SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss. 240.14a-11(c) or ss. 240.14a-12
TANKNOLOGY ENVIRONMENTAL, 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:
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>
TANKNOLOGY ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.
10235 W. LITTLE YORK, SUITE 405
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77040
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD APRIL 24, 1997
To the Shareholders of
Tanknology Environmental, Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
Tanknology Environmental, Inc. (the "Company") will be held at the Ramada Hotel
Northwest, 12801 Northwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77040 on the 24th day of
April, 1997, at 2:00 p.m. (local time) for the following purposes:
1. To elect two (2) directors to hold office until the 2000 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders of the Company or until their respective successors shall have
been duly elected and shall have qualified, and
2. To amend the Articles of Incorporation to change the name of the
Company to "TEI, Inc.", and
3. To transact any and all other business that may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 7, 1997 as
the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination of shareholders
entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, such meeting or any adjournments
thereof. Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on the Record
Date are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at such meeting. The stock
transfer books will be available for inspection at the meeting.
You are cordially invited to attend the meeting; however, regardless of
whether you expect to attend the meeting in person, you are urged to promptly
sign, date and mail the enclosed form of proxy so that your shares of stock may
be represented and voted at the meeting. Your proxy will be returned to you if
you should be present at the meeting and should request such return in the
manner provided for revocation of proxies on the initial page of the enclosed
Proxy Statement.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RICK BERRY
SECRETARY
March 31, 1997
<PAGE>
TANKNOLOGY ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.
10235 W. LITTLE YORK, SUITE 405
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77040
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD APRIL 24, 1997
---------------------------
SOLICITATION AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of
Tanknology Environmental, Inc., a Texas corporation (the "Company"), to be voted
at the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held on April
24, 1997 (the "Annual Meeting"), at the time and place, and for the purposes,
set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting, and at any
adjournment(s) of that meeting. WHEN PROXIES IN THE ACCOMPANYING FORM ARE
PROPERLY EXECUTED AND RECEIVED, THE SHARES REPRESENTED THEREBY WILL BE VOTED AT
THE ANNUAL MEETING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DIRECTIONS NOTED THEREON; IF NO
DIRECTION IS INDICATED, SUCH SHARES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE
DIRECTORS NAMED HEREIN AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES WITH RESPECT TO ANY
OTHER MATTER THAT IS PROPERLY BROUGHT BEFORE THE MEETING.
Each shareholder of the Company giving a proxy has the unconditional right
to revoke his proxy at any time prior to its exercise either in person at the
Annual Meeting or by giving written notice to the Company addressed as follows:
10235 W. Little York, Suite 405, Houston, Texas 77040, Attention: Rick Berry,
Secretary. No revocation by written notice shall be effective unless and until
such notice has been received by the Secretary of the Company prior to the day
of the Annual Meeting or by the inspector(s) of elections at the Annual Meeting.
The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 10235 W.
Little York, Suite 405, Houston, Texas 77040.
This Proxy Statement and accompanying form of proxy are being mailed to
the Company's shareholders on or about March 31, 1997. The Company's Annual
Report to Shareholders covering the Company's fiscal year ended December 31,
1996, is being mailed to shareholders together with this Proxy Statement but
does not form any part of the materials for solicitation of proxies.
In addition to the solicitation of proxies by use of the mail and through
this Proxy Statement, directors, officers and regular employees of the Company
may solicit the return of proxies, either by mail, personal contact, telephone,
telecopy or telegraph. Officers and employees of the Company will not be
additionally compensated for their solicitation efforts, but will be reimbursed
for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred. Brokerage houses and other custodians,
nominees, and fiduciaries will be requested, in connection with shares
registered in their names, to forward solicitation materials to the beneficial
owners of such shares.
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All costs of preparing, printing, assembling and mailing the Notice of
Annual Meeting, this Proxy Statement, the enclosed form of proxy, and any
additional materials, as well as the cost of forwarding solicitation materials
to the beneficial owners of stock and all other costs of solicitation, will be
borne by the Company.
PURPOSES OF THE MEETING
At the Annual Meeting, the Company's shareholders will be asked to
consider and act upon the following matters:
1. The election of two (2) directors to hold office until the 2000 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of the Company or until their respective successors
shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified, and
2. To amend the Articles of Incorporation to change the name of the
Company to "TEI, Inc.", and
3. The transaction of such other business as may properly come before the
Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof.
