ADVANCED PHOTONIX INC
DEF 14A, 2000-07-31
SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES
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 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:

[ ] 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

                           Advanced Photonix, Inc.
___________________________________________________________________________
             (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
___________________________________________________________________________
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than 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)(1) 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>

                    Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
                                   To Be Held
                                 August 25, 2000

To the Stockholders of Advanced Photonix, Inc.:

You are  invited to attend  the Annual  Meeting  of  Stockholders  (the  "Annual
Meeting") of Advanced Photonix, Inc. (the "Company"),  which will be held at the
Company's corporate office, 1240 Avenida Acaso, Camarillo,  California, at 10:00
a.m., Pacific time, on August 25, 2000, to consider the following matters:

(1)   The  election  of four  Directors  to hold  office  until the next  Annual
      Meeting of  Stockholders  and until their  respective  successors are duly
      elected and qualified. The persons nominated by the Board of Directors (M.
      Scott Farese,  Brock Koren, Richard D. Kurtz and Stephen P. Soltwedel) are
      described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

(2)   The approval of the proposed Advanced Photonix, Inc. 2000 Stock Option
      Plan.

(3)   The  transaction  of such other  business as may properly come before the
      Annual  Meeting or any  adjournments  or  postponements thereof.

The Board of  Directors  has fixed the close of business on July 28, 2000 as the
record date for the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders of record of the Company's
Common  Stock at the close of  business  on July 28,  2000 will be  entitled  to
notice  of,  and  to  vote  at,  the  Annual  Meeting  or  any  adjournments  or
postponements  thereof.  Shares can be voted at the Annual  Meeting  only if the
holder is present or represented by proxy.

The  accompanying  form of proxy is  solicited  by the Board of Directors of the
Company.  Reference  is  made  to  the  attached  Proxy  Statement  for  further
information with respect to the business to be transacted at the Annual Meeting.

A complete list of stockholders  entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting shall be
open to the  examination  of any  stockholder,  for any  purpose  germane to the
Annual Meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days
prior to the Annual Meeting,  at the Company's  principal  office,  1240 Avenida
Acaso, Camarillo, CA 93012.

Stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting.  Whether or not
you expect to attend the Annual  Meeting in person,  please  complete,  date and
sign the  accompanying  proxy card and return it without  delay in the  enclosed
postage  prepaid  envelope.  Your proxy will not be used if you are  present and
prefer to vote in person or if you revoke the proxy.

                                              By Order of the Board of Directors

                                              /s/ Susan A. Schmidt
                                              Susan A. Schmidt
July 31, 2000                                 Secretary

<PAGE>

                                 Proxy Statement
                         Annual Meeting of Stockholders
                                 August 25, 2000

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies
by the Board of Directors  of Advanced  Photonix,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation
(the  "Company"),  for use at the 2000  Annual  Meeting of  Stockholders  of the
Company and for any adjournments or postponements thereof (the "Annual Meeting")
to be held at the Company's  corporate  office,  1240 Avenida Acaso,  Camarillo,
California,  at 10:00 a.m.,  Pacific time, on August 25, 2000,  for the purposes
set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  A Board
of Directors'  proxy (the "Proxy") for the Annual Meeting is enclosed,  by means
of which you may vote as to the proposal described in this Proxy Statement.

The Board of  Directors  recommends  a vote FOR the  election of  directors  and
approval of the 2000 Stock Option plan  described in this Proxy  Statement.  All
Proxies that are properly completed, signed and returned to the Company prior to
the Annual Meeting, and which have not been revoked, will be voted in accordance
with the stockholder's  instructions  contained in such Proxy. In the absence of
instructions, shares represented by such Proxy will be voted FOR the election of
the nominees of the Board of Directors  for Director and FOR the adoption of the
2000 Stock Option  Plan.  The Board of Directors is not aware of any business to
be  presented at the Annual  Meeting  except the matters set forth in the Notice
and  described  in the Proxy  Statement.  If any other  matters  come before the
Annual Meeting,  the persons named in the accompanying  Proxy will vote on those
matters in accordance with their best judgment.  A stockholder may revoke his or
her Proxy at any time before it is exercised by filing with the Secretary of the
Company at its offices at 1240  Avenida  Acaso,  Camarillo,  CA 93012,  either a
written  notice of revocation or a duly executed  Proxy bearing a later date, or
by appearing in person at the Annual Meeting and expressing a desire to vote his
or her shares in person.

