AVALON COMMUNITY SERVICES INC
PRE 14A, 1998-04-13
FACILITIES SUPPORT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Previous: CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC, 10-K/A, 1998-04-13
Next: PROTEON INC/MA, PRE 14A, 1998-04-13



                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (Rule 14a-101)

                  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN INFORMATION STATEMENT

                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

                Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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
|_|     Solicitation  Material  Pursuant  to  Section  240.14a-11(c)  or Section
        240.14a-12

                         AVALON COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC.
            -------------------------------------------------------
                  (Name of registrant as Specified in Charter)

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  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>



                         AVALON COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC.
                               13401 Railway Drive
                             Oklahoma City, OK 73114
                            Telephone: (405) 752-8802
                                 --------------

                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

                             TO BE HELD MAY 29, 1998
                                 --------------


To the Shareholders:

  Notice is hereby given that the 1998 Annual Meeting of  Shareholders of Avalon
Community  Services,  Inc. (The  "Company") will be held at 13401 Railway Drive,
Oklahoma  City,  Oklahoma  73114,  on Friday,  May 29, 1998, at 10:00 A.M. local
time, for the following purposes:

     1.  Approve an  amendment  to the by-laws to change the terms of  directors
         from annual elections to staggered elections with three year terms.

     2.  To elect four  directors  to serve  until the next  Annual  meeting and
         until the election and qualification of their successors.

     3.  To  ratify  the  appointment  of  Grant  Thornton  L.L.P.,  independent
         certified  public  accountants,  as auditor to  examine  the  financial
         statements of the Company for the year ending December 31, 1998.

     4.  To consider and transact such other business as may properly be brought
         before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

  The Board of Director  has fixed the close of business on April 24,  1998,  as
the record date for the determination of shareholders  entitled to notice and to
vote. Such  shareholders  may vote in person or by proxy. A complete list of the
shareholders  entitled  to vote at the  Annual  Meeting  will be  available  for
examination  by  shareholders,  for any purpose  germane to the meeting,  during
ordinary  business  hours,  during a  10-day  period  preceding  the date of the
meeting, at the executive office of the Company,  13401 Railway Drive,  Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma 73114.

  Shareholders  are invited to attend the meeting in person.  Whether or not you
plan on attending  the meeting in person,  it is  important  that your shares be
represented  and voted at the  meeting  in  accordance  with your  instructions.
Therefore,  you are urged to fill in,  sign,  date and return  the  accompanying
proxy in the enclosed  envelope.  No postage is required if mailed in the United
States. 

                                        /s/ Randall J. Wood 
                                        -------------------------
April __, 1998                          Randall J. Wood Secretary


<PAGE>



                        AVALON COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC.
                                ----------------

                                 PROXY STATEMENT
                                ----------------

                               GENERAL INFORMATION


  This Proxy Statement  together with the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB are being
furnished  to  Shareholders  by the  Board  of  Directors  of  Avalon  Community
Services, Inc. (The "Company") for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held
at 13401 Railway Drive,  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73114 on May 29, 1998, at 10:00
a.m.  local time.  The  Company's  Shareholders  will consider and vote upon the
proposals  described  herein and  referred  to in the  Notice of Annual  Meeting
accompanying this Proxy Statement.

  The close of business on April 24, 1998, has been fixed as the record date for
the determination of the shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the
Annual Meeting.  On March 31, 1998,  there were outstanding and entitled to vote
3,004,380  Shares  of Class A Common  Stock.  Each  Share of Common  Stock  (the
"Shares") is entitled to one vote on each matter to be  considered at the Annual
Meeting.  For a description of the principal holders of such Shares, see "Voting
Securities and Principal Holders Thereof" below.

  The Company's  principal  executive  office is located at 13401 Railway Drive,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73114.

  This Proxy  Statement is being furnished to Shareholders on or about April 29,
1998.

                    SOLICITATION OF PROXIES AND VOTING RIGHTS

  The presence,  in person or by proxy, of the holders of one-third (1/3) of the
votes represented by the outstanding shares of the Corporation's common stock is
necessary to  constitute a quorum at the Annual  Meeting.  Holders of shares are
entitled  to one vote per share of common  stock and are not allowed to cumulate
votes in the election of directors.

