SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted
by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or
Section 240.14a-12
MATRIX SERVICE COMPANY
-------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registered)
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: *
----------------------------------------------------------------
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
----------------------------------------------------------------
* Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state
how it was determined.
[ ] 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:
MATRIX SERVICE COMPANY
10701 East Ute Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74116
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of
Matrix Service Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), will be
held at Bank One, First National Tower, 15 East Fifth St., 41st Floor,
Tulsa, Oklahoma, on the 28th day of October, 1998, at 10:00 a.m.,
Tulsa time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect six directors to serve until the annual stockholders'
meeting in 1999 or until their successors have been elected and qualified;
2. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for fiscal 1999; and
3. To act upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on September 14, 1998,
as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to
vote at the meeting and any adjournment thereof. Only stockholders of record
at the close of business on September 14, 1998 are entitled to notice of and
to vote at the meeting and any adjournment thereof.
By Order of The Board of Directors
/s/C. William Lee
- --------------------
C. William Lee
Secretary
September 18, 1998
Tulsa, Oklahoma
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL
MEETING REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND. THEREFORE,
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY PROMPTLY. IF
YOU ARE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, AND WISH TO DO SO, YOU MAY REVOKE
THE PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON.
MATRIX SERVICE COMPANY
10701 East Ute Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74116
PROXY STATEMENT
The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Matrix
Service Company (the "Company") for use at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on October 28, 1998, and at any adjournments
thereof. The Annual Meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tulsa time, at
Bank One, First National Tower, 15 East Fifth St., 41st Floor, Tulsa,
Oklahoma. If the accompanying proxy is properly executed and returned,
the shares it represents will be voted at the meeting in accordance with
the directions noted thereon or, if no direction is indicated, it will be
voted in favor of the proposals described in this proxy statement.
In addition, the proxy confers discretionary authority in the persons
named in the proxy authorizing those persons to vote, in their discretion,
on any other matters properly presented at the Annual Meeting. The Board
of Directors is not currently aware of any other such matters. Any
stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it
is voted by written notice or by execution of a subsequent proxy sent to
C. William Lee, Secretary, Matrix Service Company, 10701 East Ute Street,
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74116. The proxy also may be revoked if the stockholder is
present at the meeting and elects to vote in person.
The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and the accompanying
proxy will first be sent to stockholders is September 24, 1998.
VOTING SECURITIES
At the close of business on September 14, 1998, the record date for the
determination of stockholders of the Company entitled to receive notice of
and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof, 9,507,388
shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
"Common Stock"), were outstanding. Each of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock is entitled to one vote upon each of the matters to be voted on at the
meeting. The presence, in person or by proxy, of at least a majority of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock is required for a quorum.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of September 14, 1998, certain information
with respect to the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by (i) each
person known by the Company to own beneficially five percent or more of its
outstanding share of Common Stock, (ii) each director and director nominee
of the Company, (iii) each executive officer of the Company named in the
Summary Compensation Table herein and (iv) all directors, director nominees
and executive officers of the Company as a group. Except as described below,
each of the persons listed below has sole voting and investment power with
respect to the shares listed.
Identity of Beneficial Owner Number of Shares Percent of Class
- ---------------------------- ---------------- ----------------
EquiTrust Investment Management
Services, Inc. (1)
5400 University Avenue
West Des Moines, IA 50266 1,679,400 17.66
David L. Babson & Co. (2)
One Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02142-1300 1,107,600 11.65
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. (3)
1299 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401 580,300 6.10
Martin L. Rinehart (4) (5) 215,636 2.27
C. William Lee (4) 347,070 3.65
Hugh E. Bradley (4) 27,500 *
Robert L. Curry (4) 7,500 *
Bruce M. Lierman (4) 6,086 *
Robert A. Peterson -0- *
Bradley S. Vetal (4) 48,246 *
Doyl D. West (4) 352,450 3.71
William P. Wood (4) 133,668 1.41
John S. Zink (4) 57,500 *
All directors and executive officers
as a group (11 persons) (4) 1,224,073 12.87
* Indicates ownership of less than one percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
(1) According to the Schedule 13G dated February 13, 1998.
(2) According to the Schedule 13G dated January 15, 1998.
