<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14A-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement / / Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or
Section 240.14a-12
First Mississippi Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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/ $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2)
or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) 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> 2
FIRST MISSISSIPPI CORPORATION
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
November 10, 1995
To the Stockholders:
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of FIRST
MISSISSIPPI CORPORATION will be held in the Garden Room at Dennery's, 330
Greymont Avenue, Jackson, Mississippi, on November 10, 1995, at 2:00 p.m. (CST),
for the following purposes:
1. To elect four (4) Directors to serve for a term of three (3) years
and until their successors are elected and qualify;
2. To act upon a proposal to approve the First Mississippi Corporation
1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan; and
3. To transact such other business as may be properly brought before the
meeting.
Stockholders of record on September 5, 1995, are entitled to notice of and
to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
You are urged to consider the enclosed materials and to sign and return
your proxy promptly in the enclosed, postage prepaid envelope, even if you plan
to attend the meeting. Any stockholder giving a proxy has a right to revoke it
at any time before it is voted.
* PLEASE DATE AND SIGN YOUR NAME EXACTLY AS IT APPEARS ON THE PROXY.
By order of the Board of Directors.
/s/ JAMES L. McARTHUR
JAMES L. McARTHUR, Secretary
FIRST MISSISSIPPI CORPORATION
P. O. Box 1249
Jackson, Mississippi 39215-1249
October 6, 1995
* NOTICE: STOCKHOLDERS RECEIVING MORE THAN ONE (1) PROXY BECAUSE OF SHARES
REGISTERED IN DIFFERENT NAMES OR ADDRESSES MUST COMPLETE AND RETURN
EACH PROXY IN ORDER TO VOTE ALL SHARES TO WHICH ENTITLED.
<PAGE> 3
FIRST MISSISSIPPI CORPORATION
PROXY STATEMENT
SOLICITATION
The enclosed proxy is being SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS of First
Mississippi Corporation, P. O. Box 1249, Jackson, Mississippi, a Mississippi
corporation ("First Mississippi" or "the Company"), for use at the 1995 Annual
Meeting of the Stockholders of First Mississippi (the "Annual Meeting") to be
held in the Garden Room at Dennery's, 330 Greymont Avenue, Jackson, Mississippi
at 2:00 p.m. (CST), on Friday, November 10, 1995, and at any adjournments
thereof. Stockholders may revoke their proxies by written notice to First
Mississippi at any time prior to the exercise thereof, by the execution of a
later proxy with respect to the same shares, or by voting their shares in
person. The solicitation will be primarily by mail but may also include
telephone, telegraph, or oral communication by Officers or regular employees.
Officers and employees will receive no additional compensation in connection
with the solicitation of proxies. Morrow & Co., Inc., has been retained for
advice and consultation and to solicit proxies for the Annual Meeting at a
minimum fee of $4,500. All costs of soliciting proxies will be borne by First
Mississippi. The approximate mailing date of the proxy statements and proxies to
stockholders is October 6, 1995.
ALL PROXIES WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED. IN THE ABSENCE OF SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS,
PROXIES WILL BE VOTED: (1) FOR THE ELECTION OF FOUR (4) DIRECTORS OF FIRST
MISSISSIPPI CORPORATION TO SERVE FOR A TERM OF THREE (3) YEARS AND UNTIL THEIR
SUCCESSORS ARE ELECTED AND QUALIFY; (2) FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE FIRST
MISSISSIPPI CORPORATION 1995 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN; AND (3) ON ALL OTHER
MATTERS BY THE PERSONS NAMED IN THE PROXIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR JUDGMENT.
VOTING SECURITIES
Record Date. Stockholders of record at the close of business on September
5, 1995, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Shares Outstanding. As of September 5, 1995, a total of 20,574,808 shares
of Common Stock were outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share is entitled to
one (1) vote per share on each matter submitted to a vote at the Annual Meeting
except with regard to election of Directors wherein stockholders have cumulative
rights.
According to a Form 13F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
by Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management ("Nicholas"), 600 West Broadway, San
Diego, California 92101, Nicholas beneficially owned as of June 30, 1995, an
aggregate of 1,033,617 shares or 5.1% of Common Stock of the Company. According
to the report, Nicholas has sole voting authority as to 768,085 shares and no
voting authority as to 265,532 shares. Also at June 30, 1995, according to a
Form 13F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Value Line, Inc.
("Value Line"), 220 E. 42nd Street, New York, New York 10017, Value Line
beneficially owned 1,050,200 shares or 5.1% of Common Stock of the Company.
According to the report, Value Line has shared voting authority as to 759,000
shares and no voting authority as to 291,200 shares.
Stockholder Proposals. Proposals from stockholders intended to be included
in the Company's proxy statement for the 1996 Annual Meeting must be received by
First Mississippi on or before June 3, 1996, and may be omitted unless the
submitting stockholder meets certain requirements.
Notice. In order for any business to be transacted at the Annual Meeting by
a stockholder, including the nomination of a nominee for Director, that business
must be properly brought before the meeting by that stockholder giving written
notice to the Secretary of the Company of the business to be transacted, in
addition to other information, no later than five (5) business days after the
Company gives notice of the date and place of the meeting.
<PAGE> 4
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors (the "Board") represents the interests of all
stockholders and is responsible for setting policy and objectives for the
Company in accord with its charter, Bylaws, Mississippi laws and other
applicable governmental regulations. On August 23, 1994, the Board adopted an
amendment to the Company's Bylaws to increase the number of Directors to twelve
(12), effective at the 1994 Annual Meeting. The Board is currently composed of
eleven (11) non-employee Directors and one (1) employee, the Chief Executive
Officer. The Board is divided into three (3) groups, normally elected for
three-year terms. In order to keep the groups as equal as possible, Mr. Fligg
was elected in 1994 for a two (2) year term to expire in 1996. All of the
Directors of First Mississippi have attended at least seventy-five percent (75%)
of the five (5) First Mississippi Board meetings and committees on which they
serve.
The COMMITTEE ON DIRECTOR AFFAIRS is composed of four (4) non-employee
Directors and is responsible for nominating new Board members, appointing
members to Board Committees, assessing Board performance and recommending Board
compensation for action by the Board. The Chairman of this committee also chairs
executive sessions of the outside members of the Board. The Committee on
Director Affairs considers suggestions for Director nominations from all
sources. Stockholder suggestions for nominees for the 1996 Annual Meeting,
together with appropriate detailed biographical information, should be submitted
to the Corporate Secretary no later than June 3, 1996. The Committee on Director
Affairs met three (3) times during the year.
The AUDIT COMMITTEE is composed of four (4) non-employee Directors with
broad latitude for inquiry into all operations of the Company. Its primary
responsibilities include making a recommendation to the Board on the selection
of independent auditors, reviewing audit reports prepared by independent
auditors, internal auditors, insurance auditors and other consultants engaged by
the Company to examine specific areas of corporate operations, and examining the
adequacy of compliance with various governmental regulations and corporate
policies and procedures. The Audit Committee met four (4) times during the year.
The COMPENSATION & HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE is composed of four (4) non-
employee Directors and is charged with the responsibility of recommending to the
Board a program of overall compensation for the Company and its subsidiaries,
including Executive Officers and other Key Employees. These responsibilities
include administration of the Company's Long-Term Incentive Plans. The
Compensation & Human Resources Committee met five (5) times during the year.
Committee assignments are indicated below.
PROPOSAL I
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Article VIII of First Mississippi's Charter of Incorporation and Section
3.3 of the Company's Bylaws specify in part "The Board of Directors shall be
divided into three (3) groups which shall be as nearly equal as may be
possible." Section 3.2 of the Company's Bylaws states "No person shall be
elected to serve on the Board of Directors after attaining sixty-nine (69) years
of age." In August 1995, the Board of Directors adopted corporate governance
guidelines that mandate that a Director shall retire after attaining seventy
(70) years of age.
Sections I and II below set forth for each nominee for election as a
Director and for each continuing Director who is not a nominee, based on
information supplied by him, his age as of the date of the Annual Meeting, any
presently held positions with First Mississippi, his principal occupation as of
the date of this proxy statement and for the past five (5) years, the year in
which his term of office will expire, other Directorships in public companies,
and his tenure of service as a Director of First Mississippi.
2
<PAGE> 5
SECTION I
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS
PAUL A. BECKER Director since: 1985 Term Expires: 1995
Mr. Becker, 56, is a Managing Director of Mitchell
Hutchins Asset Management, Inc., an investment
management company in New York City, and wholly
owned by PaineWebber Group, Inc. Mr. Becker has
been employed by PaineWebber Group, Inc. since
1978. Mitchell Hutchins serves as an investment
manager for First Mississippi's pension plan.
He is a member of the Audit Committee.
JAMES W. CROOK Director since: 1971 Term Expires: 1995
Mr. Crook, 65, is Chairman of the Board of Melamine
Chemicals, Inc. (MCI), which manufactures
melamine in Donaldsonville, Louisiana and has
been since 1987. The Company owns approximately
23% of the common stock of MCI. MCI obtains all
of its raw materials (urea) from Triad Chemical,
a joint-venture between the Company and
Mississippi Chemical Corporation. During fiscal
year 1995, the Company was paid approximately
$7.2 million by MCI for urea. Mr. Crook is a
retired Vice President of First Mississippi, a
position he held from 1965 to June 1985. Mr.
Crook is also a member of the Triad Chemical
Management Committee and a Director of FirstMiss
Fertilizer, Inc. and FirstMiss Steel, Inc.,
subsidiaries of the Company.
He is a member of the Committee on Director Affairs
and the First Mississippi Corporation Foundation
Advisory Committee.
CHARLES P. MORETON Director since: 1984 Term Expires: 1995
Mr. Moreton, 68, has been a private investor,
primarily in the oil and gas business, since
1991. He was Chairman of the Board of Commet
Resources, Inc., a natural gas transmission and
marketing company in Houston, Texas, from 1986
until its dissolution in July 1991. He was a
Director of Tanglewood Bancshares, Inc., Houston,
Texas, until August 1, 1995. He is also a
Director of FirstMiss Gold Inc. and Plasma
Processing Corporation, subsidiaries of the
Company.
He is a member of the Compensation & Human
Resources Committee.
LELAND R. SPEED Director since: 1965 Term Expires: 1995
Mr. Speed, 63, is Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of The Parkway Company, and
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of
EastGroup Properties, real estate investment
companies, both of Jackson, Mississippi. He is
Chairman and Director of Delta Industries, Inc.,
a construction materials manufacturer, a Director
of Farm Fish, Inc. and Mississippi Valley Gas
Company, and President and Director of LHN REIT,
Inc., all of Jackson, Mississippi. He was Trustee
and President of Eastover Corporation from 1977
through December 1994, and President and Director
of Congress Street Properties from 1984 through
November 1994. He was also President, Chief
Executive Officer and Director of Rockwood
National Corporation, a real estate developer,
from 1983 through June 1994. He was a Trustee of
First Continental Investors R.E.I.T., Houston,
Texas from
3
<PAGE> 6
1983 through May 1994. He is also a Director of
Callidus Technologies Inc. and Plasma Energy
Corporation, subsidiaries of the Company.
He is a member of the Committee on Director Affairs
and the First Mississippi Corporation Foundation
Advisory Committee.
SECTION II
DIRECTORS
RICHARD P. ANDERSON Director since: 1987 Term Expires: 1997
Mr. Anderson, 66, is the President and Chief
Executive Officer of The Anderson's Management
Corporation, an agribusiness company in Maumee,
Ohio, and has been since 1981. He is a Director
of Centerior Energy Corporation, an electric
utility company in Cleveland, Ohio, and N-Viro
International Corporation, a waste recycling
company in Toledo, Ohio. He is also a Director of
Plasma Processing Corporation, a subsidiary of
the Company.
He is a member of the Committee on Director Affairs
and Chairman of the Compensation & Human
Resources Committee.
JAMES E. FLIGG Director since: 1994 Term Expires: 1996
Mr. Fligg, 59, is Executive Vice President,
Chemicals Sector, Amoco Corporation, based in
Chicago, Illinois, and has been since July 1993.
He is also President of Amoco Chemical Company,
an international chemical manufacturing and
marketing subsidiary of Amoco Corporation based
in Chicago, Illinois, and has been since July
1991. He has been a director of Amoco Chemical
since 1984. He was Executive Vice President,
International Operations and Polymer Products,
from 1989 to July 1991. During fiscal 1994, three
of the Company's subsidiaries purchased a total
of $1.2 million in products from Amoco Chemical
Company or one of its affiliates.
He is a member of the Compensation & Human
Resources Committee.
ROBERT P. GUYTON Director since: 1969 Term Expires: 1996
Mr. Guyton, 58, is Vice President and Financial
Consultant for Raymond James & Associates, Inc.,
an asset management and investment banking
company in Atlanta, Georgia, a position he has
held since August 1993. He was self-employed as a
management consultant from June 1991 to July
1993. He was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Bank South Corporation, Atlanta, Georgia, from
1990 to 1991. He served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Bank South Corporation from
1981 to 1990. Mr. Guyton is a Director of Power
Sources, Inc., a 50% owned subsidiary of the
Company.
