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
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USG CORPORATION |
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USG Corporation
550 West Adams Street
Chicago, Illinois 60661
Founded in 1902
March 30,
2017
Dear Fellow Stockholder:
It is a pleasure to invite you to the 2017 USG Corporation annual meeting of stockholders. The meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m., Chicago time, on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at our corporate headquarters located at 550 West Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661-3676. The attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement discuss the items scheduled for a vote by stockholders at the meeting.
Securities and Exchange Commission rules allow companies to furnish proxy materials to their stockholders over the Internet. As a result, most of our stockholders will receive in the mail a notice regarding availability of the proxy materials for the annual meeting on the Internet instead of paper copies of those materials. The notice contains instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet and instructions on how stockholders can receive paper copies of the proxy materials, including a proxy or voting instruction form. This process expedites stockholders receipt of proxy materials, lowers the cost of our annual meeting and helps to conserve natural resources.
It is important that your shares be represented at the annual meeting, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting. Please vote your shares over the Internet or by telephone. If you received paper copies of the proxy materials by mail, you may also vote by mail by following the instructions on the proxy or voting instruction form you received. If you hold shares through a broker (i.e., in street name), you have the right to direct your broker how to vote your shares. Brokers may not vote your shares on any matter other than the ratification of the appointment of our auditors, in the absence of specific voting instructions from you. Please contact your broker directly if you have questions about how to provide such instructions.
Please vote your shares as soon as possible. This is your annual meeting, and your participation is important.
Sincerely,
Jennifer F.
Scanlon President and Chief Executive Officer |
Steven F.
Leer Non-Executive Chairman of the Board |
2017 Proxy Statement | 03 | |
550 West Adams Street
Chicago,
Illinois 60661-3676
NOTICE OF 2017 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
When:
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 9:00 a.m., Chicago Time
Where:
USG Corporate Headquarters
550 West Adams Street,
Chicago, Illinois
60661-3676
Items of Business:
1. | to elect three directors for a three-year term; | |
2. | to ratify the Audit Committees appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017; | |
3. | to approve an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or the Committee Amendment, to remove the requirement that we maintain a Finance Committee, in order to make our governance structure more efficient and flexible; | |
4. | to approve, by advisory vote, the compensation of our named executive officers; | |
5. | to recommend, by advisory vote, the frequency of future votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers; and | |
6. | to transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
Who Can Vote:
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 13, 2017 will be entitled to vote at the annual meeting.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT |
Brokers may not vote your shares on any of the matters being presented at the annual meeting, other than the ratification of the appointment of our independent auditor, in the absence of specific voting instructions from you. Please contact your broker directly if you have questions about how to provide such instructions. Please vote your shares promptly by using the Internet or the telephone. If you received a paper copy of a proxy or voting instruction form for the annual meeting by mail, you may submit that form by completing, signing, dating and returning it in the pre-addressed envelope provided.
Even if you plan to attend the meeting, please vote as soon as possible using one of the following methods:
By Telephone: In the U.S. or Canada, you can vote your shares toll-free by calling 1-800-690-6903. |
By Internet: You can vote your shares online at www.proxyvote.com |
By Mail: You can vote by mail by completing, dating, and signing your proxy card or voting instruction form and returning it in the postage-paid envelope. |
04 | USG Corporation | |
Meeting Admissions:
An admission ticket (or other proof of stock ownership) and a form of photo identification will be required for admission to the annual meeting. In addition, if you are not a stockholder of record but hold shares through a broker, bank or other nominee (i.e., in street name), you will be required to provide proof of beneficial ownership as of the Record Date. See Annual Meeting Information beginning on page 71 for details.
Date of Mailing:
This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy were first made available to our stockholders on or about March 30, 2017.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of the Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be held on May 10, 2017
This proxy statement and our 2016 annual report on Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Michelle
M. Warner
Senior Vice President, General
Counsel
and Corporate Secretary
March 30, 2017
2017 Proxy Statement | 05 | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
SUMMARY OF 2017 PROXY STATEMENT |
This summary highlights selected information in this Proxy Statement and does not contain all of the information that you should consider in deciding how to vote. Please read the complete proxy statement carefully before voting.
ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION
Time and Date | Location | Record Date | ||||
9:00 a.m., Chicago time, on | USG Corporation Headquarters | March 13, 2017 | ||||
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 | 550 West Adams Street | |||||
Chicago, Illinois 60661-3676 | ||||||
AGENDA AND VOTING RECOMMENDATIONS
Proposal | Board Recommendation | Page | ||
Election of Three Directors | FOR each nominee | 12 | ||
Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent | ||||
registered public accountants for 2017 | FOR | 30 | ||
Approval of the Committee Amendment | FOR | 33 | ||
Say-on-Pay: Advisory vote on compensation of our named executive officers | FOR | 35 | ||
Say-on-Frequency: Advisory vote on frequency of future advisory votes on | ||||
compensation of our named executive officers | EVERY YEAR | 66 |
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
Our Company produced excellent financial and operating results in 2016 that position us well for 2017 and beyond. The annual highlights include:
| Retiring $1.1 billion in debt and achieving a leverage ratio within our target range |
| Completing the disposition of our distribution business, L&W Supply, for $675 million, allowing us to focus on core manufacturing operations |
| Expanding operating margins in each of our segments |
| Generating $49 million in equity method income for us by USG Boral Building Products, or UBBP, our 50/50 strategic joint ventures with Boral Limited that operate in Asia, Australasia and the Middle East |
| Launching our multi-year efforts to reinvest in our business through advanced manufacturing |
| Growing our glass-mat portfolio and launching a new line of high performance ceilings and several new flooring products |
06 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
PROPOSAL |
Election of Directors | |||
The Board recommends a vote FOR the election of each of the nominees for director. | ||||
See page 14 for further information about our director nominees. | ||||
Name | Director Since |
Independent | Position | Other
Public Directorships |
USG Board Committees | |||||
MATTHEW CARTER, JR. | September 2012 |
✓ | Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Inteliquent, Inc. | None | Compensation
and Organization Governance | |||||
RICHARD P. LAVIN | November 2009 |
✓ | Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc.; Former Group President of Caterpillar, Inc. | ITT Corporation and Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc. | Compensation and Organization (Chair) Finance | |||||
JENNIFER F. SCANLON | September 2016 |
President and Chief Executive Officer of USG Corporation | None | None |
RECENT BOARD DEVELOPMENTS
New Chairman |
●Steven F. Leer, formerly our Lead Director, was
appointed Non-Executive Chairman of the Board in November
2016. |
New Director |
●Ms. Scanlon was added to our Companys Board in
September 2016 in connection with her appointment as Chief Executive
Officer-Elect of our Company in advance of the retirement of Mr. Metcalf,
our former Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer. |
2017 Proxy Statement | 07 | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Our Company is committed to good corporate governance, which promotes the long-term interests of stockholders, strengthens Board and management accountability and helps build public trust.
Independence | ● | Eight of our nine directors are independent | |
● | Our Chairman is an independent director | ||
● | Our CEO is the only management director | ||
● | All of our Board committees are comprised of only independent directors and have the ability to hire third-party advisors | ||
Executive Sessions | ● | The independent directors regularly meet in executive sessions | |
● | The Non-Executive Chairman presides at executive sessions of the independent directors | ||
Board Oversight of Risk Management |
● | Our Audit Committee annually reviews our guidelines and policies that govern the process by which we assess and manage our exposure to risk | |
● | Our Compensation and Organization Committee reviews the annual compensation risk assessment and retains an independent compensation consultant | ||
● | We have recoupment or clawback provisions to recover certain executive pay | ||
Stock
Ownership Requirements |
● | Our non-employee directors and executives are subject to minimum stock ownership requirements designed to align their interests with those of stockholders |
PROPOSAL |
Ratification of appointment of independent registered public accountants for 2017 | |||
The Board recommends a vote
FOR the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as
our independent | ||||
See page 30 for further information. | ||||
In accordance with its charter, the Audit Committee has appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accountants for 2017. The Audit Committee requests that stockholders ratify this appointment. If stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will consider whether it should appoint another independent registered public accounting firm. Deloitte & Touche LLP has been examining our financial statements since 2002.
08 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
PROPOSAL |
Approval of the Committee Amendment | |||
The Board recommends a vote FOR the approval of the Committee Amendment. | ||||
See page 33 for further information. | ||||
Due to historical reasons, our Restated Certificate of Incorporation requires the Board to maintain a Finance Committee. The Board has determined that it would like the flexibility to eliminate the Finance Committee in the future or to have it meet on an ad-hoc basis as necessary and is requesting that stockholders approve an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation allowing it this flexibility. Because certain matters currently require the separate review or approval of the Finance Committee in addition to the approval of the Board, elimination of the mandatory nature of the Finance Committee could simplify our governance structure and provide for a more efficient and flexible organizational decision-making process. If eliminated, many responsibilities of the Finance Committee would be assumed by the full Board, while the remainder would be assumed by other committees of the Board.
PROPOSAL |
Say-on-Pay: Advisory vote regarding the compensation of our named executive officers | |||
The Board recommends a vote FOR the advisory vote approving the compensation of our named executive officers. | ||||
See page 35 for further information. | ||||
We are asking our stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers (say-on-pay) as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section beginning on page 36 and the Compensation Tables section beginning on page 50. Our compensation philosophy is designed to attract, motivate, engage and retain talented executives and align their interests with those of stockholders.
PROPOSAL |
Say-on-Frequency:
Advisory vote regarding frequency of future advisory votes on the
| |||
The Board recommends a vote to
conduct future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive
officers | ||||
See page 66 for further information. | ||||
We are asking our stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of our future stockholder say-on-pay advisory votes. This advisory vote is commonly referred to as a say-on-frequency vote. Under this proposal, our stockholders may indicate whether they would prefer to have an advisory vote on executive compensation every year, every two years, or every three years, or may abstain from voting on this proposal. The Board recommends a vote to conduct future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers every year.
2017 Proxy Statement | 09 | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION HIGHLIGHTS
Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate, engage and retain talented executives and align their interests with those of stockholders. We use a combination of base salary, annual and long-term incentive awards, retirement and other benefits and limited perquisites to link executive pay with our financial and operating objectives. Our compensation program for executive officers, including our named executive officers, drives the achievement of operating and financial objectives while building the long-term value of our enterprise. Annual incentive awards for our named executive officers in 2016, other than Mr. Metcalf, our former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, ranged from 176% to 187% of target due to our exceeding the adjusted net earnings and Focus Target thresholds, as discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section beginning on page 36. While our operational performance in 2016 was very strong as evidenced by the annual incentive awards, our stock performance over the most recent vesting period was below target and as a result the market share units granted in 2014 (as measured by our stock price) vested at 88% of target and the performance shares granted in 2014 (as measured by our total stockholder return compared to certain other companies) were forfeited.
Our executive compensation program places the greatest emphasis on performance-based incentives as shown below. In September 2016, we announced that Mr. Metcalf had decided to retire from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer and resign as Chairman of the Board, effective October 31, 2016. In connection with Mr. Metcalfs retirement and in accordance with our management succession plan, Ms. Scanlon became our Companys President and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 1, 2016. Accordingly, the 2016 target pay mix shown below for Ms. Scanlon reflects compensation for only two months out of the year as President and Chief Executive Officer in addition to the ten months prior to her promotion. In February 2017, the Board increased Ms. Scanlons base salary and also granted her a long-term equity award which resulted in the portion of Ms. Scanlons compensation for 2017 that is performance-based to be increased, in accordance with its historical philosophy of having a substantial portion of the President and Chief Executive Officers compensation at risk.
SCANLON 2016 TARGET PAY MIX(1) |
||
Base Salary 29% |
Annual Incentive 23% |
Long-Term Incentive 48% |
71% Performance Based |
SCANLON 2017 TARGET PAY MIX | ||
Base Salary 16% |
Annual Incentive 17% |
Long-Term Incentive 67% |
84% Performance Based |
OTHER NEOS AVERAGE 2016 TARGET PAY MIX(1)(2) | ||
Base Salary 30% |
Annual Incentive 20% |
Long-Term Incentive 50% |
70% Performance Based |
(1) | Excluding any one-time special grants. |
(2) | Excludes Mr. Metcalf. |
10 | USG Corporation | |
TABLE OF CONTENTS |
2017 Proxy Statement | 11 | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board
of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
Election of Directors | ||||
The Board recommends a vote FOR the election of each of the nominees for director. | ||||
See page 14 for further information about our director nominees. | ||||
Our Board currently consists of nine directors divided into three classes, with each class elected for a three-year term. Three nominees comprise the class of directors to be elected at the annual meeting. The other two classes will be elected in 2018 and 2019.
The three candidates nominated by the Board for election as directors at the annual meeting are identified below. If any of those nominees becomes unavailable prior to the annual meeting, the Board will (i) reduce the size of the Board to eliminate that position, (ii) leave the position vacant until a later date, or (iii) nominate a candidate in place of the unavailable nominee, in which case all shares represented by proxies received by the Board will be voted for election of the substitute nominee.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Governance Committee believes that the Board, as currently constituted, is well-balanced and that it fully and effectively addresses our Companys needs. As evidenced by the director biographical information provided below, our directors have significant experience in chief executive or other senior level operating, financial, and international management positions. In addition, a majority of our directors have experience in cyclical businesses, which we believe will help the Board assist in managements development and implementation of our growth strategies. These directors also have extensive familiarity with us and our industry, which provides them with a longer-term perspective about strategic, operational and financial issues associated with our business.
Seven of our nine directors currently serve as a director of other public companies, which provides them with diverse experiences that can enhance their contribution to our Board governance practices.
Set forth below is information regarding the nominees for election as directors and information regarding the directors in each class continuing in office after the annual meeting. Also discussed below are specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of our current directors considered by the Governance Committee as part of its review of our Boards membership and in connection with its nomination of the candidates for election to the Board at the annual meeting.
12 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board
of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Age | ||
≤ 50:1 | 51 - 60: 4 | ≥ 61:4 |
Tenure | ||
0 - 4 years: 3 | 5 - 7 years: 4 | >8 years: 2 |
Gender and Ethnic Diversity | |||
Minorities: 3 | Women: 2 |
COLLECTIVE SKILLS MATRIX
Jose Armario |
Thomas A. Burke |
Matthew Carter Jr. |
Gretchen R. Haggerty |
William H. Hernandez |
Brian A. Kenney |
Richard P. Lavin |
Steven F. Leer |
Jennifer F. Scanlon | ||
Financial/Accounting | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ||||
Operations | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | |||
IT | ■ | |||||||||
International Business | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ||
Engineering |
■ | |||||||||
Sales/Marketing |
■ | ■ | ■ | |||||||
Cyclical Business |
■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ||||
HR/Compensation |
■ |
2017 Proxy Statement | 13 | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board
of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The directors listed below have been nominated for re-election to the Board for a three-year term expiring in 2020.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the election of each of the nominees for director.
MATTHEW CARTER JR. | ||
Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Inteliquent, Inc. | ||
Age:
56 | ||
Qualifications and Experience: Mr. Carter served as President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of Inteliquent, Inc., a publicly-traded provider of voice telecommunications services, from June 2015 until February 2017 when Inteliquent, Inc. was acquired. He served as President of the Sprint Enterprise Solutions business unit of Sprint Corporation, a publicly-traded telecommunications company, from September 2013 until January 2015 and as President, Sprint Global Wholesale & Emerging Solutions at Sprint Nextel Corporation prior thereto. He is a former director of Apollo Education Group, Inc. and Inteliquent, Inc. and has significant marketing, technology and international experience, including previous management oversight for all of Inteliquent, Inc.s operations. |
RICHARD P. LAVIN | ||
Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc. and Former Group President of Caterpillar, Inc. | ||
Age:
65 | ||
Qualifications and Experience: Mr. Lavin served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc., a publicly-traded supplier of cab-related products and systems for the global commercial vehicle market, from May 2013 until November 2015. He had previously served as Group President of Caterpillar Inc., a publicly-traded manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives, until his retirement in December 2012, after having worked for Caterpillar for nearly 29 years. These positions provided Mr. Lavin with experience managing cyclical, global manufacturing businesses, and he also has a diverse legal and human resources background. |
14 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board
of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
JENNIFER F. SCANLON | ||
President and Chief Executive Officer of USG Corporation | ||
Age:
50 | ||
Qualifications and Experience: Ms. Scanlon has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since November 2016. Prior thereto she held a variety of positions at USG, including Executive Vice President beginning in March 2016 and President, International beginning in September 2010. She also served as the chairman of the board of USG Boral Building Products from its inception in February 2014 until October 2016 and President of L&W Supply Corporation from July 2015 until its sale to ABC Supply in October 2016. Ms. Scanlon has extensive international experience from her leadership of USGs international joint ventures and broad operational and strategic experience from her previous assignments at USG and with a management consulting firm that specialized in increasing profits through operational improvement. |
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
The following directors are continuing in office for terms expiring in 2018:
JOSE ARMARIO | ||
Retired Executive Vice President of Worldwide Supply Chain, Development and Franchising of McDonalds Corporation | ||
Age:
57 | ||
Qualifications and Experience: Mr. Armario retired as Executive Vice President of Worldwide Supply Chain, Development, and Franchising of McDonalds Corporation, a publicly-traded restaurant operator and franchisor, in October 2015, after having held that position since August 2011. Prior thereto he served as Group President, McDonalds Canada and Latin America. He has extensive global consumer products marketing, branding, supply chain and Latin American markets expertise. |
2017 Proxy Statement | 15 | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board
of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
GRETCHEN R. HAGGERTY | ||
Retired Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United States Steel Corporation | ||
Age:
61 | ||
Qualifications and Experience: Ms. Haggerty retired as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United States Steel Corporation, a publicly-traded integrated steel producer, in August 2013, after having held that position for more than ten years. In addition to her financial expertise she also has substantial international and cyclical business experience. |
WILLIAM H. HERNANDEZ | ||
Retired Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of PPG Industries, Inc. | ||
Age:
68 | ||
Qualifications and Experience: Mr. Hernandez retired as Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of PPG Industries, Inc., a publicly-traded manufacturer of coatings, chemical and industrial products, specialty materials and glass products, in 2009, after having served as Chief Financial Officer for more than 15 years. He is a former director of Eastman Kodak Company and has significant financial and cyclical business experience. |
The following directors are continuing in office for terms expiring in 2019:
THOMAS A. BURKE | ||
President and Chief Executive Officer of Modine Manufacturing Company | ||
Age:
59 | ||
Qualifications and Experience: Mr. Burke has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Modine Manufacturing Company, a publicly-traded manufacturer of thermal management systems and components, since April 2008. He has experience managing cyclical businesses and international operations and has valuable insights regarding the manufacturing industry from his service on the board of the National Association of Manufacturers. |
16 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board
of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
BRIAN A. KENNEY | ||
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of GATX Corporation | ||
Age: 57 | ||
Qualifications and Experience: Mr. Kenney is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of GATX Corporation, a publicly-traded global railcar lessor, and has held this position since 2005. During his tenure, he has obtained extensive strategic, operational, financial and international investment experience and corporate governance insights. The similarity of the cyclical nature of our business and GATX Corporations business provides Mr. Kenney with an understanding of the challenges that volatile economic conditions present for our business. |
STEVEN F. LEER, Non-Executive Chairman | ||
Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Arch Coal, Inc. | ||
Age: 64 | ||
Qualifications and Experience: Mr. Leer retired as Chairman of Arch Coal, Inc., a publicly-traded coal producing company, in 2014 after having served in that position since April 2006. He was also the Chief Executive Officer of Arch Coal, Inc. until April 2012. He is a former director of the Greater St. Louis Area Boy Scouts of America and the National Association of Manufacturers and a former member of the Board of Regents of Washington University in St. Louis. Mr. Leer provides corporate governance insights from his service as Chairman of Arch Coal, Inc. and as a director of other public companies and particular insights regarding business conditions and developments in North America from his service on the boards of Cenovus Energy Inc., Norfolk Southern Corporation and Parsons Corporation. |
2017 Proxy Statement | 17 | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board
of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
NOMINATION PROCESS AND CRITERIA FOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP
The Governance Committee recommends to the Board director candidates for nomination and election at the annual meeting or for appointment to fill vacancies. In recognition of the fact that the selection of qualified directors is complex and crucial to our long-term success, the Governance Committee annually reviews with the Board the skills and characteristics required of our directors, considering current Board composition and the current needs of our Company. Our process for reviewing and selecting director nominees involves seeking out a diverse group of candidates who possess the background, skills and expertise to make a significant contribution to the Board, our Company and our stockholders. Desired qualities for our directors, including those recommended for nomination by our stockholders, include high-level leadership experience in business or administrative activities, breadth of knowledge about issues affecting our Company, ability and willingness to contribute special competencies to Board activities and personal attributes such as integrity, willingness to apply sound and independent business judgment and assume broad fiduciary responsibility and awareness of a directors vital contribution to our corporate image. Additional search criteria may be determined by the Governance Committee. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that candidates for Board membership will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation or disability. When seeking director candidates, the Governance Committee considers the subject matter expertise and geographic experience of existing Board members to determine whether a candidate with a particular expertise or experience set would be desirable. The Governance Committee seeks to have a mix of directors with experience in one or more areas relevant to our businesses, including operations, manufacturing, marketing, finance, human resources, engineering, technology and innovation and international, as well as experience with cyclical businesses. We do not have a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying directors. However, as part of our commitment to diversity as a core value and in our efforts to attract and retain a diverse workforce as well as to enhance our relationship with an increasingly diverse customer and employee base, the Governance Committee may also decide to seek a qualified candidate who is female or adds to the ethnic diversity of the Board.
Generally, to fill a vacancy or to add an additional director, the Governance Committee retains an executive search firm to assist in identifying and recruiting appropriate candidates. Any director candidate selected by this process or as a result of a stockholder recommendation is expected to meet with a number of directors, including the chair of the Governance Committee, prior to any decision to nominate the candidate for election to the Board.
Our By-laws and Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that no non-employee director may serve on the Board beyond the first annual meeting of stockholders following the directors 72nd birthday, unless the Board determines otherwise.