This  Proxy  Statement  and  the  accompanying   Notice  of  Annual  Meeting  of
Stockholders,  Proxy and 2000 Annual  Report to  Stockholders  are being sent to
stockholders on or about July 31, 2000.

                                VOTING SECURITIES

July 28,  2000  has  been  fixed as the  record  date for the  determination  of
stockholders  entitled  to notice of and to vote at the  Annual  Meeting  or any
adjournment  or  postponement   thereof.  As  of  that  date,  the  Company  had
outstanding  12,190,848  shares  of Class A and Class B Common  Stock, $.001 par
value. The presence,  in person or by proxy, of stockholders  entitled to cast a
majority of votes which  stockholders  are  entitled to cast in the  election of
Directors will  constitute a quorum for the Annual  Meeting.  Holders of Class A
and Class B Common  Stock are entitled to one vote for each share owned upon all
matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting.  As a plurality of votes cast is
required for the election of directors,  abstentions  and broker  non-votes will
have no effect on the outcome of such  election.  As the  affirmative  vote of a
majority of votes  represented  at the meeting by the Class A and Class B Common
Stock  (voting  together  as a  class)  in  person  or  represented  by proxy is
necessary for Proposal 2 (adoption of the 2000 Stock Option Plan), an abstention
will have the same effect as a negative vote but "broker non-votes" will have no
effect on the outcome of the vote.

Brokers holding shares for beneficial owners must vote those shares according to
the  specific  instructions  they receive from  beneficial  owners.  If specific
instructions  are  not  received,   brokers  may  vote  those  shares  in  their
discretion, depending on the type of proposal involved. The Corporation believes
that, in accordance with American Stock Exchange rules applicable to such voting
by brokers,  brokers will have  discretionary  authority to vote with respect to
any shares as to which no instructions are received from beneficial  owners with
respect to the  election  of  directors,  but will have no such  authority  with
respect to  Proposal  2.  Shares as to which  brokers  have not  exercised  such
discretionary  authority or received  instructions  from  beneficial  owners are
considered "broker non-votes."


<PAGE>


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The  following  table  sets  forth,  as of July 17,  2000,  certain  information
concerning  the  holdings  of each person who was known by the Company to be the
beneficial  owner of more than five  percent (5%) of the  outstanding  shares of
Class A or Class B Common Stock of the Company,  by each  director and executive
officers and by all directors and officers as a group.  The outstanding  Class B
Common Stock represents only 0.3% of the total outstanding shares.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Class A Common Stock
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                                   Shares Under
                                     Shares        Exercisable        Percent
                                      Owned     Options/Warrants(1)   Voting(2)
                                      -----     -----------------     ------
<S>                                 <C>         <C>                   <C>
James A. Delaney III(3)              632,800           -                5.2
Brock Koren(4)                          -            65,000              .5
Paul Sharman(4)                         -            20,400              .2
M. Scott Farese(4)                    10,000         12,500              .2
Susan A. Schmidt(4)                      500           -                 -
Richard A. Kurtz(4)                     -              -                 -
Stephen P. Soltwedel(4)                 -              -                 -

Directors & Officers as a Group       11,000         97,900              .9
</TABLE>


1 Includes  shares under options  exercisable on July 17, 2000 and options which
  become exercisable within 60 days thereafter.