(3) Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. ("Dimensional"), a registered investment advisor, is deemed
to have beneficial ownership of 580,300 shares of Matrix Service Company stock as of
December 31, 1997, all of which shares are held in portfolios of DFA Investment Dimensions
Group Inc., a registered open-end investment company, or in series of the DFA Investment
Trust Company, a Delaware business trust, or the DFA Group Trust and DFA Participation
Group Trust, investment vehicles for qualified employee benefit plans, all of which Dimensional
serves as investment manager. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of all such shares.
(4) Includes the following shares of Common Stock that are issuable upon the exercise of stock
options that are exercisable within 60 days after September 14, 1998: Mr. Rinehart - 46,070;
Mr. Lee - 36,070; Mr. Bradley - 27,500; Mr. Curry - 7,500; Mr. Wood - 27,500; Mr. Zink -
27,500; Mr. Lierman - 6,086; Mr. Vetal - 27,143; Mr. West - 275,000; officers and directors
as a group - 504,597.
(5) Martin L. Rinehart does not own of record any shares of the Company's Common Stock.
Mr. Rinehart is trustee of the Martin L. Rinehart 1991 Revocable Trust which owns 10,566
shares and the Bonnie J. Rinehart 1991 Revocable Trust which owns 159,000 shares, and is
therefore deemed to beneficially own 169,566 shares.
PROPOSAL NUMBER 1: Election of Directors
The Board of Directors has nominated and urges you to vote "For" the election
of the six nominees identified below who have been nominated to serve as
directors until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their
successors are duly elected and qualified. Five of the nominees are members
of the Company's present Board of Directors. Mr. Robert A. Peterson has been
nominated by the Nominating Committee and has agreed to serve if elected by
the stockholders. Mr. Robert L. Curry is retiring from the Board of
Directors at the end of the current term. Mr. Curry will not stand for
re-election. Proxies solicited hereby will be voted "For" all six nominees
unless stockholders specify otherwise in their proxies. The affirmative
vote of the holders of a plurality of the Common Stock present in person
or by proxy at the meeting is required for election of the nominees.
If, at the time of the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, any of the
nominees should be unable or decline to serve, the discretionary authority
provided in the proxy may be used to vote for a substitute or substitutes
designated by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has no reason
to believe that any substitute nominee or nominees will be required.
Nominees
The nominees for director, and certain additional information with respect
to each of them, are as follows:
Martin L. Rinehart, age 60, is a founder of the Company, and has served as
its President and Chief Executive Officer since February 27, 1998, and as a
director since the Company's inception in 1984 to October 1990. Mr. Rinehart
was re-elected as a director in February 1998.
Mr. Rinehart has also served as the Vice President-Operations of the Company
from its inception to June 1992. Since June 1992, he has served as Assistant
to the President of Matrix Service, Inc. From 1980 until 1984, Mr. Rinehart
served as Executive Vice President of Tank Service, Inc. During the year,
Doyl D. West served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of
the Board of the Company until his retirement in February, 1998. Mr. West
will continue to consult with the Company.
C. William Lee, age 58, is a founder of the Company and has served as its
Vice President-Finance and as a director since the Company's inception in
1984. Prior to 1984, Mr. Lee served as Vice President-Finance and
Secretary-Treasurer of Tank Service, Inc.
Hugh E. Bradley, age 69, was elected as a director of the Company effective
on April 20, 1993. Mr. Bradley retired in October 1993. Previously he had
served as the Division Manager for Texaco Trading & Transportation, Inc.,
Mid-Continent Region from 1988 to 1993. Mr. Bradley is a graduate Petroleum
Engineer from the Colorado School of Mines.
Robert A. Peterson, age 46, has served as President of Melton Truck Lines,
Inc. since July 1991 when he acquired the company. Prior to that, he served
as President of GlasTran, Inc., a company he founded in July 1989. Mr.
Peterson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics, and a Masters of
Business Administration from the University of Southern California. He is
a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Peterson is on the Board of Directors
of the Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, an active supporter of the
Boy Scouts of America, the United Way, and various other professional
organizations.
William P. Wood, age 42, has served as a director of the Company since
November 1989. Mr. Wood has been a general partner of Austin Ventures,
a venture capital firm, for more than the past five years. Mr. Wood is
also a director of Intelliquest Information Group, an information services
company.
