Schedule 14A
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Tractor Supply Company
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
200 Powell Place
Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
TractorSupply.com
To Our Stockholders:
On behalf of the Board of Directors, it is my pleasure to invite you to attend the 2009 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of Tractor Supply Company. The meeting will be held on Thursday, May 7,
2009, at the Companys Store Support Center in Brentwood, Tennessee 37027. The meeting will start
at 10:00 a.m. (central time).
The following pages contain the formal Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy
Statement, which describes the specific business to be considered and voted upon at the Annual
Meeting. The meeting will include a report on Tractor Supply Companys activities for the fiscal
year ended December 27, 2008, and there will be an opportunity for comments and questions from
stockholders. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, it is important that you be
represented and that your shares are voted. After reviewing the Proxy Statement, I ask you to vote
as described in the Proxy Statement as soon as possible.
I look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.
Sincerely,
James F. Wright
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer
March 25, 2009
TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
200 Powell Place
Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
(615) 440-4000
TractorSupply.com
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held May 7, 2009
Please join us for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Tractor Supply Company. The meeting
will be held at the Companys Store Support Center, 200 Powell Place, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027,
on Thursday, May 7, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. (central time).
The purposes of the meeting are:
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To elect directors to serve a one-year term ending at the 2010 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders; |
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To approve the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, which is attached as Exhibit A to the
Proxy Statement and which has been adopted by the Board of Directors subject to the
approval of the stockholders; |
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To ratify the reappointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 26, 2009; and |
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To transact any other business as may be properly introduced at the 2009 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders. |
These matters are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice.
The Securities and Exchange Commission rules allow us to furnish proxy materials to our
stockholders on the Internet. We are pleased to take advantage of these rules and believe that
they enable us to provide our stockholders with the information that they need, while lowering the
cost of delivery and reducing the environmental impact of our Annual Meeting. This proxy statement
and our fiscal 2008 Annual Report to Stockholders are available on our web site at
TractorSupply.com. Additionally, and in accordance with SEC rules, you may access our proxy
materials at www.edocumentview.com/TSCO, which does not have cookies that identify visitors to
the site.
As stockholders of Tractor Supply Company, your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to
attend the Annual Meeting in person, it is important that you vote as soon as possible to ensure
that your shares are represented.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Joel A. Cherry
Senior Vice President-General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary
Brentwood, Tennessee
March 25, 2009
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE VOTE BY TOLL-FREE
TELEPHONE CALL, VIA THE INTERNET OR BY COMPLETING,
SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING A PROXY CARD.
TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
200 Powell Place
Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
(615) 440-4000
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held May 7, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 7, 2009
Our Board of Directors has made these proxy materials available to you on the Internet, or, upon
your request, has delivered printed versions of these materials to you by mail. We are furnishing
this proxy statement in connection with the solicitation by our Board of Directors of proxies to be
voted at our 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Meeting). The Meeting will be held at our
Store Support Center, located at 200 Powell Place, Brentwood, TN 37027, on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at
10:00 a.m. central time, or at any adjournment thereof.
We mailed our Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the Notice) to each stockholder
entitled to vote at the Meeting on or about March 27, 2009.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING AND VOTING
Who may vote at the Meeting?
The Board of Directors has set March 23, 2009 as the record date for the Meeting. If you were the
owner of Tractor Supply Company common stock at the close of business on March 23, 2009, you may
vote at the Meeting. You are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock you held on the
record date.
A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting will be open to examination by any
stockholder, for any purpose germane to the Meeting, during normal business hours for a period of
ten days before the Meeting at our Store Support Center and at the time and place of the Meeting.
How many shares must be present to hold the Meeting?
A majority of our shares of common stock outstanding as of the record date must be present at the
Meeting in order to hold the meeting and conduct business. This is called a quorum. On the record
date, there were 35,851,131 shares of our common stock outstanding. Your shares are counted as
present at the Meeting if you are present and vote in person at the Meeting or properly submit your
proxy prior to the Meeting.
Why am I being asked to review materials on-line?
Under rules adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), we are now furnishing
proxy materials to our stockholders (other than stockholders who held their shares in the Companys
401(k) Plan) on the Internet, rather than mailing printed copies of those materials to each
stockholder. If you received a Notice by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy
materials unless you request one. Instead, the Notice will instruct you as to how you may access
and review the proxy materials on the Internet. If you received a Notice by mail and would like to
receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, please follow the instructions included in the
Notice.
What am I voting on?
You will be voting on the following:
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The election of directors to serve a one-year term ending at the 2010 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders; |
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The approval of the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan; |
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The ratification of the reappointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered
public accounting firm; and |
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Any other matters properly introduced at the Meeting. |
We are not currently aware of any other business to be acted upon at the Meeting. If any other
matters are properly submitted for consideration at the Meeting, including any proposal to adjourn
the Meeting, the persons named as proxies will vote the shares represented thereby in their
discretion. Adjournment of the Meeting may be made for the purpose of, among other things,
soliciting additional proxies. Any
adjournment may be made from time to time by approval of the holders of common stock representing a
majority of the votes present in person or by proxy at the Meeting, whether or not a quorum exists,
without further notice other than by an announcement made at the Meeting.
1
How does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote?
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote:
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FOR the election of the director nominees named in this proxy statement; |
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FOR the approval of the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan; and |
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FOR the ratification of the reappointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm. |
How do I vote before the Meeting?
If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare, you are
considered a stockholder of record with respect to those shares and the Notice of Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials has been sent directly to you by Computershare. Please carefully
consider the information contained in the Proxy Statement and, whether or not you plan to attend
the Meeting, vote by one of the above methods so that we can be assured of having a quorum present
at the Meeting and so that your shares may be voted in accordance with your wishes even if you
later decide not to attend the Meeting.
If, like most stockholders of the Company, you hold your shares in street name through a
stockbroker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in your own name, you are considered the
beneficial owner of shares, and the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials is being
forwarded to you. Please carefully consider the information contained in the Proxy Statement and,
whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting, vote by one of the above methods so that we can be
assured of having a quorum present at the Meeting and so that your shares may be voted in
accordance with your wishes even if you later decide not to attend the Meeting.
If you hold your shares through the Companys 401(k) Plan, you will receive printed proxy materials
by mail. You may only vote in person at the Meeting or by completing and mailing the paper proxy
card included with the mailed proxy materials.
We encourage you to register your vote via the Internet. If you attend the Meeting, you may also
submit your vote in person and any votes that you previously submitted whether via the Internet,
by phone or by mail will be superseded by the vote that you cast at the Meeting. To vote at the
Meeting, beneficial owners will need to contact the broker, trustee or nominee that holds their
shares to obtain a legal proxy to bring to the Meeting. Whether your proxy is submitted by the
Internet, by phone or by mail, if it is properly completed and submitted and if you do not revoke
it prior to the Meeting, your shares will be voted at the Meeting in the manner set forth in this
Proxy Statement or as otherwise specified by you.
Unless you hold your shares through the Companys 401(k) Plan, you may vote via the Internet or by
phone until 1:00 a.m. central time, on May 7, 2009, otherwise the Companys agent must receive your
paper proxy card on or before May 7, 2009.
May I vote at the Meeting?
You may vote your shares at the Meeting if you attend in person.
Is my vote confidential?
Yes. Your proxy card, ballot and voting records will not be disclosed to us unless required by
law, requested by you, or your vote is cast in a contested election.
2
What vote is required to pass an item of business?
The holders of the majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock must be present in person or
represented by proxy for a quorum to be present at the Meeting. The proposals in this Proxy
Statement will be approved if they receive the following number of votes: (i) for the election of
directors, each of the director nominees must receive the affirmative vote of a plurality of the
shares issued and outstanding as of the record date, (ii) the adoption of the 2009 Stock Incentive
Plan will be approved if it receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present,
either in person or by proxy, at the Meeting, and (iii) the ratification of the reappointment of
Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm will be approved if it
receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present, either in person or by proxy, at
the Meeting.
If you submit your proxy or attend the Meeting, but choose to abstain from voting on any proposal,
you will be considered present at the Meeting and not voting in favor of the proposal. This will
not affect the election of directors. Since each of the other proposals described herein passes
only if it receives a favorable vote from a majority of votes present at the Meeting, the fact that
you are abstaining and not voting in favor of the proposal will have the same effect as if you had
voted against the proposal.
Brokers and nominees may exercise their voting discretion without receiving instructions from the
beneficial owner of shares on proposals that are deemed to be routine matters. If a proposal is not
a routine matter, the broker or nominee may not vote the shares with respect to the proposal
without receiving instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares. If a broker turns in a
proxy card expressly stating that the broker is not voting on a non-routine matter, such action is
referred to as a broker non-vote. Since the election of directors and the ratification of the
reappointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm are routine
matters, a broker may turn in a proxy card voting shares at the discretion of the broker on both
matters. Because of the approval of the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan is not a routine matter, your
broker or nominee may not vote your shares on this mater without receiving instructions.
Therefore, if you do not give your broker or nominee specific instructions, your shares may not be
voted on the approval of the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan and will have the effect of a vote against
the plan.
Unless you indicate otherwise in your vote, the persons named as your proxies will vote your shares
(a) FOR all nominees for director, (b) FOR the adoption of the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, and (c)
FOR the ratification of the reappointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public
accounting firm.
Who counts the votes?
The Company has asked Computershare to judge voting, be responsible for determining whether or not
a quorum is present and tabulate votes cast by proxy or in person at the Meeting.
Can I revoke my proxy?
Yes. You can revoke your proxy by:
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Filing written notice of revocation with our Corporate Secretary before the Meeting; |
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Signing a proxy bearing a later date; or |
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Voting in person at the Meeting. |
Where can I find voting results of the Meeting?
We will announce general voting results at the Meeting and publish final detailed voting results in
our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 or in an earlier filed
Form 8-K.
3
Who will bear the cost for soliciting votes at the Meeting?
We will bear all expenses in conjunction with the solicitation of proxies, including the charges of
brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees or fiduciaries for forwarding documents to security
owners. We may hire a proxy solicitation firm at a standard industry compensation rate. In
addition, proxies may be solicited by mail, in person, or by telephone or fax by certain of our
officers, directors and regular employees.
Whom should I call with other questions?
If you have additional questions about this Proxy Statement or the Meeting, please contact:
Tractor Supply Company, 200 Powell Place, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027, Attention: Investor Relations
Dept., Telephone: (615) 440-4632.
ITEM 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our directors are elected at each annual meeting and hold office until the next annual meeting or
the election of their respective successors. All nominees are presently directors of the Company.
The Board has the authority under our Bylaws to fill vacancies and to increase or decrease its size
between annual meetings.
Nominees for Directors
The Board, upon recommendation of its Nominating Committee, has nominated each of the directors
named below for election at this Meeting. Such individuals were selected based on their broad
experience, wisdom, integrity, understanding of the business environment, thorough appreciation for
strong ethics and appropriate corporate governance, and their willingness to devote adequate time
to Board duties.
The following table sets forth certain information concerning these nominees:
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Director |
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Positions with Company, Directorships and |
Name and Age |
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Business Experience for Last Five Years |
Johnston C. Adams, 61
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2007 |
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Served as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of AutoZone, Inc. from 1997
until 2001. Other directorship: WD-40
Company, since 2001; Repco Corporation
Limited, since 2008. |
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William Bass, 46
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2008 |
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Chief Executive Officer of Fair Indigo
since 2005. Previously served in
several management positions for Sears,
Roebuck & Company and Lands End from
1999 to 2005. |
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Jack C. Bingleman, 66
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2005 |
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President of Indian River Asset
Management Inc. since 2001. Previously
served as President of Staples
International from 1997 to 2000. Served
as President of Staples North American
Stores from 1994 to 1997. Other
directorship: Domtar Corporation, since
2005. |
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S.P. Braud, 78
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1993 |
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Vice President and director of Braud
Design/Build Inc., since October 1992.
Previously served as a Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of Service
Merchandise Company, Inc. from 1986 to
1993. |
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Richard W. Frost, 57
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2007 |
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Chief Executive Officer of
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation since
December 2004. Previously served as
Executive Vice President, Commodity
Products, Procurement and Engineering
from March 2003 to November 2004,
Executive Vice President, OSB,
Procurement and Engineering from May
2002 to February 2003 and Vice
President, Timberlands and Procurement
from 1996 to April 2002. |
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Director |
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Name and Age |
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Business Experience for Last Five Years |
Cynthia T. Jamison, 49
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2002 |
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National Managing Partner of
Restructuring Practice in Tatum, LLC
since 2009. Previously served as
Partner and National Director of CFO
Services and Operating Committee Member
of Tatum, LLC from 2005 to 2008; Partner
in Tatum, LLC from 1995 to 2005. Other
directorship: B&G Foods, Inc. (Audit
Committee Chair), since 2004. |
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Gerard E. Jones, 72
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1999 |
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Adjunct Professor of Law at the Vermont
Law School since September 2006. Also
serves on Board of Trustees of The
Nature Conservancy of Vermont. Served as
Managing Partner of Corporate Governance
Advisors, LLC from 2003 to 2005.
Previously served as a partner in the
law firm of Richards & ONeil LLP from
1972 to 2003 and then served as Of
Counsel to the law firm of Shipman &
Goodwin LLP from 2001 to 2003. |
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George MacKenzie, 60
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2007 |
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Non-executive Chairman of American Water
since May 2006. Served as interim Chief
Executive Officer of American Water from
January 2006 to April 2006. Served as
interim President and Chief Executive
Officer of C&D Technologies, Inc. from
March 2005 to July 2005. Served as
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of P.H. Glatfelter
Company from September 2001 to June
2002. Other directorships: C&D
Technologies, since 1999; Safeguard
Scientifics, Inc. (Audit Committee
Chair), since 2003 and American Water
(non-executive Chair), since 2003. |
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Edna K. Morris, 57
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2004 |
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Chief Executive Officer/Partner of Range
Restaurant Group. Served as President
of Blue Coral Seafood & Spirits from
April 2006 to October 2007. Served as
President of James Beard Foundation from
February 2005 to March 2006. Served as
President of Red Lobster from 2002 to
September 2003. Other directorships: Member of the Board of Trustees,
Culinary Institute of America and
Founding President, Womens Foodservice
Forum. |
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James F. Wright, 59
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2002 |
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Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company since
November 2007. Previously served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company from 2004 to November 2007
and as President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Company from 2000 through
2004. Other directorship: Spartan
Stores, Inc. since 2002. |
If a nominee becomes unwilling or unable to serve, which is not expected, the proxies will be voted
for a substitute person designated by the Board upon the recommendation of its Nominating
Committee.
5
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
The Compensation Committee has the responsibility to review and recommend compensation for the
Companys directors. In order to assist the Company in establishing such compensation, the
Compensation Committee engaged Hewitt Associates, LLC, an independent, third-party consulting firm
in fiscal 2006 to prepare an analysis of the compensation paid to the directors of the companies
comprising the Companys then-established peer group (see Compensation Discussion and Analysis).
Based on that information, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that it pay each
non-employee director an annual retainer of $34,000 and an additional $3,000 for each Board meeting
attended. The Compensation Committee also recommended to the Board that it pay the chair of the
Audit Committee an annual retainer of $10,000, each chair of the Compensation, Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committees an annual retainer of $5,000 and the Lead Director an annual
retainer of $15,000. A recommendation was also made that non-employee directors be paid $1,000 for
each committee meeting attended (and $2,000 to each committee chairperson for each committee
meeting attended), with one-half of those rates being paid for each telephonic meeting attended.
Payments were made in accordance with these recommendations in 2008, and the Company reimbursed all
directors for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at Board and
committee meetings. Each of the directors participates in the Companys 2006 Stock Incentive Plan
under which non-qualified
stock options are typically granted to each non-employee director upon their initial election to
the Board and annually upon reelection thereafter. In 2008, each new director was granted stock
options for 3,500 shares, while incumbent directors were each awarded stock options for 2,000
shares. Exercise prices are equal to the fair market value of such shares on the date of grant and
the options have a 10-year life. The Committee also recommended annual grants to the directors of
restricted stock valued at $20,000 on the date of grant. All options and restricted stock awards
granted to non-employee directors are made at the beginning of the new director term or initial
appointment and vest at end of such term. Restricted shares must be held by the director for a
period of one year following a directors termination of service on the Board of Directors.
The following table provides compensation information for the one-year period ended December 27,
2008 for each non-employee member of our Board of Directors. No director who is an employee of the
Company received compensation for services as a director.
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Fees Earned |
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or Paid in |
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Total |
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Johnston C. Adams |
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$ |
53,000 |
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$ |
22,375 |
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54,454 |
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$ |
129,829 |
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William Bass (4) |
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46,160 |
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33,150 |
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62,243 |
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141,553 |
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Jack C. Bingleman |
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56,000 |
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19,974 |
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51,123 |
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127,097 |
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S. P. Braud |
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78,500 |
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19,974 |
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42,181 |
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140,655 |
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Richard W. Frost |
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52,000 |
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22,544 |
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55,606 |
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130,150 |
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Cynthia T. Jamison |
|
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79,000 |
|
|
|
19,974 |
|
|
|
42,181 |
|
|
|
141,155 |
|
Gerard E. Jones |
|
|
59,125 |
|
|
|
19,974 |
|
|
|
42,181 |
|
|
|
121,280 |
|
George MacKenzie |
|
|
55,500 |
|
|
|
19,974 |
|
|
|
45,513 |
|
|
|
120,987 |
|
Edna K. Morris |
|
|
66,750 |
|
|
|
19,974 |
|
|
|
42,181 |
|
|
|
128,905 |
|
Joe M. Rodgers(5) |
|
|
17,333 |
|
|
|
6,832 |
|
|
|
20,425 |
|
|
|
44,590 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Each of our directors received an annual award of restricted
stock valued at approximately $20,000 as of the award date. This column
reflects the grant date fair value of restricted stock awards recognized
during the fiscal year, computed in accordance with SFAS 123R, Share-Based
Payments (FAS 123(R)). For a description of the assumptions used by the
Company in valuing these awards for the fiscal year ended December 27,
2008, please see Note 2 to the Companys Consolidated Financial Statements
included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 27, 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on February 25, 2009. Such awards vest at the end of the one-year director
term, with the related expense recognized ratably. |
|
(2) |
|
Each of our non-employee directors is eligible to
participate in our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan under which non-qualified
stock options and deferred stock awards are granted. The aggregate number
of underlying shares for stock awards and option awards outstanding at
fiscal year-end for each Director was as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Option |
|
Name |
|
Awards |
|
|
Awards |
|
Johnston C. Adams |
|
|
926 |
|
|
|
5,500 |
|
William Bass |
|
|
1,176 |
|
|
|
5,500 |
|
Jack C. Bingleman |
|
|
1,249 |
|
|
|
9,500 |
|
S. P. Braud |
|
|
1,249 |
|
|
|
11,000 |
|
Richard W. Frost |
|
|
941 |
|
|
|
5,500 |
|
Cynthia T. Jamison |
|
|
1,249 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
Gerard E. Jones |
|
|
1,249 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
George MacKenzie |
|
|
939 |
|
|
|
5,500 |
|
Edna K. Morris |
|
|
1,249 |
|
|
|
11,500 |
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, each of our non-employee
employee directors was granted options for either (i) 3,500 shares of
Common Stock upon their initial election to the Board in 2008 or (ii) 2,000
shares of Common Stock upon reelection to a new one-year term. This column
reflects the grant date fair value of stock options vested during the
fiscal year, computed in accordance with FAS 123(R). For a description of
the assumptions used by the Company in valuing these awards for the fiscal
year ended December 27, 2008, please see Note 2 to the Companys
Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Companys Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2009. |
|
(4) |
|
Mr. Bass was appointed to the Board of Directors on January 11,
2008. |
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Rodgers completed his term on May 1, 2008. |
6
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
How often did the Board meet in 2008?
The Board held five meetings (including four regular quarterly meetings) during 2008, to review
significant developments affecting the Company, engage in strategic planning and act on matters
requiring Board approval.
For 2008, each incumbent director attended at least 75% of the Board meetings and at least 75% of
the meetings of committees on which he or she served.
What are the Standing Committees of the Board?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Functions and |
|
Number of |
Committee |
|
Members |
|
Additional Information |
|
Meetings |
Audit
|
|
Cynthia T. Jamison *
Jack C. Bingleman
George MacKenzie
|
|
Oversees financial reporting, policies,
procedures and internal controls of the Company
Appoints the independent auditor
Evaluates the general scope of the annual
audit and approves all fees paid to the independent
auditor
Oversees and directs the scope of internal
audit activities
|
|
|
11 |
|
Compensation
|
|
Edna K. Morris *
Johnston C. Adams
Richard W. Frost
Cynthia T. Jamison
|
|
Reviews and approves compensation of directors
and executive officers
Reviews and approves grants of stock options
to officers pursuant to stock incentive plans
Reviews salary and benefit issues
|
|
|
6 |
|
Corporate Governance
|
|
S.P. Braud *
William Bass
Gerard E. Jones
Edna K. Morris
|
|
Develops, sets and maintains corporate
governance standards
Reviews and monitors activities of Board
members
Evaluates the effectiveness of the Board
process and committee activities
|
|
|
3 |
|
Nominating
|
|
Gerard E. Jones*
Johnston C. Adams
Jack C. Bingleman
|
|
Makes recommendations for nominees for director
Evaluates qualifications for new candidates
for director positions
|
|
|
1 |
|
The Board has determined that each member of the Companys Audit Committee, Compensation Committee,
Corporate Governance Committee and Nominating Committee is an independent director within the
meaning of the listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Select Market. In addition, the Board has
determined that Ms. Jamison, the chair of the Audit Committee, and Messrs. MacKenzie and Bingleman,
both of whom are Audit Committee members, are qualified as audit committee financial experts within
the meaning of SEC regulations and the listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The
Audit Committee has been established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
7
Does the Board have a lead director?
For several years, the Board has had a de facto lead director. Contemporaneous with the election
of Mr. Wright as Chairman in November 2007, the Board formalized the lead director role, appointing
long-time director S.P. Braud to the position. With the formal creation of this lead director
position, the Corporate Governance Committee, established, and the Board ratified, the
responsibilities of the Lead Director:
The Lead Independent Director is responsible for coordinating the activities of the
independent directors. In addition to the duties of all Board members as set forth in
the
Companys governance guidelines, the specific responsibilities of the Lead
Independent Director are as follows:
|
|
|
advise the Chair as to an appropriate schedule of Board meetings, seeking to
ensure that the independent directors can perform their duties responsibly while
not interfering with the flow of Company operations; |
|
|
|
|
provide the Chair with input as to the preparation of the agendas for the
Board and committee meetings; |
|
|
|
|
advise the Chair as to the quality, quantity and timeliness of the flow of
information from Company management that is necessary for the independent
directors to effectively and responsibly perform their duties; although Company
management is responsible for the preparation of materials for the Board, the
Lead Independent Director may specifically request the inclusion of certain
material; |
|
|
|
|
recommend to the Chair the retention of consultants who report directly to
the Board; |
|
|
|
|
interview, along with the chair of the Nominating Committee, all Board
candidates, and make recommendations to the Nominating Committee and the Board; |
|
|
|
|
assist the Board and Company officers in assuring compliance with and
implementation of the Companys governance guidelines; principally responsible
for recommending revisions to the governance guidelines; |
|
|
|
|
coordinate, develop the agenda for and moderate executive sessions of the
Boards independent directors; act as principal liaison between the independent
directors and the Chair on sensitive issues; |
|
|
|
|
evaluate, along with the members of the full board, the CEOs and the Boards
performance; meet with the CEO to discuss same; summarize and remit the
evaluations to the Board; and |
|
|
|
|
recommend to the Chair the membership of the various Board committees, as well as
selection of the committee chairs. |
What are the responsibilities of the Compensation Committee?
The Compensation Committee has been given the responsibility to assist the Board of Directors in
the discharge of its fiduciary duties with respect to the compensation of the executives of the
Company, including the Named Executive Officers, as well as oversight of succession planning. The
Compensation Committee is also responsible for administering all of our equity-based plans and the
Companys retirement and other benefit plans. It periodically reviews compensation and
equity-based plans and makes its recommendations to the Board with respect to these areas.
The Compensation Committees members are each (i) independent as defined under the listing
standards of the NASDAQ Global Select Market, (ii) a non-employee director for purposes of Section
16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (iii) an outside director for
purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
8
As part of the Committees duties as set forth in its charter, the Committee, among other things,
periodically reviews the Companys philosophy regarding executive compensation and annually reviews
market data to assess the Companys competitive position with respect to the elements of the
Companys compensation. The Committee reports to the Board of Directors on its activities.
To assist the Compensation Committee in establishing compensation for the Companys executive
management for 2008, the Compensation Committee engaged Hewitt Associates, LLC (Hewitt), an
independent, third-party consulting firm. The Compensation Committee determined the scope of
Hewitts assignment and worked directly with Hewitt. Hewitt also worked with management on a
limited basis under the Committees direction. Hewitt did not recommend any compensation programs
or payment amounts, but was only engaged to provide data and analysis with respect to compensation
paid by the Company and the companies in its peer group as discussed in Compensation of Directors
and Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
The Compensation Committee sets performance goals and objectives for the chief executive officer
and the other executive officers. The Committee reviews the performance and compensation of the
chief executive officer and, with other advisors if appropriate, establishes his compensation
level, including equity-based awards. For the remaining Named Executive Officers, the senior vice
president of human resources, the management liaison to the Compensation Committee, consults with
the chief executive officer and, using the data provided by the consultant, makes recommendations
to the Committee as to each individuals base compensation and equitybased awards. The Committee
considers and discusses the recommendations.
The Compensation Committee also periodically reviews director compensation. All decisions with
respect to executive and director compensation are approved by the Compensation Committee and
recommended to the full Board for ratification.
The agenda for meetings of the Compensation Committee is determined by its Chairperson with input
from the Companys general counsel and senior vice president of human resources. Compensation
Committee meetings are regularly attended by the Companys chief executive officer, general counsel
and senior vice president of human resources, but the Committee also meets in executive session at
each meeting. Independent advisors and the Companys human resources department support the
Compensation Committee in its duties and certain officers, including the chief executive officer,
chief financial officer, senior vice president of human resources, and general counsel, may be
delegated authority to fulfill certain administrative duties regarding compensation programs.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
General
We believe that good corporate governance is important to ensure that the Company is managed for
the long-term benefit of its stockholders. During the past year, we have continued to review our
corporate governance policies and practices and compared them to those suggested by various
authorities in corporate governance and the practices of other public companies. We have also
continued to review the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the rules of the SEC, and the
listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
Our Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, which outline the composition,
operations and responsibilities of the Board of Directors. Our Board also ensures that an annual
review of its charters for the Companys Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Corporate
Governance Committee and Nominating Committee is conducted. You may access our Corporate Governance
Guidelines and current committee charters in the Corporate Governance section of our website at
TractorSupply.com.
9
Director Independence and Board Operations
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require that a majority of our Board consists of independent
directors within the meaning of the listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The
Board has determined that each of the following directors is an independent director within the
meaning of the listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Johnston C. Adams
|
|
Cynthia T. Jamison |
|
|
William Bass
|
|
Gerard E. Jones |
|
|
Jack C. Bingleman
|
|
George MacKenzie |
|
|
S.P. Braud
|
|
Edna K. Morris |
|
|
Richard W. Frost |
|
|
Our Chairman, in consultation with our Lead Director and each of the committee chairpersons,
proposes the agenda for the Board meetings. Directors receive the agenda and supporting information
in advance of the meetings. Directors may raise other matters to be included in the agenda or at
the meetings. Our Chief Executive Officer and other members of senior management make presentations
to the Board at the meetings and a substantial portion of the meeting time is devoted to the
Boards discussion of these presentations. Executive sessions for non-management and independent
directors are scheduled at each regularly scheduled Board meeting.
Directors have regular access to senior management. They may also seek independent, outside advice.
The Board has established four standing committees so that certain areas can be addressed in more
depth than might be possible at a full Board meeting. Committee assignments are reassessed
annually. The Directors participated in Board and committee evaluations and assessments regarding
2008 performance.
Director Candidates
The Nominating Committee, which is comprised solely of independent directors, considers candidates
for Board membership suggested by its members and other Board members, as well as management and
stockholders. A stockholder who wishes to recommend a prospective nominee for the Board should
notify our Corporate Secretary in writing with whatever supporting material the stockholder
considers appropriate pursuant to the provisions of our Bylaws relating to stockholder proposals as
described in Stockholder Proposals, below.
Once the Nominating Committee has identified a prospective nominee, the Committee makes an initial
determination as to whether to conduct a full evaluation of the candidate. This initial
determination is based on whatever information is provided to the Committee with the recommendation
of the prospective candidate, as well as the Committees own knowledge of the prospective
candidate, which may be supplemented by inquiries to the person making the recommendation or
others. The preliminary determination is based primarily on the need for additional Board members
to fill vacancies or expand the size of the Board and the likelihood that the prospective nominee
can satisfy the evaluation factors described below. The Committee then evaluates the prospective
nominee against the standards and qualifications set out in our Corporate Governance Guidelines,
including:
|
|
|
Personal characteristics: |
|
|
|
highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values; |
|
|
|
|
an inquiring and independent mind; and |
|
|
|
|
practical wisdom and mature judgment. |
|
|
|
Expertise that is useful to the Company and complementary to the background and
experience of other Board members, so that an optimum balance of members on the Board can
be achieved and maintained. |
|
|
|
Broad training and experience at the policy-making level in business, government,
education or technology. |
10
|
|
|
Willingness to devote the required amount of time to carrying out the duties and
responsibilities of Board membership. |
|
|
|
Commitment to serve on the Board over a period of several years to develop knowledge
about our principal operations. |
|
|
|
Willingness to represent the best interests of all stockholders and objectively appraise
management performance. |
|
|
|
Involvement only in activities or interests that do not create a conflict with the
directors responsibilities to the Company and its stockholders. |
The Committee also considers such other relevant factors as it deems appropriate, including the
current composition of the Board, the balance of management and independent directors, the need for
Audit Committee or other expertise and the evaluations of other prospective nominees. In
connection with this evaluation, the Committee determines whether to interview the prospective
nominee, and if warranted, one or more members of the Committee, and others as appropriate,
interview prospective nominees in person or by telephone.
After completing this evaluation and interview, the Committee makes a recommendation to the full
Board as to the persons who should be nominated by the Board, and the Board determines the nominees
after considering the recommendation and report of the Committee.
Code of Ethics
We have a Code of Ethics which covers all exempt employees, officers and directors of the Company,
including the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer and the controller. The
Code of Ethics is available in the Corporate Governance section of our website at
TractorSupply.com. We intend to post amendments to or waivers from our Code of Ethics (to the
extent applicable to our Directors, chief executive officer, principal financial officer or
controller) at this location on our website.
Communications with Members of the Board
Stockholders interested in communicating directly with members of our Board may do so by writing to
our Corporate Secretary, c/o Tractor Supply Company, 200 Powell Place, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027.
As set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Corporate Secretary reviews all such
correspondence and regularly forwards to the Board a summary of all such correspondence and copies
of all correspondence that, in the opinion of the Corporate Secretary, deals with the functions of
the Board or committees thereof or that the Corporate Secretary otherwise determines requires their
attention. Directors may at any time review a log of all correspondence received by us that is
addressed to members of the Board and request copies of any such correspondence. Concerns relating
to accounting, internal controls or auditing matters are immediately brought to the attention of
our internal audit department and handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit
Committee with respect to such matters.
Board Member Attendance at Annual Meeting
We strongly encourage each member of the Board to attend each Annual Meeting of Stockholders. All
of our incumbent Directors attended the 2008 Annual Meeting.
Director Stock Ownership Guidelines
Each member of the Board is expected to acquire, within a five-year period, and continue to hold
shares of the Companys common stock having an aggregate market value from time to time which
equals or exceeds a factor of 5x the directors annual retainer.
Once the Target Ownership Level is achieved by a director, that director will not be required to
acquire any additional shares in the event the stock price is lower, provided the underlying number
of shares remain held by the director.
11
The Compensation Committee evaluates compliance with this policy annually. The Compensation
Committee and the Board of Directors, in their sole discretion, may waive or extend the time for
compliance with this policy. Factors which may be considered include, but are not limited to,
non-compliance due to limitations on ability to purchase resulting from blackout periods and the
personal financial resources of the director.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Ms. Morris, Mr. Adams, Mr. Frost and Ms. Jamison served on the Compensation Committee of the Board
during 2008. There are no, and during 2008 there were no, interlocking relationships between any
officers of the Company and any entity whose directors or officers serve on the Compensation
Committee, nor did any of our current or past officers or employees serve on the Compensation
Committee during 2008.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF
EACH OF THE NOMINEES.
ITEM 2 APPROVAL OF THE 2009 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
The Board of Directors has adopted the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2009 Plan), subject to
approval by the stockholders, and recommends it for stockholder approval at the Meeting. The Board
of Directors believes it to be in the best interest of the Company to adopt the 2009 Plan to
attract and retain key officers, employees and directors and promote the Companys long-term growth
and profitability by providing those officers, employees and directors of the Company with
incentives to improve stockholder value. The 2009 Plan is intended to replace our 2006 Stock
Incentive Plan (the 2006 Plan), and, if approved by our stockholders, no further awards will be
made under the 2006 Plan.
The primary purpose of the 2009 Plan is to promote the interests of the Company and its
stockholders by (i) attracting and retaining key officers, employees and directors of the Company
and its affiliates, (ii) motivating such individuals by means of performance-related incentives to
achieve long-range performance goals, (iii) enabling such individuals to participate in the
long-term growth and financial success of the Company, (iv) encouraging ownership of stock in the
Company by such individuals, and (v) linking the compensation of those individuals to the long-term
interests of the Company and its stockholders.
As was the case with the 2006 Plan, we believe this authorization will enable us to implement our
long-term equity incentive program for approximately the next four years. We believe four years is
an appropriate cycle that will allow us to periodically review our equity compensation programs and
respond to periodic evolutions in compensation and governance best practices and trends to the
extent we believe such practices or trends to be in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders. As of March 23, 2009, we had an aggregate of 3,038,553 options outstanding under our
plans, with a weighted average exercise price of $34.49 and a weighted average term to expiration
of 6.7 years.
We believe that our equity programs and our emphasis on employee stock ownership have been integral
to our success in the past and are important to our ability to achieve our corporate performance
goals in the years ahead. We believe that the ability to attract, retain and motivate talented
employees is critical to long-term Company performance and stockholder returns. We believe that the
2009 Plan will allow us the flexibility to implement our current long-term incentive philosophy in
future years and will better align executive and stockholder interests. For these reasons, we
consider approval of the 2009 Plan important to our future success and encourage you to vote FOR
approval of the 2009 Plan.
12
The 2009 Plan is designed to provide performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the Code), including features designed to allow grants to meet
the requirements for deductibility of executive compensation.
Stock Incentive Plan Description
The following is a brief description of the principal features of the 2009 Plan. It does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2009 Plan, which is
attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Shares Available For Awards Under The 2009 Plan
Under the 2009 Plan, awards may be made in common stock of the Company. Subject to adjustment as
provided by the terms of the 2009 Plan, the maximum number of shares of common stock with respect
to which awards may be granted under the 2009 Plan is 3,400,000 shares (which includes
approximately 760,000 shares with respect to which awards under the 2006 Plan were authorized but
not awarded). Except as adjusted in accordance with the terms of the 2009 Plan, no more than
1,500,000 shares authorized under the 2009 Plan may be awarded as awards other than stock
appreciation rights (SARs) and options. The maximum number of shares with respect to which awards
may be granted under the 2009 Plan shall be increased by the number of shares with respect to which
options or other awards were granted under the 2006 Plan or 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, but which
terminate, expire unexercised, or are settled for cash, forfeited, withheld to satisfy withholding
obligations or cancelled without the delivery of shares under the terms of the 2006 Plan or 2000
Stock Incentive Plan after the effective date of the 2009 Plan.
Shares covered by an award granted under the 2009 Plan, or to which such an award relates, that are
forfeited, or if any such award is settled for cash or otherwise terminates, expires unexercised or
is cancelled without the delivery of shares, then the shares covered by such award, or to which
such award relates, or the number of shares otherwise counted against the aggregate number of
shares with respect to which awards may be granted, to the extent of any such settlement,
forfeiture, termination, expiration or cancellation, shall again become shares with respect to
which awards may be granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the gross number of shares of
common stock issued pursuant to an award and not later forfeited shall be deducted from the total
number of shares available for grant under the 2009 Plan, and (ii) shares of common stock that are
cancelled, tendered or withheld in payment of all or part of the option price or exercise price of
an award or in satisfaction of withholding tax obligations, and shares of common stock that are
reacquired with cash tendered in payment of the option price or exercise price of an award, shall
not be included in or added to the number of shares available for grant under the 2009 Plan.
Shares of common stock issued under the 2009 Plan may be either newly issued shares or shares which
have been reacquired by the Company. Shares issued by the Company as substitute awards granted
solely in connection with the assumption of outstanding awards previously granted by a company
acquired by the Company, or with which the Company combines (Substitute Awards), do not reduce
the number of shares available for awards under the Plan.
In addition, the 2009 Plan imposes individual limitations on the amount of certain awards in order
to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code. Under these limitations, no single participant may
receive options or SARs in any calendar year that, taken together, relate to more than 250,000
shares, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
With certain limitations, awards made under the 2009 Plan may be adjusted in its sole discretion by
the committee administering the 2009 Plan. The initial committee will be the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors.