2 Represents combined voting power of both Class A and Class B Common Stock,
  assuming beneficial owner exercises all exercisable  options  and  warrants.
  None of the  named  beneficial  owners  owned  Class B Common  Stock  and
  there are no Class B derivatives outstanding.

3 The address of this shareholder is 633 Ardsley Road, Winnetka, IL  60093.

4 The address of this shareholder is c/o Advanced Photonix, Inc. 1240 Avenida
  Acaso, Camarillo, CA 93012.


ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
A Board of four Directors of the Company is to be elected at the Annual Meeting,
each to serve,  subject to the  provisions of the Company's  by-laws,  until the
next Annual Meeting of Stockholders  and until his successor is duly elected and
qualified. It is management's recommendation that the accompanying form of Proxy
be voted FOR the election as Directors of the four persons  named below,  all of
whom are  currently  Directors of the Company.  The Board of Directors  believes
that the nominees named below are willing to serve as Directors. However, in the
event that any of the nominees  should  become unable or unwilling to serve as a
Director,  the Proxy will be voted for the election of such person or persons as
shall be designated  by the  Directors.  The Board of Directors  does not have a
nominating  committee.  After this election,  three  vacancies will exist on the
Board that are not intended to be filled at this time.

The following persons are nominees for election as Directors:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Name                     Age                Position
      ----                     ---                --------
<S>                           <C>                <C>
Richard D. Kurtz               48                 Chairman of the Board

Brock Koren                    36                 President and Chief Executive
                                                  Officer

M. Scott Farese                43                 Director

Stephen P. Soltwedel           53                 Director
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

Set forth below is certain  information  relating  to the other  officers of the
Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Name                  Age                Position
         ----                  ---                --------
<S>                           <C>                <C>
Susan A. Schmidt               35                 Chief Financial Officer and
                                                  Secretary

Paul Sharman                   42                 Vice President, Operations
</TABLE>


Richard D. Kurtz, Chairman of the Board
---------------------------------------
Mr.Kurtz became a director of the Company in February 2000. He is currently
Vice President Sales and Marketing for Filtertek Inc. in Hebron,  IL.  Filtertek
is the  largest  worldwide  producer  of custom  filtration  products  and fluid
control  devices and the world's  largest  manufacturer  of custom molded filter
elements.  Filtertek is a subsidiary of ESCO Electronics Corporation.  Mr. Kurtz
joined  Filtertek in 1988 as a Sales Engineer and was  subsequently  promoted to
Automotive Sales Manager before assuming his present responsibilities. Mr. Kurtz
received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Michigan State University
and  his  Master  of  Business   Administration  degree  from  Eastern  Michigan
University.

Brock Koren, President and Chief Executive Officer
--------------------------------------------------
Mr. Koren joined the Company in July 1998 and was promoted from Vice  President,
Sales and  Marketing to President and Chief  Executive  Officer in October 1999.
From 1992 until 1998, he was a regional sales engineer responsible for technical
sales in  Southern  California  of all  Hamamatsu  photonic  products  including
Photomultiplier  Tubes.  Hamamatsu  is a leading  manufacturer  of  devices  for
generation and measurement of infrared,  visible,  and ultraviolet light, and is
the largest manufacturer of PMTs in the world. Mr Koren received his Bachelor of
Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University,  Long
Beach, California.

M. Scott Farese, Director
-------------------------
Mr. Farese became a director of the Company in August 1998. He is currently
a Regional Sales Manager for Filtertek Inc. Mr. Farese joined Filtertek in 1991.
Mr. Hayden Leason, former Chairman of the Board, founded Filtertek which he sold
in 1992 to Schawk Inc. Mr. Farese is the son-in-law of Mr. Leason.