He is a member of the Audit Committee.
PAUL W. MURRILL Director since: 1969 Term Expires: 1996
Dr. Murrill, 61, is a professional engineer. Dr.
Murrill has been a director of Entergy
Corporation since 1994, when it purchased Gulf
States Utilities Company, an electric and gas
utility company in Beaumont, Texas, of which Dr.
Murrill was a director. Until March 1990,
4
<PAGE> 7
Dr. Murrill was also a Special Advisor to the
Chairman of the Board of Gulf States. Dr. Murrill
had also previously served as Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of that
company. He is Chairman of the Board of Directors
of Piccadilly Cafeterias, Inc., a restaurant
chain, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is a Director
of ZYGO, a high precision instrument company,
Middlefield, Connecticut; Howell Corporation, a
diversified energy company, Houston, Texas; and
Tidewater, Inc., an oil service company, New
Orleans, Louisiana. He is also a Director of
FirstMiss Gold Inc., a subsidiary of the Company.
He is a member of the Audit Committee.
WILLIAM A. PERCY, II Director since: 1988 Term Expires: 1997
Mr. Percy, 55, is a partner of Trail Lake
Enterprises, a cotton and soybean farming
operation in Arcola, Mississippi and has been
since 1986. Since September 1992, he has been the
Chairman of the Board of Staple Cotton
Cooperative Association in Greenwood,
Mississippi. Until July 1, 1994, he was a
Director of Mississippi Chemical Corporation
(MCC), which manufactures and sells fertilizer.
First Mississippi and MCC are engaged in a
joint-venture, Triad Chemical, in Donaldsonville,
Louisiana. Mr. Percy is also President and Chief
Executive Officer of Greenville Compress Co.,
Greenville, Mississippi. He was a Director of the
Sunburst Bank of Mississippi, Grenada,
Mississippi, until it was purchased by Union
Planters Bank in July 1995. He is also a Director
of Callidus Technologies Inc., FirstMiss
Fertilizer, Inc., and Plasma Energy Corporation,
subsidiaries of the Company.
He is Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member
of the First Mississippi Corporation Foundation
Advisory Committee.
MAURICE T. REED, JR. Director since: 1965 Term Expires: 1997
Mr. Reed, 69, a private investor, is Chairman of
the Board of Columbia Ventures, Inc., a
registered investment company in Jackson,
Mississippi. He is also a Director of FirstMiss
Steel, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company.
He is a member of the Compensation & Human
Resources Committee.
R. GERALD TURNER Director since: 1987 Term Expires: 1997
Dr. Turner, 49, is the President of Southern
Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, a position
he assumed in June 1995. He was the Chancellor of
the University of Mississippi in Oxford,
Mississippi, from 1984 through June 1995. He has
been a director of River Oaks Furniture, Inc., a
furniture manufacturer based in Fulton,
Mississippi, since 1994. He is also a Director of
First Chemical Corporation and FirstMiss Steel,
Inc., subsidiaries of the Company.
He is Chairman of the Committee on Director Affairs
and a member of the First Mississippi Corporation
Foundation Advisory Committee.
5
<PAGE> 8
J. KELLEY WILLIAMS Director since: 1971 Term Expires: 1996
Mr. Williams, 61, is the Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of First Mississippi and
has been since 1988. From 1988 until August 1995,
he was President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board. He was President and Chief
Executive Officer from 1971 until 1988. He is a
Director of Deposit Guaranty Corporation and
Deposit Guaranty National Bank, Jackson,
Mississippi. He is Chairman of the Board of
Callidus Technologies Inc., FirstMiss Fertilizer,
Inc., FirstMiss Gold Inc., FirstMiss Steel, Inc.,
First Chemical Corporation, Plasma Energy
Corporation, Plasma Processing Corporation and
Power Sources, Inc. (50% owned), all subsidiaries
of the Company.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES.
Cumulative Voting. A stockholder has the right to cumulate votes for the
election of Directors. A stockholder shall have the right to cast one (1) vote
for each share owned by him or her for as many persons as there are Directors to
be elected (4), or cumulate such votes and give one (1) nominee as many votes as
there are Directors to be elected multiplied by the number of his or her shares,
or distribute them on the same principle among as many nominees and in such
manner as desired. The Board of Directors solicits discretionary authority to
cumulate votes.
Voting Procedures on Election of Directors. Stockholders have the right to
vote "For" or "Withhold Authority" to vote for some or all of the nominees for
Directors. Pursuant to the Bylaws and Mississippi law, the presence, in person
or by proxy, of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to
vote shall constitute a quorum to convene the Annual Meeting. Therefore, any
proxy authorized to be voted at the Annual Meeting on any matter, whether or not
marked to "Withhold Authority" or to effect a broker non-vote, will be counted
in establishing a quorum. The election of Directors will require the affirmative
vote of a plurality of the shares voted at the Annual Meeting in person or by
proxy. Votes withheld and broker non-votes will not be included in vote totals
for Director nominees and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. In the
absence of specific instructions, proxies will be voted for the nominees.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The Directors and Officers of the Company beneficially own as of August 23,
1995, Convertible Subordinated Debentures Options, Convertible Preferred Stock,
Nonqualified Stock Options ("NQSO") and Common Stock of the Company as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL
COMMON COMMON
STOCK PERCENT STOCK PERCENT
BENEFICIALLY OF COMMON BENEFICIALLY OF
DIRECTOR/NOMINEE/OFFICER OWNED(1) CLASS STOCK OWNED(2) CLASS
- ------------------------------------------- ------------ ------- --------- ------------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Richard P. Anderson........................ 4,450(3)
1988-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1989-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1990-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1991-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1992-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
------------
5,000 9,450 *
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE> 9
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL
COMMON COMMON
STOCK PERCENT STOCK PERCENT
BENEFICIALLY OF COMMON BENEFICIALLY OF
DIRECTOR/NOMINEE/OFFICER OWNED(1) CLASS STOCK OWNED(2) CLASS
- ------------------------------------------- ------------ ------- --------- ------------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Paul A. Becker............................. 10,000
1988-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1989-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1990-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1991-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1992-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
------------
5,000 15,000 *
James W. Crook............................. 115,787
1988-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1989-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1990-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1991-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1992-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
------------
5,000 120,787 *
James E. Fligg............................. 500
1994-1 Series............................ 1,000 100% 1,500 *
Robert P. Guyton........................... 18,000
1988-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1989-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1990-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1991-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1992-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
------------
5,000 23,000 *
Charles P. Moreton......................... 10,250(4)
1988-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1989-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1990-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1991-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1992-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
------------
5,000 15,250 *
Paul W. Murrill............................ 7,125(5)
1988-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1989-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1990-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1991-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1992-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
------------
5,000 12,125 *
William A. Percy, II....................... 23,275(6)
1988-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1989-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1990-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1991-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1992-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
------------
5,000 28,275 *
</TABLE>
7
<PAGE> 10
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL
COMMON COMMON
STOCK PERCENT STOCK PERCENT
BENEFICIALLY OF COMMON BENEFICIALLY OF
DIRECTOR/NOMINEE/OFFICER OWNED(1) CLASS STOCK OWNED(2) CLASS
- ------------------------------------------- ------------ ------- --------- ------------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Maurice T. Reed, Jr........................ 25,983(7)
1988-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1989-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1990-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1991-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1992-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
------------
5,000 30,983 *
Leland R. Speed............................ 12,720
1988-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1989-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1990-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1991-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1992-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
------------
5,000 17,720 *
R. Gerald Turner........................... 2,900(8)
1988-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1989-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1990-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1991-2 Series............................ 1,000 9%
1992-1 Series............................ 1,000 9%
------------
5,000 7,900 *
J. Kelley Williams......................... 726,811(9)
1986-A Series............................ 40,000 100%
1987-A Series............................ 25,000 63%
1988-A Series............................ 45,000 52%
1989-1 Series............................ 45,000 100%
1990-1 Series............................ 45,000 59%
1991-1 Series............................ 45,000 57%
NQSO..................................... 65,000 68%
------------
310,000 1,036,811 4.97%
O. Edward Wall............................. 0 N/A 11,862 11,862 *
Charles R. Gibson.......................... 0 N/A 13,446 13,446 *
R. Michael Summerford...................... 36,544
1987-A Series............................ 8,000 20%
1988-A Series............................ 13,000 15%
1989-A Series............................ 14,000 42%
1990-1 Series............................ 14,000 18%
1991-1 Series............................ 18,000 23%
------------
67,000 103,544 *
William P. Bartlett........................ 0 N/A 1,227 1,227 *
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE> 11
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL
COMMON COMMON
STOCK PERCENT STOCK PERCENT
BENEFICIALLY OF COMMON BENEFICIALLY OF
DIRECTOR/NOMINEE/OFFICER OWNED(1) CLASS STOCK OWNED(2) CLASS
- ------------------------------------------- ------------ ------- --------- ------------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
All Directors and Executive Officers as a
Group (27 Persons)(10)................... 1,040,046
1986-A Series............................ 40,000 100%
1987-A Series............................ 38,000 95%
1988-A Series............................ 67,000 77%
1988-1 Series............................ 10,000 91%
1989-A Series............................ 16,500 50%
1989-1 Series............................ 45,000 100%
1989-2 Series............................ 10,000 91%
1990-1 Series............................ 59,000 77%
1990-2 Series............................ 10,000 91%
1991-1 Series............................ 66,000 83%
1991-2 Series............................ 10,000 91%
1992-1 Series............................ 10,000 91%
1994-1 Series............................ 1,000 100%
NQSO..................................... 80,650 85%
------------
463,150 1,503,196 7.15%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Represents less than one percent (1%) of class.
(1) Numbers represent shares of Common Stock of the Company underlying the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures and NQSOs beneficially owned by the
Directors and Officers. The Debentures are immediately convertible into the
specified number of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock of the same
series and then immediately convertible into the specified number of shares
of Common Stock of the Company. NQSOs are exercisable no earlier than six
(6) months from date of grant into shares of Common Stock of the Company
and presently all are exercisable.
(2) In connection with the Shareholder Rights Plan adopted by the Company on May
12, 1986, and amended on February 14, 1989, preferred stock purchase rights
were distributed to stockholders and are deemed to be attached to the
outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, including the
outstanding shares of Common Stock reported above as being owned by
Directors and Officers. Under certain conditions, each right may be
exercised to purchase one one-hundredth (1/100) of a share of a new series
of preferred stock, at an exercise price of $30 (subject to adjustment).
The rights, which do not have voting rights, expire in 1996 and may be
redeemed by the Company at a price of $.05 per right prior to a specified
period of time after the occurrence of certain events. In certain events,
each right (except certain rights beneficially owned by 20% or more owners,
which rights are voided) will entitle its holder to purchase shares of
Common Stock with a value of twice the then current exercise price.
(3) Shares voting and investment power of 3,700 shares with Mrs. Anderson.
(4) Shares voting and investment power with Mrs. Moreton.
(5) Excluded are 775 shares owned by Mrs. Murrill of which Dr. Murrill has no
voting and investment power and disclaims beneficial ownership.
(6) Included are shares which Mr. Percy has sole voting and investment power as
President of Klondike Planting Company (8,750 shares) and Greenville
Compress Company (11,500 shares) and all of which he disclaims beneficial
ownership.
(7) Included are 738 shares which Mr. Reed, as Trustee, has sole voting and
investment power and disclaims beneficial ownership.
(8) Shares voting and investment power of 2,800 shares with Mrs. Turner.
9
<PAGE> 12
(9) Included are 170,000 shares of which Mr. Williams shares voting and
investment power, and 3,500 shares for which he has no voting and
investment power. Excluded are 61,750 shares held in the Jean P. Williams
Revocable Trust, of which Mr. Williams has no voting and investment power
and disclaims beneficial ownership.
(10) Except for 8 shares and 100 shares for which Mr. McArthur and Mr. Chustz,
respectively, have shared voting and investment power, and except as
otherwise indicated in these notes, the shares beneficially owned by the
persons indicated in the table above represent sole voting and investment
power. Excluded are 12 shares owned by Mr. McArthur's wife, of which he has
no voting and investment power and disclaims beneficial ownership.
The Company and its Directors and Officers engage in various transactions
with FirstMiss Gold Inc. ("FirstMiss Gold"), a nineteen percent (19%) publicly
owned company, and certain Directors and Officers of the Company are also
Directors or Officers of FirstMiss Gold. The Company's Directors and Executive
Officers beneficially own shares of Common Stock of FirstMiss Gold as follows,
except that those Directors and Executive Officers of the Company that do not
beneficially own any shares of Common Stock of FirstMiss Gold are not listed
below.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF FIRSTMISS GOLD INC.
