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SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
FILED BY THE REGISTRANT [X] FILED BY A PARTY OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT [ ]
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Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
Progress Software 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)(4) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (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:
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PROGRESS SOFTWARE CORPORATION
14 OAK PARK
BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS 01730
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Progress
Software Corporation will be held on Friday, April 25, 1997, commencing at 9:00
A.M., local time, at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, at 14
Oak Park, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730, for the following purposes:
1. To fix the number of directors constituting the full Board of
Directors of the Company at seven.
2. To consider and vote upon the election of seven directors.
3. To act upon a proposal to amend the Company's Restated Articles of
Organization to authorize an increase in the authorized Common Stock,
$.01 par value per share, of the Company ("Common Stock") from
20,000,000 shares to 50,000,000 shares.
4. To act upon a proposal to approve and adopt the 1997 Stock Incentive
Plan.
5. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting and any adjournment thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on February 28,
1997, as the record date for determination of shareholders entitled to receive
notice of and vote at the meeting and any adjournment thereof.
By Order of The Board of Directors
Joseph W. Alsop
Clerk
March 25, 1997
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO
ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE. A POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE.
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PROGRESS SOFTWARE CORPORATION
14 OAK PARK
BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS 01730
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by
the Board of Directors of Progress Software Corporation (the "Company") of
proxies for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 25,
1997, at 9:00 A.M., local time, at the principal executive offices of the
Corporation, at 14 Oak Park, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730. It is anticipated
that this Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy will first be
mailed to shareholders on or about March 25, 1997. The cost of solicitation of
proxies will be borne by the Company. Directors, officers and employees may
assist in the solicitation of proxies by mail, telephone, facsimile, in person
or otherwise, without additional compensation. The Company has also retained
Corporate Investor Communications, Inc., 111 Commerce Road, Carlstadt, New
Jersey 07072, to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting at
an estimated cost of $3,500, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
At the Annual Meeting, the shareholders of the Company will be asked to
consider and vote upon the following specific matters:
(1) To fix the number of directors constituting the full Board of Directors
of the Company at seven;
(2) To consider and vote upon the election of seven directors;
(3) To act upon a proposal to amend the Company's Restated Articles of
Organization to authorize an increase in the authorized Common Stock,
$.01 par value per share, of the Company from 20,000,000 to 50,000,000
shares;
(4) To act upon a proposal to approve and adopt the 1997 Stock Incentive
Plan; and
(5) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
and any adjournment thereof.
The information contained in the "Compensation Committee Report" on pages
10, 11 and 12 and "Stock Performance Graph" on page 12 shall not be deemed
"filed" with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") or
subject to Regulations 14A or 14C or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
VOTING PROCEDURES
Only holders of record of Common Stock, par value $.01, of the Company
outstanding at the close of business on February 28, 1997 are entitled to vote
at the meeting and any adjournment thereof. As of that date, there were
12,397,249 shares outstanding and entitled to vote. Each outstanding share
entitles the holder thereof to one vote on any proposal presented at the
meeting.
Any shareholder who has given a proxy may revoke it at any time prior to
its exercise at the 1997 Annual Meeting by giving written notice of such
revocation to the Clerk of the Company, by signing and duly delivering a proxy
bearing a later date, or by attendance and voting in person at the 1997 Annual
Meeting. Duly executed proxies received and not revoked prior to the meeting
will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated in the proxy. If no
instructions are indicated, such proxies will be voted FOR the proposal to fix
the number of directors constituting the full Board of Directors at seven, FOR
the election of
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the nominees for director named in the proxy, FOR the amendment to the Company's
Restated Articles of Organization, FOR the approval and adoption of the 1997
Stock Incentive Plan and in the discretion of the proxies as to other matters
that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
Votes withheld from any nominee for election as director, abstentions and
broker "non-votes" will be counted as present or represented at the meeting for
purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the meeting. A
broker "non-vote" occurs when a broker or other nominee who holds shares for a
beneficial owner withholds his vote on a particular proposal with respect to
which he does not have discretionary voting power or instructions from the
beneficial owner. Abstentions with respect to a proposal are included in the
number of shares present or represented and voting on such proposal. "Non-votes"
are not so included. An automated system administered by the Company's transfer
agent tabulates the votes.
The Board of Directors of the Company knows of no other matters to be
presented at the meeting. If any other matter should be presented at the meeting
upon which a vote properly may be taken, shares represented by all proxies
received by the Board of Directors will be voted with respect thereto in
accordance with the judgment of the persons named as attorneys in the proxies.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's by-laws provide for a Board of Directors, the number of which
shall be fixed from time to time by the shareholders of the Company, and may be
enlarged or reduced by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. The Board
of Directors has recommended that the number of directors be fixed at seven and
has nominated for election as directors Joseph W. Alsop, Larry R. Harris, Robert
J. Lepkowski, Michael L. Mark, Arthur J. Marks, Amram Rasiel and James W.
Storey, each of whom is currently a director of the Company. Each director
elected at the 1997 Annual Meeting will hold office until the next Annual
Meeting of Shareholders or special meeting in lieu thereof and until his
successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until his earlier death,
resignation or removal. There are no family relationships among any of the
executive officers or directors of the Company.
Each of the nominees has agreed to serve as a director if elected, and the
Company has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve. In
the event that one or more nominees should become unwilling or unable to serve,
however, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote such proxy for such
other person or persons as may thereafter be nominated for director by the Board
of Directors of the Company.
If a quorum is present at the meeting, the vote of a majority of the shares
of Common Stock present or represented and entitled to vote at the meeting will
be necessary to fix the number of directors constituting the full Board of
Directors, and a plurality of the votes properly cast will be required to elect
a nominee to the office of director.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO FIX THE
NUMBER OF DIRECTORS CONSTITUTING THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT SEVEN, AND THAT
YOU VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE SEVEN INDIVIDUALS NAMED BELOW AS DIRECTORS OF
THE COMPANY.
NAME AGE PRESENT PRINCIPAL EMPLOYER AND BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
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Joseph W. Alsop 51 Mr. Alsop, a founder of the Company, has been a director and
President of the Company since its inception in 1981.
Larry R. Harris 49 Dr. Harris has been a director of the Company since January
1995. Dr. Harris is a founder of Linguistic Technology
Corporation and has been its President since 1994. From 1992 to
1994, he was Chief Technology Officer of Trinzic Corporation.
From 1981 to 1992, Dr. Harris was employed by AI Corp. Inc.,
most recently as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
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NAME AGE PRESENT PRINCIPAL EMPLOYER AND BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
- --------------------- --- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Robert J. Lepkowski 43 Mr. Lepkowski has been a director of the Company since August
1988. He is a private investor and director of various
companies. Mr. Lepkowski founded Renaissance Partners in late
1991 and retired as a General Partner of Renaissance Partners
in December 1995. His investment activities have focused on the
computer, communications and software industries.
Michael L. Mark 50 Mr. Mark has been a director of the Company since July 1987.
Mr. Mark is a private investor and has been President of
Refined Reports, Inc., an electronic publishing company, since
1990.
Arthur J. Marks 52 Mr. Marks has been a director of the Company since July 1987.
Mr. Marks has served as a General Partner of New Enterprise
Associates, a venture capital partnership, since August 1984.
His investment activities focus on information technology
companies. Mr. Marks is also a director of the following
publicly-held corporations: Government Technology Services,
Inc., Netrix Corporation, and Platinum Software Corporation.
Amram Rasiel 67 Dr. Rasiel has been a director of the Company since April 1983.
Dr. Rasiel is a private investor. Dr. Raisel is also a director
of two publicly-held corporations, Trinzic Corporation and PRI
Automation, Inc., and several privately-held companies.
James W. Storey 62 Mr. Storey has been a director of the Company since December
1993. Mr. Storey has been a consultant since January 1993 and
was President of Wellingsley Corporation, a private investment
management company, from December 1986 to 1992. He is also a
director of two publicly-held corporations, Westerbeke
Corporation and Kurzweil Applied Intelligence, Inc.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The Board of Directors of the Company held five meetings during the fiscal
year ended November 30, 1996. No director attended fewer than 75% of the
aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and of any committee of
the Board of Directors on which he served. The Audit Committee, of which Messrs.
Lepkowski and Rasiel are members, reviews the scope and results of the audit and
other services provided by the Company's independent auditors and also makes
recommendations to the Board as to the selection of independent auditors. The
Audit Committee held one meeting during the fiscal year ended November 30, 1996.
The Compensation Committee of which the members are Messrs. Lepkowski and Marks,
held one meeting during the fiscal year ended November 30, 1996. The
Compensation Committee makes recommendations concerning salaries and incentive
compensation for employees of the Company and determines the salaries and
incentive compensation for executive officers of the Company. The Compensation
Committee also administers the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan and the 1992 Incentive
and Non-Qualified Option Plan. The Audit and Compensation Committees are the
only standing committees of the Board of Directors.
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DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
Each non-employee director of the Company received an annual fee of $10,000
for services rendered during fiscal 1996 and has been reimbursed, upon request,
for expenses incurred in attending Board meetings. Directors who are employees
of the Company are not paid any separate fees for service as directors.
On December 31, 1993, pursuant to the 1993 Directors' Stock Option Plan
(the "1993 Directors Plan"), each of Messrs. Lepkowski, Mark, Marks, Rasiel and
Storey was granted an option to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock at a
purchase price of $21.57 per share which expires on December 31, 2003. Under the
1993 Directors Plan, each non-employee director joining the Board after December
31, 1993 is automatically granted an option to purchase 20,000 shares on the
date on which such person first becomes a director, whether through election by
the shareholders of the Company or appointment by the Board to fill a vacancy.
In addition, each non-employee director is automatically granted an additional
option to purchase 20,000 shares upon such person's re-election to the Board at
a time when all options previously granted to such person under the 1993
Directors Plan are exercisable in full. In January 1995, Dr. Harris was granted
an option pursuant to the 1993 Directors Plan to purchase 20,000 shares of
Common Stock at a purchase price of $18.69, which expires on January 1, 2005.
Each option granted to a non-employee director pursuant to the 1993
Directors Plan expires on the tenth anniversary of the date of grant and becomes
exercisable in installments cumulatively as to one seventy-second ( 1/72) of the
shares subject to such option at the end of each one month period following its
date of grant, provided the optionee is a director at the end of each such
period. The 1993 Directors Plan requires that the exercise price of each option
granted under the 1993 Directors Plan be equal to the fair market value of the
Common Stock on the date the option is granted.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN HOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the numbers of shares of the Company's
Common Stock beneficially owned by all persons known by the Company to be the
beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Company's Common Stock, by each of the
Company's current directors, by each of the executive officers named in the
Summary Compensation Table appearing on Pages 7, 8 and 9, and by all executive
officers and directors of the Company as a group, as of January 31, 1997.
BENEFICIALLY OWNED SHARES
-------------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1) NUMBER PERCENT
----------------------------------------------------- --------- -------
Private Capital Management, Inc.(2).................. 2,083,200 16.41%
Bruce S. Sherman
Michael J. Seaman
Gregg J. Powers
and
SPS Partners, L.P.
3003 Ninth St. North
Naples, FL 33940
Joseph W. Alsop(3)................................... 937,483 7.26%
14 Oak Park
Bedford, MA 01730
Geocapital Corporation............................... 765,600 6.03%
5th Avenue
New York, NY 10020
Lighthouse Capital Management........................ 690,260 5.44%
10000 Memorial Drive #660
Houston, TX 77024
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BENEFICIALLY OWNED SHARES
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1) NUMBER PERCENT
-----------------------------------------------------
Chadwick H. Carpenter, Jr.(4)........................ 168,055 1.31%
Amram Rasiel(5)...................................... 148,833 1.17%
David P. Vesty(6).................................... 67,252 *
Eric D. Frey(7)...................................... 53,469 *
Michael L. Mark(8)................................... 36,833 *
Michael J. Crismond(9)............................... 31,785 *
Robert J. Lepkowski(10).............................. 18,833 *
Arthur J. Marks(11).................................. 12,095 *
James W. Storey(12).................................. 10,833 *
Larry R. Harris(13).................................. 7,777 *
Cary L. Johnson...................................... 0 *
All executive officers and directors as a group (16
persons)(14)....................................... 2,134,326 15.99%
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* Less than 1%
(1) All persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with
respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by them,
subject to community property laws where applicable and subject to the
information contained in the footnotes to this table.
(2) Derived from Schedules 13G/A dated February 14, 1997, submitted to the
Company. The five persons named are described as a group in such Schedule
13G/A. The persons named reported beneficial ownership of the following
shares: Private Capital Management, Inc. (1,824,200); Bruce S. Sherman
(2,073,200); Michael J. Seaman (5,000); Gregg J. Powers (5,000); and SPS
Partners, L.P. (210,700). Bruce S. Sherman is President of Private Capital
Management, Inc. ("PCM") and exercises shared power with respect to shares
held by it on behalf of its clients. Mr. Sherman is also the Managing
General Partner of SPS Partners, LP ("SPS") which act as the Investment
Advisor for the Entrepreneurial Value Fund, L.P., and exercises shared
dispositive power with respect to those shares. Messrs. Seaman and Powers
are employees of PCM or affiliates thereof and they (i) do not exercise
sole or shared dispositive or voting powers with respect to shares held by
PCM or SPS, (ii) disclaim beneficial ownership of shares held by Mr.
Sherman, PCM and SPS, and (iii) disclaim, along with Mr. Sherman, the
existence of a group.
(3) Includes 228,054 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options
that were exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 1997. Includes 6,557
shares of Common Stock owned by Mr. Alsop's wife for which Mr. Alsop
disclaims beneficial ownership.
(4) Includes 127,655 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options
that were exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 1997.
(5) Includes 20,833 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options
that were exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 1997.
(6) Includes 67,252 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options
that were exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 1997.
(7) Includes 44,649 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options
that were exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 1997. Includes 8,820
shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options that were
exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 1997 that were granted to Mr.
Frey's wife, Betsy
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Frey, who is employed by the Company as a Project Manager. Mr. Frey disclaims
beneficial ownership of such securities.
(8) Includes 30,833 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options
that were exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 1997.
(9) Includes 31,785 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options
that were exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 1997.
(10) Includes 17,833 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options
that were exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 1997.
(11a) Includes 10,833 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options
that were exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 1997.
(12) Includes 10,833 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options
that were exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 1997.
(13) Includes 7,777 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options
that were exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 1997.
(14) Includes 655,389 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options
that were exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 1997. Includes 6,557
shares of Common Stock owned by Mr. Alsop's wife and 8,820 shares issuable
upon exercise of outstanding options granted to Mr. Frey's wife that were
exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 1997.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of a
registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of
ownership of, and transactions in, the Company's securities with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and the Nasdaq Stock Market. Such directors, executive
officers and ten-percent shareholders are also required to furnish the Company
with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms received by it, and on
written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes
that with respect to the fiscal year ended November 30, 1996, all Section 16(a)
filing requirements applicable to its directors, officers and ten-percent
shareholders were complied with, except for the following:
(a) Joseph W. Alsop, President and Treasurer of the Company, failed to
report on his Form 4 Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership for
January 1996 three separate option exercises and the transfer of shares of
Common Stock to his ex-wife on January 15, 1996 pursuant to a domestic
relations order. Mr. Alsop reported all of these transactions on his Form 5
Annual Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership for the fiscal year
ended November 30, 1996 when the omission was brought to his attention.
(b) Eric D. Frey, Vice President, Product Development, failed to
report on his Form 5 Annual Statement of Beneficial Ownership of Securities
for the fiscal years ended November 30, 1992, November 30, 1993 and
November 30, 1994, three separate grants of Incentive Stock Options to his
wife on, respectively, April 20, 1992, April 15, 1993 and June 17, 1994.
Mr. Frey reported all of these transactions on his November 1996 Form 4
when the omission was brought to his attention.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In March 1994, the Company purchased 100,000 shares of Series A Preferred
Stock from Linguistic Technology Corporation ("LTC") for $100,000. In March
1996, the Company purchased approximately 87,000 shares of Series B Preferred
Stock from LTC for $200,000, and an additional 30,000 shares of Series B
Preferred Stock in January 1997 for $70,000. In total, these purchases represent
an approximate equity interest in LTC of 6%. Dr. Larry R. Harris, a director of
the Company, is a founder and President of LTC.
Betsy Frey, the wife of Eric D. Frey, Vice President, Product Development,
of the Company, is currently employed by the Company as a Project Manager and,
in such position, earned $92,400, $90,667 and $83,613 in fiscal 1996, 1995 and
1994, respectively.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation earned by (i)
the Chief Executive Officer, (ii) each of the Company's four most highly
compensated executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer during the
1996 fiscal year, and (iii) one additional individual, Cary L. Johnson, who
would have been one of the four most highly compensated officers other than the
Chief Executive Officer but for the fact that Mr. Johnson was not serving as an
executive officer of the Company at November 30, 1996, (collectively, the "Named
Executive Officers"), for services rendered in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
AWARDS
------------------
ANNUAL COMPENSATION SECURITIES ALL OTHER
------------------------ UNDERLYING COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($)(1) OPTIONS/SARS(#)(2) ($)(3)
- ---------------------------------------- ----- -------- ----------- ------------------ ------------
Joseph W. Alsop......................... 1996 $200,000 $ 110,000 137,000 $ 14,472
President 1995 $160,000 $ 240,000 60,000 $ 13,221
1994 $150,000 $ 236,250 80,200 $ 7,121
Chadwick H. Carpenter, Jr............... 1996 $180,000 $ 67,500 83,700 $ 9,304
Senior Vice President, 1995 $150,000 $ 150,000 24,000 $ 8,351
Corporate Development 1994 $150,000 $ 157,000 32,100 $ 4,566
Michael J. Crismond(4)(5)............... 1996 $170,000 $ 50,000 37,800 $ 8,769
Former Vice President, 1995 $145,000 $ 89,959 14,000 $ 5,993
North American Sales 1994 $128,749 $ 74,550 14,500 $ 3,844
Eric D. Frey(6)......................... 1996 $158,333 $ 27,083 85,000 $ 6,837
Vice President, 1995 $125,000 $ 26,250 0 $ 4,021
Product Development 1994 $100,000 $ 13,521 28,000 $ 2,592
Cary L. Johnson(7)(8)................... 1996 $190,000 $ 45,208 76,000 $ 5,412
Former Senior Vice 1995 $160,000 $ 167,273 36,000 $ 7,774
President, Sales, Marketing, 1994 $150,000 $ 131,250 32,100 $ 4,447
and Services
David P. Vesty(9)....................... 1996 $180,000 $ 55,000 45,900 $ 9,390
Vice President, 1995 $150,000 $ 98,505 18,000 $ 6,356
Worldwide Sales 1994 $133,408 $ 85,053 17,700 $ 4,119
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(1) The amounts shown in this column reflect bonuses and commissions earned
under (i) the Company's Bonus Program for Executives and Key Contributors,
and (ii) the Company's sales commission plan.
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(2) The Company did not make any restricted stock awards, grant any stock
appreciation rights or make any long-term incentive plan payouts during
fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994.
(3) The amounts disclosed in this column include:
(a) Company contributions for fiscal 1996 to a defined contribution plan,
the Progress Software Corporation 401(k) Plan (the "401(k) Plan") as
follows: Mr. Alsop, $4,500; Mr. Carpenter, $4,500; Mr. Crismond,
$4,500; Mr. Frey, $4,500; Mr. Johnson, $4,500; and Mr. Vesty, $4,500.
(b) Payments by the Company for fiscal 1996 401(k) matching contributions
in excess of participation limits imposed on higher-paid individuals
under federal tax law, as follows: Mr. Alsop, $9,012; Mr. Carpenter,
$3,940; Mr. Crismond, $3,453; Mr. Frey, $1,577; and Mr. Vesty, $4,026.
(c) Payments by the Company in fiscal 1996 of term life insurance premiums
for the benefit of the following executive officers: Mr. Alsop, $960;
Mr. Carpenter, $864; Mr. Crismond, $816; Mr. Frey, $760; Mr. Johnson,
$912; and Mr. Vesty, $864.
(d) Company contributions for fiscal 1995 to the 401(k) Plan as follows:
Mr. Alsop, $3,750; Mr. Carpenter, $3,750; Mr. Crismond, $3,750; Mr.
Frey, $3,716; Mr. Johnson, $3,750; and Mr. Vesty, $3,750.
(e) Payments by the Company for fiscal 1995 profit sharing contributions in
excess of participation limits imposed on higher-paid individuals under
federal tax law, as follows: Mr. Alsop, $8,735; Mr. Carpenter, $3,939;
Mr. Crismond, $1,786; Mr. Johnson, $3,544; Mr. Vesty, $2,126.
(f) Payments by the Company in fiscal 1995 of term life insurance premiums
for the benefit of the following executive officers: Mr. Alsop, $736;
Mr. Carpenter, $662; Mr. Crismond, $457; Mr. Frey, $305; Mr. Johnson,
$480; and Mr. Vesty, $480.
(g) Company contributions for fiscal 1994 to the 401(k) Plan as follows:
Mr. Alsop, $3,750; Mr. Carpenter, $3,750; Mr. Crismond, $3,274; Mr.
Frey, $2,274; Mr. Johnson, $3,750; and Mr. Vesty, $3,546.
(h) Payments by the Company for fiscal 1994 profit sharing contributions in
excess of participation limits imposed on higher-paid individuals under
federal tax law, as follows: Mr. Alsop, $2,539; Mr. Carpenter, $58; and
Mr. Johnson, $121.
(i) Payments by the Company in fiscal 1994 of term life insurance premiums
for the benefit of the following executive officers: Mr. Alsop, $832;
Mr. Carpenter, $758; Mr. Crismond, $570; Mr. Frey, $318; Mr. Johnson,
$576; and Mr. Vesty, $573.
(4) Amount shown under "Annual Compensation-Bonus" includes commissions paid by
the Company of $6,959 for fiscal year 1995.
(5) Mr. Crismond resigned as Vice President, North American Sales, effective
December 31, 1996.
(6) Mr. Frey's wife, Betsy Frey, is employed by the Company as a Project
Manager. Amounts set forth in the summary compensation do not include
amounts paid by the Company to Betsy Frey as compensation. See "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions".
(7) Amount shown under "Annual Compensation-Bonus" includes commissions paid by
the Company of $12,273 for fiscal year 1995.
(8) Mr. Johnson resigned his position as Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing
and Services, effective June 21, 1996. Pursuant to a letter agreement dated
July 9, 1996 between Mr. Johnson and the Company, Mr. Johnson (i) received
regular payments based on his annual base salary of $190,000 through
November 30, 1996, and (ii) remained eligible through November 30, 1996 for
(a) elective salary deferrals pursuant to the Company's 401(k) plan, (b)
family medical and dental coverage under the Company's health care plans,
and (c) Company life insurance coverage.
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(9) Amount shown under "Annual Compensation-Bonus" includes commissions paid by
the Company of $8,505, and $6,303 for fiscal years 1995 and 1994,
respectively.
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL 1996
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
grant of incentive and non-qualified stock options in fiscal year 1996 for each
of the Named Executive Officers.
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS POTENTIAL
------------------------------------------------------ REALIZABLE VALUE AT
% OF TOTAL ASSUMED ANNUAL
NUMBER OF OPTIONS/SARS RATES OF STOCK PRICE
SECURITIES GRANTED TO APPRECIATION FOR
UNDERLYING EMPLOYEES IN EXERCISE OPTION TERM(4)
OPTIONS/SARS FISCAL PRICE EXPIRATION -----------------------
NAME GRANTED(#)(1) YEAR(2) ($/SHARE)(3) DATE 5%($) 10%($)
- ---------------------------------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ----------
Joseph W. Alsop......................... 12,900(5) 0.89% $15.50 4/01/06 $ 123,183 $ 314,519
124,100(6) 8.59% $15.50 4/01/06 $1,185,037 $3,025,725
Chadwick H. Carpenter, Jr............... 12,900(5) 0.89% $15.50 4/01/06 $ 123,183 $ 314,519
49,100(6) 3.40% $15.50 4/01/06 $ 468,858 $1,197,124
21,700(6) 1.50% $13.50 8/01/06 $ 174,148 $ 448,931
Michael J. Crismond(7).................. 14,050(5) 0.97% $15.50 4/01/06 $ 134,164 $ 342,558
13,950(6) 0.97% $15.50 4/01/06 $ 133,209 $ 340,120
9,800(6) 0.68% $13.50 8/01/06 $ 78,647 $ 202,743
Eric D. Frey............................ 30,900(5) 2.14% $15.50 4/01/06 $ 295,066 $ 753,384
4,100(6) 0.28% $15.50 4/01/06 $ 39,151 $ 99,964
50,000(6) 3.46% $13.50 8/01/06 $ 401,262 $1,034,404
Cary L. Johnson(8)...................... 12,900(5) 0.89% $15.50 4/01/06 $ 123,183 $ 314,519
63,100(6) 4.37% $15.50 4/01/06 $ 602,756 $1,539,120
David P. Vesty.......................... 13,050(5) 0.90% $15.50 4/01/06 $ 124,615 $ 318,177
20,950(6) 1.45% $15.50 4/01/06 $ 200,053 $ 510,789
11,900(6) 0.82% $13.50 8/01/06 $ 95,500 $ 246,188
- ---------------
(1) These options vest monthly over a 60-month period commencing on March 1,
1996.
(2) The Company granted options to purchase 1,444,463 shares of Common Stock in
fiscal 1996. The Company granted no SARs during fiscal 1996.
(3) All options were granted at fair market value on the date of grant.
(4) Potential Realizable Value is computed based on the value of stock price
appreciation at assumed rates, reduced by the exercise price of the option,
compounded over the actual option term (10 years). Actual gains, if any, on
stock option exercises and Common Stock holdings are dependent on the future
performance of the Common Stock and overall stock market conditions. There
can be no assurance that the amounts reflected in this table will be
achieved.
(5) These options were granted as incentive stock options.
(6) These options were granted as non-qualified stock options.
(7) Mr. Crismond resigned as Vice President, North American Sales, effective
December 31, 1996. Pursuant to a letter agreement dated December 18, 1996
between Mr. Crismond and the Company, all options granted to Mr. Crismond
will continue to vest through May 1, 1997 and may be exercised by Mr.
Crismond until June 1, 1997.
(8) Mr. Johnson resigned as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and
Marketing, effective June 21, 1996. Pursuant to a letter agreement dated
July 9, 1996 between Mr. Johnson and the Company, all options
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granted to Mr. Johnson continued to vest through November 30, 1996, the
vesting of Mr. Johnson's options for December 1, 1996 were accelerated to
November 1, 1996 and all vested options could have been exercised by Mr.
Johnson until December 31, 1996.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST
FISCAL YEAR AND YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to options
exercises in fiscal year 1996 and the value of unexercised options for each of
the Named Executive Officers.
NUMBER OF VALUE OF
SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
OPTIONS/SARS OPTIONS/SARS
AT FISCAL YEAR- AT FISCAL
END(#)(1) YEAR-END($)(1)(2)
--------------------- -----------------
SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/
NAME ON EXERCISE(#) REALIZED($) UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ------------------------------ --------------- ---------- --------------------- -----------------
Joseph W. Alsop............... 56,000(3) $1,227,333(3) 204,934/200,265 $307,541/$351,047
Chadwick H. Carpenter, Jr..... 17,900(4) $ 273,775(4) 115,485/105,314 $190,120/$250,771
Michael J Crismond............ -- -- 26,179/ 49,121 $ 35,450/$112,869
Eric D. Frey.................. -- -- 37,941/ 72,458 $421,958/$297,818
Cary L. Johnson............... 4,400 $ 45,050 83,246/104,853 $109,475/$193,349
David P. Vesty................ -- -- 60,348/ 60,251 $231,869/$137,015
- ---------------
(1) As of November 30, 1996, the Company had issued no SARs.
(2) Calculated on the basis of $18.44 per share which was the average of the
high and the low price of the Company's Common Stock at November 30, 1996,
as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market, less the applicable exercise price.
(3) Of the options exercised by Mr. Alsop in fiscal year 1996, no shares of
Common Stock received upon exercise of such options were sold simultaneously
with such exercise. As of February 28, 1997, Mr. Alsop has sold none of the
shares received upon exercise.
(4) Of the options exercised by Mr. Carpenter in fiscal year 1996, no shares of
Common Stock received upon exercise of such options were sold simultaneously
with such exercise. As of February 28, 1997, Mr. Carpenter has sold none of
the shares received upon exercise.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The current members of the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of
Directors are Robert J. Lepkowski and Arthur J. Marks. Neither of them is or has
ever been an officer or employee of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries.
No member of the Compensation Committee is a party to any relationship required
to be disclosed under Item 402 or Item 404 of the Regulation S-K promulgated by
the Commission.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Company's executive compensation program is established by the
Compensation Committee. The Company's philosophy is to reward executives based
upon corporate and individual performance as well as to
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provide long-term incentive for the achievement of future financial and
strategic goals. These goals include growth of the Company, defined primarily in
terms of growth in revenue and earnings per share. It is also the Company's
philosophy to base a substantial portion of an executive's total compensation
opportunity on performance incentives rather than base salary as the executive's
total compensation and level of responsibilities increase.
The executive compensation program for fiscal 1996 consisted of the
following three elements: (1) base salary; (2) incentive compensation in the
form of annual cash bonus awards earned under the Company's Fiscal 1996 Bonus
Program for Executives and Key Contributors (the "1996 Bonus Program"); and (3)
equity-based long-term incentive compensation in the form of incentive and/or
non-qualified stock options. A further explanation of these elements as they
relate to the Chief Executive Officer and the other Named Executive Officers
disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table is as follows:
Base salary increases are based upon individual and departmental
contribution and performance. Mr. Alsop's base salary increased 25% during
fiscal 1996. Base salary increases for all other Named Executive Officers during
fiscal 1996 ranged from 17% to 26%.
The 1996 Bonus Program was established by the Compensation Committee and
approved by the Board of Directors. The 1996 Bonus Program provided for a
potential payment as a percentage of base salary depending on the attainment of
targeted revenue and earnings per share. The target growth levels are approved
by the Board of Directors. If the Company achieves 100% of its revenues and
earnings per share targets, 100% of the potential bonus is paid. More or less
than 100% of the potential bonus is paid depending on the Company's level of
achievement and the Compensation Committee's assessment of the Company's
strength, stability and strategic position, as well as individual contribution.
Bonus awards paid in fiscal 1996 were significantly less than fiscal 1995
bonuses in view of the fact that targeted growth levels were not attained.
Due to the non-attainment of targeted revenue and earnings per share goals
in fiscal 1996, the total compensation received by the Chief Executive Officer
and the other Named Executive Officers (computed on an annualized basis for all
such persons) decreased significantly in fiscal 1996 from fiscal 1995.
Mr. Alsop's 22% decrease in fiscal 1996 total compensation was primarily
due to a decrease in an incentive cash bonus award. Mr. Alsop's bonus was based
on fiscal 1996 Company results as compared to target objectives as described
above.
Long-term incentive compensation, in the form of incentive and
non-qualified stock options under the Company's 1992 Incentive and Non-qualified
Stock Option Plan, is intended to correlate executive compensation with the
Company's long-term success as measured by the Company's stock price. Stock
options are tied to the future success of the Company because options granted
generally have an exercise price equal to the market value at the date of the
grant and will only provide value to the extent that the price of the Company's
stock increases above the exercise price. Since options granted generally vest
monthly over a four to six year period, option participants are encouraged to
continue employment with the Company. During fiscal 1996, Mr. Alsop, Mr.
Carpenter, Mr. Crismond, Mr. Frey, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Vesty received incentive
and non-qualified stock options as disclosed in the Option Grant Table.
The Compensation Committee approved a discretionary matching contribution
to the 401(k) Plan for fiscal 1996, representing up to 3% of each full-time
employee's calendar year compensation, including base salary, commissions and
bonus, depending on the employee's length of service with the Company and the
employee's contribution level. The Named Executive Officers also received such a
contribution, except that, due to limitations imposed on 401(k) matching
contributions to higher-paid individuals under federal tax law, a portion of the
contributions that otherwise would have been received by Mr. Alsop and the other
Named Executive Officers disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table, pursuant
to the 401(k) Plan
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were instead paid directly to such individuals. All such amounts are disclosed
as "Other Compensation" in the Summary Compensation Table on pages 7, 8 and 9.
Robert J. Lepkowski
Arthur J. Marks
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following line graph compares the Company's cumulative shareholder
return with that of a broad market index (Nasdaq Stock Market Index for U.S.
Companies) and a published industry index (Nasdaq Computer and Data Processing
Services Stocks). Each of these indices is calculated assuming that $100 was
invested on November 30, 1991.
COMPARATIVE 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG PROGRESS SOFTWARE CORPORATION, NASDAQ MARKET INDEX
AND NASDAQ COMPUTER AND DATA PROCESSING SERVICES STOCKS
[GRAPH]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/30/91 11/30/92 11/30/93 11/30/94 11/30/95 11/30/96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Progress Software Corporation 100 147 122 91 159 101
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nasdaq Stock Market Index 100 126 146 146 208 255
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nasdaq Computer and Data Processing
Services Stocks 100 126 133 158 247 305
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S RESTATED
ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION TO INCREASE AUTHORIZED
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
By consent dated March 11, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors voted to
recommend to the shareholders that the Company's Restated Articles of
Organization be amended to increase the number of authorized shares of Common
Stock, $.01 par value per share, from 20,000,000 to 50,000,000 shares (the
"Amendment"). Shares of the Company's Common Stock, including the additional
shares proposed for authorization, do not have preemptive or similar rights.
The Company's Board of Directors believes that the authorized number of
shares of Common Stock should be increased to provide sufficient shares for such
corporate purposes as may be determined by the Board of Directors to be
necessary or desirable, which may include, without limitation, raising capital
or acquiring property through the sale of stock, acquiring businesses through
mergers or the exchange of stock, effecting stock splits, and attracting or
retaining valuable employees by the issuance of stock-based compensation awards.
The Company at present has no commitments, agreements or undertakings obligating
the Company to issue any such additional shares; however, the Board of Directors
considers the authorization of additional shares of Common Stock advisable to
ensure prompt availability of shares for issuance should the occasion arise.
On February 28, 1997, there were issued and outstanding 12,397,249 shares
of Common Stock. If the Amendment is approved, the Board will have authorization
to issue an additional 37,602,751 shares of Common Stock (including shares
issuable pursuant to the Company's 1997 Stock Incentive Plan (if approved), 1994
Stock Incentive Plan, the 1993 Directors' Stock Option Plan, the 1992 Incentive
and Non-qualified Stock Option Plan and the 1991 Employee Stock Purchase Plan).
Under Massachusetts law, the Board of Directors generally may issue authorized
but unissued shares of Common Stock without shareholder approval. The Board of
Directors does not currently intend to seek shareholder approval prior to any
future issuance of additional shares of Common Stock, unless shareholder action
is required in a specific case by applicable law, the rules of any exchange or
market on which the Company's securities may then be listed, or the Articles of
Organization or by-laws or the Company then in effect. Frequently, opportunities
arise that require prompt action, and the Company believes that the delay
necessitated for shareholder approval of a specific issuance could be to the
detriment of the Company and its shareholders.
The additional shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance pursuant to
the Amendment will have all of the rights and privileges that the presently
outstanding shares of Common Stock possess; the increase in authorized shares
would not affect the terms, or rights of the holders, of existing shares of
Common Stock. All outstanding shares would continue to have one vote per share
on all matters to be voted on by the shareholders, including the election of
directors.
If a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting, the vote of a majority of the
shares of Common Stock present or represented and entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting will be necessary to approve the proposed amendment to the Company's
Restated Articles of Organization.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO AMEND
THE COMPANY'S RESTATED ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION.
PROPOSED 1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
By consent dated March 11, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors adopted
the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1997 Plan") for officers, employees and
directors of, and other persons providing services to, the
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16
Company and its subsidiaries, subject to the approval of the 1997 Plan by the
shareholders of the Company. The full text of the 1997 Plan is included as
Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement.
The 1997 Plan will be administered by a committee (the "Committee")
consisting of at least two "Outside Directors." An "Outside Director" means any
director who (i) is not an employee of the Company or of any "affiliated group,"
as such term is defined in Section 1504(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended, which includes the Company (an "Affiliate"), (ii) is not a former
employee of the Company or any Affiliate who is receiving compensation for prior
services (other than benefits under a tax-qualified retirement plan) during the
Company's or any Affiliate's taxable year, (iii) has not been an officer of the
Company or any Affiliate and (iv) does not receive remuneration from the Company
or any Affiliate, either directly or indirectly, in any capacity other than as a
director. If the 1997 Plan is approved by shareholders at the Meeting, the
Committee will initially consist of Messrs. Lepkowski and Marks.
The 1997 Plan permits the granting to officers, directors, employees and
others who provide services to the Company, at the discretion of the Committee,
of a variety of stock incentive awards based on the Common Stock of the Company.
Awards under the 1997 Plan include stock options (both incentive and
non-qualified), grants of conditioned stock, unrestricted grants of stock,
grants of stock contingent upon the attainment of performance goals and stock
appreciation rights. The Committee selects the person to whom awards are granted
and the number, type and terms of the award granted.
Subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends and similar events,
the total number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which awards may be
granted under the 1997 Plan is 680,000. Awards of stock, options or rights with
respect to an aggregate maximum of 100,000 shares of Common Stock may be granted
to any person in any calendar year.
If the 1997 Plan is approved by the shareholders of the Company, the
Company intends to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 covering the shares
of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the 1997 Plan, and upon the effectiveness
of such registration statement all such shares will be, when issued, eligible
for resale in the public market.
The Board of Directors believes that stock options and other stock-based
awards can play an important role in the success of the Company, by encouraging
and enabling the officers, directors and employees of, and other persons
providing services to, the Company and its subsidiaries upon whose judgment,
initiative and efforts the Company largely depends for the successful conduct of
its business to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company. The Board of
Directors believes it is in the best interests of the Company to add the 1997
Stock Plan to the stock option plans currently available for use by the Company
in order to achieve these benefits and maintain the Company's competitive
position with respect to recruiting and retaining highly skilled personnel.
Since December 1, 1995, incentive and non-qualified options to purchase an
aggregate of 2,117,663 shares of Common Stock, at a weighted average exercise
price of $14.30 per share, have been granted under the Company's 1994 Stock
Incentive Plan (the "1994 Plan"), the 1993 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the
"1993 Directors Plan"), and the 1992 Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plan (the "1992 Plan"), of which options to purchase an aggregate of 1,300,000
shares at a weighted average exercise price of $14.83 per share were granted to
officers and directors. During the same period, options to purchase an aggregate
of 1,021,717 shares of Common Stock were cancelled by the Company due to
departures of grantees prior to vesting or exercise of options (including
options to purchase an aggregate of 425,871 shares which were granted to
officers and directors) and options to purchase an aggregate of 240,575 were
exercised by the holders thereof (including options to purchase an aggregate of
154,507 shares which were exercised by officers and directors). As a result, as
of March 10, 1997, options to purchase an aggregate of (i) 491,233 shares
remained available for grant under the 1994 Plan, (ii) 276,089 shares remained
available for grant under the 1992 Plan, and 180,000 shares remained available
for grant under the 1993 Directors Plan.
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By consent dated March 11, 1997, the Board of Directors of the Company
voted to terminate the 1993 Directors Plan subject to approval of the 1997 Plan
by the shareholders of the Company at the Annual Meeting. The decision of the
Board of Directors to terminate the 1993 Directors Plan was due in part to the
adoption of recent amendments to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, which eliminate the need for a formula-based plan. If the 1997
Plan is approved by the shareholders, the 680,000 shares of Common Stock which
may be granted under the 1997 Plan will include the 180,000 shares of Common
Stock previously available for grant under the 1993 Directors Plan. Termination
of the 1993 Directors Plan will eliminate the ability of the Company to issue
additional options under the 1993 Directors Plan. All options granted under the
1993 Directors Plan prior to termination of the 1993 Directors Plan will remain
outstanding until the earlier of (i) exercise of the options by the holders
thereof or (ii) expiration of the options by the terms thereof.
The proposed 1997 Plan is substantially similar to the 1994 Plan except
that under the 1997 Plan the Compensation Committee does not have the authority
to (i) grant non-qualified stock options at less than 100% of the fair market
value on the date of grant of such non-qualified stock options, (ii) grant stock
appreciation rights at less than 100% of the fair market value on the date of
grant of such stock appreciation rights, and (iii) reprice options and stock
appreciation rights granted to officers and directors of the Company under the
1997 Plan without shareholder approval. In addition, the Board of Directors of
the Company does not have the authority to amend the 1997 Plan without the
approval of the Company's shareholders if such amendment would (i) cause the
1997 Plan to fail to satisfy the incentive stock option requirements of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (ii) cause transactions under the
1997 Plan to fail to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3 or any successor
rule under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect on the date of such
amendment, (iii) permit the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee to
reprice options or stock appreciation rights granted to officers and directors
of the Company under the 1997 Plan without shareholder approval, or (iv) permit
the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee to grant non-qualified
stock options or stock appreciation rights under the 1997 Plan at less than 100%
of the fair market value on the date of grant of such non-qualified stock
options or stock appreciation rights, as the case may be.
DESCRIPTION OF THE 1997 PLAN
The following description of certain features of the 1997 Plan is intended
to be a summary only. The summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text
of the 1997 Plan which is included as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement.
Stock Options. The 1997 Plan permits the granting of (i) options to
purchase Common Stock intended to qualify as incentive stock options ("Incentive
Options") under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), and (ii) options that do not so qualify ("Non-Qualified Options").
The option exercise price of each option is determined by the Committee but may
not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares on the date of
grant in the case of both Incentive Options and Non-Qualified Options.
The term of each option is fixed by the Committee and may not exceed 10
years from date of grant in the case of an Incentive Option. The Committee
determines at what time or times each option may be exercised and, subject to
the provisions of the 1997 Plan, the period of time, if any, after death,
disability or termination of employment during which options may be exercised.
Options may be made exercisable in installments, and the exercisability of
options may be accelerated by the Committee.
The exercise price of options granted under the 1997 Plan may be paid in
cash or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Committee, or, with the
consent of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock.
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The exercise price may also be delivered by a broker pursuant to irrevocable
instructions to the broker from the optionee. At the discretion of the
Committee, options granted under the 1997 Plan may include a so-called "reload"
feature pursuant to which an optionee exercising an option by delivery of shares
of Common Stock may be automatically granted an additional option to purchase
that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number delivered to exercise
the original option.
To qualify as Incentive Options, options must meet additional requirements,
including a $100,000 per year limitation on the value of shares subject to
Incentive Options which first become exercisable in any one year, and a maximum
5-year term and exercise price of at least 110% of fair market value in the case
of greater-than-10% shareholders.
Conditional Stock. The Committee may also award shares of Common Stock
subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Committee may determine
("Conditioned Stock"). These conditions and restrictions may include provisions
for vesting conditioned upon the achievement of certain performance objectives
and/or continued employment with the Company through a specified vesting period.
The purchase price, if any, of shares of Conditioned Stock is determined by the
Committee.
If a participant who holds unvested shares of Conditioned Stock terminates
employment for any reason (including death), the Company has the right to
repurchase the unvested shares or to require their forfeiture in exchange for
the amount, if any, which the participant paid for them. Prior to the
fulfillment of the applicable conditions, the participant will have all rights
of a shareholder with respect to the shares of Conditioned Stock, including
voting and dividend rights, subject only to the conditions and restrictions set
forth in the 1997 Plan and in the participant's Conditioned Stock award.
Unrestricted Stock. The Committee may also grant shares of Common Stock
(at no cost or for a purchase price determined by the Committee) which are free
from any restrictions under the 1997 Plan ("Unrestricted Stock"). Unrestricted
Stock may be issued to employees in recognition of past services or other valid
consideration, and may be issued in lieu of cash bonuses to be paid to employees
pursuant to other bonus plans of the Company. Outside Directors of the Company
may elect to receive all or a portion of their directors' fees, on a current or
deferred basis, in shares of Unrestricted Stock by entering into an irrevocable
agreement with the Company at least six months in advance of the beginning of a
calendar year. Employees with the permission of the Committee, may make similar
irrevocable elections to receive a portion of their compensation in Unrestricted
Stock.
Performance Share Awards. The Committee may also grant performance share
awards entitling the recipient to receive shares of Common Stock upon the
achievement of individual or Company performance goals and such other conditions
as the Committee determines ("Performance Share Awards"). Except as otherwise
determined by the Committee, rights under a Performance Share Award not yet
earned will terminate upon a participant's termination of employment.
Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may also grant stock appreciation
rights ("Stock Appreciation Rights") which entitle the holder to receive, upon
exercise, Common Stock having a fair market value equal to (or, with the consent
of the Committee, cash in the amount of) the amount by which the fair market
value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise exceeds the exercise price of
the Stock Appreciation Right, multiplied by the number of shares with respect to
which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised. Stock Appreciation Rights may
be granted in conjunction with an option, in which event, upon exercise of one
of the awards, the number of shares with respect to which the other award may be
exercised is correspondingly reduced.
Amendments and Terminations. The Board of Directors may at any time amend
or discontinue the 1997 Plan and the Committee may at any time amend or cancel
outstanding awards (or provide substitute
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awards at the same or a reduced exercise or purchase price) for the purpose of
satisfying changes in the law or for any other lawful purpose. Among other
things, the Committee has the authority to accelerate the exercisability or
vesting of an award or extend the period for exercise of an award. However, no
such action may be taken which adversely affects any rights under outstanding
awards without the holder's consent. Moreover, no such amendment, unless
approved by the shareholders of the Company, shall be effective if such
amendment would (i) cause the 1993 Directors Plan to fail to satisfy the
incentive stock option requirements of the Code, (ii) cause transactions under
the 1993 Directors Plan to fail to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3 or any
successor rule under the Act as in effect on the date of such amendment, (iii)
permit the Board or the Committee to reprice Options or Stock Appreciation
Rights granted under the 1993 Directors Plan, or (iv) permit the Board or the
Committee to grant Non-Qualified Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights
under the 1993 Directors Plan at less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the
date of grant of such Non-Qualified Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights,
as the case may be.
Change of Control Provisions. The 1997 Plan generally provides that in the
event of a "Change of Control" (as defined in the 1997 Plan) of the Company,
options and certain other awards will become exercisable for the securities,
cash or property that the holders of Common Stock received in connection with
the Change of Control. In addition, the Committee may accelerate awards and
waive conditions and restrictions on any awards to the extent it may determine
appropriate. The Committee may also, in its discretion, cancel outstanding
options and other awards effective upon the Change of Control, provided that
holders have at least thirty days prior to such date in which to exercise such
options and awards, to the extent then exercisable.
Effective Date of 1997 Plan. The 1997 Plan will become effective upon
approval by the shareholders of the Company. Awards of Incentive Stock Options
may be granted under the 1997 Plan until December 31, 2006.
FEDERAL TAX ASPECTS OF THE 1997 PLAN
The following is a summary of the principal Federal income tax consequences
of transactions under the 1997 Plan. It does not describe all Federal tax
consequences under the 1997 Plan, nor does it describe state or local tax
consequences.
Incentive Options. No taxable income is realized by an optionee upon the
grant or exercise of an Incentive Option. If shares to an optionee pursuant to
the exercise of an Incentive Option are not sold or transferred within two years
from the date of grant or within one year after the date of exercise, then (a)
upon sale of such shares, any amount realized in excess of the option price (the
amount paid for the shares) will be taxed to the optionee as a long-term capital
gain and any loss sustained will be a long-term capital loss, and (b) there will
be no deduction for the Company for Federal income tax purposes. The exercise of
an Incentive Option will give rise to an item of tax preference that may result
in alternative minimum tax liability for the optionee.
If shares of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of an Incentive Option
are disposed of prior to the expiration of the two-year and one-year holding
periods described above (a "disqualifying disposition"), generally (a) the
optionee will realize ordinary income in the year of disposition in an amount
equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the shares at exercise
(or, if less, the amount realized on a sale of such shares) over the option
price thereof, and (b) the Company will be entitled to deduct such amount.
Special rules apply where all or a portion of the exercise price of the
Incentive Option is paid by tendering shares of Common Stock.
If an Incentive Option is exercised at a time when it no longer qualifies
for the tax treatment described above, the option is treated as a Non-Qualified
Option. Generally, an Incentive Option will not be eligible for
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the tax treatment described above if it is exercised more than three months
following termination of employment (or one year in the case of termination of
employment by reason of disability.)
Non-qualified Options. With respect to Non-qualified Options under the
1997 Plan, no income is realized by the optionee at the time the option is
granted. Generally, (a) at exercise, ordinary income is realized by the optionee
in an amount equal to the difference between the option price and the fair
market value of the shares on the date of exercise, and the Company receives a
tax deduction for the same amount, and (b) at disposition of the shares acquired
upon exercise, appreciation or depreciation after the date of exercise is
treated as either short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending on how
long the shares have been held.
Conditioned Stock. A recipient of Conditioned Stock generally will be
subject to tax at ordinary income rates on the fair market value of the stock at
the time that the stock is no longer subject to forfeiture, minus any amount
paid for such stock. However, a recipient who so elects under Section 83(b) of
the Code, within 30 days of the date of issuance of the Conditioned Stock, will
realize ordinary income on the date of issuance equal to the fair market vale of
the shares of Conditioned Stock at that time (measured as if the shares were
unrestricted and could be sold immediately), minus any amount paid for such
stock. If the shares subject to such election are forfeited, the recipient will
not be entitled to any deduction, refund or loss for tax purposes with respect
to the forfeited shares. The Company generally will receive a tax deduction
equal to the amount includable as ordinary income to the recipient.
Unrestricted Stock. The recipient of Unrestricted Stock will generally be
subject to tax at ordinary income rates on the fair market value of such
Unrestricted Stock on the date that such Unrestricted Stock is issued to the
participant, minus any amount paid for such stock. The Company generally will be
entitled to a deduction equal to the amount treated as compensation that is
taxable as ordinary income to the recipient.
Performance Shares. The recipient of a Performance Share Award will
generally be subject to tax at ordinary income rates on the fair market value of
any Common Stock issued under the award, and the Company will generally be
entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income realized by the
recipient.
Stock Appreciation Rights. The recipient of a Stock Appreciation Right
will generally be subject to tax at ordinary income rates on any cash, or the
fair market value of any unrestricted stock received upon exercise of the Stock
Appreciation Right. The Company generally will be entitled to a deduction equal
to the amount of ordinary income realized by the recipient.
Dividends. Dividends paid on Common Stock (including Conditioned Stock)
will be taxed at ordinary income rates to the recipient. Generally, the Company
will not be entitled to any deduction for dividends, except in the case of
dividends paid on Conditioned Stock with respect to which no Section 83(b)
election has been filed.
If a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting, the vote of a majority of the
shares of Common Stock present or represented and entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting will be necessary to approve and adopt the 1997 Plan.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE
AND ADOPT THE 1997 PLAN.
NEW PLAN BENEFITS
The Company typically makes option grants to its current officers and
employees on an annual basis. On March 3, 1997, the Company granted to current
officers and employees options to purchase an aggregate of
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650,400 shares of Common Stock under its existing stock option plans (including
options to purchase an aggregate of 326,000 shares which were granted to
officers). The Company has no present intention to make any substantial
additional option grants to its current officers and employees in the near
future. As a result, the Company is unable to determine the dollar value and
number of options or other benefits or amounts which will be received by or
allocated to (i) any of the Named Executive Officers described in the Summary
Compensation Table, (ii) the current executive officers (as a group), (iii) the
current directors who are not executive officers (as a group) or (iv) the
employees who are not executive officers (as a group). Adoption of the 1997 Plan
if it had been effective during fiscal 1996, would not have affected the dollar
value or number of options or other benefits or amounts received by or allocated
to (i) any of the Named Executive Officers described in the Summary Compensation
Table, (ii) the current executive officers (as a group), (iii) the current
directors who are not executive officers (as a group) or (iv) the employees who
are not executive officers (as a group) during fiscal 1996.
SELECTION OF AUDITORS
The Board of Directors has selected the firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent certified public accountants, to serve as the Company's independent
auditors for the fiscal year ending November 30, 1997. The Company has been
advised that a representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be present at the
Annual Meeting. This representative will have the opportunity to make a
statement if he desires and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions presented at the meeting.
EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION
The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. In
addition to soliciting shareholders by mail through its regular employees, the
Company may request banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries to solicit their customers who have stock of the Company registered
in the names of nominees and, if so, will reimburse such banks, brokers and
other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket
costs in forwarding proxy materials to the beneficial owners of shares held of
record by them. Officers and regular employees of the Company may, without
additional compensation, solicit shareholders in person or by mail, telephone,
facsimile, in person or otherwise following the original solicitation. The
Company has also retained Corporate Investor Communications, Inc., 111 Commerce
Road, Carlstadt, New Jersey 07072, to assist in the solicitation of proxies for
the Annual Meeting at an estimated cost of $3,500, plus reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses.
PROPOSALS OF SHAREHOLDERS FOR 1998 ANNUAL MEETING
The Company anticipates that its 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will
be held on or about April 24, 1998. Proposals of shareholders of the Company
intended to be presented at the 1998 Annual Meeting must, in order to be
included in the Company's proxy statement and the form of proxy for the 1998
Annual Meeting, be received at the Company's principal executive offices by
December 19, 1997.
In addition, under the by-laws of the Company, any shareholder intending to
present at the 1997 Annual Meeting any proposal (other than a proposal made by,
or at the direction of, the Board of Directors of the Company) must give written
notice of such proposal (including certain information about any nominee or
matter proposed and the proposing shareholder) to the Clerk of the Company not
less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the date of the scheduled
annual meeting; provided, however, that if less than 70 days' notice or prior
public disclosure of the scheduled annual meeting is given or made, such notice,
to be timely, must be given within 10 days following such public disclosure or
mailing of such notice, whichever is earlier.
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AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Shareholders of record on February 28, 1997 have previously received or
will receive with this Proxy Statement a copy of Company's 1996 Annual Report,
containing detailed financial information concerning the Company, which is
incorporated herein by reference. The Company will mail, without charge, a copy
of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, without exhibits, to any
shareholder solicited hereby who requests it in writing. Please submit your
written request to Investor Relations, Progress Software Corporation, 14 Oak
Park, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 or call (617) 280-4450.
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EXHIBIT A
PROGRESS SOFTWARE CORPORATION
1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
SECTION 1. GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN; DEFINITIONS.
The name of the plan is the Progress Software Corporation 1997 Stock
Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The purpose of the Plan is to encourage and enable
the officers, employees and directors of, and other persons providing services
to, Progress Software Corporation (the "Company") and its Subsidiaries upon
whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company largely depends for the
successful conduct of its business, to acquire a proprietary interest in the
Company. It is anticipated that providing such persons with a direct stake in
the Company's welfare will assure a closer identification of their interests
with those of the Company, thereby stimulating their efforts on the Company's
behalf and strengthening their desire to remain with the Company.
The following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
"Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Award" or "Awards", except where referring to a particular category of
grant under the Plan, shall include Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock
Options, Conditioned Stock Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Performance Share
Awards and Stock Appreciation Rights.
"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Cause" means (i) any material breach by the participant of any agreement
to which the participant and the Company are both parties, (ii) any act or
omission to act by the participant which may have a material and adverse effect
on the Company's business or on the participant's ability to perform services
for the Company, including, without limitation, the commission of any crime
(other than ordinary traffic violations), or (iii) any material misconduct or
material neglect of duties by the participant in connection with the business or
affairs of the Company or any affiliate of the Company.
"Change of Control" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any
successor Code, and related rules, regulations and interpretations.
"Conditioned Stock Award" means an Award granted pursuant to Section 6.
"Committee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.
"Disability" means disability as set forth in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
"Effective Date" means the date on which the Plan is approved by
shareholders as set forth in Section 17.
"Eligible Persons" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.
"Fair Market Value" on any given date means the closing price per share of
the Stock on such date as reported by a nationally recognized stock exchange,
or, if the Stock is not listed on such an exchange, as reported by the Nasdaq
Stock Market, or, if the Stock is not quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market, the
fair market value of the Stock as determined by the Committee.
"Incentive Stock Option" means any Stock Option designated and qualified as
an "incentive stock option" as defined in Section 422 of the Code.
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"Non-Qualified Stock Option" means any Stock Option that is not an
Incentive Stock Option.
"Normal Retirement" means retirement from active employment with the
Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with the retirement policies of the
Company and its Subsidiaries then in effect.