Stephen P. Soltwedel, Director
------------------------------
Mr. Soltwedel became a director of the Company in February 2000. He is currently
Vice  President  and Chief  Financial  Officer of Filtertek  Inc. Mr.  Soltwedel
joined Filtertek in 1972 and was elected Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer
of Filtertek Inc. and its sister corporation,  Filtertek de Puerto Rico, Inc. in
1979. Mr. Soltwedel held those positions until 1992, when  controlling  interest
in Filtertek  was sold to Schawk Inc.,  and he was elected  Vice  President  and
Chief  Financial  Officer of Filtertek  Inc., a wholly owned  subsidiary of ESCO
Electronics.  Mr. Soltwedel holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Madison
Business College.

Susan A. Schmidt, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
-------------------------------------------------------
Ms.  Schmidt  joined  the  Company  in March  2000.  From 1997 to 2000,  she was
Director of Finance - Amphitheaters for SFX  Entertainment,  Inc. in Encino, CA.
SFX is a New York-based promoter and producer of live entertainment  events. Ms.
Schmidt   held   financial   responsibilities   for  two   southern   California
amphitheaters  operated by SFX. From 1992 to 1997 she was Controller for Revchem
Plastics, Inc., a full-line distribution company serving the reinforced plastics
industry, and Durall Plastics,Inc., Revchem Plastics Inc.'s sister manufacturing
company in Rialto,  CA. Ms.  Schmidt  received her Bachelor of Science degree in
Business   Administration-Accounting   from  California  State  University,  San
Bernardino.


<PAGE>


Paul Sharman, Vice President Operations
---------------------------------------
Mr. Sharman  joined API in June 1990.  Mr.  Sharman  started in the Quality
department  and has held the  positions of Director of Quality and  Reliability,
Director of Operations,  and in March 2000, he was promoted to Vice President of
Operations.  Mr.  Sharman  holds  an  HND in  Mechanical  engineering  from  the
Rotherham  College of  Technology  and an IQAD in Quality  Assurance  from South
Downs College.

Directors serve annual terms until the next annual meeting of  stockholders  and
until their successors are elected and qualified. Officers serve at the pleasure
of the Board of Directors.

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
officers and Directors and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered
class of the Company's equity securities  (collectively the "Reporting Persons")
to file reports of beneficial  ownership and changes in beneficial  ownership of
the Company's equity securities with the Securities and Exchange  Commission and
to furnish the Company with copies of these reports.  Based solely on its review
of the copies of the forms received by it, the Company  believes that all of its
officers and directors complied with all filing requirements applicable to them,
except  with  respect  to the late  filing of Form 3 by Paul  Sharman  to report
initial  ownership of securities upon being appointed to an executive  office in
March 2000,  which was reported on Form 5 in May 2000; the late filing of a Form
4 by Hayden  Leason  (former  Chairman  of the  Board)  to  report a March  2000
exercise of stock options and sale of stock, which Form 4 was filed in May 2000;
and the late  filing of a Form 5 by M.  Scott  Farese  to report a January  2000
option grant and a February  2000  exercise of stock  options and sale of stock,
which Form 5 was filed in May 2000.

Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors
-------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors held six meetings  during the fiscal year ended March 26,
2000 and acted by unanimous consent on one occasion.  The Board of Directors has
the following standing committees:  Audit Committee and Compensation  Committee.
The Audit Committee reviews the accounting principles, the controls and scope of
the audit practices of the Company, and makes reports and recommendations to the
Board of Directors on those matters and with respect to the independent auditor.
It met one time in fiscal  2000.  The  members  of the Audit  Committee  are Mr.
Farese, Mr. Kurtz and Mr. Soltwedel.  The Compensation Committee was established
to evaluate directors and management compensation plans as well as the Company's
stock option and incentive plans. It met three times in fiscal 2000 and acted by
unanimous  written  consent on one  occasion.  The  members of the  Compensation
Committee are Mr. Farese and Mr. Kurtz.


APPROVAL OF 2000 STOCK OPTION PLAN OF ADVANCED PHOTONIX, INC.
The Board of  Directors  has  adopted,  subject  to  shareholder  approval,  and
recommends  the adoption of the proposed  2000 Stock Option Plan ("2000  Plan"),
under which options may be granted for an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of Class
A Common Stock prior to July 24,  2010.  All  employees  and  directors  of, and
consultants  and advisors to, the Company and its  subsidiaries  are eligible to
participate in the 2000 Plan.

