<PAGE> 1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
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 sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
ILLINOIS SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
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> 2
[ISC LOGO]
March 27, 1998
To the Stockholders of
ILLINOIS SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION:
You are cordially invited to attend a Special Meeting of Stockholders of
Illinois Superconductor Corporation to be held at , on
Tuesday, April 28, 1998 at 10:00 a.m., local time.
The attached Notice of Special Meeting and Proxy Statement fully describe
the formal business to be transacted at the Special Meeting. The purpose of the
Special Meeting is to approve an amendment to the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended, to increase the Company's authorized capital stock
and the number of authorized shares of the Company's Common Stock. The Company's
Board of Directors and management believe this amendment is in the best
long-term interest of the Company's stockholders because it will enhance the
Company's financial flexibility and help advance the Company's position as a
leader in the commercialization of high temperature superconducting technology
for the wireless telephony industry. Accordingly, we recommend you vote FOR this
amendment.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, it is important that
your shares be represented. Regardless of the number of shares you own, please
date, sign and mail the enclosed white proxy card promptly.
We look forward to seeing you on April 28, 1998, and appreciate your
continued support of Illinois Superconductor Corporation.
Sincerely,
EDWARD W. LAVES
President and Chief Executive
Officer
<PAGE> 3
[ISC LOGO]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD APRIL 28, 1998
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the Stockholders of
Illinois Superconductor Corporation:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Meeting of the Stockholders (the
"Special Meeting") of Illinois Superconductor Corporation (the "Company") will
be held at , on Tuesday, April 28, 1998 at 10:00 a.m., local
time. A proxy and a Proxy Statement for the Special Meeting are enclosed.
The Special Meeting is for the following purposes:
(1)To approve an amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation,
as amended, to increase the Company's authorized capital stock and the
number of authorized shares of the Company's Common Stock.
(2)To transact such other business as may properly come before the Special
Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
The close of business on March 23, 1998 has been fixed as the record date
for determining stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special
Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
Information concerning the matters to be acted upon at the Special Meeting
is set forth in the accompanying Proxy Statement.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
STEPHEN G. WASKO
Secretary
Mount Prospect, Illinois
March 27, 1998
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED WHITE PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT
PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU INTEND TO ATTEND THE
SPECIAL MEETING IN PERSON.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
<PAGE> 4
ILLINOIS SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION
451 KINGSTON COURT
MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056
(847) 391-9400
---------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
---------------------
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
APRIL 28, 1998
The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors (the "Board
of Directors") of Illinois Superconductor Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), for use at the Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held on
April 28, 1998, or at any adjournments thereof (the "Special Meeting").
Submitting a proxy will not in any way affect a stockholder's right to attend
the Special Meeting and to vote in person. The approximate date on which this
Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy will be mailed or otherwise delivered
to stockholders is March 27, 1998.
A proxy in the accompanying form which is properly signed, dated, returned
and not revoked will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained
therein. Unless contrary instructions are given, proxies will be voted for
approval of the item on the proxy. Discretionary authority is provided in the
proxy as to any matters not specifically referred to therein. Management is not
currently aware of any other matters which are likely to be brought before the
Special Meeting. However, if any such matters properly come before the Special
Meeting, it is understood that the proxy holder or holders are fully authorized
to vote thereon in accordance with his or their judgment and discretion.
A proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised by providing
written notice of such revocation to Illinois Superconductor Corporation, 451
Kingston Court, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056, Attn: Secretary. A proxy also
may be revoked by the attendance and voting by a stockholder at the Special
Meeting or by the execution and delivery to the Company of a proxy dated
subsequent to a prior proxy.
RECORD DATE AND OUTSTANDING SHARES
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 23, 1998 as
the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination of stockholders
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting. As of the Record
Date, there were outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock, par
value $.001 per share ("Common Stock"). The outstanding shares of Common Stock
constitute the only outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to be
voted at the Special Meeting. Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one
vote for each share held by such person with respect to each matter to be voted
on at the Special Meeting.
REQUIRED VOTE
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock entitled to vote thereon ( shares as of the Record Date) is required
to approve the amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended (the "Certificate of Incorporation").
QUORUM; ABSTENTIONS AND BROKER NON-VOTES
The presence at the Special Meeting in person or by proxy of the holders of
a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock is necessary to constitute
a quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be included in determining the
presence of a quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect
as votes against the proposal to approve the amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation.
