<PAGE>
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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
TRANSCEND SERVICES, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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 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>
TRANSCEND SERVICES, INC.
3353 Peachtree Road, N.E., Suite 1000
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on May 11, 1999
To the Stockholders:
The annual meeting of stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") of Transcend
Services, Inc. will be held on May 11, 1999 at the Swisshotel, 3391 Peachtree
Road Atlanta, Georgia 30326 at 10:00 a.m. local time for the following purposes:
1. To elect a Board of Directors consisting of six members to hold office
until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors
are elected and qualified.
2. To ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as independent public
accountants to audit the accounts of the Company and its subsidiary for
the year ending December 31, 1999.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 5, 1999 shall be
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment
thereof.
A Proxy Statement and a proxy solicited by the Board of Directors are enclosed
herewith. You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. Whether or
not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please complete, sign, date and mail
the enclosed proxy card promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. If you
attend the meeting, you may, if you wish, withdraw your proxy and vote in
person.
By order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Doug Shamon
DOUG SHAMON
Secretary
Atlanta, Georgia
April 9, 1999
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN
PERSON, YOU ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND PROMPTLY MAIL THE ENCLOSED
PROXY IN THE ACCOMPANYING POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU
MAY REVOKE THE PROXY AND VOTE YOUR SHARES IN PERSON.
<PAGE>
TRANSCEND SERVICES, INC.
3353 Peachtree Road, N.E., Suite 1000
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
PROXY STATEMENT
For Annual Meeting Of Stockholders To Be Held May 11, 1999
GENERAL
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of Proxy are being furnished to
the stockholders of Transcend Services, Inc. (the "Company" or "Transcend") on
or about April 7, 1999 in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the
Board of Directors of the Company for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be held on May 11, 1999 at the Swisshotel, 3391 Peachtree Road Atlanta,
Georgia 30326 at 10:00 a.m. local time and any adjournment thereof. Any
stockholder who executes and delivers a proxy may revoke it at any time prior to
its use by (i) giving written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the
Company; (ii) executing a proxy bearing a later date; or (iii) appearing at the
meeting and voting in person. The address of the principal executive offices
of the Company is 3353 Peachtree Road, N.E., Suite 1000, Atlanta, Georgia 30326
and the Company's telephone number is (404) 836-8000.
Unless otherwise specified, all shares represented by effective proxies will
be voted in favor of (i) election of the six nominees as Directors; (ii) the
ratification of the selection of Arthur Andersen LLP to serve as the independent
public accountants for the Company for fiscal 1999 and; iii) the transaction of
such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any
postponement or adjournment thereof. The Board of Directors does not know of
any other business to be brought before the meeting, but as to any such other
business, proxies will be voted upon any such matters in accordance with the
best judgement of the person or persons acting thereunder as to what is in the
best interests of the Company.
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to
use of the mail, proxies may be solicited in person or by telephone or telegram
by Directors and Officers of the Company who will not receive additional
compensation for such services. Brokerage houses, nominees, custodians and
fiduciaries will be requested to forward soliciting material to beneficial
owners of stock held of record by them, and the Company will reimburse such
persons for their reasonable expenses in doing so.
Holders of record of outstanding shares of both Common Stock of the Company
and Series A Preferred Stock at the close of business on April 5, 1999 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. As of April 5, 1999, there
were approximately 557 holders of record of Transcend Common Stock. Each
stockholder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held on the
record date. Each stockholder of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to
7.4 votes per share on each preferred share held. There were 22,055,792 shares
of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote on April 5, 1999 and 212,800
shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding and entitled to vote on April 5,
1999.
When a quorum is present at the meeting, the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the shares having voting power present in person or by proxy
shall decide the action proposed in each matter listed in the accompanying
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders except the election of Directors, who
are elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or by
proxy and entitled to vote. Abstentions and broker "non-votes" will be counted
as present in determining whether the quorum requirement is satisfied. A "non-
vote" occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner votes on one
proposal pursuant to discretionary authority or instructions from the beneficial
owner, but does not vote on another proposal because the nominee has not
received instruction from the beneficial owner, and does not have discretionary
power. An abstention from voting by a stockholder on a proposal has the same
effect as a vote against such proposal. Broker "non-votes" are not counted for
purposes of determining whether a proposal has been approved, which also has the
same effect as a vote against such proposal.
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AND MANAGEMENT
The following tables sets forth, as of April 5, 1999, certain information with
respect to all stockholders known to Transcend to beneficially own more than
five percent of the Company's Common Stock or Preferred Stock, and information
with respect to Transcend Common Stock or Preferred Stock beneficially owned by
each Director of Transcend, each nominee, the Executive Officers included in the
Summary Compensation Table set forth under the caption "Executive Compensation"
and all directors and executive officers of Transcend as a group. Except as
otherwise indicated, the stockholders listed in the tables have sole voting and
investment powers with respect to the Common Stock or Preferred Stock owned by
them.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Preferred Stock
-------------------------
Amount and
Nature
Name and Address Of Beneficial Percent of
Of Certain Beneficial Owners Ownership/(1)/ Of Class
---------------------------- -------------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Richard L. Gunderson................... 20,000 9.40%
101 East 5th Street, Suite 201
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
Laumar Investors Limited Partnership... 40,000 18.80%
3353 Peachtree Road, Suite 1000
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
MMI Companies, Inc..................... 60,000 28.20%
540 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, Illinois 60015-5290
Monmouth College....................... 20,000 9.40%
700 East Broadway
Monmouth, Illinois 61462
Transylvania University................ 20,000 9.40%
300 N. Broadway
Lexington, Kentucky 40508
</TABLE>
/(1)/ The shares of Preferred Stock are convertible into shares of Common
Stock at any time at the option of the holder. The percentages are based
upon 212,800 shares of Preferred Stock outstanding as of April 5, 1999.
4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Stock Preferred Stock
------------------------------ -----------------------------
Amount and Amount and
Nature Nature
Name and Address Of Beneficial Percent of Of Beneficial Percent of
Of Directors and Executive Officers Ownership /(1)/ Of Class Ownership/(14)/ Of Class
----------------------------------- --------------- -------- --------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gerdes Huff Investments........................... 3,500,001/(2)/ 15.87% 0 0%
3353 Peachtree Road, N.E, Suite 1030
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Donald L. Lucas................................... 671,744/(3)/ 3.03% 10,000/(15)/ 4.70%
Larry G. Gerdes................................... 4,806,889/(4)/ 21.49% 12,000 5.64%
3353 Peachtree Road, N.E, Suite 1000
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
B. Frederick Becker............................... 25,457/(5)/ *% /(16)/ 0%
George B. Caldwell................................ 139,581/(6)/ *% 2,000/(17)/ *%
Walter S. Huff, Jr................................ 5,118,061/(7)/ 22.63% 40,000/(18)/ 9.40%
3353 Peachtree Road, N.E, Suite 1000
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Charles E. Thoele................................. 115,994/(8)/ *% 2,000 *%
E. Leo Cooper..................................... 129,500/(9)/ *% 0 0%
Todd S. Mann...................................... 27,248/(10)/ *% 0 0%
David W. Murphy................................... 275,122/(11)/ *% 0 0%
Douglas A. Shamon................................ 245,356/(12)/ *% 0 0%
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group... 8,054,951/(13)/ 34.47% 66,000 31.02%
</TABLE>
___________________
* Represents less than 1%
/(1)/ "Beneficial Ownership" includes shares for which an individual,
directly or indirectly, has or shares voting or investment power or
both and also includes shares of Common Stock underlying options and
warrants to purchase Common Stock which are exercisable within sixty
days of the date hereof. Beneficial ownership as reported in the above
table has been determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The percentages are based upon
22,055,792 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of April 5, 1999,
except for certain parties who hold presently exercisable options,
convertible preferred stock or warrants to purchase Common Stock. The
percentages for those parties who hold presently exercisable options,
convertible preferred stock or warrants are based upon the sum of
22,055,792 shares plus the number of shares subject to presently
exercisable options or warrants held by them, as indicated in the
following notes. Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole
voting and dispositive power with respect to all shares listed opposite
his name.
/(2)/ Such shares are owned of record by Gerdes Huff Investments, a general
partnership the sole general partners of which are Messrs. Gerdes and
Huff. As a result, each of Messrs. Gerdes and Huff are deemed the
beneficial owner of all of such shares.
/(3)/ Includes 442,514 shares held by the Donald L. Lucas and Lygia S. Lucas
Trust dated December 3, 1984, of which Mr. Donald L. Lucas is trustee;
50,675 shares held by the Donald L. Lucas Profit Sharing Trust of which
Mr. Lucas is Successor Trustee; 21,481 shares held by the Donald L.
Lucas Remuneration Account dated July 7, 1993; 74,074 shares held by
the Donald L. Lucas, SUCC TTEE Donald L. Lucas Profit Sharing Trust
which may be by acquired in connection with the Company's November 1997
offering of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock; and 74,000 shares
which Mr. Lucas has the right to acquire pursuant to presently
exercisable stock options. Excludes certain shares and shares
underlying warrants with respect to which Mr. Lucas disclaims
beneficial ownership which were purchased by the Richard M. Lucas
Cancer Foundation, of which Mr. Lucas is the Chairman, in the Company's
private placement dated September 5, 1996;
5
<PAGE>
71,500 shares which may be acquired upon the conversion of an 8%
Convertible Debenture also held by the Richard M. Lucas Cancer
Foundation and 74,074 shares, also held by the Richard M. Lucas Cancer
Foundation, which may be acquired in connection with the Company's
November 1997 offering of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.
/(4)/ Includes 3,500,001 shares held by Gerdes Huff Investments, a general
partnership of which Mr. Gerdes is a general partner; 93,600 shares
held by Mr. Gerdes' spouse; 94,155 shares held by Mr. Gerdes as
custodian for his minor children; 50,000 shares held by the Gerdes
Family Partnership LP of which Mr. Gerdes is the General Partner; and
88,888 shares which may be acquired in connection with the Company's
November 1997 offering of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock; and
222,396 shares purchasable pursuant to presently exercisable stock
options.
