<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section240.14a-11(c) or
Section240.14a-12
ODS NETWORKS, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
ODS NETWORKS, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/ / $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2) or
Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4)
and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
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<PAGE>
[LOGO]
1101 EAST ARAPAHO ROAD
RICHARDSON, TEXAS 75081
(972) 234-6400
------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD APRIL 21, 1999
------------------------
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF
ODS NETWORKS, INC.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
"Meeting") of ODS Networks, Inc. (the "Company") will be held at the Holiday Inn
Richardson Select, 1655 N. Central Expressway, Richardson, Texas, at 10:00 A.M.,
local time, on Wednesday, April 21, 1999, for the following purposes:
(1) To elect seven (7) directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of
Stockholders or until their respective successors are duly elected and
qualified;
(2) To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors
of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999; and
(3) To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting
or any adjournments thereof.
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy
Statement accompanying this Notice. The record date for determining those
stockholders who will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting and
at any adjournment thereof is March 2, 1999. A list of stockholders entitled to
vote at the Meeting will be available for inspection at the offices of the
Company.
ALL STOCKHOLDERS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON.
STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED, WHETHER OR NOT THEY PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, TO
COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE
ENCLOSED POSTAGE PREPAID ENVELOPE. YOUR PROXY MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME PRIOR
TO THE MEETING. IF YOU DECIDE TO ATTEND THE MEETING AND WISH TO CHANGE YOUR
PROXY VOTE, YOU MAY DO SO BY VOTING IN PERSON AT THE MEETING.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Timothy W. Kinnear
SECRETARY
Richardson, Texas
March 20, 1999
<PAGE>
ODS NETWORKS, INC.
1101 EAST ARAPAHO ROAD
RICHARDSON, TEXAS 75081
------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD APRIL 21, 1999
------------------------
SOLICITATION AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
The enclosed proxy (the "Proxy") is being solicited on behalf of the Board
of Directors (the "Board") of ODS Networks, Inc. (the "Company") for use at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Meeting") to be held at the Holiday Inn
Richardson Select, 1655 N. Central Expressway, Richardson, Texas, at 10:00 A.M.,
local time, on Wednesday, April 21, 1999, or at such other time and place to
which the Meeting may be adjourned. Proxies, together with copies of this Proxy
Statement, are being mailed to stockholders of the Company on or about March 20,
1999.
Execution and return of the enclosed Proxy will not affect a stockholder's
right to attend the Meeting and to vote in person. Any stockholder executing a
Proxy retains the right to revoke it at any time prior to exercise at the
Meeting. A Proxy may be revoked by delivery of written notice of revocation to
the Secretary of the Company, by execution and delivery of a later Proxy or by
voting the shares in person at the Meeting. If you attend the Meeting and vote
in person by ballot, your proxy will be revoked automatically and only your vote
at the Meeting will be counted. A Proxy, when executed and not revoked, will be
voted in accordance with the instructions thereon. In the absence of specific
instructions, Proxies will be voted by those named in the Proxy "FOR" the
election as directors of those nominees named in the Proxy Statement, "FOR" the
proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors
for the Company, and in accordance with their best judgment on all other matters
that may properly come before the Meeting.
The enclosed form of Proxy provides a method for stockholders to withhold
authority to vote for any one or more of the nominees for director while
granting authority to vote for the remaining nominees. The names of all nominees
are listed on the Proxy. If you wish to grant authority to vote for all
nominees, check the box marked "FOR." If you wish to withhold authority to vote
for all nominees, check the box marked "WITHHOLD." If you wish your shares to be
voted for some nominees and not for one or more of the others, check the box
marked "FOR" and indicate the name(s) of the nominee(s) for whom you are
withholding the authority to vote by writing the name(s) of such nominee(s) on
the Proxy in the space provided.
RECORD DATE AND VOTING SECURITIES
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 2, 1999, are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. The stock transfer books of
the Company will remain open between the record date and the date of the
Meeting. A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting will be
available for inspection at the executive offices of the Company. On March 2,
1999, the Company had issued and outstanding 18,535,528 shares of Common Stock,
$.01 par value (the "Common Stock"), which is the only class of its capital
stock outstanding. In addition, under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market,
brokers who hold stock in street name have the authority to vote on certain
routine matters when they have not received instructions from beneficial owners.
1
<PAGE>
QUORUM AND VOTING
The presence at the Meeting, in person or by Proxy, of the holders of a
majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock is necessary to
constitute a quorum. For each share held, holders of Common Stock are entitled
to one vote on each matter to be voted on at the Meeting including the election
of directors. Assuming the presence of a quorum, the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote
at the Meeting, present in person or by Proxy, is required for the approval of
each matter submitted to the Meeting except the election of directors. For such
matter, the seven nominees receiving the greatest number of votes shall be
deemed elected even though receiving the affirmative vote of less than a
majority of the outstanding shares entitled to be voted at the Meeting.
Additionally, in the election of directors, cumulative voting is prohibited and
Proxies cannot be voted for more than seven nominees.
All votes will be tabulated by the inspector of election appointed for the
Meeting, who will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes,
abstentions and broker non-votes. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted
as present for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for
the transaction of business. Abstentions will be counted towards the tabulations
of votes cast on matters presented at the Meeting and will have the same effect
as negative votes whereas broker non-votes will not be counted for purposes of
determining whether a matter has been approved.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Common Stock of the Company as of March 2, 1999, unless
otherwise indicated, by (i) each person known by the Company to be the
beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii)
each director and nominee as a director of the Company, (iii) the executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table of the Executive Compensation
Section below and all current directors and executive officers of the Company as
a group. The persons and entities named in the table have sole voting and
investment power with respect to all such shares owned by them, unless otherwise
indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF PERCENT OF
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OR GROUP(1) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP CLASS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
G. Ward Paxton(2)............................................................... 1,306,250 7.0%
T. Joe Head(3).................................................................. 2,399,760 12.9
Science Applications International Corporation(4)............................... 1,668,800 8.9
Donald M. Johnston(5)........................................................... 45,427 *
J. Fred Bucy(6)................................................................. 44,000 *
William A. Roper, Jr.(7)........................................................ 3,000 *
Douglas M. Schrier.............................................................. -- *
Eric H. Gore(8)................................................................. 45,800 *
John W. Howland(9).............................................................. 18,700 *
Timothy W. Kinnear(10).......................................................... 10,750 *
All directors and executive officers as a group (13 persons)(11)................ 4,228,798 22.5
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock.