COMMON STOCK
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL
COMMON COMMON
STOCK PERCENT STOCK PERCENT
BENEFICIALLY OF COMMON BENEFICIALLY OF
DIRECTOR/OFFICER OWNED(1) CLASS STOCK OWNED(2) CLASS
- ----------------------------------------- ------------ ------- ------ ------------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
James W. Crook........................... 0 N/A 18,000 18,000 *
Charles P. Moreton....................... 10,700(3)
1989-B Series.......................... 1,000 33%
1990-C Series.......................... 1,000 33%
1991-B Series.......................... 1,000 33%
1992-A Series.......................... 1,000 33%
1993-A Series.......................... 1,000 33%
------------
5,000 15,700 *
Paul W. Murrill.......................... 1,000
1989-B Series.......................... 1,000 33%
1990-C Series.......................... 1,000 33%
1991-B Series.......................... 1,000 33%
1992-A Series.......................... 1,000 33%
1993-A Series.......................... 1,000 33%
------------
5,000 6,000 *
R. Gerald Turner......................... 0 N/A 500 (4) 500 *
J. Kelley Williams....................... 0 N/A 26,237 26,237 *
Charles R. Gibson........................ 0 N/A 100 100 *
R. Michael Summerford.................... 0 N/A 1,400 (5) 1,400 *
G. W. Thompson........................... 10,000(6)
NQSO................................... 90,000 70% 100,000 *
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE> 13
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL
COMMON COMMON
STOCK PERCENT STOCK PERCENT
BENEFICIALLY OF COMMON BENEFICIALLY OF
DIRECTOR/OFFICER OWNED(1) CLASS STOCK OWNED(2) CLASS
- ----------------------------------------- ------------ ------- ------ ------------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
All Directors and Executive Officers as a
Group (27 Persons)..................... 68,137
1989-B Series.......................... 2,000 67%
1990-C Series.......................... 2,000 67%
1991-B Series.......................... 2,000 67%
1992-A Series.......................... 2,000 67%
1993-A Series.......................... 2,000 67%
NQSO................................... 90,000 70%
------------
100,000 168,137 *
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Represents less than one percent (1%) of class.
(1) Numbers represent shares of Common Stock of FirstMiss Gold underlying the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures and NQSOs beneficially owned by the
Directors and Officers. The Debentures are immediately convertible into the
specified number of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock of the same series
and then immediately convertible into the specified shares of Common Stock
of FirstMiss Gold. NQSOs are exercisable no earlier than six (6) months from
date of grant into shares of Common Stock of FirstMiss Gold and presently
all are exercisable.
(2) In connection with the Stockholder Rights Plan adopted by the Board of
FirstMiss Gold on June 13, 1990, stock purchase rights were dividended to
stockholders of record on June 25, 1990, and are deemed to attach to the
outstanding shares of Common Stock of FirstMiss Gold, including outstanding
shares of Common Stock reported as being owned by Directors and Officers.
Under certain conditions each right may be exercised to purchase one share
of Common Stock at an exercise price of $40 (subject to adjustment). The
rights may be exercised only after commencement of a public announcement of
a tender or exchange offer if, upon its consummation, the offeror would
beneficially own 20% or more of FirstMiss Gold's Common Stock. An "Acquiring
Person" trigger was also provided, making the rights exercisable if a person
holds at least 15% of the Common Stock without the prior approval of a
majority of the independent members of the Board of FirstMiss Gold. The
rights, which do not have voting rights, expire in June 2000 and may be
redeemed by FirstMiss Gold at a price of $0.01 per right prior to a
specified period of time after the occurrence of certain events. In certain
events, without the consent of the majority of the independent members of
the Board of FirstMiss Gold, including certain acquisitions of an Acquiring
Person, each right (except certain rights which are or were beneficially
owned by 20% or more owners or an Acquiring Person, which rights are voided)
will entitle its holder to purchase shares of FirstMiss Gold Common Stock
with a value of twice the then current exercise price. If, following an
acquisition of 20% or more of the shares of Common Stock, FirstMiss Gold is
acquired in a merger or other business combination or sells 50% of its
assets or earnings power, each right (other than rights voided as above)
will entitle its holder to purchase stock of the acquiring company with a
value of twice the then current exercise price.
(3) Shares voting and investment power with Mrs. Moreton.
(4) Shares voting and investment power with Mrs. Turner.
(5) Shares investment power with Mrs. Summerford as to 1,000 shares.
(6) Includes 10,000 shares of restricted stock of which he has sole voting but
no investment power. All of the shares will vest no later than August 22,
1997, provided Mr. Thompson continues to be employed by FirstMiss Gold.
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires Officers and
Directors of the Company and persons who own more than ten percent (10%) of a
registered class of the Company's equity securities to
11
<PAGE> 14
file reports of ownership and changes in their ownership with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and The New York Stock Exchange. The Company monitors
compliance and acts as the Compliance Officer for such filings of its Officers
and Directors and prepares and files reports for such persons based on
information supplied by them. Based solely on its review of such information,
the Company believes that for fiscal year 1995, its Officers and Directors were
in compliance with all applicable filing requirements, except that due to
administrative errors one (1) report on Form 4, Statement of Changes in
Beneficial Ownership, was inadvertently filed late regarding single transactions
by each of Mr. Crook and Mr. Gibson. Both transactions were reported on a Form
5.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Effective January 1, 1995, Directors who are not employees are compensated
for their services with a retainer of $16,000 per year with a fee of $900 per
day for attendance at duly called Board and committee meetings or a fee of $450
for half-day committee meetings except for committee chairmen, who receive a fee
of $1,200 per day for meetings and $600 for half-day meetings. Prior to this
date, non-employee Directors were paid a retainer of $12,000 per year with a fee
of $650 per day for attendance at duly called Board meetings or a fee of $325
for half-day committee meetings except for committee chairmen, who received a
fee of $750 per day for meetings and $375 for half-day meetings. This increase
was recommended by the Committee on Director Affairs to align board compensation
with the compensation of peer group companies. Travel expenses to and from
meetings are reimbursed to all Directors. No fees are paid for informal
meetings. Attendance at meetings held by telephone conference call are paid at
the half-day rate. Directors performing special services at the request of the
Chief Executive Officer are paid a per diem of $900 per day, except for
committee chairmen, who are paid a per diem of $1,200 per day.
Under the Company's 1988 Long-Term Incentive Plan, non-employee Directors
are automatically awarded debenture options on each Annual Award date, the day
after the Annual Meeting, for the first five (5) years of service on the Board
to purchase Convertible Subordinated Debentures. Debenture options may be
exercised any time within ten (10) years after the date of grant to purchase
Convertible Subordinated Debentures. Each debenture may be converted six (6)
months after the date of grant of the applicable option into Convertible
Preferred Stock, which is immediately convertible into 1,000 shares of common
stock, equal to the fair market value of First Mississippi Common Stock on the
date the debenture options were granted.
In fiscal year 1986, the Company established a Deferred Income Plan for
Directors, Officers and Key Employees which superseded the previous deferred
income arrangement and pursuant to which deferral opportunities in any given
year, up to a maximum of three (3) years, were determined at the discretion of
the Board (Plan A). Amounts deferred under Plan A earn interest at a prescribed
rate which, as originally established, was twenty percent (20%), compounded
annually, subject to reduction as described below. The Company is owner and
beneficiary of life insurance policies covering most of the participants in Plan
A. The benefits associated with these policies are expected to cover the
Company's financial obligations incurred in connection with Plan A, including
the interest accrued on the amounts deferred thereunder in excess of market
rates, resulting in no net cost to the Company over the life of the plan. The
Plan provides that the interest rate may be reduced prospectively and, if
necessary, may be adjusted retroactively, due to severe economic changes
including, but not limited to, changes in tax law. However, no retroactive
changes in the rate of a return may occur unless such economic changes are
material, adverse and retroactive in nature. Further, in no event shall the
interest rate on amounts deferred under Plan A be reduced to a level lower than
the ten (10)-year Treasury Note Rate. Effective January 1, 1994, the Director
participants in Plan A still serving on the Board voluntarily changed the
interest rate to one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the applicable annual
federal long-term rate as specified in the Internal Revenue Code. At the same
time, the Board terminated Plan A, subject to the existing rights and
obligations thereunder. The interest rate for the first six months of fiscal
year 1994 for all Directors remained at twenty percent (20%). In fiscal year
1989, the Company established a successor Deferred Compensation Plan for
Directors to insure continuation of deferral opportunities for Directors (Plan
B). Plan B was amended effective January 1, 1994, to change the interest rate
prospectively to one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the applicable annual
federal long-term rate as specified in the Internal Revenue Code. Amounts
deferred under Plan B prior to January 1, 1994 earned
12
<PAGE> 15
interest based on the Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. Prime Rate, less one percent
(1%). The deferrals under both Plan A and Plan B are held by the Company until
retirement, resignation or other termination of services. Director J. Kelley
Williams participates only in the Employee Deferred Income Plan (See Note 8 on
page 16).
The Company furnishes Directors with $100,000 accidental death and
dismemberment insurance protection and $250,000 of business travel accident
protection. The Company also has a Retirement Plan for its non-employee
Directors under which all Directors who have served at least one (1) three-year
term will, under certain conditions, receive an annual retirement benefit equal
to their annual retainer at retirement for each year of service, not to exceed
fifteen (15) years. The amount of the retainer to be received after retirement
shall be fixed at the time of retirement. The plan also provides for a lump sum
payment to a Director under certain conditions in the event of a change of
control and to his beneficiary upon his death.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following sets forth certain information with respect to the Executive
Officers of First Mississippi, including age as of the date of the Annual
Meeting. All Executive Officers are elected by the Board and hold office until
the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and thereafter until their successors
are elected and qualify.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION HELD, YEAR FIRST ELECTED AND TERM OF OFFICE
- ------------------------- --- -----------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Daniel P. Anderson....... 43 Vice President, Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs,
July 1, 1995; Vice President, Environmental Affairs, First
Chemical Corporation, 1990.
Robert B. Barker......... 50 Director, Chemicals Acquisitions, July 1, 1995 and
President, Quality Chemicals, Inc., 1990.
W. P. Bartlett........... 57 President, Callidus Technologies Inc., 1989; President,
Penteco Corporation, 1983-1989.
J. Steve Chustz.......... 47 General Counsel, 1993; Interim General Counsel, May 1993
through November 1993; Associate General Counsel, 1987.
Paul Jerry Coder......... 53 President, EKC Technology, Inc., December 1992; Vice
President, Market Research, EKC Technology, Inc., June
1992; Vice President, KCI Chemicals, Inc., June
1987-February 1992.
Charles R. Gibson........ 58 President, FirstMiss Fertilizer, Inc., 1989; Vice
President, 1985-1989.
Samir A. Hakooz.......... 48 President, SCE Technologies, Inc., 1992; President, Plasma
Energy Corporation ("PEC"), 1991; Executive Vice President
and General Manager, PEC, July 1990; Vice President of
Marketing, PEC, April 1990; Vice President, Marketing and
Vice President of Utility Products for General Atomics
Company, through April 1990.
James L. McArthur........ 52 Secretary and Manager, Investor Relations, 1993; Manager,
Investor Relations, 1988.
Terry L. Moore........... 46 President, Plasma Processing Corporation, 1990; Vice
President, Marketing of PEC, 1988-1990.
George M. Simmons........ 52 President, First Chemical Corporation, July 1, 1995; Vice
President, Marketing, First Chemical Corporation, 1985.
R. Michael Summerford.... 47 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, 1988; Vice
President, 1983-1988.
</TABLE>
13
<PAGE> 16
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION HELD, YEAR FIRST ELECTED AND TERM OF OFFICE
- ------------------------- --- -----------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Thomas G. Tepas.......... 48 President and Chief Operating Officer, August 1995; Various
senior management positions with Hercules, Inc., including
Senior Vice President, 1994 to August 1995; Group Vice
President and President of the Food and Functional
Products Division, 1992; President of the Flavor and Food
Ingredients Division, 1991.
G. W. Thompson........... 53 President and Chief Executive Officer, FirstMiss Gold Inc.,
September 1, 1994; Director of FirstMiss Gold, May 1994;
Private Investor and Consultant, 1992-September 1, 1994;
President and Chief Executive Officer, Meridian Minerals
Company, a subsidiary of Burlington Resources, Inc.,
1983-1992.
O. Edward Wall........... 60 Vice President, July 1, 1995; President, First Chemical
Corporation, 1981-June 30, 1995.
J. Kelley Williams....... 61 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, August
1995; Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer, 1988; President and Chief Executive Officer,
1971-1988.
Frank D. Winter.......... 54 Chairman, FirstMiss Steel, Inc., 1992; Self-employed
consultant, 1991-1992; President, Atlas Specialty Steels,
1987-1991.
