MYERS L E CO GROUP
PRE 14A, 1996-04-03
WATER, SEWER, PIPELINE, COMM & POWER LINE CONSTRUCTION
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                                                                     PRELIMINARY


                                 MYR GROUP INC.
                         2550 WEST GOLF ROAD, SUITE 200
                        ROLLING MEADOWS, ILLINOIS 60008


                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                       TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1996




     The 1996 annual meeting of the stockholders of MYR Group Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), will be held at the Meadows Corporate Center,
English Room, 2850 West Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, Illinois on Wednesday, May
15, 1996 commencing at 11:00 a.m., Chicago time, for the following purposes:

      1.   To elect two Class I directors.

      2.   To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the amendment
           to Article Fourth of the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate
           of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of
           common stock, $1.00 par value, from 6,000,000 to 10,000,000 shares.

      3.   To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Company's
           1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan, a copy of which is
           attached to the proxy statement as Appendix A.

      4.   To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the amendment
           to and restatement of the Company's 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1995 Stock
           Option Plans, copy of the form of amendment and restatement to the
           Plans is attached to the proxy statement as Appendix B.

      5.   To transact such other business as may properly come before
           the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

     The close of business on March 27, 1996 has been fixed as the record date
for the meeting.  Only stockholders of record at that date are entitled to
notice of and to vote at the meeting.  A list of such stockholders will, for
ten days prior to the meeting, be open for examination by any stockholder, for
any purpose germane to the meeting, at the office of the Secretary of the
Company, Suite 200, 2550 West Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, Illinois during
regular business hours.  You are cordially invited to attend the meeting.

                                         BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS



                                         Byron D. Nelson
                                         Secretary

Rolling Meadows, Illinois
April 15, 1996


THE FORM OF PROXY IS ENCLOSED.  TO ASSURE THAT YOUR SHARES WILL BE VOTED AT THE
MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN
THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.  NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
THE GIVING OF A PROXY WILL NOT AFFECT YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU
ATTEND THE MEETING.


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                                 MYR GROUP INC.
                         2550 WEST GOLF ROAD, SUITE 200
                        ROLLING MEADOWS, ILLINOIS 60008
                                 (847) 290-1891

                                PROXY STATEMENT

                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                           TO BE HELD ON MAY 15, 1996


     This proxy statement is furnished to the stockholders of MYR Group Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Company's Board of Directors for use at the annual meeting of
stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") to be held at the Meadows Corporate Center,
English Room, 2850 West Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, Illinois on Wednesday, May
15, 1996 commencing at 11:00 a.m., Chicago time, and at any adjournment or
adjournments thereof.  The stockholders of the Company, at a special meeting of
stockholders held on December 14, 1995, approved an amendment to Article First
of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation changing the name of the Company
from The L. E. Myers Co. Group to MYR Group Inc.

     This proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy are first being
mailed to stockholders on or about April 15, 1996.  Proxies will be solicited
principally by mail.  Arrangements have been made with brokerage houses,
custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward the proxy materials to the
beneficial owners of common stock of the Company held of record by those firms.
The Company will reimburse banks, brokers or other nominees for the expenses
incurred in forwarding proxy material to beneficial owners.  In addition,
certain directors and officers and other employees may solicit proxies, without
additional remuneration therefore, by personal contact, mail, telephone,
telegraph, or electronic communication.  The Company will bear the cost of this
solicitation.

               RECORD DATE, SHARES OUTSTANDING AND VOTING RIGHTS

     The voting securities of the Company consist solely of its shares of
common stock, $1.00 par value ("Common Stock"), 3,187,443 of which were issued
and outstanding and entitled to vote at the close of business on March 27,
1996, the record date for the Annual Meeting.  Each holder of record of shares
of Common Stock at the record date is entitled to one vote for each share held
on every matter submitted to the Annual Meeting.  The election of two Class I
directors will be determined by a plurality of the shares represented and
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.  The approval of the amendment to
Article Fourth of the Company's Restated and Amended Certificate of
Incorporation ("Certificate Of Incorporation") requires an affirmative vote by
the holders of a majority of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to
vote at the meeting.  The approval of the 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock
Ownership Plan and the approval of the amendment to and restatement of the
Company's 1989 1990, 1992 and 1995 Stock Option Plans require an affirmative
vote by holders of a majority of the shares represented and entitled to vote at
the meeting.  Any other business properly brought before the Annual Meeting
will be determined by a majority of the shares represented and entitled to vote
at the Annual Meeting.  An automated system administered by the Company's
transfer agent will be used to tabulate the votes.  Broker non-votes will be
counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present for the
meeting.  Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote
against the proposal to approve the amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation, the approval of the 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership
Plan, and the approval of the amendment to and restatement of the 1989, 1990,
1992 and 1995 Stock Option Plans.

     Shares of Common Stock cannot be voted at the Annual Meeting unless the
holder of record is represented by proxy or present at the meeting in person.
The enclosed proxy is a means by which a stockholder may authorize the voting
of his shares at the Annual Meeting.  When the stockholder has properly
executed and delivered the proxy, the shares represented thereby will be voted
in accordance with the instructions thereon.  The enclosed proxy may be revoked
by the stockholdergiving it at any time before it is exercised, either in
person at the meeting, by written notice to the secretary of the Company or by


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delivery of any later-dated proxy.

                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     The Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Board of
Directors shall be divided into three classes, such classes to be as nearly
equal in number as possible.  On January 3, 1995, in accordance with provisions
of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated October 5, 1994 (as amended) (the
"Merger Agreement") by and among the Company, HMM Corporation (a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company) and Harlan Electric Company ("Harlan"), the Board of
Directors amended the bylaws of the Company to provide that the number of
directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors be increased from
four to five and elected Mr. John M. Harlan as a Class I director to become the
fifth director of the Company.  Mr. Harlan was elected to serve a term from
January 3, 1995 until the term of the Class I directors expires at the Annual
Meeting.  The Board of Directors, currently consists of two Class I directors
(whose terms shall expire at the Annual Meeting), two Class II directors (whose
terms shall expire at the 1997 annual meeting of stockholders) and one Class
III director (whose term shall expire at the 1998 annual meeting of
stockholders).

     The Board of Directors has nominated Mr. William G. Brown and Mr. John M.
Harlan for election as Class I directors at the Annual Meeting.  Mr. Brown and
Mr. Harlan are the incumbent Class I directors.  It is intended that shares
represented by properly executed proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting,
in the absence of contrary instructions, for the election of Mr. Brown and Mr.
Harlan as Class I directors.  Should either or both Mr. Brown or Mr. Harlan be
unavailable for election for any reason, such proxies will be voted for a
substitute or substitutes nominated by the Board of Directors.

     The following information is set forth below with respect to each nominee
and the incumbent directors:  (i) his name, (ii) his age, (iii) all of his
positions and offices with the Company, (iv) his business experience during the
past five years, (v) his directorships in other publicly held companies, and
(vi) the period during which he has served as a director of the Company.

Class I (Nominees) - Term expires 1999

WILLIAM G. BROWN (53) Director since 1990. Partner in the law firm of Bell,
Boyd & Lloyd, Chicago, Illinois since 1976. Mr. Brown is also a director of
Medicus Systems Corporation, Dovenmeuhle Mortgage, Inc., CFC International,
Inc., and Managed Care Solutions, Inc.

JOHN M. HARLAN (62) Director since 1995. Former Chairman and President of
Harlan Electric Company (1963 - 1994).

Class II Directors - Term expires 1997

ALLAN E. BULLEY, JR. (63) Director since 1992. Chairman (since 1991) and Chief
Executive Officer (since 1970) of Bulley and Andrews, a general construction
firm, Chicago, Illinois.

BIDE L. THOMAS (60) Director since 1993. Former President and Chief Operating
Officer of Commonwealth Edison Electric Company, an investor owned electric
utility, Chicago, Illinois.  Mr. Thomas is also a director of Northern Trust
Corporation, The Northern Trust Company  and R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company.

Class III Director - Term expires 1998

CHARLES M. BRENNAN III (54) Director since 1986. Chairman (since 1988) and
Chief Executive Officer (since 1989) of the Company. Mr. Brennan is also a
director of UNR Industries, Inc.

   THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE
   ELECTION OF WILLIAM G. BROWN AND JOHN M. HARLAN AS CLASS I DIRECTORS OF THE
   COMPANY



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GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY BY ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     The bylaws of the Company require the Board of Directors to have an Audit
Committee and permit the Board of Directors to designate, by resolution, other
committees of the Board to have and exercise certain of the powers of the Board
of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Company.  The
primary functions of the Audit Committee are to review the Company's interim
and annual financial statements and the reports of its management and auditors
thereon, and to report its findings and recommendations to the Board of
Directors.  The current members of the Audit Committee are Mr. Brown
(Chairman), Mr. Bulley, Mr. Harlan, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Brennan (ex-officio).
During 1994 the Board of Directors established a Compensation Committee.  The
current members of the Compensation Committee are Mr. Thomas (Chairman), Mr.
Brown and Mr. Bulley.  The primary purposes of the Compensation Committee are
to administer the Company's stock option plans and incentive plans and set the
compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers.
During 1995 the Board of Directors held five meetings, the Audit Committee held
two meetings and the Compensation Committee held one meeting.  During 1995,
each director attended all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings
of committees of which he is a member.

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

     Each director of the Company who is not an employee of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries is paid a fee of $12,000 annually plus $500 for each
meeting of the Board of Directors or committee of the Board which he attends,
with a maximum of one meeting fee payable for any calendar day.

     Under the terms of the 1993 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan
("1993 Plan") each non-employee director, upon his or her first election to the
Board of Directors, receives an option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common
Stock.  The plan further provides that each director shall receive an option to
purchase an additional 1,000 shares of Common Stock on the date each annual
meeting of stockholders is held after the year in which the non-employee
director was first elected to Board of Directors.  The terms of the initial
10,000 share grant and of each of the subsequent 1,000 share grants are: (i)
the option price shall be the average of the high and low prices of a share of
common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant; (ii) the
option shall vest with respect to 25% of the shares six months after the date
of grant, with respect to an additional 25% of the shares one year after the
date of grant, with respect to an additional 25% of the shares two years after
the date of the grant, and with respect to the final 25% of the shares three
years after the date of the grant; (iii) the option shall expire ten years
after the date of the grant.  On January 3, 1995, Mr. Harlan was granted an
option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $10.82
per share.  On May 11, 1995, Messrs. Brown, Bulley and Thomas were granted an
option to purchase 1,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.82
per share.  On December 15, 1995, the Company paid a stock dividend of one
share of Common Stock for each three shares of Common Stock held by
stockholders as of the record date of November 30, 1995 (the "Stock Dividend").
Under the terms of the Company's stock option plans the number of shares
subject to the plans and to options granted under the plans are proportionately
adjusted in the event of a stock dividend or other events described in the
plans.  As a result of the Stock Dividend the number of shares covered by the
initial stock option grants to Messrs. Brown, Bulley, Harlan and Thomas were
adjusted from 10,000 shares to 13,334 shares. The number of shares covered by
grants of option on the dates of annual meetings of stockholders to Messrs.
Brown, Bulley and Thomas were increased from 1,000 shares to 1,334 shares.  In
both circumstances the exercise prices per share were reduced by twenty-five
percent.  In accordance with the terms of the 1993 Plan, as a result of the
Stock Dividend, future initial grants will be in the amount of 13,334 shares
and future grants on the dates of annual meetings, including the Annual
Meeting, will be in the amount of 1,334 shares.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

     For the year ended December 31, 1995, the Company incurred legal fees for
services rendered in the amount of $426,715 to Bell, Boyd & Lloyd of which Mr.
Brown, a Director and member of the Compensation Committee, is a partner.  The
Company anticipates that Bell, Boyd & Lloyd will continue to provide legal
services to the Company in 1996.

     In accordance with rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the information included under the captions "Report of the
Compensation Committee"and "Performance Graph" will not be deemed to be filed
or to be proxy


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<PAGE>   5



soliciting material or incorporated by reference in any prior or future filings
by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the   "Exchange Act").

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     On January 3, 1995, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding
shares of capital stock of Harlan in accordance with the terms of the Merger
Agreement for a total consideration of $19,291,097 consisting of $13,611,557 of
cash, $3,737,430 in non-escrow notes and $1,942,110 in escrow notes.  The
non-escrow notes provided that they may be converted into shares of Common
Stock at a conversion price of $12.6212 at any time after January 4, 1996 and
before January 3, 2002.  The escrow notes provided that they may be converted
into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $12.6212 at any time after
the expiration of the representations and warranties of Harlan under the Merger
Agreement and before January 3, 2002.  As a result of the Stock Dividend and in
accordance with the terms of the escrow and non-escrow notes the conversion
price was decreased to $9.4659. John M. Harlan and his five brothers and
sisters (the "Noteholders") received all of the escrow and non-escrow notes,
aggregating $5,679,540 which are convertible into shares of Common Stock under
the terms of the Merger Agreement.  Both the escrow and non-escrow notes are
for a term of seven years with interest being paid semi-annually and the
principal being repaid in three equal payments on the fifth, sixth and seventh
anniversary dates of the notes respectively.  The escrow and the non-escrow
notes may be redeemed by the Company at any time after January 3, 2000 or at
any early time with the consent of the Noteholder.  To the extent provided in
the Merger Agreement, the Company may setoff against the escrow notes the
amount of any damages the Company may have as a result of claims related to
inaccurate representations or warranties of Harlan under the Merger Agreement.
In exchange for his 61,223 shares of stock of Harlan, John M. Harlan, as
trustee, received cash in the amount of $989,417, a 7% convertible subordinated
non-escrow note in the amount of $537,098 and a 7% convertible subordinated
escrow note in the amount of $279,096.

             AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE
                  NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

     The Board of Directors has adopted, subject to stockholder approval, an
amendment to Article Fourth of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation,
increasing the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance to
10,000,000 shares. The Certificate of Incorporation presently provides that the
total number of shares of capital stock authorized is 7,000,000 shares of which
6,000,000 shares are Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares are Preferred Stock,
$1.00 par value.  The amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation would
increase the total number of shares of capital stock to 11,000,000 of which
10,000,000 are Common Stock and 1,000,000 are Preferred Stock.  As of March 27,
1996, the record date for the Annual Meeting, there were 3,352,260 shares of
Common Stock issued, of which 164,817 were held by the Company as treasury
stock.  In addition, 743,960 shares are reserved for issuance pursuant to
outstanding stock options under the Company's stock option plans, 600,000
shares are reserved for issuance upon conversion of the escrow and non-escrow
notes related to the Merger Agreement, and 412,096 are reserved for issuance
for shares of stock authorized for future grants of stock options under the
Company's stock option plans. The total number shares of Common Stock issued
and reserved for issuance is 5,108,316.  As of March 27, 1996 no shares of
Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding and no shares of Preferred Stock
were reserved for issuance.

     The Board of Directors believes an increase in the authorized number of
shares of Common Stock will be of advantage to the Company.  Increasing the
number of authorized shares will provide additional shares for issuance for any
valid corporate purpose, including stock splits, stock dividends, potential
acquisitions and raising capital by the sale of additional shares.  The Board
of Directors has no present plans, agreements or understandings with respect to
any transactions which would require the issuance of any authorized shares of
capital stock, including Common Stock, other than pursuant to the transactions
described above for which shares of Common Stock have been reserved.  The Board
of Directors will make the determinations for future issuances of authorized
shares of Common Stock in the best interests of stockholders.  If the amendment
to Article Fourth of the Certificate of Incorporation is approved, such future
issuances by the Board of Directors with respect to the shares already
authorized and authorized thereby may be generally made without further action
by stockholders.

     The par value of $1.00 per share of Common Stock will not change as a
result of the approval of the amendment to Article Fourth of the Certificate of
Incorporation.


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<PAGE>   6




     The text of the proposed amendment is set forth below:

     On page 3 of the Certificate of Incorporation, the first paragraph of
Article Fourth shall be changed:

   FROM: "FOURTH: The number of shares of all classes of stock which the
         corporation shall have  authority to issue is seven million
         (7,000,000), of which six million (6,000,000) shares of the par value
         of $1.00 each are to be of a class designated as Common Stock and one
         million (1,000,000) shares are to be of a class designated Preferred
         Stock.  The Preferred Stock shall be issuable in series."

   TO:   "FOURTH: The number of shares of all classes of stock which the
         corporation shall have authority to issue is eleven million
         (11,000,000), of which ten million (10,000,000) shares of the par value
         of $1.00 each are to be of a class designated as Common Stock and one
         million (1,000,000) shares are to be of a class designated Preferred
         Stock. The Preferred Stock shall be issuable in series."

     The approval of the amendment requires a vote in favor of the amendment by
a majority of the shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to
vote at the Annual Meeting.

       THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR
       THE APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE FOURTH OF THE COMPANY'S
       CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.

                                  APPROVAL OF
                1996 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

     General.  The Board of Directors unanimously adopted on March 20, 1996 and
recommends the stockholders approve the MYR Group Inc. 1996 Non-Employee Stock
Ownership Plan (the "Stock Plan").  A copy of the Stock Plan is attached as
Appendix A to this proxy statement.  The following summary of the Stock Plan is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Stock Plan.

     Purpose.  The purpose of the Stock Plan is to further the growth,
development and financial success of the Company by strengthening the Company's
ability to attract and retain the services of knowledgeable non-employee
directors by facilitating further purchases of stock.

     Administration.  The Stock Plan is administered by the Board of Directors
of the Company whose interpretation and administration of the plan are final.

     Eligibility and Shares Covered.  Persons eligible to participate in the
Stock Plan are only non-employee directors of the Company.  Nothing in the
Stock Plan shall be deemed to create an obligation of the Board to renominate a
director for election to the Board.  The total number of shares available for
award under the Stock Plan may not exceed 50,000 subject to adjustment in the
event of a merger, reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation, stock
dividend, split up, share combination, or other change in capitalization of the
Company, in which case the Board of Directors shall provide for equitable
adjustment in the number of shares then subject to the Stock Plan.

     Awards of Restricted Stock.  Each non-employee director has the right to
elect in writing to receive all or part of his or her annual retainer fee,
which would otherwise be payable quarterly in cash, in shares of restricted
stock.  The restricted shares will be awarded pursuant to such election on the
date of the annual meeting of stockholders in the year for which such election
is made.  For  purpose of the Stock Plan the year shall commence on the date of
an annual meeting of stockholders and shall conclude on the date of the next
annual meeting of stockholders.  Election must be made in writing to the
Secretary of the Company, not less than six months prior to the date of the
annual meeting of stockholders on which the election is to become effective
except that a Participant may make an election for the year beginning with the
date of the Annual Meeting not later than April 30, 1996.  A participant's
election shall be effective from year to year unless changed by the
Participant.  No change in an election shall be effective prior to an annual
meeting date at least six months after the date of the change.  The number of


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restricted shares to be awarded is determined by dividing the amount of the
retainer elected by the non-employee director to be paid in shares of
restricted stock by the average of the closing sales prices of the Common Stock
on the New York Stock Exchange on each of the ten trading days immediately
preceding the date of the award and rounding to the nearest whole number.
Elections must be made prior to December 31 of the year preceding the year for
which such election has been made.

Restrictions on Stock Awarded.  At the time that restricted stock is issued the
participating non-employee director becomes a stockholder of the Company with
respect to the restricted stock and shall be entitled to vote the shares and to
receive all dividends.  If a dividend is paid in stock, the stock shall be held
by the Company subject to the same restrictions as the restricted stock that is
a basis of the dividend.  All stock certificates are to be held in custody by
the Company for the account of the participant together with stock powers
executed by the participant in favor of the Company.  The shares issued under
the Stock Plan may not be sold, pledged, assigned, transferred, gifted, or
otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the restrictions lapse. The
restrictions lapse upon the earlier of (a) five years from the date of the
award or (b) termination of the participant's service as a director by reason
of death, disability or retirement from the Board.  The Company may impose such
other restrictions as it deems necessary or advisable, including imprinting a
legend on the stock certificates and restrictions to achieve compliance with
the securities laws and stock exchange requirements.  Upon lapse of the
restrictions, the certificates representing the shares are to be delivered to
the participating non-employee director or to his or her legal representative.
In the event that the participating non-employee director's service as a
director is terminated for fraud, intentional misrepresentation, embezzlement,
misappropriation or conversion of assets or opportunities of the Company, all
restricted stock is forfeited.

     Change in Control.  Notwithstanding the other provisions of the Stock
Plan, the restrictions on the restricted stock lapse, and the restricted stock
is vested in the participating non-employee director, upon a Change in Control
of the Company.  A Change in Control includes (i) the acquisition by any person
or group acting in concert of beneficial ownership of 30% or more of the
Company's outstanding shares of Common Stock, with certain exceptions, (ii) a
change in the composition of the Company's Board of Directors in any 36 month
or less period such that a majority of the directors serving at the end of the
period were not serving at the beginning of the period, unless at the end of
the period the majority of the directors in office were nominated upon the
recommendation of a majority of the Board at the beginning of the period, or
(iii) approval by stockholders of the Company of a merger, consolidation or
similar transaction, or the sale of all or substantially all of the Company's
consolidated assets, as to which those stockholders immediately prior to such
transaction are not the owners of more than 30% of the resulting corporation's
outstanding voting securities after such event.

     Federal Tax Consequences.  Under existing federal income tax law, no
income will be recognized to the participant at the time of the restricted
stock award.  Upon lapse of restrictions, the participant will be required to
treat as ordinary income the fair market value of the stock and the Company
will be entitled to a deduction in such amount.

     Amendments.  The Board of Directors may terminate, amend or modify the
Stock Plan at any time provided that the provisions concerning the price or
timing of awards may not be amended more than once every six months other than
to comply with changes in applicable law.  The Stock Plan may not be amended to
materially increase the number of shares available for grant under the Stock
Plan, modify the eligibility requirements or increase the benefits without
Stockholder approval.  The Stock Plan terminates upon the award of all of the
shares subject to it but in no event later than December 31, 2005.  Upon
approval of the Stock Plan by stockholders, the Stock Plan shall become
effective.

   THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE
   APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY'S 1996 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS STOCK PLAN.


