1 SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. ) FILED BY THE REGISTRANT /X/ FILED BY A PARTY OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT / / - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check the appropriate box: / / Preliminary Proxy Statement /X/ Definitive Proxy Statement / / Definitive Additional Materials / / Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12 / / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) VIDEOSERVER, INC. (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) VIDEOSERVER, 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)(4) and 0-11. 1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: 2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): 4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: 5) Total fee paid: / / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. / / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. 1) Amount Previously Paid: 2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: 3) Filing Party: 4) Date Filed: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 VideoServer Logo April 11, 1997 Dear Shareholder: You are cordially invited to attend the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of VideoServer, Inc., which will be held at The Marriott, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803, on Wednesday, May 14, 1997 at 9:00 a.m., EDT. The Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and a Proxy Statement, which describe the formal business to be conducted at the meeting, follow this letter. The Company's Annual Report to Shareholders is also enclosed for your information. Please promptly mark, sign, and return the enclosed proxy card in the prepaid envelope so that your shares can be voted at the meeting in accordance with your instructions. Your shares cannot be voted unless you date, sign, and return the enclosed proxy card or attend the annual meeting in person. Regardless of the number of shares you own, your careful consideration of, and vote on, the matters before the shareholders is important. Very truly yours, /s/ Robert L. Castle ROBERT L. CASTLE President and Chief Executive Officer 3 VIDEOSERVER, INC. 63 THIRD AVENUE BURLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01803 ------------------------ NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS ------------------------ To Our Shareholders: The Annual Meeting of Shareholders ("the Meeting") of VideoServer, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 1997 at 9:00 a.m., EDT, at The Marriott, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803. The purposes of the Meeting shall be: 1. To elect one Class II director to hold office for a three year term and until his/her successor has been duly elected and qualified. 2. To ratify the appointment of the firm of Ernst & Young LLP, as auditors for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997. Shareholders of record on the books of the Company at the close of business on April 1, 1997 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. Please sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy card in the envelope enclosed at your earliest convenience. If you return the proxy, you may nevertheless attend the Meeting and vote your shares in person. All shareholders of the Company are cordially invited to attend the Meeting. By order of the Board of Directors, /s/ Paul L. Criswell PAUL L. CRISWELL Assistant Secretary Burlington, Massachusetts April 11, 1997 IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE SIGN, DATE, AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED FROM WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. 4 VIDEOSERVER, INC. 63 THIRD AVENUE BURLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01803 ------------------------ PROXY STATEMENT ------------------------ ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 14, 1997 Proxies enclosed with this Proxy Statement are solicited by the Board of Directors of VideoServer, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") to be held on Wednesday, May 14, 1997 at 9:00 a.m., EDT, at The Marriott, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803, and any adjournments thereof. Shares represented by duly executed proxies in the form enclosed herewith received by the Company prior to the Meeting will be voted as instructed in the proxy on each matter submitted to the vote of shareholders. If any duly-executed proxy is returned without voting instructions, the persons named as proxies thereon intend to vote all shares represented by such proxy FOR the election of the nominee for director named below and FOR the ratification of selection of auditors described in this Proxy Statement. Any shareholder may revoke a proxy at any time prior to its exercise by delivering a later-dated proxy or written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company at the address of the Company set forth above, or by voting in person at the Meeting. If a shareholder does not intend to attend the Meeting, any proxy or notice should be returned for receipt by the Company not later than the close of business on May 13, 1997. The persons named in the proxies are employees of the Company. The Company will bear the cost of solicitation of proxies relating to the Meeting. Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 1, 1997 (the "Record Date") will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting and any adjournments thereof. As of the Record Date, there were 12,636,886 shares (excluding treasury shares) of the Company's Common Stock, $.01 par value (the "Common Stock"), issued and outstanding. Such shares of Common Stock are the only voting securities of the Company. Shareholders are entitled to cast one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record on the Record Date. The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors") is not aware of any other matters to be presented at the Meeting. If any other matter should be presented at the Meeting upon which a vote properly may be taken, shares represented by all duly executed proxies received by the Company will be voted with respect thereto in accordance with the best judgment of the persons named in the proxies. An Annual Report to Shareholders, containing financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, preceded or accompanies this Proxy Statement. This Proxy Statement and the proxy enclosed herewith were first mailed to shareholders on or about April 11, 1997. The mailing address of the Company's principal executive offices is 63 Third Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803. 1 5 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of April 1, 1997 (i) by each person who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than five percent (5%) of the Company's Common Stock, (ii) by each of the Company's directors, (iii) by each of the Named Executive Officers (as defined under "Summary Compensation" below) and (iv) by all directors and executive officers as a group. SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED ----------------------- DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND 5% SHAREHOLDERS NUMBER PERCENT --------------------------------------------------------------- --------- ------- Pilgrim Baxter & Associates Ltd.(1)............................ 1,325,200 10.48% 11255 Drummers Lane, Suite 300 Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087 Bessemer Venture Partners II L.P.(2)........................... 1,035,596 8.19% c/o Bessemer Venture Partners 125 Old Country Road, Suite 205 Westbury, New York 11590 Chancellor LGT Asset Management Inc.(3)........................ 675,000 5.34% 1166 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10036 Paul Ferri(4).................................................. 20,660 * William E. Foster(5)........................................... 21,250 * Steven C. Walske(6)............................................ 18,250 * Robert L. Castle(7)............................................ 222,639 1.7% Rubin Gruber(8)................................................ 39,112 * Jules L. DeVigne(9)............................................ 14,106 * Derek M. James(10)............................................. 31,171 * Stephen J. Nill(11)............................................ 39,036 * All executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons)(12)................................................. 447,513 3.5% - --------------- * Less than 1% (1) Based on information contained in Schedule 13D filed by Pilgrim Baxter & Associates on February 16, 1997. (2) Does not include an aggregate of 179,079 shares of Common Stock held by the following persons related to Bessemer Venture Partners II L.P. as to which shares Bessemer Venture Partners II L.P. does not possess voting or investment power: Brimstone Island Co., L.P., (25,000 shares); Robert Buescher (21,936); William Burgin (47,125 shares); Christopher Gabrieli (60,343 shares); and G. Felda Hardymon (24,675 shares). (3) Based on information contained in Schedule 13D filed by Chancellor LGT Asset Management Inc. on February 7, 1997. (4) Includes 8,250 shares that Mr. Ferri has the right to acquire within 60 days of April 1, 1995 by the exercise of stock options. (5) Includes 8,250 shares that Mr. Foster has the right to acquire within 60 days of April 1, 1997 by the exercise of stock options. (6) Includes 8,250 shares that Mr. Walske has the right to acquire within 60 days of April 1, 1997 by the exercise of stock options. (7) Includes 67,001 shares that Mr. Castle has the right to acquire within 60 days of April 1, 1997 by the exercise of stock options. (8) Includes 280 shares of Common Stock held by Cambridge Investments Associates and 22,401 shares Mr. Gruber has the right to acquire within 60 days of April 1, 1997 by the exercise of stock options. Mr. Gruber is a general partner of Cambridge Investments Associates. Mr. Gruber disclaims beneficial 2 6 ownership of the shares owned by Cambridge Investments Associates except to the extent of his pecuniary ownership therein. (9) Includes 13,001 shares that Mr. DeVigne has the right to acquire within 60 days of April 1, 1997 by the exercise of stock options. (10) Includes 29,876 shares that Mr. James has the right to acquire within 60 days of April 1, 1997 by the exercise of stock options. (11) Includes 31,376 shares that Mr. Nill has the right to acquire within 60 days of April 1, 1997 by the exercise of stock options. (12) Includes 220,032 shares that directors and executive officers of the Company have the right to acquire within 60 days of April 1, 1997 by the exercise of stock options. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS SUMMARY COMPENSATION The following table sets forth information concerning the annual and long-term compensation in each of the last three fiscal years for the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the next four most highly compensated executive officers (the "Named Executive Officers"). ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG-TERM ---------------------- COMPENSATION ALL OTHER NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) OPTIONS(#) COMPENSATION($) - ---------------------------------- ---- --------- -------- ------------ --------------- Robert L. Castle(5)............... 1996 192,718 90,000 60,000 President and 1995 170,000 75,000 37,500 -- Chief Executive Officer 1994 165,000 40,000 -- 3,649(1) Jules L. DeVigne.................. 1996 120,000 147,779 (2) 20,000 Vice President of 1995 120,000 119,744 (2) 15,000 -- Worldwide Sales 1994 120,000 76,654 (2) -- -- Rubin Gruber(5)................... 1996 156,283 24,750 32,000 Vice President of Business 1995 150,032 47,283 25,000 -- Development 1994 141,578 11,776 -- 9,472(1) Derek James(5).................... 1996 145,493 36,850 25,000 Chief Technology Officer 1995 141,741 46,357 20,000 -- 1994 128,260 11,776 -- 5,018(1) Stephen J. Nill................... 1996 149,940 51,150 25,000 Vice President of Finance and 1995 145,801 45,871 2,500 -- Chief Financial Officer, 1994 81,667 11,776 87,500(3) 20,000(4) Treasurer, and Secretary - --------------- (1) Consists of payments for accrued vacation. (2) Amounts shown primarily represent commissions paid by the Company. (3) Represents options granted to Mr. Nill upon his commencement of employment in June, 1994. (4) Represents payment by the Company related to Mr. Nill's prior employment for cash and other compensation that he had foregone by joining the Company. (5) On July 20, 1992, the Company issued 550,000 shares of restricted Common Stock to Robert L. Castle. As of December 31, 1993, 40% of such shares were vested and the remainder vested thereafter at the rate of 5% per fiscal quarter. On March 28, 1991, the Company issued 625,000 and 375,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to a vesting schedule, to Rubin Gruber and Derek James, respectively, founders of the Company. As of such date, 30% of such stock was vested, 5% vested on December 31, 1991, and 3 7 the remainder vested thereafter at the rate of 5% per fiscal quarter. On December 31, 1996, all such shares of restricted stock were fully vested. OPTIONS GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR The following table sets forth information concerning individual stock option grants made to each of the Named Executive Officers during fiscal 1996. POTENTIAL REALIZABLE INDIVIDUAL GRANTS VALUE AT ASSUMED ----------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL RATES OF PERCENT OF STOCK PRICE TOTAL APPRECIATION FOR OPTIONS GRANTED EXERCISE OPTION TERM(1) OPTIONS TO EMPLOYEES IN PRICE EXPIRATION -------------------- NAME GRANTED(#) FISCAL YEAR ($/SH)(2) DATE 5% 10% - ---------------------------- ---------- --------------- --------- ---------- -------- ------- Robert L. Castle............ 60,000 7.7% $ 19.25 3/25/02 $392,810 891,153 Jules L. DeVigne............ 20,000 2.6% $ 19.25 3/25/02 $130,937 297,051 Rubin Gruber................ 32,000 4.1% $ 19.25 3/25/02 $209,499 475,282 Derek M. James.............. 25,000 3.2% $ 19.25 3/25/02 $163,671 371,314 Stephen J. Nill............. 25,000 3.2% $ 19.25 3/25/02 $163,671 371,314 - --------------- (1) Potential gains are net of exercise price, but before taxes associated with exercise. These amounts represent certain assumed rates of appreciation only, based on the Securities and Exchange Commission rules. Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises are dependent on the future performance of the Common Stock, the timing of such exercises and the optionholder's continued employment through the vesting period. The amounts reflected in this table may not accurately reflect or predict the actual value of the stock options. (2) All options were granted at fair market value as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company on the date of the grant. AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES The following table sets forth information concerning each exercise of stock options by the each of the Named Executive Officers during fiscal 1996 and the value of unexercised "in-the-money" options at the end of that fiscal year. VALUE OF UNEXERCISED SHARES NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS ACQUIRED ON VALUE OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR-END AT FISCAL YEAR-END(1) NAME EXERCISE(#) REALIZED($) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE(#) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE($) - ----------------------- ----------- ----------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- Robert L. Castle....... -- -- 50,625/96,875 2,032,500/2,752,500 Jules L. DeVigne....... 27,000 1,046,500 750/44,750 25,500/1,432,500 Rubin Gruber........... -- -- 14,375/50,125 535,438/1,375,813 Derek M. James......... -- -- 22,000/47,375 872,500/1,419,813 Stephen J. Nill........ 10,000 283,125 17,500/57,250 694,750/1,861,500 - --------------- (1) Based on the closing price on the NASDAQ National Market System for a share of Common Stock on December 31, 1996 of $42.50. OTHER BENEFIT PLANS The Company currently provides certain benefits to its eligible employees (including its executive officers) through the benefit plans described below: 1991 Stock Incentive Plan. The Company maintains the VideoServer, Inc. Amended and Restated 1991 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Stock Incentive Plan") to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility and to provide additional incentives to certain employees and consultants to contribute to the success of the Company. The Stock Incentive Plan is administered by a committee of the Board of Directors that consists of independent directors. 4 8 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Company maintains the 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Employee Plan") to provide incentive to employees and to encourage ownership of Common Stock by all eligible employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. Employees of the Company may participate in the Employee Plan by authorizing payroll deductions generally over a six month period, with the proceeds being used to purchase shares of Common Stock for the participant at a discounted price. The Employee Plan is intended to be an "employee stock purchase plan" under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. Savings Plan. The Company sponsors a savings plan for its employees which has been qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Eligible employees are permitted to contribute to the 401(k) plan through payroll deductions within statutory and plan limits. Contributions from the Company are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. As of December 31, 1996, the Company had made no contributions to the plan. Beginning in 1997, the Board of Directors has authorized the Company to commence with a matching of a portion of its employees' contributions to the plan. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The Company's executive compensation program is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee"). The Committee, which is composed of two independent directors, establishes and administers the Company's executive compensation policies and plans and administers the Company's stock option and other equity-related employee compensation plans. The Committee considers internal and external information in determining officers' compensation, including outside survey data. Compensation Philosophy The Company's compensation policies for executive officers are based on the belief that the interests of executives should be closely aligned with those of the Company's shareholders. The Compensation policies are designed to achieve the following objectives: - Offer compensation opportunities that attract highly qualified executives, reward outstanding initiative and achievement, and retain the leadership and skills necessary to build long-term shareholder value. - Maintain a significant portion of executives' total compensation at risk, tied to both the annual and long-term financial performance of the Company and the creation of shareholder value. - Further the Company's short and long-term strategic goals and values by aligning compensation with business objectives and individual performance. Compensation Program The Company's executive compensation program has three major integrated components, base salary, annual incentive awards, and long term incentives. Base Salary. Base salary levels for executive officers are determined annually by reviewing the competitive pay practices of networking companies of similar size and market capitalization, the skills, performance level, and contribution to the business of individual executives, and the needs of the Company. Overall, the Committee believes that base salaries for executive officers are approximately competitive with median base salary levels for similar positions in these networking companies. Annual Incentive Awards. The Company's executive officers are eligible to receive annual cash bonus awards designed to motivate executives to attain short-term and longer-term corporate and individual management goals. The Committee establishes the annual incentive opportunity for each executive officer in relation to his or her base salary. Awards under this program are based on the attainment of specific Company performance measures established by the Compensation Committee early in the fiscal year, and by the achievement of specified individual objectives and the degree to which each executive officer contributes to the overall success of the Company and the management team. For 1996, the formula for these bonuses was determined as a function of sales growth and pre-tax income objectives, thus establishing a direct link between executive pay and Company profitability. The Company's financial performance in 1996 exceeded the objectives set by the Committee. 5 9 Long Term Incentives. The Committee believes that stock options are an excellent vehicle for compensating its officers and employees. The Company provides long term incentives through its Amended and Restated 1991 Stock Incentive Plan, the purpose of which is to create a direct link between executive compensation and increases in shareholder value. Stock options are granted at fair market value and vest in installments, generally over five years. When determining option awards for an executive officer, the Committee considers the executive's current contribution to Company performance, the anticipated contribution to meeting the Company's long-term strategic performance goals, and industry practices and norms. Long-term incentives granted in prior years and existing levels of stock ownership are also taken into consideration. Because the receipt of value by an executive officer under a stock option is dependent upon an increase in the price of the Company's Common Stock, this portion of the executive's compensation is directly aligned with an increase in shareholder value. Chief Executive Officer Compensation Mr. Castle's base salary, annual incentive award and long-term incentive compensation are determined by the Committee based upon the same factors as those employed by the Committee for executive officers generally. Mr. Castle's current annual base salary is $210,000 subject to annual review and increase by the Committee. Mr. Castle may also be entitled to an annual cash bonus depending on the Company's achievement of certain performance objectives, including certain growth milestones in sales and earnings during a fiscal year, as compared to the preceding fiscal year. Any such cash bonus will be computed on a formula basis established by the Committee. For the year ended December 31, 1996, Mr. Castle was paid a cash bonus of $90,000. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the tax deduction to $1 million for compensation paid to certain executives of public companies. Having considered the requirements of Section 162(m), the Committee believes that grants made pursuant to the Company's Amended and Restated 1991 Stock Incentive Plan meet the requirement that such grants be "performance based" and are, therefore, exempt from the limitations on deductibility. Historically, the combined salary and bonus of each executive officer has been well below the $1 million limit. The Committee's present intention is to comply with Section 162(m) unless the Committee feels that required changes would not be in the best interest of the Company or its shareholders. Respectfully submitted by the Compensation Committee, Paul J. Ferri Steven C. Walske COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION The Compensation Committee was formed on February 1, 1995. Prior to that date, the Board of Directors carried out compensation related functions. No member of the Compensation Committee was or is an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS In April 1995, the Company's Board of Directors and shareholders approved the Amended and Restated 1994 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the "Director Plan"). The Director Plan provides that each non-employee director of the Company be granted an option to acquire 15,000 shares of common stock on the date that person becomes a director, but, in any event, not earlier than the effective date of the Director Plan, and annually be granted, beginning with the January 1 falling at least 12 months after a Director's initial grant, an option to purchase an additional 3,000 shares. Options are granted at a price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant. The option becomes exercisable over a four-year period, and the term of the option is ten years from the date of grant. Pursuant to the Director Plan, on January 1, 1996 Messrs. Ferri, Foster, and Walske were each granted an option to acquire 3,000 shares at an exercise price of $32.00 per share. 6 10 SECTION 16(A) -- BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the Company's officers, directors, and persons who own more than ten percent (10%) of a registered class of the Company's equity securities to file reports of ownership on Forms 3, 4, and 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Company. Based on the Company's review of copies of such forms, the following persons made late filings during the year ended December 31, 1995: Mr. Frank Winiarski, an executive officer of the Company, filed a Form 4 due July 10, 1996, reporting one transaction on November 7, 1996, and a Form 4 due December 10, 1996, reporting two transactions on February 6, 1997; Mr. Jack O'Neil, an executive officer of the Company, filed a Form 4 due August 10, 1996, reporting one transaction on March 18, 1997; Mr. Steven Walske, a Director of the Company, filed a Form 5 due February 14, 1997, reporting one transaction on April 9, 1997; and Bessemer Venture Partners II L.P. and related persons filed 14 late Forms 4 reporting 10 transactions on March 21, 1997. STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH The following graph compares the cumulative total returns for VideoServer's Common Stock with the comparable return for the NASDAQ Stock Market Index and the NASDAQ Electronic Components Stock Index (SIC Code 367), as calculated by the Center for Research in Security Prices by the University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business, for the period beginning May 25, 1995 and ending December 31, 1996. Measurement Period NASDAQ Stock (Fiscal Year Covered) VideoServer, Inc. SIC Code 367 Market Index 5/25/95 100 100 100 6/30/95 229 109 106 9/29/95 207 118 119 12/29/95 185 102 121 3/29/96 149 101 126 6/28/96 229 116 137 9/30/96 204 140 142 12/31/96 250 176 148 This graph assumes the investment of $100 in VideoServer's Stock, the NASDAQ Index and the NASDAQ Electronic Components Stock Index as of May 25, 1995 (the date on which VideoServer's Common Stock was first registered with the SEC) and assumes dividends were reinvested. Additional measurement points are at the remaining quarter ends thereafter during the years ended December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1996. 7 11 PROPOSAL NO. 1 -- ELECTION OF DIRECTOR The Board of Directors is divided into three classes. Each class serves a three-year term. The Class II Director's term will expire at the Meeting. All directors will hold office until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. The Board's nominee for Class II Director is William E. Foster. Shares represented by all proxies received by the Board of Directors and not marked so as to withhold authority to vote for Mr. Foster will be voted FOR the election of the nominee. Mr. Foster will be elected to hold office until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2000 and until his successor is duly elected and qualified. The nominee has indicated his willingness to serve, if elected; however, if he should be unable or unwilling to serve, the proxies will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee designated by the Board of Directors or for fixing the number of directors at a lesser number. The following table sets forth for the nominee to be elected at the Meeting and for each director whose term of office will extend beyond the Meeting, his age, the position(s) currently held by each nominee or director with the Company, the year such nominee or director was first elected a director, the year each nominee's or director's term will expire, and the class of director of each nominee or director. YEAR TERM CLASS OF NOMINEE OR DIRECTOR'S NAME AGE POSITION(S) HELD DIRECTOR SINCE WILL EXPIRE DIRECTOR - ------------------------------ --- ------------------------------- -------------- ----------- -------- William E. Foster............. 52 Director 1994 1997 II Rubin Gruber.................. 52 Vice President of Business 1991 1998 III Development, and Director Steven C. Walske.............. 45 Director 1994 1998 III Robert L. Castle.............. 47 President, Chief Executive 1992 1999 I Officer, and Director Paul J. Ferri................. 58 Director 1991 1999 I William E. Foster has been a Director of the Company since November 1994. Mr. Foster is a founder and has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Stratus Computer, Inc., a manufacturer of continuously available computer platforms, since 1980. Mr. Foster also serves as a director of Avid Technology, Inc. Rubin Gruber was a founder of the Company and has served as a Director since the inception of the Company and as Vice President of Business Development since February 1992. Mr. Gruber served as President of the Company from the Company's inception until February 1992, and as Treasurer from the Company's inception until June 1995. He was a founder and served as President of Span Communications, Inc., a development stage company, from August 1989 to August 1990. Previously, Mr. Gruber was a founder and served as President of both Cambridge Telecommunications, Inc., a manufacturer of networking equipment, and Davox Corporation, a developer of terminals supporting concurrent voice and data applications, and as a Senior Vice President of Bolt, Beranek and Newman Communications Corporation, a manufacturer of data communications equipment. Steven C. Walske has been a Director of the Company since July 1994. He has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Parametric Technology Corporation, a supplier of mechanical design and manufacturing software, since August 1994. Previously, he had been President and Chief Executive Officer of Parametric since 1986. Mr. Walske also serves as a director of Synopsys, Inc., and Logic Works, Inc. Robert L. Castle has served as President of the Company since February 1992, as a Director since March 1992, and as Chief Executive Officer of the Company since March 1993. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Castle was employed for eight years at FileNet Corporation, a supplier of document imaging equipment, in various positions including Senior Vice President of Marketing from October 1990 to February 1992 and Vice President of Marketing from December 1987 to October 1990. Previously, Mr. Castle held marketing and 8 12 general management positions at Basic Four Corp., a developer of software applications, and Sycor, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of data-entry terminals. Paul J. Ferri has been a Director of the Company since March 1991. He has served as a General Partner of Matrix Partners, a venture capital firm, since 1982. Mr. Ferri also serves as a director of Applix, Inc.; BancTec. Inc.; Cascade Communications Corp.; Stratus Computer Inc.; and Tech Force Corp. BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES The Board of Directors held a total of six meetings during the year ended December 31, 1996. During that period, the Audit Committee of the Board held two meetings and the Compensation Committee of the Board held seven meetings. Each of the directors attended at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the meetings of the Board of Directors and committees of the Board on which the director served during the year. The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Ferri and Walske. The Compensation Committee determines the compensation of the Company's senior management and administers the Company's stock option plans. The Audit Committee comprises Messrs. Ferri, Foster, and Walske. The Audit Committee recommends engagement of the Company's independent auditors, consults with the Company's auditors concerning the scope of the audit, reviews the results of their examination, reviews and approves any material accounting policy changes affecting the Company's operating results, and reviews the Company's financial controls. The Board of Directors has no standing nominating committee. CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS There were no transactions to be reported in this section for the year ended December 31, 1996. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEE LISTED ABOVE. PROPOSAL NO. 2 -- RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF AUDITORS The Board of Directors has appointed the firm of Ernst & Young LLP, independent certified public accountants, to serve as auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997. Ernst & Young LLP has served as the Company's auditors since 1993. It is expected that a member of the firm of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Meeting and will be available to make a statement and to respond to appropriate questions. If the shareholders do not ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP, the Board of Directors may consider selection of other independent certified public accountants to serve as independent auditors, but no assurances can be made that the Board of Directors will do so or that any other independent certified public accountants would be willing to serve. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTEES. VOTING PROCEDURES The affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares of the Company's Common Stock present or represented at the Meeting and entitled to vote is required for the election of the Class II Director and the affirmative vote of a majority of such shares is required for the ratification of the appointment of the Company's auditors. For purposes of determining whether a proposal has received a majority vote, abstentions will be included in the vote totals, with the results that an abstention will have the same effect as a negative vote. In instances where brokers are prohibited from exercising discretionary authority for beneficial holders who have not returned a proxy (so-called "broker non-votes"), those shares will not be included in the vote totals and, therefore, will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. Shares that abstain or for which the authority to vote is withheld on certain matters will, however, be treated as present for quorum purposes on all matters. 9 13 OTHER BUSINESS The Board of Directors knows of no business which will be presented for consideration at the Meeting other than that stated above. If other business should come before the Meeting, the persons named in the proxies solicited hereby, each of whom is an employee of the Company, may vote all shares subject to such proxies with respect to any such business in the best judgment of such persons. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS It is currently contemplated that the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on or about May 13, 1998. Proposals of shareholders intended for inclusion in the proxy statement to be furnished to all shareholders entitled to vote at the next annual meeting of the Company must be received at the Company's principal executive offices not later than December 12, 1997. It is suggested that proponents submit their proposals by certified mail, return receipt requested. Dated: April 11, 1997 10 14 DETACH HERE VIDEOSERVER, INC. This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of P Directors of the Company for its Annual Meeting May 14, 1997 R The undersigned hereby appoints Paul L. Criswell and Stephen J. Nill O as proxies, each with full power of substitution, and hereby authorizes them or either of them to represent and to vote as designated below all X the shares of Common Stock of VideoServer, Inc., held of record by the undersigned on April 1, 1997, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Y be held at The Marriott, Burlington, Massachusetts on May 14, 1997 and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE ELECTION OF DIRECTOR AND "FOR" THE OTHER PROPOSAL. CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE ------------- SEE REVERSE SIDE ------------- 15 DETACH HERE PLEASE MARK [X] VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE. 1. Election of one Class II Director NOMINEES: William E. Foster WITHHELD FOR FROM NOMINEE NOMINEE [ ] [ ] FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 2. Ratification of Appointment of Independent Accountants. [ ] [ ] [ ] 3. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS [ ] CHANGE AND NOTE AT LEFT PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY FORM PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE. Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If shares are held of record by a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized officer. Partnerships should sign in partnership name by an authorized signatory. Signature: Date: Signature: Date: