<PAGE>
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
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 Section240.14a-11(c) or
Section240.14a-12
MICROFIELD GRAPHICS, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ No fee required
/ / Fee computed per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
/ / 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.
<PAGE>
MICROFIELD GRAPHICS, INC.
----------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 19, 1999
------------------------
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Microfield Graphics, Inc., an Oregon
corporation (the "Company"), will be held on Wednesday, May 19, 1999 at 10:00
a.m., Pacific time, at the Company's offices, 7216 SW Durham Road, Portland, OR
97224, for the following purposes:
1. To elect four directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified
(Proposal No. 1);
2. To approve an amendment to the Company's 1995 Stock Incentive Plan to
increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be
issued thereunder to a total of 850,000 shares, an increase of 300,000
shares (Proposal No. 2)
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournment thereof.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 22, 1999 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.
YOU ARE RESPECTFULLY REQUESTED TO DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND
RETURN IT IN THE POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE ENCLOSED FOR THAT PURPOSE. You may
attend the meeting in person even though you send in your proxy; retention of
the proxy is not necessary for admission to or identification at the meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors:
[LOGO]
Randall R. Reed
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND SECRETARY
Portland, Oregon
April 19, 1999
<PAGE>
MICROFIELD GRAPHICS, INC.
----------------
PROXY STATEMENT FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 19, 1999
------------------------
SOLICITATION AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXY
The enclosed Proxy is solicited on behalf of Microfield Graphics, Inc., an
Oregon corporation (the "Company"), for use at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") to be held on Wednesday, May 19, 1999 at
10:00 a.m., Pacific time, or at any adjournment thereof, for the purposes set
forth herein and in the accompanying notice of Annual Meeting. All expenses
associated with this solicitation will be borne by the Company. The solicitation
of proxies by mail may be followed by personal solicitation of certain
shareholders by officers or regular employees of the Company. Copies of
solicitation materials will be furnished to fiduciaries, custodians and
brokerage houses for forwarding to beneficial owners of the shares of the
Company's Common Stock held in their names.
The two persons named as proxies on the enclosed proxy card, John B. Conroy
and William P. Cargile, were designated by the Board of Directors. All properly
executed proxies will be voted (except to the extent that authority to vote has
been withheld), and where a choice has been specified by the shareholder as
provided in the proxy card, it will be voted in accordance with the
specification so made. Proxies submitted without specification will be voted FOR
Proposal No. 1 to elect the nominees for director proposed by the Board of
Directors, and FOR Proposal No. 2 to approve an amendment to the Company's 1995
Stock Incentive Plan to increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
that may be issued thereunder to a total of 850,000 shares, an increase of
300,000 shares.
A proxy may be revoked by a shareholder prior to its exercise by written
notice to the Secretary of the Company, by submission of another proxy bearing a
later date or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting. Such notice or later
proxy will not affect a vote on any matter taken prior to the receipt thereof by
the Company.
The mailing address of the principal executive offices of the Company is
7216 SW Durham Road, Portland, Oregon 97224. This Proxy Statement, the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting, the Proxy Card and a copy of the
Company's Annual Report are first being mailed on or about April 19, 1999 to
shareholders of record on March 22, 1999 of the Company's Common Stock.
VOTING AT THE MEETING
Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 22, 1999 (the
"record date") are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.
The Company has one class of voting securities outstanding, designated Common
Stock. At the record date, 3,687,740 shares of the Company's Common Stock were
outstanding and entitled to vote. The Common Stock does not have cumulative
voting rights.
Each share of Common Stock outstanding on the record date is entitled to one
vote per share at the Annual Meeting. If a quorum is present at the Annual
Meeting: (i) the four nominees for election as directors who receive the
greatest number of votes cast will be elected directors; and (ii) Proposal No. 2
to amend the Company's 1995 Stock Incentive Plan to increase the aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued thereunder to a total of
850,000 shares will be approved if it receives the affirmative vote of the
majority of the votes cast by holders of shares of Common Stock present in
person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting.
With respect to the election of directors, directors are elected by a
plurality of the votes cast and only votes cast in favor of a nominee will have
an effect on the outcome. Therefore, abstention from voting or
<PAGE>
nonvoting by brokers will have no effect thereon. With respect to voting on
Proposal No. 2, abstention from voting will have the same effect as voting
against the proposal. Broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining
whether a quorum exists at the Annual Meeting but are not counted and have no
effect on the results of the vote on Proposal No. 2.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of Common Stock of the Company as of February 28, 1999 as to (i) each
person who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) each director or nominee for director
of the Company, (iii) each of the executive officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table below and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a
group. Except as otherwise noted, the Company believes the persons listed below
have sole investment and voting power with respect to the Common Stock owned by
them. As of February 28, 1999 John B. Conroy, William P. Cargile, Donald H.
Zurstadt, Randall R. Reed, Michael W. Stansell, and Peter F. Zinsli
(collectively, the "Executives"), Steelcase Inc. and the Company were parties to
a Share Ownership, Voting and Right of First Refusal Agreement dated March 19,
1998 (the "Voting Agreement"). On the date of the Voting Agreement, the
Executives were directors and executives of the Company. Pursuant to the Voting
Agreement, Steelcase and the Executives are obligated to vote their shares of
Common Stock to elect certain individuals to the Board of Directors of the
Company, including one individual designated by Steelcase (currently James P.
Keane), Mr. Conroy and three independent directors as directed by majority of
the Board of Directors (currently only Messrs. Shaw and Cargile have been
designated). With regard to matters other than the election of directors,
Steelcase has agreed to vote all of its shares of Common Stock that it may own
in excess of 610,000 shares in direct proportion of the votes of all outstanding
shares of Common Stock. Each party to the Voting Agreement is deemed the
beneficial owner of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each other
party to the Voting Agreement.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON STOCK
----------------------------
FIVE PERCENT SHAREHOLDERS, SHARES APPROXIMATE
DIRECTORS, DIRECTOR NOMINEES BENEFICIALLY PERCENTAGE
AND CERTAIN EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OWNED(1) OWNED
- ------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Steelcase Inc.(6) ................................................. 1,270,763 31.3%
P. O. Box 1967
Grand Rapids, MI 49501-1967
John. B. Conroy(2)(3).............................................. 1,270,763 31.3%
William P. Cargile(2)(4)........................................... 1,270,763 31.3%
Herbert S. Shaw(2)(5).............................................. 10,000 *
James P. Keane(2)(6)............................................... 1,270,763 31.3%
Donald H. Zurstadt(2)(7)........................................... 1,270,763 31.3%
All directors and executive officers as a group
(8 persons)(8)................................................... 1,270,763 31.3%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* Less than 1%
(1) Shares to which the person or group has the right to acquire within 60 days
after February 28, 1999 are deemed to be outstanding in calculating the
percentage ownership of the person or group but are not deemed to be
outstanding as to any other person or group.
(2) The address of Messrs. Conroy, Cargile, Shaw, and Zurstadt is c/o Microfield
Graphics, Inc., 7216 SW Durham Road, Portland, Oregon 97224. The address for
Mr. Keane is c/o Steelcase Inc., P.O. Box 1967, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-1967.
2
<PAGE>
(3) Includes 136,033 shares held by Mr. Conroy and 23,125 shares subject to
options exerciseable within 60 days after February 28, 1999.
(4) Includes 190,000 shares held by Mr. Cargile and 13,000 shares subject to
options exerciseable within 60 days after February 28, 1999.
(5) Includes 10,000 shares subject to options exerciseable within 60 days after
February 28, 1999.
(6) Includes 507,000 shares held by Steelcase Inc. and 260,000 shares subject to
warrants exerciseable by Steelcase within 60 days after February 28, 1999.
(7) Includes 17,643 shares held by Mr. Zurstadt and 16,703 shares subject to
options exerciseable within 60 days after February 28, 1999.
(8) Includes 118,804 shares subject to options and 260,000 shares subject to
warrants exerciseable within 60 days after February 28, 1999.
3
<PAGE>
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(PROPOSAL NO. 1)
In accordance with the Company's Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall
consist of no fewer than three and no more than eleven directors, the specific
number to be determined by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. The
Board of Directors has set the number of directors at four.
Each director will serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and
until his successor is duly elected and qualified.
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR
The names and certain information concerning the nominees for director are
set forth below. Shares represented by the proxies will be voted for the
election to the Board of Directors of the persons named below unless authority
to vote for a particular director or directors has been withheld in the proxy.
In the event of the death or unavailability of any nominee or nominees, the
proxy holders will have discretionary authority under the proxy to vote for a
substitute nominee. Proxies may not be voted for more than four nominees. The
Board of Directors has nominated the persons named in the following table to be
elected as directors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME OF NOMINEE AGE POSITION WITH THE COMPANY
- ------------------------------------ --- -------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
John B. Conroy...................... 60 Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer
William P. Cargile.................. 57 Director
Herbert S. Shaw..................... 63 Director
James P. Keane...................... 39 Director
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
There is no family relationship among any of the directors or executive
officers of the Company.
JOHN B. CONROY joined the Company in May 1986 and was appointed President
and elected a Director that same month. Mr. Conroy was designated Chief
Executive Officer by the Board of Directors in January 1987, and appointed
Chairman of the Board of Directors in June 1996. Mr. Conroy previously held
executive management positions with a number of computer industry companies, has
served as a Director of several, and holds a BSEE from New York University.
WILLIAM P. CARGILE was elected to the Board of Directors in February 1989.
Mr. Cargile was a General Partner of Crosspoint Venture Partners from April 1983
until December 1995, at which time he became a Venture Partner of Crosspoint
Venture Partners.
HERBERT S. SHAW was appointed to the Board of Directors in June 1997. Mr.
Shaw has been the Managing Partner of NorCrest Ltd. and Chairman of NorCrest
Capital Management LLC, an investment banking company, since January 1996. From
February 1992 to December 1995 Mr. Shaw was the President and CEO of The
Laughlin Group, a financial services and investment group of companies.
JAMES P. KEANE was appointed to the Board of Directors in March 1998. Mr.
Keane has been the Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Development for
Steelcase Inc., a furniture manufacturing company, since January 1997. From 1992
to January 1997, Mr. Keane was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Cloud Corporation, a packaging company. From 1987 to 1992, Mr. Keane was a
senior engagement officer at the consulting firm of McKinsey & Company, Inc.
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors met three times during 1998. Each director attended
all of the meetings of the Board of Directors and all committees of which he was
a member. The standing committees of the Board
4
<PAGE>
of Directors are the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the
Executive Stock Committee. The Company does not have a nominating committee.
The Audit Committee makes recommendations concerning the engagement of the
independent public accountants, reviews with the independent public accountants
the plans and results of the audit engagement, approves professional services
provided by the independent public accountants, reviews the independence of the
independent public accountants, considers the range of audit and non-audit fees
and reviews the adequacy of the Company's internal accounting controls. The
Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Conroy, Cargile and Shaw. The Compensation
Committee determines compensation for the Company's executive officers. The
Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Conroy and Cargile. Both the Audit
Committee and the Compensation Committee met once during 1998.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
The 1995 Stock Incentive Plan provides for the automatic grant of an option
to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock to each person who becomes a
non-employee director of the Company after April 24, 1996, provided that the
person has not previously served as a director of the Company. A "non-employee
director" is a director who is not an employee of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries. The plan also provides for the grant of an automatic option to
purchase an additional 3,000 shares of Common Stock to each incumbent
non-employee director who continues in office as a non-employee director
following an annual meeting of shareholders, starting with the 1997 Annual
Meeting. Mr. Cargile was granted an option for 3,000 shares in 1997, and Mr.
Shaw was granted an option for 10,000 shares in 1997. Mr. Keane is a director in
his capacity as a representative of Steelcase Inc. and as such has not been
granted an option.
Directors do not receive any fees for serving on the Company's Board of
Directors or any committee thereof, but are reimbursed for reasonable expenses
incurred in attending meetings.
5
<PAGE>
AMENDMENT TO THE 1995 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(PROPOSAL NO. 2)
The Company maintains the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1995 Plan") for
the benefit of its employees and others who provide services to the Company. The
Board of Directors believes the grant of stock options to these individuals
aligns their interests with shareholder interests and provides them with
incentives to exert their best efforts on behalf of the Company. On February 2,
1999 the Company's Board of Directors approved an amendment to the 1995 Plan to
increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued
thereunder to a total of 850,000 shares, an increase of 300,000 shares. See
Summary of 1995 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended, contained in the Appendix to
this Proxy Statement.
In the absence of contrary specifications, the shares represented by proxies
will be voted FOR the following resolution approving the amendment to the 1995
Plan:
RESOLVED that the shareholders of Microfield Graphics, Inc. hereby approve
the amendment of first sentence of Paragraph 2 of the 1995 Plan to read as
follows:
"Subject to adjustment as provided below and in paragraph 13, the shares to
be offered under the Plan shall consist of Common Stock of the Company, and
the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan
shall not exceed 850,000 shares."
The affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast by holders of shares
of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting
and entitled to vote thereon is required to adopt the foregoing resolution.
Shareholder approval of this Proposal No. 2 will also constitute a re-approval
of the performance goals contained in the per-employee limits on grants of
options and stock appreciation rights under the 1995 Plan of 200,000 shares for
new hires and 100,000 shares annually otherwise. This re-approval is required
every five years for continued compliance with regulations under Section 162(m)
of the Internal Revenue code of 1986.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE
AMENDMENT TO THE 1995 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN.
6
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The names, ages and positions of the Company's executive officers are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE CURRENT POSITION(S) WITH COMPANY
- ------------------------------------ --- -------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
John B. Conroy...................... 60 Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer
Randall R. Reed..................... 42 Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
Michael W. Stansell................. 56 Vice President, Operations
Ross K. Summers..................... 46 Vice President, Sales
Donald H. Zurstadt.................. 57 Vice President, Engineering
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
For information on the business background of Mr. Conroy, see "Nominees for
Director" above.
RANDALL R. REED joined the Company in August 1985 as Controller and became
the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Secretary in April 1990. Mr. Reed was
a Tax Supervisor, among other positions, at Coopers and Lybrand from August 1981
to February 1985. Mr. Reed is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a BS in
business administration from Southern Oregon State College.
MICHAEL W. STANSELL joined the Company in November 1985 as Director of
Manufacturing and was appointed Vice President, Operations, in January 1987. Mr.
Stansell was a division manufacturing manager, among other positions, at
Tektronix Corporation from August 1965 through October 1985.
ROSS K. SUMMERS joined the Company in June 1998 as Vice President Sales &
Marketing. Mr. Summers was Vice President, Operations and Corporate Development
for Atlas Telecom, Inc. from April 1996 through May 1998. From 1985 to 1996 Mr.
Summers also held several executive marketing positions with Sequent Computer
Systems, the last of which was Vice President Corporate Marketing. Mr. Summers
holds a BS degree in Mathematical Sciences from Oregon State University.
DONALD H. ZURSTADT joined the Company in September 1989 as Manager of
Engineering and was appointed Vice President, Engineering, in April 1990. Mr.
Zurstadt has held management and engineering positions with several computer
industry companies over the past 30 years including Tektronix, Inc., McDonnell
Douglas Automation Corporation and Digital Equipment Corporation. Mr. Zurstadt
holds a BA in physics from the University of Colorado.
7
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER MATTERS
SUMMARY OF CASH AND CERTAIN OTHER COMPENSATION
The following table provides certain summary information concerning
compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to the Company's Chief Executive
Officer and other executive officers of the Company whose total annual salary
and bonus exceeded $100,000 (collectively, the "named officers") for fiscal
years 1998, 1997 and 1996.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
AWARDS
-------------
ANNUAL COMPENSATION SECURITIES
----------------------------------- UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
FISCAL OPTIONS COMPENSATION
YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) (#) ($)(1)
----------- --------- ----------- ------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John B. Conroy....................................... 1998 219,154 -- 75,000 --
Chairman of the Board of Directors, 1997 206,451 -- 60,000 --
President, and Chief Executive Officer 1996 205,539 -- -- --
Donald H. Zurstadt................................... 1998 114,615 -- 17,000 --
Vice President, Engineering 1997 106,546 -- 25,000 --
1996 106,628 -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) The aggregate amount of perquisites and other personal benefits was less
than either $50,000 or 10% of the total of the annual salary and bonus
reported for each of the named officers.
OPTIONS GRANTED IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table contains information concerning the grant of stock
options under the Company's 1995 Stock Incentive Plan during fiscal 1998 to the
named officers. All current executive officers as a group received options
exerciseable for 168,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock during fiscal
1998. All employees who are not currently executive officers of the Company
received options exerciseable for a total of 43,500 shares of the Company's
Common Stock during fiscal 1998.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
-----------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF % OF TOTAL
SECURITIES OPTIONS
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN PRICE EXPIRATION
NAME GRANTED(1) FISCAL YEAR ($/SHARE) DATE
- ----------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
June 16,
John B. Conroy................................. 75,000 14.8% 4.0625 2003
June 16,
Donald H. Zurstadt............................. 17,000 3.7% 4.0625 2003
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Options granted in June 1998 to the named officers are exerciseable from
time to time in the amount of 1/48 of the shares per month, each month
through June 16, 2002. Under the Company's 1995 Stock Incentive Plan, the
Board of Directors retains discretion, subject to plan limits, to modify the
terms of outstanding options. Options are granted for a term of five years,
subject to earlier termination as a result of termination of employment,
death or disability. The stock options granted to the named officers were
granted at the current market price on the date of grant.
8
<PAGE>
OPTION EXERCISE AND HOLDINGS
The following table provides information concerning the exercise of options
during fiscal 1998 and unexercised options held as of the end of the fiscal year
with respect to the named officers.
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 OPTIONS
SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE AT FY-END(#) AT FY-END($)(2)
ON EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISEABLE/ EXERCISEABLE/ GRANT EXPIRATION
NAME (#) ($)(1) UNEXERCISEABLE UNEXERCISEABLE DATE DATE
- ------------------------------ --------------- -------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ----- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John B. Conroy................ 45,000 11,250 2,500 12,500 1,094 5,469 2/97 2/02
-- -- 9,375 65,675 -- -- 6/98 6/03
Donald H. Zurstadt............ 1,214 835 10,661 3,125 4,664 1,367 2/97 2/02
2,300 2,731 417 5,833 391 5,468 4/97 4/02
-- -- 2,125 14,875 -- -- 6/98 6/03
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Market value of the underlying securities at exercise date, minus exercise
price of the options.
(2) Market value of the underlying securities at January 2, 1999, $2.1875 per
share, minus exercise price of the unexercised options.
RELATED TRANSACTIONS
On March 19, 1998 the Company signed a common stock purchase agreement with
Steelcase under which Steelcase purchased 350,000 shares of the Company's common
stock and a warrant for $2,012,500 in cash. The warrant gives Steelcase the
right to purchase an additional 260,000 shares of the Company's common stock at
$6.75 per share. The warrant is exerciseable starting on March 19, 1999 and
expires on March 19, 2001. As a part of the transaction Steelcase was granted a
seat on the Board of Directors. James P. Keane was appointed as their
representative on the board in March 1998. In addition, the Company, Steelcase
and certain directors and executives of the Company entered a Share Ownership,
Voting and Right of First Refusal Agreement ("Voting Agreement") pursuant to
which the parties agreed to vote their shares of common stock to elect certain
individuals to the Board of Directors. See "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management." On March 26, 1999 the Company sold Steelcase
on additional 444,445 shares of the Company's common stock for $1,000,001. The
Company also granted Steelcase registration rights for its shares of the
Company's common stock in connection with these two stock sales. Steelcase has
the right, at any time after March 19, 2000, to require the Company to effect
the registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of the common stock owned by
Steelcase, subject to certain limitations.
On October 22, 1998, pursuant to an executive loan program authorized by the
Board of Directors, John B. Conroy borrowed money from the Company in order to
exercise options for 45,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock. The
transaction resulted in a note due the Company from Mr. Conroy in the amount of
$78,750, with interest at 6% per year, due on October 22, 2003.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")
requires the Company's executive officers and directors, and persons who own
more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities
to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and
9
<PAGE>
Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Executive officers, directors and greater than ten
percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with
copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on its review of the
copies of such forms received by it, or written representations from certain
reporting persons, the Company believes that, during 1998, all executive
officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders complied with all
applicable filing requirements.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Price Waterhouse LLP audited the Company's financial statements for the
fiscal year ended January 2, 1999 and has been selected to do the same for
fiscal year ended January 1, 2000. Representatives of Price Waterhouse LLP will
be present at the Annual Meeting and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions. They do not expect to make any statement but will have the
opportunity to make a statement if they wish.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2000 ANNUAL MEETING
Proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the Company's 2000
Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company at its principal
office no later than December 21, 1999 to be considered for inclusion in the
proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting.
COPIES OF FORM 10-KSB
All shareholders are entitled to a copy of the Company's Form 10-KSB filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If you would like a copy, one will
provided without charge upon request to: Investor Relations, Microfield
Graphics, Inc., 7216 SW Durham Rd., Portland, OR 97224. For additional
information on how to access the company's SEC filings over the internet, please
contact Randy Reed via e-mail at [email protected].
OTHER MATTERS
The Company knows of no other matters to be submitted at the meeting. The
enclosed proxy, however, gives discretionary authority to the proxy holders to
vote in accordance with their judgement if any other matters are presented.