</TABLE>
14
<PAGE> 17
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG-TERM
------------------------------- COMPENSATION
OTHER ------------ ALL
ANNUAL SECURITIES OTHER
COMPEN- UNDERLYING COMPEN-
NAME AND PRINCIPAL SALARY BONUS SATION(1) OPTIONS(2) SATION(3)
POSITION YEAR ($) ($) ($) (#) ($)
- ---------------------------- ----- -------- -------- --------- ------------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J. Kelley Williams(4) 1995 450,000 360,000 114,847(5) 0 22,050(8)(9)(10)
Chairman, President & 1994 330,000 200,000 (6) 0 52,975
Chief Executive Officer 1993 430,833 0 222,214(5) 35,000 87,307
O. Edward Wall 1995 213,115 101,000 (6) 6,700 32,309(8)(9)(10)
President, First Chemical 1994 202,265 99,200 643,912(5)(7) 3,200 29,563
Corporation 1993 195,822 88,900 152,542(5)(7) 5,000 24,427
Charles R. Gibson 1995 181,113 86,100 401,783(5) 8,700 26,132(8)(9)(10)
President, FirstMiss 1994 168,916 82,800 35,393(5) 17,200 23,816
Fertilizer, Inc. 1993 165,605 61,300 (6) 15,000 19,821
R. Michael Summerford 1995 191,725 86,900 212,965(5) 10,200 11,701(8)(9)(10)
Vice President and 1994 182,458 73,400 (6) 21,300 11,357
Chief Financial Officer 1993 177,216 0 (6) 25,000 10,381
William P. Bartlett 1995 163,764 81,300 (6) 0 8,036(9)(10)
President, Callidus 1994 161,264 0 (6) 0 8,297
Technologies Inc. 1993 155,000 52,700 (6) 0 7,604
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Other Annual Compensation includes payouts under Performance Option
arrangements, direct cash payments related to tax reimbursements related to
long-term incentives, tax planning and tax return preparation services, and
imputed income and tax reimbursements resulting from the personal use of
Company automobiles and country clubs. Tax reimbursement payments represent
payments to eligible employees of thirty-seven percent (37%) of the
Company's federal income tax deduction resulting from the exercise of
Convertible Subordinated Debenture Options, NQSOs, Incentive Stock Options
(ISO) and Performance Options. These payments are not applicable for
options granted August 22, 1995.
(2) NQSOs were granted to Officers and certain key employees of the Company in
1995, 1994 and 1993. All option awards were granted under the 1988
Long-Term Incentive Plan. No shares of Common Stock of the Company are
available for the grant of awards under the 1980 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
(3) All Other Compensation is comprised of Company contributions related to the
Company's 401(k) Plan, including amounts provided by the Company's Benefits
Restoration Plan ("BRP"), executive life insurance paid by the Company on
the Executive Officer's behalf, and the above market portion of interest
earned under the Deferred Income Plan (Plan A).
The BRP permits participants in the 401(k) Plan to make contributions, and
the Company to match the same, in amounts permitted by the 401(k) Plan but
which would otherwise be in excess of those permitted by certain Internal
Revenue Code limitations.
(4) Mr. Williams' base salary was reduced twenty-five percent (25%) at his
request from June 1, 1993 to July 1, 1994, in consideration of losses due
to restructuring in fiscal 1993.
(5) Tax reimbursement payments in fiscal year 1995 to Mr. Williams, Mr. Gibson
and Mr. Summerford were $78,625, $386,803 and $196,493, respectively. Tax
reimbursement payments in fiscal year 1994 to Mr. Wall and Mr. Gibson were
$169,826 and $23,171, respectively. Tax reimbursement payments in fiscal
year 1993 to Mr. Williams and Mr. Wall were $191,087 and $51,863,
respectively.
(6) Aggregate perquisites and other personal benefits were less than $50,000 or
ten percent (10%) of the total annual salary and bonus reported for the
named Executive Officer and thus are excluded from the table.
15
<PAGE> 18
(7) Includes payments received by Mr. Wall on exercise of Performance Options
of $458,990 in 1994 and $80,958 in 1993. Performance Option awards are
payable only in cash based on appreciation in value of units, such
appreciated value being based on First Chemical Corporation's pre-tax
operating profit and the price earnings multiples of a peer group of
publicly held companies. Performance units are exercisable no earlier than
six (6) months from date of grant and until ten (10) years from grant. The
units are valued on a quarterly basis and may be exercised by the
participant within fifteen (15) business days from the date of valuation.
(8) Above market interest earned under the Deferred Income Plan in fiscal year
1995 was $0, $21,865, $17,252, and $2,482 for Mr. Williams, Mr. Wall, Mr.
Gibson and Mr. Summerford, respectively. Mr. Williams voluntarily changed
the interest rate on his deferrals effective January 1, 1994 to one hundred
twenty percent (120%) of the applicable annual federal long-term rate as
specified in the Internal Revenue Code. See "Directors Compensation."
(9) Company contributions to the 401(k) Plan in fiscal year 1995 were $6,000
each for Mr. Williams, Mr. Wall, Mr. Gibson, Mr. Summerford and Mr.
Bartlett, and accruals to the 401(k) related BRP were $12,000, $2,524,
$1,245, $1,479 and $551 for Mr. Williams, Mr. Wall, Mr. Gibson, Mr.
Summerford and Mr. Bartlett, respectively.
(10) Executive life insurance paid by the Company in fiscal year 1995 was
$4,050, $1,920, $1,635, $1,740 and $1,485 for Mr. Williams, Mr. Wall, Mr.
Gibson, Mr. Summerford and Mr. Bartlett, respectively.
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR 1995*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
AT
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
----------------------------------------------- STOCK
NUMBER OF % OF TOTAL PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
SECURITIES OPTIONS TEN-YEAR
UNDERLYING GRANTED EXERCISE OPTION TERM ($)(1)
OPTIONS TO ALL PRICE EXPIRATION ----------------------------
NAME GRANTED EMPLOYEES ($/SHARE) DATE 5% 10%
- ------------------------------ --------- ---------- --------- ---------- ------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J. Kelley Williams............ 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
O. Edward Wall................ 6,700 7% 32.8125 08/22/05 138,259 350,374
Charles R. Gibson............. 8,700 9% 32.8125 08/22/05 179,530 454,964
R. Michael Summerford......... 10,200 11% 32.8125 08/22/05 210,483 533,406
William P. Bartlett........... 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
- ------------------
All Stockholders.............. N/A N/A N/A N/A 424,367,254 1,075,429,940
All Optionees................. 93,600 100% 32.8125 08/22/05 1,931,493 4,894,782
Optionee Gains as a % of All
Stockholders' Gain.......... .5% .5%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Options shown in this table represent NQSOs granted to employees under the
1988 Long-Term Incentive Plan on August 22, 1995.
(1) The dollar amounts under these columns represent the potential realizable
value, assuming that the market value of the Company's Common Stock
appreciates from the date of grant to the expiration of the option at
annualized rates of 5% and 10%. These assumed rates of appreciation have
been specified by the SEC for illustrative purposes only and are not
intended to forecast future financial performance or possible future
appreciation in the price of First Mississippi Common Stock. Optionees will
only realize value from this grant if the price of First Mississippi Common
Stock appreciates, which would benefit all stockholders commensurately.
16
<PAGE> 19
FISCAL YEAR 1995 OPTION EXERCISES AND YEAR END VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATE VALUE OF
NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNEXERCISED, IN-THE-MONEY
NUMBER OF UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT 6/30/95($)
SHARES OPTIONS AT 6/30/95 ---------------------------
ACQUIRED VALUE --------------------------- EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
NAME ON EXERCISE REALIZED($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE (1) (2)
- ----------------------------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J. Kelley Williams........... 40,000 212,500 335,000 0 7,576,563 N/A
O. Edward Wall............... -- -- 36,200 0 767,000 N/A
Charles R. Gibson............ 94,200 1,045,413 17,200 0 327,875 N/A
R. Michael Summerford........ 42,700 531,063 93,300 0 1,921,281 N/A
William P. Bartlett.......... -- -- N/A N/A N/A N/A
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Value was computed as the difference between the individual option price and
the per share closing price of First Mississippi Common Stock on June 30,
1995, as reported on the consolidated transaction system for New York Stock
Exchange issues. Only options with fair market values in excess of the
exercise price are reflected in this column.
(2) No value is shown because there were no unexercisable options at fiscal year
end.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN -- AWARDS IN FISCAL YEAR 1995*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE OR ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS UNDER
OTHER PERIOD UNTIL NON-STOCK PRICED-BASED PLANS($)
NUMBER OF MATURATION OR ---------------------------------
NAME UNITS PAYOUT THRESHOLD TARGET MAXIMUM
- --------------------------------- --------- ------------------ --------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William P. Bartlett(1)........... 3,500 5 years -- 140,000 --
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Options shown in this table represent performance units granted on August
22, 1995.
(1) In 1991, the Board adopted a performance unit plan for Callidus Technologies
Inc. providing for annual performance award grants payable in cash only at
the end of a five (5) year period. Each annual grant specifies earnings
targets for the performance period and a unit valuation formula based on
actual operating results versus targets. The threshold (or minimum) payout
may be zero. There is no limit on the maximum payout. To date, no value has
been realized on these performance units.
OTHER COMPENSATION
In 1970, the stockholders authorized the noncontributory Retirement Plan
for the Employees of First Mississippi. Employees become one hundred percent
(100%) vested after five (5) years of employment. The plan provides for normal
retirement at age sixty-five (65) with actuarially adjusted provisions for early
and postponed retirement dates. Retirement benefits are based on years of
service and average compensation (wages and salary) of the five (5) highest
consecutive years during employment. The benefits listed in the table below are
not subject to any reduction for social security or other offset amounts.
17
<PAGE> 20
The following table shows the estimated annual retirement benefit payable
to participating employees including Executive Officers based on earnings and
years of service classifications as indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE ANNUAL ESTIMATED ANNUAL BENEFITS FOR YEARS OF CREDITED
COMPENSATION SERVICE
(5 HIGHEST -----------------------------------------------
CONSECUTIVE YEARS) 10 YEARS 20 YEARS 30 YEARS 40 YEARS
----------------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$100,000.............................. $ 17,712 $ 35,424 $ 53,136 $ 70,848
150,000.............................. 26,712 53,424 80,136 106,848
200,000.............................. 35,712 71,424 107,136 142,848
300,000.............................. 53,712 107,424 161,136 214,848
400,000.............................. 71,712 143,424 215,136 286,848
450,000.............................. 80,712 161,424 242,136 322,848
500,000.............................. 89,712 179,424 269,136 358,848
</TABLE>
The table includes amounts that exceed limitations allowed under Section
415 of the Code. The Company's BRP provides that if a retired employee's
benefits calculated under the Retirement Plan exceed the maximum allowed under
the Code, the Company will supplement such employee's benefits to the extent
such benefit is in excess of the limitation.
Years of service for the Executive Officers listed in the Summary
Compensation Table are: J. Kelley Williams, twenty-nine (29) years; Charles R.
Gibson, twenty-five (25) years; O. Edward Wall, twenty-three (23) years; R.
Michael Summerford, seventeen (17) years; and William P. Bartlett, six (6)
years.
Termination Agreements. Effective August 22, 1995, the Board approved
Termination Agreements for the Executive Officers of the Company, including J.
Kelley Williams, Charles R. Gibson, O. Edward Wall, R. Michael Summerford and
William P. Bartlett. The Agreements are contingent upon a Change of Control, as
defined in the Agreements, and provide for three-year terms which are
automatically extended unless the Company determines not to renew or in the
event of a Change of Control of the Company. Each individual, other than the
Chief Executive Officer, would be paid upon termination without cause or upon
resignation for good reason within three (3) years of a Change of Control, three
(3) times the sum of the five-year average of his annual base salary and bonus.
The Chief Executive Officer would receive the same payment upon his resignation
for any reason within three (3) years of a Change of Control. Upon termination,
the individual would have the option, unless he notifies the Company otherwise,
to receive a cash payment equal to the cash value of all his NQSOs, Debenture
Options and Debentures, whether then exercisable or not. Following termination,
the Company will pay amounts previously due to individuals for early stock
disposition of grants issued in 1994 and earlier under the Company's tax sharing
plan. No individual would receive payments in the event of death, disability or
termination for cause. In addition, the Agreements provide for an additional
payment to be made by the Company to the Chief Executive Officer if any of the
severance payments provided for by the Agreements or any other payments made
pursuant to a Change of Control of the Company (the "Total Payments") become
subject to an additional tax ("Excise Tax") imposed by Section 4999 of the Code,
such that the net of all of the payments received by the Officer after the
imposition of the Excise Tax on the Total Payments and any federal income tax on
the additional payment shall be equal to the Total Payments.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The CEO serves as a member ex-officio of the Compensation & Human Resources
Committee, but may not serve as Chairman or vote or participate in or be present
for Committee decisions regarding his own compensation. He does not make
recommendations about nor participate in decisions regarding any aspect of his
compensation.
In addition, Mr. Crook, who retired from the Company as Vice President in
1985, is Chairman of MCI and Mr. Summerford, an Executive Officer of the
Company, and Mr. McAuley, a former Executive Officer of the Company, are
directors of MCI. Mr. McAuley also serves on its Compensation Committee.