                                     - 7 -


<PAGE>   8




                        AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE
             COMPANY'S 1989, 1990, 1992 AND 1995 STOCK OPTION PLANS


     Background.  The stockholders of the Company approved the Company's 1989
Stock Option Plan on September 15, 1989 (the "1989 Plan"), the Company's 1990
Stock Option Plan on May 14, 1990 (the "1990 Plan"), the Company's 1992 Stock
Option Plan on May 21, 1992 (the "1992 Plan") and the Company's 1995 Stock
Option Plan (the "1995 Plan") on May 11, 1995, which plans shall be
collectively referred to hereafter as the "Plans".  Subsequent to the approval
of the 1989 Plan, the 1990 Plan and the 1992 Plan the Board of Directors has,
from time to time, amended these plans ("Prior Amendments").  None of these
amendments to the 1989, 1990 and 1992  Plans  has (a) materially increased the
benefits accruing to participants under the Plans; (b) increased the number of
shares of Common Stock which may be issued under the Plans; or (c) materially
modified the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plans, and
therefore no stockholder approval of the Prior Amendments was required under
Section 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended).

     Purpose.  On March 20, 1996 the Board of Directors unanimously adopted and
recommends that the stockholders approve an identical amendment to each of the
Plans (the "Amendments"). The purposes of the Amendments are: (i)  to provide
an ability to the Committee which administers the Plans to grant restricted
shares of Common Stock ("Restricted Shares") in addition to stock options under
the terms of the Plans; (ii) to make certain that the Company will be able to
deduct the full amount of compensation of any employee during the year in which
such employee receives compensation as a result of a grant of a stock option or
options, the exercise of a stock option or options or the grant of Restricted
Stock in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(as amended) and (iii) to change the names of the Plans to reflect the change
in the Company's name to MYR Group Inc.  The Board of Directors also adopted
and recommends that the stockholders approve restatements of each of the Plans
to incorporate the Amendments together with the Prior Amendments to each of the
Plans.  Each of the Plans, as so amended and restated, is identical except with
respect to (i) the number of shares authorized to be issued under each of the
Plans, (ii) the effective dates of the Plans, (iii) the dates after which no
further grants shall be made under the Plans, and (iv) the name of the Plans.
A copy of the form of amended and restated plan is attached to this proxy
statement as Appendix B.  The form of amended and restated plan sets forth the
specific differences among the 1989 Plan, the 1990 Plan, the 1992 Plan and the
1995 Plan.  The following summary of the Amendments and the amended and
restated form of plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of
the form of amended and restated plan.  Approval by stockholders of  the form
of amended and restated plan shall be deemed to be approval of the Amendments
and of the amendment and restatement of the 1989 Plan, the 1990 Plan, the 1992
Plan and the 1995 Plan ("Amended and Restated Plans").

SUMMARY OF THE AMENDMENTS

     Name of the Plans.  The Amendments to the Plans provide that the names of
the Plans shall be changed to the MYR Group Inc. 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1995
Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plans, respectively.

     Number of Shares Covered by Grants to Any Individual.  The Amendments to
the Plans provide that the number of shares of Common Stock covered by any
option or options together with the number of shares of Restricted Stock
granted to any single individual will not, in the aggregate, exceed 75% of the
number of shares of Common Stock authorized to be issued under such plan.

     Administration.  Under the terms of the Amendments the Committee which
administers the Plans shall, in addition to its authority with respect to the
granting of stock options have the authority, in its sole discretion,  (a) to
determine the individuals to whom Restricted Shares are granted; (b)  to
determine the number of Restricted Shares subject to a grant; (c) the time or
times when Restricted Shares are granted; (d) to determine the time or times,
or conditions upon which, restriction on the Restricted Shares lapse (the
duration of  such restrictions hereinafter referred to as the "Restricted
Period"); (e) to accelerate the Restricted Period for Restricted Shares; (f) to
determine the terms of each grant of Restricted Shares; (g) to prescribe the
form or forms of agreements which evidence Restricted Shares granted; and (h)
to interpret the Plan and to adopt rules or regulations which, in the
Committee's opinion, may be necessary or advisable for the administration of
the Plan.  Except as described above, the Amended and Restated Plans provide
for no changes in the authority of  the Committee under the Plans.



                                     - 8 -


<PAGE>   9




     Rights and Restrictions Governing Restricted Shares.  At the time of grant
of Restricted Shares, one or more certificates representing the number of
shares of Common Stock granted to an individual shall be registered in such
individual's name or for such individual's benefit either individually or
collectively with others.  The certificates shall be held by the Company for
the account of the individual.  The individual shall have other rights of a
holder as to such shares of Common Stock including the right to vote such
shares and the right to receive cash dividends declared and paid to holders of
Common Stock.  The individual shall not be entitled to receive the certificates
representing the shares of Common Stock subject to the grant of Restricted
Shares until the restrictions with respect to the Restricted Shares have
lapsed.  If a dividend is paid in shares of  Common Stock, such shares of
Common Stock shall be held by the Company subject to the same restrictions as
the Restricted Stock that is the basis of the stock dividend.  None of the
Restricted Shares may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise
encumbered or disposed of during the restrictions apply.  Except to the extent
the individual's employment is terminated by reason of death, permanent
disability or retirement (as defined in the Plans),  Restricted Shares shall be
forfeited and all rights of the individual with respect to Restricted Shares
shall terminate without further obligation of the Company in the event the
individual granted the Restricted Shares does not remain in the continuous
employment of the Company for the entire Restricted Period.

     Payment of Restricted Shares.  At the end of the Restricted Period, all
restrictions shall lapse as to the Restricted Shares and one or more
certificates for the appropriate number of shares of Common Stock shall be
delivered to the individual, unless the Committee, in its sole discretion, has
authorized the individual, at his request, to defer the receipt of all or any
portion of the Restricted Shares in accordance with the terms of the amendment.

     Federal Tax Consequences of Restricted Share Grants.  Under existing
federal income tax law, no income will be recognized by the individual to whom
Restricted Shares have been granted at the time of the Restricted Shares award.
Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period, the individual will be required
to treat as ordinary income the fair market value of the stock and the Company
will be entitled to a deduction in such amount.

SUMMARY OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED PLANS

     Number of Shares Authorized Under the Plans.  The Amendments to and the
Amended and Restated Plans DO NOT provide for any increase in the number of
shares previously authorized under the Plans.  As originally adopted by the
Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders of the Company, the 1989
Plan, the 1990 Plan, the 1992 Plan and the 1995 Plan authorized the issuance of
up to 300,000, 200,000, 200,000 and 300,000 shares of Common Stock
respectively.  The terms of each of the Plans provides that the number of
shares covered by options issued, Restricted Stock granted and authorized for
issuance thereunder shall be adjusted in the event the outstanding Common Stock
is changed by any stock dividend, stock split or combination of shares.  As a
result of the Stock Dividend, the number of shares authorized for issuance
under the 1989 Plan, 1990 Plan, 1992 Plan and 1995 Plan was automatically
increased to 400,000, 266,667, 266,667 and 400,000 respectively (less the
number of shares previously issued as adjusted).

     Eligibility.  All key employees of the Company are eligible to be
considered as recipients of a grant or grants of options to purchase shares of
Common Stock or grants of Restricted Shares under the Plans.  There are
currently approximately sixty such key employees.

     Administration.  The Plans shall be administered by a committee of the
Board of Directors (the "Committee") which consists of not less than two
members of the Board of Directors who are not employees or officers of the
Company.  Members of the Committee shall be appointed from time to time by the
Board of Directors.  In addition to the authority of the Committee with respect
to Restricted Stock Grants described under SUMMARY OF THE AMENDMENTS -
Administration, the Committee shall, subject to the terms of the Plans, have
the authority, among other things, to determine (i) the persons to be granted
options; (ii) the number of shares subject to each option; (iii) the exercise
price of the option (which price shall not be less than the fair market value
of the option at the time of grant); (iv) the time or times when the option may
be exercised; (v) the date the option terminates (which shall not be more than
10 years after the grant date); (vi) whether the option may be transferred (as
limited by the Plans); (vii) the form of payment for the exercise price; and
(viii) whether the option shall include a right to receive dividend equivalent
payments.



                                     - 9 -


<PAGE>   10




     Termination of Employment.  In the event that an optionee ceases to be an
employee of the Company or any subsidiary for any reason except death,
permanent disability, retirement or termination for cause, such individual's
options may be exercised at any time during their specified term for a period
of 90 days after the date of such termination.  If such individual's employment
is terminated by death, permanent disability or retirement his or her options
may be exercised by such individual (or in the event of his or her death, by
such individual's heirs, legatees, or legal representatives) during their
specified term for a period of up to 3 years following such event to the extent
that such options were exercisable at the date of termination, unless otherwise
accelerated by the Committee in its discretion. In the event of termination of
employment for cause, the optionee's options shall expire and all rights to
purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant thereto shall cease immediately.

     Non-transferability of Options.  Except to the extent provided below, no
option granted under the Plans may be transferred by the optionee (except, in
the event of the optionee's death, by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, to the limited extent described in "Termination of Employment".)
The Committee may, however, in its discretion, grant an option which would
permit the optionee, at any time prior to his or her death, to transfer all or
a portion of such option to: (i) his or her spouse or lineal descendants or the
spouse or spouses of his or her lineal descendants; (ii) the trustee of a trust
established for the benefit of his or her spouse or lineal descendants or the
spouse or spouses of his or her lineal descendants; or (iii) a partnership
whose only partners are the spouse and/or lineal descendants and/or the spouse
or spouses of the lineal descendants of the optionee; provided that the form of
such transfer sets forth the transfer limitations, the optionee receives no
consideration from the transferee, and the transferee is subject to all of the
terms of the option.  The transfer shall be evidenced by an appropriate written
document received by the Company on or prior to the date of the transfer.

     Amendment of the Plans.  The Board of Directors may amend or discontinue
the Plans at any time.  However, no such amendment or discontinuance may change
or impair any option previously granted without the consent of the optionee.

     Federal Tax Consequences of Options.  Options granted under the 1995 Plan
are not intended to qualify as "incentive stock options" within the meaning of
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Company understands that under
current federal income tax law that (i) no income will be recognized by the
optionee at the time of grant of an option; (ii) upon exercise of an option,
the optionee will be required to treat as ordinary income the difference
between the option price and the fair market value of the stock purchased on
the date of exercise; and (iii) the Company will be entitled to treat as a
deduction the amount recognized as income by the optionee at the time of
exercise.

     Effective Dates and Termination Dates of the Plans.  The Plans as approved
by stockholders were effective as of the date of adoption of the Plans by the
Board of Directors.  The 1989 Plan was effective as of January 3, 1989.  The
1990 Plan was effective as of October 26, 1989.  The 1992 Plan was effective as
of  March 12, 1992. The 1995 Plan was effective as of  January 3, 1995.  No
option nor Restricted Stock may be granted after January 2, 1999 under the 1989
Plan, October 25, 1999 under the 1990 Plan, March 11, 2002 under the 1992 Plan
and January 2, 2005 under the 1995 Plan.

     No Restricted Shares have been granted under the Plans as of the date of
this proxy statement and no Restricted Stock will be granted until the
Amendments are as set forth in the form of amended and restated plan is
approved by stockholder of the Company.  In the event the Amendments and the
Amended and Restated Plans are not approved, the 1989 Plan, 1990 Plan, 1992
Plan and 1995 Plan will continue to be administered in accordance with their
terms as they existed immediately prior to the adoption of the Amendments by
the Board of Directors on March 20, 1996 and will be so amended and restated.

        THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE
        FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENTS TO AND THE AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT
        OF THE COMPANY'S 1989, 1990, 1992 AND 1995 STOCK OPTION PLANS.


                                     - 10 -


<PAGE>   11




                       EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

     The executive officers of the Company, their respective ages, positions
held and tenure as officers are set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Position(s) Held                                      Officer of the
Name                      Age  with the Company                                      Company Since
- ----                      ---  ----------------                                      -------------
<S>                       <C>  <C>                                                   <C>
Charles M. Brennan III    54   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer                       1988
                               
Ronald J. Keller (1)      58   Vice President of Sturgeon Electric Company, Inc.          1996
                               (a wholly owned subsidiary)

William S. Skibitsky (2)  46   Executive Vice President and President of The L. E.        1994
                               Myers Co. (a wholly owned subsidiary)

Byron D. Nelson           49   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary       1984
                               
Elliott C. Robbins        49   Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer             1984
                               and Treasurer


</TABLE>

(1)  Sturgeon Electric Company, Inc. was acquired by the Company on January 3,
     1995 pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Mr. Keller is responsible for the
     commercial and industrial electrical construction operations of the
     Company.  Mr. Keller was named an executive officer of the Company on
     February 21, 1996.

(2)  Mr. Skibitsky was elected Executive Vice President of the Company on
     February 21, 1996 and was elected President of The L. E. Myers Co. (a
     wholly owned subsidiary of the Company) on May 12, 1994.  Mr. Skibitsky is
     responsible for the operations of The L. E. Myers Co., Harlan Electric
     Company, and Power Piping Company (subsidiaries of the Company) and all
     electric utility construction operations of the Company.

                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

     In 1994, the Board of Directors established a Compensation Committee (the
"Committee") which consists of Mr. Thomas (Chairman), Mr. Brown and Mr. Bulley.
The subcommittee of Committee administers the Company's 1989, 1990, 1992 and
1995 Stock Option Plans, and the Company's Management Incentive Plan ("MIP").
In addition, the Compensation Committee sets the compensation for the Chief
Executive Officer and for the other named executive officers of the Company.
The purpose of the overall compensation program of the Company is to attract
and incent key operating and management personnel.  The principal components of
the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and the other named executive
officers are base salary, short term incentive awards under the Company's MIP,
and long term incentives under the Company's stock option plans.

     The Committee bases its decisions regarding compensation of the Chief
Executive Officer on the philosophy that a significant portion of his
compensation must be determined by the performance of the Company against its
business plan.  It believes generally that base salaries should be competitive
within the industries in which the Company conducts its business and should be
within the range of mean and mid-points for comparable positions as determined
by various industry compensation analysts and studies.  In addition, incentive
compensation awards and stock options should provide an opportunity based upon
performance for the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Officers and other key
management personnel to earn additional compensation which would place them in
the upper quartile of compensation ranges for comparable positions within the
industries in which the Company conducts its businesses.



                                     - 11 -


<PAGE>   12




     The MIP provides that the Chief Executive Officer, the other named
Executive Officers, and certain other key management personnel are eligible for
an award for each calendar year in which the Company achieves at least 75% of
its planned earnings per share goal for the year.  This minimum performance
requirement may be amended, from time to time, by the Board of Directors.
Awards may be granted to all, some, or none of the aforementioned eligible
participants and may vary from 10% to 115% of the individual's base salary.
The amount of the award for the Chief Executive Officer is determined by the
Committee based upon an evaluation of the Company's performance against its
business plan in terms of earnings per share and the Committee's overall
evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer's performance.  In addition to the
evaluation of the Company's overall performance against plan, the amount of the
awards for the other named executive officers who are responsible for divisions
of the Company's operations are determined by the Committee based upon an
evaluation of each such Executive Officer's division's performance compared to
its business plan revenues, contract margins and operating income.  The
Committee also considers in its determination of awards, the evaluation of
performance against certain other specific goals, such as safety, an element of
which is measured by a reduction in lost time accidents, established at the
time of the business plans for the year are finalized, and the evaluation of
the executive officer's overall performance in his position.  Awards for
Executive Officers who are not responsible for division operations are
determined by the Committee based upon the Company's overall financial
performance against its business plan in the same manner as for the Chief
Executive Officer and an evaluation of such Executive Officer's overall
performance in his or her position, considering the responsibilities of such
executive officer.  The Board of Directors may grant discretionary awards
notwithstanding the terms of the MIP. Awards, if any, to the named Executive
Officers under the MIP (or a predecessor plan) for 1993, 1994 and 1995 are set
forth in the Summary Compensation Table.

     The Company utilizes stock options as longer term compensation vehicles.
The outside directors believe that significant linkage between the compensation
of the Chief Executive Officer, the named executive officers and key management
personnel and the maximization of stockholder wealth through appreciation in
the value of Common Stock is created through the use of stock options.  Options
are generally priced at the fair market value of the underlying stock on the
date of the grant of the option and vest incrementally over four to five years.
The Committee believes the incremental vesting provides a longer term
incentive to its executive officers thereby providing a compensation vehicle by
which to retain successful managers.  In 1992 the outside directors awarded Mr.
Brennan a stock option to purchase 75,000 shares of Common Stock as a longer
term incentive. The exercise price per share was the fair market price on the
date of grant.  As a result of the Stock Dividend the number of shares was
adjusted to 100,000 shares and the exercise price was reduced by twenty-five
percent.  Mr. Brennan's option vests approximately nine years from the date of
grant subject to acceleration at the sole discretion of the outside directors.
The vesting schedule may be accelerated from time to time by the outside
directors based upon Mr. Brennan's progress in achieving the Company's
strategic objectives.  In February 1995 the Committee accelerated the date upon
which the option could be exercised with respect to 20,000 of the shares of
Common Stock to February 22, 1995.  As a result of the Stock Dividend the
number of shares was increased to 26,667.  In February 1995 the Committee
granted Mr. Brennan a new option to purchase 30,000 shares of Common Stock at
an exercise price of $10.88 per share.  As a result of the Stock Dividend the
number of shares of Common Stock covered by this grant was increased to 40,000
and the exercise price was reduced to $8.16 per share.

                                     COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
                                     Bide L. Thomas, Chairman
                                     William G. Brown
                                     Allan E. Bulley, Jr.


                                     - 12 -


<PAGE>   13




SUMMARY OF CASH AND CERTAIN OTHER COMPENSATION

     The following table, including footnotes, shows for the years 1995, 1994,
and 1993, the cash compensation paid by the Company, as well as certain other
compensation paid or accrued for those years, to the named Executive Officers
in all capacities in which they served.

                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Long Term
                                                                      Compensation
                     Annual Compensation                                 Awards
- --------------------------------------------------------------       --------------
                                                  Other Annual                              All Other
   Name and Principal           Salary    Bonus   Compensation        Options/SARs         Compensation
        Position          Year  ($) (1)    ($)      ($) (2)               (#)                ($) (3)
- ---------------------     ----  -------  -------  ------------       --------------        ------------
<S>                       <C>   <C>      <C>        <C>               <C>                  <C>
Charles M. Brennan        1995  300,000  193,500     69,495              40,000  (6)          69,546
Chairman and              1994  250,000        0     69,440  (4)              0               64,865
Chief Executive Officer   1993  250,000        0     69,495  (4)              0               56,027

William S. Skibitsky (5)  1995  163,850  102,000      8,070              13,334  (6)          11,996
President -               1994  101,540   40,000      5,352              33,334  (6)          27,413  (8)
The L.E. Myers Co.                                  

Elliott C. Robbins        1995  150,000   76,000      6,864              16,667  (6)          27,757
Senior Vice President     1994  135,000   50,000      6,765                   0               26,426
Treasurer and Chief       1993  133,270        0      6,724              13,334  (6,7)        17,607
Financial Officer                                   

Byron D. Nelson           1995  150,000   76,000      6,862              16,667  (6)          27,746
Senior Vice President     1994  130,000   50,000      6,730                   0               25,699
General Counsel and       1993  128,270        0      6,688              13,334  (6,7)        17,114
Secretary
</TABLE>




                                    - 13 -

<PAGE>   14




Notes to Summary Compensation Table

(1)  Includes amounts deferred at the election of the named executive officers
     under the 401(k) feature of the Company's Profit Sharing and Thrift Plan.

(2)  Includes automobile allowances of $600, $500, and $500 per month for
     Messrs. Skibitsky, Robbins, and Nelson respectively.  Mr. Brennan was
     provided with an automobile by the Company commencing in 1993.  Includes
     income related to premium costs of group term life insurance in excess of
     $ 50,000 provided by the Company.

(3)  Includes: (i) the vested portion of Company contributions to the Profit
     Sharing and Thrift Plan and (ii) dividend equivalent payments under the
     Company's Stock Option Plans on stock options held by the named executive
     officers for all reported years.  Includes amounts accrued by the Company
     as unfunded liabilities for Mr. Robbins and Mr. Nelson pursuant to
     Supplemental Retirement and Death Benefit Agreements (SRDB Agreements)
     with them.  Under the SRDB Agreements these named executive officers are
     entitled, upon retirement or permanent disability, to an aggregate amount
     equal to two times their highest base salary (Benefit Amount) payable in
     120 equal monthly installments over a period of 10 years (or, in the event
     of death, to their beneficiary over 15 years).  The Benefit Amount is
     reduced by 15%, 25%, 33.33%, 40% and 45% in the event the named executive
     officer retires at age 64, 63, 62, 61, or 60, respectively.  No benefit
     shall be paid in the event of the named executive officer's retirement
     prior to age 60.

(4)  In 1991, in lieu of any other retirement not available generally to all
     employees, Mr. Brennan was granted an option to purchase 50,000 shares of
     Common Stock and borrowed the exercise price from the Company to exercise
     the option.  Included in the amount set forth is a payment of $68,000 to
     Mr. Brennan which is equal to the amount of principal payment payable to
     the Company by Mr. Brennan on December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 under the
     terms of the promissory note evidencing the loan.  Upon receipt, Mr.
     Brennan immediately paid these amounts to the Company as payment of the
     principal due on the note. The amount does not include an additional
     payment of $37,506 for 1995, $42,549 for 1994, and $48,222 for 1993, which
     is equal to the amount of interest accrued on the promissory note at the
     applicable Federal rate under Section 1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code
     of 1986, as amended.  On December 31, 1995, December 31, 1994 and December
     31, 1993 respectively, Mr. Brennan received payments equal to these
     amounts which he immediately paid to the Company as payment of the
     interest amount due on the note.  There is no net income or expense effect
     from these interest payments since the interest income earned by the
     Company offsets the payment expense.  (See  EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT - C. M.
     BRENNAN III  )

(5)  Mr. Skibitsky was first employed as an executive officer by the Company
     on May 12, 1994.

(6)  Under the terms of the Company's stock option plans the number of shares
     subject to options granted and the exercise price per share are
     proportionately adjusted in the event of stock dividends and other events
     described in the plans.  The numbers of shares in the table reflect a 33
     1/3% increase in the number of shares covered by such grants as a result
     of the Stock Dividend.

(7)  Option granted in 1992 was canceled in exchange for option granted in 1993.

