GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INC
DEF 14A, 2000-04-14
HEAVY CONSTRUCTION OTHER THAN BLDG CONST - CONTRACTORS
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<PAGE>   1
                            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 240.14a-11(c) or 240.14a-12

                       Granite Construction Incorporated
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (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>   2

                                                                            LOGO

                       GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
                             525 WEST BEACH STREET
                         WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA 95076
                            ------------------------

                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                  MAY 22, 2000

     NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of GRANITE
CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), will be held
on May 22, 2000, at 10:30 a.m. local time, at the Embassy Suites, 1441 Canyon
Del Rey, Seaside, California for the following purposes:

     1. To elect three (3) directors of the Company for the ensuing three-year
        term;

     2. To ratify the directorship of one (1) director appointed by the Board on
        July 22, 1999;

     3. To act upon a proposal to amend the Certificate of Incorporation of the
        Company so as to increase the authorized Common Stock;

     4. To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the
        independent accountants of the Company for the fiscal year ending
        December 31, 2000; and

     5. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

     Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 7, 2000 are
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this meeting and any continuations or
adjournments thereof. For ten days prior to the meeting, a complete list of
stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available for examination
by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting during ordinary
business hours at the Embassy Suites, 1441 Canyon Del Rey, Seaside, California
93955.

     WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, WE URGE YOU TO SIGN, DATE
AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE SO THAT
AS MANY SHARES AS POSSIBLE MAY BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING.

     The vote of every stockholder is important in achieving this goal, and your
cooperation in promptly returning your executed Proxy will be appreciated. Each
Proxy is revocable and will not affect your right to vote in person in the event
that you decide to attend the meeting.

                                          By Order of the Board of Directors,

                                                           LOGO
                                          Michael Futch
                                          Vice President, General Counsel and
                                          Secretary

Watsonville, California
April 20, 2000
<PAGE>   3

                       GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
                             525 WEST BEACH STREET
                         WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA 95076
                            ------------------------

                                PROXY STATEMENT

                      2000 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

     This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by
the management of GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED, a Delaware corporation
(hereinafter called the "Company") of Proxies for use at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on May 22, 2000, or any adjournment thereof, for the
purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting. This Proxy
Statement and accompanying Proxy are first being sent to stockholders on
approximately April 20, 2000. The cost of the solicitation of Proxies will be
borne by the Company. The Company may use the services of its officers,
directors and others to solicit Proxies personally or by telephone, without
additional compensation.

                                 VOTING RIGHTS

     All shares represented by valid Proxies received prior to the meeting will
be voted and, where a stockholder specifies by means of the Proxy a choice with
respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted in accordance
with the specifications so made. If no instructions are given on the executed
Proxy, the Proxy will be voted in favor of the proposals described. A
stockholder who signs and returns a Proxy in proper form will have the power to
revoke it at any time before it is voted. A Proxy may be revoked by filing with
the Secretary of the Company a written revocation or duly executed Proxy bearing
a later date, or by appearing at the meeting and electing to vote in person. The
Company's bylaws provide that a majority of the shares entitled to vote, whether
present in person or represented by Proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at the meeting.

     The voting securities of the Company entitled to vote at the meeting
consist of shares of Common Stock. Only stockholders of record at the close of
business on April 7, 2000 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual
Meeting. On April 7, 2000, there were 27,288,366 shares of Common Stock issued
and outstanding. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote.

                      NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
                          RATIFICATION OF DIRECTORSHIP

     The Company currently has a nine-member Board of Directors. Directors are
elected for three-year terms and are divided into three classes, with one class
elected at each annual meeting of stockholders.

     Three (3) directors of the Company are to be elected for the ensuing
three-year term and until their successors are elected and qualified. The
nominees are Richard M. Brooks, Raymond E. Miles and Linda Griego. Certain
information with respect to their ages and background is set forth below. Mr.
Brooks was first elected at the 1990 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the
Company and Mr. Miles was first elected at the 1988 meeting. Both were elected
to their present terms in 1997. Ms. Griego was appointed by the Board on July
22, 1999.

     J. Fernando Niebla was also appointed by the Board on July 22, 1999. Mr.
Niebla's directorship is to be ratified for the remaining two-year term and
until his successor is elected and qualified.

     Each nominee will hold office until his or her term expires or until his or
her successor is elected and qualified unless he or she resigns or his or her
office becomes vacant by death, removal, or other cause in accordance with the
bylaws of the Company.

     It is intended that votes pursuant to the Proxies will be cast for the
named nominees. The persons named in the accompanying form of Proxy will vote
the shares represented thereby for the nominees. Management
<PAGE>   4

knows of no reason why any of these nominees should be unable or unwilling to
serve. However, if any nominee(s) should for any reason be unable or unwilling
to serve the Proxies will be voted for the election of such other person(s) for
the office of director as the Board may recommend in the place of such
nominee(s).

     Pursuant to the bylaws and policies of the Company, in advance of the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, management will appoint an independent Inspector
of Elections to supervise the voting of shares for the Annual Meeting. The
Inspector will decide all questions respecting the qualification of voters, the
validity of the Proxies and the acceptance or rejection of votes. The Inspector,
before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an
oath faithfully to execute the duties of Inspector with strict impartiality and
according to the best of his or her ability.

     All elections shall be determined by a plurality of votes cast, and except
as otherwise provided by law, all other matters shall be determined by a
majority of the votes cast affirmatively or negatively. Each stockholder shall
have one vote for every share of stock entitled to vote which is registered in
his or her name on the record date for the meeting, except as otherwise provided
herein or required by law.

     If a quorum is present and voting, the three nominees receiving the highest
number of votes will be elected for the ensuing three-year term. The term of Mr.
Niebla's directorship will be ratified for the term expiring at the 2002 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. Abstentions and shares held by brokers that are
present, but not voted because the brokers were prohibited from exercising
discretionary authority, i.e., broker nonvoter, will be counted as present in
determining if a quorum is present.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                DIRECTOR                          POSITION          AGE            DIRECTOR SINCE
                --------                          --------          ---            --------------
<S>                                       <C>                       <C>   <C>
NOMINEES
Richard M. Brooks.......................  Director                  71    Director since 1990; term ends
                                                                          2000.
Raymond E. Miles........................  Director                  67    Director since 1988; term ends
                                                                          2000.
Linda Griego............................  Director                  52    Director since 1999; term ends
                                                                          2000.
J. Fernando Niebla......................  Director                  60    Director since 1999; term ends
                                                                          2002.
CONTINUING
David H. Watts..........................  Chairman of the Board,    61    Director since 1988; term ends
                                          Chief Executive Officer,        2002.
                                          and Director
Joseph J. Barclay.......................  Director                  67    Director since 1988; term ends
                                                                          2002.
Rebecca A. McDonald.....................  Director                  47    Director since 1994; term ends
                                                                          2001.
Brian C. Kelly..........................  Director                  68    Director since 1995; term ends
                                                                          2001.
George B. Searle........................  Director                  67    Director since 1998; term ends
                                                                          2001.
</TABLE>

     Granite Construction Incorporated was incorporated in Delaware in January,
1990 as the holding company for Granite Construction Company, which was
incorporated in California in 1922. All dates for people listed in this Proxy
referring to the dates of service with the Company include the periods in which
they served for Granite Construction Company.

     Mr. Watts is currently, and has been since 1987, President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. On May 24, 1999 he was elected to also serve
as Chairman of the Board. He was formerly President and Chief Executive Officer
and a director of Ford, Bacon & Davis, Inc., an industrial engineering and
construction firm. Mr. Watts currently serves as a director of TIC Holdings,
Inc., Wilder Construction Company, the California Chamber of Commerce, of which
he is the current year's Chair, Nationwide Public Projects Coalition, the
Monterey Bay Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Community
Foundation for Monterey County. He holds a B.A. degree in Economics from Cornell
University.

     Mr. Brooks is self-employed as a Financial Consultant. Mr. Brooks is a
director of Longs Drug Stores Corporation, BEI Technologies, Inc. and Western
Farm Credit Bank. He holds a B.S. degree in Applied Economics from Yale
University and an M.B.A. degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

     Ms. McDonald is currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Enron
Asia Pacific/Africa/China. She was formerly President and Chief Executive
Officer of Amoco Energy Development and Managing

                                        2
<PAGE>   5

Director of Amoco Energy Group North America. Ms. McDonald is a director of
Eagle Global Logistics. She holds a B.S. degree in Education from Stephen F.
Austin University.

     Mr. Barclay was formerly Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and a
director of Cascade Corporation, a manufacturer of materials handling equipment.
He is a director of Columbia Machine, Inc. Mr. Barclay holds a B.S. degree in
Industrial Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology.

     Mr. Kelly is self-employed as a Construction Consultant with over 40 years
of construction experience. He is currently utilizing his business expertise as
a volunteer with The Diocese of Monterey and other community organizations. Mr.
Kelly holds a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University and an
M.B.A. degree from Stanford University.

     Dr. Miles is the Trefethen Professor Emeritus at the Walter A. Haas School
of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. He has been a member of
the faculty since 1963 and is a former Dean of the School. Dr. Miles is a
director of the Union Bank of California. He holds B.A. and M.B.A. degrees from
the University of North Texas and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and
Industrial Relations from Stanford University.

     Mr. Searle is currently President of Searle Associates, Inc., consultants
to the construction industry. He was formerly President of IA Construction Co.
of Concordville, Pennsylvania, a leading construction company in the Northeast.
Mr. Searle holds a B.A. degree in Mathematics from Harvard University.

     Ms. Griego is President and Chief Executive Officer of Griego Enterprises,
Inc. She was formerly President and Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles
Community Development Bank. Ms. Griego is on the Board of Directors of
Blockbuster, Inc., and Tokay Bank of California. She also serves as a Los
Angeles branch director of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. She holds
a B.A. degree in History from the University of California at Los Angeles.

     Mr. Niebla is President of International Technology Partners, an IT
services company based in Miami, Florida. He was the founder and former Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Infotec Development Inc. and Infotec Commercial
Systems. Mr. Niebla is a director of Union Bank of California and of Pacific
Life, Inc. He holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University
of Arizona and an M.S. QBA from University of Southern California.

     The Company has an Audit/Compliance Committee, a Compensation Committee, a
Nominating Committee, a Strategic Planning Committee, and an Executive
Committee.

                           AUDIT/COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE
                          Richard M. Brooks, Chairman
                               Joseph J. Barclay
                                  Linda Griego
                                 Brian C. Kelly
                              Rebecca A. McDonald
                                Raymond E. Miles
                               J. Fernando Niebla
                                George B. Searle

     The functions of the Audit/Compliance Committee include recommending the
independent accountants to the Board of Directors, reviewing and approving the
planned scope of the annual audit, proposed fee arrangements and the results of
the annual audit, reviewing the adequacy of accounting and financial controls,
reviewing the independence of the independent accountants, approving all
assignments to be performed by the independent accountants, instructing the
independent accountants, as deemed appropriate, and to undertake special
assignments. The committee also oversees the Ethics and Compliance Program
including participation in the annual evaluation of the Compliance Officer and
giving a detailed annual report to the Board on the progress of the Program and
plans for its future activities. The Audit/Compliance Committee is comprised

                                        3
<PAGE>   6

entirely of non-employee directors. During fiscal year 1999, the
Audit/Compliance Committee held 2 meetings.

                             COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
                               Joseph J. Barclay
                               Richard M. Brooks
                                 Brian C. Kelly

     The Compensation Committee reviews and recommends salaries for corporate
officers and key employees. In addition, the Compensation Committee administers
the 1990 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan and the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan
with respect to persons subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. The Compensation Committee is comprised entirely of non-employee
directors. The Compensation Committee held 5 meetings in 1999.

                              NOMINATING COMMITTEE
                               Joseph J. Barclay
                               Richard M. Brooks
                                Raymond E. Miles
                                George B. Searle

     The Nominating Committee recommends and nominates persons to serve on the
Board of Directors. The Committee will consider nominees recommended by
stockholders as long as the stockholder gives timely notice in writing of his or
her intent to nominate a director. To be timely, a stockholder nomination for a
director to be elected at the 2001 Annual Meeting must be received at the
Company's principal office on or before December 12, 2000. The Nominating
Committee held 2 meetings in fiscal year 1999.

                          STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE
                                Raymond E. Miles
                              Rebecca A. McDonald
                                 Brian C. Kelly
                                George B. Searle

     The function of the Strategic Planning Committee is to develop, in
conjunction with management, the Company's Strategic Plan and to provide overall
strategic planning direction for the Company. The Strategic Planning Committee
held 1 meeting in fiscal year 1999.

                              EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
                            David H. Watts, Chairman
                               Joseph J. Barclay
                                 Brian C. Kelly

     The Executive Committee's responsibility is to exercise all powers and
authority of the Board of Directors in the management of business affairs of the
Company as authorized by the Board. The Committee reviews and approves specific
decisions as established by the current "Limits of Authority" schedule. It may
exercise the power and authority of the Board of Directors to declare a
dividend, authorize the issuance of stock or to adopt a certificate of ownership
and merger pursuant to Section 253 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Members of the Executive Committee do not receive any meeting fees or other
compensation for their service on the Committee.

     During fiscal year 1999, the Board of Directors held 8 meetings. All
Directors attended 75% of the meetings of the Board or any committee on which he
or she served.

                                        4
<PAGE>   7

                        SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
                         AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

     The following table contains information as of March 31, 2000 regarding the
ownership of the Common Stock of the Company by: (i) all persons who, to the
knowledge of the Company, were the beneficial owners of 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company (except for Primecap
Management Company which ownership interest is as of December 31, 1999), (ii)
each director and director nominee of the Company, (iii) the Chief Executive
Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers of the
Company as of March 31, 2000, whose salary and bonus for the fiscal year ended
exceeded $100,000, and (iv) all executive officers and directors of the Company
as a group:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       AMOUNT AND NATURE     PERCENT OF
                                                         OF BENEFICIAL      COMMON STOCK
                        NAME                             OWNERSHIP(1)       OUTSTANDING
                        ----                           -----------------    ------------
<S>                                                    <C>                  <C>
Emben & Co. (ESOP Trust).............................      7,153,723           26.22%
  c/o BNY Western Trust Company
  One Wall Street
  New York, NY 10286
Primecap Management Company..........................      2,100,000            7.78%
  Pasadena, California
David H. Watts(2)....................................        250,676               *
Joseph J. Barclay....................................          9,540               *
Richard M. Brooks....................................          6,602               *
Linda Griego.........................................            854               *
Brian C. Kelly.......................................         12,859               *
Rebecca A. McDonald..................................          1,722               *
Raymond E. Miles.....................................          2,075               *
J. Fernando Niebla...................................            885               *
George B. Searle.....................................          6,752               *
William G. Dorey(3)..................................        263,048               *
William E. Barton(4).................................         84,539               *
Patrick M. Costanzo(5)...............................        230,060               *
Mark E. Boitano(6)...................................        178,120               *
All executive officers and directors as a group
  (13 persons)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)........................      1,047,732            3.84%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
 *  Less than 1%.

(1) Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, the persons named in the
    table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of
    Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community
    property laws where applicable.

(2) Includes approximately 46,842 shares of Common Stock owned by the Employee
    Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") but allocated to Mr. Watts' account as of
    March 31, 2000, and 82,919 shares of restricted stock over which Mr. Watts
    has voting, but not dispositive power, as of March 31, 2000. These shares
    are subject to vesting and distribution restrictions.

(3) Includes approximately 150,050 shares of Common Stock owned by the Employee
    Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") but allocated to Mr. Dorey's account as of
    March 31, 2000, and 53,025 shares of restricted stock over which Mr. Dorey
    has voting, but not dispositive power, as of March 31, 2000. These shares
    are subject to vesting and distribution restrictions.

(4) Includes approximately 45,211 shares of Common Stock owned by the Employee
    Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") but allocated to Mr. Barton's account as of
    March 31, 2000, and 25,831 shares of restricted stock over which Mr. Barton
    has voting, but not dispositive power, as of March 31, 2000. These shares
    are subject to vesting and distribution restrictions.

                                        5
<PAGE>   8

(5) Includes approximately 85,161 shares of Common Stock owned by the Employee
    Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") but allocated to Mr. Costanzo's account as of
    March 31 2000, and 43,195 shares of restricted stock over which Mr. Costanzo
    has voting, but not dispositive power, as of March 31, 2000. These shares
    are subject to vesting and distribution restrictions.

(6) Includes approximately 104,167 shares of Common Stock owned by the Employee
    Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") but allocated to Mr. Boitano's account as of
    March 31, 2000, and 68,651 shares of restricted stock over which Mr. Boitano
    has voting, but not dispositive power, as of March 31, 2000. These shares
    are subject to vesting and distribution restrictions.

                    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER MATTERS

COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     The following table sets forth a summary of compensation as to the Chief
Executive Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers
as of December 31, 1999, whose salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1999:

                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    LONG TERM COMPENSATION
                                                                -------------------------------
                                                                       AWARDS           PAYOUTS
                                                 ANNUAL         ---------------------   -------
                                            COMPENSATION(1)     RESTRICTED
                                           ------------------     STOCK                  LTIP        ALL OTHER
             NAME AND                      SALARY    BONUS(2)   AWARDS(3)    OPTIONS/   PAYOUTS   COMPENSATION(4)
        PRINCIPAL POSITION          YEAR     ($)       ($)         ($)       SARS (#)     ($)           ($)
        ------------------          ----   -------   --------   ----------   --------   -------   ---------------
<S>                                 <C>    <C>       <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>       <C>
David H. Watts....................  1999   330,000   330,000     710,185       --         --          35,976
  Chairman of the Board,            1998   300,000   300,000     530,865       --         --          33,713
  President and Chief               1997   270,000   305,000     516,839       --         --          23,132
  Executive Officer
William G. Dorey..................  1999   240,000   240,000     516,519       --         --          35,976
  Executive Vice President          1998   200,000   280,000     283,128       --         --          32,592
  and Chief Operating               1997   170,000   285,000     340,774       --         --          23,131
  Officer
William E. Barton.................  1999   186,000   149,000     239,964       --         --          35,976
  Senior Vice President and         1998   165,000   126,000     171,644       --         --          32,592
  Chief Financial Officer           1997   140,000   130,000     144,009       --         --          23,131
Patrick M. Costanzo...............  1999   200,000   280,000     344,329       --         --          35,976
  Senior Vice President and         1998   200,000   280,000     364,109       --         --          33,713
  Manager Heavy                     1997   170,000   285,000     170,689       --         --          23,131
  Construction Division
Mark E. Boitano(5)................  1999   200,000   280,000     344,329       --         --          35,976
  Senior Vice President and         1998   150,000   210,000     212,346       --         --          32,592
  Manager Branch Division           1997        --        --          --       --         --              --
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(1) For the year ended December 31, 1999, compensation deferred at the election
    of the officer under the Key Management Deferred Compensation Plan for
    Messrs. Watts, Dorey, Barton, Costanzo and Boitano was $351,305; $80,649;
    $7,000; $98,087 and $22,255, respectively. For the year ended December 31,
    1998 such deferred compensation amounted to $300,531; $265,264; $6,000;
    $289,070 and $6,000 respectively, while for the year ended December 31, 1997
    deferred compensation amounted to $295,203; $6,000; $6,000; $273,283 and
    N/A, respectively.

(2) Amounts include cash bonuses earned in the current year but paid in the
    following year. Amounts do not include cash bonuses paid in the current year
    but earned in the previous year.

(3) The amount of awards for each year is based on the Company's stock closing
    price on the grant date multiplied by the number of shares awarded for the
    year. Such awards are earned in the current year but issued as stock in the
    following year. The aggregate number of restricted shares outstanding at
    December 31, 1999 for Messrs. Watts, Dorey, Barton, Costanzo, and Boitano
    were 63,061; 37,490; 18,637; 34,878 and 63,492, respectively, with an
    aggregate market value for those same officers of
                                        6
<PAGE>   9

    $1,162,687; $691,222; $343,620; $643,063 and $1,170,634, respectively, based
    on the Company's stock closing price of $18.4375 at December 31, 1999. The
    number of shares and values for each officer at December 31, 1999 exclude
    the shares issued in March, 2000 for services performed in 1999 which appear
    in the table as 1999 compensation.

    A portion of the restricted stock reflected for 1997 was awarded based on
    deferred compensation from 1990. Such deferred compensation reflects a
    one-time event of accelerated income to the Company caused by the Company's
    1990 change from the completed contract to the percentage of completion
    accounting method, on which incentive compensation was deferred and is paid
    through restricted stock awards not to exceed $50,000 per year. At December
    31, 1999, the amounts of 1990 deferred compensation remaining to be paid
    were $36,139 and $11,383 for Messrs. Watts and Dorey, respectively.

    In 1999 restricted stock agreements were amended to change the vesting for
    all participants who had attained retirement age as defined by the Plan to
    conform to the requirements under the Internal Revenue Code Section 83. As a
    result of these amendments, Messrs. Watts' and Costanzo's shares will all
    vest in 2000. The following tables show the total number of shares awarded
    Messrs. Barton and Dorey in grant years 1997, 1998 and 1999 and the vesting
    schedules for those shares:

     WILLIAM E. BARTON

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       TOTAL SHARES     1999       2000       2001       2002       2003       2004
     GRANT DATE          AWARDED       VESTING    VESTING    VESTING    VESTING    VESTING    VESTING
     ----------        ------------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
<S>                    <C>             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
1999.................      7,304        1,096        364      1,461      1,461      1,461      1,461
1998.................      7,513        2,630        374      1,503      1,503      1,503         --
1997.................      8,862        4,874        444      1,772      1,772         --         --
                          ------        -----      -----      -----      -----      -----      -----
Totals...............     23,679        8,600      1,182      4,736      4,736      2,964      1,461
</TABLE>

     WILLIAM G. DOREY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       TOTAL SHARES     1999       2000       2001       2002       2003       2004
     GRANT DATE          AWARDED       VESTING    VESTING    VESTING    VESTING    VESTING    VESTING
     ----------        ------------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
<S>                    <C>             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
1999.................     12,048        1,807        601      2,410      2,410      2,410      2,410
1998.................     17,779        6,223        888      3,556      3,556      3,556         --
1997.................     20,246       11,135      1,013      4,049      4,049         --         --
                          ------       ------      -----     ------     ------      -----      -----
Totals...............     50,073       19,165      2,502     10,015     10,015      5,966      2,410
</TABLE>

    None of Mr. Boitano's restricted stock awarded in years 1997, 1998 and 1999
    vests within three years of the date of grant.

(4) Amounts represent contributions to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, the
    Profit Sharing and 401(K) Plan and a profit sharing cash bonus that were
    earned during the current year, of which a portion was allocated in the
    following year.

(5) Mr. Boitano was designated an executive officer during the fiscal year ended
    December 31, 1998. Information for the year prior to 1998 is not provided.

OPTIONS OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     The following table provides the specified information concerning exercises
of options to purchase the Company's Common Stock in the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1999, and unexercised options held as of December 31, 1999, by the
persons named in the Summary Compensation Table above.

                                        7
<PAGE>   10

              AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
                              FY-END OPTION VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                           NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED         IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                                 SHARES                      OPTIONS AT FY-END               AT FY-END(1)
                               ACQUIRED ON    VALUE     ---------------------------   ---------------------------
            NAME                EXERCISE     REALIZED   EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE   EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE
            ----               -----------   --------   -----------   -------------   -----------   -------------
<S>                            <C>           <C>        <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>
David H. Watts...............         --           --           0             --              0                --
William G. Dorey.............         --           --           0             --              0                --
William E. Barton............         --           --           0             --              0                --
Patrick M. Costanzo..........     10,125     $179,744           0             --              0                --
Mark E. Boitano..............         --           --           0             --              0                --
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(1) For each named executive officer, the value of the exercisable options is
    based on a closing stock sale price of $18.4375 on December 31, 1999, less
    the grant price of $7.56 per share.

            EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND CHANGE OF CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS

     In April, 1990, Granite Construction Company, a subsidiary of the Company
("Granite"), entered into employment agreements with William E. Barton, Mark E.
Boitano, Patrick M. Costanzo, William G. Dorey, and David H. Watts. Effective
February 1, 1997 the employment agreements entered into with Messrs. Barton,
Boitano, Costanzo, Dorey, and Watts were formally assigned to, and the
obligations thereunder accepted by, the Company. These agreements provide that
if the individual's employment with the Company is terminated for certain
reasons within two and one-half years after a "change in control" of the
Company, then the Company will pay to the individual amounts up to three times
the average gross annual compensation paid to the individual over the five years
prior to the "change in control." A "change in control" is defined as (i) a
merger, consolidation or acquisition of the Company where the stockholders of
the Company do not retain a majority interest in the surviving or acquiring
corporation; (ii) the transfer of substantially all of the Company's assets to a
corporation not controlled by the Company or its stockholders; or (iii) the
transfer to affiliated persons of more than 30% of the voting stock of the
Company, leading to a change of a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors.

     Also in the event of a "change in control," options and grants of
restricted stock ("Awards") awarded under the 1990 Omnibus Stock and Incentive
Plan and the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plans") are affected. The Plans
provide that the surviving, successor, or acquiring corporation shall either
assume outstanding Awards or substitute new Awards having an equivalent value.
In the event that does not occur, the Company's Board shall provide that any
Awards otherwise unexercisable and/or unvested shall be immediately exercisable
and vested in full. The Plans further provide that if such newly exercisable or
vested Awards have not been exercised as of the date of the change in control,
they shall terminate effective as of the date of the change in control.

COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of
the Company's Common Stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of
changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Such
persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of
all Section 16(a) forms filed by such persons.

     Based solely on the Company's review of such forms furnished to the Company
and written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes
that all filing requirements applicable to the Company's executive officers,
directors and more than 10% stockholders were complied with.

                                        8
<PAGE>   11

                           COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

     Mr. Watts receives $250 for each month he serves as Chairman of the Board
of the Company. Messrs. Barclay, Brooks, Kelly, Miles, Niebla, Searle, and Ms.
Griego and McDonald currently receive an annual retainer of $20,000, payable
quarterly, for serving on the Board. In addition, Messrs. Barclay, Brooks,
Kelly, Miles, Niebla, Searle and Ms. Griego and McDonald receive $800 for each
Board of Directors meeting they attend and $600 for each Board of Directors
committee meeting (except for meetings of the Executive Committee) they attend.

     The 1999 Equity Incentive Plan, passed at the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, provides that each nonemployee director must elect, generally
prior to the start of the applicable calendar year, to receive director fee
awards during such year in the form of either an Option Payment or a Stock Units
Payment. Each nonemployee director must receive at least 50% of the value of all
compensation for services as a director in the form of a stock-based director
fee award in lieu of receipt of cash. A nonemployee director may elect to
receive 100% of director compensation in the form of a director fee award. A
nonemployee director electing to receive an Option Payment will be granted
automatically on the last day of each calendar quarter during the year a
nonstatutory stock option for a number of shares of Common Stock. The amount of
shares granted is determined by dividing the Elected Quarterly Compensation by
an amount equal to 50% of the average closing price of a share of the Company's
Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the ten trading days preceding
the date of grant and having an exercise price per share equal to 50% of such
average closing price.

     A nonemployee director electing to receive a Stock Units Payment will be
granted automatically on the last day of each calendar quarter during the year
an award for a number of stock units. The amount of the award is determined by
dividing the Elected Quarterly Compensation by an amount equal to the average
closing price of a share of the Company's Common Stock on the New York Stock
Exchange on the ten trading days preceding the date of grant. A stock unit is an
unfunded bookkeeping entry representing a right to receive one share of the
Common Stock of the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Stock Units Award. Nonemployee directors are not required to pay any additional
cash consideration in connection with the settlement of the Stock Units Award.

                                        9
<PAGE>   12

                               PERFORMANCE GRAPH

     Set forth below is a line graph comparing the annual percentage change in
the cumulative total return on the Company's Common Stock with the cumulative
total return of the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Heavy Construction Industry Index
(Fluor, Jacobs Engineering, Morrison Knudsen, Foster Wheeler, Stone & Webster
and Zurn Industries) for the period commencing on December 31, 1994, and ending
on December 31, 1999.

     The graph assumes $100 invested on December 31, 1994 in the Company's stock
at $21.25 per share, and in the S & P 500 Index, and Dow Jones Construction
Industry Index. The Total Return also assumes reinvestment of dividends.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Granite                               Dow Jones
                      Construction Inc.    S&P 500          Heavy Construction
<S>                   <C>                  <C>              <C>
1994                    100.00              100.00               100.00
1995                    158.37              137.58               139.54
1996                    145.93              169.17               132.59
1997                    179.78              225.61               100.09
1998                    398.80              290.09               104.22
1999                    222.82              351.13                97.89
</TABLE>

          COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

     Messrs. Barclay, Brooks and Kelly served as members of the Compensation
Committee during fiscal 1999. All Committee members are nonemployee directors.

                      REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

     The Compensation Committee is responsible for formulating the Company's
executive compensation policy. The Committee reviews, adopts and administers
incentive compensation plans applicable to executive officers and other senior
management personnel, with the intention of providing both competitive and
appropriate levels of compensation.

     The Committee's primary compensation policy is that a substantial portion
of the annual compensation of each executive should be directly linked to the
performance of the Company. In addition, compensation should link the long-term
interests of executives and shareholders and encourage career service by
including stock ownership as an integral part of the compensation package.

     The Committee has, on occasion, retained the services of compensation
consultants to assist the Committee in developing and maintaining a competitive
executive compensation program. Hewitt Associates,
                                       10
<PAGE>   13

for example, has regularly provided the Compensation Committee information
comparing the Company's executive compensation to certain companies in the
construction industry, including companies in the Dow Jones Heavy Construction
Group.

     The Committee has considered the potential impact of Section 162(m) (the
"Section") of the Internal Revenue Code adopted under the Federal Reserve
Reconciliation Act of 1933. This Section disallows a tax deduction for any
publicly-held corporation for individual compensation exceeding $1 million in
any taxable year for any named executive officers, unless such compensation is
subject to performance-based exemptions. Since all of the targeted compensation
of each of the named executive officers is performance-based, the exemption
applies and this Section will not materially, if at all, reduce the tax
deduction available to the Company.

     The Company's compensation package includes salary and annual incentive
compensation comprised of bonuses payable in cash or restricted stock. Following
a review of officer salaries, the Compensation Committee recommended to the full
board on December 21, 1998 to bring officer salaries into alignment with
competitive guidelines. Effective January 1, 1999, CEO David H. Watts' salary
was increased from $300,000 to $330,000.

     The incentive compensation plan is designed so that when bonuses exceed a
predetermined cap on total annual cash compensation, the amount in excess of the
cap is converted into long-term compensation in the form of restricted stock.
Restricted stock limits have also been established by the Committee to fix total
compensation limits at appropriate levels. The Committee determined the
appropriate participation of officers as well as the performance threshold, cash
caps, and restricted stock limits for all officers in 1999. Effective January 1,
1999, CEO Watts' cash limit was increased to $660,000 and his total compensation
limit to $1,320,000.

     The Committee continued the Return on Net Assets (RONA) based compensation
plan in 1999 for Corporate Officers and Middle Managers. The Committee believes
that using RONA as the key performance factor ties earnings performance to the
Company's asset growth and asset utilization compared with the cost of capital,
and that RONA is a superior measure of performance in an asset-heavy business.
For the Branch and Heavy Construction Division officers, the Committee assigned
performance measures both at the Corporate and Division Level. Thirty percent
(30%) of their incentive compensation was determined in 1999 by Corporate RONA,
while 70% of their incentive compensation was based on the profitability of
their respective Divisions.

     In addition to his 1999 base salary, CEO Watts also received an incentive
cash payment of $300,000 and restricted stock valued at $600,000 (paid in 1999
for performance provided in 1998) under the incentive plan in accordance with
the terms of the plan described above. The Committee believes Mr. Watts'
compensation for the year ending December 31, 1999 reflects the Company's
performance and was in the general range of compensation for executives with
like responsibilities in comparable companies and industries achieving similar
financial results.

     The Committee met five (5) times in 1999.

<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>
Joseph J. Barclay                  Brian C. Kelly
Richard M. Brooks
</TABLE>

                                       11
<PAGE>   14

                 AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                       CHANGE IN AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK

     The Company's Board of Directors has unanimously approved, recommends and
deems it advisable that the stockholders approve an Amendment to the Certificate
of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of shares of Common Stock
which the Company is authorized to issue from 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock
to 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock.

     The proposed additional 50,000,000 shares would be a part of the existing
class of Common Stock and, if and when issued, would have the same rights and
privileges as the shares of Common Stock presently issued and outstanding. The
holders of Common Stock are not entitled to preemptive rights. As of April 7,
2000, there were issued and outstanding 27,288,366 shares of Common Stock, 1,250
shares were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options under the 1990
Omnibus Stock Option Plan, 2,215,255 shares were reserved for issuance under the
1999 Equity Incentive Plan, 215,300 shares were reserved for issuance as
warrants and there were no shares held as treasury stock by the Company.

     The Board believes that the authorization of the additional shares of
Common Stock may be required for the Company's future growth, both through
acquisitions and through expansion of existing business, or by reason of stock
dividends or splits, which in the long run may tend to broaden ownership of the
Company's stock. Authorization of such additional shares in such event could
significantly improve the Company's bargaining position in negotiating possible
acquisitions of other businesses. Such authorization will also provide the
Company with greater flexibility in financing future expansion of its existing
business. The Company presently has no plans, commitments or understanding for
the issuance of shares of Common or Preferred Stock or for stock dividends or
splits, although such matters have been and will continue to be considered from
time to time. The Board does not intend to issue any shares except upon terms
that the Board deems to be in the best interest of the Company and its
shareholders.

     The additional shares of Common Stock which are proposed for authorization
may be issued at the discretion of the Board of Directors for any corporate
purpose without further action by the shareholders, except as required by law,
applicable stock exchange regulations or otherwise. The Rules and Regulations of
The New York Stock Exchange, Inc., as currently in effect, would require
shareholder approval in connection with an issuance of Common Stock (including
securities convertible into Common Stock) in any transaction or a series of
related transactions, other than a public offering for cash, if (i) the Common
Stock has, or will have upon issuance, voting power equal to or in excess of 20%
of the voting power outstanding before such issuance, (ii) the number of shares
of Common Stock to be issued is, or will be upon issuance, equal to or in excess
of 20% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding before such issuance,
or (iii) the issuance would result in a change of control of the Company.

     The Board believes it will be advantageous to Granite and its shareholders
for Management to be in a position to act promptly with respect to stock
dividends and splits, and with respect to investment in, or acquisition of,
other companies, without the expense and passage of time necessarily involved in
arranging special meetings of the shareholders to authorize additional shares,
particularly where the number and value of shares to be issued is relatively
small. Granite will solicit shareholder approval of any acquisition, investment
or other transaction involving the issuance of shares of Common Stock when
required to do so by law, the Rules and Regulations of the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc. or if otherwise deemed advisable by Management.

     The proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation will not revise
the par value of the Common Stock from the present one cent ($0.01) per share.

                 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
                          A VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL.

                                       12
<PAGE>   15

                    RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     The Board of Directors of the Company has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP to serve as independent accountants to audit the financial statements of the
Company for fiscal 2000. Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P., predecessor to
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, has acted in such capacity since its appointment for
fiscal 1982. A representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be present at
the Annual Meeting, will be given the opportunity to make a statement if the
representative desires and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast affirmatively or
negatively at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders at which a quorum is present
and voting either in person or by Proxy is required for approval of this
proposal. Votes for and against, abstentions and "broker nonvoter" will each be
counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum. Neither abstention nor
"broker nonvoter" will be counted as having been cast affirmatively or
negatively on the proposal.