(1) The addresses of the persons or entities shown in the foregoing table who
are beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Common Stock are as follows:
G. Ward Paxton and T. Joe Head, 1101 East Arapaho Road, Richardson, Texas
75081; and Science Applications International Corporation, 10260 Campus
Point Drive, San Diego, CA 92121.
(2) Includes 33,700 shares which G. Ward Paxton may effectively acquire upon
the exercise of options within 60 days of March 2, 1999.
2
<PAGE>
(3) Includes 27,200 shares which Mr. Head may effectively acquire upon the
exercise of options within 60 days of March 2, 1999.
(4) Shares beneficially held at December 31, 1998, by Science Applications
International Corporation.
(5) Includes 20,000 shares which Mr. Johnston may acquire upon the exercise of
options within 60 days of March 2, 1999.
(6) Includes 30,000 shares which Mr. Bucy may acquire upon the exercise of
options within 60 days of March 2, 1999.
(7) Represents shares beneficially held at December 31, 1998 by Mr. Roper.
(8) Includes 36,800 shares which Mr. Gore may effectively acquire upon the
exercise of options within 60 days of March 2, 1999.
(9) Represents shares which Mr. Howland may effectively acquire upon the
exercise of options within 60 days of March 2, 1999.
(10) Includes 10,000 shares which Mr. Kinnear may effectively acquire upon the
exercise of options within 60 days of March 2, 1999.
(11) Includes an aggregate of 262,000 shares which may be effectively acquired
upon the exercise of options within 60 days of March 2, 1999. Includes
5,000 shares held by the spouse of an officer as to which beneficial
ownership is disclaimed by such officer.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Board of Directors for the ensuing year will consist of seven
directors who are each to be elected at the Meeting for a term of office
expiring at the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their respective
successors have been elected and qualified. It is intended that the persons
named in the following table will be nominated as directors of the Company and
that the persons named in the accompanying Proxy, unless otherwise directed,
will vote for the election of such nominees at the Meeting. Each of the nominees
has indicated his willingness to serve as a member of the Board of Directors, if
elected. However, in the event any nominee shall become unavailable for election
to the Board of Directors for any reason not presently known or contemplated,
the Proxy holders will be vested with discretionary authority in such instance
to vote the enclosed Proxy for such substitute as the Board of Directors shall
designate.
The following slate of seven nominees has been nominated by the Board of
Directors:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR
NAME OF NOMINEE AGE POSITION(S) SINCE
- ------------------------------------------------ --- ----------------------------------------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
G. Ward Paxton.................................. 63 Chairman of the Board, President, Chief
Executive Officer and Director 1983
J. Fred Bucy(1)(2).............................. 70 Director 1993
T. Joe Head..................................... 42 Executive Vice President and Director 1983
Donald M. Johnston(1)(2)........................ 49 Director 1983
Timothy W. Kinnear.............................. 35 Executive Vice President, Chief Operating
Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate
Secretary, Treasurer and Director 1998
William A. Roper, Jr.(1)(2)..................... 52 Director 1998
Douglas M. Schrier(1)(2)........................ 33 Director 1998
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Member of the Compensation Committee.
(2) Member of the Audit Committee.
3
<PAGE>
G. WARD PAXTON is co-founder of the Company and has served as Chairman of
the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer and a director since the Company's
inception in September 1983 and served as Chief Financial Officer from 1983
until 1994. Prior to founding the Company, Mr. Paxton was Vice President of
Honeywell Optoelectronics, a division of Honeywell, Inc., from 1978 to 1983.
From 1969 to 1978, Mr. Paxton was Chairman of the Board, President, Chief
Executive Officer and founder of Spectronics, Inc., which was acquired by
Honeywell, Inc. in 1978. Prior to founding Spectronics, Inc., Mr. Paxton held
various managerial and technical positions at Texas Instruments Incorporated
from 1959 to 1969. Mr. Paxton holds Ph.D., M.S. and B.S. degrees in Physics from
the University of Oklahoma. Mr. Paxton holds no other directorships.
J. FRED BUCY has served as a director of the Company since 1993. Mr. Bucy
was employed in various technical and managerial capacities by Texas Instruments
Incorporated ("TI") from 1953 through his retirement in 1985. At the time of his
retirement, Mr. Bucy was President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of
TI. Among other activities, Mr. Bucy is a member of the Coordinating Board
Advisory Committee on Research of the Texas College and University System; a
Trustee of Southwest Research Institute; a former member of the Board of Regents
of Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center from
1973 to 1991, including four years as its Chairman; and currently (re-appointed
by Governor George W. Bush in 1995) Chairman of the Texas National Research
Laboratory Commission. Mr. Bucy has been accorded Distinguished Alumnus and
Distinguished Engineer Awards by Texas Tech University, is a fellow of the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a member of National Academy
of Engineers, and is a life member of the Navy League. Mr. Bucy was awarded an
honorary Doctor of Science degree from Texas Tech University in 1994.
T. JOE HEAD is co-founder of the Company and has served as Executive Vice
President since 1998 and Senior Vice President and a director since its
inception in September 1983. Prior to co-founding the Company, Mr. Head held the
positions of Product Marketing Manager and Marketing Engineer of Honeywell
Optoelectronics from 1980 to 1983. Mr. Head holds a B.S. degree in Electrical
Engineering from Texas A & M University. Mr. Head is also a director of Blue
Ridge Networks, Inc., an affiliate of the Company. Blue Ridge Networks, Inc.
provides secure remote access products for local and wide area networks.
DONALD M. JOHNSTON has served as a director of the Company since November
1983. Mr. Johnston is President and Chief Executive Officer of Massey Burch
Capital Corp., a venture capital firm focusing on investments in the South. He
served as President of Massey Burch Investment Group, Inc., a venture capital
firm ("Massey Burch"), from 1990 until December 1993, and he has been a
principal of that firm since 1982. Prior to joining Massey Burch, Mr. Johnston
was the President of InterFirst Venture Corporation, a venture capital
subsidiary of Interfirst Bancshares, Inc., and the Executive Director of First
Dallas, Ltd., a corporate finance group in London, England. Mr. Johnston holds a
B.A. degree from Vanderbilt University and an M.B.A. degree from Southern
Methodist University. Mr. Johnston is not a director of any other publicly-held
company.
TIMOTHY W. KINNEAR has served as a director of the Company since November
1998. Mr. Kinnear is Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief
Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer of the Company. Mr. Kinnear
has served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since
September of 1996 and has served as Corporate Secretary and Treasurer since May
1998. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Kinnear held various managerial
positions, including Vice President of Finance, at Cyrix Corporation from 1992
to 1996. Prior to joining Cyrix Corporation, Mr. Kinnear held various positions,
including Audit Manager, at Ernst & Young from 1986 to 1992. Mr. Kinnear holds a
B.B.A. degree in Accounting from Texas Tech University.
WILLIAM A. ROPER, JR. has served as a director of the Company since
September 1998. Mr. Roper is Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of Science Applications International Corporation ("SAIC"). Prior to joining
SAIC, Mr. Roper served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
4
<PAGE>
Officer of Intelogic Trace, Inc., from 1987 to 1990. Prior to joining Intelogic
Trace, Inc., Mr. Roper held various positions, including Corporate Vice
President and Treasurer at Bell & Howell Company. Mr. Roper holds a B.A. in
Mathematics from the University of Mississippi. Mr. Roper is a graduate of the
Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University and a
graduate of the Financial Management Program at Stanford University. Mr. Roper
is also a director of Network Solutions, Inc. Network Solutions, Inc. provides
Internet address registration, intranet development and network security
services.
DOUGLAS M. SCHRIER has served as a director of the Company since November
1998. Mr. Schrier is the Senior Vice President for Acquisitions and Strategic
Ventures at SAIC. Prior to joining SAIC, Mr. Schrier co-founded Multum
Information Services in Denver, Colorado and served as the Company's Chief
Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for over five years. Multum
develops and markets expert drug information systems for the health care
industry. Mr. Schrier has also held positions at Salomon Brothers Inc. where he
was an Associate in the Venture Capital Group and at Prudential-Bache Capital
Funding where he worked as an Associate in Corporate Finance. Mr. Schrier holds
a M.B.A. from Columbia Business School with concentrations in Finance and
Accounting. Mr. Schrier also holds a B.A. from DePauw University with a major in
Economics and a minor in Art History.
All directors of the Company hold office until the next ensuing annual
meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors are duly elected
and qualified. All officers of the Company are elected annually by the Board of
Directors and serve at the discretion of the Board. There are no family
relationships between any director or officer of the Company and any other such
person.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF SUCH
NOMINEES.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
The business affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the
Board of Directors. The Board meets on a regularly scheduled basis during the
fiscal year of the Company to review significant developments affecting the
Company and to act on matters requiring Board approval. It also holds special
meetings as required from time to time when important matters arise requiring
Board action between scheduled meetings. The Board of Directors or its
authorized committees met twenty-nine times during the 1998 fiscal year. During
fiscal year 1998, each incumbent director participated in at least 75% or more
of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors
(held during the period for which he was a director) and (ii) the total number
of meetings of all committees of the Board on which he served (during the period
that he served).
The Board of Directors has established Audit and Compensation Committees to
devote attention to specific subjects and to assist it in the discharge of its
responsibilities. The Company does not have a nominating committee. The
functions customarily attributable to a nominating committee are performed by
the Board of Directors as a whole. The functions of the Audit Committee and the
Compensation Committee, their current members and the number of meetings held
during fiscal year 1998 are described below.
AUDIT COMMITTEE. The Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors
the appointment of the firm selected to be independent auditors for the Company
and monitors the performance and independence of such firm. The Audit Committee
also reviews and approves the scope of the annual audit and quarterly reviews
and evaluates the Company's annual audit and annual consolidated financial
statements with the independent auditors. In addition, the Audit Committee
reviews with management the status and effectiveness of internal accounting
controls; and evaluates all public financial reporting documents of the Company.
Donald M. Johnston (Chairman), Robert Anderson, J. Fred Bucy, William A. Roper,
Jr., and Douglas M. Schrier are members of the Audit Committee. The Audit
Committee met four times during the 1998 fiscal year.
5
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. The Compensation Committee is empowered to advise
management and make recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to
the compensation and other employment benefits of executive officers and key
employees of the Company. The Compensation Committee also administers the
Company's Incentive Stock Option Plans (the "Stock Option Plans") for officers
and key employees and the Company's incentive bonus programs for executive
officers and salaried non-sales employees. The Compensation Committee is
authorized, among other powers, to determine from time to time the individuals
to whom options shall be granted, the number of shares to be covered by each
option and the time or times at which options shall be granted pursuant to the
Stock Option Plans. The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of Robert
Anderson (Chairman), J. Fred Bucy, Donald M. Johnston, William A. Roper, Jr.,
and Douglas M. Schrier. The Compensation Committee met ten times during the 1998
fiscal year.
PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT
OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors has appointed Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors, to serve as independent auditors of the Company and to audit its
consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 1999, subject to approval by
stockholders at the Meeting. Ernst & Young LLP, has served as the Company's
independent auditors since the Company's inception and is, therefore, familiar
with its affairs and financial procedures. To the knowledge of management of the
Company, neither such firm nor any of its members has any direct or material
indirect financial interest in the Company, nor any connection with the Company
in any capacity other than as independent auditors.
Although stockholder ratification and approval of this appointment is not
required by law or otherwise, in keeping with the Company's policy that its
stockholders should be entitled to a voice in this regard and as a matter of
good corporate practice, the Board of Directors is seeking ratification of this
appointment. If the appointment is not ratified, the Board of Directors must
then determine whether to appoint other auditors prior to the end of the current
fiscal year. In such case, the opinions of stockholders will be taken into
consideration.
The following resolution concerning the ratification of the appointment of
independent auditors will be submitted to the Meeting:
"RESOLVED, that the appointment by the Board of Directors of the Company of
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, to audit the consolidated financial
statements and related books, records, and accounts of the Company and its
subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999, is hereby
ratified."
A representative of Ernst & Young LLP, the Company's independent auditors
for fiscal year 1998, is expected to be in attendance at the Meeting and will be
afforded the opportunity to make a statement. The representative will also be
available to respond to appropriate questions.
The enclosed Proxy will be voted as specified, but if no specification is
made, it will be voted in favor of the adoption of the resolution of
ratification.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL.
6
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION INFORMATION
The following table sets forth certain summary information regarding all
cash compensation earned by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and each of
the Company's four other most highly compensated executive officers (the "Named
Executive Officers") for the last three fiscal years in all capacities in which
they served the Company and its subsidiaries for such period.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
------------------------------
AWARDS
ANNUAL COMPENSATION ------------------------------
------------------------------------------- SECURITIES
OTHER ANNUAL RESTRICTED UNDERLYING
BONUS COMPENSATION STOCK AWARD(S) OPTIONS
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) ($)(1) ($) ($) (#)(2)
- ---------------------------------- --------- ----------- --------- ------------------- --------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
G. Ward Paxton, .................. 1998 $ 312,500 -- -- -- --
Chairman of the Board, President 1997 325,000 -- -- -- 26,000
and Chief Executive Officer 1996 325,000 -- -- -- 17,500
T. Joe Head, ..................... 1998 235,833 -- -- -- --
Executive Vice President 1997 245,000 -- -- -- 21,000
1996 245,000 -- -- -- 14,000
Eric H. Gore, .................... 1998 112,200 84,000 -- -- 50,000
Vice President--Strategic 1997 90,000 97,801 -- -- 10,000
Business Development 1996 80,000 136,658 -- -- 16,000
John W. Howland .................. 1998 118,517 151,720 -- -- 50,000
Vice President--North American 1997 105,000 111,584 -- -- 8,500
Sales 1996 90,000 237,338 -- -- 11,500
Timothy W. Kinnear, .............. 1998 207,500 -- -- -- 50,000
Executive Vice President, Chief 1997 205,000 -- -- -- 15,000
Operating Officer, Chief 1996 56,875 -- -- -- 20,000
Financial Officer, Corporate
Secretary and Treasurer(4)
<CAPTION>
PAYOUTS
------------- ALL OTHER
LTIP PAYOUTS COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION ($) ($)(3)
- ---------------------------------- ------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
G. Ward Paxton, .................. -- $ 1,600
Chairman of the Board, President -- 1,600
and Chief Executive Officer -- 1,500
T. Joe Head, ..................... -- 1,600
Executive Vice President -- 1,600
-- 1,500
Eric H. Gore, .................... -- 1,600
Vice President--Strategic -- 1,600
Business Development -- 1,500
John W. Howland .................. -- 1,600
Vice President--North American -- 1,600
Sales -- 1,460
Timothy W. Kinnear, .............. -- 1,600
Executive Vice President, Chief -- 1,600
Operating Officer, Chief -- --
Financial Officer, Corporate
Secretary and Treasurer(4)
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------
(1) Represents bonus compensation earned during the fiscal year indicated, a
portion of which may have been or will be paid during the subsequent fiscal
year.
(2) Incentive stock options to acquire shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to
the Company's Stock Option Plans, and includes all options granted in 1998
including options regranted on January 30, 1998 and December 14, 1998.
Options granted in 1996 and 1997 to Mr. Gore, Mr. Howland, and Mr. Kinnear
were cancelled on January 30, 1998 pursuant to the stock option exchange
program described in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled "Exchange
of Stock Options in 1998". A portion of stock options granted in 1998 to Mr.
Gore and Mr. Howland were cancelled on December 14, 1998 pursuant to the
stock option exchange program described in the section of this Proxy
Statement entitled "Exchange of Stock Options in 1998".
(3) This amount consists of the annual employer matching payments to the
Company's qualified 401(k) Savings Plan.
(4) Mr. Kinnear's date of initial employment was September 16, 1996.
OPTION GRANTS DURING FISCAL YEAR 1998
The following table provides information related to options to acquire
shares of Common Stock granted to the Named Executive Officers during fiscal
year 1998. The Company did not grant any stock appreciation rights during fiscal
year 1998.
7
<PAGE>
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS VALUE AT ASSUMED
---------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL RATES OF
NUMBER OF STOCK PRICE
SECURITIES PERCENT OF TOTAL APPRECIATION FOR
UNDERLYING OPTIONS GRANTED EXERCISE OR BASE OPTION TERM(1)
OPTIONS TO EMPLOYEES IN PRICE EXPIRATION --------------------
NAME GRANTED(#) FISCAL YEAR ($/SHARE)(4) DATE 5%($) 10%($)
- -------------------------------- ----------- ----------------- ------------------- ----------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
G. Ward Paxton.................. -- -- -- -- -- --
T. Joe Head..................... -- -- -- -- -- --
Eric H. Gore.................... 10,000(2) 0.64% 7.38 1/21/08 46,412 117,618
26,000(2) 1.66 7.50 1/30/08 122,634 310,780
14,000(3) 0.89 2.50 12/14/08 22,011 55,781
John W. Howland................. 8,000(2) 0.51 7.38 1/21/08 37,130 94,095
14,500(2) 0.92 7.50 1/30/08 68,392 173,319
10,000(2) 0.64 3.50 11/2/08 22,011 55,781
17,500(3) 1.11 2.50 12/14/08 27,514 69,726
Timothy W. Kinnear.............. 15,000(2) 0.95 7.38 1/21/08 165,085 418,357
35,000(2) 2.23 7.50 1/30/08 69,619 176,427
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) The potential realizable value illustrates the value that may be realized
upon exercise of the options immediately prior to the expiration of their
respective terms, assuming the specified compounded rates of appreciation of
the Company's Common Stock over the term of each option. These values do not
take into account provisions of each option providing for termination of the
option following cessation of employment, nontransferability or effective
vesting over three to five years.
(2) Stock options to acquire shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the
Company's Stock Option Plans, each of which was for a term of ten years from
date of grant, effectively vested and was exercisable with respect to 20% of
the shares covered thereby on each anniversary date thereof, was
nontransferable and subject to termination under certain conditions upon
cessation of employment of the optionee. Stock options to acquire 35,000
shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $7.50 per share were
granted to Mr. Kinnear under the Company's stock exchange program on January
30, 1998 (Initial Exchange Program). Stock options to acquire 26,000 shares
and options to acquire 14,500 shares each with an exercise price of $7.50
per share were granted to Mr. Gore and Mr. Howland respectively, as part of
the Initial Exchange Program. A portion of the stock options granted in 1998
to Mr. Gore and Mr. Howland were cancelled under an additional stock option
exchange program. Details of the Company's stock option exchange programs
are more fully described below. See "Exchange of Stock Options in 1998".
(3) Incentive stock options to acquire shares of Common Stock pursuant to the
Company's Stock Option Plans, each of which was for a term of ten years from
date of grant, effectively vested and was exercisable with respect to 33.3%
of the shares covered thereby on each anniversary date thereof, was
nontransferable and subject to termination under certain conditions upon
cessation of employment of the optionee. These options were part of the
exchange program on December 14, 1998 pursuant to the stock option exchange
program described in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled "Exchange
of Stock Options in 1998".
(4) The exercise price per share of each option was equal to 100% of the fair
market value of the Common Stock per share on the date of grant.
8
<PAGE>
OPTION EXERCISES AND FISCAL YEAR END HOLDINGS
The following table sets forth information with respect to options exercised
by the Named Executive Officers during fiscal year 1998 and the number and value
of options held at fiscal year end. No stock appreciation rights were exercised
during fiscal 1998 and no stock appreciation rights were outstanding at year
end.
AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE- MONEY OPTIONS AT
OPTIONS AT FY-END(#)(2) FY-END($)(1)(2)
SHARES ACQUIRED ON VALUE -------------------------- --------------------------
NAME EXERCISE(#) REALIZED($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ---------------------------- ------------------- --------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
G. Ward Paxton.............. -- -- 21,800 37,700 -- --
T. Joe Head................. -- -- 17,600 30,400 -- --
Eric H. Gore................ -- -- 28,800 41,200 $ 2,500 $ 7,000
John W. Howland............. -- -- 14,000 39,800 -- $ 8,750
Timothy W. Kinnear.......... -- -- -- 50,000 -- --
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) The closing price for the Company's Common Stock as reported by The Nasdaq
Stock Market (National Market System) on December 31, 1998, was $3.00 per
share. The indicated value is calculated on the basis of the difference
between the option exercise price per share and $3.00, multiplied by the
number of shares of Common Stock underlying each "in-the-money" option.
(2) Except as to Messrs. Paxton, Head and Kinnear, certain of the incentive
stock options shown as exercisable and unexercisable by the other named
executives were part of the exchange program pursuant to the Company's stock
option exchange program described in the section of this Proxy Statement
entitled "Exchange of Stock Options in 1998".
TEN-YEAR OPTION REPRICING OR EXCHANGE TABLE
INFORMATION REGARDING EXCHANGE OF OPTIONS
The following table sets forth (i) information with respect to each of the
Company's Named Executive Officers who participated in the Company's Stock
Option Exchange Programs during fiscal 1998 and (ii) information with respect to
all former or current executive officers of the Company concerning their
participation in any stock option exchange program implemented by the Company
since the Company became a reporting company pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES MARKET PRICE OF EXERCISE PRICE LENGTH OF ORIGINAL
UNDERLYING STOCK AT TIME OF AT TIME OF OPTION TERM REMAINING
OPTIONS REPRICED REPRICING OR REPRICING OR NEW EXERCIE AT DATE OF REPRICING
NAME AND POSITION DATE OR EXCHANGED(#) EXCHANGE EXCHANGE PRICE OR EXCHANGE
- ------------------------- -------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ ---------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Timothy W. Kinnear, ..... 1/30/98 20,000 $7.50 $18.38 $7.50 44 of 60 months
Executive Vice 1/30/98 15,000 $7.50 $13.88 $7.50 48 of 60 months
President, Chief
Operating Officer,
Chief Financial
Officer, Corporate
Secretary and Treasurer
Eric H. Gore, ........... 1/30/98 8,000 $7.50 $23.25 $7.50 36 of 60 months
Vice 1/30/98 8,000 $7.50 $21.00 $7.50 43 of 60 months
President--Strategic 1/30/98 10,000 $7.50 $13.88 $7.50 48 of 60 months
Business Development 12/14/98 14,000 $2.50 $ 7.50 $2.50 49 of 60 months
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES MARKET PRICE OF EXERCISE PRICE LENGTH OF ORIGINAL
UNDERLYING STOCK AT TIME OF AT TIME OF OPTION TERM REMAINING
OPTIONS REPRICED REPRICING OR REPRICING OR NEW EXERCIE AT DATE OF REPRICING
NAME AND POSITION DATE OR EXCHANGED(#) EXCHANGE EXCHANGE PRICE OR EXCHANGE
- ------------------------- -------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ ---------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Garry L. Hemphill, ..... 1/30/98 10,000 $7.50 $23.25 $7.50 36 of 60 months
Vice President-- 1/30/98 15,000 $7.50 $13.88 $7.50 48 of 60 months
Operations 12/14/98 10,000 $2.50 $ 7.50 $2.50 49 of 60 months
Joseph V. Howard, ....... 1/30/98 8,000 $7.50 $23.25 $7.50 36 of 60 months
Vice President--North 1/30/98 10,000 $7.50 $21.00 $7.50 43 of 60 months
American Sales 1/30/98 15,000 $7.50 $13.88 $7.50 48 of 60 months
John W. Howland, ........ 1/30/98 6,000 $7.50 $21.00 $7.50 43 of 60 months
Vice President--North 1/30/98 8,000 $7.50 $13.88 $7.50 48 of 60 months
American Sales 12/14/98 3,000 $2.50 $ 7.38 $2.50 49 of 60 months
12/14/98 14,500 $2.50 $ 7.50 $2.50 49 of 60 months
Joe W. Tucker, .......... 1/30/98 10,000 $7.50 $23.25 $7.50 36 of 60 months
Vice President-- 1/30/98 8,000 $7.50 $21.00 $7.50 43 of 60 months
International Sales 1/30/98 15,000 $7.50 $13.88 $7.50 48 of 60 months
Kandis Tate Thompson, ... 1/30/98 6,000 $7.50 $23.25 $7.50 36 of 60 months
Controller--Finance and 1/30/98 8,000 $7.50 $13.88 $7.50 48 of 60 months
Accounting 12/14/98 14,000 $2.50 $ 7.50 $2.50 49 of 60 months
12/14/98 6,000 $2.50 $ 7.39 $2.50 49 of 60 months
</TABLE>
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Messrs. Anderson, Bucy and Johnston receive an annual cash retainer fee of
$12,000. Since November 1, 1998 Messrs. Anderson, Bucy and Johnston received a
fee of $1,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors attended (excluding
telephonic meetings) and for each meeting of a committee of the Board of
Directors attended (exclusive of committee meetings held on the same day as
Board meetings). Prior to November 1, 1998 Messrs. Anderson, Bucy and Johnston
received a fee of $1,500 for each meeting of the Board of Directors attended
(excluding telephonic meetings) and for each meeting of a committee of the Board
of Directors attended (exclusive of committee meetings held on the same day as
Board meetings). Messrs. Anderson, Bucy and Johnston also receive a fee of $500
for each telephonic meeting attended. Each non-employee director is also
reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred in attending such meetings. No
director who is an employee of the Company or an employee of Science
Applications International Corporation receives any fees for service as a
director or member of any committee of the Board.
Each of the Company's non-employee directors is eligible to receive stock
options to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock under the 1995 Non-Employee
Directors Stock Option Plan on the fifth anniversary following the date of the
most recent grant under such plan if such non-employee director is serving on
the Board. Initial grants of stock options under this plan were awarded on April
27, 1995, to Messrs. Anderson, Bucy and Johnston, current non-employee directors
of the Company. Options granted pursuant to the Plan provide for an exercise
price per share equal to 100% of the fair market value per share on the date of
the grant, have a term of ten years, and are subject to a five-year vesting
schedule and certain other conditions. Directors who are employees of Science
Applications International Corporation will not be granted options under this
plan.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Neither the Company nor its subsidiaries has any employment agreements with
any of its executives.
10
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
GENERAL. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors sets the
compensation for the Chief Executive Officer, reviews the design, administration
and effectiveness of the compensation programs for other key executives, and
approves stock option grants for all executive officers. The Compensation
Committee is currently composed of five non-employee directors who have no
interlocking relationships. The data and information included in the various
compensation tables appearing elsewhere in this Proxy Statement should be read
in conjunction with and deemed to be a part of this report.
NAMED EXECUTIVES. This report includes disclosure of the required
compensation information for the Company's Chief Executive Officer and its
executive officers including the four most highly compensated officers.
COMPENSATION OBJECTIVES. The Company operates in the highly competitive and
rapidly changing high technology industry. The Compensation Committee believes
that the compensation programs for executive officers of the Company should be
designed to attract, motivate and retain talented executives who contribute to
the success of the Company and should be determined within a competitive
framework based on the achievement of overall business objectives and financial
performance and individual contributions. Within this framework, the Committee's
objectives are to:
- Provide a total compensation program competitive with the compensation
practices of organizations in the high technology industry of comparable
size to the Company.
- Provide annual variable incentive awards based on the Company's overall
financial performance relative to corporate objectives.
- Align the financial interests of executive officers with those of
stockholders by providing equity-based incentives.
BASE SALARY. The salaries of the executive officers, including the Chief
Executive Officer, are determined annually by the Committee with reference to
(i) salaries paid to executives with similar responsibilities at comparable
companies, primarily in the high technology industry, (ii) each officer's
performance and (iii) the Company's overall financial results, without specific
weighting being attributed to any of these factors. The Compensation Committee
believes that the Company must offer salaries within a competitive market range
to attract and retain talented executives. However, the Compensation Committee
manages salaries for the executive group as a whole in a conservative fashion in
order to place more emphasis on incentive compensation. For 1998, the
Compensation Committee established the base salaries for each of the Named
Executives as indicated in the "Summary Compensation Table" of this report. In
November 1998, base salaries were decreased for certain executive officers,
including the Chief Executive Officer, of the Company as part of a program to
reduce the Company's expense structure.
INCENTIVE BONUS PLAN. To reinforce the attainment of corporate objectives,
the Compensation Committee believes that a substantial portion of the potential
annual compensation of each executive officer should be in the form of variable
incentive pay. The incentive cash bonus program for executives is established
annually by the Compensation Committee based upon the Company's achievement of
sales and net income targets established at the beginning of the fiscal year.
The incentive plan for executives, other than certain executives in the
Company's sales organization, requires a threshold level of Company financial
performance before any incentives are awarded. Once the threshold objective for
net income of a fiscal year is reached, specific formulas are in place to
calculate the actual incentive payment for each executive for such year. In
fiscal 1998, the Company did not achieve its threshold level of profitability;
thus, non-sales executives, including the Chief Executive Officer and two of the
other Named Executives, did not receive any incentive bonus awards. Certain
executives in the sales organization, including two of the Named Executives,
received incentive sales commission awards in fiscal 1998 based upon the degree
of achievement of targeted sales objectives established at the beginning of the
fiscal year.
11
<PAGE>
EQUITY-BASED INCENTIVES. The goal of the Company's equity-based incentive
awards is to align the interests of executive officers with stockholders. The
Committee determines the value allocated to equity-based incentives according to
each executive's position within the Company, individual performance,
contributions to achievement of corporate objectives and related factors, and
grants stock options to create a meaningful opportunity for stock ownership.
The Company has previously adopted three Stock Option Plans (collectively,
the "Plans"), including the 1983 Incentive Stock Option Plan, the 1987 Incentive
Stock Option Plan and the 1995 Stock Option Plan, to provide long-term incentive
compensation for eligible participants. Generally, executive officers and other
key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in
the Plans; however, non-employee directors of the Company are not eligible to
participate in these Plans. These directors participate in the non-employee
director plan. Stock option grants under the Plans provide the right to purchase
shares of the Company's Common Stock at fair market value on the date of grant,
or in the case of an optionee who at the time of the grant holds more than 10%
of the total combined voting securities of the Company, 110% of the fair market
value on the date of grant. Stock options generally vest within a three or a
five year period and provide terms of five or ten years, as applicable. In 1998,
the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors approved the grant of
stock options pursuant to the Plans to the Named Executives indicated in the
tables accompanying this report.
CEO COMPENSATION. The annual base salary for G. Ward Paxton for fiscal 1998
was established by the Compensation Committee based on Mr. Paxton's personal
performance of his duties and on salary levels paid to chief executive officers
of comparable companies. Mr. Paxton did not receive an incentive bonus award for
1998 because the Company did not achieve its threshold level of profitability
established at the beginning of the year. Mr. Paxton's base salary was reduced
from $325,000 to $250,000 in November of 1998 as part of a program to reduce the
Company's expense structure. Mr. Paxton did not receive an option grant in
fiscal 1998.
EXCHANGE OF STOCK OPTIONS IN 1998. On January 21, 1998, the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors approved a stock option exchange program
(the "Initial Exchange Program"), pursuant to which certain employees and
officers holding stock options (i) awarded under the Company's 1987 Incentive
Stock Option Plan (the "1987 Plan") in 1997 and (ii) awarded prior to December
31, 1997, under the Company's 1995 Stock Option Plan (the "1995 Plan"), were
given the opportunity to exchange such options (the "Existing Options") for new
options (the "Initial New Options"), based on the fair market value of the
Company's Common Stock at the close of business on January 30, 1998. All outside
directors of the Company, the President and Chief Executive Officer, and one
Executive Vice President were ineligible to participate in the Exchange Program.
12
<PAGE>
Pursuant to the Initial Exchange Program, holders of the Existing Options
were offered the opportunity to exchange, on a share-for-share basis, such
options for Initial New Options having an exercise price of $7.50 per share, the
fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the exchange date of January
30, 1998 (the "Exchange Date"). Each Initial New Option was awarded under the
1995 Plan and vests and is exercisable with respect to 20% of the shares covered
thereby on each anniversary date of the Exchange Date. Eligible employees
holding Existing Options for an aggregate of 646,800 shares of Common Stock with
an average per share exercise price of approximately $15.87 elected to
participate in the Initial Exchange Program and were issued Initial New Options
covering the same aggregate number of underlying shares as they had held
pursuant to their respective Existing Options. Other than the new exercise price
and the commencement of a new vesting schedule, the option agreements relating
to the Initial New Options are substantially identical to the option agreements
of the Existing Options they replaced.
On December 11, 1998, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
approved a second stock option exchange program (the "Exchange Program"),
pursuant to which certain employees and officers holding incentive stock options
(i) awarded under the Initial Exchange Program, (ii) awarded under the 1995 Plan
during 1998 ("1998 Options") and (iii) assumed in connection with the Company's
assumption of the Essential Communication Corporation ("Essential") stock option
plan in conjunction with the Company's acquisition of Essential ("Essential
Options"), were given the opportunity, within certain limitations, to exchange
such options (Initial New Options, 1998 Options and Essential Options, together
the "Old Options") for new options (the "New Options"), based on the fair market
value of the Company's Common Stock at the close of business on December 14,
1998. All outside directors of the Company, the President and Chief Executive
Officer, and one Executive Vice President were ineligible to participate in the
Exchange Program.
Pursuant to the Exchange Program, holders of the Old Options were offered
the opportunity to exchange, on a share-for-share basis, such options for New
Options having an exercise price of $2.50 per share, the fair market value of
the Company's Common Stock on the exchange date of December 14, 1998 (the "New
Exchange Date"). In accordance with the 1995 Plan, each employee, unless
otherwise ineligible, could exchange options up to 50,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock less all other option grants provided to the employee
during 1998. Each New Option was awarded under the 1995 Plan and vests and is
exercisable with respect to 33.3% of the shares covered thereby on each
anniversary date of the New Exchange Date. Eligible employees holding Old
Options for an aggregate of 859,524 shares of Common Stock with an average per
share exercise price of approximately $7.40 per share elected to participate in
the Exchange Program and were issued New Options covering the same aggregate
number of underlying shares as they had held pursuant to their respective Old
Options. Other than the new exercise price and the commencement of a new vesting
schedule, the option agreements relating to the New Options are substantially
identical to the option agreements of the Old Options they replaced.
Both option exchange programs resulted from the significant declines in the
market value of the Company's Common Stock since issuance of the Existing
Options and Old Options, causing the Existing Options and Old Options to be
exercisable at prices which substantially exceeded the market value of the
Common Stock. In approving both exchange programs and in keeping with the
Company's philosophy of utilizing equity incentives to motivate and retain
qualified employees, the Compensation Committee acknowledged that retention and
attraction of qualified employees are critical to the Company's success and its
ability to continue to meet its performance objectives. Additionally,
recognizing that stock options constitute a significant component of the
Company's compensation structure, the Compensation Committee deemed it important
to regain the incentive intended to be provided by the Existing Options and Old
13
<PAGE>
Options to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock and therefore serve as
a significant factor in the Company's ability to continue to attract and retain
the services of superior quality personnel.
Respectfully submitted,
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
of the Board of Directors
Robert Anderson (Chairman)
Donald M. Johnston
J. Fred Bucy
William A. Roper, Jr.
Douglas M. Schrier
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
No member or nominee for election as a member of the Board of Directors or
any committees of the Board has an interlocking relationship with the board (or
member of such board) or any committee (or member of such committee) of a board
of any other company.
14
<PAGE>
STOCK PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The following chart illustrates the percentage of change in the cumulative
total stockholder return on the Company's Common Stock for the applicable
portion of the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992 (since the Company's initial
public offering of Common Stock) and each of the six fiscal years in the six-
year period ended December 31, 1998, compared with the cumulative total return
on the Center for Research in Securities Prices ("CRSP") Total Return Index for
The Nasdaq Stock Market and the CRSP Total Return Index for Nasdaq Computer
Manufacturing Stocks, respectively, for the same periods.
STOCK PERFORMANCE*
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CRSP TOTAL RTN. INDEX FOR CRSP TOTAL RTN. INDEX FOR
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ODS Networks, Inc The Nasdaq Stock Market Nasdaq Computer Mfg. Stocks
5/21/92 100.00 100.00 100.00
12/31/92 194.44 117.51 125.29
12/31/93 152.78 134.26 118.34
12/31/94 323.61 131.34 130.16
12/31/95 561.11 190.04 204.83
12/31/96 266.66 233.92 272.62
12/31/97 143.11 287.17 329.79
12/31/98 66.67 402.90 716.10
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
5/21/92 12/31/92 12/31/93 12/31/94 12/31/95 12/31/96 12/31/97 12/31/98
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ODS Networks, Inc. 100 194.44 152.78 323.61 561.11 266.66 143.11 66.67
CRSP Total Rtn. Index for The
Nasdaq Stock Market 100 117.51 134.26 131.34 190.04 233.92 287.17 402.90
CRSP Total Rtn. Index for Nasdaq
Computer Mfg. Stocks 100 125.29 118.34 130.16 204.83 272.62 329.79 716.1
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------
* The comparison assumes (i) $100 was invested on May 21, 1992 (the effective
date of the Company's initial public offering of Common Stock) in the
Company's Common Stock and in each of the foregoing indices and (ii) that
any dividends paid by companies included in the comparative indices were
reinvested in additional shares of the same class of equity securities of
such companies at the frequency with which dividends were paid during the
applicable periods depicted.
The stock performance information depicted in the foregoing chart is not
necessarily indicative of future stock performance. The chart shall not be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing by the Company under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), except to the extent that the Company specifically
incorporates such information by reference.
15
<PAGE>
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
On September 30, 1998, the Company loaned Jerry W. Pate, an executive
officer of the Company, the principal sum of $1.3 million, secured by the
Company's common stock. Subsequent to September 30, 1998 payments of
approximately $73,000 were received from Mr. Pate.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors and
officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the
Company's equity securities, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of
changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
Such persons are required by SEC regulation promulgated pursuant to the Exchange
Act to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) report forms they
file with the SEC.
Based solely on its review of the copies of such report forms received by it
with respect to fiscal year 1998, the Company believes that all filing
requirements applicable to its directors, officers and persons who own more than
10% of a registered class of the Company's equity securities have been timely
complied with in accordance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Stockholders may submit proposals on matters appropriate for stockholder
action at subsequent annual meetings of the stockholders consistent with Rule
14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act. For such proposals to be considered
for inclusion in the Proxy Statement and Proxy relating to the 2000 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders, such proposals must be received by the Company not
later than November 24, 1999. Such proposals should be directed to ODS Networks,
Inc., 1101 East Arapaho Road, Richardson, Texas 75081, Attention: Secretary
(telephone: (972) 234-6400; telecopy: (972) 234-1467).
Pursuant to new amendments to Rule 14a-4(c) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, if a stockholder who intends to present a proposal at the
2000 annual meeting of stockholders does not notify the Company of such proposal
on or prior to February 4, 2000, then management proxies would be allowed to use
their discretionary voting authority to vote on the proposal when the proposal
is raised at the annual meeting, even though there is no discussion of the
proposal in the 2000 proxy statement.
EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION
All costs incurred in the solicitation of Proxies for the Meeting will be
borne by the Company. In addition to the solicitation by mail, officers and
employees of the Company may solicit Proxies by telephone, telefax, or
personally, without additional compensation. The Company may also make
arrangements with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for the forwarding of solicitation materials to the beneficial
owners of shares of Common Stock held of record by such persons, and the Company
may reimburse such brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection therewith.
In addition, ChaseMellon Shareholder Services LLC has been retained by the
Company to aid in the solicitation of Proxies and will solicit Proxies by mail,
telephone, telefax and personal interview and may request brokerage houses and
nominees to forward soliciting material to beneficial owners of Common Stock.
For these services, ChaseMellon Shareholder Services LLC will be paid fees not
to exceed $5,000, plus incidental expenses estimated at $500.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE
UPON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF ANY STOCKHOLDER, THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH,
WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S 1998 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K, AS
FILED WITH THE SEC, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES THERETO.
THE REQUEST SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE SECRETARY AT THE COMPANY'S OFFICES
INDICATED ABOVE.
16
<PAGE>
The Company's 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K accompanies this Proxy
Statement. The Annual Report on Form 10-K, which includes financial statements,
does not form and is not to be deemed part of this Proxy Statement.
OTHER BUSINESS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors and
management are not aware of any other matter, other than those described herein,
which will be presented for consideration at the Meeting. Should any other
matter requiring a vote of the stockholders properly come before the Meeting or
any adjournment thereof, the enclosed Proxy confers upon the persons named in
and entitled to vote the shares represented by such Proxy discretionary
authority to vote the shares represented by such Proxy in accordance with their
best judgment in the interest of the Company on such matters. The persons named
in the enclosed Proxy also may, if it is deemed advisable, vote such Proxy to
adjourn the Meeting from time to time.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED PROXY AT YOUR EARLIEST
CONVENIENCE IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE
UNITED STATES.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TIMOTHY W. KINNEAR
SECRETARY
Richardson, Texas
March 20, 1999
17
<PAGE>
P ODS NETWORKS, INC.
1101 EAST ARAPAHO ROAD
R RICHARDSON, TEXAS 75081
O ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS-APRIL 21, 1999
X THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
Y The undersigned stockholder(s) of ODS Networks, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), hereby appoints G. Ward Paxton and T. Joe
Head, and each of them, attorneys-in-fact and proxies of the undersigned,
with full power of substitution, to represent and to vote all shares of
common stock of the Company which the undersigned is entitled to vote at
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the Holiday Inn
Richardson Select, 1655 N. Central Expressway, Richardson, Texas 75080,
at 10:00 A.M., local time, on Wednesday, April 21, 1999, and at any
adjournment thereof.
(CONTINUED ON REVERSE SIDE)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
This Proxy, when properly executed will be voted as directed herein by the Please mark
undersigned. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" PROPOSALS 1 AND 2. your votes as
indicated in /X/
PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" PROPOSALS 1 AND 2 this example
1. Election of Directors Nominees: G. Ward Paxton, J. Fred Bucy, T. Joe Head, Donald M. Johnston
Timothy W. Kinnear, William A. Roper, Jr., and Douglas M. Schrier
FOR all nominees WITHHOLD
(except as marked AUTHORITY
to the contrary) to vote for all nominees INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write
that nominee's name in the space provided below.
/ / / /
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2. Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young In their discretion, such attorneys-in-fact and proxies are authorized to
LLP as independent auditors of the Company for vote upon such other business as properly may come before the meeting.
the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
/ / / / / /
I will / / will not / / be attending the meeting
YOU ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE, DATE,
SIGN, AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY. ALL
JOINT OWNERS MUST SIGN. PERSONS SIGNING
AS EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES,
CORPORATE OFFICERS, OR IN OTHER REPRE-
SENTATIVE CAPACITIES SHOULD SO INDICATE.
Date:------------------------------,1999
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Signature
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Signature
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