  Subject to the rights of  shareholders  to revoke  their  proxies,  the shares
represented  by each proxy  executed in the  accompanying  form of proxy will be
voted at the meeting in accordance  with the  instructions  therein.  Proxies on
which no voting  instructions  are  indicated  will be voted FOR  ratifying  the
amendment to the by-laws permitting  staggered terms for the directors,  FOR the
election of nominees for directors and FOR the  appointment  of Grant  Thornton,
L.L.P. as auditors and in the best judgment of proxy holders on any other matter
that may properly  come before the Annual  Meeting.  If a broker  indicates on a
proxy that it does not have discretionary  authority to vote shares on a certain
matter,  those shares will not be  considered  present and entitled to vote with
respect to that  matter.  If a  shareholder  indicates on a proxy card that such
shareholder abstains from voting with respect to a proposal,  the shares will be
considered  as present and  entitled to vote with  respect to that  matter,  and
abstention  will have the effect of a vote AGAINST the  proposal.  In accordance
with Nevada law, a  shareholder  entitled to vote for the  election of directors
can withhold  authority  to vote for all nominees for  directors or can withhold
authority to vote for certain nominees for directors.
<PAGE>

  Shareholders have the unconditional  right to revoke their proxies at any time
prior to the voting of their  proxies at the  Annual  Meeting by giving  written
notice to the Secretary of the  Corporation  or by attending the Annual  Meeting
and voting in person.

  The expenses of the solicitation of the proxies for the meeting, including the
cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the notice, proxy, proxy statement and
return envelopes,  the handling and tabulation of proxies received,  and charges
of  brokerage  houses  and  other  institutions,  nominees  or  fiduciaries  for
forwarding such documents to beneficial owners, will be paid by the Corporation.
The  Corporation  does not intend to solicit  proxies  other than the mailing of
proxy  materials.  All Proposals  require the affirmative  vote of a majority of
shares represented and voting at the Annual Meeting.

                            AMENDMENT TO THE BY-LAWS
                                 (Proposal One)

  The by-laws of the Corporation  have been amended by the Board of Directors to
have the Board of Directors  divided into three classes of directors  with three
year  terms and with the term of office of one class  expiring  each  year.  The
Board of Directors is authorized to make such an amendment under the laws of the
State of Nevada, the Articles of Incorporation, and the by-laws. The Corporation
is now asking the  Shareholders to ratify this change to the by-laws.  Staggered
terms for Directors are considered anti-takeover in nature,  inhibiting a change
in control of the  Corporation  and so possibly reduce the value of the stock to
anyone attempting to acquire control of the Corporation.  The Board of Directors
recommends  voting FOR this  proposal to ratify the  amendment to the by-laws to
create three  classes of directors  with terms  lasting three years and with the
term of office of one class expiring each year.

                              ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
                                 (Proposal Two)

  The by-laws of the  Corporation  as amended by the Board of  Directors  and as
ratified  by the  Shareholders  in  Proposal  One  provide  that the  number  of
directors  who shall  constitute  the whole board shall be such number as may be
fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors and vacancies in the Board may
be  filled by the  Board of  Directors  until  the next  annual  meeting  of the
Shareholders.  The by-laws  provide  that the Board shall be divided  into three
classes of  directors  with the term of office of one class  expiring  each year
(assuming  the  amendment  is ratified  by the  shareholders  at this  meeting).
Staggered terms for Directors are considered anti-takeover in nature, inhibiting
a change in control of the  Corporation  and so possibly reduce the value of the
stock to anyone  attempting to acquire control of the Corporation.  The Board of
Directors  currently  consists  of three  members,  Donald  E.  Smith,  Jerry M.
Sunderland and Robert O. McDonald. The addition of Mark S. Cooley would increase
the Board of Directors to four members.  This would be the first year  staggered
terms  would be voted on. All three  director  classes are to be voted on by the
Shareholders.


                                        2

<PAGE>



  The four nominees,  Donald E. Smith, Jerry M. Sunderland,  Robert O. McDonald,
and Mark S. Cooley are  proposed to be elected to hold office until the election
of their successors or their earlier resignation or removal. Messrs.  Sunderland
and McDonald are nominated to serve three year terms,  Mr. Cooley to serve a two
year term and Mr. Smith to serve a one year term. Should any such nominee become
unable  to  serve,  proxies  may be  voted  for  another  person  designated  by
management  or the Board.  All  nominees  have  advised  that they will serve if
elected.