18
<PAGE> 21
COMPENSATION & HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE REPORT
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Philosophy. The Company's compensation philosophy is designed to maximize
stockholder value and serve the best interest of stockholders and employees. The
philosophy incorporates the following principles:
(a) Compensation should attract and retain qualified employees and
stimulate their useful and profitable efforts on behalf of the
Company;
(b) Compensation should be internally equitable and externally
competitive; and
(c) Compensation should be defined broadly and comprehensively.
Committee Members. The Compensation & Human Resources Committee (the
"Compensation Committee") is a Committee of the Board composed of not less than
three (3) Directors who are not officers or regular employees of the Company or
of any subsidiary of the Company. The Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of the
Company is also a member ex-officio but may not serve as chairman or vote or
participate in or be present for Compensation Committee decisions regarding his
own compensation. The Compensation Committee selects and is advised by
independent outside consultants as considered appropriate.
Charter. The Compensation Committee operates under a charter approved by
the Board in August 1990, and amended in August 1994, which formally defines
responsibilities, authorities, and procedures. The charter provides for members
to be elected annually by the Board. The chairman is elected annually by the
Compensation Committee, but may not serve longer than three consecutive years.
The primary responsibility of the Compensation Committee is to assure
development, implementation, and maintenance of competitive compensation and
benefits to attract, motivate, and retain qualified officers, management, and
employees.
Overall compensation and benefits are targeted at the median or mid-market
of peer companies. Compensation includes base pay and annual and long-term
performance incentives. Incentives are tied to financial results versus peer
companies and/or to specific performance objectives linked to stockholder value.
Peer companies are public companies with products and markets and other
characteristics comparable to the Company and/or its subsidiaries.
Duties. The Compensation Committee's duties include the following:
(a) To recommend to the Board compensation policies for the Company and
its subsidiaries;
(b) To recommend to the Board the base salary and annual incentive
awards for Executive Officers;
(c) To review and report to the Board base salaries and annual incentive
awards for other highly compensated officers and employees; and
(d) To designate participants and grant awards under the Long-Term
Incentive Plan.
COMPONENTS OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Base Salary. The Compensation Committee annually reviews and compares base
salaries and salary ranges for similar positions in other companies in relevant
markets defined by company size, industry and location. Executive, technical and
other highly compensated positions are valued in the national market using data
developed by nationally recognized compensation consulting firms. The published
compensation data used by the Compensation Committee to establish base salary
ranges is not necessarily comprised of the same peer group of companies included
in the Five-Year Cumulative Total Return Graph. Salary ranges and actual
salaries are adjusted annually, taking into consideration position value, market
pricing, operating results, individual performance and other relevant factors.
The Compensation Committee recommended and the Board approved merit
increases to the four (4) named Executive Officers other than the CEO which
averaged 5.8% in fiscal 1995.
19
<PAGE> 22
Annual Incentive Awards. Annual incentive awards, in the form of cash
payments, are designed to achieve specific short-term results and to further
long-term objectives. Financial and other objectives for the Company,
subsidiaries, and program participants are set at the beginning of each fiscal
year. The process involves the Board, the Compensation Committee, the CEO, and
program participants. The Compensation Committee annually reviews and recommends
to the Board participation and award opportunity. Award opportunity is based on
guidelines developed by nationally recognized compensation consultants. At
fiscal year end, incentives are awarded following review of Company and
subsidiary results and performance versus objectives and peer results and
personal performance of participants versus objectives. As a general rule, no
awards are made unless the Company is profitable. However, awards have been made
for superior individual performance in profitable subsidiaries when the Company
has had a loss.
The Compensation Committee recommended and the Board approved $355,300 in
annual incentive awards for the four (4) named Executive Officers other than the
CEO based on Company and subsidiary financial results, performance compared to
peers and achievement of personal objectives for fiscal 1995.
Long-Term Incentive Awards. Participation in the Long-Term Incentive Plan
is limited to officers and key managers based on responsibility, authority,
potential impact on the Company, and competitive practice for similar positions
in peer companies. The Compensation Committee annually reviews and approves
participation and potential award ranges. Award ranges are based on guidelines
developed by nationally recognized compensation consultants. At fiscal year end,
the Compensation Committee reviews Company condition and performance versus
long-term goals and recommends awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan. Awards
may be in the form of stock options, debenture options, restricted stock, stock
appreciation rights, performance units, supplemental cash, or other such forms
as appropriate.
The Company also has adopted five (5) Performance Unit Plans outside of the
Long-Term Incentive Plans for certain of its non-public subsidiaries in which
subsidiary executive officers participate. In four (4) plans, awards are payable
in cash only based on the subsidiary's profits and price earning multiples of a
group of publicly held peer companies. In the other plan, awards are payable in
cash only at the end of a five-year period based on actual results versus
targets.
The Compensation Committee granted 25,600 nonqualified stock options and
3,500 performance units to the four (4) named Executive Officers excluding the
CEO for fiscal 1995.
CEO Compensation. At fiscal year end, the independent Directors evaluate
the CEO's performance versus objectives established at the beginning of the
year. The Compensation Committee considers this evaluation and compensation at
peer companies in its review and makes a recommendation to the Board regarding
CEO compensation. Mr. Williams' performance review in fiscal 1995 included an
assessment of total return to shareholders versus peers, return on equity,
operating earnings compared to budget and prior year, financial performance
versus peers, restructuring and dispositions, balance sheet improvements and
market capitalization. Based on the Compensation Committee's recommendation, the
Board approved an annual incentive of $360,000. Mr. Williams' salary was also
increased to $450,000 effective July 1, 1994, which is a 2.3% increase over his
salary before the June 1, 1993 reduction (see Summary Compensation Table).
COMPENSATION & HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Richard P. Anderson, Chairman
James E. Fligg
Charles P. Moreton
Maurice T. Reed, Jr.
The report of the Compensation Committee shall not be deemed incorporated
by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy
Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (collectively the "Acts"), except to the extent the Company
specifically incorporates this information by reference and shall not otherwise
be deemed filed under such Acts.
20
<PAGE> 23
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following line graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return
on First Mississippi's Common Stock during the five (5) year period ended June
30, 1995 to the Standard and Poor's 500 Stock Index and that of peer issuers
selected by the Company over the same period. The graph assumes a one hundred
dollar ($100) investment on June 30, 1990.
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE RETURN
FIRST MISSISSIPPI CORPORATION
S&P 500 INDEX & PEER GROUP
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEASUREMENT PERIOD FIRST MISSIS- S&P 500 IN-
(FISCAL YEAR COVERED) SIPPI CORP. DEX PEER GROUP
<S> <C> <C> <C>
6/30/90 100.00 100.00 100.00
6/30/91 97.65 107.39 87.35
6/30/92 100.47 121.73 86.58
6/30/93 87.81 138.26 100.23
6/30/94 142.55 140.24 109.70
6/30/95 323.30 176.73 111.69
</TABLE>
The peer group consists of public companies operating in the same
industries as First Mississippi. Peer companies were grouped by industry and
weighted by market capitalization. Industry indices were then weighted by the
Company's asset mix, including chemicals, fertilizer, gold, oil and gas and
coal. The latter two were excluded for 1994 and 1995 due to the Company's
disposition of its oil and gas and coal operations and are not a part of 1994's
or 1995's operating results.
Companies in the 1995 peer group are: Agnico-Eagle Mines, Atlas
Corporation, Battle Mountain Gold, Dexter Corporation, Echo Bay Mines, Ltd., FMC
Gold, Freeport McMoRan Resource Partners, L.P., IMC Fertilizer Group, MacDermid,
Inc., New Jersey Steel, NS Group, Olin Corporation, Quaker Chemical and Terra
Industries. Energy companies included in 1991-1993 comparisons are: Amax, Inc.,
AOI Coal, ENSERCH Corporation, Forest Oil, Wainoco Oil and Westmoreland Coal.
Quantum Chemical was removed from the 1994 comparisons after being bought by
Hanson plc.
21
<PAGE> 24
PROPOSAL II
APPROVAL OF THE 1995 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
The Company's 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan") was adopted by the
Board of Directors on August 22, 1995, subject to shareholder approval. The
purpose of the Plan is to further the growth in earnings and market appreciation
of the Company by providing long-term incentive to directors and employees of
the Company and its subsidiaries, partnerships and joint ventures. The Company
believes the Plan will help attract, retain and motivate officers, directors and
key employees of high caliber and good potential and promote the alignment of
the participants' interests with that of the Company's shareholders. The Plan
provides for the granting from time to time, of incentive compensation in the
form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares and
performance units, restricted stock, supplemental payments and conversion awards
("Awards").
If the Shareholders approve the Plan, the Company intends to discontinue
the grant of awards under the 1988 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Set forth below is a brief description of the major features of the Plan,
which description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in all
respects by the terms of the Plan, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A.
ADMINISTRATION
The Plan shall be administered by a committee of at least two (2) members
appointed by the Board of Directors (the "Committee"). Each member of the
Committee shall be a member of the Board of Directors and shall be considered
"disinterested" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 ("Rule 16b-3") as promulgated
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). The
Committee has full and final authority to interpret the provisions of the Plan
and to grant Awards pursuant to the Plan, with the following exceptions: (1) the
Committee has no discretion to determine Awards granted to Nonemployee Directors
and (2) the Company's Chief Executive Officer (or some other officer designated
by the Committee) has the authority to grant Awards to newly hired employees who
are not executive officers, subject to such limitations as may be established by
the Committee.
ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION
Employees, Subsidiary Directors and Nonemployee Directors are all eligible
to participate in the Plan. Nonemployee Directors are those directors of the
Company who are not also employees of the Company or any subsidiary. Subsidiary
Directors are members of the Board of Directors of any Company subsidiary, other
than a subsidiary whose equity securities have been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, who are not employees
or Nonemployee Directors. Nonemployee Directors are entitled to participate in
the Plan only with respect to the grant of certain director stock options
(described below) and conversion Awards (described below). The Committee has the
sole discretion to determine and designate those employees and Subsidiary
Directors that are to receive Awards. Since designation of participants is
subject to the discretion of the Committee, the approximate number of eligible
participants in the Plan is impossible to estimate at this time.
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
A maximum of 980,000 shares of the Company's $1.00 par value common stock
(the "Common Stock") may be issued pursuant to the Plan, provided, however, that
no more than 240,000 shares may be granted in the form of restricted stock
Awards. Shares issued pursuant to the Plan shall be either shares of authorized
but unissued Common Stock or shares of Common Stock held as treasury shares. Any
shares forfeited pursuant to the terms of the Plan shall again be available for
grant under the Plan. The maximum number of shares with respect to which any
employee may be awarded stock options, restricted stock or stock appreciation
rights in any calendar year is limited to 60,000 shares.
22
<PAGE> 25
AWARDS
EMPLOYEES AND SUBSIDIARY DIRECTORS. The Committee has the discretion to
grant any of the Awards described below to employees or Subsidiary Directors.
These Awards are not transferable, except by will or the laws of descent or
distribution, except the Committee may, in its sole discretion, when and if
permitted by Rule 16b-3, establish guidelines providing for the irrevocable
transfer, without payment of consideration, of any Stock Option, other than
Incentive Stock Options, by the Participant to a member of the Participant's
immediate family or to a trust or partnership whose beneficiaries are members of
the Participant's immediate family.
Stock Options. Options granted pursuant to the Plan may be either in the
form of incentive stock options (which are options that meet the requirements of
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code")) or in the form of
nonqualified stock options. A stock option gives the holder the right to
purchase, during the term of the option, a number of shares of Common Stock at a
price determined on the date the option is granted. The option exercise price
and the time or times at which the option may be exercised are determined by the
Committee at the time of grant, except that the option price may not be less
than one hundred percent of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the
date of grant. The value of the Company's Common Stock as of September 1, 1995
was $32.50. The option price may be paid in cash, or in the form of Common Stock
owned by the option holder at least six months prior to exercise, based on the
fair market value of such Common Stock on the date of exercise, or a combination
of cash and Common Stock. In addition, an option holder may exercise an option
by providing assurance from a broker registered under the Exchange Act of
delivery of the proceeds of an imminent sale of the stock to be issued pursuant
to the exercise. Stock options may be exercised at such time or times as may be
specified at the time of grant, but in no event more than ten years after the
date of grant.
Stock Appreciation Rights ("SARs"). SARs may be granted in connection with
all or any part of a previously or contemporaneously granted stock option or
unrelated to any option. SARs entitle the holder, upon exercise of the SAR, to
receive an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of
shares of Common Stock with respect to which the SAR is being exercised and the
price specified by the Committee. Payment may be made in cash, in shares of
Common Stock, or a combination of the two, as the Committee determines. A SAR
may be exercised at such times as may be specified by the Committee provided
that no SAR shall be exercisable earlier than six months after grant and no
later than ten years after grant.
Performance Shares and Performance Units. Performance Shares or Units give
the holder the right to receive shares of Common Stock or a cash payment
specified by the Committee at the end of a specified performance period if
specified performance goals are met. Performance goals are related to the
performance of the Company or one or more subsidiaries or a combination thereof.
When circumstances occur that cause predetermined performance objectives to
become an inappropriate measure of performance, the Committee, in its
discretion, may adjust the performance goals, except for an Award intended to
qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code.
