Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No.____)
Filed by the Registrant | x |
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant | o |
Check the appropriate box:
o | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
o | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
x | Definitive Proxy Statement |
o | Definitive Additional Materials |
o | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x | No fee required. |
o | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. |
1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
5) | Total fee paid: |
o | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
o | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
1) | Amount Previously Paid: |
2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
3) | Filing Party: |
4) | Date Filed: |
100 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1900
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-4125
To the Shareholders of
THE MARCUS CORPORATION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of THE MARCUS CORPORATION will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2015, at 9:00 A.M., local time, at the InterContinental Milwaukee Hotel, 139 East Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the following purposes:
1. | to elect as directors the twelve nominees named in the attached proxy statement; |
2. | to approve, by advisory vote, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the attached proxy statement; |
3. | to ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent auditor for fiscal 2016; and |
4. | to consider and act upon any other business that may be properly brought before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
Only holders of record of our Common Stock and Class B Common Stock as of the close of business on August 5, 2015, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and any adjournment thereof. Shareholders may vote in person or by proxy. The holders of our Common Stock will be entitled to one vote per share and the holders of our Class B Common Stock will be entitled to ten votes per share on each matter submitted for shareholder consideration.
Shareholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. A map is provided on the following page to assist you in locating the InterContinental Milwaukee Hotel. Even if you expect to attend the meeting in person, to help ensure your vote is represented at the meeting, please complete, sign, date and return in the enclosed postage paid envelope the accompanying proxy, which is being solicited by our board of directors. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is actually voted by giving notice thereof in writing to the undersigned or by voting in person at the meeting.
Interested parties are invited to listen to a live audio Webcast of the meeting by logging onto the Investor Relations section of our website, www.marcuscorp.com. Listeners should go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the presentation to download and install any necessary audio software.
Accompanying this Notice of 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is a proxy statement and form of proxy.
Pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials both by sending you this full set of proxy materials, including a proxy card, and by notifying you of the availability of our proxy materials on the Internet. This proxy statement and our 2015 annual report to shareholders are available at www.marcuscorp.com/eproxy.
IMPORTANT: If you hold your shares in a brokerage account, you should be aware that your broker is not permitted to vote your shares for the election of directors or the approval, by advisory vote, of the compensation of our named executive officers if you do not instruct your broker how to vote within 10 days prior to our Annual Meeting. Therefore, you must affirmatively take action to vote your shares at our Annual Meeting. If you do not, your shares will not be voted with respect to such matters.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors |
||
Thomas F. Kissinger Senior Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
From the South
Take I-94/I-43 North toward Milwaukee. Take Exit 73A McKinley Avenue and follow McKinley over the river. Turn right onto Water Street. Take Water Street five blocks south and the hotel will be on the right-hand side, at the corner of Kilbourn and Water.
From the West
Take I-94 East toward Milwaukee to Exit 310B for I-43 North toward Green Bay. Keep right and take Exit 72C, follow signs for Kilbourn Avenue. Continue on Kilbourn as the hotel is just over the river on the right hand side, at the corner of Kilbourn and Water.
From the North
Take I-43 south to Exit 73A McKinley Avenue (merge to the right side of freeway). Take a left at the lights onto McKinley. Take McKinley over the river and turn right onto Water Street. Take Water Street five blocks south and the hotel will be on the right-hand side, at the corner of Water and Kilbourn.
Parking:
The InterContinental Milwaukee is located on the southwest corner of Kilbourn Avenue and Water Street. Entrances to the InterContinental Milwaukee parking ramp are located on Kilbourn Avenue and on Water Street. Parking in the InterContinental Milwaukee parking ramp is on a space available basis. Additional parking facilities are located at 1000 N. Water St., 330 E. Kilbourn Ave. and 330 E. Wells St.
Experience InterContinental Milwaukee Hotel
Shareholders staying for lunch at the InterContinental Milwaukee Hotel following the annual meeting on Tuesday, October 13 will receive a 20% discount on their bill. Visit Kil@Wat, where you will experience creative cuisine and vibrant décor overlooking the city. Enjoy familiar menu favorites, including products from local markets prepared with an interesting and unique twist. For a glance at our menu, please visit www.kilawatcuisine.com. Tell your server that you are a Marcus Corporation shareholder.
This proxy statement and accompanying form of proxy are being furnished to our shareholders beginning on or about September 4, 2015, in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our board of directors for use at our 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2015, at 9:00 A.M., local time, at the InterContinental Milwaukee Hotel, 139 East Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and at any postponement or adjournment thereof (collectively, Meeting), for the purposes set forth in the attached Notice of 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and as described herein.
Execution of a proxy will not affect your right to attend the Meeting and to vote in person, nor will your presence revoke a previously submitted proxy. You may revoke a previously submitted proxy at any time before it is exercised by giving written notice of your intention to revoke the proxy to our Secretary, by notifying the appropriate personnel at the Meeting in writing or by voting in person at the Meeting. Unless revoked, the shares represented by proxies received by our board of directors will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the instructions thereon. If no instructions are specified on a proxy, the votes represented thereby will be voted: (1) for the boards twelve director nominees set forth below; (2) for the approval, by advisory vote, of the compensation of our named executive officers; (3) in favor of the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent auditor for fiscal 2016; and (4) on such other matters that may properly come before the Meeting and at any postponement or adjournment thereof in accordance with the best judgment of the persons named as proxies.
Only holders of record of shares of our Common Stock (Common Shares) and our Class B Common Stock (Class B Shares) as of the close of business on August 5, 2015 (Record Date) are entitled to vote at the Meeting. As of the Record Date, we had 18,877,849 Common Shares and 8,710,972 Class B Shares outstanding and entitled to vote. The record holder of each outstanding Common Share on the Record Date is entitled to one vote per share and the record holder of each outstanding Class B Share on the Record Date is entitled to ten votes per share on each matter submitted for shareholder consideration at the Meeting. The holders of our Common Shares and the holders of our Class B Shares will vote together as a single class on all matters subject to shareholder consideration at the Meeting. The total number of votes represented by outstanding Common Shares and Class B Shares as of the Record Date was 105,987,569, consisting of 18,877,849 votes represented by outstanding Common Shares and 87,109,720 votes represented by outstanding Class B Shares.
IMPORTANT: If you hold your shares in a brokerage account, you should be aware that your broker is not permitted to vote your shares for the election of directors or the approval, by advisory vote, of the compensation of our named executive officers if you do not instruct your broker how to vote within 10 days prior to the Meeting. Therefore, you must affirmatively take action to vote your shares at the Meeting. If you do not, your shares will not be voted with respect to such matters.
At the Meeting, our shareholders will elect all twelve members of our board of directors. The directors elected at the Meeting will hold office until our 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are duly qualified and elected. If, prior to the Meeting, one or more of the boards nominees becomes unable to serve as a director for any reason, the votes represented by proxies granting authority to vote for all of the boards nominees, or containing no voting instructions, will be voted for a replacement nominee selected by the board of directors. Under Wisconsin law, if a quorum of shareholders is present, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shareholders entitled to vote in the election. This means that the individuals receiving the largest number of votes will be elected as directors, up to the maximum number of directors to be chosen at the election. Therefore, any shares that are not voted on this matter at the Meeting, whether by abstention, broker nonvote or otherwise, will have no effect on the election of directors at the Meeting.
All of our director nominees, other than Katherine M. Gehl, have been elected by our shareholders and have served continuously as directors since the date indicated below. The names of the director nominees, together with certain information about each of them as of the Record Date, are set forth below. Unless otherwise indicated, all of our director nominees have held the same principal occupation indicated below for at least the last five years.
Name | Current Principal Occupation | Age | Director Since |
|||||
Stephen H. Marcus | Our chairman of the board. In January 2009, he retired as our chief executive officer, a position he had held since 1988. Mr. Marcus long-time service as our chief executive officer and chairman of the board led to our conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company, including as our chairman of the board.(1)(2) | 80 | 1969 | |||||
Gregory S. Marcus | Our chief executive officer since January 2009 and our president since January 2008. Prior thereto, he was our senior vice president corporate development. Mr. Marcus experience with our Company since 1999 in various positions, including his current role as our chief executive officer, led to our conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company.(1)(2)(3) | 50 | 2005 | |||||
Diane Marcus Gershowitz | Real estate management and investments. Ms. Gershowitzs long-standing service on our board and her expertise in real estate matters led to our conclusion that she should serve as a director of the Company.(1)(2) | 76 | 1985 |
2
Name | Current Principal Occupation | Age | Director Since |
|||||
Daniel F. McKeithan, Jr. | Chairman and chief executive officer of Tamarack Petroleum Company, Inc. (operator of oil and gas wells) and president of Active Investor Management, Inc. (manager of oil and gas wells). Mr. McKeithans long-standing service on our board and his extensive business and leadership experience led to our conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company. | 79 | 1985 | |||||
Allan H. Selig | President and chief executive officer of Selig Executive Leasing Co., Inc. (automobile leasing agency) and Commissioner Emeritus of Major League Baseball. Mr. Seligs long-standing service on our board and his experience as commissioner of Major League Baseball has led to our conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company.(4) | 80 | 1995 | |||||
Timothy E. Hoeksema | Retired chairman of the board, president and/or chief executive officer of Midwest Air Group, Inc. (commercial airline carrier). Mr. Hoeksemas long-standing service on our board and his experience as the chief executive officer for many years at one of the nations most recognized service-oriented regional travel carriers and his experience in the travel industry led to our conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company. | 68 | 1995 | |||||
Bruce J. Olson | Our retired senior vice president. Mr. Olsons long-standing service on our board and extensive experience gained while leading our theatre division led to our conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company. | 65 | 1996 | |||||
Philip L. Milstein | Principal of Ogden CAP Properties, LLC (real estate and investments) and former co-chairman of Emigrant Savings Bank (savings bank). Mr. Milsteins long-standing service on our board of directors and his financial expertise and experience led to our conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company. | 66 | 1996 |
3
Name | Current Principal Occupation | Age | Director Since |
|||||
Bronson J. Haase | Retired president of Pabst Farms Equity Ventures LLC (real estate development organization); retired president and chief executive officer of Wisconsin Gas Company (gas utility) and vice president of WICOR, Inc. (utility holding company); and former president and chief executive officer of Ameritech Wisconsin (telecommunications company). Mr. Haases long-standing tenure on our board, his experience in real estate development matters and his leadership of public utility and telecommunication companies led to our conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company. | 71 | 1998 | |||||
James D. Ericson | Retired president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of trustees of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (life insurance company). Mr. Ericsons long-standing tenure on our board and his experience as the chief executive officer at one of the countrys largest and most recognized mutual life insurance companies led to our conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company.(5) | 79 | 2001 | |||||
Brian J. Stark | Founding principal, chief executive officer and chief investment officer of Stark Investments (global alternative investment firm). Mr. Starks extensive executive level experience in the investment industry and financial markets led to our conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company. |
60 | 2012 | |||||
Katherine M. Gehl | President of Gehl Foods, Inc. from September 2011 to March 26, 2015, and chairman of Gehl Foods, Inc. from 2007 to September 2011. Ms. Gehls extensive executive level experience in the food service and hospitality industries and board of directors experience led to our conclusion that she should serve as a director of the Company.(6) | 50 | 2015 |
(1) | Stephen H. Marcus and Diane Marcus Gershowitz are brother and sister. Gregory S. Marcus is the son of Stephen H. Marcus. |
(2) | As a result of their beneficial ownership of Common Shares and Class B Shares, Stephen H. Marcus, Gregory S. Marcus and/or Diane Marcus Gershowitz may be deemed to control, or share in the control of, the Company. See Stock Ownership of Management and Others. |
4
(3) | Gregory S. Marcus is also an officer of certain of our subsidiaries. |
(4) | Allan H. Selig is a director of Oil-Dri Corporation of America. |
(5) | James D. Ericson is a director of Green Bay Packaging, Inc. |
(6) | Our board of directors elected Katherine M. Gehl to our board of directors on January 6, 2015. Ms. Gehl is a director of Gehl Foods Holding Corporation. |
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE BOARDS NOMINEES. COMMON SHARES OR CLASS B SHARES REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING BY EXECUTED BUT UNMARKED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE BOARDS NOMINEES.
Based on a review by our board of directors of the direct and indirect relationships that each of the twelve directors currently serving on the board of directors has with the Company, including the relationships between the Company and Selig Executive Leasing Co., Inc. and Major League Baseball and the relationship between the Company and Gehl Foods, LLC, the board of directors has determined that each of Messrs. McKeithan, Selig, Hoeksema, Milstein, Haase, Ericson and Stark and Ms. Gehl are independent directors as defined by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Currently, Mr. Gregory Marcus serves as our chief executive officer and Mr. Stephen Marcus serves as our chairman of the board of directors. Our board of directors does not have a policy on whether or not the roles of chief executive officer and chairman of the board should be separate. Instead, our Corporate Governance Policy Guidelines provide that our board of directors has the authority to choose its chairman in any way it deems best for the Company and its shareholders at any given point in time. Since Mr. Stephen Marcus retirement as chief executive officer in 2009, our board of directors has determined that the separation of these roles most appropriately suits our Company because of Mr. Stephen Marcus long history with our Company, including his tenure as our chief executive officer, and his skills and experience within the industries in which we operate. Further, our board of directors believes that this split in roles allows Mr. Gregory Marcus to focus more of his energies on the management of our Companys business. Our board of directors believes that there is no single board of directors leadership structure that would be most effective in all circumstances, and therefore retains the authority to modify this structure to best address our Companys and our board of directors then current circumstances as and when appropriate. Additionally, our Corporate Governance Policy Guidelines provide that, if the chairman of the board of directors is an employee director or is otherwise not an independent director, then the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will recommend to the board of directors, and the board of directors will appoint, an independent director to serve as Lead Independent Director. Currently, Bronson J. Haase serves as our Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Directors responsibilities include:
| calling and presiding over all meetings of the board of directors at which the chairman of the board of directors is not present, including executive sessions of independent directors, and communicating feedback on executive sessions to the chairman of the board of directors; |
| providing input as necessary to the chairman of the board and secretary on preparation of agendas for board of directors meetings; |
| facilitating the board of directors approval of the number and frequency of board of directors meetings, as well as the schedule of such meetings to ensure sufficient time for discussion of agenda items; |
| serving as principal liaison between the independent directors and the chairman of the board of directors; |
5
| ensuring that there is open communication between the independent directors, on the one hand, and the chairman of the board of directors and our management, on the other; and |
| conferring with the chairman of the board of directors on other issues of corporate importance, as appropriate. |
Our board of directors and, in particular, the Audit Committee are involved on an ongoing basis in the general oversight of our material identified enterprise-related risks. Each of our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and general counsel, with input as appropriate from other management members, report and provide relevant information directly to our board of directors and/or the Audit Committee on various types of identified material financial, reputational, legal, environmental and business risks to which we are or may be subject, as well as mitigation strategies for certain key identified material risks. These reports, information and strategies are then reviewed, approved and monitored on an ongoing basis by our board of directors and/or the Audit Committee. Our board of directors and Audit Committees roles in our risk oversight process have not affected our board of directors leadership structure.
The board of directors has adopted The Marcus Corporation Code of Conduct that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees. It is available under the Governance section of our website, www.marcuscorp.com. If you would like us to mail you a copy of our Code of Conduct, free of charge, please contact Thomas F. Kissinger, Senior Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, The Marcus Corporation, 100 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1900, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-4125.
Our board of directors has an Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and Finance Committee. Each committee operates under a written charter and the charters of our Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees are available under the Governance section of our website, www.marcuscorp.com. Our board of directors and each committee also operate under our Corporate Governance Policy Guidelines, which are available under the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee tab of the Governance section of our website. If you would like us to mail you a copy of our Corporate Governance Policy Guidelines or a committee charter, free of charge, please contact Mr. Kissinger at the above address.
Audit Committee. Our board of directors has an Audit Committee whose principal functions are to: (1) appoint and establish the compensation for and oversee our independent auditors; (2) review annual audit plans with management and our independent auditors; (3) preapprove all audit and non-audit services provided by our independent auditors; (4) oversee managements evaluation of the adequacy of our internal and business controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and risk assessment and management; (5) review areas of financial risk that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition with management and our independent auditors; (6) evaluate the independence of our independent auditors; (7) review, in consultation with management and our independent auditors, financial reporting and accounting practices of comparable companies that differ from our own; and (8) receive, retain and address complaints (including employees confidential, anonymous submission of concerns) regarding financial disclosure and accounting and auditing matters. During our fiscal 2015, our Audit Committee consisted of Philip L. Milstein (Chairman), Daniel F. McKeithan, Jr. and Brian J. Stark. Each member of our Audit Committee is an independent, non-employee director as defined by the rules of the NYSE and the SEC. In addition, the board of directors has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee is an audit committee financial expert, as that term is defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Audit Committee met four times during our fiscal 2015. See Audit Committee Report.
Compensation Committee. Our board of directors also has a Compensation Committee whose principal functions are to: (1) evaluate and establish the compensation, bonuses and benefits of our officers and other key employees and of the officers and other key employees of our subsidiaries; and (2) administer our executive compensation plans, programs and arrangements. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis. During our fiscal 2015, our Compensation Committee consisted of Allan H. Selig (Chairman), James D. Ericson and Philip L. Milstein. Each member of our Compensation Committee is an independent,
6
non-employee director as defined by the rules of the NYSE and the SEC. The Compensation Committee met one time during our fiscal 2015. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Our board of directors also has a Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee whose principal functions are to: (1) develop and maintain our Corporate Governance Policy Guidelines; (2) develop and maintain our Code of Conduct; (3) oversee the interpretation and enforcement of our Code of Conduct; (4) receive and review matters brought to the committees attention pursuant to our Code of Conduct; (5) evaluate the performance of our board of directors, its committees and committee chairmen and our directors; and (6) recommend individuals to be elected to our board of directors. During our fiscal 2015, our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee consisted of Bronson J. Haase (Chairman), Timothy E. Hoeksema, Daniel F. McKeithan, Jr. and Brian J. Stark. Each member of our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is an independent, non-employee director as defined by the rules of the NYSE and the SEC. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee met two times during our fiscal 2015.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee performs evaluations of the board of directors as a whole, the non-management directors as a group, and each director individually. In addition, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee regularly assesses the appropriate size of our board of directors and whether any vacancies on the board of directors are expected due to retirement or otherwise. In the event that vacancies are anticipated or otherwise arise or the board decides to increase the size of our board of directors, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will identify prospective nominees, including those nominated by management, members of our board of directors and shareholders, and will evaluate such prospective nominees against the standards and qualifications set out in the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter, including the individuals range of experience, wisdom, integrity, ability to make independent analytical inquiries, business experience and acumen, understanding of our business and ability and willingness to devote adequate time to board and committee duties. While the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee does not specifically have a formal policy relating to the consideration of diversity in its process to select and evaluate director nominees, our Corporate Governance Policy Guidelines provide that the board of directors shall be committed to a diversified membership. Accordingly, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee seeks to have our board of directors represent a diversity of backgrounds, experience, gender and race. In deciding to nominate Katherine M. Gehl for appointment to our board of directors, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considered each of the attributes identified above. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee concluded that Ms. Gehls extensive executive experience in the food service and hospitality industries would be a valuable asset for both our theatre and hotels and resorts divisions.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee does not evaluate shareholder nominees differently from any other nominee. Pursuant to procedures set forth in our By-laws, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider shareholder nominations for directors if we receive timely written notice, in proper form, of the intent to make a nomination at a meeting of shareholders. We did not receive any shareholder nominations for directors to be considered at the Meeting. To be timely for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, any shareholder director nominations must be received by the date identified under the heading Other Matters. To be in proper form, the nomination must, among other things, include each nominees written consent to serve as a director if elected, a description of all arrangements or understandings between the nominating shareholder and each nominee, and information about the nominating shareholder and each nominee. These requirements are detailed in our By-laws, which are attached as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended November 27, 2008. A copy of our By-laws will be provided upon written request to Mr. Kissinger at the above address.
Finance Committee. Our board of directors also has a Finance Committee whose principal functions are to, upon the request of Company management, provide preliminary review, advice, direction, guidance and/or consultation with respect to potential transactions. During our fiscal 2015, our Finance Committee consisted of Stephen H. Marcus (Chairman), James D. Ericson, Diane Marcus Gershowitz, Philip L. Milstein and Allan H. Selig. The Finance Committee did not meet in our fiscal 2015.
7
No member of the Compensation Committee has served as one of our officers or employees at any time. None of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any other company that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our board of directors or Compensation Committee.
Our board of directors met four times during our fiscal 2015. Each of our directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the number of board meetings and number of meetings of the committees on which he or she served during his or her tenure during fiscal 2015. Our non-management directors meet periodically in executive sessions without management present. The Lead Independent Director serves as the chairman of all meetings of our non-management directors.
Directors are expected to attend our annual meeting of shareholders each year. At the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders, all of our directors were in attendance in person.
Interested parties may contact our board of directors, a group of directors (including our non-management directors), or a specific director by sending a letter, regular or express mail, addressed to our board of directors or the specific director in care of Mr. Kissinger at the above address. Mr. Kissinger will promptly forward appropriate communications from interested parties to the board of directors or the applicable director.
8
The following table sets forth information as of the Record Date as to our Common Shares and Class B Shares beneficially owned by: (1) each of our directors and nominees for director; (2) each of our executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table set forth below under Compensation Discussion and Analysis; (3) all such directors and executive officers as a group; and (4) all other persons or entities known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of either class of our outstanding capital stock. A row for Class B Share ownership is not included for individuals or entities who do not beneficially own any Class B Shares.
Name of Individual or Group/Class of Stock |
Sole Voting and Investment Power(1) |
Shared Voting and Investment Power(1) |
Total Share Ownership and Percentage of Class(1) |
Percentage of Aggregate Voting Power(1) |
||||||||||||||
Directors and Named Executive Officers | ||||||||||||||||||
Stephen H. Marcus(2) |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares | 21,895 | 6,003 | 27,898 | |||||||||||||||
* | 45.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Class B Shares | 4,739,993 | 52,070 | 4,792,063 | |||||||||||||||
55.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Diane Marcus Gershowitz(2) |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares | 14,692 | (3) | 0 | 14,692 | (3) | |||||||||||||
* | 29.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Class B Shares | 2,886,818 | 247,104 | 3,133,922 | |||||||||||||||
36.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Gregory S. Marcus |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares | 423,256 | (4)(5) | 75 | 423,331 | (4)(5) | |||||||||||||
2.2 | % | 2.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
Class B Shares | 210,230 | 18,233 | 228,463 | |||||||||||||||
2.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Daniel F. McKeithan, Jr. |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares | 12,423 | (3) | 16,601 | 29,024 | (3) | |||||||||||||
* | * | |||||||||||||||||
Allan H. Selig |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares | 24,749 | (3) | 0 | 24,749 | (3) | |||||||||||||
* | * | |||||||||||||||||
Timothy E. Hoeksema |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares | 11,490 | (3) | 14,002 | 25,492 | (3) | |||||||||||||
* | * | |||||||||||||||||
Philip L. Milstein |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares | 78,542 | (3) | 0 | 78,542 | (3) | |||||||||||||
* | * | |||||||||||||||||
Class B Shares | 0 | 62,055 | (6) | 62,055 | (6) | |||||||||||||
* | ||||||||||||||||||
Bronson J. Haase |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares | 17,713 | (3) | 6,204 | 23,917 | (3) | |||||||||||||
* | * | |||||||||||||||||
Brian J. Stark |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares | 7,390 | (3) | 0 | 7,390 | (3) | |||||||||||||
* | * | |||||||||||||||||
James D. Ericson |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares | 19,764 | (3) | 0 | 19,764 | (3) | |||||||||||||
* | * |
9
Name of Individual or Group/Class of Stock |
Sole Voting and Investment Power(1) |
Shared Voting and Investment Power(1) |
Total Share Ownership and Percentage of Class(1) |
Percentage of Aggregate Voting Power(1) |
||||||||||||||
Directors and Named Executive Officers | ||||||||||||||||||
Bruce J. Olson |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares | 2,000 | (3) | 23,252 | 25,252 | (3) | |||||||||||||
* | * | |||||||||||||||||
Katherine M. Gehl |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares | 2,565 | 0 | 2,565 | |||||||||||||||
* | * | |||||||||||||||||
Thomas F. Kissinger |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares | 161,271 | (4)(5) | 0 | 161,271 | (4)(5) | |||||||||||||
* | * | |||||||||||||||||
Douglas A. Neis |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares | 177,719 | (4)(5) | 0 | 177,719 | (4)(5) | |||||||||||||
* | * | |||||||||||||||||
Rolando B. Rodriguez |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares | 4,729 | (4)(5) | 0 | 4,729 | (4)(5) | |||||||||||||
* | * | |||||||||||||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons) |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares(7) | 980,198 | (7) | 66,137 | 1,046,335 | (7) | |||||||||||||
5.4 | % | 78.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Class B Shares | 7,837,041 | 379,462 | 8,216,503 | |||||||||||||||
94.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Other Five Percent Shareholders |
||||||||||||||||||
GAMCO Asset Management(8) |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares(9) | 2,149,874 | 0 | 2,149,874 | |||||||||||||||
11.4 | % | 2.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
BlackRock, Inc.(10) |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares(11) | 1,874,935 | 0 | 1,874,935 | |||||||||||||||
9.9 | % | 1.8 | % | |||||||||||||||
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(12) |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares(13) | 1,619,428 | 0 | 1,619,428 | |||||||||||||||
8.6 | % | 1.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
Morgan Dempsey Capital Management, LLC(14) |
||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares(15) | 1,006,606 | 0 | 1,006,606 | |||||||||||||||
5.3 | % | 0.9 | % |
* | Less than 1%. |
(1) | The outstanding Class B Shares are convertible on a share-for-share basis into Common Shares at any time at the discretion of each holder. As a result, a holder of Class B Shares is deemed to beneficially own an equal number of Common Shares. However, to avoid overstatement of the aggregate beneficial ownership of both classes of our outstanding capital stock, the Common Shares listed in the table do not include Common Shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of outstanding Class B Shares. Similarly, the percentage of outstanding Common Shares beneficially owned is determined with respect to the total number of outstanding Common Shares, excluding Common Shares that may be issued upon conversion of outstanding Class B Shares. |
(2) | The address of Stephen H. Marcus and Diane Marcus Gershowitz is c/o 100 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1900, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-4125. |
(3) | Includes 6,500 Common Shares subject to acquisition by each of Diane Marcus Gershowitz, Daniel F. McKeithan, Jr., Allan H. Selig, Timothy E. Hoeksema, Philip L. Milstein, Bronson J. Haase and James D. Ericson, 4,500 Common Shares subject to acquisition by Brian J. Stark, and 2,000 Common Shares |
10
subject to acquisition by Bruce J. Olson and Katherine M. Gehl, in each case, pursuant to the exercise of stock options held on the Record Date that were then vested or that will vest within 60 days thereafter. This number also includes 1,506 Common Shares subject to certain restrictions on transfer under securities laws held by each of Diane Marcus Gershowitz, Daniel F. McKeithan, Jr., Allan H. Selig, Timothy E. Hoeksema, Philip L. Milstein, Bronson J. Haase, James D. Ericson, Brian J. Stark and Bruce J. Olson, of which 753 were granted on October 1, 2014 and 753 were granted on October 17, 2013. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis Non-Employee Director Compensation. The restrictions on these restricted Common Shares terminate on the second anniversary of the date on which they were granted. |
(4) | Includes 6,256, 6,863, 7,109 and 79 Common Shares held for the respective accounts of Thomas F. Kissinger, Gregory S. Marcus, Douglas A. Neis and Rolando B. Rodriguez in our Pension Plus Plan as of May 28, 2015, the end of our fiscal 2015. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis Other Benefits Qualified Retirement Plan. |
(5) | Includes 117,979, 347,200, 130,600 and 4,000 Common Shares subject to acquisition by Thomas F. Kissinger, Gregory S. Marcus, Douglas A. Neis and Rolando B. Rodriguez, respectively, pursuant to the exercise of stock options held on the Record Date that were then vested or that will vest within 60 days thereafter. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis Grants of Plan-Based Awards. |
(6) | Includes 62,055 Class B Shares held by Philip L. Milstein as a partner of Northmon Investment Co. Excludes the following shares, as to which Mr. Milstein disclaims beneficial interest: (1) 5,625 Common Shares in the AB Elbaum Trust, of which Mr. Milstein is co-trustee; (2) 2,000 Common Shares held by Mr. Milsteins wife; (3) 8,100 Common Shares held by Mr. Milsteins children; (4) 37,500 Common Shares held by the PLM Foundation, of which Mr. Milstein is co-trustee; and (5) 124,111 Common Shares held by the SVM Foundation, of which Mr. Milstein is co-trustee. |
(7) | Includes 653,779 Common Shares subject to acquisition pursuant to the exercise of stock options held by our named executive officers and non-employee directors on the Record Date that were then vested or that will vest within 60 days thereafter. Also includes 8,400 shares of restricted stock held by our named executive officers on the Record Date that will vest within 60 days thereafter. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis Grants of Plan Based Awards and Compensation Discussion and Analysis Non-Employee Director Compensation. |
(8) | The address of GAMCO Asset Management (GAMCO) is One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580. |
(9) | Other than share ownership percentage information, the information set forth is as of December 19, 2013, as reported by GAMCO in its Schedule 13D/A filed with us and the SEC. |
(10) | The address of BlackRock, Inc. (BlackRock) is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022. |
(11) | Other than share ownership percentage information, the information set forth is as of January 31, 2015, as reported by BlackRock in its Schedule 13G/A filed with us and the SEC. |
(12) | The address of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (DFA) is Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, TX 78746. |
(13) | Other than share ownership percentage information, the information set forth is as of December 31, 2014, as reported by DFA in its Schedule 13G/A filed with us and the SEC. |
(14) | The address of Morgan Dempsey Capital Management, LLC (Morgan Dempsey) is 111 Heritage Reserve, Suite 200, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051. |
(15) | Other than share ownership percentage information, the information set forth is as of December 31, 2014, as reported by Morgan Dempsey in its Schedule 13G filed with the SEC. |
11
This compensation discussion and analysis, or CD&A, provides information about our compensation philosophy, principles and processes for our chairman of the board, our chief executive officer, our chief financial officer and our two other most highly compensated executive officers for fiscal 2015 who were serving as executive officers as of May 28, 2015, the last day of our fiscal 2015. We sometimes collectively refer to these executive officers in this CD&A as our named executive officers.
This CD&A is intended to provide you with a better understanding of why and how we make our executive compensation decisions and facilitate your reading of the information contained in the tables and descriptions that follow this discussion. This CD&A is organized as follows:
| Overview of Our Executive Compensation Philosophy. In this section, we describe our executive compensation philosophy and the core principles underlying our executive compensation programs and decisions. |
| Role of Our Compensation Committee. This section describes the process and procedures that our Compensation Committee followed to arrive at its executive compensation decisions. |
| Total Compensation. In this section, we describe our named executive officers total compensation. |
| Elements of Compensation. This section includes a description of the types of compensation paid and payable to our named executive officers. |
| Executive Stock Ownership. This section describes the stock ownership of our named executive officers. |
| Impact of Tax, Accounting and Dilution Considerations. This section discusses Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code) and certain accounting, financial reporting and shareholder dilution consequences that have impacted some of our executive compensation programs and decisions. |
Our executive compensation and benefit programs are designed to advance the following core compensation philosophies and principles:
| We strive to compensate our executives at competitive levels to ensure that we attract, retain and motivate our key management employees who we expect will contribute significantly to our long-term success and value creation. |
| We link our executives compensation to the achievement of pre-established financial and individual performance goals that are focused on the creation of long-term shareholder value. |
| Our executive compensation policies are designed to foster an ownership mentality and an entrepreneurial spirit in our management team. We try to do this by providing our executives with a substantial long-term incentive compensation component that helps to more closely align our managements financial interests with those of our shareholders over an extended performance period, and that otherwise encourages our management team to take appropriate market-responsive risk-taking actions that will facilitate our long-term growth and success. |
At our 2014 annual meeting of shareholders, our shareholders were asked to approve, by advisory vote, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement for our 2014 annual meeting. At our 2014 annual meeting, over 99% of the votes cast and over 90% of all shares entitled to vote at the meeting were voted in favor of the compensation of our named executive officers. In developing our executive compensation and benefit programs for fiscal 2015, we considered our shareholders resounding approval of our executive compensation and benefit programs for fiscal 2014 at our 2014 annual meeting. As a result, and as we describe in this CD&A, we kept in place for fiscal 2015 many of the same executive compensation and benefit programs that were overwhelmingly approved by our shareholders at our 2014 annual meeting.
12
Our Compensation Committee, or Committee, attempts to ensure that our executive compensation and benefit programs are consistent with our core compensation philosophies and principles by:
| Analyzing aggregated composite survey and benchmark data from Towers Watson, a nationally-recognized executive compensation consulting firm, about the compensation levels of similarly situated executives at equivalently-sized companies in various industry sectors. |
| Reviewing on an annual basis the performance of our company and our named executive officers, with assistance and recommendations from our chief executive officer (other than with respect to himself and our chairman), and determining their total direct compensation based on competitive levels as measured against our surveyed sectors, our companys financial performance, each executives individual performance and other factors described below. |
| Reviewing the performance and determining the total compensation earned by, or paid or awarded to, our chairman and chief executive officer independent of input from them. |
| Maintaining the practice of holding executive sessions (without management present) at every meeting of our Committee. |
| Taking into account the long-term interests of our shareholders in developing and implementing our executive compensation plans and in making our executive compensation decisions. |
Our Compensation Committee annually engages the services of Towers Watson to provide the Committee with then current survey and benchmarking compensation data on a position-by-position basis for each of our named executive officers on a composite aggregated basis for various selected industry sectors. Specifically, Towers Watson has annually provided our Committee with composite aggregated data respecting the base salary and total cash compensation (i.e., base salary and bonuses) for similarly situated executives at other companies with comparable annual revenue levels in the following sectors: (1) all organizations (including and excluding financial service organizations); (2) all non-manufacturing organizations; (3) service organizations; (4) leisure and hospitality organizations (including motion picture theatre organizations); and (5) hotel organizations (when sufficient data is available). The Committee chose these sectors so as to provide it with both a broad scope of applicable executive compensation data to consider, as well as more specific information at similarly-sized companies in comparable sectors. Towers Watson has not provided, and our Compensation Committee has not received, reviewed or considered, the individual identities of the companies which comprised these general sector categories of benchmarked organizations. For each of these sectors, Towers Watson has provided our Committee with aggregated compiled data and identified the 25th percentile, median and 75th percentile amounts for the base salary and total cash compensation amounts for executives similarly situated to the named executive officers in each sector. In particular, when reviewing this survey data, our Committee pays particular attention to the composite benchmark salary and cash compensation data related to the service organizations and leisure and hospitality companies, because our Committee believes that they are the most similar to our hotels and resorts and theatre divisions. In connection with our Committees long-term equity-based incentive award grants, Towers Watson also provided our Committee with composite aggregated data regarding the value of competitive long-term incentive plans for similarly situated executives at other companies with comparable revenue levels, identifying the 25th percentile, median and 75th percentile amounts.
Our Compensation Committee has the final authority to engage and terminate any compensation consultant, including Towers Watson, and is responsible for periodically evaluating any compensation consultant that it engages. Our Compensation Committee also has the responsibility to consider the independence of any compensation consultant before engaging the consultant. Prior to Towers Watsons appointment for fiscal 2015, our Compensation Committee reviewed the independence of Towers Watson and the individual representatives of Towers Watson who serve as consultants to the Committee in light of SEC rules and NYSE listing standards regarding the independence of compensation committee members and the specific factors set forth therein and concluded that Towers Watsons work for the Committee does not raise any conflict of interest.
13
In addition to Towers Watsons work for our Compensation Committee, a different division of Towers Watson provides actuarial services and pension plan consulting to us. In fiscal 2015, we paid such division approximately $49,000 for such actuarial and pension plan services which, given the relative sizes of both our organizations, we believe to be a relatively immaterial amount. As a result, our Compensation Committee concluded that Towers Watsons provision of such actuarial and pension plan consulting services does not raise any conflict of interest.
In July 2015, our Compensation Committee conducted a thorough risk assessment of our compensation policies and practices. Our Committee evaluated the levels of risk-taking that could be potentially encouraged by each of our material compensation arrangements, after taking into account any relevant risk-mitigation features. As a result of this review, our Committee concluded that our compensation policies and practices do not encourage excessive or unnecessary risk-taking.
The compensation paid to our named executive officers consists of four main elements: (1) salary; (2) an annual incentive cash bonus; (3) a long-term incentive compensation award, which includes an annual stock option grant, an annual restricted stock award and an annual long-term performance cash award; and (4) other benefits, including those made available under our employee benefit plans. The combination of these elements is intended to provide our named executive officers with fair and competitive compensation that rewards corporate and individual performance and helps attract, retain and motivate highly qualified individuals who contribute to our long-term success and value creation. Additionally, these compensation elements, particularly our annual incentive cash bonus and long-term incentive awards, are designed to foster a shareholder mentality and the continuation of our entrepreneurial spirit by encouraging our executives to take appropriate market-responsive risk-taking actions that help create long-term shareholder value.
While the relative amounts of salaries and benefits provided to our named executive officers are intended to be set at competitive levels compared to our surveyed group of benchmarked sectors, we provide our executives with the opportunity to earn significant additional amounts through performance-based annual cash bonuses and long-term incentive compensation programs.
For fiscal 2015, the total cash compensation (i.e., salary and annual cash bonus) paid to our named executive officers generally fell between the 50th and 75th percentile of the total cash compensation amounts paid to executives holding equivalent positions at our surveyed group of benchmarked sectors. In establishing these relative levels of compensation, our Committee first established the relative level of each of our named executive officers base salary at between the 50th and 75th percentile of the salary paid to similarly situated executives at our surveyed group of benchmarked sectors. These decisions were based on the considerations discussed in more detail below under Elements of Compensation Base Salaries. Then, our Committee established the relative level of each of our named executive officers targeted annual cash bonus award that, if earned, would result in our payment of total cash compensation amounts that would generally fall between the 50th and 75th percentile of the total cash compensation paid to similarly situated executives at our surveyed group of benchmarked sectors. These decisions were based on the considerations discussed in more detail below under Elements of Compensation Annual Cash Bonuses. Our Committee subjectively believed that the targeted relative levels of total cash compensation to our named executive officers resulting from this process generally reflected the highly experienced nature of our senior executive team and was generally consistent with our historical corporate financial performance, the individual performance of our named executive officers and our prior shareholder return. Our Committee also believed that these total cash compensation levels were reasonable in their totality and supported our core compensation philosophies and principles. However, in establishing these relative compensation levels, our Committee did not specifically compare any of the criteria listed in the prior two sentences to our surveyed group of benchmarked sectors. For fiscal 2016, our Committee established the range of potential total cash compensation payable to our named executive officers at the same relative levels compared to updated recent information for our benchmarked sectors.
14
Mr. Greg Marcus, as our chief executive officer, has a higher percentage of his total compensation based on achieving his incentive bonus targets, because our Committee believes that he has the most potential to impact our corporate financial performance. Our Committee believes that this emphasis and allocation most effectively links pay-for-performance.
Our Compensation Committee, in consultation with our chief executive officer (other than with respect to decisions affecting himself and our chairman), strives to establish competitive base salaries for our named executive officers set at between the 50th and 75th percentile of the salaries paid to similarly situated executives at our surveyed group of benchmarked sectors. Each executive officers salary is initially based on the level of his responsibilities, the relationship of such responsibilities to those of our other executive officers and his tenure at our company. We evaluate and adjust the base salaries of our named executive officers annually as of July 1 of each fiscal year. When evaluating and adjusting the salaries of our named executive officers (other than our chairman and chief executive officer), we consider the recommendations of our chief executive officer. In making his recommendations, our chief executive officer generally takes into account: (1) our corporate financial performance as a whole and on a divisional basis, when appropriate, for the most recent fiscal year compared to our historical and budgeted performance; (2) general economic conditions (including inflation) and the impact such conditions had on our operations and results; (3) each executive officers past, and anticipated future, contributions to our performance; (4) each executive officers compensation history with our company and the past levels of each element of total compensation; (5) how each executive officers salary compares to the range of salaries of similarly situated executives at our surveyed group of benchmarked companies; (6) new responsibilities, if any, recently delegated, or to be delegated, to such officer; and (7) the executives participation in significant corporate achievements during the prior fiscal year. Our Compensation Committee, while looking to our chief executive officer for his recommendations as to the salaries of our other named executive officers (other than with respect to himself and our chairman), also engages in its own independent review and judgment concerning such base salary adjustments based on the foregoing factors. When evaluating and adjusting our chief executive officers and chairmans salary, our Compensation Committee independently, and without input from our chief executive officer, considers the factors cited above, as well as their respective ability to inspire subordinates with the vision of our company, and makes decisions accordingly. The seven factors listed above are only generally, and not individually or separately, analyzed, assessed and weighted by our Committee in its determination of the amount of base salary of each individual named executive officer. Our Committee subjectively assesses these factors in the aggregate based on the recommendations of our chief executive officer for all named executive officers other than himself and our chairman and, in the case of our chairman and chief executive officer, by our Committee on its own accord.
