<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14A-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement / / Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or
Section 240.14a-12
DELL COMPUTER CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Not Applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2)
or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and
0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
N/A
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(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):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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/ / 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:
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(4) Date Filed:
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1 9 9 6
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LOGO
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
AND
PROXY STATEMENT
DELL COMPUTER CORPORATION
2214 WEST BRAKER LANE, SUITE D
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78758-4053
<PAGE> 3
DELL COMPUTER CORPORATION
2214 WEST BRAKER LANE, SUITE D
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78758-4053
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To the Stockholders of Dell Computer Corporation:
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Dell
Computer Corporation (the "Company") will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel, 98
San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, Texas, on Friday, July 12, 1996 at 9:00 a.m.,
local time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect three directors, each with a term of three years.
2. To ratify the selection of Price Waterhouse LLP as the Company's
independent accountants for fiscal 1997.
3. To transact any other business that may properly come before the
meeting.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 1996 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
You are urged to date, sign and return the enclosed proxy card promptly so
that the presence of a quorum may be assured and so that your shares may be
voted in accordance with your wishes. The prompt return of your signed proxy
card, regardless of the number of shares you hold, will aid the Company in
reducing the expenses of additional proxy solicitation. Signing and returning
the proxy card does not affect your right to vote in person if you attend the
meeting, and you are cordially invited to attend.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ THOMAS B. GREEN
Thomas B. Green
Secretary
Austin, Texas
May 24, 1996
<PAGE> 4
[DELL COMPUTER CORPORATION LOGO]
DELL COMPUTER CORPORATION
2214 WEST BRAKER LANE, SUITE D
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78758-4053
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The enclosed Proxy is for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Dell
Computer Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), which will be held
at the Four Seasons Hotel, 98 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, Texas, at 9:00
a.m., local time, on Friday, July 12, 1996, and at any adjournments or
postponements of that meeting. The Proxy is being solicited on behalf of the
Board of Directors of the Company. By executing and returning the enclosed
Proxy, you authorize the persons named in the Proxy to represent you and vote
your shares at the Annual Meeting. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy are first being mailed to
stockholders of the Company on or about May 28, 1996.
Solicitation of Proxies may be made by mail, personal interview, telephone,
telegraph or facsimile by officers, directors and regular employees of the
Company. The Company may also request banking institutions, brokerage firms,
custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward solicitation materials to
beneficial owners, and the Company will reimburse the forwarding expenses. The
Company will bear all costs of solicitation.
Any stockholder in attendance at the Annual Meeting may vote in person.
Shares held by stockholders not in attendance at the Annual Meeting may only be
voted pursuant to a properly executed Proxy. A stockholder may revoke that Proxy
at any time before its exercise at the Annual Meeting by delivering a written
notice of revocation to the Company's Secretary, by executing and delivering a
later-dated Proxy or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.
The record date established by the Board of Directors for the purpose of
determining the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting is the close of business on May 17, 1996. The Company has only one class
of capital stock entitled to be voted at the Annual Meeting, that being the
Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"). At the
close of business on the record date, there were 93,770,584 shares of Common
Stock outstanding and entitled to be voted at the Annual Meeting.
QUORUM AND VOTING
In order for any business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting, a quorum
of stockholders must be present, either in person or by proxy. The presence, in
person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock entitled to vote is necessary to constitute a quorum. If a quorum
is not present at the scheduled time of the Annual Meeting, the stockholders
entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy will have the power to
adjourn the Annual Meeting from time to time, without notice other than an
announcement at the Annual Meeting, until a quorum is present. At any adjourned
Annual Meeting at which a quorum is present in person or by proxy, any business
may be transacted that might have been transacted at the Annual Meeting as
originally notified.
<PAGE> 5
Each holder of Common Stock will be entitled to one vote for each share of
Common Stock owned of record by that stockholder at the close of business on May
17, 1996. Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes of shares
represented in person or by proxy and entitled to be voted at the Annual
Meeting. The ratification of the selection of the Company's independent
accountants requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
shares of Common Stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to be voted at
the Annual Meeting. The votes will be tabulated by an automated system
administered by the Company's transfer agent.
Brokers who hold shares in street name for customers are required to vote
those shares in accordance with instructions received from the beneficial
owners. If a broker holding shares in street name for a beneficial owner
receives no instructions from the beneficial owner, the broker will be entitled
to vote the shares on "discretionary" items but will not be permitted to vote
the shares on "non-discretionary" items (in which case, the shares will be
treated as "broker non-votes"). Abstentions will be included in the number of
shares present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining whether a
quorum is present, will be included in the number of shares voting on proposals
presented to stockholders and will have the same effect as "no" votes. Shares
that are treated as broker non-votes will be included in the number of shares
present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present but will
otherwise be treated as shares not entitled to be voted on the items with
respect to which the broker non-votes apply.
Proxies in the accompanying form that are properly executed and returned
will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions on the
Proxy. Any properly executed Proxy upon which no contrary instructions have been
indicated will be voted as follows: FOR the election of the three persons named
in this Proxy Statement as the Board of Directors' nominees for election to the
Board of Directors; FOR the ratification of the selection of independent
accountants; and in accordance with the discretion of the holders of the Proxy
with respect to any other business that properly comes before the stockholders
at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors knows of no matters, other than
those previously stated, to be presented for consideration at the Annual
Meeting. If they deem it advisable, the persons named in the accompanying Proxy
may also vote the Proxy to adjourn the Annual Meeting from time to time.
PROPOSALS FOR CONSIDERATION AND VOTING
PROPOSAL 1 -- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has nominated Michael S. Dell, Michael H. Jordan and
Klaus S. Luft for reelection as directors of the Company at the Annual Meeting.
All three nominees are currently serving as directors of the Company and, if
reelected, will be designated as Class II directors with terms to expire at the
annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 1999 when their successors are
elected and qualified. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE
FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES. Set forth below is biographical
information about each of the nominees.
MICHAEL S. DELL. Mr. Dell, age 31, has been Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer and a Director of the Company since May 1984. Mr. Dell founded
the Company in 1984 while attending the University of Texas at Austin. He is a
member of the Board of Directors of the United States Chamber of Commerce and
the Computerworld/Smithsonian Awards and is an advisor to the Innovative
Technology Management Association at The University of Texas at Austin.
MICHAEL H. JORDAN. Mr. Jordan, age 59, has been a Director of the Company
since December 1992. Mr. Jordan is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Westinghouse Electric Corporation, positions he has held since July 1993. Prior
to joining Westinghouse, he was a principal with the investment firm of Clayton,
Dubilier and Rice from September 1992 through June 1993, Chairman of PepsiCo
International from December 1990 through July 1992 and Chairman of PepsiCo
World-Wide Foods from December 1986 to December 1990. Mr. Jordan is also a
member of the Boards of Directors of Aetna Life & Casualty Co., Melville Corp.
and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Inc.
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KLAUS S. LUFT. Mr. Luft, age 54, has been a Director of the Company since
March 1995. Mr. Luft is the founder, owner and President of MATCH -- Market
Access for Technology Services GmbH, a private company established in 1994 and
headquartered in Munich, Germany. MATCH provides sales and marketing services to
high technology companies. Since August 1990, Mr. Luft has served and continues
to serve as International Advisor to Goldman Sachs Europe Limited. From March
1986 to November 1989, Mr. Luft was Chief Executive Officer of Nixdorf Computer
AG, a manufacturer of computer systems in Paderborn, Germany, where he also held
various other executive positions for more than 17 years in marketing,
manufacturing and finance.
Should any of the above nominees become unable or unwilling to accept
nomination or election, the persons acting under the Proxy will vote for the
election of a substitute nominee recommended by the Board of Directors or, if
the current Board of Directors so determines, the number of directors
constituting the entire Board of Directors will be reduced. The Board of
Directors has no reason to believe that any nominee named above will be unable
or unwilling to serve if elected.
PROPOSAL 2 -- SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors has selected Price Waterhouse LLP as the Company's
independent accountants for fiscal 1997. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT
STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THAT SELECTION. Price Waterhouse LLP
has been the Company's independent accountants for each of the past ten fiscal
years. The Company expects that representatives of Price Waterhouse LLP will be
present at the Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions and will have
an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so.