(8)  Includes $23,288 of relocation related expenses paid by the Company which
     expenses were associated with Mr. Skibitsky's relocation to the Chicago,
     Illinois area following his employment by the Company.



                                    - 14 -
<PAGE>   15




STOCK OPTIONS

     The following tables contain information concerning the stock options
granted to, exercised by and held by the named executive officers in 1995.  The
number of shares reflect the impact of the Stock Dividend. The Company's Stock
Option Plans do not provide for the grant of SARs.  The Potential Realizable
Values set forth result from calculations assuming 5% and 10% growth rates as
set by the Securities Exchange Commission.  The value of unexercised
in-the-money options is calculated using the difference between fair market
value of the Common Stock at December 31, 1995 ($10-7/8 per share) and the
exercise price of the options.


                    OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     % of Total                                   Potential Realizable
                                    Options/SARs     Exercise                       Value at Assumed
                                     Granted to       or Base                     Annual Rates of Stock
                 Options/SARs       Employees in       Price        Expiration   Price Appreciation for
Name            Granted (#) (1)     Fiscal Year     ($/Sh) (1)         Date            Option Term
- ------------    ---------------     ------------    ----------      ----------   ------------------------
                                                                                   5% ($)       10% ($)
                                                                                 ----------    ----------
<S>                <C>                <C>           <C>             <C>          <C>            <C>  
C.M. Brennan         40,000             17.8%          $8.16         01/02/05     205,271        520,198
R.J. Keller          10,000              4.4%          $8.16         01/02/05      51,318        130,049
R.J. Keller           6,667              3.0%         $10.87         10/23/05      45,576        115,499
W.S. Skibitsky       13,334              5.9%         $10.87         10/23/05      91,152        230,998
B.D. Nelson          16,667              7.4%          $8.16         01/02/05      85,427        216,488
E.C. Robbins         16,667              7.4%          $8.16         01/02/05      85,427        216,488

</TABLE>
             AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISED IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                         AND FY-END OPTION/SAR VALUE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   Value of
                                                                            Number of             Unexercised
                                                                           Unexercised            In-the Money
                                                                          Options/SARs            Options/SARs
                                                                        at FY-End (#) (1)         at FY-End ($)
                                                                        -----------------         -------------
                                   No. Shares
                                    Acquired      Dollar Value           Exercisable/              Exercisable/
Name                              on Exercise       Realized             Unexercisable             Unexercisable
- ---------------------------       -----------     ------------        ------------------          --------------
<S>                               <C>              <C>             <C>      <C>               <C>
Charles M. Brennan III                 0               $0            E           228,334              1,138,525
                                                                     U           103,333                 73,950

William S. Skibitsky                   0               $0            E             8,333                 17,874
                                                                     U            38,335                 53,628

Elliott C. Robbins                     0               $0            E            23,499                125,832
                                                                     U            23,169                 68,740

Byron D. Nelson                        0               $0            E            23,499                125,832
                                                                     U            23,169                 68,740
</TABLE>


(1) Adjusted to reflect the Stock Dividend.



                                    - 15 -
<PAGE>   16





PERFORMANCE GRAPH

                  COMPARISON OF 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
                  AMONG MYR GROUP INC., THE NYSE MARKET INDEX
             THE DOW JONES HEAVY CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY GROUP INDEX


                                   [GRAPH]


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMPANY                      1990    1991    1992    1993    1994    1995
- -------                      ----  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
<S>                          <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
MYR Group Inc.                100  100.28  103.77   73.94   75.38  101.08
DJ Heavy Construction Group   100  122.42  123.17  136.62  105.39  121.16
NYSE Market Index             100  129.41  135.50  153.85  153.86  195.61
</TABLE>

     The above graph compares the performance of MYR Group Inc. with that of
the New York Stock Exchange Market Index and the Dow Jones Heavy Construction
Industry Group Index (DJHCI) which is a published industry index.  The
companies which comprise the Dow Jones Heavy Construction Industry Group are:
Abrams Industries, Inc.; Ameron Inc.; Astec Industries; Guy F. Atkinson
Company; Michael Baker Company; Banister Foundation, Inc.; Blount International
Inc. (A); Blount International Inc. (B); CRSS, Inc.; Devcon International;
Dycom Inc.; Empresas ICA Sociedad; Flour Corporation; Foster Wheeler; Gencor
Industries Inc.; Gilbert Associates, Inc.; Goldfield Corporation; Graham
Corporation; Greiner Engineering; Grupo Mexico Desarrollo B; Grupo Mexico
Desarrollo L; Grupo Tribasa AS DE CV; Huntway Partners LP; Insituform East,
Inc.; Institform Mid-America Inc.; Instituform Technologies; Jacobs
Engineering; JLG Industries, Inc.; Kasler Holding Corporation; Morrison
Knudsen; MYR Group Inc.; Porter McLeod National; Quantum Learning Systems;
Randers Group Inc.; Rexworks Inc.; Robertson-CECO Company; Stone and Webster;
TRC Companies, Inc.; Turner Corporation; and Zurn Industries.

     The comparison of total return on investment based upon the changes in
year end price plus reinvested dividends for each period is calculated assuming
$100 was invested on January 1, 1991 in MYR Group Inc., the companies which
comprise the NYSE Market Index and the companies which comprise the DJHCI.  For
the NYSE and the DJHCI comparison, the assumed investment is based upon a
market weighted calculation.




                                    - 16 -
<PAGE>   17




EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT - C. M. BRENNAN III

     The Company and Charles M. Brennan III entered into an amended and
restated employment agreement dated as of December 23, 1991 ("Brennan
Agreement").  The Brennan Agreement covers the period from December 23, 1991 to
December 31, 1996 and provides that the Company agrees to employ Mr. Brennan as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at a base compensation of not less than
$250,000 per year.  The Brennan Agreement provides that Mr. Brennan is entitled
to receive a bonus for each of the years 1991 through 1996 in accordance with
the terms of any incentive compensation plan as such plan may exist from time
to time during the term of the Brennan Agreement.

     The Brennan Agreement provides that, in the event Mr. Brennan's employment
terminates, as a result of his death or disability, the Company is obligated to
pay to him or his estate the base compensation then accrued but unpaid and the
proportionate bonus for the year in which such termination occurs.  The
proportionate bonus is to be calculated assuming the Company's performance
equals 100% of its targeted performance in the Company's business plan for such
year.

     The Brennan Agreement further provides that the Company shall have the
right to terminate Mr. Brennan's employment for Good Cause (as defined) with no
liability to Mr. Brennan except the obligation to pay him his accrued but
unpaid base compensation.  The Brennan Agreement also provides that Mr. Brennan
may terminate his employment for Good Reason (as defined).  In such event, Mr.
Brennan is entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the greater of (i) the
present value of all amounts he would have been entitled to under the Brennan
Agreement including bonuses calculated on the basis that the Company
performance would equal 100% of its targeted performance provided for in the
Company's business plan or (ii) the sum of (a) Mr. Brennan's salary for one
year at the highest rate in effect after December 23, 1991 and (b) the bonus
which would have been paid for the year in which such termination occurs
calculated as if the Company achieved 100% of targeted performance provided in
its business plan. In the event of the termination of Mr. Brennan's  employment
by the Company other than for Good Cause (as defined), the Brennan Agreement
provides that Mr. Brennan will be entitled to the same amount as if Mr. Brennan
had terminated his employment for Good Reason.

INDEBTEDNESS OF MANAGEMENT

     During 1991, the Board of Directors granted to Mr. Brennan, in lieu of any
retirement benefit generally not available to all salaried employees, a stock
option to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock under the Company's 1990 Stock
Option Plan (the "Brennan Option") and the Board of Directors provided Mr.
Brennan a cash grant of $731,500 restricted in its use to the exercise of the
Brennan Option.  As part of the Brennan Agreement, the Company agreed to lend
$680,000 to Mr. Brennan and to provide him a cash grant of $51,500 upon
execution of the Brennan Agreement.  Mr. Brennan used the proceeds of the loan
and the $51,500 to return to the Company the $731,500 previously received by
him and used for the exercise of the stock option.  The loan of $680,000 is
evidenced by a promissory note delivered to the Company by Mr. Brennan and is
payable in equal installments of $68,000 (plus interest thereon at the
applicable Federal rate under Section 1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986) on December 31 of each year commencing on December 31, 1992 and
thereafter through December 31, 2001.  The promissory note is secured by shares
of Common Stock.  The Brennan Agreement provides that Mr. Brennan is entitled
to receive, on December 31 on each of the years 1992 through 1996, a payment in
an amount equal to the principal and interest payment due to the Company from
Mr. Brennan for such years under the above described promissory note.  The
Brennan Agreement provides that, in the event Mr. Brennan's employment
terminates as a result of his death or disability, the Company will forgive all
remaining unpaid principal and interest under the promissory note described
above.

     On July 24, 1994, the Company made a loan to William S. Skibitsky and his
wife in the amount of $150,000 to assist them in the purchase of a home in the
Chicago area.  The loan was evidenced by a promissory note dated July 24, 1994
executed by Mr. and Mrs. Skibitsky.  On August 10, 1995 the promissory note was
replaced with a new promissory note secured by a second mortgage deed on real
property owned by Mr. and Mrs. Skibitsky in Avon, Connecticut.  The terms of
the note provide that the principal is due and payable five working days
following the sale of the property or on August 10, 1997, whichever first
occurs.



                                    - 17 -
<PAGE>   18




                               SECURITY OWNERSHIP

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

     The table set forth below contains information as of March 1, 1996
concerning beneficial ownership of Common Stock by directors, named executive
officers, all directors and executive officers as a group.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Shares      Exercisable    Percentage
                                  Beneficially      Stock      of the Shares
                                     Owned         Options      Outstanding
                                  -------------  ------------  -------------
<S>                              <C>            <C>            <C>
Charles M. Brennan II                 523,666       228,334        22.1%
William G. Brown                       66,669        14,333         2.5%
Allan E. Bulley, Jr.                   16,000        14,333          (1)
John M. Harlan                          - 0 -         6,666          (1)
Bide L. Thomas                          2,000        10,999          (1)
Ronald J. Keller                        - 0 -         2,500          (1)
William S. Skibitsky                    - 0 -         8,333          (1)
Elliott C. Robbins                     16,799        23,499         1.3%
Byron D. Nelson                        16,666        23,499         1.3%
All directors and executive officers  641,800       332,496        27.8%
</TABLE>

(1)  Less than 1%.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

     Set forth below is information as of December 31, 1995 (unless otherwise
indicated) concerning other principal stockholders known to the Company to own
beneficially more than five percent of the Company's outstanding shares of
Common Stock.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   Shares      Percentage
                                Beneficially  of the Shares
                                   Owned       Outstanding
                                ------------  -------------
<S>                             <C>           <C>
Heartland Advisors, Inc.          311,333         9.78%
790 N. Milwaukee St.
Milwaukee, WI  53202
(as of February 29, 1996)         

Shufro, Rose & Ehrman, Inc.       186,727         5.88%
745 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY  10151-2600          

T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.    213,333         6.70%
P. O. Box 89000
Baltimore, MD  21289-1009

Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc.    170,317         5.36%
1299 Ocean Avenue                 
Santa Monica, CA 90401            
</TABLE>




                                    - 18 -
<PAGE>   19




                               OTHER INFORMATION

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND AUDITORS

     Stockholders are referred to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1995 for financial and other information about the
Company, but the report is not incorporated in this statement and is not deemed
to be a part of the proxy soliciting material.