John S. Zink, age 69, was elected as a director of the Company effective
on April 20, 1993. He is President and founder of Zeeco, Inc., Chairman
of the John Zink Foundation and past President and Chairman of the John
Zink Company. Mr. Zink graduated from Oklahoma State University with a
degree in Mechanical Engineering. Mr. Zink belongs to the Mechanical
Engineering Scholastic Fraternity, Pi Tau Sigma, and has been inducted
into the O.S.U. Engineering Hall of Fame. He is a registered Professional
Engineer. Mr. Zink is also a director of Unit Corporation, a drilling and
energy company.
The Board recommends that the stockholders vote "For" the election of each
of the above named nominees.
The Board of Directors and its Committees
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that the
number of directors on the Board shall be fixed from time to time by the
Board of Directors but shall not be less than three nor more than 15 persons.
The Board in its discretion and in accordance with such authority has fixed
its size at six members. No proxy will be voted for a greater number of
persons than the number of nominees named herein. Directors hold office until
the next annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company or until their
successors have been elected and qualified. Vacancies may be filled by
recommendations from the Nominating Committee, and a majority vote by the
remaining directors. The Company's Board of Directors met 14 times during
fiscal year 1998. During fiscal year 1998, each member of the Board of
Directors attended 98% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the
committees of which he was a member.
The Board has three standing committees:
Audit Compensation Nominating
----- ------------ ----------
Members: Bradley Curry Bradley
Curry Wood Curry
Lee Zink Rinehart
The Audit Committee's functions include making recommendations concerning
the engagement of independent auditors, reviewing with the independent
auditors the plan and results of the auditing engagement, reviewing
professional services provided by the independent auditors, reviewing the
independence of the independent auditors, considering the range of audit
and nonaudit fees and reviewing the adequacy of the Company's internal
accounting controls. The Audit Committee held 4 meetings during fiscal
1998.
The Compensation Committee's functions include reviewing executive salary
and bonus structure and approving salary and bonus awards to key executives,
and administering the Company's stock option plans and making grants
thereunder. The Compensation Committee held 10 meetings during fiscal 1998
and took certain actions by unanimous written consent in lieu of meetings.
The Nominating Committee was established to make nominations and
recommendations to the Board of Directors for individuals to be presented to
the stockholders for election to the Board of Directors. The Nominating
Committee held 1 meeting during fiscal 1998. Holders of Common Stock wishing
to recommend a person for consideration as nominee for election to the Board
can do so in accordance with the Company's Bylaws by giving timely written
notice to the Secretary of the Company at 10701 East Ute Street, Tulsa,
Oklahoma 74116, giving each such nominee's name, address, appropriate
biographical information, a description of all arrangements or understandings
between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons
(naming such person or person), and any other information that would be
required in a proxy statement. Any such recommendation should be accompanied
by a written statement from the person recommended, giving his or her consent
to be named as a nominee and, if nominated and elected, to serve as a
director. A notice must be delivered to the Secretary not later than 80 days
prior to the date of any annual or special meeting; provided, however, that
in the event that the date of such annual or special meeting was not publicly
announced by the Company more than 90 days prior to the meeting, notice by
the stockholder must be delivered to the Secretary of the Company not later
than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which public
announcement of the date of such meeting is communicated to the stockholders.
Such notice to the Secretary must set forth the name and address of the
stockholder who intends to make the nomination and a representation that the
stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Company entitled to vote
at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting
to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice.
Director Compensation
During fiscal 1998, the directors who are not employees of the Company were
reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings of the
Board of Directors and committee meetings. In addition, each of Messrs.
