UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d)

of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) September 29, 2010

 

 

SJW Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

California   1-8966   77-0066628

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

110 W. Taylor Street, San Jose, California   95110
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(408) 279-7800

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


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

(b) Resignation of Principal Financial Officer

On September 30, 2010, Mr. David A. Green resigned as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of SJW Corp. (the “Corporation”) and the following subsidiaries of the Corporation (the “Designated Subsidiaries”): San Jose Water Company, SJW Land Company, SJWTX, Inc. and Texas Water Alliance Limited. His resignation became effective at the close of business on that date.

In connection with such resignation, Mr. Green will be entitled to the following severance benefits, provided he delivers an effective and irrevocable general release of all claims against the Corporation and the Designated Subsidiaries pursuant to a Separation Agreement and Release:

(i) lump sum cash severance payment in the amount of $65,000 to be paid in April 2011; and

(ii) reimbursement of the costs he incurs for COBRA medical and dental care coverage for himself and his spouse through December 31, 2010, but not to exceed $16,500 in the aggregate.

(c) Appointment of New Principal Financial Officer

On September 29, 2010, the Corporation’s Board of Directors appointed Mr. James P. Lynch, age 51, as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Corporation, effective October 4, 2010. The Board of Directors of San Jose Water Company and Texas Water Alliance Limited, wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Corporation, also appointed Mr. Lynch as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective October 4, 2010. It is expected that Mr. Lynch will also be appointed as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the remaining Designated Subsidiaries.


Prior to joining the Corporation, Mr. Lynch was an Audit Partner at KPMG LLP. Mr. Lynch was with KPMG LLP for 26 years. He has extensive experience providing audit service and business advice to public and privately held companies, including publically held water utility companies. He also assisted clients with accounting and financial reporting matters, SEC registration and compliance matters, and securities offerings. Mr. Lynch is a certified public accountant.

Pursuant to the offer letter which Mr. Lynch accepted on September 27, 2010, he will be entitled to the following compensation for his services as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Corporation and the Designated Subsidiaries:

(i) base salary at the annual rate of $350,000;

(ii) annual target bonus in the amount of $75,000, with the actual bonus each year to range from 0 to 150% of target based on performance goal attainment and with any bonus earned for the 2010 fiscal year to be pro-rated on the basis of his actual period of employment during that year;

(iii)two separate restricted stock unit awards covering shares of the Corporation’s common stock, each issued under the Corporation’s Long-Term Incentive Plan with a grant-date fair value of $75,000 and with the initial award to become effective upon his commencement of employment with the Corporation and the second award to be made in January 2011;

(iv) company car and reimbursement of the membership fee for one local health care club; and

(v) separation pay in the form of twelve months of salary continuation should his employment be involuntarily terminated without cause.

The number of shares of the Corporation’s common stock subject to each restricted stock unit award made to Mr. Lynch will be determined by dividing $75,000 by the closing selling price per share of such common stock on the effective date of the award. Each award will vest in a series of four successive equal annual installments upon Mr. Lynch’s completion of each year of continued employment with the Corporation over the four-year period measured from the effective date of the award.

Mr. Lynch will also participate in the Corporation’s Executive Severance Plan, pursuant to which he would be eligible for certain severance benefits, including cash severance


payments and accelerated vesting of his outstanding equity awards, should his employment terminate under certain prescribed circumstances in connection with a change in control or ownership of the Corporation. However, there will be no duplication of benefits under such plan and the separation pay provisions of his offer letter.

A copy of the offer letter agreement between the Corporation and Mr. Lynch is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated into this Form 8-K by reference.

Mr. Lynch has also been selected for participation in the Cash Balance Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan that San Jose Water Company maintains for certain executive officers and other highly compensated individuals. His participation in such plan will commence as of January 1, 2011, and the plan has been amended, effective as of January 1, 2011, to provide (i) a higher rate of company contributions in the form of compensation credits during Mr. Lynch’s first twenty (20) years of service equal to 15% of his quarterly compensation during that period and (ii) full vesting of his accrued benefit under the plan upon completion of three years of service.

A copy of the amendment to the San Jose Water Company Cash Balance Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan is attached as Exhibit 10.2 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated into this Form 8-K by reference.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

A copy of the press release announcing James P. Lynch’s appointment is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated into Item 7.01 of this Form 8-K by reference.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Document

10.1    Offer Letter to Mr. James P. Lynch dated September 22, 2010 and accepted September 27, 2010.
10.2    Amendment to the San Jose Water Company Cash Balance Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan effective as of January 1, 2011.
99.1    Press Release issued on October 1, 2010 announcing the appointment of James P. Lynch as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.


SIGNATURES

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

 

  SJW Corp.
October 1, 2010  

/ S /    W. R ICHARD R OTH        

 

W. Richard Roth, President and

Chief Executive Officer


Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Document

10.1    Offer Letter to Mr. James P. Lynch dated September 22, 2010 and accepted September 27, 2010.
10.2    Amendment to the San Jose Water Company Cash Balance Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan effective as of January 1, 2011.
99.1    Press Release issued on October 1, 2010 announcing the appointment of James P. Lynch as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.

Exhibit 10.1

September 22, 2010

James P. Lynch

[Address]

Dear Jim:

Contingent upon the approval of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to offer you the position of Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of San Jose Water Company (the “Company”) reporting to Richard Roth, President and Chief Executive Officer. You will also serve as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of SJW Corp., SJW Land Company, SJWTX, Inc., and Texas Water Alliance Limited. Your appointment as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company and the other entities will be effective October 4, 2010.

Your starting base salary will be $13,461.54 bi-weekly, which is approximately $350,000.00 annualized, and an annual short-term incentive bonus target of $75,000.00. Your actual short-term bonus each year may range from zero to 150% of your target bonus based on corporate and individual performance, and your actual short-term bonus for the 2010 calendar year will be prorated based on the months worked during the year. The bonus you earn for each calendar year will be paid to you by March 15 of the following year. The payment of your salary and bonuses will be subject to the Company’s collection of all applicable withholding taxes. Subject to the approval of the Executive Compensation Committee, you will also receive two restricted stock unit awards each covering a number of shares of Common Stock of SJW Corp. equal to $75,000 divided by the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant and the shares shall vest over a period of four years. The first award will be made in 2010 in connection with your commencement of employment, and the second award will be made in January 2011 as part of the annual executive officer grant process. You will also be provided with a company car and reimbursement of the annual or monthly membership fee for one local health club, up to a total of $2,500 per calendar year (without carryover of any portion of that amount to any other calendar year and pro-rated for any partial calendar year of employment). To obtain such reimbursement, you must submit appropriate documentation of your payment of each such fee within forty-five days after the required payment date, and the Company will reimburse you for such fee within thirty days thereafter. Your right to such reimbursement may not be exchanged or liquidated for any other payment or benefit, and in no event will any such fee be reimbursed after the close of the calendar year following the calendar year in which that fee is incurred.

 


James P. Lynch   September 22, 2010            

 

Your duties will be to partner with the CEO and the other executive officers to provide strategic and financial leadership and drive the continued growth of our business. As part of this responsibility, you will become a member of the senior executive group and report regularly to the CEO and the other senior executive officers regarding any financial matter.

As a regular full-time employee, you are eligible for the standard benefits package at a nominal monthly cost. This coverage includes major medical, dental, life insurance, and long term disability and will become effective on the first of the month following 60 days of employment. Dependent coverage may also be elected for an additional monthly fee. You will also be eligible for our 401(k) and Retirement Plan, in accordance with the terms and conditions of these Plans. Upon completion of one year of service, you will be eligible for four weeks of vacation, which may be advanced upon request. The complete benefit package will be explained in further detail at your orientation.

Our progress and growth are the result of each employee’s contribution. As responsibility increases, typically so do the rewards. Formal performance reviews are generally conducted annually with salary increases based upon merit and performance. Generally, a non-salary performance review is conducted at the end of the 180 days probationary period.

Employment is, and will always be, one of at-will employment. That is, as employment is voluntary, you are free to resign at any time. Similarly, the Company is free to terminate this employment relationship at any time. However, if your employment is involuntarily terminated by the Company other than for cause, you will be eligible for separation pay in accordance with the terms and conditions of Appendix A to this offer letter.

As required by law, upon your first day of employment, you will be asked to provide proof of your eligibility to work legally in the United States and to sign such other documents as are customarily executed at the time of starting employment with the Company.

By signing below, you hereby confirm the following:

 

  (1) you have no outstanding agreement or obligation that is in conflict with any of the provisions of this agreement, or that would preclude you from complying with the provisions hereof; and

 

  (2) at all times during your employment with the Company: (i) you will not influence KMPG LLP’s operations or financial policies; (ii) you will not have capital balances in such accounting firm; and (iii) you will not have financial arrangement with the accounting firm other than one providing for regular payment of a fixed dollar amount (which is not dependent on the revenues, profits, or earnings of the accounting firm) pursuant to a fully funded retirement plan, rabbi trust, or, in jurisdictions in which a rabbi trust does not exist, a similar vehicle.


James P. Lynch   September 22, 2010            

 

The Company is committed to providing a safe and productive working environment. Therefore, this offer is contingent upon the completion of a background screen which includes prior employment, educational and criminal history, as well as upon passing a drug test to be taken after the Company’s receipt of a written offer acceptance. To take the test, use the attached forms for U.S. HealthWorks.

Jim, we realize that this is an important decision for you. We sincerely believe that this offer provides you with an excellent opportunity. We are confident that the Company will provide the challenge and growth potential you seek.

This offer of employment will be open until the close of business on Monday, September 27, 2010, and your expected employment commencement date will be October 4, 2010. We are looking forward to an affirmative response. To accept this offer, please sign and date a copy of this letter and return in the enclosed envelope. A second copy of this offer is enclosed for your personal records.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to call me at (408) 279-7976. We are excited at the prospect of having you join us at San Jose Water Company, and we look forward to working with you.

Best regards,

/s/ W. Richard Roth

W. Richard Roth

President and Chief Executive Officer

Acceptance

I am pleased to accept this offer. I will report to work on Monday, October 4, 2010 .

 

Signature:   

/s/ James P. Lynch

   Date: September 27, 2010


James P. Lynch   September 22, 2010            

 

APPENDIX A

SEPARATION PAY

In the event the Company unilaterally terminates your employment other than for cause (as defined below) then you will become eligible for the separation pay benefit set forth below, provided (i) you execute and deliver a general release of all claims you may have against the Company and its affiliates (with the form of such release to be provided by the Company at the time of such involuntary termination) within the twenty-one (21)-day period measured from your termination date and (ii) your executed release becomes effective and enforceable upon the expiration of the applicable seven (7)-day revocation period. In such event, you will become entitled to the following separation pay benefit:

- You will receive salary continuation payments, based on the monthly rate of base salary in effect for you at the time of such involuntary termination, for a period of twelve (12) months. Such payments will be made in a series of successive equal installments on the Company’s regularly-scheduled pay dates for salaried employees, with the first such payment to be made on the first such regularly scheduled payday, within the sixty (60)-day period following the date you incur a separation from service under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 409A) by reason of such involuntary termination, on which your required release is effective and enforceable in accordance with applicable law following the expiration of the maximum twenty-one (21)-day review period and the applicable seven (7)-day revocation period, or on such subsequent date thereafter as the Company may determine in its sole discretion, but in no event later than the last day of such sixty (60)-day period on which your required release is so effective and enforceable. Each such payment will be subject to the Company’s collection of all applicable withholding taxes. For purposes of Section 409A, each such cash severance payment shall be deemed to be part of your entitlement to a series of separate payments.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no salary continuation payments that constitute an item of deferred compensation under Section 409A will be made to you prior to the earlier of (i) the first day of the seventh month following the date of your separation from service or (ii) the date of your death, if you are deemed at the time of your separation from service to be a specified employee under Section 1.409A-1(i) of the Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A and such delayed commencement is otherwise required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. Upon the expiration of the applicable deferral period, all payments deferred in accordance herewith will be paid to you in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh month after the date of your separation from


James P. Lynch   September 22, 2010            

 

service or, if earlier, the first day of the month immediately following the date the Company receives proof of your death, and the balance of your salary continuation payments will be paid in accordance with the normal installment schedule set forth above.

For purposes of your eligibility for salary continuation payments hereunder, your employment will be deemed to be involuntarily terminated for cause if such termination occurs by reason of: (i) your commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty, (ii) your unauthorized use or disclosure of any confidential information or trade secrets of the Company or any affiliated entity, (iii) your conviction of, or pleading guilty or no contest to, a criminal violation involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude; or (iv) any intentional misconduct on your part which has a materially adverse effect upon the Company’s business or affairs, (v) your continued failure to perform the major duties, functions and responsibilities of your position (other than by reason of physical incapacity) after written notice from the Company’s Board of Directors identifying the deficiencies in your performance and a reasonable cure period of not less than thirty (30) days, (vi) a material breach of your fiduciary duties as an officer of the Company or (vii) your willful and knowing participation in the preparation or release of false or materially misleading financial statements relating to the Company’s operations and financial condition or your willful and knowing submission of any false or erroneous certification required of you under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or any securities exchange on which shares of the Company’s common stock are at the time listed for trading.

You will also be eligible to participate in the SJW Corp. Executive Severance Plan. However, should your employment with the Company terminate under circumstances that would otherwise entitle you to separation pay under this Appendix A and severance benefits under the Executive Severance Plan, there will be no duplication of benefits under the two arrangements, and you will accordingly receive only the severance benefits provided under the Executive Severance Plan.

Exhibit 10.2

SAN JOSE WATER COMPANY

CASH BALANCE

EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN

PLAN AMENDMENT

The San Jose Water Company Cash Balance Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan, as amended and restated July 29, 2009 (the “ Plan ”), is hereby further amended, effective January 1, 2011, as set forth below. All capitalized terms not otherwise expressly defined in this Plan Amendment shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Plan.

1. The participation in the Plan by James P. Lynch (the “ Executive ”) shall be subject to the following modifications of the terms and provisions otherwise in effect for all other Participants in the Plan and shall, accordingly, apply to and govern his Compensation Credits under the Plan and the vesting of his Accrued Benefit thereunder:

(a) The For each Plan Quarter that the Executive remains an Eligible Employee participating in the Plan, Compensation Credits shall be made to such Executive’s Account in an amount determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.2(a) of the Plan but based on the following chart in lieu of the chart that otherwise appears in such Section 3.2(a):

 

Years of Credited Service

   Percent of Compensation

Less than 20

   15%

20 or more

   16%

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 4.1 of the Plan, the Executive shall vest in his Accrued Benefit under the Plan upon his completion of Years of Service as follows:

 

Years of Service Completed

   Vested
Percentage

Less than 3

   None

3 or More

   100%

2. Except as expressly modified by this Plan Amendment, all the terms and provisions of the Plan shall apply to the Executive and shall govern his participation in the Plan and his accrual of a Retirement Benefit thereunder.

3. This Plan Amendment shall not apply to any Participant in the Plan other than the Executive and shall have no effect or impact on any such other Participant’s benefit entitlement or benefit accrual under the Plan.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, San Jose Water Company has caused its authorized officer to execute this Plan Amendment in its name and on its behalf on the date indicated below.

 

  SAN JOSE WATER COMPANY
By:  

/s/ W. Richard Roth

  W. Richard Roth, President and
  Chief Executive Officer
Dated:   September 29, 2010

Exhibit 99.1

SJW CORP. ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF

NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

SAN JOSE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—SJW Corp. (NYSE:SJW) announced today the appointment of James P. Lynch as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the company effective as of October 4, 2010.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Jim’s stature join the SJW executive team. Jim is familiar with many of our people, systems and processes. He also knows the community very well and shares SJW’s commitment to excellence,” said W. Richard Roth, President and Chief Executive Officer of SJW Corp.

Prior to joining SJW Corp., Mr. Lynch was an Audit Partner at KPMG LLP. Mr. Lynch was with KPMG LLP for 26 years. He has extensive experience providing audit service and business advice to public and privately held companies, including publically held water utility companies. He also assisted clients with accounting and financial reporting matters, SEC registration and compliance matters, and securities offerings. Mr. Lynch is a certified public accountant.

SJW Corp. is a publicly traded holding company headquartered in San Jose, California. SJW Corp. is the parent company of San Jose Water Company, SJWTX, Inc. and SJW Land Company. Together, San Jose Water Company and SJWTX, Inc. provide regulated and nonregulated water service to more than one million people in San Jose, California and nearby communities and in Canyon Lake, Texas and nearby communities. SJW Land Company owns and operates commercial buildings, has a majority interest in a real estate partnership, and has properties in the states of California, Florida, Connecticut, Texas, Arizona and Tennessee.

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements including but not limited to statements relating to SJW Corp.’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of SJW Corp. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The results for a quarter are not indicative of results for a full year due to seasonality. Certain factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to materially differ are described in SJW Corp.’s most recent reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. SJW Corp. undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SJW Corp.

Suzy Papazian

Corporate Secretary/Attorney

408-279-7961