     Deloitte & Touche was the Company's auditor for 1995.  The Board of
Directors has not selected the Company's auditors for 1996.  Auditors will be
selected by the Board upon a recommendation by the Audit Committee.  A
representative of Deloitte & Touche will be present at the Annual Meeting.  He
will have the opportunity to make a statement, if he desires to do so, and will
be available to respond to appropriate questions.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

     Proposals specified in the Company's proxy materials.  Any proposal which
a stockholder wishes to have considered by the Company for inclusion in the
proxy materials of the Board of Directors for the 1997 annual meeting of
stockholders should be sent to the Secretary of the Company in writing and must
be received before December 31, 1996.

     Proposals otherwise properly brought before a meeting.  Stockholders
wishing to present proposals for action at a meeting of the Company's
stockholders must do so in accordance with the Company's bylaws.  A stockholder
must give timely notice of the proposed business to the Secretary of the
Company.  To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be in writing, delivered to
or mailed, postage prepaid, to and received by the Secretary of the Company not
less than 45 days nor more than 60 days prior to the meeting, provided,
however, that if less than 50 days' notice or prior public disclosure of the
date of the meeting is given to stockholders, notice by the stockholder, to be
timely, must be received by the Secretary not later than the close of business
on the seventh day following the day on which notice of the date of the meeting
was mailed or public disclosure was made.  For each matter the stockholder
proposes to bring before the meeting, the notice to the Secretary must include:
(i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the
meeting; (ii) the name and address of the stockholder proposing the business;
(iii) the class and number of shares of the Company which are beneficially
owned by the stockholder; and (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in
such business.

     The Chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine and
declare that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance
with the Company's bylaws.  If the Chairman does so, the business shall not be
transacted.

STOCKHOLDER NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTOR

     Nominations specified in the Company's proxy materials.  The Board of
Directors will consider any candidate recommended by a stockholder of the
Company for nomination as a director for election at the 1997 annual meeting of
stockholders provided that written notice of such recommendation is received by
the Secretary of the Company before December 31, 1996.  The notice is required
to set forth:  (i) the name and address of the stockholder making the
recommendation; (ii) the name, age, business address and, if known, residence
address of each proposed nominee; (iii) the principal occupation or employment
of each proposed nominee and other relevant biographical information concerning
the proposed nominee; (iv) a detailed statement of the proposed nominee's
qualifications; (v) the number of shares of stock of the Company which are
beneficially owned by each proposed nominee and by the stockholder making the
recommendation; (vi) a description of all arrangements or understandings
between the stockholder making the recommendation and each proposed nominee and
any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which
the proposed nomination or nominations are to be made; (vii) any other
information concerning the proposed nominee that must be disclosed with respect
to nominees in proxy solicitations pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934; and (viii) the executed consent of each proposed nominee
to serve as a director of the Company if nominated and elected.

     Nominations to be made directly by a stockholder at a meeting.  In
accordance with the Company's bylaws, stockholders wishing to directly nominate
candidates for the Board of Directors must do so in writing, delivered to or
mailed, postage prepaid,



                                    - 19 -
<PAGE>   20



to and received by the Secretary of the Company not less than 45 days or more
than 60 days prior to any meeting of stockholders called for the election of
directors, provided, however, that if less than 50 days' notice or prior public
disclosure of the date of the meeting is given to stockholders, the nomination
must be received by the Secretary not later than the close of business on the
seventh day following the day on which the notice of the meeting was mailed.
The notice is required to set forth:  (i) the name and address of the
stockholder who intends to make the nomination; (ii) the name, age, business
address and, if known, residence address of each nominee; (iii) the principal
occupation or employment of each nominee; (iv) the number of shares of stock of
the Company which are beneficially owned by each nominee and by the nominating
stockholder; (v) a description of all arrangements or understandings between
the nominating stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons
(naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations
are to be made; (vi) any other information concerning the nominee that must be
disclosed with respect to nominees in proxy solicitations pursuant to
Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (vii) the executed
consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Company if elected.

     The Chairman of the meeting of stockholders may, if the facts warrant,
determine that a nomination was not made in accordance with the proper
procedures.  If the Chairman does so, the Chairman shall so declare to the
meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

                                     BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
        

                
                                     Byron D. Nelson
                                     Secretary


Suite 200
2550 West Golf Road
Rolling Meadows, Illinois  60008
April 15, 1996





















                                    - 20 -
<PAGE>   21




                                                                      Appendix A


                   MYR GROUP INC. 1996 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR
                              STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

                        ARTICLE I - PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

The purpose of the MYR Group Inc. Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan is
to further the growth, development, and financial success of the Company by
strengthening the Company's ability to attract and retain the services of
experienced and knowledgeable Non-Employee Directors by enabling them to
participate in the Company's growth and by linking the personal interests of
Non-Employee Directors to those of the Company's shareholders.

ARTICLE II - CERTAIN DEFINITIONS


Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms shall have 
the following meanings:
2.1     "Award" means a grant of Restricted Stock under the Plan.
2.2     "Board" means the Board of Directors of  MYR Group Inc.
2.3     "Change of Control" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.
2.4     "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to 
        time.
2.5     "Company" means MYR Group Inc.
2.6     "Disability" means total disability within the meaning of Section 
        22(e)(3) 
        of the Code.
2.7     "Employee" means any full time worker, paid hourly or by salary, in the
        employment of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
2.8     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.9     "Nonemployee Director" means any individual who is a member of the Board
        of the Company, but who is not otherwise an Employee of the Company.
2.10    "Participant" means a Non-Employee Director who has been awarded stock
        under the Plan.
2.11    "Plan" means the MYR Group Inc. 1996Non-Employee Director Stock 
        Ownership Plan.
2.12    "Restricted Stock" or "Restricted Shares" means shares of common stock 
        of the Company granted to a Non-Employee Director under the Plan.
2.13    "Retirement" means cessation of membership on the Board of the Company
        for any reason other than death, disability or for cause.
2.14    "Stock" or "Shares" means common stock of the Company.

                           ARTICLE III - ADMINISTRATION

3.1     ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN.  The Plan shall be administered by the Board,
subject to the restrictions set forth in the Plan.

3.2     AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD.  The Board shall have the full power,
discretion, and authority to interpret and administer the Plan in a manner
which is consistent with the Plan's provisions.  Any action taken by the Board
with respect to the administration of the Plan which would result in any
Non-Employee Director ceasing to be a "disinterested person" within the meaning
of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act shall be null and void.

3.3     EFFECT OF BOARD DETERMINATIONS.  All determinations and decisions made
by the Board pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and all related orders
or resolutions of the Board shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all
persons, including the Company, its shareholders, Employees, Participants and
their estates and beneficiaries.


                                     A-1


<PAGE>   22




ARTICLE IV - ELIGIBILITY

4.1     Persons eligible to participate in the Plan shall be limited to the
Non-Employee Directors of the Company.

ARTICLE V - SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

5.1     NUMBER OF SHARES.  Subject to adjustment as provided herein, the total
number of Shares available for Award under the Plan may not exceed 50,000.  If
any Shares awarded under the Plan shall be forfeited, such Shares shall again
become available for future Awards under the Plan.

5.2     ADJUSTMENTS IN AUTHORIZED SHARES.  In the event of any merger,
reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, stock dividend,
split up, Share combination, or other change in the corporate structure of the
Company affecting the Shares, the Board may make such adjustments to
outstanding Awards to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights.

ARTICLE VI - RESTRICTED STOCK

6.1     AWARDS OF RESTRICTED STOCK.  Each Non-Employee shall have the right to
elect, in writing filed with the Secretary of the Company, to receive all or
part of his or her annual retainer fee, in Shares of Restricted Stock payable
on the dates of annual meetings of stockholders.  The number of Restricted
Shares so awarded shall be determined by dividing the amount of the retainer to
be paid in Restricted Shares by  the average of the closing prices of the
Company's Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in The Wall
Street Journal, Midwest Edition, for the ten trading days immediately preceding
the date of such annual meeting and rounding to the nearest whole number.
Elections shall be made not less than six months prior to the date of the
annual meeting  on which the election is to be effective, except that a
participant may make an election with respect to year beginning on the date of
the 1996 annual meeting shall be made prior to April 30, 1996.  A Participant's
election shall remain in effect from year to year until changed by the
Participant.  No change in an election shall be effective prior to an annual
meeting date at least six months after the date of the written notice of change
is received by the Secretary of the Company.

6.2     TRANSFERABILITY AND CUSTODY.  The Restricted Shares awarded to a
Non-Employee Director may not be sold, pledged, assigned, transferred, gifted
or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until such time as the restrictions with
respect to such Shares have lapsed as provided herein.  At the time Restricted
Shares are awarded to a Participant, stock certificates representing the
Restricted Stock shall be issued in the name of the Participant.  Thereupon the
Participant shall become a stockholder of the Company with respect to such
Restricted Stock and shall be entitled to vote the shares and be entitled to
receive all dividends.  If all or part of a dividend is paid in Stock, the
Stock shall be held by the Company subject to the same restrictions as the
Restricted Stock that is the basis for the dividend.  All stock certificates
representing Restricted Shares shall be held in custody by the Company for the
account of the Participant, together with stock powers executed by the
Participant in favor of the Company.

6.3     OTHER RESTRICTIONS.  The Company may impose such other restrictions on
Shares granted pursuant to the Plan as it may deem necessary or advisable
including, without limitation, imprinting a legend on the certificates and
restrictions to achieve compliance with Securities laws and stock exchange
requirements.

6.4     LAPSE OF RESTRICTIONS.  The restrictions provided in Sections 6.2 and 
6.3 shall remain in effect until, and shall lapse only upon, the earlier of (a)
five years from the date of the Award or (b) the termination of a Participant's
service as a Director by reason of death, Disability, or Retirement from the
Board.  Upon lapse of the restrictions, the certificates representing the
Shares shall thereafter be delivered to the Participant, or in the case of
Participant's death or Disability, to the Participant's personal representative
or to the person to whom such shares are transferred by will or by the
applicable laws of descent and distribution.

6.5     TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.  In the event the Participant's service as a
Director is terminated on account of (a) fraud or intentional
misrepresentation, or (b) embezzlement, misappropriation, or conversion of
assets or opportunities of the Company, all Restricted Shares awarded to such
Participant prior to the date of termination shall be immediately forfeited.


                                     A-2


<PAGE>   23




6.6     WITHHOLDING OF TAXES.  The Company shall have the right to collect cash
from Participants in an amount necessary to satisfy any Federal, state or local
withholding tax requirements.

                        ARTICLE VII - CHANGE IN CONTROL

7.1     EFFECT OF CHANGE OF CONTROL.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Article
VI herein, upon the occurrence of an event of Change of Control:


        (a)     the Restrictions imposed on the Restricted Stock shall lapse, 
                and the Restricted Stock shall vest in the Participant, and

        (b)     within ten (10) business days after the occurrence of a Change 
                of Control, the certificates representing the Restricted Stock 
                so vested, without any restriction or legend thereon, shall be 
                delivered to the Participant.