Hugh Bradley, Robert Curry, William Wood and John Zink received $7,000 plus
$1,000 for each meeting they attended as compensation for serving as
directors, and was granted options to purchase 5,000 shares of the Company's
stock under the Matrix Service Company 1995 Nonemployee Directors' Stock
Option Plan.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table summarizes certain information regarding compensation
paid or accrued during each of the Company's last three fiscal years to the
Chief Executive Officer and each of the Company's four other most highly
compensated executive officers (the "Named Officers"):
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Annual Compensation Long-Term Compensation
----------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Awards Payouts
------------------------- ---------
Restricted Securities Long-Term All Other
Other Annual Stock Underlying Incentive Compen-
Name and Fiscal Compensation Award(s) Options/SARs Payout sation
Principal Position Year Salary ($) Bonus ($) ($) (1) ($) (#) ($) ($)
- ---------------------------- ------- ---------- --------- -------------- -------- -------------- ---------- ---------
Martin L. Rinehart (2) 1998 90,291 - 60,000
President & 1997 116,155 7,000 N/A N/A - N/A N/A
Chief Executive Officer 1996 109,947 - -
Doyl D. West (2) 1998 346,955 - 25,000
Chairman of Board, President 1997 268,146 40,000 N/A N/A 25,000 N/A N/A
Chief Executive Officer 1996 236,282 - 25,000
C. William Lee 1998 143,471 - 20,000
Vice President-Finance 1997 143,630 25,000 N/A N/A - N/A N/A
& Chief Financial Officer 1996 132,791 - 25,000
Bradley S. Vetal 1998 169,610 - 10,000
Vice President- 1997 169,753 25,000 N/A N/A - N/A N/A
Tank Division 1996 139,236 - 25,000
Bruce M. Lierman 1998 144,529 67,000 50,000
President-Colt Construction 1997 124,394 15,888 N/A N/A 2,000 N/A N/A
1996 99,471 55,500 15,000
(1) During each of the three years ended May 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, perquisites for each
individual named in the Summary Compensation Table aggregated less than 10% of the total
annual salary and bonus reported for such individual in the Summary Compensation Table, or
$50,000, if lower. Accordingly, no such amounts are included in the Summary Compensation
Table.
(2) Mr. West retired in February 1998, at which time Mr. Rinehart was appointed by the Board
of Directors to replace him on an interim basis.
Stock Option Grants During Fiscal 1998
The following table sets forth information with respect to grants of stock options to purchase
Common Stock pursuant to the Company's 1991 Stock Option Plan to the Named Officers
identified in the Summary Compensation Table above. No stock appreciation rights ("SARs)"
were granted during fiscal 1998 or were outstanding at May 31, 1998.
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL 1998
Individual Grants (1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
% of
Number of Total Options Potention Realizable Value at
Shares Underlying Granted Exercise Assumed Annual Rates of Stock
Stock Options to Employees Price Expiration Price Appreciation of Option Term (3)
Name Granted (#) in Fiscal 1998 ($/Share) Date 5% ($) 10% ($)
- ------------------ ------------------ -------------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Martin L. Rinehart $60,000 (4) 11.75 $7.00 4-06-2008 $264,000 $669,600
C. William Lee 20,000 (2) 3.92 7.75 10-31-2007 97,400 247,000
Doyl D. West 25,000 (2) 4.90 7.75 10-31-2007 114,250 308,750
Bradley S. Vetal 10,000 1.96 7.00 4-06-2008 40,400 111,600
Bruce M. Lierman 50,000 9.79 7.00 4-06-2008 220,000 558,000
(1) Options granted during the year ended May 31, 1998 vest equally over five years of service
and expire ten years from date of grant. No SARs were granted during fiscal 1998.
(2) Options for Mr. West and Mr. Lee in fiscal 1998 will vest over two years of service and
expire ten years from date of grant.
(3) An appreciation in stock price is required for optionees to receive any gain. A stock price
appreciation of zero percent would render the options without value to the optionees. The
Securities and Exchange Commission requires disclosures of the potential realizable value or
present value of each grant. The disclosure assumes the options will be held for the full ten-year
term prior to exercise. Such options may be exercised prior to the end of such ten-year term.
The actual value, if any, an executive officer may realize will depend upon the excess of the
stock price over the exercise price on the date the option is exercised. There is no assurance
that appreciation, if any, in the stock price will occur at the rates shown in the table.
(4) Options will vest quarterly over 1 year of service and expire 10 years from date of grant.
Option Exercises and Holdings
The following table sets forth information with respect to the Named Officers identified in the
Summary Compensation Table concerning the exercise of stock options and the value of
unexercised options held as of the end of fiscal year 1998.
