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 ss.240.14a-11(c) or ss.240.14a-12
C-PHONE CORPORATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
to Exchange Act Rule 0- 11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee
is calculated and state how it was determined):
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) Total fee paid:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount previously paid:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Filing Party:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Date Filed:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
C-PHONE CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Notice of Annual Meeting and
Proxy Statement
<PAGE>
C-PHONE CORPORATION
6714 NETHERLANDS DRIVE
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28405
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
AUGUST 4, 2000
The Annual Meeting of shareholders of C-Phone Corporation will be held at the
Landfall Park Hampton Inn & Suites, 1989 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, North
Carolina at 9:00 a.m. (Local time), on Friday, August 4, 2000, for the following
purposes:
1. To elect seven directors of C-Phone to serve until the next annual
meeting of shareholders;
2. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent
auditors for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2001; and
3. To transact any other business properly before the Annual Meeting
or any adjournments thereof.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on June 15, 2000 will be
entitled to vote at the meeting and any adjournment of the meeting.
Attendance at the meeting will be limited to shareholders, those holding proxies
from shareholders, and invited guests from the media and financial community.
This Proxy Statement, accompanying form of proxy, and C-Phone's Annual Report to
Shareholders are being mailed on or about June 22, 2000.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Tina L. Jacobs
Secretary
June 16, 2000
Wilmington, North Carolina
<PAGE>
C-PHONE CORPORATION
6714 NETHERLANDS DRIVE
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28405
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
AUGUST 4, 2000
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the
Board of Directors of C-Phone Corporation of proxies to be voted at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Friday, August 4, 2000, and at any
adjournment of the meeting. The following questions and answers provide
important information about the Annual Meeting and this Proxy Statement.
WHAT AM I VOTING ON?
o Election of seven directors (Mr. Paul H. Albritton, Mr. Daniel P. Flohr, Mr.
Seymour L. Gartenberg, Ms. Tina L. Jacobs, Mr. Donald McCoy, Mr. E. Henry
Mize and Mr. Stuart E. Ross).
o Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as C-Phone's
independent auditors.
WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE?
Shareholders as of the close of business on June 15, 2000 are entitled to vote
at the Annual Meeting. You are entitled to one vote for each share of common
stock you held on this date, including shares:
o Held directly in your name as the "shareholder of record"
o Held for you in an account with a broker, bank or other nominee
HOW DO I VOTE BY PROXY?
Sign and date each proxy form you receive and return it in the prepaid envelope.
If you return your signed proxy, but do not indicate your voting preferences, we
will vote on your behalf FOR the election of the seven nominees for director
listed above, and FOR the ratification of the appointment of our independent
auditors. Sign your name exactly as it appears on the proxy form. If you are
signing in a representative capacity (for example, as an attorney, executor,
administrator, guardian, trustee or officer or agent of a company or
partnership), you should indicate your name and your title or capacity. If the
stock is held in custody for a minor (for example, under the Uniform Transfers
to Minors Act), the custodian should sign, not the minor. If the stock is held
in joint ownership, both owners must sign.
You have the right to revoke your proxy anytime before the meeting by (1)
notifying C-Phone's Secretary in writing, or (2) delivering to us a later-dated
proxy. If you are a shareholder of record, you also may revoke your proxy by
voting in person at the meeting.
HOW DO I VOTE IN PERSON?
If you are a shareholder of record, you may vote your shares in person at the
meeting. However, we encourage you to vote by proxy card even if you plan to
attend the meeting.
HOW DO I VOTE MY SHARES THAT ARE HELD BY MY BROKER?
If you have shares held by a broker or other nominee, you may instruct your
broker or other nominee to vote your shares by following instructions that the
broker or nominee provides to you. Most brokers accept instructions by mail,
telephone and Internet.
<PAGE>
WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF I RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE PROXY CARD?
It means that your shares are registered in more than one account. To ensure
that all your shares are voted, sign and return each card that you receive from
us or from your broker.
WHO WILL COUNT THE VOTES?
A representative of our company will tabulate the votes and act as the inspector
of election.
WHAT CONSTITUTES A QUORUM?
A majority of the outstanding shares, present or represented by proxy,
constitutes a quorum for the Annual Meeting. As of the June 15, 2000 record
date, 8,990,092 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding.