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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
GENERAL. The following is a list of the persons who will constitute the
Company's Board of Directors following the Annual Meeting (assuming reelection
of the nominees named above) and the persons who were serving as executive
officers of the Company as of May 20, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
- -------------------------------- --- ----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Michael S. Dell................. 31 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
Director (Class II)
Donald J. Carty................. 49 Director (Class I)
Paul O. Hirschbiel, Jr.......... 43 Director (Class I)
Michael H. Jordan............... 59 Director (Class II)
George Kozmetsky................ 78 Director (Class III)
Thomas W. Luce III.............. 55 Director (Class I)
Klaus S. Luft................... 54 Director (Class II)
Claudine B. Malone.............. 60 Director (Class III)
Michael A. Miles................ 56 Director (Class III)
Morton L. Topfer................ 59 Vice Chairman
Eric F. Harslem................. 50 Senior Vice President, Product and Technology
Strategy
Thomas J. Meredith.............. 45 Senior Vice President, Finance and Information
Systems and Chief Financial Officer
Martyn R. Ratcliffe............. 34 Senior Vice President, General Manager - Europe
Kevin B. Rollins................ 43 Senior Vice President, General Manager - Americas
Hiroshi Fukino.................. 54 Vice President, General Manager - Japan
Thomas B. Green................. 41 General Counsel and Secretary
Phillip E. Kelly................ 38 Vice President, General Manager - Asia Pacific
John K. Medica.................. 37 Vice President, Chief Operating Officer - Japan
Julie A. Sackett................ 52 Vice President, Human Resources
Alex C. Smith................... 36 Vice President, Treasurer
Catherine P. Thompson........... 43 Vice President, Corporate Controller
</TABLE>
The Company has classified its Board of Directors into three classes.
Directors in each class are elected to serve for three-year terms and until
their successors are elected and qualified. Each year, the directors of one
class stand for election as their terms of office expire. The terms of office of
the Class II directors expire at the Annual Meeting to which this Proxy
Statement relates, and the terms of office of the persons elected at the Annual
Meeting will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 1999.
The terms of office of the Class I and Class III directors expire at the annual
meeting of stockholders to be held in 1998 and 1997, respectively. The class
designation of each of the Company's directors is indicated in the list above.
The Company's executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion
of, the Board of Directors.
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION. Set forth below is biographical information about
each of the Company's directors and executive officers, except for Mr. Dell, Mr.
Jordan and Mr. Luft, whose biographical information is included in "Proposals
for Consideration and Voting - Proposal 1 -- Election of Directors" above.
Donald J. Carty. Mr. Carty has been a Director of the Company since
December 1992. Mr. Carty is President of American Airlines, Inc., a subsidiary
of AMR Corporation, and President of AMR Airline Group, positions he has held
since March 1995. He is also Executive Vice President of AMR Corporation. From
October 1989 to March 1995, Mr. Carty held the positions of Chief Financial
Officer of AMR Corporation and Executive Vice President, Finance & Planning for
AMR Corporation and American Airlines, Inc. He has held senior vice presidential
positions with American Airlines, Inc. since 1988. Mr. Carty serves on the Board
of Trustees of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, and on the Board of
Directors of Canadian Airlines International Limited.
4
<PAGE> 8
Paul O. Hirschbiel, Jr. Mr. Hirschbiel has been a Director of the Company
since October 1987. Mr. Hirschbiel is a Vice President of Prudential Equity
Investors, Inc. and has held the position of Vice President or Director with
that firm since September 1983. Mr. Hirschbiel originally became a Director of
the Company pursuant to the terms of a stock purchase agreement entered into in
connection with the issuance by the Company of a series of convertible preferred
stock in October 1987. Mr. Hirschbiel received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a
Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill.
George Kozmetsky. Dr. Kozmetsky has been a Director of the Company since
March 1987. Dr. Kozmetsky serves as Executive Associate for Economic Affairs of
The University of Texas System, a position he has held since 1966. He is also
Chairman of the Advisory Board and a Senior Research Fellow of IC(2) Institute
of The University of Texas at Austin and was a Director of IC(2) Institute from
1977 to 1995. Dr. Kozmetsky is a co-founder and former Executive Vice President
of Teledyne, Inc. Dr. Kozmetsky received a Doctor of Philosophy degree in
Commercial Science and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Harvard
University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington.
Thomas W. Luce III. Mr. Luce has been a Director of the Company since
November 1991. Mr. Luce is a senior partner with the law firm Hughes & Luce,
L.L.P., Dallas, Texas, having co-founded the firm in 1973. From October 1991
through April 1992, Mr. Luce was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of First Southwest Company, a Dallas-based investment firm that is a
member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. He is also a
member of the Board of Directors of Enserch Corporation.
Claudine B. Malone. Ms. Malone has been a Director of the Company since
February 1993. Ms. Malone is President of Financial & Management Consulting,
Inc., a firm she founded in 1982. She has taught at the business schools of the
University of Virginia, Harvard University and Georgetown University. Ms. Malone
is a trustee of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Chairman of
the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. She is also a member of the Boards of
Directors of Hannaford Brothers Co., Hasbro, Inc., Houghton Mifflin Corp.,
Lafarge Corp., The Limited, Inc., Lowe's Companies, Mallinckrodt Group Inc.,
Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co., SAIC and Union Pacific Resources Corporation.
Michael A. Miles. Mr. Miles has been a Director of the Company since
February 1995. He is the former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of Philip Morris Companies Inc., having served in that position from
September 1991 to July 1994. Prior to assuming that position, Mr. Miles was Vice
Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors of Philip Morris Companies Inc.
and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kraft General Foods, Inc., positions
he held from December 1989. Mr. Miles is also a Special Limited Partner in the
investment firm of Forstmann Little and Co. He is a member of Chase Manhattan's
International Advisory Committee and is a trustee of Northwestern University.
Mr. Miles is also a member of the Boards of Directors of Dean Witter Discover &
Co., Sears, Roebuck and Co., Time Warner Inc. and Allstate, Inc.
Morton L. Topfer. Mr. Topfer has been Vice Chairman of the Company since
June 1994. In this position, Mr. Topfer shares the office of the Chief Executive
Officer with Mr. Dell. For 23 years prior to joining the Company, Mr. Topfer
held various positions with Motorola, Inc., last serving as Corporate Executive
Vice President and President of the Land Mobile Products Sector. Mr. Topfer
received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Brooklyn College and a
Master of Science degree in Physics from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn.
He is a member of the Board of Directors of Autodesk, Inc.
Eric F. Harslem. Mr. Harslem joined the Company as Senior Vice President,
Product Group in June 1993 and was named Senior Vice President, Product and
Technology Strategy in May 1996. Prior to joining the Company, he was Vice
President of the Macintosh Desktop Division of Apple Computer Corporation, where
he had been employed since 1983. Mr. Harslem received a Bachelor
5
<PAGE> 9
of Science degree in Engineering from the California Institute of Technology and
a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin.
Thomas J. Meredith. Mr. Meredith joined the Company in November 1992 as
Chief Financial Officer. He also served as Treasurer of the Company from
November 1992 until March 1994. In September 1995, Mr. Meredith was named Senior
Vice President, Finance and Information Systems and retained the position of
Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Meredith was Vice
President and Treasurer of Sun Microsystems, Inc. from April 1990 to November
1992 and held various financial positions with Amdahl Corporation before that
time, last serving as President of Amdahl Capital Corporation. Mr. Meredith
received a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from St. Francis
College in Loretto, Pennsylvania, a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University
and a Master of Law degree in Taxation from Georgetown University.
Martyn R. Ratcliffe. Mr. Ratcliffe joined the Company in January 1994 as
Vice President, Europe, was named Vice President, General Manager - Europe in
March 1995 and was named Senior Vice President, General Manager - Europe in
March 1996. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Ratcliffe served as the President
and Chief Operating Officer of Zeos International Ltd. from November 1992 to
December 1993 and Chief Operating Officer of VTech Computers Inc. from February
1992 to October 1992. Mr. Ratcliffe also held various positions with Technophone
Ltd. and Nokia Mobile Phones, which acquired Technophone Ltd., from June 1988 to
December 1991. Mr. Ratcliffe received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics
from the University of Bath, Avon, U.K., and a Master of Business Administration
degree from the City University Business School, London, U.K.
Kevin B. Rollins. Mr. Rollins joined the Company in April 1996 as Senior
Vice President, Corporate Strategy and was named Senior Vice President, General
Manager - Americas in May 1996. For 12 years prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Rollins was employed by Bain and Company, an international strategy consulting
firm, most recently serving as a director and partner. Mr. Rollins received a
Master of Business Administration degree and Bachelor degrees in Humanities and
Civil Engineering from Brigham Young University.
Hiroshi Fukino. Mr. Fukino joined the Company in September 1994 as Chairman
and Representative Director of Dell Computer K.K., the Company's Japanese
subsidiary. Mr. Fukino was named Vice President, General Manager - Japan in May
1995. For 19 years prior to joining the Company, Mr. Fukino was employed by
Seiko Instruments USA Inc., last serving as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer. Mr Fukino is a graduate of Hitotsubashi University and of the Advanced
Management Program at the Harvard Business School.
Thomas B. Green. Mr. Green joined the Company in August 1994 as General
Counsel and Secretary. Before joining the Company, Mr. Green served as Executive
Vice President and General Counsel of Chicago Title & Trust Company, where he
was employed from October 1992 to July 1994, and as Executive Vice President and
General Counsel of Trammell Crow Company from October 1990 to October 1992. From
February 1989 to October 1990, Mr. Green was employed by the law firm of Jones,
Day, Reavis & Pogue, Dallas, Texas, last serving as a partner in that firm. Mr.
Green received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Juris Doctor degree
from the University of Utah.
Phillip E. Kelly. Mr. Kelly joined the Company in November 1994 as Vice
President, General Manager - Asia Pacific. For 14 years prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Kelly held various positions with Motorola, Inc., last serving as
Vice President and General Manager for the North Asian Division of the Land
Mobile Products Sector, based in Hong Kong. Mr. Kelly received a Bachelor of
Business Administration degree from the University of San Diego.
John K. Medica. Mr. Medica joined the Company in March 1993 as Vice
President of the Company's Portable Products Group. He was named Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer - Japan in March 1996. For ten years prior to joining
the Company, Mr. Medica held various positions with Apple Computer Corporation,
last serving as Senior Director for Macintosh portable engineer-
6
<PAGE> 10
ing. Mr. Medica received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from
Manhattan College and a Master of Business Administration degree from Wake
Forest University.
Julie A. Sackett. Ms. Sackett joined the Company in November 1994 as Vice
President, Human Resources. From October 1992 to November 1994, Ms. Sackett
served as Vice President of Human Resources of Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.
For 18 years prior to that time, she held a series of human resource management
positions with Motorola, Inc., including Vice President of Corporate
Compensation and Benefits, Vice President of Personnel Services for the
Semiconductor Sector and Vice President and Director of Human Resources and
Security for the Government Electronics Group. Ms. Sackett received a Master of
Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago.
Alex C. Smith. Mr. Smith has been employed by the Company since April 1991,
serving as Finance Manager from April 1991 to November 1993 and Director of
Treasury Operations from November 1993 to November 1995, when he was named Vice
President, Treasurer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Smith held various
treasury management positions with Commodore International and Electronic Data
Systems Corporation. Mr. Smith received a Bachelor of Science and Business
Administration degree in Economics from the University of Florida and a Master
of International Management degree in Finance from the American Graduate School
of International Management.
Catherine P. Thompson. Ms. Thompson joined the Company in August 1993 as
Vice President, Internal Audit. In May 1995, she was named Vice President,
Corporate Controller. For 12 years prior to joining the Company, Ms. Thompson
was employed by the accounting firm of Arthur Andersen & Co., last serving as a
partner. Ms. Thompson received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in
Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin, where she is chairperson of
the Advisory Council to the School of Accounting.
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS. The Board of Directors held four
meetings during fiscal 1996. No director attended fewer than 75% of the
aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and the
total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors on
which that director served.
The Board of Directors has four standing committees: the Audit Committee,
the Compensation Committee, the Finance Committee and the Nominating Committee.
The Audit Committee is responsible for approving the scope of the annual
audit and for making recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning the
selection of the Company's independent accountants. The Audit Committee also
reports to the Board of Directors concerning the Company's internal accounting
controls, factors that may affect the integrity of the Company's financial
reports, compliance by the Company's management and employees with Company
policies and other matters. The members of the Audit Committee are Mr. Carty
(Chairman), Dr. Kozmetsky and Mr. Luce. They also served as members of the Audit
Committee during fiscal 1996. The Audit Committee held four meetings during
fiscal 1996.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for determining the compensation
for the Company's senior management and establishing compensation policies for
Company employees generally. The Compensation Committee also administers the
Company's stock-based compensation plans and employee stock purchase plan. The
members of the Compensation Committee are Ms. Malone (Chairman), Mr. Jordan and
Mr. Miles. They also served as members of the Compensation Committee during
fiscal 1996. The Compensation Committee held six meetings during fiscal 1996.
The Finance Committee is responsible for considering and recommending to
the Board of Directors proposed strategies, policies and actions related to
finance and economics. The members of the Finance Committee are Mr. Hirschbiel
(Chairman), Mr. Carty, Ms. Malone and Mr. Luft. Mr. Hirschbiel, Mr. Carty and
Ms. Malone served as members of the Finance Committee during
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fiscal 1996, and Mr. Luft was appointed to the Finance Committee in May 1995.
The Finance Committee held five meetings during fiscal 1996.
The Nominating Committee is responsible for recruiting and recommending
candidates for membership to the Board of Directors and for recommending to the
Chairman of the Board the structure and membership of the committees of the
Board of Directors. The members of the Nominating Committee are Mr. Miles
(Chairman) and Dr. Kozmetsky. They also served as members of the Nominating
Committee during fiscal 1996. The Nominating Committee held one meeting during
fiscal 1996. For information about suggesting candidates for consideration as
nominees for election to the Board of Directors, see "Additional
Information -- Stockholder
Proposals" below.
MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION
All Common Stock information has been adjusted to take into account the
two-for-one split of the Common Stock in October 1995.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
The following is a description of the compensation arrangements for the
Company's non-employee directors. Executive officers or other employees of the
Company who also serve as directors do not receive additional compensation for
serving on the Board of Directors.
ANNUAL CASH PAYMENTS. During each fiscal year, each non-employee director
receives an annual retainer fee and an additional $1,000 for each Board of
Directors meeting attended during the fiscal year. The amount of the annual
retainer fee was $25,000 for fiscal 1996 and is $30,000 for fiscal 1997. The
annual retainer fee is paid at the first meeting of the Board of Directors
following the annual meeting of stockholders.
The Company maintains a deferred compensation plan for the non-employee
directors, pursuant to which a director may elect to defer all or a portion of
his or her annual retainer fee. The deferred amounts are invested among various
funds designated by the plan administrator and may not be invested in Common
Stock or other Company securities. The deferred amounts (and any earnings
thereon) are payable to the director upon termination of service as a member of
the Board of Directors or to the director's named beneficiary in the event of
death. Distribution of the deferred amounts (and any earnings thereon) may be
made, at the election of the participating director, in a lump sum or in annual,
quarterly or monthly installments over a period of up to ten years.
A non-employee director may elect to receive an option to purchase Common
Stock in lieu of all or a portion of the director's annual retainer fee. If a
director so elects, the option is granted on the date the annual retainer fee
would otherwise have been paid. The number of shares subject to the option is
determined by dividing the amount of the annual retainer fee subject to the
election by the value of an option for one share of Common Stock (calculated
pursuant to the Black-Scholes model). The exercise price of the option is the
average of the high and low reported sales price of the Common Stock on the date
of grant. The option vests and becomes exercisable with respect to 20% of the
shares on each of the first five anniversaries of the date of grant and
terminates on the tenth anniversary of the date of grant.
OPTION AWARDS. Under the terms of the Dell Computer Corporation Incentive
Plan dated June 22, 1994, as amended (the "Incentive Plan"), each non-employee
director receives an option to purchase 30,000 shares of Common Stock at the
time the director begins serving as a member of the Board of Directors. This
option award is granted on the date after the first meeting of the Board of
Directors that the director attends. In addition, during each fiscal year, each
non-employee director who is serving as a member of the Board of Directors both
immediately before and immediately after the annual meeting of stockholders held
during that fiscal year receives an option
8
<PAGE> 12
to purchase 12,000 shares of Common Stock. This option award is granted on the
date of the first meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting
of stockholders.
In each case, the exercise price of the option is equal to the average of
the high and low reported sales price of the Common Stock on the date of grant.
