SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 14A Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box: [ ] 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 S240.14a-11(c) or S240.14a-12 CANNON EXPRESS, INC. (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) CANNON EXPRESS, INC. (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): [ X ] No fee required [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11(1). (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: Not Applicable (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: Not Applicable (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): Not Applicable (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: Not Applicable (5) Total fee paid: Not applicable [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. (1) Amount previously Paid: Not Applicable (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: Not Applicable (3) Filing Party: Not Applicable (4) Date Filed: Not Applicable CANNON EXPRESS, INC. PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS, NOVEMBER 19, 1996 The undersigned shareholder(s) of Cannon Express, Inc. hereby appoint Dean G. Cannon and Rose Marie Cannon, and each or either of them, the true and lawful agents and attorneys-in-fact for the undersigned, with power of substitution, to attend the meeting and to vote the stock owned by or registered in the name of the undersigned, as instructed below, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Tuesday, November 19, 1996 at 10:00 a.m., local time, and at any adjournments thereof, for the transaction of the following business: 1. To fix the number of directors for the fiscal year at five and to elect the following nominees for director of the Company: Dean G.Cannon,Rose Marie Cannon,Uvalde R.Lindsey,Roy E.Stanley,Alice L. Walton The shareholder may withhold authority to vote for any of these nominees by lining through or striking out the name of any such nominee. UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED HEREON, IT IS INTENDED THAT THE PROXIES WILL VOTE THESE SHARES FOR THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. The proxies will vote in their sole discretion upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. Please sign, date and return this proxy as soon as possible. Dated , 1996 Signature Signature Please sign exactly as name(s) appear at left. If stock is in the name of two or more persons, each should sign. Persons signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. If a corporation, then signature should be by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. CANNON EXPRESS, INC. NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 19, 1996 TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF CANNON EXPRESS, INC.: Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Cannon Express, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held at the main meeting room of Boatmen's National Bank, Springdale, Arkansas on Tuesday, November 19, 1996 at 10:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes: 1. To fix the number of directors for the ensuing year at five and to elect five directors. 2. To consider and act upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments thereof. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on October 25, 1996 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof. The Company's Proxy Statement is submitted herewith. The annual report for the year ended June 30, 1996 is being mailed to shareholders together with the mailing of this Notice and Proxy Statement. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dean G. Cannon, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors Springdale, Arkansas October 28, 1996 YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT YOU ARE URGED TO DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY SO THAT YOUR SHARES MAY BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR WISHES AND IN ORDER THAT THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM MAY BE ASSURED. THE GIVING OF SUCH PROXY DOES NOT AFFECT YOUR RIGHT TO REVOKE IT LATER OR TO VOTE YOUR SHARES IN PERSON IN THE EVENT YOU SHOULD ATTEND THE MEETING. CANNON EXPRESS, INC. 1457 Robinson Springdale, Arkansas 72765 PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS NOVEMBER 19, 1996 AND ANY ADJOURNMENTS SOLICITATION AND REVOCATION OF PROXY The enclosed proxy, for use only at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the main meeting room, Boatmen's National Bank,Springdale, Arkansas on Tuesday, November 19,1996 at 10:00 a.m., local time, and any adjournments thereof, is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company. Such solicitation is being made primarily by mail, but may also be made in person or by telephone or telegraph by officers, directors, and regular employees of the Company. All expenses incurred in the solicitation will be borne by the Company. Any shareholder executing a proxy retains the right to revoke it at any time prior to exercise at the Annual Meeting. A proxy may be revoked at any time before it is used,upon written notice to Rose Marie Cannon, Secretary of the Company. If not revoked, all properly executed proxies received will be voted at the meeting in accordance with the terms of the proxy. This proxy material is first being mailed to shareholders on or about October 28, 1996. OUTSTANDING STOCK AND VOTING RIGHTS The outstanding shares of the Company as of September 21, 1996, totaled 3,147,652 Common shares. At the meeting, each Common shareholder will be entitled to one vote, in person or by proxy, for each share of Stock owned of record at the close of business on October 25, 1996. The stock transfer books of the Company will not be closed. The enclosed form of proxy provides a method for shareholders to withhold authority to vote for any one or more of the nominees for the Board of Directors while still granting authority to the proxy to vote for the remaining nominees. The names of all nominees are listed on the proxy card. If you wish to grant the proxy authority to vote for all nominees, check the box marked "FOR" which appears above the list of nominees. If you wish to withhold authority to vote for all nominees, check the box marked "ABSTAIN," also located above the list of nominees. If you wish your shares to be voted for some nominees and not for one or more of the others, indicate the name(s) of the nominee(s) for whom you are withholding authority by drawing a line through such name(s). Shareholders are not entitled to cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors. As noted above, the enclosed form of proxy provides a method for shareholders to withhold authority to vote for a director and thereby abstain from voting. If you check the box marked "ABSTAIN", shares will be voted neither for nor against a director but will be counted for quorum purposes. Additionally, broker non-votes are not relevant to the determination of a quorum or for determining whether the proposal to elect directors has been approved. While there may be instances in which a shareholder will wish to abstain,the Board of Directors encourages all shareholders to vote their shares in their best judgment and to participate in the voting process to the fullest extent possible. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT Directors are to be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The Board of Directors of the Company has recommended to the Company's shareholders that the number of Directors which shall be authorized to manage the affairs of the Company for the ensuing year shall be five and that the nominees listed below be elected as directors at the Annual Meeting. Assuming a quorum is present in person or by proxy at the annual meeting, each nominee must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of the Company's Common Stock, $.01 par value, which are present by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting. The following table sets forth the name, age, term of office as director of the Company, and ownership of the Company's Common Stock with respect to each nominee for election to the Board of Directors, the named directors, the named executive officers, and of the directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. Other than Ms. Alice L. Walton, each of the nominees listed below served as members of the Board of Directors during the last fiscal year. Year First Common Elected Shares Nominees and Officers Age Director Owned Percentage(2) Dean G. Cannon(1) 55 1986 1,959,386 62% Rose Marie Cannon(1) 55 1986 1,959,386 62% Alice L. Walton 47 N/A 283,289 9% Uvalde R. Lindsey 56 1992 * * Roy E. Stanley 52 1987 * * Larry L. Patrick(3) 51 N/A 39,857 1% All current directors, nominated directors and executive officers (7 persons) 2,356,076 75% (1) See Principal Shareholders (2) Percentage based upon 3,147,652 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of September 21,1996. (3) Mr. Patrick is not a nominee for director. * Denotes ownership of less than 1% of the total outstanding shares of common stock. Business Experience. The following is a brief summary of the business experience of each of the nominees for director of the Company for at least the past five years: Dean G. Cannon has served as President and a Director of the Company since its inception in 1981. Rose Marie Cannon has served as Secretary, Treasurer and a Director of the Company since its inception in 1981. Uvalde R. Lindsey is an economic development consultant and Director of the Northwest Arkansas Council, a regional organization dedicated to the economic enhancement of Northwest Arkansas. After graduating from the University of Arkansas, Mr. Lindsey owned and operated a chain of automotive parts stores in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. After selling his businesses in 1983, Lindsey served as Budget Officer to the Governor of the State of Arkansas and as Executive Director of the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District. Roy E. Stanley holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from Memphis State University and received the degree of Juris Doctor, with honors, in 1978 from the University of Arkansas School of Law at Fayetteville. After engaging in the private practice of law in Springdale, Arkansas for sixteen years, in 1994 Mr. Stanley became president of Lindsey Management Company, Inc., a real estate management company with its principal offices in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Alice L.Walton is Chairman and general partner of Llama Company, a nationally-recognized investment banking firm established in 1988. She previously served as Vice Chairman and head of all investment-related activities for the Arvest Bank Group in addition to managing bank and trust investments. Ms. Walton has a B.A. in Economics and Finance from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and has also completed graduate work at Tulane University Business School in New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition, she has received an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, an Honorary Doctorate from The Philippine Women's University, and an Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters from Audrey Cohen College. She has been active on the Board of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences at Little Rock, the Board of Advisors for the University of Arkansas Graduate School of Business at Fayetteville, Arkansas, served the State of Arkansas on the Governor's Aerospace Task Force in 1992, and was an international judge for Students in Free Enterprise. Ms. Walton currently serves on the Pace Industries Board of Directors, the Advisory Board for the Arkansas Community Foundation, the Arkansas State University-Beebe Charitable Foundation Board of Trustees, the Asia Society Board of Trustees and Finance, Budget and Investment Committee, Northwest Arkansas Big Brothers/Big Sisters Advisory Board, and serves as Chairman-Emeritus for the Northwest Arkansas Council. Rose Marie Cannon is the wife of Dean G. Cannon. Except for the foregoing, no family relationships exist among any of the persons named above. The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable or unwilling to accept nomination or to serve if elected. However, should any nominee become unable or unwilling to accept nomination or to serve if elected, all proxies will be voted for the election of a qualified substitute nominated by the Board of Directors. Committees The Company presently does not have standing nominating committees. The Board of Directors nominates persons for director. The Board will consider suggestions by shareholders for names of nominees to the Board of Directors for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1998, provided that such suggestions are made in writing and delivered to Rose Marie Cannon, Secretary of the Company, on or before June 30, 1997. The Company has an audit committee which is presently composed of Dean G. Cannon, Roy E. Stanley and Uvalde Lindsey. The Audit Committee recommends candidates to serve as the Company's auditors, reviews the reports of the Company's auditors, and has the authority to investigate the financial and business affairs of the Company. The Company has a compensation committee which is presently composed of Uvalde R. Lindsey and Roy E. Stanley. The compensation committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding compensation for the President and Secretary/Treasurer of the Company. During the past fiscal year, the Board of Directors met on nine occasions, the Audit Committee met once, and the Compensation Committee met once. PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS As of October 18, 1996, the only shareholders known to the Company to own, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the Company's Common Stock are reflected in the following table: Number of Shares Percent of Beneficially Outstanding Name and Address Owned Shares (3) Dean G. Cannon 1,959,216(1) 62% 1457 Robinson Springdale, Arkansas 72764 Rose Marie Cannon 1,959,216(2) 62% 1457 Robinson Springdale, Arkansas 72764 Alice L. Walton 283,289 9% One McIlroy Plaza, Suite 302 Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 (1)Includes 343,150 shares owned of record by Rose Marie Cannon, his wife, and 1,248,086 shares held jointly by Dean and Rose Marie Cannon. Also includes presently exercisable options to purchase 12,415 shares. (2)Includes 343,150 shares owned of record by Dean G. Cannon, her husband, and 1,248,086 shares held jointly by Rose Marie and Dean G. Cannon. Also includes presently exercisable options to purchase 12,415 shares. (3)Percentage based upon 3,147,652 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock outstanding as of September 21, 1996. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The following table is set forth with respect to all cash compensation paid or to be paid by the Company as well as certain other compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers whose total remuneration exceeded $100,000 during fiscal 1995. SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE Annual Compensation Long-Term Compensation Awards Payouts Securities Other Under- Annual Restricted Lying All Other Compen- Stock Options/ LTIP Compen- Position Year Salary Bonus sation Award(s) SARs Payouts sation ($) ($) ($) ($) (#) ($) ($) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) Dean G.Cannon 1996 227,204(1) 240,000 -0- -0- -0-/-0- -0- -0- President, Chairman of 1995 206,355(1) 240,000 -0- -0- -0-/-0- -0- -0- the Board 1994 212,090(1) 240,000 -0- -0- -0-/-0- -0- -0- Larry L.Patrick 1996 160,954 -0- -0- -0- -0-/-0- -0- -0- Vice-president 1995 158,173 -0- -0- -0- -0-/-0- -0- -0- 1994 81,208 -0- -0- -0- -0-/-0- -0- -0- (1) Amounts shown include cash and non-cash compensation earned and received AGGREGATED OPTIONS/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FY-END OPTION/SAR VALUES Number of Value of Unexercised Number Unexercised Options In-the-Money Options Shares at June 30, 1996 at June 30, 1996 Acquired Value Exercisable/ Exercisable/ Name on Exercise Realized Unexercisable Unexercisable Dean G.Cannon -0- -0- 24,830 /-0-(1) $201,976/$-0-(3) Larry L.Patrick -0- -0- 24,829/12,414(2) $112,871/$56,431(3) (1) Represent options to purchase 12,415 Common shares granted to Dean G. Cannon and 12,415 Common shares granted to Rose Marie Cannon under the Company's Incentive Stock Option Plan. (2) Represent options to purchase 37,243 Common shares granted under the Company's Incentive Stock Option Plan. (3) Market value of the Company's Common Stock at 06/30/96 was $10.50 per share. Value of unexercised options was calculated based upon the difference between the foregoing market values and the exercise price of the options. Each non-officer director was paid a total of $2,800 for the meetings of the Board or its committees which he attended. Directors do not receive annual fees for attendance at meetings. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The Company's executive compensation program is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The members of the compensation Committee are Uvalde R. Lindsey and Roy E. Stanley, both non- employee directors of the company. All decisions by the Compensation Committee relating to compensation of the Company's executive officers are reviewed by the full board, except for decisions regarding awards under the Company's Incentive Stock Option Plan (the Plan), which must be made solely by the Committee in order for the grants to satisfy Exchange Act Rule 16b-3. Compensation Policies The overall compensation policy of the Company is to maximize shareholder return by combining annual and long-term compensation to executives. The Committee seeks to provide annual compensation which motivates executives by recognizing and rewarding individual initiative and achievement. Long-term compensation to executives is based on stock ownership by management. Compensation Elements The following alternatives were available to the Committee as compensation elements during fiscal 1996: base salary, annual cash bonuses for fiscal 1996, and stock options granted under the Company's Plan. Compensation paid during fiscal 1996 reflected the Committee's emphasis of determining pay on an individualized basis. Base Salary. Executive's base salaries are initially determined with reference to comparable base salaries of others in the Company's industry. Subjective measures of performance include a review of each executive's past and anticipated level of performance. The Committee does not attempt to relate executive salaries to objective performance-related criteria. Cash Bonuses. The Compensation Committee determines on an annual basis whether to award cash bonuses to executives. While no general bonus program existed during fiscal 1996, the Compensation Committee may elect to award bonuses to reward individual contributions. Bonuses are awarded by the Compensation Committee based on subjective criteria, such as a review of the executive's past and anticipated performance. The Committee does not attempt to relate bonuses to objective performance-related criteria. Stock Options. The Company's long-term incentive program is based on the Company's Plan, which was approved by shareholders in 1986. Upon selection by the Compensation Committee, the company's key employees are eligible to participate in the Plan. In determining whether to grant options, the Committee reviews the options previously granted and exercised under the Plan, the Company's performance as determined in the market price of its stock, individual performance and potential contribution to the Company and the perceived need of providing additional long-term incentive to key executives. Based on these criteria, no options to acquire shares of the Company's Common Stock were granted to executive officers during fiscal 1996. CEO Compensation The compensation Committee's general approach in setting Mr. Cannon's target annual compensation is to seek to be competitive with other companies of a similar size in the Company's industry, to recognize and reward initiative, overall corporate performance and managerial ability, and to provide long- term incentive to increase shareholder value. In setting Mr. Cannon's cash compensation, the Committee reviewed the compensation of Chief Executive Officers of other companies in the industry. The Committee targeted Mr. Cannon's cash compensation to fall within the range of such amounts. The Committee also considered corporate earnings based on Mr. Cannon's efforts during fiscal 1996. Based on these factors, the Compensation Committee determined that a $240,000 bonus was appropriate to bring Mr. Cannon's aggregate compensation in line with that of CEOs of similarly sized and similarly profitable companies in the industry. The Committee believes that Mr. Cannon's aggregate cash compensation is comparable with or below the external marketplace. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE Uvalde R. Lindsey Roy E. Stanley Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation There exist no interlocking relationships on the Compensation Committee CERTAIN RELATED TRANSACTIONS The Company leases its offices from Dean G. Cannon and Rose Marie Cannon pursuant to a written lease entered into and effective as of September 1, 1986. The lease provides for monthly payments of $2,000 through 1996, cancelable by the Company on 30 days' notice and is on terms no less favorable to the Company as could be obtained from an independent third party. The Company has a right to purchase the facility at any time prior to expiration of the lease in 1996 for the sum of $235,000 which equals its appraised value as of August 15, 1986. The Company paid financial advisory fees totaling $600,000 to Llama Company in return for services rendered to the Company and to a special committee of its Board of Directors. Alice Walton, Chairman and General Partner of Llama, is an approximate 9% shareholder of the Company. Alice L. Walton was nominated as a candidate for the Company's Board of Directors pursuant to an arrangement reached at the time of Ms. Walton's purchase of 9% of the Company's outstanding common stock. Under this agreement Dean G. Cannon and Rose Marie Cannon agreed, among other things, to nominate Ms. Walton to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Company. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors and executive officers,and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission reports of ownership and changes in ownership ofcommon stock and other equity securities of the Company. Officers,directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely upon a review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company, or written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that, during the 1996 fiscal year, all filing requirements were complied with as they apply to its officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners. STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH The following graph sets forth the cumulative total shareholder return to the Company's shareholders during the six-year period ended June 30, 1996, as well as an overall stock market index (NASDAQ Market Index) and a published industry index (NASDAQ Transportation Index). 06-91 06-92 06-93 06-94 06-95 06-96 100 105 102 254 283 222 100 122 150 153 171 190 100 120 151 153 204 261 The stock performance graph assumes $100 was invested on July 1, 1991 and that all dividends were reinvested. 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 nor endorse any predictions as to future stock performance. AUDITORS TO BE PRESENT The Board of Directors has selected Baird, Kurtz & Dobson to serve as the independent auditors of the Company for the current fiscal year. A representative of Baird, Kurtz & Dobson is expected to be in attendance at the Annual Meeting and will be afforded the opportunity to make a statement. The representative will also be available to respond to appropriate questions. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS Any shareholder proposal to be presented at the 1997 Annual Meeting should be directed to Mr. Dean G. Cannon, Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors, and must be received by the Company on or before May 30, 1997. Any such proposal must comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. Solicitations may be made personally, by written communications, telephone or telegraph, and may be made by directors, officers, and regular employees of the Company who will not receive any additional compensation, except reimbursement of actual expenses, in connection with such solicitation. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE Upon written request, the Company will furnish, without charge, a copy of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1996, as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including the financial statements and schedules thereto. The written request should be sent to Mr. Dean G. Cannon, Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors, 1457 Robinson, P.O. Box 364, Springdale, Arkansas 72765. OTHER MATTERS So far as is now known, there is no business other than that described above to be presented to the shareholders for action at the meeting. Should other business come before the meeting, votes may be cast pursuant to proxies in respect to any such business in the best judgment of the persons acting under the proxies. SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING ARE URGED TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED, WHICH REQUIRES NO ADDITIONAL POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. By Order of the Board of Directors Dean G. Cannon, Chairman October 28, 1996