For this year's annual meeting of shareholders, if notice of a shareholder
proposal to be raised at the annual meeting of shareholders was received at the
principal executive offices of the Company after the date 45 days before the
anniversary of the date on which the Company first mailed its proxy materials
for the prior year annual meeting, proxy voting on that proposal when and if
raised at the annual meeting will be subject to the discretionary voting
authority of the designated proxy holders. For the 2000 annual meeting of
shareholders, if notice of a shareholder proposal to be raised at the meeting is
received at the principal executive offices of the Company after March 5, 2000,
proxy voting on that proposal when and if raised at the annual meeting will be
subject to the discretionary authority of the designated proxy holder.
By Order of the Board of Directors:
[LOGO]
Randall R. Reed
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND SECRETARY
Dated: April 19, 1999
10
<PAGE>
APPENDIX TO PROXY STATEMENT
SUMMARY OF 1995 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED
BACKGROUND. The Company's 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1995 Plan") was
adopted by the Board of Directors in May 1995 and approved by the shareholders
of the Company in June 1995. The 1995 Plan was amended in 1997 and the
amendments were approved by the shareholders of the Company at the 1997 Annual
Meeting. The 1995 Plan provides for the award of incentive stock options to key
employees and the award of non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation
rights, bonus rights and other incentive grants to employees, independent
contractors and consultants. The total number of shares of the Company's Common
Stock that may be issued under the 1995 Plan, before giving effect to Proposal
No. 2, will not exceed 550,000.
SHARES AVAILABLE FOR GRANT. On February 2, 1999 the Company's Board of
Directors approved an amendment to the 1995 Plan to increase the aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued thereunder to a total of
850,000 shares, an increase of 300,000 shares. This amendment to the 1995 Plan
is subject to shareholder approval, as presented in Proposal No. 2 in this Proxy
Statement.
ELIGIBILITY. All employees, officers and directors of the Company and its
subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the 1995 Plan. Also eligible are
non-employee agents, consultants, advisors, persons involved in the sale or
distribution of the Company's products and independent contractors of the
Company or any subsidiary.
As of February 28, 1999 the persons eligible to participate in the 1995 Plan
included 5 officers, 2 non-officer directors and 35 employees of the Company.
During the fiscal year ended January 2, 1999, options to purchase 212,500 shares
of Common Stock were granted under the 1995 Plan at exercise prices of between
$2.375 and $6.50 per share. As of January 2, 1999, options to purchase 431,870
shares of Common Stock were outstanding at exercise prices of of between $1.06
and $4.06 per share, 54,509 shares of Common Stock had been issued upon exercise
of options, and 63,621 shares of Common Stock were available for future grants
under the 1995 Plan, (363,621 shares if Proposal No. 2 to amend the 1995 Plan is
approved by the shareholders of the Company).
ADMINISTRATION. The Plan is administered by the Board of Directors, which
may promulgate rules and regulations for the operation of the Plan and generally
supervises the administration of the 1995 Plan. The Board of Directors may
delegate to a committee of the Board of Directors or specified officers of the
Company, or both, authority to administer the Plan, except that only the Board
of Directors may amend, modify or terminate the 1995 Plan. In 1995, the Board of
Directors delegated to Mr. Conroy authority to make grants under the Plan to
anyone other than directors and executive officers of the Company. In addition,
during 1995 the Board of Directors created an Executive Stock Committee with
authority to make grants under the Plan to directors and executive officers. The
Executive Stock Committee must consist of at least two directors who qualify as
non-employee directors under Rule 16b-3 under the 1934 Act.
MINIMUM OPTION PRICE. The purchase price of the Company's Common Stock upon
exercise of incentive stock options ("ISOs") must not be less than the fair
market value of the Common Stock at the date of the grant, in the case of
incentive stock options issued to holders of more than 10% of the outstanding
Common Stock, 110% of fair market value, or at a price at the discretion of the
Board of Directors, in the case of non-qualified stock options ("NQSO's"). The
maximum market value, on the date of grant, of the stock for which incentive
stock options are exercisable for the first time by an employee during any
calendar year may not exceed $100,000. As defined in the 1995 Plan, "fair market
value" shall mean the last reported sales price of the Company's Common Stock in
the Wall Street Journal on the day preceding the date such option is granted, or
if there has been no sale on that date, on the last preceding date on which a
sale occurred.