Restricted Stock. In a restricted stock Award, shares of Common Stock are
granted to an employee for no consideration, but are subject to such conditions,
terms and restrictions for such period or periods as shall be determined by the
Committee or as expressly stated in the Plan. During the restricted period, the
participant shall be entitled to vote the shares but shall not assign, transfer,
pledge or otherwise encumber such shares. The Committee has the power to
accelerate the termination of the applicable restricted period with respect to
part or all of any restricted stock Award.
Supplemental Payments. The Committee has the discretion to determine that
any Award may provide for a supplemental payment to a participant after the
exercise, lapse of restrictions or payment for such Award. The Committee shall
set the terms and conditions of such supplemental payments, provided however,
that the amount of the payment may not exceed, in the case of a stock option,
the excess of fair market value on the date of exercise over the option exercise
price multiplied by the number of shares for which such option is exercised, and
in the case of a SAR, performance unit, performance share or restricted stock
Award, the value of the shares and other consideration issued in payment of such
Award.
23
<PAGE> 26
NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS. Immediately after the Company's 1995 Annual Meeting
and each year thereafter for the life of the Plan, each Nonemployee Director
will be granted a nonqualified stock option (a "Director Stock Option"). The
number of shares represented by such option will be determined based on the
Company's performance. Item 7(a) to the Plan sets forth the formula pursuant to
which each Award is determined. The exercise price for each Director Stock
Option is the fair market value as of the date of the grant of the option. Each
Director Stock Option vests six months after the date of grant and terminates on
the tenth anniversary of the date of grant. In the event a Nonemployee
Directors' Board service is terminated due to death, disability, or normal
retirement, his option will terminate on the first anniversary of his
termination. Any Director Stock Option that has not vested at the time of
termination is forfeited.
CONVERSION AWARDS
EMPLOYEES. Employees designated by the Committee may make an irrevocable
election to receive share units in exchange for some portion of their cash
compensation (base salary or annual incentives). A share unit is the right to
receive an amount of cash or Common Stock equal to the value of a share of
Common Stock at a future date. The share unit may be acquired at a per share
exchange price of eighty-five percent of the fair market value of the Common
Stock determined as of the first business day in January if base salary is
deferred or the day the annual incentive is awarded if annual incentive is
deferred. All share units are subject to conditions, terms and restrictions set
by the Committee that lapse as to twenty percent of such shares one year from
the first business day in January for base salary or on the first anniversary of
the date the annual incentive is paid, with an additional forty percent lapsing
on the second anniversary or year and the final forty percent lapsing on the
third anniversary or year. In addition, dividends earned pursuant to the share
units are reinvested in the form of additional share units. If an employee's
employment is terminated at any time, any share units still subject to
restrictions shall be forfeited immediately and the employee shall receive a
payment equal to the lower of the fair market value of the forfeited shares on
the date of termination or the amount of compensation the employee forwent in
exchange for the forfeited shares, multiplied by the percentage of such
compensation collected by the Company prior to the date of termination.
DIRECTORS. Directors (both Subsidiary and Nonemployee) may also make an
irrevocable election to receive share units in exchange for all or some portion
of their annual retainer at a per share unit exchange price that is eighty-five
percent of fair market value of Common Stock determined as of the first day of
the year which all or a portion of the deferred retainer was to be paid. Such
share units received by a director may not be sold, transferred, pledged or
otherwise encumbered for a five year period, and the director must remain in the
service of the Company or a subsidiary for the full five year period. In
addition, dividends earned pursuant to the share units are reinvested in the
form of additional share units. If a director's service is terminated due to
death or disability within the five year restricted period, all share units will
vest immediately. If such termination is for normal retirement, all such Share
Units shall vest at the end of a five (5) year period from date of receipt. If
the director's service is terminated for some other reason, all such share units
will be forfeited and the director will receive a payment equal to the lesser of
the fair market value of the share units on the date of termination or the
amount of deferred annual retainer multiplied by the percentage of the deferred
annual retainer collected by the Company prior to the date of termination. Once
the Share Units become vested, the Company shall make payment in the form of
Common Stock in an amount equal to the number of such Share Units.
ADJUSTMENTS
In the event of any change in the capitalization of the Company by reason
of a dividend, stock split or combination or any similar change or a merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification of shares or similar
reorganization, the Plan provides that the Committee may make certain
adjustments, if any, to (a) the number of shares of stock which may be issued
under the Plan, (b) the number of shares issuable and the exercise price per
share pursuant to an outstanding Award theretofore granted under this Plan and,
(c) the number and kind of shares which may underlie an Award granted.
24
<PAGE> 27
DURATION OF PLAN; AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION
The Plan shall remain in effect until all Awards have been satisfied, but
no Award shall be granted more than ten years after the date of approval of the
Plan by the shareholders. The Committee may at any time suspend, terminate,
modify or amend the Plan, but any amendment that requires shareholder approval
in order for the Plan to continue to comply with Rule 16b-3, Section 162(m) of
the Code or any other applicable law, rule or regulation shall not be effective
unless approved by the requisite shareholder vote. In addition, no such action
by the Committee may adversely affect any previously granted Award without the
consent of the Award recipient.
CHANGE IN CONTROL
In the event of a "change in control" (as defined in the Plan), all
outstanding stock options, SARs and other awards shall automatically become
fully vested or exercisable in full.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a brief and general discussion of the principal federal
income tax rules applicable to Plan Awards:
Stock Options. There is no tax incurred by the participant (or expense
deduction for the Company) upon the grant. At the time of exercise of a
nonqualified stock option, the difference between the exercise price and the
fair market value of Common Stock on the date of exercise will constitute
ordinary income. The Company will be allowed a deduction equal to the amount of
ordinary income realized by the participant. In the case of incentive stock
options, although no income is realized upon exercise and the Company is not
entitled to a deduction, the excess of the fair market value on the date of
exercise over the exercise price is treated by the participant as an item of tax
preference for alternative minimum tax purposes. If the participant does not
dispose of the shares acquired on the exercise of an incentive stock option
within one year after their receipt or within two years after the grant of the
stock option, gain or loss realized on the subsequent disposition of the shares
will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss. In the event of an earlier
disposition, the participant may realize ordinary income and the Company will be
entitled to a deduction, equal to the amount of such income, at the time such
income is realized by the participant.
SARs. The participant will not realize any income at the time of grant of a
SAR. Upon the exercise of a SAR, any cash received and the fair market value of
the exercise date of any shares of Common Stock received will constitute
ordinary income to the participant. The Company will be entitled to a deduction
in the amount of such income at the time of exercise.
Restricted Stock. A participant normally will not realize taxable income
upon an award of restricted stock, and the Company will not be entitled to a
deduction, until the termination of the restrictions, except with respect to the
dividends, or dividend equivalents, received by the participant. Upon
termination of restrictions, the participant will realize ordinary income in an
amount equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock at that time and the
Company will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount. However, a
participant may elect to realize ordinary income in the year the restricted
stock is awarded in an amount equal to the fair market value at the time of the
Award, determined without regard to the restrictions. In this event, the Company
will be entitled to a deduction in such year in the same amount, and any gain or
loss realized by the participant upon subsequent disposition of the stock will
be capital gain or loss. If, after making this election, any restricted stock is
forfeited, or if the market value at vesting is lower than the amount on which
the participant was taxed, the participant cannot then claim a deduction.
Performance Shares and Performance Units. A participant normally will not
realize taxable income upon the award of performance units or performance
shares. Subsequently, when conditions and requirements established with respect
to the grants have been satisfied so that the units or shares are no longer
subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, then any cash and the fair market
value of any shares of Common Stock received will constitute ordinary income to
the participant in the year in which such event occurs, and the Company will be
entitled to a deduction in the same amount. Recipients of Performance Awards may
make an election
25
<PAGE> 28
to realize ordinary income in the year of receipt in the same manner as
described above for recipients of restricted stock Awards.
Conversion Awards. A participant normally will not realize taxable income
upon the award of share units, and the Company will not be entitled to a
deduction until the conditions and requirements placed on the award have lapsed.
A share unit shall also appreciate in value in an amount equal to the dividend
paid on a share of Common Stock. Such appreciation in value shall be reinvested
in the form of additional share units. The Company will not be entitled to a
deduction for such additional amounts until the conditions and requirements
placed on the award have lapsed. Subsequently, when all conditions and
requirements established with respect to the award have lapsed, any cash or
Common Stock received, or not subject to substantial risk of forfeiture,
whichever occurs earlier, will constitute ordinary income to the participant in
the year in which paid or when no longer subject to a substantial risk of
forfeiture, and the Company will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount.
Withholding. The Company shall have the right to reduce the number of
shares of Common Stock deliverable pursuant to the Plan by an amount which would
have a fair market value equal to the amount of all federal, state, or local
taxes required to be withheld, or to deduct the amount of such taxes from any
cash payment to be made to the participant, pursuant to the Plan or otherwise.
The table below sets forth the benefits or amounts which would have been
received by each of the identified participants for the last completed fiscal
year had the Plan been in effect in that year.
NEW PLAN BENEFITS
The only benefits presently determinable under this proposed plan are the
number of nonqualified stock options that will be awarded to the Nonemployee
Directors if the Plan is approved. In accordance with Item 7(a) to the Plan,
each of the Company's current eleven (11) Nonemployee Directors would receive
options to purchase 1,500 shares of the Company's Common Stock immediately after
the adjournment of the Company's 1995 Annual Meeting on November 10, 1995, at a
price determined at that time.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE 1995 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN.
Voting Procedures for Approval of the Plan. Stockholders have the right to
vote "For," "Against" or "Abstain" when voting on the adoption of the Plan.
Pursuant to the Bylaws and Mississippi law, the presence, in person or by proxy,
of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote shall
constitute a quorum to convene the Annual Meeting. Therefore, any proxy
authorized to be voted at the Annual Meeting on any matter, whether or not
marked to "Abstain" or to effect a broker non-vote, will be counted in
establishing a quorum. Approval of the Plan will require the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the shares represented at the Annual Meeting and
entitled to vote for approval of the Plan, in person or by proxy. Consequently,
abstentions will have the effect of a vote against the Plan, but broker non-
votes will not affect the outcome of the vote. In the absence of specific
instructions, proxies will be voted for the approval of the Plan.
AUDITORS
The accounting firm of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP ("KPMG") was approved by the
Board to serve as independent auditor of the Company for fiscal year 1996.
KPMG has served as independent auditor of the Company for the past
thirty-three (33) years. The Company has been advised that neither KPMG nor any
of its associates has a material interest in the Company or any affiliate
thereof. Representatives of KPMG are expected to be present at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders, will be afforded an opportunity to make a statement, if
they desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from
stockholders.
26
<PAGE> 29
OTHER MATTERS
The management of the Company knows of no other matter which may come
before the Annual Meeting. However, if any matter other than those referred to
herein should properly come before the meeting, the proxies will be voted with
respect thereto in accordance with the judgment of the proxy holder.
Please sign the enclosed proxy and return it in the return envelope
promptly.
/s/ JAMES L. McARTHUR
JAMES L. McARTHUR
Secretary
27
<PAGE> 30
APPENDIX A
FIRST MISSISSIPPI CORPORATION
1995 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Plan is to further the growth in earnings and market
appreciation of First Mississippi Corporation by providing long-term incentives
to directors, officers, and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries,
partnerships and joint ventures. The Company intends that the Plan will help
attract, retain and motivate officers, directors and key employees of high
caliber and good potential and promote the alignment of the participants'
interests with that of the Company's shareholders.
2. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set
forth below:
"Annual Incentive" means an amount payable pursuant to any short term
incentive compensation plan or sales incentive plan of the Company.
"Award" means an award granted under this Plan.
"Base Salary" means the regular salary paid to an employee. Base Salary
shall not include bonuses or other forms of compensation which are not
considered regular earnings by the Company.
"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Cash Retainer" means the regular retainer payment paid to a Director. Cash
Retainer shall not include meeting fees or committee fees or other forms of
compensation which are not considered a regular component of a Director's
retainer.
"Change in Control" shall have the meaning set forth in Paragraph 20.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time.
"Committee" means the committee appointed by the Board to administer the
Plan. The Committee
shall consist of two or more members of the Board who are "disinterested
persons" within the meaning of
Rule 16b-3.
"Company" means First Mississippi Corporation.
"Conversion Award" means an Award issued in place of cash compensation,
pursuant to Paragraph 8 of the Plan.
"Employee" means any officer or other employee of the Company or a
Subsidiary.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from
time to time.
"Exchange Date" means the date upon which cash compensation is replaced by
a Conversion Award. For purposes of:
(a) base salary, that date shall be the first business day of January.
(b) annual incentives, that date shall be the date on which the annual
incentive is paid.
(c) director retainer payments, that date shall be the first day each year
that a retainer payment is made.
"Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the average of the highest and
lowest prices at which the Stock is traded on such date on the principal market
on which the Stock is traded, or if the Stock is not traded on such date, on the
immediately preceding date on which the Stock is traded.
"Incentive Stock Option" means an option meeting the requirements of
Section 422 of the Code.
A-1
<PAGE> 31
"Nonemployee Director" means a member of the Board who is not an employee
of the Company or any Subsidiary.
"Nonqualified Stock Option" means an option that is not an Incentive Stock
Option.
"Participant" means an Employee, Nonemployee Director or Subsidiary
Director who has been selected by the Committee to receive an Award under the
Plan.
"Performance Period" means the period of time designated by the Committee
in which an Award may be earned.
"Performance Shares" means shares of Stock that may be earned under the
Plan, subject to the satisfaction of certain performance criteria over a
Performance Period.
"Performance Units" means a dollar denominated unit that may be earned
under the Plan, subject to the satisfaction of performance criteria over a
Performance Period.
"Plan" means this First Mississippi Corporation 1995 Long Term Incentive
Plan, as amended from time to time.
"Restricted Stock" means shares of Stock which may be earned under the
Plan, subject to continued employment or other vesting criteria.
"Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time.
"Share Unit" is the right to receive an amount of cash or Stock equal to
the value of a share of Stock at a future date.
"Stock" means the common stock of the Company.
"Stock Option" means an option granted pursuant to the Plan, whether an
Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.
"Subsidiary" means any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other
entity in which the Company has at least a fifty percent beneficial ownership
interest.
"Subsidiary Director" means a member of the Board of Directors of a
Subsidiary, other than any subsidiary whose equity securities have been
registered for a public offering under the Securities Act of 1933 or have been
registered under the Exchange Act, who is not an Employee or a Nonemployee
Director.
3. ADMINISTRATION
The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have
full and final authority in its discretion to conclusively interpret the
provisions of the Plan and to decide all questions of fact arising in its
application; to determine the Employees and Subsidiary Directors to whom Awards
shall be made under the Plan; to determine the type of Award to be made and the
amount, size and terms of each such Award; to determine the time when Awards
will be granted to Employees and Subsidiary Directors; and to make all other
determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan.
Notwithstanding the above:
(a) The Committee shall not have any discretion with respect to awards to
Nonemployee Directors, including without limitation, the determination
of which Nonemployee Directors are to receive Awards, the number of
shares of Stock subject to any such Awards to Nonemployee Directors, the
exercise or purchase price thereof, the type of Awards so granted or the
time of grant; and
(b) The Company's Chief Executive Officer or some other officer designated
by the Committee shall have the authority to grant for purposes of
Section 16 of the Exchange Act, Awards to newly hired employees who are
not executive officers of the Company, subject to such limitations as
may be established by the Committee.
A-2
<PAGE> 32
4. PARTICIPATION
(a) The Committee, in its discretion, may grant Awards to any Employee or
Subsidiary Director, subject to the provisions of the Plan. No Employee
or Subsidiary Director shall be entitled as a matter of right to receive
an Award, nor shall the grant of an Award entitle an Employee or
Subsidiary Director to receive any future Award.
(b) Nonemployee Directors are entitled to participate in the Plan solely
with respect to the grant of Director Options pursuant to Paragraph 7
and Conversion Awards pursuant to Paragraph 9.
5. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
(a) A maximum of 980,000 shares of Stock may be issued pursuant to the Plan
provided, however, that no more than 240,000 shares may be granted in
the form of Restricted Stock Awards. The total number of shares
authorized and the number of shares which may be granted in the form of
Restricted Stock Awards are subject to adjustment pursuant to Paragraph
17. Shares issued pursuant to the Plan shall be either authorized but
unissued shares of Stock or shares of Stock held as treasury stock.
(b) To the extent that any Award is canceled or forfeited, or terminates,
expires, or lapses for any reason, any unissued shares of Stock subject
to such Award shall again be available for grant under the Plan.
(c) Any Awards granted in substitution for awards or rights issued by a
company that is acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary shall not reduce
the number of Shares available for grant under the Plan.
(d) Subject to adjustment pursuant to Paragraph 17, the maximum number of
shares of Stock with respect to which any Employee may be awarded Stock
Options, Restricted Stock or Stock Appreciation Rights in any calendar
year under Paragraph 6 shall be 60,000 shares.
6. AWARDS TO EMPLOYEES AND SUBSIDIARY DIRECTORS
As the Committee may determine, the following types of Awards may be
granted under the Plan to Employees and Subsidiary Directors, either alone, in
combination or an alternative basis:
(a) Stock Options: Stock Options shall be Incentive Stock Options or
Nonqualified Stock Options, as determined by the Committee. Stock
Options shall be granted with an exercise price which shall not be less
than one hundred percent of Fair Market Value on the date of grant.
Incentive Stock Options shall comply with the provisions of Section 422
of the Code and to the extent the aggregate fair market value
(determined as of the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted) of the
stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for
the first time by any individual during any calendar year under all
plans of the Company and its parent and Subsidiaries exceeds $100,000,
such options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.
A Stock Option may be exercised at such times as may be specified by the
Committee at the time of grant, provided that no Stock Option granted
under this Paragraph 6 shall be exercisable later than ten years after
grant, or, in the case of Participants subject to Section 16 of the
Exchange Act, earlier than six months after grant and provided further
that the Committee may at any time before complete termination of a
stock option, accelerate the time or times at which such option may be
exercised, if whole or in part.
(b) Stock Appreciation Rights: Stock Appreciation Rights shall entitle a
Participant to receive upon exercise, for each stock appreciation right
exercised, (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock
at the time of exercise, over a price specified by the Committee,
multiplied by (ii) the number of Stock Appreciation Rights exercised.
The price specified by the Committee shall not be less than one hundred
percent of Fair Market Value at the time the Stock Appreciation Right
was granted, or, if connected with a previously issued stock option, the
Fair Market Value at the time such previously issued stock option was
granted. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted in
A-3
<PAGE> 33
tandem with all or any portion of a previously or contemporaneously
granted stock option (including, in addition to Stock Options granted
under the Plan, options granted under other plans of the Company), or
not in connection with a stock option.
Payment pursuant to a Stock Appreciation Right may be made in the form
of Stock, cash or a combination thereof, as the Committee may determine.
A Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised at such times as may be
specified by the Committee, either at the time of grant or thereafter,
provided that no Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable earlier
than six months after grant nor later than ten years after grant.
(c) Performance Shares and Performance Units: An Award of Performance
Shares or Performance Units shall entitle a Participant to receive Stock
or a cash payment specified by the Committee, depending upon the
attainment of performance criteria over a Performance Period. The
Performance Period and performance criteria shall be specified by the
Committee and may relate to the performance of the Company or one or
more Subsidiaries or a combination thereof. Other than an Award intended
to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may adjust
previously established performance criteria and other terms and
conditions of an Award, at any time prior to the determination of the
payment amount, to reflect major unforeseen events such as changes in
laws, regulations or accounting policies or procedures, mergers,
acquisitions or divestitures or extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring
items or events, in each case in order to prevent dilution or
enlargement of rights.
Payment pursuant to an Award of Performance Shares or Performance Units
shall be made following the Committee's determination of the extent to
which the performance criteria were satisfied, and shall be made in the
form of Stock, cash or a combination thereof, as the Committee may
determine. Payment shall be made as promptly as practicable following
the end of the Performance Period unless deferred subject to such terms
and conditions as may be prescribed by the Committee. The Committee may
authorize payments in Stock (in the form of any Award available under
the Plan) under any previously existing performance unit or performance
share plans of the Company or any Subsidiary.
(d) Restricted Stock: Awards of Restricted Stock shall be issued in the
name of a Participant as soon as practicable following the date of grant
by the Committee. Such Awards shall be subject to such conditions, terms
and restrictions (including performance-based or employment-based
vesting, forfeiture conditions and transfer restrictions) and shall be
for such period or periods as shall be determined by the Committee or as
expressly stated in the Plan. The Committee shall have the power to
permit an acceleration of the expiration of the applicable restriction
period with respect to all or part of the shares awarded to a
Participant pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award.
During the restricted period, a Participant holding shares of Restricted
Stock shall have all the rights of a shareholder, including the right to
vote and receive dividends, but shall not sell, assign, transfer,
exchange, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber such shares. Shares
of Restricted Stock shall bear such legends as the Company may specify,
until such time as the restrictions on the shares shall lapse, as
determined by the Committee.
(e) Supplemental Payments: Subject to the Committee's discretion, any Award
under this Paragraph 6 may provide for a supplemental payment by the
Company or a Subsidiary to a Participant after the exercise, payment or
lapse of restrictions under the Award. Such supplemental payments shall
be subject to such terms and conditions as shall be provided by the
Committee at the time of grant, provided that in no event shall the
amount of each payment exceed:
(i) In the case of a Stock Option, the excess of Fair Market Value on
the date of exercise over the Stock Option exercise price, multiplied
by the number of shares for which such Stock Option is exercised, or
(ii) In the case of a Stock Appreciation Right, Performance Unit,
Performance Share or Restricted Stock Award, the value of the shares
and other consideration issued in payment of such Award.
A-4
<PAGE> 34
7. DIRECTOR STOCK OPTIONS
Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 5, Director Stock Options shall be
granted to Nonemployee Directors as follows:
(a) Commencing immediately after the adjournment of the Company's Annual
Meeting in 1995 and in each year thereafter for the life of this Plan,
each Nonemployee Director shall automatically be granted a Director
Stock Option. The number of shares subject to each such Director Stock
Option shall be determined by Company performance as measured by the
Company's Return on Equity calculated as Average Two (2) Year Total Net
Income divided by Average Two (2) Year Stockholder Equity and measured
as a rolling average of the two immediately preceding fiscal years as
detailed in Table I below:
TABLE I -- DIRECTOR STOCK OPTIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
RETURN ON OPTIONS
EQUITY GRANTED
------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Less than 10% 0 Shares
10%-14.9% 750 Shares
15%-19.9% 1,125 Shares
20% or More 1,500 Shares
------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(b) Director Stock Options shall be Nonqualified Stock Options. The
exercise price of a Director Stock Option shall be equal to one hundred
percent of Fair Market Value as of the date of grant of the Option.
(c) Director Stock Options shall vest six months after the date of grant of
the Option, and shall be exercisable from the vesting date until the
earliest of:
(i) the tenth anniversary of the date of grant of the Option,
(ii) the third anniversary of the date of the Nonemployee Director's
termination of Board service due to death, disability, or normal
retirement at retirement age and,
(iii) the first anniversary of the date of the Nonemployee Director's
termination of Board service for any reason other than specified in
(c)(ii) above.
Upon termination of Board service for any reason, any Director Stock
Options held by a Nonemployee Director which have not vested shall be
forfeited.
8. CONVERSION AWARDS -- EMPLOYEES
(a) Employees designated by the Committee may elect, subject to the
following provisions and such terms and conditions as shall be
determined by the Committee, to receive Share Units in exchange for cash
compensation otherwise payable to such individuals by the Company:
(i) Share Units may be acquired by an Employee at a per share exchange
price of eighty-five percent of the Fair Market Value of a share of
stock determined as of the Exchange Date.
(ii) Share Units issued to Employees shall be subject to those
conditions, terms and restrictions as the Committee may require and
which shall lapse with respect to twenty percent of such share units
commencing on the first anniversary of the Exchange Date, with an
additional forty percent becoming vested on the second anniversary
date, and the remaining forty percent becoming vested on the third
anniversary of the Exchange Date (the "Restricted Period").
(b) At a time specified by the Committee, Employees may, at least six
months prior to the Exchange Date for base salary and prior to the
commencement of the applicable fiscal year of the Company for annual
incentives, make an irrevocable election to defer up to one year's base
salary and/or annual
A-5
<PAGE> 35
incentive (for purposes of this Paragraph, the "Deferral Amount") and
exchange it for Share Units in accordance with the following provisions
and such other terms, conditions and limitations as shall be determined
by the Committee from time to time:
(i) An Employee's base salary may be exchanged for Share Units in the
following manner:
(1) If an Employee elects to receive Share Units, he or she shall
receive that number of units equal in value to the Deferral
Amount, as determined pursuant to Subparagraph (a)(i) above. The
Deferral Amount shall be deducted from the Employee's base salary
in equal installments beginning the month of the Exchange Date.
(2) Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, if the
Employee's employment with the Company or a Subsidiary is
terminated for any reason by the Company or Subsidiary or the
Employee during the Restricted Period, all such Share Units shall
be forfeited and returned to the Company and the Employee shall
receive a payment equal to, (x) the lower of the Fair Market
Value of the Share Units on the date of termination or the
Deferral Amount, multiplied by (y) the percentage of the Deferral
Amount collected by the Company prior to the date of termination.
(ii) An Employee's annual incentive may be exchanged on the Exchange
Date for Share Units in the following manner:
(1) If an Employee elects to receive Share Units, he or she shall
receive that number of units equal in value to the Deferral
Amount, as determined pursuant to Subparagraph (a)(i) above.