7.2     The term "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the 
following events:

        (a)     The acquisition, by a person or group of persons acting in
                concert, of a beneficial ownership interest in the Company,
                resulting in the total beneficial ownership of such persons or 
                group of persons (excluding C. M. Brennan III so long as he is 
                a director of the Company) equaling or exceeding 30% of
                the outstanding common stock of the Company; provided,
                however, that no such person or group of persons shall be deemed
                to beneficially own (i) any common stock acquired directly from
                the Company or (ii) any common stock held by the Company or any
                of its subsidiaries or any employee benefit plan (or any related
                trust) of the Company or its subsidiaries.  The Change in
                Control shall be deemed to occur on the date the beneficial
                ownership of the acquiring person or group of persons first
                equals or exceeds 30% of the outstanding common stock of the
                Company.

        (b)     A change, within any period of thirty-six (36) months or less, 
                in the composition of the Board such that at the end of such 
                period a majority of the directors who are then serving were 
                not serving at the beginning of such period, unless at the end 
                of such period the majority of the directors in office were 
                nominated upon the recommendation of a majority of the Board 
                at the beginning of such period. The Change in Control shall be 
                deemed to occur on the date the last director necessary
                to result in a Change in Control takes office or resigns from
                office, as applicable.

        (c)     Approval by stockholders of the Company of a merger,
                consolidation or other reorganization having
                substantially the same effect, or the sale of all or
                substantially all the consolidated assets of the Company in each
                case, with respect to which the persons or group of persons
                (excluding C. M. Brennan III so long as he is a director of the
                Company) who were the respective beneficial owners of the common
                stock or warrants immediately prior to such event do not,
                following such event, beneficially own, directly or indirectly,
                more than 30% of, respectively the then outstanding voting
                securities of the Company resulting from such event or the
                Company purchasing or receiving assets pursuant to such event. 
                The Change in Control shall be deemed to occur on the date on
                which the transaction is approved by the Company's stockholders.



                                     A-3


<PAGE>   24




             ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION

8.1     AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION.  Subject to the terms set 
forth in this Section 8.1, the Board may terminate, amend, or modify the Plan 
at any time and from time to time; provided, however, that the provisions set 
forth in the Plan regarding the amount, the price or the timing of Awards to
Non-Employee Directors may not be amended, other than to comport with changes
in the Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or the rule
thereunder.  The Plan shall terminate when all of the Shares subject to it have
been awarded according to the provisions of the Plan.  However, in no event
shall an award be made under the Plan on or after December 31, 2005.

        Without the approval of the voting stockholders of the Company as may be
required by the rules of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, by any national
securities exchange or system on which the Shares are then listed or reported,
or by a regulatory body having jurisdiction with respect thereto, no such
termination, amendment or modification may:

        (a)     Materially increase the total number of Shares which may be
                available for grants of Awards under the Plan, except as 
                provided in Section 5.2 herein; or

        (b)     Materially modify the requirements with respect to eligibility 
                to participate in the Plan; or

        (c)     Materially increase the benefits accruing to Non-Employee
                Directors under the Plan.

8.2     AWARDS PREVIOUSLY GRANTED.  Unless required by law, no termination,
amendment or modification of the Plan shall materially affect, in an adverse
manner, any Award previously granted under the Plan, without the consent of the
Non-Employee Director holding the Award.

                      ARTICLE IX - NO RIGHT OF NOMINATION

9.1     Nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to create any obligation on the 
part of the Board to nominate any Participant for reelection by the Company's
stockholders.

                        ARTICLE X - REQUIREMENTS OF LAW

10.1    The granting of Awards under the Plan and the issuance of stock
certificates shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations,
and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities
exchanges as may be required.

                          ARTICLE XI - EFFECTIVE DATE

11.1    The Plan shall become deemed to be effective as of March 20, 1996, the
date which the Plan was adopted by the Board, upon approval by the holders of a
majority of the shares of common stock  at a meeting of stockholders of the
Company.


                                     A-4

<PAGE>   25

                                                                      Appendix B




                                    FORM OF
                                 MYR GROUP INC.
                             (1989/1990/1992/1995)
                     STOCK OPTION AND RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                 MARCH 20, 1996


     1. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.  The purpose of this Stock Option and Restricted 
Stock Plan (the "Plan") is to benefit MYR Group Inc. (the "Company") and its
subsidiaries through the maintenance and development of management by offering
certain present and future key individuals a favorable opportunity to become
holders of stock in the Company over a period of years, thereby giving them a
permanent stake in the growth and prosperity of the Company and encouraging
them to continue their involvement with the Company or its subsidiaries.

     2. ADMINISTRATION.  The Plan shall be administered by a committee (the
"Committee") of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), consisting
of not less than two members of the Board who are not employees or officers of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries.  Each member of the Committee shall be
appointed from time to time by the Board and shall serve at the pleasure of the
Board.  Only "disinterested persons", as such term is defined in Section
16b-3(c)(2)(i) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended), shall serve
as members of the Committee.  The Board of Directors may from time to time,
create a management subcommittee consisting of officers of the Company, and
delegate to such subcommittee the authority to grant options to non-officer
employees of the Company subject to subsequent ratification of the grants by
the Committee.

     Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority,
in its sole discretion, (a) to determine the individuals to whom options are
granted under the Plan; (b) to determine the number of shares subject to each
option; (c) to determine the exercise price per share of each option (subject
to Section 5 of the Plan); (d) to determine the time or times when options are
granted; (d) to determine the time or times when, or conditions upon which,
each option becomes exercisable; (e) to accelerate the exercisability of any
option granted pursuant to the Plan including with respect to options held by
employees whose employment has been terminated by reason of death, permanent
disability or retirement; (f) to determine the term of each option (subject to
Section 6 of the Plan); (g) to prescribe the form or forms of agreements which
evidence options granted under the Plan; and (h) to interpret the Plan and to
adopt rules or regulations (consistent with the terms of the Plan) which, in
the Committee's opinion, may be necessary or advisable for the administration
of the Plan.  Any action taken or decision made by the Committee in connection
with the administration and interpretation of the Plan shall, to the extent
permitted by law, be conclusive and binding upon grantees of options under the
Plan, including any transferee or assignee of any option granted under the Plan
or any person claiming rights under or through such  optionee.

     In addition, the Committee shall have the authority, in its sole
discretion, (a) to determine the individuals to whom shares of restricted stock
are granted under the Plan ("Restricted Shares"); (b) to determine the number
of Restricted Shares subject to each such grant; (c) to determine the time or
times when Restricted Shares are granted; (d) to determine the time or times
when, or conditions upon which, the restrictions on such Restricted Shares
lapse (the duration of such restrictions hereinafter referred to as the
"Restricted Period"); (e) to accelerate the Restricted Period for Restricted
Shares granted pursuant to the Plan; (f) to determine the term of each grant of
Restricted Shares; (g) to prescribe the form or forms of agreements which
evidence Restricted Shares granted under the Plan ("Restricted Stock
Agreement"); and (h) to interpret the Plan and to adopt rules or regulations
(consistent with the terms of the Plan) which, in the Committee's opinion, may
be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.



                                     B-1


<PAGE>   26




     3. ELIGIBILITY.  Options and Restricted Shares may be granted to key
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries selected initially and from time
to time thereafter by the Committee in its sole discretion on the basis of
their importance to the business of the Company or its subsidiaries.

     4. GRANTING OF OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED SHARES.  Options and Restricted
Shares may be granted under the Plan under which a total of not in excess of
(1989 Plan - 400,000 shares; 1990 Plan - 266,667 shares; 1992 Plan - 266,667
shares; 1995 Plan - 400,000 shares) of common stock of the Company, $1.00 par
value ("Common Stock"), may be purchased from or provided by the Company,
subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10.  Options granted under the
Plan will not be treated as incentive stock options as defined in Section 422
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     The number of shares of Common Stock covered by any option or options
together with the number of shares of Restricted Stock granted to any single
individual shall not, in the aggregate exceed 75% of the number of shares of
Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Plan.  This limitation includes
options or Restricted Shares which are granted or forfeited and regranted or
reissued.

     In the event that an option expires or is terminated or canceled
unexercised as to any shares, such released shares may be made the subject of
options granted hereunder (including without limitation options granted in
substitution for canceled options).  Shares subject to options or granted as
Restricted Shares may be made available from unissued or reacquired shares of
Common Stock.

     5. OPTION EXERCISE PRICE.  The option exercise price of each option shall
be determined by the Committee and, subject to the provisions of Section 10
hereof, shall be not less than 100% of the fair market value, at the time the
option is granted, of the shares of Common Stock subject to the option.  Any
determination of the fair market value or of the method of computing fair
market value of a share of Common Stock made by the Committee pursuant to any
provision of this Plan shall be final, binding and conclusive on all parties.

     6. DURATION OF OPTIONS, INCREMENTS, AND EXTENSIONS AND RIGHTS AND
RESTRICTIONS GOVERNING RESTRICTED SHARES.  (a)  Subject to the provisions of
Paragraph 8, each option shall be for a term of not more than ten years as
shall be determined by the Committee at the date of the grant.  The Committee
shall have the authority to determine with respect to each option the time or
times at which, or the conditions upon which, any option, or portions thereof,
shall become exercisable.

     (b)  The Committee, in its discretion, may accelerate the exercisability
of all or any portion of any option; or at any time prior to the expiration or
termination of any option previously granted, extend the term of any option for
such additional period as the Committee in its discretion shall determine,
except that the aggregate term of any such option, including the original term
of the option and any extensions thereof, shall in no event exceed ten years
from the date of the original grant.

     (c) At the time of grant of Restricted Shares, subject to the receipt by
the Company of any applicable consideration for such Restricted Shares, one or
more certificates representing the appropriate number of shares of Common Stock
granted to and individual shall be registered either in his name or fir his
benefit either individually or collectively with others, but shall be held by
the Company for the account of the individual.  The individual shall have all
rights of a holder as to such shares of Common Stock, including the right to
receive cash dividends, to exercise rights, and to vote such Common Stock and
any securities issued upon exercise of rights, subject to the following
restrictions; (a) the individual shall not be entitled to delivery of
certificates representing such shares of Common Stock, including certificates
issued as a result of stock dividends paid, and any other such securities until
the expiration of the Restricted Period, (b) none of the Restricted Shares may
be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or otherwise encumbered or disposed of
during the Restricted Period, and (c) all of the Restricted Shares shall be
forfeited and all rights of the individual to such Restricted Shares shall
terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company unless the
individual remains in the continuous employment of the Company for the entire
Restricted Period in relation to which such Restricted Share were granted,
except as otherwise allowed by Section 8 hereof.  Any shares of Common Stock or
other securities or property received with respect to such shares shall be
subject to the same restrictions as such Restricted Shares.


                                      B-2


<PAGE>   27



     7. EXERCISE OF OPTIONS AND PAYMENTS OF RESTRICTED SHARES.  (a)  An option
may be exercised by giving written notice to the Company, attention of the
Secretary, specifying the number of shares to be purchased, accompanied by the
full purchase price for the shares to be purchased in cash or by check, except
that the Committee may permit, in its discretion, the purchase price to be paid
in any other manner, including but not limited to, payment, in whole or in
part, by the delivery to the Company of shares of Common Stock in such manner
as the Committee may specify.  Shares of the Common Stock delivered upon
exercise of an option shall be valued at their fair market value as of the
close of business on the date preceding the date of exercise as determined by
the Committee.