QUORUM AND VOTING
The identity of shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at
the Annual Meeting and the number of votes allotted to each shareholder was
determined as of the close of business on March 7, 1997 (the "Record Date"). On
the Record Date, there were 14,244,012 outstanding shares of Common Stock, par
value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock").
Each shareholder of record as of the Record Date will be entitled to one
vote per share of Common Stock held of record on each matter acted upon at the
meeting. Neither the Articles of Incorporation nor the Bylaws of the Company
provide for cumulative voting rights. The presence, in person or by proxy, of
the holders of at least a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of
Common Stock is necessary to constitute a quorum to transact business with
respect to each matter to be considered at the Annual Meeting. Assuming the
presence of a quorum, the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the
shares of Common Stock represented at the meeting is required for the election
of the directors, and the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock is required for the amendment to the Articles of
Incorporation. An automated system administered by the Company's transfer agent
tabulates the votes. Abstentions and broker non-votes are each included in the
determination of the number of shares present for determining a quorum. Each is
tabulated separately. Abstentions are counted in tabulations of the votes cast
on proposals presented to shareholders, whereas broker non-votes are not counted
as voting for purposes of determining whether a proposal has received the
necessary number of votes for approval of the proposal.
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PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information as of the Record Date
with respect to beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock by (i) each
shareholder known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of
the Company's Common Stock, (ii) each director, (iii) each of the executive
officers named below, and (iv) all executive officers and directors as a group:
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED (A)
- ---------------------------- -----------------------------------
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
-------------- ------------
R. L. Waltrip (b) 750,420 (c)(d) 5.27%
T. G. Bogle (e) 310,669 (c) 2.18%
Samuel W. Rizzo (b) 681,000 (d)(f) 4.78%
Donald R. Campbell (e) 106,660 (p) *
T. Craig Benson (b) 45,500 (g) *
Tony Coelho (l) 62,165 (c) *
James H. Greer (m) 105,500 (h) *
W. Blair Waltrip (b) 1,476,666 (i)(n) 10.37%
(o)
Holly Waltrip Benson (b) 1,339,166 (j)(n) 9.40%
Robert L. Waltrip, Jr. (b) 1,427,000 (k)(n) 10.01%
(o)
Rick Berry (e) 18,555 (q) *
Lindner Growth Fund 1,438,600 (r) 10.10%
Steven R. Fredrich (e) 22,333 (s) *
Kevin G. Keegan (e) 10,833 (t) *
Russell L. Reichert (e) 7,500 (t) *
All executive officers & directors 3,585,301 25.17%
as a group (12 persons)
- ------------------
* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding Common Stock.
(a) Unless otherwise indicated below, the persons named in the table have sole
voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares beneficially
owned, subject to community property laws where applicable. Shares owned
do not include certain shares of restricted stock granted to nonemployee
directors effective as of January 1, 1997, the vesting of which is subject
to the provisions of the 1991 Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan. See
"Executive Compensation."
(b) The principal business address of such beneficial owner is 1929 Allen
Parkway, Houston, Texas 77019.
(c) Includes 40,500 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
the Record Date.
(d) Includes 12,500 shares owned by the Lone Star Flight Museum, a Texas
nonprofit corporation, which is qualified as a public charity under
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Lone Star Flight
Museum was founded by R. L. Waltrip. R. L. Waltrip is chairman of the
board of trustees of such corporation and Claire Waltrip, his wife, and
Samuel W. Rizzo are each
3
<PAGE>
members of the board of trustees. Consequently, each such person may be
deemed to beneficially own such shares in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act");
however, such beneficial ownership is specifically disclaimed.
(e) The principal business address of such beneficial owner is 10235 W. Little
York, Suite 405, Houston, Texas 77040.
(f) Includes 72,125 shares owned by the 1985 Sedad Trust of which Mr. Rizzo is
the settlor and a co-trustee with his wife, 164,000 shares owned by the
1992 Rizzo Family Trusts of which Samuel W. Rizzo is a settlor and
co-trustee with his wife, and 40,500 shares subject to options exercisable
within 60 days of the Record Date.
(g) Includes 40,500 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
the Record Date. Does not include shares owned by Mr. Benson's wife, Holly
Waltrip Benson, and included in the table as owned by her.
(h) Includes 60,000 shares owned by Mr. Greer's wife and 40,500 shares subject
to options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Mr.
Greer. Mr. Greer disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by his
wife.
