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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY
RULE 14a-6(e)(2))
[x] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12
SYSCO CORPORATION
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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PERSONS WHO POTENTIALLY ARE TO RESPOND TO THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN THIS FORM ARE NOT REQUIRED TO RESPOND UNLESS THE FORM DISPLAYS A
CURRENTLY VALID OMB CONTROL NUMBER.
SEC 1913 (02-02)
[SYSCO LOGO]
SYSCO CORPORATION
1390 ENCLAVE PARKWAY
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77077-2099
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 12, 2004
To the Stockholders of Sysco Corporation:
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Sysco Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, will be held on Friday, November 12, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at The Omni
Houston Hotel located at Four Riverway, Houston, Texas 77056, for the following
purposes:
1. To elect four directors;
2. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as SYSCO's
independent accountants for fiscal 2005;
3. To approve the 2004 Stock Option Plan;
4. To approve the payment of compensation to certain executive
officers pursuant to the 2004 Long-Term Incentive Cash Plan so that
the deductibility of such compensation will not be limited by
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code;
5. To consider a shareholder proposal requesting that the Board review
the Company's policies for food products containing genetically
engineered ingredients and report to shareholders within six
months; and
6. To transact any other business as may properly be brought before
the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on September 14, 2004
will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. You may
inspect a list of stockholders of record at the Company's offices during regular
business hours during the 10-day period before the Annual Meeting. You may also
inspect this list at the Annual Meeting.
We hope you will be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. Whether or
not you plan to attend in person, we urge you to promptly vote your shares by
telephone, by the Internet or by returning the enclosed proxy card in order that
your vote may be cast at the Annual Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ RICHARD J. SCHNIEDERS
Richard J. Schnieders
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
September 27, 2004
SYSCO CORPORATION
1390 ENCLAVE PARKWAY
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77077-2099
PROXY STATEMENT
2004 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
September 27, 2004
INFORMATION ABOUT ATTENDING THE ANNUAL MEETING
Our Annual Meeting will be held on Friday, November 12, 2004, at 10:00 a.m.
at The Omni Houston Hotel located at Four Riverway, Houston, Texas 77056.
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT
We sent you these proxy materials because our Board of Directors is
soliciting your proxy to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. We began
mailing these proxy materials to stockholders on or about September 27, 2004.
WHO CAN VOTE
You can vote at the Annual Meeting if you owned shares at the close of
business on September 14, 2004. You are entitled to one vote for each share you
owned on that date on each matter presented at the Annual Meeting.
On September 14, 2004, there were 639,006,420 shares of Common Stock
outstanding. All of our directors, director nominees and executive officers (27
persons) owned an aggregate of 2,817,934 shares, which was less than 1% of our
outstanding stock as of September 14, 2004. We expect that these individuals
will vote their shares in favor of electing the four nominees named below, for
ratification of the appointment of the independent accountants, for approving
the 2004 Stock Option Plan, for approving compensation payments to certain
executive officers under the 2004 Long-Term Incentive Cash Plan, and against the
shareholder proposal.
HOW TO VOTE
You may vote your shares as follows:
- in person at the Annual Meeting;
- by telephone (see the enclosed proxy card for instructions);
- by Internet (see the enclosed proxy card for instructions); or
- by mail by signing, dating and mailing the enclosed proxy card.
If you vote by proxy, the individuals named on the proxy card (your
proxies) will vote your shares in the manner you indicate. You may specify
whether your shares should be voted for all, some or none of the nominees for
director, and you may abstain or specify whether your shares should be voted for
or against the ratification of the appointment of the independent accountants,
for or against the 2004 Stock Option Plan, for or against payment of
compensation to certain executive officers under the 2004 Long-Term Incentive
Cash Plan, and for or against the shareholder proposal.
If you sign and return your proxy card without indicating your voting
instructions, your shares will be voted FOR the election of the four nominees
for director, FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young as
independent accountants for fiscal 2005, FOR the 2004 Stock Option Plan, FOR the
payment of compensation to certain executive officers under the 2004 Long-Term
Incentive Cash Plan and AGAINST the shareholder proposal.
If your shares are not registered in your own name and you plan to attend
the Annual Meeting and vote your shares in person, you should contact your
broker or agent in whose name your shares are registered to obtain a proxy
executed in your favor and bring it to the Annual Meeting in order to vote.
HOW TO REVOKE OR CHANGE YOUR VOTE
You may revoke or change your proxy at any time before it is exercised by:
- delivering written notice of revocation to SYSCO's Corporate Secretary in
time for him to receive it before the Annual Meeting;
- voting again by telephone, Internet or mail; or
- voting in person at the Annual Meeting.
The last vote that we receive from you will be the vote that is counted.