The option vests and becomes exercisable with respect to 20% of the shares on
each of the first five anniversaries of the date of grant, so long as the
director remains a member of the Board of Directors through those dates. The
option terminates when the director ceases to be a member of the Board of
Directors (if the Board of Directors demands or requests the director's
resignation), 90 days after the director ceases to be a member of the Board of
Directors (if the director resigns for any other reason) or one year after the
director ceases to be a member of the Board of Directors because of death or
permanent disability. In any event, the option terminates on the tenth
anniversary of the date of grant.
OTHER BENEFITS. The Company reimburses non-employee directors for their
reasonable expenses associated with attending Board of Directors meetings and
provides the directors with liability insurance coverage with respect to their
activities as directors of the Company.
COMPENSATION DURING FISCAL 1996. The following table describes the fiscal
1996 fees and stock option grants for each of the Company's non-employee
directors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTIONS
NAME FEES GRANTED(A)
-------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Mr. Carty......................................... $ 29,000(b) 12,000 shares
Mr. Hirschbiel.................................... $ 28,000 12,000 shares
Mr. Jordan........................................ $ 28,000 12,000 shares
Dr. Kozmetsky..................................... $ 29,000 12,000 shares
Mr. Luce.......................................... $ 29,000 12,000 shares
Mr. Luft.......................................... $ 29,000 42,000 shares(c)
Ms. Malone........................................ $ 29,000 12,000 shares
Mr. Miles......................................... $ 28,000(b) 42,000 shares(c)
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) On August 24, 1995 (the date of the first Board of Directors meeting
following last year's annual meeting of stockholders), each non-employee
director received an option to purchase 12,000 shares with an exercise price
of $37.16 per share.
(b) Elected to defer $25,000 of this amount pursuant to the deferred
compensation plan described above.
(c) Mr. Miles was appointed to the Board of Directors in February 1995, and Mr.
Luft was appointed to the Board of Directors in March 1995. Accordingly, in
addition to the options referred to in note (a) above, on March 2, 1995,
each of Mr. Luft and Mr. Miles received an option to purchase 30,000 shares
with an exercise price of $20.125 per share.
9
<PAGE> 13
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
GENERAL. The compensation paid to the Company's executive officers is
administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and
consists of base salaries, annual bonuses, awards made pursuant to the Company's
Incentive Plan, contributions to the Company-sponsored 401(k) retirement plan
and deferred compensation plan and miscellaneous benefits. The following table
summarizes the total compensation for each of the last three fiscal years
awarded to, earned by or paid to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the
four most highly compensated executive officers of the Company (other than the
Chief Executive Officer) who were serving as executive officers at the end of
fiscal 1996 (the "Named Executive Officers").
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS
--------------------------------- -----------------------
OTHER SHARES
ANNUAL RESTRICTED UNDER- ALL OTHER
NAME AND FISCAL COMPEN- STOCK LYING COMPEN-
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS SATION(A) AWARDS(B) OPTIONS(C) SATION(D)
- -------------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
MICHAEL S. DELL................. 1996 $568,629 $731,421 $ 92,541 $ 0 60,000 $ 24,044
Chairman of the Board, 1995 374,850 443,182 92,789 0 0 10,308
Chief Executive Officer 1994 358,994 0 33,844 0 0 13,614
MORTON L. TOPFER................ 1996 490,892 631,429 116,515 640,000 275,000 27,652
Vice Chairman 1995 300,000 266,015 82,039 0 415,000 4,400
1994 -- -- -- -- -- --
ERIC F. HARSLEM................. 1996 364,062 351,217 14,625 640,000 37,000 20,143
Senior Vice President, 1995 345,125 306,028 83,802 0 43,518 4,620
Product Group 1994 196,250 0 293,472 0 261,600 0
THOMAS J. MEREDITH.............. 1996 327,635 316,075 41,534 320,000 28,000 16,621
Senior Vice President, 1995 277,894 246,414 71,048 0 32,152 9,785
Finance and Information 1994 265,000 0 178,457 0 62,866 9,744
Systems and Chief
Financial Officer
RICHARD N. SNYDER(E)............ 1996 367,806 298,615 186,162 4,565,000 66,000 4,613
Senior Vice President, 1995 -- -- -- -- -- --
General Manager -- 1994 -- -- -- -- -- --
Dell Americas
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) The amounts shown in this column include amounts paid by the Company for
personal financial counseling and tax planning services and reimbursement
for the related tax liability (Mr. Dell, $92,541 in fiscal 1996, $92,789 in
fiscal 1995 and $33,844 in fiscal 1994; Mr. Topfer, $34,031 in fiscal 1996
and $7,496 in fiscal 1995; Mr. Harslem, $14,625 in fiscal 1996, $23,457 in
fiscal 1995 and $2,825 in fiscal 1994; Mr. Meredith, $39,485 in fiscal 1996,
$68,779 in fiscal 1995 and $77,125 in fiscal 1994; and Mr. Snyder, $13,863
in fiscal 1996) and relocation expenses paid by the Company and
reimbursement for the related tax liability (Mr. Topfer, $82,484 in fiscal
1996 and $74,543 in fiscal 1995; Mr. Harslem, $58,861 in fiscal 1995 and
$151,947 in fiscal 1994; Mr. Meredith, $161,332 in fiscal 1994; and Mr.
Snyder, $162,299 in fiscal 1996). For Mr. Harslem and Mr. Snyder, the
amounts shown also include the amount of bonus paid on commencement of
employment (Mr. Harslem, $138,700 in fiscal 1994; and Mr. Snyder, $10,000 in
fiscal 1996). For Mr. Harslem and Mr. Meredith, the amounts shown also
include imputed interest on below-market loans that have since been repaid
(Mr. Harslem, $1,484 in fiscal 1995; and Mr. Meredith, $2,049 in fiscal 1996
and $2,269 in fiscal 1995).
(b) For Mr. Topfer, Mr. Harslem and Mr. Meredith, the amounts shown represent
the value of the following number of shares of Common Stock awarded on July
24, 1995: Mr. Topfer, 20,000; Mr. Harslem, 20,000; and Mr. Meredith, 10,000.
Such values were calculated using the closing sales price of the Common
Stock on the date of grant, which was $32.00. Such shares are subject to
vesting and transfer restrictions that will lapse in accordance with the
following schedules: for Mr. Topfer, such restrictions will lapse with
respect to all of the shares on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant;
for Mr. Harslem, such restrictions will lapse with respect to all of the
shares on the second anniversary of the date of grant; and for Mr. Meredith,
such restrictions will lapse with respect to one-seventh of the shares on
each of the first seven anniversaries of the date of grant. In addition,
such shares are subject to forfeiture (and any gain realized on the sale of
such shares is subject to repayment to the Company) if the executive
competes with the Company within two years after terminating his employment
with the Company.
10
<PAGE> 14
For Mr. Snyder, the amount shown represents the value of 220,000 shares of
Common Stock that were awarded on February 27, 1995 upon the commencement of
Mr. Snyder's employment with the Company. Such value was calculated using
the closing sales price of the Common Stock on the date of grant, which was
$20.75. Of the total number of shares, 70,000 were subject to vesting and
transfer restrictions that were to lapse with respect to one-fifth of such
shares on the first five anniversaries of the date of grant, and 150,000 of
such shares were subject to vesting and transfer restrictions that were to
lapse with respect to one-seventh of such shares on each of the first seven
anniversaries of the date of grant (subject to accelerated vesting if
certain stock price performance criteria were met). Pursuant to the terms of
the restricted stock awards, a total of 46,142 of such shares vested on
February 27, 1996 (such shares having an aggregate value of $1,632,273 based
on the closing sales price of the Common Stock on that date). Mr. Snyder's
employment with the Company terminated on March 29, 1996, and as part of the
separation arrangements between Mr. Snyder and the Company, all 173,858
unvested shares were forfeited by Mr. Snyder. See note (e) below.
The total number and value of the shares of restricted stock held by the
Named Executive Officers as of the end of fiscal 1996 are as follows, with
the values based on the closing sales price of the Common Stock on the last
trading day of fiscal 1996 ($27.50):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER
OF SHARES VALUE
--------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Mr. Dell........................................... 0 $ 0
Mr. Topfer......................................... 20,000 550,000
Mr. Harslem........................................ 20,000 550,000
Mr. Meredith....................................... 10,000 275,000
Mr. Snyder......................................... 220,000 6,050,000
</TABLE>
As noted above, Mr. Snyder forfeited 173,856 of such shares (with a fiscal
year-end value of $4,781,040) on March 29, 1996 upon the termination of his
employment with the Company.
