false0000350698AUTONATION, INC. 0000350698 2019-11-18 2019-11-18


 
 
 
 
 

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) November 18, 2019
  AutoNation, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
1-13107
 
73-1105145
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 
(Commission     
File Number)     
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
200 SW 1st Ave
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (954769-6000
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 
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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):
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))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Trading Symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share
 
AN
 
New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
 
Emerging growth company
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
 
 
 
 
 





Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On November 18, 2019, the Board of Directors of AutoNation, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Joseph Lower as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective as of January 13, 2020.
Mr. Lower, age 52, has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Office Depot, Inc. since January 2018. From November 2014 until April 2017, he served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of B/E Aerospace. Prior to joining B/E Aerospace, Mr. Lower held a number of management-level positions at The Boeing Company, including as Vice President - Business Development and Strategy from October 2009 until October 2014 and as Vice President - Corporate & Strategic Development from May 2002 until October 2009. In addition, among other finance positions, Mr. Lower spent six years with Credit Suisse in various investment banking roles, including positions in mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance.
On November 21, 2019, the Company entered into a letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) with Mr. Lower in connection with his appointment as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The Letter Agreement provides that Mr. Lower will:
receive an annual base salary of $750,000,
participate in the Company’s annual incentive compensation program with a target award level equal to 90% of his annual base salary,
receive a 2020 grant of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) with a grant date value of $1,800,000 under the Company’s long-term incentive award program, and
receive a one-time sign-on cash payment in the amount of $1,150,000 and a one-time sign-on grant of RSUs with a grant date value of $1,850,000, each as soon as administratively practicable following his first day of employment with the Company.
If Mr. Lower resigns from the Company without “good reason” (as defined in the Company’s equity compensation plan) before the first anniversary of his first day of employment with the Company, he will be required to pay back the one-time sign-on cash payment. The one-time sign-on grant of RSUs will vest in one-third annual increments over three years. In the event of a termination without “cause” or a resignation for “good reason” (in each case, as defined in the Company’s equity compensation plan), any unvested portion of the one-time sign-on grant will immediately vest.
The Letter Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing summary of the Letter Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such agreement.
Effective as of January 13, 2020, Christopher Cade will no longer serve as Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company, but he will continue to serve as the Company’s principal accounting officer.
Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure.
On November 22, 2019, the Company issued a press release announcing Mr. Lower’s appointment as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
The information furnished pursuant to this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.





Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
10.1
99.1
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.





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.

 
 
 
AUTONATION, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
November 22, 2019
 
By:
 
/s/ Coleman Edmunds
 
 
 
 
 
Coleman Edmunds
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary





Exhibit 10.1

[AutoNation Letterhead]


November 21, 2019

Joseph T. Lower
[Address]

Dear Joe:

Congratulations! It is my pleasure to extend an offer of employment for you to join the AutoNation team, as follows:

Position Title
Executive Vice President and CFO
 
 
 
 
 
Reporting to:
Cheryl Miller, CEO & President
 
 
 
 
 
Commencement Date:
January 13, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
Base Rate of Pay:
$750,000
($31,250.00 payable semi-monthly)
Target Bonus:
$675,000
 
Total Target Compensation:
$1,425,000
 
 
 
 
 
Annual Equity:
$1,800,000
 
Total Direct Compensation:
$3,225,000
 
 
 
 
 
Sign-on Cash Payment:
$1,150,000
 
Sign-on Equity Grant:
$1,850,000
 
Total Sign-on Compensation:
$3,000,000
 

Bonus Eligibility: You will be eligible for the 2020 bonus plan applicable to Company executives and payable in 2021. This plan will target 90% of your annual base rate of pay and is based on overall company performance. Future years’ bonus eligibility, percentage, and metrics will be at the level commensurate with your position in effect at that time as determined by the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Equity Plan: At the time of annual equity plan awards to other senior executives, you will be eligible for a 2020 grant of restricted stock units with a grant date closing value of $1,800,000. Equity awards are subject to the terms and conditions of the equity plan and corresponding grant agreements.  While eligibility, terms and conditions of the plan are subject to change as determined by the Committee, the 2020 grant for executive officers is expected to consist of:
RSUs: Two-thirds of the equity award will be in the form of restricted stock units, subject to a one-year performance condition established by the Committee, that will vest over a four-year period, 25% per year during your term of employment.
PBRSUs: One-third of the equity award will be in the form of performance based restricted stock units that are subject to three-year performance conditions as established by the Committee.