BROKER NON-VOTES
A broker non-vote occurs when a broker holding shares for a beneficial
owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the broker does not have
discretionary voting authority and has not received voting instructions from the
beneficial owner. New York Stock Exchange rules permit brokers to vote on
proposals 1, 2 and 4; however, brokers may not vote on proposals 3 or 5 without
your instruction.
QUORUM REQUIREMENT
A quorum is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will exist if the
holders of at least 35% of all the shares entitled to vote at the meeting are
present in person or by proxy. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as
present for establishing a quorum.
VOTES NECESSARY FOR ACTION TO BE TAKEN
Four directors will be elected at the meeting by a plurality of all the
votes cast at the meeting, meaning that the four nominees in Class III with the
most votes will be elected. The affirmative vote of a majority of all of the
votes cast is required to approve the ratification of the appointment of the
independent accountants, the 2004 Stock Option Plan, the payment of compensation
to certain executive officers under the 2004 Long-Term Incentive Cash Plan, and
the shareholder proposal. In addition, NYSE rules require that at least 50% of
the shares outstanding on September 14, 2004 actually cast a vote (either for,
against or abstain) with respect to the proposal to approve the 2004 Stock
Option Plan. Broker non-votes are not votes "cast" for this purpose. Abstentions
are not counted for purposes of the election of directors, but will have the
effect of a vote "against" the other proposals. Broker non-votes will have no
effect on the election of directors and will be disregarded with respect to all
other proposals.
WHO WILL COUNT VOTES
We will appoint one or more Inspectors of Election who will determine the
number of shares outstanding, the voting power of each, the number of shares
represented at the Annual Meeting, the existence of a quorum and whether or not
the proxies and ballots are valid and effective.
The Inspectors of Election will determine, and retain for a reasonable
period a record of the disposition of, any challenges and questions arising in
connection with the right to vote and will count all votes and ballots cast for
and against and any abstentions with respect to all proposals and will determine
the results of each vote.
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COST OF PROXY SOLICITATION
We will pay the cost of solicitation of proxies including preparing,
printing and mailing this proxy statement. We will authorize banks, brokerage
houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward copies of proxy
materials and will reimburse them for their costs in sending the materials.
We have retained Georgeson Shareholder to help us solicit proxies from
these entities and certain individual stockholders, in writing or by telephone,
at an estimated fee of $11,000 plus reimbursement for their out-of-pocket
expenses.
RECEIVING PROXY MATERIALS ON THE INTERNET
Registered stockholders may sign up on the Internet to receive future proxy
materials and other stockholder communications on the Internet instead of by
mail. This will reduce our printing and postage costs. In order to receive the
communications electronically, you must have an e-mail account, access to the
Internet through an Internet service provider and a web browser that supports
secure connections. You can access the Internet site at www.econsent.com/syy for
additional information and to sign up. You will be asked to enter the number of
your stock account with our transfer agent, EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. That
number is shown on dividend checks, on stock certificates and on your proxy
card. After you have provided identification and transmitted your e-mail
address, the transfer agent will send you an e-mail message confirming your
acceptance of electronic stockholder communications.
When proxy materials for next year's Annual Meeting are ready for
distribution, those who have accepted electronic receipt will receive e-mail
notice of their Control Numbers and the Internet site for viewing proxy
materials and for voting. Acceptance of electronic receipt will remain in effect
until it is withdrawn. You can withdraw your consent or change your e-mail
address by following the procedures at the above-referenced Internet site.
Many brokerage firms and banks are also offering electronic proxy materials
to their clients. If you are a beneficial owner of SYSCO stock that is held for
you by a broker or bank, you should contact that broker or bank to find out
whether this service is available to you.
OTHER MATTERS
We do not know of any matter that will be presented at the Annual Meeting
other than the election of directors and the proposals discussed in this proxy
statement. However, if any other matter is properly presented at the Annual
Meeting, your proxies will act on such matter in their best judgment.
ANNUAL REPORT
A copy of our 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders is being mailed with this
proxy statement. We will furnish a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
fiscal 2004, without exhibits and as filed with the SEC, without charge upon
your written request if you are a record or beneficial owner of Common Stock
whose proxy we are soliciting in connection with the Annual Meeting. Please
address requests for a copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K to the Investor
Relations Department, SYSCO Corporation, 1390 Enclave Parkway, Houston, Texas
77077-2099. The Annual Report on Form 10-K is also available on our website
under "SEC Filings" at www.sysco.com/investor/investor.html.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
ITEM NO. 1 ON THE PROXY CARD
The Board of Directors currently consists of 12 members divided into three
classes of four directors each. The directors in each class serve for a
three-year term. A different class is elected each year to succeed the directors
whose terms are expiring. Frank H. Richardson, whose term expires at this year's
annual meeting, has declined to stand for re-election. John M. Cassaday has been
nominated in his place.