13
Eligibility and Administration
Current and prospective officers and employees, and directors of the Company and its affiliates are
eligible to be granted awards under the 2009 Plan. As of March 23, 2009, approximately 200
individuals were eligible to participate in the 2009 Plan. The Committee will administer the 2009
Plan. The Committee shall be composed of at least two individuals or such number that satisfies
the minimum requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, and the member rules of any trading exchange (e.g., the New York Stock
Exchange) or reporting system (e.g., the NASDAQ National Market System, the OTC Bulletin Board
System) upon which the common stock is traded, whose members are not employees of the Company or
any subsidiary or affiliate. The members of the Committee shall be appointed by, and may be
changed at any time and from time to time in the discretion of, the Board of Directors. During any
time the Board of Directors is acting as administrator of the 2009 Plan, it shall have all the
powers of the Committee hereunder, and any reference in the 2009 Plan to the Committee shall
include the Board of Directors. Subject to the terms of the 2009 Plan, the Committee is authorized
to (i) designate participants, (ii) determine the type and number of awards to be granted, (iii)
determine the number of shares to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights or other
matters are to be calculated in connection with awards, (iv) determine the timing, terms and
conditions of any award, (v) accelerate the time at which all or any part of an award may be
settled or exercised, (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances awards
may be settled or exercised in cash, shares, other securities, other awards or other property, or
canceled, forfeited or suspended and the method or methods by which awards may be settled,
exercised, canceled, forfeited or suspended; (vii) determine whether, to what extent, and under
what circumstances cash, shares, other securities, other awards, other property, and other amounts
payable with respect to an award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the
holder thereof or of the Committee; (viii) interpret and administer the 2009 Plan and any
instrument or agreement relating to, or award made under, the 2009 Plan; (ix) in certain
circumstances, amend or modify the terms of any award at or after grant with the consent of the
holder of the award; (x) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint
such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the 2009 Plan; and (xi)
make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or
desirable for the administration of the 2009 Plan, subject to the exclusive authority of the Board
of Directors set forth in the 2009 Plan to amend or terminate the 2009 Plan.
Stock Options And Stock Appreciation Rights
The Committee is authorized to grant stock options, including both incentive stock options, which
can result in potentially favorable tax treatment to the participant, and non-qualified stock
options. The Committee may specify the terms of such grants subject to the terms of the 2009 Plan.
The Committee is also authorized to grant SARs, either with or without a related option. The
exercise price per share subject to an option is determined by the Committee, but may not be less
than the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of the grant, except in the case
of substitute awards. The maximum term of each option or SAR, the times at which each option or SAR
will be exercisable, and the provisions requiring forfeiture of unexercised options at or following
termination of employment generally are fixed by the Committee, except that no option or SAR
relating to an option may have a term exceeding ten years. Incentive stock options may not be
granted more than ten years after the date that the 2009 Plan was approved by the Board of
Directors. Incentive stock options that are granted to holders of more than 10% of the Companys
voting securities are subject to certain additional restrictions, including a five-year maximum
term and a minimum exercise price of 110% of fair market value.
A stock option or SAR may be exercised in whole or in part at any time, with respect to whole
shares only, within the period permitted thereunder for the exercise thereof. Stock options and
SARs shall be exercised by written notice of intent to exercise the stock option or SAR and, with
respect to options, payment in full to the Company of the amount of the option price for the number
of shares with respect to which the option is then being exercised.
14
Payment of the option price must be made in cash or cash equivalents, or, at the discretion of the
Committee, (i) by transfer, either actually or by attestation, to the Company of shares that have
been held by the participant for at least six months (or such lesser period as may be permitted by
the Committee) which have a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the option price,
together with any applicable withholding taxes, or (ii) by a combination of such cash or cash
equivalents and such shares; provided, however, that a participant is not entitled to tender shares
pursuant to successive, substantially simultaneous exercises of any stock option of the Company.
Subject to applicable securities laws and Company policy, the Company may permit an option to be
exercised by delivering a notice of exercise and simultaneously selling the shares thereby
acquired, pursuant to a brokerage or similar agreement approved in advance by proper officers of
the Company, using the proceeds of such sale as payment of the option price, together with any
applicable withholding taxes. Until the participant has been issued the shares subject to such
exercise, he or she shall possess no rights as a stockholder with respect to such shares. At the
Committees discretion, the amount payable as a result of the exercise of SARs may be settled in
cash, shares or a combination of cash and shares.
Restricted Shares And Restricted Share Units
The Committee is authorized to grant restricted shares of common stock and restricted share units.
Restricted shares are shares of common stock subject to transfer restrictions as well as forfeiture
upon certain terminations of employment prior to the end of a restricted period or other conditions
specified by the Committee in the award agreement. A participant granted restricted shares of
common stock generally has most of the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to the
restricted shares, including the right to receive dividends and the right to vote such shares. None
of the restricted shares may be transferred, encumbered or disposed of during the restricted period
or until after fulfillment of the restrictive conditions.
Each restricted share unit has a value equal to the fair market value of a share of common stock on
the date of grant. Restricted share units will be paid in cash, shares, other securities or other
property, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, upon the lapse of restrictions
applicable thereto, or otherwise in accordance with the applicable award agreement. The Committee
determines, in its sole discretion, the restrictions applicable to the restricted share units. A
participant will be credited with dividend equivalents on any vested restricted share units at the
time of any payment of dividends to stockholders on shares of common stock. Except as determined
otherwise by the Committee, restricted share units may not be transferred, encumbered or disposed
of, and such units shall terminate, without further obligation on the part of the Company, unless
the participant remains in continuous employment of the Company for the restricted period and any
other restrictive conditions relating to the restricted share units are met.
Performance Awards
A performance award consists of a right that is denominated in cash or shares of common stock,
valued in accordance with the achievement of certain performance goals during certain performance
periods as established by the Committee, and payable at such time and in such form as the Committee
shall determine. Performance awards may be paid in a lump sum or in installments following the
close of a performance period or on a deferred basis, as determined by the Committee. Termination
of employment prior to the end of any performance period, other than for reasons of death or total
disability, will result in the forfeiture of the performance award. A participants rights to any
performance award may not be transferred, encumbered or disposed of in any manner, except by will
or the laws of descent and distribution.
15
Performance awards are subject to certain specific terms and conditions under the 2009 Plan. Unless
the Committee determines that a performance award to be granted to a Covered Officer (which is
generally defined to mean to any individual who is, or is reasonably expected to be, a covered
employee within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code) should not qualify as
performance-based compensation for
purposes of Section 162(m), each award granted to a Covered Officer under the 2009 Plan is intended
to be performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m). Performance goals for
Covered Officers will be limited to one or more of the following financial performance measures
relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, operating units, business segments or
divisions: (a) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization; (b) operating
income or profit; (c) operating efficiencies; (d) return on equity, assets, capital, capital
employed or investment; (e) after-tax operating income; (f) net income; (g) earnings or book value
per share; (h) cash flow(s); (i) total sales or revenues or sales or revenues per employee; (j)
production (separate work units or SWUs); (k) stock price or total stockholder return; (l)
dividends; (m) debt reduction; (n) strategic business objectives, consisting of one or more
objectives based on meeting specified cost targets, business expansion goals, and goals relating to
acquisitions or divestitures; or (o) any combination thereof. Each goal may be expressed on an
absolute and/or relative basis, may be based on or otherwise employ comparisons based on internal
targets, the past performance of the Company or any subsidiary, operating unit or division of the
Company and/or the past or current performance of other companies, and in the case of
earnings-based measures, may use or employ comparisons relating to capital, stockholders equity
and/or shares outstanding, or to assets or net assets. The Committee may appropriately adjust any
evaluation of performance under criteria set forth in the 2009 Plan to exclude any of the following
events that occurs during a performance period: (i) asset write-downs, (ii) litigation or claim
judgments or settlements, (iii) the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other
such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) accruals for reorganization and
restructuring programs and (v) any extraordinary non-recurring items as described in Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 30 and/or in managements discussion and analysis of financial
condition and results of operations appearing in the Companys annual report to stockholders for
the applicable year.
To the extent necessary to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, with respect to grants of
performance awards, no later than 90 days following the commencement of each performance period (or
such other time as may be required or permitted by Section 162(m)), the Committee will, in writing,
(1) select the performance goal or goals applicable to the performance period, (2) establish the
various targets and bonus amounts which may be earned for such performance period, and (3) specify
the relationship between performance goals and targets and the amounts to be earned by each Covered
Officer for such performance period. Following the completion of each performance period, the
Committee will certify in writing whether the applicable performance targets have been achieved and
the amounts, if any, payable to Covered Officers for such performance period. In determining the
amount earned by a Covered Officer for a given performance period, subject to any applicable award
agreement, the Committee shall have the right to reduce (but not increase) the amount payable at a
given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee may deem
relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the performance period. With
respect to any Covered Officer, the maximum annual number of shares in respect of which all
performance awards may be granted under the 2009 Plan is 250,000 and the maximum annual amount of
all performance awards that may be settled in cash is $5,000,000.
Other Stock-Based Awards
The Committee is authorized to grant any other type of awards that are denominated or payable in,
valued by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to shares of common stock. The Committee
will determine the terms and conditions of such awards, consistent with the terms of the 2009 Plan.
Non-Employee Director Awards
The Board of Directors may provide that all or a portion of a non-employee directors annual
retainer and/or retainer fees or other awards or compensation as determined by the Board be payable
in non-qualified stock options, restricted shares, restricted share units and/or other stock-based
awards, including unrestricted shares, either automatically or at the option of the non-employee
directors. The Board of Directors will determine the terms and conditions of any such awards,
including those that apply upon the
termination of a non-employee directors service as a member of the Board. Non-employee directors
are also eligible to receive other awards pursuant to the terms of the 2009 Plan, including options
and SARs, restricted shares and restricted share units, and other stock-based awards upon such
terms as the Committee may determine; provided, however, that with respect to awards made to
members of the Committee, the 2009 Plan will be administered by the Board of Directors.
16
Termination Of Employment
The Committee will determine the terms and conditions that apply to any award upon the termination
of employment with the Company and affiliates, and provide such terms in the applicable award
agreement or in its rules or regulations.
Amendment and Termination
The Board or the Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the 2009 Plan or any
portion of the 2009 Plan at any time, except that stockholder approval must be obtained for any
such action if such approval is necessary to comply with the requirements of Sections 422 or 162(m)
of the Code or other applicable law or if such approval is deemed advisable with respect to tax,
securities or other applicable laws, policies or regulations. The Committee may waive any
conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate
any award, either prospectively or retroactively. Except in connection with recapitalization events
as described in Section 4.2 of the 2009 Plan, the Committee does not have the power, however, to
amend the terms of previously granted options to reduce the exercise price per share subject to
such option or to cancel such options and grant substitute options with a lower exercise price per
share than the cancelled options. The Committee also may not materially and adversely affect the
rights of any award holder without the award holders consent.
Other Terms of Awards
The Company may take action, including the withholding of amounts from any award made under the
2009 Plan, to satisfy withholding and other tax obligations. The Committee may provide for
additional cash payments to participants to defray any tax arising from the grant, vesting,
exercise or payment of any award. Awards granted under the 2009 Plan generally may not be pledged
or otherwise encumbered and are not transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution.
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a brief description of the Federal income tax consequences generally arising with
respect to awards under the 2009 Plan.
Tax consequences to the Company and to participants receiving awards will vary with the type of
award. Generally, a participant will not recognize income, and the Company is not entitled to take
a deduction, upon the grant of an incentive stock option, a nonqualified option, a reload option,
an SAR or a restricted share award. A participant will not have taxable income upon exercising an
incentive stock option (except that the alternative minimum tax may apply). Upon exercising an
option other than an incentive stock option, the participant must generally recognize ordinary
income equal to the difference between the exercise price and fair market value of the freely
transferable and non-forfeitable shares of common stock acquired on the date of exercise.
Similarly, the exercise of an SAR will result in ordinary income on the value of the stock
appreciation right to the individual at the time of exercise.
If a participant sells shares of common stock acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option
before the end of two years from the date of grant and one year from the date of exercise, the
participant must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between (i) the fair
market value of the shares of common stock at the date of exercise of the incentive stock option
(or, if less, the amount realized upon the disposition of the incentive stock option shares of
common stock), and (ii) the exercise price.
Otherwise, a participants disposition of shares of common stock acquired upon the exercise of an
option (including an incentive stock option for which the incentive stock option holding period is
met) or SAR generally will result in short-term or long-term capital gain or loss measured by the
difference between the sale price and the participants tax basis in such shares of common stock
(the tax basis generally being the exercise price plus any amount previously recognized as ordinary
income in connection with the exercise of the option or SAR).
17
The Company generally will be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the amount recognized as
ordinary income by the participant in connection with an option or SAR. The Company generally is
not entitled to a tax deduction relating to amounts that represent a capital gain to a participant.
Accordingly, the Company will not be entitled to any tax deduction with respect to an incentive
stock option if the participant holds the shares of common stock for the incentive stock option
holding periods prior to disposition of the shares.
Upon an award of restricted shares, the participant will recognize ordinary income on the fair
market value of the common stock at the time restricted shares vest unless a participant makes an
election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed at the time of grant. The participant also is
subject to capital gains treatment on the subsequent sale of any common stock acquired through the
vesting of a restricted share award. For this purpose, the participants basis in the common stock
is its fair market value at the time the restricted share becomes vested (or is granted, if an
election under Section 83(b) is made). Payments made under performance awards are taxable as
ordinary income at the time an individual attains the performance goals and the payments are made
available to, and are transferable by, the participant.
Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a public companys tax deduction for compensation
paid in excess of $1 million in any tax year to its Chief Executive Officer and certain other most
highly compensated executives. However, compensation that qualifies as performance-based
compensation is excluded from this $1 million deduction limit and therefore remains fully
deductible by the company that pays it. The Company generally intends that (i) performance awards
and (ii) options granted (a) with an exercise price at least equal to 100% of fair market value of
the underlying shares of common stock at the date of grant (b) to employees the Committee expects
to be named executive officers at the time a deduction arises in connection with such awards,
qualify as performance-based compensation so that these awards will not be subject to the Section
162(m) deduction limitations. The Committee will not necessarily limit executive compensation to
amounts deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code, however, if such limitation is not in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Although the Company intends to administer the 2009 Plan so that awards will be exempt from, or
will comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the Company does not warrant that
any award under the plan will qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section 409A of the Code or
any other provision of federal, state, local or foreign law. The Company shall not be liable to
any participant for any tax, interest, or penalties that participant might owe as a result of the
grant, holding, vesting, exercise, or payment of any award under the plan.
The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be a complete description of
the Federal income tax consequences of the 2009 Plan. This discussion does not address the effects
of other Federal taxes or taxes imposed under state, local or foreign tax laws. Participants in the
2009 Plan are urged to consult a tax advisor as to the tax consequences of participation.
The 2009 Plan is not intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code.
Because awards under the 2009 Plan are at the discretion of the Committee, the benefits that will
be awarded under the 2009 Plan are not currently determinable.
18
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO
APPROVE THE 2009 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN.
ITEM 3 RATIFICATION OF REAPPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
General Information
The Audit Committee has reappointed Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered
public accounting firm to audit the financial statements of the Company for fiscal 2009. Ernst &
Young LLP has served as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm since 2001 and
is considered by management to be well qualified. At the Meeting, the stockholders are being asked
to ratify the reappointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm for fiscal 2009.
Stockholder ratification of the Audit Committees appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm is not required by the Bylaws or otherwise; however,
the Board of Directors is submitting the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP to the stockholders for
ratification. If the stockholders fail to ratify the Audit Committees appointment, the Audit
Committee will reconsider whether to retain Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent
auditors. In addition, even if the stockholders ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP, the
Audit Committee may in its discretion appoint a different registered independent accounting firm at
any time during the year if the Audit Committee determines that a change is in the best interests
of the Company.
Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will attend the Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a
statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from
stockholders.
Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Fees billed by the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, for the last two fiscal
years, were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit fees |
|
$ |
879,092 |
|
|
$ |
878,920 |
|
Audit-related fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All other fees (1) |
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Amounts reflect license fees for online research tools. |
All audit-related services, tax services and other services were pre-approved by the Audit
Committee, which concluded that the provision of such services by Ernst & Young LLP was compatible
with the maintenance of that firms independence in the conduct of its auditing functions.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the approval of all audit and
non-audit services that are to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm.
This policy generally provides that we will not engage our independent registered public accounting
firm to render audit or non-audit services unless the service is specifically approved in advance
by the Audit Committee.
19
From time to time, the Audit Committee may pre-approve specific types of services that are expected
to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm during the next 12 months. Any
such pre-approval is detailed as to the particular services to be provided and is also generally
subject to a maximum dollar amount.
The Committees practice is to consider for approval, at its regularly scheduled quarterly
meetings, all audit and non-audit services proposed to be provided by our independent registered
public accounting firm. In situations where a matter cannot wait until the next regularly
scheduled committee meeting, the chairperson of the Committee has been delegated authority to
consider and, if appropriate, approve audit and non-audit services or, if in the chairpersons
judgment it is considered appropriate, to call a special meeting of the Committee for that purpose.
Report of the Audit Committee
The Companys Audit Committee consists of three directors. The Board has adopted a charter that
governs the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee charter can be found on the Companys website at
TractorSupply.com. The members of the Audit Committee are Cynthia T. Jamison (Chairperson), Jack
C. Bingleman and George MacKenzie, and each is independent as defined by the listing standards of
the NASDAQ Global Select Market and applicable SEC regulations.
Company management is primarily responsible for the Companys financial statements and financial
reporting process, including assessing the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting. Ernst & Young LLP, the Companys independent registered public accounting
firm, is responsible for planning and carrying out annual audits and quarterly reviews of the
Companys financial statements in accordance with standards established by the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board, expressing an opinion on the conformity of the Companys audited
financial statements with United States generally accepted accounting principles, and auditing and
reporting on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. The
Audit Committee monitors and oversees these processes and is responsible for the appointment,
compensation and oversight of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm.
To fulfill our responsibilities, we did the following:
|
|
|
We reviewed and discussed with Company management and the independent registered public
accounting firm the Companys consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended
December 27, 2008. |
|
|
|
We reviewed managements representations to us that those consolidated financial
statements were prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting
principles. |
|
|
|
We discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters that
Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 Communications with Audit Committees, as amended
(AICPA, Professional Standards, vol. 1, AU Section 380), as adopted by the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board in rule 3200T, rules of the SEC, and other standards require
them to discuss with us, including matters related to the conduct of the audit of the
Companys consolidated financial statements. |
|
|
|
We received written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public
accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board regarding the independent accountants communications with the audit
committee concerning independence, and we have discussed with Ernst & Young LLP its
independence from the Company and its management. |
|
|
|
We considered whether Ernst & Young LLPs provision of non-audit services to the Company
is compatible with maintaining its independence from the Company and its management. |
20
The Audit Committee meets with the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, with
and without management present, to discuss the results of the audit of the financial statements,
the audit of the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting,
managements progress in
assessing the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as required
by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the overall quality of the Companys
financial reporting.
Based on the discussions we had with management and the independent registered public accounting
firm, the independent registered public accounting firms disclosures and letter to us, the
representations of management to us and the report of the independent registered public accounting
firm, we approved the Companys audited consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2008 and
recommended to the Board of Directors that such audited financial statements be included in the
Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008 for filing with
the SEC.
The Audit Committee submits this report:
|
|
|
Cynthia T. Jamison, Chairperson
|
|
George MacKenzie |
Jack C. Bingleman |
|
|
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO
RATIFY THE REAPPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE COMPANYS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 26, 2009.
21
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
contained in the Proxy Statement (the CD&A) for the Meeting with management. In reliance on the
reviews and discussions referred to above, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that
the CD&A be included in the Proxy Statement for the Meeting for filing with the SEC.
By the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:
|
|
|
Edna K. Morris, Chairperson
|
|
Richard W. Frost |
Johnston C. Adams
|
|
Cynthia T. Jamison |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Overview
Calendar 2008 was a challenging year for our Company, as for many companies. Notwithstanding that,
we performed well against our internal goals and our stock price held steady, beating the major
indices by a large margin. Our executive compensation program reflected those results.
|
|
Annual cash bonuses were paid near target levels. |
|
|
Our 2008 long-term cash plan bonuses were earned near target levels; our 2007 long-term
cash plan did not pay out, because we did not exceed its required EPS growth target. |
|
|
Prior year unvested restricted stock held its value commensurate with value retention for
stockholders. |
|
|
Stock options granted in prior years did not gain in value. In addition, because of
fluctuations in our stock price over time, a significant portion of stock options granted in
prior years have no current value, and will not have value until our stock price regains the
levels at which they were granted. None of the Named Executive Officers exercised stock
options during 2008. |
Philosophy
The Compensation Committee and Company management seek to build stockholder value by establishing
compensation systems that attract, retain and motivate the performance and continuity of the right
leadership team. Such systems are designed to pay for performance and align with the Companys
stockholders, business plan and culture.
To accomplish those goals, we use a mix of base salary, annual incentives and long-term incentives
that reward outstanding Company and individual performance and the creation of stockholder value.
Each of these pay elements is discussed further below.
The primary component of the Companys compensation philosophy is to target base salaries and
target annual cash bonuses at the 50th percentile of the peer group and long-term
incentive compensation at the 75th percentile of the peer group, subject to adjustment
for an individuals experience and performance. Beyond that framework, which results in a high
proportion of performance-based pay vs. fixed pay, we do not target any particular mix of pay.
We believe that above-average, performance-based long-term incentives will allow the Company to
attract and retain executive talent while rewarding outstanding results and aligning the interests
of the Companys executive officers with stockholders. The actual target compensation for each of
our executive officers may be more or less than those targets, however, based on performance,
overall responsibilities and other subjective factors.
22
Benchmarking
In late 2006, the Committees consultant, Hewitt, developed market data using pay information from
the following 15 publicly traded companies. These companies, all of which are retailers, were
chosen because we compete with them for talent, and because data for them was available through
Hewitt.
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Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
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The Home Depot, Inc.
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|
Payless Shoesource Inc. |
Autozone, Inc.
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Kohls Corporation
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|
PetSmart, Inc. |
Blockbuster, Inc.
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|
Longs Drug Stores Corp.
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|
Pier I Imports, Inc. |
CDW Corporation
|
|
Lowes Companies, Inc.
|
|
Walgreen Co. |
Dollar General Corporation
|
|
The Pantry, Inc.
|
|
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. |
Hewitt analyzed the base salaries, cash bonuses and long-term incentives for companies in the peer
group using publicly-available information, as well as Hewitts proprietary Total Compensation
Database and other industry information available to it. Hewitt used regression analysis to adjust
the market values of the peer groups compensation to represent the Companys revenues.
Hewitt provided the above data directly to the Compensation Committee, with a copy to the Companys
senior vice president of human resources.
Base Salary
Philosophy
Our goal is to pay base salaries to our executives that recognize their responsibilities,
accomplishments and the demands that we place upon them. We believe that doing this helps us retain
the right leadership team for the future.
Pay Opportunity
The Hewitt data discussed above served as the starting point for the Compensation Committees
analysis of base salaries. The Committee studied the data and made adjustments based upon the
Companys operations, including those from a comparison of the responsibilities that certain
officers have at the Company with those of officers with similar titles at companies in the peer
group, internal equity and peer roles and responsibilities.
2008 Base Salaries
After consideration of Hewitts analysis and a review of managements recommendations regarding
base salaries, the Compensation Committee established base salaries for each of our Named Executive
Officers for 2008 as set forth in the 2008 Summary Compensation Table under the heading Salary.
Annual Cash Incentive Compensation
Philosophy
Our annual bonus program is designed to reward the Companys attainment of its net-income plan.
2008 Pay Opportunity
All executive officers participated in the Companys 2008 Cash Incentive Plan (the CIP), under
which they were eligible to receive a cash bonus tied to our shorter-term goals. The range of
possible 2008 bonus payments for each Named Executive Officer is shown in the Grants of Plan-Based
Awards Table in the columns entitled Threshold, Target and Maximum under the heading entitled
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards.
23
The amount of the cash bonus was calculated as a specified percentage of the officers annual base
salary dependent upon the Companys actual net income for the year in comparison to a
Board-approved net income plan (the Profit Performance). The range of incentive amounts payable
as a percentage of base salary were as follows for the chief executive officer, executive
vice-presidents and senior vice presidents. For attainment of a Profit Performance within the range
of each percentage point referenced below, the Company interpolates the actual bonus amount
payable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of Base |
|
|
Percentage of |
|
|
Percentage of |
|
Attainment of |
|
Salary Payable to |
|
|
Base Salary |
|
|
Base Salary |
|
Profit Performance |
|
CEO |
|
|
Payable to EVPs |
|
|
Payable to SVPs |
|
Less than 90% |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
90% but less than 91% |
|
|
25.0 |
|
|
|
16.3 |
|
|
|
13.8 |
|
91% but less than 92% |
|
|
32.5 |
|
|
|
21.2 |
|
|
|
17.9 |
|
92% but less than 93% |
|
|
40.0 |
|
|
|
26.0 |
|
|
|
22.0 |
|
93% but less than 94% |
|
|
47.5 |
|
|
|
30.9 |
|
|
|
26.1 |
|
94% but less than 95% |
|
|
55.0 |
|
|
|
35.7 |
|
|
|
30.2 |
|
95% but less than 96% |
|
|
62.5 |
|
|
|
40.6 |
|
|
|
34.3 |
|
96% but less than 97% |
|
|
70.0 |
|
|
|
45.4 |
|
|
|
38.4 |
|
97% but less than 98% |
|
|
77.5 |
|
|
|
50.3 |
|
|
|
42.5 |
|
98% but less than 99% |
|
|
85.0 |
|
|
|
55.1 |
|
|
|
46.6 |
|
99% but less than 100% |
|
|
92.5 |
|
|
|
60.1 |
|
|
|
50.8 |
|
100% but less than 101% |
|
|
100.0 |
|
|
|
65.0 |
|
|
|
55.0 |
|
101% but less than 102% |
|
|
110.0 |
|
|
|
71.5 |
|
|
|
60.5 |
|
102% but less than 103% |
|
|
120.0 |
|
|
|
78.0 |
|
|
|
66.0 |
|
103% but less than 104% |
|
|
130.0 |
|
|
|
84.5 |
|
|
|
71.5 |
|
104% but less than 105% |
|
|
140.0 |
|
|
|
91.0 |
|
|
|
77.0 |
|
105% but less than 106% |
|
|
150.0 |
|
|
|
97.5 |
|
|
|
82.5 |
|
106% but less than 107% |
|
|
160.0 |
|
|
|
104.0 |
|
|
|
88.0 |
|
107% but less than 108% |
|
|
170.0 |
|
|
|
110.5 |
|
|
|
93.5 |
|
108% but less than 109% |
|
|
180.0 |
|
|
|
117.0 |
|
|
|
99.0 |
|
109% but less than 110% |
|
|
190.0 |
|
|
|
123.5 |
|
|
|
104.5 |
|
110% or more |
|
|
200.0 |
|
|
|
130.0 |
|
|
|
110.0 |
|
The Companys Profit Performance target for 2008 was net income of $99.5 million. The Compensation
Committee has the discretion to withhold all or a portion of the bonuses. For individual
participants, such action could be based upon subjective factors such as personal performance. As
to bonuses generally, elements such as unusual factors and strategic long-term decisions affecting
the Companys performance during the year can be considered. The Committee also has the discretion
to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, awards made under
the CIP in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events.
2008 Bonuses Earned
As previously disclosed in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 27, 2008, the Company experienced a significant increase in its LIFO provision in 2008.
In determining whether to exclude a portion of the significant increase in the LIFO provision from
the Profit Performance target calculation, the Committee considered, among other factors, that:
|
|
net sales increased 11.3% and same store sales increased 1.4% in a challenging consumer
environment; |
|
|
if the actual LIFO provision had been at the budgeted level, the Named Executive Officers
would have been entitled to bonus payments under the CIP at 104.1% of the Target level; |
|
|
certain management decisions, such as changes in product mix and aggressively moving
clearance inventory, had the affect of increasing the LIFO provision but were in the long-term
best interests of the Company and its stockholders; |
|
|
the LIFO provision was impacted by an actual inflation rate in cost of products which was
substantially higher than expected; and |
|
|
the LIFO provision is a non-cash charge that did not require a cash outlay and provided the
Company with a significant tax deferral. |
24
Based on these factors, the Compensation Committee determined that it was appropriate to exclude
from the Profit Performance target a portion of that increase in the LIFO provision. Accordingly,
the Named Executive Officers, other than Mr. Wright and Mr. Crudele, and all of the other
participants in the CIP were paid bonuses under the CIP at 99.7% of the Target level. In
determining the bonuses payable to Mr. Wright and Mr. Crudele, the Committee considered that in
their respective roles as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer they are responsible
for the oversight of the preparation of the Companys financial statements and for maintaining an
effective system of internal control over financial reporting. The Committee also considered the
restatement of its unaudited financial statements for the first three fiscal quarters of 2008 and
the related identification of a material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting
related to the Companys process for estimating interim LIFO calculations. As a result, the
Committee determined to pay bonuses to Mr. Wright and Mr. Crudele under the CIP at 80% and 70% of
the Target level, respectively. The dollar bonuses paid to the Named Executive Officers are set
forth in the Summary Compensation Table under the heading Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Compensation.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
Philosophy
Long-term incentives are the most significant element of the Companys executive officer
compensation. The Company uses stock options, restricted stock and long-term cash incentives for
executive officers to align executive compensation with stockholders interests, to balance our
long-term compensation programs between cash and equity awards and ensure that our compensation
package acts as an executive attraction and retention tool.
The mix of options, restricted stock awards and long-term cash awards (hereafter referred to as
Long-Term Mix) for 2008 was 50%, 30% and 20%, respectively, for each executive officer. The
total dollar value of the pay opportunity represented by options, restricted stock awards and
long-term cash awards for each executive officer within a specific officer rank (i.e. executive
vice president, senior vice president or vice president) was intended to be the same for each and
was targeted at the 75th percentile of the peer group.
Design Changes for 2009
In 2009, due to the difficulty of maintaining a long-term incentive plan which acts as an executive
attraction and retention tool in an uncertain economic environment, the Long-Term Mix will be 40%
stock options, 40% restricted stock awards, and 20% long-term cash awards.
Stock Options
Philosophy
We have historically awarded stock options to our executive officers under stockholder-approved
plans on an annual basis and did so in 2008. Because options only have value if the price of the
Companys common stock increases after the grant date, we believe that these awards closely align
employees interests with those of other stockholders.
How 2008 Award Opportunities Were Determined
Options were valued using the Black-Scholes method. We generally grant the same number of options
to officers holding the same title subject to adjustment for subjective and objective factors such
as the individual participants past performance and expectations regarding the participants
future contributions, but no such adjustments were made for 2008.
25
The Compensation Committee generally makes equity awards once a year in February after it has had
an opportunity to review and announce our financial results for the prior fiscal year and to
consider our expectations and projections for the current fiscal year. The Compensation
Committees schedule is determined in the prior fiscal year and the proximity of any awards to
other significant corporate events is coincidental. Executive officers hired during the year
receive a grant at the time of hire for an aggregate number of stock options based on title.
In 2008, the Compensation Committee granted to each Named Executive Officer the number of options
set forth in the 2008 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table under the heading All Other Option Awards:
Number of Securities Underlying Options. The options vest ratably over a three-year period
subject to continued employment.
Restricted Stock
Philosophy
In order to provide balance to our compensation plans consistent with our compensation strategies,
we began making grants of restricted stock to our executive officers in 2007. Like stock options,
grants of restricted stock are designed to reward our executive officers for generating increases
in the price of the Companys common stock. Unlike stock options, however, restricted shares
represent the full value of a share of the Companys common stock and have value whether or not the
price of the Companys stock goes up or down. We believe such grants serve as a retention device.
The shares of restricted stock vest 100% on the third anniversary of the date of grant, subject to
continued employment.
How 2008 Award Opportunities Were Determined
Restricted shares were valued at the market price of our common stock at the date of grant, less an
appropriate discount for the restrictions imposed.
In 2008, the Compensation Committee granted to each Named Executive Officer the number of shares of
restricted stock set forth in the 2008 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table under the heading All
Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units.
Long-Term Cash Plan
Philosophy
The Long-Term Cash Plan (LTCP) is designed to reward executives for increases in the Companys
earnings per share (EPS) performance over a three-year period based on a pre-determined growth
rate established at the time of grant. Awards under the plan are earned (or not earned) on an
annual basis. Awards vest on the last day of the third year of each performance period, subject to
the participants continued employment with the Company, and are paid by March 15 of the year
following vesting.
How 2008 Award Opportunities Were Determined
For 2008, the Compensation Committee granted a number of units under the LTCP to each executive
officer based on a target annual EPS growth rate of 9%. Amounts may be earned ratably under the
LTCP based on an EPS growth rate between 5% and 14% for 2008 (awards were capped at 14% for 2008).
The value of a unit was determined to be $11.20 (the approximate difference between the anticipated
stock price after three years using the 9% annual growth rate and the beginning value), and was
used to determine the number of units to be awarded to each executive. The number of units granted
to each Named Executive Officer in 2008 was as follows: Mr. Wright 38,393 units; Mr. Crudele -
12,143 units; Mr. Ruta 12,143 units; Mr. Sandfort 12,143 units; and Ms. Vella 10,714 units.
The Compensation Committee anticipates making grants under the LTCP each year and considered the
cumulative effect that previous and subsequent awards under the LTCP could have on a participants
total compensation.
26
Earning of 2008 Awards
Without the Companys significant increase in the LIFO reserve discussed above under Annual Cash
Incentive Compensation, amounts would have been earned by the Named Executive Officers under the
2008 LTCP. The Compensation Committee believed that for the same reasons discussed above, it was
appropriate to accrue awards for the Named Executive Officers outside the LTCP in amounts which
excluded a portion of the increase in the LIFO reserve from the EPS calculation. For the reasons
discussed above under Annual Cash Incentive Compensation, Messrs. Wright and Crudele accrued
reduced awards. The actual amounts earned by the Named Executive Officers are set forth in the
Summary Compensation Table under the heading Bonus.
Earning of 2007 Awards
As discussed in the Companys proxy statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the
Compensation Committee made awards to the Named Executive Officers in 2007 under the LTCP. Because
the Companys EPS growth rate was less than 10% during fiscal 2008, no amounts were earned under
the 2007 LTCP in fiscal 2008.
Deferred Compensation and Other Plans
The Companys officers may elect to participate in the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
(EDCP). The EDCP enhances the Companys ability to attract and retain the services of qualified
persons by providing highly compensated employees a vehicle to contribute additional amounts to
tax-deferred savings than the amounts they can contribute to the Companys 401(k) Plan, which are
limited by the IRS. Amounts contributed earn interest at the prime rate. (Please see discussion at
2008 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation below).
Severance Benefits
The Company does not maintain a severance plan for its executives or employees. The Companys
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, James F. Wright, is party to an employment agreement with the
Company setting forth the obligations of the Company to Mr. Wright and certain rights,
responsibilities and duties of Mr. Wright. In the event that Mr. Wrights employment is terminated
by the Company without cause (as defined in the agreement) or by Mr. Wright for good reason (as
defined in the agreement), Mr. Wright is entitled to receive severance and other benefits as
described under the heading Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.
The employment agreement contains covenants regarding the confidentiality of the Companys trade
secrets and non-solicitation of Company employees and non-competition with the Company for a period
of two years following any termination of his employment. The severance pay that would be provided
to Mr. Wright by the agreement has been deemed by the Compensation Committee to be commensurate
with the value to the Company of the restrictive covenants under which Mr. Wright would operate
after a separation of employment.
Mr. Wrights employment agreement is described in more detail under the heading Potential Payments
Upon Termination or Change in Control.
27
Change in Control Benefits
It is our belief that reasonable change in control protections are necessary in order to recruit
and retain effective senior management. Furthermore, providing change in control benefits should
increase the cooperation of senior management with respect to potential change in control
transactions that may be in the best interests of all stockholders. We also believe that each
Named Executive Officers commitment to continued employment for six months should allow the
Company sufficient time to find other qualified persons to serve in these positions, if desired,
and provide an adequate transition period.
For those reasons, each of the Named Executive Officers is party to an agreement with the Company
whereby, in the event the employment of such executive officer is terminated during the term of the
agreement following a change of control of the Company other than (i) by the Company for Cause (as
defined therein), (ii) by reason of death or disability, or (iii) by the executive officer without
Good Reason (as defined therein), certain severance benefits will be paid to such executive
officer. Each Named Executive Officer must commit to be employed with the Company for six months
following such change in control and have agreed not to compete for a one-year period after
termination of employment. The change in control benefits are described in more detail under the
heading Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.
Other Benefits
Senior management participates in the Companys other benefit plans on the same terms as other
employees. These plans include medical and dental benefits, extended sick pay, long-term
disability, participation in the Companys Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and a 15% discount on
purchases at the Companys stores. Officers participate in the Executive Life Insurance Plan which
provides for basic term life insurance coverage up to a maximum of $1,000,000.
The Company agreed to pay the relocation expenses in connection with Mr. Sandforts employment with
the Company. These expenses included: new home purchase closing costs, old home sale closing
costs, moving expenses, temporary housing and a relocation bonus (including tax gross-up). The
amount recognized in fiscal 2008 for each of these benefits is detailed in the 2008 Summary
Compensation Table on page 30. We believe this is a competitive package offered by a company to
executive employees that are asked to relocate upon hire.
28
Stock Ownership Guidelines
Each member of the Management Committee (comprised of the Companys global vice presidents, senior
vice presidents, executive vice presidents and chief executive officer) is expected to acquire and
continue to hold shares of the Companys common stock having an aggregate market value from time to
time which equals or exceeds a multiple of base compensation as outlined below within a five-year
period.
Once the target ownership level is achieved by an executive, that executive will not be required to
acquire any additional shares in the event the stock price is lower, provided the underlying number
of shares remain held by the Executive.
The Compensation Committee evaluates compliance with this policy annually. The Compensation
Committee and the Board of Directors, in their sole discretion, may waive or extend the time for
compliance with this policy. Factors which may be considered include, but are not limited to,
limitations on ability to purchase resulting from blackout periods and the personal financial
resources of the employee.
|
|
|
Title |
|
Ownership Guideline |
Chief Executive Officer |
|
5x base compensation |
Executive Vice President |
|
3x base compensation |
Senior Vice President |
|
2x base compensation |
Vice President |
|
1x base compensation |
Executive Compensation Tax Deductibility
Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, compensation paid by a publicly-held corporation
to the chief executive officer and four other most highly paid executive officers in excess of $1.0
million per year per officer is deductible only if paid pursuant to qualifying performance-based
compensation plans approved by stockholders. Awards under the Companys Stock Incentive Plans, CIP
and LTCP are intended to qualify as performance-based. Because the amount and mix of individual
compensation are based on competitive considerations as well as Company and individual performance,
executive officer compensation that is not performance-based may exceed $1.0 million in a given
year. Certain of the Named Executive Officers received non-performance-based compensation in excess
of $1.0 million for fiscal 2008 which is not deductible by the Company. While considering the tax
implications of its compensation decisions, the Committee believes its primary focus should be to
attract, retain and motivate executives and to align the executives interests with those of the
Companys stockholders.
29
2008 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table summarizes information concerning cash and non-cash compensation paid to or
accrued for the benefit of the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and each
of the three other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company who served as
executive officers at the end of the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008 (the Named Executive
Officers) for all services rendered in all capacities to the Company for the fiscal year ended
December 27, 2008. This table is presented as required by SEC rules. However, it reflects amounts
that were not realized by the executives in 2008 and may be realized in completely different
amounts in the future. For example, it is required to reflect the expense recognized for financial
statement reporting purposes in connection with equity awards, rather than amounts realized by
executives as a result of the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
|
All |
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Incentive Plan |
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
and |
|
Fiscal |
|
|
Salary |
|
|
Bonus(2) |
|
|
Awards |
|
|
Awards |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
Total |
|
Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
|
($)(1) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($)(3) |
|
|
($)(3) |
|
|
($)(4) |
|
|
($)(5) |
|
|
($) |
|
James F. Wright |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
$ |
920,740 |
|
|
$ |
124,987 |
|
|
$ |
480,123 |
|
|
$ |
1,968,311 |
|
|
$ |
727,045 |
|
|
$ |
20,897 |
|
|
$ |
4,242,103 |
|
Chairman and Chief |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
873,462 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
234,292 |
|
|
$ |
1,512,297 |
|
|
$ |
486,750 |
|
|
$ |
20,736 |
|
|
$ |
3,127,537 |
|
Executive Officer |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
810,577 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,755,495 |
|
|
$ |
231,000 |
|
|
$ |
19,560 |
|
|
$ |
2,816,632 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anthony F. Crudele |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
$ |
390,000 |
|
|
$ |
34,589 |
|
|
$ |
154,086 |
|
|
$ |
564,734 |
|
|
$ |
173,355 |
|
|
$ |
17,610 |
|
|
$ |
1,334,374 |
|
Exec. Vice President - |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
352,283 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
75,800 |
|
|
$ |
493,000 |
|
|
$ |
140,400 |
|
|
$ |
17,385 |
|
|
$ |
1,078,868 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
332,923 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
349,810 |
|
|
$ |
57,120 |
|
|
$ |
9,475 |
|
|
$ |
749,328 |
|
and Treasurer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stanley L. Ruta |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
$ |
375,000 |
|
|
$ |
49,300 |
|
|
$ |
154,086 |
|
|
$ |
431,686 |
|
|
$ |
238,125 |
|
|
$ |
20,010 |
|
|
$ |
1,268,207 |
|
Exec. Vice President and |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
338,169 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
75,800 |
|
|
$ |
424,658 |
|
|
$ |
135,000 |
|
|
$ |
19,785 |
|
|
$ |
993,412 |
|
Chief Operating Officer |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
328,215 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
657,166 |
|
|
$ |
51,850 |
|
|
$ |
19,560 |
|
|
$ |
1,056,791 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory A. Sandfort |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
$ |
375,000 |
|
|
$ |
74,300 |
(7) |
|
$ |
139,114 |
|
|
$ |
222,759 |
|
|
$ |
238,125 |
|
|
$ |
176,380 |
(8) |
|
$ |
1,225,678 |
|
President and Chief
Merchandising Officer(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kimberly D. Vella |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
$ |
259,179 |
|
|
$ |
43,500 |
|
|
$ |
125,432 |
|
|
$ |
345,927 |
|
|
$ |
140,711 |
|
|
$ |
16,864 |
|
|
$ |
931,613 |
|
Sr. Vice President - |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
245,815 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
62,018 |
|
|
$ |
246,406 |
|
|
$ |
74,160 |
|
|
$ |
15,777 |
|
|
$ |
644,176 |
|
Human Resources |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Amounts reflect base compensation earned by the Named Executive
Officers during the period indicated and not such officers base salary for the indicated
year. Amounts differ due to the timing of annual salary adjustments. |
|
(2) |
|
Amounts reflect long-term cash incentives earned by the Named Executive Officers
during 2008, but not yet vested. |
|
(3) |
|
The amounts in the columns captioned Stock Awards and Option Awards reflect the
dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal years
ended, in accordance with FAS 123(R) of awards, pursuant to the Companys equity incentive
plans, and therefore may include amounts from awards granted in and prior to 2008. For a
description of the assumptions used by the Company in valuing these awards for fiscal 2008,
please see Note 2 to the Companys Consolidated Financial Statements included in the
Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008 filed with
the SEC on February 25, 2009. |
|
(4) |
|
Amounts reflect incentives earned under the Companys CIP, calculated based on the
Companys financial performance for the indicated period. See Compensation Discussion and
Analysis. |
|
(5) |
|
Amounts comprised as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company |
|
|
Contribution to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perquisites and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contribution to |
|
|
Deferred |
|
|
Group Term Life |
|
|
Other Personal |
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
401(k) Plan |
|
|
Compensation Plan |
|
|
Insurance Premiums |
|
|
Benefits |
|
|
Total |
|
James F. Wright |
|
$ |
10,350 |
|
|
$ |
4,500 |
|
|
$ |
6,047 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
20,897 |
|
Anthony F. Crudele |
|
$ |
10,350 |
|
|
$ |
4,500 |
|
|
$ |
2,760 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
17,610 |
|
Stanley L. Ruta |
|
$ |
10,350 |
|
|
$ |
4,500 |
|
|
$ |
5,160 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
20,010 |
|
Gregory A. Sandfort |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,320 |
|
|
$ |
174,060 |
|
|
$ |
176,380 |
|
Kimberly D. Vella |
|
$ |
10,350 |
|
|
$ |
4,500 |
|
|
$ |
2,014 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
16,864 |
|
|
|
|
(6) |
|
Mr. Sandfort joined the company, as an executive officer, on November 5, 2007. |
|
(7) |
|
Mr. Sandforts bonus includes a relocation bonus of $25,000. |
|
(8) |
|
Mr. Sandforts compensation includes relocation benefits of $174,060, which
reflects reimbursement of relocation costs (moving expenses $29,670, temporary housing
$24,866, and old and new home closing costs $63,476) and a tax gross-up amount of $56,048. |
30
2008 NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The EDCP provides that designated participants may elect to defer up to 40% of their annual base
salary and up to 100% of their annual incentive compensation under the CIP. To be eligible for the
salary deferral, each participant must contribute the maximum amount of salary to the Companys
401(k) Plan subject to the Companys match. Under the EDCP, the participants salary deferral is
matched by the Company, 100% on the first 3% of base salary contributed and 50% on the next 3% of
base salary contributed, limited to a maximum annual matching contribution of $4,500. Each
participants account earns simple annual interest at the prime rate in effect on January 1 of each
year. Each participant is fully vested in all amounts credited to their deferred compensation
account. Payments under the EDCP are made no earlier than six months following the earlier of the
participants (i) death, (ii) retirement, (iii) total and permanent disability, (iv) termination of
employment with the Company or (v) some other date designated by the participant at the time of the
initial deferral. Payments are made in cash and are paid in ten annual installments or in a single
lump sum payment, at the election of the participant.
The following table sets forth certain information about each Named Executive Officers
participation in the Companys defined contribution and non-qualified deferred compensation plans
in fiscal 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive |
|
|
Registrant |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
Aggregate Balance |
|
|
|
Contributions in |
|
|
Contributions in |
|
|
Earnings in Last |
|
|
Withdrawals/ |
|
|
at Last Fiscal |
|
|
|
Last Fiscal Year |
|
|
Last Fiscal Year |
|
|
Fiscal Year |
|
|
Distributions |
|
|
Year End |
|
Name |
|
($)(1) |
|
|
($)(2) |
|
|
($)(3) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($)(4) (5) |
|
James F. Wright |
|
$ |
18,415 |
|
|
$ |
4,500 |
|
|
$ |
28,654 |
|
|
$ |
636,556 |
|
|
$ |
43,954 |
|
Anthony F. Crudele |
|
$ |
27,300 |
|
|
$ |
4,500 |
|
|
$ |
6,976 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
117,435 |
|
Stanley L. Ruta |
|
$ |
7,500 |
|
|
$ |
4,500 |
|
|
$ |
9,059 |
|
|
$ |
154,453 |
|
|
$ |
127,197 |
|
Gregory A. Sandfort |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Kimberly D. Vella |
|
$ |
10,367 |
|
|
$ |
4,500 |
|
|
$ |
1,668 |
|
|
$ |
111,087 |
|
|
$ |
15,486 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The amounts reported in this column are included in the 2008 Summary Compensation
Table under the heading Salary. |
|
(2) |
|
The amounts reported in this column are included in the 2008 Summary Compensation
Table under the heading All Other Compensation. |
|
(3) |
|
The Company does not provide above-market or preferential earnings on EDCP
contributions, so these amounts were not reported in the Summary Compensation Table. |
|
(4) |
|
Of these balances, the following amounts were reported in Summary Compensation
Tables in prior year proxy statements: Mr. Wright $0; Mr. Crudele $71,246; Mr. Ruta -
$48,403; Mr. Sandfort N/A; and Ms. Vella $0. |
|
(5) |
|
For a description of the Companys EDCP, please see Compensation Discussion and
Analysis in this Proxy Statement. |
31
2008 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
The following table reflects certain information with respect to awards to the Named Executive
Officers to acquire shares of the Companys Common Stock granted under the Companys 2006 Stock
Incentive Plan and to receive a cash incentive under the Companys CIP and LTCP in fiscal 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other |
|
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
Exercise or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non- |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Base Price |
|
|
Grant Date Fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)(2) |
|
|
Shares of |
|
|
Securities |
|
|
of Option |
|
|
Value of Stock |
|
|
|
Grant |
|
|
Threshold |
|
|
Target |
|
|
Maximum |
|
|
|
Stock or |
|
|
Underlying |
|
|
Awards |
|
|
and Option |
|
Name |
|
Date |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
Units (# )(3) |
|
|
Options (#) |
|
|
($/Sh) (4) |
|
|
Awards ($) |
|
James F. Wright |
|
|
2/06/08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,368 |
|
|
|
80,330 |
|
|
$ |
38.45 |
|
|
$ |
2,027,871 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
$ |
232,313 |
|
|
$ |
929,250 |
|
|
$ |
1,858,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
$ |
258,000 |
|
|
$ |
430,000 |
|
|
$ |
817,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anthony F. Crudele |
|
|
2/06/08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,472 |
|
|
|
25,526 |
|
|
$ |
38.45 |
|
|
$ |
644,376 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
$ |
63,570 |
|
|
$ |
253,500 |
|
|
$ |
507,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
$ |
81,600 |
|
|
$ |
136,000 |
|
|
$ |
258,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stanley L. Ruta |
|
|
2/06/08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,472 |
|
|
|
25,526 |
|
|
$ |
38.45 |
|
|
$ |
644,376 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
$ |
61,125 |
|
|
$ |
243,750 |
|
|
$ |
487,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
$ |
81,600 |
|
|
$ |
136,000 |
|
|
$ |
258,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory A. Sandfort |
|
|
2/06/08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,472 |
|
|
|
25,526 |
|
|
$ |
38.45 |
|
|
$ |
644,376 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
$ |
61,125 |
|
|
$ |
243,750 |
|
|
$ |
487,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
$ |
81,600 |
|
|
$ |
136,000 |
|
|
$ |
258,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kimberly D. Vella |
|
|
2/06/08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,235 |
|
|
|
20,646 |
|
|
$ |
38.45 |
|
|
$ |
521,198 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
$ |
36,160 |
|
|
$ |
144,118 |
|
|
$ |
288,235 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
$ |
72,000 |
|
|
$ |
120,000 |
|
|
$ |
228,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Non-equity awards, as provided in the Companys CIP, provide for various potential
thresholds, targets and maximum payouts. |
|
(2) |
|
Non-equity awards, as provided in the Companys LTCP, provide for various potential
thresholds, targets and maximum payouts. |
|
(3) |
|
Reflect awards of restricted stock. |
|
(4) |
|
Options are awarded by the Compensation Committee of the Board and are priced at the
average of the high and low market values on the day preceding the day of the corresponding
Committee meeting at which such awards are authorized. Options awarded to the Named
Executive Officers vest ratably over a three-year period and have a ten-year life. |
32
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 2008 YEAR-END
The following table reflects all equity awards held by the Named Executive Officers at the end of
fiscal 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive |
|
|
Market or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan |
|
|
Payout |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
Market |
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
Value of |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Shares |
|
|
Value of |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Unearned |
|
|
|
Securities |
|
|
Securities |
|
|
Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Units |
|
|
Shares or |
|
|
Unearned |
|
|
Shares, |
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
|
Underlying |
|
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Stock |
|
|
Units of |
|
|
Shares, Units |
|
|
Units or |
|
|
|
Unexercised |
|
|
Unexercised |
|
|
Unexercised |
|
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
That |
|
|
Stock That |
|
|
or Other |
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
Options |
|
|
Options |
|
|
Unearned |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Have Not |
|
|
Have Not |
|
|
Rights That |
|
|
Rights That |
|
|
|
Exercisable |
|
|
Unexercisable |
|
|
Options |
|
|
Price |
|
|
Expiration |
|
|
Vested |
|
|
Vested |
|
|
Have Not |
|
|
Have Not |
|
Name |
|
(#) (1) |
|
|
(#) (1) |
|
|
(#) |
|
|
($)(2) |
|
|
Date(3) |
|
|
(#) (4) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
Vested (#) |
|
|
Vested ($) |
|
James F. Wright |
|
|
43,979 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.24 |
|
|
|
11/01/10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
170,216 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3.36 |
|
|
|
1/25/11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
105,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8.91 |
|
|
|
1/24/12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
19.64 |
|
|
|
1/23/13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
42.65 |
|
|
|
1/22/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
37,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
32.68 |
|
|
|
10/01/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
36.40 |
|
|
|
2/02/15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
53,333 |
|
|
|
26,667 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
61.27 |
|
|
|
2/09/16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
19,833 |
|
|
|
39,667 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
46.17 |
|
|
|
2/07/17 |
|
|
|
17,000 |
|
|
$ |
586,840 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,330 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
38.45 |
|
|
|
2/06/18 |
|
|
|
20,368 |
|
|
$ |
703,103 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Anthony F. Crudele |
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
48.21 |
|
|
|
9/26/15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
13,333 |
|
|
|
6,667 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
61.27 |
|
|
|
2/09/16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
6,333 |
|
|
|
12,667 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
46.17 |
|
|
|
2/07/17 |
|
|
|
5,500 |
|
|
$ |
189,860 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,526 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
38.45 |
|
|
|
2/06/18 |
|
|
|
6,472 |
|
|
$ |
223,413 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Stanley L. Ruta |
|
|
14,875 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3.36 |
|
|
|
1/25/11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8.91 |
|
|
|
1/24/12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
19.64 |
|
|
|
1/23/13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
42.65 |
|
|
|
1/22/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
36.40 |
|
|
|
2/02/15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
13,333 |
|
|
|
6,667 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
61.27 |
|
|
|
2/09/16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
6,333 |
|
|
|
12,667 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
46.17 |
|
|
|
2/07/17 |
|
|
|
5,500 |
|
|
$ |
189,860 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,526 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
38.45 |
|
|
|
2/06/18 |
|
|
|
6,472 |
|
|
$ |
223,413 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Gregory A. Sandfort |
|
|
6,333 |
|
|
|
12,667 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
40.49 |
|
|
|
11/15/17 |
|
|
|
5,500 |
|
|
$ |
189,860 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,526 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
38.45 |
|
|
|
2/06/18 |
|
|
|
6,472 |
|
|
$ |
223,413 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Kimberly D. Vella |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3.36 |
|
|
|
1/25/11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8.91 |
|
|
|
1/24/12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
3,638 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
19.64 |
|
|
|
1/23/13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
42.65 |
|
|
|
1/22/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
3,750 |
|
|
|
3,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
36.40 |
|
|
|
2/02/15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
6,666 |
|
|
|
3,334 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
61.27 |
|
|
|
2/09/16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
46.17 |
|
|
|
2/07/17 |
|
|
|
4,500 |
|
|
$ |
155,340 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,646 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
38.45 |
|
|
|
2/06/18 |
|
|
|
5,235 |
|
|
$ |
180,712 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The vesting schedule for each option award is set by the Compensation Committee at
the time of grant. Vesting can, and does, differ among the various grants, but is the same
for each optionee. The vesting for options held by Named Executive Officers and outstanding
as of year-end is as follows: |
|
|
|
Grant Date |
|
Vesting |
11/01/00, 1/25/01 |
|
1/3 annually, over third through fifth years of life |
1/24/02, 1/23/03, 1/22/04 and 10/01/04 |
|
1/3 annually, over first three years of life |
2/02/05 and 9/26/05 |
|
1/4 annually, over second through fifth years of life |
2/09/06, 2/07/07 and 2/06/08 |
|
1/3 annually, over first three years of life |
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Options are awarded by the Compensation Committee of the Board and are priced at
the average of the high and low market values on the day preceding the corresponding
Committee meeting at which such awards are authorized. |
|
(3) |
|
Options awarded by the Compensation Committee are granted with a ten-year life. |
|
(4) |
|
Reflects awards of restricted stock. Restricted stock awards vest on the third
anniversary of the date of the award. |
No options were exercised by the Named Executive Officers nor did any of their restricted stock
unit awards vest during fiscal 2008.
33
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
Payments Made Upon Termination
If the employment of any of the Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Wright whose rights and
obligations are described below under Payments to Mr. Wright Upon Certain Termination Events) is
voluntarily or involuntarily terminated, no additional payments or benefits will accrue or be paid
other than what has accrued and is vested under the benefit plans discussed above in this Proxy
Statement included under the headings Executive Compensation, Compensation Discussion and
Analysis and 2008 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation.
Payments Made Upon Disability
Under the terms of the Companys disability plan, the Named Executive Officers are eligible for a
disability benefit that is equal to $10,000 per month. The definition of disability is the same as
that used for the disability plan covering all employees except that a Named Executive Officer
disability must preclude the subject officers ability to carry out only his/her executive
function. The disability benefit would be reduced by any benefits payable under Social Security or
workers compensation. The payments continue based on age and various Social Security
qualifications.
Payments to Mr. Wright upon Certain Termination Events
Mr. Wright is party to an employment agreement with the Company. In the event that Mr. Wrights
employment is terminated by the Company without cause (as defined in his employment agreement) or
by Mr. Wright for good reason (as defined in his employment agreement), pursuant to his employment
agreement, Mr. Wright is entitled to two years of his then-current base salary and bonus equal to
the aggregate bonus paid to Mr. Wright for the two fiscal years immediately preceding the
termination date, paid health insurance benefits through the second anniversary of the date of
termination, any other unpaid benefits through the second anniversary of the date of termination,
and outplacement services not to exceed $50,000 or for a period exceeding the earlier of one year
from the termination date or the first acceptance by Mr. Wright of an offer of employment. The
Companys obligation to make such payments will be reduced dollar-for-dollar by the amount of
compensation earned by Mr. Wright from other employment during the period the Company is required
to make any severance payments. The agreement also provides that upon such a termination, Mr.
Wright will be fully vested in all then-outstanding stock options and all then-outstanding
restricted shares of stock of the Company and all such options shall remain exercisable until the
earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the date of termination and (ii) the otherwise applicable
normal expiration date of such option. In the event of a termination other than a termination by
the Company without cause or a termination by Mr. Wright for good reason, Mr. Wright would receive
only base salary and benefits earned through the date of termination.
Independent members of the Board of Directors negotiated the terms of the employment agreement with
Mr. Wright. The Company and Mr. Wright were each represented by separate legal counsel for the
purposes of negotiating the agreement. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
reviewed and approved the terms of the employment agreement subject to approval by the full Board
of Directors. The Board of Directors subsequently reviewed the terms of the employment agreement
and approved the recommendation of the Compensation Committee.
The employment agreement acknowledges that Mr. Wright is party to a Change in Control Agreement
(explained in further detail below) and provides that in the event of termination for any reason
following a change in control of the Company during the term of the Change in Control Agreement,
the provisions of the Change in Control Agreement shall control and provide the exclusive means for
determining severance benefits payable to Mr. Wright.
34
Payments To Be Made Upon a Change in Control
The Company has entered into Change in Control Agreements with each Named Executive Officer.
Pursuant to these agreements, if an executives employment is terminated following a change in
control (other than termination by the Company for cause or by reason of death or disability) or if
the executive terminates his employment in certain circumstances defined in the agreement which
constitute good reason, the Named Executive Officer will receive:
|
|
|
the equivalent of 1.5 or two times the annual base salary and target
incentive compensation for the year in which the date of termination falls (two
times for Mr. Wright and 1.5 times for Messrs. Crudele, Ruta and Sandfort and
Ms. Vella) payable in a lump sum, in cash; |
|
|
|
|
proration of the base salary and target incentive compensation for the year
in which the date of termination occurs payable in a lump sum, in cash; |
|
|
|
|
provision of existing life, disability and medical benefits for a period of
18 months (or for Mr. Wright two years) beyond the date of termination; and |
|
|
|
|
the stock options outstanding at the date of termination will become fully
vested and continue to be exercisable for a period of two years beyond the date
of termination or, at the Companys election, may be canceled upon lump sum
payment of the cash equivalent of the excess of the fair market value of the
related options. Further, each agreement provides for an additional gross-up
payment to cover applicable excise tax and any federal, state, and local income
and employment taxes related to the gross- up payment. |
|
|
|
|
the restricted stock outstanding at the date of termination will become fully
vested or, at the Companys election may be canceled upon lump sum payment of
the cash equivalent of the fair market value of the related stock. Further,
each agreement provides for an additional gross-up payment to cover applicable
excise tax and federal, state, and local income and employment taxes related to
the gross-up payment. |
In the Change in Control Agreements, the Named Executive Officers have agreed to remain in the
employ of the Company for at least six months following a change in control unless the Named
Executive Officer resigns for good reason, dies, becomes disabled, retires or is terminated by the
Company. In addition, each Named Executive Officer has agreed, for a period of one year following
termination of employment by the Company, to not compete with the Companys business, solicit or
hire any of the Companys employees, disparage the Company or disclose any confidential information
or trade secrets of the Company.
Other than as noted above, the Change in Control Agreements for each of the Named Executive
Officers are substantially similar and expire in June 2012.
Pursuant to the agreements, a change in control is deemed to occur upon (1) any person becoming the
beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 30% of the combined voting power of the
Company; or (2) any change in the majority of the Board of Directors during any two consecutive
years during the term; or (3) consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the
Company whereby more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of the
Company changes; or (4) a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company (unless such sales do not result in a change in the proportional ownership existing
immediately prior to such sale or disposition).
35
The following tables show potential payments to our Named Executive Officers under existing
contracts, agreements, plans or arrangements, for various scenarios involving a change-in-control
or termination of employment of each of our Named Executive Officers, assuming a December 27, 2008
termination date:
James F. Wright
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination for |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Good Reason or |
|
|
Involuntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Payments |
|
or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Involuntary |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upon |
|
Early |
|
|
Normal |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
With |
|
|
Change in |
|
|
Death or |
|
Termination |
|
Retirement |
|
|
Retirement |
|
|
Without Cause |
|
|
Cause |
|
|
Control |
|
|
Disability |
|
Base salary (1) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,858,500 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,858,500 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Non-equity incentive (2) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,213,795 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,430,367 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Stock options and restricted stock
(unvested and accelerated)
(3) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,289,943 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,289,943 |
|
|
$ |
1,289,943 |
|
Health and welfare benefits
(4) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
19,415 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
19,415 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Life insurance benefits (5) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
3,288 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
3,288 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Outplacement services (6) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Tax gross-up |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Anthony F. Crudele
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination for |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Good Reason or |
|
|
Involuntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Payments |
|
or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Involuntary |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upon |
|
Early |
|
|
Normal |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
With |
|
|
Change in |
|
|
Death or |
|
Termination |
|
Retirement |
|
|
Retirement |
|
|
Without Cause |
|
|
Cause |
|
|
Control |
|
|
Disability |
|
Base salary (1) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
585,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Non-equity incentive (2) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
516,100 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Stock options and restricted stock
(unvested and accelerated)
(3) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
413,273 |
|
|
$ |
413,273 |
|
Health and welfare benefits
(4) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
20,871 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Life insurance benefits (5) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,466 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Tax gross-up |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Stanley L. Ruta
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination for |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Good Reason or |
|
|
Involuntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Payments |
|
or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Involuntary |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upon |
|
Early |
|
|
Normal |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
With |
|
|
Change in |
|
|
Death or |
|
Termination |
|
Retirement |
|
|
Retirement |
|
|
Without Cause |
|
|
Cause |
|
|
Control |
|
|
Disability |
|
Base salary (1) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
562,500 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Non-equity incentive (2) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
501,475 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Stock options and restricted stock
(unvested and accelerated)
(3) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
413,273 |
|
|
$ |
413,273 |
|
Health and welfare benefits
(4) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
15,828 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Life insurance benefits (5) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,466 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Tax gross-up |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
36
Gregory A. Sandfort
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination for |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Good Reason or |
|
|
Involuntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Payments |
|
or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Involuntary |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upon |
|
Early |
|
|
Normal |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
With |
|
|
Change in |
|
|
Death or |
|
Termination |
|
Retirement |
|
|
Retirement |
|
|
Without Cause |
|
|
Cause |
|
|
Control |
|
|
Disability |
|
Base salary (1) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
562,500 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Non-equity incentive (2) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
501,475 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Stock options and restricted stock
(unvested and accelerated)
(3) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
413,273 |
|
|
$ |
413,273 |
|
Health and welfare benefits
(4) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
20,871 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Life insurance benefits (5) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,466 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Tax gross-up |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Kimberly D. Vella
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination for |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Good Reason or |
|
|
Involuntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Payments |
|
or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Involuntary |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upon |
|
Early |
|
|
Normal |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
With |
|
|
Change in |
|
|
Death or |
|
Termination |
|
Retirement |
|
|
Retirement |
|
|
Without Cause |
|
|
Cause |
|
|
Control |
|
|
Disability |
|
Base salary (1) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
393,048 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Non-equity incentive (2) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
335,976 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Stock options and restricted stock
(unvested and accelerated)
(3) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
336,052 |
|
|
$ |
336,052 |
|
Health and welfare benefits
(4) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,676 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Life insurance benefits (5) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,466 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Tax gross-up |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Amount reflects the contractual multiple of base salary. The Company has no
established policy or practice pertaining to severance pay in the event of termination. |
|
(2) |
|
Amount reflects the contractual multiple of the target cash incentive as set
forth in the CIP and LTCP. The Company has no established policy or practice
pertaining to severance pay for bonuses in the event of termination. |
|
(3) |
|
Amount includes the value of options computed by multiplying (i) the
difference between (a) $34.52, the closing price of a share of our Common Stock on
December 26, 2008, the last business day of fiscal 2008 and (b) the exercise price per
share for each option grant by (ii) the number of unvested shares subject to that
option grant. Amount includes restricted stock valued at $34.52, the closing price of
a share of our common stock on December 26, 2008, the last business day of fiscal 2008. |
|
(4) |
|
Amount reflects the aggregate total cost for continuation of insurance
benefits (i.e. medical, dental and disability) for the contractual duration of the
respective agreements. |
|
(5) |
|
Amount reflects the aggregate total cost for continuation of insurance
benefits (i.e. life, AD&D) for the contractual duration of the respective agreements. |
|
(6) |
|
Amount assumes the maximum for outplacement services for the contractual
duration of Mr. Wrights employment agreement. |
37
RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a written policy which provides that any
transaction between the Company and any of its directors, officers, or principal stockholders or
affiliates thereof must be on terms no less favorable to the Company than could be obtained from
unaffiliated parties and must be approved by vote of a majority of the appropriate committee of the
Board of Directors, each of which is comprised solely of independent directors of the Company.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Companys executive officers and
directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the Companys Common Stock to file
initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. A copy of each
report is furnished to us.
SEC regulations require us to identify in our proxy statement those individuals for whom any such
report was not filed on a timely basis during the most recent fiscal year. To our knowledge, based
solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and written representations that
no other reports were required, during fiscal 2008, all Directors, executive officers and greater
than 10% beneficial owners have complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the
Companys Common Stock as of January 31, 2009, by (i) each person who is known by the Company to be
the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Companys outstanding Common Stock; (ii) each director
or person nominated to be a director; (iii) each Named Executive Officer; and (iv) all directors
and executive officers of the Company as a group. The determinations of beneficial ownership of
the Common Stock are based upon responses to Company inquiries that cited Rule 13d-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such rule provides that shares shall be deemed to be
beneficially owned where a person has, either solely or in conjunction with others, the power to
vote or to direct the voting of shares and/or the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition,
of shares; or where a person has the right to acquire any such beneficial ownership within 60 days
after the date of determination. Except as disclosed in the notes to the table, each named person
has sole voting and investment power with respect to the number of shares shown as beneficially
owned by him. There were 35,992,470 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on January 31,
2009.
38
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
Name of |
|
Number of |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Percent |
|
Beneficial Owner |
|
Shares |
|
|
Shares (1) |
|
|
of Class (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Research Global Investors (3) |
|
|
2,626,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.3 |
% |
Barclays Fund Advisors (4) |
|
|
2,294,539 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.4 |
% |
Friess Associates LLC (5) |
|
|
2,223,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.2 |
% |
Johnston C. Adams |
|
|
1,127 |
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
William Bass |
|
|
627 |
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Jack C. Bingleman |
|
|
20,700 |
|
|
|
5,750 |
|
|
|
* |
|
S.P. Braud |
|
|
2,700 |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Richard W. Frost |
|
|
392 |
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Cynthia T. Jamison |
|
|
10,684 |
|
|
|
7,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Gerard E. Jones |
|
|
15,200 |
|
|
|
4,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
George MacKenzie |
|
|
390 |
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Edna K. Morris |
|
|
6,059 |
|
|
|
8,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
James F. Wright |
|
|
128,003 |
|
|
|
673,132 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
% |
Anthony F. Crudele |
|
|
2,837 |
|
|
|
52,423 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Stanley L. Ruta |
|
|
34,128 |
|
|
|
127,298 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Gregory A. Sandfort |
|
|
7,897 |
|
|
|
14,841 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Kimberly D. Vella |
|
|
3,064 |
|
|
|
56,976 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All directors and executive officers as a group
(14 persons) |
|
|
233,808 |
|
|
|
972,420 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Less than 1% of outstanding common stock. |
|
(1) |
|
Reflects the number of shares that could be purchased by exercise of options
exercisable on January 31, 2009 or within 60 days of January 31, 2009. |
|
(2) |
|
Pursuant to the rules of the SEC, shares of Common Stock that an individual owner
has a right to acquire within 60 days pursuant to the exercise of stock options are deemed to
be outstanding for the purpose of computing the ownership of that owner and for the purpose of
computing the ownership of all directors and executive officers as a group, but are not deemed
outstanding for the purpose of computing the ownership of any other owner. |
|
(3) |
|
Based solely on information set forth in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on
February 7, 2009, these shares are owned by accounts for which Capital Research and Management
Company serves as investment advisor. Such Schedule 13G/A indicated that Capital Research
Global Investors had sole power to vote and direct the investment in all of such 2,626,100
shares. Capital Research Global Investors address is 333 South Hope Street, 55th
Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071. |
|
(4) |
|
Based solely on information set forth in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February
5, 2009, these shares are owned by accounts for which Barclays serves as investment advisor.
Such Schedule 13G indicated that Barclays had sole power to vote 1,738,151 shares and the sole
power to direct the investment in all of such 2,294,539 shares. Barclays Fund Advisors
address is 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, California 94105. |
|
(5) |
|
Based solely on information set forth in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on
February 17, 2009. Such Schedule 13G indicated that Friess Associates LLC had sole power to
vote and direct the investment in all of such 2,223,600 shares. Friess Associates address is
115 E. Snow King, Jackson Hole, Wyoming 83001. |
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Stockholders who desire to submit to the Company proposals for possible inclusion in the Companys
proxy materials for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must submit such proposals in writing
by November 25, 2009 to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at 200 Powell Place, Brentwood,
Tennessee 37027.
For a stockholder proposal that is not intended to be included in the Companys proxy materials but
is intended to be raised by the stockholder from the floor at the 2010 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, the stockholder must provide timely advance notice in accordance with the Companys
by-laws. The Companys by-laws contain an advance notice provision which provides that, to be
timely, a stockholders notice of intention to bring business before a meeting must be received by
the Corporate Secretary of the
Company at the above address not later than sixty (60) nor earlier than ninety (90) calendar days
prior to the first anniversary of the date of the Companys proxy statement for the prior years
annual meeting (no later than January 24, 2010, and no earlier than December 25, 2009, for the
Companys 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders). In the event, however, that the date of the annual
meeting is changed by more than thirty (30) calendar days from the date of the prior years annual
meeting, such notice and supporting documentation must be received by the Corporate Secretary of
the Company not later than the tenth day following the date on which the Company provides notice of
the date of such annual meeting but in no event later than the fifth business day preceding the
date of such annual meeting.
39
AVAILABILITY OF FORM 10-K
AND ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
A copy of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2008 has been posted on the Internet,
along with this Proxy Statement, each of which is accessible by following the instructions in the
Notice. The Annual Report is not incorporated into this Proxy Statement and is not considered
proxy-soliciting materials.
The Company filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC on February 25, 2009. We will mail
without charge, upon written request, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2008,
without exhibits. Please send a written request to Investor Relations, Tractor Supply Company, 200
Powell Place, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027 or complete the request form on the investor relations
page of our website at TractorSupply.com.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board does not intend to present any business at the Meeting other than the items stated in the
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and knows of no other business to be presented for
action at the meeting. If, however, any other business should properly come before the meeting or
any continuations or adjournments thereof, it is intended that the proxy will be voted with respect
thereto in accordance with the best judgment and discretion of the persons named in the proxy.
In addition to solicitation by mail, certain of the Companys directors, officers and regular
employees, without additional compensation, may also solicit proxies personally or by telephone.
The costs of such solicitation will be borne by the Company. The Company will also make
arrangements with brokerage houses, custodians and other nominees to send proxy materials to the
beneficial owners of shares of the Companys Common Stock held in their names, and the Company will
reimburse them for their related postage and clerical expenses.
DIRECTIONS TO THE ANNUAL MEETING
From North of Nashville
Follow I-65 South beyond downtown Nashville to Exit #74B (Brentwood). Turn right off the ramp and
stay on Old Hickory Blvd. Turn left at the second light (Franklin Pike). Turn right at the
second light (Maryland Way). Drive 1.4 miles and then turn left on Powell Place. Tractor Supply
Company is on the immediate left. The Meeting entrance is on the right-hand side of the main entry
way at the front of the building.
From South of Nashville
Follow I-65 North (toward Nashville). Take Exit #74B (Brentwood). Circle around the off-ramp and
stay on Old Hickory Blvd. Turn left at the third light (Franklin Pike). Turn right at the second
light (Maryland Way). Drive 1.4 miles and then turn left on Powell Place. Tractor Supply Company
is on the immediate left. The Meeting entrance is on the right-hand side of the main entry way at the front
of the building.
40
From East of Nashville
Follow I-40 West (toward Nashville) and merge left onto I-24 East (toward Chattanooga).
Immediately merge right onto I-440 West via Exit #53 (toward Memphis). Merge onto I-65 South via
Exit #5 (towards Huntsville). Follow I-65 South to Exit #74B (Brentwood). Turn right off the ramp
and stay on Old Hickory Blvd. Turn left at the second light (Franklin Pike). Turn right at the
second light (Maryland Way). Drive 1.4 miles and then turn left on Powell Place. Tractor Supply
Company is on the immediate left. The Meeting entrance is on the right-hand side of the main entry
way at the front of the building.
From West of Nashville
Follow I-40 East to I-65 South. Follow I-65 South to Exit #74B (Brentwood). Turn right off the
ramp and stay on Old Hickory Blvd. Turn left at the second light (Franklin Pike). Turn right at
the second light (Maryland Way). Drive 1.4 miles and then turn left on Powell Place. Tractor
Supply Company is on the immediate left. The Meeting entrance is on the right-hand side of the
main entry way at the front of the building.
41
EXHIBIT A
TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
2009 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Effective May 7, 2009
A-1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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A-3 |
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A-3 |
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A-6 |
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A-7 |
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A-9 |
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A-9 |
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A-11 |
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A-13 |
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A-13 |
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A-14 |
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A-14 |
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A-16 |
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A-16 |
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A-17 |
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A-2
TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
2009 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Section 1. Purpose.
This plan shall be known as the Tractor Supply Company 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the
Plan). The purpose of the Plan is to promote the interests of Tractor Supply Company (the
Company) and its shareholders by (i) attracting and retaining key officers, employees and
directors of, and consultants to, the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates; (ii) motivating
such individuals by means of performance-related incentives to achieve long-range performance
goals; (iii) enabling such individuals to participate in the long-term growth and financial success
of the Company; (iv) encouraging ownership of stock in the Company by such individuals; and
(v) linking their compensation to the long-term interests of the Company and its shareholders.
With respect to any awards granted under the Plan that are intended to comply with the requirements
of performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan shall be interpreted
in a manner consistent with such requirements. The Plan shall be effective as of May 7, 2009,
provided it has been approved by the Board and by the Companys shareholders.
Section 2. Definitions.
As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a) Affiliate shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by the
Company, (ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, (iii) an affiliate
of the Company, as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, and (iv) any entity in which the
Company has at least twenty percent (20%) of the combined voting power of the entitys outstanding
voting securities, in each case as designated by the Board as being a participating employer in the
Plan.
(b) Award shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Share Award,
Restricted Share Unit, Performance Award, Other Stock-Based Award or other award granted under the
Plan, whether singly, in combination or in tandem, to a Participant by the Committee (or the Board)
pursuant to such terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations, if any, as the Committee (or
the Board) may establish.
(c) Award Agreement shall mean any written agreement, contract or other instrument or
document evidencing any Award, which may, but need not, be executed or acknowledged by a
Participant.
(d) Board shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e) Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
A-3
(f) Committee shall mean the committee of the Board described in Section 3 of the Plan.
(g) Consultant shall mean any consultant to the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.
(h) Covered Officer shall mean at any date (i) any individual who, with respect to the
previous taxable year of the Company, was a covered employee of the Company within the meaning of
Section 162(m); provided, however, that the term Covered Officer shall not include any such
individual who is designated by the Committee, in its discretion, at the time of any Award or at
any subsequent time, as reasonably expected not to be such a covered employee with respect to the
current taxable year of the Company and (ii) any individual who is designated by the Committee, in
its discretion, at the time of any Award or at any subsequent time, as reasonably expected to be
such a covered employee with respect to the current taxable year of the Company or with respect
to the taxable year of the Company in which any applicable Award will be paid or vested.
(i) Director shall mean a member of the Board.
(j) Employee shall mean a current or prospective officer or employee of the Company or of
any Subsidiary or Affiliate.
(k) Exchange Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to
time.
(l) Fair Market Value with respect to the Shares, shall mean, for purposes of a grant of an
Award as of any date, the applicable description below (unless the Committee determines in good
faith the fair market value of the Shares to be otherwise):
(i) If the Shares are traded on a trading exchange (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange
or NASDAQ Stock Market) or are reported on an automated quotation system (e.g., the OTC
Bulletin Board System), Fair Market Value shall be determined by reference to the price of
the Stock on such exchange or system with respect to the date for which Fair Market Value is
being determined and, to the extent applicable, in a manner consistent with Sections 409A
and 422 of the Code.
(ii) If the Shares are not traded on a recognized exchange or automated trading
system, Fair Market Value shall be the value determined in good faith by the Committee or
the Board and, to the extent applicable, in a manner consistent with Sections 409A and 422
of the Code.
(m) Incentive Stock Option shall mean an option to purchase Shares from the Company that is
granted under Section 6 of the Plan and that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of
the Code or any successor provision thereto.
(n) Non-Employee Director shall mean a member of the Board who is not an officer or employee
of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate.
A-4
(o) Non-Qualified Stock Option shall mean an option to purchase Shares from the Company that
is granted under Sections 6 or 10 of the Plan and is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.
(p) Option shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
(q) Option Price shall mean the purchase price payable to purchase one Share upon the
exercise of an Option.
(r) Other Stock-Based Award shall mean any Award granted under Sections 9 or 10 of the Plan.
(s) Outside Director means, with respect to the grant of an Award, a member of the Board
then serving on the Committee.
(t) Participant shall mean any Employee, Director, Consultant or other person who receives
an Award under the Plan.
(u) Performance Award shall mean any Award granted under Section 8 of the Plan.
(v) Person shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or political
subdivision thereof or other entity.
(w) Restricted Share shall mean any Share granted under Sections 7 to 10 of the Plan.
(x) Restricted Share Unit shall mean any unit granted under Sections 7 to 10 of the Plan.
(y) SEC shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.
(z) Section 16 shall mean Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated
thereunder and any successor provision thereto as in effect from time to time.
(aa) Section 162(m) shall mean Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated
thereunder and any successor provision thereto as in effect from time to time.
(bb) Shares shall mean shares of the common stock, $0.008 par value, of the Company.
A-5
(cc) Stock Appreciation Right or SAR shall mean a stock appreciation right granted under
Sections 6 or 10 of the Plan that entitles the holder to receive, with respect to each Share
encompassed by the exercise of such SAR, the amount determined by the Committee and
specified in an Award Agreement. In the absence of such a determination, the holder shall be
entitled to receive, with respect to each Share encompassed by the exercise of such SAR, the excess
of the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise over the Fair Market Value on the date of grant.
(dd) Subsidiary shall mean any Person (other than the Company) of which fifty percent (50%)
or more of its voting power or its equity securities or equity interest is owned directly or
indirectly by the Company. For Incentive Stock Options, the term shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 424(f) of the Code.
(ee) Substitute Awards shall mean Awards granted solely in assumption of, or in substitution
for, outstanding awards previously granted by a company acquired by the Company or with which the
Company combines.
Section 3. Administration.
3.1 Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board,
such other committee as the Board may designate, or, at the discretion of the Board from time to
time, by the Board. The Committee shall be composed of at least two individuals or such number
that satisfies the minimum requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, Rule 16b-3 of the
Exchange Act, and the member rules of any trading exchange (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange or
NASDAQ Stock Market) or automated quotation system (e.g., the OTC Bulletin Board System) upon which
Stock is traded, whose members are not employees of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate. The
members of the Committee shall be appointed by, and may be changed at any time and from time to
time in the discretion of, the Board. During any time the Board is acting as administrator of the
Plan, it shall have all the powers of the Committee hereunder, and any reference herein to the
Committee (other than in this Section 3.1) shall include the Board.
3.2 Authority of the Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in
addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the
Committee shall have full power and authority in its discretion to: (i) designate Participants;
(ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; (iii) determine the
number of Shares to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are
to be calculated in connection with Awards; (iv) determine the timing, terms, and conditions of any
Award; (v) accelerate the time at which all or any part of an Award may be settled or exercised;
(vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or
exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited
or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled,
forfeited or suspended; (vii) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash,
Shares, other securities, other Awards, other property, and other amounts payable with respect to
an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or of the
Committee; (viii) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or
Award made under, the Plan; (ix) except to the extent prohibited by Section 6.2, amend or modify
the terms of any Award at or after grant with the consent of the holder of the Award;
(x) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it
shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and (xi) make any other
determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the
administration of the Plan, subject to the exclusive authority of the Board under Section 13
hereunder to amend or terminate the Plan.
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3.3 Committee Discretion Binding. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all
designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the
Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and
shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, any Subsidiary or
Affiliate, any Participant and any holder or beneficiary of any Award.
3.4 Action by the Committee. The Committee shall select one of its members as its Chairperson
and shall hold its meetings at such times and places and in such manner as it may determine. A
majority of its members shall constitute a quorum. All determinations of the Committee shall be
made by not less than a majority of its members. Any decision or determination reduced to writing
and signed by all of the members of the Committee shall be fully effective as if it had been made
by a majority vote at a meeting duly called and held. The exercise of an Option or receipt of an
Award shall be effective only if an Award Agreement shall have been duly executed and delivered on
behalf of the Company following the grant of the Option or other Award. The Committee may appoint
a Secretary and may make such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business, as it shall
deem advisable.
3.5 Delegation. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee may
delegate to one or more officers or managers of the Company or of any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or
to a Committee of such officers or managers, the authority, subject to such terms and limitations
as the Committee shall determine, to grant Awards to or to cancel, modify or waive rights with
respect to, or to alter, discontinue, suspend or terminate Awards held by Participants who are not
officers or directors of the Company.
3.6 No Liability. No member of the Board or Committee shall be liable for any action taken or
determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award granted hereunder.
Section 4. Shares Available For Awards.
4.1 Shares Available. Subject to the provisions of Section 4.2 hereof, the stock to
be subject to Awards under the Plan shall be the Shares of the Company and the maximum aggregate
number of Shares with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan shall be 3,400,000, of
which Shares with respect to which Awards other than SARs and Options may be granted shall be no
more than 1,500,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 4.2, the maximum number of Shares with respect to which Awards may be granted under
the Plan shall be increased by the number of Shares with respect to which Options or other Awards
were granted under the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2000 Plan) or the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan
(the 2006 Plan) as of the effective date of this Plan, but which terminate, expire unexercised or
are settled for cash, forfeited, withheld to satisfy withholding obligations or cancelled without
the delivery of Shares under the terms of the 2000 Plan or the 2006 Plan after the effective date
of this Plan. If, after the effective date of the Plan, any Shares covered by an Award granted
under this Plan, or to which such an Award relates, are forfeited, or
if such an Award is settled for cash or
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otherwise terminates, expires unexercised or is canceled without the delivery
of Shares, then the Shares covered by such Award, or to which such Award relates, or the number of
Shares otherwise counted against the aggregate number of Shares with respect to which Awards may be
granted, to the extent of any such settlement, forfeiture, termination, expiration or cancellation,
shall again become Shares with respect to which Awards may be granted. Notwithstanding the
foregoing and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2 hereof, no Participant may
receive Options or SARs under the Plan in any calendar year that, taken together, relate to more
than 250,000 Shares. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (i) the gross
number of Shares issued pursuant to an Award and not later forfeited shall be deducted from the
total number of Shares available for grant under this Plan, and (ii) Shares that are cancelled,
tendered or withheld in payment of all or part of the Option Price or exercise price of an Award or
in satisfaction of withholding tax obligations, and Shares that are reacquired with cash tendered
in payment of the Option Price or exercise price of an Award, shall not be included in or added to
the number of Shares available for grant under the Plan.
4.2 Adjustments. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of
cash, Shares, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock
split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or
exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to
purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event
affects the Shares, then the Committee shall in an equitable and proportionate manner (and, with
respect to Incentive Stock Options, in such equitable and proportionate manner as is consistent
with Section 422 of the Code and the regulations thereunder and with respect to Awards to Covered
Officers, in such equitable and proportionate manner as is consistent with Section 162(m) of the
Code): (i) adjust any or all of (1) the aggregate number of Shares or other securities of the
Company or its successor (or number and kind of other securities or property) with respect to which
Awards may be granted under the Plan; (2) the number of Shares or other securities of the Company
or its successor (or number and kind of other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards
under the Plan, provided that the number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole
number; (3) the grant or exercise price with respect to any Award under the Plan; and (4) the
limits on the number of Shares that may be granted to Participants under the Plan in any calendar
year; (ii) provide for an equivalent award in respect of securities of the surviving entity of any
merger, consolidation or other transaction or event having a similar effect; or (iii) make
provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award.
4.3 Substitute Awards. Any Shares issued by the Company as Substitute Awards in connection
with the assumption or substitution of outstanding grants from any acquired corporation shall not
reduce the Shares available for Awards under the Plan.
4.4 Sources of Shares Deliverable Under Awards. Any Shares delivered pursuant to an Award may
consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares or of issued Shares which have been
reacquired by the Company.
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Section 5. Eligibility.
Any Employee, Director or Consultant shall be eligible to be designated a Participant;
provided, however, that Outside Directors shall only be eligible to receive Awards granted
consistent with Section 10.
Section 6. Stock Options And Stock Appreciation Rights.
6.1 Grant. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and complete
authority to determine the Participants to whom Options and SARs shall be granted, the number of
Shares subject to each Award, the exercise price and the conditions and limitations applicable to
the exercise of each Option and SAR. An Option may be granted with or without a related SAR. An
SAR may be granted with or without a related Option. The Committee shall have the authority to
grant Incentive Stock Options, or to grant Non-Qualified Stock Options, or to grant both types of
Options. In the case of Incentive Stock Options, the terms and conditions of such grants shall be
subject to and comply with such rules as may be prescribed by Section 422 of the Code, as from time
to time amended, and any regulations implementing such statute. A person who has been granted an
Option or SAR under this Plan may be granted additional Options or SARs under the Plan if the
Committee shall so determine; provided, however, that to the extent the aggregate Fair Market Value
(determined at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted) of the Shares with respect to which
all Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an Employee during any calendar
year (under all plans described in subsection (d) of Section 422 of the Code of the Employees
employer corporation and its parent and Subsidiaries) exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be
treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options.
6.2 Price. The Committee in its sole discretion shall establish the Option Price at the time
each Option is granted. The Option Price of an Option may not be less than one hundred percent
(100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which the Option is granted on the
date of grant of such Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing and except as permitted by the
provisions of Section 4.2 and Section 13 hereof, the Committee shall not have the
power to (i) amend the terms of previously granted Options to reduce the Option Price of such
Options, or (ii) cancel such Options and grant substitute Options with a lower Option Price than
the cancelled Options. SARs may not be granted at a price less than the Fair Market Value of a
Share on the date of grant.
6.3 Term. Subject to the Committees authority under Section 3.1 and the provisions
of Section 6.5, each Option and SAR and all rights and obligations thereunder shall expire
on the date determined by the Committee and specified in the Award Agreement. The Committee shall
be under no duty to provide terms of like duration for Options or SARs granted under the Plan.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Option or SAR shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten
(10) years from the date such Option or SAR was granted. Incentive Stock Option Awards shall not be
made with respect to shares of Stock described in Section 4.1 more than ten (10) years
after the earlier of the date that the Plan is adopted by the Board or the date that the Plan is
approved by shareholders.
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6.4 Exercise.
(a) Each Option and SAR shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms
and conditions as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, specify in the applicable Award
Agreement or thereafter. The Committee shall have full and complete authority to determine,
subject to Section 6.5 herein, whether an Option or SAR will be exercisable in full at any
time or from time to time during the term of the Option or SAR, or to provide for the
exercise thereof in such installments, upon the occurrence of such events and at such times
during the term of the Option or SAR as the Committee may determine.
(b) The Committee may impose such conditions with respect to the exercise of Options,
including without limitation, any relating to the application of federal, state or foreign
securities laws or the Code, as it may deem necessary or advisable. The exercise of any
Option granted hereunder shall be effective only at such time as the sale of Shares pursuant
to such exercise will not violate any state or federal securities or other laws.
(c) An Option or SAR may be exercised in whole or in part at any time, with respect to
whole Shares only, within the period permitted thereunder for the exercise thereof, and
shall be exercised by written notice of intent to exercise the Option or SAR, delivered to
the Company at its principal office, and payment in full to the Company at the direction of
the Committee of the amount of the Option Price for the number of Shares with respect to
which the Option is then being exercised.
(d) Payment of the Option Price shall be made in cash or cash equivalents, or, at the
discretion of the Committee, (i) by transfer, either actually or by attestation, to the
Company of Shares that have been held by the Participant for at least six (6) months (or
such lesser period as may be permitted by the Committee), valued at the Fair Market Value of
such Shares on the date of exercise (or next succeeding trading date, if the date of
exercise is not a trading date), together with any applicable withholding taxes, such
transfer to be upon such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee, or (ii) by a
combination of such cash (or cash equivalents) and such Shares; provided, however, that the
optionee shall not be entitled to tender Shares pursuant to successive, substantially
simultaneous exercises of an Option or any other stock option of the Company. Subject to
applicable securities laws and Company policy, the Company may permit an Option to be
exercised by delivering a notice of exercise of the Option and simultaneously selling the
Shares thereby acquired, pursuant to a brokerage or similar agreement approved in advance by
proper officers of the Company, using the proceeds of such sale as payment of the Option
Price, together with any applicable withholding taxes. Until the optionee has been issued
the Shares subject to such exercise, he or she shall possess no rights as a shareholder with
respect to such Shares.
(e) At the Committees discretion, the amount payable as a result of the exercise of an
SAR may be settled in cash, Shares or a combination of cash and Shares. A fractional Share
shall not be deliverable upon the exercise of a SAR but a cash payment will be made in lieu
thereof.
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6.5 Ten Percent Stock Rule. Notwithstanding any other provisions in the Plan, if at the time
an Option is otherwise to be granted pursuant to the Plan, the optionee or rights holder owns
directly or indirectly (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) Shares of the Company
possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of Stock
of the Company or its parent or Subsidiary or Affiliate corporations (within the meaning of
Section 422(b)(6) of the Code), then any Incentive Stock Option to be granted to such optionee or
rights holder pursuant to the Plan shall satisfy the requirement of Section 422(c)(5) of the Code,
and the Option Price shall be not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value
of the Shares of the Company, and such Option by its terms shall not be exercisable after the
expiration of five (5) years from the date such Option is granted.
Section 7. Restricted Shares And Restricted Share Units.
7.1 Grant.
(a) Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and complete
authority to determine the Participants to whom Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units
shall be granted, the number of Restricted Shares and/or the number of Restricted Share
Units to be granted to each Participant, the duration of the period during which, and the
conditions under which, the Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units may be forfeited to
the Company, and the other terms and conditions of such Awards. The Restricted Share and
Restricted Share Unit Awards shall be evidenced by Award Agreements in such form as the
Committee shall from time to time approve, which agreements shall comply with and be subject
to the terms and conditions provided hereunder and any additional terms and conditions
established by the Committee that are consistent with the terms of the Plan.
(b) Each Restricted Share and Restricted Share Unit Award made under the Plan shall be
for such number of Shares as shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award
Agreement containing the terms of such Restricted Share or Restricted Share Unit Award.
Such agreement may set forth a period of time during which the grantee must remain in the
continuous employment of the Company in order for the forfeiture and transfer restrictions
to lapse. If the Committee so determines, the restrictions may lapse during such restricted
period in installments with respect to specified portions of the Shares covered by the
Restricted Share or Restricted Share Unit Award. The Award Agreement may also, in the
discretion of the Committee, set forth performance or other conditions that will subject the
Shares to forfeiture and transfer restrictions. The Committee may, at its discretion, waive
all or any part of the restrictions applicable to any or all outstanding Restricted Share
and Restricted Share Unit Awards.
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7.2 Delivery of Shares and Transfer Restrictions. At the time of a Restricted Share Award, a
certificate representing the number of Shares awarded thereunder shall be registered in the name of
the grantee. Such certificate shall be held by the Company or any custodian appointed by the
Company for the account of the grantee subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and shall
bear such a legend setting forth the restrictions imposed thereon as the Committee, in its
discretion, may determine. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the
grantee shall have all rights of a shareholder with respect to the Restricted Shares, including the
right to vote such Shares, and may receive dividends in accordance with Section 14.2,
subject to the following restrictions: (i) the grantee shall not be entitled to delivery of the
stock certificate until the expiration of the restricted period and the fulfillment of any other
restrictive conditions set forth in the Award Agreement with respect to such Shares; (ii) none of
the Shares may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or
disposed of during such restricted period or until after the fulfillment of any such other
restrictive conditions; and (iii) except as otherwise determined by the Committee at or after
grant, all of the Shares shall be forfeited and all rights of the grantee to such Shares shall
terminate, without further obligation on the part of the Company, unless the grantee remains in the
continuous employment of the Company for the entire restricted period in relation to which such
Shares were granted and unless any other restrictive conditions relating to the Restricted Share
Award are met. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, any Shares, any other
securities of the Company and any other property (except for cash dividends) distributed with
respect to the Shares subject to Restricted Share Awards shall be subject to the same restrictions,
terms and conditions as such Restricted Shares.
7.3 Termination of Restrictions. At the end of the restricted period and provided that any
other restrictive conditions of the Restricted Share Award are met, or at such earlier time as
otherwise determined by the Committee, all restrictions set forth in the Award Agreement relating
to the Restricted Share Award or in the Plan shall lapse as to the restricted Shares subject
thereto, and a stock certificate for the appropriate number of Shares, free of the restrictions and
restricted stock legend, shall be delivered to the Participant or the Participants beneficiary or
estate, as the case may be.
7.4 Payment of Restricted Share Units.
(a) Each Restricted Share Unit shall have a value equal to the Fair Market Value of a
Share. Restricted Share Units shall be paid in cash, Shares, other securities or other
property, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, upon the lapse of the
restrictions applicable thereto, or otherwise in accordance with the applicable Award
Agreement.
(b) A Participant may receive dividend rights in respect of any vested Restricted Stock
Units at the time of any payment of dividends to shareholders on Shares, as determined in
the sole discretion of the Committee, in accordance with Section 14.2. Unless
otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the following terms shall apply to the
grant of such dividend rights:
(i) The amount of any such dividend right shall equal the amount that would be payable
to the Participant as a shareholder in respect of a number of Shares equal to the number of
vested Restricted Stock Units then credited to the Participant.
(ii) Any such dividend right shall be paid in accordance with the Companys payment
practices as may be established from time to time and as of the date on which such dividend
would have been payable in respect of outstanding Shares. No dividend equivalents shall be paid in respect of Restricted Share Units that are not
yet vested.
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(c) Except as otherwise determined by the Committee at or after grant, Restricted Share
Units may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered
or disposed of, and all Restricted Share Units and all rights of the grantee to such
Restricted Share Units shall terminate, without further obligation on the part of the
Company, unless the grantee remains in continuous employment of the Company for the entire
restricted period in relation to which such Restricted Share Units were granted and unless
any other restrictive conditions relating to the Restricted Share Unit Award are met.
Section 8. Performance Awards.
8.1 Grant. The Committee shall have sole and complete authority to determine the Participants
who shall receive a Performance Award, which shall consist of a right that is (i) denominated in
cash or Shares (including but not limited to Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units),
(ii) valued, as determined by the Committee, in accordance with the achievement of such performance
goals during such performance periods as the Committee shall establish, and (iii) payable at such
time and in such form as the Committee shall determine.
8.2 Terms and Conditions. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award
Agreement, the Committee shall determine the performance goals to be achieved during any
performance period, the length of any performance period, the amount of any Performance Award and
the amount and kind of any payment or transfer to be made pursuant to any Performance Award, and
may amend specific provisions of the Performance Award; provided, however, that such amendment may
not adversely affect existing Performance Awards made within a performance period commencing prior
to implementation of the amendment.
8.3 Payment of Performance Awards. Performance Awards may be paid in a lump sum or in
installments following the close of the performance period or, in accordance with the procedures
established by the Committee, on a deferred basis. Termination of employment prior to the end of
any performance period, other than for reasons of death or disability, will result in the
forfeiture of the Performance Award, and no payments will be made. A Participants rights to any
Performance Award may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise
encumbered or disposed of in any manner, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution,
and/or except as the Committee may determine at or after grant.
Section 9. Other Stock-Based Awards.
The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Participants who shall receive an
Other Stock-Based Award, which shall consist of any right that is (i) not an Award described in
Sections 6 and 7 above and (ii) an Award of Shares or an Award denominated or
payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares
(including, without limitation, securities convertible into Shares), as deemed by the Committee to
be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable
Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of any such Other
Stock-Based Award.
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Section 10. Non-Employee Director And Outside Director Awards.
10.1 The Board may provide that all or a portion of a Non-Employee Directors annual retainer,
meeting fees and/or other awards or compensation as determined by the Board, be payable (either
automatically or at the election of a Non-Employee Director) in the form of Non-Qualified Stock
Options, Restricted Shares, Restricted Share Units and/or Other Stock-Based Awards, including
unrestricted Shares. The Board shall determine the terms and conditions of any such Awards,
including the terms and conditions which shall apply upon a termination of the Non-Employee
Directors service as a member of the Board, and shall have full power and authority in its
discretion to administer such Awards, subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law.
10.2 The Board may also grant Awards to Outside Directors pursuant to the terms of the Plan,
including any Award described in Sections 6, 7 and 9 above. With respect
to such Awards, all references in the Plan to the Committee shall be deemed to be references to the
Board.
Section 11. Provisions Applicable To Covered Officers And Performance Awards.
11.1 Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, unless the Committee determines
that a Performance Award to be granted to a Covered Officer should not qualify as
performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m), Performance Awards granted to
Covered Officers shall be subject to the terms and provisions of this Section 11.
11.2 The Committee may grant Performance Awards to Covered Officers based solely upon the
attainment of performance targets related to one or more performance goals that satisfy the
requirements of Section 162(m) and/or other terms and conditions selected by the Committee. For
the purposes of this Section 11, performance goals shall be limited to one or more of the
following Company, Subsidiary, operating unit, business segment or division financial performance
measures:
|
(a) |
|
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and/or
amortization; |
|
(b) |
|
operating income or profit; |
|
(c) |
|
operating efficiencies; |
|
(d) |
|
return on equity, assets, capital, capital employed or
investment; |
|
(e) |
|
after tax operating income; |
|
(g) |
|
earnings or book value per Share; |
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|
(i) |
|
total sales or revenues or sales or revenues per employee; |
|
(j) |
|
production (separate work units or SWUs); |
|
(k) |
|
stock price or total shareholder return; |
|
(n) |
|
strategic business objectives, consisting of one or more
objectives based on meeting specified cost targets, business expansion goals and
goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures; or |
|
(o) |
|
any combination thereof. |
Each goal may be expressed on an absolute and/or relative basis, may be based on or otherwise
employ comparisons based on internal targets, the past performance of the Company or any
Subsidiary, operating unit, business segment or division of the Company and/or the past or current
performance of other companies, and in the case of earnings-based measures, may use or employ
comparisons relating to capital, shareholders equity and/or Shares outstanding, or to assets or
net assets. The Committee may appropriately adjust any evaluation of performance under criteria
set forth in this Section 11.2 to exclude any of the following events that occurs during a
performance period: (i) asset write-downs, (ii) litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii)
the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting
reported results, (iv) accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs and (v) any
extraordinary non-recurring items as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 and/or
in managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing
in the Companys annual report to shareholders for the applicable year.
11.3 With respect to any Covered Officer, the maximum annual number of Shares in respect of
which all Performance Awards may be granted under Section 8 of the Plan is 250,000 and the
maximum amount of all Performance Awards that are settled in cash and that may be granted under
Section 8 of the Plan in any year is $5,000,000.
11.4 To the extent necessary to comply with Section 162(m), with respect to grants of
Performance Awards, no later than 90 days following the commencement of each performance period (or
such other time as may be required or permitted by Section 162(m)), the Committee shall, in
writing, (i) select the performance goal or goals applicable to the performance period,
(ii) establish the various targets and bonus amounts which may be earned for such performance
period, and (iii) specify the relationship between performance goals and targets and the amounts to
be earned by each Covered Officer for such performance period. Following the completion of each
performance period, the Committee shall certify in writing whether the applicable performance
targets have been achieved and the amounts, if any, payable to Covered Officers for such
performance period. In determining the amount earned by a Covered Officer for a given performance
period, subject to any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall have the
right to reduce (but not increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into
account additional factors that the Committee may deem relevant in its sole discretion to the
assessment of individual or corporate performance for the performance period.
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11.5 Unless otherwise expressly stated in the relevant Award Agreement, each Award granted to
a Covered Officer under the Plan is intended to be performance-based compensation within the
meaning of Section 162(m). Accordingly, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if any
provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement relating to such an Award does not comply or is
inconsistent with Section 162(m), such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent
necessary to conform to such requirements, and no provision shall be deemed to confer upon the
Committee discretion to increase the amount of compensation otherwise payable to a Covered Officer
in connection with any such Award upon the attainment of the performance criteria established by
the Committee.
Section 12. Termination of Employment.
The Committee shall have the full power and authority to determine the terms and conditions
that shall apply to any Award upon a termination of employment with the Company, its Subsidiaries
and Affiliates, including a termination by the Company with or without cause, by a Participant
voluntarily, by reason of death, disability or retirement, or pursuant to military, government or
other service or leave of absence. The Committee may provide such terms and conditions in the
Award Agreement or in such rules and regulations as it may prescribe.
Section 13. Amendment and Termination.
13.1 Amendments to the Plan. The Board or the Committee may amend, alter, suspend,
discontinue or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time without shareholder approval;
provided, however, that the Board or the Committee shall condition any amendment, alteration,
suspension, discontinuation or termination on the approval of shareholders if such approval is
necessary to comply with the requirements of Sections 422 or 162(m) of the Code or other applicable
law, or if such approval is deemed advisable with respect to tax, securities or other applicable
laws, policies or regulations.
13.2 Amendments to Awards. Subject to the restrictions of Section 6.2, the Committee
may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel
or terminate, any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively; provided that any such
waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would
materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any
Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected
Participant, holder or beneficiary.
13.3 Adjustments of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events. The
Committee is hereby authorized to make equitable and proportionate adjustments in the terms and
conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring
events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4.2) affecting the
Company, any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any
Subsidiary or Affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principals in
accordance with the Plan.
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Section 14. General Provisions.
14.1 Limited Transferability of Awards. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, no Award
shall be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a
Participant, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. No transfer of an Award by
will or by laws of descent and distribution shall be effective to bind the Company unless the
Company shall have been furnished with written notice thereof and an authenticated copy of the will
and/or such other evidence as the Committee may deem necessary or appropriate to establish the
validity of the transfer.
14.2 Dividend Equivalents. In the sole and complete discretion of the Committee, an Award may
provide the Participant with dividends or dividend equivalents, payable in cash, Shares, other
securities or other property on a current or deferred basis. All dividend or dividend equivalents
which are not paid currently may, at the Committees discretion, accrue interest, be reinvested
into additional Shares, or, in the case of dividends or dividend equivalents credited in connection
with Performance Awards, be credited as additional Performance Awards and paid to the Participant
if and when, and to the extent that, payment is made pursuant to such Award. The total number of
Shares available for grant under Section 4 shall not be reduced to reflect any dividends or
dividend equivalents that are reinvested into additional Shares or credited as Performance Awards.
14.3 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. No Award (or modification thereof) shall
provide for deferral of compensation that does not comply with Section 409A of the Code unless the
Committee, at the time of grant, specifically provides that the Award is not intended to comply
with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, if one
or more of the payments or benefits received or to be received by a Participant pursuant to an
Award would cause the Participant to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A of the
Code, the Committee may reform such provision to maintain to the maximum extent practicable the
original intent of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A of the
Code.
14.4 No Rights to Awards. No Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award, and there
is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards.
The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant.
14.5 Share Certificates. All certificates for Shares or other securities of the Company or
any Subsidiary or Affiliate delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof
shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem
advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC or any state
securities commission or regulatory authority, any stock exchange or other market upon which such
Shares or other securities are then listed, and any applicable Federal or state laws, and the
Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate
reference to such restrictions.
A-17
14.6 Withholding. A Participant may be required to pay to the Company or any Subsidiary or
Affiliate and the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate shall have the right and is hereby
authorized to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award or
under the Plan, or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant the amount (in
cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property) of any applicable withholding or
other tax-related obligations in respect of an Award, its exercise or any other transaction
involving an Award, or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such
other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for the
payment of such taxes. The Committee may provide for additional cash payments to holders of
Options to defray or offset any tax arising from the grant, vesting, exercise or payment of any
Award.
14.7 Award Agreements. Each Award hereunder shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that
shall be delivered to the Participant and may specify the terms and conditions of the Award and any
rules applicable thereto. In the event of a conflict between the terms of the Plan and any Award
Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall prevail. The Committee shall, subject to applicable law,
determine the date an Award is deemed to be granted. The Committee or, except to the extent
prohibited under applicable law, its delegate(s) may establish the terms of agreements or other
documents evidencing Awards under this Plan and may, but need not, require as a condition to any
such agreements or documents effectiveness that such agreement or document be executed by the
Participant, including by electronic signature or other electronic indication of acceptance, and
that such Participant agree to such further terms and conditions as specified in such agreement or
document. The grant of an Award under this Plan shall not confer any rights upon the Participant
holding such Award other than such terms, and subject to such conditions, as are specified in this
Plan as being applicable to such type of Award (or to all Awards) or as are expressly set forth in
the agreement or other document evidencing such Award.
14.8 No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent
the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect other compensation
arrangements, which may, but need not, provide for the grant of Options, Restricted Shares,
Restricted Share Units, Other Stock-Based Awards or other types of Awards provided for hereunder.
14.9 No Right to Employment. The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a
Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate.
Further, the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from
employment, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly
provided in an Award Agreement.
14.10 No Rights as Shareholder. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the applicable
Award Agreement, no Participant or holder or beneficiary of any Award shall have any rights as a
shareholder with respect to any Shares to be distributed under the Plan until such person has
become a holder of such Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with each grant of
Restricted Shares hereunder, the applicable Award Agreement shall specify if and to what extent
the Participant shall not be entitled to the rights of a shareholder in respect of such Restricted
Shares.
A-18
14.11 Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of the Plan and any rules and
regulations relating to the Plan and any Award Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the
laws of the State of Tennessee without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles.
14.12 Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is, or becomes, or is deemed to
be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would
disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision
shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be
construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the
intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person
or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
14.13 Other Laws. The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Shares or other
consideration under an Award if, acting in its sole discretion, it determines that the issuance or
transfer of such Shares or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation
(including applicable non-U.S. laws or regulations) or entitle the Company to recover the same
under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any payment tendered to the Company by a Participant,
other holder or beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly
refunded to the relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary.
14.14 No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed
to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or
any Subsidiary or Affiliate and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person
acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate pursuant to an
Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the
Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate.
14.15 No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the
Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities or other
property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares or whether such fractional
Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated or otherwise eliminated.
14.16 Headings. Headings are given to the sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a
convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or
relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.
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Electronic Voting Instructions
You can vote by Internet or
telephone! Available 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week!
Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose
one of the two voting methods outlined below
to vote your proxy.
VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE
TITLE BAR. Proxies submitted by the Internet or
telephone must be received by 1:00 a.m., Central
Time, on May 7, 2009.
Vote by Internet
· Log on to the Internet
and go to
www.envisionreports.com/T
SCO
· Follow the steps outlined on the secured website.
Vote by telephone
· Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683)
within the United States, Canada &
Puerto Rico any time on a touch tone
telephone. There is NO CHARGE to you
for the call. Follow the instructions
provided by the recorded message.
Using a black ink pen, mark your votes
with an X as shown in this example.
Please do not write outside the
designated areas
MR A SAMPLE
DESIGNATION (IF
ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2
ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5
ADD 6
000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext
000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext
000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext
C123456789
Annual Stockholders Meeting Proxy Card
123456 C0123456789 12345
IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN
THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
A Proposals The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR
Proposals 2 and 3.
1. Election of Directors: For
Withhold 01 James F. Wright
04 Jack C.
Bingleman 07 -
Cynthia T. Jamison
10 Edna K. Morris
For Withhold
02 Johnston C.
Adams 05 S.P.
Braud 08 Gerard
E. Jones
For Withhold
03 William Bass
06 Richard W.
Frost 09 George
MacKenzie
2. To approve the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan.
For Against Abstain
For Against Abstain |
3. To ratify the reappointment of Ernst
& Young LLP as independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal
year ending December 26, 2009.
B Non-Voting Items
Change of Address Please print new address below.
Comments Please print your comments below.
C Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. Date and
Sign Below
NOTE: Please sign your name(s) EXACTLY as your name(s) appear(s) on this proxy. All joint holders
must sign. When signing as attorney, trustee, executor, administrator, guardian or corporate
officer, please provide your FULL title.
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below.
Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box. |
IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND
RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
Proxy Tractor Supply Company Annual
Stockholders Meeting
May 7, 2009
10:00AM central time
Store Support Center
200 Powell Place
Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
I have received the Notice of 2009 Annual Stockholders Meeting (the Meeting) to be held on May
7, 2009 and a Proxy Statement furnished by Tractor Supply Companys (Tractor Supply) Board of
Directors. I appoint JOEL A. CHERRY AND KURT BARTON as proxy and attorney-in-fact, with full power
of substitution, to represent me and vote all shares of Tractor Supply common stock that I am
entitled to vote at the Meeting in the manner shown on this form as to the following matters and in
their discretion on any other matters that come before the Meeting.
You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes on the reverse side,
but you need not mark any box if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board of Directors
recommendations. The proxy holders cannot vote your shares unless you sign and return this card.
(Continued and to be voted on reverse side.) |