"Outside Director" means any director who (i) is not an employee of the
Company or of any "affiliated group," as such term is defined in Section 1504(a)
of the Code, which includes the Company (an "Affiliate"), (ii) is not a former
employee of the Company or any Affiliate who is receiving compensation for prior
services (other than benefits under a tax-qualified retirement plan) during the
Company's or any Affiliate's taxable year, (iii) has not been an officer of the
Company or any Affiliate and (iv) does not receive remuneration from the Company
or any Affiliate, either directly or indirectly, in any capacity other than as a
director.
"Option" or "Stock Option" means any option to purchase shares of Stock
granted pursuant to Section 5.
"Performance Share Award" means an Award granted pursuant to Section 8.
"Stock" means the Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company,
subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 3.
"Stock Appreciation Right" means an Award granted pursuant to Section 9.
"Subsidiary" means a subsidiary as set forth in Section 424 of the Code.
"Unrestricted Stock Award" means Awards granted pursuant to Section 7.
SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN; COMMITTEE AUTHORITY TO SELECT PARTICIPANTS
AND DETERMINE AWARDS.
(a) Committee. The Plan shall be administered by a committee (the
"Committee") consisting of at least two Outside Directors. None of the members
of the Committee shall have been granted any Award under this Plan (other than
pursuant to Section 7(c)) or any other stock option plan of the Company (other
than the Company's 1993 Directors' Stock Option Plan) within one year prior to
service on the Committee. It is the intention of the Company that the Plan shall
be administered by "disinterested persons" within the meaning of Section 162(m)
of the Code, but the authority and validity of any act taken or not taken by the
Committee shall not be affected if any person administering the Plan is not a
disinterested person. Except as specifically reserved to the Board under the
terms of the Plan, the Committee shall have full and final authority to operate,
manage and administer the Plan on behalf of the Company. Action by the Committee
shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of all members thereof.
(b) Powers of Committee. The Committee shall have the power and authority
to grant Awards consistent with the terms of the Plan, including the power and
authority:
(i) to select the officers and other employees of, and persons
providing services to, the Company and its Subsidiaries to whom Awards may
from time to time be granted;
(ii) to determine the time or times of grant, and the extent, if any,
of Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Conditioned Stock,
Unrestricted Stock, Performance Shares and Stock Appreciation Rights, or
any combination of the foregoing, granted to any one or more participants;
(iii) to determine the number of shares to be covered by any Award;
(iv) to determine and modify the terms and conditions, including
restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award,
which terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and
participants, and to approve the form of written instruments evidencing the
Awards;
(v) to accelerate the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion
of any Award;
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(vi) subject to the provisions of Section 5(a)(ii), to extend the
period in which any outstanding Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right
may be exercised;
(vii) to reduce the per-share exercise price of any outstanding Stock
Option or Stock Appreciation Right awarded to any employee of the Company
(but not to less than 100% of Fair Market Value on the date the reduction
is made) provided, however, that if the Committee shall reduce the
per-share exercise price of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right
awarded to any officer or director of the Company, such reduction shall be
effective only if approved by the shareholders of the Company;
(viii) to determine whether, to what extent, and under what
circumstances Stock and other amounts payable with respect to an Award
shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the
participant and whether and to what extent the Company shall pay or credit
amounts equal to interest (at rates determined by the Committee) or
dividends or deemed dividends on such deferrals; and
(ix) to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices
for administration of the Plan and for its own acts and proceedings as it
shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and
any Award (including related written instruments); to make all
determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan; to
decide all disputes arising in connection with the Plan; and to otherwise
supervise the administration of the Plan.
All decisions and interpretations of the Committee shall be binding on all
persons, including the Company and Plan participants.
SECTION 3. SHARES ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN; MERGERS; SUBSTITUTION.
(a) Shares Issuable. The maximum number of shares of Stock with respect to
which Awards (including Stock Appreciation Rights) may be granted under the Plan
shall be 680,000. For purposes of this limitation, the shares of Stock
underlying any Awards which are forfeited, cancelled, reacquired by the Company
or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) shall be added back to the
shares of Stock with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan so
long as the participants to whom such Awards had been previously granted
received no benefits of ownership of the underlying shares of Stock to which the
Awards related. Subject to such overall limitation, any type or types of Award
may be granted with respect to shares, including Incentive Stock Options. Shares
issued under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or shares reacquired
by the Company.
(b) Limitation on Awards. In no event may any Plan participant be granted
Awards (including Stock Appreciation Rights) with respect to more than 100,000
shares of Stock in any calendar year. The number of shares of Stock relating to
an Award granted to a Plan participant in a calendar year that is subsequently
forfeited, cancelled or otherwise terminated shall continue to count toward the
foregoing limitation in such calendar year.
(c) Stock Dividends, Mergers, etc. In the event that after approval of the
Plan by the shareholders of the Company in accordance with Section 17, the
Company effects a stock dividend, stock split or similar change in
capitalization affecting the Stock, the Committee shall make appropriate
adjustments in (i) the number and kind of shares of stock or securities with
respect to which Awards may thereafter be granted (including without limitation
the limitations set forth in Sections 3(a) and (b) above), (ii) the number and
kind of shares remaining subject to outstanding Awards, and (iii) the option or
purchase price in respect of such shares. In the event of any merger,
consolidation, dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Committee in its
sole discretion may, as to any outstanding Awards, make such substitution or
adjustment in the aggregate number of shares reserved for issuance under the
Plan and in the number and purchase price (if any) of shares subject to such
Awards as it may determine and as may be permitted by the terms of such
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transaction, or accelerate, amend or terminate such Awards upon such terms and
conditions as it shall provide (which, in the case of the termination of the
vested portion of any Award, shall require payment or other consideration which
the Committee deems equitable in the circumstances), subject, however, to the
provisions of Section 15.
(d) Substitute Awards. The Committee may grant Awards under the Plan in
substitution for stock and stock based awards held by employees of another
corporation who concurrently become employees of the Company or a Subsidiary as
the result of a merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the
Company or a Subsidiary or the acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary of
property or stock of the employing corporation. The Committee may direct that
the substitute awards be granted on such terms and conditions as the Committee
considers appropriate in the circumstances. The shares which may be delivered
under such substitute awards shall be in addition to the maximum number of
shares provided for in Section 3(a) only to the extent that the substitute
Awards are both (i) granted to persons whose relationship to the Company does
not make (and is not expected to make) them subject to Section 16(b) of the Act;
and (ii) granted in substitution for awards issued under a plan approved, to the
extent then required under Rule 16b-3 (or any successor rule under the Act), by
the shareholders of the entity which issued such predecessor awards.
SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY.
Awards may be granted to officers or other key employees of the Company or
its Subsidiaries, and to members of the Board and consultants or other persons
who render services to the Company, regardless of whether they are also
employees ("Eligible Persons"), provided, however, that members of the Committee
at the time of grant, except for the purposes of Section 7(c), shall not
constitute Eligible Persons.
SECTION 5. STOCK OPTIONS.
Any Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the
Committee may from time to time approve.
Stock Options granted under the Plan may be either Incentive Stock Options
or Non-Qualified Stock Options. To the extent that any option does not qualify
as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted under the Plan after December
31, 2006.
(a) Grant of Stock Options. The Committee in its discretion may grant
Incentive Stock Options only to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary. The
Committee in its discretion may grant Non-Qualified Stock Options to Eligible
Persons. Stock Options granted pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall be subject to
the following terms and conditions and the terms and conditions of Section 13
and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with
the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable.
(i) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share for the Stock
covered by a Stock Option granted pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall be
determined by the Committee at the time of grant but shall be, in the case
of Incentive Stock Options and Non-Qualified Stock Options, not less than
100% of Fair Market Value on the date of grant. If an employee owns or is
deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules applicable under Section
424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all
classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary or parent corporation and
an Incentive Stock Option is granted to such employee, the option price
shall be not less than 110% of Fair Market Value on the grant date.
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(ii) Option Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the
Committee, but no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten
years after the date the option is granted. If an employee owns or is
deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the
Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of
the Company or any Subsidiary or parent corporation and an Incentive Stock
Option is granted to such employee, the term of such option shall be no
more than five years from the date of grant.
(iii) Exercisability; Rights of a Shareholder. Stock Options shall
become vested and exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in
installments, as shall be determined by the Committee at or after the grant
date. The Committee may at any time accelerate the exercisability of all or
any portion of any Stock Option. An optionee shall have the rights of a
shareholder only as to shares acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option
and not as to unexercised Stock Options.
(iv) Method of Exercise. Stock Options may be exercised in whole or
in part, by delivering written notice of exercise to the Company,
specifying the number of shares to be purchased. Payment of the purchase
price may be made by one or more of the following methods:
(A) In cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument
acceptable to the Committee;
(B) In the form of shares of Stock that are not then subject to
restrictions under any Company plan, if permitted by the Committee, in
its discretion. Such surrendered shares shall be valued at Fair Market
Value on the exercise date; or
(C) By the optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed
exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to
promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check payable and acceptable
to the Company to pay the purchase price; provided that in the event the
optionee chooses to pay the purchase price as so provided, the optionee
and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such
agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Committee shall
prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure. Payment instruments
will be received subject to collection.
The delivery of certificates representing shares of Stock to be purchased
pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option will be contingent upon receipt
from the Optionee (or a purchaser acting in his stead in accordance with
the provisions of the Stock Option) by the Company of the full purchase
price for such shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements
contained in the Stock Option or applicable provisions of laws.
(v) Non-transferability of Options. No Stock Option shall be
transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution
and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the optionee's lifetime,
only by the optionee.
(vi) Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent required
for "incentive stock option" treatment under Section 422 of the Code, the
aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the
Stock with respect to which incentive stock options granted under this Plan
and any other plan of the Company or its Subsidiaries become exercisable
for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed
$100,000.
(vii) Repurchase Right. The Committee may in its discretion provide
upon the grant of any Stock Option hereunder that the Company shall have an
option to repurchase upon such terms and conditions as determined by the
Committee all or any number of shares purchased upon exercise of such Stock
Option. The repurchase price per share payable by the Company shall be such
amount or be determined by such formula as is fixed by the Committee at the
time the Option for the shares subject to repurchase
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is granted. In the event the Committee shall grant Stock Options subject to
the Company's repurchase option, the certificates representing the shares
purchased pursuant to such Options shall carry a legend satisfactory to
counsel for the Company referring to the Company's repurchase option.
(viii) Form of Settlement. Shares of Stock issued upon exercise of a
Stock Option shall be free of all restrictions under the Plan, except as
otherwise provided in this Plan.
(b) Reload Options. At the discretion of the Committee, Options granted
under Section 5(a) may include a so-called "reload" feature pursuant to which an
optionee exercising an option by the delivery of a number of shares of Stock in
accordance with Section 5(a)(iv)(B) hereof would automatically be granted an
additional Option (with an exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value of the
Stock on the date the additional Option is granted and with the same expiration
date as the original Option being exercised, and with such other terms as the
Committee may provide) to purchase that number of shares of Stock equal to the
number delivered to exercise the original Option.
SECTION 6. CONDITIONED STOCK AWARDS.
(a) Nature of Conditioned Stock Award. The Committee in its discretion may
grant Conditioned Stock Awards to any Eligible Person. A Conditioned Stock Award
is an Award entitling the recipient to acquire, at no cost or for a purchase
price determined by the Committee, shares of Stock subject to such restrictions
and conditions as the Committee may determine at the time of grant ("Conditioned
Stock"). Conditions may be based on continuing employment and/or achievement of
pre-established performance goals and objectives. In addition, a Conditioned
Stock Award may be granted to an employee by the Committee in lieu of a cash
bonus due to such employee pursuant to any other plan of the Company.
(b) Acceptance of Award. A participant who is granted a Conditioned Stock
Award shall have no rights with respect to such Award unless the participant
shall have accepted the Award within 60 days (or such shorter date as the
Committee may specify) following the award date by making payment to the
Company, if required, by certified or bank check or other instrument or form of
payment acceptable to the Committee in an amount equal to the specified purchase
price, if any, of the shares covered by the Award and by executing and
delivering to the Company a written instrument that sets forth the terms and
conditions of the Conditioned Stock in such form as the Committee shall
determine.
(c) Rights as a Shareholder. Upon complying with Section 6(b) above, a
participant shall have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to the
Conditioned Stock, including voting and dividend rights, subject to
non-transferability restrictions and Company repurchase or forfeiture rights
described in this Section 6 and subject to such other conditions contained in
the written instrument evidencing the Conditioned Award. Unless the Committee
shall otherwise determine, certificates evidencing shares of Conditioned Stock
shall remain in the possession of the Company until such shares are vested as
provided in Section 6(e) below.
(d) Restrictions. Shares of Conditioned Stock may not be sold, assigned,
transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as
specifically provided herein. In the event of termination of employment by the
Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason (including death, Disability, Normal
Retirement and for Cause), the Company shall have the right, at the discretion
of the Committee, to repurchase shares of Conditioned Stock with respect to
which conditions have not lapsed at their purchase price, or to require
forfeiture of such shares to the Company if acquired at no cost, from the
participant or the participant's legal representative. The Company must exercise
such right of repurchase or forfeiture not later than the ninetieth day
following such termination of employment (unless otherwise specified, in the
written instrument evidencing the Conditioned Award).
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(e) Vesting of Conditioned Stock. The Committee at the time of grant shall
specify the date or dates and/or the attainment of pre-established performance
goals, objectives and other conditions on which the non-transferability of the
Conditioned Stock and the Company's right of repurchase or forfeiture shall
lapse. Subsequent to such date or dates and/or the attainment of such
pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions, the shares
on which all restrictions have lapsed shall no longer be Conditioned Stock and
shall be deemed "vested." The Committee at any time may accelerate such date or
dates and otherwise waive or, subject to Section 13, amend any conditions of the
Award.
(f) Waiver, Deferral and Reinvestment of Dividends. The written instrument
evidencing the Conditioned Stock Award may require or permit the immediate
payment, waiver, deferral or investment of dividends paid on the Restricted
Stock.
SECTION 7. UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS.
(a) Grant or Sale of Unrestricted Stock. The Committee in its discretion
may grant (or sell at a purchase price determined by the Committee which shall
in no event be less than 100% of Fair Market Value) to any Eligible Person
shares of Stock free of any restrictions under the Plan ("Unrestricted Stock").
Shares of Unrestricted Stock may be granted or sold as described in the
preceding sentence in respect of past services or other valid consideration.
(b) Elections to Receive Unrestricted Stock In Lieu of Compensation. Upon
the request of an Eligible Person and with the consent of the Committee, each
Eligible Person may, pursuant to an irrevocable written election delivered to
the Company no later than the date or dates specified by the Committee, receive
a portion of the cash compensation otherwise due to him in Unrestricted Stock
(valued at Fair Market Value on the date or dates the cash compensation would
otherwise be paid). Such Unrestricted Stock may be paid to the Eligible Person
at the same time as the cash compensation would otherwise be paid, or at a later
time, as specified by the Eligible Person in the written election.
(c) Elections to Receive Unrestricted Stock in Lieu of Directors'
Fees. Each Outside Director may, pursuant to an irrevocable written election
delivered to the Company no later than June 30 of any calendar year, receive all
or a portion of the directors' fees otherwise due to him in the subsequent
calendar year in Unrestricted Stock (valued at Fair Market Value on the date or
dates the directors' fees would otherwise be paid). Such Unrestricted Stock may
be paid to the Non-Employee Director at the same time the directors' fees would
otherwise have been paid, or at a later time, as specified by the Non-Employee
Director in the written election.
(d) Restrictions on Transfers. The right to receive unrestricted Stock may
not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered, other than
by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
SECTION 8. PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS.
(a) Nature of Performance Shares. A Performance Share Award is an award
entitling the recipient to acquire shares of Stock upon the attainment of
specified performance goals. The Committee may make Performance Share Awards
independent of or in connection with the granting of any other Award under the
Plan. Performance Share Awards may be granted under the Plan to any Eligible
Person including those who qualify for awards under other performance plans of
the Company. The Committee in its discretion shall determine whether and to whom
Performance Share Awards shall be made, the performance goals applicable under
each such Award, the periods during which performance is to be measured, and all
other limitations and conditions applicable to the awarded Performance Shares;
provided, however, that the Committee may rely on the performance goals and
other standards applicable to other performance-based plans of the Company in
setting the standards for Performance Share Awards under the Plan.
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(b) Restrictions on Transfer. Performance Share Awards and all rights with
respect to such Awards may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or
otherwise encumbered.
(c) Rights as a Shareholder. A participant receiving a Performance Share
Award shall have the rights of a shareholder only as to shares actually received
by the participant under the Plan and not with respect to shares subject to the
Award but not actually received by the participant. A participant shall be
entitled to receive a stock certificate evidencing the acquisition of shares of
Stock under a Performance Share Award only upon satisfaction of all conditions
specified in the written instrument evidencing the Performance Share Award (or
in a performance plan adopted by the Committee).
(d) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Committee at
any time prior to termination of employment, a participant's rights in all
Performance Share Awards shall automatically terminate upon the participant's
termination of employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason
(including death, Disability, Normal Retirement and for Cause).
(e) Acceleration, Waiver, Etc. At any time prior to the participant's
termination of employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries, the Committee may
in its sole discretion accelerate, waive or, subject to Section 13, amend any or
all of the goals, restrictions or conditions imposed under any Performance Share
Award.
SECTION 9. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
(a) The Committee in its discretion may grant Stock Appreciation Rights to
any Eligible Person (i) alone, (ii) simultaneously with the grant of a Stock
Option and in conjunction therewith or in the alternative thereto or (iii)
subsequent to the grant of a Non-Qualified option and in conjunction therewith
or in the alternative thereto.
(b) The exercise price per share of a Stock Appreciation Right granted
alone shall be determined by the Committee, but shall not be less than 100% of
Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Stock Appreciation Right. A Stock
Appreciation Right granted simultaneously with or subsequent to the grant of a
Stock Option and in conjunction therewith or in the alternative thereto shall
have the same exercise price as the related Stock Option, shall be transferable
only upon the same terms and conditions as the related Stock Option, and shall
be exercisable only to the same extent as the related Stock Option; provided,
however, that a Stock Appreciation Right, by its terms, shall be exercisable
only when the Fair Market Value per share of Stock exceeds the exercise price
per share thereof.
(c) Upon any exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the number of shares
of Stock for which any related Stock Option shall be exercisable shall be
reduced by the number of shares for which the Stock Appreciation Right shall
have been exercised. The number of shares of Stock with respect to which a Stock
Appreciation Right shall be exercisable shall be reduced upon any exercise of
any related Stock Option by the number of shares for which such Option shall
have been exercised. Any Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable upon such
additional terms and conditions as may from time to time be prescribed by the
Committee.
(d) A Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle the participant upon exercise
thereof to receive from the Company, upon written request to the Company at its
principal offices (the "Request"), a number of shares of Stock (with or without
restrictions as to substantial risk of forfeiture and transferability, as
determined by the Committee in its sole discretion), an amount of cash, or any
combination of Stock and cash, as specified in the Request (but subject to the
approval of the Committee in its sole discretion, at any time up to and
including the time of payment, as to the making of any cash payment), having an
aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the product of (i) the excess of Fair
Market Value, on the date of such Request, over the exercise price per
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share of Stock specified in such Stock Appreciation Right or its related Option,
multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of Stock for which such Stock
Appreciation Right shall be exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Committee may specify at the time of grant of any Stock Appreciation Right that
such Stock Appreciation Right may be exercisable solely for cash and not for
Stock.
(e) Within thirty (30) days of the receipt by the Company of a Request to
receive cash in full or partial settlement of a Stock Appreciation Right or to
exercise such Stock Appreciation Right for cash, the Committee shall, in its
sole discretion, either consent to or disapprove, in whole or in part, such
Request. A Request to receive cash in full or partial settlement of a Stock
Appreciation Right or to exercise a Stock Appreciation Right for cash may
provide that, in the event the Committee shall disapprove such Request, such
Request shall be deemed to be an exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right for
Stock.
(f) If the Committee disapproves in whole or in part any election by a
participant to receive cash in full or partial settlement of a Stock
Appreciation Right or to exercise such Stock Appreciation Right for cash, such
disapproval shall not affect such participant's right to exercise such Stock
Appreciation Right at a later date, to the extent that such Stock Appreciation
Right shall be otherwise exercisable, or to elect the form of payment at a later
date, provided that an election to receive cash upon such later exercise shall
be subject to the approval of the Committee. Additionally, such disapproval
shall not affect such participant's right to exercise any related Option.
(g) A participant shall not be entitled to request or receive cash in full
or partial payment of a Stock Appreciation Right, if such Stock Appreciation
Right or any related Option shall have been exercised during the first six (6)
months of its respective term; provided, however, that such prohibition shall
not apply in the event of the death or Disability of the participant prior to
the expiration of such six-month period, or if such participant is not a
director or officer of the Company or a beneficial owner of the Company who is
described in Section 16(a) of the Act.
(h) A Stock Appreciation Right shall be deemed exercised on the last day of
its term, if not otherwise exercised by the holder thereof, provided that the
fair market value of the Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right exceeds
the exercise price thereof on such date.
(i) No Stock Appreciation Right shall be transferable other than by will or
by the laws of descent and distribution and all Stock Appreciation Rights shall
be exercisable, during the holder's lifetime, only by the holder.
SECTION 10. TERMINATION OF STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
(a) Termination by Death. If any participant's employment by or services
to the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates by reason of death, any Stock
Option or Stock Appreciation Right owned by such participant may thereafter be
exercised to the extent exercisable at the date of death, by the legal
representative or legatee of the participant, for a period of two years (or such
longer period as the Committee shall specify at any time) from the date of
death, or until the expiration of the stated term of the Option or Stock
Appreciation Right, if earlier.
(b) Termination by Reason of Disability or Normal Retirement.
(i) Any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right held by a participant
whose employment by or services to the Company and its Subsidiaries has
terminated by reason of Disability may thereafter be exercised, to the
extent it was exercisable at the time of such termination, for a period of
one year (or such longer period as the Committee shall specify at any time)
from the date of such termination of employment or services, or until the
expiration of the stated term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, if
earlier.
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(ii) Any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right held by a
participant whose employment by or services to the Company and its
Subsidiaries has terminated by reason of Normal Retirement may thereafter
be exercised, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of such
termination, for a period of 90 days (or such longer period as the
Committee shall specify at any time) from the date of such termination of
employment or services, or until the expiration of the stated term of the
Option or Stock Appreciation Right, if earlier.
(iii) The Committee shall have sole authority and discretion to
determine whether a participant's employment or services has been
terminated by reason of Disability or Normal Retirement.
(iv) Except as otherwise provided by the Committee at the time of
grant, the death of a participant during a period provided in this Section
10(b) for the exercise of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, shall
extend such period for two years from the date of death, subject to
termination on the expiration of the stated term of the Option or Stock
Appreciation Right, if earlier.
(c) Termination for Cause. If any participant's employment by or services
to the Company and its Subsidiaries has been terminated for Cause, any Stock
Option or Stock Appreciation Right held by such participant shall immediately
terminate and be of no further force and effect; provided, however, that the
Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide that such Option or Stock
Appreciation Right can be exercised for a period of up to 30 days from the date
of termination of employment or services or until the expiration of the stated
term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, if earlier.
(d) Other Termination. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if a
participant's employment by or services to the Company and its Subsidiaries
terminates for any reason other than death, Disability, Normal Retirement or for
Cause, any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right held by such participant may
thereafter be exercised, to the extent it was exercisable on the date of
termination of employment, for 90 days (or such longer period as the Committee
shall specify at any time) from the date of termination of employment or
services or until the expiration of the stated term of the Option or Stock
Appreciation Right, if earlier.
SECTION 11. TAX WITHHOLDING.
(a) Payment by Participant. Each participant shall, no later than the date
as of which the value of an Award or of any Stock or other amounts received
thereunder first becomes includable in the gross income of the participant for
Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements
satisfactory to the Committee regarding payment of any Federal, state or local
taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such income.
The Company and its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the
right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the
participant.
(b) Payment in Shares. Participant may elect to have such tax withholding
obligation satisfied, in whole or in part, by (i) authorizing the Company to
withhold from shares of Stock to be issued pursuant to an Award a number of
shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the withholding is
effected) that would satisfy the withholding amount due with respect to such
Award, or (ii) transferring to the Company shares of Stock owned by the
participant with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the withholding
is effected) that would satisfy the withholding amount due. With respect to any
participant who is subject to Section 16 of the Act, the following additional
restrictions shall apply:
(A) the election to satisfy tax withholding obligations relating to an
Award in the manner permitted by this Section 11(b) shall be made either
(1) during the period beginning on the third business day following the
date of release of quarterly or annual summary statements of sales and
earnings of the Company and ending on the twelfth business day following
such date, or (2) at least six months prior to
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the date as of which the receipt of such an Award first becomes a taxable
event for Federal income tax purposes;
(B) such election shall be irrevocable;
(C) such election shall be subject to the consent or approval of the
Committee; and
(D) the Stock withheld to satisfy tax withholding, if granted at the
discretion of the Committee, must pertain to an Award which has been held
by the participant for at least six months from the date of grant of the
Award.
SECTION 12. TRANSFER, LEAVE OF ABSENCE, ETC.
For purposes of the Plan, the following events shall not be deemed a
termination of employment:
(a) a transfer to the employment of the Company from a Subsidiary or
from the Company to a Subsidiary, or from one Subsidiary to another;
(b) an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or
for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the employee's right to
re-employment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the
policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the
Committee otherwise so provides in writing.
SECTION 13. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION.
The Board may at any time amend or discontinue the Plan and the Committee
may at any time amend or cancel any outstanding Award (or provide substitute
Awards at the same exercise or purchase price) for the purpose of satisfying
changes in law or for any other lawful purpose, but no such action shall
adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award without the holder's
consent. However, no such amendment, unless approved by the shareholders of the
Company, shall be effective if it would (i) cause the Plan to fail to satisfy
the incentive stock option requirements of the Code, (ii) cause transactions
under the Plan to fail to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3 or any
successor rule under the Act as in effect on the date of such amendment, (iii)
permit the Board or the Committee to reprice Options or Stock Appreciation
Rights granted to officers and directors of the Company under the Plan without
shareholder approval, or (iv) permit the Board or the Committee to grant
Non-Qualified Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan at less
than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Non-Qualified
Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, as the case may be.
SECTION 14. STATUS OF PLAN.
With respect to the portion of any Award which has not been exercised and
any payments in cash, Stock or other consideration not received by a
participant, a participant shall have no rights greater than those of a general
creditor of the Company unless the Committee shall otherwise expressly determine
in connection with any Award or Awards. In its sole discretion, the Committee
may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the Company's
obligations to deliver Stock or make payments with respect to Awards hereunder,
provided that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent
with the provision of the foregoing sentence.
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SECTION 15. CHANGE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control as defined in this Section
15:
(i) subject to the provisions of clause (iii) below, after the
effective date of such Change of Control, each holder of an outstanding
Stock Option, Conditional Stock Award, Performance Share Award or Stock
Appreciation Right shall be entitled, upon exercise of such Award, to
receive, in lieu of shares of Stock (or consideration based upon the Fair
Market Value of Stock), shares of such stock or other securities, cash or
property (or consideration based upon shares of such stock or other
securities, cash or property) as the holders of shares of Stock received in
connection with the Change of Control;
(ii) the Committee may accelerate the time for exercise of, and waive
all conditions and restrictions on, each unexercised and unexpired Stock
Option, Conditional Stock Award, Performance Share Award and Stock
Appreciation Right, effective upon a date prior or subsequent to the
effective date of such Change of Control, specified by the Committee; or
(iii) each outstanding Stock Option, Conditional Stock Award,
Performance Share Award and Stock Appreciation Right may be cancelled by
the Committee as of the effective date of any such Change of Control
provided that (x) notice of such cancellation shall be given to each holder
of such an Award and (y) each holder of such an Award shall have the right
to exercise such Award to the extent that the same is then exercisable or,
if the Committee shall have accelerated the time for exercise of all such
unexercised and unexpired Awards, in full during the 30-day period
preceding the effective date of such Change of Control.
(b) "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any one of the
following events:
(i) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2)
of the Act) becomes a "beneficial owner" (as such term is defined in Rule
13d-3 promulgated under the Act) (other than the Company, any trustee or
other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the
Company, or any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the
shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership of stock of the Company), directly or indirectly, of securities
of the Company representing thirtyfive percent (35%) or more of the
combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or
(ii) persons who, as of January 1, 1997, constituted the Company's
Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason, including without
limitation as a result of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or similar
transaction, to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that
any person becoming a director of the Company subsequent to January 1, 1997
whose election was approved by, or who was nominated with the approval of,
at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board
shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered a member of the Incumbent
Board; or
(iii) the shareholders of the Company approve a merger or
consolidation of the Company with any other corporation or other entity,
other than (a) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting
securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing
to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into
voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 65% of the combined
voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving
entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation or (b) a
merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the
Company (or similar transaction) in which no "person" (as hereinabove
defined) acquires more than 50% of the combined voting power of the
Company's then outstanding securities; or
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(iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by
the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.
SECTION 16. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) No Distribution; Compliance with Legal Requirements. The Committee may
require each person acquiring shares pursuant to an Award to represent to and
agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the shares
without a view to distribution thereof.
No shares of Stock shall be issued pursuant to an Award until all
applicable securities law and other legal and stock exchange requirements have
been satisfied. The Committee may require the placing of such stop orders and
restrictive legends on certificates for Stock and Awards as it deems
appropriate.
(b) Delivery of Stock Certificates. Delivery of stock certificates to
participants under this Plan shall be deemed effected for all purposes when the
Company or a stock transfer agent of the Company shall have delivered such
certificates in the United States mail, addressed to the participant, at the
participant's last known address on file with the Company.
(c) Other Compensation Arrangements; No Employment Rights. Nothing
contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional
compensation arrangements, including trusts, subject to shareholder approval if
such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally
applicable or applicable only in specific cases. The adoption of the Plan or any
Award under the Plan does not confer upon any employee any right to continued
employment with the Company or any Subsidiary.
SECTION 17. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.
The Plan shall become effective upon approval by the holders of a majority
of the shares of capital stock of the Company present or represented and
entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders.
SECTION 18. GOVERNING LAW.
This Plan shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance
with, the substantive laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard
to its principles of conflicts of laws.
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CARD DETACH CARD
PROGRESS SOFTWARE CORPORATION
Dear Shareholder:
Please take note of the important information enclosed with this Proxy Ballot.
There are a number of issues related to the management and operation of your
Company that require your immediate attention and approval. These are discussed
in detail in the enclosed proxy materials.
Your vote counts, and you are strongly encouraged to exercise your right to
vote your shares.
Please mark the boxes on this proxy card to indicate how your shares will be
voted. Then sign the card, detach it and return your proxy vote in the enclosed
postage paid envelope.
Your vote must be received prior to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, April
25, 1997.
Thank you in advance for your prompt consideration of these matters.
Sincerely,
Progress Software Corporation
37
PROGRESS SOFTWARE CORPORATION
14 OAK PARK, BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS 01730
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS - APRIL 25, 1997
The undersigned shareholder of Progress Software Corporation, revoking all
prior proxies, hereby appoints Joseph W. Alsop, Chadwick H. Carpenter, Jr. and
Robert L. Birnbaum, or any of them acting singly, proxies, with full power of
substitution, to vote all shares of Common Stock of Progress Software
Corporation which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of the Company to be held at the Company's office at 14 Oak Park,
Bedford, Massachusetts on April 25, 1997, at 9:00 a.m.,local time, and at any
adjournments thereof, upon matters set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting
and Proxy Statement dated March 21, 1997, a copy of which has been received by
the undersigned, and in their discretion, upon any other business that may
properly come before the meeting or any adjournments therof. THIS PROXY IS
SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY. A SHAREHOLDER
WISHING TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS NEED ONLY SIGN AND DATE THIS PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE. Attendance of the undersigned at the meeting or any adjourned session
thereof will not be deemed to revoke the proxy unless the undersigned shall
affirmatively indicate the intention of the undersigned to vote the shares
represented hereby in person.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO
DIRECTION IS GIVEN, IT WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSALS SET FORTH ON THE
REVERSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THIS PROXY ON THE OTHER SIDE AND MAIL IT IN THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE TO ENSURE REPRESENTATION OF YOUR SHARES. NO POSTAGE NEED BE
AFFIXED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS NAME(S)
APPEAR(S) ON STOCK CERTIFICATE. IF SHAREHOLDER IS A CORPORATION OR PARTNERSHIP,
PLEASE SIGN CORPORATE NAME BY AN AUTHORIZED OFFICER.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED? DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS?
- -------------------------------- ----------------------------------
- -------------------------------- ----------------------------------
- -------------------------------- ----------------------------------
38
[X] PLEASE MARK VOTES
AS IN THIS EXAMPLE
------------------------------------------- For Against Abstain
PROGRESS SOFTWARE CORPORATION 1. To fix the number of directors constituting [ ] [ ] [ ]
------------------------------------------- the full Board of Directors of the Company at
seven.
Mark box at right if you plan to attend the [ ] 2. Election of Directors.
Annual Meeting. With- For All
Joseph W. Alsop, Larry R. Harris, For held Except
Mark box at right if an address change or [ ] Robert J. Lepkowski, Michael L. Mark, [ ] [ ] [ ]
comment has been noted on the reverse Arthur J. Marks, Amram Rasiel
side of this card. and James W. Storey
RECORD DATES SHARES: NOTE: If you do not wish your shares voted "For" a particular nominee,
mark the "For All Except" box and strike a line through the nominees'
name(s). Your shares will be voted for the remaining nominee's(s').
For Against Abstain
3. To act upon a proposal to amend [ ] [ ] [ ]
the Company's Restated Articles of
Organization to authorize an increase in
the authorized Common Stock, $.01 par value
per share, of the Company ("Common Stock")
from 20,000,000 shares to 50,000,000 shares.
For Against Abstain
4. To act upon a proposal to approve and [ ] [ ] [ ]
adopt the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan.
------------
Please be sure to sign and date this Proxy. Date
- ---------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------- ------------------------
Shareholder sign here Co-owner sign here