HOW MANY VOTES ARE NEEDED FOR APPROVAL OF EACH ITEM?
Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual
Meeting, meaning that the seven nominees receiving the most votes will be
elected as directors. Only votes cast for a nominee will be counted, EXCEPT THAT
THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE SEVEN MANAGEMENT NOMINEES UNLESS
THE PROXY CONTAINS INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY. Abstentions, broker non-votes
(discussed below), and instructions to withhold authority to vote for one or
more of the nominees will result in those nominees receiving fewer votes.
However, such action will not reduce the number of votes otherwise received by
the nominees. A "broker non-vote" occurs when a broker submits a proxy that does
not indicate a vote for some of the proposals because the beneficial owners have
not instructed the broker on how to vote on such proposals and the broker does
not have discretionary authority to vote in the absence of instructions.
All other proposals, including ratification of Ernst & Young as our independent
auditors, will be approved if the votes cast for the proposal exceed those cast
against the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted
either for or against the proposal.
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF STOCK DO THE DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OWN?
Together, they own approximately 12% of our outstanding common stock as of the
June 15, 2000 record date. (See page 5 for details.)
WHEN ARE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2001 MEETING DUE?
It is expected that our 2001 Annual Meeting will be held in August 2001. To be
considered for inclusion in next year's Proxy Statement, a shareholder proposal
must be submitted in writing and received by us no later than February 28, 2001.
Address proposals to C-Phone Corporation, 6714 Netherlands Drive, Wilmington,
North Carolina 28405, Attention: Secretary.
ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our By-Laws provide for a Board of Directors of not less than three directors.
Our Board of Directors has fixed the number of directors at seven. Each director
will serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her
respective successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier
resignation. The persons named in the accompanying form of proxy, unless
otherwise instructed, intend to vote the shares of Common Stock covered by valid
proxies FOR the election of the seven persons named below, each of whom has been
designated by our Board of Directors as a nominee for election as director. If
any of these persons does not continue to be available for election, our Board
may, by resolution, provide for a lesser number of directors or designate a
substitute. In the latter event, the persons named in the accompanying form of
proxy will have discretionary power to vote for a substitute and will have
discretionary power to vote or withhold their vote for any additional nominees
named by shareholders. We presently do not know of any circumstances which would
render any of the following persons unavailable to continue to serve as a
director, if elected.
2
<PAGE>
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Information regarding each director, including each nominee for election, is set
forth on the following pages.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THESE NOMINEES.
PAUL H. ALBRITTON Director since 2000
President and Chief Executive Officer Age 56
Mr. Albritton has been with our company since May 1994 and has served as
President and Chief Executive Officer since March 2000. Prior to that time, he
served as our Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
DANIEL P. FLOHR Chairman and Director since 1986
President and Chief Executive Officer of FiberCity Networks, Inc. Age 45
Mr. Flohr co-founded our company in March 1986 with Ms. Jacobs and served as
President and Chief Executive Officer from our inception until March 2000. Mr.
Flohr continues to serve as our Chairman and as a strategic advisor to our
company. Mr. Flohr also is the founder and President and Chief Executive Officer
of FiberCity Networks, Inc., a recently organized telecommunications service
provider.
TINA L. JACOBS Director since 1986
Secretary and Treasurer Age 40
Ms. Jacobs co-founded our company in March 1986 with Mr. Flohr and has served as
our Secretary and Treasurer since that time. Ms, Jacobs also served as our
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from our inception until
March 2000.
STUART E. ROSS Director since 1993
Vice President and Director of Engineering; Age 40
Mr. Ross has served as our Vice President and Director of Engineering since
January 1994.
SEYMOUR L. GARTENBERG Director since 1994
Business consultant, private investor Age 69
Mr. Gartenberg has been a business consultant and private investor since 1991.
Previously, he was Executive Vice President of Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
(and its predecessors, CBS Records Inc. and CBS/Records Group, a division of CBS
Inc.), a multinational record company.
DONALD S. MCCOY Director since 1995
Technology assessment and planning consultant Age 69
Mr. McCoy has been a technology assessment and planning consultant, specializing
in the field of consumer electronics, since 1989. Previously, he was Vice
President of CBS Inc and general manager of the CBS Technology Center.