/(5)/ Includes 8,857 shares held by The Becker Family Foundation; 200 shares
held by Mr. Becker's spouse; 300 shares held by Mr. Becker's minor
children and 16,000 shares purchasable pursuant to presently
exercisable stock options. Excludes 444,444 shares which may be
acquired by MMI Companies, Inc., of which Mr. Becker is Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer and to which Mr. Becker disclaims beneficial
ownership, in connection with the Company's November 1997 offering of
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. Voting and investment power
related to such shares rests with the investment committee of the board
of directors of MMI Companies, Inc., of which Mr. Becker is not a
member.
/(6)/ Includes 22,522 shares subject to presently exercisable warrants to
purchase Common Stock; 14,814 shares held by George B. Caldwell, TTEE
of The George B. Caldwell Trust which may be acquired in connection
with the Company's November 1997 offering of Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock; and 28,000 shares which Mr. Caldwell has the right to
acquire pursuant to presently exercisable stock options. Excludes
444,444 shares which may be acquired by MMI Companies, Inc., of which
Mr. Caldwell is a member of the board of directors and to which Mr.
Caldwell disclaims beneficial ownership, in connection with the
Company's November 1997 offering of Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock. Voting and investment power related to such shares rests with
the investment committee of the board of directors of MMI Companies,
Inc., of which Mr. Caldwell is not a member.
/(7)/ Includes 3,500,001 shares held by Gerdes Huff Investments, a general
partnership of which Mr. Huff is a general partner; 162,650 shares held
by Laumar Investors Limited Partnership, a limited partnership of which
Mr. Huff is the General Partner; 40,000 shares purchasable pursuant to
presently exercisable options; 225,225 shares subject to presently
exercisable warrants to purchase Common Stock; 56,300 shares held by
the Larry G. Gerdes Trust of which Mr. Huff is the trustee; and 296,296
shares held by Laumar Investors Limited Partnership of which Mr. Huff
is the General Partner which may be acquired in connection with the
Company's November 1997 offering of Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock. Excludes 57,200 shares with respect to which Mr. Huff disclaims
beneficial ownership and which may be acquired upon the conversion of
an 8% Convertible Debenture held by the Walter S. Huff, Jr. Charitable
Foundation, of which Mr. Huff's adult children are trustees.
/(8)/ Includes 11,261 shares subject to presently exercisable warrants to
purchase Common Stock; 14,814 shares which may be acquired in
connection with the Company's November 1997 offering of Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock; and 40,000 shares purchasable pursuant to
presently exercisable stock options.
/(9)/ Includes 27,500 shares purchasable pursuant to presently exercisable
options.
/(10)/ Include 26,500 shares purchasable pursuant to presently exercisable
options.
/(11)/ Includes 68,000 shares purchasable pursuant to presently exercisable
options.
/(12)/ Includes 3,000 shares held by Mr. Shamon's minor children, 2,900 shares
held by Mr. Shamon's spouse and 18,750 shares subject to presently
exercisable stock options.
/(13)/ Includes 561,146 shares subject to presently exercisable stock options,
259,008 shares subject to presently exercisable warrants and 488,886
shares which may be acquired in connection with the Company's November
1997 offering of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.
/(14)/ The shares of Preferred Stock are convertible into shares of Common
Stock at any time at the option of the holder. The total shares of
Common Stock convertible from Preferred Stock are accounted for in the
Common Stock Beneficial Ownership column of the above table. The
percentages are based upon 212,800 shares of Preferred Stock
outstanding as of April 5, 1999.
/(15)/ Includes 10,000 shares held by Donald L. Lucas, SUCC TTE Donald L.
Lucas Profit Sharing Trust . Excludes 10,000 shares, with respect to
which Mr. Lucas disclaims beneficial ownership, which are held by the
Richard M. Lucas Cancer Foundation, of which Mr. Lucas is the Chairman.
/(16)/ Excludes 60,000 shares held by MMI Companies, Inc., of which Mr. Becker
is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and to which Mr. Becker
disclaims beneficial ownership.
/(17)/ Includes 2,000 shares held by George B. Caldwell, TTEE of The George B.
Caldwell Trust. Excludes 60,000 shares held by MMI Companies, Inc., of
which Mr. Caldwell is a member of the board of directors and to which
Mr. Caldwell disclaims beneficial ownership.
/(18)/ Includes 40,000 shares held by Laumar Investors Limited Partnership of
which Mr. Huff is the General Partner.
6
<PAGE>
AGENDA ITEM ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Bylaws of Transcend currently provide that the Board of Directors shall
consist of not less than one Director, subject to increase or decrease in such
number within legal limits by action of the Board of Directors or Stockholders.
There are presently six Directors. Each of the nominees presently serves as a
Director of Transcend. Directors shall be elected to serve until the next
annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are elected and
qualified.
Each of the nominees has consented to being named in this Proxy Statement and
to serve as a Director of the Company if elected. In the event that any nominee
withdraws, or for any reason is unable to serve as a Director, the proxies will
be voted for such other person as may be designated by the Board of Directors as
substitute nominee, but in no event will proxies be voted for more than six
nominees. Management of the Company has no reason to believe that any nominee
will not continue to be a candidate or will not serve if elected.