When and if the Board of Directors declares and pays dividends on the Common
Stock, such dividends will be paid on the outstanding shares of restricted
stock described in this note at the same rate as they are paid to all
stockholders.
(c) For information regarding the stock option grants made during fiscal 1996,
see the table titled "Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year" under "Management
Compensation -- Compensation of Executive Officers -- Incentive Plan Awards"
below.
(d) Includes the value of the Company's contributions to the Company-sponsored
401(k) retirement savings plan that is available to all Company employees
and the amount of the Company's contributions to the deferred compensation
plan that is available to certain members of the Company's management. Both
of these plans are described below.
(e) Mr. Snyder's employment with the Company terminated on March 29, 1996. For a
description of the separation arrangements between Mr. Snyder and the
Company, see "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions -- Transactions
with Management" below.
INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS. The Company's Incentive Plan provides for the
granting of incentive awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation
rights, stock and cash to directors, executive officers and key employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries and certain other persons who provide consulting or
advisory services to the Company. An aggregate of 17,001,846 shares of Common
Stock may be issued pursuant to awards under the Incentive Plan, and at the end
of fiscal 1996, 8,480,235 shares of Common Stock remained available for issuance
under Incentive Plan awards.
11
<PAGE> 15
Information about restricted stock awards made to the Named Executive
Officers during fiscal 1996 is set forth in note (b) to the Summary Compensation
Table above. The following table sets forth information about stock option
grants made to the Named Executive Officers during fiscal 1996. The Company has
not made any awards of stock appreciation rights to the Named Executive
Officers.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER PERCENTAGE OF
OF SHARES TOTAL OPTIONS
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE GRANT DATE
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN PRICE GRANT EXPIRATION PRESENT
NAME GRANTED FISCAL YEAR PER SHARE DATE DATE VALUE(A)
- ------------------------------- ---------- ------------- --------- -------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Mr. Dell....................... 60,000(b) 1.50% $ 31.41 7-24-95 7-24-05 $ 766,350
Mr. Topfer..................... 50,000(b) 1.25 31.41 7-24-95 7-24-05 638,625
225,000(c) 5.64 35.44 12-22-95 12-22-05 3,376,913
Mr. Harslem.................... 37,000(b) 0.93 31.41 7-24-95 7-24-05 472,583
Mr. Meredith................... 28,000(b) 0.70 31.41 7-24-95 7-24-05 357,630
Mr. Snyder(d).................. 26,000(e) 0.65 21.19 2-27-95 2-27-05 227,812
40,000(f) 1.00 31.41 7-24-95 7-24-05 510,900
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) Calculated using the Black-Scholes model. The material assumptions and
adjustments incorporated into the Black-Scholes model in making such
calculations include the following: (1) an interest rate representing the
interest rate on U.S. Treasury securities with a maturity date corresponding
to the option term; (2) volatility determined using daily prices for the
Common Stock during the one-year period immediately preceding date of grant;
(3) a dividend rate of $0; and (4) in each case, a reduction of 35% to
reflect the probability of forfeiture due to termination of employment prior
to vesting and the probability of a shortened option term due to termination
of employment prior to the option expiration date. The ultimate values of
the options will depend on the future market prices of the Common Stock,
which cannot be forecast with reasonable accuracy. The actual value, if any,
that an optionee will recognize upon exercise of an option will depend on
the difference between the market value of the Common Stock on the date the
option is exercised and the applicable exercise price.
(b) These options will vest and become exercisable with respect to one-fifth of
the underlying shares on each of the first five anniversaries of the date of
grant.
(c) These options will vest and become exercisable with respect to one-fourth of
the underlying shares on each of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth
anniversaries of the date of grant.
(d) Mr. Snyder's employment with the Company terminated on March 29, 1996. For a
description of the separation arrangements between Mr. Snyder and the
Company, see "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions -- Transactions
with Management" below.
(e) These options were granted upon the commencement of Mr. Snyder's employment
with the Company and were to vest and become exercisable with respect to
one-fifth of the underlying shares on each of the first five anniversaries
of the date of grant. On February 29, 1996, Mr. Snyder exercised the option
with respect to 5,200 shares. Mr. Snyder's employment with the Company
terminated on March 29, 1996, and in connection therewith, Mr. Snyder
forfeited the remaining options with respect to 20,800 shares.
(f) These options were to vest and become exercisable with respect to one-fifth
of the underlying shares on each of the first five anniversaries of the date
of grant. Mr. Snyder's employment with the Company terminated on March 29,
1996, and in connection therewith, Mr. Snyder forfeited all of such options.
The following table sets forth, for each Named Executive Officer,
information concerning the exercise of stock options during fiscal 1996 and the
value of unexercised stock options at the end of fiscal 1996.
12
<PAGE> 16
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
SHARES OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR-END AT FISCAL YEAR-END(B)
ACQUIRED VALUE ---------------------------- ----------------------------
NAME ON EXERCISE REALIZED(A) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Mr. Dell................. 0 $ 0 0 60,000 $ 0 $ 0
Mr. Topfer............... 85,000 2,221,075 15,375 589,625 220,884 7,235,579
Mr. Harslem.............. 50,000 1,274,750 33,343 208,775 526,594 3,854,917
Mr. Meredith............. 20,000 603,700 75,976 177,042 929,178 3,145,919
Mr. Snyder(c)............ 0 0 0 66,000 0 164,125
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) Calculated using the difference between (1) the actual sales price of the
underlying shares (if the underlying shares were sold immediately upon
exercise) or the closing sales price of the Common Stock on the date of
exercise (if the underlying shares were not sold immediately upon exercise)
and (2) the exercise price.
(b) Amounts were calculated by multiplying the number of unexercised options by
the closing sales price of the Common Stock on the last trading day of
fiscal 1996 ($27.50) and subtracting the exercise price.
(c) Mr. Snyder's employment with the Company terminated on March 29, 1996. For a
description of the separation arrangements between Mr. Snyder and the
Company, see "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions -- Transactions
with Management" below. Options with respect to 5,200 shares vested and
became exercisable on February 27, 1996, and Mr. Snyder exercised such
options on February 29, 1996. In connection with Mr. Snyder's termination of
employment, all remaining options were forfeited.
During fiscal 1996, the Company implemented an executive stock ownership
incentive program under the Incentive Plan. Under this program, certain members
of management (including the executive officers) may elect, on an annual basis,
to receive stock options in lieu of all or a portion of the annual bonus that
they would otherwise receive. The exercise price of the options is 80% of the
fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of issuance. The number of
shares subject to any such option is dependent on the amount of bonus a
participant designates for the program and is calculated by dividing the
designated bonus amount by 20% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on
the date of issuance. The options are fully vested at the time of issuance but
are not exercisable for a period of one year. All decisions regarding
participation in the program and the amount of bonus to designate must be made
several months in advance of the anticipated bonus payment date. The program was
first effective for bonuses paid in March 1996 with respect to fiscal 1996, and
46 persons (but none of the Named Executive Officers) elected to participate in
the program with respect to such bonus payments.
401(K) RETIREMENT PLAN. The Company maintains a defined contribution
retirement plan that complies with the provisions of Section 401(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code. Substantially all U.S. employees are eligible to
participate in the plan, and eligibility for participation commences upon
hiring. Under the terms of the plan, the Company currently matches 100% of each
employee participant's voluntary contributions, subject to a maximum Company
contribution of 3% of the employee's compensation. The Company's matching
contributions are made in the form of Common Stock and vest at the rate of 20%
on each of the first five anniversaries of the date of hire. After the
completion of five years of service with the Company, a participant may elect to
transfer the portion of his or her funds held in the form of Common Stock to
another available investment fund. During fiscal 1996, the Company made a
one-time contribution for every eligible employee, regardless of whether the
employee was a plan participant, equal to 2% of the employee's actual earnings
during calendar 1995.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN. The Company maintains a deferred compensation
plan, pursuant to which certain members of management (including the executive
officers) may elect to defer a portion of his or her annual compensation. The
Company matches 100% of the employee's voluntary contributions not in excess of
3% of annual compensation. The funds attributable to a participant (including
voluntary contributions and matching contributions) are invested among various
funds designated by the plan administrator and may not be invested in Common
Stock or
13
<PAGE> 17
other Company securities. Upon the death or retirement of a participant, the
funds attributable to the participant (including any earnings on contributions)
are distributed to the participant or the participant's beneficiary in a lump
sum or in annual, quarterly or monthly installments over a period of up to ten
years. A participant whose employment with the Company is terminated prior to
death or retirement is entitled to receive his or her contributions to the plan
(and any earnings thereon) but is entitled to receive the Company's matching
contributions only if the participant has completed four years of service with
the Company.
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN. The Company maintains an employee stock
purchase plan that qualifies under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code and
permits substantially all employees to purchase shares of Common Stock.
Participating employees may purchase Common Stock at the end of each
participation period at a purchase price equal to 85% of the lower of the fair
market value of the Common Stock at the beginning or the end of the
participation period. Participation periods are semi-annual and begin on January
1 and July 1 of each year. Employees may designate up to 10% of their base
compensation for the purchase of Common Stock under the plan.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS. Each of the Named
Executive Officers has entered into an employment agreement with the Company.
For the Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Dell, such employment agreements
do not contain any provisions regarding compensation or continued employment and
are identical in all material respects to those contained in the employment
agreement entered into by all of the Company's employees upon the commencement
of their employment with the Company. Mr. Dell's employment agreement provides
for continued employment for successive one-year terms, subject to termination
at any time at the option of Mr. Dell upon 30 days' written notice.
Under the terms of the Incentive Plan and the Company's prior stock option
plans, the Compensation Committee, if it so chooses, may issue awards with
provisions that accelerate vesting and exercisability in the event of a
change-in-control of the Company and may amend existing awards to provide for
such acceleration. To date, the Compensation Committee has not elected to
include such acceleration provisions in any awards to the Named Executive
Officers.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Ms. Malone, Mr. Jordan and Mr. Miles served as members of the Compensation
Committee of the Company's Board of Directors during fiscal 1996. None of such
persons is an officer or employee, or former officer or employee, of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries. No interlocking relationship exists between the
members of the Company's Board of Directors or Compensation Committee and the
board of directors or compensation committee of any other company, nor has any
such interlocking relationship existed in the past.
14
<PAGE> 18
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Company's mission is to become the leader in the personal computer
industry by providing products and services of the highest value to its
customers. To accomplish this objective, the Company has developed a
comprehensive business strategy that emphasizes maximizing long-term stockholder
value through return on invested capital, revenue and earnings growth, quality
and customer and employee satisfaction.
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
The Compensation Committee (the "Committee") is committed to implementing a
compensation program that furthers the Company's mission. The Committee
therefore adheres to the following compensation policies, which are intended to
facilitate the achievement of the Company's business strategies:
- - Executives' total compensation programs should strengthen the relationship
between pay and performance by emphasizing variable, at-risk compensation that
is dependent upon the level of success in meeting specified corporate,
business unit and individual performance goals.
- - A significant amount of pay for senior executives should be comprised of
long-term, at-risk pay to focus management on the long-term interests of
stockholders.
- - The at-risk components of pay offered should be comprised primarily of
equity-based pay opportunities. Encouraging a personal proprietary interest
provides executives with a close identification with the Company and aligns
executives' interests with those of the stockholders. This promotes a
continuing focus on building profitability and stockholder value.
- - Compensation opportunities should enhance the Company's ability to attract,
retain, and encourage the development of exceptionally knowledgeable and
experienced executives upon whom, in large part, the successful operation and
management of the Company depends.
- - Base compensation should target compensation opportunities at the median of
compensation paid to executives of similar high-tech companies. However, if
the Company's performance exceeds that of its peers, total compensation should
be above the median. Likewise, if the Company's performance falls below the
performance of its peers, total compensation paid to the senior executives
should be below the median compensation paid by the peer group.
The Committee compares total compensation levels for the Company's senior
executives to the compensation paid to executives of a peer group of similar
high-tech companies. Each year, management develops the peer group based on
similar sales volumes, market capitalization, employment levels and lines of
business. The Committee reviews and approves the selection of companies used in
the peer group for compensation comparison purposes. For fiscal 1996, the peer
group consisted of approximately 20 high-tech companies and is basically
unchanged from the comparison group used for fiscal 1995. As in the past, this
group is not the same group used for the industry comparison in the performance
graph found in "Company Performance" since this group includes additional
companies that the Company competes with for people talent, in addition to
industry-product competitors.
COMPONENTS OF COMPENSATION
The key elements of the Company's executive compensation program are base
salary, short-term (annual) incentive and long-term incentive compensation.
These elements are addressed separately.
The Committee does not exclusively use quantitative methods or mathematical
formulas in setting any element of compensation. In determining each component
of compensation, the
15
<PAGE> 19
Committee considers all elements of an executive's total compensation package,
including insurance and other benefits.
BASE SALARIES. Base salaries are targeted at median levels for the peer
group of companies and are adjusted by the Committee to recognize varying levels
of responsibility, individual performance, business unit performance and
internal equity issues, as well as external pay practices. The Committee reviews
each executive's base salary annually.
Overall, executive salaries were increased in fiscal 1996 at rates
comparable to the increases provided in the peer group of high-tech companies,
and the salaries are near median levels for that peer group.
SHORT-TERM INCENTIVES. The Incentive Bonus Plan promotes the Company's
pay-for-performance philosophy by providing executives with direct financial
incentives in the form of annual cash bonuses to achieve corporate, business
unit and individual performance goals.
Each year, the Committee establishes these corporate and business unit
specific goals relating to each executive's bonus opportunity. For fiscal 1996,
the Company's performance and business unit performance were based on financial
measures, such as profitability and growth, and on non-financial measures, such
as quality, systems infrastructure and process enhancements. For fiscal 1996, a
subjective evaluation of individual performance could also result in an upward
or downward adjustment of the award. However, such subjective individual
performance was eliminated from the program for those corporate vice presidents
who participate in the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan ("EIBP") and who are
executive officers. The EIBP was approved by the stockholders at the 1995 annual
meeting in order to comply with the performance-based compensation exemption
under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Fiscal 1996 target bonus awards for each of the executives were set
slightly above market levels, but required above-average performance from each
of the executives to be achievable. For the Company's executive officers, the
targets ranged from 75% to 100% of base salaries. The actual percentage to be
paid was subject to adjustment above or below the target based on the Company's
performance. The Company's performance in fiscal 1996 exceeded the performance
levels as specified in the plan, and bonuses were paid to the Named Executive
Officers as shown in the Summary Compensation Table. The payouts ranged from
108.2% to 128.6% of the target bonus percentages for each of the Named Executive
Officers.
Beginning in fiscal 1997, the Company's annual incentive plan will be
focused primarily on return on invested capital ("ROIC") and revenue growth
measures. Under the plan, corporate ROIC must exceed the Company's risk-adjusted
weighted average cost of capital before the EIBP bonus pool is funded. This
represents an aggressive "stretch" program design that only pays for performance
which truly works to enhance stockholder value. Similarly, the Company's revenue
growth thresholds are set near 150% of the forecasted computer industry growth
rate before the bonus pool will be funded.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES. In keeping with the Company's philosophy of providing
a total compensation package that favors at-risk components of pay, long-term
incentives comprise an important component of an executive's total compensation
package. These incentives are designed to motivate and reward executives for
maximizing stockholder value and encourage the long-term employment of key
employees. Long-term incentives are still outstanding pursuant to the Company's
1989 and 1993 Stock Option Plans and are now provided pursuant to the Incentive
Plan approved by the stockholders at the 1994 annual meeting.
When awarding long-term incentives, the Committee considers executives'
levels of responsibility, prior experience, individual performance criteria,
previous stock option grants and compensation practices at the peer group of
companies used to evaluate total compensation. The Committee's objective is to
provide executives with long-term incentive award opportunities that
16
<PAGE> 20
approximate the market median but provide for above-market payout opportunities
when the Company's stockholder returns exceed industry norms.
The size of stock option grants is based primarily on the dollar value of
the award granted. As a result, the number of shares underlying stock option
awards varies and is dependent on the price of the Common Stock on the date of
grant. The size of the award can also be adjusted based on individual factors.