<PAGE> 5
PROXIES
Edward W. Laves and Stephen G. Wasko, the persons named as proxies on the
proxy accompanying this Proxy Statement, have been selected by the Board of
Directors to serve in such capacity. Dr. Laves and Mr. Wasko are officers of the
Company and Dr. Laves is also a director of the Company. Each executed and
returned white proxy card will be voted in accordance with the directions
indicated thereon, or if no direction is indicated, such proxy will be voted in
accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors contained in this
Proxy Statement.
AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE COMPANY'S AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK
AND THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
(PROPOSAL 1)
In March 1998, the Board of Directors proposed and recommended for adoption
by the Company's stockholders an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation
to increase the total authorized capital stock of the Company from 19,966,000
shares to 34,966,000 shares and to increase the number of authorized shares of
Common Stock from 15,000,000 shares to 30,000,000 shares. No changes will be
made to the number of authorized shares of the Company's Preferred Stock. The
Company's stockholders are asked to approve this amendment.
The proposed amendment provides that the first sentence of Article 4 of the
Certificate of Incorporation be amended to read in its entirety as follows:
"The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the
Corporation shall have authority to issue is Thirty-Four Million Nine
Hundred Sixty-Six Thousand (34,966,000), of which Thirty Million
(30,000,000) shares are of a class designated "Common Stock" (referred
to in this certificate as "Common"), and Four Million Nine Hundred
Sixty-Six Thousand (4,966,000) shares are of a class designated
"Preferred Stock" (referred to in this certificate as "Preferred")."
REASONS FOR THE PROPOSAL -- As of March 12, 1998, there were 8,063,502
shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. In addition, as of such date
there were (i) 1,242,965 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon the
exercise of outstanding options , (ii) 417,182 shares of Common Stock reserved
for issuance upon the exercise of options which may be granted in the future
under the Company's Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan, as amended,
(iii) 628,687 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to certain
outstanding warrants and (iv) 4,453,107 shares of Common Stock reserved for
issuance pursuant to outstanding shares of the Company's Series C Convertible
Preferred Stock ("Series C Stock") and Series G Convertible Preferred Stock
("Series G Stock") based on the conversion price as of such date. Consequently,
194,557 shares of Common Stock were available for future issuance by the Company
as of March 12, 1998.
The Board of Directors believes that it is desirable and essential for the
Company to have available additional authorized but unissued shares of Common
Stock to provide the Company with shares of Common Stock to be used for general
corporate purposes, including future equity and/or debt financings. The Company
is currently contemplating several proposals from third parties relating to a
near-term equity financing. Though there can be no assurance as to the structure
of such financing, the Company currently expects to issue shares of Common
Stock, or securities which are convertible into shares of Common Stock at a
fixed conversion price. Approval of the proposed amendment will provide the
Company with the flexibility to consummate potential financings involving the
issuance of additional shares of Common Stock, or securities convertible into
shares of Common Stock at a fixed conversion price, in a timely manner and to
take advantage of other favorable financial opportunities. If the Company's
stockholders fail to approve the proposed amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation, the Company will be limited in its ability to act promptly with
respect to potential financing opportunities which are presented to it. If the
Company cannot obtain adequate funds when needed, the Company may be required to
delay, scale-back or eliminate the manufacturing, marketing or sales of one or
more of its products or some or all of its research and development programs.
2
<PAGE> 6
Inadequate funding also could impair the Company's ability to compete in the
marketplace. In particular, if the Company is unable to secure adequate
financing by early May 1998, it will have to begin substantially reducing its
operating plans in order to continue its operations.
EFFECT OF INCREASE -- The additional shares of Common Stock may be issued,
subject to certain exceptions, by the Board of Directors at such times, in such
amounts and upon such terms as the Board of Directors may determine without
further approval of the stockholders. The Company's current stockholders could
suffer a dilution of voting rights and tangible book value per share of the
Common Stock as the result of any such issuance of Common Stock depending on the
number of shares issued and the terms and conditions of the issuance. The
additional shares of Common Stock could have an "anti-takeover" effect in that
they could discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a
merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. Such shares could be issued
for the purpose of making more difficult, time-consuming or costly an
acquisition of a controlling interest in the Company deemed undesirable by the
Board of Directors, even if such acquisition is desired by certain stockholders
of the Company. The Company does not, however, currently intend to issue shares
for such purpose.