Each of the following persons has been nominated by management for election to
the Board of Directors to succeed themselves for a term of one year and until
their successors are elected and qualified:
Donald L. Lucas........ Mr. Lucas (age 69) has served as a director of the
Company since December 1985 and has served as Chairman
since August 1989. Mr. Lucas has been a private
investor for more than 35 years. Mr. Lucas also serves
on the board of directors of Cadence Design Systems,
Inc.; Coulter Pharmaceutical, Inc.; Macromedia, Inc.;
Oracle Corporation; and Tricord Systems, Inc.
B. Frederick Becker.... Mr. Becker (age 52) has served as a director of the
Company since December 1997. Mr. Becker has been
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MMI Companies,
Inc., a company engaged in the business of healthcare
risk management for more than 20 years, since joining
MMI Companies in 1985. Mr. Becker was initially Vice
President, then President and CEO of Ideal Mutual
Insurance Company and Optimum Companies from 1982
through 1984; and President of McDonough Caperton
Benefits Group from 1977 to 1982. Mr. Becker has also
served as Assistant Tax Commissioner and Workers'
Compensation Commissioner for the State of West
Virginia from 1974 to 1977, following his experience as
a practicing lawyer in Pennsylvania.
George B. Caldwell..... Mr. Caldwell (age 68) has served as a director of the
Company since May 1995. Since 1989, Mr. Caldwell has
served as the Chairman of the Collier Company, a
healthcare consulting company in Chicago, Illinois.
Prior to 1989, Mr. Caldwell served as President and
Chief Executive Officer of Lutheran General
HealthSystem in Park Ridge, Illinois from 1979 to 1989;
and as President and Chief Executive Officer of The
Greater Southeast Community Hospital Foundation of
Washington, D.C. from 1972 to 1979. From 1961 to 1972,
Mr. Caldwell served as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Lake Forest Hospital, Lake Forest, Illinois.
Mr. Caldwell is a Director of MMI Companies, Inc.
Larry G. Gerdes........ Mr. Gerdes (age 50) has served as a director of the
Company since June 1985 and as its President and Chief
Executive Officer since May 1993. From 1991 to 1993,
Mr. Gerdes was a private investor and from May 1992
until January 1995, Mr. Gerdes was the Chairman of the
Board of Directors of the former Transcend Services,
Inc. For the five years prior
7
<PAGE>
to 1991, Mr. Gerdes held various executive positions
with HBO & Company, a provider of information services
to the healthcare industry, including Chief Financial
Officer and Executive Vice President. Mr. Gerdes also
serves as a Director of Delphi Information Systems,
Inc.
Walter S. Huff, Jr. ... Mr. Huff (age 64) has served as a director of the
Company since October 1993. Mr. Huff was the founder of
HBO & Company, a provider of information services to
the healthcare industry and served as its Chairman from
1974 until 1990 and Chief Executive Officer from 1974
to 1984 and from 1986 until 1989. Since 1990, Mr. Huff
has been a private investor.
Charles E. Thoele...... Mr. Thoele (age 63) has served as a director of the
Company since October 1993. Mr. Thoele has been a
consultant to Sisters of Mercy Health Systems since
February 1991. From 1986 to February 1991, he served as
a director and the Chief Operating Officer of Sisters
of Mercy Health Systems. Mr. Thoele is past Chairman of
the Catholic Hospital Association.
No Director or Executive Officer of Transcend is related to any other Director
or Executive Officer of Transcend.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" EACH OF THE ABOVE NOMINEES.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
directors, executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of the
outstanding Common Stock of the Company to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission reports of changes in ownership of the Common Stock of the Company
held by such persons. Officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are
also required to furnish the Company with copies of all forms they file under
this regulation. To the Company's knowledge, based solely on a review of the
copies of such reports furnished to the Company and representations that no
other reports were required, during the year ended December 31, 1998, all
Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and
greater than 10% stockholders were complied with.
Although it is not the Company's obligation to make filings pursuant to
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has adopted a
policy requiring all Section 16 reporting persons to report monthly to the
Assistant Secretary of the Company as to whether any transactions in the
Company's securities occurred during the previous month.
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The Company's Board of Directors has two standing committees: the Audit and
Finance Committee and the Stock Option and Compensation Committee. The Board of
Directors does not have a standing Nominating Committee, such function being
reserved to the full Board of Directors. The Audit and Finance Committee (the
"Audit Committee") of the Board of Directors, comprised of Messrs. Lucas and
Caldwell, reviews Transcend's audit procedures and reports from Transcend's
independent public accountants. The Stock Option and Compensation Committee
(the "Compensation Committee"), comprised of Messrs. Becker, Huff and Thoele,
acts as administrator of Transcend's stock option plan and makes recommendations
concerning the establishment of additional employee benefit plans and
compensation for Transcend's executive officers. The Audit and Finance
Committee held one meeting in the twelve months ended December 31, 1998. The
Stock Option and Compensation Committee held one meeting and acted nine times by
unanimous consent in the twelve months ended December 31, 1998.
