Luminex Corporation (the “Company”) will hold its 20152017 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Meeting”) on Thursday, May 14, 2015,18, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at its Madison officecorporate headquarters located at 1224 Deming Way, Madison, WI 53717.12212 Technology Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78727. At the Meeting, stockholders will act on the following matters:

The Board of Directors fixed the close of business on March 16, 201520, 2017 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.  A complete list of such stockholders will be available for examination at our offices in Austin, Texas, and Madison, Wisconsin, during normal business hours for a period of ten days prior to the Meeting.

This year, we are pleased to again furnish our proxy materials over the Internet. As a result, we are mailing to many of our stockholders a notice instead of a paper copy of our proxy statement and our annual report. The notice contains instructions on how to access those documents over the Internet. The notice also contains instructions on how each of those stockholders can receive a paper copy of our proxy materials, including the proxy statement, our 20142016 Annual Report on Form 10-K and a form of proxy card or voting instruction card. All stockholders who do not receive a notice will receive a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail.

This proxy statement is being furnished to the stockholders of Luminex Corporation (the “Company,” “Luminex,” “we” or “us”) in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of proxies for use at the 20152017 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Meeting”) to be held at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying notice, and at any and all adjournments or postponements thereof.  This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card are being distributed and made available on or about March 30, 2015.April 3, 2017.

If your shares are held by your broker or other nominee, often referred to as in “street name,” you will receive a form from your broker seeking instructions as to how your shares should be voted.  If you are a registered stockholder and received a notice of availability of our proxy materials over the Internet, you may vote by telephone or electronically through the Internet by following the instructions included in the notice.  If you are a registered stockholder and received paper proxy materials through the mail, you may vote by telephone or electronically through the Internet by following the instructions included with your proxy card.  If your shares are held in street name, you should contact your broker or nominee to determine whether you will be able to vote by telephone or electronically.  If your shares are held in street name and you do not issue instructions to your broker, your broker may vote your shares in its discretion on “routine” matters, but may not vote your shares on “non-routine” matters.  The ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 20152017 (Proposal 4)5) is deemed a routine matter.  Therefore, your broker has discretionary authority to vote your shares on such matter absent specific instructions from you.  However, the election of directors (Proposal 1), the non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal 2) and, the non-binding advisory vote on the frequency of advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal 3), and the amendment and restatement of the Luminex Corporation Third Amended and Restated 2006 Equity IncentiveEmployee Stock Purchase Plan (Proposal 3)4) are non-routine matters.  If your broker turns in a proxy card expressly stating that the broker is not voting on non-routine matters (Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 3)4) as a result of your failure to provide specific instructions, such action is referred to as a “broker nonvote” and your shares will not be voted on Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 3.4.

It is not expected that any matter not referred to herein will be presented for action at the Meeting.  If any other matters are properly brought before the Meeting, including, without limitation, a motion to adjourn the Meeting to another time and/or place for the purpose of, among other things, permitting dissemination of information regarding material developments relating to any of the Proposals, or soliciting additional proxies in favor of the approval of any of the Proposals, the persons named on the accompanying proxy card will vote the shares represented by such proxy upon such matters in their discretion.  Should the Meeting be reconvened, all proxies will be voted in the same manner as such proxies would have been voted when the Meeting was originally convened, except for the proxies effectively revoked or withdrawn prior to the time proxies are voted at such reconvened meeting.

Any stockholder giving a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is voted by communicating such revocation in writing to our Corporate Secretary at the address indicated above, by executing and delivering a later-dated proxy or by voting in person at the Meeting.

Our only outstanding voting security is our common stock.  Holders of record of common stock at the close of business on March 16, 2015,20, 2017, the record date for the Meeting, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting.  On the record date for the Meeting, there were 43,135,00443,938,065 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Meeting.  In deciding all matters, a holder of common stock on the record date shall be entitled to cast one vote for each share of common stock then registered in such holder's name or otherwise beneficially owned.

The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock as of the record date must be present in person or be represented by proxy to constitute a quorum and act upon the proposed business.  Failure of a quorum to be represented at the Meeting will necessitate an adjournment or postponement and will subject the Company to additional expense.  Votes withheld from any nominee for director, abstentions and broker nonvotes are counted as present or represented for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum.