E. HENRY MIZE Director since 1994
Private investor Age 58
Mr. Mize has been a private investor since 1992. Previously, he was Vice
President, Regional Sales for the Northeast and Southeast United States, of
Philip Morris USA, a consumer goods company.
3
<PAGE>
Except with respect to Mr. Flohr and Ms. Jacobs, there are no family
relationships among our directors or executive officers.
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board has established the following committees:
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee currently consists of Mr. Gartenberg (Chairman), Ms. Jacobs,
Dr. McCoy and Mr. Mize. The Audit Committee, among other things:
o Confers with the independent auditors and financial officers of our company
o Oversees our internal controls, audits, financial reporting and compliance
programs
o Recommends to our Board of Directors the independent auditors to be selected
to audit our annual financial statements and oversees their activities
o Approves any special assignments given to our independent auditors
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Compensation Committee currently consists of Mr. Mize (Chairman), Mr.
Gartenberg and Dr. McCoy. The Compensation Committee, among other things:
o Reviews the compensation levels of our executive officers
o Makes recommendations to our Board of Directors regarding salaries and
incentive programs
o Administers our stock option plan and make grants under the plan
During Fiscal 2000, there were 11 meetings of the Board of Directors, five
meetings of the Compensation Committee and four meetings of the Audit Committee.
During this period, each director attended at least 75% of all meetings of the
Board of Directors and of the committees thereof on which he or she served.
We do not have a separate nominating committee. Our Board of Directors will
consider nominees recommended by shareholders for election as director at the
2001 Annual Meeting, provided that any such recommendation is submitted in
writing by February 28, 2001 to the Board of Directors, c/o C-Phone Corporation,
6714 Netherlands Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina 28405; Attention: Secretary.
Any recommendation must be accompanied by a description of the proposed
nominee's qualifications and other relevant biographical information and the
consent of the proposed nominee to serve.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
Employee directors receive no additional compensation for serving on our Board
or Committees. We currently pay our outside directors (Mr. Gartenberg, Dr. McCoy
and Mr. Mize ) an annual fee of $5,000 and reimburse them for out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with their services as directors. In addition,
we annually grant to each of our outside directors a non-qualified option under
our stock option plan to purchase 2,500 shares of our common stock (exercisable
at the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant).
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF OUR COMPANY
Our executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, our
Board of Directors. In addition to Mr. Albritton, Ms. Jacobs and Mr. Ross, whose
business experience is set forth above, Mr. Kurt Svendsen is Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of our company. Mr. Svendsen, age 43, has been with our
company since December 1998, has served in his present position since March 2000
and, prior to then, was our controller. From August 1997 to November 1998, Mr.
Svendsen was the Manager, Operations Finance, of Bell & Howell Mail Processing
Co., a Bell & Howell Corp. subsidiary engaged in providing worldwide hardware
and software solutions for high volume mail processing. From June 1995 until
July 1997, he was Controller of Meineke Discount Muffler Shops, Inc., a
franchisor of automobile repair franchises.
4
<PAGE>
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth the number of shares of our common stock
beneficially owned by (a) each person or group who is known to us to be the
beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, (b) each of
our current directors (who also are the nominees for election as directors at
this Annual Meeting), (c) each of our executive officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table appearing on page 6, and (d) all our directors and executive
officers, as a group (eight persons). Except as indicated in the footnotes to
this table, we believe that the persons named in this table have sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares of our common stock indicated.
Name Shares Beneficially Owned Percent of Class
--------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Daniel P. Flohr 1,071,223(1) 11.9%
Tina L. Jacobs 1,071,223(1) 11.9%
Paul H. Albritton 46,667(2) *
Stuart E. Ross 35,567(3) *
Seymour L. Gartenberg 32,500(4) *
E. Henry Mize 18,500(5) *
Donald S. McCoy 15,000(3) *
James Jarvis(6) 0 --
All executive officers and 1,222,791(7) 13.4%
directors, as a group
---------------
* less than 1%
(1) Consists of (a) 727,298 shares owned directly by Mr. Flohr, (b) 307,925
shares owned directly by Ms. Jacobs, and (c) 36,000 shares owned by trusts
for the benefit of Mr. Flohr's and Ms. Jacobs' minor children, the sole
trustee of which is Mr. Flohr's mother. Mr. Flohr and Ms. Jacobs are
husband and wife and their address is c/o C-Phone Corporation, 6714
Netherlands Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina 28405.
(2) Consists of (a) 15,000 shares owned directly by Mr. Albritton and (b)
31,667 shares issuable upon exercise of that portion of options granted
pursuant to our stock option plan that are presently exercisable or are
scheduled to become exercisable within 60 days after the date of this proxy
statement.
(3) Consists solely of shares issuable upon exercise of that portion of options
granted pursuant to our stock option plan that are presently exercisable or
are scheduled to become exercisable within 60 days after the date of this
proxy statement.
(4) Consists of (a) 20,000 shares owned directly by Mr. Gartenberg and (b)
12,500 shares issuable upon exercise of that portion of options granted
pursuant to our stock option plan that are presently exercisable or are
scheduled to become exercisable within 60 days after the date of this proxy
statement.
(5) Consists of (a) 1,000 shares owned directly by Mr. Mize and (b) 17,500
shares issuable upon exercise of that portion of options granted pursuant
to our stock option plan that are presently exercisable or are scheduled to
become exercisable within 60 days after the date of this proxy statement.
5
<PAGE>
(6) Mr. Jarvis was our Vice President, Marketing and Sales, until October 29,
1999.
(7) Consists of the shares referred to in notes (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) to
this table and 3,334 shares issuable upon exercise of that portion of
options granted to an executive officer pursuant to our stock option plan
that are presently exercisable or are scheduled to become exercisable
within 60 days after the date of this proxy statement.
We do not know of any arrangements, including any pledge by any person of our
securities, the operation of which at a subsequent date may result in a change
in control of our company.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table shows the compensation paid to Mr. Flohr, our former chief
executive officer, Mr. Albritton, our current chief executive officer, and each
of our other executive officers who received cash compensation from us
aggregating at least $100,000 during Fiscal 2000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Long-Term
Annual Compensation
Compensation(1) Awards
--------------- ----------------------
Name and Principal Fiscal Number of Securities All Other
Position for Which Compensated Year Salary Underlying Options (#)(2) Compensation
------------------------------ ----- --------------- ---------------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Daniel P. Flohr(3) 2000 $ 97,756 -- --
President and Chief 1999 $122,846 -- --
Executive Officer 1998 $130,000 -- --
Paul H. Albritton(4) 2000 $120,000 15,000 --
Vice President and Chief 1999 $113,178 15,000 --
Financial Officer 1998 $ 80,000 10,000 --
Tina L. Jacobs(5) 2000 $ 99,263 -- --
Executive Vice President and 1999 $110,000 -- --
Chief Operating Officer 1998 $110,000 -- --
Stuart E. Ross 2000 $120,000 25,000 --
Vice President and 1999 $115,833 14,150 --
Director of Engineering 1998 $112,288 -- --
James Jarvis(6) 2000 $108,173 -- $25,000
Vice President, Marketing 1999 $ 67,614 100,000 $38,013
and Sales -- -- -- --
-----------------------
</TABLE>
(1) During each of the three fiscal years ended February 29, 2000, we provided
certain personal benefits to our executive officers which benefits to any
such individual did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the cash
compensation received by such individual. See "Employment Contracts and
Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements."
(2) Represents shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of incentive
stock options granted under our stock option plan. See "Stock Option Plan."
(3) In light of his other business interests, Mr. Flohr resigned as President
and Chief Executive Officer of our company on March 6, 2000. He remains as
Chairman of the Board of our company and will continue to act as a
strategic advisor for us at an annual salary of $50,000.
6
<PAGE>
(4) Mr. Albritton was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer of our
company on March 6, 2000. In connection with his promotion, his annual
salary was increased to $150,000 and he was granted options to purchase
100,000 shares of common stock under our stock option plan.
(5) Ms. Jacobs resigned as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
of our company on March 6, 2000. She remains our Secretary and Treasurer at
an annual salary of $25,000
(6) Mr. Jarvis was an executive officer of C-Phone from September 18, 1998
until October 29, 1999. Other compensation in fiscal 2000 consisted of a
severance payment. Other compensation in fiscal 1999 consisted of a
relocation allowance paid to Mr. Jarvis in connection with his relocation
to North Carolina.
STOCK OPTIONS
Stock Options Granted in Fiscal 2000
The following table sets forth information concerning individual grants of stock
options made during Fiscal 2000 to each of our executive officers named in the
Summary Compensation Table who received a grant of options during such fiscal
year. We did not grant any stock appreciation rights during Fiscal 2000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of % of Total Options
Securities Granted to Exercise
Underlying Options Employees in Price Expiration
Name Granted (#) Fiscal Year (Per Share) Date
---- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Paul H. Albritton 15,000 9.8% $1.375 9/1/04
Stuart E. Ross 25,000 16.4% $1.375 9/1/04
</TABLE>
Stock Options Held at the End of Fiscal 2000
The following table sets forth the total number of exercisable and unexercisable
stock options held by each of our executive officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table who held any stock options as of February 29, 2000. No
options to purchase our common stock were exercised by any of our executive
officers during Fiscal 2000 and no stock appreciation rights were outstanding at
February 29, 2000.
Number of Securities Value of Unexercised
Underlying Unexercised Options In-the-Money Options
at February 29, 2000 at February 29, 2000(1)
-------------------------- --------------------------
Name Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
---- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Paul H. Albritton 36,667 28,333 $0 $17,813
Stuart E. Ross 45,567 34,433 $0 $29,688
-----------------------
(1) Based upon the $2.5625 closing sales price of our common stock on February
29, 2000.
Description of Stock Option Plan
The C-Phone 1994 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan initially was adopted by
our Board of Directors on August 16, 1994 and approved by our shareholders on
August 4, 1995. The stock option plan was subsequently amended by the Board of
Directors on November 28, 1995 and August 1, 1996. On December 2, 1998, the
Board of Directors amended the stock option plan to increase the number of
7
<PAGE>
shares of our common stock authorized for issuance upon exercise of options
granted under the stock option plan from 500,000 shares to 875,000 shares. This
amendment was approved by our shareholders on August 6, 1999. As of June 15,
2000, options for an aggregate of 83,420 shares of our common stock granted
under the stock option plan had been exercised, options for 536,850 shares of
our common stock, at exercise prices ranging from $0.84375 to $10.375 per share,
were outstanding and 254,730 shares of our common stock were available for the
grant of future options. The stock option plan will terminate on August 16,
2004, though options granted prior thereto may expire after such date.
The stock option plan provides for the grant of options to our directors,
executive officers and other key employees and consultants and is intended to
provide an incentive to continued employment or association by enabling such
persons to acquire a proprietary interest in our company and by offering
comparable incentives to enable us to better to attract, compete for and retain
highly qualified individuals, as well as to associate the interests of such
persons with those of our company and its shareholders. The stock option plan
permits the grant of options that are either incentive stock options within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or options which do
not qualify as incentive stock options (known as non-qualified stock options).
Incentive stock options may be granted only to our employees. An incentive stock
option must expire within ten years from the date it is granted (five years in
the case of such options granted to a holder of more than 10% of our outstanding
common stock). Incentive stock options are first exercisable not earlier than
one year from the date of grant. The exercise price of an incentive stock option
must be at least equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date
such incentive stock option is granted (or 110% of the fair market value of our
common stock in the case of such options granted to a holder of more than 10% of
our outstanding common stock). To the extent that the aggregate fair market
value of our common stock with respect to which incentive stock options are
exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year exceeds
$100,000, such options will be treated as non-qualified stock options. We may
issue non-qualified stock options under the stock option plan to our directors,
executive officers and key employees as well as any advisors and consultants.
The exercise price of a non-qualified stock option must be at least equal to the
fair market value of our common stock on the date such option is granted and
will have such expiration date and vesting schedule as determined by the
Compensation Committee at the time of grant.
Upon exercise of an option issued under the stock option plan, payment is
required to be made in cash or, if permitted by the applicable option agreement,
by delivery of (i) shares of common stock, (ii) currently exercisable options to
acquire common stock or (iii) other property valued at its then fair market
value. Options are not transferable by the optionee, other than by will or the
applicable laws of descent and distribution. In the event of termination of the
optionee's relationship with our company other than for cause, the optionee's
options will expire on the earlier of stated expiration or three months after
the date of termination (except in the case of death, disability or retirement,
in which event the period is extended to 12 months). Upon a change in control of
our company (as defined in the stock option plan), all options outstanding
become immediately exercisable in full.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
ARRANGEMENTS
Daniel Flohr had served as our President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to
an employment agreement, dated as of March 1, 1994, as amended. Mr. Flohr's
employment agreement is automatically renewed annually unless notice of
non-renewal is given by either party at least six months prior to the end of the
then current term. In the event that Mr. Flohr's employment is terminated by our
company for any reason without cause and prior to expiration of the then current
term, Mr. Flohr would be entitled to receive, in one lump sum, the aggregate
base salary that he would have received had he been employed through the end of
the then current term. During December 1998, Mr. Flohr advised our Board of
Directors that he wanted to devote part of his business time to a venture that
we had investigated and our Board of Directors had determined that our company
should not further pursue. The Board of Directors gave Mr. Flohr permission to
do so with the understanding that the venture would not materially interfere
with his full-time responsibilities to our company and that Mr. Flohr's annual
salary would be reduced from $130,000 to $100,000. Effective March 6, 2000 and
in connection with the surrendering of his President and Chief Executive Officer
responsibilities, Mr. Flohr's annual base salary was further reduced to $50,000.
8
<PAGE>
Tina Jacobs had served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer pursuant to an employment agreement, dated as of March 1, 1994, as
amended. Ms. Jacobs' employment agreement is automatically renewed annually
unless notice of non-renewal is given by either party at least six months prior
to the end of the then current term. In the event that Ms. Jacobs' employment is
terminated by C-Phone for any reason without cause and prior to expiration of
the then current term, Ms. Jacobs would be entitled to receive, in one lump sum,
the aggregate base salary that she would have received had she been employed
through the end of the then current term. Effective March 6, 2000 and in
connection with the surrendering of her Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer responsibilities, Ms. Jacob's annual base salary was reduced
from $110,000 to $25,000.
Stuart Ross serves as our Vice President and Director of Engineering pursuant to
an employment agreement, dated as of December 3, 1998, at an annual base salary
of $120,000. Mr. Ross' employment agreement is automatically renewed at the end
of each calendar year beginning in 2000 unless notice of non-renewal is given by
either party at least four months prior to the end of the then current year. In
the event that Mr. Ross' employment is terminated by us without cause, and prior
to expiration of the then current term, Mr. Ross would be entitled to continue
to receive his base salary for a period of six months. Mr. Ross' employment
agreement also provides that, for a period of one year following his termination
of employment, he will not, in any capacity, compete with us in any business
which existed during his employment with us or was being developed by us.
We maintain a $1,500,000 key person insurance policy on the life of Mr. Flohr,
of which our company is the beneficiary for $1,000,000 and Ms. Jacobs (Mr.
Flohr's wife) is the beneficiary for $500,000. Ms. Jacobs reimburses us for the
cost of her pro rata share of the policy. We also maintain a $500,000 key person
insurance policy on the life of Mr. Ross, of which our company is the sole
beneficiary.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Mr. Flohr and Ms. Jacobs own our Wilmington, North Carolina facility, including
the land on which the facility is located, and lease it to us pursuant to a
triple net lease at an annual rate of $75,360 expiring on April 30, 2002. We are
responsible for all costs and expenses, including applicable taxes, relating to
the facility. Mr. Flohr and Ms. Jacobs have agreed to delay, until May 1, 2001,
their right to adjust the annual rent to the fair market value on the facility.
We believe that the terms and conditions of the lease are no less favorable to
us than those available from unaffiliated third parties. Mr. Flohr and Ms.
Jacobs also allow us to use approximately 9,000 square feet of a 1.4 acre
adjacent parcel of land owned by them as a parking area for our employees and
customers, in consideration for which we provide minimal maintenance of the
parking area and pays approximately $504 per year of real estate taxes on this
parcel.
SECTION 16(b) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Based solely upon our review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and us under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a
review of written representations received by us, no person who at any time
during Fiscal 2000 was a director, executive officer or beneficial owner of 10%
or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock failed to file, on a
timely basis, the reports required by Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act.
ITEM 2. RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Our Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, has
appointed the firm of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors for our company
for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2001. Representatives of Ernst & Young
LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will be available to
respond to appropriate questions. Those representatives will have the
opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so.
9
<PAGE>
On March 7, 2000, we appointed Ernst & Young, LLP as our independent auditors,
and dismissed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Our Audit Committee and Board of
Directors participated and approved the decision to change independent auditors.
The reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on our financial statements for the
past two years contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were
not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting
principle. In connection with its audits of the two most recent fiscal years,
there have been no disagreements with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on any matter
of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or
auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements if not resolved to the
satisfaction of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP would have caused them to make
reference thereto in their report on the financial statements for such years.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR RATIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OF
ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this proxy statement, our management did not know of any
matters to be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting other than those
described in this proxy statement. If any other matters properly come before the
Annual Meeting, the accompanying form of proxy confers discretionary authority
with respect to those matters, and the persons named in the accompanying form of
proxy intend to vote that proxy, to the extent entitled, in accordance with
their best judgment.
We will bear the cost of the Annual Meeting and the cost of soliciting proxies
in the accompanying form, including the cost of mailing this proxy statement. In
addition to solicitation by mail, our directors, executive officers and regular
employees (none of whom will be additionally compensated for such services) may
solicit proxies by telephone or otherwise. Arrangements will be made with
brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward forms
of proxy and proxy materials to their principals and we will reimburse them for
their reasonable expenses in connection therewith.
We will furnish, without charge, to each person whose proxy is being solicited,
upon written request, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal
year ended February 29, 2000 including the financial statements, notes to the
financial statements and the financial schedules contained therein. Copies of
any exhibits thereto also will be furnished upon the payment of a reasonable
duplicating charge. Written requests for copies of any such materials should be
directed to Kurt Svendsen, Chief Financial Officer, C-Phone Corporation, 6714
Netherlands Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina 28405.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Tina L. Jacobs
Secretary
June 16, 2000
--------------------------
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE IN
THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED FOR MAILING IN THE UNITED STATES.
10
<PAGE>
C-PHONE CORPORATION
PROXY - ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS - AUGUST 4, 2000
(SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS)
The undersigned shareholder of C-Phone Corporation hereby constitutes and
appoints Daniel P. Flohr, Tina L. Jacobs and Paul H. Albritton, and each of
them, the attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of
substitution, to represent and to vote on behalf of the undersigned all of the
shares of C-Phone Corporation common stock which the undersigned is entitled to
vote at the Annual Meeting of shareholders to be held at the Landfall Park
Hampton Inn & Suites, 1989 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, North Carolina on August
4, 2000, at 9:00 a.m., and at any adjournments thereof, upon the following
proposals which are more fully described in the notice of, and proxy statement
for, the Annual Meeting.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
(1) Election of Directors FOR all nominees listed below (except [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY [ ]
as marked to the contrary below) to vote for all nominees listed below
</TABLE>
PAUL H. ALBRITTON, DANIEL P. FLOHR, SEYMOUR L. GARTENBERG, TINA L. JACOBS,
DONALD S. MCCOY, E. HENRY MIZE, STUART E. ROSS
(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE,
WRITE THAT NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW.)
------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
(2) Proposal to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our company's [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2001.
</TABLE>
EACH OF THE FOREGOING MATTERS HAS BEEN PROPOSED BY OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND IS INDEPENDENT AND NOT CONDITIONED ON THE APPROVAL OF ANY OTHER MATTER.
(3) In their discretion, upon such other matters as properly may come before
the Annual Meeting.
(Continued and to be signed on reverse side.)
<PAGE>
Said attorneys and proxies, or their substitutes (or if only one, that one) at
said Annual Meeting, and any adjournments thereof, may exercise all of the
powers hereby given. Any proxy heretofore given is hereby revoked.
Receipt is acknowledged of the Notice of Annual Meeting of shareholders, the
Proxy Statement accompanying said Notice and the Annual Report to shareholders
for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2000.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN
BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND EACH OF THE ABOVE PROPOSALS.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed this proxy.
Dated: _______________, 2000
------------------------------------
Shareholder(s) signature
------------------------------------
Shareholder(s) signature
NOTE: Signature(s) of shareholder should
correspond exactly with the name(s) shown
hereon. If shares are held jointly, both
holders should sign. Attorneys, executors,
administrators, trustees, guardians or
others signing in a representative capacity
should give their full titles. Proxies
executed in the name of a corporation should
be signed on behalf of the corporation by
its president or other authorized officer.
I DO [ ] DO NOT [ ] EXPECT TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING.
NOTE: This proxy, properly filled in, dated and signed, should be
returned promptly in the enclosed envelope.