AGGREGATED STOCK OPTION EXERCISES IN YEAR ENDING MAY 31, 1998
AND OPTION VALUES AT MAY 31, 1998
Value of Unexercised
Number of Shares In-the-Money
Underlying Unexercised Stock Options
Options at May 31, 1998 at May 31, 1998 (1) ($)
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Shares Acquired Value
on Exercise Realized
Name (#) ($) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ------------------ -------------- -------- ------------ ------------- ----------- -------------
Martin L. Rinehart - - 16,070 66,430 $32,140 (2) $50,360 (2)
C. William Lee - - 26,070 41,430 45,890 (3) 33,485 (3)
Doyl D. West - - 275,000 0 534,375 (4) - (4)
Bradley S. Vetal - - 27,143 33,572 75,904 (4) 44,019 (4)
Bruce M. Lierman - - 6,086 65,485 5,672 (5) 37,470 (5)
(1) Value was calculated by subtracting the applicable exercise price from the fair market value
of the Company's Common Stock on May 29, 1998, which was $7.63 (last trading day of fiscal
year) based on the average of the high and low sales price of the Common Stock on May 29,
1998 on the Nasdaq National Market, multiplied by the number of shares underlying the
unexercised options.
(2) Mr. Rinehart holds options to purchase 16,070 shares at an exercisable price of $5.625; these
options were exercisable in fiscal year 1998. Mr. Rinehart also holds options to purchase 6,430
shares at an exercise price of $5.625 and 60,000 shares at an exercise price of $7.00 at May 31,
1998.
(3) Mr. Lee holds options to purchase 16,070 shares at an exercise price of $5.625 and 10,000
shares at an exercise price of $6.25; these options were exercisable in fiscal year 1998. Mr. Lee
also holds options to purchase 6,430 shares at an exercise price of $5.625; 15,000 shares at an
exercise price of $6.25; and 20,000 shares at an exercise price of $7.75 at May 31, 1998.
(4) Mr. West holds options to purchase 200,000 shares at an exercise price of $5.625, 25,000
shares at $5.875, 25,000 shares at $4.00, and 25,000 shares at an exercise price of $7.75; these
operations were exercisable in fiscal year 1998.
(5) Mr. Vetal holds options to purchase 2,250 shares at an exercise price of $.67; 3,465 shares
at an exercise price of $.80; 11,428 shares at an exercise price of $5.625; 10,000 shares at an
exercise price of $6.25; these options were exercisable in fiscal year 1998. Mr. Vetal also holds
options to purchase 8,572 shares at an exercise price of $5.625; and 15,000 shares at a price of
$6.25; and 10,000 shares at an exercise price of $7.00 at May 31, 1998.
(6) Mr. Lierman holds options to purchase 2,286 shares at an exercise price of $5.625; 800
shares at an exercise price of $6.25 and 3,000 shares at an exercise price of $7.625 these options
were exercisable in fiscal year 1998. Mr. Lierman also holds options to purchase 6,430 shares
at an exercise price of $5.625 and 1,200 shares at an exercise price of $6.25; 12,000 shares at
an exercise price of $7.625 and 50,000 shares at an exercise price of $7.00 at May 31, 1998.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN *
AMONG MATRIX SERVICE COMPANY, THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET-US INDEX
AND
THE S & P ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION INDEX
Research Data Group Total Return - Data Summary
MTRX
Cumulative Total Return
--------------------------------------------------
5/93 5/94 5/95 5/96 5/97 5/98
Matrix Service Company 100 82.43 44.59 63.51 91.22 82.43
NASDAQ Stock Market (U.S.) 100 105.28 125.24 182.03 205.07 260.60
S & P Engineering & Construction 100 125.71 111.87 147.29 133.66 128.30
* $100 invested on May 31, 1993 in the Company's Common Stock. Includes reinvesting of
dividends, where applicable. The Company's fiscal year ends May 31.
The performance graph shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement
incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that
the Company specifically incorporates this graph by reference, and shall not otherwise be
deemed filed under such acts.
There can be no assurance that the Company's stock performance will continue into the future
with the same or similar trends depicted in the graph above. The Company will not make or
endorse any predictions as to future stock performance.
Report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
The Compensation Committee ("Committee") of the Board of Directors of the
Company currently consists of Robert L. Curry, William P. Wood, and John S.
Zink, all of whom are independent directors who are not employees and who
qualify as disinterested persons for purposes of Rule 16b-3 adopted under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Committee is responsible for
evaluating the performance of management, determining the compensation for
certain executive officers of the Company and administering the Company's
stock option plan under which grants may be made to employees of the Company.
The Committee has furnished the following report on executive compensation
for the fiscal year ending May 31, 1998.
Under the supervision of the Committee, the Company has developed a
compensation policy which is designed to attract and retain key executives
responsible for the success of the Company and motivate all management to
work as a team, to maximize long-term stockholder value.
The annual compensation package of the executive officers primarily consists
of (i) a cash salary which reflects the responsibilities relating to the
position and individual performance, (ii) variable performance awards
payable in cash and tied to the individual's and the Company's performance
against pre-established financial measures and (iii) long- term stock-based
incentive awards which strengthen the relationship between the interests of
the executive officers and the interests of the Company's stockholders.
In determining the level and composition of compensation for each of the
Company's executive officers, the Committee takes into account various
qualitative and quantitative indicators of each officer's performance.
The Committee's objectives in determining compensation are to allow
the Company to attract, motivate and retain the management personnel
necessary for the Company's success and to provide an executive compensation
program comparable to that offered by the companies with which the Company
competes for such management personnel.
Although no specific target has been established, the Committee generally
seeks to set salaries at the medium to high end of the range in comparison
to peer group companies. In setting such salaries, the Compensation
Committee considers its peer group to be certain companies with market
capitalizations similar to that of the Company with which it competes for
aboveground tank services and refinery maintenance services. Such peer
group does not necessarily include the companies comprising the Standard
and Poor's Engineering and Construction Index reflected in the performance
graph in this Proxy Statement, which is the industry categorization the
Company has been placed in by its market makers. In evaluating the
performance of management, the Committee takes into consideration such
factors as revenue and earnings growth, improved safety performance
through reduced rates of recordable injuries of the Company as well as
the achievement of specific qualitative goals by the individual relating
to the particular officer's area of responsibility.
Base compensation is established through negotiation between the Company
and the executive officer at the time the executive is hired, or during the
negotiation phase of an acquisition, and then subsequently (in general
annually) when such officer's base compensation is subject to review or
reconsideration. While the Company has entered into employment agreements
with certain of its executive officers, such agreements provide that base
salaries after the initial year will be determined by the Compensation
Committee or the Chief Executive Officer after review of the officer's
performance. In establishing or reviewing base compensation levels for each
executive officer, the Committee, in accordance with its general compensation
policy, considers numerous factors, including the responsibilities relating
to the position, the qualifications of the executive and the relevant
experience the individual brings to the Company, strategic goals for which
the executive has responsibility, and compensation levels of other companies
at a comparable stage of development to compete with the Company for
business, engineering, and executive talents. As stated above, such
comparable companies are generally those with similar market capitalizations
and not necessarily among the companies comprising the Standards and Poor's
Engineering and Construction indices as reflected in the Performance Graph
in this Proxy Statement. No predetermined weights are given to any such
factors. The initial salaries for each of the executive officers in fiscal
year 1998 were set taking into account these factors in accordance with the
Company's general compensation policy discussed above. The base salaries for
the executive officers generally, and the Chief Executive Officer
specifically, for fiscal 1998 are in the medium level in comparison with the
Company's peer group companies.
In addition to each executive officer's base compensation, the Committee may
award cash bonuses and/or grant awards under the Company's Stock Option Plan
to chosen executive officers depending on the extent to which certain defined
personal and corporate performance goals are achieved. Such corporate
performance goals include revenue and earnings growth of the Company, as
discussed above.
The Chief Executive Officer's compensation is the responsibility of the
Compensation Committee. Based upon the Compensation Committee's assessment
of Mr. West's and then Mr. Rinehart's ability to effectively lead the
Company into the future as determined by his past performance and experience
with the Company's business and markets, the Compensation Committee
determined that Mr. West's compensation package would consist of the
following:
(i) annual base salary of $ 265,000, (ii) annual cash bonus based upon a
predetermined financial performance of the Company, and (iii) a Stock
Option Agreement granting Mr. West an option to purchase 25,000 shares
of Common Stock over a two-year period beginning in October 1997
under the Company's 1991 Stock Option Plan at an exercise price of $7.75
per share (the market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant).
Mr. West retired in February 1998, at which time he received a separation
payment and accrued vacation.
Mr. Rinehart was appointed by the Board of Directors to replace Mr. West
on an interim basis. The Compensation Committee determined that Mr.
Rinehart's compensation package would consist of the following: (i) annual
base salary of $125,000, (ii) annual bonus target of $125,000 based upon the
Company achieving specific earnings, and (iii) a Stock Option Agreement
granting Mr. Rinehart an option to purchase 60,000 shares of Common Stock
over a one year period beginning March 1998 under the Company's 1991 Stock
Option Plan at an exercise price of $7.00 per share (the market value of
the Common Stock on the date of grant).
Equity incentives are not limited to executive officers. Grants of stock
options are made to management and staff of the Company in amounts determined
by the Compensation Committee. The amounts of such grants are determined
based on the individual employee's position with the Company and his or her
potential ability to beneficially impact the performance of the Company.
By giving management and staff a stake in the financial performance of the
Company, the Compensation Committee's goal is to provide incentives to these
employees of the Company to enhance the financial performance of the Company
and, thus, stockholder value.
All employees of the Company, including executive officers, are eligible to
receive long-term stock based incentive awards under the Company's Stock
Option Plan as a means of providing such individuals with a continuing
proprietary interest in the Company. Such grants further the mutual
interests of the Company's employees and its stockholders by providing
significant incentives for such employees to achieve and maintain high
levels of performance. The Company's Stock Option Plan enhances the
Company's ability to attract and retain the services of qualified
individuals. Factors considered in determining whether such awards are
granted to an executive officer of the Company include the executive's
position in the Company, his or her performance and responsibilities,
the number of options, if any, currently held by the officers, and the
vesting schedule of any such options. While the Committee does not adhere
to any firmly established formulas or schedules for the issuance of options,
the Committee will generally tailor the terms of any such grant to
achievemen tof its goal as a long-term incentive award by providing for a
vesting schedule encompassing several years as tying the vesting dates
to particular corporate or personal milestones.
The report of the Compensation Committee shall not be deemed incorporated by
reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy
Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent
that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference,
and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such acts.
Compensation Committee
Robert L. Curry
William P. Wood
John S. Zink
Compliance with Section 16(a)
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires
the Company's directors and officers, and persons who own more than ten
percent of the Common Stock, to file initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership (Forms 3, 4 and 5) of the Common Stock with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and the NASDAQ Stock
Market. Officers, directors and greater than 10 percent stockholders are
required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all such
forms that they file.
To the Company's knowledge, based solely on the Company's review of the
copies of such reports received by the Company and on written representations
by certain reporting persons, the Section 16(a) filing requirements were
satisfied by the Company's directors, officers and ten percent stockholders,
except for one transaction by Connie J. Conger not timely reported on Form 4;
this transaction was subsequently reported in a report on Form 5.
PROPOSAL NUMBER 2: Selection Of Auditors
The Board of Directors has reappointed the firm of Ernst & Young LLP as the
Company's independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending May 31,
1999, subject to ratification by the Company's stockholders. Representatives
of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and will have an opportunity to make a statement, if they
desire to do so, and to respond to appropriate questions from those attending
the meeting. Ernst & Young LLP has served as auditors for the Company since
1984.
The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required
to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent accountants
for fiscal 1999.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote "For" ratification of Ernst &
Young's appointment.
Proposals of Stockholders
A proposal of a stockholder intended to be presented at the next annual
meeting of stockholders must be received at the Company's principal
executive offices no later than May 21, 1999, if the proposal is to be
considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement relating to such
meeting.
Financial Information
A copy of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, including any financial
statements and schedules and exhibits thereto, may be obtained without
charge by written request to C. William Lee, Vice President-Finance, Matrix
Service Company, 10701 East Ute Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74116.
Other Matters
The cost of solicitation of these proxies will be borne by the Company.
In addition to solicitation by mail, certain directors, officers, and regular
employees of the Company may solicit proxies by telecopy, telephone, and
personal interview.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/C. William Lee
- ----------------------
C. William Lee
September 18, 1998
Tulsa, Oklahoma