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The Board of Directors has nominated the following four persons for
election as directors in Class III to serve for three-year terms or until their
successors are elected and qualified:
- Colin G. Campbell
- John M. Cassaday
- John K. Stubblefield, Jr.
- Jackie M. Ward
All of the nominees, other than Mr. Cassaday, are currently serving as
directors of SYSCO. All of the nominees have consented to serve if elected.
Although management does not contemplate the possibility, in the event any
nominee is not a candidate or is unable to serve as a director at the time of
the election, the proxies will vote for any nominee who is designated by the
present Board of Directors to fill the vacancy.
Set forth below is biographical information for each nominee for election
as a director at the 2004 Annual Meeting:
Colin G. Campbell, 68, has served as a director of SYSCO since 1989. Mr.
Campbell is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Colonial
Williamsburg Foundation, a private operating foundation. He also serves as a
director of Pitney Bowes Inc. and Rockefeller Financial Services, Inc. From 1988
to 2000, Mr. Campbell served as the President of Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Mr.
Campbell is Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and is
also a member of the Audit Committee and Executive Committee.
John M. Cassaday, 51, is president and chief executive officer of Corus
Entertainment, Inc., a position he has held since September 1999. He is also a
director of Corus. Mr. Cassaday also serves as a director of Loblaw Companies
Limited, Masonite International Corporation and Manulife Financial Corporation.
John K. Stubblefield, Jr., 58, has served as a director of SYSCO since
January 2003. Mr. Stubblefield is Executive Vice President, Finance and
Administration of SYSCO, a position he has held since January 2000. He served as
Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration from 1998 to January 2000 and
as Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Financial Officer from 1994 to
1998. He served as Vice President and Controller from 1992 to 1993 and as Senior
Vice President and Controller from 1993 to 1994. He served as Vice President of
Finance of Nobel/SYSCO Food Services Company from 1986 to 1992 and as Controller
of SYSCO's Houston subsidiary from 1984 until 1986. Mr. Stubblefield is a member
of the Employee Benefits Committee.
Jackie M. Ward, 66, has served as a director of SYSCO since September 2001.
Ms. Ward is an Outside Managing Director of Intec Telecom Systems PLC. In 1968,
Ms. Ward founded, and later served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of, Computer Generation Incorporated, which was acquired by Intec
Telecom in December 2000. Ms. Ward is also a director of Bank of America,
Equifax Inc., Flowers Foods, Inc., Sanmina-SCI Corporation and Anthem, Inc. Ms.
Ward is a member of the Audit Committee and Compensation and Stock Option
Committee.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.
The following Class I directors are serving terms that expire in 2005:
Judith B. Craven, M.D., 58, has served as a director of SYSCO since 1996.
Dr. Craven served as President of the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast from
1992 until her retirement in September 1998. Dr. Craven is also a director of
Belo Corporation, Luby's Cafeterias, Inc., Sun America Funds and VALIC. She is
also a Regent for the University of Texas. Dr. Craven is a member of the
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and Finance Committee.
Richard G. Merrill, 73, has served as a director of SYSCO since 1983.
Currently retired, he formerly served as Executive Vice President of The
Prudential Insurance Company of America. Mr. Merrill is also a director of W.R.
Berkley Corporation. Mr. Merrill is Chairman of the Compensation and Stock
Option
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Committee and is also a member of the Audit Committee and Executive Committee.
Mr. Merrill has been selected to preside at executive sessions of the
non-management directors during fiscal 2005.
Phyllis S. Sewell, 73, has served as a director of SYSCO since 1991.
Currently retired, she formerly served as Senior Vice President of Federated
Department Stores, Inc. Mrs. Sewell is a member of the Compensation and Stock
Option Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.
Richard G. Tilghman, 64, has served as a director of SYSCO since November
2002. Mr. Tilghman served as Vice Chairman and Director of SunTrust Banks from
1999 until his retirement in 2000. He served as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Crestar Financial Corporation, a bank holding company, from 1986
until 1999. Mr. Tilghman serves as a director of Chesapeake Corporation. Mr.
Tilghman is Chairman of the Audit Committee and is also a member of the
Compensation and Stock Option Committee.
The following Class II directors are serving terms that expire in 2006:
Jonathan Golden, 67, has served as a director of SYSCO since 1984. Mr.
Golden is a partner of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, counsel to SYSCO. Mr. Golden
also serves as a director of PRG-Schultz International, Inc. Mr. Golden is a
member of the Executive Committee and Finance Committee.
Joseph A. Hafner, Jr., 59, has served as a director of SYSCO since November
2003. He is president and chief executive officer of Riviana Foods, Inc., a
position he has held since 1984. He is also a director of Riviana. Mr. Hafner is
a member of the Audit Committee and Finance Committee.
Thomas E. Lankford, 57, has served as a director of SYSCO since July 2000.