As a result of the process described above, for fiscal 2015, Stephen H. Marcus, Gregory S. Marcus, Douglas A. Neis, Thomas F. Kissinger and Rolando B. Rodriguez received increases of 5.0%, 5.9%, 5.7%, 5.1% and 5.6%, respectively, in their base salaries. In fiscal 2015, the base salaries paid to Messrs. Stephen Marcus, Greg Marcus, Neis, Kissinger and Rodriguez represented 43%, 31%, 41%, 41% and 39%, respectively, of their respective total compensation for such fiscal year as set forth below in the Summary Compensation Table. Based on our analyzing similar factors earlier this calendar year, for fiscal 2016, Messrs. Stephen Marcus, Greg Marcus, Neis, Kissinger and Rodriquez received an increase in their annual base salary of 7.1%, 6.4%, 5.4%, 4.9% and 5.3%, respectively.
We establish targeted potential annual cash bonus awards at the beginning of each fiscal year pursuant to our variable incentive plan, which our Compensation Committee administers. Our variable incentive plan allows our Committee to select from a variety of appropriate financial metrics upon which to base the financial targets for achieving a corresponding annual incentive bonus. Under our variable incentive plan, our Committee may choose from one or more of the following financial metrics, either in absolute terms or in comparison to prior year performance or publicly available industry standards or indices: revenues; gross operating profit; operating income; pre-tax earnings; net earnings; earnings per share; earnings before interest,
15
taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA); economic profit; operating margins and statistics; financial return and leverage ratios; total shareholder return metrics; or a company-specific financial metric (such as Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted consolidated pre-tax income (API) or adjusted division pre-tax income (ADI)). Additional financial measures not specified in the variable incentive plan may be considered if our Committee determines that the specific measure contributes to achieving the primary goal of our incentive plan sustained growth in long-term shareholder value. Our Committee retains the ability to consider whether an adjustment of the selected financial goals for any year is necessitated by exceptional circumstances. This ability is intended to be narrowly and infrequently used.
Targeted annual bonus awards under the variable incentive plan may be based on our relative achievement of the selected consolidated financial targets and/or divisional financial targets, as well as on discretionary individual performance measures that help enhance shareholder value as subjectively determined by our Compensation Committee. Our Committee also from time to time has granted special compensation awards to our named executive officers and other key employees to reward their integral involvement in significant corporate achievements or events. In fiscal 2013, our Committee granted special compensation awards to Messrs. Greg Marcus, Neis and Kissinger to reward their involvement in several successful financing transactions, the settlement of all legal matters related to our Las Vegas property and our recognition by Forbes magazine as one of Americas 100 Most Trustworthy Companies. The special award to Mr. Greg Marcus also was in recognition of his role as Interim President of the hotels and resorts division for a portion of the fiscal year. In fiscal 2014, our Committee granted special compensation awards to Mr. Neis to reward his involvement in several successful actions to return capital to our shareholders and to enhance investor relations, and to Mr. Kissinger in recognition of his work as Interim President of our hotels and resorts division. In fiscal 2015, our Committee granted special compensation awards to Mr. Neis to reward his involvement in the companys Corners of Brookfield project, and to Mr. Kissinger in recognition of his work as Interim President of our hotels and resorts division during a portion of the year.
At the beginning of each fiscal year, our Committee establishes applicable financial targets for such fiscal year for purposes of granting our named executive officers target incentive cash bonus opportunities for that fiscal year. For each selected applicable financial target, our Committee also establishes a threshold minimum level of financial performance and a maximum level of financial performance relative to such target. If our actual financial performance equals our targeted financial metric, then the portion of our incentive bonus payouts based on achieving that financial target will be equal to 100% of the targeted bonus amount. If we do not achieve the specified minimum threshold level of financial performance, then no incentive bonus payouts based on financial performance will be paid. If we equal or exceed the specified maximum level of financial performance, then we will pay out up to 320% of the targeted amount of the incentive bonuses based on the level that we exceed the selected financial performance metric. Financial performance between the threshold and target levels and between the target and maximum levels will result in a prorated portion of the financial-based bonus being paid.
Our Committee established the financial component of each named executive officers fiscal 2015 target incentive bonus opportunity as a percentage of API for corporate officers and as a percentage of theatre division ADI for Mr. Rodriguez. Additionally, the Committee established each named executive officers individual performance component of their fiscal 2015 target incentive bonus opportunity as a fixed percentage of their base salary, which was generally intended to approximate 25 35% of the total fiscal 2015 target incentive bonus opportunity for our chairman, chief executive officer and theatre division president and 40 50% for all of our other named executive officers, although these percentages may vary from year to year. If earned, our Committee believed that the bonuses at the target levels would result in our payment of total direct compensation to our named executive officers that would generally fall between the 50th and 75th percentile of total direct compensation paid to similarly situated executives at our benchmarked sectors. For fiscal 2015, targeted incentive bonus amounts for Messrs. Stephen Marcus, Greg Marcus, Neis, Kissinger and Rodriguez were $117,006, $393,774, $117,380, $123,380 and $146,298, respectively.
16
As a result of the foregoing, the targeted fiscal 2015 incentive bonus award for Mr. Rodriguez was based approximately 70% on achieving the fiscal 2015 ADI target of the theatre division, and approximately 30% on achieving his individual performance measures. The targeted fiscal 2015 theatre division ADI was approximately $13.2 million. The targeted fiscal 2015 incentive bonus awards for Messrs. Stephen Marcus and Greg Marcus were based approximately 65 75% on achieving our fiscal 2015 consolidated API target of $37.5 million and approximately 25 35% on achieving their applicable individual performance measures. The targeted fiscal 2015 incentive bonus amounts for Messrs. Neis and Kissinger were based approximately 50 55% on achieving our fiscal 2015 consolidated API target and approximately 45 50% on achieving their applicable individual performance measures. We established these API and ADI targets for fiscal 2015 based on a consistent methodology that encourages growth over an average of prior years performance for both our company and our theatre division. We established these targets with the belief that the level of achievability of the targets would likely be consistent with the relative level of achievement of our historical financial targets. Since the implementation of our incentive plan, we have achieved between 25% 153% of the applicable bonus based upon our consolidated financial targets and 0% 330% of the applicable bonus based upon our division financial targets. Individual performance measures for fiscal 2015 included such officers individual contributions and achievements during fiscal 2015, particularly as such contributions and achievements relate to advancing our entrepreneurial spirit. For purposes of determining the relative achievement of our fiscal 2015 financial targets, we defined API as consolidated earnings before income taxes, excluding gains and losses from dispositions of assets, preopening expenses and unusual items, and less a goodwill amortization charge. Similarly, for these purposes, we defined ADI generally in the same manner as we do API, except that division earnings before income taxes is our beginning baseline metric instead of consolidated earnings before income taxes, and we also subtract an intercompany rent charge for company-owned real estate associated with each division. Our Committee also retained the ability to consider whether an adjustment of the selected financial goals for any year is necessitated by exceptional circumstances. This ability is intended to be narrowly and infrequently used and no such adjustments were made in fiscal 2015.
For fiscal 2015, our actual API was approximately $41.8 million, or approximately 112% of our target amount of $37.5 million, resulting in a bonus achievement based upon this financial measure of approximately 133%. Similarly, our actual fiscal 2015 theatre division ADI was approximately $21.7 million, or 165% of the target amount of $13.2 million, resulting in a bonus achievement based upon this financial measure of approximately 330%. Our Compensation Committee subjectively analyzed on a discretionary basis an executive officers relative achievement of other fiscal 2015 individual performance measures, including achievements relating to advancing entrepreneurial spirit, with respect to each individual executive officer based on the recommendations of our chief executive officer for all named executive officers other than himself and our chairman and, in the case of our chief executive officer and our chairman, by our Committee on its own accord. As a result, and because each named executive officer was determined to have successfully achieved each of his respective individual performance criterion, Messrs. Stephen Marcus, Greg Marcus, Neis, Kissinger and Rodriguez earned fiscal 2015 incentive bonus amounts of $142,010, $493,370, $137,935, $143,935 and $409,535, respectively.
The targeted fiscal 2016 incentive bonus award for Mr. Rodriguez is based approximately 70% on achieving the fiscal 2016 ADI target of the theatre division and approximately 30% on achieving his individual performance measures. The targeted fiscal 2016 incentive bonus awards for Messrs. Stephen Marcus and Greg Marcus is based approximately 65 75% on achieving our fiscal 2016 consolidated API target and approximately 25 35% on achieving their applicable individual performance measures. The targeted fiscal 2016 incentive bonus amounts for Messrs. Neis and Kissinger are based approximately 50 55% on achieving our fiscal 2016 consolidated API target and approximately 45 50% on achieving their applicable individual performance measures. As was the case for fiscal 2015, we established these API and ADI targets for fiscal 2016 based on a consistent methodology that encourages growth over an average of prior years performance for both our company and our theatre division. Similarly, we established these targets with the belief that the level of achievability of the targets would likely be consistent with the relative level of achievement of our historical financial targets.
17
We believe that long-term incentive awards support our core compensation philosophies and objectives because they encourage entrepreneurism and help our named executive officers to maintain a shareholder mentality in managing our businesses. We believe that using long-term incentive awards as an important component of our executive compensation package will further our goals of promoting continuity of management and increasing incentive and personal interest in our welfare by those employees who are primarily responsible for shaping or carrying out our long-range plans and securing our continued growth and financial success. Historically, we have granted stock options to a broad range of employees because we believe it is beneficial to our shareholders to have our employees maintain a shareholder orientation and an entrepreneurial spirit. In fiscal 2015, 59% of our employee stock options were granted to employees other than our named executive officers. For fiscal 2016, this percentage remained similarly high at 62%.
Our long-term incentive plan for our senior executives includes a mix of three compensation elements: stock options (typically expected to constitute approximately 35 50% of each annual long-term incentive award), performance cash (typically expected to constitute approximately 40% of each annual long-term incentive award) and restricted stock (typically expected to constitute approximately 10 25% of each annual long-term incentive award). Our Committee granted Mr. Rodriguez a larger percentage of his initial long-term incentive award in the form of restricted stock as an incentive to join the Company. Our Committee tries to target the relative size of our annual long-term incentive grants to place us at or above the median level of long-term grants provided by our benchmarked companies. Stock options granted under the plan generally become exercisable 40% after two years, 60% after three years, 80% after four years and 100% after five years of the date of grant. The options generally expire ten years from the date of grant as long as the optionee is still employed with the Company. Our restricted stock grants have a vesting schedule of 50% after the third anniversary of grant and 100% after the fifth anniversary. Mr. Stephen Marcus is not eligible to receive any equity-based award grants under our stock option and equity awards plans.
Our long-term incentive plan for our senior executives includes a performance cash component in order to increase the plans emphasis on linking the total compensation of our named executive officers to the relative level of our operating performance over the longer term. The performance cash components measurement period is five years for grants made in fiscal 2012, fiscal 2013, fiscal 2014, fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2016 for Messrs. Greg Marcus, Neis and Kissinger. The performance cash components measurement period is three years for grants made in fiscal 2014, four years for grants made in fiscal 2015 and five years for grants made in fiscal 2016 for Mr. Rodriguez. The performance measures for the performance cash component are our average return on invested capital, or ROIC, during the relevant measurement period, and our Adjusted EBITDA growth rate during the relevant measurement period, each of which is measured and calculated independently of each other, but with the relative achievement of our ROIC levels weighted 75% of the targeted total pay-out amount and our relative achievement of our Adjusted EBITDA growth rate weighted 25%. Under our cash performance plan, if our relative ROIC and/or Adjusted EBITDA growth rate over the relevant measurement period is equal to the 25th percentile of the respective Russell 2000 ROIC and/or Adjusted EBITDA growth rate over the measurement period, then the payment made to our named executive officers will be equal to 25% of the target pay-out amount for such respective performance measure. If we achieve performance of either or both measures equal to the 50th percentile, then the pay-out will be 100% of the target pay-out amount for such respective performance measure. If we achieve performance of either or both measures equal to the 75th percentile, then the pay-out will be 150% of the target pay-out amount for such respective performance measure. Performance achievements in between these percentiles will result in prorated pay-outs based on the foregoing pay-out ratios.
Based on the foregoing considerations, our Committee granted the following fiscal 2015 long-term incentive awards to our named executive officers (other than to our chairman) based on benchmarking data provided to it by Towers Watson, as well as the recommendations of our chief executive officer (other than with respect to himself).
18
Name | Total Dollar Value of Long-Term Incentive Award (100%) |
Dollar Value/ Shares(1) of Option Component (35 50%) |
Dollar Value/ Shares(2) of Restricted Stock Component (10 25%) |
Dollar Value of Performance Cash Component Target Award (40%) |
||||||||||||
Mr. G. Marcus | $ | 777,301 | $ | 386,595 / 49,500 | $ | 78,206 / 4,050 | $ | 312,500 | ||||||||
Mr. D. Neis | $ | 318,738 | $ | 128,084 / 16,400 | $ | 65,654 / 3,400 | $ | 125,000 | ||||||||
Mr. T. Kissinger | $ | 349,246 | $ | 139,799 / 17,900 | $ | 71,447 / 3,700 | $ | 138,000 | ||||||||
Mr. R. Rodriguez | $ | 403,458 | $ | 140,580 / 18,000 | $ | 101,378 / 5,250 | $ | 161,500 |
(1) | Based on a fiscal 2015 FASB ASC Topic 718 option value per share of $7.81. Each option granted has an exercise price of $18.34 per share, which is equal to the closing sale price of our Common Shares on the July 29, 2014 stock option grant date. |
(2) | Based on the closing sale price of $19.31 per share of our Common Shares on the July 23, 2014 restricted stock grant date for Messrs. Greg Marcus, Neis, Kissinger and Rodriguez. |
Our Committee granted the following fiscal 2016 long-term incentive awards to our named executive officers (other than to our chairman) based on benchmarking data provided to it by Towers Watson, as well as the recommendations of our chief executive officer (other than with respect to himself).
Name | Total Dollar Value of Long-Term Incentive Award (100%) |
Dollar Value/ Shares(1) of Option Component (35 40%) |
Dollar Value/ Shares(2) of Restricted Stock Component (20 25%) |
Dollar Value of Performance Cash Component Target Award (40%) |
||||||||||||
Mr. G. Marcus | $ | 941,155 | $ | 385,434 / 44,100 | $ | 185,721 / 9,300 | $ | 370,000 | ||||||||
Mr. D. Neis | $ | 373,965 | $ | 152,076 / 17,400 | $ | 73,889 / 3,700 | $ | 148,000 | ||||||||
Mr. T. Kissinger | $ | 414,559 | $ | 168,682 / 19,300 | $ | 81,877 / 4,100 | $ | 164,000 | ||||||||
Mr. R. Rodriguez | $ | 479,623 | $ | 174,800 / 20,000 | $ | 117,823 / 5,900 | $ | 187,000 |
(1) | Based on an estimated fiscal 2016 FASB ASC Topic 718 option value per share of $8.74. Each option granted has an exercise price of $20.26 per share, which is equal to the closing sale price of our Common Shares on the July 28, 2015 stock option grant date. |
(2) | Based on the closing sale price of $19.97 per share of our Common Shares on the July 22, 2015 restricted stock grant date. |
We generally follow a practice of granting stock options to all selected and then serving executives once a year on an annual fixed-date basis, with an effective grant date as of the third business day after the public release of our prior fiscal year financial results. We follow this practice so that the exercise price associated with our annual stock option grants is generally then most likely to reflect all then currently publicly available material information about our company. For newly-hired executives or other employees to whom we determine to grant equity-based awards, such grants are effective on the date on which our Committee approves such grants. We only grant options with an exercise price equal to the closing sale price of our Common Shares on the effective date of grant. All options are granted with an exercise price equal to 100% of the fair market value (i.e., closing sale price) of our Common Shares on the date of grant. Our options generally vest and become exercisable with respect to 40% of the shares after two years from the grant date, 60% after three years, 80% after four years and 100% after five years, and expire ten years after the grant date.
We have adopted a policy that prohibits the repricing of stock options, and we have never repriced any options (other than in connection with making equitable adjustments as required under our stock option and equity awards plans in connection with stock splits and our special cash dividend). Similarly, we have never engaged in any type of so-called stock option back dating practices or other similar grant date manipulations of stock options, and we will never do so in the future. While our chief executive officer recommends the recipients of our equity-based awards and the relative level of such awards, we do not delegate grant authority to him or any other members of our management.
19
We try to maintain our so-called burn rate of annual equity grants at around 1% of our fully-diluted outstanding Common Shares. In fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2016 to date, our total annual burn rate was approximately 1.1%, with approximately 0.4% attributable to stock options and restricted stock granted to our named executive officers.
Our Pension Plus Plan is a profit-sharing plan with Code Section 401(k) features and covers all of our eligible employees and eligible employees of our subsidiaries, including our named executive officers, and uses a participating employees aggregate direct compensation as the basis for determining the employee and employer contributions that are allocated to the employees account. A participating employee may elect to make pre-tax deposits of up to 60% of his or her annual compensation. The Pension Plus Plan also provides for three types of employer contributions: (1) a basic contribution equal to 1% of a participating employees annual compensation; (2) a discretionary matching contribution, which is currently equal to one-fourth of the employees pre-tax deposits not exceeding 6% of such annual compensation; and (3) a discretionary profit performance contribution determined by our board of directors each year. For purposes of the profit performance contribution, we and our subsidiaries are divided into three profit sharing groups, and the profit performance contribution for the participating employees employed by a particular profit sharing group is dependent on our overall operations meeting profitability targets, our having achieved a positive return on shareholders equity and that profit sharing groups operating performance having been profitable. A participating employees share of the annual profit performance contribution, if any, for the employees profit sharing group is determined by multiplying the contribution amount by the ratio of the participating employees annual compensation to the aggregate annual compensation of all participating employees in that profit sharing group. The employees pre-tax savings deposits and the employer basic contributions allocated to a participating employees account are fully vested upon deposit, and the employer matching and profit performance contribution are subject to a graduated vesting schedule resulting in full vesting after six or seven years of service. Each participating employee has the right to direct the investment of the employees account in one or more of several available investment funds, including Common Shares. The vested portion of a participating employees account balance becomes distributable only after the employees termination of employment or upon attainment of age 59½, although the employee has the right while employed to borrow a portion of such vested portion or make a withdrawal of pre-tax savings deposits for certain hardship reasons that are prescribed by applicable federal law.
Our Deferred Compensation Plan is a nonqualified defined contribution program whereby our eligible employees, including our named executive officers, may voluntarily make irrevocable elections to defer receipt of up to 100% of their annual cash compensation (i.e., salary and/or incentive bonus) on a pre-tax basis. The irrevocable election must be made prior to the start of any calendar year to which it applies and must specify both a benefit payment commencement date and a form of payment (i.e., lump sum or periodic installments). During each quarter of the deferral period, we apply to the deferred amount an earnings credit based on the average prime interest rate of a designated Milwaukee, Wisconsin bank. The benefits payable under the Deferred Compensation Plan (i.e., the employees deferred amount plus his or her earnings credits) will be paid out of our general corporate assets as they become due (i.e., after the employees specified commencement date).
Our Retirement Income and Supplemental Retirement Plan, or our Supplemental Plan, is available to eligible employees with annual compensation in excess of a specified level ($120,000 for calendar year 2015), including each of our named executive officers. The Supplemental Plan includes two components. The first component applies to certain participants (called RIP Participants) and provides nonqualified pension benefits consistent with those that the Supplemental Plan has historically provided. The second component applies to all other participants (called SRP Participants) and provides an account-based supplemental retirement benefit. All benefits payable under the Supplemental Plan are paid out of our general corporate assets as they become due after retirement or other termination.
20
A RIP Participant is an eligible employee who was a participant in the Supplemental Plan on December 31, 2008, and who met at least one of the following requirements on January 1, 2009: (1) the participant was age 50 or older; (2) the participant had 20 or more years of service; or (3) the participant was a member of the Corporate Executive Committee. All of our named executive officers are RIP Participants.
A RIP Participant in the Supplemental Plan is entitled to receive annual benefits substantially in accordance with the table set forth below, except that the amounts shown in the table do not reflect the applicable reductions for Social Security benefits and benefits funded by employer contributions that are payable under our other employee benefit plans. For a RIP Participant entitled to the highest level of Social Security benefits who retires at age 65 during calendar year 2015, the reduction in annual Supplemental Plan benefits would equal approximately $29,400.
Estimated Annual Pension Plan Benefits for Representative Years of Service |
||||||||||||||||
Final Five-Year Average Compensation |
15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | ||||||||||||
$100,000 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 33,300 | $ | 41,667 | $ | 50,000 | ||||||||
200,000 | 50,000 | 66,600 | 83,334 | 100,000 | ||||||||||||
350,000 | 87,500 | 116,550 | 145,834 | 175,000 | ||||||||||||
500,000 | 125,000 | 166,500 | 208,335 | 250,000 | ||||||||||||
650,000 | 162,500 | 216,450 | 270,835 | 325,000 | ||||||||||||
800,000 | 200,000 | 266,400 | 333,333 | 400,000 | ||||||||||||
950,000 | 237,500 | 316,350 | 395,836 | 475,000 |
The Supplemental Plan provides annual benefits to RIP Participants (calculated on a straight life annuity basis assuming the benefits commence at age 65) based on a formula that takes into account the employees average total compensation for the five highest compensation years within the employees last ten compensation years and the employees years of service (up to a maximum of 30). In calculating employee compensation for purposes of determining contributions to the Supplemental Plan for RIP Participants, we use a participating employees total cash compensation (which, for the named executive officers, is comprised of the salary and bonus amounts listed in the Summary Compensation Table below), but excluding long-term performance cash amounts for periods after July 1, 2013. In addition to a reduction equal to 50% of Social Security benefits, the Supplemental Plan reduces its benefits for RIP Participants by the benefits attributable to the employer contributions received by the participating employee under our other employee benefit plans, such as the Pension Plus Plan and our former qualified pension plans.
A RIP Participant is entitled to benefits under the Supplemental Plan upon normal retirement on or after age 65, early retirement after age 60 with at least five years of service, disability retirement after at least five years of service and other termination of employment after at least five years of service. A graduated vesting schedule, which provides for 50% vesting after five years of service and an additional 10% for each year of service thereafter, applies in the case of termination of employment before completing ten years of service or qualifying for normal, early or disability retirement.
The Supplemental Plan provides that the retirement benefits to which Mr. Stephen Marcus, who is a RIP Participant, is entitled upon his separation from service with us commenced effective January 1, 2009 and we calculate such benefits as if Mr. Stephen Marcus had terminated his employment with us on December 31, 2008. As a result, Mr. Stephen Marcus receives approximately $300,127 in payments under our Supplemental Plan each fiscal year until his death.
The SRP Participants in the Supplemental Plan as of December 31, 2008 had their nonqualified supplemental pension benefits converted into an account balance benefit. The opening account balance for each of these individuals equaled the present value of his or her vested accrued supplemental pension benefit calculated under the Supplemental Plan as if such participant terminated employment on December 31, 2008. Each new SRP Participant in the Supplemental Plan will have an account balance benefit with an opening balance of zero.
Each SRP Participants account is credited with an allocation as of the last day of each calendar year if (1) the participant is considered a highly compensated employee for such year (for 2015, had annual compensation in excess of $120,000 during the prior year), and (2) the participant has been credited with 1,000 hours of service during such year and is employed by us on the last day of such year, or has
21
terminated employment during such year as a result of death, total and permanent disability, or retirement on or after age 65 with five years of service.
Each SRP Participants annual allocation depends on his or her employment status as of the last day of the calendar year. A SRP Participant who is a member of our corporate executive committee (group one), or who is a senior vice president, vice president, senior corporate associate or hotel general manager (group two), receives an allocation equal to a percentage of such participants compensation depending on such participants number of points. Points are determined by combining a participants age (as of his or her most recent birthday) and years of service as of the last day of a calendar year. The participants compensation for this purpose is his or her total direct compensation, but excluding long-term performance cash amounts for periods after July 1, 2013. Each participant in group one or group two is eligible for an allocation equal to the percentage of compensation as forth in the following table:
Points | Group One Percentage of Compensation |
Group Two Percentage of Compensation |
||
<60 | 4% | 2.0% | ||
60 69 | 5% | 2.5% | ||
70 79 | 6% | 3.0% | ||
80+ | 7% | 3.5% |
Each other SRP Participant receives an allocation equal to 0.5% of his or her compensation, without regard to points. All accounts are credited quarterly with simple interest at the reference rate declared by Chase Bank N.A.
Each SRP Participant is 100% vested in his or her account upon termination of employment due to death, total and permanent disability, or retirement on or after age 65 with five years of service. In all other cases, an SRP Participant is vested in accordance with a graduated vesting schedule which provides for 50% vesting after five years of service and an additional 10% for each year of service thereafter. Each SRP Participant was required prior to December 31, 2008, to irrevocably elect the benefit payment date (or commencement date) and a form of payment for his or her account. Each new SRP Participant is required to make this election within the first 30 days of his or her participation date. Thereafter, every five years (e.g., 2010, 2015, 2020), a participant may make a new irrevocable election to apply to the allocations made to his or her account in the subsequent five years. An SRP Participants vested account will be paid on the later of his or her separation from service or the age elected by him or her, which must not be earlier than age 60 or later than age 65. An SRP Participant may elect to have his or her vested account paid in a single lump sum payment or installment payments over a number of years selected by the participant (not more than 10). If no election is made, an SRP Participants vested account will be paid in the form of a lump sum at the participants attainment of age 65, or separation from service, if later.
Our Executive Long Term Disability Plan provides supplemental long term disability insurance coverage for certain of our senior employees, including our named executive officers. The long term disability benefits that we provide under our Executive Long Term Disability Plan are in addition to any long term disability benefits that we provide to our employees generally and are fully insured under one or more individual insurance policies that we issue to each participant in the Executive Long Term Disability Plan. We are the named fiduciary for benefit claims under our Executive Long Term Disability Plan, and we have the right to determine all claims and appeals relating to the benefits that we provide under our Executive Long Term Disability Plan.
While our named executive officers may from time to time use certain of our properties for personal reasons, we generally incur no, or in some cases only nominal, incremental costs associated with such usage. We encourage our executive officers to personally use our properties because we believe that it is very important for our executives to be intimately familiar with our properties, our service and product offerings, and our markets. We believe that such personal hands-on experiences help us to enhance our customer services and be better positioned to understand, manage and operate our businesses. We otherwise provide only nominal perquisites to our named executive officers. No perquisites that we provided in fiscal 2015 to any named executive officer, individually or in the aggregate, had an incremental cost to us of in excess of $10,000.
22
We have not adopted any executive or director stock ownership guidelines, although, as of the Record Date, the Marcus family beneficially owned approximately 31.2% of our outstanding shares and comprised the largest shareholder group in our company. Our other named executives each beneficially own significant amounts of our Common Shares through direct stock ownership, restricted stock awards and stock option grants. As of the Record Date, Messrs. Neis, Kissinger and Rodriguez beneficially owned 177,719, 161,271 and 4,729 shares, respectively. As a result, we believe that our senior management teams financial interests are significantly and directly related to the economic interests of our shareholders without the necessity of imposing arbitrary stock ownership guidelines. We have adopted a policy prohibiting our directors, executive officers and substantial shareholders from trading in puts, calls and other derivative securities relating to our Common Shares. Our policy also prohibits our directors, executive officers and substantial shareholders from engaging in hedging or pledging transactions relating to our Common Shares. We believe that hedging against losses in our Common Shares breaks the alignment between our shareholders and our executives that the equity grants described in this CD&A are intended to build.
Prior to fiscal 2012, as a result of our executives compensation levels at the time, we did not take any action to qualify bonuses earned under our annual incentive bonus plan or restricted stock awards to comply with the regulations under Section 162(m) of the Code relating to the $1 million cap on executive compensation deductibility. We believed that stock options granted under our various stock option plans would qualify for tax deductibility under Section 162(m). At our 2011 annual meeting of shareholders, our shareholders approved an amendment and restatement of our 2004 Equity and Incentive Awards Plan (the Plan) to, among other things, make compensation awarded under the Plan eligible to qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m), which qualification preserves the tax deductibility of such compensation in excess of the $1 million cap. The amendment and restatement also authorized the grant of cash-based incentive awards under the Plan to enable us to establish our future incentive award programs (annual and long-term) under the Plan and qualify the programs as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Notwithstanding our intentions to qualify compensation payments for tax deductibility under Section 162(m), however, because of ambiguities and uncertainties as to the application and interpretation of Section 162(m) and the regulations issued thereunder, no assurance can be given that compensation intended to satisfy the requirements for deductibility under Section 162(m) will so qualify. In addition, our Compensation Committee reserves the right to provide compensation that does not qualify as performance based compensation under Section 162(m) to the extent it believes such compensation is necessary to continue to provide competitive arrangements intended to attract and retain, and provide appropriate incentives to, qualified officers and other key employees.
In addition to Section 162(m) deductibility considerations, our Compensation Committee carefully considers the accounting and financial reporting expenses associated with our grants of equity-based awards. We also consider the relative level of potential dilution to our shareholders resulting from such grants. As a result, we attempt to maintain an annual equity-based grant burn rate level of approximately 1% of our fully-diluted outstanding Common Shares.
Set forth below is information regarding the compensation earned by, paid or awarded to (1) Stephen H. Marcus, our chairman of the board, Gregory S. Marcus, our president and chief executive officer, Douglas A. Neis, our chief financial officer and treasurer, and Thomas F. Kissinger, our senior executive vice president, general counsel and secretary, during fiscal 2015, fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013; and (2) Rolando B. Rodriguez, our executive vice president and president and chief executive officer of Marcus Theatres Corporation, during fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014. Messrs. Stephen Marcus, Greg Marcus, Neis, Kissinger and Rodriguez comprised our named executive officers for fiscal 2015. Information is not included for Mr. Rodriguez for fiscal 2013 because he did not become a named executive officer until fiscal 2014.
23
The following table sets forth for our named executive officers the following information for each relevant fiscal year: (1) the dollar amount of base salary earned; (2) the grant date fair value of all long-term equity-based awards held by each named executive officer; (3) the dollar amount of cash bonuses earned under our incentive bonus plan; (4) the change in pension value and the dollar amount of above-market earnings on nonqualified deferred compensation; (5) the dollar amount of all other compensation; and (6) the dollar value of total compensation.
Name and Current Principal Position |
Fiscal Year |
Salary | Bonus | Restricted Stock Awards(1) |
Option Awards(2) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation(3) |
Change in Pension Value and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings(4) |
All Other Compensation(5)(6) |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen H. Marcus Chairman of the Board |
2015 | $ | 418,385 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 142,010 | $ | 40,000 | $ | 372,201 | $ | 972,596 | |||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 398,846 | | | | 134,552 | 142,000 | 364,649 | 1,040,047 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 383,846 | | | | 86,670 | (153,637 | ) | 371,452 | 688,331 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gregory S. Marcus President and CEO |
2015 | 622,173 | | 78,206 | 386,595 | 493,370 | 375,000 | 20,698 | 1,976,042 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 587,692 | | 59,202 | 310,500 | 617,494 | 424,000 | 20,188 | 2,019,076 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 558,462 | 40,000 | 63,413 | 270,816 | 276,681 | 298,426 | 43,831 | 1,551,629 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Douglas A. Neis CFO and Treasurer |
2015 | 368,384 | 30,000 | 65,654 | 128,084 | 137,935 | 157,000 | 17,414 | 904,471 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 349,231 | 20,000 | 21,879 | 113,400 | 186,150 | 319,000 | 16,609 | 1,026,269 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 339,231 | 20,000 | 23,513 | 101,556 | 90,865 | 122,000 | 26,569 | 723,734 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thomas F. Kissinger Senior Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
2015 | 408,385 | 50,000 | 71,447 | 139,799 | 143,935 | 176,000 | 17,039 | 1,006,605 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 388,269 | 135,000 | 23,166 | 122,850 | 192,150 | 212,000 | 16,021 | 1,089,456 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 366,154 | 25,000 | 23,513 | 114,576 | 94,990 | 91,252 | 26,693 | 742,178 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rolando B. Rodriguez Executive Vice President, President and CEO of Marcus Theatres Corporation |
2015 | 472,981 | | 101,378 | 140,580 | 409,535 | 78,000 | 15,922 | 1,218,396 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 379,039 | | 195,600 | 54,000 | 206,917 | | 561 | 836,117 |
(1) | Reflects the grant date fair value of the restricted stock awarded as determined using the closing sale price of our Common Shares on such date. The amount was computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. |
(2) | Reflects the grant date fair value of the options awarded as determined using the closing sale price of our Common Shares on such date. The amount was computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions made in the valuations are discussed in Footnote 6 to our fiscal 2015 financial statements. |
(3) | Reflects cash bonuses earned under our incentive bonus plan in connection with our achievement of the specific performance targets described above in the CD&A under Cash Bonuses. Fiscal 2014 amounts also reflect cash awards earned under the performance cash component of our long-term incentive plan in connection with our achievement of the specific performance targets described above in the CD&A under Long-Term Incentive Awards. |
(4) | The numbers in this column reflect the sum of (a) the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of accumulated benefits under our Supplemental Plan from the plan measurement date used for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to the applicable fiscal year to the plan measurement date used for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to the applicable fiscal year, and (b) above-market earnings in our Deferred Compensation Plan. The change in present value of accumulated benefits under our Supplemental Plan during fiscal 2015 was due to changes in pay levels, a decrease in the assumed discount rate used to calculate the actuarial present value and a change in mortality tables (resulting in longer life expectancies). |
(5) | $68,836, $61,499 and $56,692 of the figures in this column for Mr. Stephen Marcus represents imputed income on split-dollar life insurance premiums paid by us for fiscal 2015, fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, respectively. $300,127, $300,127 and $311,670 of the amount in this column for Mr. Stephen Marcus represents payments received under our Supplemental Plan in fiscal 2015, fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, respectively. |
(6) | We paid $8,339, $7,442, $6,964, and $4,259 in premiums in fiscal 2015 under our Executive Long Term Disability Plan on behalf of Messrs. Greg Marcus, Neis, Kissinger and Rodriguez, respectively. |
24
We maintain our 1995 Equity Incentive Plan, 2004 Equity and Incentive Awards Plan and our Long Term Incentive Plan, pursuant to which grants of restricted stock, stock options, performance stock awards and performance cash awards may be made to our named executive officers (other than Mr. Stephen Marcus, who is not eligible to receive any equity-based awards under our equity plans), as well as other employees. The following table sets forth information regarding all such incentive plan awards that were granted to our named executive officers in fiscal 2015. The amounts set forth below should not be added to amounts set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.
Name | Grant Date(1) |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2) |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
All Other Stock Awards: No. of Shares of Stock or Units |
All Other Option Awards: No. of Securities Underlying Options |
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards |
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards(3) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Threshold | Target | Maximum | Threshold | Target | Maximum | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. S. Marcus | N/A | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0 | $ | 117,006 | $ | 282,019 | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. G. Marcus | 07/23/14 | | | | | | | 4,050 | | | $ | 78,206 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
07/29/14 | | | | | | | | 49,500 | $ | 18.34 | 386,595 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 706,274 | 1,522,577 | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Neis | 07/23/14 | | | | | | | 3,400 | | | 65,654 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
07/29/14 | | | | | | | | 16,400 | $ | 18.34 | 128,084 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 242,380 | 441,016 | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Kissinger | 07/23/14 | | | | | | | 3,700 | | | 71,447 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
07/29/14 | | | | | | | | 17,900 | $ | 18.34 | 139,799 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 261,380 | 466,516 | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Rodriguez | 07/23/14 | | | | | | | 5,250 | | | 101,378 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
07/29/14 | | | | | | | | 18,000 | $ | 18.34 | 140,580 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 307,798 | 605,904 | | | | | | | |
(1) | Our equity award granting practices are described above in the CD&A. |
(2) | Reflects potential payouts under our annual incentive bonus plan and our performance cash component of our long-term incentive plan. For fiscal 2015, maximum awards were limited to approximately 210 270% of the named executive officers target award under our incentive bonus plan and 150% of the target award under the performance cash component of our long-term incentive plan. |
(3) | The full grant date fair value of each equity award calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. |
The portion of the above amounts of non-equity incentive plan (i.e., cash bonus) awards under our incentive plan were determined pursuant to our achievement in fiscal 2015 of the specific performance targets described above in the CD&A. The portion of the above amounts of non-equity incentive plan (i.e., long-term performance cash) awards under our long-term incentive plan were determined pursuant to our achievement in fiscal 2019 of the specific five-year performance targets for Messrs. G. Marcus, Neis and Kissinger and our achievement in fiscal 2018 of the specific four-year performance targets for Mr. Rodriguez, in each case, as described above in the CD&A. The number of our Common Shares subject to stock options and restricted stock awards granted to our named executive officers were also determined as described above in the CD&A.
25
The following table sets forth information on outstanding stock option and restricted stock awards held by our named executive officers at our fiscal 2015 year-end on May 28, 2015, including the number of Common Shares underlying both exercisable and unexercisable portions of each stock option, as well as the exercise price and expiration date of each outstanding option.
Option Awards | Restricted Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | No. of Common Shares Underlying Unexercised Options (#Exercisable) |
No. of Common Shares Underlying Unexercised Options (#Unexercisable) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: No. of Common Shares Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options |
Option Exercise Price |
Option Expiration Date |
No. of Common Shares That Have Not Vested |
Market Value of Common Shares That Have Not Vested(1) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: No. of Unearned Common Shares That Have Not Vested |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares That Have Not Vested |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. S. Marcus | N/A | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. G. Marcus | 15,000 | | | 19.74 | 07/31/2016 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15,000 | | | 20.40 | 08/02/2017 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
100,000 | | | 15.59 | 07/29/2018 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
55,000 | | | 13.34 | 07/28/2019 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
48,000 | 12,000 | (2) | | 11.89 | 07/27/2020 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
36,000 | 24,000 | (3) | | 10.00 | 07/26/2021 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20,800 | 31,200 | (4) | | 13.12 | 07/31/2022 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 57,500 | (5) | | 13.04 | 07/30/2023 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 49,500 | (6) | | 18.34 | 07/29/2024 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 1,875 | (7) | $ | 36,844 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 788 | (8) | 15,484 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 1,575 | (9) | 30,929 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 2,625 | (10) | 51,581 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 2,625 | (11) | 51,581 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 4,450 | (12) | 87,443 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 4,600 | (13) | 90,390 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 4,050 | (14) | 79,583 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Neis | 15,000 | | | 19.74 | 07/31/2016 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15,000 | | | 20.40 | 08/02/2017 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20,000 | | | 15.59 | 07/29/2018 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20,000 | | | 13.34 | 07/28/2019 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18,000 | 4,500 | (15) | | 11.89 | 07/27/2020 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
13,500 | 9,000 | (16) | | 10.00 | 07/26/2021 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7,800 | 11,700 | (17) | | 13.12 | 07/31/2022 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21,000 | (18) | | 13.04 | 07/30/2023 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16,400 | (19) | | 18.34 | 07/29/2024 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 1,250 | (20) | 24,563 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 313 | (21) | 6,150 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 625 | (22) | 12,281 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 950 | (23) | 18,668 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 950 | (24) | 18,668 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 1,650 | (25) | 32,423 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 1,700 | (26) | 33,405 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 3,400 | (27) | 66,810 | | |
26
Option Awards | Restricted Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | No. of Common Shares Underlying Unexercised Options (#Exercisable) |
No. of Common Shares Underlying Unexercised Options (#Unexercisable) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: No. of Common Shares Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options |
Option Exercise Price |
Option Expiration Date |
No. of Common Shares That Have Not Vested |
Market Value of Common Shares That Have Not Vested(1) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: No. of Unearned Common Shares That Have Not Vested |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares That Have Not Vested |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Kissinger | 15,000 | | | 19.74 | 07/31/2016 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15,000 | | | 20.40 | 08/02/2017 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20,000 | | | 15.59 | 07/29/2018 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
13,179 | | | 13.34 | 07/28/2019 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18,000 | 4,500 | (15) | | 11.89 | 07/27/2020 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5,000 | 10,000 | (28) | | 10.00 | 07/26/2021 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8,800 | 13,200 | (29) | | 13.12 | 07/31/2022 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 22,750 | (30) | | 13.04 | 07/30/2023 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17,900 | (31) | | 18.34 | 07/29/2024 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 1,250 | (20) | 24,563 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 463 | (32) | 9,098 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 925 | (33) | 18,176 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 950 | (24) | 18,668 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 1,000 | (34) | 19,650 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 1,650 | (26) | 32,423 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 1,800 | (35) | 35,370 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 3,700 | (36) | 72,705 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Rodriguez | | 10,000 | (37) | | 13.04 | 07/30/2023 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18,000 | (38) | | 18.34 | 07/29/2024 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 15,000 | (39) | 294,750 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 5,250 | (40) | 103,163 | | |
(1) | Reflects the amount calculated by multiplying the number of unvested restricted shares by the closing price of our Common Stock as of May 28, 2015 of $19.65. |
(2) | 12,000 options vested on July 27, 2015. |
(3) | 12,000 options vested on July 26, 2015 and 12,000 options will vest on July 26, 2016. |
(4) | 10,400 options vested on July 31, 2015, and 10,400 options will vest on each of July 31, 2016 and July 31, 2017. |
(5) | 23,000 options vested on July 30, 2015, and 11,500 options will vest on each of July 30, 2016, July 30, 2017 and July 30, 2018. |
(6) | 19,800 options will vest on July 29, 2016, and 9,900 options will vest on each of July 29, 2017, July 29, 2018 and July 29, 2019. |
(7) | 1,875 shares of restricted stock will vest upon retirement, permanent disability or death. |
(8) | 788 shares of restricted stock will vest upon retirement, permanent disability or death. |
(9) | 787 shares of restricted stock vested on August 31, 2015, and any shares remaining will vest upon retirement, permanent disability or death. |
(10) | 2,625 shares of restricted stock vested on July 20, 2015. |
(11) | 2,625 shares of restricted stock will vest on July 14, 2016. |
(12) | 2,225 shares of restricted stock vested on July 18, 2015 and 2,225 shares of restricted stock will vest on July 18, 2017. |
(13) | 2,300 shares of restricted stock will vest on each of July 18, 2016 and July 18, 2018. |
(14) | 2,025 shares of restricted stock will vest on each of July 23, 2017 and July 23, 2019. |
(15) | 4,500 options vested on July 27, 2015. |
(16) | 4,500 options vested on July 26, 2015, and 4,500 options will vest on July 26, 2016. |
(17) | 3,900 options vested on July 31, 2015, and 3,900 options will vest on each of July 31, 2016 and July 31, 2017. |
(18) | 8,400 options vested on July 30, 2015, and 4,200 options will vest on each of July 30, 2016, July 30, 2017 and July 30, 2018. |
27
(19) | 6,560 options will vest on July 29, 2016, and 3,280 options will vest on each of July 29, 2017, July 29, 2018 and July 29, 2019. |
(20) | 1,250 shares of restricted stock will vest upon retirement, permanent disability or death. |
(21) | 313 shares of restricted stock will vest upon retirement, permanent disability or death. |
(22) | 312 shares of restricted stock vested on August 31, 2015, and any shares remaining will vest upon retirement, permanent disability or death. |
(23) | 950 shares of restricted stock vested on July 20, 2015. |
(24) | 950 shares of restricted stock will vest on July 14, 2016. |
(25) | 825 shares of restricted stock vested on July 18, 2015 and 825 shares of restricted stock will vest on July 18, 2017. |
(26) | 850 shares of restricted stock will vest on each of July 18, 2016 and July 18, 2018. |
(27) | 1,700 shares of restricted stock will vest on each of July 23, 2017 and July 23, 2019. |
(28) | 5,000 options vested on July 26, 2015, and 5,000 options will vest on July 26, 2016. |
(29) | 4,400 options vested on July 31, 2015, and 4,400 options will vest on each of July 31, 2016 and July 31, 2017. |
(30) | 9,100 options vested on July 30, 2015, and 4,550 options will vest on each of July 30, 2016, July 30, 2017 and July 30, 2018. |
(31) | 7,160 options will vest on July 29, 2016, and 3,580 options will vest on each of July 29, 2017, July 29, 2018 and July 29, 2019. |
(32) | 463 shares will vest upon retirement, permanent disability or death. |
(33) | 462 shares of restricted stock vested on August 31, 2015, and any shares remaining will vest upon retirement, permanent disability or death. |
(34) | 1,000 shares of restricted stock will vest on July 14, 2016. |
(35) | 900 shares of restricted stock will vest on each of July 18, 2016 and July 18, 2018. |
(36) | 1,850 shares of restricted stock will vest on each of July 23, 2017 and July 23, 2019. |
(37) | 4,000 options vested on July 30, 2015, and 2,000 options will vest on each of July 30, 2016, July 30, 2017 and July 30, 2018. |
(38) | 7,200 options vested on July 29, 2016 and 3,600 options will vest on each of July 29, 2017, July 29, 2018 and July 29, 2019. |
(39) | 7,500 shares of restricted stock will vest on each of July 30, 2016 and July 30, 2018. |
(40) | 2,625 shares of restricted stock will vest on each of July 23, 2017 and July 23, 2019. |
The following table sets forth information regarding each exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock that occurred during fiscal 2015 for each of our named executive officers on an aggregated basis. The amounts set forth below should not be added to the amounts set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.
Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Option Exercise |
Value Realized on Option Exercise(1) |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting of Restricted Shares |
Value Realized on Vesting of Restricted Shares(2) |
||||||||||||
Mr. S. Marcus | N/A | | N/A | | ||||||||||||
Mr. G. Marcus | 14,258 | $ | 98,389 | 5,887 | $ | 112,346 | ||||||||||
Mr. Neis | 14,258 | 96,963 | 2,162 | 41,195 | ||||||||||||
Mr. Kissinger | 21,079 | 117,430 | 2,362 | 44,671 | ||||||||||||
Mr. Rodriguez | | | | |
(1) | Reflects the amount calculated by multiplying the number of shares received upon exercise of options by the difference between the closing price of our Common Shares on the exercise date and the exercise price of the exercised options. |
(2) | Reflects the amount calculated by multiplying the number of vested restricted shares by the closing price of our Common Shares on the date the restricted shares vested. |
28
The following table sets forth the actuarial present value of each named executive officers accumulated benefits under our Supplemental Plan as of our fiscal 2015 year-end on May 28, 2015, assuming benefits are paid at normal retirement age based on current levels of compensation, as well as payments made to Mr. Stephen Marcus during fiscal 2015 under our Supplemental Plan as a result of his retirement on January 6, 2009 as our chief executive officer. The table also shows the number of years of credited service under each such plan, which are subject to a maximum of 30. The amounts set forth below should not be added to the amounts set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.
Name | Plan Name | Number of Years Credited Service |
Present Value of Accumulated Benefits |
Payments During Last Fiscal Year |
||||||||||||
Mr. S. Marcus | Supplemental Plan | 30 | (1) | $ | 3,656,000 | $ | 300,127 | |||||||||
Mr. G. Marcus | Supplemental Plan | 23 | 2,134,000 | | ||||||||||||
Mr. Neis | Supplemental Plan | 29 | 1,549,000 | | ||||||||||||
Mr. Kissinger | Supplemental Plan | 21 | 1,068,000 | | ||||||||||||
Mr. Rodriguez | Supplemental Plan | 1 | 78,000 | |
(1) | Mr. Stephen Marcus has been employed by us for 53 years, but his years of credited service under the Supplemental Plan are subject to a maximum of 30. |
Our Supplemental Plan benefits payable to Messrs. Stephen Marcus, Greg Marcus, Neis, Kissinger and Rodriguez are determined under the formula illustrated above in the CD&A. Covered compensation for purposes of the Supplemental Plan consists of salary, bonus and non-equity incentive compensation, but excluding long-term performance cash amounts. As of our fiscal 2015 year-end on May 28, 2015, the estimated annual benefits payable under the Supplemental Plan at normal retirement age to Messrs. Stephen Marcus, Greg Marcus, Neis, Kissinger and Rodriguez were $300,000, $270,000, $155,000, $115,000 and $8,000, respectively. The payments to Mr. Stephen Marcus under the Supplemental Plan in fiscal 2015 are discussed above under Nonqualified Deferred Compensation.
The following table sets forth annual executive and Company contributions under our Deferred Compensation Plan, as well as each named executive officers withdrawals, earnings and fiscal year end balances in those plans. The amounts set forth below should not be added to the amounts set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.
Name | Executive Contributions in Fiscal 2015(1) |
Company Contributions in Fiscal 2015 |
Aggregate Earnings in Fiscal 2015(2) |
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions in Fiscal 2015 |
Aggregate Balance at May 28, 2015(3) |
|||||||||||||||
Mr. S. Marcus | $ | | $ | | $ | 7,960 | $ | 58,288 | $ | 214,022 | ||||||||||
Mr. G. Marcus | 54,395 | | 7,162 | | 244,351 | |||||||||||||||
Mr. Neis | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Mr. Kissinger | 58,282 | | 24,664 | | 797,652 | |||||||||||||||
Mr. Rodriguez | 88,585 | | 2,477 | | 108,497 |
(1) | All of the amounts reported in this column were also reported as compensation in the Summary Compensation Table. |
(2) | The amounts reported in this column were not considered above-market earnings and therefore are not reported as compensation in the Summary Compensation Table. |
(3) | The amounts reported in this column include $153,892 for Mr. Stephen Marcus, $169,098 for Mr. Greg Marcus, $0 for Mr. Neis, $525,613 for Mr. Kissinger and $17,308 for Mr. Rodriguez, respectively, that was previously reported as compensation in the Summary Compensation Table for years prior to fiscal 2015. |
29
We do not provide our executives with individual employment, severance or change-in-control agreements, other than the benefit plans otherwise described above in the CD&A and our standard policies generally applicable to all salaried employees. Generally, the vesting period for our stock option grants, restricted stock awards and performance cash awards will be accelerated upon normal retirement or death. Our Compensation Committee has discretion to accelerate the vesting of such grants and awards upon a potential future change-in-control of our company.
The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation received by each of our non-employee directors during fiscal 2015. Our other directors are named executive officers and receive no compensation for their services as directors and are therefore omitted from the table.
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash |
Stock Awards(1) |
Restricted Stock Awards(2) |
Option Awards(3) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation |
Change in Pension Value and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings |
All Other Compensation(4) |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diane Marcus Gershowitz | $ | 29,000 | $ | 11,634 | $ | 24,563 | $ | 7,900 | | | $ | 82,643 | $ | 155,740 | ||||||||||||||||||
Daniel F. McKeithan, Jr. | 37,500 | 11,634 | 24,563 | 7,900 | | | 2,243 | 83,840 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allan H. Selig | 30,500 | 11,634 | 24,563 | 7,900 | | | 2,243 | 76,840 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Timothy E. Hoeksema | 31,500 | 11,634 | 24,563 | 7,900 | | | 2,243 | 77,840 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Philip L. Milstein | 38,250 | 11,634 | 24,563 | 7,900 | | | 2,243 | 84,590 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bronson J. Haase | 31,000 | 11,634 | 24,563 | 7,900 | | | 2,243 | 77,340 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
James D. Ericson | 30,250 | 11,634 | 24,563 | 7,900 | | | 2,243 | 76,590 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brian J. Stark | 37,500 | 11,634 | 24,563 | 7,900 | | | 1,998 | 83,595 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bruce J. Olson | 29,000 | 11,634 | 24,563 | 7,900 | | | 975 | 74,072 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Katherine M. Gehl(5) | 18,250 | | 35,469 | 7,900 | | | 731 | 62,350 |
(1) | The dollar amount is equal to the number of shares issued multiplied by the closing sale price of our Common Shares on October 1, 2014, the date the shares were issued. |
(2) | Reflects the grant date fair value of the restricted stock awarded as determined using the closing sale price of our Common Shares on such date. The amount was computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. |
(3) | Reflects the grant date fair value of the options awarded as determined using the closing sale price of our Common Shares on such date. The amount was computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions made in the valuations are discussed in Footnote 6 to our fiscal 2015 financial statements. |
(4) | $80,400 of the amount in this column for Diane Marcus Gershowitz represents imputed income on split-dollar life insurance premiums paid by us. |
(5) | Our board of directors elected Katherine M. Gehl to our board of directors on January 6, 2015. |
Pursuant to our non-employee director compensation plan, our non-employee directors received in fiscal 2015: (A) an annual cash retainer of $15,000; (B) a board meeting attendance fee of $3,500; and (C) an annual fiscal year end restricted stock grant of 1,250 Common Shares that vest at the earlier of (i) 100% upon the directors normal retirement from the board of directors or (ii) 50% upon the third anniversary of the grant date if the individual is then still serving as a director and the remaining 50% upon the fifth anniversary of the grant date if the individual is then still serving as a director. In addition to the foregoing, in fiscal 2015, each non-employee director received: (A) 753 Common Shares on October 1, 2014, the date of our 2014 annual shareholders meeting; (B) $1,250 for each board committee meeting attended (or $1,500 per committee meeting attended if that person served as the committees chairperson), except that each member of the Audit Committee received $1,500 per committee meeting attended, and the chairman of the Audit Committee received $2,000 per committee meeting attended; and (C) an option to purchase 1,000 Common Shares on May 28, 2015, the last day of our fiscal year. The exercise price of all options granted to non-employee directors is equal to 100% of the fair market value of the Common Shares on the date of
30
grant. On May 28, 2015, the last day of our fiscal year, each non-employee director received his or her annual automatic 1,250 share restricted stock grant and option grant to purchase 1,000 shares of Common Shares at an exercise price of $19.65 per share. All options granted to our non-employee directors have a term of ten years and are fully vested and exercisable immediately after grant. Effective July 23, 2014, the Compensation Committee amended our non-employee director compensation plan to increase the annual cash retainer payable to our non-employee directors from $13,000 to $15,000.