The Board of Directors held four meetings and acted by unanimous consent on
twelve occasions during the twelve months ended December 31, 1998. During
fiscal 1998, each Director attended 100% of the total number of meetings of the
Board of Directors and committees on which he served.
8
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The executive officers of the Company are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION WITH THE COMPANY
---- --- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Larry G. Gerdes...... 50 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
E. Leo Cooper........ 53 Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing
David W. Murphy...... 41 Executive Vice President, Operations
Douglas A. Shamon... 37 Executive Vice President; Chief Financial Officer;
Secretary and Treasurer
</TABLE>
Executive officers are chosen by and serve at the discretion of the Board of
Directors of the Company. Executive officers will devote their full time to the
affairs of the Company. See "Election of Directors" for information with
respect to Larry G. Gerdes.
Mr. Cooper has served as Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing since
January 1997 and as a member of the Executive Operating Group since February
1999. Mr. Cooper joined Transcend in January 1997 from First Image, a First
Data Corporation company where he served in the positions of Executive Vice
President of Sales and Executive Vice President General Manager of the Data
Output Division from January 1993 to January 1997. Mr. Cooper was responsible
for outsourcing services such as microfilm; CD-Rom; laser printing and printing
of statements. Prior to First Data, Mr. Cooper served as Senior Vice President,
Sales for International Banking Technologies ("IBT") from 1989 to 1992. IBT was
acquired by First Data Corporation. From 1982 to 1987, Mr. Cooper was with
Recognition Equipment, Inc. in the positions of District Sales Manager, Regional
Sales Manager and Vice President, National Sales Manager. Prior to REI, Mr.
Cooper spent eleven years with Xerox Corporation in a number of field and staff
senior management positions.
Mr. Murphy has served as Executive Vice President since May 1997 and as a
member of the Executive Operating Group since February 1999. Mr. Murphy joined
the Company in September 1994 as Vice-President of Acquisitions and served as
Chief Financial Officer from May 1995 to July 1997. Prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Murphy was a founder and General Partner of an investment company,
Spectra Partners, Inc., from 1988 to 1994. Prior to 1988, Mr. Murphy served in
various financial, operating and mergers and acquisition positions with
companies such as Hutchinson SA (France) from 1984 to 1988, First Boston in 1983
and International Paper Company from 1980 to 1982.
Mr. Shamon has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
since July 1997, and as Secretary and Treasurer since September 1997. Mr. Shamon
has also served as a member of the Executive Operating Group since February
1999. From 1992 until joining the Company in July, 1997, Mr. Shamon held
various senior financial management positions with Medaphis Corporation, most
recently as Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer in the Physician
Services Division. Mr. Shamon has also held senior financial management
positions in the Hospital Division at Medaphis. Mr. Shamon, who is also a CPA,
began his career in public accounting with positions at Peat, Marwick Mitchell &
Company and Arthur Andersen & Co.
9
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The table below provides certain summary information for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 concerning compensation paid or accrued
by the Company to or on behalf of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the
other executive officers of the Company whose total annual salary and bonus
exceeded $100,000 during the year ended December 31, 1998 (the "Named Executive
Officers.")
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION SECURITIES
-------------------------- UNDERLYING
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY ($) BONUS ($) OPTIONS/SAR'S (#)
- --------------------------- ---- --------- --------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Larry G. Gerdes............................... 1998 $220,000 $ -- 22,000
President and Chief Executive 1997 $220,089 $ -- --
Officer 1996 $210,115 $ -- --
E. Leo Cooper (1)............................. 1998 $180,000 $ -- 17,000
Executive Vice President, Sales & 1997 $176,678 $ -- 80,000
Marketing...................................
Todd S. Mann.................................. 1998 $170,000 $ -- 17,000
Executive Vice President, Installation 1997 $168,989 $ -- 23,000
And Engineering............................ 1996 $ 38,809 $ -- 40,000
David W. Murphy............................... 1998 $170,000 $ -- 17,000
Executive Vice President, Operations........ 1997 $141,333 $ -- 20,000
1996 $120,000 $ -- 10,000
Douglas A. Shamon (2)......................... 1998 $150,000 $ -- 17,000
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial... 1997 $ 60,229 $ -- 75,000
Officer, Secretary
</TABLE>
(1) Mr. Cooper joined the Company in January 1997.
(2) Mr. Shamon joined the Company in July 1997.
Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year
The following table sets forth information regarding individual grants of
options for Transcend Common Stock during the twelve months ended December 31,
1998 to each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table
above. All such grants were made pursuant to the Transcend Services, Inc. 1992
Stock Option Plan, as amended (the "1992 Stock Option Plan"). In accordance
with the rules of the Commission, the table sets forth the hypothetical gains or
"option spreads" that would exist for the options at the end of their respective
ten-year terms based on assumed annualized rates of compound stock price
appreciation of 5% and 10% from the dates the options were granted to the end of
the respective option terms. Actual gains, if any, on option exercises are
dependent on the future performance of Transcend Common Stock and overall market
condition. There can be no assurance that the potential realizable values shown
in this table will be achieved.
10
<PAGE>
Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year
-------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Potential Realizable
Value At
% of Total Assumed Annual Rates
Number of Options/SAR's of Stock Price
Securities Granted to Exercise Appreciation
Underlying Employees or Base for Option Term (3)
Options/SAR's in Fiscal Price Expiration --------------------
Name Granted (#)(1) Year (2) ($/Share) Date 5% 10%
- ----------------------------- ------------- ------- -------- -------- ---- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Larry G. Gerdes (4) 22,000 4.0% $2.875 01/22/08 $39,778 $100,804
E. Leo Cooper (5) 12,000 3.1% $2.875 01/22/08 $21,697 $54,984
5,000 $3.125 03/25/08 $9,826 $24,902
Todd S. Mann (6) 17,000 3.1% $2.875 01/22/08 $30,737 $77,894
David W. Murphy (7) 17,000 3.1% $2.875 01/22/08 $30,737 $77,894
Douglas A. Shamon (8) 15,000 3.1% $2.875 01/22/08 $27,121 $68,730
2,000 $3.125 3/25/08 $3,931 $9,961
</TABLE>
_______________
(1) Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market
value of the Transcend Common Stock on date of grant.
(2) Transcend granted options to purchase 544,000 shares to all directors,
officers, and employees in the 12 months ended December 31, 1998.
(3) The 5% and 10% assumed rates of annual compound stock appreciation are
mandated by rules of the Commission and do not represent Transcend's
estimate or projection of future prices for Transcend Common Stock.
(4) Mr. Gerdes was granted 22,000 options on January 22, 1998. These options
are vested after 7 years. The vesting period is accelerated if the market
price of Transcend's stock equals or exceeds $15.00 per share for 20
consecutive trading days before April 1, 2000.
(5) Mr. Cooper was granted 12,000 options on January 22, 1998 and 5,000 options
on March 25, 1998. These options are vested after 7 years. The vesting
period is accelerated if the market price of Transcend's stock equals or
exceeds $15.00 per share for 20 consecutive trading days before April 1,
2000.
(6) Mr. Mann was granted 17,000 options on January 22, 1998. These options are
vested after 7 years. The vesting period is accelerated if the market price
of Transcend's stock equals or exceeds $15.00 per share for 20 consecutive
trading days before April 1, 2000.
(7) Mr. Murphy was granted 17,000 options on January 22, 1998. These options
are vested after 7 years. The vesting period is accelerated if the market
price of Transcend's stock equals or exceeds $15.00 per share for 20
consecutive trading days before April 1, 2000.
(8) Mr. Shamon was granted 15,000 options on January 22, 1998 and 2,000 options
on March 25,1998. These options are vested after 7 years. The vesting
period is accelerated if the market price of Transcend's stock equals or
exceeds $15.00 per share for 20 consecutive trading days before April 1,
2000.
The following table presents information regarding options exercised by the
Named Executive Officers during fiscal 1998 and the value of options outstanding
at December 31, 1998.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN FISCAL 1998 AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES
There were no options exercised by the Named Executive Officers during fiscal
1998.
FY-End Option/SAR Values
------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of
Securities Value of
Underlying Unexercised
Unexercised In-the-Money
Options/SAR's Options/SAR's
Name at FY-End at FY-End
---- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Larry G. Gerdes Exercisable 222,396 $0
Unexercisable 22,000 $0
E. Leo Cooper Exercisable 27,500 $0
Unexercisable 119,500 $0
Todd S. Mann Exercisable 26,500 $0
Unexercisable 53,500 $0
David W. Murphy Exercisable 68,000 $0
Unexercisable 89,000 $0
Douglas A. Shamon Exercisable 18,750 $0
Unexercisable 103,250 $0
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE>
Compensation of Directors
The Company paid cash fees to each director who is not an executive officer of
Transcend in fiscal 1998 in the amount of $8,000. In addition, each person who
first becomes a non-employee director is granted, as of the date such person
becomes a director of Transcend, options to purchase 10,000 shares of
Transcend's Common Stock at the current market price.
Each non-employee director also will be granted options to purchase 6,000
shares of the Transcend's Common Stock, except the Chairman, who will be granted
options to purchase 9,000 shares, upon election or re-election at the annual
stockholders' meeting, provided they have served on the board a minimum of six
months. The options have an exercise price equal to the fair market value on
the date of grant and a term of 10 years.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Stock Option and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors for 1998
was comprised of Walter S. Huff, Jr., Charles E. Thoele, and B. Frederick
Becker. None of the members of the Stock Option and Compensation Committee
served as an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
during fiscal 1998.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
For information regarding transactions between the Company and Walter S. Huff,
Jr. or Charles E. Thoele or B. Frederick Becker, see "Executive Compensation --
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation."
On March 23, 1999 the Company sold 500,000 unregistered shares of Transcend
Common Stock to certain executive officers at the then current market value. In
connection with the sales, the executive officers issued promissory notes to the
Company. The notes have an interest rate of 5%. Interest is payable annually
with the principal due on March 31, 2004. The loans are secured by pledges of
Transcend Common Stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Shares Number of Shares
Executive Officer Purchased Pledged As Security Amount of Note
----------------- ---------------- ------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
E. Leo Cooper 100,000 100,000 $124,000
David W. Murphy 200,000 200,000 $248,000
Douglas A. Shamon 200,000 200,000 $248,000
------- ------- --------
500,000 500,000 $620,000
</TABLE>
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company's
previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that might incorporate future filings,
including this Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the following Report of
Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation and the Stockholder Return
Performance Graph shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings.
12
<PAGE>
REPORT OF STOCK OPTION AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
During fiscal 1998, the Stock Option and Compensation Committee of the Board
of Directors was comprised of three non-employee members of the Board: Walter S.
Huff, Jr., Charles E. Thoele and B. Frederick Becker. The Stock Option and
Compensation Committee establishes the general compensation policy for all
executive officers of the Company and administers the incentive plans, including
the 1992 Stock Option Plan, as Amended and Restated and the bonus program for
executive officers. The Stock Option and Compensation Committee also is
responsible for reviewing executive officer compensation levels and evaluating
management performance. The discussion set forth below is a report submitted by
the Stock Option and Compensation Committee regarding the Company's compensation
policies and programs for executive officers for 1998.
Stock Option and Compensation Committee Philosophy
The Company's executive compensation program is designed to reward outstanding
performance and results. The Stock Option and Compensation Committee believes
the Company must pay competitively to attract, motivate and retain qualified
executives. Moreover, in order to align their interests with the stockholders
of the Company and maximize stockholder value, the Stock Option and Compensation
Committee also believes that the Chief Executive Officer and the Company's other
executive officers should be significantly influenced by Transcend's as well as
individual performance.
In support of this philosophy, the executive compensation program is designed
to reward performance that is directly relevant to the Company's short-term and
long-term success. As such, the Company attempts to provide both short-term and
long-term incentive compensation that varies based on corporate and individual
performance.
To accomplish these objectives, the Stock Option and Compensation Committee
has structured the executive compensation program with three primary underlying
components: base salary, performance incentives and long-term incentives (such
as stock options). The following sections describe these elements of
compensation and discuss how each component relates to the Company's overall
compensation philosophy.
Base Salary Program
The Company's base salary program is based on a philosophy of providing base
pay levels that are competitive with similarly situated companies in the
healthcare industry. The Company periodically reviews its executive pay levels
to assure consistencies with the external market. Annual salary adjustments are
based on several factors including the general level of market salary increases,
individual performance and long-term value to the Company, competitive base
salary levels and the Company's overall financial and operating results.
Performance Bonuses
Performance bonuses are intended to (i) reward executive officers based on
Company and individual performance, (ii) motivate executive officers, and (iii)
provide pay-for-performance cash compensation opportunities to executive
officers of the Company. Accordingly, a portion of the executives' compensation
is contingent upon corporate performance and adjusted where appropriate, based
on an executives' performance against personal performance objectives. In 1998,
all of the executive officers of the Company were eligible for bonuses; however,
in light of the Company's overall performance, no bonuses were awarded to the
executive officers during fiscal 1998.
Long-Term Incentives
Long-term incentives are designed to focus the efforts of executive officers
on the long-term goals of the Company and to maximize total return to the
stockholders of the Company. The Stock Option and Compensation Committee has
relied solely on stock option awards to provide long-term incentive
opportunities. Stock options align the interest of executive officers with the
stockholders of the Company by providing value to the executive officers through
stock price appreciation only. Stock options issued by the Company generally
have a ten-year term before expiration, are exercisable over a number of years
from the date of grant and executives must be employed by the Company at the
time
13
<PAGE>
of vesting in order to exercise the options. The Stock Option and Compensation
Committee believes that dependence on stock options for a portion of executives'
compensation more closely aligns such executives' interests with those of the
Company's stockholders, since the ultimate value of such compensation is linked
directly to stock price.
Fiscal 1998 Actions
The compensation for the Chief Executive Officer for fiscal 1998 was
determined in the manner described above and no particular quantitative measures
were used by the Stock Option and Compensation Committee in determining his
compensation except as so described.
In fiscal 1998 the following executive officers of the Company were granted
incentive stock options. The stock options were granted at fair market value on
the date of grant.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of
Executive Officer Options Granted
----------------- ---------------
<S> <C>
Larry G. Gerdes................ 22,000
E. Leo Cooper.................. 17,000
Todd S. Mann................... 17,000
David W. Murphy................ 17,000
Douglas A. Shamon.............. 17,000
------
90,000
</TABLE>
These options are vested after 7 years. The vesting period is accelerated if
the market price of Transcend's stock equals or exceeds $15.00 per share for 20
consecutive trading days before April 1, 2000. These grants were intended to
further motivate management to make meaningful and rapid improvements in the
operating results of the Company.
On January 11, 1999, stock options were granted to the following executives.
The stock options were granted at fair market value on the date of grant.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of
Executive Officer Options Granted
----------------- ---------------
<S> <C>
E. Leo Cooper..................... 50,000
David W. Murphy................... 50,000
Douglas A. Shamon................. 30,000
------
130,000
</TABLE>
The Stock Option and Compensation Committee continually evaluates the
Company's compensation policies and procedures with respect to executives.