SinceBecause Proposal 1 in this proxy statement is in respect of an uncontested director election, Proposal 1 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting to elect a nominee, which means that a nominee will be elected only if the number of shares voted "for" that nominee exceeds the number of shares "withheld" from that nominee.  Accordingly, each nominee receiving a greater number of shares voted "for" such nominee than "withheld" from such nominee shall be elected as a Class IIIII director.  If an incumbent director does not receive a greater number of shares voted "for" such director than "withheld" from such director, then such director must tender his or her resignation to the Board of Directors. In a contested director election, director nominees are elected by a plurality of the votes cast, which means that the nominees with the most affirmative votes are elected to fill the available seats. Proposals 2, 34 and 4 each5 require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares represented at the Meeting and entitled to vote thereon.  The vote for Proposal 2 is advisory and non-binding in nature, but our Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements. The vote for Proposal 3 is advisory and non-binding in nature, but our Board of Directors will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future decisions regarding the frequency with which it will submit the advisory approval of the compensation of our named executive officers to a vote of stockholders.  Votes will be counted by the Company's transfer agent or our Corporate Secretary.  Under Delaware law, abstentions are not counted as voting “for” or “against” a particular matter.  However, abstentions are included in the number of shares present or represented at the Meeting and entitled to vote, and therefore, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote cast against Proposals 2, 34 and 4.5.  Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 1.Proposals 1 and 3.  Additionally, if a broker turns in a proxy card expressly stating that the broker is not voting on a non-routine matter, such action is referred to as a “broker nonvote.”  Broker nonvotes are counted for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, but are not counted for determining the number of votes cast, as a broker nonvote is not considered “entitled to vote” on a matter.  Accordingly, for purposes of Proposals 2 3 and 4 broker nonvotes have the effect of reducing the number of affirmative votes required to achieve a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote for such matter by reducing the total number of shares from which such majority is calculated.  Broker nonvotes will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 1.Proposals 1 and 3.

We believe that effective corporate governance is critical to our long-term prospects and ability to create value for our stockholders.  Our Board of Directors believes that we have in place appropriate charters, policies (including a comprehensive Code of Compliance and Corporate Governance Guidelines), bylaws, procedures and controls that promote and enhance corporate governance, accountability and responsibility with respect to the Company and a culture of honesty and integrity.  We will continue to monitor emerging developments and best practices in corporate governance and augment these charters, policies, procedures and controls when required or when our Board determines it would benefit the Company and our stockholders. Our corporate governance policies, including our various Board committee charters, can be viewed at the “Investor Relations” section of our website at www.luminexcorp.com.  Information contained on our website, other than the electronic version of our proxy statement provided on our website, is not incorporated into this proxy statement by this or any other reference to our website in this proxy statement, and we do not intend for such information on or linked to our website to constitute part of this proxy statement.

Our Board of Directors consults with the Company’s counsel to ensure that the Board’s independence determinations are consistent with all relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the definition of “independent director,” including but not limited to those set forth in pertinent listing standards of The NASDAQ Global Select Market (the “NASDAQ”) as in effect from time to time.  To assist in the Board’s independence determinations, each director completed materials designed to identify any relationships that could affect the director’s independence. In addition, through discussion among the directors a subjective analysis of independence was reviewed.  The Board has determined that each of the following directors is an “independent director” consistent with the objective requirements of applicable laws and regulations, and that such persons do not otherwise have any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with the exercise of such person’s independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director: Robert J. Cresci; Stephen Eck, M.D., Ph.D.; Thomas W. Erickson; Fred C. Goad, Jr.; Jay B. Johnston; Jim D. Kever; G. Walter Loewenbaum II; Kevin M. McNamara; and Edward A. Ogunro, Ph.D. The Board has not established categorical standards or guidelines to make the subjective aspect of these determinations, but considers all relevant facts and circumstances known to the Board. In determining Mr. Erickson's independence, the Board considered Mr. Erickson's service as our interim president and chief executive officer from September 2002 until May 2004 and determined that such service was a long time ago (at a much earlier time in the Company's evolution) and not material to his independence analysis today and hadhas, in the observation of the Board, no bearing on Mr. Erickson's independence andindependence. Based on such analysis, the Board determined that he qualifies as an independent director.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may consider whatever factors it deems appropriate in its assessment of a candidate for Board membership; however, candidates nominated to serve as directors, at a minimum, will in the committee’s judgment:

The consideration of a candidate for director will include the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s assessment of the individual’s background, skills and abilities, and whether such characteristics fulfill the needs of the Board of Directors at that time.  As part of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s consideration of a candidate, the committee also believes that the candidate must:

