☐
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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☐
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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☒
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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☐
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Definitive Additional Materials
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☐
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Soliciting Material pursuant to § 240.14a-12
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1.
|
To consider and vote upon the election of the following nominees to serve as directors of the Company until the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified: Keith R. Guericke, Maria R. Hawthorne, Amal M. Johnson, Mary Kasaris, Irving F. Lyons, III, George M. Marcus, Thomas E. Robinson, Michael J. Schall, and Byron A. Scordelis.
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2.
|
To consider and vote upon the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2021.
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3.
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To consider and vote upon an advisory vote to approve the Company’s named executive officer compensation.
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4.
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
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ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
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ii
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ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
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Date and Time:
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Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at 1:00 p.m., Pacific Time
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Place:
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www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ESS2021
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Record Date:
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Close of business on February 26, 2021
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ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
1
|
•
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26th consecutive year of increasing cash dividends: the Company raised its annual dividend by 6.5% to $8.31 per share in 2020.
|
•
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Committed $352.1 million in structured finance investments at a weighted average return of 10.5%.
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•
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Sold four apartment communities for a total contract price of $343.5 million.
|
•
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Repurchased 1,197,190 shares of common stock totaling $269.3 million at an average price of $224.96 per share.
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•
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Issued $1.5 billion of unsecured debt to prepay near-term maturities and lower interest expense, including a 30-year bond issuance at a 2.67% yield, the lowest on record of any BBB+ issuer at that time.
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•
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Michael J. Schall, President and CEO of Essex, placed #10 in a global survey conducted by Glassdoor to identify the top CEOs for their exemplary leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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•
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Recognized by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“Nareit”) with the Bronze Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The award was in recognition of the Company’s outstanding contributions to the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Company and REIT community.
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•
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Participated in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (“GRESB”) assessment for the fifth consecutive year in 2020, earning our fifth consecutive "Green Star" recognition for our sustainability performance.
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•
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Awarded Best Investor Relations in the Real Estate sector by IR Magazine, with Michael J. Schall and Angela L. Kleiman also being recognized in the Top-3 for Best Investor Relations by senior management in the All-sector Small to Mid-cap category.
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•
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Among the highest total returns of all public U.S. REITs in existence since our IPO in 1994.
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•
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Cumulative dividend growth of 398% since our IPO in 1994.
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•
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Generated a total return to stockholders of 4,052% or a 15.0% compounded annual growth rate since our IPO in 1994.
|
2
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ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
•
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We are an S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrat, increasing cash dividends for 26 consecutive years with 398% cumulative dividend growth since the Company’s IPO in 1994.
|
•
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Our same-property Net Operating Income (“NOI”) and Core Funds from Operations (“FFO”) growth have exceeded our peer average by 22% and 75%, respectively, over the past decade.
|
(1)
|
Peer average for same-property NOI and Core FFO growth includes three multifamily REITs (Equity Residential, AvalonBay Communities, Inc., and UDR, Inc.).
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
3
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✔
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Annual Election of All Directors
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✔
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Majority Voting for Directors
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✔
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7 of 9 Directors are Independent
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✔
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Proxy Access Provision in Bylaws
|
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✔
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Stockholder Power to Amend Bylaws
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✔
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Separate Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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✔
|
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Presiding Independent Director
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✔
|
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Regular Executive Sessions of Independent Directors
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✔
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96% Three-Year Average Stockholder Approval of Named Executive Officer Compensation
|
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|
✔
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Annual Performance Evaluations of CEO, Board and Committees
|
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✔
|
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Effective Board Risk Oversight
|
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✔
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Regular Succession Planning
|
|
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✔
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| |
Anti-Hedging and Pledging Policies
|
|
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✔
|
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Compensation Clawback Policy
|
|
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✔
|
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Internal Disclosure Committee for Financial Reporting
|
|
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✔
|
| |
Director and Executive Officer Stock Ownership Guidelines
|
|
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✔
|
| |
No Stockholder Rights Plan (or “Poison Pill”)
|
|
|
✔
|
| |
No Employment Agreements
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✔
|
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No Tax Gross-Ups
|
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✔
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Executive Compensation Driven by Pay for Performance
|
|
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✔
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Published Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report
|
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✔
|
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Compliance with Applicable California Laws Governing Board Diversity
|
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✔
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Formal Oversight over Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance Goals and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts by Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
|
|
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✔
|
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Maintain Political Contributions Policy
|
|
4
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
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ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
5
|
•
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In the 2020 GRESB assessment, the Company earned a fifth consecutive “Green Star” recognition, for its sustainability performance.
|
•
|
The Company published its second annual CSR report.
|
•
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Recognized by the Nareit with the Bronze Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, in recognition of our strong commitment and outstanding contribution to the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our Company, our professional network, and in the REIT community.
|
•
|
We target Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED”) or similar certification for our active development projects. In 2020, two of our latest developments, 500 Folsom, in San Francisco, CA and Mylo, in Santa Clara, CA, obtained LEED Gold certification and GreenPoint Rated Silver certification, respectively, boasting leading practices in energy efficiency, water conservation, and stewardship of resources.
|
•
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The Company increased the amount of solar renewable energy generated by its communities by 36% in 2020.
|
•
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We met our minimum wage goal of $15.00 per hour for all employees.
|
•
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We expanded the role and initiatives addressed by our Diversity and Inclusion Committee, formed the Women at Essex affinity group, and rolled out D&I training for all associates focused on increasing awareness around unconscious bias.
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•
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Mr. Schall was recognized globally as a Top 10 CEO by Glassdoor for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
|
•
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The Company achieved a 0% pay gap between men and women as indicated by the Company’s pay equity analysis.
|
•
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The Company fully complied with California’s gender and unrepresented groups requirements for representation on boards of publicly traded corporations headquartered in California.
|
•
|
The Company continued proactive monitoring and maintenance of multi-dimensional data security procedures to protect consumer data and actively worked with external third-party providers to ensure compliance with acceptable consumer data protection practices.
|
•
|
The Company implemented strong protections for its employees and residents in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
|
6
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
Environmental
|
| |
|
•
|
93 communities have solar energy systems
|
•
|
69 communities have EV charging stations
|
•
|
97% of our communities have LED lighting upgrades
|
•
|
118 communities have water-saving irrigation or landscaping systems
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•
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168 communities have waste-reduction programs
|
•
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32 developed communities have received or are targeting green building certifications (LEED, GreenPoint Rated, or BUILT GREEN)
|
Social
|
| |
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
7
|
•
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Over 54% of the Company’s corporate employees are female
|
•
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Over 67% of the Company’s managerial positions are held by females
|
•
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Approximately 58% of the Company’s managerial positions are held by people of color
|
•
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93% of surveyed employees feel that the Company supports diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace
|
•
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Over 50,000 training hours were provided to employees by Human Resources in 2020 to support career development
|
•
|
10% of our employees were promoted to higher positions within the Company in 2020 as part of the Company’s efforts to retain top talent
|
•
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Essex Volunteer Policy permits paid time off for volunteer work
|
•
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Established the Essex Cares program to assist segments of the community in need
|
8
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ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
9
|
10
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
•
|
FOR the election of the Board’s nominees named herein;
|
•
|
FOR the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2021; and
|
•
|
FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of the Company’s named executive officer compensation.
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
11
|
12
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ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
|
Name
|
| |
Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership(1)
|
| |
Percentage of
Common
Stock
Outstanding(2)
|
|
|
Incumbent Directors and Executive Officers
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
George M. Marcus(3)
|
| |
1,943,935
|
| |
2.92%
|
|
|
Keith R. Guericke(4)
|
| |
92,052
|
| |
*
|
|
|
Michael J. Schall(5)
|
| |
233,656
|
| |
*
|
|
|
John F. Burkart(6)
|
| |
83,256
|
| |
*
|
|
|
Angela L. Kleiman(7)
|
| |
50,862
|
| |
*
|
|
|
Adam W. Berry(8)
|
| |
41,204
|
| |
*
|
|
|
Irving F. Lyons, III(9)
|
| |
29,266
|
| |
*
|
|
|
Thomas E. Robinson(10)
|
| |
31,277
|
| |
*
|
|
|
Byron A. Scordelis(11)
|
| |
12,337
|
| |
*
|
|
|
Amal M. Johnson(12)
|
| |
15,462
|
| |
*
|
|
|
Mary Kasaris(13)
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| |
5,283
|
| |
*
|
|
|
Maria R. Hawthorne
|
| |
653
|
| |
*
|
|
|
All incumbent directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons)(14)
|
| |
2,539,243
|
| |
3.8%
|
|
|
5% or greater stockholders
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
The Vanguard Group, Inc.(15)
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355
|
| |
10,165,207
|
| |
15.6%
|
|
|
BlackRock, Inc.(16)
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
|
| |
6,360,926
|
| |
9.8%
|
|
|
State Street Corporation(17)
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
|
| |
5,000,321
|
| |
7.7%
|
|
|
Cohen & Steers, Inc.(18)
280 Park Avenue, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10017
|
| |
5,425,180
|
| |
8.3%
|
|
*
|
Less than 1%.
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
13
|
(1)
|
Mr. Marcus, certain officers and directors of the Company and certain other entities and investors own limited partnership interests in Essex Portfolio, L.P., a California limited partnership (the “operating partnership” or “EPLP”), which as of February 26, 2021 aggregated to approximately a 3% limited partnership interest. As of February 26, 2021, the Company had an approximately 97% general partnership interest in the operating partnership. The limited partners of the operating partnership share with the Company, as general partner, in the net income or loss and any distributions of the operating partnership. Pursuant to the partnership agreement of the operating partnership, limited partnership interests can be exchanged into shares of Common Stock.
|
(2)
|
With respect to shares of Common Stock, assumes the exchange of the limited partnership interests (including LTIP Units) in the operating partnership and in other entities (such as DownREITs) held by such person, if any, into shares of Common Stock. The total number of shares outstanding used in calculating this percentage assumes that none of the limited partnership interests or vested options held by other persons are exchanged or converted into shares of Common Stock and is based on 64,994,503 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date. If all outstanding director and officer limited partnership interests (including LTIP Units) in the operating partnership, and vested options, were exchanged for shares of Common Stock that would result in an additional 2,114,345 outstanding shares of Common Stock.
|
(3)
|
Includes 960,154 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exchange Mr. Marcus’ limited partnership interests in the operating partnership and certain other partnerships. Includes 41,814 shares of Common Stock subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. Includes 301,597 shares and 15,941 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exchange of all the limited partnership interests in the operating partnership held by the Marcus & Millichap Company (“MMC”) and Essex Portfolio Management Company (“EPMC”) as well as 66,575 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exchange of all DownREIT interests held by MMC Investments, LLC (“MMCI”) and 234,306 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exchange of all DownREIT interests held by SAC Redwood City Venture, LLC (“SACRCV”). Also includes 137,000 shares of Common Stock held by MMC, 33,350 shares of Common Stock held in the Marcus & Millichap Company 401(k) Plan (the “MMC 401(k) Plan”), 18,000 shares held by the MMC Foundation, and 4,000 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Marcus’ children. Mr. Marcus is a principal stockholder of each of MMC, EPMC, and MMCI and may be deemed to own beneficially, and to share the voting and dispositive power of 773,419 shares of Common Stock (including shares issuable upon exchange of limited partnership or DownREIT interests). Mr. Marcus disclaims beneficial ownership of (i) all shares and limited partnership or DownREIT interests held by MMC, the MMC Foundation and MMCI, and (ii) 6,376 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon conversion of limited partnership interests held by EPMC. In connection with a loan facility led by Comerica Bank, MMC has pledged to Comerica 125,574 shares of Common Stock.
|
(4)
|
Includes 66,519 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exchange of all of Mr. Guericke’s limited partnership interests in the operating partnership. In connection with a loan obtained from Morgan Stanley, Mr. Guericke has pledged to Morgan Stanley 13,513 shares of Common Stock.
|
(5)
|
Includes 97,579 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exchange of all of Mr. Schall’s limited partnership interests in the operating partnership. Also includes 3,560 shares of Common Stock held in the Essex Property Trust, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the “Essex 401(k) Plan”), 65,485 shares of Common Stock subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date, and 23,363 shares that may be issued in exchange for LTIP Units. The aforementioned shares and limited partnership interests in the operating partnership, except for the shares held for his benefit in the Essex 401(k) plan and shares directly held by Mr. Schall’s spouse, are held in a family partnership in which Mr. Schall and Ann Schall are the majority partners. Mr. Schall disclaims beneficial ownership of 43,277 shares that may be issued upon the exchange of limited partnership interests in the operating partnership; 10,362 shares that may be issued in exchange for LTIP Units; and 25,171 shares of Common Stock.
|
(6)
|
Includes 26,912 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exchange of all of Mr. Burkart’s limited partnership interests in the operating partnership. Also includes 44,152 shares of Common Stock subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date and 12,182 shares that may be issued in exchange for LTIP Units.
|
(7)
|
Includes 4,000 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exchange of all of Ms. Kleiman’s limited partnership interests in the operating partnership. Includes 32,414 shares of Common Stock subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date and 7,331 shares that may be issued in exchange for LTIP Units.
|
(8)
|
Includes 9,000 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exchange of all of Mr. Berry’s limited partnership interests in the operating partnership. Also includes 22,010 shares of Common Stock subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date, and 7,331 shares that may be issued in exchange for LTIP Units.
|
(9)
|
Includes 21,394 shares of Common Stock subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.
|
(10)
|
Includes 26,732 shares of Common Stock subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. Also includes 4,545 shares of Common Stock held in family trusts as to which Mr. Robinson has the power to dispose and vote the shares.
|
(11)
|
Includes 9,412 shares of Common Stock subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. Also includes 2,425 shares of Common Stock held in family trusts as to which Mr. Scordelis has the power to dispose and vote the shares.
|
(12)
|
Includes 13,962 shares of Common Stock subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.
|
(13)
|
Includes 4,180 shares of Common Stock subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. 450 shares are held in a family trust as to which Ms. Kasaris has the power to dispose and vote the shares.
|
(14)
|
Includes 1,782,583 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exchange of all of the executive officers’ and directors’ limited partnership interests in the operating partnership and certain other partnerships and 281,555 shares of Common Stock subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. Also includes 50,207 shares that may be issued in exchange for LTIP Units.
|
(15)
|
As reported on a Schedule 13G/A filed February 10, 2021, The Vanguard Group, Inc. stated that it has shared voting power over 248,382 shares, sole dispositive power over 9,739,158 shares and shared dispositive power over 426,049 shares.
|
(16)
|
As reported on a Schedule 13G/A filed January 29, 2021, BlackRock, Inc. stated that it has sole voting power over 5,749,767 shares and sole dispositive power over 6,360,926 shares.
|
(17)
|
As reported on a Schedule 13G filed February 9, 2021, State Street Corporation stated that it has shared voting power over 4,525,284 shares and shared dispositive power over 4,991,757 shares.
|
(18)
|
As reported on a Schedule 13G/A filed February 16, 2021, Cohen & Steers, Inc. stated that it has sole voting power over 3,503,958 shares and sole dispositive power over 5,425,180 shares.
|
14
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
15
|
|
|
| |
Committee Memberships
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
Name
|
| |
Age
|
| |
Primary Occupation
|
| |
Independent
|
| |
Director
Since
|
| |
Audit
|
| |
Compensation
|
| |
Nominating
|
|
|
Keith R. Guericke
|
| |
72
|
| |
Vice Chairman of the Board
|
| |
|
| |
1994
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Maria R. Hawthorne
|
| |
62
|
| |
Board Director
|
| |
✔
|
| |
2020
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Amal M. Johnson
|
| |
68
|
| |
Board Director
|
| |
✔
|
| |
2018
|
| |
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
|
|
Mary Kasaris
|
| |
65
|
| |
Regional Managing Director, First Republic Bank
|
| |
✔
|
| |
2018
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
|
|
Irving F. Lyons, III
|
| |
71
|
| |
Lead Independent Director
|
| |
✔
|
| |
2014
|
| |
|
| |
✦
|
| |
•
|
|
|
George M. Marcus
|
| |
79
|
| |
Chairman of the Board
|
| |
✔
|
| |
1994
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Thomas E. Robinson
|
| |
73
|
| |
Senior Advisor to Stifel, Nicolaus & Company
|
| |
✔
|
| |
2014
|
| |
✦
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Byron A. Scordelis
|
| |
71
|
| |
Private Investor
|
| |
✔
|
| |
2011
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
✦
|
|
|
Michael J. Schall
|
| |
63
|
| |
Chief Executive Officer and President
|
| |
|
| |
1994
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
16
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
Skills Assessment
|
| |
Mr. Guericke
|
| |
Ms. Hawthorne
|
| |
Ms. Johnson
|
| |
Ms. Kasaris
|
| |
Mr. Lyons
|
| |
Mr. Marcus
|
| |
Mr. Robinson
|
| |
Mr. Schall
|
| |
Mr. Scordelis
|
Accounting and Auditing Expertise
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
Financial Literacy
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
Capital Market Experience
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
Corporate Governance Expertise
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
Government Relations Experience
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
Property Management and Operations
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
Sales and Marketing Experience
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
Public Company CEO Experience
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
Real Estate Construction and Development Expertise
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
Multifamily Experience
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
Strategic Planning and Oversight
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
| |
•
|
Technology, Cybersecurity and Innovation
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
•
|
| |
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
17
|
Keith R. Guericke
Director
|
| |
Experience & Education:
• Vice Chairman of the Essex Board
• President and Chief Executive Officer of Essex from 1988 through 2010
• Effective January 1, 2011, retired as an executive officer but remains a
director of Essex, and continues to serve as a part-time employee
• Joined Essex’s predecessor in 1977 to focus on investment strategies and
portfolio expansion
• Prepared Essex for its IPO in 1994
• Began career with Kenneth Leventhal & Company, a CPA firm noted for its
real estate expertise
• Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Southern Oregon College
Memberships:
• Member, Board of Directors of Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS)
• Former Member, Nareit
• Former Member, Board of Directors of American Residential Properties, Inc.
Qualifications and Expertise Highlights:
• Over 40 years with the Company and former CEO of Essex
• Extensive knowledge of the real estate industry
• Strong relationships with Essex’s executives and with executives and senior management at real estate companies throughout the United States
|
Maria R. Hawthorne
Director
|
| |
Experience & Education:
• Joined Essex’s Board in March 2020
• President and Chief Executive Officer of PS Business Parks, Inc. (NYSE: PSB)
from August 2015 through her retirement in August 2020
• Previously held various positions of escalating responsibility at PS Business Parks since joining in 1994, including Acting Chief Financial Officer from September 2017 to September 2018, and Chief Administrative Officer from
July 2013 to August 2015
• General Manager, Leasing Director and Property Manager at American Office
Park Properties from 1988 to 1994
• Received Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Pomona
College
Memberships:
• Member, Board of Directors of PS Business Parks
• Former Member, Executive Board of Nareit
Qualifications and Expertise Highlights:
• Extensive experience in management with publicly traded real estate companies
|
18
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
Amal M. Johnson
Director
|
| |
Experience & Education:
• Joined Essex’s Board in February 2018
• Executive Chairperson of Author-it Software Corporation from March 2012
to October 2016
• Chairperson of MarketTools, Inc. from August 2008 to January 2012 and
Chief Executive Officer from March 2005 to August 2008
• Venture Partner at ComVentures L.P. from April 2004 to March 2005
• General Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners from March 1999 to March
2004
• Held various management positions at Baan Supply Chain Solutions and its affiliates, including:
— President of Baan Supply Chain Solutions from January 1998 to
December 1998
— President of Baan Affiliates from January 1997 to December 1997
— President of Baan Americas from October 1994 to December 1996
• President of ASK Manufacturing Systems from August 1993 to July 1994
• Held executive positions at IBM from 1977 to June 1993
• Received Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Montclair State University and studied computer science at Stevens Institute of Technology
Graduate School of Engineering
Memberships:
• Member, Board of Directors of Intuitive Surgical Inc. (NASDAQ: ISRG)
• Member, Board of Directors of CalAmp Corp. (NASDAQ: CAMP)
• Former Member, Board of Directors of Mellanox Technologies, Ltd. (acquired by Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA)
Qualifications and Expertise Highlights:
• Extensive knowledge of technology, management and operations in both
public and private companies
|
Mary Kasaris
Director
|
| |
Experience & Education:
• Joined Essex’s Board in September 2018
• Regional Managing Director at First Republic Bank for the San Francisco Bay Area’s Peninsula/Silicon Valley Region since 1996, and currently serves on
First Republic Bank’s Executive Loan Committee
• Held various positions at Bank of America, including Head of Private Banking
in the Peninsula/Silicon Valley Region
• Holds a Master of Business Administration from Golden Gate University and a
Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Berkeley
Memberships & Honors:
• Former Member, Board of Directors of The Elios Charitable Foundation
• Honored as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in 2016 by the San
Francisco Business Times
Qualifications and Expertise Highlights:
• Significant experience in real estate, lending and finance matters
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
19
|
Irving F. Lyons, III
Director
|
| |
Experience & Education:
• Vice Chairman of Prologis, Inc. (NYSE: PLD) from 2001 through May 2006
• Chief Investment Officer of Prologis, Inc. from March 1997 to December
2004
• Former Managing Partner, Kings & Lyons, a San Francisco Bay Area industrial
real estate development and management company
• Holds a Master in Business Administration from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering and operations research from the
University of California at Berkeley
Memberships:
• Member, Board of Directors of Equinix, Inc. (NASDAQ: EQIX)
• Lead Director, Board of Directors of Prologis, Inc.
• Former Member and Chairman, Board of Directors of BRE Properties, Inc. (acquired by Essex in 2014)
Qualifications and Expertise Highlights:
• Management and investment experience with publicly traded real estate
companies
• Extensive involvement in Bay Area real estate development and management
|
George M. Marcus
Director
|
| |
Experience & Education:
• Founder and Chairman of Essex and Essex’s predecessor
• Founded Greater Bay Bancorp with other original founders (acquired by Wells
Fargo & Company in 2007)
• Founder of Marcus & Millichap Company
• Received Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from San Francisco State
University
• Graduate of the Harvard Business School of Owners / Presidents
Management Program and the Georgetown University Leadership Program
Memberships & Honors:
• Chairman, Board of Directors of Marcus & Millichap Company
• Co-Chairman, Board of Directors of Marcus & Millichap, Inc. (NYSE: MMI)
• Member, Real Estate Roundtable of the University of California, Berkeley, Fisher Center for Real Estate & Urban Economics at the University of
California, Berkeley and the Urban Land Institute
• Honored as Alumnus of Millennium by San Francisco State University in 1999, and received honorary doctorate degrees from San Francisco State University
and American College of Greece
Qualifications and Expertise Highlights:
• Extensive knowledge of Essex as its Founder
• Brings outstanding leadership and vision to Essex
• Extensive knowledge of and network within the real estate industry
|
20
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
Thomas E. Robinson
Director
|
| |
Experience & Education:
• Senior Advisor at Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc. and prior affiliate Legg Mason
• Former Managing Director, Legg Mason
• President and Chief Financial Officer of Storage USA, Inc. from 1994 to 1997
• Received Bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University
• Received Juris Doctorate degree from Suffolk University Law School
• Received Master of Law degree in Taxation from Georgetown University Law
School
Memberships:
• Former Member, Board of Directors of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.
(NYSE: SKT)
• Former Member, Board of Directors of BRE Properties, Inc. (acquired by
Essex in 2014)
• Former Trustee, Centerpoint Properties Trust
• Former Member, Board of Directors of First Potomac Realty Trust
• Former Member, Board of Governors of Nareit
Qualifications and Expertise Highlights:
• Extensive experience in real estate investment banking and accounting matters
|
Michael J. Schall
Director
|
| |
Experience & Education:
• Chief Executive Officer and President of Essex since January 1, 2011
• Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Essex from
2005 to 2010
• Chief Financial Officer of Essex from 1993 to 2005
• Joined The Marcus & Millichap Company in 1986
• Served as Chief Financial Officer of Essex’s predecessor
• Director of Finance for Churchill International, a technology-oriented venture
capital company, from 1982 to 1986
• Employed in the audit department of Ernst & Young (then known as Ernst & Whinney), specializing in the real estate and financial service industries, from
1979 to 1982
• Received Bachelor of Science degree from University of San Francisco
Memberships:
• Member, Executive Board of Nareit
• Certified Public Accountant (inactive)
• Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Member, Board of Trustees of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, Inc. (NYSE: PEB)
• Member, National Multifamily Housing Council
Qualifications and Expertise Highlights:
• Mr. Schall is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Essex
• Extensive knowledge of financial and operating matters of Essex
• Strong relationships with Essex’s executives and with executives and senior management at real estate companies throughout the United States
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
21
|
Byron A. Scordelis
Director
|
| |
Experience & Education:
• President and Chief Executive Officer of Greater Bay Bancorp and wholly-owned subsidiary, Greater Bay Bank N.A., from January 2004 until the
sale of the bank in October 2007
• Chief Operating Officer and President of Greater Bay Banking Group from
2001 to 2004
• Executive Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank from 1998 to 2001
• Served as President and Chief Executive Officer of EurekaBank from 1988
to 1998
• Served in various positions with Bank of America from 1974 to 1988, including Senior Vice President and head of Bank of America’s San Francisco
Bay Area region
• Received Bachelor’s degree from University of California at Berkeley in
Economics and Natural Resource Studies
• Received Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University
in 1974
Memberships:
• Member, Advisory Board of Markkula Center for Applied Ethics
• Member, Advisory Board of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation
• Emeritus Member, Board of Regents at Santa Clara University
• Member, Board of Fellows, Audit Committee and Fund-Raising Committee of
Santa Clara University
• Graduate member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society at University of California at
Berkeley
• Former Member, Board of Directors of Greater Bay Bancorp
• Former Member and Chairman, Board of EHC Lifebuilders, a non- profit
organization
Qualifications and Expertise Highlights:
• Years of experience as a chief executive officer and board member of publicly-traded financial services companies
|
22
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
23
|
24
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
•
|
Reduced long-tenured Board members, with the average tenure reduced since August 2017 by three years.
|
•
|
Increased diversity in gender, experience and expertise with the addition of three female board members, Mary Kasaris and Amal Johnson in 2018, and Maria Hawthorne in 2020, and expanded expertise in the technology sector.
|
•
|
Two directors self-identify as diverse.
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
25
|
26
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
27
|
•
|
An annual equity grant with a grant value equal to $150,000 for directors (other than the Chairman) and $275,000 for the Chairman of the Board, determined using either the Black-Scholes or Monte Carlo pricing methodology. Directors are permitted to elect whether to receive equity grants in the form of options or a stock award, or a combination of these types of awards, and are required to make this election at the time of the Company’s annual meeting, at which time such grant of options and/or stock awards are made. Such annual grants of options and/or stock awards are fully vested on the grant date, but the shares subject to such awards are subject to a one-year transfer restriction.
|
•
|
An annual cash retainer, paid quarterly, in the amount of $80,000 per year. All non-employee directors contributed $10,000 of their cash retainer to the Essex Cares program.
|
•
|
A fee for the Lead Director of $20,000 per year.
|
•
|
A committee membership fee of $10,000 per year for members of the Audit Committee and $7,500 per year for members of the Nominating Committee and Compensation Committee.
|
•
|
A committee chairman fee for the Chairman of the Nominating Committee and the Chairman of the Compensation Committee of $19,500 per year, and a committee chairman fee for the Chairman of the Audit Committee of $30,000 per year.
|
•
|
The annual equity grant was $120,000 per year for directors (other than the Chairman) and $230,000 per year for the Chairman of the Board.
|
•
|
The annual cash retainer was $70,000 per year.
|
•
|
The committee membership fee was $6,000 per year for members of the Audit Committee and $3,000 per year for members of the Nominating Committee and Compensation Committee.
|
•
|
The committee chairman fee for the Chairman of the Compensation Committee was $15,000 per year and the committee chairman fee for the Chairman of the Audit Committee was $26,000 per year.
|
•
|
There was no separate fee for the Lead Director.
|
28
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
|
Name
|
| |
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)(1)
|
| |
Stock Awards
($)(2)
|
| |
Option Awards
($)(2)
|
| |
All Other
Compensation
($)
|
| |
Total
($)
|
|
|
Keith R. Guericke
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
558,612(3)
|
| |
558,612(2)
|
|
|
Maria R. Hawthorne(4)
|
| |
57,747
|
| |
150,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
207,747
|
|
|
Amal M. Johnson
|
| |
79,198
|
| |
—
|
| |
150,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
229,198
|
|
|
Mary Kasaris
|
| |
79,703
|
| |
150,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
229,703
|
|
|
Irving F. Lyons, III
|
| |
102,857
|
| |
—
|
| |
150,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
252,857
|
|
|
George M. Marcus
|
| |
71,374
|
| |
—
|
| |
275,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
346,347
|
|
|
Thomas E. Robinson
|
| |
87,670
|
| |
—
|
| |
150,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
237,670
|
|
|
Byron A. Scordelis
|
| |
85,330
|
| |
—
|
| |
150,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
235,330
|
|
|
Janice L. Sears(5)
|
| |
34,269
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
34,269
|
|
(1)
|
During 2020, each of our non-employee directors elected to have $10,000 otherwise payable to him or her contributed to the Essex Cares program. These contributions were made on a pre-tax basis from the cash retainers otherwise payable to the directors and are included in this column as part of the total fees earned or paid in cash to each of our directors during 2020.
|
(2)
|
The assumptions used to calculate the value of the stock awards and/or option awards are set forth in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 19, 2021 (the “2020 Form 10-K”). As of December 31, 2020, each director had the following number of stock options (vested and unvested) then outstanding: Keith R. Guericke: 0 options; Maria R. Hawthorne: 0 options; Amal M. Johnson: 13,962 options; Mary Kasaris: 4,180; Irving F. Lyons: 21,394 options; George M. Marcus: 41,814 options; Thomas E. Robinson: 26,732 options; Byron A. Scordelis: 9,412 options, and Janice L. Sears: 13,201 options, respectively.
|
(3)
|
This amount represents salary and bonus for Mr. Guericke’s role as a part time employee and includes insurance premiums of $6,997 paid by, or on behalf of, the Company. Mr. Guericke contributed $10,000 from his compensation during 2020 to the Essex Cares program.
|
(4)
|
Ms. Hawthorne was appointed to the Board on March 19, 2020.
|
(5)
|
Ms. Sears did not stand for reelection at the 2020 Annual Meeting. Amounts reflect service on the Board until the 2020 Annual Meeting.
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
29
|
30
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
|
Name
|
| |
Age
|
| |
Position
|
|
|
Michael J. Schall
|
| |
63
|
| |
Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and President
|
|
|
Angela L. Kleiman
|
| |
50
|
| |
Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) and Senior Executive Vice President (“SEVP”)
|
|
|
Barb M. Pak
|
| |
43
|
| |
Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and Executive Vice President (“EVP”)
|
|
|
Adam W. Berry
|
| |
47
|
| |
Chief Investment Officer (“CIO”) and EVP
|
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
31
|
Angela L. Kleiman
Chief Operating Officer and
Senior Executive Vice President
|
| |
Responsibilities at Essex:
• Oversees the following major departments since January 2021: Asset Management, Property Operations, Commercial Real Estate, Resource Management, Information Technology, Business Intelligence, Research and
Portfolio Management
• From October 2015 to December 2020 as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, oversaw Private Equity, Capital Markets, Accounting, Tax, Treasury, Financial Planning, Internal Audit and Investor Relations departments
Accomplishment Highlights:
• Responsible for overall transaction management including leading negotiations of the merger agreement, pricing/valuations and joint venture equity originations in connection with the merger with BRE Properties, Inc.,
which was successfully completed in April 2014
• Grew Essex’s Private Equity platform from $750 million to $3 billion in gross
assets as head of the Private Equity Group of Essex
• Led transformation of Company balance sheet, achieving rating upgrades to BBB+ from S&P and Baa1 from Moody’s
Past Experience and Education:
• Prior to joining Essex in 2009, Ms. Kleiman was a Senior Equity Analyst and Vice President of Investor Relations at Security Capital, where she was responsible for over $2 billion of the firm’s REIT investments and all client communications. As a Vice President with J.P. Morgan Real Estate & Lodging Investment Banking Group, Ms. Kleiman advised senior management and boards in strategic business platforms and capital markets transactions.
Ms. Kleiman began her career in real estate development management in 1991
• Received Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University
• Received Master of Business Administration from Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University
Professional Activities:
• Member, Nareit
• Member, National Multifamily Housing Council
|
32
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
Barb M. Pak
Chief Financial Officer and
Executive Vice President
|
| |
Responsibilities at Essex:
• Oversees the Co-Investments, Capital Markets, Accounting, Tax, Treasury, Financial Planning & Analysis, Internal Audit and Investor Relations
departments and has served in role since January 2021
Accomplishment Highlights:
• From February 2019 to December 2020 as Senior Vice President of Finance, oversaw the Co-Investments, Capital Markets, Financial Planning & Analysis,
and Investor Relations departments
• In 2019, began managing the +$4 billion co-investment platform and
successfully expanded existing relationships
• In 2017, began leading the Capital Markets division continuing to strengthen
the Company’s financial flexibility and access to capital
Past Experience and Education:
• Prior to joining Essex in 2012, Ms. Pak was a Portfolio Manager for Oak Hill
REIT Management. Ms. Pak began her career at Green Street Advisors in 1999.
• Received Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of South
Dakota
Professional Activities:
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
• Member, Nareit
|
Adam W. Berry
Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President
|
| |
Responsibilities at Essex:
• Responsible for leading the Development department and overseeing
acquisition and disposition activities
• Began serving as the Company’s Co-Chief Investment Officer in June 2019,
and as Chief Investment Officer in January 2020
Accomplishment Highlights:
• Joined Essex’s Acquisitions group in 2003, leading over $1.4 billion of
acquisitions, joint ventures and developments
• Oversaw the Company’s redevelopment, capital, dispositions and overall asset management activities upon joining Essex’s Asset Management Department in
2012
• Transitioned to Essex’s Development group in 2017 to oversee land
acquisitions while continuing to manage the Company’s dispositions
Past Experience and Education:
• Prior to joining Essex in 2003, Mr. Berry was a practicing attorney at Wilson
Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.
• Received Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from University of California,
San Diego
• Received Juris Doctorate from University of Southern California Gould School
of Law
Professional Activities:
• Member, Urban Land Institute
• Member, Nareit
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
33
|
|
Name
|
| |
Position
|
|
|
Michael J. Schall
|
| |
Chief Executive Officer and President
|
|
|
John F. Burkart
|
| |
Former Chief Operating Officer and Senior Executive Vice President(1)
|
|
|
Angela L. Kleiman
|
| |
Chief Operating Officer and Senior Executive Vice President (2)
|
|
|
Adam W. Berry
|
| |
Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President
|
|
(1)
|
Mr. Burkart retired effective January 1, 2021, and may remain with the Company in an advisory capacity through December 31, 2021.
|
(2)
|
Ms. Kleiman was promoted to Chief Operating Officer and Senior Executive Vice President effective January 1, 2021. She served as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President during 2020.
|
34
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
•
|
closing the Company's corporate offices and instituting “work from home” measures for corporate associates;
|
•
|
closing leasing offices to non-Essex personnel, reducing on-site staff so that hygiene and “social distancing” standards can be effectively managed and applied, and requiring face coverings to be worn;
|
•
|
transitioning most public interactions with leasing staff to on-line and telephonic communications;
|
•
|
increasing cleaning practices for common areas and community amenities and temporarily closing common areas and community amenities or opening with limited hours, limited capacity or by reservation only, depending in part on jurisdictional requirements;
|
•
|
delaying the response to non-essential maintenance orders in certain circumstances in order to promote the protection of the Company's employees and residents;
|
•
|
assembling a Resident Response Team to effectively and efficiently respond to resident needs and concerns with respect to the pandemic;
|
•
|
structuring payment plans for residents who are unable to pay their rent as a result of the outbreak and waiving late fees for those residents, while working to reduce cash delinquencies; and
|
•
|
establishing the Essex Cares program for the purpose of supporting the Company’s residents and communities that are experiencing financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
35
|
•
|
Rank in the Top 3 in Core FFO per share growth relative to apartment REITs with greater than $5 billion in total market capitalization;
|
•
|
Achieve specific Company performance metrics from the Board approved annual business plan, such as per share growth in Core FFO and same property NOI;
|
•
|
Generate yields and accretion targets from 2020 investment transactions consistent with the Board approved annual business plan;
|
•
|
Expand ESG initiatives, update related ESG goals, and report the Company’s accomplishments and results from related programs in our annual CSR, including LEED or similar certification for our new development projects; and
|
•
|
Implement technology initiatives consistent with the Board approved annual business plan and the Company’s strategic plan.
|
•
|
No mid-year adjustments to executive officer goals or corporate goals resulting in below-target annual bonus payments - at the recommendation of management, the Compensation Committee chose not to make mid-year adjustments to the annual corporate goals or the executive officers’ annual incentive targets in response to the extraordinary challenges resulting from COVID-19. However, the Compensation Committee recognized the accomplishments of the executive team as it relates to its response to the pandemic, including the implementation of safety protocols to protect employees and residents, improving liquidity and extending debt maturities, and complying with pandemic-related government mandates. As a result of these considerations, the Compensation Committee approved below-target short-term incentive payments for 2020.
|
•
|
No adjustments made to LTIP awards - the Compensation Committee also chose not to make any adjustments to the metrics used to determine long-term equity compensation awards for our executive officers for 2020 in response to the impacts on the Company due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
|
•
|
No one-time bonuses or special grants - no additional special or one-time long-term incentive awards or bonus payouts were made outside of the approved 2020 compensation plan.
|
•
|
Lowered annual cash bonuses for named executive officers – the Compensation Committee awarded our executive officers lower cash bonuses in 2020 than in 2019 in response to the impacts on the Company due to the COVID-19 pandemic, consistent with the Company’s compensation philosophy that seeks to align the performance of management with the interests of the Company’s stockholders.
|
36
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
|
•
|
| |
The structure of our named executive officer compensation program includes a balanced mix of cash and equity compensation with a strong emphasis on performance-based incentive awards promoting responsible growth and risk management.
|
|
|
•
|
| |
The competitiveness of our named executive officer compensation program is assessed by comparison to the median of a group of peer companies that are comparable to us.
|
|
|
•
|
| |
Our Compensation Committee is comprised solely of independent directors.
|
|
|
•
|
| |
We do not provide for “single-trigger” severance payments upon a change in control.
|
|
|
•
|
| |
We have not entered into individual employment agreements with our named executive officers, and we do not provide our named executive officers with tax gross-ups.
|
|
|
•
|
| |
We maintain meaningful stock ownership guidelines for our named executive officers and non-employee directors that promote a long-term stockholder perspective.
|
|
|
•
|
| |
Our Compensation Committee annually considers and assesses the potential risks of our compensation policies and practices for all employees.
|
|
|
•
|
| |
Our named executive officers receive limited perquisites and other personal benefits that are not otherwise generally available to all of our employees.
|
|
|
•
|
| |
We maintain programs that strictly limit the ability of our named executive officers and non-employee directors to pledge our securities and prohibit any hedging of our securities.
|
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
37
|
•
|
Attract, retain, and motivate executive officers through the overall design and mix of cash, equity, and short- and long-term compensation elements;
|
•
|
Reward individual performance by tying significant portions of short-term compensation in the form of salary and annual bonus opportunity to achievement of individual performance; and
|
•
|
Align the interests of executive officers with the interests of the Company’s stockholders by tying significant portions of short- and long-term compensation, in the form of annual bonus and long-term equity based awards, to increasing distributable cash flow to stockholders, and increasing the value of Common Stock based on the acquisition, development, redevelopment and onsite property management of apartment communities.
|
38
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
|
Company
|
|
|
Apartment Investment and Management Company (AIV)
|
|
|
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (AVB)
|
|
|
Boston Properties, Inc. (BXP)
|
|
|
Camden Property Trust (CPT)
|
|
|
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (DLR)
|
|
|
Douglas Emmett, Inc. (DEI)
|
|
|
Equity Residential (EQR)
|
|
|
Extra Space Storage Inc. (EXR)
|
|
|
Healthpeak Properties, Inc. (PEAK), formerly HCP, Inc. (HCP)
|
|
|
Macerich Company (MAC)
|
|
|
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (MAA)
|
|
|
Public Storage (PSA)
|
|
|
Regency Centers Corporation (REG)
|
|
|
UDR, Inc. (UDR)
|
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
39
|
|
|
| |
Revenue(2)
|
| |
Total
Assets(3)
|
|
|
|
| |
($ in millions)
|
| |||
|
25th percentile
|
| |
1,044
|
| |
9,396
|
|
|
50th percentile
|
| |
1,645
|
| |
11,195
|
|
|
75th percentile
|
| |
2,572
|
| |
19,199
|
|
|
ESSEX
|
| |
1,496
|
| |
12,936
|
|
|
Percentile rank(4)
|
| |
46%
|
| |
59%
|
|
(1)
|
Equity Market Capitalization is estimated and provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence.
|
(2)
|
Revenue reflects the total revenue for the most recent fiscal year end.
|
(3)
|
Total Assets reflect the book value as reported by each company as of the end of the most recent fiscal year end.
|
(4)
|
Revenue and Total Asset chart excludes AIV as information was not publicly filed for the quarter ending December 31, 2020 due to a spinoff transaction completed in the fourth quarter.
|
40
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
|
Compensation element
|
| |
Why this element is included
|
| |
How the amount of the
element is determined
|
| |
How the element fits
in the overall program
|
|
|
Base Salary
|
| |
Fixed base pay necessary to attract and retain executives and compensate performance of core job duties.
|
| |
Base salary and any changes in salary are based on views of individual retention or performance factors and market data at peer companies (but without specific benchmarking).
|
| |
Short-term cash compensation that is fixed and paid during the year, addresses employee cash-flow needs and retention objectives.
|
|
|
Annual Cash Bonus
|
| |
Variable cash compensation that motivates executives and ties a significant compensation opportunity to achieving individual and corporate performance goals.
|
| |
Annual bonus is based on both discretionary and non-discretionary performance criteria.
|
| |
Short-term cash compensation that is contingent on achievement of Company and individual goals, as determined by the Compensation Committee, is intended to link compensation to short-term stockholder interests.
|
|
|
Long-Term Equity Incentive
|
| |
Equity compensation (in the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and options) fosters long-term retention of management and aligns executive officer and stockholder interests.
Equity compensation complements cash compensation and provides performance incentives.
RSUs are subject to both performance-based and service-based vesting or performance-based vesting only.
Options may be subject to service-based vesting.
|
| |
Long-term equity incentive awards are determined primarily based on how the award’s grant date value relates to the executive officer’s total cash compensation and how the vesting and other aspects of the award might incentivize performance.
|
| |
Long-term compensation that is tied to the value of Common Stock and is primarily contingent on meeting performance goals and continued employment, which is intended to link compensation to long-term stockholder value accretion and reinforces retention.
|
|
|
Deferred compensation plan
|
| |
Supplemental element to assist in retaining executives.
|
| |
Executive officers may defer up to 100% of their base salary and bonus.
|
| |
A tax planning benefit for executives.
|
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
41
|
|
Compensation element
|
| |
Why this element is included
|
| |
How the amount of the
element is determined
|
| |
How the element fits
in the overall program
|
|
|
Severance plan
|
| |
For hiring and retaining executives by providing continued economic benefit if a change of control and related termination occurs.
|
| |
In the event of a change of control and related involuntary termination within the period commencing 2 months preceding a change of control and ending 24 months after the change of control, executives receive two times their current annual salary and three-year average annual bonus, vesting acceleration of equity awards, continued insurance benefits and out-placement services.
|
| |
Facilitates recruitment and retention of named executive officers by providing income security in the event of involuntary job loss in connection with a change in control.
|
|
|
Perquisites
|
| |
Customary element of executive compensation.
|
| |
Generally based on perquisites being offered by peer companies.
|
| |
Addresses recruitment and retention objectives.
|
|
|
Executive
|
| |
Annual Base
Salary Rate
2019 ($)
|
| |
Annual Base
Salary Rate
2020 ($)(1)
|
|
|
Michael J. Schall, CEO and President
|
| |
800,000
|
| |
900,000
|
|
|
John F. Burkart, Former COO and SEVP
|
| |
500,000
|
| |
750,000
|
|
|
Angela L. Kleiman, COO and SEVP
|
| |
500,000
|
| |
650,000
|
|
|
Adam W. Berry, CIO and EVP
|
| |
375,000
|
| |
550,000
|
|
(1)
|
Reflects gross base salary for 2020. Each of our named executive officers elected to make a donation from his or her base salary during 2020 to the Essex Cares program as follows: $10,000 from Mr. Schall, $10,000 for Mr. Burkart, and $10,000 from Ms. Kleiman.
|
42
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
(1)
|
Goal: Target same-property NOI growth of 3.25% → Did not achieve due to COVID-19 pandemic
|
(2)
|
Goal: Target Core FFO per diluted share of $13.93 → Did not achieve due to COVID-19 pandemic
|
(3)
|
Goal: Generate accretion from external growth investment activities consistent with the 2020 annual business plan → Achieved: exceeded the high end of the range established.
|
(4)
|
Goal: Achieve the underwritten yields from 2018 and 2019 acquisitions and developments → Achieved: exceeded the mid-range of the target established.
|
•
|
Mr. Schall’s goals included achieving Essex’s annual business plan, ranking in the top three of apartment REITs with an equity market cap greater than $5.0 billion with respect to Core FFO per share growth, succession planning and orderly transition of key senior executives, ESG initiatives, and ensuring strategic objectives such as to property locations and accretion are satisfied in connection with the Company’s investment activities, including acquisitions, development and dispositions. Mr. Schall achieved all of his individual goals.
|
•
|
Mr. Burkart’s goals included achieving operations budget and business plan, maximizing portfolio returns via asset management including redevelopment, ESG initiatives, executing the IT strategic plan, including cyber security initiatives, and implementing career development plans for Operations and Asset Management departments. Mr. Burkart achieved all of his individual goals.
|
•
|
Ms. Kleiman’s goals included achieving Essex’s financial and operating objectives, ranking in the top 30th percentile of multifamily REITs with respect to Core FFO results, optimizing capital structure and arbitrage utilization of various debt and equity sources, mentoring and career development plans for key managers, and ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting. Ms. Kleiman achieved all of her individual goals.
|
•
|
Mr. Berry’s goals included dispositions of between $300 million and $500 million and delivering up to $250 million of development projects, and the successful transition into the role of Chief Investment Officer. Mr. Berry achieved all of his individual goals.
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
43
|
|
Executive
|
| |
Total Actual
Incentive Bonus
($)
|
| |
Targeted
Incentive Bonuses
($)
|
| |
Maximum
Aggregate
Bonuses ($)
|
|
|
Michael J. Schall, CEO and President
|
| |
1,604,000
|
| |
2,110,000(1)
|
| |
3,210,000
|
|
|
John F. Burkart, Former COO and SEVP
|
| |
885,500
|
| |
1,150,000
|
| |
1,725,000
|
|
|
Angela L. Kleiman, COO and SEVP
|
| |
700,700
|
| |
910,000
|
| |
1,365,000
|
|
|
Adam W. Berry, CIO and EVP
|
| |
529,000
|
| |
690,000
|
| |
1,040,000
|
|
(1)
|
Reflects total bonus for 2020. Mr. Schall elected to make a $90,000 donation from his bonus to the Essex Cares program.
|
•
|
Align executive performance with long-term stockholder interests;
|
•
|
Minimize the cost of equity awards to the Company; and
|
•
|
Provide competitive compensation package to attract and retain talent.
|
(1)
|
“Performance RSUs,” which are subject to performance vesting based on the Company’s total stockholder return relative to that of the companies in the SNL Apartment REIT Index during a three-year performance period (the “TSR Goal”). Performance RSUs are fully time-vested at grant;
|
44
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
(2)
|
“Performance and Service RSUs,” which are subject to performance vesting based on achievement of the three-year TSR Goal and that are subject to time-based vesting over a three-year horizon, at the rate of one-third each year on the anniversaries of the date of grant; and
|
(3)
|
“DIP RSUs,” which are subject to performance vesting based on both (i) the three-year TSR Goal and (ii) the gain or purchase price for the disposition of certain assets of the Company’s real estate portfolio during the calendar year following the year in which the RSUs are granted. DIP RSUs are also subject to a one-year service-based vesting condition.
|
|
Percentile Rank
|
| |
Percentage of RSUs Earned
|
|
|
Below 5th
|
| |
0%
|
|
|
5th to below 25th
|
| |
40%
|
|
|
25th to below 50th
|
| |
70-100%
|
|
|
50th and above
|
| |
100%
|
|
|
Name
|
| |
Grant Date
|
| |
Number of
Options
Granted (#)
|
| |
Number of
Performance
RSUs
Granted (#)
|
| |
Number of
Performance
and Service
RSUs
Granted (#)
|
| |
Number of
DIP RSUs
Granted
(#)
|
| |
Total
Number of
RSUs
Granted
(#)
|
|
|
Michael J. Schall
|
| |
12/2/2020
|
| |
36,391
|
| |
—
|
| |
10,552
|
| |
5,399
|
| |
15,951
|
|
|
John F. Burkart(1)
|
| |
12/2/2020
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
|
|
Angela L. Kleiman
|
| |
12/2/2020
|
| |
18,924
|
| |
—
|
| |
3,485
|
| |
2,700
|
| |
6,185
|
|
|
Adam W. Berry
|
| |
12/2/2020
|
| |
9,705
|
| |
—
|
| |
1,473
|
| |
2,086
|
| |
3,559
|
|
(1)
|
Mr. Burkart was not granted additional options or RSUs due to his retirement at the end of 2020.
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
45
|
•
|
a lump-sum cash amount equal to the sum of (a) two times such named executive officer’s then-current annual base salary and (b) two times such named executive officer’s average annual bonus for the three years preceding the change of control;
|
•
|
continuation of health, dental and life insurance for up to 24 months following the date of termination, paid by the Company;
|
•
|
accelerated vesting, or its equivalent, with respect to all outstanding, unvested equity-based compensation awards that are assumed or substituted in connection with a change of control and any equity-based awards that were granted in connection with or following the change of control;
|
•
|
outplacement services of up to $20,000 in the aggregate; and
|
•
|
reasonable legal and mediation fees and expenses incurred by the named executive officer in obtaining or enforcing any right or benefit provided by the Severance Plan.
|
46
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
|
Executive
|
| |
Stock Ownership Target
as a Multiple of Salary (#)
|
| |
Stock Ownership
Target ($)
|
| |
In Compliance(1)
|
|
|
Michael J. Schall, CEO and President
|
| |
5x
|
| |
1,750,000
|
| |
Yes
|
|
|
Angela L. Kleiman, COO and SEVP
|
| |
4x
|
| |
1,300,000
|
| |
Yes
|
|
|
Barb M. Pak, CFO and EVP
|
| |
4x
|
| |
2,600,000
|
| |
Yes
|
|
|
Adam W. Berry, CIO and EVP
|
| |
4x
|
| |
1,500,000
|
| |
Yes
|
|
(1)
|
Executive stock ownership includes all Z-1 incentive units, LTIP Units and RSUs. Mr. Berry became an executive officer in 2019 and has five years from his promotion to comply with the guidelines Ms. Pak became an executive officer in 2021 and has five years from her promotion to comply with the guidelines.
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
47
|
48
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
|
Name and Principal Position
|
| |
Year
|
| |
Salary
($)(1)
|
| |
Bonus
($)
|
| |
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(1)(2)
|
| |
Stock
Awards
($)(3)
|
| |
Option
Awards
($)(3)
|
| |
All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
|
| |
Total
|
|
|
Michael J. Schall
CEO and President
|
| |
2020
|
| |
900,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
1,604,000
|
| |
3,250,335
|
| |
750,019
|
| |
51,391
|
| |
6,555,744
|
|
|
2019
|
| |
800,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
1,950,000
|
| |
2,803,711
|
| |
816,507
|
| |
49,646
|
| |
6,419,864
|
| |||
|
2018
|
| |
800,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
1,510,000
|
| |
2,340,255
|
| |
750,023
|
| |
33,954
|
| |
5,434,232
|
| |||
|
John F. Burkart
Former COO and SEVP (Retired)
|
| |
2020
|
| |
750,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
885,500
|
| |
758,400(5)
|
| |
228,867(5)
|
| |
224,307
|
| |
2,097,074
|
|
|
2019
|
| |
500,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
1,125,000
|
| |
1,651,747
|
| |
448,509
|
| |
39,896
|
| |
3,765,152
|
| |||
|
2018
|
| |
500,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
838,542
|
| |
1,305,123
|
| |
425,007
|
| |
37,944
|
| |
3,106,616
|
| |||
|
Angela L. Kleiman
COO and SEVP
|
| |
2020
|
| |
650,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
700,700
|
| |
1,260,317
|
| |
390,024
|
| |
183,005
|
| |
3,184,046
|
|
|
2019
|
| |
500,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
975,000
|
| |
1,232,184
|
| |
368,021
|
| |
37,232
|
| |
3,112,437
|
| |||
|
2018
|
| |
500,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
838,542
|
| |
1,157,554
|
| |
352,509
|
| |
31,375
|
| |
2,879,980
|
| |||
|
Adam W. Berry
CIO and EVP
|
| |
2020
|
| |
550,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
529,000
|
| |
725,217
|
| |
200,020
|
| |
153,697
|
| |
2,157,934
|
|
|
2019
|
| |
375,000
|
| |
—
|
| |
562,500
|
| |
1,020,155
|
| |
230,022
|
| |
22,424
|
| |
2,210,101
|
|
(1)
|
During 2020, each of our non-employee directors elected to have $10,000 of his or her base salary (and, with respect to Mr. Schall, an additional $90,000 from his cash annual incentive payout) otherwise payable during 2020 contributed on his or her behalf to the Essex Cares program. These contributions were made on a pre-tax basis from the cash compensation otherwise payable to the named executive officers, and are included in these columns as part of the total salary or annual incentive award earned or paid by our named executive officers during 2020.
|
(2)
|
Represents cash annual incentive awards under the Company’s annual bonus program.
|
(3)
|
These dollar amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 for the awards granted for the year indicated. With respect to awards, the vesting of which is subject to performance conditions, the grant date fair value of these awards is based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions, which is also the maximum value assuming the highest level of performance, calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in determining the grant date fair value of the awards can be found in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2020 Form 10-K. These dollar amounts do not represent payments actually received by the named executive officers.
|
(4)
|
These amounts include amounts paid by the Company to the 401(k) accounts of the named executive officers in the amount of $6,000, all Company contributions paid for benefits received under non-discriminatory benefit plans available to all employees during 2020, the named executive officers’ respective perquisites limited to Company provided leased automobiles or automobile allowances, and payments of life insurance premiums, for Mr. Schall, Mr. Burkart, Ms. Kleiman, and Mr. Berry, respectively. Also included a new responsible time off program adopted by the Company to replace paid time off which resulted in the one-time payment of previously accrued but unused time off of $173,078 for Mr. Burkart, $150,000 for Ms. Kleiman, and $122,066 for Mr. Berry.
|
(5)
|
Represents Mr. Burkart’s accelerated stock-based compensation expense pursuant to the terms of the Burkart Transition Services Agreement (defined below).
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
49
|
|
Name
|
| |
Grant
Date
|
| |
Estimated
Future
Payouts
Under Non-
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards
Target ($)
|
| |
Estimated
Future
Payouts
Under Non-
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards
Maximum
($)
|
| |
Estimated
Future
Payouts
Under
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards
Maximum
(#)(1)
|
| |
All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units (#)
|
| |
All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)(2)
|
| |
Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)
|
| |
Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and
Options
Awards
($)(3)
|
|
|
Michael J. Schall
|
| |
12/2/2020
|
| |
550,000
|
| |
1,100,000
|
| |
15,951
|
| |
—
|
| |
36,391
|
| |
248.70
|
| |
4,000,354
|
|
|
John F. Burkart
|
| |
12/2/2020
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
|
|
Angela L. Kleiman
|
| |
12/2/2020
|
| |
325,000
|
| |
550,000
|
| |
6,185
|
| |
—
|
| |
18,924
|
| |
248.70
|
| |
1,650,341
|
|
|
Adam W. Berry
|
| |
12/2/2020
|
| |
250,000
|
| |
425,000
|
| |
3,559
|
| |
—
|
| |
9,705
|
| |
248.70
|
| |
925,237
|
|
(1)
|
Represents Performance and Service RSUs that are earned based on Essex’s relative total stockholder return over a three-year performance period and vest based on continued employment and DIP RSUs that become eligible to be earned based on a percentage of gain or purchase price for the disposition of certain assets of the Company’s real estate portfolio during the calendar year following the year in which such DIP RSUs are granted and are earned based on Essex’s relative total stockholder return over a three-year performance period and vest based on continued employment over a one-year period.
|
(2)
|
Represents options that are subject to service-based vesting, and vest as to one-third of the shares subject to the options on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, generally subject to continued employment through the applicable vesting date. The options are also subject to a cap on appreciation of $100 per share.
|
(3)
|
These dollar amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 as described in footnote 2 to the Summary Compensation Table above.
|
50
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
|
Name
|
| |
Grant Date
|
| |
Option Awards
|
| |
Stock Awards
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
|
| |
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
|
| |
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
|
| |
Option
Expiration
Date
|
| |
Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
|
| |
Market
Value of
Shares
or Units
of Stock
That Have
Not Vested
($)
|
| |
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
|
| |
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($)
|
| ||||||
|
Exercisable
|
| |
Unexercisable
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Michael J. Schall
|
| |
12/2/2020
|
| |
—
|
| |
36,391(1)
|
| |
$248.70
|
| |
12/2/2030
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
12/2/2020
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
10,552(2)
|
| |
2,505,256
|
| |||
|
12/2/2020
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
5,399(3)
|
| |
1,281,831
|
| |||
|
12/4/2019
|
| |
11,918
|
| |
23,831(4)
|
| |
$311.43
|
| |
12/4/2029
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |||
|
12/4/2019
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
8,256(5)
|
| |
1,960,140
|
| |||
|
12/4/2019
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
3,592(6)
|
| |
852,813
|
| |||
|
12/6/2018
|
| |
20,837
|
| |
10,427(7)
|
| |
$265.68
|
| |
12/6/2028
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |||
|
12/6/2018
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
8,003(8)
|
| |
1,900,072
|
| |||
|
12/6/2018
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
4,002(9)
|
| |
950,155
|
| |||
|
12/7/2017
|
| |
31,362
|
| |
—(10)
|
| |
$240.61
|
| |
12/7/2027
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |||
|
12/8/2016
|
| |
1,368
|
| |
—(11)
|
| |
219.22
|
| |
12/8/2026
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |||
|
John F. Burkart
|
| |
12/4/2019
|
| |
6,546
|
| |
13,091(4)
|
| |
311.43
|
| |
12/2/2029
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
12/4/2019
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
4,233(5)
|
| |
—
|
| |||
|
12/4/2019
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
2,747(6)
|
| |
—
|
| |||
|
12/6/2018
|
| |
11,807
|
| |
5,909(7)
|
| |
265.68
|
| |
12/6/2028
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |||
|
12/6/2018
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
4,130(8)
|
| |
—
|
| |||
|
12/6/2018
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
2,565(9)
|
| |
—
|
| |||
|
12/7/2017
|
| |
6,799
|
| |
—(10)
|
| |
240.61
|
| |
12/7/2027
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |||
|
12/8/2016
|
| |
2,200
|
| |
—(11)
|
| |
219.22
|
| |
12/8/2026
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |||
|
Angela L. Kleiman
|
| |
12/2/2020
|
| |
—
|
| |
18,924(1)
|
| |
248.70
|
| |
12/4/2030
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
12/2/2020
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
3,485(2)
|
| |
827,409
|
| |||
|
12/2/2020
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
2,700(3)
|
| |
641,034
|
| |||
|
12/4/2019
|
| |
5,372
|
| |
10,741(4)
|
| |
311.43
|
| |
12/4/2029
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |||
|
12/4/2019
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
3,094(5)
|
| |
734,577
|
| |||
|
12/4/2019
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
2,113(6)
|
| |
501,668
|
| |||
|
12/6/2018
|
| |
9,793
|
| |
4,901(7)
|
| |
265.68
|
| |
12/6/2028
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |||
|
12/6/2018
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
3,373(8)
|
| |
800,818
|
| |||
|
12/6/2018
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
2,565(9)
|
| |
608,982
|
| |||
|
12/7/2017
|
| |
17,249
|
| |
—(10)
|
| |
240.61
|
| |
12/7/2027
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |||
|
12/8/2016
|
| |
—
|
| |
—(11)
|
| |
219.22
|
| |
12/8/2026
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |||
|
Adam W. Berry
|
| |
12/2/2020
|
| |
—
|
| |
9,705(1)
|
| |
248.70
|
| |
12/2/2030
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
12/2/2020
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
1,473(2)
|
| |
349,720
|
| |||
|
12/2/2020
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
2,086(3)
|
| |
495,258
|
| |||
|
12/4/2019
|
| |
3,357
|
| |
6,714(4)
|
| |
311.43
|
| |
12/4/2029
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |||
|
12/4/2019
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
2,198(5)
|
| |
521,849
|
| |||
|
12/4/2019
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
2,113(6)
|
| |
501,668
|
| |||
|
12/6/2018
|
| |
6,668
|
| |
3,337(7)
|
| |
265.68
|
| |
12/6/2028
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |||
|
12/6/2018
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
950(8)
|
| |
225,549
|
| |||
|
12/6/2018
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
1,283(9)
|
| |
304,610
|
| |||
|
12/7/2017
|
| |
10,668
|
| |
—(10)
|
| |
240.61
|
| |
12/7/2027
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |||
|
12/8/2016
|
| |
—
|
| |
—(11)
|
| |
219.22
|
| |
12/8/2026
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(1)
|
1/3rd of these options will vest on December 2, 2021, and 1/3rd of these options will vest on each of the next two anniversaries thereafter, generally subject to continued employment through each such vesting date. The options are also subject to a cap on appreciation of $100 per share.
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
51
|
(2)
|
For all named executive officers, represents the number of Performance and Service RSUs that would become earned and vested at the end of the performance period (December 2, 2020 - December 2, 2023), assuming maximum performance. Performance and Service RSUs are subject to both performance-based vesting and service-based vesting. The number of Performance and Service RSUs that are earned and vest is determined based on Essex’s percentile rank of total stockholder return compared to the total stockholder return of a specified list of peer companies during the three-year performance period, as determined by the Compensation Committee based on the specified performance criteria, generally subject to continued employment through the three-year performance period. These units were granted as follows: 10,552 for Mr. Schall, zero for Mr. Burkart, 3,485 for Ms. Kleiman, and 1,473 for Mr. Berry.
|
(3)
|
For all named executive officers, represents the number of DIP RSUs that would become earned at the end of the three-year performance period (December 2, 2020 - December 2, 2023), assuming the maximum number of DIP RSUs becomes eligible to be earned at the end of the one-year performance period (December 31, 2021), and assuming the maximum performance in respect of the three-year performance period. DIP RSUs generally become eligible to be earned based on a percentage of gain or purchase price for the disposition of certain assets of the Company’s real estate portfolio during the calendar year following the year in which such DIP RSUs are granted and are earned based on Essex’s percentile rank of total stockholder return compared to the total stockholder return of a specified list of peer companies during the three-year performance period, as determined by the Compensation Committee based on the specified performance criteria. These units were granted as follows: 5,399 for Mr. Schall, zero for Mr. Burkart, 2,700 for Ms. Kleiman, and 2,086 for Mr. Berry.
|
(4)
|
1/3rd of these options will vest on December 4, 2020, and 1/3rd of these options will vest on each of the next two anniversaries thereafter, generally subject to continued employment through each such vesting date. The options are also subject to a cap on appreciation of $100 per share.
|
(5)
|
For all named executive officers, represents the number of Performance and Service RSUs that would become earned and vested at the end of the performance period (December 4, 2019 - December 4, 2022), assuming maximum performance. Performance and Service RSUs are subject to both performance-based vesting and service-based vesting. The number of Performance and Service RSUs that are earned and vest is determined based on Essex’s percentile rank of total stockholder return compared to the total stockholder return of a specified list of peer companies during the three-year performance period, as determined by the Compensation Committee based on the specified performance criteria, generally subject to continued employment through the three-year performance period. These units were granted as follows: 8,256 for Mr. Schall, 4,233 for Mr. Burkart, 3,094 for Ms. Kleiman, and 2,198 for Mr. Berry.
|
(6)
|
For all named executive officers, represents the number of DIP RSUs that would become earned at the end of the three-year performance period (December 4, 2019 - December 4, 2022), assuming the maximum number of DIP RSUs becomes eligible to be earned at the end of the one-year performance period (December 31, 2020), and assuming the maximum performance in respect of the three-year performance period. DIP RSUs generally become eligible to be earned based on a percentage of gain or purchase price for the disposition of certain assets of the Company’s real estate portfolio during the calendar year following the year in which such DIP RSUs are granted and are earned based on Essex’s percentile rank of total stockholder return compared to the total stockholder return of a specified list of peer companies during the three-year performance period, as determined by the Compensation Committee based on the specified performance criteria. These units were granted as follows: 3,592 for Mr. Schall, 2,747 for Mr. Burkart, 2,113 for Ms. Kleiman, and 2,113 for Mr. Berry.
|
(7)
|
1/3rd of these options will vest on December 6, 2019, and 1/3rd of these options will vest on each of the next two anniversaries thereafter, generally subject to continued employment through each such vesting date. The options are also subject to a cap on appreciation of $100 per share.
|
(8)
|
For all named executive officers, represents the number of Performance and Service RSUs that would become earned and vested at the end of the performance period (December 6, 2018 - December 6, 2021), assuming maximum performance. Performance and Service RSUs are subject to both performance-based vesting and service-based vesting. The number of Performance and Service RSUs that are earned and vest is determined based on Essex’s percentile rank of total stockholder return compared to the total stockholder return of a specified list of peer companies during the three-year performance period, as determined by the Compensation Committee based on the specified performance criteria, generally subject to continued employment through the three-year performance period. These units were granted as follows: 8,003 for Mr. Schall, 4,130 for Mr. Burkart, 3,373 for Ms. Kleiman, and 950 for Mr. Berry.
|
(9)
|
For all named executive officers, represents the number of DIP RSUs that would become earned at the end of the three-year performance period (December 6, 2018 - December 6, 2021), assuming the maximum number of DIP RSUs becomes eligible to be earned at the end of the one-year performance period (December 31, 2019), and assuming the maximum performance in respect of the three-year performance period. DIP RSUs generally become eligible to be earned based on a percentage of gain or purchase price for the disposition of certain assets of the Company’s real estate portfolio during the calendar year following the year in which such DIP RSUs are granted and are earned based on Essex’s percentile rank of total stockholder return compared to the total stockholder return of a specified list of peer companies during the three-year performance period, as determined by the Compensation Committee based on the specified performance criteria. These units were granted as follows: 4,002 for Mr. Schall, 2,565 for Mr. Burkart, 2,565 for Ms. Kleiman, and 1,283 for Mr. Berry.
|
(10)
|
1/3rd of these options vested on December 8, 2018, and 1/3rd of these options will vest on each of the next two anniversaries thereafter, generally subject to continued employment through each such vesting date. The options are also subject to a cap on appreciation of $100 per share.
|
(11)
|
1/3rd of these options vested on December 8, 2017, and 1/3rd of these options will vest on each of the next two anniversaries thereafter, generally subject to continued employment through each such vesting date. The options are also subject to a cap on appreciation of $100 per share.
|
52
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
| |
Option Awards
|
| |
Stock Awards
|
| ||||||
|
Name
|
| |
Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
(#)
|
| |
Value Realized
on Exercise
($)
|
| |
Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)(1)
|
| |
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(2)
|
|
|
Michael J. Schall
|
| |
17,623
|
| |
1,762,300
|
| |
11,637
|
| |
2,762,557
|
|
|
John F. Burkart
|
| |
11,496
|
| |
1,040,601
|
| |
7,910
|
| |
1,877,572
|
|
|
Angela L. Kleiman
|
| |
6,164
|
| |
616,277
|
| |
6,592
|
| |
1,564,833
|
|
|
Adam W. Berry
|
| |
4,684
|
| |
468,400
|
| |
2,761
|
| |
655,277
|
|
(1)
|
Stock awards consist of Z-1 incentive units, LTIP Units and RSUs. With respect to Z-1 incentive units, the amounts reflect the increase in conversion ratio during 2020, and with respect to LTIP Units and RSUs, the amounts reflect both performance-based and service-based vesting achieved during 2020.
|
(2)
|
As it relates to awards granted after 2013, amount are based on the closing price of our Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2020, of $237.42. For awards related to Z-1 incentive units granted prior to 2013, the values are based on $237.42 multiplied by the number of units acquired on vesting, less $1.00 per unit capital contributions.
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
53
|
|
Name
|
| |
Executive
Contributions
in 2020
($)(1)
|
| |
Registrant
Contributions
in 2020
($)
|
| |
Aggregate
Earnings/(Losses)
in 2020
($)
|
| |
Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
|
| |
Aggregate
Balance as of
December 31,
2020
($)
|
|
|
Michael J. Schall
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
350,714
|
| |
—
|
| |
3,611,115
|
|
|
John F. Burkart
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
221
|
| |
—
|
| |
480,631
|
|
|
Angela L. Kleiman
|
| |
372,675
|
| |
—
|
| |
478,936
|
| |
—
|
| |
1,277,698
|
|
|
Adam W. Berry
|
| |
568,766
|
| |
—
|
| |
89,373
|
| |
—
|
| |
658,139
|
|
(1)
|
All contributions in this column are also included as compensation to the named executive officers in the Salary and Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation columns of the Summary Compensation Table.
|
54
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
|
Name
|
| |
Payment for
2X Annual
Salary/Bonus
($)
|
| |
24 months
of benefits
($)(1)
|
| |
Value of
Accelerated
Equity Awards
(including
LTIP Units)
($)
|
| |
Total
($)(2)
|
|
|
Michael J. Schall
|
| |
5,176,000
|
| |
25,100
|
| |
16,515,166
|
| |
21,716,266
|
|
|
John F. Burkart
|
| |
3,399,361
|
| |
25,100
|
| |
5,146,719
|
| |
8,571,180
|
|
|
Angela L. Kleiman
|
| |
2,976,161
|
| |
25,100
|
| |
7,571,089
|
| |
10,572,350
|
|
|
Adam W. Berry
|
| |
1,827,667
|
| |
25,100
|
| |
4,374,254
|
| |
6,227,021
|
|
(1)
|
These amounts are based on the estimated average value of the benefits for all named executive officers. Actual amounts for individual officers may differ from this average amount.
|
(2)
|
The total does not include: (i) available balances under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan table preceding this table, (ii) any amounts due for accrued but unpaid wages under applicable law or under generally available benefit plans such as our 401(k) plan, at the time of any employment termination, or (iii) the proceeds of insurance policies paid by insurance companies in the event of death or disability.
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
55
|
|
Plan Category
|
| |
Number of Securities
To Be Issued Upon
Exercise Of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(#)
|
| |
Weighted Average
Exercise Price for
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
($)
|
| |
Securities Remaining
Available for Future
Issuance Under Plan
(#)
|
|
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders: Stock Incentive Plans
|
| |
719,246(1)
|
| |
255.86(2)
|
| |
2,461,030(3)
|
|
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders: Series Z-1 incentive units(4)
|
| |
|
| |
N/A
|
| |
|
|
|
Total
|
| |
719,246
|
| |
|
| |
2,461,030
|
|
(1)
|
Number of securities to be issued includes 106,137 LTIP Units granted in 2013 and 2014 but excludes 132,603 shares of unvested restricted stock.
|
(2)
|
This weighted average price amount applies only to options granted under the Company’s 1994, 2004 and 2013 plans.
|
(3)
|
Includes 500,000 shares available for future issuance under our 2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) and 698,366 shares available for future issuance under our 2013 Stock Award and Incentive Compensation Plan. No options have been granted, and no shares of Common Stock have been purchased, under the ESPP. This plan has not been implemented by the Company.
|
(4)
|
Series Z-1 incentive units were all converted in 2020.
|
56
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
•
|
the annual total compensation of the employee who represents our median compensated employee (other than our CEO) was $79,631; and
|
•
|
the annual total compensation of our CEO, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table above, was $6,555,744.
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
57
|
58
|
ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
|
•
|
Routine Transactions up to $1,000,000 that might involve a related person: generally transactions with a related person for ordinary course goods or services with established pricing practices, such as broker commissions for listing or buying properties, do not require prior committee approval but are to be reported to the Audit Committee for ratification.
|
•
|
Property Transactions: as to the acquisition or disposition of properties that may involve a related person, the guidelines list specified information to be provided to the Audit Committee, including a description of the related person’s direct or indirect interest in the transaction, the underwriting process, risk and mitigation information, the property marketing process, and analysis of comparable transactions. For two years after an acquisition involving a related person, the Audit Committee will receive reports concerning actual versus underwritten performance.
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•
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Preferred Equity/Subordinate Debt Transactions: as to these transactions, the Audit Committee must be provided information concerning the proposed transaction that is comparable to that set forth above for property transactions, and reports must be made to the Audit Committee quarterly as to the status of the transaction and promptly as to any default or similar event. Unless otherwise approved by the Board, the amount outstanding under, or invested pursuant to, all preferred equity/subordinate debt transactions involving the same related person may not exceed $75 million with respect to any investments in properties under construction and $135 million in total investments.
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ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
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ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
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ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
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2020
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2019
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|
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Audit Fees(1)
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| |
$2,047,475
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| |
$2,035,100
|
|
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Audit-Related Fees
|
| |
—
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| |
—
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|
|
Tax Fees(2)
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| |
100,000
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| |
—
|
|
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All Other Fees
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
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|
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Total
|
| |
$2,147,475
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| |
$2,035,100
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(1)
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Audit Fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s consolidated annual financial statements, the audit of internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the year, reviews of the interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports, comfort letters to underwriters, and services that are normally provided by KPMG LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
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(2)
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Tax Fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning for both federal and state income taxes.
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ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
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ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
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•
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as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act;
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•
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as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder or any stockholder associated person (as defined below), including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder or stockholder associated person;
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•
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as to the stockholder giving the notice, any proposed nominee and any stockholder associated person:
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•
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the class, series and number of shares of stock of the Company that each of them or any of their affiliates own, the date the shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition and any short interest in Company shares by any such person,
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the nominee holder for, and number of, Company shares owned beneficially but not of record by such person,
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whether such person has engaged in any hedging, derivative or other transaction with respect to Company shares or any shares of any entity listed in the peer group in the stock performance graph in the Company’s most recent annual report, and
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•
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any substantial interest of such person in the Company, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Company shares;
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as to the stockholder giving the notice, any stockholder associated person and any proposed nominee,
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•
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the person’s name and address, and
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•
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the person’s investment strategy or objective and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document provided to investors in such person;
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•
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the name and address of any person who contacted or was contacted by the stockholder giving the notice or any stockholder associated person about the proposed nominee or other proposed business; and
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•
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the name and address of any stockholder supporting the proposed nominee or the proposed business.
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ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
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ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
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66
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ESSEX Property Trust, Inc. 2021 Proxy Statement
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