Sign-on Cash Payment: You will receive a one-time sign-on cash payment by the Company in the amount of $1,150,000 less applicable taxes and withholdings. This amount will be paid a soon as administratively feasible following your employment in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll schedule. If you resign from the Company without Good Reason (as defined in the Plan) before the one-year anniversary of your start date, you will be required to pay back the full $1,150,000 amount to the Company, less applicable taxes and withholdings.

Sign-on Equity Grant:  You will receive a one-time grant of restricted stock units under the Company’s 2017 Employee Equity and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) with a grant date closing value of $1,850,000, as soon as administratively feasible





following your employment with the Company. The equity award will vest during your term of employment one-third on March 1st in each of 2021, 2022 and 2023 and is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the form of grant agreement provided to you with this letter. In the event of a termination without Cause (as defined in the Plan) or resignation with Good Reason (as defined in the Plan), any unvested portion of this sign-on grant will become immediately vested and promptly settled.

Business Expenses: You will be reimbursed for all business expenses incurred and substantiated in accordance with the applicable Company expense policies.

401(k) Plan: You will be eligible to participate in the AutoNation 401(k) Plan. An enrollment kit will be mailed to your home approximately 30 days following date of hire.

Deferred Compensation Plan: You will be eligible to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan (“DCP”).  The DCP is a complement to our 401(k) plan, is limited to a select group of management associates and allows you to defer a larger percentage of your income toward your retirement savings than within the 401(k) plan.  The DCP also offers the flexibility of in-service distributions for college tuition or other major expenses.  In addition, AutoNation offers a matching contribution, the amount is determined annually and is subject to a vesting schedule. The DCP matching contribution is in lieu of a matching contribution under the AutoNation 401(k) Plan.

Fitness Center Membership: You will be invited to use the AutoNation Body Shop exercise facility located in the AutoNation Headquarters building. You will have free access to the fitness center which includes free weights, cardio and weight equipment as well as private changing rooms.

Vacation Benefit: Associates accrue vacation time on a per pay period basis at a rate commensurate with their length of service with the Company. You will be eligible for 17 days of vacation per year. Future years vacation eligibility will be determined by the Company’s policy in effect at that time.

Benefit Eligibility: Prior to becoming eligible for benefits, you will receive notification that you can enroll online at [URL]. On the website you will find your benefit options, cost, plan comparison information and your enrollment deadline. You will also receive information on how to earn healthy credits to substantially reduce your (and your spouse’s) medical, life, and critical illness insurance premiums. The elections you make will be effective the first day of the month following one month of regular, Full-Time employment. However, if you are hired on the first day of a month, your coverage will be effective on the first day of the following month. If you are planning to enroll dependents in AutoNation’s health, dental or vision insurance plans you will be required to submit proof of dependency for those dependents by the end of the month in which your benefits become effective. Proof of dependency includes marriage and/or birth certificates. Failure to provide dependent certification by the deadline will result in those dependents not being eligible for health, dental or vision insurance benefits until the next annual enrollment period, or as a result of a qualifying life event during the year.

Executive Severance Plan: During your employment, you will be entitled to participate in the Company’s Executive Severance Plan.

Vehicle Allowance: As provided for within the Executive Vehicle Allowance Program policy, you will be eligible for an annual vehicle allowance, paid semi-monthly, of $15,600 or a demonstrator vehicle.

Executive Physical: You will be eligible for an annual executive physical as provided for within the AutoNation Executive Health Management Plan.

Drug Screening: This offer is contingent upon the successful completion of the Company’s drug screening process.

Background Verification: This offer is contingent upon the successful completion of the Company’s background verification process. Once you accept this offer, you will be invited to complete the background consent form online.

Confidentiality, No-Solicit/No-Hire & Non-Compete Agreement and Arbitration Agreement: This offer is contingent upon your electronic signature to be obtained on the first day of employment.

At-Will Employment: This letter is not a guarantee of continued employment nor does it in any way abridge the employment-at-will relationship that exists between the Company and its employees, nor does it create a contractual relationship. Management retains the right to terminate employment of any associate with or without notice and with or without reason. Similarly, the associate also has the right to terminate employment with or without notice and with or without reason.






Employment Eligibility Verification: This offer is contingent upon your ability to produce acceptable documents that establish identity and employment eligibility (U.S. Department of Justice Form I-9). The Company requires you to produce these documents on your first day of employment.

Parking: You will have the opportunity to park in the AutoNation headquarters garage for $20.00 per pay period. This is a covered and secured parking facility. If elected, the parking fee will be deducted from your paycheck on a semi-monthly basis.

In the event that any provision of this letter agreement is inconsistent with any plan, program or other agreement of the Company in which you are a participant or a party, this letter agreement will control, unless such other plan, program or agreement specifically refers to this letter agreement as not so controlling.

Please indicate your acceptance of these terms and conditions by signing below.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to call me at [Telephone Number]. We look forward to having you join the AutoNation team!

Sincerely,
 
Accepted:
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Coleman Edmunds
 
/s/ Joseph T. Lower
11/21/2019
Coleman Edmunds
 
Joseph T. Lower
Date
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
 
 
 
 
 
 
 






Exhibit 99.1

ANLOGO2016A09.JPG
 
 
 
Contact: Marc Cannon
(954) 769-3146
cannonm@autonation.com
 

Robert Quartaro
(954) 769-7342
quartaror@autonation.com
AutoNation Names Joseph Lower, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., (November 22, 2019) - AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN), America’s largest and most recognized automotive retailer, today announced that Joseph Lower, has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective January 13, 2020. Mr. Lower will join AutoNation’s Executive Committee and report to Chief Executive Officer and President, Cheryl Miller.
Mr. Lower will oversee the finance department and be responsible for all financial controls and external reporting, financial planning and analysis, and accounting, as well as the tax, internal audit, treasury, investor relations and corporate real estate functions. He will also be responsible for strategy and the company’s shared service center in Irving, Texas.
Mr. Lower has 30 years of finance and business development experience. Most recently, Mr. Lower served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Office Depot, Inc., where he helped lead its transformation strategy. Prior to joining Office Depot, Mr. Lower served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at B/E Aerospace, Inc., which was a publicly traded global leader in aviation products. He held a number of management level positions at The Boeing Company, including Vice President - Business Development and Strategy and also served in numerous positions of increasing seniority within the investment banking industry.
“We are excited to have Joe join the AutoNation team. Joe is a seasoned financial professional, with a versatile background across multiple industries,” said Cheryl Miller, AutoNation CEO and President. “With his broad and extensive experience in financial management, business development and strategy, Joe will be a great addition to the executive team. We are pleased to have him on board as we continue to drive our sustainable, leadership position in the automotive retail industry.”
Mr. Lower holds a Master of Business Administration from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Indiana University School of Business.
About AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, America's largest automotive retailer, is transforming the automotive industry through its bold leadership, innovation, and comprehensive brand extensions. As of September 30, 2019, AutoNation owned and operated over 325 locations from coast to coast. AutoNation has sold over 12 million vehicles, the first automotive retailer to reach this milestone. AutoNation's success is driven by a commitment to delivering a peerless experience through customer-focused sales and service processes. Launched in 2015, AutoNation’s Drive Pink initiative, which has raised over $20 million, is committed to drive out cancer, create awareness, and support critical research. AutoNation continues to be a proud supporter of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and other cancer-related charities.

Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com, www.twitter.com/CEOCherylMiller, and www.twitter.com/AutoNation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations. Please also visit www.autonationdrive.com, AutoNation’s automotive blog, for information regarding the AutoNation community, the automotive industry, and current automotive news and trends.