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s goal is to assemble a Board that brings a variety of perspectives and skills derived from high quality business and professional experience and which complies with the NASDAQ and Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules. While we do not have a formal policy on the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the diversity of the composition of our Board and the skill set, background, reputation, and type and length of business experience of our Board members as well as a particular nominee’s contributions to that mix.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may utilize a variety of methods for identifying nominees for director.  Candidates may come to the attention of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee through current Board members, professional search firms, stockholders or other persons.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers nominees proposed by the Company's stockholders in accordance with the provisions contained in our bylaws. Pursuant to our bylaws, any stockholder may nominate a person for election to our Board of Directors, provided that the nomination is received by the Corporate Secretary not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting of stockholders.  Each nomination submitted in this manner shall include the name and address of the nominee(s) and all other information with respect to the nominee as required to be disclosed in the proxy statement for the election of directors under applicable rules of the SEC, including the nominee's consent to being named as a nominee and to serving as a director, if elected.

The nominating stockholder shall also provide a completed written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of each nominee and any other person or entity that each nominee may represent (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Corporate Secretary) and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Corporate Secretary) that each nominee: (a) has no undisclosed commitment, agreement or understanding with any person or entity as to how such nominee will act or vote on any issue or question as a director; (b) is not a party to any undisclosed commitment, agreement or understanding with any person or entity other than Luminex with respect to compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director; (c) will comply with any director stock ownership and trading guidelines of Luminex; and (d) in such nominee's individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity for whom such nominee may be a representative, has complied and will comply with all applicable corporate governance, conflicts, confidentiality and other policies of Luminex.

Additionally, the nominating stockholder must provide: (a) his or her name and address as it appears in the stock records of Luminex; (b) the number and class of shares of Luminex capital stock beneficially owned by the stockholder and a description in reasonable detail of any hedging, derivative, swap, profit interests, option or other transactions or series of transactions engaged in, directly or indirectly, by such stockholder, or any agreement, arrangement or understanding to which such stockholder is a party, in each case, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage the risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder with respect to shares of capital stock of Luminex, or otherwise to reduce the economic risk or benefit of ownership of shares of capital stock of Luminex to such stockholder, and the agreement of the stockholder to notify Luminex in writing within five business days after the record date for the meeting of any changes to the above information in effect as of the record date for the meeting; (c) all contracts, arrangements, understandings and relationships with respect to the stockholder's investment in Luminex, and the agreement of the stockholder to notify Luminex in writing within five business days after the record date for the meeting of any changes to the above information in effect as of the record date for the meeting; (d) any material agreement such stockholder may have with any other person or entity in connection with the nomination, and the agreement of the stockholder to notify Luminex in writing within five business days after the record date for the meeting of any changes to the above information in effect as of the record date for the meeting; and (e) a representation as to whether such stockholder intends to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of Luminex's outstanding shares required to approve the nomination and/or otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of the nomination, and as to whether the stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such nomination.

Our bylaws also provide that certain of the above information also be provided with respect to certain other persons associated with the nominating stockholder.  The foregoing is a summary of the requirements for stockholders to nominate persons for election to our Board of Directors, which requirements are set out fully in our bylaws and the foregoing description is qualified by reference to the full text of our bylaws.

If it is the consensus of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee that a candidate is likely to meet the criteria for Board membership, the chair of the committee will advise the candidate of the committee's preliminary interest.  If the candidate expresses sufficient interest, the committee will arrange interviews of the candidate with one or more members of the committee, and request such additional information from the candidate as the committee deems appropriate.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider the candidate's qualifications, background, skills and abilities, and whether such characteristics fulfill the needs of the Board at that time, and confer and reach a collective assessment as to the qualifications and suitability of the candidate for Board membership.

If the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determines that the candidate is suitable and meets the criteria for Board membership, the candidate will be invited to meet with the senior management of the Company and other members of the Board of Directors, both to allow the candidate to obtain further information about the Company and to give management and the other directors a basis for input to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regarding the candidate.  On the basis of its assessment, and taking into consideration input from other Board members and senior management, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will formally consider whether to recommend the candidate's nomination for election to the Board of Directors.

Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the SEC's related rules, the Company is required to disclose whether it has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Company's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions.  The NASDAQ rules also require the Company to adopt a “code of conduct” applicable to the Company's directors, officers and employees that meets the SEC's definition of “code of ethics.”  Our Code of Compliance meets the SEC's definition of “code of ethics.”  The Company's employees, including our Chief Executive Officer and senior financial officers, are bound by our Code of Compliance.

A copy of our Code of Compliance can be obtained from the Investor Relations"Investor Relations" section of our website at www.luminexcorp.com.  We intend to disclose amendments to, or waivers from, the Code of Compliance (to the extent applicable to our directors, Chief Executive Officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or persons performing similar functions) on our website.

Communications expressing concerns or complaints relating to accounting matters, internal disclosure controls or controls over financial reporting, or auditing matters are handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee, including, without limitation, a dedicated hotline and email address.  Under those procedures, concerns havingrelated to do with accounting matters, internal disclosure controls or controls over financial reporting, or auditing matters are presented by the Company's compliance officer (currently the General Counsel) to the Audit Committee for consideration and, if appropriate, corrective action.

The Company strongly encourages each member of the Board of Directors to attend each annual meeting of stockholders.  Accordingly, we expect most, if not all, of the Company's directors to be in attendance at the Meeting.  All of our directors attended the 20142016 annual meeting of stockholders.

The Board of Directors and its committees meet periodically during the year as deemed appropriate.  During 2014,2016, the Board of Directors met eightseven times.  No director attended fewer than 75% of all the 20142016 meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees on which each such director served.

The Board of Directors is generally responsible for establishing our broad corporate policies and reviewing and assessing our corporate objectives and strategies, and other major transactions and capital commitments.  The Board of Directors currently has five standing committees:  the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Executive Committee and the Strategy and Development Committee. Each of our committees operates under a charter adopted by our Board of Directors.  It is the policy of the Board and each committee to periodically review its performance and the effectiveness of its charter and policies, as applicable.

The Audit Committee, which met six times in 2014,2016, currently consists of Mr. McNamara, who serves as Chairman, Mr. Cresci, and Mr. Erickson.  Effective as of the date of the Meeting, Mr. Erickson will no longer serve as a member of the Audit Committee and will be replaced by Dr. Ogunro, subject to his election as a Class III director.Ogunro.  The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee (including Dr. Ogunro) meets the independence requirements of the applicable rules of the NASDAQ and the SEC and has a basic understanding of finance and accounting and is able to read and understand fundamental financial statements.  The Board of Directors has further determined that both Mr. McNamara and Mr. Cresci are considered “audit committee financial experts” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.  The Audit Committee's primary duties and responsibilities are to oversee the Company's accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of the Company's financial statements; oversee the integrity of the Company's systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting and legal compliance, including the oversight of the Company's internal audit function; oversee the qualifications, independence and performance of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm; pre-approve all audit and permitted non-audit services to be performed by such firm; provide an avenue of free and open communication among the independent registered public accountants, management internal audit and the Board of Directors; and to review, approve or ratify certain related party transactions.  It is the function of the Audit Committee to help ensure the Company's financial statements accurately reflect the Company's financial position and results of operations.  In addition, the Audit Committee, following its review of the audited financial statements, is charged with recommending the audited financial statements to the Board of Directors for inclusion in the Company's annual reports.  Additional information regarding the purpose and functions of the Audit Committee is set forth in the “Report of the Audit Committee” provided below.

The Compensation Committee, which met nineeight times in 2014,2016, currently consists of Mr. Johnston,Kever, who serves as Chairman,

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which met fiveseven times in 2014,2016, currently consists of Mr. Cresci, who serves as Chairman, Mr. Goad and Dr. Ogunro.Eck.  The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is independent as defined by the applicable rules of the NASDAQ.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee provides assistance to the Board of Directors in identifying and recommending individuals qualified to serve as directors of the Company, reviews the composition of the Board of Directors, periodically evaluates the performance of the Board of Directors and its committees, and reviews and recommends corporate governance policies for the Company.  In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommends our various committee memberships based upon, among other considerations, a director's available time commitment, background and/or skill set it deems appropriate to adequately perform the responsibilities of the applicable committee.

The Executive Committee, which met foursix times in 2014,2016, currently consists of Mr. Erickson, who serves as Chairman, Mr. ShamirLoewenbaum, Dr. Ogunro and Mr. Loewenbaum.Shamir.  The Executive Committee is authorized to act on behalf of the Board of Directors as a whole, to the extent delegated to the committee and otherwise permitted by law.  The Executive Committee primarily meets to discuss Company performance and strategy.  In 2016, the Board of Directors delegated to the Executive Committee the authority for reviewing and ultimately approving the Company’s acquisition of Nanosphere, Inc. The Board of Directors ratified the Executive Committee’s approval of the Company’s acquisition of Nanosphere, Inc.” No other formal actions on behalf of the Board of Directors were taken in 20142016 by the Executive Committee.

Our Chairman of the Board position is a non-executive position. Separating the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer allows our Chief Executive Officer to focus on our day-to-day business, while allowing the Chairman of the Board to lead our Board in its fundamental role of providing advice to and oversight of management. Our Board recognizes the time, effort and energy that the Chief Executive Officer is required to devote to his position in the current business environment, as well as the commitment required to serve as our Chairman, particularly as the Board's oversight responsibilities continue to grow. Our Board believes that having separate positions, with a non-executive director serving as Chairman, is the appropriate leadership structure for our Company at this time and demonstrates our commitment to good corporate governance.

Our Chairman is also a member of the Executive Committee and provides guidance and takes an active role in evaluating our executive officers and corporate strategies.  Our Chairman acts as a regular liaison between our Board and our executive management, consulting regularly with our executives over business matters and providing our executives with immediate consultation and advice on material business decisions. Our Chairman, as noted above, has been determined by our Board to be an "independent director" in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Risk is inherent with every business.  Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks the Company faces, while the Board, as a whole and through its committees, has responsibility for the oversight of risk management.  In its risk oversight role, the Board of Directors has the responsibility to satisfy itself that the risk management processes designed and implemented by management are adequate and functioning as designed. Our Board of Directors oversees an enterprise-wide approach to risk management, designed to support the achievement of organizational objectives, including strategic objectives, to improve long-term organizational performance and enhance stockholder value. A fundamental aspect of risk management is not only understanding the risks a company faces and what steps management is taking to manage those risks, but also understanding what level of risk is appropriate for the Company. The involvement of the full Board of Directors in setting the Company's business strategy is a key part of its assessment of management's appetite for risk and also a determination of what constitutes an appropriate level of risk for the Company.

We conduct an annual enterprise risk management assessment, which is facilitated by the Company's management team who collaboratesin collaboration with the Company's internal audit department.  In this process, we assess risk throughout the Company by conducting surveys and interviews of Company employees and directors soliciting information regarding business risks that could significantly adversely affect the Company, including the achievement of its strategic plan.  We then identify any controls or initiatives in place to mitigate any material risk and the effectiveness of any such controls or initiatives.  Management then prepares a report for the Board of Directors regarding the key identified risks and how the Company manages these risks to review and analyze both on an annual and ongoing basis.  Management attends Board meetings and is available to address any questions or concerns raised by the Board regarding risk management and any other matters.  Additionally, the Board of Directors and its committees regularly receive presentations from management and key personnel on strategic matters involving our operations.

While the Board of Directors has the ultimate oversight responsibility for the risk management process, various committees of the Board assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in certain areas of risk. In particular, the Audit Committee focuses on financial and enterprise risk exposures, including internal controls, and discusses with management and the independent auditor the Company's policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management.  The Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also focus on the Company's compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the Company's Code of Compliance, and related Company policies and procedures. The Compensation Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risks arising from our compensation policies and programs.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in fulfilling its risk oversight responsibility assists the Board in fulfilling its duties and oversight responsibilities relating to the Company's compliance with and implementation of new corporate governance principles.  The Strategy and Development Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its risk oversight responsibility in reviewing the Company's risks associated with technology-related initiatives, including strategic decisions with respect to existing and new platforms and product offerings, and intellectual property related risks, and assessment of competitive threats and opportunities, and potential merger and acquisition targets.

During 2014,2016, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors consisted of Mr. Johnston,Kever, who served as Chairman, Mr. GoadErickson (since May, 2016) and Mr. Johnston and, until May 19, 2016, Fred C. Goad. Mr. Erickson served as our interim president and chief executive officer from September 2002 until May 2004. The Board has determined that because such service was a long time ago and during a much earlier time in the Company's evolution it is not material to his independence analysis today and has, in the observation of the Board, no bearing on Mr. Erickson's independence. Neither Mr. Kever, none of whomMr. Goad nor Mr. Johnston has ever been an officer or an employee of the Company or its subsidiaries.Company.  No interlocking relationship existed during 20142016 between any officer, member of our Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee and any officer, member of the Board of Directors or compensation committee of any other company.

The number of directors on our Board of Directors is currently fixed at nine. Pursuant to the Company’s bylaws and assuming all director nominees named in this Proposal 1 (Election of Class II Directors) are elected, the Board of Directors intends to reduce the size of the Board from nine to eight directors, effective immediately upon the adjournment of the Meeting. Our certificate of incorporation divides our Board of Directors into three classes which serve staggered three-year terms.  The terms of the Class III,I, Class III and Class IIIII directors will expire upon the election and qualification of directors at the annual meetingmeetings of stockholders to be held in 2015, 20162019, 2017 and 2017,2018, respectively.

Currently, our Board of Directors is composed of three Class I directors (consisting of Nachum "Homi" Shamir, Robert J. Cresci and Thomas W. Erickson), three Class II directors (consisting of Fred C. Goad, Jr.Stephen Eck, M.D., Ph.D., Jim D. Kever and Jay B. Johnston) and three Class III directors (consisting of G. Walter Loewenbaum II, Edward A. Ogunro, Ph.D., and Kevin M. McNamara).

At the Meeting, the stockholders will elect threetwo Class IIIII directors nominated by the Board of Directors.  Each of these directors is to serve a three-year term until the 20182020 annual meeting of stockholders and until a successor is elected and qualified or until the director's earlier resignation or removal.  The Board of Directors and its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, pursuant to and consistent with the nomination procedures described above under “Corporate Governance,” have nominated Messrs. G. Walter Loewenbaum II, Edward A. Ogunro, Ph.D.,Dr. Eck and Kevin M. McNamaraMr. Kever for re-election as Class IIIII directors. Mr. Johnston provided notice to the Board on March 27, 2017 that he intends to retire from the Board upon the conclusion of his current term and, therefore, will not stand for re-election.  It is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote the proxies for the election of each of the aforementioned nominees.  Proxies may not be voted for persons other than, or for more persons than, those named in the proxy.  If any nominee should be unwilling or become unavailable to serve as a director for any reason, the persons named as proxies reserve full discretion to vote for such other person or persons as may be properly nominated by the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve as a director if elected.

Certain information about the Class IIIII nominees for the Board of Directors, and those directors whose terms do not expire at the Meeting, is furnished below.

Mr. Loewenbaum became involved with Luminex as an original investor in Luminex prior to our initial public offering. As an investment banker and private equity investor, Mr. Loewenbaum has worked with multiple companies in a variety of different industries at different phases of organizational development, ranging from startup to publicly traded. He brings depth of knowledge in serving as chairman for public and private companies, building stockholder value and capital market considerations.  Mr. Loewenbaum also provides continuity to the Board of Directors, given his service on the Board since Luminex's earliest years of operation.

    

Mr. McNamara brings to the Board of Directors extensive financial expertise, experience managing and growing healthcare industry companies, as well as significant general experience serving on boards and board committees of other public companies. Mr. McNamara's experience overseeing risk assessment, accounting and financial reporting for public and other healthcare companies provides equally valuable experience in his role as chair of our Audit Committee. Mr. McNamara also has experience overseeing public and private capital markets and mergers and acquisitions transactions.

Dr. Ogunro brings to the Board of Directors significant directly relevant technical and operational industry experience in the diagnostics and medical device industry.  Dr. Ogunro has substantial experience in managing complex research and development initiatives for large, evolving portfolios of diagnostic and medical device products, and in securing and maintaining regulatory clearance for such products both domestically and internationally.  Dr. Ogunro's technical background and direct experience with project management is of particular relevance in his role as Chairman of the Strategy and Development Committee and in guiding Luminex in its research and development investments on new products and markets.

Mr. Shamir brings to the Board of Directors significant experience in managing businesses in the life sciences industry.  Mr. Shamir has extensive experience in leading the strategic and operational aspects of large and complex, international organizations, with experience in managing manufacturing, research and development, sales and marketing, intellectual property and technology management and international operations.  As the President and Chief Executive Officer of Luminex, Mr. Shamir is responsible for management's execution of operational objectives and serves as an integral connection between the Board of Directors and Luminex's management team, enabling alignment between the Board's strategic expectations and the Company's current and future strategy and operations.

Mr. Cresci became involved with Luminex as an early investor in Luminex. Mr. Cresci has extensive experience serving on the boards of directors of private and public companies within the broader healthcare industry and brings a significant depth of knowledge in capital markets considerations.  Mr. Cresci's knowledge of the operations of public company boards is particularly useful in his current role as chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  Mr. Cresci also provides continuity to the Board of Directors, given his service on the Board since Luminex's earliest years of operation.

Mr. Erickson brings to the Board of Directors extensive experience managing and growing healthcare industry companies, as well as significant general experience serving in leadership roles on boards and board committees of other public companies.  Through his experience servingIn addition, Mr. Erickson served as Luminex's Interim Presidentour interim president and Chief Executive Officerchief executive officer from September 2002 until our hiring of our former chief executive officer in May 2004, Mr. Erickson offers to the Board detailed insight into the Company's business and management considerations.2004. Through his substantial experience in the healthcare industry, in particularincluding his service at Luminex and organizations providing healthcare services and delivery, Mr. Erickson offers valuable insight on Luminex and its product offerings from the perspective of healthcare providers.