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DURATION OF OPTIONS. Subject to earlier termination of the option as a
result of termination of employment, death or disability, each option granted
under the 1995 Plan shall expire on the date specified by the Administrative
Committee, but in no event more than (i) ten years from the date of grant in the
case of ISOs generally, (iii) five years from the date of grant in the case of
ISOs granted to a holder of more than 10% of the outstanding Common Stock, and
(iii) the period of time as determined by the Board of Directors, in the case of
NQSOs.
MEANS OF EXERCISING OPTIONS. An option is exercised by giving written
notice to the Company, which notice must be accompanied by full payment of the
purchase price therefor, either (i) in cash or by certified check, (ii) at the
discretion of the Board of Directors, through delivery of shares of Common Stock
having a fair market value equal to the cash exercise price of the option, (iii)
at the discretion of the Board of Directors, by delivery of the optionee's
personal recourse promissory note in the amount of the cash exercise price of
the option, or (iv) at the discretion of the Board of Directors, by any
combination of (i), (ii) and (iii) above.
TERM AND AMENDMENT OF THE 1995 PLAN. The 1995 Plan will continue in effect
until all shares available for issuance under the 1995 Plan have been issued and
all restrictions on such shares have lapsed. The Board of Directors may amend
the 1995 Plan at any time, provided that no change in an award already granted
shall be made without the written consent of the holder of such award. The Board
of Directors may suspend or terminate the 1995 Plan at any time except with
respect to options, performance units and shares subject to restrictions then
outstanding under the 1995 Plan. Termination shall not affect any outstanding
options, any right of the Company to repurchase shares or the forfeitability of
shares issued under the 1995 Plan.
ASSIGNABILITY. No option granted under the 1995 Plan is assignable or
transferable by the optionee except by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution
STOCK BONUSES. The Board of Directors may award shares under the 1995 Plan
as stock bonuses, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions determined
by the Board of Directors. No stock bonuses have been awarded as of February 28,
1999.
RESTRICTED STOCK. The Board of Directors may issue restricted shares of the
Company's Common Stock under the 1995 Plan for such consideration as determined
by the Board of Directors. No issuance of restricted stock has been made as of
February 28, 1999.
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS. The Board of Directors may grant stock
appreciation rights under the 1995 Plan by the Board of Directors, subject to
such rules, terms and conditions as the Board of Directors prescribes. No stock
appreciation rights have been granted as of February 28, 1999.
CASH BONUS RIGHTS. The Board of Directors may grant cash bonus rights under
the 1995 Plan in connection with (i) options granted or previously granted, (ii)
stock bonuses awarded or previously awarded and (iv) shares sold or previously
sold under the 1995 Plan. Cash bonus rights will be subject to such rules, terms
and conditions as the Board of Directors prescribes. No cash bonus rights have
been granted as of February 28, 1999.
PERFORMANCE UNITS. The Board of Directors may grant performance units under
the 1995 Plan, consisting of monetary units which may be earned in whole or in
part if the Company achieves certain goals established by the Board of Directors
over a designated period of time, not more than 10 years. No performance units
have been granted as of February 28, 1999.
OPTION GRANTS TO NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS. The 1995 Plan provides for the
automatic grant of an option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock an
("Initial Grant") to each person who becomes a non-employee director after April
24, 1996, provided that the person has not previously served as a director of
the Company. A "non-employee director" is a director who is not an employee of
the Company
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or any of its subsidiaries. An Initial Grant takes effect on the date that a
person first becomes a non-employee director. The Plan also provides for the
automatic grant of an option to purchase an additional 3,000 shares of Common
Stock (an "Additional Grant") to each incumbent non-employee director who
continues to serve as a non-employee director following an annual meeting of
shareholders, provided that the non-employee director has not received an
Initial Grant in that calendar year. The Additional Grant provision first took
effect in connection with the 1997 annual meeting of shareholders. Additional
grants are granted as of the annual meeting date.
FEDERAL TAX EFFECTS OF ISOS. The Company intends that ISOs granted under
the 1995 Plan will qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code"). An
optionee acquiring stock pursuant to an ISO receives favorable tax treatment in
that the optionee does not recognize any taxable income at the time of the grant
of the ISO or upon exercise. The tax treatment of the disposition of ISO stock
depends upon whether the stock is disposed of within the holding period, which
is the later of two years from the date the ISO is granted or one year from the
date the ISO is exercised. If the optionee disposes of ISO stock after
completion of the holding period, the optionee will recognize as capital gains
income the difference between the amount received in such disposition and the
basis in the ISO stock, i.e. the option's exercise price. If the optionee
disposes of ISO stock before the holding period expires, it is considered a
disqualifying disposition and the optionee must recognize the gain on the
disposition as ordinary income in the year of the disqualifying disposition.
Generally, the gain is equal to the difference between the option's exercise
price and the stock's fair market value at the time the option is exercised and
sold (the "bargain purchase element"). While the exercise of an ISO does not
result in taxable income, there are implications with regard to the alternative
minimum tax ("AMT"). When calculating income for AMT purposes, the favorable tax
treatment granted ISOs is disregarded and the bargain purchase element of the
ISO will be considered as part of AMT income. Just as the optionee does not
recognize any taxable income on the grant or exercise of an ISO, the Company is
not entitled to a deduction on the grant or exercise of an ISO. Upon a
disqualifying disposition of ISO stock, the Company may deduct from taxable
income in the year of the disqualifying disposition an amount generally equal to
the amount that the optionee recognizes as ordinary income due to the
disqualifying disposition.
FEDERAL TAX EFFECTS OF NQSOS. If an option does not meet the statutory
requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code and therefore does not
qualify as an ISO, the difference, if any, between the option's exercise price
and the fair market value of the stock on the date the option is exercised is
considered compensation and is taxable as ordinary income to the optionee in the
year the option is exercised, and is deductible by the Company for federal
income tax purposes in such year. Although an optionee will generally realize
ordinary income at the time the NQSO is exercised, if the stock issued upon
exercise of the option is considered subject to a "substantial risk of
forfeiture" and no "Section 83 Election" has been filed, then the optionee is
not taxed when the option is exercised, but rather when the forfeiture
restriction lapses. At that time, the optionee will realize ordinary income in
an amount equal to the difference between the option's exercise price and the
fair market value of the stock on the date the forfeiture restriction lapses.
The foregoing summary of federal income tax consequences of stock options
does not purport to be complete, nor does it discuss the provisions of the
income tax laws of any state or foreign country in which the optionee resides.
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MICROFIELD GRAPHICS, INC.
PROXY
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 19, 1999
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement, each dated April 19, 1999 and
hereby names, constitutes and appoints John B. Conroy and William P. Cargile,
or either of them acting in absence of the other, with full power of
substitution, my true and lawful attorneys and Proxies for me and in my place
and stead to attend the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Microfield
Graphics, Inc. (the "Company") to be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 19,
1999, and at any adjournment thereof, and to vote all the shares of Common
Stock held of record in the name of the undersigned on March 22, 1999, with
all the powers that the undersigned would possess if he were personally
present.
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Please mark
your votes as /X/
indicated in
this example
FOR all nominees WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
listed below (to vote for
(except as marked all nominees
to the contrary below) listed below)
PROPOSAL 1: Election of Directors / / / /
(INSTRUCTIONS: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE,
STRIKE A LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEE'S NAME BELOW.)
JOHN B. CONROY WILLIAM P. CARGILE HERBERT S. SHAW JAMES P. KEANE
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES
NAMED ABOVE.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN ON
PROPOSAL 2 PROPOSAL 2 PROPOSAL 2
PROPOSAL 2: To approve an amendment to the
Company's 1995 Stock Incentive / / / / / /
Plan to increase the aggregate
number of shares of Common
Stock that may be issued
thereunder to 850,000 shares,
an increase of 300,000 shares.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE
APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL 2.
PROPOSAL 3: Upon such other matters as may properly come before, or incident to
the conduct of the Annual Meeting, the Proxy holders shall vote in
such manner as they determine to be in the best interests of the
Company. The Company is not presently aware of any such matters to
be presented for action at the meeting.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY.
IF NO SPECIFIC DIRECTION IS GIVEN AS TO ANY OF THE ABOVE ITEMS,
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES NAMED IN
PROPOSAL 1 AND FOR PROPOSAL 2.
I DO ( ) DO NOT ( ) PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING. (PLEASE CHECK)
The shareholder signed below reserves the right to revoke this
Proxy at any time prior to its exercise by written notice delivered
to the Company's Secretary at the Company's corporate offices at
7216 SW Durham Road, Portland, Oregon 97224, prior to the Annual
Meeting. The power of the Proxy holders shall also be suspended if
the shareholder signed above appears at the Annual Meeting and
elects in writing to vote in person.
Signature(s)__________________________________________ Dated __________, 1999
NOTE: Please sign as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When
signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please
give full title as such.
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