STOCKHOLDER NOMINEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Governance Committee considers director nominee recommendations submitted by our stockholders. Director nominee recommendations from stockholders must be in writing and include a brief account of the nominees business experience during the past five years, including principal occupations and employment during that period and the name and principal business of any corporation or organization of which the nominee is a director. Stockholder director nominee recommendations should be sent to the Governance Committee, USG Board of Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary, 550 West Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661-3676. Recommendations may be submitted at any time, but will not be considered by the Governance Committee in connection with an annual meeting unless received on or before the date prior to the annual meeting determined as provided in our By-laws. The director nominee recommendation submission deadline for the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders is described under the heading Deadline for Stockholder Proposals on page 70 of this proxy statement.
18 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board
of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The Board has determined that each of our directors, except Ms. Scanlon, our President and Chief Executive Officer, is independent as defined by our By-laws and Corporate Governance Guidelines and the NYSE listing standards. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that at least 80% of our directors should be independent in accordance with the standards of the NYSE and our By-laws. The listing standards of the NYSE also require that a majority of our directors and all members of our Audit, Compensation and Organization and Governance Committees be independent. A director is considered independent only if the Board determines that he or she has no direct or indirect material relationship with our Company. Our By-laws further provide that members of legal, accounting or auditing firms providing services to us are not independent.
The Board makes this determination annually based upon information provided by each of our directors and the recommendation of the Governance Committee. In making the most recent determination, the Board considered the following transactions, relationships and arrangements involving the directors:
| Mr. Carter was an executive officer and a director of Inteliquent, Inc., which agreed, prior to the time Mr. Carter was associated with Inteliquent, to sublease office space from us; |
|
Ms. Haggertys brother is a partner at a firm used by UBBP for tax compliance services; |
|
Mr. Hernandez is a director of a corporation from which we purchase communication equipment; |
|
Mr. Kenney is an executive officer and a director of GATX Corporation, from which we lease railcars; |
|
Mr. Lavin is a director of a corporation from which we purchase equipment; and |
|
Mr. Leer is a director of a corporation from which we purchase rail transportation services. |
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OUR BOARD
The Board acts as the ultimate decision-making body of our Company and advises and oversees management, who are responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of our Company. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Board reviews and assesses our Companys long-term strategy and its strategic, competitive and financial performance.
In 2016, the Board oversaw the sale of L&W Supply and the redemption of $1.1 billion in debt. These activities, as well as our Companys operating performance, laid the foundation for return of capital to stockholders in the form of a $250 million share repurchase program, as announced in February 2017. In addition, in 2016 the Board oversaw the transition of the Chairman and the President and Chief Executive Officer positions in connection with Mr. Metcalfs retirement on October 31, 2016.
BOARD LEADERSHIP
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the matter of whether the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions should be separate is one to be considered when a new Chief Executive Officer is selected, unless the Board believes consideration of the matter is warranted at another time based on then-existing circumstances. In connection with Mr. Metcalfs retirement as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer on October 31, 2016, the Governance Committee and the Board discussed board leadership alternatives before deciding to separate the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles and appoint Ms. Scanlon as our President and Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Leer as our Non-Executive Chairman of the Board. The Board determined that it was appropriate to separate these roles at this time in order to allow Ms. Scanlon to focus primarily on her new responsibilities as President and Chief Executive Officer while also providing the benefit of independent leadership to enhance the effectiveness of the Boards oversight role. Our Chief Executive Officer is responsible for day-to-day leadership and for setting the strategic direction of the Company, while the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board presides over Board meetings, including non-management and executive sessions. Mr. Leers tenure as Lead Director of the Board from 2012 until his appointment as Non-Executive Chairman, as well as his experience serving as Chairman of other publicly-traded companies, also provides him with the experience and expertise to be the person who generally leads discussions of matters considered by the Board.
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of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The following table indicates the current members of each of the Boards four standing committees:
Name | Audit | Compensation
and Organization |
Finance | Governance | ||||
Jose Armario | ||||||||
Thomas A. Burke | ||||||||
Matthew Carter Jr. | ||||||||
Gretchen R. Haggerty | ||||||||
William H. Hernandez | ||||||||
Brian A. Kenney | ||||||||
Richard P. Lavin | ||||||||
Steven F. Leer |
Chairperson |
Member |
Each committee meets periodically throughout the year, reports its actions and recommendations to the Board, receives reports from management, annually evaluates its performance and has the authority to retain outside advisors at its discretion. Each committee has a charter that requires its members to be independent as defined in the NYSE listing standards and our By-laws and Corporate Governance Guidelines. The primary responsibilities of each committee are summarized below and set forth in more detail in each committees written charter, which can be found on our Companys website at www.usg.com.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Independent William H. Hernandez 6 meetings in 2016 |
Audit Committee Roles and Responsibilities: Assist the Board in monitoring the integrity of our
financial statements, our compliance with financial reporting and related
legal and statutory requirements and the independence and performance of
our internal and external auditors.
Review our risk assessment and risk management
policies.
Select and employ a firm of independent registered
public accountants to audit our financial statements and internal control
over financial reporting each year, which firm is ultimately accountable
to the Audit Committee and the Board.
The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is an audit committee financial expert as defined by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
||
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Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
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of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
COMPENSATION AND ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE
Independent Richard P. Lavin 8 meetings in 2016 |
Compensation and Organization Committee Roles and Responsibilities: Review and make recommendations to the Board regarding
management organization, succession and development programs.
Review and approve, or recommend for approval, the
election of corporate officers and their salaries, incentive compensation
and bonus awards.
Make the decisions required by a committee of the Board
under all stock and deferred stock plans.
Approve and report to the Board changes in salary ranges
for all other major position categories and, as outlined in its charter,
changes in our retirement, group insurance, investment, management
incentive compensation and bonus and other benefit plans.
Review, and report to the
Board regarding, activities with respect to employee safety and
occupational health, diversity and equal employment opportunity and
corporate contributions.
The Board has determined that each member of the Compensation and Organization Committee is an outside director as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. |
||
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
Independent Steven F. Leer 4 meetings in 2016 |
Governance Committee Roles and Responsibilities: Make recommendations to the Board concerning the size
and composition of the Board and its committees.
Recommend nominees for election or reelection as
directors.
Consider other matters pertaining to Board membership,
such as the retirement policy and compensation of non-employee
directors.
Evaluate Board performance
and assess the adequacy of, and compliance with, our Corporate Governance
Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct.
|
||
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Independent Brian A. Kenney 4 meetings in 2016 |
Finance Committee Roles and Responsibilities: Provide review and oversight of, and make
recommendations to the Board regarding, material financing requirements
and funding programs, including debt issuances and repurchases, dividend
policy and acquisitions, divestitures and significant transactions
affecting our capital structure or ownership.
Review, and make recommendations to the Board regarding, the funding of our
qualified retirement plans in excess of minimum amounts required by law and
authorize necessary or desirable changes in actuarial assumptions for funding those
retirement plans.
As discussed under Proposal 3 Approval of Committee Amendment on page 33 of this proxy statement, our Restated Certificate of Incorporation currently requires that we maintain a Finance Committee. If the Committee Amendment is approved by our stockholders, the Board will have the flexibility to eliminate the Finance Committee, in order to make our governance structure more efficient and flexible. If eliminated, many responsibilities of the Finance Committee would be assumed by the full Board, while the remainder would be assumed by other committees of the Board. |
||
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Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
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of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
RISK OVERSIGHT
The Audit Committees responsibilities include discussing our risk assessment and risk management policies. This discussion takes place at least once each year as part of our review of our enterprise risk management (ERM) program. That review includes discussion of management delegations of responsibility for the principal financial, governance, legal and operational risk exposures identified as part of our ERM program and delegations of responsibility for oversight of those risks to Board committees and/or the full Board. The Board committees consider risks related to matters within the scope of their responsibilities as part of their regular meeting agendas, and the committee chairs report to the full Board regarding matters considered by their committees following each committee meeting. Management also formally reviews strategic risks with the full Board at least once each year, typically as part of our strategic planning review with the Board. The Board also reviews individual risks as they relate to specific issues presented to the Board throughout the year.
In early 2017 management updated and reviewed with the Compensation and Organization Committee a risk assessment of our compensation policies and practices for all employees, including our executive officers. As part of its assessment, management reviewed our compensation programs for certain design features that commentators have identified as having the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking, including too much focus on equity awards, total compensation opportunity that is overly weighted toward annual incentives, highly leveraged payout curves and uncapped payouts, unreasonable goals or thresholds and steep payout cliffs at certain performance levels that may encourage short-term business decisions to meet payout thresholds.
In its assessment, management noted several design features of our compensation programs that reduce the likelihood of excessive risk-taking, including:
|
the program design for executive officers and other senior managers provides a balanced mix of cash and equity awards, annual and long-term incentives and operating and financial performance metrics that promote a focus on long-term performance without undue emphasis on short-term results; |
|
maximum payout levels under most of our annual incentive programs are capped at 200% of target, or par; |
|
our annual incentive program performance targets for business unit heads include non-business unit targets in order help incentivize business unit head participants to properly consider our overall corporate performance when making decisions; |
|
the Compensation and Organization Committee has downward discretion over annual incentive program payouts; |
|
the annual incentive program for our executive officers, and the agreements evidencing their equity awards for 2017 and the eight prior years, allow the Board to clawback payments made to them under certain circumstances; |
|
we use market share units in our long-term incentive plan because they may retain some value in a depressed market so that their holders are less likely to take action intended to keep options in the money; |
|
our equity awards generally are granted on an annual basis with long-term, overlapping vesting periods to motivate award holders to focus on sustained stock price appreciation; and |
|
the stock ownership requirements for our executive officers and other senior managers align the interests of the holders of those awards with the interests of our stockholders. |
Based on its assessment, management concluded that our compensation programs promote value creation, do not encourage excessive risk and are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us. The Compensation and Organization Committee and its consultant concurred with that conclusion based on managements review of its assessment with them.
STRATEGY
At its regularly-scheduled meeting in September of each year, our full Board reviews our Companys near- and long-term strategies in detail. The meeting includes presentations by and discussions with senior management regarding strategic initiatives for each business unit. The Board remains involved in strategic planning throughout the year, engaging with management to review progress of and challenges to our Companys strategies, and to approve specific initiatives. In 2016, our Board and Committees devoted significant additional time throughout the year to review and discuss the sale of L&W Supply and the repayment of $1.1 billion of debt. Individual Board committees also consider strategic matters that fall within their areas of focus and report to the full Board at regularly scheduled meetings. Our independent directors also met in executive sessions without management present at each regularly scheduled Board meeting in 2016, during which strategy was discussed as needed.
22 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board
of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
STOCKHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
We conduct extensive investor outreach throughout the year. These efforts help ensure that management and the Board understand and consider the issues that matter most to our stockholders and allow us to effectively address them. Management regularly attends investor conferences and holds one-on-one meetings and calls with investors, and also has the opportunity to directly interact with investors and analysts during our quarterly earnings conference calls.
COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIRECTORS
Stockholders and other interested parties may send communications to our directors as a group or individually by addressing them to the director(s) at USG Corporation, c/o Corporate Secretary, 550 West Adams Street, Chicago, IL 60661-3676. Stockholder communications will be reviewed by the Corporate Secretary for relevance to our business and then forwarded to the intended director(s), as appropriate. As a matter of policy, all directors are expected to attend the annual meeting. All of our directors serving at the time attended the 2016 annual meeting, other than one director who had a previously scheduled commitment.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DOCUMENTS
Our By-laws, Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct, and the charters of our Board committees, are posted on our website www.usg.com. The information on our website is not, and will not be deemed to be, a part of this proxy statement or incorporated into any of our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission except where we expressly incorporate such information.
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board held eight meetings, and its committees held a total of 22 meetings, during 2016. Each director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and the committees on which he or she served and that he or she was required to attend.
Two executive sessions of the Board are required to be held annually by our Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Board met in executive session at each of its six regularly scheduled meetings.
BOARD SELF-EVALUATIONS
We are committed to maintaining an effective Board that represents the best interests of our Company and our stockholders. In order to assess the effectiveness of the Board and its committees, each director annually completes a survey in which he or she provides suggestions and feedback to the Governance Committee and the Board. This process allows directors to provide anonymous input on, among other things, Board education topics, planning and oversight, Board structure and operation, the Boards relationship with management and Committee structure and operations. The Governance Committee, as well as the full Board, discuss these results in executive session and use them to address areas where the Board feels it can improve.
DIRECTOR ORIENTATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
Our orientation programs familiarize new directors with our Companys businesses, strategies, and policies, and assist new directors in developing the skills and knowledge required for their service on the Board. Throughout the year we also present educational sessions to the Board and its committees to assist our directors in deepening their knowledge of our Company and maintaining skills and knowledge necessary or appropriate for the performance of their responsibilities. These programs include internally-developed materials and presentations as well as programs presented by third parties.
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Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board
of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
MANAGEMENT SUCCESSION PLANNING
The Compensation and Organization Committee has primary responsibility for helping the Board develop and evaluate potential candidates for executive positions and for overseeing the development of management succession plans. The Compensation and Organization Committee reviews its succession plan with the Board at least annually, addressing both a long-term plan and the possibility of an emergency situation. In conducting these reviews, the Board considers, among other factors, our overall business strategy, organizational and operational needs, leadership and management potential and competitive challenges. These reviews provide the Compensation and Organization Committee and other Board members with information regarding the performance and potential of our management team that can be taken into account when executive compensation decisions are made. Potential leaders are exposed and visible to Board members through formal presentations and informal events. The Compensation and Organization Committee is also regularly updated on key talent indicators for the overall workforce, including diversity, recruiting and development programs.
The Governance Committee is charged with annually reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding director compensation. In making its recommendations, the Governance Committee considers the significant time committed by our directors to the performance of their duties as directors, the high-level leadership experience and special competencies our directors contribute to our Company, third party data, the director compensation practices of a comparator group of companies, our Companys performance and ways in which to further align our Boards interests with those of our stockholders. Ms. Scanlon, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Metcalf, our former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, did not receive compensation from us for their service as directors. Their compensation is shown in the Summary Compensation Table on page 50 of this proxy statement.
CASH COMPENSATION
We pay our non-employee directors an annual cash retainer of $80,000, payable quarterly. In 2016, we paid additional cash retainers of $20,000 to the chair of our Audit Committee, $15,000 to the chair of our Compensation and Organization Committee, $10,000 to the chairs of our Finance and Governance Committees and $20,000 to Mr. Leer for his service as the Boards Lead Director, in each case payable in equal quarterly installments. We also reimburse non-employee directors for out-of-pocket expenses they incur in connection with attending meetings and other Company activities.
Effective for 2017, Mr. Leer will receive an annual cash retainer of $125,000, payable quarterly, for his service as Non-Executive Chairman.
ANNUAL GRANT
On December 31, 2016, each of our non-employee directors received an annual grant of $120,000 payable in shares of our common stock.
DEFERRAL OF COMPENSATION
Directors have the option to defer all or a part of their compensation in the form of deferred stock units that will increase or decrease in value in direct proportion to the market value of our common stock and will be paid in cash or shares of common stock, at the directors option, following termination of Board service, except that deferred stock units earned prior to January 1, 2008 will only be paid in cash. The amounts in the Fees Earned or Paid in Cash column of the 2016 Director Compensation table include the amounts of compensation deferred by our directors into deferred stock units as described in footnote 1 to the table.
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Board
of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
2016 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The table below reflects the compensation we paid to our non-employee directors for 2016.
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(1) |
Stock Awards ($)(1)(2) |
All Other Compensation ($)(3) |
Total ($) | ||||
Jose Armario | $80,000 | $120,000 | $2,000 | $202,000 | ||||
Thomas A. Burke | 80,000 | 120,000 | | 200,000 | ||||
Matthew Carter Jr. | 80,000 | 120,000 | | 200,000 | ||||
Gretchen R. Haggerty | 80,000 | 120,014 | | 200,014 | ||||
William H. Hernandez | 100,000 | 120,000 | | 220,000 | ||||
Brian A. Kenney | 90,000 | 120,014 | | 210,014 | ||||
Richard P. Lavin | 95,000 | 120,014 | | 215,014 | ||||
Steven F. Leer | 110,000 | 120,000 | 50 | 230,050 |
(1) | Mr. Armario deferred his annual cash retainer into 3,027.2197 deferred stock units and Mr. Leer deferred 80% of his annual cash retainer into 3,329.9417 deferred stock units, in each case pursuant to our Non-Employee Director Compensation Program. Messrs. Armario, Burke, Carter, Hernandez and Leer each deferred his annual stock grant into 4,114.5208 deferred stock units pursuant to the terms of our Non-Employee Director Compensation Program. Directors hold the number of deferred stock units shown in the Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers table on page 68 of this proxy statement. These deferred stock units are classified as liability awards for accounting purposes. The balances of liability awards are adjusted over the course of the year to reflect changes in the market value of our stock. The net impact of this accounting treatment in 2016 was to increase award balances by the following amounts: Mr. Armario, $332,827; Mr. Burke $41,096, Mr. Carter, $57,458; Mr. Hernandez, $89,862; and Mr. Leer, $374,895. | |
(2) | Each of Ms. Haggerty and Messrs. Kenney and Lavin received his or her annual stock grant in shares of our common stock. They were each issued 4,115 shares based on the average of the high and low sales prices of a share of our common stock on December 30, 2016, the last trading day of the year. The amounts in this column for Ms. Haggerty and Messrs. Kenney and Lavin reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the shares issued to them computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. | |
(3) | Reflects matching contributions under the USG Foundation matching gift program. This program is generally available to our U.S. employees and to our directors. The USG Foundation matches up to 50% of donations made to eligible charitable organizations up to a maximum of $2,500 in matches per year for each individual. The amounts shown reflect matches for gifts that were made in 2015 but, due to administrative processing time, were paid by the USG Foundation in 2016. |
STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN AND TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS IN OUR RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
RIGHTS PLAN
We have a stockholder rights plan that is intended to protect our substantial net operating losses, or NOL, carryforwards and related tax benefits. Under federal tax laws, we generally can use our NOLs and certain related tax credits to reduce ordinary income tax paid in our prior two tax years or on our future taxable income for up to 20 years, when they expire for such purposes. As of December 31, 2016, we had federal NOL carryforwards of approximately $923 million.
Our ability to use our NOLs could be substantially limited if we experience an ownership change, as defined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and the rights plan has been designed to help prevent such an ownership change. Under Section 382 of the Code, an ownership change occurs if, over a rolling three-year period, there has been an aggregate increase of 50 percentage points or more in the percentage of our common stock owned by one or more of our 5-percent stockholders (as determined under Section 382 of the Code). The rights plan provides that if any person becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in the Code) of 4.9% or more of our common stock, stockholders other than the triggering stockholder will have the right to purchase additional shares of our common stock at half the market price, thereby diluting the triggering stockholder; provided that stockholders whose beneficial ownership, as defined in Section 382 of the Code, exceeded 4.9% of our common stock outstanding on February 11, 2015 will not be deemed to have triggered the rights plan, so long as they do not thereafter acquire beneficial ownership of additional common stock other than in certain specified exempt transactions.
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Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
The rights will expire at the close of business on May 31, 2019, unless earlier redeemed or exchanged. The Board has the power to accelerate or extend the expiration date of the rights. The NOL protective provisions of the rights plan described above will be effective until the earliest of the close of business on (i) May 31, 2019, (ii) the date on which the Board determines that these provisions are no longer necessary for the protection of certain tax benefits because of the repeal of Section 382 of the Code, (iii) the first day of a taxable year as to which the Board determines that no tax benefits may be carried forward, or (iv) such other date as the Board determines that these provisions are no longer necessary for the preservation of tax benefits, which period is referred to as the Special Period. After the end of the Special Period, the triggering threshold for the rights issued pursuant to the rights plan will revert to 15% of our outstanding common stock and the definition of beneficial owner will revert to definitions that do not track Section 382 of the Code. At our 2016 annual meeting our stockholders ratified, on an advisory basis, the extension of the term of the rights plan and the NOL protective provisions described above.
A Board committee composed solely of independent directors reviews the rights plan at least once every three years to determine whether to modify the rights plan in light of all relevant factors. This review was most recently conducted in November 2015. The next review is required by the end of 2018.
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation also restricts certain transfers of our common stock and includes provisions intended to further protect the tax benefits of our NOL carryforwards. Subject to certain limited exceptions, these transfer restrictions restrict any person from transferring our common stock (or any interest in our common stock) if the transfer would result in a stockholder (or several stockholders, in the aggregate, who hold their stock as a group under Section 382 of the Code) owning 4.9% or more of our common stock. Any direct or indirect transfer attempted in violation of these transfer restrictions would be void as of the date of the prohibited transfer as to the purported transferee, and the purported transferee would not be recognized as the owner of the shares attempted to be owned in violation of the transfer restrictions for any purpose, including for purposes of voting and receiving dividends or other distributions in respect of that common stock, or in the case of options, receiving our common stock in respect of their exercise. These transfer restrictions are effective until the earliest of (i) the close of business on May 31, 2019, (ii) the repeal of Section 382 of the Code if the Board determines that these restrictions are no longer necessary or desirable for the preservation of tax benefits, (iii) the close of business on the first day of a taxable year as to which the Board determines that no tax benefits may be carried forward, or (iv) such other date as determined by the Board pursuant to the provisions described above.
TREATMENT OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY
Pursuant to a Shareholders Agreement reached in 2006, Berkshire Hathaway and certain of its affiliates may acquire beneficial ownership of up to 50% of our voting stock on a fully-diluted basis without triggering the ownership thresholds in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the rights plan, and may acquire beneficial ownership of more than 50% of our voting stock on a fully-diluted basis without triggering the ownership thresholds in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the rights plan through an offer to purchase all of our common stock that remains open for at least 60 days, in each case subject to specified exceptions.
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Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
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Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS POLICY
In connection with our businesses, we enter into thousands of transactions every year involving thousands of customers. In order to conduct our business, we also procure goods and services from thousands of vendors. Some of those customers and vendors may be affiliated with members of our Board or our 5% stockholders. We believe that all such sales and procurement transactions have been conducted on an arms length basis and involved terms no less favorable to us than those that we believe we would have obtained in the absence of such affiliation. It is our managements policy to bring to the attention of our Governance Committee any transaction with a related party, even if the transaction arises in the ordinary course of business, if the terms of the transaction would be less favorable to us than those to which we would agree to in normal commercial circumstances.
Our Code of Business Conduct further provides that all of our employees, including our executive officers, and our directors, must avoid conflicts of interest - situations where their personal interest may be inconsistent with our interest and may interfere (or appear to interfere) with the employees or directors objectivity in making business decisions on our behalf. A conflict of interest may exist, for example, when an employee, officer or director (or one of their family members) has a financial interest in a company with which we do business or if an employee, officer or director in a position to influence business dealings with a company (a) has a direct or indirect interest in that company that would reasonably be viewed as significant to that person and (b) the amount of business done between us and that company is significant.
All of our employees and directors are required to report conflicts of interest so that we may address the situation properly. After disclosure, some conflicts of interest can be resolved through implementing appropriate controls for our protection. Where an appropriately disclosed conflict of interest is minor and not likely to adversely impact us, we may consent to the activity. In other cases where appropriate controls are not feasible, the person involved will be requested not to enter into, or to discontinue, the relevant transaction or relationship.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES
All of our executive officers and other salaried employees are required to disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest in which they may be personally involved in an annual certification reviewed by our Internal Audit and Legal Departments. In addition, all of our executive officers are required to disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest by quarterly certifications. Employees who complete these certifications are also required to promptly report in writing to the Internal Audit Department any conflict of interest situations that arise during the period between certifications.
Conflict of interest situations reported by employees are addressed by our Business Ethics Committee made up of representatives from our Internal Audit, Legal and Human Resources Departments, and, where appropriate, by senior management. If the conflict of interest involves one of our executive officers, the situation will be addressed by our Board or the Audit Committee. Quarterly reports of employee conflicts of interest and the resolution of them are provided to our Disclosure Committee and Chief Executive Officer in accordance with our disclosure controls and procedures.
DIRECTORS
We recognize that directors may be connected with other organizations with which we have business dealings from time to time. Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, it is the responsibility of each director to advise the Chairman of the Board and the Governance Committee of the Board, through its chair, of any affiliation with public or privately held businesses or enterprises that may create a potential conflict of interest, potential embarrassment to us, or possible inconsistency with our policies or values. Directors are also to advise the Chairman of the Board and the Governance Committee in advance of accepting an invitation to serve on the board of another public or for-profit, private company.
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Finance Committee Matters |
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Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
We annually solicit information from our directors in order to monitor potential conflicts of interest. In accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, any actual or potential conflict of interest involving a director will be investigated by the Governance Committee, with management assistance as requested, to determine whether the affiliation or transaction reported impairs the directors independence and whether it is likely to adversely impact us. If the Governance Committee determines that the directors independence would be impaired, or the affiliation or transaction would likely impact us adversely, the director would generally be asked not to enter into, or to discontinue, the reported relationship or to resign from the Board. In other circumstances, the Governance Committee will generally determine what, if any, controls, reporting and/or monitoring procedures are appropriate for our protection as a condition for approving the reported relationship or transaction. Relationships that give rise to potential conflicts of interest are generally not considered to adversely impact us if they are not required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of the Securities and Exchange Commissions Regulation S-K because of the following factors:
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the amount involved in the transaction is less than $120,000; |
|
the director does not have a direct or indirect material interest in the transaction; |
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the directors only relationship to the other party involved in the transaction is as a director; |
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the directors interest arises solely from the ownership of our stock and all holders of our stock received the same benefit on a pro rata basis; |
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the transaction involves rates or charges determined by competitive bids; or |
|
the transaction involves the rendering of services as a common or contract carrier, or public utility, at rates or charges fixed in conformity with law or governmental authority. |
For additional information regarding our transactions with companies of which certain of our non-employee directors are affiliated, see Director Independence above.
AGREEMENTS WITH BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY
SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
Berkshire Hathaway beneficially owns approximately 30% of our common stock. In connection with the equity commitment agreement we entered into with Berkshire Hathaway in January 2006, we entered into a Shareholders Agreement pursuant to which Berkshire Hathaway agreed that during the time that it owns our equity securities, it will be exempted from our stockholder rights plans, including our rights plan and the transfer restrictions in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, except that such plans may require that Berkshire Hathaway does not acquire (although it may continue to hold) beneficial ownership of more than 50% of our voting securities, on a fully-diluted basis, other than pursuant to an offer to acquire all shares of our common stock that is open for at least 60 calendar days. The Shareholders Agreement was approved by our Board.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
In November 2008, we issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 10% Contingent Convertible Senior Notes due 2018 to affiliates of Berkshire Hathaway. The notes were called for redemption in November 2013 and March 2014 and we issued an aggregate of 26,315,790 shares of common stock to affiliates of Berkshire Hathaway.
In connection with the 2008 issuance of notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement with Berkshire Hathaway. Under the registration rights agreement, we granted Berkshire Hathaway demand and piggyback registration rights with respect to all of the shares of common stock held by it and specified affiliates from time to time. The registration rights agreement entitles Berkshire Hathaway to make three demands for registration of all or part of the common stock held by it and its affiliates, subject to certain conditions and exceptions. The registration rights agreement also provides that, subject to certain conditions and exceptions, if we propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to an offering of securities on a form that would permit registration of the shares of common stock that are held by Berkshire Hathaway or the specified affiliates, then we will offer Berkshire Hathaway and its specified affiliates the opportunity to register all or part of its shares of common stock on the terms and conditions set forth in the registration rights agreement. The registration rights agreement and the notices of redemption issued with respect to the notes in November 2013 and March 2014 were approved by our Board.
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Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board
of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
TRANSACTIONS WITH PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
We purchase products, principally fiberglass and insulation, and services, including pipeline services and insurance services, and lease equipment from subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway in the ordinary course of our business. The aggregate amount of those purchases and lease transactions in 2016 was approximately $38.3 million. In addition, we sell building products to subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway. The aggregate amount of these sales in 2016 was $15.4 million.
We purchase products in the ordinary course of business, principally insulation, from affiliates of Gebr. Knauf, which beneficially owns approximately 10% of our common stock. Those purchases aggregated approximately $1.9 million in 2016. We sold approximately $1.7 million of products to affiliates of Gebr. Knauf in 2016.
In September 2015, we and our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, USG Ventures-Europe GmbH, entered into an Interest and Share Purchase Agreement (ISPA) with Knauf Aquapanel GmbH, an affiliate of Gebr. Knauf, pursuant to which USG Ventures-Europe GmbH sold to such affiliate its 50% share of its interests in Knauf/USG Verwaltungs GmbH and Knauf/USG Systems GmbH & Co. KG (collectively, the Knauf-USG Joint Venture) for a total price of €48 million in cash. The Knauf-USG Joint Venture manufactured and distributed Aquapanel® brand cement panels throughout Europe (excluding Turkey) and all countries that were part of the former Soviet Union since 2001. The sale was consummated in December 2015. Our Company recorded a $6 million net gain on the disposition. The sale of our interests in the Knauf-USG Joint Venture was approved by our Board.
In 2012, we and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, USG Foreign Investments, Ltd. and USG (UK) Ltd. (collectively, the Sellers), entered into a Share and Asset Purchase Agreement (SAPA) with Knauf International GmbH and Knauf AMF Ceilings Ltd., affiliates of Gebr. Knauf, pursuant to which the Sellers sold to such affiliates certain of their wholly-owned European business operations. The sale was approved by our Board.
There are continuing indemnification obligations under the ISPA and SAPA pursuant to which we may be obligated to pay money to, or entitled to receive money from, certain entities affiliated with Gebr. Knauf.
We were named as defendants in lawsuits relating to Chinese-made wallboard installed in homes primarily in the southeastern United States in 2006 and 2007. Most of the lawsuits against us related to wallboard manufactured by Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin) Co., an affiliate of Gebr. Knauf. Those lawsuits have been resolved, and we have reached an agreement with Gebr. Knauf and their affiliates that limits our responsibility for claims against us for homes to which we delivered Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin) Co. wallboard. In accordance with the agreement, an affiliate of Gebr. Knauf will fund the costs of resolving the claims, excluding legal fees. We estimate that our gross liability for resolving outstanding claims relating to wallboard manufactured by Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin) Co. is approximately $385,000.
2017 Proxy Statement | 29 | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS |
Ratification of appointment of independent registered public accountants for 2017 | ||||
The Board recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accountants for 2017. | ||||
| ||||
The Audit Committee is responsible for selecting and employing a firm of independent registered public accountants to audit our financial statements and internal control over financial reporting each year. The Audit Committee has appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accountants for 2017. Deloitte & Touche LLP has been examining our financial statements since 2002. The Audit Committee evaluates the performance of our independent registered public accountants, including the senior audit engagement team, each year and determines whether to reengage the current independent registered public accountants or consider other audit firms. The members of the Audit Committee believe that the continued retention of Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as our independent registered public accountants is in the best interests of our stockholders.
The Audit Committee is requesting that stockholders ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP. If stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will consider whether it is appropriate to appoint another independent registered public accountant. One or more representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be present at the annual meeting to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders, and they will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accountants for 2017.
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Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for effective corporate governance by overseeing our Companys accounting and financial reporting processes, the audits of our Companys financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, the qualifications and performance of our Companys independent registered public accountants and the performance of our Companys internal auditor. The Audit Committee relies on the expertise and knowledge of management, the internal auditor and the independent registered public accountants in carrying out its oversight responsibilities. Management has the primary responsibility for the preparation, presentation and integrity of our Companys financial statements and for maintaining an adequate system of disclosure controls and procedures and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting for that purpose. Our Companys independent registered public accountant, Deloitte & Touche LLP, is responsible for performing an independent audit of the financial statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The independent registered public accountants are also responsible for expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of our Companys internal control over financial reporting.
In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed our Companys audited financial statements with management, which review included a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity and accuracy of disclosures in our Companys financial statements. The Audit Committee discussed with our Companys internal auditors and Deloitte & Touche LLP the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Audit Committee met with the internal auditors and Deloitte & Touche LLP, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of our Companys internal controls, and the overall quality of our Companys financial reporting. The Audit Committee further discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and received the written disclosures and the letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding Deloitte & Touche LLPs communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP its independence.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that our Companys audited financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
This report is submitted by the members of the Audit Committee.
William H. Hernandez, Chair |
Jose Armario |
Thomas A. Burke |
Gretchen R. Haggerty |
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Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FEES AND SERVICES
FEES PAID
The following is a summary of the fees billed to us by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and their respective affiliates, or collectively Deloitte, for professional services rendered for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
2016 | 2015 | |||
Fee Category | (thousands) | |||
Audit Fees | $2,861 | $2,740 | ||
Audit-Related Fees | 946 | 22 | ||
Tax Fees | 135 | 130 | ||
All Other Fees | 3 | 3 | ||
Total Fees | $3,945 | $2,895 |
Audit Fees: Consists of fees billed for professional services rendered for the integrated audit of our consolidated financial statements and internal controls over financial reporting, review of the interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports and services that are normally provided by Deloitte in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements, including debt offerings.
Audit-Related Fees: Consists of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements and are not reported under Audit Fees. These services primarily include fees for audit work in connection with the disposition of L&W Supply.
Tax Fees: Consists of fees billed for professional services related to tax compliance and other tax services. Fees for assistance with U.S. tax compliance amounted to $100,000 in 2016 and $113,000 in 2015 and fees for assistance with international tax compliance amounted to $12,000 in 2016 and $6,000 in 2015. Fees for other tax services, which primarily included international tax planning, amounted to $23,000 in 2016 and $11,000 in 2015.
All Other Fees: Consists of subscription fees of $3,000 in 2016 and 2015 for Deloittes Accounting Research Tool.
PRE-APPROVAL OF SERVICES
The Audit Committee has a policy for pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accountants. Each year, the Audit Committee reviews and approves the independent registered public accountants plan for the ensuing fiscal year outlining the scope of audit services to be performed for the year and the proposed fees. If necessary, the Audit Committee will approve during the year any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope or other matters. The Audit Committee also annually evaluates the non-audit services for which management believes the independent registered public accountants should be used and assesses whether the provision of such services is consistent with appropriate principles of independence and such other factors as the Audit Committee considers relevant. Any services not pre-approved in the annual authorization must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The independent registered public accountants are not authorized to provide any services that are prohibited by Securities and Exchange Commission regulation or any other applicable law or regulation. Additionally, the independent registered public accountants are not allowed to provide any service to our Company under a contingent fee arrangement. To ensure prompt handling of unexpected matters, the Audit Committee delegates to its Chair the authority to amend or modify the list of approved non-audit services and related fees. The Chair then reports any such approval to the full Audit Committee.
32 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
FINANCE COMMITTEE MATTERS |
Approval of the Committee Amendment | ||||
The Board recommends a vote FOR the approval of the Committee Amendment. | ||||
| ||||
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Due to historical reasons outlined below, our Restated Certificate of Incorporation requires the Board to maintain a Finance Committee. The Board has determined that it would like the flexibility to eliminate the Finance Committee in the future or to have it meet on an ad-hoc basis as necessary and is requesting that stockholders approve an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation allowing it this flexibility. Because certain matters currently require the separate review or approval of the Finance Committee in addition to the approval of the Board, elimination of the mandatory nature of the Finance Committee could simplify our governance structure and provide for a more efficient and flexible organizational decision-making process. If eliminated, many responsibilities of the Finance Committee would be assumed by the full Board, while the remainder would be assumed by other committees of the Board.
The requirement that we maintain a Finance Committee was added to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation pursuant to arrangements that are no longer in effect. In connection with a restructuring of our debt in 1993, we granted rights to certain of our security holders to nominate members of our Board and the Finance Committee until June 22, 1997. During that period, one of the members of the Finance Committee was to be appointed by Water Street Corporate Recovery Fund I, L.P., or Water Street, and one was to be appointed by a committee representing holders of our senior subordinated debentures which were converted into common stock under the restructuring plan. Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation was revised to implement these selection procedures by requiring that we maintain a Finance Committee that, until June 22, 1997, was required to be comprised of four non-employee directors.
At the time of the 1993 restructuring, Water Street and its affiliates beneficially owned approximately 21% of our outstanding common stock. By 1996, Water Street had distributed its holdings in our common stock to its partners and waived its right to representation on the Board and Finance Committee.
Although the rights of Water Street and the holders of the senior subordinated debentures to appoint directors and members of the Finance Committee expired in 1997, the provision of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation requiring us to maintain a Finance Committee remains in effect. Further, we are not required by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the NYSE to have a Finance Committee.
The Board has adopted resolutions approving and declaring the advisability of amending our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or the Committee Amendment, to remove the requirement that we maintain a Finance Committee as described below and as provided in Annex A to this proxy statement, although the effectiveness of the Committee Amendment is subject to adoption by stockholders holding 80% of our outstanding shares of common stock as of the record date. At our 2016 annual meeting, stockholders holding 79.87% of our outstanding shares of stock voted in favor of this proposal.
2017 Proxy Statement | 33 | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
The following description of the Committee Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Committee Amendment, which is contained in a proposed amendment to Article Seventh of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and can be found in Annex A to this proxy statement.
The Committee Amendment will amend Article Seventh of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation by deleting the following provision:
Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph, the corporation shall maintain a Finance Committee, which shall have the power to review all of the corporations significant financial matters, including, but not limited to, strategies, policies or transactions, contemplated by the corporation. Without limiting the foregoing, the Finance Committee shall provide review and oversight of and make recommendations to the board of directors on the corporations financing requirements and programs to obtain funds; relations with banks, bondholders and other creditors; forecasting procedures on revenues, expenses, earnings, and cash flow; operating and capital expenditure budgets; dividend policy; the adoption of any compensation plan for key employees which contemplates the issuance of stock of the corporation or which is a significant cash compensation plan (other than an annual cash bonus plan consistent with past practice); and acquisitions, divestitures and significant transactions affecting the corporations capital structure or ownership. The Finance Committee shall confer with the Pension Committee established under the corporations retirement plan and report periodically to the board of directors on the funding of qualified pension plans of the corporation and its subsidiaries and the investment performance of plan funds and, on behalf of the board of directors, authorize necessary or desirable changes in actuarial assumptions for funding the plans. The Finance Committee shall consider such other matters as may be referred to it from time to time by the board of directors and shall at all times prior to June 22, 1997 be composed of four members of the board of directors who are not officers or employees of the corporation. Any actions by the Finance Committee shall be by a majority vote of at least 3 of its members. Prior to June 22 1997, (i) the scope and power of review of the Finance Committee as set forth herein shall not in any way be limited or reduced and (ii) the composition, existence and function of the Finance Committee as set forth herein shall not be altered or diminished, in either such case without the unanimous consent of all directors then in office.
All other provisions of Article Seventh will remain in effect.
REQUIRED VOTE
Approval of the Committee Amendment requires a for vote by 80% of the outstanding shares of our common stock as of the record date. The Committee Amendment, if adopted, would become effective upon the filing of a Certificate of Amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, which we expect to do as soon as practicable after the Committee Amendment is adopted.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the approval of the Committee Amendment.
34 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance
Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
Say-on-Pay: Advisory vote regarding the compensation of our named executive officers | ||||
The Board recommends a vote FOR the advisory vote approving the compensation of our named executive officers. | ||||
See page 36 for further information about our executive compensation program. | ||||
We are asking stockholders to approve an advisory resolution on the compensation of our named executive officers as reported in this proxy statement. Our compensation philosophy is designed to attract, motivate, engage and retain talented executives and align their interests with those of stockholders. Our compensation program ties pay to performance by ensuring that a significant portion of compensation is performance-based and at risk. For example, in 2016, 71% of the target total compensation for Ms. Scanlon, our President and Chief Executive Officer, was performance-based and not guaranteed, and 48% was in the form of long-term equity compensation. For 2017, the percentage of Ms. Scanlons target total compensation that is performance-based was increased to 84%, with 67% in the form of long-term equity compensation.
We urge stockholders to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement, which describes in more detail how our executive compensation policies and program operate and are designed to achieve our compensation philosophy, as well as the Summary Compensation Table and related compensation tables and narrative on pages 50 through 65 of this proxy statement, which provide detailed information on the compensation of our named executive officers.
At our annual meeting of stockholders held in May 2014, our stockholders approved the compensation of our named executive officers with more than 98% of the votes cast in favor of the proposal. Consistent with our stockholders support, our Compensation and Organization Committee and our Board decided not to make any significant changes to our executive compensation program in response to such vote.
We believe that our compensation programs and policies are appropriate and effective in implementing our pay-for-performance compensation philosophy and objective and in achieving our goals, and that they are aligned with stockholder interests and worthy of continued stockholder support. Our compensation programs and policies have resulted in compensation that reflects our financial results and other performance, as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
We are asking stockholders to approve the following advisory resolution at the annual meeting:
RESOLVED, that the stockholders of USG Corporation (USG) approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of USGs named executive officers set forth in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the related compensation tables and narrative in the Proxy Statement for USGs 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
This advisory resolution, commonly referred to as a say-on-pay resolution, is non-binding on the Board. Although non-binding, the Board and the Compensation and Organization Committee will carefully review and consider the voting results when evaluating our executive compensation program.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the advisory vote approving the compensation of our named executive officers.
2017 Proxy Statement | 35 | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance
Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Our Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes our executive compensation philosophy and programs which are governed by the Compensation and Organization Committee of our Board, or the Committee. It includes 2016 total compensation for our named executive officers listed below:
Named Executive Officer | Title |
Jennifer F. Scanlon(1) | President and Chief Executive Officer |
Matthew F. Hilzinger | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Brian J. Cook | Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer |
Dominic A. Dannessa | Executive Vice President, Chief Operations and Innovation Officer |
Michelle M. Warner | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
James S. Metcalf(2) | Former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer |
(1) | Ms. Scanlon was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer effective November 1, 2016. | |
(2) | Mr. Metcalf retired from our Company effective October 31, 2016. |
2016 CEO TRANSITION
In September 2016, we announced that Mr. Metcalf had decided to retire from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer and resign as Chairman of the Board, effective October 31, 2016. In connection with Mr. Metcalfs retirement and in accordance with our management succession plan, we also announced that the Board appointed Ms. Scanlon to become our Companys President and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 1, 2016. Ms. Scanlon was also elected to the Board at the time of the announcement. Prior to that time, Ms. Scanlon served as our Executive Vice President, President, International and President of L&W Supply.
In connection with her promotion, the Board increased Ms. Scanlons compensation for the remainder of 2016 as described below but deferred considerations about her continuing compensation until the annual compensation review completed in February 2017. Accordingly, this Compensation Discussion and Analysis includes discussion of the compensation of Ms. Scanlon before and after her promotion, as well as the compensation of Mr. Metcalf prior to his retirement.
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES
Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate, engage and retain talented executives. Our program achieves those goals by providing a competitive total compensation package that:
| Aligns managements interests with those of our stockholders by using equity-based long-term incentive awards, including awards that vest only upon the achievement of performance objectives, maintaining stock ownership guidelines and restricting hedging activity. |
| Motivates management to achieve our strategic growth and annual operating objectives through compensation programs that reward performance. The majority of the targeted compensation opportunity for our named executive officers is variable based on achievement of an adjusted net earnings target, annual operating and financial targets, our stock price performance and total stockholder return. |
| Attracts and retains talented managers by ensuring that compensation opportunity is competitive in relation to similar positions in similar organizations. In setting compensation opportunity for our executive officers, we use the median level of compensation opportunity for a comparator group of companies as the reference point. We generally seek to set the target compensation opportunity for an individual executive officer around this median level based on the executive officers performance, experience and skill. We also adjust compensation levels based on internal equity to appropriately reward the contributions of our executives and to facilitate succession planning. |
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Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance
Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
Our executive compensation program places the greatest emphasis on performance-based incentives as shown below. The 2016 target pay mix shown below for Ms. Scanlon reflects compensation for only two months out of the year as President and Chief Executive Officer in addition to the ten months prior to her promotion. In February 2017, the Board increased Ms. Scanlons base salary and also granted her a long-term equity award which resulted in the portion of Ms. Scanlons compensation for 2017 that is performance-based to be increased, in accordance with its historical philosophy of having a substantial portion of the President and Chief Executive Officers compensation at risk.