The  following  description  of the 2000 Plan is  qualified  in its  entirety by
reference to such 2000 Plan, a copy of which is attached to this Proxy Statement
as  Exhibit  10.15  and  is  incorporated  by  reference  herein.  Attention  is
particularly directed to the description therein of the prices, expiration dates
and  other  material  conditions  upon  which the  options  may be  granted  and
exercised.


<PAGE>


The 2000 Plan  provides,  among  other  things,  that  options may be granted to
purchase  shares of Class A Common Stock at a price per share fixed by the Board
of Directors;  provided,  however, that in the case of an incentive stock option
("ISO"), as defined by Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, the
exercise price shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Class
A Common  Stock on the date of the option  grant (110% of such fair market value
in the case of optionees holding 10% or more of the total combined voting rights
of all  classes  of stock of the  Company  or its  subsidiaries).  The  Board of
Directors may determine the employees,  directors,  consultants  and advisors to
whom options are to be granted and the number of shares  subject to each option.
Options may be exercised  by the payment in full in cash or by the  tendering of
shares of Class A Common Stock having a fair market value,  as determined by the
Board of Directors,  equal to the option exercise grant.  The Board of Directors
shall  determine  whether an option  granted under the Plan is intended to be an
ISO, or whether such option is intended not to be an ISO.

The principal  federal income tax  consequences  of the issuance and granting of
options will be as follows:

Although  an  individual  can  receive an  unlimited  number of ISOs  during any
calendar year,  the aggregate  fair market value  (determined at the time of the
option  grant) of the stock with respect to which ISOs first become  exercisable
during any  calendar  year  (under all of the  Company's  Plans)  cannot  exceed
$100,000.  An optionee will not realize  taxable  income for federal  income tax
purposes  upon the  exercise  of an ISO  provided  he does not dispose of shares
acquired upon the exercise within two years from the date of grant or within one
year from the date of exercise.  If these  conditions  are met, the Company will
not be entitled to a deduction in  connection  with the grant or the exercise of
the option.  The net capital  gain  realized on the sale or  disposition  of the
shares is subject to tax at the same rate as ordinary  income.  If the  optionee
disposes of the shares within the two year or one year periods  mentioned above,
he will realize taxable  ordinary income in an amount equal to any excess of the
fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise (or the amount  realized
on disposition,  if less) over the option price, and the Company will be allowed
a corresponding deduction as the case of a non-ISO.

The  foregoing is only a summary of the effect of federal  income  taxation upon
the  Optionee  and the Company with respect to the grant and exercise of options
under the 2000 Plan,  does not purport to be complete,  and does not discuss the
income tax laws of any state or foreign country in which an optionee may reside.

The Board of Directors is of the opinion that adoption of the proposed 2000 Plan
is in the best  interests  of the  Company  in that it will aid the  Company  in
securing and retaining  competent  management  personnel and other  employees by
making it possible to offer them an  opportunity to acquire stock of the Company
and thereby increase their proprietary  interest in the Company's  success.  The
Company is also of the opinion  that  affording  to the Board of  Directors  the
right to determine the employees, consultants and advisors to be granted options
and the number of shares as to which  options  will be granted,  will permit the
Board of Directors to weigh the advantages and  disadvantages  at any particular
time and take into special circumstances with respect to attracting or retaining
particular persons.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth  compensation  paid or accrued by the Company for
services  rendered to the Company's Chief  Executive  Officer and to each of the
other  executive  officers  of the  Company  whose  cash  compensation  exceeded
$100,000 for services rendered during the last three fiscal years.


<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                                      SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<CAPTION>
                                           Annual Compensation
                                ---------------------------------------

                                                          Other Annual
                               Fiscal   Salary    Bonus   Compensation
Name and Principal Position     Year     ($)      ($)         ($)
---------------------------    ------ --------- -------- --------------
<S>                            <C>    <C>       <C>      <C>

Hayden Leason                   2000     -0-       -0-         -0-
Chairman of the Board and       1999     -0-       -0-         -0-
Chief Executive Officer(2)      1998     -0-       -0-         -0-
---------------------------    ------ --------- -------- --------------
Brock Koren                     2000    175,000  12,500        -0-
President and Chief             1999    135,000    -0-         -0-
Executive Officer               1998       -        -           -
---------------------------    ------ --------- -------- --------------
Harry Melkonian,
Chairman of the Board,          2000    150,000    -0-         -0-
President and Chief             1999    150,000  20,600        -0-
ExecutiveOfficer(3)             1998    150,000  40,000        -0-
---------------------------    ------ --------- -------- --------------
Patrick J. Holmes               2000    125,000    -0-         -0-
Executive Vice President,       1999    125,000   9,400        -0-
CFO, Secretary and Treasurer(4) 1998    125,000  15,000        -0-
---------------------------    ------ --------- -------- --------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Long Term Compensation
                               -------------------------------------------------
                                          Awards           Payouts
                                          ------           -------
                                   Restricted Securities
                                      Stock    Underlying   LTIP      All Other
                                      Awards    Options    Payouts  Compensation
                                      -------  ----------- -------  ------------
Name and Principal Position     Year    ($)       (#)        ($)        ($)(1)
---------------------------    ------   ----      ----       ----       ------
<S>                            <C>     <C>      <C>         <C>        <C>
Hayden Leason                   2000    -0-       -0-        -0-         -0-
Chairman of the Board and       1999    -0-       -0-        -0-         -0-
Chief Executive Officer(2)      1998    -0-       -0-        -0-         -0-
---------------------------    ------ -------  ----------- -------  ------------
Brock Koren                     2000    -0-     200,000      -0-        8,600
President and Chief             1999    -0-     100,000      -0-        5,300
Executive Officer               1998     -         -          -           -
---------------------------    ------ -------  ----------- -------  ------------
Harry Melkonian
Chairman of the Board,          2000    -0-       -0-        -0-        4,500
President and Chief             1999    -0-     200,000      -0-        4,500
Executive Officer(3)            1998    -0-       -0-        -0-        4,700
---------------------------    ------ -------  ----------- -------  ------------
Patrick J. Holmes               2000    -0-     100,000      -0-        8,600
Executive Vice President,       1999    -0-      50,000      -0-        8,600
CFO, Secretary and Treasurer(4) 1998    -0-       -0-        -0-        3,900
---------------------------    ------ -------  ----------- -------  ------------
</TABLE>

1 Represents  amounts  paid by the  Company  on behalf  of the  named  person in
  connection with the Company's  401(k)  Retirement  Plan,  vacation pay and car
  allowance.

2 Mr. Leason  resigned as Chairman of the Board and Chief  Executive  Officer in
  October 1997,  was  re-elected  as Chairman of the Board in October 1999,  and
  subsequently  resigned  from the  Board of  Directors  in July  2000.  Options
  granted as part of plans  provided to outside  directors  of the Company  have
  been excluded from the table (0 in 2000 and 1,000 in 1999).

3 Mr.  Melkonian  was elected  Chief  Executive  Officer in October,  1997,  and
  Chairman of the Board in April 1998,  and resigned from the Company in October
  1999. Compensation continues under employment agreement.

4 Mr. Holmes was employed by the Company through March 2000.

Employment Agreements
---------------------
The Company has employment and  termination  agreements with certain current and
former  employees,  under which the employees may receive  severance pay through
the end of the term of the contract or up to twelve months.

Stock Options
-------------
The following  tables set forth  certain  information  concerning  stock options
granted to the persons named in the Summary  Compensation  Table during the last
fiscal year and  unexercised  stock  options  held by such persons at the end of
such fiscal year.

                          Option Grants in Fiscal 2000
                                Individual Grants
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                        Number of       % of Total
                        Securities    Options Granted   Exercise or
                        Underlying    to Employees in   Base Price   Expiration
                         Options        Fiscal Year       ($/Sh)        Date
 Name(1)                Granted (#)
-------------------- ---------------- --------------- ------------- ------------
<S>                   <C>              <C>            <C>            <C>

Brock Koren              200,000            32%       $.563/$.75(2)   11/11/09
-------------------- ---------------- --------------- ------------- ------------

Patrick J. Holmes        100,000            16%       $.563/$.75(3)   11/11/09
-------------------- ---------------- --------------- ------------- ------------
</TABLE>
1 See "Summary Compensation Table" for principal position.

2 Options  granted in two lots of 100,000 each,  having exercise prices of $.563
  per share and $.75 per  share, respectively.

3 Options  granted in two lots of 50,000 each, having  exercise  prices of $.563
  per share and $.75 per share, respectively.


<PAGE>



  Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and FY-End Option Values
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 Number of
                                                 Securities       Value of
                                                 Underlying      Unexercised
                                                 Unexercised     In-the-Money
                                                 Options at        Options
                                                 Fiscal Year      at Fiscal
                                                   End (#)       Year End($)
                     Shares Acquired   Value    Exercisable/     Exercisable/
Name(1)              on Exercise(#)  Realized   Unexercisable    Unexercisable
----                 ------------    --------   --------------   --------------
<S>                  <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>
Hayden Leason           35,500       $490,000      -0-/500         -0-/$3,100
Brock Koren             25,000       $193,000    -0-/275,000        -0-/-0-
Patrick J. Holmes      156,000     $1,372,000    144,000/-0-      $834,000/-0-
</TABLE>

1    See "Summary Compensation Table"  for principal position.

Compensation of Directors
-------------------------
In October 1995, the Board of Directors eliminated the accrual or payment of all
fees including all annual fees, meeting fees and any payment for services as the
Chairman  or  Member  of any  Committee  of the Board of  Directors  except  for
reasonable  travel  expenses.  In March 2000,  the Board of  Directors  voted to
re-establish a directors' fee in the amount of $2,500, payable to each director,
for each meeting attended. The fee is paid to each non-employee  director,  with
the exception of Hayden Leason,  former  Chairman of the Board,  who voluntarily
waived his fee. In addition,  all directors,  including employee directors,  are
reimbursed  for reasonable  travel  expenses  incurred in connection  with their
attending  meetings  of the  Board  of  Directors  and  committees.  Each of the
directors  who is not an employee of the Company is eligible for grants of stock
options upon their  appointment to the Board of Directors under the 1991 Special
Directors Stock Option Plan and on an annual basis so long as they remain on the
Board. In January 1998, the Board  reinstated  participation in the 1991 Special
Directors  Stock Option  Plan,  which had also been  suspended in October  1995,
other than initial grants for new directors.  Directors who are also officers of
the Company or its affiliates do not receive cash  compensation in consideration
for their services as directors.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
See "Executive Compensation".


RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
On March  24,  2000,  the  Board of  Directors  decided  to  change  independent
accountants  and voted to replace Arthur  Andersen LLP with Farber & Hass LLP as
the Company's  independent  auditor.  In connection  with its audits for the two
most recent fiscal years,  there have been no disagreements  between the Company
and Arthur  Andersen LLP on any matter of  accounting  principles  or practices,
financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure. In addition, the
reports of Arthur Andersen LLP on the Company's financial  statements  contained
no adverse  opinions or  disclaimers  and were not  qualified  or modified as to
uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle.

Farber & Hass, independent auditors,  audited the Company's financial statements
for fiscal year 2000,  and have been selected to audit the  Company's  financial
statements for fiscal year 2001.  Representatives  of Farber & Hass are expected
to be present at the Annual  Meeting to respond to  appropriate  questions  from
stockholders and to make a statement if they desire to do so.


<PAGE>


EXPENSES
The  entire  cost of  preparing,  assembling,  printing  and  mailing  the Proxy
Statement,  the enclosed Proxy, Annual Report and other materials,  and the cost
of soliciting  Proxies with respect to the Annual Meeting,  will be borne by the
Company.  The Company will request banks and brokers to solicit their  customers
who  beneficially  own shares  listed of record in names of  nominees,  and will
reimburse those banks and brokers for the reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses of
such  solicitations.  The solicitation of Proxies by mail may be supplemented by
telephone and telegram by officers and other  regular  employees of the Company,
but no additional compensation will be paid to such individuals.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of  stockholders  intended to be  presented  at the Annual  Meeting of
Stockholders  in 2001 must be  received  at the  Company's  principal  executive
office no later than April 20, 2001.

                                        By Order of the Board of Directors


                                        /s/ Susan A. Schmidt
Camarillo, California                   Susan A. Schmidt
July 31, 2000                           Secretary



THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE  WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON  SOLICITED BY THIS PROXY
STATEMENT,  ON THE WRITTEN  REQUEST OF ANY SUCH PERSON,  A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 26, 2000 AS FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION  (INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS AND THE
SCHEDULES THERETO, BUT EXCLUDING EXHIBITS).  SUCH REQUESTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO
CORPORATE SECRETARY, 1240 AVENIDA ACASO, CAMARILLO, CALIFORNIA 93012.

<PAGE>

          THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                            ADVANCED PHOTONIX, INC.
                    PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                AUGUST 25, 2000

The undersigned  hereby  constitutes and appoints  Richard D. Kurtz and M. Scott
Farese or any one of them, as proxies, with full power of substitution,  to vote
all  shares  of stock of  Advanced  Photonix,  Inc.  (the  "Company")  which the
undersigned  would be  entitled  to vote if  personally  present  at the  Annual
Meeting of  Stockholders  of the Company to be held at the  Company's  Corporate
office,  1240 Avenida  Acaso,  Camarillo,  California,  at 10:00  o'clock  A.M.,
Pacific  Time,  on August 25,  2000,  or at any  adjournments  or  postponements
thereof:

(1) Election of Directors

FOR all nominees listed below (except as marked to the contrary below) / /

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below / /

Brock Koren, Richard D. Kurtz, M. Scott Farese, Stephen P. Soltwedel

(Instructions:  To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, strike
a line through the nominee's name in the above list.)

(2) To approve the Advanced Photonix, Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan

Vote for / /       Vote against / /        Vote abstained / /

(3) To transact  such other  business as may properly come before the meeting or
any adjournment or postponements thereof.

                         (PLEASE SIGN ON REVERSE SIDE)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS  PROXY  WHEN  PROPERLY  EXECUTED  WILL  BE  VOTED  AS  SPECIFIED,  OR IF NO
SPECIFICATIONS  ARE MADE,  WILL BE VOTED BY THE PROXIES FOR THE  ELECTION OF THE
ABOVE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND FOR THE 2000 STOCK OPTION PLAN, AND TO USE THEIR
DISCRETION TO VOTE ON ANY OTHER MATTER AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.

THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES  RECEIPT OF THE NOTICE OF MEETING AND ANNUAL
REPORT FURNISHED HEREWITH.

Dated:_____________________, 2000

_________________________________
Signature of Stockholder

_________________________________
Signature of Stockholder

Note:  When signing as  attorney-in-fact,  executor,  administrator,  trustee or
guardian, please add your title as such, and if signer is a corporation,  please
sign with full corporate name by duly  authorized  officer or officers and affix
the  corporate  seal.  Where stock is issued in the name of two or more persons,
all such  persons  should  sign.  Please  date,  sign and return in the enclosed
envelope promptly.



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