(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

1389 Moffett Park Drive

Sunnyvale, California 94089

 

August 28, 2006

 

Dear Stockholder:

 

This year’s annual meeting of stockholders will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. local time, at the offices of DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP, 2000 University Avenue, East Palo Alto, California 94303. You are cordially invited to attend.

 

The Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and a proxy statement, which describe the formal business to be conducted at the meeting, follow this letter. We urge you to read the proxy statement carefully in its entirety before you vote.

 

Regardless of the number of shares you own, your careful consideration of, and vote on, the matters before our stockholders is important. After reading the proxy statement, please promptly mark, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the prepaid envelope. Alternatively, you may be able to submit your proxy or voting instructions by telephone or the Internet. We ask that you vote promptly even if you plan to attend the meeting.

 

A copy of our Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006 is also enclosed for your information. At the annual meeting we will review our activities over the past year and our plans for the future. The Board of Directors and management look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting.

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

Jerry S. Rawls

Chairman of the Board,

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held Thursday, September 28, 2006

 

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS:

 

Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of stockholders of Finisar Corporation, a Delaware corporation, will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. local time, at the offices of DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP, 2000 University Avenue, East Palo Alto, California 94303, for the following purposes:

 

1. To elect two Class I directors to hold office for a three-year term and until their respective successors are elected and qualified.

 

2. To consider and vote upon an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation which will effect a reverse stock split of the common stock of Finisar Corporation at a ratio of not less than one-for-two and not more than one-for-eight at any time prior to the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders, with the exact ratio to be set at a whole number within this range to be determined by our board of directors in its discretion.

 

3. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2007.

 

4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

 

These items of business are described in the attached proxy statement, which is being mailed beginning on or about August 28, 2006. Stockholders of record at the close of business on August 18, 2006 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this meeting and any adjournment or postponement. For ten days prior to the meeting, a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available for examination by any stockholder, for any purpose relating to the meeting, during ordinary business hours at our principal offices located at 1389 Moffett Park Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089.

 

 

Stephen K. Workman

Secretary

 

Sunnyvale, California

August 28, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Finisar Corporation, a Delaware corporation, for use at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on Thursday, September 28, 2006, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy are first being mailed to stockholders on or about August 28, 2006.

 

Voting Securities.  Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 18, 2006 will be entitled to vote at the meeting and any adjournment thereof. As of that time, we had 307,217,146 shares of common stock outstanding, all of which are entitled to vote with respect to all matters to be acted upon at the annual meeting. Each stockholder of record as of that date is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held by him or her. Our bylaws provide that a majority of all of the shares of the stock entitled to vote, whether present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting. Votes for and against, abstentions and “broker non-votes” will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.

 

Vote Required.  Directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast. The two persons receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected. The affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock is required to approve the proposal to amend our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to ratify the appointment of an independent auditing firm. Broker non-votes are not included in the tabulation of the voting results on the election of directors or issues requiring approval of a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting and, therefore, do not have an effect on Proposals No. 1 or 3. However, with respect to Proposal No. 2 a broker non-vote will have the same effect as a negative vote. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that proposal and has not received instructions with respect to that proposal from the beneficial owner despite voting on at least one other proposal for which it does have discretionary authority or for which it has received instructions. Under the rules that govern brokers who are voting with respect to shares held by them as nominee, brokers have the discretion to vote such shares only on routine matters. Routine matters include, among others, the election of directors and ratification of auditors. Non-routine matters include, among others, the proposed amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Shares held by brokers who do not have discretionary authority to vote on a particular matter and have not received voting instructions from their customers are not counted or deemed to be present or represented for determining whether stockholders have approved that matter. For the purpose of determining whether the stockholders have approved matters other than the election of directors, abstentions are treated as shares present or represented and voting, so abstentions have the same effect as negative votes. The inspector of elections appointed for the meeting will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes (including WITHHOLD AUTHORITY votes in the election of directors), abstentions and broker non-votes.

 

Solicitation of Proxies.  We will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to soliciting stockholders by mail, we will request banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to solicit customers for whom they hold our stock and will reimburse them for their reasonable, out-of-pocket costs. We may use the services of our officers, directors and others to solicit proxies, personally or by telephone, without additional compensation. We have also retained MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies. We will pay MacKenzie Partners, Inc. approximately $5,000 for its services, in addition to reimbursement for its out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Voting of Proxies.  All valid proxies received before or at the meeting will, unless the proxies are revoked, be voted. Where a proxy specifies a stockholder’s choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted in accordance with that specification. If no choice is indicated on the proxy, the shares will be voted “FOR” the election of management’s nominees for director and “FOR” the other proposals discussed in this proxy statement. A stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke his or her proxy at any time before it is exercised by delivering to the Secretary of Finisar, at 1389 Moffett Park Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089, a written instrument

revoking the proxy or a duly executed proxy with a later date, or by attending the meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the meeting will not in and of itself constitute revocation of a proxy.

 

If you hold your shares directly registered in your name with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, you may vote by telephone or via the Internet. To vote by telephone, call 1-800-PROXIES. Instructions for voting via the Internet are set forth on the enclosed proxy card if you hold your shares directly registered in your name with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company. Many banks and brokerage firms have a process for their beneficial owners to provide instructions over the telephone or via the Internet. Your voting form from your broker or bank will contain instructions for voting.

 

Votes submitted by telephone or via the Internet must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 27, 2006. Submitting your proxy by telephone or via the Internet will not affect your right to vote in person should you decide to attend the annual meeting.

 

Our board of directors is currently composed of seven directors. We have a classified board of directors consisting of two Class I directors, three Class II directors and two Class III directors, who will serve until the annual meetings of stockholders to be held in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively, and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors are elected for a term of three years to succeed those directors whose terms expire at the annual meeting dates.

 

The terms of the Class I directors will expire on the date of the upcoming annual meeting. Accordingly, two persons are to be elected to serve as Class I directors of the board of directors at the meeting. Management’s nominees for election by the stockholders to those two positions are the current Class I members of the board of directors, Roger C. Ferguson and Larry D. Mitchell. If elected, the nominees will serve as directors until our annual meeting of stockholders in 2009 and until their successors are elected and qualified. If any of the nominees declines to serve or becomes unavailable for any reason, or if a vacancy occurs before the election (although we know of no reason to anticipate that this will occur), the proxies may be voted for such substitute nominees as we may designate. The proxies cannot vote for more than two persons. If a quorum is present and voting, the two nominees for Class I director receiving the highest number of votes will be elected as Class I directors.

 

The board of directors recommends a vote “FOR” the nominees named above.

 

The following table sets forth, for our current directors, including the nominees for Class I directors to be elected at this meeting, information with respect to their ages and background as of August 1, 2006.

 

Nominees for Election for a Three Year Term expiring at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

Roger C. Ferguson has been a member of our board of directors since August 1999. From June 1999 to December 2001, Mr. Ferguson served as Chief Executive Officer of Semio Corp., an early stage software company. Mr. Ferguson has served as a principal in VenCraft, LLC, a venture capital partnership, since July 1997. From August 1993 to July 1997, Mr. Ferguson was Chief Executive Officer of DataTools, Inc., a database software company. From 1987 to 1993, Mr. Ferguson served as Chief Operating Officer for Network General Inc., a network analysis company. Mr. Ferguson holds a B.A. in Psychology from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth.

 

Larry D. Mitchell has been a member of our board of directors since October 1999. Mr. Mitchell was employed by the Hewlett-Packard Company for 29 years, retiring in October 1997 as a site General Manager in Roseville, California, a position he held for three years. During the 26 years prior to October 1994, Mr. Mitchell served in a variety of management positions with Hewlett-Packard. Currently, Mr. Mitchell is Director of Operations for SP Communications, a startup electronics company. Mr. Mitchell also serves on the Board of Directors of Placer Sierra Bancshares. Mr. Mitchell holds a B.A. in Engineering Science from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

 

Directors Continuing in Office until the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

David C. Fries has served as a member of our board of directors since June 2005. Dr. Fries has been employed by VantagePoint Venture Partners, a venture capital investment firm, since August 2001 where he currently serves as a Managing Director and Co-Head of the Semiconductor and Components Practice. Prior to joining VantagePoint, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Productivity Solutions, Inc., a Florida-based developer of automated checkout technologies for food and discount retailers, from 1995 to 1999. For seven years prior to that, he was a general partner of Canaan Partners, a venture capital firm. Dr. Fries served 17 years in numerous executive roles in engineering, manufacturing, senior management and finance at General Electric Company, including directing GE Venture Capital’s California operation, which later became Canaan Partners. Dr. Fries also serves as a director of Aviza Technology, Inc., a semiconductor equipment company. Dr. Fries holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Florida Atlantic University and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Case Western Reserve University.

 

Frank H. Levinson founded Finisar in April 1987 and has served as a member of our board of directors since February 1988. Dr. Levinson served as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Technical Officer from August 1999 to January 2006 and also served as our Chief Executive Officer from February 1988 to August 1999. From September 1980 to December 1983, Dr. Levinson was a member of Technical Staff at AT&T Bell Laboratories. From January 1984 to July 1984, he was a Member of Technical Staff at Bellcore, a provider of services and products to the communications industry. From April 1985 to December 1985, Dr. Levinson was the principal optical scientist at Raychem Corporation, and from January 1986 to February 1988, he was Optical Department Manager at Raynet, Inc., a fiber optic systems company. Dr. Levinson serves as a director of Fabrinet, Inc., a privately held contract manufacturing company. Dr. Levinson holds a B.S. in Mathematics/Physics from Butler University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Virginia.

 

Robert N. Stephens has served as a member of our board of directors since August 2005. Mr. Stephens served as the Chief Executive Officer since April 1999 and President since October 1998 of Adaptec, Inc., a storage solutions provider, until his retirement in May 2005. Mr. Stephens joined Adaptec in November 1995 as Chief Operating Officer. Before joining Adaptec, Mr. Stephens was the founder and chief executive officer of Power I/O, a company that developed serial interface solutions and silicon expertise for high-speed data networking, that was acquired by Adaptec in 1995. Prior to founding Power I/O, Mr. Stephens was President and CEO of Emulex Corporation, which designs, develops and supplies Fibre Channel host bus adapters. Before joining Emulex, Mr. Stephens was senior vice president, general manger, and founder of the Microcomputer Products Group at Western Digital Corporation. He began his career at IBM, where he served over 15 years in a variety of management positions. Mr. Stephens holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from San Jose State University.

Directors Continuing in Office until the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

Jerry S. Rawls has served as a member of our board of directors since March 1989 and as our Chairman of the Board since January 2006. Mr. Rawls has served as our Chief Executive Officer since August 1999. Mr. Rawls has also served as our President since April 2003 and previously held that title from April 1989 to September 2002. From September 1968 to February 1989, Mr. Rawls was employed by Raychem Corporation, a materials science and engineering company, where he held various management positions including Division General Manager of the Aerospace Products Division and Interconnection Systems Division. Mr. Rawls holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University and an M.S. in Industrial Administration from Purdue University.

 

Dominique Trempont has served as a member of our board of directors since August 2005. Mr. Trempont has been a CEO in residence at Battery Ventures since August 2003. Prior to joining Battery Ventures, Mr. Trempont was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kanisa, Inc., a software company focused on enterprise self-service applications, from November 1999 to November 2002. Mr. Trempont was President and Chief Executive Officer of Gemplus Corporation, a smart card company, from May 1997 to June 1999. Prior to Gemplus, Mr. Trempont served as Chief Financial Officer and later Chief Operating Officer at NeXT Software. Mr. Trempont began his career at Raychem Corporation, a high-tech material science company focused on telecommunications, electronics, automotive and other industries. Mr. Trempont received an undergraduate degree in Economics from College Saint Louis (Belgium), a B.A. in Business Administration and Computer Sciences from the University of Louvain (Belgium) and a masters in Business Administration from INSEAD (France).

 

The board of directors has determined that, other than Jerry S. Rawls, our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Frank H. Levinson, our former Chairman of the Board and Chief Technical Officer, each of the current members of the board is “independent” in accordance with the applicable listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market as currently in effect.

 

The board of directors held seven meetings during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006. The board of directors has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. During the last fiscal year, no director attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings of the board and all of the committees of the board on which such director served during that period.

 

Audit Committee.  The members of the Audit Committee during fiscal 2006 were Messrs. Ferguson, Mitchell and Trempont. Each of the members of the Audit Committee is independent for purposes of the Nasdaq listing standards as they apply to audit committee members. Messrs. Ferguson and Trempont are audit committee financial experts, as defined in the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The functions of the Audit Committee include overseeing the quality of our financial reports and other financial information and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; appointing and evaluating our independent auditors, including reviewing their independence, qualifications and performance and reviewing and approving the terms of their engagement for audit services and non-audit services; and establishing and observing complaint procedures regarding accounting, internal auditing controls and auditing matters. The Audit Committee held 11 meetings during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006.

 

Compensation Committee.  The members of the Compensation Committee during fiscal 2006 were Messrs. Ferguson, Fries, Mitchell and Stephens. Each of the members of the Compensation Committee is independent for purposes of the Nasdaq listing standards. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation and benefits of our executive officers and establishes and reviews general policies relating to compensation and benefits of our employees. For additional information about the Compensation Committee, see “Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation” and “Executive Compensation and Related Matters” below. The Compensation Committee held three meetings during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  The members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee during fiscal 2006 were Messrs. Ferguson, Fries, Mitchell and Stephens. Each of the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is independent for purposes of the Nasdaq listing standards. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers qualified candidates for

appointment and nomination for election to the board of directors and makes recommendations concerning such candidates, develops corporate governance principles for recommendation to the board of directors and oversees the regular evaluation of our directors and management. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held four meetings during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006.

 

Nominations of candidates for election as directors may be made by the board of directors or by stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for, among other things, the selection and recommendation to the board of directors of nominees for election as directors.

 

When considering the nomination of directors for election at an annual meeting, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews the needs of the board of directors for various skills, background, experience and expected contributions and the qualification standards established from time to time by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. When reviewing potential nominees, including incumbents, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the perceived needs of the board of directors, the candidate’s relevant background, experience and skills and expected contributions to the board of directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also seeks appropriate input from the Chief Executive Officer in assessing the needs of the board of directors for relevant background, experience and skills of its members.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s goal is to assemble a board of directors that brings to Finisar a diversity of experience at policy-making levels in business and technology, and in areas that are relevant to Finisar’s global activities. Directors should possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values and be committed to representing the long-term interests of our stockholders. They must have an inquisitive and objective outlook and mature judgment. They must also have experience in positions with a high degree of responsibility and be leaders in the companies or institutions with which they are or have been affiliated. Director candidates must have sufficient time available in the judgment of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to perform all board and committee responsibilities that will be expected of them. Members of the board of directors are expected to rigorously prepare for, attend and participate in all meetings of the board of directors and applicable committees. Other than the foregoing, there are no specific minimum criteria for director nominees, although the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that it is preferable that a majority of the board of directors meet the definition of “independent director” set forth in Nasdaq and SEC rules. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also believes it appropriate for one or more key members of Finisar’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer, to serve on the board of directors.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider candidates for directors proposed by directors or management, and will evaluate any such candidates against the criteria and pursuant to the policies and procedures set forth above. If the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that the board of directors requires additional candidates for nomination, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may engage, as appropriate, a third party search firm to assist in identifying qualified candidates. All incumbent directors and nominees will be required to submit a completed directors’ and officers’ questionnaire as part of the nominating process. The process may also include interviews and additional background and reference checks for non-incumbent nominees, at the discretion of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will also consider candidates for directors recommended by a stockholder, provided that any such recommendation is sent in writing to the board of directors,
c/o Corporate Secretary, 1389 Moffett Park Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089-1113; Fax: (408) 745-6097; Email address: corporate.secretary@finisar.com, at least 120 days prior to the anniversary of the date definitive proxy materials were mailed to stockholders in connection with the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders and contains the following information:

 

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate any candidates recommended by stockholders against the same criteria and pursuant to the same policies and procedures applicable to the evaluation of candidates proposed by directors or management.

 

In addition, stockholders may make direct nominations of directors for election at an annual meeting, provided the advance notice requirements set forth in our bylaws have been met. Under our bylaws, written notice of such nomination, including certain information and representations specified in the bylaws, must be delivered to our principal executive offices, addressed to the Corporate Secretary, at least 120 days prior to the anniversary of the date definitive proxy materials were mailed to stockholders in connection with the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders, except that if no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been advanced by more than 30 days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year’s proxy statement, such notice must be received not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which the public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.

 

In April 2005, we entered into an agreement with VantagePoint Venture Partners under which we agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to elect a nominee of VantagePoint to our board of directors, provided that the nominee was reasonably acceptable to the board’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee as well as our full board of directors. See “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” below. VantagePoint nominated Dr. Fries for election to our board of directors. The members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met with Dr. Fries and evaluated his qualifications using the criteria described above. Following interviews and discussions regarding his candidacy, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommended to the entire board that Dr. Fries be elected to our board of directors. On June 7, 2005, Dr. Fries was unanimously elected to our board of directors.

 

Stockholders may communicate with the board of directors, or any individual director, by transmitting correspondence by mail, facsimile or email, addressed as follows: Board of Directors or individual director,
c/o Corporate Secretary, 1389 Moffett Park Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089-1113; Fax: (408) 745-6097; Email Address: corporate.secretary@finisar.com. The Corporate Secretary will maintain a log of such communications and will transmit as soon as practicable such communications to the board of directors or to the identified director(s), although communications that are abusive, in bad taste or that present safety or security concerns may be handled differently, as determined by the Corporate Secretary.

 

We will make every effort to schedule our annual meeting of stockholders at a time and date to accommodate attendance by directors taking into account the directors’ schedules. All directors are encouraged to attend our annual meeting of stockholders. Four directors attended Finisar’s last annual meeting of stockholders held on October 14, 2005.

 

Our board of directors has adopted a Code of Ethics (the “Code”) that outlines the principles of legal and ethical business conduct under which we do business. The Code, which is applicable to all directors, employees and officers of Finisar, is available at http://investor.finisar.com/corpgov.cfm. Any substantive amendment or waiver of the Code may be made only by the board of directors upon a recommendation of the Audit Committee, and will be disclosed on our website. In addition, disclosure of any waiver of the Code for directors and executive officers will also be made by the filing of a Form 8-K with the SEC.

 

The board has also adopted a written charter for each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each charter is available on our website at http://investor.finisar.com/corpgov.cfm.

 

The board of directors has approved, and is hereby soliciting stockholder approval of, an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split at a ratio of between 1-for-2 to 1-for-8 in the form set forth in Appendix “A” to this proxy statement (the “Amendment”). A vote FOR Proposal 2 will constitute approval of the Amendment providing for the combination of any whole number of shares of common stock between and including two and eight into one share of common stock and will grant the board of directors the authority to select which of the approved exchange ratios within that range will be implemented. If the stockholders approve this proposal, the board of directors will have the authority, but not the obligation, in its sole discretion, and without further action on the part of the stockholders, to effect a reverse stock split in any of the approved ratios by filing a certificate of amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State at any time after the approval of the proposal. If the certificate of amendment has not been filed with the Delaware Secretary of State prior to the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders, the board of directors will abandon the Amendment constituting the reverse stock split. In that case, the board of directors may again seek stockholder approval for a reverse stock split if it deems a reverse stock split would be advisable.

 

Finisar currently has 750,000,000 authorized shares of common stock. As of August 18, 2006, the record date for the annual meeting, 307,217,146 shares of common stock were outstanding. The reverse stock split, if implemented, would reduce the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock, but would not change the number of authorized shares, the par value or the voting rights of the common stock and, except for the impact of the elimination of fractional shares, each stockholder’s proportionate ownership interest in Finisar would be the same immediately before and after the reverse stock split.

 

The board believes that stockholder approval of a range of exchange ratios (rather than an exact exchange ratio) provides the board with maximum flexibility to achieve the purposes of the reverse stock split. If the stockholders approve this proposal, in connection with any determination to effect the reverse stock split, the board will set the time for such a split and select a specific ratio at a whole number within the range. These determinations will be made by the board with the intention to create the greatest marketability for our common stock based upon prevailing market conditions at that time.

 

The board reserves its right to elect not to proceed with, and abandon, the reverse stock split if it determines, in its sole discretion, that this proposal is no longer in the best interests of Finisar and its stockholders.

 

We believe that increasing our stock price through a reverse stock split will have a number of benefits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the stockholders approve the reverse stock split proposal and the board of directors decides to implement a reverse stock split, we will file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The reverse stock split will become effective at the time of filing of, or at such later time and date as is specified in, the certificate of amendment, which we refer to as the “effective time.” Beginning at the effective time, each certificate representing shares of our common stock will be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of the number of whole shares of that class into which the shares previously represented by the certificate were combined pursuant to the reverse stock split.

 

If approved and effected, the reverse stock split will be realized simultaneously and in the same ratio for all of the outstanding common stock. The reverse stock split will affect all holders of our common stock uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interest in Finisar, except to the extent that the reverse stock split would result in any holder of our common stock receiving cash in lieu of fractional shares. As described below, holders of our common stock otherwise entitled to fractional shares as a result of the reverse stock split will receive a cash payment in lieu of such fractional shares. These cash payments will reduce the number of post-reverse stock split holders of our common stock to the extent there are concurrently stockholders who would otherwise receive less than one share of common stock after the reverse stock split. In addition, the reverse stock split will not affect any stockholder’s proportionate voting power (subject to the treatment of fractional shares).

After the reverse stock split, the number of authorized shares of common stock will be 750,000,000 shares and the number of unissued shares of common stock will be approximately 596,400,000 to 711,600,000 shares depending upon the reverse stock split ratio selected by the board. Our board of directors believes that maintaining the same number of authorized shares of common stock, and thereby increasing the number of shares available for future issuance, will provide us with the certainty and flexibility to undertake various types of transactions, including financings, acquisitions of companies or assets, strategic transactions, increases in the shares reserved for issuance pursuant to stock incentive plans, sales of stock or securities convertible into our common stock, or other corporate transactions not yet determined. Certain kinds of these transactions may have anti-takeover effects, as described in more detail below, and certain kinds of these transactions may require stockholder approval under Delaware law or applicable Nasdaq rules, but the board of directors believes that this certainty and flexibility is helpful to Finisar and in the stockholders’ interests. We do not have any current plans, proposals or arrangements (written or otherwise) to issue any additional shares other than pursuant to equity plans and registration statements currently in existence and previously publicly announced transactions.

 

The principal effects of the reverse stock split would include the following:

 

 

 

The reduction in the number of issued and outstanding shares is expected to increase the trading price of our common stock, although there can be no assurance that such price will increase in proportion to the ratio of the reverse stock split. The trading price of our common stock depends on many factors, including many which are beyond our control. As discussed above, the higher stock price may increase investor interest and reduce resistance of brokerage firms to recommend the purchase of our common stock. On the other hand, to the extent that negative investor sentiment regarding our common stock is not based on our underlying business fundamentals, the reverse stock split may not overcome such sentiment.

 

The shares of common stock issued as a result of the reverse stock split will be fully paid and non-assessable. The Amendment will not change the terms of our common stock. The post-split shares of common stock will have the same voting rights and rights to dividends and distributions and will be identical in all other respects to the common stock now authorized.

 

As soon as practicable after the effective date of any reverse stock split, we will request that all stockholders holding shares of our common stock in certificate form return their stock certificates representing shares of common stock outstanding on the effective date in exchange for certificates representing the number of whole shares of common stock into which the shares of old common stock have been converted as a result of the reverse stock split. Each stockholder will receive a letter of transmittal from our transfer agent containing instructions on how to

exchange certificates. Stockholders should not destroy any stock certificates and should not submit their old certificates until requested to do so. In order to receive new certificates, stockholders must surrender their old certificates in accordance with the transfer agent’s instructions, together with the properly executed and completed letter of transmittal.

 

Beginning with the effective date, each old certificate, until exchanged as described above, will be deemed for all purposes to evidence ownership of the number of whole shares of common stock previously represented by the certificate that were combined pursuant to the reverse stock split.

 

No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the reverse stock split. Stockholders who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares because they hold a number of shares of common stock not evenly divisible by the number selected by the board of directors for the reverse stock split ratio will be entitled, upon surrender of any certificate(s) representing such shares, to a cash payment in lieu thereof.

 

Upon the reverse stock split, we intend to treat shares held by stockholders in “street name,” through a bank, broker or other nominee, in the same manner as registered stockholders whose shares are registered in their names. Banks, brokers or other nominees will be instructed to effect the reverse stock split for their beneficial holders holding our common stock in “street name.” However, these banks, brokers or other nominees may have different procedures than registered stockholders for processing the reverse stock split and making payment for fractional shares. If a stockholder holds shares of our common stock with a bank, broker or other nominee and has any questions in this regard, stockholders are encouraged to contact their bank, broker or other nominee.

 

The reverse stock split will not affect the par value of a share of our common stock. As a result, as of the effective date of the reverse stock split, the stated capital attributable to common stock on our balance sheet will be reduced proportionately based on the reverse stock split ratio (including a retroactive adjustment of prior periods), and the additional paid-in capital account will be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. Reported per-share net income or loss will be higher because there will be fewer shares of common stock outstanding.

 

The proportion of unissued authorized shares to issued shares could, under certain circumstances, have an anti-takeover effect. For example, the issuance of a large block of common stock could dilute the stock ownership of a person seeking to effect a change in the composition of the board of directors or contemplating a tender offer or other transaction for the combination of Finisar with another company. However, the reverse stock split proposal is not being proposed in response to any effort of which we are aware to accumulate shares of common stock or obtain control of Finisar, nor is it part of a plan by management to recommend to the board and stockholders a series of amendments to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Other than the proposal for the reverse stock split, the board of directors does not currently contemplate recommending the adoption of any other amendments to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation that could be construed to reduce or interfere with the ability of third parties to take over or change the control of Finisar.

 

The following discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the proposed reverse stock split is based upon the current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and other legal authorities, all of which could be changed at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. Such a change could alter or modify the statements and conclusions set forth below. No ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with respect to the matters discussed below has been requested and there is no assurance that the IRS would agree with the conclusions set forth in this discussion. The following discussion assumes that the pre-reverse stock split shares of common stock were, and the post-reverse-stock split shares will be, held as a “capital asset” as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. This discussion may not address certain U.S. federal income tax

consequences that may be relevant to particular stockholders in light of their personal circumstances or to certain types of stockholders (such as dealers in securities, insurance companies, foreign individuals and entities, financial institutions and tax-exempt entities) that may be subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws. This discussion also does not address any tax consequences under state, local or foreign laws.

 

Subject to the discussion below concerning the treatment of the receipt of cash payments instead of receipt of fractional shares, no gain or loss should be recognized by a stockholder as a result of such stockholder’s exchange of pre-reverse stock split common stock for post-reverse stock split common stock in connection with the reverse stock split. The tax basis and holding period of each post-reverse stock split share of common stock received (including any fraction of a post-reverse stock split share deemed to have been received and then redeemed) should generally be the same as the tax basis and holding period of the pre-reverse stock split shares of common stock surrendered in connection with receipt of the post-reverse stock split shares of common stock, with the tax basis and holding period determined separately with respect to blocks of pre-reverse split shares of common stock that were acquired on the same date and at the same price. The receipt of a cash payment instead of receipt of a fractional share interest will result in recognition of capital gain or capital loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The deductibility of any capital loss is subject to limitations.

 

STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISERS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT.

 

Stockholders do not have any appraisal rights under Delaware General Corporation Law or under our certificate of incorporation in connection with the reverse stock split.

 

If the reverse stock split is approved by our stockholders, it will be effected, if at all, only upon a determination by the board of directors that a reverse stock split, at a ratio determined by the board of directors as described above, is in the best interests of Finisar and its stockholders. The board’s determination as to whether to effect the reverse stock split and, if so, at what ratio, will be based upon various factors such as the existing and expected marketability and liquidity for our common stock, prevailing market conditions, the recent trading history of our common stock and the likely effect on the market price of our common stock. Should the board of directors determine that the reverse stock split is not in the best interests of Finisar or its stockholders, the board of directors will not proceed with the reverse stock split. By voting in favor of the reverse stock split, you are also expressly authorizing the board of directors to determine not to proceed with, and abandon, the reverse stock split if it should so decide.

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock is required for approval of this proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present for purposes of determining if a quorum is present but will have the same effect as a negative vote on this proposal.

 

The board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to amend the Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect the reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of common stock.

 

The Audit Committee of our board of directors has selected Ernst & Young LLP to serve as independent auditors to audit the consolidated financial statements of Finisar for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2007. Ernst & Young LLP has acted in such capacity since its appointment in fiscal year 1999. A representative of Ernst & Young LLP is expected to be present at the annual meeting, with the opportunity to make a statement if the representative desires to do so, and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

 

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to Finisar for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2006 and April 30, 2005 by Ernst & Young LLP:

 

 

 

 

The Audit Committee has determined that all services performed by Ernst & Young LLP are compatible with maintaining the independence of Ernst & Young LLP. The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our independent auditors. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services. The independent auditor and management are required to periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent auditor in accordance with this pre-approval.

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required for approval of this proposal. If the stockholders do not approve the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our auditors, the Audit Committee will re-consider its selection.

 

The board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2007.

 

The following table sets forth information known to us regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of August 1, 2006 by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary Compensation Information

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and our four other most highly compensated executive officers, as of April 30, 2006, during the fiscal years ended April 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004.

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

 

 

 

Stock Options Granted in Fiscal 2006

 

The following table sets forth information regarding grants of stock options to the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table above during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006. All of these options were granted under our 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. The percentage of total options set forth below is based on an aggregate of 11,275,720 shares underlying options granted during the fiscal year. All options were granted at the fair market value of our common stock. Potential realizable values are net of exercise price, but before taxes associated with exercise. Amounts represent hypothetical gains that could be achieved for the options if exercised at the end of

the option term. The assumed 5% and 10% rates of stock price appreciation are provided in accordance with rules of the SEC and do not represent our estimate or projection of the future common stock price.

 

Options Granted in Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2006

 

 

 

 

Option Exercises and Fiscal 2006 Year-End Values

 

The following table provides the specified information concerning exercises of options to purchase our common stock during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006, and unexercised options held as of April 30, 2006, by the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table above.

 

Aggregate Option Exercises In Fiscal 2006 and Values at April 30, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

Jerry S. Rawls, David Buse, Anders Olsson, Stephen K. Workman and Joseph A. Young are eligible to participate in the Finisar Executive Retention and Severance Plan. This plan provides that in the event of a qualifying termination each of the participating executives will be entitled to receive (i) a lump sum payment equal to two years’ base salary (excluding bonus) and (ii) medical, dental and insurance coverage for two years, or reimbursement of premiums for COBRA continuation coverage during such period. A qualifying termination is defined as an involuntary termination other than for cause or a voluntary termination for good reason upon or within 18 months following a change in control, as such terms are defined in the executive severance plan. In addition, the plan provides that the vesting of stock options held by eligible officers will be accelerated as follows: (i) one year of accelerated vesting upon a change of control, if the options are assumed by a successor corporation, (ii) 100% accelerated vesting if the options are not assumed by a successor corporation, and (iii) 100% accelerated vesting upon a qualifying termination.

Additionally, pursuant to the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, upon a change in control, as defined therein, the vesting of options not assumed or substituted by the surviving corporation will accelerate and the options will become immediately exercisable and vested in full.

 

Non-employee directors receive an annual retainer of $30,000, $2,000 for attendance in person at each meeting of the board of directors or committee meeting (with meetings of the board of directors and all committees held within any 24 hour period considered to be a single meeting) and $500 for attendance at such meetings via telephone. In addition, members of the Audit Committee receive an annual retainer of $5,000, and the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives $10,000 for annual service in such capacity, members of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receive an annual retainer of $2,500, and the Chairman of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee each receive $5,000 for annual service in such capacity. Non-employee directors are also eligible to receive stock options. We reimburse directors for their reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings of the board of directors.

 

The Compensation Committee during fiscal 2006 was composed of Roger C. Ferguson, David C. Fries, Larry D. Mitchell and Robert N. Stephens. No member of our Compensation Committee serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our board of directors or Compensation Committee.

 

Frank H. Levinson, our former Chairman of the Board and Chief Technical Officer and a current director, is a member of the board of directors of Fabrinet, Inc., a privately held contract manufacturer. In June 2000, we entered into a volume supply agreement with Fabrinet, at rates which we believe to be market, under which Fabrinet serves as a contract manufacturer for us. In addition, Fabrinet purchases certain products from us. During the fiscal years ended April 30, 2006 and 2005, we made payments of approximately $66.5 million and $54.3 million to Fabrinet and Fabrinet made payments of approximately $38.7 million and $32.2 million to us.

 

In connection with the acquisition by VantagePoint Venture Partners in April 2005 of the 34 million shares of our common stock held by Infineon Technologies AG that we had previously issued to Infineon in connection with our acquisition of Infineon’s optical transceiver product lines, we entered into an agreement with VantagePoint under which we agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to elect a nominee of VantagePoint to our board of directors, provided that the nominee was reasonably acceptable to the board’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee as well as our full board of directors. In June 2005, David C. Fries, a Managing Director of VantagePoint, was elected to our board of directors pursuant to that agreement. As a result of the reduction in VantagePoint’s holdings of our common stock following distributions by VantagePoint to its partners, our obligations regarding the election of a nominee of VantagePoint to our board of directors have terminated. We also agreed to file a registration statement to provide for the resale of the shares held by VantagePoint and certain distributees of VantagePoint.

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Such persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed by such person.

 

Based solely on our review of such forms furnished to us, and written representations from executive officers and directors, we believe that all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and more than 10% stockholders during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006 were satisfied, with the exception of one Form 4 for

each of Roger C. Ferguson, David C. Fries and Larry D. Mitchell, each reporting one transaction, and two Forms 4 for Frank H. Levinson, each reporting one transaction, which were filed late.

 

We currently maintain five compensation plans that provide for the issuance of our common stock to officers, directors, other employees or consultants. These consist of the 1989 Stock Option Plan, the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which have been approved by our stockholders, and the 2001 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (the “2001 Plan”), which has not been approved by our stockholders. The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding options and shares reserved for future issuance under the foregoing plans as of April 30, 2006:

 

 

 

 

As of April 30, 2006, 4,635,620 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2001 Plan. The 2001 Plan was adopted by our board on February 16, 2001 and provides for the granting of nonstatutory stock options to employees and consultants with an exercise price per share not less than 85% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. However, no person is eligible to be granted an option under the 2001 Plan whose eligibility would require approval of the 2001 Plan by our stockholders. Options granted under the 2001 Plan generally have a ten-year term and vest at the rate of 20% of the shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant and 20% of the shares each additional year thereafter until fully vested. Some of the options that have been granted under the 2001 Plan are subject to full acceleration of vesting in the event of a change in control of Finisar.

 

The Compensation Committee of the board of directors is comprised of non-employee directors. The members of the Compensation Committee during fiscal 2006 were Roger C. Ferguson, David C. Fries, Larry D. Mitchell and, following his appointment in August 2005, Robert N. Stephens. The Compensation Committee is responsible for setting and administering the policies governing compensation of the executive officers of Finisar. The Compensation Committee reviews the performance and compensation levels for executive officers and sets salary levels.

 

The goals of Finisar’s executive officer compensation policy are to attract, retain and reward executive officers who contribute to Finisar’s overall success by offering compensation that is competitive in the networking industry, to motivate executive officers to achieve Finisar’s business objectives and to align the interests of executive officers with the long-term interests of stockholders. We currently use salary, bonuses and stock options to meet these goals.

 

We provide our executive officers with a compensation package consisting of base salary, incentive bonuses and participation in benefit plans generally available to other employees. In setting total compensation, the Compensation Committee considers individual and company performance, as well as market information regarding compensation paid by comparable companies. In connection with its review of executive officer compensation in 2006, the Compensation Committee engaged Assets Unlimited, Inc., an employment compensation consulting firm, to compare Finisar’s compensation package with that of comparable companies. The Compensation Committee reviewed cash and equity compensation reports prepared by Assets Unlimited, Inc. and met with a representative of the firm. In preparing the performance graph set forth in the section entitled “Comparison of Stockholder Return,” we have selected the Amex Networking Index as our published industry index; however, the companies included in the compensation reports are not necessarily those included in this index, because companies in the index may not compete with us for executive talent, and companies with which we do compete may not be in the index or may not be publicly traded.

 

Base Salary.  Base salaries for our executive officers are initially set based on negotiation with individual executive officers at the time of recruitment and with reference to salaries for comparable positions in the networking industry for individuals of similar education and background to the executive officers being recruited. We also give consideration to the individual’s experience, reputation in his or her industry and expected contributions to Finisar. Salaries are reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee and adjustments are made based on (i) salary recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer, (ii) individual performance of executive officers for the previous fiscal year, (iii) financial results of Finisar for the previous fiscal year and (iv) changes in competitive pay levels.

 

Bonuses.  It is our policy that a substantial component of each officer’s potential annual compensation take the form of a performance-based bonus. Bonus payments to officers other than the Chief Executive Officer are determined by the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, based on our financial performance and the achievement of the officer’s individual performance objectives. The Chief Executive Officer’s bonus is determined by the Compensation Committee, without participation by the Chief Executive Officer, based on the same factors.

 

Long-Term Incentives.  Longer term incentives are provided through stock options, which reward executives and other employees through the growth in value of our stock. The Compensation Committee believes that employee equity ownership is highly motivating, provides a major incentive for employees to build stockholder value and serves to align the interests of employees with those of stockholders. Grants of stock options to executive officers are based upon each officer’s relative position, responsibilities, historical and expected contributions to Finisar, and the officer’s existing stock ownership and previous option grants, with primary weight given to the executive officers’ relative rank and responsibilities. Initial stock option grants designed to recruit an executive officer to join Finisar may be based on negotiations with the officer and with reference to historical option grants to existing officers. Stock options are granted at an exercise price equal to the market price of our common stock on the

date of grant and will provide value to the executive officers only when the price of our common stock increases over the exercise price.

 

Compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m).  Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code restricts deductibility of executive compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer and each of the four other most highly compensated executive officers holding office at the end of any year to the extent such compensation exceeds $1,000,000 for any of such officers in any year and does not qualify for an exception under Section 162(m) or related regulations. The Committee’s policy is to qualify its executive compensation for deductibility under applicable tax laws to the extent practicable. Income related to stock options granted under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan generally qualifies for an exemption from these restrictions imposed by Section 162(m). In the future, the Committee will continue to evaluate the advisability of qualifying its executive compensation for full deductibility.

 

The Compensation Committee approved Mr. Rawls’ compensation as President and Chief Executive Officer, including his salary and bonus, for fiscal 2006. In June 2005, the Compensation Committee approved an increase in Mr. Rawls’ base salary for fiscal 2006 in light of Mr. Rawls’ expected contributions to Finisar. In June 2006, in considering Mr. Rawls’ compensation for fiscal 2007, the Compensation Committee recognized Mr. Rawls’ significant contributions and efforts in Finisar’s achieving record revenues in fiscal 2006 and, accordingly, recommended that the board increase his base salary to $400,000 and award him a bonus of $125,000. The Compensation Committee also reviewed Mr. Rawls’ equity compensation and recommended that the board grant additional options to purchase 400,000 shares of common stock. The full board of directors approved these recommendations in June 2006, with the increase in Mr. Rawls’ base salary for fiscal 2007 to be effective as of May 1, 2006.

 

Compensation for Finisar’s other executive officers for fiscal 2006 was set according to the established compensation policy described above. At the end of fiscal 2006, we recommended that the board approve salary increases for fiscal 2007, bonuses for fiscal 2006 and grants of additional options to purchase common stock for the other named executive officers. In June 2006, the full board of directors approved these recommendations, with increases in base salary for fiscal 2007 to be effective as of May 1, 2006.

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

 

David C. Fries, Chair
Roger C. Ferguson
Larry D. Mitchell
Robert N. Stephens

 

The Audit Committee currently consists of three directors, each of whom, in the judgment of the board, is an “independent director” as defined under the listing standards for the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Audit Committee acts pursuant to a written charter that has been adopted by the board of directors. A copy of the charter is available on Finisar’s website at http://investor.finisar.com/corpgov.cfm.

 

The primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing and reporting to the board on the integrity of the financial reports and other financial information provided by Finisar to any governmental body or to the public, and on Finisar’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Consistent with these functions, the Audit Committee encourages continuous improvement of, and fosters adherence to, Finisar’s financial policies, procedures and practices at all levels.

 

The Audit Committee is responsible for retaining Finisar’s independent public accountants, evaluating their independence, qualifications and performance and approving in advance the engagement of the independent public accounting firm for all audit and non-audit services. Management is responsible for the financial reporting process, the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the system of internal controls, and procedures designed to insure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Finisar’s independent public accountants are responsible for auditing the financial statements. The Audit Committee meets with such independent public accountants and management to review the scope and the results of the annual audit, Finisar’s audited financial statements and other related matters as set forth in the charter. However, the members of the Audit Committee are not professionally engaged in the practice of accounting or auditing and the Audit Committee’s role does not include providing to stockholders, or others, special assurances regarding such matters.

 

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed Finisar’s audited financial statements with management. The Audit Committee has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP, Finisar’s independent auditors, the matters required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees) which include, among other items, matters related to the conduct of the audit of Finisar’s financial statements. In addition, the Audit Committee has met with Ernst & Young LLP, with and without management present, to discuss the overall scope of Ernst & Young LLP’s audit, the result of their examinations, their evaluations of Finisar’s internal controls and the overall quality of Finisar’s financial reporting.

 

The Audit Committee has received from the auditors a formal written statement describing all relationships between the auditors and Finisar that might bear on the auditors’ independence consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), which relates to the auditors’ independence from Finisar and its related entities, discussed with the auditors any relationship that may impact their objectivity and independence, and satisfied itself as to the auditors’ independence.

 

Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to Finisar’s Board of Directors that Finisar’s audited financial statements be included in Finisar’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

Roger C. Ferguson, Chair

Larry D. Mitchell

Dominique Trempont

 

The foregoing Audit Committee Report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Finisar under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that Finisar specifically incorporates such information by reference.

 

Set forth below is a line graph comparing the annual percentage change in the cumulative total return on our common stock with the cumulative total returns of the CRSP Total Return Index for the Nasdaq Stock Market and the Amex Networking Index for the period commencing on April 30, 2001 and ending on April 28, 2006.

 

COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN FROM
APRIL 30, 2001 THROUGH APRIL 28, 2006(1):
FINISAR, NASDAQ INDEX AND AMEX NETWORKING INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

We have an advance notice provision under our bylaws for stockholder business to be presented at meetings of stockholders. Such provision states that in order for stockholder business to be properly brought before a meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to our Secretary. To be timely, a stockholder proposal must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 120 calendar days in advance of the one year anniversary of the date our proxy statement was released to stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders; except that (i) if no annual meeting was held in the previous year, (ii) if the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than 30 calendar days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year’s proxy statement or (iii) in the event of a special meeting, then notice must be received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the meeting date was made. Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the next annual meeting of stockholders must be received by us at our offices at 1389 Moffett Park Drive, Sunnyvale,

California 94089, no later than April 30, 2007 and satisfy the conditions established by the Securities and Exchange Commission for stockholder proposals to be included in our proxy statement for that meeting.

 

At the date of this proxy statement, the board of directors knows of no other business that will be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders of Finisar other than as described in this proxy statement. If any other matter or matters are properly brought before the meeting, or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote the proxy on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

 

Stephen K. Workman

Secretary

 

August 28, 2006

APPENDIX A

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO FINISAR’S
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

 

 

 

The following amendment would become effective only upon affirmative action by the Board of Directors of Finisar Corporation setting the split ratio at between 1-for-2 and 1-for-8. The Board of Directors has the authority to determine not to make the following amendment effective.

 

 

 

 

FINISAR CORPORATION

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

(Pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)

 

Finisar Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

1. Paragraph A of Article Fourth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on November 15, 1999 (the “Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), is amended to read in its entirety as follows:

 

“A. The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation will have authority to issue is seven hundred fifty-five million (755,000,000), consisting of:

 

1. Five million (5,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value one-tenth of one cent ($0.001) per share (the “Preferred Stock”); and

 

2. Seven hundred fifty million (750,000,000) shares of common stock, par value one-tenth of one cent ($0.001) per share (the “Common Stock”).

 

Upon the effectiveness of the Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Effective Time”), each [          (          )] shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Old Common Stock”), will automatically and without any action on the part of the respective holders thereof be combined, reclassified and changed into one (1) share of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Corporation (the “New Common Stock”). Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, in lieu of any fractional interests in shares of New Common Stock to which any stockholder would otherwise be entitled pursuant hereto (taking into account all shares of capital stock owned by such stockholder), such stockholder shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the fraction to which such holder would otherwise be entitled multiplied by the closing price of a share of New Common Stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market immediately following the Effective Time. The combination and conversion of the Old Common Stock shall be referred to as the “Reverse Stock Split”.

 

The Corporation shall not be obligated to issue certificates evidencing the shares of New Common Stock outstanding as a result of the Reverse Stock Split unless and until the certificates evidencing the shares held by a holder prior to the Reverse Stock Split are either delivered to the Corporation or its transfer agent, or the holder notifies the Corporation or its transfer agent that such certificates have been lost, stolen or destroyed and executes an agreement satisfactory to the Corporation to indemnify the Corporation from any loss incurred by it in connection with such certificates. Each stock certificate that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented shares of Old Common Stock shall, from and after the Effective Time, automatically and without the necessity of presenting the same for exchange, represent that number of whole shares of New Common Stock into which the shares of Old Common Stock represented by such certificate shall have been reclassified (as well as the right to receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of New Common Stock as set forth above), provided, however, that each

holder of record of a certificate that represented shares of Old Common Stock shall receive, upon surrender of such certificate, a new certificate representing the number of whole shares of New Common Stock into which the shares of Old Common Stock represented by such certificate shall have been reclassified, as well as any cash in lieu of fractional shares of New Common Stock to which such holder may be entitled as set forth above.”

 

2. The foregoing amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

3. The Corporation’s stockholders approved the amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as required by the Bylaws of the Corporation and in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

4. This Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be effective on          , 200 , at [11:59 p.m.], [Eastern Daylight Time/Eastern Standard Time].

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation to be signed by the Corporation’s           this           day of          , 200  .

 

FINISAR CORPORATION

 

Name: 

 

 

By approving this amendment, stockholders are approving a combination of any number of shares of Common Stock, between and including two and eight, into one share. The amendment that is filed will include only one ratio determined by the Board of Directors to be in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders and the other ratios will be abandoned. In accordance with this proposal, the Board of Directors will not implement any amendment providing for a different split ratio.

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF

FINISAR CORPORATION

September 28, 2006

 

Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.

 

â  Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.  â

Signature of Stockholder

Date:

Signature of Stockholder

Date:

Note:		Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.

FINISAR CORPORATION

PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON
September 28, 2006

     The undersigned hereby appoints Jerry S. Rawls and Stephen K. Workman, or either of them, as proxies and attorneys-in-fact, each with full power of substitution, to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Finisar Corporation (the “Company”) to be held at the offices of DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP, 2000 University Avenue, East Palo Alto, California on September 28, 2006 at 10:00 a.m., and any adjournments or postponements thereof, and to vote the number of shares the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the meeting.

     UNLESS A CONTRARY DIRECTION IS INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR NAMED IN PROPOSAL 1, AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3 AS MORE SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT. IF SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS ARE INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE THEREWITH. In their discretion the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof to the extent authorized by Rule 14a-4(c) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF

FINISAR CORPORATION

September 28, 2006

				PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

â  Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided IF you are not voting via telephone or the Internet.  â

Signature of Stockholder

Date:

Signature of Stockholder

Date:

Note:		Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.