Certain Information Regarding Nominees

  The names of the  nominees,  their ages as of the date of the Annual  Meeting,
the date each first became a director,  their  principal  occupations  during at
least the past five years,  certain other  directorships  held and certain other
biographical information are as set forth below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Term nominated        Director
Name of Nominee            Age      Current Position(s)                      to Serve           Since
                                                                                               
<S>                         <C>                                                 <C>              <C> 
Donald E. Smith             45      Chief Executive Officer, Director           1 Year           1992
Jerry M. Sunderland         61      President, Director                         3 Years          1992
Robert O. McDonald          59      Director                                    3 Years          1994
Mark S.  Cooley             40       Director Nominee                           2 Years           N/A
</TABLE>


                                    Directors

The Company's current directors and director nominees are:

      Name                        Age       Position(s) with the Company

Donald E. Smith ...................45       Chief Executive Officer, Director
Jerry M. Sunderland ...............61       President, Director
Robert O. McDonald ................59       Director
Mark S.  Cooley .................  40       Director Nominee


  The following is a brief  description  of the business  experience  during the
past five years of each of the above-name persons:

  Donald E. Smith is the founder of the Company's corrections operations and has
served as the Chief Executive Officer of Avalon and its subsidiaries since their
inception.  Mr.  Smith has  owned,  managed  and  developed  a number of private
corporations since 1985 to provide private corrections, residential care, mental
health  care,  and other  related  services.  Mr.  Smith  received a Bachelor of
Science degree in 1974 from Northwestern  Oklahoma State College.  Mr. Smith was
employed by Arthur Andersen & Co. for seven years prior to founding the Company.


                                        3

<PAGE>



  Jerry M.  Sunderland  has served as President of Avalon since June,  1995. Mr.
Sunderland served as a Correctional Administrator for the Company and affiliates
since 1988. Mr.  Sunderland also serves as a Director of Avalon's  subsidiaries.
Mr.  Sunderland  was  employed by the Oklahoma  Department  of  Corrections  for
sixteen years including ten years as warden of a maximum  security  prison.  Mr.
Sunderland  also  served  as an  agent  for the  Oklahoma  State  Department  of
Investigation  for  twelve  years.  Mr.  Sunderland  has a  Bachelors  degree in
Sociology and a Masters degree in Corrections.

  Robert O. McDonald was appointed as a Director of Avalon in October, 1994. Mr.
McDonald is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Capital  West  Securities  and
its parent holding  company,  Affinity  Holding Corp. Mr.  McDonald  started his
investment  career  in 1961  with  Allen  and  Company  and left in 1967 to form
McDonald  Bennahum and Co., which later joined with  Ladenburg  Thalmann and Co.
where Mr. McDonald was a Senior Partner.  Mr. McDonald joined Planet Oil Mineral
Corporation  in 1971 and became  president  in 1973.  From 1975 until 1993,  Mr.
McDonald was affiliated  with Stifel Nicolaus & Company and headed its municipal
syndicated effort. Mr. McDonald received a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from the
University  of  Oklahoma  in 1960.  He also  served as an  Officer in the United
States Army and Army Reserve.

  Mark S. Cooley was appointed as a Director of Avalon in January 1998,  subject
to shareholder approval at the 1998 annual meeting. Mr. Cooley is a Principal of
Cooley & Company and Pro Trust Equity Partners. Mr. Cooley was with Citicorp and
Chemical Bank for twelve years in their Corporate  Finance Divisions in New York
and Denver.  Mr. Cooley  received his Bachelors  degree in Economics from DePauw
University and an MBA in Finance from Indiana University.



                 VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF

  The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 1998,  information  concerning
the  beneficial  ownership  of the  Company's  Class A Common  Stock by (i) each
person  known to the Company to be the  beneficial  owner of more than 5% of the
outstanding  shares of the  Company's  Common  Stock,  (ii) each director of the
Company,  (iii)  each of the  executive  officers  of the  Company  and (iv) all
directors  and  executive  officers  as a group.  To the  best of the  Company's
knowledge, each of the persons named in the table has sole voting and investment
power with respect to all the shares of Common Stock  beneficially owned by such
person as set forth opposite such person's name except as otherwise noted.