Election of Class IIIII directors will be determined by a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting. A majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a nominee exceeds the number of votes “withheld” from such nominee. Abstentions and broker nonvotes are not counted as votes cast with respect to that director and will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors. As each of the nominees is an incumbent director, if a nominee fails to receive “for” votes representing a majority of the votes cast, the director shall promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, subject to acceptance by the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee would then be charged with making a recommendation to the Board of Directors as to whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation, or whether other action should be taken. The Board of Directors will act on the tendered resignation, taking into account the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and publicly disclose its decision regarding the tendered resignation and the rationale behind its decision. If the Board determines not to accept the resignation of the incumbent director, the incumbent director will continue to serve until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected, or his or her earlier resignation or removal.

As described in “Executive and Director Compensation-Compensation Discussion and Analysis” on page 2624 of this proxy statement, the Compensation Committee's goal in setting executive compensation is to provide a compensation program that specifies and rewards executive behavior that is aligned with stockholder interests, effective corporate governance and the successful execution of the Company's business plan and strategies.  Additionally, our executive compensation “clawback” policy allowsprovisions allow the Company to recover bonus payments and certain equity awards under certain circumstances, and compliance and ethical behaviors are factors considered in all performance and bonus assessments.

Stockholders are urged to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, which discusses how our compensation policies and procedures implement our compensation objectives and philosophies, as well as the Summary Compensation Table and other related compensation tables and narrative disclosure which describe the compensation of our named executive officers in fiscal 2014.2016. The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors believe that the policies and procedures articulated in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis are effective in implementing our compensation objectives and philosophies and in achieving the Company's goals and that the compensation of our named executive officers in fiscal 20142016 reflects and supports these compensation policies and procedures.

In accordance with Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and as a matter of good corporate governance, stockholders will be asked at the Meeting to approve the following advisory resolution:

This advisory vote, commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay” advisory vote, is non-binding on the Board of Directors. Although non-binding, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation programs.

The “say-on-pay” advisory vote requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting.

OurIn Proposal 2, stockholders are being asked to cast a non-binding advisory vote with respect to the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. This advisory vote is typically referred to as a “say-on-pay” vote. In this Proposal 3, the Board of Directors hasis also asking stockholders to cast a non-binding advisory vote on how frequently say-on-pay votes should be held in the future.

Stockholders last had the opportunity to vote on the frequency of the advisory votes on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers in 2011, and stockholders voted in favor of an annual vote. In response to the stockholder vote, the Board of Directors adopted effectivean annual “say-on-pay” vote for the past six years. Stockholders have the opportunity to vote on this matter again at the Meeting. Accordingly, on Proposal 3, the Board of Directors asks you to choose the frequency of the “say-on-pay” vote of every one year, two years, or three years.

This advisory vote, commonly referred to as a “say-on-frequency” advisory vote, is non-binding on the Board of May 14, 2015,Directors. Although non-binding, the Board of Directors will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding the frequency with which it will submit the advisory approval of the compensation of our named executive officers to a vote of stockholders.

Stockholders are being asked to approve an amendment and restatement of the Luminex Corporation Third Amended and Restated 2006 Equity IncentiveEmployee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Equity Incentive(“Employee Stock Purchase Plan”). The Luminex Corporation 2006 Equity IncentiveEmployee Stock Purchase Plan was initiallyoriginally effective in May 2012. The Employee Stock Purchase Plan has an indefinite term; continuing until terminated by the Board.

If approved by our stockholders on May 25, 2006 at our 2006 annual meeting of stockholders, was amended and restated upon the approval by our stockholders on May 21, 2009 at our 2009 annual meeting of stockholders, was further amended and restated upon the approval by our stockholders on May 17, 2012 at our 2012 annual meeting of stockholders and was further amended by our Board of Directors on March 4, 2015 (collectively, the “Original Plan”). The key revisions to the Original Plan as reflected in the Equity Incentive Plan are as follows:

reduceThe Employee Stock Purchase Plan is a benefit that we make broadly available to our employees and employees of our participating subsidiaries that allow them to purchase shares of the maximum exercise periodCompany’s common stock at a discount. The Employee Stock Purchase Plan helps us attract, motivate and retain highly qualified employees and promotes employee stock ownership, which aligns employees’ interests with those of stock optionsour stockholders. The Board believes that the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is an important component of our total employee benefit package and stock appreciation rights from 10 years to 7 years following the grant date;

miscellaneous clarificationsIn considering its recommendation to plan language, including updatesamend and restate the Employee Stock Purchase Plan to certain provisions to facilitate compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