The Company has granted a right of first refusal to Brown Simpson, LLC, and
a right of second refusal to Elliott Associates, L.P. ("Elliott") and Westgate
International, L.P. ("Westgate"), to participate in any future private placement
of equity, including shares of Common Stock, or securities convertible into
shares of Common Stock, on the terms and conditions offered by the Company. Such
rights expire on April 29, 1998. Otherwise, the Company's stockholders have no
preemptive rights to subscribe for additional shares of Common Stock when
issued.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS IN THE BEST
LONG-TERM INTEREST OF STOCKHOLDERS AND THEREFORE RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS
VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE
COMPANY'S AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK AND THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of March 12, 1998, certain information
with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock by (i) each person
known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock, (ii) each Company director, (iii) the chief executive officer
and each of the four other most highly compensated (based on combined salary and
bonus) executive officers of the Company whose total salary and bonus exceeded
$100,000 during 1997 and (iv) all Company executive officers and directors as a
group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBERS OF PERCENT OF
SHARES SHARES
BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY
NAME AND ADDRESS OWNED(1) OWNED
---------------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Aaron Fischer(2)............................................ 481,373 5.9%
Ora E. Smith(3)............................................. 152,098 1.9
Edward W. Laves, Ph.D.(4)................................... 56,000 *
Stephen G. Wasko(5)......................................... 41,625 *
Peter S. Fuss(6)............................................ 20,167 *
Benjamin Golant(5).......................................... 15,416 *
Steven Lazarus(7)........................................... 13,334 *
Dennis Craig(5)............................................. 9,375 *
Tom L. Powers(8)............................................ 5,734 *
Robert Mitchum.............................................. -- *
Terry Parker................................................ -- *
All executive officers and directors as a group (12
persons)(9)............................................... 325,139 3.9
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Denotes beneficial ownership less than one percent.
(1) Unless otherwise indicated below, the persons in the above table have sole
voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock
shown as beneficially owned by them.
3
<PAGE> 7
(2) Includes 117,149 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants
presently exercisable. Includes 142,323 shares of Common Stock held by
Drobny/Fischer General Partnership ("DFGP"). Mr. Fischer is a general
partner of DFGP and in such capacity he shares voting and investment power
with respect to shares of Common Stock held by DFGP and therefore may be
deemed the beneficial owner of the shares of Common Stock beneficially
owned by DFGP. Includes 43,838 shares of Common Stock held by Paradigm
Venture Investors, L.L.C. ("Paradigm"). Mr. Fischer is a managing director
of Paradigm and in such capacity he shares voting and investment power with
respect to shares of Common Stock held by Paradigm and therefore may be
deemed the beneficial owner of the shares of Common Stock beneficially
owned by Paradigm. The information regarding Mr. Fischer's beneficial
ownership of Common Stock is based upon the information reported in
Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D dated June 30, 1997 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") by Sheldon Drobny, as
well as information previously provided by Mr. Fischer to the Company. The
address of the stockholder is 95 Revere Drive, Suite A, Northbrook,
Illinois 60062.
(3) Includes 83,125 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
exercisable currently or within 60 days of March 12, 1998.
(4) Includes 55,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
exercisable currently or within 60 days of March 12, 1998. Excludes 291,864
shares of Common Stock held by the State of Illinois and 69,080 shares of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants presently exercisable and
held by the State of Illinois. Mr. Laves, as the chief executive officer of
the Company, has an irrevocable proxy to vote these shares. Therefore, Mr.
Laves may be deemed the beneficial owner of the shares of Common Stock
directly owned by the State of Illinois. Mr. Laves disclaims this
beneficial ownership.
(5) Represents shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
exercisable currently or within 60 days of March 12, 1998.
(6) Includes 7,667 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
exercisable currently or within 60 days of March 12, 1998.
(7) Includes 4,334 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
exercisable currently or within 60 days of March 12, 1998.
(8) Includes 3,334 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
exercisable currently or within 60 days of March 12, 1998.
(9) Includes 197,196 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
exercisable currently or within 60 days of March 12, 1998.
As of March 12, 1998, Southbrook International Investments, Ltd.
("Southbrook") held 190 shares of Series C Stock with a stated value of $5,000
per share, which may be converted into shares of Common Stock from time to time
at a conversion price (the "Conversion Price") equal to the lesser of (i) the
average closing bid price for the five consecutive trading days immediately
preceding the date of issuance of the Series C Stock and (ii) 101% of the
average of the lowest closing bid prices for five consecutive trading days
during the 60 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date of
conversion of the Series C Stock. As of March 12, 1998, the 190 shares of Series
C Stock could have been converted (including dividends accrued thereon at 5% per
annum) into 880,533 shares of Common Stock based on the conversion price as of
such date. Southbrook also beneficially owns 62,500 shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of a presently exercisable warrant. Southbrook has
previously converted (i) all of its 600 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred
Stock (including dividends accrued thereon) into an aggregate of 1,100,462
shares of Common Stock and (ii), along with Brown Simpson Strategic Growth Fund,
L.P., which held 10 shares of Series C Stock, 410 shares of Series C Stock
(including dividends accrued thereon) into an aggregate of 1,783,048 shares of
Common Stock.
As of March 12, 1998, Elliott and Westgate each held 350 shares of Series G
Stock with a stated value of $5,000 per share, which may be converted into
shares of Common Stock from time to time at the Conversion Price equal to the
lesser of (i) the average closing bid price for the five consecutive trading
days immediately preceding the date of issuance of the Series G Stock and (ii)
101% of the average of the lowest closing bid prices for five consecutive
trading days during the 60 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the
date
4
<PAGE> 8
of conversion of the Series G Stock. As of March 12, 1998, 350 shares of Series
G Stock could have been converted (including dividends accrued thereon at 5% per
annum) into 1,786,287 shares of Common Stock based on the conversion price as of
such date. Elliott and Westgate each also beneficially owns 17,391 shares of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of a presently exercisable warrant. No
shares of Series G Stock have been converted as of March 12, 1998.
Southbrook, Elliott and Westgate are not shown in the above table, however,
because the conversion and exercise rights of Southbrook, Elliott and Westgate
are each limited to the extent that the maximum number of aggregate shares of
Common Stock held by Southbrook, Elliott or Westgate, as the case may be, and
their affiliates after such conversion of their Series C Stock or Series G
Stock, as the case may be, and/or exercise of their warrants would exceed 4.999%
of the then issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock following such
conversion and/or exercise.
OTHER MATTERS
SOLICITATION
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. The Company
will solicit stockholders by mail through its regular employees and will request
banks and brokers, and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries, to solicit
their customers who have Common Stock registered in the names of such persons
and will reimburse them for their reasonable, out-of-pocket expenses. The
Company may also use the services of its officers, directors and others to
solicit proxies, personally or by telephone, without additional compensation. In
addition, the Company has engaged the services of Kissel Blake Inc. ("Kissel
Blake"), a proxy solicitation firm. The Company will pay a fee for such
services, which it reasonably expects to be no more than $10,000, and will
reimburse Kissel Blake for reasonable, out-of-pocket expenses.
STOCKHOLDER LIST
A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting, arranged in
alphabetical order, showing the address of and number of shares registered in
the name of each stockholder, will be open to the examination of any
stockholder, for any purpose germane to the Special Meeting, during ordinary
business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the Special Meeting
and continuing through the date of the Special Meeting, at the offices of the
Company, 451 Kingston Court, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056.
PROPOSAL OF STOCKHOLDERS
Proposals of stockholders intended to be considered at the Company's 1998
Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held on June 11, 1998 must have
been received by the Secretary of the Company not less than 120 days nor more
than 150 days prior to May 8, 1998. No such proposals were received by the
Secretary of the Company.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
No documents are incorporated herein by reference.
Please date, sign and return the enclosed white proxy card as soon as
possible in the enclosed envelope. No postage is required for mailing in the
United States. A prompt return of your white proxy card will be appreciated.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
STEPHEN G. WASKO,
Secretary
5
<PAGE> 9
PROXY PROXY
ILLINOIS SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF ILLINOIS SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION
TO BE HELD APRIL 28, 1998
The undersigned hereby appoints Edward W. Laves and Stephen G. Wasko and each or
either of them with power of substitution, attorneys and proxies for, and in the
name and place of, the undersigned, to vote the number of shares that the
undersigned would be entitled to vote, if then personally present at the Special
Meeting of Stockholders of Illinois Superconductor Corporation to be held
at , on Tuesday, April 28, 1998 at 10:00 a.m., local time or at any
adjournment thereof, upon the matters as set forth in the Notice of Special
Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged:
IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS
AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE SPECIAL MEETING. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY
EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED
STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE
APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL ONE.
...............................................................................
* FOLD AND DETACH HERE *
<PAGE> 10
ILLINOIS SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION
PLEASE MARK VOTE IN OVAL IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER USING DARK INK ONLY.
THE FOLLOWING MATTER IS PROPOSED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ILLINOIS SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION'S CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED, TO INCREASE THE COMPANY'S AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK
AND THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
Date: , 1998
------------------------
------------------------------
Signature(s)
------------------------------
Signature(s)
Note: Please date your proxy,
sign it exactly as the
name or names appear
above. All joint owners
of shares should sign
the proxy. State your
full title when signing
as executor,
administrator, trustee,
guardian, etc. Please
return your proxy in the
enclosed envelope.
................................................................................
................................................................................
* FOLD AND DETACH HERE *
PLEASE VOTE, SIGN EXACTLY AS NAME APPEARS ABOVE, DATE, AND RETURN
THIS WHITE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED POSTPAID ENVELOPE.