Although the Stock Option and Compensation Committee believes that current
compensation policies have been successful in aligning the financial interests
of executive officers with those of the Company's stockholders and with Company
performance, it continues to examine what modifications, if any, should be
implemented to further link executive compensation with both individual and
Company performance.
Walter S. Huff, Jr.
Charles E. Thoele
B. Frederick Becker
14
<PAGE>
STOCKHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE GRAPH
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the percentage change in the
cumulative total stockholder return on the Company's Common Stock against the
cumulative total return of the Nasdaq Composite Index and the Nasdaq Health
Services Index for the period commencing on December 31, 1993 and ending
December 31, 1998. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in the
Company's Common Stock in each index was $100 on December 31, 1993. The Company
has not paid any cash dividends on Common Stock.
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Returns
Prepared by the Center for Research in Security Prices
Produced on 3/9/99 including data to 12/31/98
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CRSP Total Returns Index for: 12/1993 12/1994 12/1995 12/1996 12/1997 12/1998
- ---------------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Transcend Services, Inc. 100.0 54.0 184.0 168.0 79.0 62.0
Nasdaq Stock Market (US Companies) 100.0 97.8 138.3 170.0 208.3 293.5
Nasdaq Health Services Stocks 100.0 107.3 136.1 135.9 138.5 118.8
SIC 8000-8099 US & Foreign
</TABLE>
Notes:
A. The lines represent monthly index levels derived from compounded daily
returns that include all dividends.
B. The indexes are reweighed daily, using the market capitalization on the
previous trading day.
C. If the monthly interval, based on the fiscal year-end, is not a trading
day, the preceding trading day is used.
D. The index level for all series was set to $100.00 on December 31, 1993.
15
<PAGE>
AGENDA ITEM TWO
APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Arthur Andersen LLP served as the independent public accountants for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, and upon the recommendation of the Audit
Committee, the Board of Directors has selected Arthur Andersen LLP as the
Company's independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31,
1999. The Board of Directors recommends that such appointment be ratified.
Representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP are expected to be present at the
meeting and shall have the opportunity to make a statement, if they desire to do
so, and respond to appropriate questions.
PROPOSALS BY STOCKHOLDERS
Proposals by stockholders intended to be presented at the 2000 Transcend
annual meeting (to be held in the Spring of 2000) must be forwarded in writing
and received at the principal executive office of Transcend no later than
December 11, 1999 directed to the attention of the Secretary, for consideration
for inclusion in the Transcend's proxy statement for the annual meeting of
stockholders to be held in 2000. Any such proposals must comply in all
respects with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
In connection with the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in
2000, if the Company does not receive notice of a matter or proposal to be
considered by February 24, 2000; then the persons appointed by the Board of
Directors to act as the proxies for such Annual Meeting (named in the form of
proxy) will be allowed to use their discretionary voting authority with respect
to any such matter or proposal at the Annual Meeting, if such matter or proposal
is properly raised at the Annual Meeting and put to a vote.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
Additional information concerning the Company, including financial statements
of the Company, is provided in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998. Copies of the Company's Form 10-K and exhibits filed with the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are available to
stockholders who make written request therefor to the Company's Secretary, 3353
Peachtree Road, N.E., Suite 1000, Atlanta, Georgia 30326.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors is not aware of any other matters to be presented for
action at the Annual Meeting. If any other matter should come before the Annual
Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to
vote on such matter in accordance with their best judgment of what is in the
best interests of the Company.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Donald L. Lucas, Chairman of the Board
Atlanta, Georgia
April 9, 1999
A-1
<PAGE>
PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF TRANSCEND SERVICES, INC.
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 11, 1999
The undersigned hereby appoints Larry G. Gerdes and Doug Shamon, or either
of them, with full power of substitution as proxies and attorneys-in-fact to
represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse hereof, the common stock of
the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held
on May 11, 1999, at the Swisshotel, 3391 Peachtree Road NE Atlanta, Georgia,
30326 at 10:00 a.m. local time and at any adjournment thereof, on the matters
set forth below:
1. To elect six Directors for a term of one year and until their successors
are elected and qualified:
[_] For All Nominees Listed Below (except as instructed below). George B.
Caldwell, B. Frederick Becker, Larry G. Gerdes, Walter S. Huff, Jr.,
Donald L. Lucas, Charles E. Thoele
[_] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for those Nominees listed below
______________________________________________________________________
2. To ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as independent public
accountants for the year ending December 31, 1999.
[_] FOR [_] AGAINST [_] ABSTAIN
3. In their discretion, upon such other matter or matters as may properly come
before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
<PAGE>
The shares represented by this proxy card will be voted as directed above. IF
NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN AND THE PROXY CARD IS VALIDLY EXECUTED, THE SHARES WILL
BE VOTED FOR ALL LISTED PROPOSALS. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXY HOLDERS ARE
AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE
MEETING.
-------------------------------------------
Signature of Stockholder
-------------------------------------------
Signature of Stockholder
Dated:
------------------------------------
Important: Sign exactly as your name
appears above. Give full title of
executor, administrator, trustee,
guardian, etc. Joint owners should each
sign personally.