(i) Includes 40,500 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
the Record Date, 125,880 shares owned by Mr. Waltrip as custodian for his
minor children, 1,078,286 shares owned by the William Blair Waltrip Trust,
of which Mr. Waltrip is the trustee and beneficiary, and 10,000 shares
owned by the William Blair Waltrip Children's Trusts of 1985 (see item (k)
below).
(j) Includes 1,234,166 shares owned by the Holly Waltrip Trust, of which Mrs.
Benson is the trustee and beneficiary.
(k) Represents 1,200,000 shares owned by the Robert L. Waltrip, Jr. Trust, of
which Robert L. Waltrip, Jr., is the trustee and beneficiary. Also
includes 10,000 shares held as trustee for the minor children of W. Blair
Waltrip under the William Blair Waltrip Children's Trusts of 1985, as to
which both W. Blair Waltrip and Robert L. Waltrip, Jr. disclaim beneficial
ownership.
(l) The principal business address of such beneficial owner is 1325 Avenue of
the Americas, 26th Floor, New York, New York 10019.
(m) The principal business address of such beneficial owner is 3025 Maxroy,
Houston, Texas 77008.
(n) Includes 105,000 shares owned by the Robert L. Waltrip 1992 Trust #1, of
which Robert L. Waltrip, Jr., W. Blair Waltrip, and Holly Waltrip Benson
are Co-Trustees.
(o) Includes 112,000 shares owned by the Waltrip 1987 Grandchildrens Trust for
the benefit of the grandchildren of R.L. Waltrip, of which Robert L.
Waltrip, Jr. and W. Blair Waltrip are Co- Trustees, as to which both
Robert L. Waltrip, Jr. and W. Blair Waltrip disclaim beneficial ownership.
(p) Includes 30,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
the Record Date.
(q) Includes 18,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
the Record Date.
(r) Shares held in a fiduciary capacity by Ryback Management Corp. and/or
Lindner Investment Series Trust, 7711 Carondelet Ave., Box 16900, St.
Louis, MO 63105, for the benefit of Lindner Growth Fund.
(s) Includes 1,333 shares owned by Mr. Fredrich as custodian for his minor son
and 21,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the
Record Date. Mr. Fredrich resigned as a director and officer of the
Company in January 1997.
(t) Includes 7,500 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the
Record Date. Mssrs. Keegan and Reichert resigned in October 1996.
The Company is unaware of any arrangement the operation of which may at a
subsequent date result in a change of control of the Company. No change in
control of the Company has occurred since January 1, 1996.
4
<PAGE>
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Item 1)
The Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide that the Board of
Directors shall be divided into three classes, with the terms of office of the
directors of one class to expire each year, and that the number of directors at
any one time constituting the Board of Directors shall as nearly as possible be
divided equally among the three classes. The Board of Directors is currently
comprised of three classes of directors with three directors in each class. Two
directors have been nominated for election at the Annual Meeting because Steven
R. Fredrich has declined to stand for reelection.
Unless otherwise directed in the enclosed proxy, it is the intention of
the persons named in such proxy to vote the shares represented by such proxy for
the election of the following named nominees for the office of director of the
Company, to serve as directors of the Company until the 2000 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of the Company or until their respective successors shall have been
duly elected and shall have qualified. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater
number of persons than the number of nominees named. Each of the nominees is
presently a director of the Company.
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
Donald R. Campbell 56 President, Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Operating Officer,
Director of the Company,
Member of Executive Committee
T. Craig Benson 34 Director of the Company,
Member of Audit Committee and
Executive Committee
Donald R. Campbell has been President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Company since December 1991, a director of the Company since September 1990, and
Chief Executive Officer since April 1994. Mr. Campbell was Executive Vice
President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Company from September
1990 to December 1991 and was Treasurer of the Company from October 1990 to
December 1991.
T. Craig Benson has been a director of the Company since March 1990. Since
May 1987, he has been employed in various capacities with Service Corporation
International ("SCI"), a publicly held holding company that owns and operates
funeral homes, cemeteries, and other related businesses and currently serves as
Vice President -- International Operations of SCI.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" EACH OF THE
INDIVIDUALS NOMINATED FOR ELECTION AS A DIRECTOR
5
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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following sets forth certain information as of March 31, 1997,
regarding the other directors of the Company who will continue to serve as
directors of the Company until the expiration of their terms, the executive
officers and the significant employees of the Company and its principal wholly
owned subsidiaries, Tanknology/Engineered Systems, Inc. ("ESI") and Energy
Recovery Resources, Inc.
("ERRI").
DIRECTOR
TERM
NAME AGE POSITION EXPIRING
---- --- -------- --------
T. G. Bogle (a) 66 Director of the Company 1999
Tony Coelho (b) 54 Director of the Company 1998
James H. Greer (b) (c) 70 Director of the Company 1999
Rick Berry 43 Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer, Secretary, and Treasurer of the
Company
Samuel W. Rizzo (a)(b)(c) 61 Director of the Company 1998
R. L. Waltrip (a) 66 Chairman of the Board of Directors of the 1999
Company
W. Blair Waltrip (a) (d) 42 Director of the Company 1998
Richard E. Mathers 50 President of ESI
Richard J. Martin 38 President of ERRI
- -------------------------------------
(a) Member of the Executive Committee
(b) Member of the Compensation Committee
(c) Member of the Audit Committee
(d) Member of the Resolutions Committee
The following is a brief account of the business experience during the last five
years of each director and executive officer of the Company. An account of the
business experience of each nominee for director is set forth under the caption
"Election of Directors."
T. G. Bogle is a founder of the Company and has been a director since July
1988. Mr. Bogle was President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company from
July 1988 to December 1991. From 1977 to 1988, he was owner and President of
Houston International, Inc., which provided technical services and supplies to
the international petroleum industry.
6
<PAGE>
Tony Coelho has been a director of the Company since March 1990. Since
July 1995, Mr. Coelho has been Chairman and CEO of Coelho Associates, an
investment consulting and brokerage firm. From 1989 to July 1995, he was a
Managing Director of Wertheim Schroder & Co., Incorporated, an investment
banking firm while concurrently serving as President and CEO of Wertheim
Schroder Investment Services from 1990 to 1995. Mr. Coelho continues to serve as
a Senior Advisor to both companies. Mr. Coelho is also a director of Circus
Circus Enterprises, Inc., a company that owns and operates gaming, lodging and
entertainment facilities; Specialty Retail Group, a company that invests in
retail ventures; ICF Kaiser International, Inc., an engineering and consulting
firm; Tele-Communications, Inc., a company that operates cable television and
other telecommunications services; Crop Growers Corporation, which provides
multi-peril crop insurance and other financial services to farmers; and SCI. Mr.
Coelho also serves on the International Advisory Board of Fleishman-Hillard,
Inc., a public relations company.
James H. Greer has been a director of the Company since March 1990. He has
been Chairman of Shelton W. Greer Co., Inc. a building specialty products
company, for over 25 years. He is also a director of SCI and AmeriCredit
Corporation, a consumer credit company.
Rick Berry has been the Secretary of the Company since January 1997,
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company
since December 1991, and was Vice President and Controller of the Company from
September 1990 until December 1991. He has been Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Tanknology Corporation International ("Tanknology") since
August 1989. Mr. Berry was Chief Financial Officer of the distribution
subsidiary of The Mischer Corporation, a Houston- based real estate construction
and distribution company, from 1979 to 1989. Prior to that time he was employed
as an accountant by Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co.
Samuel W. Rizzo has been a director of the Company since July 1988. From
July 1988 to October 1990, Mr. Rizzo also served as Treasurer. Mr. Rizzo is
currently a consultant to SCI. He was an Executive Vice President and a director
of SCI from February 1990 to October 1995, and he was a Senior Vice
President/Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Board of SCI from November
1987 to February 1990. He also held the office of Treasurer of SCI from February
1993 to February 1995. Mr. Rizzo is also a director of Cash America Investments,
Inc. ("CAI"), a publicly held holding company that owns and operates pawn shops,
and Hallmark Financial Services, Inc., a holding company for a non-standard auto
insurance company.
R. L. Waltrip has been the Chairman of the Board of the Company since July
1988. Mr. Waltrip also served as Chief Executive Officer from July 1988 to April
1994. Since 1962, he has been the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of SCI. Mr. Waltrip also is a director of CAI.
W. Blair Waltrip has been a director of the Company since July 1988. He
has been employed in various capacities for SCI since 1977 and currently is an
Executive Vice President and a director of SCI.
The following is a brief account of the business experience during the last five
years of each significant employee of the Company and its subsidiaries.
Richard E. Mathers has been President of ESI since March 1996. From
November 1986 to March 1996, he was Vice President, Sales and Marketing for ESI.
Richard J. Martin has been President of ERRI since January 1997 and Vice
President since March 1996. From 1992 to 1996, he served as Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer of Culp
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Petroleum Company, an oil distribution company. From 1991 to 1996, he was owner
of Core Business Services, a provider of financial and marketing services to
businesses.
Officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors and serve at the
discretion of the Board. R. L. Waltrip is the father of W. Blair Waltrip and the
father-in-law of T. Craig Benson. There is no other family relationship among
any of the directors or executive officers of the Company.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's officers and
directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of
the Company's equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in
ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Officers,
directors and greater than ten-percent beneficial owners are required by SEC
regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they
file. Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it, or
written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were
required for those persons, the Company believes that during 1996 all filing
requirements applicable to its officers, directors, and greater than ten-percent
beneficial owners were complied with.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has a standing Executive Committee, which is
composed of R.L. Waltrip, T.G. Bogle, Donald R. Campbell, T. Craig Benson,
Samuel W. Rizzo, and W. Blair Waltrip. The Executive Committee has all of the
powers and authorities of the Board of Directors in the management of the
business affairs of the Company when the Board is not in session, except the
power or authority to (i) fill vacancies in the membership of the Board of
Directors, (ii) amend the Bylaws of the Company, or (iii) fill vacancies in the
membership of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee held six meetings
during 1996.
The Board of Directors has a standing Compensation Committee, which is
composed of Tony Coelho, James H. Greer, and Samuel W. Rizzo. The Compensation
Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding (i) the
compensation of the officers of the Company and (ii) the granting of stock
options to employees of the Company. The Compensation Committee held one meeting
during 1996.
The Board of Directors has a standing Audit Committee, which is composed
of T. Craig Benson, James H. Greer, and Samuel W. Rizzo. The Audit Committee is
responsible for consulting with the independent public accountants for the
Company with regard to the adequacy of internal controls and the plan of audit,
as well as reviewing the audit report and management letter and matters
concerning financial reporting, accounting and audit procedures, and procedures
generally. The Audit Committee held two meetings during 1996.
The Board of Directors held five meetings during 1996. Various matters
were approved during the last fiscal year by unanimous written consent of the
Board of Directors. During fiscal 1996, no director attended fewer than 75% of
the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and
(ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board of
Directors on which each director served.
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Directors receive $1,500 for each meeting of the Board of Directors
attended and nonemployee directors receive $1,000 for each executive committee
meeting attended. Each nonemployee director receives $750 for any other
committee meeting attended.
Pursuant to the 1991 Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan, each
nonemployee director is granted 1,000 shares of restricted Common Stock on each
January 1st. The restricted Common Stock becomes fully vested one year from the
date of grant if the grantee is still a director on such date.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Shown below is the Summary Compensation Table which sets forth
compensation for services paid to the chief executive officer of the Company and
for all other executive officers whose total salary and bonus exceeded $100,000
for the periods presented. Until April 1994, the Chairman of the Board served as
Chief Executive Officer. In April 1994, the bylaws of the Company were amended
to provide that the Chief Executive Officer shall be appointed by the Board of
Directors. Mr. R.L. Waltrip, in his capacity as Chairman of the Board, served as
Chief Executive Officer until April 1994. Mr. Campbell was appointed Chief
Executive Officer in April 1994. Mr. Waltrip received no compensation in his
position as Chairman of the Board, other than director fees and noncash
compensation paid to other nonemployee directors. Mr. Waltrip devotes
substantially all of his time to his duties as Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of SCI.
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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS
-------------------------------- --------------------
RESTRICTED ALL
NAME AND STOCK OPTIONS/ OTHER
PRINCIPAL SALARY BONUS AWARD(S) SARS COMP.
POSITION YEAR ($) ($) ($) (#) ($)
------------ ---- ------- ------ ------------ ------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Donald R .................. 1996 172,000 50,000 (5)(1) 0.00 0 7,500 (2)
Campbell, ................. 1995 172,000 0 (1) 0 6,000 (2)
President, COO ............ 1994 169,824 0 (1) 200,000 5,700 (2)
and CEO
Rick Berry, ............... 1996 123,311 35,000 (4)(1) 0.00 0 0
Exec. VP/CFO .............. 1995 112,800 15,000 (3)(1) 0 0
1994 111,473 0 (1) 120,000 0
Steven R .................. 1996 129,392 0 (6)(1) 0.00 0 7,500 (2)
Fredrich, ................. 1995 126,000 0 (1) 0 6,000 (2)
Exec. VP/ ................. 1994 124,408 0 (1) 100,000 5,700 (2)
Secretary
Jack Holder, .............. 1996 120,000 0 (6)(1) 0.00 0 0
President, ERRI ........... 1995 120,000 0 (1) 0 0
1994 90,000 0 (1) 0 0
Kevin Keegan, ............. 1996 114,231 20,000 (8)(1) 0.00 0 0
President, ................ 1995 119,832 19,111 (3)(1) 50,000 0
Tanknology ................ 1994 99,244 0 (1) 10,000 0
Russell Reichert, ......... 1996 112,000 20,000 (8)(1) 0.00 0 0
Exec. VP, ................. 1995 129,278 0 (1) 50,000 28,731 (7)
Tanknology ................ 1994 84,727 0 (1) 10,000 0
</TABLE>
(1) Received certain perquisites totaling not more than the lesser of $50,000
or 10% of salary and bonus.
(2) Director Fees.
(3) Represents cash bonus approved by Compensation Committee and paid in 1996
with respect to 1995 earnings of the Company.
(4) Represents cash bonus approved by Compensation Committee and paid in 1996
with respect to 1996 earnings of the Company.
(5) Represents cash bonus approved by Compensation Committee and paid in 1997
with respect to 1996 earnings of the Company.
(6) Steven R. Fredrich and Jack Holder resigned in January 1997.
(7) During 1995, Tanknology purchased a patent from T & R Solutions, a company
in which Mr. Reichert is a principal owner. In exchange for assignment of
the patent rights, T & R Solutions was paid $25,000 and given a royalty of
10% on all future sales of the product, until a total of $100,000 in
royalties is paid, after which the royalty reverts to 5% of sales.
Tanknology also purchased inventory in the transaction for $3,731.
(8) Each of Messrs. Keegan and Reichert resigned in October 1996, and
subsequently entered into an employment release agreement and a two-year
consulting contract with the Company for which the officer was paid a
total of $20,000 during 1997. Pursuant to such consulting agreement, the
expiration date of any outstanding options was changed from January 26,
2005 to January 8, 1999.
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The following tables set forth details of options held by the individuals
listed in the Summary Compensation Table.
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
No options were granted during 1996.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN-THE
OPTIONS/SARS AT FY-END MONEY OPTIONS/SARS AT
SHARES (#) FY-END ($)
ACQUIRED VALUE REALIZED ------------------------- -------------------------
NAME ON EXERCISE(#) ($) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
- ------------------ ------------- -------------- ------------------------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Donald R. Campbell 0 0 30,000/170,000 0/0
Rick Berry 0 0 18,000/102,000 0/0
Steven R. Fredrich 0 0 21,000/85,000 0/0
Jack Holder 0 0 0/0 0/0
Kevin Keegan 0 0 7,500/42,500 0/0
Russell Reichert 0 0 7,500/42,500 0/0
</TABLE>
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Company had employment
contracts with the following individuals named in the Summary Compensation
Table:
EMPLOYMENT
NAME CONTRACT EXPIRES
- ------------------ ---------------
Donald R. Campbell ...................................... 12/31/97
Rick Berry .............................................. 12/31/97
Jack Holder ............................................. 1/31/98
Contracts with Messrs. Campbell and Berry provide that in the event that
the employment of the contracting employee is terminated by the Company without
cause, the Company is obligated to continue to pay the employee his base salary
through the term of the contract. If the employee, on proper notice, terminates
his employment, the Company is obligated to continue to pay the employee 50% of
his base salary through the term of the contract. Each contract also contains
provisions whereby the Company may
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elect to continue to pay the employee beyond the term of the contract in
exchange for the employee's agreement to not compete with the Company.
The contract with Mr. Holder provides for termination by the employer for
cause, or by Mr. Holder on sixty days' notice. A restrictive covenant in the
Employment Agreement in conjunction with a separate Noncompete Agreement
prevents Mr. Holder from competing with the Company in certain markets for a
period that ends no sooner than January 2004. Pursuant to the Noncompete
Agreement, Mr. Holder is entitled to receive five annual payments of $75,000
each. Such payments begin in 1997 and end in the year 2002.
AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
(PROPOSAL 2)
The Board of Directors of the Company unanimously adopted a proposed
amendment to Article One of the Company's Articles of Incorporation and
recommended that such amendment be submitted to the shareholders of the Company
for approval and adoption. The proposed amendment would change the name of the
Company to "TEI, Inc." Pursuant to the October 1996 Stock Purchase Agreement in
which the Company sold its tank testing operations to NDE Environmental, Inc.,
the Company agreed to discontinue the use of the name "Tanknology."
Therefore, the Board recommends that the shareholders vote in favor of the
change of corporate name. If the shareholders approve such name change, the
Article One of the Company's Articles of Incorporation will be amended to read
in its entirety as follows:
"ARTICLE ONE. The name of the Corporation is TEI, Inc."
Approval of Proposal No. 2 requires the favorable vote of two-thirds of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock. As soon as practicable following
approval, the Company intends to file the amendment to its Articles of
Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Texas, which amendment would become
effective upon the filing thereof.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR"
THE PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF TANKNOLOGY ENVIRONMENTAL,
INC. TO CHANGE THE COMPANY'S NAME AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.
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<PAGE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS
AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors consists of Tony
Coelho, Samuel W. Rizzo, and James H. Greer. Mr. Rizzo was formerly Treasurer of
the Company, but has not been an officer since March 1990. Mr. Rizzo is a member
of the Compensation Committee of the board of Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.
Mr. Coelho is also a member of the Compensation Committees of the boards of
Circus Circus Enterprises, Inc. and ICF Kaiser International. Mr. Greer is also
a member of the Compensation Committee of the boards of Service Corporation
International and AmeriCredit Corporation.
No member of the Compensation Committee is or has been an officer (within
the past five years) or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
had any significant relationship requiring disclosure pursuant to Item 404 of
Regulation S-K. No executive officer of the Company served as a member of the
compensation committee (or other board committee performing similar functions
or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of
another corporation, one of whose executive officers served on the Compensation
Committee. No executive officers of the Company served as a director of another
corporation, one of whose executive officers served on the Compensation
Committee. No executive officer of the Company served as a member of the
compensation committee (or other board committee performing similar functions
or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of
another corporation, one of whose executive officers served as a director of the
Company.
REPORT OF COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for
(i) administration of the 1989 Stock Option Plan and (ii) development of
recommendations to the Board concerning all matters related to compensation of
directors, officers, and key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. This
report documents the Committee's philosophy and strategy regarding executive
compensation and the specific nature of compensation programs currently in place
at the Company.
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND PROGRAMS
The Committee holds the following values regarding executive compensation
at the Company:
o Base salary levels should be of a competitive nature that allows the
Company to attract and retain top management talent.
o Annual cash incentives should be available to reward management's efforts
in positioning the Company for growth to recognize their efforts in
expanding the revenue base of the Company, and for managing the Company on
a profitable basis.
o Stock-based long-term incentives should be available that link the
performance of management with the interests of the shareholders and tie a
significant portion of overall compensation to the long-term success of
the Company.
To achieve these compensation objectives, the Committee administers
several executive compensation programs for the Company. The Committee retains
the services of outside consultants from time to time to evaluate the
competitiveness and appropriateness of each element of this overall program. A
description of the program and the decision criteria for each element of the
program are as follows:
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BASE SALARY. The Committee establishes base salary levels according to its
business experiences with growth-oriented companies. The Committee believes that
base salaries for key executives are fair and reasonable and enables the Company
to retain the necessary talent to manage the Company effectively. The firm of
Towers Perrin has been retained from time to time by the Committee to survey
base compensation levels, bonus amounts, and long-term incentive programs at
comparable companies. Based on such surveys, the Committee has established base
salary levels among executives of the Company that are reasonably necessary to
protect the interests of the Company and which, in general, are consistent with
the practices of comparable companies.
ANNUAL CASH INCENTIVES. Annual cash bonuses are awarded for performance during
the year that the Committee and Board believe contributed positively to the
growth and profitability of the Company. The magnitude of each award is based
solely on the discretion of the Committee. Cash bonuses have been awarded with
respect to 1996 operations as shown in the "Summary Compensation Table."
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES. The Company periodically issues stock options to key
executives through the 1989 Stock Option Plan. Exercise prices of options are
based on the fair market value of the Company's stock on the date of grant. The
Committee believes that the issuance of stock options provides the necessary
alignment of management performance with the long-term expectations of our
shareholders.
CEO COMPENSATION
Mr. Campbell was appointed Chief Executive Officer in April 1994. No
adjustment was made to Mr. Campbell's compensation as a result of being named
CEO. The base compensation of the CEO is established at a level that is below
the average base salary of CEO's of comparably-sized companies, based on data
supplied by an outside benefits consultant.
On October 25, 1996, the Company disposed of certain assets and
liabilities, which consisted of the stock of its wholly owned subsidiaries,
Tanknology Corporation International including its cathodic protection division
d/b/a Tanknology Cathodic Protection, USTMAN Industries, Inc., and Tanknology
Canada (1988), Inc., collectively known as "the Tank Testing Group" to NDE
Environmental Corporation ("NDE"), a Delaware corporation, an unrelated third
party. The disposition of the Tank Testing Group was made pursuant to a Stock
Purchase Agreement ("the Agreement") between the Company and NDE dated October
7, 1996. The terms of the Agreement were determined by arm's-length negotiation
between the Company and NDE.
With respect to the foregoing, during 1997, Mr. Campbell was paid a bonus
of $50,000.
COMPANY POLICY ON QUALIFYING COMPENSATION
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), provides that publicly held companies may not deduct in any taxable
year compensation in excess of one million dollars paid to any of the
individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table which is not
"performance-based" as defined in section 162(m). In order for incentive
compensation to qualify as "performance-based" as defined in section 162(m), the
Compensation Committee's discretion to grant awards must be strictly limited.
The Compensation Committee believes that the benefit to the Company of retaining
the ability to exercise
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<PAGE>
discretion under the Company's incentive compensation plans outweighs the
limited risk of loss of tax deductions under section 162(m). Therefore, the
Compensation Committee does not currently intend to seek to qualify all of its
incentive compensation plans under section 162(m).
SUMMARY
The Committee believes that the compensation program currently in place
for the Company's key executives is appropriate given the Company's size and
position in this particular industry. The Committee believes that executive
management has been extended the proper incentives to position the Company for
future growth and profitability.
Tony Coelho, Chairman
Samuel W. Rizzo
James H. Greer
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<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph provides a comparison of cumulative total shareholder
returns among Tanknology Environmental, Inc., the S&P 500 and a selected group
of peer companies. Each index assumes a $100 investment on January 1, 1992.
Dividends, where applicable, are reinvested on a quarterly basis and each index
is weighted quarterly according to market capitalization. The peer group index
is composed of companies in the hazardous waste management industry with similar
market capitalization. These companies are American Ecology, American Waste
Services, Clean Harbors, Handex Corp. (formerly Handex Environmental Recovery),
Kaneb Services, Martech USA, Matrix Service, OHM Corp, Omega Environmental,
Quadrex Corp, Serv-Tech, Tetra Technologies, and the Company.
[LINEAR GRAPH PLOTTED FROM DATA IN TABLE BELOW]
DEC91 DEC92 DEC93 DEC94 DEC95 DEC96
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
TANKNOLOGY ENVIRONMENTAL INC 100 46 66 24 20 22
S&P 500 INDEX 100 108 118 120 165 203
PEER GROUP 100 68 64 43 39 42
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CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Effective December 31, 1991, the Company entered into a consulting
agreement with T.G. Bogle, pursuant to which Mr. Bogle agreed to provide
consulting services to the Company for five years. The Company was obligated to
pay Mr. Bogle $200,000 per year in equal bi-weekly installments for his
consulting services through December 31, 1996.
The Company has a policy pursuant to which any transactions with
directors, officers or principal shareholders will be on terms that the Company
believes to be no less favorable than those obtainable from independent third
parties.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., Certified Public Accountants, Houston, Texas,
were the independent auditors for the Company during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996. A representative of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. is expected to
be present at the Annual Meeting. The representative will have the opportunity
to make a statement at the meeting if he desires to do so, and will be available
to respond to appropriate questions.
The Board of Directors of the Company has not selected the Company's
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997. Shareholder
approval and ratification of this selection is not required by law or by the
Bylaws of the Company.
OTHER BUSINESS
Management knows of no business other than that previously disclosed
herein that will be brought before the meeting. If, however, any other matters
are properly presented, it is the intention of the persons named in the
accompanying form of proxy, if authorized to do so by the proxy, to vote the
shares covered by such proxy in their discretion as they may deem advisable.
PROPOSALS OF SHAREHOLDERS
All proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the next Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of the Company must be received by the Company at its
principal executive offices on or before December 1, 1997 for inclusion in the
Company's Proxy Statement relating to that meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
RICK BERRY
SECRETARY
March 31, 1997
Houston, Texas
17