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the above CD&A with management and, based on such review and discussion, has recommended to the board of directors that the CD&A be included in this proxy statement.
By the Compensation Committee:
Allan H. Selig, Chairman
Philip L. Milstein
James D. Ericson
31
To the Board of Directors of The Marcus Corporation:
Each of the undersigned Audit Committee members: (1) served on the Audit Committee during the Companys entire fiscal year ended May 28, 2015; (2) is an independent, non-employee director as defined by the rules of the NYSE and the SEC; and (3) is an audit committee financial expert, as defined by the SEC. Our Audit Committee has a written charter, which is available on the Companys website at www.marcuscorp.com.
Our Audit Committee oversees the Companys financial reporting process on behalf of the board of directors. Our management is responsible for the Companys financial reporting process, including its system of internal controls, and for the preparation of the Companys consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Companys independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, is responsible for auditing those financial statements. Our responsibility is to monitor and review these processes. It is not our duty or our responsibility to conduct auditing or accounting reviews or procedures. We are not employees of the Company and we are not accountants or auditors by profession or experts in the fields of accounting or auditing. Therefore, we have relied, without independent verification, on managements representation that the Companys financial statements have been prepared with integrity and objectivity and in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. We have also relied on the representations of Deloitte & Touche LLP included in its report on the Companys fiscal 2015 financial statements. Our discussions with management and Deloitte & Touche LLP do not assure that the Companys financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, that the audit of the Companys financial statements has been carried out in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards or that Deloitte & Touche LLP is in fact independent.
Our Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2015 with management and has discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP its judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Companys accounting principles and other matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standard No. 16, Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), and Rule 2-07 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Deloitte & Touche LLP has provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Deloitte & Touche LLPs communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and the Audit Committee has discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP its independence from management and the Company and considered the compatibility of Deloitte & Touche LLPs provision of non-audit services with its independence.
Our Audit Committee discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the overall scope and plans for its audit. We met with Deloitte & Touche LLP, with and without management present, to discuss the results of its examination, its evaluation of the Companys internal controls, and the overall quality of the Companys financial reporting.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, our Audit Committee recommended to the board of directors that the Companys audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K at and for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2015 for filing with the SEC.
This report and the information herein do not constitute soliciting material and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing by or of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
By the Audit Committee:
Philip L. Milstein, Chairman
Daniel F. McKeithan, Jr.
Brian J. Stark
32
As indicated by the preceding discussion, executive compensation is an important matter both to us and to our shareholders. In addition, Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires that we provide our shareholders with an opportunity to approve the compensation of our named executive officers by a non-binding advisory vote. Accordingly, we are seeking the approval of our shareholders through this advisory vote of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and the accompanying compensation tables and narratives contained in this proxy statement. At our 2014 annual meeting, over 99% of the votes cast and over 90% of all shares entitled to vote at the meeting were voted in favor of the compensation of our named executive officers. In developing our executive compensation and benefit programs for fiscal 2015 as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and the accompanying compensation tables and narratives contained in this proxy statement, we kept in place many of the same executive compensation and benefit programs that were overwhelmingly approved by our shareholders at our 2014 annual meeting.
We have designed our executive compensation program to attract, motivate and retain people with the skills required to achieve our performance goals in a competitive business environment, and to enhance our overall financial performance. Our compensation programs are based on the principle of pay for performance. Our intention is for our executive compensation programs to reflect the level of our executive officers individual contributions and our corporate performance, while striking an appropriate balance between short-term and longer-term corporate performance. We evaluate performance over several periods of time, and while the specific elements of executive compensation vary from time to time, our executive compensation programs focus on the principle of pay for performance, both in program design and in the specific awards.
In addition, we and the Compensation Committee of our board of directors consider the following principles when designing and implementing compensation programs for our executive officers:
| We strive to compensate our executives at competitive levels to ensure that we attract, retain and motivate our key management employees who we expect will contribute significantly to our long-term success and value creation. |
| We link our executives compensation to the achievement of pre-established financial and individual performance goals that are focused on the creation of long-term shareholder value. |
Our executive compensation programs are designed to foster an ownership mentality and an entrepreneurial spirit in our management team. We try to do this by providing our executives with a substantial long-term incentive compensation component that helps to more closely align our executives financial interests with those of our shareholders over an extended performance period, and that otherwise encourages executives to take appropriate and measured market-responsive risk-taking actions that will facilitate our long-term growth and success.
Our board of directors would like the approval of our shareholders of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and the accompanying compensation tables and narratives in this proxy statement. Accordingly, for the reasons we discuss above, our board of directors unanimously recommends that shareholders vote in favor of the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the shareholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section, compensation tables, and accompanying narratives contained in this proxy statement.
The compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and compensation tables and narratives contained in this proxy statement will be approved if the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed those cast against the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the voting results for this proposal.
33
As this is an advisory vote, the results of the vote will not be binding on our board of directors, although our Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when evaluating the effectiveness of our executive compensation programs, and our Compensation Committee will review and consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers. We believe our company benefits from constructive dialogue with our shareholders on these important matters, and while we continue to reach out to our shareholders on these and other issues, we also encourage our shareholders to contact us if they would like to communicate their views on our executive compensation programs. Shareholders who wish to communicate with our non-management directors concerning our executive compensation programs should refer to the section above entitled Contacting the Board.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL, BY ADVISORY VOTE, OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THE COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS SECTION AND ACCOMPANYING COMPENSATION TABLES AND NARRATIVES IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT. COMMON SHARES OR CLASS B SHARES REPRESENTED BY EXECUTED BUT UNMARKED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THE COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS SECTION AND ACCOMPANYING COMPENSATION TABLES AND NARRATIVES IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
The Audit Committee has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent auditors for fiscal year 2016. Although not required to be submitted to a shareholder vote, our board of directors believes it appropriate to obtain shareholder ratification of the Audit Committees action in appointing Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm. Should such appointment not be ratified by our shareholders, the Audit Committee will reconsider the matter. The Audit Committee expects that the full board of directors will ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm at their first meeting after the Annual Meeting.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THE RATIFICATION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEES SELECTION OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS THE COMPANYS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL 2016 AND URGES EACH SHAREHOLDER TO VOTE FOR SUCH RATIFICATION. COMMON SHARES OR CLASS B SHARES REPRESENTED BY EXECUTED BUT UNMARKED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE RATIFICATION OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS THE COMPANYS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL 2016.
34
Our board of directors has adopted written policies and procedures regarding related person transactions. For purposes of these policies and procedures:
| a related person means any of our directors, executive officers or nominees for director, any immediate family members of those individuals, and any holders of more than 5% of our Common Shares or Class B Common Shares; and |
| a related person transaction generally is a transaction (including any indebtedness or a guarantee of indebtedness) in which we were or are to be a participant, the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. |
Each of our executive officers, directors and nominees for director is required to disclose to our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee certain information relating to related person transactions for review, approval or ratification by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Disclosure to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is required before engaging in, if possible, or as soon as practicable after the executive officer, director or nominee for director becomes aware that he or she has engaged in, the related person transaction. The decision of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee whether or not to approve or ratify a related person transaction is to be made in light of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees determination of whether the transaction is in our best interests and/or whether the transaction is on terms at least as favorable as could be obtained from a non-affiliated third party. Any related person transaction must be disclosed to our Audit Committee and to our full board of directors.
Pursuant to these policies and procedures, our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee ratified the following ongoing related person transactions:
As in prior years, during our 2015 fiscal year, we leased automobiles from Selig Executive Leasing Co., Inc. Aggregate lease payments from the lease of approximately 75 vehicles were $535,000. As in past years, virtually all of these lease payments represent reimbursement of actual costs incurred by Selig Executive Leasing to purchase and finance the vehicles, with Selig Executive Leasing retaining approximately $25,000 as an administrative fee. Allan H. Selig, one of our directors, is the president, chief executive officer and sole shareholder of Selig Executive Leasing.
We have an administrative services agreement with Marcus Investments, LLC, which is owned by the three sons of Stephen H. Marcus, our chairman, including Gregory S. Marcus, our president and chief executive officer. The agreement provides that Marcus Investments may not invest in businesses that compete with our motion picture theatre exhibition or hotels or resorts businesses. Pursuant to the agreement, we from time to time provide various administrative support services, legal services and related equipment to Marcus Investments in support of its business. Such services are provided solely at our discretion so that the performance of these services does not interfere with or otherwise adversely affect our business or operations. Marcus Investments pays us not less than our fully-allocated direct and indirect costs and expenses for providing any such services. During our fiscal 2015, Marcus Investments made aggregate payments to us of $36,000, of which approximately $17,000 was for the provision of the aforementioned services. The remaining payments represented reimbursement of certain costs for Marcus Investments that we paid on their behalf. The agreement is subject to annual review and re-approval, by our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, which reapproved the agreement in July 2015. Additionally, during our fiscal 2015, our theatre division licensed the Zaffiros pizza recipe and related intellectual property rights from an entity that is owned by Marcus Investments, LLC. During our fiscal 2015, we paid such entity approximately $186,000 in licensing fees. Also during our fiscal 2015, our hotels and resorts division purchased approximately $341,000 of mattresses from an entity that is owned by Marcus Investments, LLC.
35
Our theatre and hotels and resorts divisions purchase food and beverage products from Gehl Foods. During our fiscal 2015, we purchased an aggregate of approximately $324,000 of products from Gehl Foods. Prior to March 26, 2015, Katherine M. Gehl, a director of our company, was a shareholder and served as president and chairman of Gehl Foods. In connection with her election to our board of directors on January 6, 2015, our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considered Ms. Gehls relationship with Gehl Foods and our transactions with Gehl Foods.
Our directors and executive officers are required to report their ownership of Common Shares and Class B Shares and any changes in that ownership to the SEC and the NYSE. Based upon our review of copies of the reports filed with the SEC and the representations of the persons involved, we believe that all of our directors and executive officers have complied with the requirements for fiscal 2015, except that the Form 4s in respect of the awards of restricted stock that we granted to Messrs. Greg Marcus, Neis, Kissinger and Rodriguez on July 23, 2014 were filed late on July 29, 2014. In making the above statements, we have relied upon the representations of the persons involved and on copies of their reports filed with the SEC.
Deloitte & Touche LLP acted as our independent auditors during our fiscal 2015. Representatives from Deloitte & Touche LLP are expected to be present at the Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate shareholder questions. Deloitte & Touche LLPs fees for our two most recent fiscal years are summarized in the following table:
2015 | 2014 | |||||||
Audit Fees | $ | 410,000 | $ | 405,000 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees(1) | | | ||||||
Tax Fees(2) | | | ||||||
All Other Fees | | |||||||
Total Fees | $ | 410,000 | $ | 405,000 |
(1) | Audit-related fees consist of the fees billed for consultation services on various accounting matters. |
(2) | Tax fees consist of the fees billed for consultation services on various tax matters. |
Our Audit Committee pre-approves the provision of all auditing and non-audit services by our independent auditors. During our fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015, all of the services related to the audit and other fees described above were pre-approved by our Audit Committee and none were provided pursuant to any waiver of the pre-approval requirement.
As noted in the Audit Committee Report, our Audit Committee has considered whether Deloitte & Touche LLPs provision of non-audit services is compatible with its independence.
We have filed an Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC for our fiscal 2015, which ended on May 28, 2015. A copy of our Form 10-K (excluding exhibits) has been provided to each person who was a record or beneficial owner of Common Shares or Class B Shares as of the Record Date and is available on our website, www.marcuscorp.com. Exhibits to the Form 10-K will be furnished upon payment of the fee described in the list of exhibits accompanying the copy of Form 10-K. Requests for any exhibits to our Form 10-K should be addressed to Thomas F. Kissinger, Senior Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, The Marcus Corporation, 100 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1900, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-4125.
Our board of directors does not intend to present at the Meeting any matters for shareholder action other than the matters described in the Notice of Annual Meeting. Our board of directors does not know of any other matters to be brought before the Meeting that will require the vote of shareholders. If any other business or matters properly come before the Meeting, the proxies named in the accompanying proxy will vote on such business or matters in accordance with their best judgment.
36
We did not receive any shareholder proposals for consideration at the Meeting. A shareholder wishing to include a proposal in our proxy statement for our 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act must forward the proposal to us by May 7, 2016. In addition, a shareholder who otherwise intends to present business at our 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (including nominating persons for election as directors) must comply with the requirements set forth in our By-laws. Among other things, to bring business before an annual meeting, a shareholder must give written notice thereof, complying with the By-laws, to our Secretary not later than 45 days prior to the date in the current year corresponding to the date on which we first mailed our proxy materials for the prior years annual meeting. Accordingly, if we do not receive notice of a shareholder proposal submitted otherwise than pursuant to Rule 14a-8 prior to July 21, 2016, the notice will be considered untimely and we will not be required to present such proposal at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. If our board of directors chooses to present such proposal at our 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the persons named in proxies solicited by the board of directors for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders may exercise discretionary voting power with respect to such proposal.
We have paid the cost of soliciting proxies. We expect to solicit proxies primarily by mail. Proxies may also be solicited personally and by telephone by certain of our officers and employees. We will reimburse brokers and other holders of record for their expenses in communicating with the persons for whom they hold Common Shares or Class B Shares. We do not intend to specially engage anyone to solicit proxies or to pay special compensation for that purpose, but we reserve the right to do so should we conclude that such efforts are needed.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
Thomas F. Kissinger
Senior Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
September 4, 2015
37