If a participant sells shares of common stock acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option beforeapproved by the end of two years fromstockholders, the date of grantamendment and one year from the date of exercise, the participant must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between (i) the fair market valuerestatement of the shares of common stock at the date of exercise of the incentive stock option (or, if less, the amount realized upon the disposition of the incentive stock option shares of common stock), and (ii) the exercise price. Otherwise, a participant’s disposition of shares of common stock acquired upon the exercise of an option (including an incentive stock option for which the incentive stock option holding period is met) or SAR generally will result in short-term or long-term capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the sale price and the participant’s tax basis in such shares of common stock (the tax basis generally being the exercise price plus any amount previously recognized as ordinary income in connection with the exercise of the option or SAR).

The approval of the Equity Incentiveamendment and restatement of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting.

The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2014,2016, certain information with respect to shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans.

The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm to audit the financial statements of the Company and to perform other accounting services, if appropriate, for the year ending December 31, 2015.2017.  Such appointment will be presented to the stockholders for ratification at the Meeting.  A representative of Ernst & Young LLP is expected to be present at the Meeting to respond to questions from stockholders and will be given the opportunity to make a statement if so desired.

Stockholder ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm is not required by the Company's bylaws or otherwise.  However, the Audit Committee is submitting the selection of Ernst & Young LLP to the stockholders for ratification.  If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm.  Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Fees paid to Ernst & Young LLP for services provided during the years ended December 31, 20142016 and 20132015 are presented below.

The Restated Audit Committee Charter, among other things, requires the Audit Committee to pre-approve all audit and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company by its independent auditor.  The Audit Committee has adopted a pre-approval policy in order to ensure that the performance of audit and non-audit services by the independent auditor does not impair the auditor's independence.  The policy provides for the general pre-approval of specific types of services, gives guidance to management as to the specific type of services that are eligible for pre-approval and provides cost limits for each such service on an annual basis.  The policy requires specific pre-approval of all other permitted services.  Requests or applications to provide services that require separate approval by the Audit Committee are submitted by the Company's chief financial officer to the Audit Committee and must include a statement as to whether, in the chief financial officer's view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC's rules on auditor independence.  The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members who shall report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

All audit related services, tax services and other services provided in 20142016 and 20132015 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee concluded that the provision of such services by Ernst & Young LLP was compatible with the maintenance of the firm's independence in the conduct of its auditing functions.

Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter.

The Board of Directors maintains an Audit Committee comprised of three independent directors.  The Board of Directors and the Audit Committee believe that the Audit Committee’s current member composition satisfies the rules of the SEC and NASDAQ that govern audit committee composition, including the requirement that audit committee members meet the heightened independence requirements as contemplated by the applicable rules of the NASDAQ Global Select Market.  The Audit Committee operates under a written charter, which was adopted by the Board of Directors (as amended to date, the “Restated Audit Committee Charter”).  A copy of the Restated Audit Committee Charter may be viewed on the Investor Relations"Investor Relations" section of our website at www.luminexcorp.com.

Pursuant to the Restated Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee oversees the financial reporting process on behalf of the entire Board of Directors.  The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of Luminex’s independent registered public accountants.  Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process including the systems of internal controls.  Our independent registered public accountants are responsible for performing an independent audit of Luminex’s financial statements in accordance with standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, expressing an opinion on the conformity of our audited financial statements to generally accepted accounting principles and auditing the effectiveness of Luminex’s internal control over financial reporting and issuing a report thereon.  In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviews and discusses with management and the independent registered public accountants the audited and interim financial statements included in our reports filed with the SEC in advance of the filings of such reports.

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management and the independent registered public accountants.  Furthermore, the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accountants the matters required to be discussed by the statementStatement on Auditing Standards No. 16,1301, as amended (Communications with Audit Committee).  The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accountants required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, regarding the independent registered public accountants’ communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accountants the independent registered public accountants’ independence.

The Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered public accountants the overall scope and plans for their audit.  The Audit Committee met with the independent registered public accountants, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examination, their evaluation of Luminex’s internal controls requirements under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the overall quality of Luminex’s financial reporting.

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board of Directors approved) that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, as filed with the SEC.

We strive to design both our short-term and long-term compensation programs are designed to identify and reward specific executive behavior that is aligned with stockholder interests, effective corporate governance and the successful execution of the Company’s business plan and strategies. We believe that this approach is in line with building long-termstrategies to drive stockholder value.

Our core compensation philosophies include the following: