2.
|
To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s auditors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.
|
3.
|
To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's named executive officers.
|
4.
|
To approve the Gentex Corporation 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
|
5.
|
To transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting, or any adjournment thereof.
|
•
|
Election of nine directors
|
•
|
Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019 (see page 40).
|
•
|
Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company's named executive officers (see page 41).
|
•
|
Approval of the Gentex Corporation 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan (see pages 42 - 51).
|
•
|
Vote by
Internet
(log on to
https://www.proxyvote.com
and follow the directions there);
|
•
|
Vote by
toll-free telephone
(1-800-690-6903 - instructions are on the Proxy Card or Voting Instruction Form); or
|
•
|
Fill out the enclosed
Proxy Card or Voting Instruction Form
, sign it, and mail it.
|
•
|
Revoking it by written notice to the Corporate Secretary at the address on the cover of the Proxy Statement;
|
•
|
Delivering a later-dated Proxy (including a telephone or Internet vote);
|
•
|
Voting by telephone or Internet at a subsequent time; or
|
•
|
Voting in person at the meeting.
|
•
|
For
the approval of the director nominees to the Board of Directors listed on the card.
|
•
|
For
ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s auditors for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2019
.
|
•
|
For
the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company's named executive officers.
|
•
|
For
the approval of the Gentex Corporation 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
|
•
|
Under Michigan law, the nine nominees for director will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company's Bylaws provide that if a director is elected by less than a majority of the votes cast, then such director shall promptly tender his or her resignation by written notice to the Board of Directors.
|
•
|
Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's auditors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, is by a majority of votes cast.
|
•
|
The proposal to approve the compensation of the Company's named executive officers is advisory and the Board of Directors will take such votes into account when considering future actions.
|
•
|
The proposal to approve the 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan is approved by a majority of votes cast.
|
•
|
as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements;
|
•
|
to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the vote; or
|
•
|
to facilitate successful Proxy solicitation by our Board of Directors.
|
|
2018
|
2017
|
2016
|
||||||
Net Sales
|
$
|
1,834,064
|
|
$
|
1,794,873
|
|
$
|
1,678,925
|
|
Operating Income
|
$
|
508,126
|
|
$
|
523,358
|
|
$
|
511,743
|
|
Net Income
|
$
|
437,883
|
|
$
|
406,792
|
|
$
|
347,591
|
|
Earnings Per Share (Fully Diluted)
|
$
|
1.62
|
|
$
|
1.41
|
|
$
|
1.19
|
|
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share
|
$
|
0.44
|
|
$
|
0.39
|
|
$
|
0.36
|
|
Total Assets
|
$
|
2,085,434
|
|
$
|
2,352,054
|
|
$
|
2,309,620
|
|
Long-Term Debt Outstanding at Year End
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
178,125
|
|
1)
|
By Internet at https://www.proxyvote.com
We encourage you to vote this way.
|
2)
|
By toll-free telephone (1-800-690-6903)
|
3)
|
By completing and mailing your Proxy Card or Voting Instruction Form
|
4)
|
By written ballot at the Annual Meeting
|
Name (Age) and Position
|
Business Experience
|
|
Nominees for Terms to Expire in 2020
|
Ms. Leslie Brown (65)
Director since 2016
|
Ms. Brown, since 2003, is the owner and chairperson of Metal Flow Corporation, a Holland, Michigan, based high volume producer of technically sophisticated custom metal (of various varieties) components through deep draw processes. Including operations in China, Metal Flow Corporation globally ships over one million parts daily for a variety of automotive applications, including airbags, decorative trim, emissions, fuel handling, sensors, and solenoids. As such, Ms. Brown has a significant understanding of, and experience with, challenges faced by manufacturing companies that supply the global automotive industry. In addition to her years of experience as an entrepreneurial automotive supplier, as a prominent local businesswoman serving on a variety of community organization boards of directors (including as chairperson of the Holland Hospital Board), Ms. Brown has demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and personal integrity. Ms. Brown offers insight and perspective especially in terms of developing and maintaining an entrepreneurial team. Ms. Brown has been affirmatively identified as an independent director by the Board of Directors. She serves on the Company's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
|
Mr. Gary Goode (73)
Director since 2003
|
Mr. Goode is the Chairman of Titan Distribution LLC, an Elkhart, Indiana company, that offers consulting and distribution services related to structural adhesives, and has held that position since 2004. He was previously employed at Arthur Andersen LLP for 29 years, including 11 years as the managing partner of its West Michigan practice, until his retirement in 2001. As an audit committee financial expert, Mr. Goode provides the Board with financial reporting and accounting expertise. His many years of public accounting experience provided Mr. Goode the opportunity to work with a great variety of small and large companies, including public companies, in a broad array of industries (including automotive and technology companies). Such experience allows Mr. Goode to provide excellent perspective to the Board of Directors. Mr. Goode has been affirmatively identified as an independent director by the Board of Directors and as an audit committee financial expert. He is Chair of the Company's Audit Committee and serves on the Company's Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees.
|
Mr. James Hollars (74)
Director since 2014
|
Mr. Hollars currently serves as a license partner of Engel & Volkers, a global company and lifestyle brand providing high quality services to those seeking to buy and sell real estate and has so served for more than five years. Prior to that, he served as the Senior Vice President - Sales of the Company from 1999 to 2009. Mr. Hollars has an exceptional understanding of the sales process for suppliers to automotive OEMs, especially in Europe which continues to be an important geographic market for the Company. Mr. Hollars offers the Board of Directors unique insight into the decision-making process of automotive customers in regards to sourcing. His familiarity with the Company's core business principles and what it takes to work in an entrepreneurial environment allow him to understand the Company more fully. Mr. Hollars has been affirmatively identified as an independent director by the Board of Directors.
|
Mr. John Mulder (82)
Director since 1992
|
Mr. Mulder was the Vice President-Customer Relations of the Company from February 2000 to June 2002. Before that, he was Senior Vice President-Automotive Marketing of the Company from September 1998 to February 2000. Prior to September 1998, he was Vice President- Automotive Marketing of the Company for more than five years. Mr. Mulder's overall understanding of the Company's primary industry and intimate knowledge of selling to automotive OEMs provides insight to the Board of Directors. His familiarity with the Company's core business principles and close relationship developed over the years with relevant decision makers at the Company's customers offer the Board of Directors a valuable perspective. Mr. Mulder has been affirmatively identified as an independent director by the Board of Directors.
|
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
Amount and Nature of Ownership
|
Percent
of Class
|
|||
Shares Beneficially Owned (1)
|
Exercisable Options (2)
|
||||
Neil Boehm
|
57,063
|
|
16,866
|
|
*
|
Leslie Brown
|
24,000
|
|
21,000
|
|
*
|
Matthew Chiodo
|
47,014
|
|
15,560
|
|
*
|
Steve Downing
|
201,278
|
|
81,840
|
|
*
|
Gary Goode
|
106,000
|
|
90,000
|
|
*
|
James Hollars
|
92,804
|
|
42,000
|
|
*
|
John Mulder
(3)
|
109,304
|
|
28,000
|
|
*
|
Kevin Nash
|
53,080
|
|
14,682
|
|
*
|
Scott Ryan
|
47,412
|
|
22,804
|
|
*
|
Richard Schaum
|
80,000
|
|
71,000
|
|
*
|
Frederick Sotok
(4)
|
44,000
|
|
17,000
|
|
*
|
Kathleen Starkoff
|
1,000
|
|
0
|
|
*
|
Brian Walker
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
*
|
James Wallace
|
95,400
|
|
78,000
|
|
*
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (14 persons)
|
958,355
|
|
498,752
|
|
*
|
(1)
|
Except as otherwise indicated by footnote, each named person claims sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated.
|
(2)
|
This column reflects shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days, and these shares are included in the column captioned "Shares Beneficially Owned."
|
(3)
|
Includes 50,000 shares held in a trust established by Mr. Mulder's spouse, and Mr. Mulder disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
|
(4)
|
Includes 348 shares owned by Mr. Sotok’s spouse through a partnership, and Mr. Sotok disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
|
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
|
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
|
Percent of Class
|
||
Black Rock Inc.
40 East 52nd Street,
New York, NY 10022
|
24,277,225
|
|
9.3
|
%
|
The Vanguard Group
100 Vanguard Boulevard
Malvern, PA 19355
|
23,821,379
|
|
9.1
|
%
|
•
|
The fact that the Company has declassified its Board of Directors and implemented majority voting for directors (in the form of a director resignation Bylaw) in response to shareholder proposals, as well as allowing its shareholder rights plan (poison pill) to expire, demonstrates responsiveness to expressed shareholder concerns. In fact, implementation of majority voting for directors (in the form of a director resignation Bylaw) was done with the input and concurrence of the shareholder proponent as to form of adoption of the same.
|
•
|
The Company also implemented a Lead Independent Director Policy (*) to address concerns raised by shareholders when the Company had a non-independent Chair of the Board, again demonstrating its commitment to good corporate governance and ongoing engagement with shareholders.
|
•
|
The Company has added a Sustainability section to its website (which is updated periodically) and additional diversity considerations to its director nominating policies in response to suggestions from shareholders. Such diversity considerations, along with the actual practices of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, have led to a broader and more diverse director candidate pool.
|
•
|
James Wallace serves as an independent Chair of the Board of Directors.
|
•
|
While the Company had a CEO who also served as Chair of the Board, the Board of Directors implemented a Lead Independent Director Policy and had a Lead Director thereunder. The independent members of the Board of Directors have as an agenda item at each meeting the opportunity to meet without management present.
|
•
|
The Company acknowledges that independent board leadership is important, and the independent directors will continue to meet outside of the presence of management.
|
•
|
Even with an independent Chair of the Board, the Company continues to believe it is important that the Board of Directors have flexibility to determine the most qualified person to serve as Board Chair rather than unduly impairing such flexibility with any policy requiring an independent Chair of the Board.
|
•
|
While the Board of Directors now has an independent Chair, alleviating the need for a Lead Director, the Lead Independent Director Policy, as amended, remains in place to continue to provide the Board of Directors appropriate flexibility.
|
•
|
The Board of Directors, and each standing committee of the Board of Directors, undertake annual self-evaluations which include: written evaluations; collection of relevant information; summary and review of the same by the Board of Directors and each committee; and the opportunity for each director to comment thereupon.
|
•
|
The Company’s Audit Committee currently includes Messrs. Goode (Chair), Schaum, and Sotok, as well as the addition of Ms. Starkoff as of the meeting of the Audit Committee related to the review of the Company's results for the first quarter of 2019.
|
•
|
The Audit Committee met five times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. Information regarding the functions performed by the Committee is set forth in the following "Report of the Audit Committee."
|
•
|
The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that all members of the Audit Committee meet the appropriate tests for independence, including those set forth in the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules.
|
•
|
All Audit Committee members possess the required level of financial literacy and the Board of Directors has determined that at least one member of the Audit Committee, Mr. Goode, meets the current standard of audit committee financial expert as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
|
•
|
The Audit Committee operates pursuant to the Gentex Corporation Audit Committee Charter (*).
|
•
|
The Company’s independent auditors report directly to the Audit Committee and the Audit Committee is actively engaged in selecting the audit engagement partner.
|
•
|
The Audit Committee, consistent with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules adopted thereunder, meets with management and the auditors prior to the filing of officer certifications with the SEC to receive information concerning, among other things, any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls.
|
•
|
The Audit Committee’s policy regarding the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services provided by the Company’s independent auditors is outlined in a document called "Revised Audit Committee Procedures for Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services by Independent Auditors," which is attached as
Appendix A
to this Proxy Statement.
|
•
|
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy titled "Complaint Submission and Handling Policy", to enable confidential and anonymous reporting to the Audit Committee and more generally.
|
•
|
The Audit Committee reviews and approves all related-party transactions in accordance with the Audit Committee Charter. This review and approval covers all manners of related-party transactions, which are viewed in light of applicable disclosure requirements, independence standards for directors, and applicable Company codes and policies.
|
•
|
The Company’s Compensation Committee currently includes Messrs. Schaum (Chairman), Goode, and Wallace.
|
•
|
The Compensation Committee met eleven times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. The Compensation Committee is responsible for administering all of the Company’s incentive plans and other compensation arrangements for executive officers of the Company. Information regarding functions performed by the Committee is set forth in the following "Compensation Committee Report."
|
•
|
The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that all members of the Compensation Committee meet the appropriate tests for independence, including those set forth in the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules.
|
•
|
The Compensation Committee operates pursuant to the Gentex Corporation Compensation Committee Charter (*).
|
•
|
More information regarding the scope of authority of the Compensation Committee, any delegation of its authority, and the role of executive officers is set forth in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" below.
|
•
|
The Compensation Committee has authority under the Compensation Committee Charter to obtain the advice of compensation consultants. In the last year, consistent with the Compensation Committee Charter, the Compensation Committee retained an independent compensation consultant, Mercer (US) Inc. ("Mercer") to advise on certain compensation matters. Mercer's engagement has included: an ongoing assessment of the Company's existing compensation program; a competitive analysis of a peer-group of publicly-traded organizations, including base salaries, annual incentives, and long-term incentives; plan design alternatives; pay trends; performance metrics; stock ownership guidelines; and employment agreements; and reporting on the same, including certain recommendations for potential changes to officer and director compensation. The Compensation Committee did consider the independence of Mercer in assessing the information and recommendations provided by Mercer as set forth herein. Mercer provided peer group and industry compensation data to both management and the Compensation Committee for
|
•
|
The Board of Directors, based on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, has also adopted Stock Ownership Guidelines (*), an "Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policy" (*) and a "Clawback Policy" (*).
|
•
|
The Compensation Committee does not believe that the Company's compensation policies and practices are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
|
•
|
The Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee currently includes Mr. Wallace (Chairman), Ms. Brown, and Mr. Goode, although such committee regularly receives input from other directors.
|
•
|
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met formally three times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (and met informally and held other discussions at regularly scheduled Board of Directors meetings, and otherwise, including consideration of potential candidates for nomination to the Board of Directors). The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying and recommending qualified individuals to serve as members of the Company’s Board of Directors and met in February 2019 and subsequently in accordance with such responsibilities.
|
•
|
The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that all members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meet the appropriate tests for independence, including those set forth in the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules.
|
•
|
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates pursuant to the Gentex Corporation Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter (*).
|
•
|
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has adopted certain procedures contained in a document called "Selection Process for Board Candidates" (*) to consider candidates for director nominations. Generally, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies candidates from a variety of resources to ensure a diverse pool of candidates, with support of the other board members and management, as needed. Candidates that meet the established criteria are identified and presented to the entire Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will then conduct interviews and reviews, as appropriate and necessary. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets to consider and approve the most qualified candidates so it can make its recommendations to the full Board of Directors.
|
•
|
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has established the minimum qualifications for candidates, which are contained in a document called "Position Profile: Member of the Board of Directors" (*). Those required qualifications include: working and/or experience with an entrepreneurial company; high level of personal and professional integrity; successful and distinguished business management career (using the Company's core principles); understanding of the Company's markets; and ability to work effectively with current Board members. The Position Profile also sets forth other desirable experience and qualifications, including gender, race, ethnic, and country of origin diversity.
|
•
|
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee continually refines its on-boarding process for new directors, which is now led by Ms. Brown.
|
•
|
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not, to date, paid any third party a fee to assist in identifying and evaluating nominees, but has the authority to do so.
|
•
|
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not, to date, received any potential director candidates for nomination from any shareholder that beneficially owns more than five percent of the Company's common stock.
|
•
|
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (and the entire Board of Directors) is committed to increasing diversity on the Board of Directors. As such, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will continue to avail itself of a variety of resources in its efforts to identify qualified and diverse director candidates. Candidates are sought not only in traditional corporate environments, but also other environments such as government, academia, private enterprise, nonprofit organizations, and a variety of professions. In order to promote diversity, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is: willing to consider exceptions to the Board of Directors Attendance and Overboarding Policy for appropriate candidates; considering search firms with a track record of identifying qualified, diverse director candidates; as appropriate, seeking to engage
|
•
|
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider nominees for the Board of Directors from a variety of sources, including current directors, management, retained third-party search firms, and shareholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee avails itself of a variety of available resources for candidates (and from non-executive positions and/or non-traditional environments). If you want to recommend a director candidate, you may do so in accordance with the Company’s procedures or the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation. If a shareholder desires to recommend a candidate for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for inclusion in the Company’s 2020 Proxy Statement as a Board of Directors nominee, that recommendation should be submitted in writing, together with appropriate biographical information, to the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, c/o Corporate Secretary’s Office, Gentex Corporation, 600 North Centennial Street, Zeeland, Michigan 49464. Any such nominations should be received by the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee by no later than December 31, 2019, to allow adequate time for consideration of the nominee. Other nominations by shareholders for any directorship may be submitted to the Board of Directors by written notice as set forth in the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, or pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
|
•
|
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has corporate governance responsibilities as delegated by the Board of Directors.
|
•
|
The Board of Directors has adopted a "Code of Ethics for Certain Senior Officers" (*) that applies to certain of the Company’s officers and including the chief executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Information concerning any alleged violations is to be reported to the Audit Committee.
|
•
|
The Company has also adopted a "Code of Business Conduct and Ethics" (*). This Code applies to all directors, officers and employees of the Company.
|
•
|
No waivers of either of the foregoing codes have occurred to date.
|
•
|
You may contact any of our directors by writing them: Board of Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary’s Office, Gentex Corporation, 600 North Centennial, Zeeland, Michigan 49464. Employees and others who wish to contact the Board or any member of the Audit Committee may do so anonymously, if they wish, by using this address. Such correspondence will not be screened and will be forwarded in its entirety.
|
•
|
The Company complies with and will operate in a manner consistent with an act of legislation outlawing extensions of credit in the form of personal loans to or for its directors and executive officers.
|
•
|
Under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), directors and executive officers are required to file notice with the SEC within two (2) business days of any purchase or sale of the Company’s stock. Information on filings made by any of our directors or executive officers can be found on the Company’s web site under "SEC Filings" at
http://ir.gentex.com.
|
•
|
The Company has a Sustainability section of its website to provide insight into how the Company is looking out for the environment, while at the same time striving to execute a wide variety of social responsibility initiatives.
|
•
|
The foregoing includes a Sustainability Update, along with a synopsis of the Company's sustainability efforts which cover: how the Company operates in a sustainable manner (with policies addressing environmental, social, and governance requirements, as well as industry best practices); the Gentex Environmental Management System; the Company's commitment to energy efficiency; waste reduction and recycling; substance of concern and conflict mineral compliance; and the existence of annual goals to increase efficiency, reduce waste, reuse, and recycle.
|
•
|
The Company values its people as demonstrated by making a significant investment in them each day by providing high quality health care (including onsite health care), wellness programs, and fitness facilities.
|
•
|
The Company not only values employee wellness, but as importantly, employee safety with the Board of Directors receiving a report at each Board meeting of total recordable cases, which remain well below industry averages. Prioritizing safety not only improves morale and efficiency, but lowers costs overall as well.
|
•
|
The Company values diversity as well and as a commitment to increasing diversity throughout the organization, during calendar year 2018, the Company announced the creation of the Company's first Diversity Officer. This role is responsible for the development and implementation of Gentex's diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, which is headed by the Company's Vice President of Purchasing.
|
•
|
The Company has significantly increased its involvement in the communities in which it operates.
|
•
|
The potential social and economic impact on the Company, its employees, customers, and vendors is considered in everything the Company does.
|
•
|
While the Board of Directors oversees risk management generally, management of the Company is charged with managing risk through appropriate internal processes and internal controls. On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee oversees Company risk policies and procedures relating to its financial statements and financial reporting processes, cyber security risks, credit risks, and liquidity risks. Further, in accordance with the Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee periodically discusses with management the Company's risk assessment and risk management and steps taken by management to control and mitigate risk exposure (other than risks arising from the Company’s compensation policies and practices, which are overseen by the Compensation Committee on behalf of the Board of Directors). Such discussions with management and the independent auditors address significant risks, exposures, and judgments as well as steps taken by management to address them. The Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee, respectively, report to the Board of Directors periodically with respect to such topics. This oversight does not necessarily have any material effect on the Company's leadership structure. The Board of Directors also annually reviews the Company’s various insurance coverages.
|
Achieve Top Line
Growth
|
- Strengthen customer centricity to deliver growth
|
|
Drive
Profitability
|
- Achieve both short-term and long-term profitability goals
|
|
Maximize performance
Returns
and maintain a
Strong
balance sheet
|
- Generate
cash flow
to support future growth through capital and technology investments and to provide returns to shareholders
|
- Deliver appropriate return
on invested capital (ROIC)
|
|
|
|
ó
|
|
|
|
|
Alignment with Incentive Plan Metrics
|
Annual Incentive Plan
|
–
Revenue 33.33%
|
–
Operating Income - 33.33%
|
–
Earnings per Diluted Share - 33.33%
|
|
Long-Term Incentive Plan
|
–
3 year cumulative EBITDA - 50%
|
–
3 year cumulative ROIC - 50%
|
|
What We Do…
|
|
ü
|
Base a significant portion of compensation on the achievement of objective, pre-established goals tied to financial, operational, and strategic measures.
|
ü
|
Award incentive compensation based primarily on objective measures, both short-term and long-term.
|
ü
|
Provide compensation in equity to help meet Stock Ownership Guidelines.
|
ü
|
Maintain a clawback policy to recapture unearned incentive payments.
|
ü
|
Retain an independent compensation consultant.
|
ü
|
Include double trigger of vesting of equity awards upon an appropriately defined change in control.
|
What We Don't Do...
|
|
û
|
No excise tax gross ups
|
û
|
No excessive perquisites
|
û
|
No hedging or pledging of stock
|
û
|
No excessive change-in-control severance provisions
|
û
|
No dividends paid if performance shares are not earned
|
|
|
Annual Incentive Plan
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
2018 Metrics*
|
|
2019 Metrics*
|
Reasons
|
|
Revenue
|
|
Revenue
|
Aligns short-term officer incentive pay with appropriate objective performance targets.
|
|
Operating Income
|
ð
|
Operating Income
|
|
|
Earnings per Diluted Share
|
|
Earnings per Diluted Share
|
|
Long-Term Incentive Plan
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
2018 Metrics
|
|
2019-2021 Metrics*
|
Reasons
|
|
Various
|
|
3-year cumulative EBITDA
|
EBITDA and ROIC have been identified by the Compensation Committee as key measures for management to drive growth and create shareholder value. These metrics provide clear measures of our long-term performance
|
|
(using both stock options and restricted stock)
|
ð
|
3 year cumulative ROIC
|
|
|
|
|
(using performance shares and restricted stock)
|
|
Cost
|
Element
|
Key Characteristic
|
Why We Pay this Element
|
How we Determine the Amount
|
Fixed
|
Base Salary
|
Fixed compensation payable in cash. Reviewed annually and adjusted when appropriate.
|
Provide a base level of competitive cash compensation for attracting and retaining officer talent.
|
Experience, job scope, individual performance, and market data, including market median of our Peer Group.
|
Variable
|
Annual cash incentive award
|
Variable compensation payable in cash based on annual performance-related financial goals.
|
Motivate high performance and award results, in the near term.
|
Based on financial performance metrics (revenue, operating income, and earnings per diluted share) and market data, including market median of our Peer Group.
|
Performance Share Award ("PSA")
|
PSAs vest after a three-year performance period based on meeting cumulative performance related to financial objectives.
|
Align the interests of officers with long-term shareholder value and retain officer talent.
|
Target awards based on job scope and market data, including market median of our Peer Group.
|
|
Minimize risk taking behaviors for positive long-term results.
|
Payouts are based on our performance on financial metrics (EBITDA and ROIC), on a cumulative basis over a three-year period.
|
|||
Restricted Stock ("RS")
|
RS vests on the third anniversary of the grant date.
|
Increase equity-ownership and focus officers on providing shareholders with appropriate returns.
|
Target award based on job scope and market data, including market median of our Peer Group.
|
|
Vesting terms and Stock Ownership Guidelines promote retention and a linkage to the interest of shareholders.
|
AIP Performance Metrics
|
Weight
|
Threshold*
|
Target*
|
Maximum*
|
Actual*
|
|||||||||
Revenue
|
33.33
|
%
|
$
|
1,794,873,000
|
|
$
|
1,930,000,000
|
|
$
|
2,065,000,000
|
|
$
|
1,834,063,697
|
|
Operating Income
|
33.33
|
%
|
$
|
523,359,000
|
|
$
|
554,000,000
|
|
$
|
597,000,000
|
|
$
|
515,000,544
|
|
Earnings per Diluted Share
|
33.33
|
%
|
$
|
1.410
|
|
$
|
1.640
|
|
$
|
1.780
|
|
$
|
1.644
|
|
Executive Officer
|
2018 Annual Award Performance Bonus
|
2018 Discretionary Bonus
|
||||
Steve Downing
|
$
|
323,989
|
|
$
|
180,000
|
|
Kevin Nash
|
$
|
132,132
|
|
$
|
90,000
|
|
Neil Boehm
|
$
|
129,442
|
|
$
|
80,000
|
|
Matt Chiodo
|
$
|
130,578
|
|
$
|
80,000
|
|
Scott Ryan
|
$
|
122,417
|
|
$
|
80,000
|
|
Executive Officer
|
Long-Term Plan Target Opportunity percentage of Base Salary for 2019-2021
|
Steven Downing
|
200%
|
Kevin Nash
|
100%
|
Neil Boehm
|
100%
|
Matt Chiodo
|
100%
|
Scott Ryan
|
100%
|
Executive Officer
|
Number of RS Awarded in 2019 (Target) for 2019-2021
|
|
Steve Downing
|
21,246
|
|
Kevin Nash
|
5,666
|
|
Neil Boehm
|
5,765
|
|
Matt Chiodo
|
5,382
|
|
Scott Ryan
|
4,958
|
|
•
|
Stock Ownership Guidelines;
|
•
|
Caps on annual incentive payouts;
|
•
|
Financial performance-based annual incentive program;
|
•
|
Long-term incentive awards (which are delivered in the form of equity) based on remaining with the Company and/or financial performance objectives;
|
•
|
Mix of multiple types of awards;
|
•
|
Use of multiple performance objectives to determine annual and long-term incentive payouts; and
|
•
|
Clawback Policy and Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policy.
|
Summary Compensation Table for 2018
|
|||||||||||||||||
Name and Principal Position
|
Year
|
Salary
($)
|
Bonus
($)
|
(2)
Stock Awards
($)
|
(3)
Option Awards
($)
|
(4)
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
|
Change in Pension Value and Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
($)
|
(5)
All Other Compensation ($)
|
Total ($)
|
||||||||
Steve Downing,
President and CEO
|
2018
|
618,173
|
|
180,000
|
|
1,559,920
|
|
636,017
|
|
323,989
|
|
—
|
|
109,351
|
|
3,427,450
|
|
2017
|
420,959
|
|
182,358
|
|
286,130
|
|
—
|
|
96,809
|
|
—
|
|
88,514
|
|
1,074,770
|
|
|
2016
|
335,949
|
|
98,609
|
|
92,610
|
|
62,783
|
|
113,749
|
|
—
|
|
87,126
|
|
790,826
|
|
|
Kevin Nash,
Vice President - Finance, CFO and Treasurer
|
2018
|
327,075
|
|
90,000
|
|
183,520
|
|
170,024
|
|
132,132
|
|
|
87,485
|
|
990,236
|
|
|
2017
|
225,504
|
|
104,254
|
|
134,447
|
|
—
|
|
51,451
|
|
—
|
|
84,757
|
|
600,413
|
|
|
2016
|
187,808
|
|
75,094
|
|
46,305
|
|
29,993
|
|
63,355
|
|
—
|
|
80,116
|
|
482,671
|
|
|
Scott Ryan, Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
|
2018
|
305,573
|
|
80,000
|
|
183,520
|
|
157,430
|
|
122,417
|
|
—
|
|
77,805
|
|
926,745
|
|
2017
|
237,776
|
|
87,838
|
|
68,373
|
|
—
|
|
54,433
|
|
—
|
|
48,332
|
|
496,752
|
|
|
2016
|
210,497
|
|
61,541
|
|
24,255
|
|
16,218
|
|
69,382
|
|
—
|
|
48,447
|
|
430,340
|
|
|
Neil Boehm, CTO and Vice President, Engineering
|
2018
|
317,734
|
|
80,000
|
|
183,520
|
|
188,916
|
|
129,412
|
|
|
58,428
|
|
958,010
|
|
|
Matt Chiodo, Vice President - Sales
|
2018
|
321,270
|
|
80,000
|
|
183,520
|
|
188,916
|
|
130,578
|
|
—
|
|
50,949
|
|
955,233
|
|
Name
|
Restricted Stock Dividends
|
401(k) Employer Match
|
Personal Use of Automobiles
|
Other Perquisites
|
Total Other Compensation
|
|||||
Steve Downing
|
39,485
|
|
11,000
|
|
25,956
|
|
32,910
|
|
109,351
|
|
Kevin Nash
|
15,182
|
|
11,000
|
|
21,756
|
|
39,547
|
|
87,485
|
|
Scott Ryan
|
6,782
|
|
11,000
|
|
22,992
|
|
37,031
|
|
77,805
|
|
Neil Boehm
|
14,873
|
|
11,000
|
|
20,364
|
|
12,191
|
|
58,428
|
|
Matt Chiodo
|
9,757
|
|
11,000
|
|
22,228
|
|
7,964
|
|
50,949
|
|
Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2018
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name
|
(1)
Grant Date
|
(2)
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plans
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units
(#)
|
(3)
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options
(#)
|
(4)
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards
($/Sh)
|
(5) Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards
($)
|
|||||||||||||||||
Thres-hold
($)
|
Target
($)
|
Maximum ($)
|
Thres-hold
(#)
|
Target (#)
|
Maxi-mum
(#)
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Steve Downing
|
02/15/18
|
$
|
325,000
|
|
$
|
650,000
|
|
$
|
1,300,000
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
68,000
|
|
101,000
|
|
$22.94
|
$
|
2,195,937
|
|
Kevin Nash
|
02/15/18
|
$
|
127,500
|
|
$
|
255,000
|
|
$
|
510,000
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
8,000
|
|
27,000
|
|
$22.94
|
$
|
353,544
|
|
Scott Ryan
|
02/15/18
|
$
|
118,125
|
|
$
|
236,250
|
|
$
|
472,500
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
8,000
|
|
25,000
|
|
$22.94
|
$
|
340,950
|
|
Neil Boehm
|
02/15/18
|
$
|
124,875
|
|
$
|
249,750
|
|
$
|
499,500
|
|
|
|
|
8,000
|
|
30,000
|
|
$22.94
|
$
|
372,436
|
|
|||
Matt Chiodo
|
02/15/18
|
$
|
126,000
|
|
$
|
252,000
|
|
$
|
504,000
|
|
|
|
|
8,000
|
|
30,000
|
|
$22.94
|
$
|
372,436
|
|
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End at December 31, 2018
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
Option Awards
|
Stock Awards
|
|||||||||||||||
Name
|
(1)
Number
of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#)
Exercisable
|
(1)
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#)
Unexercis-able
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)
|
(2)
Option Exercise Price ($)
|
Option Expiration Date
|
(3)
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#)
|
(4)
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
($)
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
(#)
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
($)
|
||||||||
Steve Downing
|
5,000
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
8.64
|
|
27-Sep-2019
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
16,200
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
12.80
|
|
30-Sep-2020
|
6,000
|
|
121,260
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
16-Feb-2021
|
6,384
|
|
129,021
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
22-Feb-2021
|
6,300
|
|
127,323
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
18,000
|
|
4,500
|
|
—
|
|
13.39
|
|
30-Sep-2021
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
15-Feb-2022
|
31,000
|
|
626,510
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
16-Feb-2022
|
7,560
|
|
152,788
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
6,752
|
|
6,752
|
|
—
|
|
15.50
|
|
30-Sep-2022
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
15-Feb-2023
|
37,000
|
|
747,770
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
7,092
|
|
10,638
|
|
—
|
|
14.70
|
|
22-Feb-2023
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
101,000
|
|
—
|
|
22.94
|
|
15-Feb-2028
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
53,044
|
|
122,890
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
94,244
|
|
1,904,672
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
Kevin Nash
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
30-Sep-2019
|
12,000
|
|
242,520
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
30-Sep-2020
|
3,000
|
|
60,630
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
16-Feb-2021
|
2,922
|
|
59,054
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
22-Feb-2021
|
3,150
|
|
63,662
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
2,932
|
|
2,932
|
|
—
|
|
13.39
|
|
30-Sep-2021
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
15-Feb-2022
|
8,000
|
|
161,680
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
16-Feb-2022
|
3,630
|
|
73,362
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
1,612
|
|
3,224
|
|
—
|
|
15.50
|
|
30-Sep-2022
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,694
|
|
5,082
|
|
—
|
|
14.70
|
|
22-Feb-2023
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
27,000
|
|
—
|
|
22.94
|
|
15-Feb-2028
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
6,238
|
|
38,238
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
32,702
|
|
660,908
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
Scott Ryan
|
8,320
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
18.31
|
|
30-Dec-2019
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
31-Dec-2020
|
1,650
|
|
33,347
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
16-Feb-2021
|
1,512
|
|
30,558
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
22-Feb-2021
|
1,650
|
|
33,347
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
15-Feb-2022
|
8,000
|
|
161,680
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
16-Feb-2022
|
1,820
|
|
36,782
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
2,748
|
|
1,832
|
|
—
|
|
16.01
|
|
31-Dec-2022
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,832
|
|
2,748
|
|
—
|
|
14.70
|
|
22-Feb-2023
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
25,000
|
|
—
|
|
22.94
|
|
15-Feb-2028
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
12,900
|
|
29,580
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
14,632
|
|
295,714
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
Neil Boehm
|
2,686
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
15.41
|
|
28-Mar-2019
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
29-Mar-2019
|
6,920
|
|
139,853
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
30-Sep-2019
|
12,000
|
|
242,520
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
4,230
|
|
1,410
|
|
—
|
|
18.30
|
|
31-Mar-2020
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
31-Mar-2021
|
2,053
|
|
41,491
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
15-Feb-2022
|
8,000
|
|
161,680
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
31-Mar-2022
|
4,500
|
|
90,945
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
2,484
|
|
3,726
|
|
—
|
|
15.69
|
|
31-Mar-2023
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
30,000
|
|
—
|
|
22.94
|
|
15-Feb-2028
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
9,400
|
|
35,136
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
33,473
|
|
676,489
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
(4)
|
Represents the aggregate market value as of December 31, 2018, for shares of common stock awarded under the Company's Second Restricted Stock Plan.
|
Option Exercises and Stock Vested for 2018
|
||||||||
|
Option Awards
|
Stock Awards
|
||||||
Name
|
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#)
|
Value Realized
on Exercise
($)
|
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting (#)
|
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)
|
||||
Steve Downing
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
18,000
|
|
388,620
|
|
Kevin Nash
|
7,874
|
|
77,444
|
|
6,000
|
|
129,540
|
|
Scott Ryan
|
7,220
|
|
52,306
|
|
3,000
|
|
59,520
|
|
Neil Boehm
|
5,260
|
|
56,982
|
|
4,000
|
|
86,360
|
|
Matt Chiodo
|
9,996
|
|
55,894
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Director Compensation for 2018
|
||||||||||||||
Name
|
(1)
Fees Earned or
Paid in
Cash
($)
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
(2)
Option
Awards
($)
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
|
Change in Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
|
(3)
All Other
Compensation
($)
|
Total
($)
|
|||||||
Leslie Brown
|
84,083
|
|
—
|
|
37,451
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
121,534
|
|
Gary Goode
|
111,250
|
|
—
|
|
37,451
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
148,701
|
|
James Hollars
|
80,000
|
|
—
|
|
37,451
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
117,451
|
|
John Mulder
|
80,000
|
|
—
|
|
37,451
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
117,451
|
|
Richard Schaum
|
96,250
|
|
—
|
|
37,451
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
133,701
|
|
Kathleen Starkoff
|
20,000
|
|
|
20,838
|
|
|
|
|
40,838
|
|
||||
Fred Sotok
|
87,500
|
|
—
|
|
37,451
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
124,951
|
|
James Wallace
|
172,500
|
|
—
|
|
37,451
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
209,951
|
|
Brian Walker
|
10,000
|
|
—
|
|
17,697
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
27,697
|
|
Executive Compensation Plan Summary
|
||||||
Plan Category
|
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
|
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
|
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in the first column)
|
|||
Equity compensation Plans approved by Shareholders
|
9,305,876
|
|
17.77
|
|
15,139,059
|
|
Equity Compensation Plans not approved by Shareholders
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Total
|
9,305,876
|
|
17.77
|
|
15,139,059
|
|
|
2018
|
2017
|
||||
Audit Fees
|
$
|
499,600
|
|
$
|
440,000
|
|
Audit-Related
|
45,000
|
|
165,000
|
|
||
Tax Fees
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
All Other
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
Total
|
$
|
544,600
|
|
$
|
605,000
|
|
Executive Compensation Plan Summary
|
||||||
Plan Category
|
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
|
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
|
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in the first column)
|
|||
Equity compensation Plans approved by Shareholders
|
9,305,876
|
|
17.77
|
|
15,139,059
|
|
Equity Compensation Plans not approved by Shareholders
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Total
|
9,305,876
|
|
17.77
|
|
15,139,059
|
|
|
|
|
No Evergreen Feature
. The 2019 Omnibus Plan does not include an “evergreen” feature that would cause the number of authorized shares to automatically increase in future years.
|
|
|
|
Conservative Share Reuse Provision
. Shares subject to an award under the 2019 Omnibus Plan will not be available for reuse if such shares are tendered in payment of a stock option or delivered or withheld to satisfy any tax withholding obligation.
|
|
|
|
Minimum Vesting Period
. Awards granted must have a vesting period of at least twelve months, with the exception that up to 5% of the share reserve may have a shorter vesting period.
|
|
|
|
Repricings and Exchanges Prohibited
. The 2019 Omnibus Plan prohibits the repurchase, cancellation and exchange of out-of-the-money outstanding Options or ARs for consideration.
|
|
|
|
Discount Options and ARs Prohibited
. All Options and ARs must have an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value of our common stock on the date the Option or AR is granted.
|
|
|
|
Double Trigger Change-in-Control Provisions
. The change-in-control provisions under the 2019 Omnibus Plan provide an appropriate definition of a change-in-control and for acceleration of vesting in the event of a change in control only if the 2019 Omnibus Plan does not become an obligation of the successor entity or the participant incurs a termination of service without cause or for good reason following the change in control.
|
|
|
|
No Dividends on Unearned PSAs
. The 2019 Omnibus Plan prohibits the current payment of dividends or dividend equivalents on unearned PSAs subject to performance conditions.
|
1.
|
The Committee has reviewed and approved work to be performed by the independent auditors in the areas of tax, audit and advisory services and subcategories within each category as designated on the attached schedule.
|
2.
|
Any additional audit and non-audit work performed by the independent auditors that is not included on the attached schedule must be specifically pre-approved as follows:
|
a.
|
If the proposed independent auditors’ engagement is equal to or less than $50,000, the Chairman of the Audit Committee must pre-approve the work and will communicate his approval to the full Audit Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Audit Committee.
|
b.
|
If the proposed independent auditors’ engagement is greater than $50,000, the full Audit Committee must pre-approve the work.
|
3.
|
The independent auditors may not conduct any work that is prohibited by applicable SEC rules or regulations.
|
1.
|
Purpose.
The purpose of this 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan is to attract and retain directors, officers, and other employees Gentex Corporation and its Subsidiaries and to motivate and provide to such persons incentives and rewards for performance.
|
2.
|
Definitions.
As used in this Plan:
|
A.
|
“Affiliate” means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified (provided that an entity shall be deemed an Affiliate of the Corporation for purposes of this Plan only for such periods as the requisite ownership or control relationship is maintained).
|
B.
|
“Appreciation Right” means a right granted pursuant to
Section 5
of the Plan and will include both Free-Standing Appreciation Rights and Tandem Appreciation Rights.
|
C.
|
“Authorized Officer” has the meaning specified in
Section 12.D.
of the Plan.
|
D.
|
“Award” means a grant of Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and/or Other Awards.
|
E.
|
“Base Price” means the price to be used as the basis for determining the Spread upon the exercise of a Free-Standing Appreciation Right or a Tandem Appreciation Right.
|
F.
|
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation and, to the extent of any delegation by the Board to a committee (or subcommittee thereof) pursuant to
Section 12
of the Plan, such committee (or subcommittee).
|
G.
|
“Cause” shall have the meaning assigned such term in the employment agreement, if any, between a Participant and an Employer and, in the absence of such an agreement, the meaning specified in the applicable Evidence of Award.
|
H.
|
For purposes of the Plan, except as may be otherwise provided in an Evidence of Award, a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred upon the happening of any of the following events:
|
i.
|
any Person is or becomes (other than in connection with a transaction described in clause (A) or (B) of Paragraph (iii) below) the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Corporation or any of its Affiliates) representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s then outstanding securities;
|
ii.
|
individuals who on the Effective Date constitute the Board, and any new Director (other than a Director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including without limitation a consent solicitation, relating to the election of Directors of the Corporation) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Corporation’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof;
|
iii.
|
consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any direct or indirect parent or subsidiary of the Corporation with any other company, other than (A) a merger or consolidation which would result in (1) the voting securities of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or direct or indirect parent thereof), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Corporation or such surviving entity or direct or indirect parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, and (2) the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto constituting at least a majority of
|
iv.
|
the shareholders of the Corporation approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Corporation or there is consummated the sale, disposition or long-term lease by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets.
|
I.
|
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, along with Treasury and IRS interpretations thereof. Reference to any section or subsection of the Code includes reference to any comparable or succeeding provisions of any legislation that amends, supplements or replaces such section or subsection
.
|
J.
|
“Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $.06 per share, of the Corporation or any security into which such shares of Common Stock may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in
Section 13
of the Plan.
|
K.
|
“Compensation Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board, or any other committee of the Board or subcommittee thereof authorized to administer this Plan in accordance with
Section 12
of the Plan.
|
L.
|
“Corporation” means Gentex Corporation, a Michigan corporation, and its successors.
|
M.
|
“Date of Grant” means the date as of which an Award is determined to be effective and designated in a resolution by the Board, the Compensation Committee, or an Authorized Officer and is granted pursuant to the Plan. The Date of Grant shall not be earlier than the date of the resolution and action therein by the Board, the Compensation Committee, or an Authorized Officer.
|
N.
|
“Director” means a member of the Board.
|
O.
|
“Effective Date” means May 16, 2019 as long as the Plan is approved by the shareholders of the Corporation; provided, however, any Awards made prior to such date which are granted contingent upon such shareholder approval of the Plan shall be effective and remain in place once such shareholder approval of the Plan is obtained. If shareholder approval is not obtained, the Plan shall not become effective, any Awards made under the Plan shall be expunged, and the Prior Plans shall remain in place.
|
P.
|
“Employee” means any employee of the Corporation or of any Subsidiary.
|
Q.
|
“Employer” means the Corporation or any successor thereto or a Subsidiary.
|
R.
|
“Evidence of Award” means an agreement, certificate, resolution or other written evidence, whether or not in electronic form, that sets forth the terms and conditions of an Award. Each Evidence of Award shall be subject to this Plan and shall contain such terms and provisions, not inconsistent with this Plan, as the Compensation Committee or an Authorized Officer may approve. An Evidence of Award may be in an electronic medium, may be limited to notation on the books and records of the Corporation and, unless determined otherwise by the Compensation Committee, need not be signed by a representative of the Corporation or a Participant.
|
S.
|
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Reference to any section or subsection of the Exchange Act includes reference to any comparable or succeeding provisions of any legislation that amends, supplements or replaces such section or subsection.
|
T.
|
“Executive Officer” means an officer of the Corporation who is subject to the liability provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
|
U.
|
“Free-Standing Appreciation Right” means an Appreciation Right granted pursuant to
Section 5
of the Plan that is not granted in tandem with an Option Right.
|
V.
|
“Good Reason” shall have the meaning assigned such term in the employment agreement, if any, between a Participant and an Employer and, in the absence of such an agreement, the meaning specified in the applicable Evidence of Award.
|
W.
|
“Incentive Stock Options” means Option Rights that are intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” under Section 422 of the Code.
|
X.
|
“Market Value per Share” means, as of any particular date the closing sale price of the Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market or, if not listed on such exchange, on any other national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed. If the Common Stock is not traded as of any given date, the Market Value per Share means the closing price for the Common Stock on the principal exchange on which the Common Stock is traded for the immediately preceding date on which the Common Stock was traded. If there is no regular public trading market for such Common Stock, the Market Value per Share of the Common Stock shall be the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined in good faith by the Board. The Board is authorized to adopt another fair market value pricing method, provided such method is stated in the Evidence of Award, and, to the extent an Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, is in compliance with the fair market value pricing rules set forth in Section 409A of the Code.
|
Y.
|
“Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.
|
Z.
|
“Non-Qualified Options” means Option Rights that are not intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” under Section 422 of the code.
|
AA.
|
“Optionee” means the Participant named in an Evidence of Award evidencing an outstanding Option Right.
|
AB.
|
“Option Price” means the purchase price payable on exercise of an Option Right.
|
AC.
|
“Option Right” means the right to purchase shares of Common Stock upon exercise of a Non-Qualified Option or an Incentive Stock Option granted pursuant to
Section 4
of the Plan.
|
AD.
|
“Other Award” means an Award granted pursuant to
Section 9
of the Plan.
|
AE.
|
“Participant” means a person who is selected by the Board, the Compensation Committee or an Authorized Officer to receive benefits under this Plan and who is at the time an Employee or a Non-Employee Director.
|
AF.
|
“Performance Objectives” means the measurable performance objective or objectives established pursuant to this Plan for Participants who have received grants of Performance Shares or Performance Units or, when so determined by the Board, the Compensation Committee, or an Authorized Officer, Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Other Awards or dividend credits pursuant to the Plan. Performance Objectives may be described in terms of Corporation-wide objectives or objectives that are related to the performance of a joint venture, Subsidiary, business unit, division, department, business segment, region or function and/or that are related to the performance of the individual Participant. The Performance Objectives may be made relative to the performance of other companies or an index covering multiple companies. The Performance Objectives applicable to any Award can be based on specified levels of or growth in any appropriately determined Performance Objective.
|
AG.
|
"Performance Period” means, in respect of a Performance Share or Performance Unit, a period of time established pursuant to
Section 8
of the Plan within which the Performance Objectives relating to such Performance Share or Performance Unit are to be achieved.
|
AH.
|
“Performance Share” means a bookkeeping entry that records the equivalent of one share of Common Stock awarded pursuant to
Section 8
of the plan.
|
AI.
|
“Performance Unit” means a bookkeeping entry awarded pursuant to
Section 8
of the Plan that records a unit equivalent to $1.00 or such other value as is determined by the Compensation Committee.
|
AJ.
|
“Person” means shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Corporation or any director or indirect subsidiary thereof, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any direct or indirect subsidiary thereof, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Corporation.
|
AK.
|
“Plan” means this Gentex Corporation 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.
|
AL.
|
“Prior Plans” means the Employee Stock Option Plan, Second Restricted Stock Plan, and 2012 Amended and Restated Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan.
|
AM.
|
“Restricted Stock” means shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to
Section 6
of the Plan.
|
AN.
|
“Restricted Stock Unit” means an award granted pursuant to
Section 7
of the Plan of the right to receive shares of Common Stock or cash at the end of the Restriction Period.
|
AO.
|
"Restriction Period” means the period of time during which Restricted Stock Units are subject to restrictions, as provided in
Section 7
of the plan.
|
AP.
|
“Spread” means the excess of the Market Value per Share on the date when an (i) Option Right is exercised over the Option Price, or (ii) Appreciation Right is exercised over the Option Price or Base Price provided for in the related Option Right or Free-Standing Appreciation Right, respectively.
|
AQ.
|
“Subsidiary” means a corporation, company or other entity (i) more than 50% of whose outstanding shares or securities (representing the right to vote for the election of directors or other managing authority) are, or (ii) which does not have outstanding shares or securities (as may be the case in a partnership, joint venture or unincorporated association), but more than 50% of whose ownership interest representing the right generally to make decisions for such other entity is, now or hereafter, owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, except that for purposes of determining whether any person may be a Participant for purposes of any grant of Incentive Stock Options, “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.
|
AR.
|
“Substitute Awards” means Awards that are granted in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity acquired directly or indirectly by the Corporation or with which the Corporation directly or indirectly combines.
|
AS.
|
“Tandem Appreciation Right” means an Appreciation Right granted pursuant to
Section 5
of the Plan that is granted in tandem with an Option Right.
|
AT.
|
“Ten Percent Shareholder” means any Participant who owns more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation, within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
|
AU.
|
“Termination Date,” for purposes of the Plan, except as may be otherwise prescribed by the Compensation Committee or an Authorized Officer in an Evidence of Award, means with respect to any Employee, the date on which the Employee ceases to be employed by an Employer.
|
3.
|
Shares Subject to this Plan.
|
A.
|
Maximum Shares Available Under Plan.
|
i.
|
Subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 13
of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued or delivered under the Plan is 45,000,000 shares of Common Stock ("Available Common Shares"). Performance Shares, Restricted Stock, or any other Awards granted with a per share price of less than 100% of the Market Value per Share as determined for such Awards ("Full Value Awards") shall be counted against the Available Common Shares as 4.06 shares for every one share of Common Stock subject thereto. Option Rights and Appreciation Rights granted with a per share price of at least 100% of the Market Value per Share as determined for such Award shall be counted against the Available Common Shares as one share for every one share of Common Stock subject thereto. From and after the Effective Date, no new grants shall be made under the Prior Plans, but outstanding grants made under the Prior Plans will remain subject to the terms and conditions of the Prior Plans. Any Award that by its terms can be settled only in cash shall not count against the number of shares of Common Stock available for award under the Plan.
|
ii.
|
In addition to the shares of Common Stock authorized in
Section 3.A.i.
of the Plan, if and to the extent any (A) Option Right, Appreciation Right or other Award granted pursuant to this Plan terminates, expires or is forfeited without having been exercised or settled in full, or (B) Award granted pursuant to this Plan that may be settled in either cash or shares of Common Stock is settled in cash, then the underlying shares of Common Stock, including Full Value Awards counted as such, again shall be available for grant under this Plan and credited toward the Plan limit as set forth in
Section 3.A.i.
of the Plan.
|
iii.
|
Shares of Common Stock that are tendered, whether by physical delivery or by attestation, to the Corporation by a Participant or withheld from the Award by the Corporation as full or partial payment of the exercise price of any Award or in payment of any applicable withholding for Federal, state, city, local or foreign taxes incurred in connection with the exercise, vesting or earning of any Award under the Plan will not become available for future grants under the Plan. With respect to an Appreciation Right, when such Appreciation Right is exercised and settled in shares of Common Stock, the shares of Common Stock subject to such Appreciation Right shall be counted against the shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan as one share of Common Stock for every one share of Common Stock subject thereto, regardless of the number of shares of Common Stock used to settle the Appreciation Right upon exercise.
|
B.
|
Life-of-Plan Limits.
Notwithstanding anything in this
Section 3
, or elsewhere in this Plan, to the contrary and subject to adjustment pursuant to
Section 13
of the Plan, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock actually issued or transferred by the Corporation upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall not exceed 2,000,000.
|
C.
|
Individual Participant Limits
. Notwithstanding anything in this
Section 3
, or elsewhere in this Plan, to the contrary and subject to adjustment pursuant to
Section 13
of the Plan:
|
i.
|
During any Performance Period no Participant shall be granted Option Rights or Appreciation Rights or Other Awards with rights which are substantially similar to Option Rights or Appreciation Rights, in the aggregate, for more than 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock.
|
ii.
|
For grants of performance-based Awards, during any Performance Period no Participant shall be granted Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or stock-denominated Performance Shares or Other Awards with rights which are substantially similar to Performance Shares, in the aggregate, for more than 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock.
|
iii.
|
For grants of performance-based Awards, during any Performance Period no Participant shall be granted Performance Units or cash-denominated Other Awards with rights which are substantially similar to Performance Units pursuant to which the Participant can receive, in the aggregate, more than $10,000,000.
|
iv.
|
During any calendar year no Participant who is a Non-Employee Director shall be granted overall compensation (inclusive of cash compensation) in excess of $500,000.
|
D.
|
Substitute Awards
.
Any Substitute Awards granted by the Corporation shall not reduce the shares of Common Stock available for Awards under the Plan.
|
4.
|
Option Rights.
|
A.
|
The Board, the Compensation Committee or, in accordance with
Section 12(D)
of the Plan, an Authorized Officer, may, from time to time and upon such terms and conditions as it or the Authorized Officer may determine, grant Option Rights to Participants. Option Rights granted under this Plan may be (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Non-Qualified Options, or (iii) combinations of the foregoing. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Participants who at the time of grant meet the definition of “employee” under Section 3401(c) of the Code in respect of the Corporation or a Subsidiary.
|
B.
|
Each Option Right will be memorialized by an Evidence of Award that shall specify:
|
i.
|
the number of shares of Common Stock to which it pertains, subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 3
of the Plan;
|
ii.
|
the Option Price per share of Common Stock, which may not be less than the Market Value Per Share on the Date of Grant (provided, however, that in the case of the grant
|
iii.
|
whether the Option Price will be payable (A) in cash or by check or by wire transfer of immediately available funds, (B) by the actual or constructive transfer to the Corporation of whole shares of Common Stock owned by the Optionee (or other consideration authorized pursuant to the Plan) having a value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price, (C) by means of a broker-assisted cashless exercise, (D) by the withholding of shares of Common Stock from delivery with a value equal to some portion or all of the Option Price, (E) by a combination of such methods of payment, or (F) by such other methods as may be approved by the Compensation Committee;
|
iv.
|
the conditions for the Option Rights or installments thereof to become exercisable (including without limitation the attainment of Performance Objectives) and the periods for which they will remain exercisable; and
|
v.
|
such other terms as the Compensation Committee or Authorized Officer may approve, including without limitation provisions under which some portion or all of the Option Right or proceeds attributable thereto may be subject to recoupment in circumstances of Optionee conduct deemed detrimental to the Corporation or its Affiliates.
|
C.
|
Successive grants may be made to the same Participant whether or not any Option Rights previously granted to such Participant remain unexercised.
|
D.
|
Except as provided in
Section 11
, each Award of Option Rights granted under this Plan shall provide for a minimum vesting period of twelve (12) months from the Date of Grant.
|
E.
|
Any grant of Option Rights may provide for the earlier exercise of such Option Rights or other modifications in the event of specified terminations of the Optionee’s employment or service, a Change in Control, an unforeseeable emergency, the grant of a Substitute Award or other special circumstances.
|
F.
|
Except as provided in an Evidence of Award, in the event of a Participant's termination of employment or service, any Option Rights that have not vested as of the Participant's Termination Date will be cancelled and immediately forfeited, without further action on the part of the Corporation or the Compensation Committee, and the Participant will have no further rights in respect of such Option Rights.
|
G.
|
The exercise of an Option Right will result in the cancellation on a share-for-share basis of any related Tandem Appreciation Right authorized under
Section 5
of the Plan.
|
H.
|
No Option Right will be exercisable more than ten (10) years from the Date of Grant (five (5) years in the case of the grant of an Incentive Stock Option to Participant who is a Ten Percent Shareholder on the Date of Grant).
|
I.
|
Except as provided in an Evidence of Award, in the event of an Optionee’s termination of employment or service, any Option Rights that have not vested as of the Optionee’s Termination Date will be cancelled and immediately forfeited, without further action on the part of the Corporation or the Compensation Committee, and the Optionee will have no further rights in respect of such Option Rights.
|
J.
|
In no event may any Option Right be repurchased or cancelled in exchange for cash or other consideration at a time when the Option Price exceeds the Market Value Per Share subject to such Option Right.
|
5.
|
Appreciation Rights
.
|
A.
|
The Board, the Compensation Committee or, in accordance with
Section 12.D.
of the Plan, an Authorized Officer, may grant (i) to any Optionee, Tandem Appreciation Rights in respect of Option Rights granted hereunder, and (ii) to any Participant, Free-Standing Appreciation Rights.
|
B.
|
A Tandem Appreciation Right will be a right of the Optionee, exercisable by surrender of the related Option Right, to receive from the Corporation an amount determined by the Compensation Committee or an Authorized Officer, which will be expressed as a percentage of the Spread on the related Option Right (not exceeding 100%) at the time of exercise. Tandem Appreciation Rights may be granted at any time prior to the exercise or termination of the related Option Rights; provided, however, that a Tandem Appreciation Right awarded in relation to an Incentive Stock Option must be granted concurrently with such Incentive Stock Option.
|
C.
|
A Free-Standing Appreciation Right will be a right of the Participant to receive from the Corporation an amount determined by the Compensation Committee or an Authorized Officer,
|
D.
|
Each Appreciation Right will be memorialized by an Evidence of Award that shall specify:
|
i.
|
The number of shares of Common Stock to which it pertains, subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 3
of the Plan;
|
ii.
|
the percentage of the Spread (not exceeding 100%) payable at the time of exercise and whether such amount shall be paid by the Corporation in cash, in shares of Common Stock or in any combination thereof (and whether such form may be determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee or Authorized Officer or Participant);
|
iii.
|
the conditions for the Appreciation Rights or installments thereof to become exercisable (including without limitation the attainment of Performance Objectives) and the periods for which they will remain exercisable; and
|
iv.
|
such other terms as the Compensation Committee or Authorized Officer may approve, including without limitation provisions under which some portion or all of the Appreciation Right or proceeds attributable thereto may be subject to recoupment in circumstances of Participant conduct deemed detrimental to the Corporation or its Affiliates.
|
E.
|
Except as provided in
Section 11
, each Award of Appreciation Rights granted under this Plan shall provide for a minimum vesting period of twelve (12) months from the Date of Grant.
|
F.
|
Any grant of Appreciation Rights may provide for the earlier exercise of such Appreciation Rights or other modifications in the event of specified terminations of the Participant’s employment or service, a Change in Control, an unforeseeable emergency, the grant of a Substitute Award or other special circumstances.
|
G.
|
Except as provided in an Evidence of Award, in the event of a Participant’s termination of employment or service, any Appreciation Rights that have not vested as of the Participant’s Termination Date will be cancelled and immediately forfeited, without further action on the part of the Corporation or the Compensation Committee, and the Participant will have no further rights in respect of such Appreciation Rights.
|
H.
|
Any grant of Tandem Appreciation Rights will provide that such Tandem Appreciation Rights may be exercised only at a time when the related Option Right is also exercisable and at a time when the Spread is positive, and by surrender of the related Option Right for cancellation. Successive grants of Tandem Appreciation Rights may be made to the same Participant regardless of whether any Tandem Appreciation Rights previously granted to the Participant remain unexercised. In the case of a Tandem Appreciation Right granted in relation to an Incentive Stock Option to an employee who is a Ten Percent Shareholder on the Date of Grant, the amount payable with respect to each Tandem Appreciation Right shall be equal in value to the applicable percentage of the excess, if any, of the Market Value Per Share on the exercise date over the Base Price of the Tandem Appreciation Right, which Base Price shall not be less than 110 percent of the Market Value Per Share on the date the Tandem Appreciation Right is granted.
|
I.
|
Regarding Free-Standing Appreciation Rights only:
|
i.
|
Each grant will specify in respect of each Free-Standing Appreciation Right a Base Price, which may not be less than the Market Value Per Share on the Date of Grant;
|
ii.
|
Successive grants may be made to the same Participant regardless of whether any Free-Standing Appreciation Rights previously granted to the Participant remain unexercised; and
|
iii.
|
No Free-Standing Appreciation Right granted under this Plan may be exercised more than ten (10) years from the Date of Grant.
|
J.
|
In no event may any Appreciation Right be repurchased or cancelled in exchange for cash or other consideration at a time when the Base Price exceeds the Market Value Per Share subject to such Appreciation Right.
|
6.
|
Restricted Stock
.
|
A.
|
The Board, the Compensation Committee or, in accordance with
Section 12.D.
of the Plan, an Authorized Officer, may grant Restricted Stock to Participants.
|
B.
|
Each such grant will constitute an immediate transfer of the ownership of shares of Common Stock to the Participant in consideration of the performance of services, entitling such Participant
|
C.
|
Each grant of Restricted Stock will be memorialized by an Evidence of Award that shall specify:
|
i.
|
the number of shares of Common Stock to which it pertains, subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 3
of the Plan;
|
ii.
|
any restrictions on transfer and forfeitability provisions applicable to the Restricted Stock (which restrictions may include, without limitation, subjecting the Restricted Stock to a substantial risk of forfeiture in the hands of any transferee);
|
iii.
|
the conditions under which restrictions on transfer and forfeitability provisions shall lapse, including without limitation upon the attainment of Performance Objectives; and
|
iv.
|
such other terms as the Compensation Committee or Authorized Officer may approve, including without limitation provisions under which some portion or all of the Restricted Stock or proceeds attributable thereto may be subject to recoupment in circumstances of Participant conduct deemed detrimental to the Corporation or its Affiliates.
|
D.
|
Except as provided in
Section 11
, each Award of Restricted Stock granted under this Plan shall provide for a minimum vesting period of twelve (12) months from the Date of Grant.
|
E.
|
Any grant of Restricted Stock may provide for the earlier lapse of restrictions or other modifications in the event of specified terminations of the Participant’s employment or service, a Change in Control, an unforeseeable emergency, the grant of a Substitute Award or other special circumstances.
|
F.
|
Except as provided in an Evidence of Award, in the event of a Participant’s termination of employment or service, any Restricted Stock that has not yet become free of restrictions will be immediately forfeited to the Corporation, without further action on the part of the Corporation or the Compensation Committee, and the Participant will have no further rights in respect of such Restricted Stock.
|
G.
|
Any grant of Restricted Stock may require that any or all dividends or other distributions paid thereon during the period of such restrictions be automatically deferred and/or reinvested in additional shares of Restricted Stock (which may be subject to the same restrictions as the underlying Award) or be paid in cash on a deferred or contingent basis, subject to
Section 22
.
|
H.
|
Unless otherwise directed by the Compensation Committee, (i) all certificates representing shares of Restricted Stock will be held in custody by the Corporation until all restrictions thereon have lapsed, together with a stock power or powers executed by the Participant in whose name such certificates are registered, endorsed in blank and covering such shares of Common Stock, or (ii) all uncertificated shares of Restricted Stock will be held at the Corporation’s transfer agent in book entry form with appropriate restrictions relating to the transfer of such shares of Restricted Stock.
|
7.
|
Restricted Stock Units
.
|
A.
|
The Board, the Compensation Committee or, in accordance with
Section 12.D.
of the Plan, an Authorized Officer, may grant Restricted Stock Units to Participants. Each such grant of Restricted Stock Units will constitute the agreement by the Corporation to deliver shares of Common Stock or cash to the Participant in the future in consideration of the performance of services.
|
B.
|
Each grant of Restricted Stock Units will be memorialized by an Evidence of Award that shall specify:
|
i.
|
the number of shares of Common Stock to which it pertains, subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 3
of the Plan;
|
ii.
|
the conditions for the Restricted Stock Units or installments thereof to vest (including without limitation the attainment of Performance Objectives);
|
iii.
|
whether payment thereunder shall be made in Common Stock, cash or any combination thereof (and whether such form may be determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee or Authorized Officer or Participant) and the time or times at which such amounts shall be payable; and
|
iv.
|
such other terms as the Compensation Committee or Authorized Officer may approve, including without limitation provisions under which some portion or all of the Restricted Stock Units or proceeds attributable thereto may be subject to recoupment in circumstances of Participant conduct deemed detrimental to the Corporation or its Affiliates.
|
C.
|
During the Restriction Period, the Participant will have none of the rights of a shareholder of any shares of Common Stock with respect to such Restricted Stock Units, but the Compensation Committee or Authorized Officer may authorize the payment of dividend equivalents on such Restricted Stock Units on either a current, deferred or contingent basis, either in cash or in additional shares of Common Stock, subject to
Section 22
.
|
D.
|
Except as provided in
Section 11
, each Award of Restricted Stock Units granted under this Plan shall provide for a minimum vesting period of twelve (12) months from the Date of Grant.
|
E.
|
Any grant of Restricted Stock Units may provide for the earlier lapse of restrictions or other modifications in the event of specified terminations of the Participant’s employment or service, a Change in Control, an unforeseeable emergency, the grant of a Substitute Award or other special circumstances.
|
F.
|
Except as provided in an Evidence of Award, in the event of a Participant’s termination of employment or service, any Restricted Stock Unit that has not yet become vested will be immediately forfeited to the Corporation, without further action on the part of the Corporation or the Compensation Committee, and the Participant will have no further rights in respect of such Restricted Stock Units.
|
8.
|
Performance Shares and Performance Units
.
|
A.
|
The Board, the Compensation Committee or, in accordance with
Section 12.D.
of the Plan, an Authorized Officer, may grant Performance Shares and Performance Units that will become payable to a Participant upon achievement of specified Performance Objectives during the Performance Period.
|
B.
|
Each grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units will be memorialized by an Evidence of Award that shall specify:
|
i.
|
the number of units or shares of Common Stock to which it pertains, subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 3
of the Plan, which number may be subject to adjustment to reflect changes in compensation or other factors;
|
ii.
|
the conditions for the Performance Shares or Performance Units or installments thereof to vest;
|
iii.
|
whether payment under Performance Shares or Performance Units shall be made in Common Stock, cash or any combination thereof (and whether such form may be determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee or Authorized Officer or Participant) and the time or times at which such amounts shall be payable; and
|
iv.
|
such other terms as the Compensation Committee or Authorized Officer may approve, including without limitation provisions under which some portion or all of the Performance Shares or Performance Units or proceeds attributable thereto may be subject to recoupment in circumstances of Participant conduct deemed detrimental to the Corporation or its Affiliates.
|
C.
|
Except as provided in
Section 11
, each Award of Performance Shares or Performance Units granted under this Plan shall provide for a minimum vesting period of twelve (12) months from the Date of Grant.
|
D.
|
Any grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units may provide for the earlier lapse of restrictions or other modifications in the event of specified terminations of the Participant’s employment or service, a Change in Control, an unforeseeable emergency, the grant of a Substitute Award or other special circumstances.
|
E.
|
Except as provided in an Evidence of Award, in the event of a Participant’s termination of employment or service, any Performance Share or Performance Unit that has not yet become vested will be immediately forfeited to the Corporation, without further action on the part of the Corporation or the Compensation Committee, and the Participant will have no further rights in respect of such Performance Shares or Performance Units.
|
F.
|
During the Performance Period, the Participant will have none of the rights of a shareholder of any shares of Common Stock with respect to Performance Shares, but the Compensation Committee or Authorized Officer may authorize the payment of dividend equivalents on Performance Shares on either a current, deferred or contingent basis, either in cash or in additional shares of Common Stock, subject to
Section 22
.
|
9.
|
Other Awards.
|
A.
|
The Board, the Compensation Committee or, in accordance with
Section 12.D.
of the Plan, an Authorized Officer, may, subject to limitations under applicable law, rule, or regulation applicable to the Corporation, authorize grants to any Participant other awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to (i) shares of Common Stock or factors that may influence the value of such shares, including, without limitation, convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into shares of Common Stock, purchase rights for shares of Common Stock, awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Corporation or specified Subsidiaries, Affiliates or other business units thereof or any other factors designated by the Compensation Committee or Authorized Officer, and awards valued by reference to the book value of shares of Common Stock or the value of securities of, or the performance of specified Subsidiaries or Affiliates or other business units of, the Corporation, (ii) cash, or (iii) any combination of the foregoing, including without limitation grants of cash or shares of Common Stock as a bonus or in lieu of obligations of the Corporation or a Subsidiary to pay cash or deliver other property under this Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, all subject to such terms as shall be determined by the Compensation Committee or Authorized Officer.
|
B.
|
Each grant of an Other Award will be memorialized by an Evidence of Award that shall specify:
|
i.
|
the number of shares of Common Stock and/or the amount of cash to which it pertains, subject to the limitations set forth in Section
3
of the Plan;
|
ii.
|
the conditions for the Other Award or installments thereof to vest (including without limitation the attainment of Performance Objectives);
|
iii.
|
whether payment thereunder shall be made in Common Stock, cash or any combination thereof (and whether such form may be determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee or Authorized Officer or Participant) and the time or times at which such amounts shall be payable; and
|
iv.
|
such other terms as the Compensation Committee or Authorized Officer may approve, including without limitation provisions under which some portion or all of the Other Award or proceeds attributable thereto may be subject to recoupment in circumstances of Participant conduct deemed detrimental to the Corporation or its Affiliates.
|
C.
|
Except as provided in
Section 11
, each Other Award granted under this Plan shall provide for a minimum vesting period of twelve (12) months from the Date of Grant.
|
D.
|
Any grant of an Other Award may provide for the earlier lapse of restrictions or other modifications in the event of specified terminations of the Participant’s employment or service, a Change in Control, an unforeseeable emergency, the grant of a Substitute Award or other special circumstances.
|
E.
|
Except as provided in an Evidence of Award, in the event of a Participant’s termination of employment or service, any Other Award that has not yet become vested will be immediately forfeited to the Corporation, without further action on the part of the Corporation or the Compensation Committee, and the Participant will have no further rights in respect of such Other Award.
|
12.
|
Administration of the Plan.
|
A.
|
This Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee. The Board or the Compensation Committee, as applicable, may from time to time delegate all or any part of its authority under this Plan to any other committee of the Board or subcommittee thereof consisting exclusively of not less than two or more members of the Board, each of whom shall be a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Securities and Exchange
|
B.
|
The interpretation and construction by the Compensation Committee of any provision of the Plan or of any agreement, notification or document evidencing the grant of an Award, and any determination by the Compensation Committee pursuant to any provision of the Plan or of any such agreement, notification or document will be final and conclusive. No member of the Board will be liable for any such action or determination made in good faith.
|
C.
|
To the extent permitted by applicable law but subject to
Section 12.D.
of the Plan, the Board or the Compensation Committee, as applicable, may, from time to time, delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more officers of the Corporation, or to one or more agents or advisors, such administrative duties or powers as it may deem advisable, and the Board, the Compensation Committee or any person to whom duties or powers have been delegated as aforesaid, may employ one or more persons to render advice with respect to any responsibility the Board, the Compensation Committee or such person may have under this Plan.
|
D.
|
To the extent permitted by applicable law, rule, and regulation, the Compensation Committee may, by resolution, authorize one or more Executive Officers of the Corporation (each, an “Authorized Officer”), to do one or both of the following on the same basis as the Compensation Committee: (i) designate Participants to be recipients of Awards under this Plan and (ii) determine the size of any such Awards; provided, however, that (A) the Compensation Committee shall not delegate such responsibilities to any Executive Officer for Awards granted to a Participant who is an Executive Officer, a Director, or a more than 10% beneficial owner of any class of the Corporation’s equity securities that is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, as determined by the Board in accordance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and (B) the resolution providing for such authorization sets forth the total number of shares of Common Stock the Authorized Officer(s) may grant. The Authorized Officer(s) shall report periodically to the Compensation Committee regarding the nature and scope of the Awards granted pursuant to the authority delegated.
|
14.
|
Change in Control.
|
A.
|
Except as otherwise provided in an Evidence of Award or by the Compensation Committee at the Date of Grant, to the extent outstanding Awards granted under this Plan are not assumed, converted or replaced by the resulting entity or its direct or indirect parent in the event of a Change in Control, all outstanding Awards that may be exercised shall become fully exercisable, all restrictions with respect to outstanding Awards shall lapse and become vested and non-forfeitable, and any specified Performance Objectives with respect to outstanding Awards shall be deemed to be satisfied at target.
|
B.
|
Except as otherwise provided in an Evidence of Award or by the Compensation Committee, to the extent outstanding Awards granted under this Plan are assumed, converted or replaced
|
C.
|
Except as otherwise provided in an Evidence of Award or by the Compensation Committee, to the extent outstanding Awards granted under this Plan are either assumed, converted or replaced by the resulting entity or its direct or indirect parent in the event of a Change in Control, if a Participant’s service is terminated without Cause by the Corporation, any of its Subsidiaries or the resulting entity or a Participant resigns his or her employment with an Employer for Good Reason, in either case, all outstanding Awards held by the Participant that may be exercised shall become fully exercisable and all restrictions with respect to outstanding Awards shall lapse and become vested and non-forfeitable.
|
D.
|
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in the event of a Change in Control, the Board in its discretion, at or after the Date of Grant, may (i) provide for the cancellation of each outstanding and unexercised Option Right or Appreciation Right with an Option Price or Base Price, as applicable, less than the highest price per share of Common Stock paid for a share of Common Stock in the Change in Control (or, if less, the Market Value Per Share at the time of cancellation to the extent required to avoid imposition of a tax under Section 409A of the Code) (such amount the “Transaction Consideration”) in exchange for a cash payment to be made at the same time as payment is made to holders of Common Stock in connection with the Change in Control in an amount equal to the amount by which the Transaction Consideration exceeds the Option Price or Base Price, as applicable, multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock granted under the Option Right or Appreciation Right, and (ii) provide for the cancellation of each outstanding and unexercised Option Right or Appreciation Right with an Option Price or Base Price, as applicable, equal to or more than the Transaction Consideration without any payment to the holder of such Option Right or Appreciation Right, as applicable.
|
E.
|
Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, to the extent an Award constitutes a “deferral of compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and such Award shall be deemed to be vested or restrictions lapse, expire or terminate upon the occurrence of a Change in Control and such Change in Control does not constitute a “change in the ownership or effective control” or a “change in the ownership or a substantial portion of the assets” of the Corporation within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code, then even though such Award may be deemed to be vested or restrictions lapse, expire or terminate upon the occurrence of the Change in Control or any other provision of the Plan, payment will be made, to the extent necessary to comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, to the Participant on the earliest of: (i) the Participant’s “separation from service” with the Corporation (determined in accordance with Section 409A of the Code); provided, however, that if the Participant is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), the payment date shall be the date that is six (6) months after the date of the Participant’s separation from service with the Employer, (ii) the date payment otherwise would have been made in the absence of any provisions in this Plan to the contrary (provided such date is permissible under Section 409A of the Code), or (iii) the Participant’s death.
|
16.
|
Transferability
.
|
A.
|
Except as otherwise determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee pursuant to the provisions of
Section 16.C.
of the Plan, no Award or dividend equivalents paid with respect to Awards made under this Plan shall be transferable by the Participant except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and may be otherwise transferred in a manner that protects the interest of the Corporation as the Board or the Compensation Committee may determine; provided, however, that if so determined by the Compensation Committee, each Participant may, in a manner established by the Board or the Compensation Committee, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant with respect to any Award upon the death of the Participant and to receive shares of Common Stock or other property issued upon such exercise.
|
B.
|
The Compensation Committee or an Authorized Officer may specify at the Date of Grant that part or all of the shares of Common Stock that are (i) to be issued or transferred by the Corporation upon the exercise of Option Rights or Appreciation Rights, upon the termination of the Restriction Period applicable to Restricted Stock Units or upon payment under any grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units or (ii) no longer subject to the substantial risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer referred to in
Section 6
of the Plan, will be subject to further restrictions on transfer.
|
C.
|
Notwithstanding
Section 16.A.
of the Plan, the Board or the Compensation Committee may determine that Awards (other than Incentive Stock Options) may be transferable by a Participant, without payment of consideration therefor by the transferee, only to any one or more family members (as defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933) of the Participant; provided, however, that (i) no such transfer shall be effective unless reasonable prior notice thereof is delivered to the Corporation and such transfer is thereafter effected in accordance with any terms and conditions that shall have been made applicable thereto by the Board or the Compensation Committee, and (ii) any such transferee shall be subject to the same terms and conditions hereunder as the Participant.
|
20.
|
Amendments and Termination.
|
A.
|
The Plan and any Award may be amended, suspended or terminated at any time by the Board, provided that no amendment shall be made without shareholder approval if such shareholder
|
B.
|
Notwithstanding
Section 20.A.
of the Plan, the Corporation shall obtain shareholder approval for: (i) subject to
Section 13
of the Plan, a reduction in the exercise price of an Award (or the cancellation and re-grant of an Award resulting in a lower exercise price); (ii) any amendment to materially expand the group of individuals eligible for Awards under the Plan; (iii) an increase to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan (other than adjustments in accordance with
Section 13
of the Plan); or (iv) amendments that would materially increase the benefits accruing to Participants under this Plan.
|
24.
|
Miscellaneous Provisions.
|
A.
|
The Corporation will not be required to issue any fractional shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Plan. The Board or the Compensation Committee may provide for the elimination of fractional shares or for the settlement of fractional shares in cash
.
|
B.
|
This Plan will not confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment or other service with the Corporation or any Subsidiary, nor will it interfere in any way with any right the Corporation or any Subsidiary would otherwise have to terminate such Participant’s employment or other service at any time.
|
C.
|
No Award under this Plan may be exercised by the holder thereof if such exercise, and the receipt of cash or stock thereunder, would be, in the opinion of counsel selected by the Compensation Committee, contrary to any law, rule or regulation of any duly constituted authority having jurisdiction over this Plan.
|
D.
|
No Participant shall have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to Awards granted to him or her under this Plan prior to the date as of which he or she is actually recorded as the holder of such shares upon the stock records of the Corporation.
|
E.
|
The Compensation Committee may condition the grant of any Award or combination of Awards authorized under this Plan on the surrender or deferral by the Participant of his or her right to
|
F.
|
Except with respect to Option Rights and Appreciation Rights, the Compensation Committee may permit Participants to elect to defer the issuance of shares of Common Stock or the settlement of Awards in cash under this Plan pursuant to such rules, procedures or programs as it may establish for purposes of the Plan. The Compensation Committee also may provide that deferred issuances and settlements include the payment or crediting of dividend equivalents or interest on the deferral amounts, subject to
Section 22
.
|
G.
|
Any Award granted under the terms of the Plan may specify in the Evidence of Award that the Participant is subject to restrictive covenants including, but not limited to, covenants not to compete and covenants not to solicit, unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee.
|
H.
|
Participants shall provide the Corporation with a completed, written election form setting forth the name and contact information of the person who will have beneficial ownership rights of Awards made to the Participant under this Plan upon the death of the Participant.
|
I.
|
If any provision of the Plan is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or would disqualify this Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Board or the Compensation Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended or limited in scope to conform to applicable laws or, in the discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee, it shall be stricken and the remainder of the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.
|