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 ( ) Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) (X) Definitive Proxy Statement ( ) Definitive Additional Materials ( ) Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12 DIAGNON CORPORATION (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant) 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: DIAGNON CORPORATION 9600 Medical Center Drive Rockville, Maryland 20850 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS October 28, 1998 The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Diagnon Corporation (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, will be held at the Holiday Inn Gaithersburg, #2 Montgomery Village Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland, on October 28, 1998 at 10:00 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To elect four directors each to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of shareholders or otherwise as provided in the By-Laws; 2. To approve the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent public accountants for the Company; 3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on September 8, 1998, as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and vote at the Annual Meeting. A list of shareholders of the Company entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for examination by shareholders of the Company at the offices of the Company, 9600 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland, during the ten days immediately preceding the date of the Annual Meeting. The Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended May 31, 1998, accompanies this notice. Shareholders who do not expect to attend the meeting in person are urged to fill out, sign and mail promptly, the enclosed form of proxy. Michael P. O'Flaherty Secretary Rockville, Maryland September 23, 1998 DIAGNON CORPORATION 9600 Medical Center Drive Rockville, Maryland 20850 PROXY STATEMENT This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by Diagnon Corporation (the "Company") of proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting of the shareholders to be held at the Holiday Inn Gaithersburg, #2 Montgomery Village Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland, on October 28, 1998, at 10:00 a.m., or at any adjournment thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting. Shares represented by duly executed proxies at the meeting will be voted at the meeting. Where shareholders specify in the proxy a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares represented by such proxies will be voted as specified. A shareholder who signs and returns a proxy in the accompanying form may revoke it at any time before it is voted. The Company, at the close of business on September 8, 1998, the record date for determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting (the "Record Date"), had outstanding 899,672 shares of Common Stock, par value one Cent ($0.01) per share, each share being entitled to one vote with respect to each matter to be voted on at the meeting. Votes submitted prior to the Annual Meeting by proxy will be counted by the Company's transfer agent, Registrar and Transfer Company, and the results will be provided to the Company prior to the Annual Meeting. Shares voted by shareholders present at the meeting will be tabulated manually by the inspector of elections and added to the totals provided by Registrar and Transfer Company. Abstentions by proxy or in person will be counted as present for the purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. Abstentions will be counted as votes against the matter being voted upon. Proxies submitted by brokers that do not indicate whether an item is being voted for will be voted in favor of such item. The solicitation of proxies is made by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company. This statement is being mailed to the shareholders on or about September 23, 1998. SECURITY OWNERSHIP To the knowledge of the Company on the Record Date, the only persons known to hold more than 5 percent of the Common Stock of the Company are: 2 Amount and Nature of Percent Beneficial of Beneficial Owner Ownership Class (1) ---------------- ---------- --------- John C. Landon 196,298 (2)(3) 21.19 S. David Leibowitt 178,506 (4) 11.00 2295 South Ocean Blvd. Palm Beach, FL 33480 J. Thomas August 178,506 (5) 19.80 David H. Bishop 60,510 (6) 6.73 100 W. 57th St. New York, NY 10019 (1) Assumes the exercise by such person or persons of the currently exercisable options owned by him or them and does not give effect to any shares issuable upon exercise by any other person or persons of options. (2) Includes 6,888 shares in the names of members of Dr. Landon's family. (3) Assumes the exercise of currently exercisable options to purchase 26,667 shares. (4) Includes 10,833 shares in the name of S. David Leibowitt's spouse. (5) Assumes the exercise of currently exercisable options to purchase 1,667 shares. (6) Includes 1,506 shares in the name of David H. Bishop's spouse. The Company has been advised that the shares of Common Stock owned by Dr. August and Dr. Landon will be voted in favor of the four nominees for director, and in favor of all propositions set forth below. 3 ITEM 1- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS Four persons have been nominated for election as directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of shareholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. In the absence of a contrary specification, the enclosed proxy will be voted FOR the election as directors of the persons named below. If any nominee becomes unavailable as a candidate for election for any reason, it is intended that votes will be cast for a substitute nominee designated by the Board of Directors. The Company has no reason to believe that any nominees named below will be unable to serve if elected. All four of the nominees currently are directors of the Company. J. Thomas August has been a director of the Company since 1982, John C. Landon has been a director since 1986, Charles C. Francisco has been a director since 1991, and Charles F. Gauvin has been a director since 1992. The terms of all four directorships will run from October, 1998, to the next Annual Meeting of the Company's shareholders. Election of the four (4) nominees will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares of the Company's Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. The following table sets forth the name and principal occupation of each nominee, the period without interruption for which he has been a director of the Company, the names and titles of the Executive Officers of the Company, and the amount and percent of class of stock of the Company beneficially owned by each nominee, each Executive Officer, and the Executive Officers and Directors as a group as of the Record Date. Unless otherwise indicated, beneficial ownership consists of sole voting and investment power. Director of Company Principal Occupation Without Nature of Percent & Business Experience Interruption Beneficial of Name and Address Age Past Five Years Since Ownership Class Class (1) - ---------------- --- --------------------- ------------ ---------- ----- --------- John C. Landon 61 Nominee; Chairman of the 1986 196,298 Common 21.19 9600 Medical Ctr. Dr. Board (since February, sole (2)(3) Rockville, MD 20850 1987) & CEO & President 6,888 (since 1986) of the joint Company. President of BIOQUAL, Inc. ("BIOQUAL"), a subsidiary of the Company. 4 Director of Company Principal Occupation Without Nature of Percent & Business Experience Interruption Beneficial of Name and Address Age Past Five Years Since Ownership Class Class (1) - ---------------- --- --------------------- ------------ ---------- ----- --------- Charles C. Francisco 60 Nominee; from July 1998 1991 3,334 0.3 25 Ridge Creek Trail CEO and Managing sole(4) Moreland Hills, OH 44022 Member of EdgeOne, LLC, Milford, MA; from 1993- 1998 President, CEO & a Director of Victoreen, Inc., Cleveland, OH, a manufacturer of radiation measuring instrumentation; from 1992 to 1995, Director of Environmental Restoration Systems, Inc., Middletown, PA, pollution removal equipment makers; in 1996, was a Director of R.E. Wright Environmental, Inc., Middletown, PA, an earth resources consulting company. J. Thomas August 71 Nominee; Prof. & Director 1982 178,506 Common 19.80 School of Medicine of the Dept. of sole(5) Johns Hopkins Univ. Pharmacology and 725 N. Wolfe St. Molecular Sciences at The Baltimore, MD 21205 Johns Hopkins Univ. School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD for more than five years. Charles F. Gauvin 43 Nominee; currently 1992 3,334 Common 0.3 Trout Unlimited President and CEO and sole(4) 1500 Wilson Blvd. from 1991 to 1994 Arlington, VA 22209 Executive Director of Trout Unlimited, Arlington, VA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protection and conservation of trout and salmon and their habitats; from 1986-1991, associated with the law firm of Beveridge & Diamond, P.C., Washington, D.C. Michael P. O'Flaherty 60 Company Secretary and 18,168 Common 1.98 Diagnon Corporation Corporate Vice President sole(6) 9600 Medical Center Dr. since June, 1988, and Chief Rockville, Maryland 20850 Operating Officer since June, 1994; Mr. O'Flaherty's duties for the Company include most functions of general management. 5 Director of Company Principal Occupation Without Nature of Percent & Business Experience Interruption Beneficial of Name and Address Age Past Five Years Since Ownership Class Class (1) - ---------------- --- --------------------- ------------ ---------- ----- --------- Jerry R. Reel 60 Appointed as Vice President 1,834 Common 0.2 BIOQUAL, Inc. of the Division of sole(8) 9600 Medical Center Dr. Reproductive Endocrinology Rockville, Maryland 20850 and Toxicology in June 1997, Vice President, Science, of BIOQUAL since October, 1991; private consultant from 1989 to 1990. Richard P. Bradbury 63 Appointed as Vice President 2,335 Common 0.26 BIOQUAL, Inc. of the Division of Primate sole 2501 Research Blvd. Biology and Medicine in (7)(9) Rockville, MD 20850 June 1997, Vice President of the Company's SEMA subsidiary in November, 1989; concurrent with the merger of SEMA into BIOQUAL in 1991, was appointed Vice President of the Research Blvd. Division of BIOQUAL. David A. Newcomer 37 Appointed Company Acting 2,668 Common .03 Diagnon Corporation Controller in May, 1989, sole(9) 9600 Medical Center Dr. Controller in June, 1990, Rockville, MD 20850 and Chief Financial Officer in June 1994; Mr. Newcomer's duties include the management of the Company's financial functions. All Executive Officers and 406,477 Common 41.9 Directors as a group (9 (11) Persons)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9) (1) Assumes the exercise by such person or persons of the currently exercisable options owned by him or them and does not give effect to any shares issuable upon exercise by any other person or persons of options. (2) Includes 6,888 shares in the names of members of Dr. Landon's family, as to which he retains beneficial ownership. (3) Assumes the exercise of currently exercisable options to purchase 26,667 shares. (4) Assumes the exercise of currently exercisable options to purchase 3,334 shares. (5) Assumes the exercise of currently exercisable options to purchase 1,667 shares. (6) Assumes the exercise of currently exercisable options to purchase 17,502 shares. 6 (7) Assumes the exercise of currently exercisable options to purchase 1,834 shares. (8) Assumes the exercise of currently exercisable options to purchase 2,335 shares. (9) Assumes the exercise of currently exercisable options to purchase 2,668 shares. (10) See Notes (2) through (9) above. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CERTAIN COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD The Board of Directors held three meetings in fiscal year 1998. All board members were present at each meeting. The Board has established two committees, the Compensation Committee and the Audit Committee. The Compensation Committee (currently consisting of Messrs. Francisco and Gauvin) meets as necessary to determine Dr. Landon's compensation. Dr. Landon determines the compensation of the Company's other employees. The Compensation Committee had three formal meetings during fiscal year 1998. The responsibilities of the Audit Committee (currently consisting of Messrs. Francisco and Gauvin) include recommending to the full Board the selection of the Company's independent public accountants, discussing the arrangements for the proposed scope, and the results of the annual audit with management and the independent public accountants; reviewing the scope of non-audit professional services provided by the independent public accountants; obtaining from both management and the independent public accountants their observations on the Company's system of internal accounting controls; and reviewing the overall activities and recommendations of the Company's internal auditors. There was one formal meeting of the Audit Committee in fiscal year 1998. Messrs. Francisco, August and Gauvin have agreements with the Company extending through the term of their election. The agreements for Messrs. Francisco, August and Gauvin provide for quarterly payments of $ 1,000 each as directors fees and payments of $500 for attendance at Board of Directors meetings. The agreement with Dr. August also provides payments of $2,500 per quarter for services rendered to the Company as Scientific Adviser. The Company also reimburses Company related travel expenses incurred by any of the directors. During fiscal year 1998, the Company paid the following cash compensation to directors: Directors Attendance of Board Travel to Fees Meetings Board Meetings and Consultation Meetings Dr. J. Thomas August $4,000 $11,500 $ 35 Charles C. Francisco 4,000 1,500 561 Charles F. Gauvin 4,000 1,500 143 7 REMUNERATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND RELATED MATTERS The following table sets forth information with respect to remuneration paid during the last three fiscal years to the Chief Executive Officer and the other Company Officers whose compensation exceeded $ 100,000. Name and Principal Salary Bonus Other Annual Compensation Position Year ($) ($) ($) (1,2,3) - ------------------ ---- ------ ----- ------------------------- John C. Landon 1998 275,000 32,723 CEO, President, Chairman 1997 160,000 101,863 32,723 of the Board 1996 160,000 116,946 32,723 Michael P. O'Flaherty 1998 122,085 36,444 10,593 Chief Operating Officer, 1997 116,690 21,660 10,593 Secretary 1996 120,818 11,944 10,593 Jerry R. Reel 1998 111,282 3,926 Vice President, BIOQUAL, 1997 118,614 9,179 Inc., Subsidiary 1996 109,481 2,949 Richard P. Bradbury 1998 97,130 8,372 Vice President, BIOQUAL, 1997 99,573 4,000 Inc., Subsidiary 1996 99,205 3,102 David A. Newcom 1998 83,412 19,430 4,500 Chief Financial 1997 78,202 6,592 3,750 1996 78,192 (1) Other annual compensation for the CEO for the years 1998, 1997, and 1996 represents premiums for a $1,000,000 Split Dollar Life Insurance Policy. (2) Other annual compensation for the Chief Operating Officer for the years 1998 and 1997 represents premiums for a $250,000 Split Dollar Life insurance Policy. (3) Other Annual Compensation for the Chief Financial Officer for the years 1998 and 1997 represents premiums for a $250,000 Split Dollar Life Insurance Policy. Dr. Landon has an employment agreement with the Company, extending through July 13, 2002. Pursuant to this agreement, Dr. Landon's base compensation is $275,000 per year. The agreement provides for various additional incentive compensation dependent upon the results of the Company's operations each year through the term of employment. On June 1, 1988 the Company and Dr. Landon agreed to consolidate the previous loan facilities available to Dr. Landon into a single loan of $100,000. The consolidated loan had a five year term with repayment of principal deferred for three years. The loan bore interest at the six month 8 certificate of deposit rate paid by Signet Bank, Maryland, and the rate was adjusted quarterly. On September 29, 1989, the Company agreed to increase the loan to $125,000. On September 21, 1990, the Company agreed to increase the loan to $150,000. Under Dr. Landon's employment agreement (as amended), the loan was to be repaid in five installments of $30,000 plus interest within six weeks after the end of each of the next five fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 1992. The largest amount owed by Dr. Landon during the fiscal year ended May 31, 1998, with respect to his loan facilities was $90,000, excluding interest accrued amounting to $17,505. There was no addition to the loan during this fiscal year. On July 1, 1994, Dr. Landon made a payment of $2,745 on accrued interest. On June 6, 1994, the Company agreed to defer Dr. Landon's third $30,000 repayment and make the payment due as two $15,000 installments paid with the fourth and fifth $30,000 repayments respectively. On October 11, 1995, the Company's shareholders affirmatively voted to approve the purchase of Company's stock from Dr. Landon at market value to fund repayment by Dr. Landon of the remainder of the Company loan. As of September 13, 1997, that transaction has not occurred. In October of 1996, the Board of Directors affirmatively voted to extend the due date of the loan, maintaining all other terms and conditions, until October 31, 1998. As of July 24, 1998, neither the stock purchase or the loan repayment transaction have occurred. ITEM 2 - RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS The Board of Directors recommends the ratification of the firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent public accountants for fiscal year 1999. As in prior years, representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions raised at the meeting. Deloitte & Touche LLP has audited the financial statements of Diagnon since 1982. Services provided in connection with the audit function by Deloitte & Touche LLP for the fiscal year 1998 included primarily the examination of Diagnon consolidated financial statements, and the review of filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1999. PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE SO VOTED UNLESS SHAREHOLDERS SPECIFY A CONTRARY CHOICE ON THE PROXY CARD. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS Shareholders who wish to submit proposals at a the next Annual Meeting of shareholders should submit such proposals to the Company at its headquarters at 9600 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Such proposals must be received by the Company by June 3, 1999. The Company will not be required to include in its Proxy Statement or form of proxy, a shareholder proposal which is received after that date or which otherwise fails to meet requirements for shareholder proposals established by regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. 9 OTHER MATTERS The expense of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing the form of proxy material used for the solicitation of proxies by use of mails will be borne by the Company. The Company has not retained any firm to solicit proxies on behalf of the Company. Company directors and officers of the Company may solicit proxies in person or by telephone and may request brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward soliciting material to beneficial owners of Common Stock. So far as the Board of Directors is aware, only the aforementioned matters will be acted upon at the meeting. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, it is intended that the accompanying proxy may be voted on such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the person or persons voting said proxy. THE COMPANY'S REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB FOR ITS FISCAL YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 1998, ACCOMPANIES THIS PROXY STATEMENT. UPON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF A SHAREHOLDER OF THE COMPANY ADDRESSED TO MICHAEL P. O'FLAHERTY, SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY, AT 9600 MEDICAL CENTER DRIVE, ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850, THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO SUCH SHAREHOLDER A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB FOR ITS FISCAL YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 1998, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES REQUIRED TO BE FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-A UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. By Order of the Board of Directors John C. Landon Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer 10 COMMON STOCK PROXY DIAGNON CORPORATION ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS, OCTOBER 28, 1998 The undersigned hereby appoints John C. Landon and Michael P. O'Flaherty and each of them, with power of substitution in each, as proxies or proxy to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of Diagnon Corporation (the "Company") to be held at the Holiday Inn Gaithersburg, #2 Montgomery Village Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland, on Wednesday, October 28, 1998, at 10:00 a.m., local time, and at any adjournment or adjournments hereof, and to vote the number of shares of Common Stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present, (a) in the manner designated on the reverse side thereof with respect to the election of directors and the other identified proposals and (b) in their discretion on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted "For" all nominees and proposals listed on the reverse side hereof. DIAGNON CORPORATION Annual Meeting Of Stockholders Wednesday, October 28, 1998 10:00 a.m. The Holiday Inn Gaithersburg #2 Montgomery Village Avenue Gaithersburg, Maryland STOCKHOLDERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING AND DESIRE TO HAVE THEIR STOCK VOTED AT THE MEETING ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE ABOVE PROXY ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN THE SAME IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS: J. Thomas August, M.D., Charles C. Francisco, Charles F. Gauvin, John C. Landon, Ph.D. FOR ALL NOMINEES WITHHOLD (To withhold authority to vote for any individual listed except as AUTHORITY nominees, write the name of such nominee(s) otherwise indicated to vote for all on the following line.) with respect to nominees listed individual nominees [ ] [ ] ________________________________________________ 2. RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS: Ratification of the selection of Deloitte and Touche LLP as the Company's independent public accountants. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN [ ] [ ] [ ] Dated: __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Signature(s) Please sign exactly as your name appears on this proxy. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, etc. or as an officer of a corporation, give full title. For joint accounts obtain both signatures.