935 $15,000 18,000 $628(2)
1998 $52,905 --- 45,000 $103,050(4)
</TABLE>
(1) Mr. Fant was appointed Chief Executive Officer in November 1998 and began to
receive salary in January 1999.
(2) Consists of Company matching contributions to 401(k) plan.
(3) Consists of a cash payment in the amount of $118,519 upon the change of
control in August 1998 pursuant to the provisions of 1989 Option Plan. Upon such
payment, all 52,500 options held by Mr. Reynolds at that time were cancelled.
(4) Consists of a cash payment in the amount of $103,050 upon the change of
control in August 1998 pursuant to the provisions of 1989 Option Plan. Upon such
payment, all 45,000 options held by Mr. Petersen at that time were cancelled.
10
<PAGE>
OPTIONS GRANTED DURING FISCAL 2000
The following table sets forth certain information regarding grants of
stock options to the Named Executive Officers during fiscal year 2000 pursuant
to the 1989 and 1998 Plans.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% OF
TOTAL
NUMBER OF OPTIONS
SHARES GRANTED EXERCISE POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
UNDERLYING IN PRICE OF ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
OPTIONS FISCAL ($/SHARE) EXPIRATION OF STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
NAME GRANTED 2000 (1) DATE FOR OPTION TERM (2)
---- ------- ---- --------- ---- ----------------
5% 10%
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Anthony J. Fant (4) 45,000 (3) 9.4% $10.75 1/20/10 787,500 1,253,700
Donald R. Reynolds (4) 30,000 (3) 6.2% $10.75 1/20/10 525,000 835,800
Steve E. Tondera, Jr. (4) 30,000 (3) 6.2% $10.75 1/20/10 525,000 835,800
W. Thomas Goodnow 20,000 (3) 4.2% $10.75 1/20/10 350,000 557,200
Stephen K. Petersen 15,000 (3) 3.6% $10.75 1/20/10 262,500 417,900
1,250 (5) $6.4375 12/6/09 13,108 20,871
1,250 (6) $10.938 02/6/10 22,271 35,463
</TABLE>
(1) All options are granted at the fair market value of the common shares
at the date of grant.
(2) The 5% and 10% assumed annual rates of compounded stock price
appreciation are mandated by rules of the Securities Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") and do not represent the Company's estimate or
projection of the Company's future Common Stock prices. These amounts
represent certain assumed rates of appreciation only. Actual gains, if
any, on stock option exercises are dependent on the future performance
of the Common Stock and overall stock market conditions. The amounts
reflected in this table may not necessarily be achieved.
(3) These options were granted on January 20, 2000. The options will become
exercisable as follows: (i) one-half of the option shares will become
cumulatively exercisable in 25% increments on each of the first through
fourth anniversaries of the date of grant, (ii) one-quarter of the
option shares will become exercisable on the earlier of (a) the first
date on which the closing price of the Common Stock has equaled or
exceeded $15.00 for at least five consecutive trading days, or (b) the
fifth anniversary of the date of grant, and (iii) one-quarter of the
option shares will become cumulatively exercisable (a) in 20%
increments on each of the fourth through eighth anniversaries of the
date of grant, or (b) if earlier, on the first date on which the
closing price of the Common Stock has equaled or exceeded $25.00 for at
least five consecutive trading days, in each case provided that the
optionee remains in continuous service with the Company or any
subsidiary until the applicable anniversary or date.
(4) These options were granted under the 1989 Option Plan.
(5) These options were granted on December 6, 1999. The options will become
exercisable as follows: 100% of the Option Shares will vest and become
exercisable on December 6, 2001, provided that the Option remains in
continuous service with the Company or any Subsidiary until such date.
(6) These options were granted on February 6, 2000. The options will become
exercisable as follows: 100% of the Option Shares will vest and become
exercisable on February 6, 2002, provided that the Option remains in
continuous service with the Company or any Subsidiary until such date.
11
<PAGE>
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES DURING FISCAL 2000 AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF VALUE OF
SECURITIES UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING IN-THE-MONEY
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS
SHARES OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
AQUIRED VALUE AT FISCAL YEAR-END ($)
ON REALIZED EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/
NAME EXERCISE ($) UNEXERCISEABLE UNERXERCISABLE (1)
---- -------- --- -------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Anthony J. Fant - - 79,375 / 135,000 1,344,922 / 2,146,875
Donald R. Reynolds - - 16,875 / 55,000 256,641 / 809,375
Steve E. Tondera, Jr. - - 70,000 / 105,000 1,273,427 / 1,698,750
W. Thomas Goodnow - - 23,750 / 70,000 427,109 / 1,190,625
Stephen K. Petersen - - 10,500 / 35,500 164,156 / 536,656
</TABLE>
(1) Calculated as the difference between the closing price of the Common
Stock on August 31, 2000, which was $23.25, and the option exercise
price multiplied by the number of shares exercisable/unexercisable. If
the option price is greater than the closing price on August 31, 2000,
the value is $0.
There were no options exercised by the Named Executive Officers during fiscal
2000. The Company does not have any outstanding stock appreciation rights.
CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENTS
Previously the Company had entered into agreements regarding
employment/compensation upon change in control with certain executive officers
of the Company. A change of control occurred in August 1998. In the case of Mr.
Courtney, the Company entered into an agreement with him on November 20, 1998,
pursuant to which the Company paid him $540,000 over a two-year period. In the
case of Mr. Nordquist, the Company entered into an agreement with him on
February 10, 1999, pursuant to which Mr. Nordquist resigned as an officer
immediately. The Company paid him his base salary of $110,000 for the one-year
period ending February 10, 2000. In the case of Jerald Mortenson, the Company
entered into an agreement with him on April 24, 2000 pursuant to which Mr.
Mortenson resigned his officership as of June 1, 2000, and resigned from his
employment with the Company on August 31, 2000. The Company made a lump sum
separation payment of $46,500 to Mr. Mortenson. By their terms, all such change
in control agreements expired as of August 2000.
12
<PAGE>
STOCK OPTION PLANS
In addition to the 1998 Director Plan, the Company has adopted, and the
shareholders have approved, two stock option plans pursuant to which the Company
may provide stock-based awards to its officers, directors, employees and
consultants. The Compensation Committee administers these plans and determines
to whom awards are to be granted and the terms and conditions, including the
number of shares and the period of exercisability, thereof.
1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN. The Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan (the "1998 Option
Plan") authorizes the grant of option rights, stock appreciation rights, awards
of restricted shares and awards of deferred shares. The number of shares of
Common Stock that may be issued or transferred and covered by outstanding awards
granted under the 1998 Option Plan may not in the aggregate exceed 600,000
shares.
1989 OMNIBUS STOCK COMPENSATION PLAN. The 1989 Omnibus Stock Compensation Plan
(the "1989 Option Plan") provides for grants of both incentive stock options,
intended to qualify as such under Section 422 of the Code, and non-statutory
stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, deferred stock,
stock purchase rights, and other stock-based awards. Except for the authority to
grant incentive stock options, which expired in 1999, the 1989 Option Plan has
no expiration date but may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time,
subject to the rights of the holders of options or other awards previously
granted under the 1989 Option Plan. The number of shares of Common Stock that
may be issued or transferred and covered by outstanding awards granted under the
1989 Option Plan may not in the aggregate exceed 2,000,000 shares.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee has furnished the following report on
executive compensation: Since its inception, the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors has been responsible for supervising and recommending for
full Board approval the compensation and benefits of the executive officers of
the Company. The Committee has reviewed, at least annually, competitive salary
levels at other companies and set salary ranges for executive officer positions
based on a philosophy of placing the average of the range in relation to the
competitive value of the position. From this reference point, the base salaries
of executive officers of the Company have been set to be commensurate with their
experience, scope of duties and responsibilities and overall level of
performance. At present, the executive compensation program is comprised of
salary, bonuses, incentive opportunities in the form of stock options, and
miscellaneous benefits typically offered to executives of similar type
corporations. Along with other eligible employees, executive officers also
participate in an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The compensation and bonuses for
all executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, have been based
on the performance of the organization. During fiscal year 2000, in setting the
compensation for the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee also
took into consideration peer group comparisons of compensation for chief
executive officers and the contribution of the Chief Executive Officer to the
overall
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<PAGE>
performance of the Company. Annual incentive plans for executive officers and
the entire staff of the Company were developed and implemented in fiscal year
2000. Specific goals for the organization were established along with specific
goals for individual departments. This program was developed to enhance
shareholder value and enable the organization to attract and retain competent
management and employees. The foregoing report is furnished by David
Ortlieb(Chairman) and Messrs. Finch and Traynor.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
As stated above, David Ortlieb and Messrs. Finch and Traynor, comprise
the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. No member of the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors was an officer, former officer,
or employee of the company or any of its subsidiaries during fiscal 2000 or at
any other time.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The members of the audit committee are Edwin Finch (Chairman), and
Messrs. Ortlieb, and Traynor, all of who are independent as that term is defined
in the NASDAQ listing standards. The audit committee held 5 meetings during
fiscal year 2000. On June 12, 2000, the Company's board of directors adopted a
written Audit Committee Charter, a copy of which is provided herewith as
Appendix A. The audit committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial
statements for fiscal year 2000 with the management of the Company.
Additionally, the audit committee has discussed with the independent auditors
the matters required by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61. The audit
committee also has received the written disclosures and the letter from the
independent auditors required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1
and has discussed with the independent auditors the independent auditors'
independence. Based on the discussions and reviews noted above, the audit
committee recommended to the Company's board of directors that the audited
financials be included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-KSB.
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<PAGE>
STOCKHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE PRESENTATION
The following line graph compares the cumulative total shareholder
return on the Company's Common Stock to the cumulative total return of the
Russell 2000 (IUX) and the PHGILASemiCon (SOX.X) Index for the last five years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dollar Date HEI Inc. Russell 2000 PHIGILASemiCon
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
100 8/1/1995 100 100 100
150 8/1/1996 115.22 112.58 61.48
200 8/1/1997 80.43 173.4 135.4
250 8/1/1998 82.61 177.34 70.19
300 8/1/1999 113.59 201.09 189.37
350 8/1/2000 404.35 244.59 418.31
400
450
</TABLE>
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to a Letter Agreement, dated September 10, 2000, between Mr.
Fant and HEI (the "Letter Agreement"), Mr. Fant agreed to sell to HEI and HEI
agreed to purchase from Mr. Fant 1,214,300 shares (the "CMED Shares") of common
stock, no par value, of Colorado MEDtech, Inc., a Colorado corporation, in
exchange for (a) 235,000 shares of common stock, par value $.05 per share, of
HEI and (b) the assumption by HEI of $3,072,650.26 of indebtedness of Mr. Fant,
which indebtedness was incurred by Mr. Fant in connection with the acquisition
of the CMED Shares. The original exchange of shares was part of the Company's
plan to acquire CMED. The Company decided not to proceed and the Company and Mr.
Fant decided to rescind the Letter Agreement on October 25, 2000.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that officers and directors
of the Company and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the
Company's equity securities file initial reports of ownership and reports of
changes in ownership with the SEC. Such persons are required by SEC regulations
to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based
solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it with respect to
fiscal 2000 and written representations from certain reporting persons, the
Company believes that all filing requirements applicable to its officers and
directors have been complied with except that Edwin W. Finch, III filed one late
report on Form 4 for a transaction occurring in February, 2000. Mr. Finch's
Report was filed on March 21, 2000.
15
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL NO. 2
APPROVAL OF INCREASE IN NUMBER OF SHARES
AUTHORIZED FOR 1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN
Employees are entitled to participate in the Company's 1998 Stock
Option Plan (the "1998 Option Plan"). The 1998 Stock Option Plan was adopted by
the Company effective as of November 18, 1998 and approved by the shareholders
of the Company at the January 1999 Annual Meeting. As originally adopted, and
approved by shareholders, 400,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock were
reserved for issuance under the 1998 Option Plan. During fiscal year 2000 the
Board and shareholders approved an increase of 200,000 in the number of shares
to be issued under the 1998 Option Plan. The Board has now approved, and is
recommending an increase of 400,000 in the number of shares that may be issued
under the 1998 Option Plan.
PROPOSED INCREASE IN NUMBER OF SHARES
The 1998 Option Plan authorizes the grant of options to purchase shares
of Common Stock ("Option Rights"), stock appreciation rights ("Appreciation
Rights"), restricted shares ("Restricted Shares") and deferred shares ("Deferred
Shares"). A maximum of 600,000 shares of Common Stock is currently authorized to
be issued under the 1998 Option Plan. As of the end of the 2000 fiscal year, all
but 1,800 shares had been issued or were subject to currently outstanding Option
Rights. Since adoption of the 1998 Option Plan in 1998, 50,300 shares have been
issued upon exercise of Option Rights. As of November 18, 1999, there were
outstanding Option Rights to purchase 547,900 shares of Common Stock.
The Board of Directors believes that granting Option Rights,
Appreciation Rights, Restricted Share awards and Deferred Share awards is
important to attract and retain qualified officers, directors and other key
employees of, and consultants to, the Company and its subsidiaries, and to
motivate these key employees to produce a superior return to shareholders of the
Company. It is the intention of the Board to use these options as incentives to
executives and management. In furtherance of this goal the vesting thresholds
are purposefully set at levels that are 3 to 4 times the share price at the time
of grant. Option Rights, Restricted Share awards and Deferred Share awards (and,
in some cases, Appreciation Rights) enable employees to acquire shares of Common
Stock of the Company, thereby increasing their personal involvement in the
Company, offering them an opportunity to realize stock appreciation, and
rewarding them for achieving a high level of corporate financial performance.
Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, Restricted Share awards and Deferred Share
awards also enable the Company to obtain and retain the services of certain key
employees and are a means of compensating employees of the Company without
depleting the Company's cash resources.
In order to have sufficient shares available for issuance under the
1998 Option Plan, the Board has recommended that the number of shares reserved
and available for issuance under the 1998 Option Plan be increased by 400,000.
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<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF PLAN
The Compensation Committee may grant Option Rights that entitle the
optionee to purchase shares of Common Stock at a price not less than fair market
value on the date of grant, and the exercisability of Option Rights may be
conditioned on the achievement of Management Objectives. Subject to adjustment
as provided in the 1998 Option Plan, no participant may be granted Option Rights
and Appreciation Rights, in the aggregate, for more than 200,000 shares during
any calendar year. The Compensation Committee may provide that the option price
is payable at the time of exercise (i) in cash, (ii) by the transfer to the
Company of non-forfeitable, non-restricted shares of Common Stock that are
already owned by the optionee, (iii) with any other legal consideration the
Compensation Committee may deem appropriate, or (iv) by any combination of the
foregoing methods of payment. Any grant may provide for deferred payment of the
option price from the proceeds of sale through a broker of some or all of the
shares of Common Stock to which the exercise relates. Any grant may provide for
automatic grant of reload option rights upon the exercise of Option Rights,
including reload option rights, for shares of Common Stock or any other non-cash
consideration authorized under the 1998 Option Plan, except that the term of any
reload option right will not extend beyond the term of the Option Right
originally exercised. Option Rights granted under the 1998 Option Plan may be
Option Rights that are intended to qualify as "incentive stock options" within
the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, or Option Rights that are not intended
to so qualify. Any grant may provide for the payment of dividend equivalents to
the optionee on a current, deferred or contingent basis or may provide that
dividend equivalents be credited against the option price. No Option Right may
be exercised more than ten years from the date of grant. Each grant must specify
the period of continuous employment with, or continuous engagement of consulting
services by, the Company or any subsidiary that is necessary and/or the
individual or aggregate Management Objectives that must be satisfied before the
Option Rights will become exercisable. Each grant also may provide for the
earlier exercise of the Option Rights in the event of a change of control of the
Company or other similar transaction or event. Successive grants may be made to
the same optionee regardless of whether Option Rights previously granted to him
or her remain unexercised.
Appreciation Rights granted under the 1998 Option Plan may be either
freestanding Appreciation Rights or Appreciation Rights that are granted in
tandem with Option Rights. An Appreciation Right represents the right to receive
from the Company the Spread, or a percentage thereof not in excess of 100%,
between the base price per share of Common Stock in the case of a free-standing
Appreciation Right, or the option price of the related Option Right in the case
of a tandem Appreciation Right, and the fair market value of the Common Stock on
the date of exercise of the Appreciation Right. Tandem Appreciation Rights may
only be exercised at a time when the related Option Right is exercisable and the
Spread is positive, and the exercise of a tandem Appreciation Right requires the
surrender of the related Option Right for cancellation. A free-standing
Appreciation Right must specify a base price, which may be equal to or greater
or less than the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of
grant, must specify
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<PAGE>
the period of continuous employment, or continuous engagement of consulting
services, that is necessary and/or the individual or aggregate Management
Objectives that must be satisfied before the Appreciation Right becomes
exercisable (except that it may provide for its earlier exercise in the event of
a change in control of the Company or other similar transaction or event) and
may not be exercised more than ten years from the date of grant. Any grant of
Appreciation Rights may specify that the amount payable by the Company upon
exercise may be paid in cash, Common Stock or a combination thereof and may
either (i) grant to the recipient or retain in the Compensation Committee the
right to elect among those alternatives or (ii) preclude the right of the
participant to receive, and the Company to issue, Common Stock or other equity
securities in lieu of cash. In addition, any grant may specify that the
Appreciation Right may be exercised only in the event of a change in control of
the Company. Subject to adjustment as provided in the 1998 Option Plan, no
participant shall be granted Option Rights and Appreciation Rights, in the
aggregate, for more than 200,000 shares during any calendar year. The
Compensation Committee may condition the award of Appreciation Rights on the
achievement of one or more Management Objectives and may provide with respect to
any grant of Appreciation Rights for the payment of dividend equivalents thereon
in cash or Common Stock on a current, deferred or contingent basis.
An award of Restricted Shares involves the immediate transfer by the
Company to a participant of ownership of a specific number of shares of Common
Stock in consideration of the performance of services. The participant is
entitled immediately to voting, dividend and other ownership rights in the
shares. The transfer may be made without additional consideration or for
consideration in an amount that is less than the fair market value of the shares
on the date of grant, as the Compensation Committee may determine. The
Compensation Committee may condition the award on the achievement of specified
Management Objectives. Restricted Shares must be subject to a "substantial risk
of forfeiture" within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code for a period to be
determined by the Compensation Committee. An example would be a provision that
the Restricted Shares would be forfeited if the participant ceased to serve the
Company as an officer or other salaried employee during a specified period of
years. In order to enforce these forfeiture provisions, the transferability of
Restricted Shares will be prohibited or restricted in a manner and to the extent
prescribed by the Compensation Committee for the period during which the
forfeiture provisions are to continue. The Compensation Committee may provide
for a shorter period during which the forfeiture provisions are to apply in the
event of a change in control of the Company or other similar transaction or
event.
An award of Deferred Shares constitutes an agreement by the Company to
deliver shares of Common Stock to the participant in the future in consideration
of the performance of services, subject to the fulfillment of such conditions
during the Deferral Period (as defined in the 1998 Option Plan) as the
Compensation Committee may specify. During the Deferral Period, the participant
has no right to transfer any rights covered by the award and no right to vote
the shares covered by the award. On or after the date of any grant of Deferred
Shares, the Compensation Committee may authorize the payment of dividend
equivalents thereon on a current, deferred or contingent basis in
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<PAGE>
either cash or additional shares of Common Stock. Grants of Deferred Shares may
be made without additional consideration or for consideration in an amount that
is less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. Deferred
Shares must be subject to a Deferral Period, as determined by the Compensation
Committee on the date of grant, except that the Compensation Committee may
provide for a shorter Deferral Period in the event of a change in control of the
Company or other similar transaction or event. The Compensation Committee may
condition the award of Deferred Shares on the achievement of one or more
Management Objectives.
No Option Right or Appreciation Right is transferable by a participant
except (i) by will or the laws of descent and distribution, (ii) to one or more
members of the participant's immediate family, or (iii) to a trust established
for the benefit of the participant and/or one or more members of the
participant's immediate family. In addition, Option Rights and Appreciation
Rights may not be exercised during a participant's lifetime except by (i) the
participant, (ii) a permitted transferee of the Participant, or (iii) in the
event of the legal incapacity of the participant or any such transferee, by the
guardian or legal representative of the participant or such transferee (as
applicable) acting in a fiduciary capacity on behalf thereof under state law and
court supervision. The Compensation Committee may specify at the date of grant
that all or any part of the shares of Common Stock that are to be issued or
transferred by the Company upon the exercise of Option Rights or Appreciation
Rights or upon the termination of the Deferral Period applicable to Deferred
Shares, or are to be no longer subject to the substantial risk of forfeiture and
restrictions on transfer referred to in the 1998 Option Plan with respect to
Restricted Shares, are subject to further restrictions on transfer.
The maximum number of shares that may be issued or transferred under
the 1998 Option Plan, the number of shares covered by outstanding Option Rights
or Appreciation Rights and the option prices or base prices per share applicable
thereto, and the number of shares covered by outstanding grants of Deferred
Shares, are subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits,
combinations of shares, recapitalizations, mergers, consolidations, spin-offs,
reorganizations, liquidations, issuances of rights or warrants, and similar
transactions or events. In the event of any such transaction or event, the
Compensation Committee may in its discretion provide in substitution for any or
all outstanding awards under the 1998 Option Plan such alternative consideration
as it may in good faith determine to be equitable in the circumstances and may
require the surrender of all awards so replaced. The Compensation Committee may
also, as it determines to be appropriate in order to reflect any such
transaction or event, make or provide for such adjustments in the number of
shares that may be issued or transferred and covered by outstanding awards
granted under the 1998 Option Plan and the number of shares permitted to be
covered by Option Rights and Appreciation Rights, granted to any one participant
during any calendar year.
The Compensation Committee must consist of not less than two
non-employee directors who are "non-employee directors" within the meaning of
Rule 16b-3 and "outside directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the
Code. In connection with its administration of the 1998 Option Plan, the
Compensation Committee is authorized to
19
<PAGE>
interpret the 1998 Option Plan and related agreements and other documents. The
Compensation Committee may make grants to participants under any or a
combination of all of the various categories of awards that are authorized under
the 1998 Option Plan and may condition the grant of awards on the surrender or
deferral by the participant of the participant's right to receive a cash bonus
or other compensation otherwise payable by the Company or a subsidiary to the
participant. The 1998 Option Plan may be amended from time to time by the
Compensation Committee but, without further approval by the shareholders of the
Company, no such amendment may (i) increase the aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock that may be issued or transferred and covered by outstanding awards
or increase the number of shares which may be granted to any participant in any
calendar year or (ii) otherwise cause Rule 16b-3 to cease to be applicable to
the 1998 Option Plan.
The total number of stock options or other awards that will be granted
under the 1998 Option Plan in the future is not determinable at this time. The
1998 Option Plan is not the exclusive means by which the Company may grant
equity-based incentive awards and in no way limits the ability of the Company to
grant equity-based awards outside the 1998 Option Plan.
TAX RULES
The following is a brief summary of certain of the federal income tax
consequences of certain transactions under the 1998 Option Plan based on federal
income tax laws in effect on the date hereof. This summary is not intended to be
exhaustive and does not describe state or local tax consequences.
In general: (i) no income will be recognized by an optionee at the time
a nonqualified Option Right is granted; (ii) at the time of exercise of a
nonqualified Option Right, ordinary income will be recognized by the optionee in
an amount equal to the difference between the option price paid for the shares
and the fair market value of the shares if they are non-restricted on the date
of exercise; and (iii) at the time of sale of shares acquired pursuant to the
exercise of a nonqualified Option Right, any appreciation (or depreciation) in
the value of the shares after the date of exercise will be treated as either
short-term or long-term capital gain (or loss) depending on how long the shares
have been held. No income generally will be recognized by an optionee upon the
grant or qualifying exercise of an incentive stock option. However, for purposes
of calculating the Optionee's alternative minimum tax, if any, the difference
between the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock at exercise and the
option exercise price constitutes an item of adjustment. If shares of Common
Stock are issued to an optionee pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock
option and no disqualifying disposition of the shares is made by the optionee
within two years after the date of grant or within one year after the transfer
of the shares to the optionee, then upon the sale of the shares any amount
realized in excess of the option price will be taxed to the optionee as
long-term capital gain and any loss sustained will be a long-term capital loss.
If shares of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of an incentive stock
option are disposed of prior to the expiration of either holding period
described above, the optionee generally will recognize ordinary income in the
year of disposition in an amount equal to any excess of the fair market
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<PAGE>
value of the shares at the time of exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on
the disposition of the shares in a sale or exchange) over the option price paid
for the shares. Any further gain (or loss) realized by the optionee generally
will be taxed as short-term or long-term gain (or loss) depending on the holding
period. No income will be recognized by a participant in connection with the
grant of an Appreciation Right. When the Appreciation Right is exercised, the
participant normally will be required to include as taxable ordinary income in
the year of exercise an amount equal to the amount of any cash, and the fair
market value of any non-restricted shares of Common Stock, received pursuant to
the exercise. A recipient of Restricted Shares generally will be subject to tax
at ordinary income rates on the fair market value of the Restricted Shares
reduced by any amount paid by the recipient at such time as the shares are no
longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or restrictions on transfer
for purposes of Section 83 of the Code. However, a recipient who so elects under
Section 83(b) of the Code within 30 days of the date of transfer of the shares
will have taxable ordinary income on the date of transfer of the shares equal to
the excess of the fair market value of the shares (determined without regard to
the risk of forfeiture or restrictions on transfer) over any purchase price paid
for the shares. If a Section 83(b) election has not been made, any dividends
received with respect to Restricted Shares that are subject at that time to a
substantial risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer generally will be
treated as compensation that is taxable as ordinary income to the recipient. No
income generally will be recognized upon the grant of Deferred Shares. The
recipient of a grant of Deferred Shares generally will be subject to tax at
ordinary income rates on the fair market value of non-restricted shares of
Common Stock on the date that the Deferred Shares are transferred to him or her,
reduced by any amount paid by him or her, and the capital gains or loss holding
period for the Deferred Shares will also commence on that date.
To the extent that a participant recognizes ordinary income in the
circumstances described above, the Company or subsidiary for which the
participant performs services will be entitled to a corresponding deduction
provided that, among other things, (i) the income meets the test of
reasonableness, is an ordinary and necessary business expense and is not an
"excess parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and is
not disallowed by the $1.0 million limitation on certain executive compensation
and (ii) any applicable reporting obligations are satisfied.
REQUIRED VOTE; BOARD RECOMMENDATION
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
entitled to vote and present or represented by Proxy is necessary for the
approval of the increase in the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the
1998 Option Plan.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE
THE NUMBER OF SHARES AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED UNDER THE 1998 OPTION PLAN BY
400,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.
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Unless you specify otherwise, it is the intention of the persons named
in the accompanying Proxy to vote FOR the increase to the number of shares
authorized to be issued under the 1998 Option Plan.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board does not intend to present any business to the meeting other
than as specifically set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
and currently knows of no other business to come before the meeting. If any
other matters are properly brought before the meeting, the Proxies will vote on
such matters in accordance with their judgment of the best interests of HEI.
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
On September 3, 1998, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP resigned as
independent certified public accountants for the Company. During the two most
recent years through the date of resignation, there were no disagreements with
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices,
financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP's report on the Company's consolidated financial
statements for the two most recent years through the date of resignation did not
contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor was it qualified or
modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
The Company selected KPMG LLP, upon the approval of the Board, to be
its independent accountants for fiscal years 1998, 1999 and again for 2000. The
Board has also approved the selection of KPMG LLP to be its independent
certified public accountants for fiscal 2001.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2001 ANNUAL MEETING
In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Corporation's proxy
materials for next year's Annual Meeting of Shareholders, any shareholder
proposal to take action at such meeting must be received at the Corporation's
executive offices, 1495 Steiger Lake Lane, Victoria, MN 55386, no later than
August 3, 2001. Any such proposals shall be subject to the requirements of the
proxy rules adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Shareholders who
intend to present a proposal at next year's Annual Meeting of Shareholders
without including such proposal in the Corporation's proxy statement must
provide the Corporation with notice of such proposal not less than 30 days prior
to the date of next year's Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Corporation
reserves the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other appropriate
action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and other
applicable requirements.
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AVAILABILITY OF REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB
The Company's 2000 Report on Form 10-KSB may be obtained by writing to HEI
Shareholder Relations, P.O. Box 5000, 1495 Steiger Lake Lane, Victoria,
Minnesota 55386.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Steve E. Tondera, Jr.
Corporate Secretary
Dated: November 29, 2000
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<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S><C>
(1) ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
/ / FOR all nominees listed below (except as / / WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for ALL nominees below
marked to the contrary below)
Nominees: 01 Anthony J. Fant 02 Edwin W. Finch, III
03 David W. Ortlieb 04 Steve E. Tondera, Jr
05 Mack V. Traynor, III
Instructions: To withhold authority to vote / /
for any individual nominee, write the number
of nominee in box provided to the right.
-PLEASE FOLD HERE-
(2) INCREASE IN SHARES AUTHORIZED FOR 1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN
(3) In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
matters as may properly come before the meeting.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED
HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER(S). IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY
WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELCECTION OF ALL NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
Address Change? Mark Box / /
Indicate changes below:
Date
--------------------------------
/ /
PLEASE SIGN ABOVE EXACTLY AS NAME APPEARS HEREON.
EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, GUARDIANS, ETC.
SHOULD SO INDICATE WHEN SIGNING. IF A CORPORATION,
PLEASE SIGN IN FULL CORPORATION NAME BY THE PRESIDENT
OR OTHER AUTHORIZED OFFICER. IF A PARTNERSHIP, PLEASE
SIGN IN PARTNERSHIP NAME BY AN AUTHORIZED PERSON.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
HEI, INC.
PROXY FOR ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
JANUARY 24, 2001
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
The undersigned hereby appoints Steve E. Tondera, Jr. and Donald R.
Reynolds as Proxies, each with power to appoint his substitute, and hereby
authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated below, all the shares of
Common Stock of HEI, Inc. held of record by the undersigned on November 20,
2000, at the Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 3:00 p.m., on Wednesday,
January 24, 2001 or any adjournment thereof.