     (b)  At the time of any exercise of any option, the Company may, if it
shall determine it necessary or desirable for any reason, require the optionee
(or his heirs, legatees, or legal representative, as the case may be) as a
condition upon the exercise thereof, to deliver to the Company a written
representation of present intention to purchase the shares for investment and
not for distribution.  In the event such representation is required to be
delivered, an appropriate legend may be placed upon each certificate delivered
to the optionee upon his exercise of part or all of the option and a stop
transfer order may be placed with the transfer agent.

     (c)  Each option shall also be subject to the requirement that, if at any
time the Company determines, in its discretion, that the listing, registration
or qualification of the shares subject to the option upon any securities
exchange or under any state or federal law or approval of any regulatory body
is necessary or desirable as a condition of or in connection with, the issue or
purchase of shares thereunder, the option may not be exercised in whole or in
part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval
shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to
the Company.

     (d)  At the time of the exercise of any option or  receipt of shares of
Common Stock by the grantee of Restricted Shares, the Company may require, as a
condition of the exercise of such option or delivery of shares upon the lapse
of restrictions on Restricted Shares, that the optionee pay to the Company, in
such manner and under such conditions as the Committee may specify, an amount
equal to the amount of the tax the Company may be required to withhold as a
result of the exercise of such option by the optionee or the receipt of shares
of Common Stock by the grantee of Restricted Shares.

     (e)  At the end of the Restricted Period, all restrictions contained in
the Restricted Share Agreement and in the Plan shall lapse as to the Restricted
Shares granted in relation to such Restricted Period, and one or more stock
certificates for the appropriate number of shares of Common Stock, free of
restrictions, shall be delivered to the individual.

     (f)  The Company may, in its sole discretion, offer an individual the
right, by execution of a written agreement, to defer the receipt of all or any
portion of the Restricted Shares.  If such an election to defer is made, the
delivery of the Restricted Shares shall be deferred as stock units equal in
number to and exchangeable, at the end of the deferral period, for the number
of shares of Common Stock that would have been paid to the individual.  Such
stock units shall represent only a contractual right and shall not give the
individual any interest, right or title to any shares of Common Stock during
the deferral period.  The cash receivable in payment for fractional shares
receivable shall be deferred as cash units.  Deferred stock units may be
credited annually with the appreciation factor contained in the deferred
compensation agreement or plan, which may include dividend equivalents.  All
other terms and conditions of deferred payments shall be as contained in the
written agreements.

     8. EXERCISE AFTER TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.  (a)  Any optionee whose
employment is terminated for any reason other than death, permanent disability,
or retirement may exercise his or her option to the extent exercisable at the
date of such termination at any time during its specified term prior to the
90th day after the date of such termination, provided, however, that if the
optionee's employment is terminated for cause such optionee's option shall
expire and all rights to purchase shares pursuant thereto shall terminate
immediately.  Temporary absence from employment because of illness, vacation,
approved leaves of absence, and transfers of employment among the Company and
its subsidiaries, shall not be considered to terminate employment or to
interrupt continuous employment.


                                      B-3


<PAGE>   28



     (b)  In the event of termination of employment because of death, permanent
disability (as that term is defined in Section 22(e) (3) of the Code, as now in
effect or as subsequently amended) or retirement (as hereinafter defined), an
option may be exercised to the extent exercisable at the date of such
termination (or to the extent exercisability has been accelerated by the
Committee in its sole discretion) by the optionee or, if the optionee is not
living, by the optionee's heirs, legatees, or legal representative, as the case
may be, at any time during its specified term prior to the third anniversary of
the date of death, permanent disability or retirement (as hereinafter defined).
Retirement as used herein shall mean termination of employment (other than for
death or disability) at any date after (I) the employee reaches age 60 and (ii)
the sum of the terminated employee's age added to the number of years such
employee was employed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries is equal to or
greater than 75.

     (c)  Notwithstanding the provisions of 8(a) and 8(b) above, the Committee
may specify other provisions in the form of agreement evidencing an option with
respect to the exercise of such option after the   optionee's termination of
employment.

     (d)  If an individual ceases to be an employee of the Company by reason of
death, disability or retirement (as such terms are described in subsection (b)
above) prior to the end of a Restricted Period, all Restricted Shares granted
to such individual are immediately payable in the manner set forth in Section
7(e),  Upon a termination of employment for a reason other than death,
disability or retirement (as such terms are described in subsection (b) above)
prior to the end of a Restricted Period, an individual shall immediately
forfeit all Restricted Shares previously granted, unless the Committee, in its
sole discretion, finds that the circumstances in the particular case so warrant
and allow a Participant whose employment has so terminated to retain any or all
of the Restricted Shares granted to such individual.

     9. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS.  Except as provided below, no option
shall be transferable by the optionee otherwise than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as
defined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended), and each option
shall be exercisable during an optionee's lifetime only by such optionee.

     Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may, in its discretion, grant or
amend an option which would permit the optionee, at any time prior to his or
her death, to transfer or assign all or any portion of such option to: (i) his
or her spouse or lineal descendants or the spouse or spouses of his or her
lineal descendants; (ii) the trustee of a trust established for the benefit of
his or her spouse or lineal descendants or the spouse or spouses of his or her
lineal descendants; or (iii) a partnership whose only partners are the spouse
and/or lineal descendants and/or the spouse or spouses of the lineal
descendants of the optionee; provided that the form of agreement evidencing
such option specifically sets forth the transfer limitations, the optionee
receives no consideration from the transferee or assignee, and the transferee
or assignee is subject to all the conditions applicable to the option prior to
the grant.  Any such transfer or assignment shall be evidenced by an
appropriate written document executed by the optionee and a copy of such
document shall be delivered to the Committee on or prior to the effective date
of the transfer or assignment.

     10. ADJUSTMENT.  (a)  In the event that the Company's outstanding Common
Stock is changed by any stock dividend, stock split or combination of shares,
the number of shares subject to this Plan and to options granted under this
Plan shall be proportionately adjusted.

     (b)  In case of any capital reorganization, or of any reclassification of
the Common Stock or in case of a consolidation of the Company with or the
merger of the Company  with or into any other corporation (other than a
consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation and
which does not result in any reclassification of outstanding shares of Common
Stock) or of the sale of the properties and assets of the Company as, or
substantially as, an entirety to any other corporation, the Company, or the
corporation resulting from such consolidation or surviving such merger or to
which such sale shall be made, as the case may be, shall determine that upon
exercise of options granted under the Plan after such capital reorganization,
reclassification, consolidation, merger or sale there shall be issuable upon
exercise of an option a kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities
or property (which may, as an example, be a fixed amount of cash equal to the
consideration paid to stockholders of the Company for shares transferred or
sold by them) which the holders of the Common Stock (immediately prior to the
time of such capital reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger or
sale) are entitled to receive in such transaction as in the judgment of the
Board of Directors is required to compensate equitably for the effect 


                                     B-4

<PAGE>   29

of such event upon the exercise rights of the optionees.  The above provisions 
of this paragraph shall similarly apply to successive reorganizations, 
reclassifications, consolidations, mergers and sales.

     (c)  In the event of any such adjustment the purchase price per
share shall be appropriately adjusted.

     11. DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT PAYMENTS.  The Committee, in its sole discretion,
may provide with respect any option granted under the Plan that, on each date
on which cash dividends are paid on shares of Common Stock the Company will pay
to the optionee holding such option an amount in cash equal to the amount of
the dividends that would have been paid to such optionee had the optionee owned
that number of shares of Common Stock for which such option is then currently
exercisable or for that number of shares for which such option was granted
regardless of whether or not such option is currently exercisable.

     12. AMENDMENT OF PLAN.  The Board may amend or discontinue the Plan at any
time.  However, no such amendment or discontinuance shall change or impair any
option previously granted without the consent of the optionee, increase the
maximum number of shares which may be purchased by all optionees, change the
minimum purchase price, or permit granting of options to the members of the
Committee.

     13. CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT.  Nothing contained in the Plan or in any option
granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon any optionee any right to continue
to be employed by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, or interfere in
any way with the right of the Company or its subsidiaries to terminate such
optionee's employment at any time.

     14. EFFECTIVE DATE.  The effective date of the Plan is (1989 Plan -
January 3, 1989; 1990 Plan - October 26, 1989; 1992 Plan - March 12, 1992; 1995
Plan - January 3, 1995), the date of its adoption by the Board of Directors.
In no event shall a stock option or Restricted Stock be granted under the Plan
after (1989 Plan - January 2, 1999; 1990 Plan - October 25, 1999; 1992 Plan -
March 11, 2002; 1995 Plan - January 2, 2005).  No Restricted Shares may be
granted under the Plan until the amendment to the Plan adopted by the Board of
Directors on March 20, 1996, as included in this Amended and Restated Plan, is
approved by Stockholders.


                                      B-5
<PAGE>   30
PROXY                                                                   PROXY
                                 MYR GROUP INC.
                  PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
             FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS - MAY 15, 1996

The stockholder(s) of MYR Group Inc. signing and dating such signature(s) on
the reverse side hereof (the "STOCKHOLDER(S)") hereby appoint Charles M.
Brennan III, Byron D. Nelson and Elliott C. Robbins proxies, with full
authority, which may be exercised by any one or more of them, with power of
substitution, to vote and act for the STOCKHOLDER(S) at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held at the Meadows Corporate Center, English Room, 2850
West Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, Illinois, 60008 at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday,
May 15, 1996, and at any adjournment thereof, as designated on the reverse side
hereof, and in their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such
other business as may properly come before the meeting.

/ / Check here for address change               / / Check here if you plan to
New Address:__________________________              attend the meeting
            __________________________
            __________________________

                  (Continued and to be signed on reverse side)

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

                                 MYR GROUP INC.
   PLEASE MARK VOTE IN OVAL IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER USING DARK INK ONLY. /X/

<TABLE>
<S><C>
1. Election of Class I Directors.                      For All                3. Approval of 1996 Non-        
   Nominees: WILLIAM G. BROWN         For   Withheld   Except                    Employee Director Stock    For    Against   Abstain
             JOHN M. HARLAN           / /     / /       / /                      Ownership Plan.            / /      / /       / /
   THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS                            ____________     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
   VOTING FOR THE ELECTION OF                                Nominee Exception   RECOMMENDS VOTING FOR
   MR. BROWN AND MR. HARLAN.                                                     THE APPROVAL OF THE PLAN.

2. Approval of amendment to           For   Against   Abstain                 4. Approval of Amendment      For    Against   Abstain
   Certificate of Incorporation       / /     / /       / /                      to and Restatement of      / /      / /       / /
   increasing number of authorized                                               the Company's 1989,
   shares of Common Stock.                                                       1990, 1992 and 1995
   THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS                                             Stock Option Plans.
   VOTING FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE                                                THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
   AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF                                               VOTING FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE
   INCORPORATION.                                                                AMENDMENT TO THE PLANS.


                                                                                 The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice
                                                                                 of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and of the Proxy
                                                                                 Statement.

Signature(s)________________________________________________________________________ Dated:___________________________________, 1996

Please sign exactly as your name appears. Joint owners should each sign personally. Where applicable, indicate your official
position or representation capacity.

</TABLE>


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