SCANLON 2016 TARGET PAY MIX(1) |
||
Base Salary 29% |
Annual Incentive 23% |
Long-Term Incentive 48% |
71% Performance Based |
SCANLON 2017 TARGET PAY MIX | ||
Base Salary 16% |
Annual Incentive 17% |
Long-Term Incentive 67% |
84% Performance Based |
OTHER NEOS AVERAGE 2016 TARGET PAY MIX(1)(2) | ||
Base Salary 30% |
Annual Incentive 20% |
Long-Term Incentive 50% |
70% Performance Based |
(1) | Excluding any one-time special grants. | |
(2) | Excludes Mr. Metcalf. |
2016 PERFORMANCE AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Our Company produced excellent financial and operating results in 2016 that position us well for 2017 and beyond. The annual highlights include:
| Retiring $1.1 billion in debt and achieving a leverage ratio within our target range |
| Completing the disposition of our distribution business, L&W Supply, for $675 million, allowing us to focus on core manufacturing operations |
| Expanding operating margins in each of our segments |
| Generating $49 million in equity method income for us by USG Boral Building Products, or UBBP, our 50/50 strategic joint ventures with Boral Limited that operate in Asia, Australasia and the Middle East |
| Launching our multi-year efforts to reinvest in our business through advanced manufacturing |
| Growing our glass-mat portfolio and launching a new line of high performance ceilings and several new flooring products |
2017 Proxy Statement | 37 | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
Base Salary In 2016, we increased salaries for our named executive officers, as well as all other salaried employees, to maintain market competitiveness and to account for our named executive officers expanded responsibilities, individual performance, internal equity and/or retention considerations. | ||
Annual Incentive Awards 50% of the annual incentive award opportunity is based on the achievement of the adjusted net earnings goal for 2016 set by the Committee. The balance of the award opportunity is based on the achievement of annual operating and financial objectives, or Focus Targets. Annual incentive awards for the named executive officers (other than Mr. Metcalf) entitled to receive an award in 2016 ranged from 176% to 187% of target due to our exceeding the adjusted net earnings and Focus Target thresholds, as discussed below. | ||
Long-Term Incentive Awards Annual equity awards granted in 2016 were comprised of market share units and performance shares. These awards align managements interests with those of our stockholders because the vesting of the awards is contingent on our performance, as discussed below. In addition to the annual long-term incentive awards granted to all participants, two executives who received promotions or joined our Company in 2016 were awarded one-time special grants consisting of time-based restricted stock units. While our operational performance in 2016 was excellent as reflected in the annual incentive award payments, our stock performance over the most recent vesting period (2014 -2016) did not meet the target performance criteria in our 2016 Long Term Incentive Plan. As a result, the performance shares granted in 2014 to our senior managers, which vest based on our total stockholder return compared to other companies in the Dow Jones U.S. Construction and Materials Index, or the Index, were completely forfeited in February 2017. The market share units granted in 2014, which vest based on the movement of our stock price, vested at 88% of the target award. |
COMPENSATION GOVERNANCE
Our executive compensation practices include governance features that align the program with stockholder interests and encourage management not to take excessive risks, including:
|
the Committee is comprised solely of independent directors with whom stockholders may communicate as discussed under Communications with Directors on page 23 of this proxy statement; |
|
the Committee retained Willis Towers Watson as its independent compensation consultant; |
|
the Committee has reviewed compensation-related risk with management and Willis Towers Watson and concurs with managements conclusion that our compensation programs do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us; |
|
long-term incentive awards granted since 2013 are subject to double-trigger vesting upon a change in control, as discussed below; |
|
all Employment and Change in Control Severance Agreements entered into since 2012 do not contain provisions providing for excise tax gross-ups or additional service and age credits under our retirement plans; |
|
compensation recoupment, or clawback, provisions that allow our Board to recoup incentive compensation paid to an executive officer under certain circumstances, as described on page 49 of this proxy statement; |
|
a limit on the payout under our annual Management Incentive Program, or MIP, to a maximum of two times the par, or target, incentive award; |
|
an annual long-term incentive award program that is 100% performance-based consisting of (i) market share units that are earned based on our stock price performance over a three-year period, and (ii) performance share awards that are earned based on a comparison of our total stockholder return over a three-year period to the total stockholder return for the companies in the Index; |
|
a prohibition on our executive officers engaging in speculative transactions involving our securities, including participating in hedging activities or buying or selling puts or calls and short sales; and |
|
stock ownership guidelines for our non-employee directors, executive officers and other senior managers, as described on page 67 of this proxy statement. |
38 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
SETTING COMPENSATION LEVELS ANNUAL REVIEW
The Committee sets the level of each element of compensation for our executive officers in February, or upon a promotion. As part of this process, the Committee considers market competitiveness, individual and company performance for the prior year, internal equity and succession plans.
MARKET COMPETITIVENESS
Since 2003, management has engaged Aon Hewitt to conduct an annual Executive Compensation Competitive Review to compare compensation opportunity for our executive officers to the compensation opportunity provided for similar positions by 20-25 industrial and/or Chicago-based companies. Each executive officers position, including the Chief Executive Officer, is compared to positions with similar responsibilities or at an equivalent level in this comparator group. If there is no comparable position in the comparator group, the Committee generally sets compensation opportunity for the executive officer based on internal equity or general industry data.
The review provides the Committee with market information that enables it to evaluate total compensation opportunity, the mix of fixed and performance-based compensation elements and how total compensation is divided between the various elements. The Committee uses that information to evaluate recommendations made by management with respect to compensation of our executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, and to develop its own recommendations with respect to the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer.
We select our comparator companies from among those for which data is available in Aon Hewitts Total Compensation Measurement database, based on their similarity to our Company in terms of industry, annual revenue, complexity of operations, business cyclicality and geographic location. They are the types of companies with which we compete for talent. For 2016, Foster Wheeler was removed because it was acquired by another company and Kennametal Inc. was removed because it was no longer included in the database. Donaldson Company, Inc., Packaging Corporation of America and Owens-Illinois, Inc. were added to ensure sufficient sample size and position us relatively near the median of the comparator group. We also took into consideration the companies included in the comparator groups used by outside proxy advisory firms. Our comparator group for 2016 was therefore comprised of:
A.O. Smith Corporation | Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. | Owens-Illinois, Inc. |
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. | Lennox International, Inc. | Packaging Corporation of America |
Ball Corporation | Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. | The Sherwin-Williams Company |
Boise Cascade Company | Masco Corporation | The Valspar Corporation |
BorgWarner, Inc. | MeadWestvaco Corporation | Vulcan Materials Company |
Brunswick Corporation | Mohawk Industries, Inc. | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
Donaldson Company, Inc. | Mueller Water Products, Inc. | |
Dover Corporation | Owens Corning |
We have designed our executive compensation packages to be market competitive in total. Our objective is to provide executive officers with a targeted total compensation opportunity generally around the median of the comparator group for their individual positions. Median compensation data for our comparator group is derived by using regression analysis to size adjust comparator group data. For 2016, the comparator group data was size adjusted to a revenue of $4.836 billion, which approximated what our 2015 annual revenues would have been at the time the analysis was completed if we had included 50% of UBBP revenues, and all of the revenue of L&W Supply, as we had not sold it at the time the analysis was conducted.
Total compensation opportunity for each executive officer is set based on performance, experience, skill and internal equity. In circumstances where the scope of one of our executives position differs significantly from the scope of responsibility of similarly titled positions in the comparator group companies, the Committee may set the targeted compensation opportunity for that executive outside the median range. Executives who are new in a position may be below the median for one or more elements of compensation. To reward extraordinary accomplishments, to promote retention and succession planning objectives and/or to maintain internal equity, we may pay an element of compensation in excess of the median. The Committee is comfortable with setting one or more elements of an executives compensation opportunity outside the median because the Committee is primarily concerned with the competitiveness of our executive officers total compensation opportunity as opposed to the opportunity represented by any one individual element of compensation.
2017 Proxy Statement | 39 | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
Total target net compensation base salary, target annual incentive opportunity and the grant date value of long-term incentive awards for each of our named executive officers for 2016 was set as follows:
Named Executive Officer | Percentage of 2015 Median | |
Ms. Scanlon | 96% | (1) |
Mr. Hilzinger | 107% | |
Mr. Cook | 109% | |
Mr. Dannessa | 124% | |
Ms. Warner | 95% | |
Mr. Metcalf | 113% |
(1) | Determined prior to Ms. Scanlons appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer. |
PERFORMANCE
The Committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding the Chief Executive Officers compensation. The Chief Executive Officer assesses the performance of the other executive officers and summarizes the results for the Committee when making his or her compensation recommendations to the Committee. The Committees determination of our executive officers compensation adjustments is based on its assessment of each executive officers contribution to our overall financial results for the year and to the accomplishment of our annual operating and financial objectives as well as internal equity.
INTERNAL EQUITY AND SUCCESSION PLANNING
The Committee also considers the level of compensation opportunity of executive officers based on its judgment of the relative importance of the responsibilities of each executive officer position to our Company and each executive officers contribution to corporate results. In addition, adjustments may be made to further our succession planning philosophy of developing and promoting talent from within our Company. The Chief Executive Officers compensation opportunity has historically been significantly higher than that of our other named executive officers based on our philosophy of paying market competitive compensation and reflects his or her broader accountability and the greater percentage of his or her total compensation that is performance-based. We do not set the compensation level of our executive officers as a multiple of the compensation of any other employee or group of employees.
CONSIDERATION OF ADVISORY VOTE ON COMPENSATION
At our annual meeting held in May 2014, our stockholders approved the compensation of our named executive officers with more than 98% of the votes cast in favor of the proposal. Consistent with our stockholders' support, the Committee and our Board decided not to make any significant changes to our executive compensation program in response to such vote. This year, the Board is recommending that we hold an advisory vote regarding the compensation of our named executive officers every year, as opposed to every three years, as discussed further on page 66 of this proxy statement.
ELEMENTS OF TOTAL COMPENSATION
Our compensation program consists of the following elements:
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base salary; |
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annual incentive; |
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long-term incentive; and |
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benefits and perquisites. |
BASE SALARY
The starting point for determining base salaries for our executive officers is the annual Aon Hewitt Executive Compensation Competitive Review. Individual salaries for our named executive officers in 2016 ranged between approximately 94% and 112% of the median for the comparator group. Factors that warrant paying above the median include: individual performance, as assessed by the Chief Executive Officer (or in the case of the Chief Executive Officer, the Committee and Board), experience, skills, internal equity and retention considerations.
40 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
The Committee approved salary increases for 2016 for all salaried employees, including the following increases for our named executive officers:
Named Executive Officer | Percentage Increase |
|
Ms. Scanlon | 10.6% | (1) |
Mr. Hilzinger | 4.3% | |
Mr. Cook | 5.7% | |
Mr. Dannessa | 11.1% | |
Ms. Warner | N/A | (2) |
Mr. Metcalf | 2.9% |
(1) | The increase shown was approved in February 2016, prior to Ms. Scanlons promotion to President and Chief Executive Officer. In connection with that promotion, the Committee approved an additional 88.9% increase of her salary to $850,000, effective November 1, 2016. | |
(2) | Ms. Warner joined our Company in January 2016. |
ANNUAL INCENTIVE
Our MIP provides a variable reward opportunity based on adjusted net earnings and the achievement of operating and financial objectives derived from our annual operating plan. We pay annual incentive awards in the first quarter of the year following the year in which they are earned.
The target annual incentive opportunity for participants in the MIP is expressed as a percentage of base salary. For 2016, the target annual incentive opportunity for named executive officers ranged from 65% of base salary to 120% of base salary for Mr. Metcalf. The amount of the target annual incentive opportunity for each of our named executive officers for 2016 is indicated under the heading Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards in the 2016 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 52 of this proxy statement.
Ms. Scanlons annual incentive opportunity under the MIP for 2016 was 70% of base salary for the ten months of the year she served as Executive Vice President, President, International and President of L&W Supply and 100% of base salary for the two months she served as President and Chief Executive Officer. Our Chief Executive Officers annual incentive opportunity is higher than the opportunity for our other executive officers in 2016 in recognition of the broader scope of his or her responsibilities and impact on corporate performance, and based on market data regarding compensation of chief executive officers of the companies in our comparator group.
For 2016, the annual incentive award opportunity was comprised of the following segments: adjusted net earnings and annual operating and financial objectives, or Focus Targets. These are designed to provide an incentive to maximize earnings and pursue operational excellence. Following the sale of L&W Supply on October 31, 2016, the Committee exercised discretion to adjust the minimum, target and maximum amounts for adjusted net earnings and the Focus Targets for consolidated and L&W Supply adjusted operating margins, selling and administrative expenses and cash conversion cycle to include the L&W Supply plan for only the first ten months of 2016, and thereby reduced annual incentives from the amounts that would have been earned without such adjustments. On an individual basis, the payouts ranged from 176% to 187% of par for our named executive officers other than Mr. Metcalf, who did not receive an award under the MIP because he retired effective October 31, 2016.
2017 Proxy Statement | 41 | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
Management Incentive Plan Components
Segment | Objective | Features | |||||
Adjusted Net Earnings(1) | Align managements interests with stockholders and motivate management to increase our profitability | ● | Weight | 50% | |||
● | 2016 Target | $241 million(2) | |||||
● | 2016 Minimum | $207 million | |||||
● | 2016 Maximum | $271 million | |||||
● | 2016 Performance | $295 million(3) | |||||
● | 2016 Payout Earned % of Par | 200%(4) | |||||
Focus Targets | Motivate management to
achieve annual operating objectives |
● | Weight | 50% | |||
● | Payout Range | 0% to 200% | |||||
● | 2016 Average NEO Payout Earned % of Par | 167%(4) |
(1) | Straight-line interpolation is used to determine values between performance thresholds. | |
(2) | In setting the amounts for 2016, the Committee took into account our projected U.S. tax expense in 2016 following the reversal of a tax valuation allowance of $731 million in 2015, and neutralized the amounts for foreign currency and incentive plan expense above or below planned amounts. | |
(3) | For 2016, net earnings as reported were $510 million and were adjusted to exclude the following nonrecurring and non-operational events: gain on the sale of L&W Supply; pension settlement charges, disposition expenses, L&W Supply retention incentives and the cost to exit commercial office space, each of which related to the sale of L&W Supply; loss on extinguishment of debt; long-lived asset impairment charges; a supplemental executive retirement plan settlement for our former chief executive officer; gains related to sales of non-core assets or other non-recurring gains or losses; a legal settlement; and neutralization for foreign currency and incentive plan expense above or below planned amounts. | |
(4) | Excludes Mr. Metcalf, who did not receive an award under the MIP because he retired effective October 31, 2016. |
To support our 2016 operating objectives we introduced consolidated adjusted operating margin, L&W Supply adjusted operating margin and cash conversion cycle as new Focus Targets for our named executive officers for 2016. The adjusted operating margin Focus Targets promote increased profitability along with cost containment. The cash conversion cycle Focus Target promotes efficient use of resources and cash generation.
We believe these Focus Targets were effective because during 2016 we increased our operating profit by 11% and expanded operating margins in each of our segments, while significantly reducing our cash conversion cycle. The charts below outline the specific Focus Targets chosen by the Committee for each of our named executive officers.
Measure | Minimum | Target | Maximum | 2016 Performance |
Payout Earned % of Par | |||||||||
Adjusted Operating Margins | ||||||||||||||
Consolidated(1) | 11.3 | % | 13.1 | % | 14.8 | % | 14.1 | % | 157% | |||||
L&W Supply(2) | 2.1 | % | 3.0 | % | 3.9 | % | 3.9 | % | 200% | |||||
UBBP Adjusted Equity Income ($ in millions)(3) | $45 | $55 | $65 | $58 | 133% | |||||||||
U.S. Wallboard Cost | (4) | 115% | ||||||||||||
Selling and Administrative Expense ($ in millions)(5) | <$297 | $292 | $287 | $287 | 185% | |||||||||
Cash Conversion Cycle (Days/Cycle; First ten months of 2016)(6) | 46 | 45 | 44 | 43 | 200% | |||||||||
Cash Conversion Cycle (Days/Cycle; Last two months of 2016)(6) | 33 | 32 | 31 | 26 | 200% |
(1) | Consolidated operating margin (consolidated operating profit divided by consolidated net sales) was 13.1% in 2016. To calculate adjusted operating margin, operating profit was adjusted to include equity income from UBBP and exclude the following nonrecurring and non-operational events: pension settlement charges, L&W Supply retention incentives and the cost to exit commercial office space, each of which related to the sale of L&W Supply; long-lived asset impairment charges; a supplemental executive retirement plan settlement for our former chief executive officer; gains related to sales of non-core assets; a legal settlement; and neutralization for foreign currency and incentive plan expense above or below planned amounts. Net sales were adjusted to include sales from L&W Supply for the first 10 months of 2016, prior to the sale of L&W Supply, and exclude the following nonrecurring and non-operational events: a prior-year rebate adjustment, a litigation accrual and neutralization for foreign currency. |
42 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
(2) | Operating margin for the L&W Supply segment (L&W Supply operating profit divided by L&W Supply net sales) was 2.7% for the first 10 months of 2016, prior to the sale of L&W Supply. To calculate adjusted operating margins for L&W Supply, L&W Supply operating profit was adjusted to exclude transaction costs, retention incentives and neutralization for incentive plan expense above or below planned amounts. | |
(3) | Equity income from UBBP was $49 million for 2016 and was adjusted to exclude our Companys share of long-lived asset impairment charges and neutralization for foreign currency. | |
(4) | We do not publicly disclose U.S. Wallboard Cost because that information constitutes confidential commercial and financial information, the disclosure of which would cause us competitive harm. The target level for this Focus Target was set at a challenging, but achievable, level. | |
(5) | Selling and administrative expense was $304 million for 2016 and was adjusted to include SG&A from L&W Supply for the first 10 months of 2016, prior to the sale of L&W Supply, and exclude the following nonrecurring and non-operational events: pension settlement charges, L&W Supply retention incentives and the cost to exit commercial office space, each of which related to the sale of L&W Supply; a supplemental executive retirement plan settlement for our former chief executive officer; a legal settlement; and neutralization for foreign currency and incentive plan expense above or below planned amounts. | |
(6) | Cash conversion cycle was adjusted to exclude the following nonrecurring and non-operational events: gains related to sales of non-core assets or other non-recurring gains or losses; long-lived asset impairment charges; pension settlement charges related to the sale of L&W Supply; and neutralization for foreign currency and incentive plan expense above or below planned amounts. |
For 2016, the named executive officers were assigned the following Focus Targets with the weightings indicated below:
Consolidated Adjusted Operating Margin |
L&W
Supply Adjusted Operating Margin |
UBBP
Adjusted Equity Income |
U.S. Wallboard Cost |
SG&A | Cash Conversion Cycle | |||||||||||
Ms. Scanlon(1) | | 20 | % | 20% | | | 10% | |||||||||
Mr. Hilzinger | 20 | % | | 10% | | 10 | % | 10% | ||||||||
Mr. Cook | 20 | % | | 10% | | 10 | % | 10% | ||||||||
Mr. Dannessa | 20 | % | | 10% | 10 | % | | 10% | ||||||||
Ms. Warner | 20 | % | | 10% | | 10 | % | 10% | ||||||||
Mr. Metcalf | 30 | % | | 10% | | 10 | % | |
(1) | For 2016, the amount of Ms. Scanlons annual incentive award was determined using the focus targets established in February 2016, prior to her appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer. |
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE
At our annual meeting in 2016 our stockholders approved a new equity-based incentive-compensation plan, the USG Corporation 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Prior thereto grants were made under the USG Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan, and we refer to the two plans collectively as the LTIP. The purpose of the LTIP is to motivate management to build the value of the enterprise, to align managements interests with those of our stockholders and to provide a competitive compensation opportunity that enables us to attract and retain talented employees.
For 2016, the annual awards consisted of market share units, or MSUs, and performance shares. These awards are performance based or at risk, based on both our absolute stock performance with MSUs (as measured by our stock price) and relative stock performance with performance shares (as measured by our total stockholder return compared to other companies in the Index). We believe combining elements of both absolute stock performance and relative stock performance provides the best incentive for management to increase stockholder value. The LTIP also provides for the use of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, or RSUs, restricted stock, performance units and other stock and cash awards.
At their regularly scheduled meetings in February 2016, the Committee and Board approved annual awards for 2016. For executive officers, 75% of the grant date value of the total award was provided in the form of MSUs and the remaining 25% was provided in the form of performance shares.
Market Share
Units
MSUs are stock units earned
based on the stock market performance of our common stock as measured over a
three-year period. The actual number of shares of common stock to be issued can
range from zero to 150% of the number of MSUs awarded based on the percentage
change in the price of our common stock over the three-year vesting period. If
the stock price increases during the vesting period, both the value and number
of shares that vest increase. If the stock price declines, both the value and
number of units that are eligible to vest will be reduced.
2017 Proxy Statement | 43 | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
We believe MSUs provide a strong incentive for our participants to achieve results that increase value for our stockholders. A 10% increase in the stock price is required to earn even a target number of MSUs. A decrease of more than 50% in Market Value of our common stock, as defined below, over the vesting period results in the forfeiture of the MSUs.
MSUs granted in 2016 will be earned on December 31, 2018 according to the schedule below. On the Start Date, as defined below, the Market Value of the MSUs granted in 2016 was $20.37. In general, earning MSUs requires continued employment through the measurement dates. In the case of termination of employment due to death, disability or retirement during the performance period, vesting will be pro-rated based on the number of full months employed during 2016 in accordance with the MSU award agreements at the end of the performance period. The MSUs will vest upon a change in control in most circumstances only if there is also a related loss of employment or diminution of duties.
Performance of Market Value on End Date compared to the Start Date |
Percentage of Target Shares Earned on December 31, 2018(1) |
More than 50% decrease in Market Value | 0% |
50% decrease in Market Value | 50% |
No change in Market Value | 92% |
10% increase in Market Value | 100% |
50% or more increase in Market Value | 150% |
(1) | Straight-line interpolation is used to determine values between performance thresholds. |
Market Value of our common stock is determined on the applicable date as set forth below:
Start Date (Grant on February 10, 2016) |
End Date January 2019 | |||
Market Value measurement methodology on applicable dates | Average of the closing prices of our common stock over the first 15 trading days in January 2016 | Average of the closing prices of our common stock over the first 15 trading days in January 2019 |
As an example, if an employee is granted 100 target MSUs, and the average of the closing prices of our common stock for the first 15 trading days in January 2016 (the Start Date) is $25, with the average of the closing prices of our common stock for the first 15 trading days in January 2019 (the End Date) remaining $25 (a scenario where the Market Value does not change), then the employee would receive 92% of the target shares, or 92 shares of common stock worth $2,300 on the End Date. If the Start Date price is $25 and the End Date stock price increases to $37.50 (a 50% increase in Market Value), then the employee would receive 150% of the target shares, or 150 shares of common stock worth $5,625 on the End Date. However, if the End Price decreases to $12.50 (a 50% decrease in Market Value), then the employee would receive 50 shares of common stock worth $625 on the End Date. An ending stock price below $12.50 would result in no shares vesting.
The MSUs awarded in February 2014 were earned as of December 31, 2016 and resulted in payout percentage of 88%, with the Market Value comparing the closing prices of our common stock for the first 15 trading days in January 2014 (resulting in a beginning Market Value of $30.63) to the average of the closing prices of our common stock during the first 15 trading days in January 2017 (resulting in an ending Market Value of $29.20).
Performance
Shares
Performance shares are earned
based on a comparison of our total stockholder return over a three-year vesting
period to the total stockholder return for the companies in the Index. The
actual number of shares of common stock to be issued can range from zero to 200%
of the number of performance shares awarded. Adjustments may be made to the
Index to reflect changes in the companies included in the Index during the
vesting period. We use this Index because it is comprised of companies that
participate in similar markets as our operating businesses and, therefore,
provides an appropriate benchmark to measure the relative performance of our
stock. We also use this Index in the performance graph included in our annual
report on Form 10-K.
Vesting will be pro-rated based on the number of full months employed during the performance period in the event of death, disability or retirement, and pro-rated awards will be paid at the end of the three-year performance period. The performance shares will vest upon a change in control in most circumstances only if there is also a related loss of employment or diminution of duties.
44 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
Total USG Stockholder Return Relative to Index |
Percent of Award Earned(1) | |
Below 35th percentile | 0% | |
35th percentile | 35% | |
50th percentile | 100% | |
75th percentile | 150% | |
90th percentile or above | 200% |
(1) | Straight-line interpolation is used to determine values between vesting tiers. |
The performance shares granted in February 2014 vested at 0% of target due to our Companys stockholder return relative to the Index performing at the 20th percentile during the three-year period ending December 31, 2016.
Special
Awards
During 2016, the Committee and
Board also approved special awards of:
|
15,000 RSUs to Ms. Warner in connection with the compensation package given to her upon her hiring; and |
|
40,000 RSUs to Ms. Scanlon in recognition of her substantial increase in responsibilities upon promotion to President and Chief Executive Officer. |
Ms. Warners RSUs vest on the fourth anniversary of her date of hire. Ms. Scanlons RSUs vest one-half on the second anniversary of the grant date and one-half on the fourth anniversary of the grant date. The RSUs may vest earlier in the event of death or disability. The RSUs will vest upon a change in control in most circumstances only if there is also a related loss of employment or diminution of duties.
BENEFITS AND PERQUISITES
Broad-Based Retirement, Health and
Welfare Benefits
We provide a
comprehensive health and welfare package to all of our full-time employees. Our
executive officers are eligible to participate in these plans on the same basis
as other eligible employees. The package includes the following benefits:
Medical, Dental and |
All participants contribute a portion of the cost of the coverage for the medical, dental and vision plans. We do not provide any supplemental medical coverage or subsidy to any executive officer. Employees hired prior to January 1, 2002 are eligible for retiree medical subsidies. |
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USG Corporation |
This qualified defined contribution plan allows employees to invest up to 75% of salary and annual incentive awards (subject to the maximum level of contribution set by the Internal Revenue Service) in twelve target date funds or ten core investment alternatives. Employees can contribute on a pre-tax basis and/or a Roth after-tax basis. We match employee contributions $0.25 per dollar on the first 6% of employee pay contributed. Effective April 1, 2017, we will match employee contributions $0.40 per dollar on the first 6% of employee pay contributed. |
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USG Corporation |
For employees hired before January 1, 2011, this qualified defined benefit plan provides a pension benefit based on the participants years of credited service in the plan and the participants final average pay. The plan requires participants to contribute 2% of pensionable earnings toward benefits. Participants can elect early retirement, with the benefit reduced 5% for each year earlier than age 65 at retirement. Participants who have a combined number of years of age and service equaling 90 can retire at age 62 without a reduction in the benefit or can retire earlier than age 62 with a 3% reduction per year. We amended the plan to replace the final average pay formula with a cash balance formula for employees hired after December 31, 2010. The cash balance pension benefit is based on the participants years of credited service in the plan and the participants age. Mr. Hilzinger and Ms. Warner participate in the cash balance formula. |
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2017 Proxy Statement | 45 | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
We also provide the following plans for our more highly compensated employees, including our executive officers, that provide benefits to supplement those provided under our Investment Plan and Retirement Plan:
Supplemental |
In 2017, approximately 57 employees, including our executive officers, participate in the USG Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan. This plan restores the benefits which otherwise would be delivered under the USG Corporation Retirement Plan but for the limits on pensionable compensation set by the Internal Revenue Service. The provisions of this plan mirror those of the Retirement Plan, including benefit formulas, definition of final average pay (without Internal Revenue Service limits) and the requirement for the contribution of 2% of pensionable earnings. Further information regarding our retirement plans and the present value of the qualified and supplemental pension benefits for our named executive officers appears under the heading 2016 Pension Benefits Table beginning on page 57 of this proxy statement. |
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Deferred |
In 2017, approximately 41 employees, including one of our named executive officers, participate in the USG Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan. Due to the contribution limits set by the Internal Revenue Service applicable to the USG Corporation Investment Plan, this nonqualified plan is designed to allow highly compensated employees the opportunity to defer compensation (and thus current income tax) generally until after termination of employment with our Company. We do not match deferred amounts. Those amounts are invested as directed by the participant into investment options that are similar to those of the USG Corporation Investment Plan. We are obligated to pay the deferred amounts, plus or minus any accumulated earnings or losses on those amounts, to the participants following the termination of the deferral period. Further information regarding the deferred compensation plan for our named executive officers appears under the heading 2016 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table on page 60 of this proxy statement. |
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Perquisites and |
We make certain perquisites and other benefits available to our executive officers as part of providing them a competitive total compensation package and to facilitate their attention to the demands of our business. Executive officers are offered a company automobile and office parking, partial reimbursement for financial planning services, personal liability insurance and executive death benefit coverage, an annual medical examination, and on a limited basis, membership in luncheon clubs. The value of these benefits is described in more detail in the table titled Supplemental Table on page 51 of this proxy statement. |
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EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AND POTENTIAL POST-EMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS
We provide all of our named executive officers with two employment security arrangements an employment agreement and a change-in-control severance agreement.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
We provide employment agreements to assist in attracting and retaining executives, to protect our assets and intellectual property and to reduce the potential for litigation related to termination of employment. By setting the terms for the involuntary termination of an executive officer in advance of the termination, these agreements facilitate the Boards and the Chief Executive Officers ability to effectuate smooth transitions in the executive team. The employment agreements generally provide named executive officers with two years of salary and bonus and lump sum payments equal to the cost of continued medical benefits for 18 months and, except for Mr. Hilzingers agreement and any executive officers appointed thereafter, including Ms. Warner, the present value of providing an additional two years of service and two years of age credit under our retirement plans. The agreements provide these benefits only upon an involuntary termination of the named executive officers employment without cause. These agreements renew for successive one-year terms effective January 1 of each year unless 120 days notice of termination is provided before expiration of the current term.
46 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
We believe that the level of benefits provided by our agreements is in line with market practice for those companies that use employment agreements. Consistent with our paying two years compensation as severance, the agreements include a requirement that after termination of employment, the executive officer will not compete with us for two years or solicit our employees for three years. Executive officers are required to sign a release waiving potential claims against us before any payments are made.
CHANGE-IN-CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS
We provide change-in-control severance agreements to promote neutrality of our named executive officers during potential change in control transactions so they will make the best decision for our stockholders, to retain the executive team, to protect our intellectual property and to reduce the potential for litigation related to termination of employment. The agreements in effect for our named executive officers provide two years (three years for Mr. Cook) of salary and bonus and lump sum payments equal to the cost of continued medical benefits for 18 months and the present value of providing an additional three years of service and three years of age credit (for Mr. Cook) or an additional two years of service and two years of age credit (for Ms. Scanlon and Mr. Dannessa) under our retirement plans. Mr. Hilzingers and Ms. Warners agreements do not provide for any payment for additional service or age credit.
The agreements provide these benefits only in the event that there is both a change in control and an involuntary termination of the named executive officers employment by our Company without cause or by the executive for good reason. The definition of change in control is generally the same as the LTIP plan that was approved by our stockholders in 2016. Good reason includes, among other things, a reduction in salary or a material diminution in duties, responsibilities or total compensation. The agreements, other than Mr. Hilzingers and Ms. Warners, include an excise tax gross up provision. If the total amounts payable to the executive officer would constitute a parachute payment resulting in the imposition of an excise tax, the payment will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid being a parachute payment, unless the reduction would be more than 10% of the total amounts payable. In that case, the payment will be increased to provide the executive officer a net after tax amount equal to the value of the excise tax imposed. Mr. Hilzingers and Ms. Warners agreement includes an alternative cap provision which provides that if the total amounts payable would constitute a parachute payment resulting in the imposition of an excise tax, the payment will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid being a parachute payment, unless Mr. Hilzinger or Ms. Warner, as applicable, would receive a better after-tax benefit if the payment were not reduced and he or she paid the resulting excise tax directly.
As with our employment agreements, we believe that the level of benefits provided by our change-in-control severance agreements is also in line with market practice for organizations that use change-in-control agreements. In consideration of our paying severance compensation, these agreements include a requirement that after termination of employment, the named executive officer will not compete with us for one year or solicit our employees for two years (three years for Mr. Cook). Executive officers are required to sign a release waiving potential claims against us before any payments are made under these agreements. Further information regarding the benefits our current named executive officers could receive under these agreements is provided in the tables titled Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control beginning on page 60 of this proxy statement.
OTHER COMPENSATION PRACTICES, POLICIES AND INFORMATION
COMMITTEE POSITION ON INCENTIVES AND EXCESSIVE RISK
The Committee believes that the design of our annual compensation programs, which balances salary, short-term incentives and long-term incentives, does not encourage management to take excessive risks to maximize earnings or meet performance objectives in a single year at the expense of our long-term objectives.
The annual incentive program has a mix of financial and operating objectives, a limitation on the amount of payments and a clawback feature described on page 49 of this proxy statement. The LTIP uses a variety of equity compensation awards (market share units, performance shares and restricted stock units) that have extended vesting periods and provide different incentives. Awards also include a clawback feature and, since 2013, a double-trigger vesting provision. Together with our stock ownership guidelines and a prohibition on hedging and speculative transactions involving our securities, this balanced array of incentives encourages management to achieve both short-term operating and financial and long-term strategic objectives identified by the Committee as being important. The Committee and its consultant annually review a risk assessment of our compensation programs, and they believe that these programs do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us.
2017 Proxy Statement | 47 | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
MANAGEMENTS ROLE IN COMPENSATION
Our Human Resources Department is responsible for the administration of our executive compensation, benefits and related programs. The Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer is accountable for making proposals to the Committee for changes in compensation and benefit programs at the request of either management or the Committee and is the primary management contact for the chair of the Committee.
Our President and Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Vice President, Human Resources usually attend Committee meetings to present matters for consideration by the Committee and to answer questions regarding those matters. Other executive officers and senior managers may attend meetings at the request of either management or the Committee to provide information and answer questions relevant to the Committees consideration of matters presented to it.
The Chief Executive Officer recommends to the Committee any changes in compensation for executive officers (other than herself) based on her assessment of each individuals performance, contribution to our results and potential for future contributions to our success. The Committee meets in executive session without any members of management present to review the performance and compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, to evaluate compensation proposals made by management and to make decisions with respect to those proposals.
Once each year management provides the Committee with an overview of all compensation and benefit plans pertaining to executive officers, including the purpose and cost of the programs and the value delivered to the participants by the programs. The Committee uses this information when evaluating subsequent compensation proposals by management and in developing its own proposals for changes to executive officer compensation. The Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer also lead an annual review for the Board of our management succession plans. This review provides the Committee and other Board members with information regarding the performance and potential of our management team that can be taken into account when executive compensation decisions are made.
COMPENSATION CONSULTANTS
The Committee has retained Willis Towers Watson as a compensation consultant to provide the Committee with an independent review of our executive compensation program. Willis Towers Watson was selected by the Committee and works under the direction of the chair of the Committee. The Committee has assessed the independence of Willis Towers Watson and did not identify any conflict of interest that would prevent Willis Towers Watson from independently representing the Committee.
Willis Towers Watsons primary role is to provide an independent analysis of competitive market data and to assist the Committee in evaluating compensation proposals made by management, including recommendations for named executive officer compensation made by our Chief Executive Officer. Willis Towers Watson also assists the Committee in developing the compensation package for our Chief Executive Officer, advises regarding potential program design changes and reviews incentive plan goals and awards earned under such plans. At the direction of the chair of the Committee, Willis Towers Watson may meet with management and/or managements consultant to review managements proposals prior to the Committees review. A representative of Willis Towers Watson attended all the Committee meetings held in 2016. Willis Towers Watsons fees for its services provided to the Committee in 2016 were $39,683. Our Company pays Willis Towers Watsons fees for consulting services provided to the Committee after approval of those fees by the chair of the Committee.
Willis Towers Watson provided services to management during 2016 to advise regarding broad-based benefit plans, to provide retiree benefits services and to provide non-customized surveys regarding compensation of non-officer salaried employees. Its fees for those services were $89,812.
Management also uses consultants to provide analysis and advice with respect to executive compensation programs and practices. Managements primary advisor for compensation-related matters is Exequity, LLP. Exequity assists management in analyzing competitive market practices and benchmark data and in developing proposals for review by the Committee. It does not provide any services to our Company other than executive compensation consulting. Management also contracts with Aon Hewitt to conduct an annual competitive review of our executive compensation pay practices compared to those of a comparator group of companies. The study assists management in comparing compensation levels for our executive officers to compensation levels of the comparator group. Aon Hewitt does not assist management in formulating proposals for compensation changes for executive officers. Aon Hewitt provides other services to us related to the administration of our retirement, health and welfare benefit plans.
SECURITIES TRADING POLICY
Our Securities Trading Policy provides that our non-employee directors, executive officers and other senior managers are prohibited from engaging in any speculative transactions involving our securities, including (a) buying or selling puts or calls, (b) short sales or (c) margin purchases of our securities. They are also prohibited from purchasing or using financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of our securities.
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Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
CLAWBACK OF AWARDS
Our LTIP and the agreements evidencing equity awards provide that if the Committee determines that any fraud or intentional misconduct by an executive officer was a significant contributing factor to our Company having to restate all or a portion of its financial statements, the executive officer must return to us any outstanding equity awards or common stock paid out pursuant to the agreement. If the executive officer disposed of any equity award or common stock, he or she must pay to us in cash the value of the equity award or common stock on the date they were paid out. In addition, our annual incentive program for our executive officers allows us to recoup excess incentive compensation paid to an executive officer if our financial statements are restated due to fraud or intentional wrongdoing of the executive officer.
TAX AND ACCOUNTING IMPLICATIONS
Management and the Committee reviewed and considered the deductibility of payments under our executive compensation program under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) and the regulations promulgated thereunder, which generally limit deductibility of compensation to $1 million for certain employees. However, the $1 million limit does not apply to performance-based compensation that is paid pursuant to stockholder-approved plans and is approved by directors who qualify as outside directors within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m).
The Committee generally structures and administers executive compensation plans and arrangements so that they will not be subject to the 162(m) deduction limit. However, to maintain flexibility in structuring appropriate compensation programs in the interest of stockholders, the Committee may from time to time approve payments that cannot be deducted. For example, RSU awards made to certain employees may not be deductible for federal income tax purposes, depending on the amount and type of other compensation these employees receive.
Management and the Committee reviewed all executive compensation programs and arrangements under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A related to the deferral of compensation, and the current and future year accounting impact of the LTIP awards when it considered and approved those awards.
COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation and Organization Committee is made up of independent directors of our Company who have never served as executive officers or employees of our Company. During 2016, none of our executive officers served on the compensation committee (or its equivalent) or board of directors of another entity whose executive officer served on our Compensation and Organization Committee.
COMPENSATION AND ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE REPORT
Our Companys Compensation and Organization Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section with our management. Based on that review and discussion, the Compensation and Organization Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.
This report is submitted by the members of the Compensation and Organization Committee.
Richard P. Lavin, Chair | Jose Armario |
Matthew Carter, Jr. |
Steven F. Leer |
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Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
2016 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The Summary Compensation Table below reflects total compensation earned by or paid to our principal executive and financial officers and our other most highly compensated executive officers for the last three years.
Information is provided for Ms. Scanlon, Mr. Cook and Ms. Warner only for the year(s) during which he or she was a named executive officer.
Name and Principal Position |
Year | Salary ($) |
Stock Awards ($)(2) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(3) |
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($)(4) |
All
Other Compensation ($)(5) |
Total ($) | |||||||
Jennifer F. Scanlon, | 2016 | $509,500 | $1,944,076 | $754,175 | $231,023 | $30,275 | $3,469,049 | |||||||
President and Chief Executive Officer(1) |
2015 | 404,417 | 1,021,538 | 233,211 | 212,942 | 32,316 | 1,904,424 | |||||||
Matthew F. Hilzinger, | 2016 | 600,833 | 1,461,019 | 831,270 | 82,054 | 33,493 | 3,008,669 | |||||||
Executive Vice President | 2015 | 576,167 | 1,243,295 | 528,525 | 56,092 | 38,241 | 2,442,320 | |||||||
and Chief Financial Officer | 2014 | 554,292 | 1,137,879 | 320,832 | 82,372 | 40,644 | 2,136,019 | |||||||
Brian J. Cook, | 2016 | 421,167 | 618,116 | 506,090 | 546,864 | 44,692 | 2,136,929 | |||||||
Executive Vice President | ||||||||||||||
and Chief Administrative Officer | ||||||||||||||
Dominic A. Dannessa, | 2016 | 442,500 | 842,904 | 515,385 | 582,035 | 34,427 | 2,417,251 | |||||||
Executive Vice President, | 2015 | 402,500 | 1,021,538 | 248,589 | 670,702 | 36,858 | 2,380,187 | |||||||
Chief Operations and Innovation Officer | 2014 | 383,240 | 816,957 | 179,244 | 1,334,214 | 50,882 | 2,764,537 | |||||||
Michelle M. Warner, | 2016 | 450,000 | 1,069,616 | 577,080 | 24,051 | 45,601 | 2,166,348 | |||||||
Senior Vice President, General Counsel | ||||||||||||||
and Corporate Secretary | ||||||||||||||
James S. Metcalf, | 2016 | 870,000 | 6,181,197 | | 1,682,860 | 56,091 | 8,790,148 | |||||||
Former Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer(1) |
2015 | 1,011,667 | 5,180,422 | 1,487,160 | 2,050,152 | 68,318 | 9,797,719 | |||||||
2014 | 964,167 | 5,251,740 | 856,704 | 4,890,717 | 77,337 | 12,040,665 |
(1) | Ms. Scanlon served as Executive Vice President, President, International and President of L&W Supply until November 1, 2016, when she was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer, following Mr. Metcalfs retirement on October 31, 2016. | |
(2) | The amounts shown in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair values computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 for MSUs and performance shares granted under our LTIP and, for Ms. Scanlon and Ms. Warner in 2016, include the value of special awards of RSUs granted upon her promotion to President and Chief Executive Officer or joining our Company, respectively. However, for purposes of this table, estimates of forfeitures have been removed. A Monte Carlo simulation has been chosen for both the MSU and performance share valuations. The assumptions used in valuing the MSUs and performance shares are described in Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements included in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 2017. The grant date fair value for each RSU is equal to the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant. Expense is recognized over the period from the grant date to the end of the performance or vesting period. Awards under the LTIP are described further under Long-Term Incentive in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 43 of this proxy statement. | |
(3) | The amounts shown in this column include payments under our annual Management Incentive Program, or MIP, for services performed in the year indicated. Mr. Metcalf did not receive an award under the MIP because he retired effective October 31, 2016. | |
(4) | The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of accumulated benefits under our defined benefit pension plans from December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2016, the plan measurement dates used for financial statement reporting purposes. The named executive officers had no above-market or preferential earnings on deferred compensation. |
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Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
(5) | The amounts in this column reflect all other compensation for 2016 that could not properly be reported in any other column. Details regarding all other compensation components are provided in the supplemental table below. Several of the benefits listed in the table result in imputed income to the named executive officer. In the case of company-provided automobiles, the amounts shown reflect the cost attributed to personal use of the vehicle by the named executive officer, including the cost of lease payments, fuel, insurance, license and title, maintenance and repairs, less any gain we realized upon sale of the vehicle. All other items are valued at actual cost. We also provide additional executive death and disability benefit coverage to our executive officers on a self-insured basis. There is a small incremental cost to us for providing this additional coverage. From time to time, executive officers may use our tickets to sporting venues for personal use. We believe there is no incremental cost associated with our executive officers using our tickets to sporting venues for personal use because the tickets are purchased in advance for the entire season with the intention that they be used for business purposes, they cannot be returned for a refund if they are unused and use for personal purposes occurs only if the tickets have not been reserved for use for a business purpose. No value is attributed in the 2016 Summary Compensation Table to personal benefits for which we incur no incremental cost. |
SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE
Item | Jennifer F. Scanlon |
Matthew F. Hilzinger |
Brian J. Cook |
Dominic A. Dannessa |
Michelle M. Warner |
James S. Metcalf | ||||||
Financial Planning Services | | $8,868 | $15,298 | $7,920 | $9,600 | $15,519 | ||||||
Personal Liability Insurance | $557 | 557 | 557 | 557 | 557 | 557 | ||||||
Executive Death and Disability Coverage | 570 | 464 | 386 | 397 | 397 | 643 | ||||||
Executive Health Program | 4,755 | | | 1,723 | 4,449 | 5,219 | ||||||
Luncheon Club | | | 3,552 | 2,856 | | 6,167 | ||||||
Company Automobile (personal use) | 16,218 | 15,429 | 16,724 | 12,799 | 22,773 | 19,811 | ||||||
Parking | 4,200 | 4,200 | 4,200 | 4,200 | 3,850 | 4,200 | ||||||
Investment Plan Matching Contributions | 3,975 | 3,975 | 3,975 | 3,975 | 3,975 | 3,975 | ||||||
Total | $30,275 | $33,493 | $44,692 | $34,427 | $45,601 | $56,091 |
The employment agreements entered into with each of our named executive officers are described under Employment Agreements in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 46 of this proxy statement.
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Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
2016 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE
The 2016 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table below reflects equity and non-equity incentive plan awards made to each of the named executive officers during 2016. Equity awards include market share units (MSUs), performance shares (PS) and restricted stock units (RSUs).
Name | Award Type |
Grant Date(1) |
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2) |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(3)(4)(5) |
Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(6) |
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Stock Option Awards ($)(7) | ||||||||||||||
Threshold ($) |
Target ($) |
Maximum ($) |
Threshold (#) |
Target (#) |
Maximum (#) | |||||||||||||||
Jennifer F. Scanlon | MSU | 02/10/2016 | | | | 17,476 | 34,951 | 52,427 | | $684,690 | ||||||||||
PS | 02/10/2016 | | | | 4,448 | 12,824 | 25,648 | | 270,586 | |||||||||||
MIP | | | $404,167 | $808,334 | | | | | | |||||||||||
RSU | 11/01/2016 | | | | | | | 40,000 | 988,800 | |||||||||||
Matthew F. Hilzinger | MSU | 02/10/2016 | | | | 26,727 | 53,454 | 80,181 | | 1,047,164 | ||||||||||
PS | 02/10/2016 | | | | 6,865 | 19,614 | 39,228 | | 413,855 | |||||||||||
MIP | | | 453,750 | 907,500 | | | | | | |||||||||||
Brian J. Cook | MSU | 02/10/2016 | | | | 11,308 | 22,615 | 33,923 | | 443,028 | ||||||||||
PS | 02/10/2016 | | | | 2,904 | 8,298 | 16,596 | | 175,088 | |||||||||||
MIP | | | 276,250 | 552,500 | | | | | | |||||||||||
Dominic A. Dannessa | MSU | 02/10/2016 | | | | 15,420 | 30,839 | 46,259 | | 604,136 | ||||||||||
PS | 02/10/2016 | | | | 3,961 | 11,316 | 22,632 | | 238,768 | |||||||||||
MIP | | | 292,500 | 585,000 | | | | | | |||||||||||
Michelle M. Warner | MSU | 02/10/2016 | | | | 12,850 | 25,699 | 38,549 | | 503,443 | ||||||||||
PS | 02/10/2016 | | | | 3,301 | 9,430 | 18,860 | | 198,973 | |||||||||||
MIP | | | 315,000 | 630,000 | | | | | | |||||||||||
RSU | 01/04/2016 | | | | | | | 15,000 | 367,200 | |||||||||||
James S. Metcalf | MSU | 02/10/2016 | | | | 113,076 | 226,151 | 300,000 | | 4,430,298 | ||||||||||
PS | 02/10/2016 | | | | 29,043 | 82,981 | 165,962 | | 1,750,899 | |||||||||||
MIP | | | 1,260,000 | 2,520,000 | | | | | |
(1) | The grant date is the date on which the equity awards were approved by our Board, except for (a) Ms. Scanlons special grant of RSUs, which was approved by the Board on October 14, 2016, with a grant date of November 1, 2016, in connection with her promotion to President and Chief Executive Officer, and (b) Ms. Warners special grant of RSUs, which was approved by the Board on October 28, 2015, with a grant date of January 4, 2016, upon her hiring by our Company. | |
(2) | The amounts in the Target column reflect the par amounts payable under the 2016 MIP. The 2016 MIP is described under Annual Incentive in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 41 of this proxy statement. There was no threshold-level payout under the 2016 MIP. The maximum payout under the 2016 MIP was 200% of par. Total payments to any one individual under the 2016 MIP may not exceed $4 million. Ms. Scanlons annual incentive opportunity under the MIP for 2016 was 70% of base salary for the ten months of the year she served as Executive Vice President, President, International and President of L&W Supply and 100% of base salary for the two months she served as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Metcalf did not receive an award under the MIP for 2016 because he retired effective October 31, 2016. | |
(3) | MSUs were granted to each named executive officer under our LTIP. The amount of common stock to be issued in respect of the MSUs can range from zero to 150% of target based on the percentage change in the price of our common stock over the applicable vesting period. The MSUs will generally vest on December 31, 2018, with a 10% appreciation in the Market Value (as defined above in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis) of our common stock required for vesting of the target number of shares of common stock. With respect to the MSUs, the amounts in the Threshold column reflect the amount of common stock to be awarded upon a 50% decrease in Market Value, the Target column reflects the amount of common stock to be awarded upon achievement of |
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Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
a 10% appreciation in the Market Value, and the amounts in the Maximum column reflect the amount of common stock to be awarded upon a 50% or more increase in Market Value. In the case of termination of employment due to death, disability or retirement during the performance period, vesting will be pro-rated based on the number of full months employed during 2016 in accordance with the MSU award agreements at the end of the performance period. The MSUs will vest upon a change in control in most circumstances only if there is also a related loss of employment or diminution of duties. Each MSU earned will be settled in common stock. | ||
(4) | Performance shares were granted to each named executive officer under our LTIP. With respect to the performance shares, the amounts in the Target column reflect the number awarded to the named executive officers on the grant date. The performance shares generally vest after a three-year performance period ending December 31, 2018 based on our total stockholder return relative to the total stockholder return of the companies in the Dow Jones U.S. Construction and Materials Index for the performance period, with adjustments to the Index to reflect changes in the companies included in the Index for the performance period. The number of performance shares earned will vary from zero to 200% of the number of performance shares awarded depending on that relative performance. The amounts in the Threshold column reflect the number of performance shares that will vest if our total stockholder return is at the 35th percentile of the total stockholder return of the Index companies, and the amounts in the Maximum column reflect the number of performance shares that will vest if our total stockholder return is at or above the 90th percentile of the total stockholder return of those companies. Vesting will be pro-rated based on the number of full months employed during the performance period in the case of death, disability or retirement, and pro-rated awards will be paid at the end of the three-year performance period. The performance shares will vest upon a change in control in most circumstances only if there is also a related loss of employment or diminution of duties. Each performance share earned will be settled in a share of our common stock. | |
(5) | In accordance with the USG Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan, the number of shares issued upon vesting of the 2016 MSUs and performance shares will be reduced, if necessary, to ensure that an award recipient will receive no more than a maximum aggregate payout of 300,000 shares of common stock with respect to those awards. | |
(6) | The amount in this column reflects the number of RSUs awarded to Ms. Scanlon and Ms. Warner on the applicable grant date. Ms. Scanlons RSUs will vest 50% on November 1, 2018 and 50% on November 1, 2020, and Ms. Warners RSUs will vest on January 4, 2020. The RSUs may vest earlier in the event of death or disability. The RSUs will vest upon a change in control in most circumstances only if there is also a related loss of employment or diminution of duties. | |
(7) | The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the equity awards granted computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and exclude the effect of estimated forfeitures. The assumptions used in valuing the MSUs and performance shares are described in Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements included in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 2017. The RSU awards portion is calculated using the closing stock price on the date of grant multiplied by the number of shares underlying the units. We did not grant any stock options in 2016. |
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Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
2016 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END TABLE
The 2016 Outstanding Equity Awards At Fiscal Year-End Table below reflects options and other equity awards held by each of the named executive officers at December 31, 2016. Other equity awards include market share units (MSUs), performance shares (PS) and restricted stock units (RSUs).
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||
Name | Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable(1) |
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable(1) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
Stock Award Type and Year of Award |
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)(2) |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(3) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(4) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(5) | ||||||||||
Jennifer F. Scanlon | 2,330 | | | $49.61 | 3/23/2017 | |||||||||||||||
6,045 | | | 34.67 | 2/13/2018 | ||||||||||||||||
11,786 | | | 6.86 | 2/11/2019 | ||||||||||||||||
9,715 | | | 11.98 | 2/10/2020 | ||||||||||||||||
12,215 | | | 18.99 | 2/09/2021 | ||||||||||||||||
19,504 | | | 14.76 | 2/08/2022 | ||||||||||||||||
RSU 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Special | 2,500 | $72,200 | | | ||||||||||||||||
MSU 2015 | | | 16,746 | $483,624 | ||||||||||||||||
PS 2015 | | | 2,535 | 73,211 | ||||||||||||||||
RSU 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Special | 10,000 | 288,800 | | | ||||||||||||||||
MSU 2016 | | | 52,427 | 1,514,092 | ||||||||||||||||
PS 2016 | | | 19,236 | 555,536 | ||||||||||||||||
RSU 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Special | 40,000 | 1,155,200 | | | ||||||||||||||||
Matthew F. Hilzinger | 102,816 | | | 16.80 | 4/16/2022 | |||||||||||||||
MSU 2015 | | | 28,708 | 829,087 | ||||||||||||||||
PS 2015 | | | 4,346 | 125,512 | ||||||||||||||||
MSU 2016 | | | 80,181 | 2,315,627 | ||||||||||||||||
PS 2016 | | | 29,421 | 849,678 |
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Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||
Name | Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable(1) |
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable(1) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
Stock Award Type and Year of Award |
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)(2) |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(3) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(4) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(5) | ||||||||||
Brian J. Cook | 9,700 | | | 49.61 | 3/23/2017 | |||||||||||||||
16,620 | | | 34.67 | 2/13/2018 | ||||||||||||||||
24,288 | | | 11.98 | 2/10/2020 | ||||||||||||||||
17,559 | | | 18.99 | 2/09/2021 | ||||||||||||||||
19,504 | | | 14.76 | 2/08/2022 | ||||||||||||||||
MSU 2015 | | | 11,962 | 345,463 | ||||||||||||||||
PS 2015 | | | 1,811 | 52,302 | ||||||||||||||||
RSU 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Special | 10,000 | 288,800 | | | ||||||||||||||||
MSU 2016 | | | 33,923 | 979,696 | ||||||||||||||||
PS 2016 | | | 12,447 | 359,469 | ||||||||||||||||
Dominic A. Dannessa | 5,820 | | | 49.61 | 3/23/2017 | |||||||||||||||
12,085 | | | 34.67 | 2/13/2018 | ||||||||||||||||
28,571 | | | 6.86 | 2/11/2019 | ||||||||||||||||
19,430 | | | 11.98 | 2/10/2020 | ||||||||||||||||
12,215 | | | 18.99 | 2/09/2021 | ||||||||||||||||
19,504 | | | 14.76 | 2/08/2022 | ||||||||||||||||
MSU 2015 | | | 16,746 | 483,624 | ||||||||||||||||
PS 2015 | | | 2,535 | 73,211 | ||||||||||||||||
RSU 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Special | 10,000 | 288,800 | | | ||||||||||||||||
MSU 2016 | | | 46,259 | 1,335,960 | ||||||||||||||||
PS 2016 | | | 16,974 | 490,209 | ||||||||||||||||
Michelle M. Warner | RSU 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||
Special | 15,000 | 433,200 | | | ||||||||||||||||
MSU 2016 | | | 38,549 | 1,113,295 | ||||||||||||||||
PS 2016 | | | 14,145 | 408,508 |
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Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||
Name | Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable(1) |
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable(1) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
Stock Award Type and Year of Award |
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)(2) |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(3) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(4) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(5) | ||||||||||
James S. Metcalf | 14,553 | | | 49.61 | 3/23/2017 | |||||||||||||||
25,680 | | | 34.67 | 2/13/2018 | ||||||||||||||||
29,956 | | | 6.86 | 2/11/2019 | ||||||||||||||||
44,386 | | | 11.98 | 2/10/2020 | ||||||||||||||||
38,630 | | 18.99 | 2/09/2021 | |||||||||||||||||
86,014 | | | 14.76 | 10/31/2021 | ||||||||||||||||
MSU 2015 | | | 119,617 | 3,454,539 | ||||||||||||||||
PS 2015 | | | 11,382 | 328,712 | ||||||||||||||||
MSU 2016 | | | 282,689 | 8,164,058 | ||||||||||||||||
PS 2016 | | | 35,564 | 1,027,088 |
(1) | Options with an expiration date in 2017 became 25% vested on March 23rd of each year from 2008 through 2011. Options with an expiration date in 2018 became 25% vested on February 13th of each year from 2009 through 2012. Options with an expiration date in 2019 became 25% vested on February 11th of each year from 2010 through 2013. Options with an expiration date in 2020 became 25% vested on February 10th of each year from 2011 through 2014. Options with an expiration date in 2021 became 25% vested on February 9th of each year from 2012 through 2015. Options with an expiration date of 2022 became 25% vested on February 8th of each year from 2013 through 2016, except for Mr. Hilzingers options with an expiration date of 2022, which vested 25% on April 16th of each year from 2013 through 2016. Mr. Metcalf has five years from the date of his retirement to exercise vested options (but no later than the expiration date). | |
(2) | The RSUs awarded in 2013 to Ms. Scanlon vested 50% on October 1, 2015 and the remaining 50% will vest on October 1, 2017. The RSUs awarded in 2015 to Ms. Scanlon and Mr. Dannessa will vest 50% on September 1, 2017 and 50% on September 1, 2019. The RSUs awarded in 2015 to Mr. Cook will vest on the earlier of (a) 50% on September 1, 2017 and 50% on September 1, 2019 or (b) retirement. The RSUs awarded in 2016 to Ms. Scanlon will vest 50% on November 1, 2018 and 50% on November 1, 2020. The RSUs awarded in 2016 to Ms. Warner will vest on January 4, 2020. | |
(3) | The amounts in this column represent the number of RSUs indicated in the Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested column multiplied by the closing price of our common stock on December 30, 2016, the last trading day of the year. | |
(4) | With respect to the MSUs awarded in 2015 and 2016, the number of MSUs reflected in this column is the number of shares that would be earned if the target and maximum level of performance, respectively, is achieved, as performance with respect to those shares is tracking between the threshold and target levels for 2015 and between the target and maximum levels for 2016. The MSUs awarded in 2015 and 2016 will generally vest on December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018, respectively, with a 10% appreciation in the Market Value of our common stock required for vesting of the target number of shares. The amount of MSUs ultimately awarded may range from zero to 150% of the target. With respect to the performance shares awarded in 2015 and 2016, the number of performance shares reflected in this column is the number of shares that would be earned if the threshold level of performance (35% of target) and intermediate level of performance (150% of target) is achieved, respectively, as performance with respect to those shares is tracking below the threshold level for 2015 and between the target and intermediate levels for 2016. To the extent earned, the performance shares awarded in 2015 and 2016 will vest on December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Mr. Metcalf’s market share units are prorated based on the number of full months employed during the grant year and paid at the end of the three-year period and his performance shares are prorated based on the number of full months employed during the performance period and paid at the end of the three-year period. In accordance with the USG Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan, the number of shares issued upon vesting of the 2016 MSUs and performance shares will be reduced, if necessary, to ensure that an award recipient will receive no more than a maximum aggregate payout of 300,000 shares of common stock with respect to those awards. | |
(5) | The amounts in this column represent the number of MSUs or performance shares indicated in the Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested column multiplied by the closing price of our common stock on December 30, 2016, the last trading day of the year. |
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Other Information |
2016 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE
The 2016 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table below reflects stock options exercised by our named executive officers during 2016 and RSU and MSU awards held by our named executive officers that vested during 2016.
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||
Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) |
Value Realized on Exercise ($)(1) |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) |
Value Realized on Vesting ($)(2) | ||||
Jennifer F. Scanlon | | | 7,594 | $146,008 | ||||
Matthew F. Hilzinger | | | 25,258 | 623,520 | ||||
Brian J. Cook | | | 7,594 | 146,008 | ||||
Dominic A. Dannessa | | | 8,445 | 162,194 | ||||
Michelle M. Warner | | | | | ||||
James S. Metcalf | 20,044 | $383,642 | 56,359 | 1,083,247 |
(1) | The amount in this column represents the difference between the aggregate market value of the shares of our common stock subject to the option on the exercise date and the aggregate exercise price of the option. | |
(2) | The amounts in this column represent the aggregate market value of the shares of our common stock acquired on the dates the RSUs and MSUs vested. |
The 2016 Pension Benefits Table below reflects the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefit of each of the named executive officers under our Retirement Plan and Supplemental Retirement Plan, or Plans, calculated using (i) the same discount rates we use for calculations for financial reporting purposes (as of the December 31 measurement date) and (ii) the Plans normal retirement age or, if earlier, the individuals unreduced benefit age under the Plans.
The discount rates by Plan at each measurement date are as follows:
| December 31, 2016 measurement date: 4.11% for the Retirement Plan and 3.62% for the Supplemental Retirement Plan; and |
| December 31, 2015 measurement date: 4.52% for the Retirement Plan and 3.60% for the Supplemental Retirement Plan. |
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Benefits payable under the Plans final average pay formula are based on an employees years of service and compensation during specified years of employment. Effective December 31, 2010, we amended our Plans to replace the final average pay formula with a cash balance formula for employees hired after that date. Benefits payable under the Plans cash balance formula are pay credits based on an employees compensation, sum of age and years of benefit service and interest.
Participants with a final average pay formula benefit can elect early retirement, with their benefit reduced 5% for each year earlier than age 65 at retirement, or 3% per year from age 62 if the participant has a combined age and benefit service of 90 but has not reached age 62. Participants who have a combined number of years of age and service equaling 90 can retire at age 62 without a reduction in benefit. Based on projected years of credited service, the unreduced benefit age is 62 for each of the named executive officers, except for Mr. Hilzinger and Ms. Warner for whom the unreduced benefit age does not apply because they are participants with a cash balance formula. Messrs. Cook and Dannessa are currently eligible for early retirement under the Plans.
The present values shown in the table reflect postretirement mortality based on the 417e2016 mortality table but do not include a factor for pre-retirement termination, mortality or disability. The Internal Revenue Service requires use of the 417e2016 projected mortality table to determine life expectancies used in the calculation of the lump sum pension benefits payable under the Plans.
Benefits are assumed to be made payable in a lump sum at the assumed retirement age. The Internal Revenue Service mandates the use of specified lump sum yield curve interest rates based on the return of investment grade corporate bonds over varying durations in calculating lump sum payments. The mandated lump sum yield curve interest rates are 1.73% for less than five years, 3.74% for five to 20 years and 4.65% for more than 20 years.
The final average pay formula under our Plans provides an annual pension benefit equal to the greater of 1% of final average earnings, multiplied by the number of years of benefit service, or 1.6% of final average earnings multiplied by years of benefit service less 50% of the social security benefit at age 65. Final average earnings are average pensionable compensation (generally salary and annual incentive) for the 36 consecutive months of the last 180 months of service for which pensionable compensation is the highest.
The cash balance formula under our Plans provides a lump sum pension benefit equal to an employees accumulated cash balance account. Pay credits from 3% to 10% of pensionable earnings each month are allocated to the cash balance account. The pay credit percentage is determined according to the employees age and years of benefit service as of the last day of the month as shown in the table below. Mr. Hilzinger and Ms. Warner are the only named executive officers with a cash balance formula.
Sum of Age and Years of Benefit Service |
Pay Credit Percentage |
Under 30 | 3% |
30 to 39 | 4% |
40 to 49 | 5% |
50 to 59 | 6% |
60 69 | 7% |
70 79 | 8% |
80 89 | 9% |
90 and over | 10% |
All participants in the Plans contribute 2% of their pensionable compensation to the Plans to fund a portion of their benefit.
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Name | Plan Name | Number of Years of Credited Service (#)(1) |
Present Value of
Accumulated Benefit ($)(2) |
Payments | ||||
Jennifer F. Scanlon | USG Corporation | |||||||
Retirement Plan | 14.0 | $410,392 | | |||||
USG
Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan |
14.0 | 753,736 | | |||||
Total | $1,164,128 | | ||||||
Matthew F. Hilzinger | USG Corporation | |||||||
Retirement Plan | 4.6 | $78,915 | | |||||
USG Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan |
4.6 | 210,559 | | |||||
Total | $289,474 | | ||||||
Brian J. Cook | USG Corporation | |||||||
Retirement Plan | 35.4 | $1,724,063 | | |||||
USG Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan |
35.4 | 3,355,471 | | |||||
Total | $5,079,534 | | ||||||
Dominic A. Dannessa | USG Corporation | |||||||
Retirement Plan | 38.6 | $2,043,569 | | |||||
USG Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan |
38.6 | 3,376,821 | | |||||
Total | $5,420,390 | | ||||||
Michelle M. Warner | USG Corporation | |||||||
Retirement Plan | 0.11 | $12,258 | | |||||
USG Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan |
0.11 | 11,793 | | |||||
Total | $24,051 | | ||||||
James S. Metcalf | USG Corporation | |||||||
Retirement Plan | 35.11 | $1,722,153 | $2,018,683 | |||||
USG Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan |
35.11 | 14,943,439 | 2,357,276 | |||||
Total | $16,665,592 | $4,375,959 |
(1) | Represents the number of years and months of service credited to the named executive officer under the Plans, computed as of December 31, 2016, the pension plan measurement date used for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to our audited financial statements for 2016. | |
(2) | Computed as of December 31, 2016, the pension plan measurement date used for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to our audited financial statements for 2016. No adjustments have been made to reflect reductions required under any qualified domestic relations order. | |
(3) | Mr. Metcalf retired effective October 31, 2016. Upon retirement he received a distribution of his accrued benefit under the USG Corporation Retirement Plan and a partial distribution of his accrued benefit under the USG Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan. In accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, he will receive the remaining balance of his accrued benefit under the USG Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan in 2017. |
2017 Proxy Statement | 59 | |
Summary of
2017 Proxy Statement |
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Other Information |
2016 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION TABLE
The USG Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan is a nonqualified plan that allows eligible employees to defer a portion of their base salary and annual incentive compensation and is intended to be a top-hat plan described in Section 201(2) of ERISA. A top-hat plan, as described in Sections 201, 301 and 401 of ERISA, is an unfunded plan maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees. The plan is exempt from the participation, vesting, funding and fiduciary requirements of ERISA and is subject to simplified reporting and disclosure requirements of ERISA. Amounts deferred under the plan are subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the plan will be administered consistent with Section 409A. In general, Section 409A imposes requirements as to the timing of elections relating to deferral and payment of compensation deferred by participants under plans such as our deferred compensation plan.
Under the deferred compensation plan, eligible employees may defer up to 50% of their base salary and 75% of their incentive award under our annual incentive program, generally until termination of their employment. The employee is able to allocate deferred amounts into investment options which are similar to the funds offered to participants in our Investment Plan. The employee may change that allocation on a daily basis, subject to individual fund manager restrictions.
We do not match amounts deferred under this plan, and those amounts are not considered pensionable earnings for the computation of benefits under our Retirement Plan. Deferrals are considered pensionable earnings for the computation of benefits under our Supplemental Retirement Plan. The deferred amounts, plus or minus any accumulated earnings or losses on those amounts, are payable to the participants following the termination of the deferral period.
Mr. Dannessa was the only named executive officer to participate in the nonqualified deferred compensation plan during 2016. The following table sets forth information regarding his participation for 2016.
Name | Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year ($) |
Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year ($) |
Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year ($) |
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) |
Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year End ($) | |||||
Dominic A. Dannessa | | | $5,301 | (1) | | $273,303 |
(1) | This amount is not reported in the Summary Compensation Table. |
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
The tables below reflect the amount of compensation which is vested and also which would be paid to each of our named executive officers, other than Mr. Metcalf, assuming the various termination events occurred on December 31, 2016. The first column details benefits and other payments which are already vested and therefore payable in the event the named executive officer leaves for any reason, including voluntary resignation or discharge for cause. The subsequent columns show the total amount the executive would receive in each instance, including the vested benefits shown in the first column. The amounts included in the tables are estimates of the present value of the amounts that would be payable to the executive officer upon various types of termination of employment. The actual amounts to be paid upon a termination cannot be determined until the event occurs.
VESTED BENEFITS
Each of the following vested benefits would be due the named executive officers upon any termination of employment as of the end of 2016 and are included in the tables below:
| 2016 MIP awards; |
| already-vested stock options and stock options that would vest upon a retirement; |
| RSUs that would vest upon a retirement; |
| performance shares earned as of the end of 2016; |
| MSUs earned as of the end of 2016; |
| balances under the Investment Plan and USG Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan; |
| pension benefits under the USG Corporation Retirement Plan and USG Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan; |
| retiree medical benefits; and |
| death benefits under our Executive Death Benefit Plan. |
Mr. Metcalf served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer until his retirement effective October 31, 2016. Upon retirement, Mr. Metcalf was eligible to receive his accrued vested benefits under the USG Corporation Retirement Plan, USG Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan and Investment Plan. As shown in the 2016 Pension Benefits Table above, Mr. Metcalf received a distribution of his accrued benefit under the USG Corporation Retirement Plan and a partial distribution of his accrued benefit
60 | USG Corporation | |
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Other Information |
under the USG Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan in 2016. In accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, he will receive the remaining balance of his accrued benefit under the USG Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan in 2017. The vesting of Mr. Metcalfs market share units are prorated based on the number of full months employed during the grant year (prorated target amounts consist of 119,617 granted in 2015 and 188,459 granted in 2016) and paid at the end of the three-year performance period and his performance shares are prorated based on the number of full months employed during the performance period (prorated target amounts consist of 32,521 granted in 2015 and 23,709 granted in 2016) and paid at the end of the three-year performance period. Mr. Metcalf has five years from the date of his retirement to exercise vested options (but no later than the expiration date).
SEVERANCE PROTECTIONS
We provide employment agreements and change-incontrol severance agreements to our named executive officers. In the event of a termination of employment by us without cause, the employment agreements generally provide for a lump sum severance payment equal to the sum of (a) two times base salary plus current year target annual incentive, (b) the cost of continued participation in benefit plans for 18 months and (c) except for Mr. Hilzingers and Ms. Warners agreements, the present value of the additional retirement benefits the executive officer would have been entitled to receive if he or she had an additional two years of age and credited service under our Retirement Plan and Supplemental Retirement Plan, as well as outplacement services for a period of at least six months. The benefits under the employment agreements are subject to the named executive officers signing a release waiving potential claims against us. The agreements include a requirement that after termination of employment, the executive officers will not compete with us for two years nor solicit our employees for three years. For purposes of the employment agreements, cause generally includes the executives (i) commission of a felony or fraud, (ii) engaging in conduct that brings us into substantial public disgrace, (iii) commission of gross negligence or gross misconduct with respect to our Company, (iv) failure to follow the directives of the Board or Chief Executive Officer, (v) breach of any employment policy or (vi) breach of the employment agreement.
In the event of a termination of employment by us without cause or by the named executive officer for Good Reason during the two years following a change in control, the change-in-control agreements provide for a lump sum severance payment equal to the sum of (a) two times (three times for Mr. Cook) the sum of the executive officers base salary plus the greater of the executive officers target annual incentive for the year in which the termination of employment occurs or the year in which the change in control occurs, (b) an amount equal to the greater of the executive officers pro rata target annual incentive award for the year in which the termination of employment occurs or the year in which the change in control occurs, (c) the value of the executive officers continued participation in our welfare benefit plans for 24 months (36 months for Mr. Cook) and (d) except for Mr. Hilzinger and Ms. Warner, the present value of the additional retirement benefits the executive officer would have been entitled to receive if he or she had an additional two years (three years for Mr. Cook) of age and credited service under our Retirement Plan and Supplemental Retirement Plan, as well as outplacement services for a period of at least six months. In the event that any payments become subject to the excise tax imposed under Internal Revenue Code Section 4999, the executives (other than Mr. Hilzingers and Ms. Warners) benefits will be cut back to the maximum amount payable without triggering such excise tax. However, in the event that such cut back equals 10% or more of the benefits provided the executive, we will provide a gross-up payment to the executive to cover all excise taxes and income and employment taxes triggered by such gross-up payment to put the executive in the same position as if no tax was imposed under Internal Revenue Code Section 4999. Mr. Hilzingers and Ms. Warners agreements include an alternative cap provision which provides that if the total amounts payable would constitute a parachute payment resulting in the imposition of an excise tax, the payment will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid being a parachute payment, unless such named executive officer would receive a better after-tax benefit if the payment were not reduced and he or she paid the resulting excise tax directly. The benefits under the change-in-control agreements are subject to the named executive officer signing a release waiving potential claims against us. The agreements include a requirement that after termination of employment, the executive officers will not compete with us for one year nor solicit our employees for two years (three years for Mr. Cook). For purposes of the change-in-control agreements, key terms are generally defined as follows:
| Change in Control generally includes (i) the acquisition of 20% of the voting power of our common stock, (ii) a change in a majority of the members of our Board, (iii) the consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets or (iv) stockholder approval of a complete liquidation of our Company; |
| Cause generally includes the executives (i) conviction of a crime in connection with the executives duties with our Company, (ii) intentionally damaging our property or (iii) intentionally disclosing our confidential information; and |
| Good Reason generally includes (i) a material diminution in the executives duties and responsibilities, (ii) a reduction in the executives base salary, target incentive opportunities or benefits or (iii) a required relocation. |
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OTHER BENEFIT PROTECTIONS
In addition to the vested benefits and severance protections discussed above, the named executive officers have other benefit protections that would be invoked upon certain termination events. As is the case for stock options, RSUs and performance shares granted to all employees prior to 2013, these awards vest upon a change in control or upon a termination of employment due to death or disability. Effective with the 2013 grants of MSUs, performance shares and RSUs, our equity award agreements now provide for vesting upon a change in control in most circumstances only if there is also a related loss of employment or diminution of duties, commonly referred to as double-trigger vesting. Finally, the named executive officers participate in our Executive Death Benefit Plan which provides for death benefits, net of taxes, equal to three times the executive officers base salary in the event of termination due to death. Following retirement, the named executive officers are entitled to ongoing death benefits equal to one times base salary.
JENNIFER F. SCANLON
Benefit Type | Vested Benefits |
Death | Disability | Involuntary Termination without Cause |
Change
in Control Only |
Change in Control and Involuntary Termination without Cause or Good Reason | ||||||
Cash Severance | | | | $2,508,334 | | $2,508,334 | ||||||
Annual Bonus Payable for Fiscal 2016 | $754,175 | $754,175 | $754,175 | 754,175 | $754,175 | 754,175 | ||||||
Stock Options | 819,914 | 819,914 | 819,914 | 819,914 | 819,914 | 819,914 | ||||||
RSUs | | 1,516,200 | 1,516,200 | | 1,516,200 | |||||||
Performance Shares Payable for Fiscal 2016 | | | | | | | ||||||
Performance Shares granted 2015 and after | ||||||||||||
(double trigger) | | | | | | 641,302 | ||||||
MSUs Earned December 31, 2016 | 295,214 | 295,214 | 295,214 | 295,214 | 295,214 | 295,214 | ||||||
MSUs (other) | | | | | | 1,997,702 | ||||||
Corporate Investment Plan | 468,487 | 468,487 | 468,487 | 468,487 | 468,487 | 486,487 | ||||||
Pension Benefit | 1,594,442 | 1,249,462 | 1,594,442 | 1,822,220 | 1,594,442 | 1,936,108 | ||||||
Retiree Medical Benefits | | | | | | |||||||
Welfare Benefit Continuation | | | | 66,824 | | 85,327 | ||||||
Death Benefits | | 2,550,000 | | | | | ||||||
Excise Tax Gross-Up | | | | | | 2,789,677 | ||||||
Total | $3,932,232 | $7,653,452 | $5,448,432 | $6,735,168 | $3,932,232 | $13,812,440 |
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Other Information |
MATTHEW F. HILZINGER
Benefit Type | Vested Benefits |
Death | Disability | Involuntary Termination without Cause |
Change
in Control Only |
Change in Control and Involuntary Termination without Cause or Good Reason | ||||||
Cash Severance | | | | $2,117,500 | | $2,117,500 | ||||||
Annual Bonus Payable for Fiscal 2016 | $831,270 | $831,270 | $831,270 | 831,270 | $831,270 | 831,270 | ||||||
Stock Options | 1,242,017 | 1,242,017 | 1,242,017 | 1,242,017 | 1,242,017 | 1,242,017 | ||||||
RSUs | | | | | | | ||||||
Performance Shares Payable for Fiscal 2016 | | | | | | | ||||||
Performance Shares granted 2015 and after | ||||||||||||
(double trigger) | | | | | | 996,113 | ||||||
MSUs Earned December 31, 2016 | 479,722 | 479,722 | 479,722 | 479,722 | 479,722 | 479,722 | ||||||
MSUs (other) | | | | | | 3,144,714 | ||||||
Corporate Investment Plan | 153,167 | 153,167 | 153,167 | 153,167 | 153,167 | 153,167 | ||||||
Pension Benefit | 281,923 | 281,923 | 281,923 | 281,923 | 281,923 | 281,923 | ||||||
Retiree Medical Benefits | | | | | | | ||||||
Welfare Benefit Continuation | | | | 73,457 | | 91,674 | ||||||
Death Benefits | | 1,815,000 | | | | | ||||||
Excise Tax Gross-Up/Forfeiture | | | | | | | ||||||
Total | $2,988,099 | $4,803,099 | $2,988,099 | $5,179,056 | $2,988,099 | $9,338,100 |
BRIAN J. COOK
Benefit Type | Vested Benefits |
Death | Disability | Involuntary Termination without Cause |
Change
in Control Only |
Change in Control and Involuntary Termination without Cause or Good Reason | ||||||
Cash Severance | | | | $1,402,500 | | $2,103,750 | ||||||
Annual Bonus Payable for Fiscal 2016 | $506,090 | $506,090 | $506,090 | 506,090 | $506,090 | 506,090 | ||||||
Stock Options | 859,522 | 859,522 | 859,522 | 859,522 | 859,522 | 859,522 | ||||||
RSUs | | 288,800 | 288,800 | | | 288,800 | ||||||
Performance Shares Payable for Fiscal 2016 | | | | | | | ||||||
Performance Shares granted 2015 and after | ||||||||||||
(double trigger) | | | | | | 537,279 | ||||||
MSUs Earned December 31, 2016 | 246,011 | 246,011 | 246,011 | 246,011 | 246,011 | 246,011 | ||||||
MSUs (other) | | | | | | 1,325,144 | ||||||
Corporate Investment Plan | 862,493 | 862,493 | 862,493 | 862,493 | 862,493 | 862,493 | ||||||
Pension Benefit | 5,814,622 | 3,502,965 | 5,814,622 | 6,547,729 | 5,814,622 | 6,913,228 | ||||||
Retiree Medical Benefits | 48,918 | 48,918 | 48,918 | 48,918 | 48,918 | 71,662 | ||||||
Welfare Benefit Continuation | | | | 66,182 | | 121,051 | ||||||
Death Benefits | 153,383 | 1,275,000 | 153,383 | 153,383 | 153,383 | 153,383 | ||||||
Excise Tax Gross-Up | | | | | | 2,193,696 | ||||||
Total | $8,491,039 | $7,589,799 | $8,779,839 | $10,692,828 | $8,491,039 | $16,182,109 |
2017 Proxy Statement | 63 | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation
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Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
DOMINIC A. DANNESSA
Benefit Type | Vested Benefits |
Death | Disability | Involuntary Termination without Cause |
Change
in Control Only |
Change in Control and Involuntary Termination without Cause or Good Reason | ||||||
Cash Severance | | | | $1,485,000 | | $1,485,000 | ||||||
Annual Bonus Payable for Fiscal 2016 | $515,385 | $515,385 | $515,385 | 515,385 | $515,385 | 515,385 | ||||||
Stock Options | 1,353,703 | 1,353,703 | 1,353,703 | 1,353,703 | 1,353,703 | 1,353,703 | ||||||
RSUs | | 288,800 | 288,800 | | | 288,800 | ||||||
Performance Shares Payable for Fiscal 2016 | | | | | | | ||||||
Performance Shares granted 2015 and after | ||||||||||||
(double trigger) | | | | | | 673,437 | ||||||
MSUs Earned December 31, 2016 | 344,416 | 344,416 | 344,416 | 344,416 | 344,416 | 344,416 | ||||||
MSUs (other) | | | | | | 1,819,570 | ||||||
Corporate Investment Plan | 1,364,272 | 1,364,272 | 1,364,272 | 1,364,272 | 1,364,272 | 1,364,272 | ||||||
Pension Benefit | 5,851,792 | 3,354,133 | 5,851,792 | 6,395,618 | 5,851,792 | 6,553,534 | ||||||
Retiree Medical Benefits | 37,037 | 37,037 | 37,037 | 37,037 | 37,037 | 59,781 | ||||||
Welfare Benefit Continuation | | | | 103,592 | | 131,854 | ||||||
Death Benefits | 171,765 | 1,350,000 | 171,765 | 171,765 | 171,765 | 171,765 | ||||||
Excise Tax Gross-Up | | | | | | 2,161,887 | ||||||
Total | $9,638,370 | $8,607,746 | $9,927,170 | $11,770,788 | $9,638,370 | $16,923,404 |
64 | USG Corporation |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation
of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
MICHELLE M. WARNER
Benefit Type | Vested Benefits |
Death | Disability | Involuntary Termination without Cause |
Change
in Control Only |
Change in Control and Involuntary Termination without Cause or Good Reason | ||||||
Cash Severance | | | | $1,530,000 | | $1,530,000 | ||||||
Annual Bonus Payable for Fiscal 2016 | $577,080 | $577,080 | $577,080 | 577,080 | $577,080 | 577,080 | ||||||
Stock Options | | | | | | |||||||
RSUs | | 433,200 | 433,200 | | | 433,200 | ||||||
Performance Shares Payable for Fiscal 2016 | | | | | | | ||||||
Performance Shares granted 2015 and after | ||||||||||||
(double trigger) | | | | | | 52,299 | ||||||
MSUs Earned December 31, 2016 | | | | | | | ||||||
MSUs (other) | | | | | | 1,113,281 | ||||||
Corporate Investment Plan | 26,558 | 26,558 | 26,558 | 26,558 | 26,558 | 26,558 | ||||||
Pension Benefit | 8,156 | 8,156 | 8,156 | 8,156 | 8,156 | 8,156 | ||||||
Retiree Medical Benefits | | | | | | | ||||||
Welfare Benefit Continuation | | | | 49,321 | | 61,586 | ||||||
Death Benefits | | 1,350,000 | | | | | ||||||
Excise Tax Gross-Up/Forfeiture | | | | | | | ||||||
Total | $611,794 | $2,394,994 | $1,044,994 | $2,191,115 | $611,794 | $3,802,160 |
2017 Proxy Statement | 65 | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation
of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
Say-on-Frequency: Advisory vote regarding frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers | ||||
The Board recommends a vote to conduct future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers EVERY YEAR. | ||||
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In addition to providing stockholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory say-on-pay vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, we are also asking stockholders to approve an advisory vote as to the frequency with which stockholders will have an opportunity to provide future advisory approval of our executive compensation program. This advisory vote is commonly referred to as a say-on-frequency vote. Under this proposal, our stockholders may indicate whether they would prefer to have an advisory vote on executive compensation every year, every two years, or every three years, or may abstain from voting on this proposal.
Even though our executive compensation program is designed to support long-term value creation and does not change significantly from year to year, our Compensation and Organization Committee reviews the program every year. An annual stockholder vote will enable our stockholders to vote, on an advisory basis, on the most recent executive compensation information that is presented in our proxy statement, leading to more meaningful and timely communication between our Company and our stockholders on the compensation of our named executive officers. We therefore recommend that our stockholders select a frequency of one year, or an annual vote.
Stockholders are not voting to approve or disapprove the Boards recommendation. Although this advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers is non-binding, the Board and the Compensation and Organization Committee will carefully review and consider the voting results and take them into consideration in making a determination concerning the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers.
The Board recommends a vote to conduct future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers EVERY YEAR.
66 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
SECURITIES OWNERSHIP |
Our Board adopted stock ownership guidelines to better align the interests of our non-employee directors, executive officers and other senior managers with the interests of our stockholders. The guidelines were set at the levels described below to ensure our Board and management own meaningful levels of stock, taking into account competitive market practice. We expect all participants to reach at least the minimum level of ownership for their position level within five years after their appointment to that position. All of our non-employee directors and named executive officers meet or exceed their stock ownership guidelines or are expected to meet the guidelines within the allowed timeframe.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND OTHER SENIOR MANAGERS
Our executive officers and other senior managers are expected to own at a minimum a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to the lesser of (a) their salary multiple set forth below or (b) the fixed number of shares set forth below:
Participant | Minimum No. of Shares |
Multiple of Base Salary | ||
President and Chief Executive Officer | 100,000 | 5X | ||
Executive Vice President | 35,000 | 4X | ||
Senior Vice President | 15,000 | 3X | ||
Vice President | 10,000 | 2X | ||
Director/Subsidiary VP | 3,500 | 1X |
Shares owned, shares held in the Investment Plan, unvested RSUs and performance shares and MSUs that have vested count towards satisfaction of the guidelines. If a participant fails to meet or show sustained progress toward meeting these ownership requirements, we may reduce future long-term incentive program awards to that participant.
DIRECTORS
Our non-employee directors are expected to own at minimum a number of shares of our common stock and deferred stock units having a value equal to the lesser of (a) three times the sum of the annual cash retainer (currently $80,000) and the annual grant (currently $120,000) or (b) an aggregate of 15,000 shares and deferred stock units.
2017 Proxy Statement | 67 | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth information as of the record date regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock by each director and each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table and all directors and executive officers as a group, including any shares held by executive officers through the Investment Plan.
Name | Common
Shares Beneficially Owned, Excluding Shares Subject to Options and Restricted Stock Units(a) |
Shares
Subject to Vested Options and Options and Restricted Stock Units that Vest Within 60 Days |
Deferred Stock Units(b) |
Total Beneficial Stock and Stock Unit Holdings(c) | ||||
Jose Armario(d) | 3,432 | | 78,291 | 81,723 | ||||
Thomas A. Burke | 710 | | 13,323 | 14,033 | ||||
Matthew Carter Jr. | | | 16,888 | 16,888 | ||||
Brian J. Cook | 99,266 | 63,383 | | 162,649 | ||||
Dominic A. Dannessa | 56,178 | 97,625 | | 153,803 | ||||
Gretchen R. Haggerty | 38,611 | | | 38,611 | ||||
William H. Hernandez | 17,905 | | 23,948 | 41,853 | ||||
Matthew F. Hilzinger(e) | 35,580 | 34,300 | | 69,880 | ||||
Brian A. Kenney | 33,557 | | | 33,557 | ||||
Richard P. Lavin | 33,555 | | | 33,555 | ||||
Steven F. Leer | 5,818 | | 87,596 | 93,414 | ||||
James S. Metcalf | 183,618 | 239,219 | | 422,837 | ||||
Jennifer F. Scanlon | 30,297 | 61,595 | | 91,892 | ||||
Michelle M. Warner | | | | | ||||
All current directors and executive officers as a | ||||||||
group (19 persons) | 429,770 | 329,431 | 220,046 | 979,247 |
(a) | Unless otherwise noted, each individual or member of the group has sole voting power and investment power with respect to the shares shown in this column. | |
(b) | Indicates the non-voting deferred stock units credited to the account of the individual director or members of the group under current and past director compensation programs. The units increase and decrease in value in direct proportion to the market value of our common stock and are paid in cash or stock following termination of Board service. | |
(c) | As of the record date no director or executive officer beneficially owned 1% or more of our Companys outstanding common stock. The current directors and executive officers of our Company as a group beneficially owned approximately 0.67% of the common stock outstanding on the record date. | |
(d) | Includes 2,619 shares held by trusts for the benefit of Mr. Armarios children. | |
(e) | Includes 35,580 shares held by the M&S Hilzinger Family, LP, over which Mr. Hilzinger and his wife share voting and investment power. |
68 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table provides information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by all persons known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock on the record date. This information is based upon statements on Schedule 13D or 13G or Form 3 or 4 filed by those persons with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | Amount of Beneficial Ownership |
Percent of Class | ||
Berkshire Hathaway Inc.(a) 1440 Kiewit Plaza Omaha, Nebraska 68131 |
43,387,980 | 29.67% | ||
C & G Verwaltungs GmbH(b) Am Bahnhof 7 97346 Iphofen Federal Republic of Germany |
14,757,258 | 10.09% |
(a) | The number of shares shown as beneficially owned includes (a) 17,072,192 shares held by National Indemnity Company, a Nebraska insurance corporation (NICO), which is an indirect subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Berkshire Hathaway), (b) 14,035,088 shares (the BH Nebraska Shares) held by Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company of Nebraska, a Nebraska corporation (BH Nebraska), (c) 7,894,736 shares (the BH Assurance Shares, and together with the BH Nebraska Shares, the Nebraska/Assurance Shares) held by Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corporation, a New York corporation (BH Assurance), and (d) 4,385,964 shares (the General Re Life Shares) held by General Re Life Corporation, a Connecticut corporation (General Re Life). Mr. Buffett may be deemed to control Berkshire Hathaway, which controls BH Nebraska, BH Assurance and General Re Life. Thus, both Mr. Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway may be considered to have beneficial ownership of the Nebraska/Assurance Shares and the General Re Life Shares. NICO, a direct subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and the direct parent company of BH Nebraska and BH Assurance, also may be considered to have beneficial ownership of the Nebraska/Assurance Shares. General Reinsurance Corporation, a Delaware corporation (General Reinsurance), an indirect subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and the direct parent company of General Re Life, also may be considered to have beneficial ownership of the General Re Life Shares. General Re Corporation, a Delaware corporation (General Re), a direct subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and the direct parent company of General Reinsurance, also may be considered to have beneficial ownership of the General Re Life Shares. BH Nebraska has voting and investment power with respect to the BH Nebraska Shares. BH Assurance has voting and investment power with respect to the BH Assurance Shares. However, Mr. Buffett, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Berkshire Hathaway, who may be deemed to control BH Nebraska and BH Assurance, directs the investment of BH Nebraska and BH Assurance. Thus, Mr. Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway, and NICO share voting and investment power with respect to the Nebraska/Assurance Shares. General Re Life has voting and investment power with respect to General Re Life Shares. However, Mr. Buffett, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Berkshire Hathaway, who may be deemed to control General Re Life, directs the investment of General Re Life. Thus, Mr. Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway, General Reinsurance and General Re share voting and investment power with respect to the General Re Life Shares. |
(b) | C & G Verwaltungs GmbH, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany (C&G), is an indirect subsidiary of Gebr. Knauf Verwaltungsgesellschaft KG, a limited partnership organized under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany (Gebr. Knauf) controlled by members of the Knauf family. Hans Peter Ingenillem and Martin Stürmer are the general managers of C&G, and Mr. Ingenillem and Manfred Grundke are the general partners of Gebr. Knauf. C&G and Gebr. Knauf both report that they have sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all of the reported shares. |
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires that our executive officers, directors and greater than 10% owners file reports of beneficial ownership and changes in beneficial ownership of our common stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Based on a review of ownership reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission during 2016, or written representations that all such reports were timely filed, we believe that all filing requirements under Section 16(a) were met by our directors and executive officers during that year.
2017 Proxy Statement | 69 | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
In addition to solicitation by mail, our directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies by telephone or other means with no additional compensation paid for those services.
A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, will be sent without charge to any stockholder upon written request addressed to USG Corporation, c/o Corporate Secretary, 550 West Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661-3676. The Annual Report on Form 10-K may also be accessed at the Securities and Exchange Commission website www.sec.gov or our website www.usg.com.
The Board does not know of any matter to be presented for action at the annual meeting other than the matters identified in this proxy statement. If any other matter is properly presented for action, the individuals named in the proxy solicited by the Board intend to vote on such matter in accordance with their best judgment on behalf of the stockholders they represent.
DEADLINE FOR STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Stockholder proposals intended for inclusion in the proxy statement for our next regularly scheduled annual meeting in May 2018 must be received by us no later than November 30, 2017. Any such stockholder proposal must comply with Rule 14a-8 of Regulation 14A of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under our Bylaws, stockholder proposals not intended for inclusion in the proxy statement, but intended to be raised at our regularly scheduled annual meeting of stockholders in May 2018, including nominations for election of director(s) other than the Boards nominees, must be received no earlier than December 30, 2017 nor later than January 29, 2018 and must comply with the procedures outlined in our By-laws. The By-laws are accessible on our website www.usg.com. A copy of the By-laws also is available upon written request to USG Corporation, c/o Corporate Secretary, 550 West Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661-3676.
INVOLVEMENT IN CERTAIN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On June 25, 2001, our Company and ten of our subsidiaries filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Our Company and those subsidiaries emerged from Chapter 11 on June 20, 2006. As a result, within the last ten years, all of our executive officers other than Mr. Hilzinger, who joined us as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 2012, and Ms. Warner, who joined us as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in January 2016, have been associated with a corporation that filed a petition under the federal bankruptcy laws that remained contested and had not been finally approved.
70 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
WHO IS ASKING FOR MY VOTE AND WHY?
The Board is soliciting proxies for use at our annual meeting of stockholders to be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting. The annual meeting will be held only if there is a quorum, which means that a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock is present or represented by proxy at the annual meeting. To ensure that there is a quorum, the Board asks that you vote before the meeting, which allows your shares of our Companys stock to be represented at the annual meeting. This proxy statement provides you with information related to the matters upon which you are asked to vote as a stockholder to assist you in voting your shares.
HOW DO I ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING?
If you plan to attend the meeting, you must be a holder of our Companys shares as of the record date of March 13, 2017. A form of photo identification will be required for admission to the annual meeting as well as one of the following proofs of stock ownership:
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If your shares are registered in your name and you received your proxy materials by mail: Please mark the space on your proxy form if you plan to attend the annual meeting. An admission ticket is attached to your proxy form. |
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If your shares are registered in your name and you received or accessed your proxy materials electronically over the Internet: Click the appropriate box on the electronic proxy form or follow the telephone instructions when prompted and an admission ticket will be held for you at the registration desk at the annual meeting. |
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If you hold shares through a broker, bank or other nominee (i.e., in street name): You will be required to present a statement from that institution reflecting your ownership of shares of our stock as of the record date, the notice regarding the availability of proxy materials you received or the non-voting portion of the voting instruction form you received. |
WHY DID I RECEIVE A NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS INSTEAD OF THE PROXY MATERIALS?
We furnish our proxy materials to certain stockholders over the Internet using Notice and Access delivery, as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. This method expedites stockholders receipt of proxy materials, reduces our print and mail costs as well as the environmental impact of our annual meeting. All stockholders receiving the notice will be able to access the proxy materials and to request paper copies by mail. Instructions on how to access those documents over the Internet or to request paper copies of them may be found in the notice. In addition, the notice contains instructions on how you may request to receive proxy materials in printed form by mail or through e-mail access on an ongoing basis.
WHY DID I NOT RECEIVE A NOTICE IN THE MAIL ABOUT THE INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF THE PROXY STATEMENT AND RELATED PROXY MATERIALS?
Stockholders who have previously requested to receive proxy materials in paper form or through e-mail access are being provided copies of the proxy materials in the format previously requested instead of receiving the notice regarding Internet availability of the proxy materials. In addition, stockholders who hold our Companys shares in the Investment Plan may receive materials by either e-mail or in paper.
WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?
All record holders of our common stock at the close of business on our record date of March 13, 2017 are entitled to vote their shares at the annual meeting. On that date, there were 146,235,819 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share is entitled to one vote on each matter presented at the annual meeting. The shares of common stock are our only securities entitled to vote at the annual meeting.
2017 Proxy Statement | 71 | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
HOW DO I VOTE?
We have both stockholders of record, or registered stockholders, and street name stockholders. If your shares are registered in your name with Computershare Trust Company N.A., our transfer agent, you are a stockholder of record or registered stockholder. You are a stockholder of record, for example, if you hold a certificate for your shares. If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee, you are a street name holder.
Whether you hold shares directly as a stockholder of record or as a street name holder, you may direct how your shares are voted by proxy without attending the annual meeting. There are three ways to vote by proxy:
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By telephone You can vote by telephone by calling 1-800-690-6903 and following the instructions on the notice regarding Internet availability of proxy materials or the proxy or voting instruction form you received; |
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By Internet You can vote over the Internet at www.proxyvote.com by following the instructions on the notice regarding Internet availability of proxy materials or the proxy or voting instruction form you received; or |
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By mail If you received your proxy materials by mail, you can vote by mail by signing, dating and mailing the enclosed proxy or voting instruction form. |
If you are a street name holder and you wish to vote your shares in person at the annual meeting, you must obtain a proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee giving you the right to vote your shares at the meeting.
Fidelity Management Trust Company, as trustee of the Investment Plan, or the Trustee, held 327,262 shares of our common stock on the record date. Only the Trustee, as of the record date, can vote the shares held by the Investment Plan. However, the Investment Plan provides that Investment Plan participants are entitled to instruct the Trustee how the shares allocated to their accounts under the Investment Plan are to be voted.
The Investment Plan also provides that unallocated shares and shares for which no instructions are received by the Trustee will be voted by the Trustee in the same proportion as those shares for which instructions are received, unless otherwise required by law. Thus, Investment Plan participants will be exercising power and control as a named fiduciary of the Investment Plan not only over the shares allocated to their own accounts, but also over a portion of the undirected shares. By submitting voting instructions over the Internet, by telephone or by signing and returning the proxy voting form accompanying this proxy statement, an Investment Plan participant will be directing the Trustee to vote the shares allocated to his or her account under the Investment Plan, in person or by proxy, as instructed, at the annual meeting of stockholders. Investment Plan participants may revoke previously submitted voting instructions by phone, Internet or filing with Broadridge Financial Solutions, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717, the Investment Plan proxy tabulator, either a written notice of revocation or a properly completed and signed proxy form bearing a later date.
If you own shares through the Investment Plan and you are also a stockholder of record, your proxy form will allow you to designate the manner in which you want both the shares registered in your name and the shares in the Investment Plan voted at the annual meeting. If you hold shares through the Investment Plan, but you do not own any shares of our common stock as a stockholder of record, you will be able to designate the manner in which you want those shares voted at the annual meeting by voting as described above.
Unless you hold your shares through the Investment Plan, you may vote via the Internet or by phone until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on May 9, 2017, or our Companys agent must receive your paper proxy card on or before May 9, 2017. If you hold any of your shares through the Investment Plan, you may vote via the Internet or by phone until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 7, 2017, or our Companys agent must receive your paper proxy card on or before May 7, 2017.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO VOTE BY PROXY?
It means that you give someone else the right to vote your shares in accordance with your instructions. We are asking you to give your proxy to our Chief Executive Officer and our Corporate Secretary. In this way, you ensure that your vote will be counted even if you are unable to attend the annual meeting.
If you sign and submit your proxy or voting instruction form without giving specific instructions on how to vote your shares, in accordance with the recommendation of the Board, either our Chief Executive Officer or our Corporate Secretary will vote your shares in the following manner:
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FOR the election of each of the Boards nominees for director; |
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FOR the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accountants for 2017; |
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FOR the approval of the Committee Amendment; |
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FOR the advisory vote approving the compensation of our named executive officers; and |
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to conduct future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers EVERY YEAR. |
72 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
WHAT HAPPENS IF OTHER MATTERS ARE PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?
If other matters are properly presented at the annual meeting, either our Chief Executive Officer or our Corporate Secretary will have discretion to vote your shares for you on those matters in accordance with her best judgment if you have granted a proxy. However, we have not received timely notice from any stockholder of any other matter to be presented at the annual meeting.
WHAT IF I SUBMIT A PROXY AND LATER CHANGE MY MIND?
If you have given your proxy and wish to revoke it and change your vote, you may do so by (i) giving written notice to our Corporate Secretary, (ii) voting in person at the annual meeting, (iii) granting a subsequent proxy over the Internet or by telephone or (iv) if you received your proxy materials by mail, submitting another signed proxy form with a date later than your previously delivered proxy.
WHAT ARE MY CHOICES WHEN VOTING?
With respect to the say-on-frequency vote, you may cast your vote to recommend that the advisory vote be held every year, every two years or every three years, or you may abstain from voting your shares on such proposal. You may cast your vote for or against, or you may abstain from voting your shares on, each other proposal.
WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE EACH MATTER?
Assuming a quorum is present at the annual meeting, each of the matters specified in the notice of the annual meeting, other than approval of the Committee Amendment and the say-on-frequency vote, requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares actually voted at the meeting in person or by proxy. The affirmative vote of 80% of the outstanding shares of our common stock is required for the approval of the Committee Amendment to remove the requirement that we maintain a Finance Committee. With respect to the say-on-frequency vote, the frequency receiving the greatest number of votes (e.g., every one, two or three years) will be considered the frequency recommended by our stockholders.
The say-on-pay and say-on-frequency votes are non-binding. However, our Board will review the results of such votes and will take them into account in making determinations concerning executive compensation and the frequency of future votes on the compensation of our named executive officers.
HOW ARE BROKER NON-VOTES AND ABSTENTIONS TREATED?
Broker non-votes occur when nominees, such as brokers and banks, holding shares on behalf of street name holders do not receive voting instructions from those owners regarding a matter and do not have discretionary authority to vote on the matter under the rules of the NYSE. Those rules allow nominees to vote in their discretion on routine matters, such as the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accountants, even if they do not receive voting instructions from the street name holder. On non-routine matters, such as the other proposals specified in the notice of the annual meeting, nominees cannot vote unless they receive instructions from the street name holder. The failure to receive such instructions as to a non-routine matter results in a broker non-vote. Broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the annual meeting, but because they are not votes they will not affect the outcome of the vote on any matter presented at the annual meeting other than the approval of the Committee Amendment. Broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against the approval of the Committee Amendment.
Abstentions are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present, but they are not treated as votes cast, except with respect to approval of the Committee Amendment. Accordingly, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the Committee Amendment, but will have no effect on the other matters presented at the annual meeting.
2017 Proxy Statement | 73 | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
WHAT IF I RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE NOTICE OR E-MAIL REGARDING THE INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF THE PROXY MATERIALS OR MORE THAN ONE PAPER COPY OF THE PROXY MATERIALS?
Receiving more than one notice, e-mail or paper copy means your shares are registered in two or more accounts. To vote all of your shares by proxy, please complete, sign, date and return each proxy and voting instruction form that you receive, or vote the shares in each account to which those forms relate by Internet or telephone, and vote by Internet or telephone the shares in each account for which you receive a notice or e-mail regarding Internet availability of the proxy materials and do not request and receive a proxy or voting instruction form.
WHAT IS HOUSEHOLDING?
Unless you advised otherwise, if you hold your shares in street name and other residents at your mailing address share the same last name and also own shares of our Companys common stock in an account at the same broker, bank or other nominee, your nominee delivered a single notice or set of proxy materials to your address. This method of delivery is known as householding. Householding reduces the number of mailings you receive, saves on printing and postage costs and helps the environment. Stockholders who participate in householding continue to receive separate voting instruction cards and control numbers for voting electronically.
If you would like to change your householding election, request that a single copy of the proxy materials be sent to your address, or request a separate copy of the proxy materials, you should submit this request by writing Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York, 11717, or calling 1-866-540-7095. We will promptly deliver the proxy materials to you upon receipt of your request. Beneficial owners sharing an address who are receiving multiple copies of the proxy materials and wish to receive a single copy of these materials in the future should contact their broker, bank or other nominee to make this request.
If you are a registered stockholder or hold shares in the Investment Plan, we sent you and each registered Investment Plan holder at your address separate notices or sets of proxy materials.
WHO WILL COUNT THE VOTE?
A representative of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will count the votes and serve as Inspector of Election. The Inspector of Election will be present at the annual meeting.
WHO PAYS THE COST OF THIS SOLICITATION?
Our Company is paying the cost of this proxy solicitation. Upon request, we will reimburse brokers, dealers, banks and trustees, or their nominees, for reasonable expenses they incur in forwarding proxy material to street name holders.
We have retained Alliance Advisors, LLC to aid in soliciting votes for the annual meeting for a fee of approximately $9,500 plus out-of-pocket expenses.
WHAT IF I HAVE A QUESTION REGARDING MY SHARES OR MY MAILING ADDRESS?
If you are a registered stockholder, please contact Computershare Trust Company N.A. directly at 211 Quality Circle, Suite 210, College Station, Texas 77845. If you are a street name holder, please contact your broker, bank or other nominee directly.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE RESULTS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING?
We will announce preliminary voting results at the annual meeting and publish the results in a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within four business days after the annual meeting.
74 | USG Corporation | |
Summary of 2017 Proxy Statement |
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance |
Audit Committee Matters |
Finance Committee Matters |
Compensation of Executive Officers |
Securities Ownership |
Other Information |
ANNEX A PROPOSED COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
AMENDMENT TO
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION
OF
USG CORPORATION
USG Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the Corporation), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:
FIRST: This Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the Restated Certificate of Incorporation) of the Corporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
SECOND: Article SEVENTH of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended by deleting the following paragraph in its entirety:
Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph, the corporation shall maintain a Finance Committee, which shall have the power to review all of the corporations significant financial matters, including, but not limited to, strategies, policies or transactions, contemplated by the corporation. Without limiting the foregoing, the Finance Committee shall provide review and oversight of and make recommendations to the board of directors on the corporations financing requirements and programs to obtain funds; relations with banks, bondholders and other creditors; forecasting procedures on revenues, expenses, earnings, and cash flow; operating and capital expenditure budgets; dividend policy; the adoption of any compensation plan for key employees which contemplates the issuance of stock of the corporation or which is a significant cash compensation plan (other than an annual cash bonus plan consistent with past practice); and acquisitions, divestitures and significant transactions affecting the corporations capital structure or ownership. The Finance Committee shall confer with the Pension Committee established under the corporations retirement plan and report periodically to the board of directors on the funding of qualified pension plans of the corporation and its subsidiaries and the investment performance of plan funds and, on behalf of the board of directors, authorize necessary or desirable changes in actuarial assumptions for funding the plans. The Finance Committee shall consider such other matters as may be referred to it from time to time by the board of directors and shall at all times prior to June 22, 1997 be composed of four members of the board of directors who are not officers or employees of the corporation. Any actions by the Finance Committee shall be by a majority vote of at least 3 of its members. Prior to June 22 1997, (i) the scope and power of review of the Finance Committee as set forth herein shall not in any way be limited or reduced and (ii) the composition, existence and function of the Finance Committee as set forth herein shall not be altered or diminished, in either such case without the unanimous consent of all directors then in office.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed on this day of , 2017.
USG CORPORATION | |
By: | |
Name: | |
Title: |
75 | USG Corporation | |
USG CORPORATION
550 WEST ADAMS
STREET
CHICAGO, IL 60661
ANNUAL MEETING ADMISSION TICKET
VOTE BY INTERNET -
www.proxyvote.com
Use the Internet to
transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up
until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on May 9, 2017. Have your proxy form 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 forms 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 TELEPHONE -
1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone
telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time
on May 9, 2017. Have your proxy form in hand when you call and then follow the
instructions.
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy form 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: | ||||
E19152-P87976 | KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS | |||
DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY | ||||
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. |
The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR all the nominees listed below:
1. | Election of Directors | ||||||||
For | Against | Abstain | |||||||
Nominees: | |||||||||
1a. | Matthew Carter, Jr. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |||||
1b. | Richard P. Lavin | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |||||
1c. | Jennifer F. Scanlon | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |||||
The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2, 3 and 4. | |||||||||
2. | Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent registered public accountants for the year ending December 31, 2017. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |||||
3. | Approval of an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to remove the requirement that we maintain a Finance Committee. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |||||
4. | Approval, by advisory vote, of the compensation of our named executive officers. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |||||
For address changes, please check this box and write them on the back where indicated. | ☐ | ||||||||
Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting. | ☐ | ☐ | |||||||
Yes | No |
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.
The Board of Directors recommends you vote 1 YEAR on proposal 5. | 1 Year | 2 Years | 3 Years | Abstain | |||||
5. | Recommendation, by advisory vote, on the frequency of future votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ||||
NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] | Date |
Signature (Joint Owners) |
Date |
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of USG
Corporation
May 10, 2017, 9:00 a.m., Central Time
550 West Adams Street
Chicago, Illinois
60661
You must present this ticket (top portion
only) to a USG representative to be
admitted to the USG Corporation Annual
Meeting.
Important Notice Regarding the
Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:
The Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy
Statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K and Letter to Shareholders
are
available at www.proxyvote.com.
E19153-P87976 |
The undersigned hereby appoints Jennifer F. Scanlon and Michelle M. Warner, and each or either of them, proxies, with power of substitution and with powers the undersigned would possess, if personally present, to vote all stock of the undersigned in USG Corporation at the annual meeting of stockholders of USG Corporation to be held at 550 West Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois on May 10, 2017, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, on the matters shown on the reverse side and as set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement.
This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein and in the discretion of the proxy holder on all other matters properly coming before the meeting. If no direction is given, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of the Board's nominees for director, FOR ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as USG Corporation's independent registered public accountants for 2017, FOR approval of an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to remove the requirement that we maintain a Finance Committee, FOR approval of the compensation of our named executive officers and for holding future votes on the compensation of our executive officers every 1 YEAR, except for any shares the undersigned holds in the USG Corporation Investment Plan, which will be voted according to the rules of that plan.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS
PROXY FORM PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, EXCEPT IF YOU VOTE
BY
TELEPHONE OR INTERNET.
Address Changes: | |