(2) Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, if the
Employee's employment with the Company or a Subsidiary is
terminated for any reason by the Company or the Subsidiary or the
Employee during the Restricted Period, all such share units shall
be forfeited and the Employee shall receive a payment equal to
the lower of the Fair Market Value of the share units on the date
of termination or the Deferral Amount.
(c) Dividends earned pursuant to the Share Units issued in (a) and (b)
above, shall be reinvested in the form of additional share units.
(d) Once the Share Units become vested, the Company shall make payment in
the form of cash or stock, as determined by the Committee, in an amount
equal to the Fair Market Value of the Share Units, at a time designated
by the Committee.
9. CONVERSION AWARDS -- DIRECTORS
Nonemployee or Subsidiary Directors (for purposes of this Paragraph
"Directors") may make an irrevocable election, at least six months prior to the
Exchange Date, to defer up to one year's cash retainer payments (for purposes of
this Paragraph, the "Deferral Amount") in exchange for Share Units in accordance
with the following provisions:
(a) If a Director elects to receive Share Units, he or she shall receive,
on the Exchange Date, that number of shares equal in value to the
Deferral Amount using a per share exchange price of eighty-five percent
of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock determined as of the
Exchange Date. The Deferral Amount shall be deducted in equal
installments from the Director's retainer payments when such retainer
payments are otherwise distributed, beginning the first quarter of the
calendar year.
(b) Share Units received by a Director shall be subject to the following
restrictions for a period of five years (the "Restricted Period"):
(i) the Share Units may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or
otherwise encumbered or disposed of during the Restricted Period, and
A-6
<PAGE> 36
(ii) the Director shall have remained in the service of the Company or a
Subsidiary until the expiration of the Restricted Period.
(c) Notwithstanding (b)(ii) above, in the event a Director's service with
the Company or a Subsidiary is terminated after the Exchange Date but
before the expiration of the Restricted Period, the following will
occur:
(i) if such termination is due to death or disability, all such Share
Units shall immediately vest, or
(ii) if such termination is for normal retirement (as determined by the
Committee), all such Share Units shall vest upon the expiration of
the Restricted Period, or
(iii) if such termination is for any other reason than specified in
(c)(i) or (c)(ii) above, all such Share Units shall be forfeited and
the Director shall receive a payment equal to (x) the lower of the
Fair Market Value of the Share Units on the date of termination or
the Deferral Amount, multiplied by (y) the percentage of the Deferral
Amount collected by the Company prior to the date of termination.
(d) Dividends earned pursuant to the Share Units issued in (a) above, shall
be reinvested in the form of additional Share Units.
(e) Once the Share Units become vested, the Company shall make payment in
the form of Shares of Stock in an amount equal to the number of such
Share Units. Payment shall be made within ninety days of vesting.
10. STOCK OPTION EXERCISE
(a) The exercise price for Stock Options issued under the Plan shall be
paid in full when the Stock Option is exercised. The exercise price may
be paid (i) in cash, (ii) in whole shares of Stock owned by the option
holder at least six months prior to exercise, valued at Fair Market
Value on the date of exercise, or (iii) by a combination of such methods
of payment. In addition, a Stock Option holder may exercise the Stock
Option by providing assurance from a broker registered under the
Exchange Act of the delivery of the proceeds of an imminent sale of the
Stock to be issued pursuant to the exercise of the Stock Option, such
sale to be made at the direction of the Stock Option holder. In the case
of Employees and Subsidiary Directors, the foregoing shall be subject to
such terms, conditions and limitations as the Committee may specify from
time to time.
(b) The holder of a Stock Option shall have none of the rights of a
shareholder until exercise of the Option and the issuance of shares of
Stock pursuant to it.
11. GENERAL RESTRICTIONS
The Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to defer the exercise,
vesting or payment of an Award (or any part thereof) granted under the Plan,
except Awards granted to Nonemployee Directors under Paragraphs 7 and 9 above,
if necessary to avoid the loss of a deduction by the Company under Section
162(m) of the Code.
12. RIGHTS OF A PARTICIPANT
A Participant receiving any Award under the Plan, unless otherwise provided
by the Plan or decided by the Committee with respect to participants other than
Nonemployee Directors, shall have no rights as a shareholder unless and until
certificates for shares of stock are issued to him.
13. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE
(a) Except as provided in Paragraphs 7, 8 and 9 and except with respect to
Nonemployee Directors, the effect of termination of a Participant's
employment or service with the Company upon any
A-7
<PAGE> 37
outstanding Awards shall be determined by the Committee in its sole
discretion as specified in the documentation evidencing a particular
award.
(b) Nothing in the Plan or in any agreement entered into pursuant to the
Plan shall confer upon any Participant the right to continue in the
employment or service of the Company or its Subsidiaries as an Employee
or Subsidiary Director, or affect any right which the Company or such
Subsidiaries may have to terminate the employment or service of such
Participant.
14. WITHHOLDING
The Company shall have the right to withhold from any payments made under
this Plan, or to collect as a condition of payment, any taxes required by law to
be withheld. At any time when a Participant is required to pay to the Company an
amount required to be withheld under applicable income tax laws in connection
with a distribution of shares of Stock pursuant to this Plan, the Participant
may satisfy this obligation in whole or in part by electing to have the Company
withhold from such distribution shares of Stock having a value equal to the
amount required to be withheld. The value of the shares of Stock to be withheld
shall be based on the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date that the amount
of tax to be withheld shall be determined. The rules governing such withholding
elections, including the date or dates by which such an election must be made,
shall be determined by the Committee as necessary and in compliance with Rule
16b-3.
15. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
Except as otherwise provided in this Paragraph 15, no Stock Option or other
Award under the Plan shall be assignable or transferable by the Participant
other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and all Stock
Options shall be exercisable during the Participant's lifetime only by the
Participant. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, when and if permitted by
Rule 16b-3, establish guidelines providing for the irrevocable transfer, without
payment of consideration, of any Stock Option, other than Incentive Stock
Options, by the Participant to a member of the Participant's immediate family or
to a trust or partnership whose beneficiaries are members of the Participant's
immediate family. For purposes of this Paragraph 15, the term "immediate family"
shall include the Participant's spouse, children and grandchildren.
16. NON-UNIFORM DETERMINATIONS
Except with respect to Awards granted to Nonemployee Directors, the
Committee's determinations under the Plan (including without limitation
determinations of the officers, Employees and Subsidiary Directors to receive
Awards, the form, amount and timing of such Awards, the terms and provisions of
such Awards and the agreements evidencing same, and the establishment of values
and performance targets) need not be uniform and may be made by the Committee
selectively among Employees or Subsidiary Directors who receive, or are eligible
to receive, Awards under the Plan, whether or not such Employees or Subsidiary
Directors are similarly situated.
17. ADJUSTMENTS IN STOCK AND RELATED ADJUSTMENTS
In the event of a reclassification, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation, reorganization, issuance of warrants or other rights, stock
dividend, stock split or reverse stock split, cash dividend, property dividend,
including, without limitation, a distribution of the stock of a Subsidiary,
combination or exchange of shares, repurchase of shares, or any other change in
the capital structure of the Company in order to prevent dilution or enlargement
of rights, the Committee shall determine the appropriate adjustments, if any, to
(a) the number of shares of stock which may be issued under the Plan, (b) the
number of shares issuable and the exercise price per share pursuant to an
outstanding Award theretofore granted under this Plan and, (c) the number and
kind of shares which may underlie an Award granted pursuant to Paragraph 5(d).
18. AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION
The Committee at any time and from time to time may suspend, terminate,
modify or amend the Plan; provided, however, that an amendment which requires
stockholder approval in order for the Plan to continue
A-8
<PAGE> 38
to comply with Rule 16b-3, Section 162(m), or Section 422 of the Code or any
other law, regulation or stock exchange requirement shall not be effective
unless approved by the requisite vote of stockholders. No suspension,
termination, modification or amendment of the Plan may adversely affect any
Award previously granted without the written consent of the Participant.
19. DURATION OF THE PLAN
The Plan shall remain in effect until all Awards under the Plan have been
satisfied by the issuance of Stock or the payment of cash, but no Award shall be
granted more than ten years after the date the Plan is approved by the
shareholders of the Company, which shall be the Plan's effective date.
20. CHANGE IN CONTROL
For purposes of the Plan, a "Change of Control" shall have occurred if:
(a) Any corporation, person or other entity (other than the Company) makes
a tender or exchange offer for shares of Stock and shares are purchased
pursuant thereto ("Offer");
(b) More than fifty percent of the Company Stock is acquired by any person
or group;
(c) During the period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
beginning of such period were members of the Board cease for any reason
to constitute at least a majority thereof (unless the election, or the
nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, of each new
Director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors
then still in office who were Directors at the beginning of the period);
or
(d) The shareholders of the Company approve a definitive agreement to merge
the Company with another corporation where the Company is not the
surviving corporation or survives only as a subsidiary of another
corporation, to consolidate the Company with another corporation, or
sell or otherwise dispose of substantially all of the Company's assets.
In the event of the occurrence of a Change of Control, then from and after
the date of the first purchase of Stock pursuant to the offer, or the date on
which public announcement of the acquisition of such percentage of stock shall
have been made, or the date on which such change in the composition of the Board
shall have occurred, or the date of any such shareholder approval, all Stock
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights and other Awards granted pursuant to the
Plan which remain outstanding shall automatically become exercisable in full,
whether or not otherwise exercisable, and all other Awards under the Plan shall
be vested as determined by the Committee.
21. INTENT: SEPARABILITY
All Incentive Stock Options granted hereunder are intended to comply with
Section 422 of the Code and, to the extent applicable, Section 424 of the Code,
and all provisions of this Plan and all Incentive Stock Options granted
hereunder shall be construed in such manner as to effectuate that intent. This
Plan and all Stock Options, stock appreciation rights, and other awards and
rights granted hereunder are intended to satisfy the conditions of Rule 16b-3,
as amended, and all provisions of this Plan and all Stock Options, Stock
Appreciation Rights, and other awards and rights granted hereunder shall be
construed in such manner as to effectuate that intent. If any of the terms or
provisions of this Plan conflict with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 (as it may
be amended from time to time) or Sections 422 and 424 of the Code (as they may
be amended from time to time), then such terms or provisions shall be deemed
inoperative to the extent that they so conflict with such requirements.
22. GOVERNING LAW
To the extent that Federal laws do not otherwise control, this Plan shall
be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the state of
Mississippi.
A-9
<PAGE> 39
PROXY
FIRST MISSISSIPPI CORPORATION
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING ON NOVEMBER 10, 1995
The undersigned hereby appoints J. Kelley Williams, William A. Percy, II and R.
Gerald Turner, and each of them, with the power of substitution and revocation,
as attorneys and proxies to appear and vote all shares of Common Stock held by
the undersigned, at the Annual Meeting of First Mississippi Corporation, to be
held on November 10, 1995, and at any and all adjournments thereof; and the
undersigned hereby instructs said proxies to vote as indicated on all matters
referred to on the reverse side and described in the proxy statement for the
meeting, and in accordance with their judgement on all other matters that may
properly come before the meeting.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, NOMINEES:
THREE YEAR TERM - PAUL A. BECKER, JAMES W. CROOK, CHARLES P. MORETON,
LELAND R. SPEED
All proxies will vote as specified on the reverse side. IN THE ABSENCE OF
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS, PROXIES WILL VOTE (1) FOR the elections of the director
nominees, and (2) For Approval of the First Mississippi Corporation 1995 Long
Term Incentive Plan (3) on all other matters that may properly come before the
meeting in accordance with their judgement. To vote FOR the Board of Directors
recommendations, just sign and date the reverse side - no boxes need be
checked.
/SEE REVERSE
SIDE/
<PAGE> 40
/X/ Please mark your
votes as in this
example.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FOR WITHHELD FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. Election of 2. First Mississippi Corp.
Directors / / / / 1995 Long Term Incentive / / / / / /
(see reverse) Plan.
</TABLE>
For, except vote withheld from the following
nominee(s):
____________________________________________
/ / I have comments
/ / I will attend meeting
SIGNATURES(S)_____________________________________________DATE__________________
SIGNATURES(S)_____________________________________________DATE__________________
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name apppears hereon. Joint owners, each sign. When
signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian, please give
full name as such.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST MISSISSIPPI CORPORATION 1995 ANNUAL MEETING
You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders
of First Mississippi Corporation. The meeting will be held Friday, November 10,
1995, at 2:00 p.m. (CST) in the Garden Room at Dennery's, 330 Greymont Avenue,
Jackson, Mississippi.
Please mark the boxes on the proxy card to indicate how your shares
should be voted. Sign and return your proxy as soon as possible in the enclosed
postpaid envelope. TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS'
RECOMMENDATIONS, JUST SIGN AND DATE THE PROXY CARD WHERE INDICATED - NO BOXES
NEED BE CHECKED.
Votes are tabulated by KeyCorp Shareholder Services, Inc., the
Company's transfer agent. Any comments noted on the proxy card or an attachment
will be forwarded to the Corporate Secretary by KeyCorp. Please indicate if you
have comments by marking the appropriate box.
James L. McArthur
Secretary