                                        4

<PAGE>




                                  Amount and
                                  Nature of
                                  Beneficial
                                  Ownership of                       Total
                                  Common              Percent        Voting
Name & Address                    Stock               of Class       Percentage
- --------------                    ------              --------       ----------
Donald E. Smith (2)
13401 Railway Drive               1,078,500 (1)       35.90%         35.90%
Oklahoma City, OK 73114

Deborah A. Salerno
355 South End Avenue
Suite 22B
New York, NY 10280                  187,000             6.22%          6.22%

Jerry M. Sunderland (2)
13401 Railway Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73114              52,000             1.73%          1.73%

Robert O. McDonald (2)
3316 Preston Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73120              22,000               *              *

Gary D.  Parsons (2)
13401 Railway Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73114               5,000               *              *

Randall J.  Wood (2)
13401 Railway Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73114               4,375               *              *

Tiffany Wright (2)
13401 Railway Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73114              13,875               *              *

All executive officers and
directors as a group              1,175,750            39.13%         39.13%
( 6 persons)                      (1) (2)

- ------------------

*     Less than 1%.

(1) Includes  77,313 shares held in the name of Mr. Smith's  children and Teresa
    Smith. 

(2) Includes 25,000 shares to Mr. Smith, 52,000 shares to Mr. Sunderland,
    22,000 shares to Mr. McDonald,  5,000  shares to Mr.  Parsons,  4,375  
    shares to Mr. Wood and 13,875  shares to Ms.  Wright  issuable  within 60 
    days upon exercise of options granted pursuant to the Company's Stock 
    Option Plan.

Note:  Under the rules of the  Securities and Exchange  Commission,  a person is
deemed to be a beneficial  owner of a security if he has or shares the powers to
vote or direct  the  voting of such  security  or the power to  dispose of or to
direct the disposition of such security.

                                        5

<PAGE>



Accordingly,  more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the
same  securities.  A  person  is also  deemed  to be a  beneficial  owner of any
securities  of which that person has the right to acquire  beneficial  ownership
within 60 days.  Unless otherwise  indicated by footnote,  the named individuals
have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares held by them.


                        DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS


         The following  four  individuals  serve as the Company's  directors and
have been  nominated to serve  various  terms as  directors.  All nominees  have
advised that they will serve if elected.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Term nominated        Director
Name of Nominee            Age      Current Position(s)                      to Serve           Since
                                                                                               
<S>                         <C>                                                 <C>              <C> 
Donald E. Smith             45      Chief Executive Officer, Director           1 Year           1992
Jerry M. Sunderland         61      President, Director                         3 Years          1992
Robert O. McDonald          59      Director                                    3 Years          1994
Mark S.  Cooley             40      Director Nominee                            2 Years           N/A
</TABLE>


  Biographical information on Messrs. Smith, Sunderland, McDonald and Cooley are
included under Certain Information Regarding Nominees above.

                               Executive Officers

The Company's current officers are:

   Name                           Age       Position(s) with the Company

 Donald E. Smith ..................45       Chief Executive Officer, Director
 Jerry M. Sunderland ..............61       President, Director
 Gary D.  Parsons..................54       Vice President of Operations
 Randall J.  Wood .................40       Corporate Secretary
 Tiffany Wright....................30       Public Information Officer,
                                            Assistant Secretary
 Paul D.  Voss ....................30       Vice President of Finance




                                        6

<PAGE>



Officers of the Company -

  The following is a brief  description  of the business  experience  during the
past five  years of each of the  above-name  officers,  excluding  the  Director
nominees:

  Gary D. Parsons was  appointed as Vice  President  of  Operations  in December
1997.  Mr.  Parsons has over 24 years of experience in developing  and operating
quality programs and facilities for adult offenders. Mr. Parsons was employed by
the Oklahoma  Department of  Corrections  for twenty four years.  Mr. Parsons is
responsible  for Avalon's  correctional  operations,  including  recruitment and
training of personnel,  maintaining  accreditation by the American  Correctional
Association, and compliance with contractual requirements.  Mr. Parsons received
a Bachelors degree in Business  Administration  and a Masters degree in Business
Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma.

  Randall J. Wood serves as  Corporate  Secretary  and  General  Counsel for the
Company.  Prior to joining the Company in 1995, Mr. Wood's  practice was focused
primarily in the field of real  property  and  commercial  litigation.  Mr. Wood
practiced with the firm of Stack & Barnes,  P.C. for ten years, and was with the
firm of Hammons,  Vaught & Conner  prior to joining the  Company.  Mr. Wood is a
member of the Oklahoma Bar Association and is authorized to practice in Oklahoma
Federal  Courts and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Mr. Wood is responsible
for the duties of the  Corporate  Secretary,  management of legal  matters,  and
compliance with government regulations for the Company and its subsidiaries. Mr.
Wood received his law degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1983.

  Tiffany Wright serves as Public  Information  Officer and assistant  Corporate
Secretary for the Company. Ms. Wright served for four years as marketing manager
for Eagle Picher Industries,  a New York Stock Exchange listed company, prior to
joining  Avalon  in 1994.  Ms.  Wright  has  developed  and is  responsible  for
directing the Company's public relations  department and implementing  marketing
strategies. Ms. Wright is the primary contact for the Company's shareholders and
investors.  Ms. Wright received a Bachelors  Degree in Business  Administration,
Marketing and Management from Missouri Southern State College.

  Paul D. Voss was appointed  Vice  President of Finance in January,  1998.  Mr.
Voss was  Controller  at Magic Circle  Energy from 1994 to 1996.  Mr. Voss was a
senior auditor for Grant Thornton for five years and more recently an accounting
manager  for Finley & Cook,  P.L.L.C.  Mr.  Voss  received a degree in  Business
Administration  from Angelo  State  University  in 1989,  holds CPA  licenses in
Oklahoma  and Texas and is a member of both the  American  Institute of CPAs and
the Oklahoma Society of CPAs.

  There are no family  relationships  among the Company's  present  officers and
directors.










                                        7

<PAGE>



             INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE
                               BOARD AND MEETINGS

  Two meetings of the Board of  Directors  were held during the last fiscal year
and were  attended  by all of the  Directors.  Attendance  fees were not paid in
connections with said meetings.  The Board also took action by unanimous written
consents in lieu of meetings on nine  occasions.  Board  members did not receive
directors fees for serving in such capacities,  nor did they receive  attendance
fees for attendance at meetings. The Board approved payment of an attendance fee
of $500 per meeting and reimbursement of travel costs for nonemployee  Directors
at the last Directors meetings.  The payments will begin with the next Directors
meeting.  Nonemployee  Directors also  participate in the Company's stock option
plan.

  The Company does not currently utilize nominating or compensation  committees.
The Board  presently  has an audit  committee  consisting of Donald E. Smith and
Robert O. McDonald,  with Mark Cooley  appointed as a provisional  member of the
Audit  Committee.  Upon shareholder  confirmation of Mr. Cooley's  election as a
Director of the Company,  Mr. Cooley will become a standing  member of the Audit
Committee.  Two of the  members of the Audit  Committee  will be  outside  board
members.

Executive Compensation

  The following table sets forth the compensation paid or accrued during each of
the years in the three years ended December 31, 1997, to the Company's Executive
Officers.  The Company did not  compensate  any  executive  officer in excess of
$100,000 in total compensation for the same period: Other Annual Compensation

   Year         Salary         Bonus        Automobile       All Other
   ----        -------         -----        ----------       ---------
   1997        $60,000        $  ---        $    ---          $    ---
   1996         60,000           ---           7,200             9,000
   1995         60,000           ---           7,200             9,000

  Other  annual  compensation  includes  the use of an  automobile  owned by the
Company and payment of monthly dues.

Employment Agreements

  Donald E. Smith serves as the Company's Chief Executive Officer pursuant to an
employment  agreement  executed with the Company in August 1997.  The employment
agreement  provides for an initial  annual  compensation  rate of $60,000  until
certain  assets  related to  discontinued  operations are sold or specified cash
flow objectives are achieved. Any changes in compensation during the term of the
agreement are to be determined  by the Board of  Directors.  Mr. Smith  receives
vacation,  insurance,  and similar  benefits  together with the use of a car for
Company-related travel. Mr. Smith's employment agreement contains provisions for
severance pay and disability payments, as well as a non-compete  agreement.  The
term of the employment agreement is three years.

  Jerry  M.  Sunderland  serves  as  the  Company's  President  pursuant  to  an
employment  agreement  executed with the Company in August 1997.  The employment
agreement specifies an initial annual compensation rate of $85,000.  Any changes
in compensation during the term

                                        8

<PAGE>



of the agreement are to be determined by the Board of Directors.  Mr. Sunderland
receives  vacation,  insurance,  and similar benefits together with the use of a
car for Company-related  travel. Mr. Sunderland's  employment agreement contains
provisions for severance pay and disability  payments,  as well as a non-compete
agreement. The term of the employment agreement is three years.

                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

  The attention of the shareholders is directed to Financial Statement Note 7 on
page 20 and  Financial  Statement  Note 13 on  page 26 of the  Company's  Annual
Report on Form 10- KSB for the year  ended  December  31,  1997  (copies  of the
Annual  Report were mailed  together with the Proxy  Statements),  describing in
detail certain relationships and transactions  involving the Company and certain
officers and directors of the Company.  Such matters pertain to the execution of
employment  agreements  as described  hereinabove,  guarantee  of the  Company's
financial  obligations,  the issuance and  cancellation of Class B Common Stock,
and other related party transactions.

                              SECTION 16A FILINGS

  Messrs. Smith, Sunderland, and McDonald are required to file pursuant to 16(a)
of the  Securities  and  Exchange  Act of 1934,  a  statement  of any changes in
ownership of the Company's  securities within 10 days after the end of any month
in which a  transaction  took place and an annual  statement of ownership of the
Company's  securities within 45 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year.
All  required  filings for the annual  statement of ownership on Form 5 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission have been made in 1998.

                             PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE
                             ENGAGEMENT OF AUDITORS
                                (Proposal Three)

  The Company's Board of Directors has selected Grant Thornton,  L.L.P.,  as the
Company's independent public accountants and auditors for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 1998 and will ask the  Shareholders to ratify that selection at the
Annual  Meeting.  Grant  Thornton  L.L.P.,  served as the Company's  independent
certified  accountants and auditors for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996
and 1997. A representative of Grant Thornton,  L.L.P., is expected to attend the
Annual  Meeting  and will be  provided an  opportunity  to make a  statement  if
desired, and/or to answer appropriate questions from Shareholders, if any.

  The Board  recommends  ratification  and  approval  of the  election  of Grant
Thornton,  LLP as the Company's  independent public accountants and auditors for
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.

                              SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

  There  have  been  no  Shareholder  proposals  submitted  to the  Company  for
consideration  at the Annual  Meeting.  Should a  Shareholder  wish to present a
proposal at the 1999  Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders,  such  proposal  must be
received by the Company at its address  shown on this Proxy  Statement  prior to
January 10, 1999.  Any  proposals  received by that date will be reviewed by the
Board to determine whether it is a proper proposal to present to the 1999 Annual
Meeting.

                                        9

<PAGE>



                                  VOTE REQUIRED

  One-third (1/3) of the Company's Shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding
as of April  24,1998  shall  constitute  a quorum  at the  Annual  Meeting.  The
affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Shares  represented at the Annual
Meeting is required for all  proposals  to come before the Meeting.  The Company
anticipates that all proposals will be approved.

                                  OTHER MATTERS

  As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors does not intend
to present a matter for  action at the  Annual  Meeting  other than as set forth
herein and in the Notice of Annual Meeting, nor has the Board been informed that
any other  person  intends to present any  additional  matter.  Should any other
matters be brought  before the Meeting,  the proxies served in the enclosed form
of proxy will be eligible to vote in accordance with the Proxy holder's judgment
on such matters.

              ANNUAL REPORTS AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  Copies  of the  Company's  Annual  Report  as filed  with the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission on Form 10-KSB,  including consolidated financial statements
for the year ended  December 31,  1997,  are  enclosed  together  with the Proxy
Statement.  Additional  copies may be obtained,  upon payment of the  reasonable
expenses  involved,  by writing to the  Company at its  address set forth in the
Proxy Statement.



                                              By Order of the Board of Directors





April __, 1998                                 /s/ Randall J.  Wood
                                               ---------------------
                                               Randall J.  Wood, Secretary




              YOUR COOPERATION IN GIVING THIS MATTER YOUR IMMEDIATE
               ATTENTION AND RETURNING YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY WILL BE
                                   APPRECIATED


                                       10

<PAGE>




© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission