UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 5, 2013
 

STRYKER CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Michigan
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
0-9165
(Commission
File Number)
38-1239739
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
2825 Airview Boulevard, Kalamazoo, Michigan
(Address of principal executive offices)
49002
(Zip Code)
 
 
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 269.385.2600

 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[ ]
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ]
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ]
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ]
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))







ITEM 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.


Stryker Corporation announced on April 8, 2013 that William Jellison has been appointed Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of the Company effective April 22, 2013. Mr. Jellison will have global responsibilities for Stryker's Finance and Information Technology activities, including Corporate Accounting, Reporting, Tax, Treasury and Internal Audit functions. Dean Bergy, who has served as Interim Chief Financial Officer since October 1, 2012, will remain Vice President, Corporate Secretary. A copy of the related press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Mr. Jellison, age 55, has been employed by Dentsply International Inc., a manufacturer of dental and other consumable medical device products, for the past 15 years, most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since January 2005, a position he also held from April 1998 until November 2002.  From November 2002 until January 2005, Mr. Jellison served as a Senior Vice President of Dentsply, with domestic and international operating responsibilities.  Prior to April 1998, Mr. Jellison held various financial management positions, including Vice President of Finance, Treasurer and Corporate Controller, for Donnelly Corporation, an international automotive parts supplier, since 1980.
Pursuant to the letter agreement establishing the terms of Mr. Jellison's employment with Stryker, Mr. Jellison will receive a base salary at the annual rate of $525,000 that will be reviewed annually. Mr. Jellison's full-year bonus potential is $367,500, or 70% of his salary. His actual bonus for 2013 will be prorated based on his start date and will be determined based on performance against specific objectives to be developed with the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Jellison will also receive a hire-on bonus of $67,500 on July 15, 2013 (or earlier if his employment with Stryker is terminated by Stryker without cause or by Mr. Jellison for good reason) that is intended to compensate him for the prorated portion of the bonus opportunity with his present employer that he is forfeiting to join Stryker. Mr. Jellison would be required to pay back the entire hire-on bonus if he voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company prior to April 22, 2015. The letter agreement also provides that the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer will recommend to the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee that a one-time, hire-on award of stock options and restricted stock units having a grant date fair value of $2,100,000 (50% attributed to the options and 50% to the restricted stock units) be granted to Mr. Jellison at the time of the Board meeting scheduled to be held on April 30, 2013 and, in addition, that stock options and performance stock units having a grant date fair value of $1,250,000 (50% attributed to the options and 50% to the performance stock units) be granted to Mr. Jellison on the regular annual equity award grant date in February 2014. Grant date fair value for such awards will be determined in the manner provided in the letter agreement based on the closing price of Stryker's Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day prior to the grant date. The stock options to be granted to Mr. Jellison will have a ten-year term and will vest as to 20% of the underlying shares on each of the first five anniversary dates of the grant date. The restricted stock units will vest 100% on the third anniversary of the grant date. The performance stock units will vest on the March 21 following the completion of the performance cycle and will be determined in accordance with the structure and terms of the performance stock units granted to other members of the Company's executive leadership team in February 2014. Mr. Jellison will be eligible to receive relocation benefits, including a lump sum payment of $18,000, in accordance with the Company's domestic mobility program and the other benefits generally available to the members of the Company's executive leadership team. The summary description of Mr. Jellison's employment terms contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the complete text of the letter agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.










ITEM 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
 
 
(d)
Exhibits
 
10.1 Letter Agreement between Stryker Corporation and William Jellison.
 
99.1  Press Release dated April 8, 2013.


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
 
STRYKER CORPORATION
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
April 11, 2013
 
/s/ TONY M. MCKINNEY
Date
 
Tony M. McKinney
 
 
Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer








2825 Airview Boulevard
Kalamazoo, MI 49002

April 4, 2013


William R. Jellison
1610 Wyndham Drive South
York, PA  17403


Dear Bill,

It is with pleasure that I confirm Stryker Corporation's (“Stryker”) employment offer to you as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, reporting to Kevin A. Lobo, President and Chief Executive Officer. As this position is a Corporate Officer role, this offer is subject to final approval by Stryker's Board of Directors.

Your official start date is April 22, 2013. This letter summarizes your compensation, eligibility for benefits and other required employment documentation.

Your starting annual base salary will be $525,000 payable semi-monthly in accordance with Stryker's regular payroll practices. Applicable payroll deductions as required by State and Federal law will be withheld from your paycheck, along with any voluntary deductions that you authorize.

You are scheduled to receive a performance review in March 2014. You will not receive a merit increase in 2013, but will be eligible to receive a merit increase associated with subsequent reviews, which are conducted on an annual basis.

Commencing in 2013, you will be eligible for (but not guaranteed) an annual performance bonus based on performance to specific objectives for a given calendar year. Your full year 2013 bonus potential is 70% of your base salary ($367,500). For 2013 your bonus will be prorated based on your start date, and is based upon performance to specific objectives for the year. You and Kevin will develop your 2013 objectives together soon after you begin your employment. Bonuses are paid in March following the respective bonus year period. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors may choose to apply positive or negative discretion to the total bonus weightings of some or all of the bonus goals. Any award above the 100% potential is at the Company's discretion and you must be employed on December 31 of the applicable year to receive any portion of this bonus. You will also receive a hire-on bonus payment of $67,500 (one quarter of the target bonus at your current employer) on July 15, 2013 to compensate you for a prorated portion of any bonus opportunity from your current employer forfeited in 2013. This hire-on bonus payment will be paid in full upon any termination by the Company without Cause or voluntary termination for Good Reason prior to July 15, 2013. The hire-on bonus payment includes a requirement that you payback the entire amount of the hire-on bonus payment if you voluntarily terminate prior to two years from April 22, 2013.

In addition, Stryker's President and CEO will recommend that our Board of Directors approve an award to you of stock options and performance stock units (PSUs) under Stryker's Long-Term Incentive Plan in February 2014. The target amount granted to you under this recommendation will be approximately $1,250,000 in total grant date fair value, comprised of 50% in stock options and 50% in PSUs. We will also recommend to the Board a one-time, hire-on award to be approved April 30, 2013 with a target amount of approximately $2,100,000 in total grant date fair value, comprised of 50% in stock options and 50% in restricted stock units (RSUs).

Stryker determines grant date fair value for stock options as the number of options times the grant price times a recent accounting valuation of option grants (recently averaging about 25% of the amount resulting from multiplying the number of options times the grant price).  PSUs and RSUs grant date fair value is calculated as the number of units times the grant price.  The grant price will be the closing price on the trading day prior to the grant





date(s) as required by Stryker's Long-Term Incentive Plan.  Under this recommendation, stock options would have a ten-year term and vest as to 20% of the underlying shares on each of the first five anniversary dates of the grant date.  Vesting of any PSUs occurs on March 21 of the year following the three-year performance cycle with the amount of shares earned subject to the achievement of pre-established performance goals. The vesting schedule for RSUs will be a three-year “cliff vesting” (100% after the third anniversary of the grant date).  Any outstanding stock awards you have at the time of termination will be subject to the terms and conditions of Stryker's Long-Term Incentive Plans, as amended from time to time by the Company.

We anticipate that the Board of Directors would consider these recommendations at the next Board meeting following your start date, which is planned for April 30, 2013, and assumes you commence employment with Stryker at least one week prior to that meeting. If the Board of Directors approves these recommendations at the meeting at their sole discretion, the grant date for your hire-on stock awards would be April 30, 2013.

You are eligible to receive relocation benefits in accordance with Stryker's U.S. Domestic Mobility Program #5, which will include, in addition to other relocation benefits, a lump sum payment in the amount of $18,000.  A summary of these relocation benefits are included within your offer package.  You will be contacted by NEI, Stryker's relocation partner, to provide you with a high level overview of your relocation benefits eligibility.  Please note that initiating your relocation process and services is contingent upon your signing and returning a Relocation Repayment Agreement that will be provided to you by NEI.

As a Stryker employee, you will be eligible to participate in our comprehensive package of Company benefits as detailed on the enclosed “Benefits Summary” sheet, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the guiding benefit plans. This package includes, among other things, the following benefits:

1.
Comprehensive health insurance plan, including medical, dental and prescription drug coverage; (provided you return your enrollment information within 30 days of your hire date).
2.
Basic Term Life Insurance paid by the Company in the amount of $425,000, with an additional $425,000 in Accident Insurance; effective on your date of hire. Supplemental life insurance is available to purchase through Stryker with a maximum of $1,000,000.
3.
Eligibility to participate in the Stryker 401(k) Savings and Retirement Plan. After the close of each year, Stryker will match all or a portion of your contributions according to the terms of the 401(k) Plan guidelines. Stryker will contribute $0.50 for every $1.00 you contribute, up to a maximum of 4% of your eligible earnings. Additionally, Stryker may contribute a percentage of your eligible earnings as a discretionary contribution. Historically, 7% of eligible earnings have been contributed.
4.
Participation in Stryker's Supplemental Savings and Retirement Plan in accordance with the terms of such plan subject to your start date and pending Board approval. Participation commences for 2014.
5.
Eleven paid holidays annually; prorated for 2013, based on date of hire.
6.
Four weeks of vacation annually beginning in 2013; prorated for 2013, based on date of hire.
7.
Eligibility to participate in the Stryker Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

This offer is contingent upon there being no contractual impediments or obligations which would restrict your acceptance of this offer and upon your execution of Stryker's Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement. Furthermore, this offer is made with the understanding that you will not bring with you to Stryker confidential or proprietary information belonging to any of your previous employers and that you will refrain from disclosing to us, or using while employed by us, any such confidential or proprietary information. Pursuant to Company policy, you are expected to comply with any non-disclosure, non-compete, non-solicitation and other provisions of agreements with your previous employers.

This offer is also contingent upon the satisfactory completion of pre-employment reference and background check.  Failure to do so may prevent you from starting on the date listed above.

On your first day of employment, we will review and complete the forms you must fill out as part of your orientation process. The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) require us to verify that you are authorized





to work in the United States. Accordingly, we ask that on your first day you bring appropriate verification documents, as set forth on the enclosed list.

To protect the interests of the Company and its customers, all employees are required to acknowledge receipt and understanding of the Company's Code of Conduct and Employee Handbook by reading and signing the appropriate forms. Within your first week of employment, please return acknowledgment of the Code of Conduct and your signed Employee Handbook Receipt, which will be enclosed in your orientation materials packet. In accepting employment with us, you agree to abide by the guidelines set forth in the Handbook, as well as any changes to it, which may be communicated to you. You also acknowledge that you are aware of Stryker's at-will employment relationship with you.

While this letter is intended to summarize our offer, it shall not be used to interpret or in any way govern the terms of your employment relationship with Stryker. The aforementioned statements of Company policy, practices, and benefits do not constitute the terms of an employment contract, either expressed or implied. Further, the Company maintains the right to change its policies and procedures without notice. Please take a few moments to review the enclosed new hire paperwork. Completion of all necessary paperwork will ensure a smooth transition into your new role with us.

Bill, we look forward to you joining us and hope that you find your employment with us enjoyable and professionally rewarding. To accept this offer, please sign this letter on the space provided below and return it via fax to (269) 385-4011 no later than April 9, 2013. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. You may bring the original copy of the signed letter on your first day of employment. Again, congratulations Bill and welcome to Stryker.


Sincerely,



Steven A. Benscoter
Vice President, Human Resources

I accept this offer of employment with Stryker and agree to the terms and conditions outlined in this letter:



_____________________________________________________      4 / 5 / 2013
William R. Jellison                        Date

encls:      Total Rewards Statement                  Benefits Summary
Non-Compete Agreement                  Payback Agreement
Stryker U.S. Domestic Mobility Summary Program 5      I-9 List of Acceptable Documents
Background Check Authorization Form
c:      Kevin A. Lobo


 
 





STRYKER ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF WILLIAM JELLISON TO THE POSITION OF VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Kalamazoo, Michigan - April 8, 2013 - Stryker Corporation (NYSE:SYK) announced that William Jellison has joined the Company in the position of Vice President, Chief Financial Officer reporting to Kevin A. Lobo, President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 22, 2013. In this role, Mr. Jellison will have global responsibilities for Stryker's Finance and Information Technology activities, including Corporate Accounting, Reporting, Tax, Treasury and Internal Audit functions. Dean Bergy, Stryker's Interim CFO and Vice President, Corporate Secretary, will help support Mr. Jellison in his new role during a transition period through the second quarter of 2013. Mr. Bergy will remain Vice President, Corporate Secretary.
Prior to joining Stryker, Mr. Jellison had 15 year tenure at Dentsply International, the world's largest manufacturer of professional dental products, most recently as the company's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. His extensive experience and strong track record will be instrumental in helping Stryker drive globalization and cost optimization. Mr. Jellison's experience at Dentsply included an assignment as a Senior Vice President with full P&L responsibilities over a number of international and domestic operations prior to returning to the CFO role in 2005. Before joining Dentsply, he spent 18 years with Donnelly Corporation, a publicly traded international automotive parts supplier.
Mr. Jellison graduated from Hope College with a bachelor's degree in business administration, became a Certified Management Accountant and is a member of both the IMA and FEI.
"Bill's accomplished career in managing the financial activities of growing multinational organizations will complement our leadership team in achieving our strategic goals,” stated Kevin A. Lobo, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Stryker is one of the world's leading medical technology companies and is dedicated to helping healthcare professionals perform their jobs more efficiently while enhancing patient care. The Company offers a diverse array of innovative medical technologies, including reconstructive, medical and surgical, and neurotechnology and spine products to help people lead more active and more satisfying lives. For more information about Stryker, please visit www.stryker.com.
Contacts
For investor inquiries please contact:
Katherine A. Owen, Stryker Corporation, 269-385-2600 or katherine.owen@stryker.com
For media inquiries please contact:
Yin Becker, Stryker Corporation, 201-831-5000 or yin.becker@stryker.com