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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant ☒ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
| ☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement | |
| ☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |
| ☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement | |
| ☐ | Definitive Additional Materials | |
| ☐ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 | |
GETTY REALTY CORP.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
| ☒ | No fee required. | |||
| ☐ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. | |||
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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| ☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. | |||
| ☐ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. | |||
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Amount Previously Paid:
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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Filing Party:
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Date Filed:
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| SEC 1913 (02-02) |
Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number. |
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GETTY REALTY CORP.
TWO JERICHO PLAZA, WING C, SUITE 110, JERICHO, NEW YORK 11753
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD APRIL 28, 2020
To the Stockholders of GETTY REALTY CORP.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Getty Realty Corp., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), will be held at the offices of Arent Fox LLP, 1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019 on April 28, 2020 at 3:30 p.m., for the following purposes:
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to elect a Board of seven directors to hold office until our 2021 annual meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified; |
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to hold an advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation; |
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to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2020. |
We will also transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
The Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice more fully describes the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 3, 2020 are entitled to notice of and to vote at this meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
On or about March 18, 2020, for the holders of record and beneficial owners of our common stock as of the close of business on the record date, we will either send (i) a copy of our Proxy Statement, including this Notice of Annual Meeting, the accompanying proxy card and our Annual Report or (ii) a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice of Internet Availability”). The Notice of Internet Availability instructs you how to access and review this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report beginning on March 18, 2020. The Notice of Internet Availability also instructs you how you may submit your proxy over the internet.
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Jericho, New York March 12, 2020 |
By Order of the Board of Directors, /s/ Joshua Dicker Joshua Dicker Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
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WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND COMPLETE A PROXY FOR YOUR SHARES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. YOU MAY VIA THE INTERNET AUTHORIZE A PROXY HOLDER TO VOTE YOUR SHARES BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE WEBSITE INDICATED IN THE NOTICE MAILED TO YOU REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS. IF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD IN THE NAME OF A BROKERAGE FIRM, BANK, NOMINEE OR OTHER INSTITUTION, YOU SHOULD PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS TO YOUR BROKER, BANK, NOMINEE OR OTHER INSTITUTION ON HOW TO VOTE YOUR SHARES. YOU MAY ALSO REQUEST A PAPER PROXY CARD TO SUBMIT YOUR VOTE BY MAIL. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING AND VOTE IN PERSON, THAT VOTE WILL REVOKE ANY PROXY YOU MAY HAVE PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED. IF YOU HOLD SHARES IN THE NAME OF A BROKERAGE FIRM, BANK, NOMINEE OR OTHER INSTITUTION, THEN, IN ORDER TO VOTE YOUR SHARES AT THE MEETING, YOU MUST PROVIDE A LEGAL PROXY FROM THAT INSTITUTION.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT, NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES YOU OWN.
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GETTY REALTY CORP.
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
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April 28, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern |
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| Place: |
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Arent Fox LLP, |
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1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019 |
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| Record Date: |
March 3, 2020 |
Voting Matters and Board Recommendation
| Proposal Description |
Board Vote Recommendation |
Page Number with More Information |
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| Proposal 1 | Election of seven Directors | “FOR” all nominees | 4 | |||
| Proposal 2 | Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation | “FOR” | 33 | |||
| Proposal 3 | Ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2020 | “FOR” | 36 |
This Proxy Statement Summary contains highlights of certain information in this Proxy Statement. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all the information that you should consider before voting. Please review the complete Proxy Statement and Getty’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
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PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of Getty Realty Corp. (hereinafter called the “Company” or “Getty”), to be voted at the Company’s Annual Meeting to be held at the offices of Arent Fox LLP, 1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019 on April 28, 2020 at 3:30 p.m., and at any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Annual Meeting”), for the purposes of (1) electing a Board of Directors; (2) holding an advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation; and (3) ratifying the appointment of independent auditors. We will also transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Record Date, Voting Rights, Outstanding Shares and Quorum
At the close of business on March 3, 2020, the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, there were 41,387,165 shares of Getty common stock outstanding. Each outstanding share of common stock is entitled to one vote. The shares of common stock vote as a single class. In order to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting, there must be present, or voting by proxy, holders of a majority of the outstanding common stock.
Under Maryland law, shares represented by proxies that reflect abstentions or “broker non-votes” (i.e., shares held by a broker or nominee which are represented at the Annual Meeting but with respect to which such broker or nominee has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the stock to vote on a particular proposal and is thus not empowered by the beneficial owner to vote on such proposal) will be counted as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you will receive instructions from the holder of record on how to vote your shares. You must follow the instructions of the holder of record in order for your shares to be voted. If your shares are not registered in your own name and you plan to vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting, you should contact your broker or agent to obtain a legal proxy or broker’s proxy card and bring it with you to the Annual Meeting in order to vote.
All valid proxies received before the Annual Meeting will be exercised. All shares represented by a proxy will be voted, and where a proxy specifies a stockholder’s choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted in accordance with that specification. If no choice is indicated on the proxy with respect to any one or more of the proposals, the shares will be voted in favor of such proposal(s). At the discretion of the persons named in the enclosed proxy card or vote instruction form, such proxy holder may also vote on any other matter that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
If a quorum is achieved at the Annual Meeting, the following voting requirements will apply:
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Board Elections. The affirmative vote of a plurality of all votes cast at the Annual Meeting at which a quorum is present is required for the election of each nominee to our Board of Directors. With respect to each director nominee, you may vote “for” such nominee or “withhold” your vote as to such nominee. If you “withhold” authority to vote with respect to one or more director nominees, your vote will have no effect on the election of such nominees. Director nominees with the most votes cast “for” such nominee’s election will be elected to our Board of Directors. |
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For purposes of the election of directors, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote. |
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Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting at which a quorum is present will be necessary to approve the advisory vote on executive compensation. |
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For purposes of the advisory vote to approve the named executive officer compensation, abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. |
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Ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting at which a quorum is present will be necessary to ratify the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm. |
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For purposes of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, abstentions are not considered votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. (The ratification of the appointment of auditors is a “routine” matter under The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules for which brokers, banks or other nominees have the discretion to vote without receiving instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares. See “Broker Non-Votes” below for further information.) |
Broker non-votes occur when a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” does not give instructions to the broker, bank or other nominee holding the shares as to how to vote on matters deemed “non-routine” under NYSE rules. Generally, if shares are held in street name, the beneficial owner of the shares is entitled to give voting instructions to the broker, bank or other nominee holding the shares. If the beneficial owner does not provide voting instructions, the broker, bank or other nominee can still vote the shares with respect to matters that are considered to be “routine” under NYSE rules, but cannot vote the shares with respect to “non-routine” matters. With respect to the three proposals set forth in this Proxy Statement, only Proposal 3 – Ratification of the Appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP – is considered to be “routine” and brokers, banks or other nominees will have discretionary voting power with respect to such proposal. We encourage you to provide instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee regarding the voting of your shares. See “Vote Required” section above for the treatment of broker non-votes with respect to each of the three proposals.
If you vote by proxy, the individuals named on the proxy card (your “proxies” or “proxy holders”) will vote your shares in the manner you indicate.
We will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to soliciting stockholders by mail through our employees, we will request banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to solicit customers for whom they hold our stock and we will reimburse them for their reasonable, out-of-pocket costs in connection with the solicitation of proxies. We may also use the services of our officers, directors and others to solicit proxies personally or by telephone, without additional compensation.
Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
From the date of mailing of the Notice of Internet Availability through the conclusion of the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be able to access all of the proxy materials on the internet at www.proxyvote.com. The proxy materials will be available free of charge. The Notice of Internet Availability will instruct you as to how you may access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials (including our Annual Report to stockholders) over the internet or through other methods specified at the website designated in the Notice of Internet Availability. The designated website contains instructions as to how to vote your shares over the internet or by telephone. The Notice of Internet Availability also instructs you as to how you may request a paper or email copy of the proxy card. If you received a Notice of Internet Availability and would like to receive a printed copy of the proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in the Notice of Internet Availability.
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The rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) permit us to deliver a single Notice of Internet Availability or set of Annual Meeting materials to one address shared by two or more of our stockholders. We have delivered only one copy of the Notice of Internet Availability or set of Annual Meeting materials to multiple stockholders who share the same address, unless we received contrary instructions from the impacted stockholders prior to the mailing date. We will promptly deliver, upon written or oral request, a separate copy of the Notice of Internet Availability or set of Annual Meeting materials to any stockholder at the shared address to which a single copy of those documents was delivered. If you prefer to receive separate copies of the Notice of Internet Availability or sets of Annual Meeting materials, contact Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. at 1-800-542-1061, or in writing at Broadridge, Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. If you are currently a stockholder sharing an address with another stockholder and wish to receive only one copy of future Notices of Internet Availability or set of Annual Meeting materials for your household, please contact Broadridge at the above phone number or address.
The Notice of Internet Availability or Annual Meeting materials will be sent to stockholders on, and will be available on the internet on or about, March 18, 2020.
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Item No. 1 on the Proxy Card)
Nominees for Election at the Annual Meeting
Getty’s directors are elected at each annual meeting of stockholders and hold office for a term of one year and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. The Board of Directors has nominated seven candidates for election as directors for a one-year term ending at the 2021 annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders or when their successors are duly elected and qualified.
The affirmative vote of a plurality of all votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of each nominee to our Board of Directors. With respect to each director nominee, you may vote “for” such nominee or “withhold” your vote as to such nominee. Director nominees with the most votes cast “for” such nominee’s election will be elected to our Board of Directors. For purposes of the election of directors, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote.
You may use the proxy card furnished to you to cast your votes for the election of the director nominees named in the table below. In the event that any of the nominees should become unable or unwilling to serve as a director prior to the 2020 Annual Meeting, we intend to vote your proxy “for” the election of the substitute nominee, if any, who is designated by the Board of Directors. For additional information about how we identify and evaluate nominees for director, see “Committees – Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee” at page 10 of this Proxy Statement.
Set forth below is information regarding the directors nominated for election at the Annual Meeting, including background information and information regarding the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that support the conclusion that these nominees should serve as directors of Getty.
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Name and Age |
Information Regarding Nominees |
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| Leo Liebowitz – 92 |
Mr. Liebowitz has served as Chairman of the Board of Getty since 1971 and served as the Chief Executive Officer of Getty from 1985 until 2010. Mr. Liebowitz served as President of Getty from 1971 until 2004. In 1955, Mr. Liebowitz co-founded the predecessor business that became our Company, and he is our largest individual stockholder.
Mr. Liebowitz also served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Getty Petroleum Marketing Inc. from 1996 until 2000, and as a director of the Regional Banking Advisory Board of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from 1975 to 2013.
As our co-founder and one of our largest stockholders since the Company’s inception, Mr. Liebowitz possesses a deep understanding and appreciation of all aspects of Getty, its history and its business. He is highly qualified to serve on and lead our Board. |
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| Milton Cooper – 91 |
Mr. Cooper has served as a director of Getty since 1971 and as Chairman of the Compensation Committee since 2006. He also has served as a member of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee since before 1993.
Mr. Cooper is the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors for Kimco Realty Corporation (“Kimco”), a NYSE listed real estate investment trust (“REIT”), which is one of the nation’s largest owners and operators of neighborhood and community shopping centers. Mr. Cooper has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief |
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Name and Age |
Information Regarding Nominees |
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Executive Officer of Kimco from its initial public offering in 1991 to 2009, and was a director and President of Kimco prior thereto. In 1956, Mr. Cooper co-founded the predecessor business that became Kimco.
Mr. Cooper is a nationally recognized leader of the modern REIT industry. He has received the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts Industry Leadership Award for his significant and lasting contribution to the REIT industry. From 1983 through April 2012, he was also a director of Blue Ridge Real Estate/Big Boulder Corporation, a real estate management and land development firm. Mr. Cooper has also served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts.
Along with Mr. Liebowitz, Mr. Cooper is the longest-serving member of our Board, and also one of our largest individual stockholders. Mr. Cooper is a trusted advisor and highly qualified for our Board. |
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| Philip E. Coviello – 77 |
Mr. Coviello has served as a director of Getty since 1996 and as Chairman of the Audit Committee since 2000. Mr. Coviello also has served on the Compensation Committee since 2007 and on the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee since 1999.
Mr. Coviello has served as a director of Kimco since 2008, serves as Chairman of Kimco’s Audit Committee, and also serves on Kimco’s Executive Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Coviello was a partner in Latham & Watkins LLP, an international law firm, until his retirement from the firm as of December 31, 2003.
Mr. Coviello’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his many years of legal experience counseling Boards of Directors and senior management of public and private companies on a wide range of corporate and securities law issues, including mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings and corporate governance, regulatory compliance and other matters. |
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| Christopher J. Constant – 41 |
Mr. Constant has served as a director of Getty since January 1, 2016, concurrent with his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective at that time. Mr. Constant joined the Company in November 2010 as Director of Planning and Corporate Development and advanced within the Company to Treasurer in May 2012, Vice President in May 2013, Chief Financial Officer in December 2013, and President and Chief Executive Officer as of January 1, 2016.
Prior to joining Getty, Mr. Constant was a Vice President in the corporate finance department of Morgan Joseph & Co. Inc. and began his career in the corporate finance department at ING Barings.
Mr. Constant’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his past experience in investment banking, totaling over ten years, including his past leadership role as Vice President in the investment banking firm Morgan Joseph & Co. Inc., and his diverse knowledge of financial and |
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Name and Age |
Information Regarding Nominees |
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| capital markets and corporate development strategies, specifically as they relate to the real estate industry and REITs. In addition, Mr. Constant has gained extensive knowledge of the Company’s business strategies, finances and operations in various executive capacities with the Company since 2010, and has been a driving force behind the execution of numerous specialized and strategic projects during his tenure. His knowledge of our business, finances, operations and compliance requirements, and his demonstrated effective leadership within the Company, qualify Mr. Constant as a valuable member of our Board of Directors. | ||
| Mary Lou Malanoski – 63 |
Ms. Malanoski has served as a director of Getty since October 2018. She has also served as a member of the Audit Committee since October 2018.
Ms. Malanoski is currently Chief Financial Officer of S2K Partners Co. LLC. Previously, she was the Chief Operating Officer at Morgan Joseph TriArtisan, an investment bank focused on the mid-market, where she also had served as Head of Banking and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to Morgan Joseph TriArtisan, she was a founder and principal of New Street Advisors, a boutique broker-dealer, and New Street Investments, a firm focused primarily on non-control investments in private companies. Prior to New Street Advisors, she was a senior team member at New Street Capital, a private investment firm which managed the assets of the reorganized Drexel Burnham Lambert. Ms. Malanoski began her career as an investment banker at Drexel Burnham Lambert. She also is a member of the Board of Directors for Phibro Animal Health Corporation and Morgan Joseph TriArtisan.
Ms. Malanoski’s qualifications to serve on our Board include her over 30 years of experience on Wall Street in various roles. Ms. Malanoski is an accomplished leader and an experienced board member who brings a unique and independent perspective to our Board. |
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| Richard E. Montag – 87 |
Mr. Montag has served as a director of Getty since 2010. He also has served as a member of the Compensation Committee since 2010 and as a member of the Audit Committee since 2010.
Mr. Montag was a director of FNC Realty Corporation (f/k/a Frank’s Nursery & Crafts, Inc.) from 2004 until 2005; Enterprise Asset Management, Inc. from 2003 until 2004; Hills Stores Company from 1997 to 1998, and Getty Petroleum Marketing Inc. from 1996 until 2000. From 1982 until 1998, Mr. Montag was the Vice President of Real Estate Development for The Richard E. Jacobs Group, Inc.
Mr. Montag’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his demonstrated leadership and management experience and strong understanding of public company governance and operations through his prior service on three public company boards. Mr. Montag also possesses experience as a director of Getty Petroleum Marketing Inc. from October 1996 until December 2000 and as a senior executive in the real estate industry, including his prior position as Vice President with The Richard E. Jacob Group, Inc., one of the nation’s most established and respected owners, developers, and managers of commercial real estate. |
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS
Board of Directors and Board Leadership Structure
Our Board of Directors is currently comprised of Christopher J. Constant, Milton Cooper, Philip E. Coviello, Leo Liebowitz, Mary Lou Malanoski, Richard E. Montag, and Howard B. Safenowitz. Our Board is elected by the stockholders to oversee the performance of the Company’s business affairs and to set broad strategy for the Company’s growth. The Board of Directors acts as an advisor to senior management and monitors its performance. It also oversees the Company’s compliance efforts. To help discharge its responsibilities, the Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines on significant corporate governance issues. The Corporate Governance Guidelines address, among other things, the size and composition of the Board of Directors, director independence, committee membership and structure, meetings and executive sessions, and director selection and training.
The Charters for each of the committees of the Board of Directors, the Corporate Governance Guidelines, and Getty’s Business Conduct Guidelines (which serve as our code of ethics under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and our code of business conduct and ethics under NYSE rules, and covers officers, employees and directors), may all be accessed through the Getty website at www.gettyrealty.com by clicking on “Investors/Corporate Governance”.
The Board of Directors and the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee are committed to the needs of the Board and in evaluating possible director candidates will, pursuant to the Director Qualification Standards section of the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, consider multiple factors including the knowledge and judgment, breadth of skills, experience, perspective, and other attributes of a candidate, as well as diversity criteria such as race, gender, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation or identity. As a direct result of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee’s commitment to a diverse Board of Directors, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee again nominated for election at the Annual Meeting Ms. Malanoski as a director candidate based upon her (i) personal and professional integrity, ethics and values, (ii) educational and professional background, (iii) experience in corporate management, (iv) experience as a board member, (v) “independence,” as defined by the NYSE listing standards, (vi) financial literacy, and (vii) ability to foster a diversity of backgrounds and views and to compliment the Board’s existing strengths. (For additional information on this issue, see “Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee” discussion on pages 10-12 of this Proxy Statement.)
In addition to our website availability, copies of any of the Charters for each of the committees of the Board of Directors, the Corporate Governance Guidelines, and/or Getty’s Business Conduct Guidelines may also be obtained by submitting a written request to Mr. Joshua Dicker, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, at the address for Getty’s executive offices provided in this Proxy Statement. The Business Conduct Guidelines apply to all employees, officers and directors of the Company and waivers of the Business Conduct Guidelines for directors or executive officers, if any, will be disclosed as required by the rules and regulations of the SEC. There were no such waivers in 2019.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, our Board of Directors had seven members. The Board of Directors has nominated seven candidates for election as directors for a one-year term ending at the 2021 annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders and when their successors are duly elected and qualified.
The Board does not have a policy regarding the separation of the roles of Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chairman of the Board, as the Board believes it is in the best interests of the Company for the Board to have the flexibility to make the determination whether the same person should serve as both the CEO and Chairman of the Board at any given point in time, or whether the roles should be separate, depending on, among other factors, the position and direction of the Company and the membership of the Board. The Board believes that its current leadership structure, with separate Chairman and CEO positions, is appropriate for the Company because it separates the leadership of the Board from the day to day leadership of the Company. The Board believes that, in addition to the Lead Independent Director, separating the position of Chairman from the CEO better positions the Board to evaluate the performance of management and enables the Chairman to provide guidance to the CEO.
In his role as Chairman of the Board, Mr. Liebowitz is responsible for enhancing Board effectiveness, in particular by ensuring that the Board works as a cohesive team; ensuring that the Board has adequate resources and that there is a process in place to assure that the Board is presented with full, timely and relevant information; ensuring
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that there is a process in place to monitor best practices that relate to the responsibilities of the Board; and assessing the effectiveness of the overall Board and individual directors on a regular basis. He is also responsible for Board management, in particular by providing oversight on the agendas for Board meetings; consulting with the CEO regarding the membership and the chairs for Board committees; ensuring that the independent directors meet regularly without management present to discuss the effectiveness of the CEO and the Board; and by chairing Board meetings.
In his role as the CEO, Mr. Constant is responsible for setting a strategic vision for the Company and seeking to align the Company, internally and externally, with that strategic vision. In addition, Mr. Constant, as CEO, is responsible for day to day leadership of the Company, promoting Company performance through his leadership, and leading the Company in the execution of its business plan. Our CEO also serves on our Board, which we believe helps the CEO to serve as a bridge between management and the Board of Directors, ensuring that both groups act with a common purpose. We believe that the CEO’s presence on the Board enhances his ability to provide insight and direction on important strategic initiatives to both management and the independent directors and, at the same time, ensures that the appropriate level of independent oversight is applied to all decisions by the Board.
Role of Board of Directors in Risk Oversight
It is management’s responsibility to assess and manage the various risks the Company faces and the Board’s responsibility to oversee management in this effort. In exercising its oversight, the Board has delegated primary responsibility for risk assessment and risk management oversight to the Audit Committee. Under its Charter, the Audit Committee’s responsibilities include discussing with management the Company’s policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management and the Company’s material financial risk exposures and the actions management has taken to limit, monitor or control such exposures. The Audit Committee receives quarterly reports from management on the Company’s enterprise risk management practices and risk mitigation efforts. The Audit Committee also oversees the Company’s legal and regulatory compliance programs and internal audit function. Our full Board regularly reviews the Company’s strategic plans and objectives, including the risks that may affect the achievement of these strategic plans and objectives.
The Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Malanoski and Messrs. Cooper, Coviello, Montag and Safenowitz are “independent” as defined in the listing standards of the NYSE. In making these determinations, the Board of Directors considered all relevant facts and circumstances, including the independence standards set forth in Section 303A.02 of the rules of the NYSE. The Board of Directors affirmatively determined that none of the directors, or any of their respective family members, other than Mr. Liebowitz and Mr. Constant, has had any relationship with Getty (either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with Getty), other than as a stockholder and director of Getty. Accordingly, the Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that each of the directors, other than Mr. Liebowitz and Mr. Constant, is “independent.”
It has been and will continue to be the practice of the Board of Directors to meet at least quarterly each year and have Mr. Liebowitz, as Chairman, chair such meetings. Additionally, it has been the practice of the independent directors to meet in executive session at least quarterly each year, and to have Mr. Safenowitz, who has served as the Company’s Lead Independent Director since February 25, 2010, chair such sessions.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Board of Directors held four (4) meetings. Each of the directors nominated for election at the Annual Meeting attended all of the 2019 meetings of the Board of Directors during the period in which he or she was eligible to attend, and all of the 2019 meetings of Committees of the Board on which such director served in 2019, except that Mr. Coviello did not attend the October 23, 2019 Compensation Committee Meeting due to illness,. Each of the directors nominated for election at the Annual Meeting also attended the annual meeting of stockholders in May 2019.
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The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and a Compensation Committee, the membership and functions of which are described below.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee met four (4) times in 2019. The Audit Committee consisted of Messrs. Coviello (Chairman), Montag and Safenowitz and Ms. Malanoski. The Audit Committee selects the independent registered public accounting firm that audits the consolidated financial statements of Getty and its subsidiaries, discusses the scope and the results of the audit with our independent registered public accounting firm, and monitors Getty’s financial accounting and reporting practices. The Audit Committee also examines and discusses the adequacy of Getty’s internal control over financial reporting with the independent registered public accounting firm, our internal auditors, and with management. The Board has designated the Audit Committee to take the lead in overseeing our risk assessment and risk management, along with overseeing compliance with our Business Conduct Guidelines. In addition to regular meetings, at least one Audit Committee member meets telephonically with management and Getty’s independent auditors to review the Company’s quarterly reports and other reports, as appropriate, prior to their full presentation to the Audit Committee and subsequent filing with the SEC. The Audit Committee met with management and Getty’s independent auditors to review the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 and recommended to the Board of Directors that the financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for such year. See “Role of Board of Directors in Risk Oversight” on page 9 of this Proxy Statement for a discussion of the Audit Committee’s role in risk assessment and risk management oversight. Additionally, the Audit Committee reviews and discusses with management management’s specific disclosures contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Please also see the Audit Committee Report included at page 34 in this Proxy Statement.
The Board of Directors determined that for the year ended December 31, 2019, each member of the Audit Committee (a) was (1) “independent” and (2) “financially literate” as such terms are defined in the listing standards of the NYSE and (b) met the independence tests set forth in Section 301 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and regulations promulgated thereunder by the SEC. The Board of Directors also determined that for the year ended December 31, 2019, Ms. Malanoski, Mr. Coviello and Mr. Montag each qualified as an “audit committee financial expert” under the relevant rules of the SEC, and that each of Ms. Malanoski, Mr. Coviello and Mr. Montag have the requisite accounting/financial management expertise required by the listing standards of the NYSE.
The Charter of the Audit Committee provides that members of the Audit Committee may not be members of the audit committee of more than two other public companies unless such other memberships have been disclosed to the Board and the Board has determined that such simultaneous service does not impair the ability of such member to serve effectively on the Audit Committee. None of the Audit Committee members served on the audit committee of more than two other public companies during 2019.
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee met two (2) times in 2019. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee consisted of Messrs. Safenowitz (Chairman), Cooper and Coviello. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee recommends nominees for election to the Board and reviews the role, composition and structure of the Board and its committees. As part of this review, the Committee evaluates (i) whether to have a Lead Independent Director, (ii) the responsibilities of the positions of Chairman of the Board and Lead Independent Director, and (iii) the qualifications for those positions, including whether the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors should be held by the Chief Executive Officer, an independent director, or a non-independent director other than the Chief Executive Officer. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee also recommends candidates to the Board for election as officers.
For a discussion of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of the nominees for election to the Board, see the “Nominees for Election at the Annual Meeting” section on page 4 of this Proxy Statement.
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The Director Qualification Standards section of the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines affirms the benefits of diversity among the Board of Directors by specifically stating that (i) diversity (based on factors commonly associated with diversity such as race, gender, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation or identity, as well as on broader principles such as diversity of perspective and experience) is one of the elements to be considered in evaluating a particular director candidate, and (ii) the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for assessing the appropriate balance of skills and characteristics required of members of the Board of Directors and will actively seek to broaden the diversity composition of the Board of Directors. As a direct result of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee’s commitment to a diverse Board of Directors, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee again nominated for election at the Annual Meeting Ms. Malanoski as a director candidate. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee reserves the right to recommend and nominate additional members to the Board of Directors from time to time.
The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines do not include mandatory retirement ages or term limits applicable to directors. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee annually reviews the performance and qualifications of each current director and considers the results of such evaluation when determining whether or not to recommend the nomination of such director for an additional term. In addition, although the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee considers length of service when recommending candidates for re-election, the Board does not believe that adopting a set term limit for directors serves the interests of the Company. Such limits may result in the loss of contributions from directors who have been able to develop, over a period of time, increasing insight into the Company, its operations and its strategic direction. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee reviews these policies as part of its annual governance review and will consider modifications to these policies as deemed necessary and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is “independent” as such term is defined in the listing standards of the NYSE. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee Charter includes policies with regard to stockholder recommendations of nominees to the Board of Directors.
Stockholders wishing to recommend candidates for election to the Board must supply information in writing regarding the candidate to Mr. Joshua Dicker, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, at the Company’s executive offices. This information should include the candidate’s name, biographical data and an analysis of the candidate based on the director candidate criteria described below. The recommendation must also include all information relating to the proposed director nominee that would be required to be disclosed in a solicitation of proxies for election of directors in an election contest under applicable securities law. Stockholders wishing to nominate a candidate must comply with the advance notice requirements in our Bylaws. Please refer to our Bylaws for more specific information. Our Bylaws were publicly filed with the SEC on November 14, 2011, as amended February 26, 2019, and publicly filed with the SEC on February 27, 2019. Additional information regarding any proposed nominees may be requested by the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee.
Pursuant to the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee Charter and/or the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, each nominee must possess fundamental qualities of intelligence, honesty, good judgment, and high standards of ethics, integrity, fairness and responsibility. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee also will consider the following criteria in addition to other criteria the Committee deems appropriate, including the specific needs of the Board at the time:
| • |
personal and professional integrity, ethics, and values; |
| • |
experience in corporate management, such as serving as an officer or former officer of a publicly held company, and a general understanding of marketing, finance and other elements relevant to the success of a publicly traded company in today’s business environment; |
| • |
the director’s past attendance at meetings and participation in and contributions to the activities of the Board (if applicable); |
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| • |
ability to make independent analytical inquiries, general understanding of marketing, finance and other elements relevant to the success of a publicly-traded company in today’s business environment; |
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experience in our industry and with relevant social policy concerns; |
| • |
understanding of our business on a technical level; |
| • |
educational and professional background and/or academic experience in an area of our operations; |
| • |
experience as a board member of another publicly held company; |
| • |
practical and mature business judgment, including ability to make independent analytical inquiries; |
| • |
“independence,” as defined by the NYSE listing standards; |
| • |
financial literacy; |
| • |
standing in the community; |
| • |
diversity based on factors commonly associated with diversity such as race, gender, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation or identity, as well as on broader principles such as diversity of perspective and experience; and |
| • |
ability to complement the Board’s existing strengths. |
In reviewing prospective nominees, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee also reviews the number of public company boards on which a director nominee serves to determine if the nominee will have the ability to devote adequate time to the work of the Board of Directors and its committees. The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and the Company’s Audit Committee Charter provide that members of the Audit Committee may not be members of the audit committee of more than two other public companies unless such other memberships have been disclosed to the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors has determined that such simultaneous service does not impair the ability of such member to effectively serve on the Company’s Audit Committee. In addition, the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that non-management directors may not serve on more than four other boards of public companies (excluding the Company’s Board) and, effective February 25, 2020, the Board of Directors revised the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines to provide that management directors may not serve on more than two boards of public companies (including the Company’s Board).
On the basis of the information gathered in this process, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee will determine which nominees to recommend to the Board. Recommendations and related information received prior to any Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee meeting where director nominees are to be considered will be considered at that meeting. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee uses the same process for evaluating all nominees, regardless of the source of the recommendation. This process includes, among other things, personal interviews, discussions with professional references, background checks, credit checks and resume verification.
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee has not received any recommendation for a director nominee for the Annual Meeting from any stockholder or group of stockholders.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee met two (2) times in 2019. The Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs. Cooper (Chairman), Coviello, Montag and Safenowitz. The Compensation Committee is responsible for developing and, with the approval of the Board, implementing the compensation plans, policies and programs of the Company and producing an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in the Company’s proxy materials in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. It is the Compensation Committee’s responsibility to ensure that compensation programs are designed to encourage high performance and promote accountability and assure that employee interests are aligned with the interests of the Company’s stockholders. The Board has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is “independent” as such term is defined in the listing standards of the NYSE.
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The Compensation Committee also administers the Supplemental Retirement Plan for Executives of Getty Realty Corp. and Participating Subsidiaries (the “Supplemental Retirement Plan”) and the Getty Realty Corp. Second Amended and Restated 2004 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2004 Plan”) and reviews, and recommends to the Board for its approval, the compensation of the directors and each of the named executive officers of Getty.
The Compensation Committee’s Charter provides that the Committee may delegate any or all of its responsibilities, except that the Committee may not delegate its responsibilities with respect to:
| • |
its annual review and approval of compensation for officers, directors and certain highly compensated employees; |
| • |
its recommendation to the Chairman of the Board of any changes in non-management director compensation; |
| • |
its management and annual review of, and responsibilities with respect to, all bonuses, incentive compensation, equity-based compensation, and employee pension and welfare benefit plans; or |
| • |
any other matters that involve executive compensation. |
The compensation of Getty’s named executive officers is recommended by the CEO to the Compensation Committee. The CEO reviews the performance of each executive officer (other than his own) with the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee considers the CEO’s recommendations, evaluates the CEO’s individual performance and establishes the compensation for each named executive officer, including the CEO. The CEO does not play any role in the Compensation Committee’s deliberation of matters impacting his own compensation. No executive officer other than the CEO plays a role in determining or recommending the amount or form of executive compensation.
Contacting the Board of Directors
Stockholders and other interested parties who wish to communicate with the Board of Directors may do so by sending written communications to the Board of Directors at the following address: Board of Directors, Getty Realty Corp., Two Jericho Plaza, Wing C, Suite 110, Jericho, New York 11753. Stockholders and other interested parties who wish to direct communications to only the independent (non-management) directors of Getty may do so by sending written communications to the following address: Independent Directors, c/o Getty Realty Corp., Two Jericho Plaza, Wing C, Suite 110, Jericho, New York 11753. Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls or auditing matters are handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee with respect to such matters.
The Company’s executive officers are as follows:
| • |
Mr. Christopher J. Constant, age 41, President and Chief Executive Officer since January 1, 2016. Mr. Constant is also a Director of the Company. Mr. Constant joined the Company in November 2010 as Director of Planning and Corporate Development and was later promoted to Treasurer in May 2012 and Vice President in May 2013. In December 2013, he was promoted to Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Prior to joining Getty, Mr. Constant was a Vice President in the corporate finance department of Morgan Joseph & Co. Inc. and began his career in the corporate finance department at ING Barings. Mr. Constant earned an A.B. from Princeton University. |
| • |
Mr. Mark J. Olear, age 55, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Getty since May 2014 and Chief Operating Officer of Getty since May 2015. Prior to joining Getty, Mr. Olear held various positions in real estate with TD Bank, Home Depot, Toys “R” Us and A&P. Mr. Olear is also a member of the Board of Trustees for Springpoint Senior Living. Mr. Olear earned a B.A. from Upsala College. |
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| • |
Mr. Joshua Dicker, age 59, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Getty (Executive Vice President since May 2017, Senior Vice President since May 2012, Vice President since February 2009, General Counsel and Secretary since February 2008). Mr. Dicker joined Getty in February 2008. Prior to joining Getty, he was a partner in the law firm Arent Fox LLP, resident in its New York City office, specializing in corporate and transactional matters. Mr. Dicker earned a B.A. from the State University of New York at Albany, a JD magna cum laude from New York Law School and an LL.M. from New York University School of Law. |
| • |
Mr. Danion Fielding, age 48, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Fielding joined the Company in February 2016. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Fielding held various positions in commercial real estate and finance with Wilbraham Capital, Inc., The Moinian Group, Nationwide Health Properties, Inc., and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. Mr. Fielding earned an MBA from The University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School, a M.Sc. from University College London and a M.Eng. from the University of Manchester. |
There are no family relationships between any of the Company’s directors or executive officers.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT OF SHARES
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of Getty common stock as of March 3, 2020 of (i) each person who is a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Getty common stock, (ii) each director, (iii) the Named Executive Officers (as defined below), and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. The number of shares column includes shares as to which voting power and/or investment power may be acquired within 60 days of March 3, 2020 (inclusive of vested Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) – see footnote 2 below.
| (1) |
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the named individuals is c/o Getty Realty Corp., Two Jericho Plaza, Wing C, Suite 110, Jericho, NY 11753. |
| (2) |
The percentage is determined for each stockholder listed by dividing (A) the number of shares shown for such stockholder, by (B) the aggregate number of shares outstanding as of March 3, 2020 plus shares subject to RSUs granted under our 2004 Plan that are vested as of March 3, 2020. No additional RSUs will vest for any individual stockholder named above within 60 days of March 3, 2020. Pursuant to the terms of the RSU award agreements in effect from and after 2009, settlement of vested RSUs is deferred until the earlier of the tenth anniversary of the grant date (or the tenth anniversary of the first vesting date, for RSUs granted in 2016-2018) or termination of service. Settlement of RSUs granted prior to 2009 is deferred until termination of service pursuant to the terms of the award agreements in effect prior to 2009. |
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| (3) |
The information is derived from a Schedule 13G filed by BlackRock, Inc. on February 3, 2020. BlackRock, Inc. has sole power to vote or to direct the vote of 5,902,010 shares and sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 5,996,148 shares. |
| (4) |
The information is derived from a Schedule 13G filed by The Vanguard Group, Inc. (“Vanguard”) on February 10, 2020. Vanguard has sole power to vote or direct to vote 66,788 shares; shared power to vote or direct to vote 48,984 shares; sole power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of 5,213,650 shares; shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 77,049 shares. |
| (5) |
The information is derived from a Schedule 13G filed jointly by Renaissance Technologies LLC and Renaissance Technologies Holdings Corporation (together, “Renaissance”) on February 13, 2020. Renaissance has sole power to vote or direct to vote 2,501,412 shares; sole power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of 2,501,412 shares; shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 874 shares. |
| (6) |
Includes 463,632 shares held by Mr. Liebowitz’s wife as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership, 56,434 shares held by a charitable foundation of which Mr. Liebowitz is a co-trustee, 439 shares held in the Getty Realty Corp. Retirement and Profit Sharing Plan, 439,691 shares held by Liebowitz Realty, LLC, of which Mr. Liebowitz is co-grantor and manager, 607,652 shares held by Liebowitz Realty II LLC, of which Mr. Liebowitz is the sole member/manager, 310,957 of the shares held by CLS General Partnership Corp., of which Mr. Liebowitz is a stockholder, 156,848 shares held by Liebowitz 2015 Family Trust, of which Mr. Liebowitz is not a beneficiary and his spouse is the sole trustee, and 35,300 vested RSUs. Of the shares reported as beneficially owned by Mr. Liebowitz, 1,000,000 shares are pledged as collateral for an $8.5 million loan. |
| (7) |
Includes 1,848,092 shares held by Safenowitz Partners, LP, 517,857 shares held by Safenowitz Family Partnership, LP, and 89,798 shares held by Safenowitz Investment Partners. Safenowitz Family Corp. is the general partner of each of Safenowitz Partners, LP, Safenowitz Family Partnership, LP and Safenowitz Investment Partners. Mr. Safenowitz is the president of Safenowitz Family Corp. |
| (8) |
Includes 2,455,747 shares attributable to Safenowitz Family Corp. (see footnote 7 above). Also includes 40,249 shares which are held as custodian for his three adult children, as to which Mr. Safenowitz disclaims beneficial ownership, 11,586 shares held by Mr. Safenowitz’s wife, as to which Mr. Safenowitz disclaims beneficial ownership, and 324,537 shares beneficially owned by The Marilyn Safenowitz Irrevocable Trust u/a/d 4/13/00, of which Mr. Safenowitz is the trustee (which Trust shares include 308,097 shares held by CLS General Partnership Corp., of which the Trust is a stockholder). Also includes 35,300 vested RSUs. |
| (9) |
Includes 77,354 shares held by Mr. Cooper’s wife as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership, 31,360 shares held by a charitable foundation of which Mr. Cooper is the president, 134,052 of the shares held by CLS General Partnership Corp., of which Mr. Cooper is a stockholder and 1,096,053 shares beneficially owned by the Milton Cooper 2013 Revocable Trust u/a/d of which Mr. Cooper is the sole trustee. Also includes 35,300 vested RSUs. |
| (10) |
Includes 25,983 shares held by a charitable remainder trust of which Mr. Coviello is the trustee, 35,300 vested RSUs, and 942 shares in a testamentary trust formed under Mr. Coviello’s father’s will for the benefit of Mr. Coviello and his children, of which he is a co-trustee. |
| (11) |
Includes 2,600 vested RSUs. |
| (12) |
Includes 20,446 shares held by Mr. Montag’s wife as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership and 36,300 vested RSUs. |
| (13) |
Includes 56,250 vested RSUs. |
| (14) |
Includes 35,600 vested RSUs. |
| (15) |
Includes 60,600 vested RSUs. |
| (16) |
Includes 13,000 vested RSUs. |
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The Compensation Committee is responsible for setting and administering the compensation policies and practices for the executive officers of the Company. The Company’s executive compensation program consists primarily of the following elements: base salary, cash incentive compensation, equity compensation and retirement plans. We do not utilize compensation policies or practices that create risks which are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
This “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section describes generally the compensation policies and practices that the Company applies to our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Christopher J. Constant, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Investment Officer, Mark J. Olear, General Counsel, Joshua Dicker, and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), Danion Fielding (each of the foregoing, a “Named Executive Officer” or “NEO”). For additional details about our NEOs for 2019, see “Executive Officers” at page 13 of this Proxy Statement and “Summary Compensation Table” at page 24 of this Proxy Statement.
2019 Company Performance Highlights
The following presents a summary of certain financial and operational highlights achieved by the Company in 2019 which, among other factors, were considered by the Compensation Committee in reaching its determinations regarding the performance and compensation of our Named Executive Officers. (See our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, for additional details regarding each of these highlights.)
| • |
Strong Financial Performance. 2019 was a highly productive year for the Company as our performance and market position yielded strong returns. The Company delivered on key financial objectives, including meeting its published 2019 adjusted funds from operations (“AFFO”) guidance. The Company increased its annual dividend rate by 6% to an annualized rate of $1.48 per share, making 2019 the fifth consecutive year that the Company’s Board significantly increased the Company’s recurring cash dividend rate, and generated total annual stockholder returns of 15% for the calendar year. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company declared $59.4 million of dividends, or $1.42 per share, as compared to $53.6 million of dividends, or $1.31 per share, in the prior year, representing an increase of 8% on a per share basis. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company reported net earnings of $49.7 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, as compared to net earnings of $47.7 million, or $1.17 per diluted share, in the prior year; funds from operations (“FFO”) of $77.8 million, or $1.86 per diluted share, as compared to FFO of $73.6 million, or $1.80 per diluted share, in the prior year; and AFFO of $71.8 million, or $1.72 per diluted share, as compared to AFFO of $69.7 million, or $1.71 per diluted share, in the prior year.1 |
| • |
Expanded and Enhanced Real Estate Portfolio. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company reviewed $1.5 billion of actionable investment opportunities and acquired fee interests in 27 convenience store and gasoline station and other automotive-related properties for an aggregate purchase price of $87.2 million. The leases associated with these acquisitions have a weighted average initial term of 13.3 years and are expected to produce attractive returns. As a result of these transactions, the Company added a number of high-quality tenants and properties, diversified its tenant base, and increased its exposure to other automotive asset classes such as car washes and automotive service. In addition, the Company advanced its portfolio management objectives during the year by selling nine properties (generating $2.8 million of gross proceeds). The Company also signed two leases for individual convenience and gas locations and exited five third-party leases, further supporting the Company’s net lease portfolio occupancy rate of 99%. |
| 1 |
AFFO and FFO are non-GAAP measures. For a description of how Getty calculates AFFO and FFO and for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the nearest comparable GAAP measure, see Item 6 (Selected Financial Data) in the Annual Report on our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. |
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| • |
Broadened Redevelopment Program. In 2019, the Company continued to advance and enlarge its redevelopment program, which seeks to unlock embedded value within its existing net lease portfolio by taking certain convenience store and gasoline station properties and redeveloping them into either a new convenience and gasoline use or an alternative single-tenant net-lease retail use with higher returns. In 2019, rent commenced on four redevelopment projects, and, as of December 31, 2019, the Company had five properties under active redevelopment for alternative uses. The Company invested a total of $1.1 million in the four completed projects and expects to generate an incremental return on its investment of approximately 40%. In addition to the five properties currently classified as redevelopment, the Company is in various stages of feasibility and planning for the recapture of select properties from its net lease portfolio that are suitable for our redevelopment program. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had signed leases on seven properties that are currently part of its net lease portfolio, which will be recaptured and transferred to redevelopment when appropriate entitlements, permits and/or approvals have been secured. |
| • |
Strengthened the Company’s Balance Sheet for Growth Initiatives. In 2019, the Company undertook several actions to optimize its balance sheet for future growth, including: |
| • |
maintaining strong credit metrics, such as a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of 3.3x* and a Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio of 4.4x*; |
| • |
issued 0.4 million shares under the Company’s at-the-market equity offering program (the “ATM Program”), pursuant to which the Company is able to issue and sell shares of its common stock with an aggregate sales price of up to $125.0 million through a consortium of banks acting as agents, raising net proceeds of $14.2 million for the year ended December 31; and |
| • |
in September 2019, issued $125.0 million of senior unsecured notes maturing in 2029 bearing interest at a fixed rate of 3.52%, thereby reducing the Company’s floating rate debt to less than 5%, which is the smallest percentage of floating rate debt in the Company’s history. The senior unsecured notes were issued in a private placement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “Prudential”), American General Life Insurance Company (“AIG”), and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“Mass Mutual”) and are subject to substantially similar terms and conditions as the Company’s existing senior unsecured notes. |
Getty’s compensation program for executive officers is designed to effectively manage the Company’s aggregate annual compensation expense while providing executive officers with a total compensation package that is adequate to retain them, encourage and motivate their high performance and promote their accountability. Getty’s compensation policies are also designed to promote increased stockholder value by aligning the financial interests of Getty’s executive officers with those of its stockholders. The Compensation Committee believes that its current policies, plans and programs are adequate for these purposes.
Getty’s executive compensation program involves a combination of annual cash compensation, discretionary incentive compensation (cash incentive awards and equity incentive awards such as RSUs with dividend equivalents), retirement and other plans, and perquisites and other benefits. Although the Compensation Committee has not adopted any formal policies for allocating compensation among the foregoing compensation components, in conducting its review and rendering its determinations, the Compensation Committee evaluates whether each Named Executive Officer is provided with a total compensation opportunity that achieves the key objectives of the compensation program while maintaining an appropriate cost structure.
| * |
Capitalized terms are as defined in the Company’s Restated Credit Agreement, Fourth Restated Prudential Note Purchase Agreement, MetLife Note Purchase Agreement, AIG Note Purchase Agreement, and Mass Mutual Note Purchase Agreement. Calculations are as of December 31, 2019. |
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Base salary levels for NEOs are, in combination with other compensation components, considered by the Compensation Committee to be sufficient to achieve the objectives of Getty’s compensation program. Total compensation, including discretionary annual cash incentive awards and RSU grants (including dividend equivalents paid with respect to such RSUs), are in aggregate amounts which the Compensation Committee considers sufficient to retain the NEOs and to align their interests with those of Getty’s stockholders.
In making executive compensation determinations, the Compensation Committee has also considered the results of the non-binding, advisory stockholder votes on the Company’s executive compensation program. Our stockholders have approved the Company’s executive compensation program each year since the advisory vote was first sought, most recently approving it by 95% of votes cast on the say-on-pay proposal in our 2019 Proxy Statement. The Compensation Committee was mindful of our stockholders’ endorsement of the Compensation Committee’s decisions and policies and has maintained its general approach to executive compensation for decisions made to date. The Compensation Committee will continue to consider the results from this year’s and future advisory stockholder votes regarding the executive compensation program.
Total compensation determinations by the Compensation Committee for each NEO are influenced in part by the particular responsibilities of the applicable executive position with additional consideration given to such NEO’s individual performance. Our CEO reviews the performance of each NEO (other than himself) and provides compensation recommendations for all NEOs (including himself) to the Compensation Committee with respect to base salary amounts, cash bonuses and grants of equity based awards under the 2004 Plan consisting of RSUs (including dividend equivalents with respect to such RSUs). The Compensation Committee reviews and deliberates upon the CEO recommendations, evaluates the CEO’s and each of the NEO’s individual performances, and establishes the compensation for each NEO. The CEO does not play any role in the Compensation Committee’s deliberation of matters impacting his own compensation. Although the Compensation Committee takes the CEO’s recommendations under advisement, it independently evaluates the compensation recommendations for each NEO and in all instances exercises its discretion in making final compensation decisions in accordance with its authority and formal responsibilities set forth in its Charter. The Compensation Committee has direct knowledge of the performance of each of the NEOs through regular and special reports by these executives to the Board of Directors and Board Committees and through other interactions with these executives related to the Company’s operations and performance. In reaching the executive compensation decisions described below, the Compensation Committee recognized the individual contributions that each NEO made towards the Company’s operational and financial achievements highlighted above, while also recognizing each of their individual efforts, including the following notable accomplishments for each NEO:
|
NEO |
2019 Individual Performance Highlights |
|
|
Mr. Christopher J. Constant President and Chief Executive Officer |
• Successfully led the development and execution of the Company’s strategies and growth platform, advanced the Company’s revenue and geographic and asset diversity goals, and advanced the Company’s redevelopment program;
• Delivered increased value to stockholders by increasing the Company’s annual dividend rate by 6% to an annual rate of $1.48/share;
• Provided strategic oversight over the Company’s capital markets initiatives;
• Enhanced Investor Relations outreach; and
• Maintained the Company’s investment grade rating of BBB- from Fitch Ratings.
|
|
|
Mr. Mark J. Olear Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Operating Officer |
• Sourced and managed the review and underwriting of numerous actionable investment opportunities, resulting in the closing of $87 million in acquisitions in the aggregate;
• Grew the Company’s acquisition pipeline by executing purchase agreements and letters of intent on numerous in-process acquisitions;
• Successfully advanced the Company’s redevelopment program by completing four projects, and continuing to execute leases and letters of intent for redevelopment projects expected to generate incremental net operating income;
|
|
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The compensation of the CEO is discussed, deliberated upon and approved solely by the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee may periodically engage outside professional firms to assist in understanding compensation levels and programs in the broader marketplace and to provide advice on executive compensation. In 2019, the Compensation Committee did not engage the services of a compensation consultant and did not benchmark compensation elements against a peer group.
The primary elements of compensation for our NEOs are the following:
| • |
Base salary; |
| • |
Incentive compensation (discretionary annual cash incentive awards and equity incentive awards like RSUs with dividend equivalents); |
| • |
Retirement and other plans; and |
| • |
Perquisites and other benefits. |
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Table of Contents
The Compensation Committee examines whether each NEO’s base salary is competitive and appropriate in view of such person’s role, level of responsibility, experience and value to the Company, and relative to achieving the overall goals of the compensation program for all NEOs. The Compensation Committee reviews base salaries annually and in the interim if an executive officer’s position or responsibilities change or if the Committee believes it is otherwise necessary or appropriate to do so. Salaries are not automatically increased on an annual basis if the Committee believes that a raise is not warranted by either individual or Company performance, or that other forms of compensation are more appropriate to advance compensation program objectives.
As part of its process and in order to achieve the overall goals of Getty’s executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee determined to increase base salaries in 2020 from those in effect in 2019 by the following amounts for the following NEOs: Mr. Constant’s base salary for 2020 was increased by 1.9%, and base salaries for 2020 for each of Messrs. Olear, Dicker and Fielding were increased by 1.8%, 2.0% and 2.7%, respectively.
Cash Bonus
The Compensation Committee believes that discretionary cash bonuses are useful on a case by case basis to motivate and reward executives for their contribution to annual operating results and Company achievements that help create value for our stockholders. Cash bonuses for NEOs are not guaranteed but have been awarded at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. In deciding whether to award discretionary cash bonuses, the Compensation Committee makes its determinations as described above, based upon (i) recommendations from the Company’s CEO, (ii) its review with the CEO of the performance of each NEO (other than the CEO himself), (iii) its evaluation of the CEO’s individual performance, (iv) its informed judgment, in view of the Company’s financial and operational performance, of each NEO’s responsibilities and efforts, such NEO’s contribution to the Company’s overall performance and success, and the complexity or difficulty of the objectives that have been achieved by such NEO, (v) the relative significance of a cash bonus award toward meeting the overall goals of Getty’s compensation program, and (vi) other relevant considerations. These factors are considered subjectively and no one factor is accorded any specific weight. In February 2020, the Compensation Committee awarded discretionary cash bonuses as reflected in the Summary Compensation Table for 2019. Specifically, Mr. Constant was paid a cash bonus of $355,000, Mr. Olear and Mr. Dicker were each paid a cash bonus of $245,000 and Mr. Fielding was paid a cash bonus of $185,000.
Equity Incentive Awards
The Company maintains the stockholder-approved 2004 Plan for officers and other valued employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, and members of the Board. The 2004 Plan allows for the grant of various types of stock-based awards, other than stock options, to eligible individuals. The 2004 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, which has the power to determine eligibility, the types and sizes of awards, the price and timing of awards, terms of vesting, the acceleration or waiver of any vesting restriction and the timing and manner of settling vested awards.
Generally, to better align the interests of the Company’s NEOs with the interests of the Company’s stockholders and to promote performance that will have a positive long-term impact on total stockholder return, the Compensation Committee annually grants equity-based awards under the 2004 Plan to the Company’s NEOs, consisting of time-based RSUs (including dividend equivalents paid with respect to such RSUs). These RSU awards vest over a five-year period subject to continued employment through the vesting date and, for all such RSU awards granted from and after 2009, are settled, in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, in cash or in shares of the Company’s common stock upon the earlier of ten years after the grant date (or the first vesting date for RSU awards granted in 2016, 2017 and 2018) or termination of employment. Settlement of vested RSUs granted prior to 2009 is deferred until termination of service pursuant to the award agreements in effect prior to 2009. All award agreements also provide for vesting of unvested RSUs in the discretion of, and subject to approval by, the Compensation Committee, in the event of the “Retirement” (as defined in the award agreement) of the subject executive officer.
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Table of Contents
The Compensation Committee’s determination in February 2020 to grant RSUs under the annual equity grant program to each NEO was in keeping with its annual practice of using RSUs as part of the compensation program and was based on the Committee’s determination that an annual grant of RSUs fosters the equivalent of stock ownership by the Company’s executive officers, thereby aligning their personal interests with the long-term interests of the Company’s stockholders, and also encourages executive retention because the awards vest over a five-year period. The size of the annual equity award granted to each NEO is commensurate with the role and responsibilities of such NEO and with historical trends.
In February 2020, the Compensation Committee approved RSU grants to the NEOs in accordance with its annual equity grant program, based on each NEO’s individual performance during 2019 and in furtherance of the overall goals of Getty’s executive compensation program as described above, in the following amounts: 25,000 RSUs to Mr. Constant, 18,400 RSUs to Mr. Olear, 18,400 RSUs to Mr. Dicker, and 12,200 RSUs to Mr. Fielding. These RSU grants will be reflected in the “2020 Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table that will be included in our Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2021. All such RSU grants include related dividend equivalents.
Getty has a retirement and profit sharing plan with 401(k) deferred savings plan provisions (the “Retirement Plan”) for employees, including our NEOs, meeting certain service requirements. An annual discretionary profit sharing contribution to the Retirement Plan is determined by the Board of Directors. The contribution is calculated as a percentage of the sum of (i) the employee’s compensation (as defined in the Retirement Plan) up to the maximum allowed under Internal Revenue Service regulations, and (ii) the excess of that amount over the social security taxable wage base. For 2019, the Board of Directors elected to contribute 1% of that sum for each eligible employee. This percentage was consistent with prior years. Under the terms of the Retirement Plan, the Company matches 50% of each participating employee’s elective contribution to the Retirement Plan, but in no event more than 3% of the employee’s compensation. The Company’s contributions to the Retirement Plan vest in accordance with a six-year vesting schedule and are paid upon retirement, death, disability, or termination of employment, as described more fully in the Retirement Plan.
Getty also has the Supplemental Retirement Plan for NEOs and other senior management employees. The Board of Directors has sole discretion to select annually the eligible employees for whom contributions will be made. Under the Supplemental Retirement Plan, which is not qualified for purposes of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, a participating employee may receive in his trust account an amount equal to 10% of his compensation (as defined in the Supplemental Retirement Plan), reduced by the amount of any contributions allocated to the employee by the Company under the Retirement Plan. The amounts held in trust under the Supplemental Retirement Plan may be used to satisfy claims of general creditors in the event of bankruptcy of Getty or any of its subsidiaries. An employee’s account vests in the same manner as under the Retirement Plan and is paid upon separation of service from the Company. Under the Supplemental Retirement Plan, during any year, the Board of Directors may elect not to make any payment to the account of any or all eligible employees.
Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policy
Effective as of February 26, 2019, the Company has adopted an Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policy (the “Policy”) that prohibits employees (including our executive officers) and directors from (i) engaging in any short sales (including short sales “against the box”), transactions in puts, calls or other derivative securities involving the Company’s securities, on an exchange or in any other organized market, or hedging transactions and (ii) holding Company securities in a margin account or pledging Company securities as collateral for a loan. The only exception to the Policy is the currently outstanding pledge by Mr. Liebowitz of 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock as security for an $8.5 million loan with UBS, which was excepted from the Policy after consideration by the Board of Directors because such pledge existed prior to the adoption of the Policy.
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Table of Contents
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management as required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K, and based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement for filing with the SEC and incorporated by reference into the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Compensation Committee:
Milton Cooper (Chairman)
Philip E. Coviello
Richard E. Montag
Howard B. Safenowitz
23
Table of Contents
The following table sets forth information about the compensation of the CEO and each of the other Named Executive Officers for services in all capacities to Getty and its subsidiaries during the periods indicated.
|
Name and
Principal Position |
Year | Salary | Bonus |
Stock
Awards(1) |
Option
Awards |
Non
sation |
Change in
Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings |
All Other
sation(2) |
Total
sation |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Christopher J. Constant
|
2019 | 511,538 | 355,000 | 746,775 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 66,572 | 1,679,885 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 493,654 | 340,000 | 435,225 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65,072 | 1,333,951 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 484,615 | 300,000 | 395,400 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 62,207 | 1,242,222 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Mark J. Olear
|
2019 | 424,615 | 245,000 | 547,635 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 53,622 | 1,270,872 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 410,385 | 235,000 | 323,310 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52,372 | 1,021,067 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 404,808 | 200,000 | 289,960 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50,257 | 945,025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Joshua Dicker
|
2019 | 379,615 | 245,000 | 547,635 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49,122 | 1,221,372 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 365,385 | 235,000 | 323,310 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47,872 | 971,567 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 356,731 | 200,000 | 289,960 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45,757 | 892,448 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Danion Fielding
|
|
2019
2018 2017 |
|
|
272,692
261,538 256,923 |
|
|
185,000
180,000 150,000 |
|
|
365,090
198,960 158,160 |
|
|
0
0 0 |
|
|
0
0 0 |
|
|
0
0 0 |
|
|
38,060
37,060 35,464 |
|
|
860,842
677,558 600,547 |
|
|||||||||
| (1) |
Stock awards are in the form of restricted stock units (RSUs). The amount reflected is the grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The value of future dividends is assumed to be reflected in the closing per share price of the common stock, and, consequently, in the fair value of each award. Therefore, the dividend equivalents paid on RSUs are not shown separately in this table. The Company pays dividend equivalents on RSUs only to the extent dividends are declared on shares of its common stock. |
| (2) |
All Other Compensation includes (a) profit sharing and Company matching contributions under the Retirement Plan, (b) contributions under the Supplemental Retirement Plan, (c) life insurance premiums, and (d) perquisites and other personal benefits received by the NEOs that exceeded $10,000 in the aggregate for the year, which consist only of automobile allowances. See “All Other Compensation” table, below. |
All Other Compensation
The following table sets forth information about amounts included in the All Other Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table.
| Name | Year |
Profit Sharing
Contribution |
Company
Match Under 401(k) Provisions |
Supplemental
Retirement Plan |
Life
Insurance(1) |
Perquisites
and Other Personal Benefits (2) |
Total All Other
Compensation |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Christopher J. Constant |
2019 | 4,271 | 8,400 | 38,829 | 1,872 | 13,200 | 66,572 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 4,216 | 8,250 | 37,534 | 1,872 | 13,200 | 65,072 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 4,128 | 8,100 | 35,022 | 1,757 | 13,200 | 62,207 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Mark J. Olear |
2019 | 4,271 | 8,400 | 30,079 | 1,872 | 9,000 | 53,622 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 4,216 | 8,250 | 29,034 | 1,872 | 9,000 | 52,372 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 4,128 | 8,100 | 27,272 | 1,757 | 9,000 | 50,257 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Joshua Dicker |
2019 | 4,271 | 8,400 | 25,579 | 1,872 | 9,000 | 49,122 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 4,216 | 8,250 | 24,534 | 1,872 | 9,000 | 47,872 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 4,128 | 8,100 | 22,772 | 1,757 | 9,000 | 45,757 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Danion Fielding |
|
2019
2018 |
|
|
4,271
4,216 |
|
|
8,400
8,250 |
|
|
14,829
14,034 |
|
|
1,560
1,560 |
|
|
9,000
9,000 |
|
|
38,060
37,060 |
|
|||||||
| 2017 | 4,128 | 8,100 | 12,772 | 1,464 | 9,000 | 35,464 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) |
All life insurance policy premiums relate to term life insurance policies. |
| (2) |
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits consist only of an automobile allowance. |
24
Table of Contents
2019 Compensation Disclosure Ratio of the Median Annual Total Compensation of All Company Employees to the Annual Total Compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Christopher J. Constant, who serves as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, had fiscal 2019 total compensation of $1,679,885, as reflected in the Summary Compensation Table included in this Proxy Statement. We estimate that the median annual compensation for all employees of the Company, excluding our Chief Executive Officer, was $209,399 for 2019. As a result, Mr. Constant’s 2019 annual compensation was approximately eight (8) times that of the median annual compensation for all employees.
To identify the median of the annual total compensation of all our employees, as well as to determine the annual total compensation of the “median employee,” the methodology and the material assumptions, adjustments, and estimates that we used were as follows:
(1) We determined that, as of December 31, 2019, our employee population consisted of 30 individuals other than Mr. Constant. We selected December 31, 2019, which is within the last three months of 2019, as the date upon which we would identify the “median employee.”
(2) We identified our median employee based on the annual total compensation paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, calculated consistent with the disclosure requirements of executive compensation under Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K. We note that the median employee was the same individual we identified for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. In addition, for purposes of reporting the ratio of annual total compensation of the Chief Executive Officer to the median employee, both the Chief Executive Officer and the median employee’s total compensation paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were calculated consistent with the disclosure requirements of executive compensation under Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K. The Company has not made any of the adjustments permissible by the SEC, nor have any material assumptions or estimates been made to identify the median employee or to determine annual total compensation. Pay ratios that are reported by our peers may not be directly comparable to ours because of differences in the composition of each company’s workforce, as well as the assumptions and methodologies used in calculating the pay ratio, as permitted by SEC rules.
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Table of Contents
2019 Grants of Plan Based Awards
| Name |
Board
Action
|
Grant
Date |
Estimated Future
Payouts Under Non Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
Estimated Future
Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
All Other
Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(1) |
All Other
Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) |
Grant
Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(2) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Threshold | Target | Maximum | Threshold | Target | Maximum | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($) | ($) | ($) | (#) | (#) | (#) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Christopher J. Constant |
2/26/19 | 3/1/19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22,500 | 0 | $ | 746,775 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Mark J. Olear |
2/26/19 | 3/1/19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16,500 | 0 | 547,635 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Joshua Dicker |
2/26/19 | 3/1/19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16,500 | 0 | 547,635 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Danion Fielding |
2/26/19 | 3/1/19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11,000 | 0 | 365,090 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) |
Stock awards are in the form of RSUs that vest over a five-year period on the anniversary of the grant date with accelerated vesting in the event of death or termination of service by the Company without cause. |
| (2) |
Grant date fair value is computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. |
26
Table of Contents
2019 Outstanding Equity Awards at Year-End
The following table provides information as to outstanding Stock Options and RSUs held by each of the NEOs at December 31, 2019.
| Option Awards(1) | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||
| Name |
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options |
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options |
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options |
Option
Exercise Price |
Option
Expiration Date |
Grant
Date |
Number
of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (2) |
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 |
(#) | ($) | (#) | ($) | (#) | ($) | |||||||||||||
|
Christopher J Constant |
3/1/19
3/1/18 3/1/17
3/9/16
|
22,500
14,000 9,000
6,000
|
739,575
460,180 295,830
197,220
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
Mark J. Olear |
3/1/19
3/1/18 3/1/17 3/9/16 3/1/15 |
16,500
10,400 6,600 4,000 1,500 |
542,355
341,848 216,942 131,480 49,305 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
Joshua Dicker |
3/1/19
3/1/18 3/1/17 3/9/16 3/1/15 |
16,500
10,400 6,600 4,000 1,500 |
542,355
341,848 216,942 131,480 49,305 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
Danion Fielding |
3/1/19
3/1/18 3/1/17 3/9/16 |
11,000
6,400 3,600 2,000 |
361,570
210,368 118,332 65,740 |
|||||||||||||||||
| (1) |
The term of the Company’s Stock Option Plan expired in 2008. Stock Options may no longer be granted pursuant to the Stock Option Plan. There are no stock options outstanding under the Stock Option Plan. |
| (2) |
Stock awards are in the form of RSUs that vest at the rate of 20% per year on the first five anniversaries of the grant date with accelerated vesting in the event of death or termination of employment by the Company without cause. |
27
Table of Contents
2019 Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following Option Exercises and Stock Vested table provides additional information about the stock awards that vested during the year ended December 31, 2019.
| Option Awards(1) | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||
| Name |
Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise (#) |
Value Realized on
Exercise ($) |
Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting (#)(2) |
Value Realized on
Vesting ($)(3) |
||||||||||||
|
Christopher J. Constant |
N/A | N/A | 12,200 | 404,918 | ||||||||||||
|
Mark J. Olear |
N/A | N/A | 9,300 | 308,667 | ||||||||||||
|
Joshua Dicker |
N/A | N/A | 9,500 | 315,305 | ||||||||||||
|
Danion Fielding |
N/A | N/A | 3,800 | 126,122 | ||||||||||||
| (1) |
The term of the Company’s Stock Option Plan expired in 2008. Stock options may no longer be granted pursuant to the Stock Option Plan. There are no stock options outstanding under the Stock Option Plan. |
| (2) |
Reflects the number of RSUs that vested during 2019. |
| (3) |
Reflects an amount equal to the number of RSUs that vested in 2019 multiplied by the closing price of the underlying shares of Getty common stock on the applicable vesting date. Settlement of these vested RSUs is deferred pursuant to the terms of the RSU award agreement until the earlier of the tenth anniversary of the grant date (or the tenth anniversary of the first vesting date for RSUs granted in 2016-2018), or the NEO’s termination of service. Settlement of vested RSUs granted prior to 2009 is deferred until termination of service pursuant to the award agreements in effect prior to 2009. The Value Realized on Vesting for all NEOs is included as Registrant Contributions in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table, below. |
28
Table of Contents
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
| Name |
Executive
Contributions in Last FY |
Registrant
Contributions in Last FY(1) |
Aggregate
Earnings (Loss) in Last FY(2) |
Aggregate
Withdrawals/ Distributions |
Aggregate
Balance at Last FYE(3) |
|||||||||||||||
| ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ||||||||||||||||
|
Christopher J. Constant |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Supplemental Retirement Plan |
0 | 37,534 | 39,164 | 0 | 226,199 | |||||||||||||||
|
Vested RSUs |
0 | 404,918 | 94,879 | 0 | 1,339,453 | |||||||||||||||
|
Total |
0 | 442,452 | 134,043 | 0 | 1,565,652 | |||||||||||||||
|
Mark J. Olear |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Supplemental Retirement Plan |
0 | 29,034 | 35,727 | 0 | 163,310 | |||||||||||||||
|
Vested RSUs |
0 | 308,667 | 47,886 | 0 | 788,880 | |||||||||||||||
|
Total |
0 | 337,701 | 83,613 | 0 | 952,190 | |||||||||||||||
|
Joshua Dicker |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Supplemental Retirement Plan |
0 | 24,534 | 40,786 | 0 | 296,042 | |||||||||||||||
|
Vested RSUs |
0 | 315,305 | 72,215 | 0 | 1,725,675 | |||||||||||||||
|
Total |
0 | 339,839 | 113,001 | 0 | 2,021,717 | |||||||||||||||
|
Danion Fielding |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Supplemental Retirement Plan |
0 | 14,034 | 8,627 | 0 | 51,404 | |||||||||||||||
|
Vested RSUs |
0 | 126,122 | 9,856 | 0 | 230,090 | |||||||||||||||
|
Total |
0 | 140,156 | 18,483 | 0 | 281,494 | |||||||||||||||
| (1) |
The amount reported for each executive in the column “Registrant Contributions in Last FY” for the Supplemental Retirement Plan represents the respective amount reported for each executive for the prior year, 2018, in the column “Supplemental Retirement Plan” in the All Other Compensation Table above, and the amount reported for Vested RSUs is equal to the Value Realized on Vesting reflected in the 2019 Option Exercises and Stock Vested table above. |
| (2) |
For RSUs, the aggregate earnings (loss) reflect the change in value of the shares of Getty common stock subject to the RSUs calculated based on the change in the closing price from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2019, for RSUs that vested prior to 2019, and the change in the closing price from the vesting date to December 31, 2019 for RSUs that vested in 2019. Settlement of vested RSUs is deferred pursuant to the terms of the RSU award agreement until the earlier of the tenth anniversary of the grant date (or the tenth anniversary of the first vesting date, for RSUs granted in 2016-2018), or the NEO’s termination of service. Settlement of vested RSUs granted prior to 2009 is deferred until termination of service pursuant to the award agreements in effect prior to 2009. |
| (3) |
The Aggregate Balance includes the balances accumulated under the Supplemental Retirement Plan and the aggregate value of all vested RSUs for which settlement has been deferred based on $32.87 per share, the closing price of Getty common stock on December 31, 2019. |
Getty maintains the Supplemental Retirement Plan for NEOs and other senior management employees. The Board of Directors has sole discretion to select annually the eligible employees for whom contributions will be made. Under the Supplemental Retirement Plan, which is not qualified for purposes of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, a participating employee may receive in his or her trust account an amount equal to 10% of such employee’s compensation (as defined in the Supplemental Retirement Plan), reduced by the amount of any contributions allocated to the employee by the Company under the Retirement Plan. Amounts contributed by the Company for 2019 to the Supplemental Retirement Plan for our NEOs were based upon an amended definition of eligible compensation in the Supplemental Retirement Plan adopted by the Compensation Committee in 2012 so as to exclude anything other than base salary as the basis for computation of eligible compensation. The amounts held in trust under the Supplemental Retirement Plan may be used to satisfy claims of general creditors in the event of Getty’s or any of its subsidiaries’ bankruptcy. An employee’s account vests in the same manner as under the Retirement Plan and is paid upon separation of service from the Company. Under the Supplemental Retirement Plan, during any year the Board of Directors may elect not to make any payment to the account of any or all eligible employees.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
Each of the award agreements for outstanding RSUs granted to our employees, including our NEOs, contains a provision that causes the unvested RSUs to vest upon the NEO’s death or termination of the NEO’s employment without cause. The award agreements also provide for optional vesting of unvested RSUs in the event of the “Retirement” (as defined in the award agreement) of the subject employee, including our NEOs, if approved by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. In the event of a termination of employment without cause, the value as of December 31, 2019 of RSUs that would vest upon such termination would be as follows: Mr. Constant - $1,742,110; Mr. Olear - $1,281,930; Mr. Dicker - $1,281,930; and Mr. Fielding - $756,010.
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We do not provide any compensation or benefits to any of our NEOs solely on account of the occurrence of a change in control of the Company. The RSU award agreements do not provide for accelerated vesting upon the occurrence of a change in control.
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The following chart presents information regarding Getty’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2019:
|
Plan Category |
Number of securities
to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Weighted average
exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Number of
securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in the first column of this chart) |
|||||||||
|
Equity Compensation Plans approved by stockholders: - the 2004 Plan |
702,025 | (1) | $ | 0.00 |
|
653,496
|
(2) |
|||||
|
Equity Compensation Plans not approved by stockholders |
N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||
|
Total |
702,025 | 653,496 | ||||||||||
| (1) |
Represents shares underlying outstanding vested and unvested RSUs that are settleable, in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, in cash or in shares of the Company’s common stock. |
| (2) |
The 2004 Plan permits awards of restricted stock, RSUs, cash, stock or other performance awards, dividend equivalents, deferred stock awards, stock payments and stock awards. |
The following text and table discuss the compensation paid to each of our non-employee directors for 2019:
For 2019, (i) all non-employee directors received an annual director fee of $30,000; (ii) Members of our Audit Committee received an annual fee of $12,500, except for the Chairman of the Audit Committee, who received an annual fee of $20,000; (iii) Members of our Compensation Committee received an annual fee of $5,000, except for the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, who received an annual fee of $7,500; and (iv) Members of our Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee received an annual fee of $5,000, except for the Chairman of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, who received an annual fee of $7,500. In addition, Mr. Safenowitz received a fee of $50,000 for his services as Lead Independent Director. All annual fees payable to directors are paid in four equal quarterly installments.
Non-employee directors are also reimbursed for travel and other expenses related to Company business.
Mr. Liebowitz has served as our Chairman of the Board since 1971 and continues to do so. Mr. Liebowitz retired as an employee of the Company on June 28, 2013. For 2019, Mr. Liebowitz received an annual fee of $125,000 (paid quarterly) for his services as Chairman of the Board, in addition to the annual director fee of $30,000 paid to all directors, as noted above. Mr. Constant is not separately compensated for his services on the Board; his compensation for services as an employee is discussed in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section on page 17 of this Proxy Statement.
Generally, to better align the interests of our non-employee directors with the interests of the Company’s stockholders, the Compensation Committee grants equity-based awards under the 2004 Plan to the Company’s non-employee directors consisting of RSUs (including dividend equivalents paid with respect to such RSUs). RSU awards vest over a five-year period. RSUs granted before 2009 provide for settlement upon termination of service as a director and RSUs granted in 2009 and thereafter provide for settlement upon the earlier of the tenth anniversary of the grant date (or the tenth anniversary of the first vesting date, for RSUs granted in 2016-2018), or upon termination of service as a director. The award agreements also provide for optional vesting of a director’s RSUs in the event of the “Retirement” (as defined in the award agreement) of the subject non-employee director, if approved by the Compensation Committee in its discretion.
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In February 2019, the Compensation Committee approved a grant of 7,000 RSUs to each of the non-employee directors. The Compensation Committee’s determination to award RSUs was in order to further align the interests of directors with the Company’s stockholders and also to provide additional value to directors for their contributions to the Company.
|
Name |
Fees
Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
Stock
Awards(1) ($) |
Option
Awards ($) |
Non Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation ($) |
Change in
Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation |
All Other
Compensation ($) |
Total
($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Leo Liebowitz |
155,000 | 232,330 | 387,330 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Milton Cooper |
42,500 | 232,330 | 274,830 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Philip E. Coviello |
60,000 | 232,330 | 292,330 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Mary Lou Malanoski |
42,500 | 232,330 | 274,830 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Richard E. Montag |
47,500 | 232,330 | 279,830 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Howard B. Safenowitz |
105,000 | 232,330 | 337,330 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) |
The Company granted 7,000 RSUs to each non-employee director in 2019, which is an increase of 1000 RSUs from the grants made to each non-employee director in 2018. The fair value of these RSUs was determined based on the closing market price of Getty’s stock on the date of grant without consideration of the five-year vesting period of the restricted stock award. These RSUs provide for settlement, to the extent vested, upon the earlier of the tenth anniversary of the date of grant (or the tenth anniversary of the first vesting date, for RSUs granted in 2016-2018), or the termination of service from the Board of Directors. At December 31, 2019, Messrs. Cooper, Coviello, Liebowitz and Safenowitz each had 33,200 vested and 17,800 unvested RSUs outstanding, of which, in each case, 5,200 RSUs vested during the year ended December 31, 2019. At December 31, 2019, Mr. Montag had 30,700 vested and 17,800 unvested RSUs outstanding, of which 5,200 RSUs vested during the year ended December 31, 2019. At December 31, 2019, Ms. Malanoski had 600 vested and 9,400 unvested RSUs outstanding, of which 600 RSUs vested during the year ended December 31, 2019. |
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The members of the Compensation Committee for calendar year 2019 were Messrs. Cooper, Coviello, Montag and Safenowitz. There were no Compensation Committee interlocks to report in 2019.
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ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) VOTE
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (SAY-ON-PAY)
(Item No. 2 on the Proxy Card)
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, requires that our stockholders have the opportunity to cast an advisory (non-binding) vote on executive compensation, commonly referred to as a “Say-on-Pay” vote.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be necessary to approve the advisory vote on executive compensation. For purposes of the advisory vote to approve the Named Executive Officer compensation, abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.
The advisory vote on executive compensation is a non-binding vote on the compensation of our NEOs as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section, the tabular disclosure regarding such compensation, and the accompanying narrative disclosure, set forth in this Proxy Statement. The Compensation Discussion and Analysis section starts on page 17 of this Proxy Statement. Please read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section which provides a detailed discussion of our executive compensation program and compensation philosophy, including information about 2019 compensation of our NEOs. This advisory vote on executive compensation is not a vote on our general compensation policies, the compensation of our Board, or our compensation policies as they relate to risk management.
The vote solicited by this Proposal No. 2 is advisory and, therefore, is not binding on the Company, our Board or our Compensation Committee. The outcome of the vote will not require the Company, our Board or our Compensation Committee to take any action and will not be construed as overruling any decision by the Company, our Board or our Compensation Committee. Furthermore, because this non-binding, advisory vote primarily relates to the compensation of our NEOs that has already been paid or contractually committed, there is generally no opportunity for us to revisit these decisions. However, our Board, including our Compensation Committee, values the opinions of our stockholders, and, to the extent there is any significant vote against the NEO compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, we will consider our stockholders’ concerns and evaluate what actions, if any, may be appropriate to address those concerns. Stockholders will be asked at the Annual Meeting to approve the following resolution pursuant to this Proposal No. 2:
RESOLVED, that the stockholders of Getty Realty Corp. approve, on an advisory basis, the Named Executive Officer compensation as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion included in this proxy statement.
Recommendation
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “for” approval of the foregoing resolution. Proxies will be so voted unless stockholders specify otherwise in their proxies.
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To Our Stockholders:
This report addresses our compliance with rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) designed to enhance audit committee effectiveness to improve public disclosure about the functioning of corporate audit committees and to enhance the reliability and credibility of financial statements of public companies.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Getty Realty Corp., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), is responsible for providing objective oversight of the Company’s financial accounting and reporting functions, system of internal control and audit process. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. A copy of the Audit Committee’s Charter is available on the Company’s website located at www.gettyrealty.com and is available in print to any shareholder who requests it.
The Company’s management is responsible for the Company’s system of internal control and its financial reporting process. The independent registered public accountants, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, are responsible for performing an independent integrated audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and its internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and to issue a report thereon. The Audit Committee is responsible for the monitoring and oversight of these processes.
The Board of Directors determined that for the year ended December 31, 2019 each member of the Audit Committee was “independent”, as such term is defined in the listing standards of the NYSE, and that each member who served on the Audit Committee for 2019 is “financially literate”, as such term is defined in the listing standards of the NYSE. The Board also determined that for the year ended December 31, 2019, Ms. Malanoski and Messrs. Coviello and Montag each qualified as an “audit committee financial expert” under the relevant rules of the SEC and each had the requisite accounting/financial management expertise required by the listing standards of the NYSE.
During the past year, the Audit Committee met regularly with management to assure that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting continued to meet applicable standards under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and are compliant with the listing standards of the NYSE. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting was reviewed and tested by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our independent auditors. Their report is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. At the Audit Committee meeting held on February 25, 2020, the Committee reviewed the Company’s internal control over financial reporting with management and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and determined that the Company is in compliance with the requirements applicable to it.
With regard to our audited financial statements, the Audit Committee has:
(1) reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management and with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP;
(2) discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP those matters required to be discussed under PCAOB standards, including those required by Auditing Standard No. 1301 (Communications with Audit Committees);
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(3) (a) received the written disclosures and the letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and (b) discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP their independence; and
(4) based upon the review and discussions set forth in paragraphs (1) through (3) above, it was recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC.
Prior to the filing with the SEC of each of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2019, the Audit Committee Chairman or another member of the Audit Committee reviewed with the Company’s management and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP the Company’s interim financial results to be included in such reports and the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301.
The report of the Audit Committee should not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating this Proxy Statement by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and should not otherwise be deemed filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
|
Audit Committee: |
||||||||
|
Philip E. Coviello (Chairman) |
||||||||
|
Mary Lou Malanoski |
||||||||
|
Richard E. Montag |
||||||||
|
Howard B. Safenowitz |
||||||||
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RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
(Item No. 3 on the Proxy Card)
On February 25, 2020, the Audit Committee appointed the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), subject to ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting, to audit the accounts of Getty with respect to our operations for the year ending December 31, 2020 and to perform such other services as may be required. Should PwC be unable to perform these services for any reason, the Audit Committee will appoint another independent registered public accounting firm to perform these services. As long as a quorum is present, a majority of votes cast at the Annual Meeting is necessary to ratify the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm.
The Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policy requires pre-approval of services to be provided by PwC. The policy authorizes the Audit Committee to delegate to one or more of its members, and the Audit Committee has delegated to each of its members, authority to pre-approve non-audit services. Each member is required to report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. All of the non-audit services performed by PwC in 2018 and 2019 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
The fees payable to PwC, our independent registered public accounting firm, related to services provided for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:
| 2018 | 2019 | |||||||
|
(a) Audit Fees(1) |
$ | 880,000 | $ | 910,000 | ||||
|
(b) Audit Related Fees (assurance and related services reasonably related to audit or review of financial statements not reported under (a)) (2) |
$ | 158,000 | $ | 106,000 | ||||
|
(c) Tax Fees (professional services for tax compliance, advice and planning)(3) |
$ | 290,500 | $ | 300,000 | ||||
| (1) |
Includes the aggregate fees and expenses estimated or billed for professional services rendered by PwC for the integrated audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for the year and of its internal control over financial reporting as of year-end and the reviews of the financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the year. |
| (2) |
Represents fees for professional services rendered by PwC related to the comfort letters and other audit related services. |
| (3) |
Represents fees for federal and state tax compliance, planning and tax research. |
Representatives of the firm of PwC are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
Recommendation
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “for” the proposal to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2020.
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DEADLINES FOR SUBMITTING STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND OTHER STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2021 ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholder proposals to be considered for inclusion in next year’s Proxy Statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act must be received by November 19, 2020. Any stockholder proposal or director nomination to be presented at the 2021 annual meeting that is not intended to be included in next year’s Proxy Statement will be considered untimely if we receive it before January 28, 2021 or after February 28, 2021. Such proposals and nominations also must be made in accordance with our Bylaws. An untimely proposal may be excluded from consideration at the 2021 annual meeting.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules issued thereunder, Getty’s officers and directors are required to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of Getty equity securities with the SEC and the NYSE. As a matter of practice, our administrative staff assists our executive officers and directors in preparing initial ownership reports and reporting ownership changes, and typically files those reports on their behalf. Based solely on a review of the Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed with the SEC during 2019 and written representations provided by our directors and officers, Getty believes that during 2019 all of our officers and directors complied with the Section 16(a) requirements, except that a Form 5 for Leo Liebowitz was filed on March 5, 2020 with respect to his transfer of common stock to the Liebowitz 2015 Family Trust on June 6, 2019.
Management does not know of any matters, other than those referred to above, to be presented at the meeting for action by the stockholders. However, if any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, or any adjournment or adjournments or postponements thereof, we intend to cast votes pursuant to the proxies with respect to such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the persons acting under the proxies.
Record holders may vote by returning the enclosed proxy card by mail or by attending the meeting and voting in person. The Notice of Internet Availability also instructs you how you may submit your proxy over the internet. If your shares are held in “street name”, which means they are held for your benefit in the name of a broker, bank or other intermediary, you will receive instructions from your broker, bank or other intermediary on how you can indicate the votes you wish to cast with respect to your shares. Please be aware that beneficial owners of shares held in “street name” may not vote their shares in person at the meeting unless they first obtain a written authorization to do so from their broker, bank or other intermediary and produce same at the Annual Meeting. Your proxy may be revoked at any time prior to it being exercised. Record holders may revoke their proxy by voting at the meeting or by submitting a new proxy, dated after the date of the proxy to be revoked, to the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s address shown on the cover page of this Proxy Statement, prior to the Annual Meeting. If your shares are held in “street name”, you must contact your broker, bank or other intermediary for instructions on revoking your proxy. Brokerage houses and other custodians will be requested to forward solicitation material to beneficial owners of stock that they hold of record. We will reimburse brokerage houses, banks and custodians for their out of pocket expenses in forwarding proxy material to the beneficial owners. The cost of this solicitation, which will be effected by mail, will be borne by us.
|
March 12, 2020 |
||
|
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
||
|
/s/ JOSHUA DICKER |
||
|
Joshua Dicker |
||
|
Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel |
||
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GETTY REALTY CORP. ATTN: CHRISTOPHER J. CONSTANT TWO JERICHO PLAZA WING C, SUITE 110 JERICHO, NEW YORK 11753 VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Vote by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on April 27, 2020 for shares held directly and by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on April 23, 2020 for shares held in a Plan. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on April 27, 2020 for shares held directly and by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on April 23, 2020 for shares held in a Plan. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: D01798-P34632 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. GETTY REALTY CORP. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the election of each of the following nominees: 1. Election of Directors Nominees: For Withhold 1a. Christopher J. Constant 1b. Milton Cooper 1c. Philip E. Coviello 1d. Leo Liebowitz 1e. Mary Lou Malanoski 1f. Richard E. Montag 1g. Howard B. Safenowitz The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2 and 3. For Against Abstain 2. ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (SAY-ON-PAY). 3. R AT I F I C AT I O N O F T H E A P P O I N T M E N T O F PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2020. Note: And such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com. D01799-P34632 GETTY REALTY CORP. Annual Meeting of Stockholders April 28, 2020 3:30 PM This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The undersigned stockholder of Getty Realty Corp. hereby constitutes and appoints CHRISTOPHER J. CONSTANT and DANION FIELDING, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys, agents and proxies of the undersigned, each with full power of substitution, to vote on all matters which may properly come before the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (or if only one shall be present and acting at the meeting then that one), all of the common shares of stock of the corporation that the undersigned would be entitled, if personally present, to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the corporation to be held at the offices of Arent Fox LLP, 1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019, on April 28, 2020 at 3:30 p.m., and any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy will vote as the Board of Directors recommends where a choice is not specified. Continued and to be signed on reverse side