In July 1995, stock options with an exercise price set at fair market value
were granted for fiscal 1996 as part of the Company's regular annual grant of
stock options. The size of each award was determined based on the criteria for
awarding long-term incentives stated in the preceding two paragraphs. These
nonqualified options vest ratably on the first five anniversaries of the grant
date (20% of the grant each year).
Because all of the above grants were made at option prices equal to the
fair market value of the Common Stock on the dates of grant, the stock options
have value only if the stock price appreciates from the value on the date the
options were granted. This design is intended to focus executives on the
enhancement of stockholder value over the long-term and to encourage equity
ownership in the Company.
Also, on March 20, 1996, discounted stock options with an exercise price
set at 80% of fair market value were granted to 46 of 133 potential participants
in the Company's "executive stock ownership incentive program." Under this
program executives could elect to forgo a portion of their pre-tax Incentive
Bonus Plan or EIBP payouts for fiscal 1996 and receive options granted at 80% of
fair market value on the scheduled bonus payment date. Because of the inherent
risk in forgoing a cash payment to receive an option grant, the number of shares
granted is calculated by dividing the forgone bonus payment amount by 20% of the
fair market value of the Common Stock on the bonus payment date. Although the
foregone cash payments would have been unrestricted, these discounted options
are subject to a one-year holding period requirement, in exchange for the
favorable share calculation formula.
The Committee also approved grants of restricted stock to key employees who
joined the Company during fiscal 1996. The restricted stock was required to
attract these individuals to the Company and was intended to replace the
long-term incentives they forfeited when they left their previous employers.
Restricted stock was also used very sparingly for a select group of critical
executives (10 to 15 employees) worldwide.
COMPENSATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The Committee recognizes that Michael S. Dell is the Company's founder and
its largest stockholder. In fiscal 1996, Mr. Dell's annualized base salary was
increased to $600,000 to reflect the Company's outstanding performance,
resulting in base pay closer to median base salary earnings for chief executive
officers of the peer group of companies.
Mr. Dell also received a payment under the EIBP because the Company's
performance in fiscal 1996 exceeded the target performance levels specified in
the plan, resulting in a payout of 128.6% of Mr. Dell's base salary, versus a
target bonus percentage of 100% of base salary earnings for fiscal 1996.
In fiscal 1996, Mr. Dell also received a grant of 60,000 stock options with
an exercise price set at the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date
of grant. This award was based on the same criteria under which stock options
were awarded to the other executive officers.
POLICY WITH RESPECT TO THE $1 MILLION DEDUCTION LIMIT
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally limits the U.S.
corporate income tax deduction for compensation paid to executive officers named
in the summary compensation table in
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<PAGE> 21
the proxy statement of a public company to $1 million, unless the compensation
is "performance based compensation" or qualifies under certain other exceptions.
When structuring awards to the executive officers, the Committee considers the
potential loss of deduction under Section 162(m), as well as the financial
statement effect of a particular award. In some cases, an award that qualifies
as "performance based compensation" under Section 162(m) may give rise to an
accounting treatment that results in an adverse financial statement effect.
Consequently, the Committee attempts to strike a reasonable balance between the
Section 162(m) considerations and the financial accounting and other
considerations. The Committee may authorize an award that will give rise to a
loss of deduction under Section 162(m), but only after determining that the
potential adverse financial statement effect of alternative award structures, or
other considerations, outweighs the monetary value of the lost deduction. As a
result of the Section 162(m) limitation, approximately $750,000 of the
compensation earned by Mr. Topfer during fiscal 1996 will be nondeductible
(resulting in a cash cost to the Company of approximately $262,500).
CONCLUSION
The Committee believes these executive compensation policies and programs
serve the interests of stockholders and the Company effectively. The various pay
vehicles offered are appropriately balanced to provide increased motivation for
executives to contribute to the Company's overall future success, thereby
enhancing the value of the Company for the stockholders' benefit.
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
CLAUDINE B. MALONE, Chairman
MICHAEL H. JORDAN
MICHAEL A. MILES
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<PAGE> 22
COMPANY PERFORMANCE
The following graph compares the cumulative total return on the Company's
Common Stock during the last five fiscal years with the S&P 500 Index and the
S&P Computer Systems Index during the same period. The graph shows the value, at
the end of each of the last five fiscal years, of $100 invested in the Company's
Common Stock or the indices on February 3, 1991 and assumes the reinvestment of
all dividends. The graph depicts the change in the value of the Company's Common
Stock relative to the noted indices as of the end of each fiscal year and not
for any interim period. Historical stock price performance is not necessarily
indicative of future stock price performance.
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEASUREMENT PERIOD DELL COMPUTER S&P COMPUTER
(FISCAL YEAR COVERED) CORPORATION S&P 500 INDEX SYSTEMS INDEX(A)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1991 100 100 100
1992 127 119 78
1993 276 128 56
1994 129 140 56
1995 250 137 68
1996 328 181 96
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
END OF FISCAL YEAR
--------------------------------------------
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dell Computer Corporation........................ $100 $127 $276 $129 $250 $328
S&P 500.......................................... 100 119 128 140 137 181
S&P Computer Systems Index....................... 100 78 56 56 68 96
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) The S&P Computer Systems Index currently consists of Amdahl Corporation,
Apple Computer, Inc., Compaq Computer Corporation, Data General Corporation,
Digital Equipment Corporation, EMC Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company,
Intergraph Corporation, International Business Machines Corporation, Silicon
Graphics, Inc., Sun Microsystems, Inc., Tandem Computers Inc. and Unisys
Corporation.
19
<PAGE> 23
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table provides information about the beneficial ownership of
Common Stock (the only class of voting securities of the Company outstanding) by
the persons known to the Company to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of
the outstanding Common Stock, by each of the Company's directors, by each Named
Executive Officer and by all of the Company's directors and executive officers
as a group. To the best of the Company's knowledge, each such person holds sole
investment and voting power over the shares shown, except as otherwise
indicated. None of the Company's directors or executive officers beneficially
owns any of the Company's Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the only other
class of equity security of the Company outstanding).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE
OF BENEFICIAL PERCENTAGE
BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP (A) OF CLASS (B)
- --------------------------------------------------------- ----------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Michael S. Dell.......................................... 14,592,620(c) 15.6%
2214 West Braker Lane, Suite D
Austin, Texas 78758-4053
Twentieth Century Companies, Inc......................... 6,771,000(d) 7.2%
4500 Main Street, P. O. Box 418210
Kansas City, Missouri 64141-9210
A I M Management Group Inc............................... 5,130,000(e) 5.5%
11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1919
Houston, Texas 77046
The Prudential Insurance Company of America.............. 4,723,820(f) 5.0%
Prudential Plaza
Newark, New Jersey 07102-3777
Donald J. Carty.......................................... 22,400(g) *
Paul O. Hirschbiel, Jr................................... 14,028(g)(h) *
Michael H. Jordan........................................ 30,400(g) *
George Kozmetsky......................................... 383,342(i) *
Thomas W. Luce III....................................... 12,720(g)(j) *
Klaus S. Luft............................................ 6,000(g) *
Claudine B. Malone....................................... 11,400(g) *
Michael A. Miles......................................... 17,000(g)(k) *
Morton L. Topfer......................................... 163,454(g) *
Eric F. Harslem.......................................... 194,343(g) *
Thomas J. Meredith....................................... 211,269(g) *
Richard N. Snyder........................................ 37,699(l) *
Directors and executive officers as a group
(21 persons)(m)........................................ 16,021,898(g) 17.0%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Less than 1%.
(a) As of April 26, 1996 (the last trading day of the first quarter of fiscal
1997), unless otherwise indicated.
(b) Based on the number of shares outstanding (93,702,883) at the close of
business on April 26, 1996 (the last trading day of the first quarter of
fiscal 1997).
(c) Includes 3,150 shares held for Mr. Dell's account in the Company-sponsored
401(k) retirement savings plan. Does not include 270,000 shares of Common
Stock held in a trust of which Mr. Dell is the grantor, 260,000 shares of
Common Stock held in a trust of which Mr. Dell's wife is the grantor or
1,381,016 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Dell's spouse.
(d) Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
February 9, 1996 and reflecting ownership of Common Stock as of December 31,
1995. According to that filing, such shares are held by investment companies
and separate institutional investor accounts managed by two registered
investment advisors that are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the beneficial
owner.