     In the event that ratification by the stockholders of the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent accountants is not
obtained, the Board of Directors will reconsider said appointment.

                 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
                          A VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL.

                     STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED
                             AT 2001 ANNUAL MEETING

     Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the 2001 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (i) must be properly brought before the
meeting and be received by the Company at its offices at 525 West Beach Street,
Watsonville, California 95076, on or before December 12, 2000 and (ii) must
satisfy the conditions established by the Securities and Exchange Commission for
stockholder proposals to be included in the Company's Proxy Statement for that
meeting and the other requirements contained in the Company's bylaws.

                           INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     Certain information required by Item 13(a) of Schedule 14A is incorporated
by reference to the Company's 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders mailed on
approximately April 20, 2000.

                         TRANSACTION OF OTHER BUSINESS

     As of April 20, 2000, the only business which management intends to present
or knows that others will present at the meeting has been included within this
Proxy Statement. If any other matter or matters are properly brought before the
meeting, or any adjournment thereof, it is the intention of the persons named in
the accompanying form of Proxy to vote the Proxy on such matters in accordance
with their best judgment.

                                                           LOGO
                                          Michael Futch
                                          Vice President, General Counsel and
                                          Secretary
Dated: April 20, 2000

                                       13
<PAGE>   16
PROXY

                        GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED

                    PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                      SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned hereby appoints David H. Watts and William E. Barton and each of
them with full power of substitution to represent the undersigned and to vote
all the shares of stock in GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED (the "Company")
which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of the Company to be held at the Embassy Suites, 1441 Canyon Del Rey, Seaside,
California on May 22, 2000, at 10:30 a.m., local time, and at any adjournment
thereof (1) as hereinafter specified upon the proposals listed below and as more
particularly described in the Proxy Statement of the Company dated April 20,
2000 (the "Proxy Statement"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and (2)
in their discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before the
meeting. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Company's 1999
Annual Report.

                  (CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE.)

                            - FOLD AND DETACH HERE -


<PAGE>   17
                                                                    Please mark
                                                                   your votes as
                                                                   indicated in
                                                                   this example.
                                                                        [X]

A VOTE FOR THE FOLLOWING PROPOSALS IS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   FOR ALL NOMINEES           WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
                                                                                LISTED BELOW (EXCEPT AS         TO VOTE FOR ALL
                                                                                MARKED TO THE CONTRARY)      NOMINEES LISTED BELOW
<S>                                                                             <C>                          <C>
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

To elect Richard M. Brooks, Raymond E. Miles and Linda Griego as directors to
hold office for a three-year term and until their respective successors are
elected and have qualified.                                                             [ ]                           [ ]

2. RATIFICATION OF DIRECTOR

To ratify the directorship of J. Fernando Niebla to hold office for the term
expiring at the 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until his successor is
elected and has qualified.                                                              [ ]                           [ ]
</TABLE>

(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, STRIKE A
LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEE'S NAME BELOW.)

Nominees: Richard M. Brooks, Raymond E. Miles, Linda Griego, J. Fernando Niebla

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       FOR           AGAINST          ABSTAIN
<S>                                                                                    <C>           <C>              <C>
3. To amend the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company so as to increase
the authorized Common Stock to 100,000,000.                                             [ ]             [ ]             [ ]

4. To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's
independent accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2000.                   [ ]             [ ]             [ ]
</TABLE>


5. With discretionary authority, upon such other matters as may properly come
before the meeting. The persons making this solicitation know at this time of no
other matters to be presented at the meeting.

The shares represented hereby shall be voted as specified. IF NO SPECIFICATION
IS MADE, SUCH SHARES WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF PROPOSALS 1, 2 AND 3.


IMPORTANT: PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND MAIL PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE
ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE TO ASSURE THAT YOUR SHARES ARE REPRESENTED AT THE
MEETING. If you attend the meeting, you may vote in person should you wish to do
so even though you have already sent in your Proxy.


Signature(s)*                                      Dated:                 , 2000
             -------------------------------------       ----------------

(Please sign your name exactly as it appears on the stock certificate
representing your shares.)

                            - FOLD AND DETACH HERE -


<PAGE>   18
PROXY

                        GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED

    ALLOCATED SHARES VOTING DIRECTIVE CARD FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

        The undersigned hereby directs BNY Western Trust Company as Trustee of
the GRANITE CONSTRUCTION Employee Stock Ownership Plan to vote all of the
allocated shares of stock of GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED beneficially held
for me by the Plan at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of GRANITE CONSTRUCTION
INCORPORATED (the "Company") to be held at the Embassy Suites, 1441 Canyon Del
Rey, Seaside, California on May 22, 2000, at 10:30 a.m., local time, and at any
adjournment thereof (1) as hereinafter specified upon the proposals listed below
and as more particularly described in the Proxy Statement of the Company dated
April 20, 2000 (the "Proxy Statement"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged,
and (2) in their discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before
the meeting. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Company's 1999
Annual Report.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND MAIL PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED ALLOCATED SHARES
VOTING DIRECTIVE CARD IN THE ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE TO ASSURE THAT YOUR SHARES
ARE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING. IF YOU FAIL TO RETURN YOUR VOTING DIRECTIVE CARD
TO THE TRUSTEE BY MAY 18, 2000, YOU WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE AUTHORIZED THE PLAN'S
COMMITTEE TO DIRECT THE TRUSTEE HOW TO VOTE THESE SHARES. AS A PARTICIPANT IN
THE GRANITE CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN (THE "PLAN"), YOU ARE
ENTITLED TO VOTE YOUR ALLOCATED PORTION OF THE SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK HELD
IN THE PLAN. YOUR VOTING DIRECTION SUBMITTED TO THE BNY WESTERN TRUST COMPANY,
TRUSTEE OF THE PLAN, WILL BE CONFIDENTIAL.

                  (continued, and to be signed, on other side)

                            - FOLD AND DETACH HERE -


<PAGE>   19
                           (continued from other side)

                                                                    Please mark
                                                                   your votes as
                                                                   indicated in
                                                                   this example.
                                                                        [X]


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            FOR                   WITHHOLD
                                                                                  all nominees listed below       AUTHORITY
                                                                                    (except as marked to       to vote for all
                                                                                        the contrary)        nominees listed below
<S>                                                                               <C>                        <C>
A vote FOR the following proposals is recommended by the Board of Directors:


1. To elect Richard M. Brooks, Raymond E. Miles and Linda Griego as directors to
   hold office for a three-year term and until their respective successors are
   elected and have qualified.                                                                 [ ]                 [ ]


2. RATIFICATION OF DIRECTOR
   To ratify the directorship of J. Fernando Niebla to hold office for the term
   expiring at the 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until his successor
   is elected and has qualified.                                                               [ ]                 [ ]
</TABLE>

(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, STRIKE A
LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEE'S NAME BELOW.)

RICHARD M. BROOKS   RAYMOND E. MILES   LINDA GRIEGO   J. FERNANDO NIEBLA

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          FOR        AGAINST        ABSTAIN
<S>                                                                                       <C>        <C>            <C>
3. To amend the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company so as to increase
   the authorized Common Stock to 100,000,000.                                            [ ]          [ ]             [ ]

4. To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's
   independent accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2000.                  [ ]          [ ]             [ ]

5. With discretionary authority, upon such other matters as may properly come
   before the meeting. The persons making this solicitation know at this time of no
   other matters to be presented at the meeting.
</TABLE>

The shares represented hereby shall be voted as specified. IF NO SPECIFICATION
IS MADE, I AUTHORIZE THE PLAN'S COMMITTEE TO DIRECT THE TRUSTEE HOW TO VOTE
THESE SHARES.

Signature of Participant*                              Dated:          , 2000
                         ------------------------------      ---------

*(Please sign your name exactly as it appears on the plan certificate
representing your shares.)


                            - FOLD AND DETACH HERE -


<PAGE>   20
PROXY

                        GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED

   UNALLOCATED SHARES VOTING DIRECTIVE CARD FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

        The undersigned hereby directs BNY Western Trust Company as Trustee of
the GRANITE CONSTRUCTION Employee Stock Ownership Plan to vote the participant's
pro rata portion of the unallocated shares of GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
beneficially held by the Plan at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of GRANITE
CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED (the "Company") to be held at the Embassy Suites, 1441
Canyon Del Rey, Seaside, California on May 22, 2000, at 10:30 a.m., local time,
and at any adjournment thereof (1) as hereinafter specified upon the proposals
listed below and as more particularly described in the Proxy Statement of the
Company dated April 20, 2000 (the "Proxy Statement"), receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, and (2) in their discretion upon such other matters as may
properly come before the meeting. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of
the Company's 1999 Annual Report.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND MAIL PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED UNALLOCATED SHARES
VOTING DIRECTIVE CARD IN THE ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE TO ASSURE THAT YOUR SHARES
ARE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING. IF YOU FAIL TO RETURN YOUR VOTING DIRECTIVE CARD
TO THE TRUSTEE BY MAY 18, 2000, YOU WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE AUTHORIZED THE PLAN'S
COMMITTEE TO DIRECT THE TRUSTEE HOW TO VOTE THESE SHARES. AS A PARTICIPANT IN
THE GRANITE CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN (THE "PLAN"), YOU ARE
ENTITLED TO VOTE YOUR PRO RATA PORTION OF THE UNALLOCATED SHARES OF THE COMMON
STOCK HELD IN THE PLAN. YOUR VOTING DIRECTION SUBMITTED TO THE BNY WESTERN TRUST
COMPANY, TRUSTEE OF THE PLAN, WILL BE CONFIDENTIAL.


                  (continued, and to be signed, on other side)

                            - FOLD AND DETACH HERE -


<PAGE>   21
                                                                    Please mark
                                                                   your votes as
                                                                   indicated in
                                                                   this example.
                                                                        [X]

                           (continued from other side)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             FOR                    WITHHOLD
                                                                                  ALL NOMINEES LISTED BELOW         AUTHORITY
                                                                                     (EXCEPT AS MARKED TO       TO VOTE FOR ALL
                                                                                         THE CONTRARY)        NOMINEES LISTED BELOW
<S>                                                                               <C>                         <C>
A vote FOR the following proposals is recommended by the Board of Directors:


1. To elect Richard M. Brooks, Raymond E. Miles and Linda Griego as directors to
hold office for a three-year term and until their respective successors are
elected and have qualified.                                                                   [ ]                       [ ]


2. RATIFICATION OF DIRECTOR
To ratify the directorship of J. Fernando Niebla to hold office for the term
expiring at the 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and
until his successor is elected and has qualified.                                             [ ]                       [ ]
</TABLE>

(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, STRIKE A
LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEE'S NAME BELOW.)

RICHARD M. BROOKS   RAYMOND E. MILES   LINDA GRIEGO   J. FERNANDO NIEBLA

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            FOR        AGAINST           ABSTAIN
<S>                                                                                         <C>        <C>               <C>
3. To amend the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company so as to increase
the authorized Common Stock to 100,000,000.                                                 [ ]          [ ]                [ ]

4. To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's
independent accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2000.                       [ ]          [ ]                [ ]

5. With discretionary authority, upon such other matters as may properly come
before the meeting. The persons making this solicitation know at this time of no
other matters to be presented at the meeting.                                               [ ]          [ ]                [ ]
</TABLE>

The shares represented hereby shall be voted as specified. IF NO SPECIFICATION
IS MADE, I AUTHORIZE THE PLAN'S COMMITTEE TO DIRECT THE TRUSTEE HOW TO VOTE
THESE SHARES.

Signature of Stockholder*                                    Dated:      , 2000
                         ------------------------------------      ------

*(Please sign your name exactly as it appears on the stock certificate
representing your shares.)

                            - FOLD AND DETACH HERE -




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