(e) Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and dated February 12, 1996 and reflecting ownership of Common Stock as of
December 31, 1995. According to that filing, such shares are held by A I M
Advisors, Inc. and A I M Capital Management, Inc., both of which are
wholly-owned subsidiaries of the beneficial owner and are registered
investment advisors.
20
<PAGE> 24
(f) Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on February 14, 1996 and reflecting ownership of Common Stock as of
December 31, 1995. According to that filing, the beneficial owner holds
sole voting and investment power over 394,900 shares, shared voting power
over 3,763,020 shares and shared investment power over 4,328,920 shares.
Also according to that filing, such shares are for the benefit of the
beneficial owner's clients through separate accounts, externally managed
accounts, registered investment companies, subsidiaries or other
affiliates.
(g) Includes the following number of shares subject to options that were
exercisable at or within 60 days after April 26, 1996: Mr. Carty, 20,400
shares; Mr. Hirschbiel, 2,400 shares; Mr. Jordan, 20,400 shares; Mr. Luce,
6,000 shares; Mr. Luft, 6,000 shares; Ms. Malone, 8,400 shares; Mr. Miles,
6,000 shares; Mr. Topfer, 92,250 shares; Mr. Harslem, 83,343 shares; Mr.
Meredith, 95,976 shares; and all directors and executive officers as a
group, 404,718 shares.
(h) Includes 120 shares held in family trusts of which Mr. Hirschbiel is the
trustee.
(i) Includes 43,150 shares held by Kozfund, Ltd., an affiliate of Dr.
Kozmetsky.
(j) Includes 6,720 shares owned by the Hughes & Luce Retirement Plan for the
benefit of Mr. Luce.
(k) Includes 5,000 shares held by Mr. Miles' spouse.
(l) Based on Mr. Snyder's ownership of Common Stock as of March 29, 1996, the
date his employment with the Company terminated.
(m) Does not include any shares held by Mr. Snyder, whose employment with the
Company terminated on March 29, 1996.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT. On June 15, 1995, the Company and Thomas L.
Thomas, an executive officer of the Company, entered into an agreement regarding
the termination of Mr. Thomas' employment with the Company, which was effective
July 1, 1995. Under the terms of that agreement, the Company agreed to continue
to pay Mr. Thomas' salary (as in effect on the date of the agreement) through
December 31, 1995 (or, if earlier, until Mr. Thomas secured other employment),
agreed to pay Mr. Thomas approximately $57,000 in cash in March 1996 (which
amount represented a prorated amount of the bonus that would otherwise have been
paid to Mr. Thomas for fiscal 1996), agreed to accelerate the vesting and
exercisability of options for 8,333 shares of Common Stock (pre-split) held by
Mr. Thomas, agreed to waive all restrictions on 1,500 shares of Common Stock
(pre-split) that Mr. Thomas owned and granted Mr. Thomas a general release from
all claims arising from his employment with the Company. Mr. Thomas agreed to
comply with certain non-competition covenants through December 31, 1995 and
granted the Company a general release of all claims arising from his employment
with the Company or the termination thereof.
On March 28, 1996, the Company and Richard N. Snyder, an executive officer
of the Company and a Named Executive Officer herein, entered into an agreement
regarding the termination of Mr. Snyder's employment with the Company, which was
effective March 29, 1996. Under the terms of that agreement, the Company agreed
to pay Mr. Snyder approximately $1.3 million in cash (which included an amount
attributable to the bonus that would otherwise have been paid to Mr. Snyder for
fiscal 1996), agreed to waive all restrictions on 46,142 shares of Common Stock
which Mr. Snyder received as part of a restricted stock grant upon the
commencement of his employment and which vested on February 27, 1996 and granted
Mr. Snyder a general release from all claims arising from his employment with
the Company. Mr. Snyder agreed to comply with certain non-competition covenants
for a period of one year following the termination of employment and granted the
Company a general release of all claims arising from his employment with the
Company or the termination thereof.
CERTAIN BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS. Thomas W. Luce III, a director of the
Company, is a senior partner with the law firm of Hughes & Luce, L.L.P., Dallas,
Texas, which provided certain legal services to the Company during fiscal 1996.
The dollar amount of fees that the Company paid to that firm during fiscal 1996
did not exceed 5% of that firm's gross revenues for its last full fiscal year.
INDEBTEDNESS OF MANAGEMENT. Prior to fiscal 1996, the Company loaned a
total of approximately $291,000 to Thomas J. Meredith, an executive officer of
the Company. The loans were made for the purpose of allowing Mr. Meredith to pay
the exercise price and federal income tax obligation related to option
exercises. All of such loans were repaid by Mr. Meredith during fiscal 1996.
21
<PAGE> 25
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS. Any stockholder of the Company desiring to present a
proposal for action at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 1997
must deliver the proposal to the Company's principal executive offices no later
than January 20, 1997, unless the Company notifies the stockholders otherwise.
Only those proposals that are proper for stockholder action and otherwise proper
may be included in the Company's proxy statement. Written requests for inclusion
should be addressed to Corporate Secretary, Dell Computer Corporation, 2214 West
Braker Lane, Suite D, Austin, Texas 78758-4053. The Company suggests that any
such proposal be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.
In recommending candidates to the Board of Directors, the Nominating
Committee seeks persons of proven judgment and experience. Stockholders who wish
to suggest qualified candidates may write to the Corporate Secretary, Dell
Computer Corporation, 2214 West Braker Lane, Suite D, Austin, Texas 78758-4053,
stating in detail the qualifications of the persons they recommend.
STOCKHOLDER LIST. In accordance with applicable Delaware law, the Company
will maintain at its corporate offices at 2112 Kramer Lane, Building 1, Austin,
Texas, a list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, and
such list will be open to the examination of any stockholder, for purposes
germane to the Annual Meeting, during ordinary business hours for a period of
ten days prior to the Annual Meeting. The list will also be available for
examination at the place of the Annual Meeting during the whole time thereof.
ANNUAL REPORT. The Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal
year ended January 28, 1996 is being mailed to stockholders concurrently with
this Proxy Statement and does not form any part of the proxy solicitation
material.
A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K (WITHOUT EXHIBITS) FOR
THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 28, 1996, AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION, WILL BE SENT TO ANY STOCKHOLDER WITHOUT CHARGE UPON WRITTEN
REQUEST ADDRESSED TO DONALD D. COLLIS, INVESTOR RELATIONS, DELL COMPUTER
CORPORATION, 2214 WEST BRAKER LANE, SUITE D, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78758-4053.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. WHETHER OR NOT YOU
EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, YOU ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN AND
RETURN THE PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID, ADDRESSED ENVELOPE.
22
<PAGE> 26
DELL COMPUTER CORPORATION
PROXY
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JULY 12, 1996 AND ANY
ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF DELL COMPUTER
CORPORATION
The undersigned hereby (a) acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting
of Stockholders of Dell Computer Corporation (the "Company") to be held on July
12, 1996 and the related Proxy Statement; (b) appoints Morton L. Topfer and
Thomas B. Green, or either of them, as Proxies, each with the power to appoint a
substitute; (c) authorizes the Proxies to represent and vote, as designated
below, all the shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share
(the "Common Stock"), held of record by the undersigned on May 17, 1996 at such
Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof; and (d) revokes
any proxies previously given.
1. Election of three Class II directors (Nominees: Michael S. Dell,
Michael H. Jordan and Klaus S. Luft).
[ ] FOR ALL NOMINEES [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR
ALL NOMINEES
To vote for fewer than all nominees, print the names of the nominees
you wish to vote FOR in the following space:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. A proposal to ratify the selection of Price Waterhouse LLP as the
Company's Independent accountants for fiscal 1997.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
3. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote on such other
business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment(s)
thereof.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN
BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED FOR ALL NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS AND FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION
OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS. THE PROXIES WILL USE THEIR DISCRETION WITH REGARD
TO ANY MATTER REFERRED TO IN ITEM 3 ABOVE.
Please sign, date and return this proxy as promptly as possible in the envelope
provided.
Dated: , 1996
----------------
-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
Signature(s) of Stockholder(s)
EACH JOINT OWNER SHOULD SIGN.
SIGNATURES SHOULD CORRESPOND WITH THE
NAMES PRINTED ON THIS PROXY. ATTORNEYS,
EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, GUARDIANS,
TRUSTEES, CORPORATE OFFICERS OR OTHER
SIGNING IN A REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY
SHOULD GIVE FULL TITLE.