Mr. Lankford is President and Chief Operating Officer of SYSCO, a position he
has held since January 2003. Mr. Lankford served as Executive Vice President
from July 2000 through December 2002 and as President, Foodservice Operations,
North America, from January 2002 through December 2002. He served as Executive
Vice President of Merchandising and Multi-Unit Sales from 1999 until July 2000
and as Senior Vice President of Operations -- Northeast Region from 1995 until
1999. Mr. Lankford served as President of Lankford-Sysco Food Services, LLC from
1981 until 1995. Mr. Lankford is a member of the Executive Committee, Finance
Committee and Employee Benefits Committee.
Richard J. Schnieders, 56, has served as a director of SYSCO since 1997.
Mr. Schnieders is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SYSCO, a position he
has held since January 2003. Mr. Schnieders served as President from July 2000
through December 2002 and as Chief Operating Officer from January 2000 through
December 2002. Mr. Schnieders served as Executive Vice President, Foodservice
Operations from January 1999 to July 2000 and as Senior Vice President,
Merchandising Services and Multi-Unit Sales from 1997 until January 1999. From
1992 until 1997, he served as Senior Vice President, Merchandising Services.
From 1988 until 1992, Mr. Schnieders served as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Hardin's-Sysco Food Services, LLC. He has been employed by SYSCO
since 1982. Mr. Schnieders also serves as a director of Aviall, Inc. Mr.
Schnieders is a member of the Executive Committee, Finance Committee and
Employee Benefits Committee.
Unless otherwise noted, the persons named above have been engaged in the
principal occupations shown for the past five years or longer.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Fees
We pay non-employee directors who serve as committee chairpersons $65,000
per year and all other non-employee directors $60,000 per year plus
reimbursement of expenses for all services as a director, including committee
participation or special assignments. In addition to the annual retainer,
non-employee directors receive the following fees for attendance at meetings:
- For committee meetings held in conjunction with regular Board meetings,
committee chairmen who attend in person (or who participate by telephone
because of illness or the inability to travel) will
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receive $1,500 and committee members who attend in person (or who
participate by telephone because of illness or the inability to travel)
will receive $1,000;
- For special committee meetings (not held in conjunction with regular
Board meetings), committee chairmen who attend in person or who
participate by telephone will receive $1,500 and committee members who
attend in person or who participate by telephone will receive $1,000; and
- For special Board meetings, all non-employee directors who attend in
person or who participate by telephone will receive $1,000.
Directors Deferred Compensation Plan
Non-employee directors may defer all or a portion of their annual retainer
and meeting attendance fees under the Directors Deferred Compensation Plan.
Non-employee directors may choose from a variety of investment options,
including Moody's Average Corporate Bond Yield plus 1%, with respect to amounts
deferred. Such deferred amounts will be credited with investment gains or losses
until the non-employee director's retirement from the Board or until the
occurrence of certain other events. Dr. Craven, Mr. Golden, Mr. Hafner, Mr.
Merrill, Mrs. Sewell and Ms. Ward elected to defer some or all of their annual
compensation for 2004.
Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan
In May 1998, the Board of Directors adopted, and our stockholders
subsequently approved, the SYSCO Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan. Certain
amendments to the Plan were adopted by the Board in September 2001 and approved
by our stockholders at the 2001 Annual Meeting. All historical data with respect
to grants of stock options under our benefit plans contained in this Proxy
Statement has been adjusted to reflect stock splits.
Options. Under this Plan, non-employee directors are eligible to receive
stock options if, for the immediately preceding fiscal year, we have achieved
after-tax basic earnings per share of 10% over the previous year. The size of
individual grants and vesting terms will be set by the Board at the time of
grant.
In fiscal 2004, we granted options to purchase an aggregate of 72,000
shares under this Plan to nine non-employee directors. These options have a
weighted average exercise price of $32.48, vest ratably over a five-year period
and expire ten years after the date of grant. In fiscal 2005 to date, we have
granted options to purchase an aggregate of 72,000 shares to nine non-employee
directors. These options have an exercise price of $32.88, vest ratably over a
five-year period and expire seven years after the date of grant. Non-employee
directors are eligible to participate in the Company's Equity Deferral Plan
described on page 20.
Elected Shares. This Plan also permits each non-employee director to elect
to receive up to one-half of his or her annual retainer in Common Stock, in
which case we will provide a matching grant of 50% of the number of shares
received as a portion of the retainer. Mr. Campbell, Dr. Craven, Mr. Golden, Mr.
Hafner, Mr. Merrill, Mr. Richardson, Mrs. Sewell, Mr. Tilghman and Ms. Ward made
this election during fiscal 2004.
Retainer Shares. In addition, as of the date of each year's annual
meeting, each newly elected director who has not previously received a retainer
award is granted a one-time retainer award of 4,000 shares. These shares vest in
thirds every other year during a six-year period based on increases in earnings
per share. Any retainer shares that have not vested as of the sixth anniversary
of the date of grant are forfeited. Mr. Hafner received a retainer stock award
of 4,000 shares on his election to the Board on November 7, 2003.
No other compensation was paid for director services during the fiscal year
ended July 3, 2004. See "Certain Relationships."
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BOARD MEETINGS AND ATTENDANCE
The Board of Directors held eight meetings during fiscal 2004 and all
directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate of:
- the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors, and
- the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which
he or she served during fiscal 2004.
It is the policy of the Board that all directors attend the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders. In fiscal 2004, all directors except one attended the Annual
Meeting.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The following directors serve on the committees indicated:
COMPENSATION AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
AUDIT STOCK OPTION AND NOMINATING
NAME COMMITTEE COMMITTEE COMMITTEE
---- --------- ---------------- --------------------
Colin G. Campbell....................... x x*
Judith B. Craven........................ x
Joseph A. Hafner, Jr. .................. x
Richard G. Merrill...................... x x*
Frank H. Richardson**................... x x
Phyllis S. Sewell....................... x x
Richard G. Tilghman..................... x* x
Jackie M. Ward.......................... x x
---------------
* Chairman of the Committee
** Not seeking re-election
The Audit Committee held 12 meetings during fiscal 2004. The function of
the Audit Committee is to oversee and report to the Board with respect to
various auditing and accounting matters, including the selection of our
independent public accountants, the scope of the audit procedures, the nature of
all audit and non-audit services to be performed, the fees to be paid to the
independent public accountants, the performance of our independent public
accountants and our accounting practices and policies.
The Compensation and Stock Option Committee held five meetings during
fiscal 2004. The function of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee is to
determine the annual compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, to consider
the annual compensation of executive officers and non-employee directors, and to
oversee the administration of SYSCO's Management Incentive Plan, stock incentive
and option plans, the 2004 Long-Term Incentive Cash Plan and other executive
benefit plans.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee held five meetings during
fiscal 2004. The function of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
is to propose directors, committee members and officers for election or
reelection, to evaluate (in conjunction with the Compensation and Stock Option
Committee) the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating
Officer, to review the performance of the members of the Board and its
committees, and to review and make recommendations regarding the organization
and effectiveness of the Board and its committees, the establishment of
corporate governance principles, the conduct of meetings, succession planning
and SYSCO's governing documents.
The Board of Directors also has a Finance Committee which held five
meetings during fiscal 2004. The function of the Finance Committee is to assist
the Board in satisfying its fiduciary responsibilities relating to
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financial performance and financial planning of the Company in pursuing its
financial objectives. The Committee reviews policies regarding capital
structure, dividends and liquidity; reviews risk assessment and risk management
policies; reviews and recommends the sale or issuance of equity and certain debt
securities; reviews acquisitions and financing alternatives; and establishes and
monitors high-level investment and funding objectives and investment performance
and funding of the Company's tax-qualified retirement and non-qualified benefit
plans. The Finance Committee is chaired by Frank H. Richardson and its members
include Dr. Craven, Mr. Golden, Mr. Hafner, Mr. Lankford and Mr. Schnieders.
The Board of Directors also has an Employee Benefits Committee that
oversees the maintenance and administration of the Corporation's employee stock
purchase, welfare benefit, and tax-qualified retirement plans. Messrs. Lankford,
Schnieders and Stubblefield serve as members of this Committee.
The Board of Directors also has an Executive Committee which held one
meeting during fiscal 2004. The Executive Committee is authorized to exercise
all of the powers of the Board when necessary, to the extent permitted by
applicable law. The Executive Committee is chaired by Mr. Schnieders and its
members include Mr. Campbell, Mr. Golden, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Merrill and Mr.
Richardson.
Charters for the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Stock Option
Committee, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Finance
Committee are available on the Company's website at
www.sysco.com/investor/governance.html and are available in print by writing to
the Investor Relations Department, SYSCO Corporation, 1390 Enclave Parkway,
Houston, Texas 77077-2099. The Audit Committee Charter is also attached to this
Proxy Statement as Appendix A.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Mr. Merrill, Mrs. Sewell, Mr. Tilghman and Ms. Ward each served on the
Compensation and Stock Option Committee during fiscal 2004. During fiscal 2004,
none of the members of the Committee was an officer or employee of SYSCO or any
of its subsidiaries or served as an officer of any company with respect to which
any executive officer of SYSCO served on such company's board of directors, and
none had any relationship with the Company requiring disclosure under Item 404
of Regulation S-K. In addition, none of the members of the Committee are former
employees of SYSCO or any of its subsidiaries.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
Mr. Golden is the sole stockholder of Jonathan Golden, P.C., a partner in
the law firm of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, Atlanta, Georgia, counsel to SYSCO.
We believe that the fees paid to this firm were fair and reasonable in view of
the level and extent of services rendered.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES
In fiscal 2003, the Board of Directors adopted the Sysco Corporation
Corporate Governance Guidelines. These guidelines outline the functions of the
Board, director qualifications and responsibilities, and various processes and
procedures designed to ensure effective and responsive governance. These
guidelines also outline considerations for determining qualification for
membership to the Board such as diversity, age, skills, experience, time
available and the number of other boards the member sits on in the context of
the needs of the Board and the Company. The guidelines are reviewed from time to
time in response to changing regulatory requirements and best practices and are
revised accordingly. The guidelines were last revised in fiscal 2004. The full
text of the guidelines can be found on our website at
www.sysco.com/investor/governance.html and is available in print by writing to
the Investor Relations Department, SYSCO Corporation, 1390 Enclave Parkway,
Houston, Texas 77077-2099.
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CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT
All of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal
executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and
controller, are required to comply with our long-standing Code of Business
Conduct to help ensure that our business is conducted in accordance with the
highest standards of moral and ethical behavior. Our Code of Business Conduct
covers all areas of professional conduct, including customer relationships,
equal opportunity, payment of gratuities and receipt of payments or gifts,
competition and fair dealing, political contributions, antitrust, conflicts of
interest, insider trading, financial disclosure, intellectual property and
confidential information, as well as requiring strict adherence to all laws and
regulations applicable to our business. Employees are required to report any
violations or suspected violations of the Code and may do so by using SYSCO's
ethics hotline. The Code includes an anti-retaliation statement. The full text
of the Code of Business Conduct is published on our website at
www.sysco.com/investor/governance.html and is available in print by writing to
the Investor Relations Department, SYSCO Corporation, 1390 Enclave Parkway,
Houston, Texas 77077-2099.
PRESIDING DIRECTOR; COMMUNICATING WITH THE BOARD
The non-management directors meet in executive session without members of
management present at every regular Board meeting. During fiscal 2004, the
non-management directors held five executive sessions without the CEO or any
other member of management present. Richard G. Merrill, chairman of the
Compensation and Stock Option Committee, has been selected to preside at these
executive sessions during fiscal 2005. In addition, beginning in fiscal 2005,
the non-employee directors, other than Mr. Golden and any other director deemed
not independent, will meet in executive session at least once a year.
Interested parties may communicate with Mr. Merrill, the non-management
directors as a group and the other members of the Board by confidential email.
All emails will be delivered to the presiding director who will forward them as
appropriate. The Board requests that certain items unrelated to the duties and
responsibilities of the Board not be submitted, such as product inquiries and
complaints, job inquiries, business solicitations and junk mail. The form to
communicate by email is accessible in the corporate governance section of
SYSCO's website at www.sysco.com/investor/contact__board.html.
DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require that at least a majority of our
directors meet the criteria for independence established by the New York Stock
Exchange for continued listing, and all other applicable legal requirements.
Additionally, all members of the Audit Committee, Compensation and Stock Option
Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are required to be
independent.
Under New York Stock Exchange listing standards, to be considered
independent, a director must be determined to have no material relationship with
SYSCO other than as a director. The standards specify the criteria by which the
independence of directors will be determined, including guidelines for directors
and their immediate family members with respect to employment or affiliation
with SYSCO or its independent public accountants.
In addition to the NYSE's standards for independence, the Company's
Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the following relationships will
not impair a director's independence: (i) if a SYSCO director is an executive
officer of another company that does business with SYSCO and the annual sales
to, or purchases from, SYSCO are less than two percent of the annual revenues of
the company he or she serves as an executive officer; (ii) if a SYSCO director
is an executive officer of another company which is indebted to SYSCO, or to
which SYSCO is indebted, and the total amount of either company's indebtedness
to the other is less than two percent of the total consolidated assets of the
company he or she serves as an executive officer; and (iii) if a SYSCO director
serves as an officer, director or trustee of a charitable organization, and
SYSCO's discretionary charitable contributions to the organization are less than
two percent of that organization's total annual charitable receipts (SYSCO's
automatic matching of employee charitable contributions to higher education will
not be included in the amount of SYSCO's contributions for this purpose).
9
After reviewing all relevant relationships of the directors and director
nominee, the Board of Directors has determined that Colin Campbell, John
Cassaday, Judith Craven, Joseph Hafner, Richard Merrill, Frank Richardson
Phyllis Sewell, Richard Tilghman and Jackie Ward are independent under the NYSE
standards and the categorical standards set forth in the Corporate Governance
Guidelines and described above. The Board has also determined that each member
of the Audit Committee, Compensation and Stock Option Committee and Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee is independent.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE PROCEDURES
In accordance with its Charter, the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee will observe the following procedures in identifying and evaluating
candidates for election to the Company's Board of Directors:
1. In considering candidates for election to the Board, the Committee
will determine the incumbent directors whose terms expire at the upcoming
annual meeting and who wish to continue their service on the Board. The
Committee will also identify and evaluate new candidates for election to
the Board for the purpose of filling vacancies.
- The Committee will solicit recommendations for nominees from persons
that the Committee believes are likely to be familiar with qualified
candidates. These persons may include members of the Board and
management of the Company. The Committee may also determine to engage
a professional search firm to assist in identifying qualified
candidates. Where such a search firm is engaged, the Committee shall
set its fees and scope of engagement.
- In making its selection, the Committee will also consider nominations
made by stockholders in conformity with Section 8 of the Company's
Bylaws. The Committee will evaluate candidates proposed by
stockholders in conformity with Section 8 of the Company's Bylaws
under the same criteria used to evaluate other candidates.
2. As to all incumbent and new candidates that the Committee believes
merit consideration, the Committee will --
- cause to be assembled information concerning the background and
qualifications of the candidate, including information required to be
disclosed in the Company's proxy statement under the rules of the SEC
or any other regulatory agency or exchange or trading system on which
the Company's securities are listed, and any relationship between the
candidate and the person or persons recommending the candidate;
- determine if the candidate satisfies the qualifications required by
the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines of candidates for
election as director as set forth under "Corporate Governance
Guidelines" above;
- determine if the candidate possesses qualities, experience or skills
that the Committee has determined to be desirable;
- consider the contribution that the candidate can be expected to make
to the overall functioning of the Board;
- consider the candidate's capacity to be an effective director in
light of the time required by the candidate's primary occupation and
service on other boards;
- consider the extent to which the membership of the candidate on the
Board will promote diversity among the directors; and
- consider, with respect to an incumbent director, whether the director
satisfactorily performed his or her duties as director during the
preceding term, including attendance and participation at Board and
Committee meetings, and other contributions as a director.
10
3. In its discretion, the Committee may designate one or more of its
members (or the entire Committee) to interview any proposed candidate.
4. Based on all available information and relevant considerations, the
Committee will recommend to the full Board for nomination those candidates
who, in the view of the Committee, are most suited for membership on the
Board.
5. The Committee shall maintain appropriate records regarding its
process of identifying and evaluating candidates for election to the Board.
Mr. Cassaday was initially recommended to the Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee by Heidrick & Struggles, a professional search firm engaged
by the Committee to help recruit new directors. In the course of its engagement,
Heidrick & Struggles identified and provided background information on Mr.
Cassaday and other potential candidates.
As indicated above, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will
consider candidates for director recommended by stockholders of the Company. The
procedures for submitting stockholder recommendations are explained below under
"Stockholder Proposals" beginning on page 46.
STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES
The Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that after five years of
service as a non-employee director, such individuals are expected to
continuously own a minimum of 10,000 shares. All of the current directors other
than Mr. Hafner beneficially held the requisite number of shares as of September
14, 2004. Mr. Hafner has served on the Board for less than one year. Mr.
Cassaday does not currently own any shares of SYSCO Common Stock. Stock
ownership guidelines applicable to executive officers are described on page 20.
11
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following persons currently serve as executive officers of SYSCO. Each
person listed below has served as an officer of SYSCO and/or its subsidiaries
for at least the past five years.
NAME TITLE SERVED IN POSITION SINCE AGE
---- ----- ------------------------ ---
Larry J. Accardi*............. Executive Vice President, 2000 55
Merchandising Services and
Multi-Unit Sales and
President, Specialty 2002
Distribution
Kenneth J. Carrig............. Senior Vice President, 1999 47
Administration
G. Mitchell Elmer............. Vice President and Controller 2000 45
James C. Graham............... Senior Vice President, 2000 54
Foodservice Operations
Michael W. Green.............. Senior Vice President, 2004 45
Foodservice Operations
William Holden................ Senior Vice President, 2003 59
Foodservice Operations
James E. Lankford............. Senior Vice President, 2000 51
Foodservice Operations
Thomas E. Lankford*........... President and Chief Operating 2003 57
Officer
Gregory K. Marshall........... Senior Vice President, SYSCO, 1984 57
and Chairman and CEO, The
SYGMA Network, Inc.
Michael C. Nichols............ Vice President, General 1999 52
Counsel and
Corporate Secretary 2002
Larry G. Pulliam.............. Senior Vice President, 2002 48
Merchandising Services
Diane D. Sanders.............. Senior Vice President of 2004 55
Finance and Treasurer 1994
Richard J. Schnieders*........ Chairman and Chief Executive 2003 56
Officer
Stephen F. Smith.............. Senior Vice President, 2002 54
Foodservice Operations
Bruce L. Soltis............... Senior Vice President, 2002 59
Canadian Foodservice
Operations
Kenneth F. Spitler*........... Executive Vice President, 2003 55
Foodservice Operations
John K. Stubblefield, Jr.*.... Executive Vice President, 2000 58
Finance and Administration
---------------
* Named Executive Officer
12
STOCK OWNERSHIP
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
beneficial ownership of Company Common Stock, as of September 14, 2004, by (i)
each director and director nominee, (ii) each Named Executive Officer (as
hereinafter defined), and (iii) all directors, director nominees and executive
officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, each stockholder identified in
the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to his or her
shares.
SHARES OF SHARES OF SHARES OF
COMMON COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK TOTAL SHARES OF PERCENT OF
STOCK OWNED BY SPOUSES, UNDERLYING PRESENTLY COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING
OWNED DIRECTLY CHILDREN AND TRUSTS EXERCISABLE OPTIONS BENEFICIALLY OWNED SHARES
-------------- ------------------- -------------------- ------------------ ------------------
Larry J. Accardi....... 147,595 0 223,932 371,527 *
Colin G. Campbell...... 13,187 2,000 49,600 64,787 *
John M. Cassaday....... 0 0 0 0 *
Judith B. Craven....... 31,059 0 17,600 48,659 *
Jonathan Golden........ 35,058 18,500 57,600 111,158 *
Joseph A. Hafner,
Jr. ................. 4,000 0 1,600 5,600 *
Thomas E. Lankford..... 448,488 63,065 252,912 764,465 *
Richard G. Merrill..... 26,050 0 57,600 83,650 *
Frank H. Richardson.... 48,935 0 65,600 114,535 *
Richard J.
Schnieders........... 294,241 61,604 214,000 569,845 *
Phyllis S. Sewell...... 25,811 0 53,600 79,411 *
Kenneth F. Spitler..... 78,544 63,062 188,648 330,254 *
John K. Stubblefield,
Jr. ................. 106,831 0 229,000 335,831 *
Richard G. Tilghman.... 8,427 1,950 4,800 15,177 *
Jackie M. Ward......... 10,517 0 9,600 20,117 *
All Directors, Director
Nominees and
Executive Officers as
a Group (27
Persons)............. 2,817,934(1)(4) 268,366(2) 2,529,074(3) 5,615,374(1)(2)(3)(4) *
---------------
* Less than 1% of outstanding shares.
(1) Includes an aggregate of 1,539,191 shares directly owned by the current
executive officers other than the Named Executive Officers.
(2) Includes an aggregate of 58,185 shares owned by the spouses and/or dependent
children of current executive officers other than the Named Executive
Officers.
(3) Includes an aggregate of 1,102,982 shares of Common Stock underlying options
that are presently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days
after the date of this proxy statement held by current executive officers
other than the Named Executive Officers.
(4) Does not include an aggregate of 5,582 shares that have been elected to be
received by the non-employee directors in lieu of retainer fees during the
first half of calendar 2004. Pursuant to the Non-Employee Directors Stock
Plan, these shares will be issued on December 31, 2004 or within 60 days
after a non-employee director ceases to be a director, whichever occurs
first.
13
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to each
person or group known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our
Common Stock. We have relied solely upon information set forth in such holder's
Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 17, 2004.
NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES OF COMMON STOCK BENEFICIALLY OWNED PERCENT OF CLASS
---------------- ----------------------------------------- ----------------
FMR Corp.
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109.................... 33,430,140* 5.166%*
---------------
* As of December 31, 2003.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the
rules issued thereunder, our executive officers and directors and any persons
holding more than ten percent (10%) of our Common Stock are required to file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange
reports of initial ownership of our Common Stock and changes in ownership of
such Common Stock. To our knowledge, no person beneficially owns more than 10%
of our Common Stock. Copies of the Section 16 reports filed by our directors and
executive officers are required to be furnished to us. Based solely on our
review of the copies of the reports furnished to us, or written representations
that no reports were required, we believe that, during fiscal 2004, all of our
executive officers and directors complied with the Section 16(a) requirements,
with the following exceptions:
- Frank H. Richardson inadvertently filed a late Form 4 with respect to the
purchase of 1,000 shares in March 2000. The Form 4 was filed on April 1,
2004.
- James C. Graham inadvertently filed a late Form 4 with respect to the
exercise of options on March 11, 2004. The Form 4 was filed on March 23,
2004.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table sets forth certain information regarding equity
compensation plans as of July 3, 2004.
NUMBER OF SECURITIES REMAINING
NUMBER OF SECURITIES TO BE AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE ISSUANCE
ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF WEIGHTED-AVERAGE EXERCISE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION
OUTSTANDING OPTIONS, PRICE OF OUTSTANDING OPTIONS, PLANS (EXCLUDING SECURITIES
WARRANTS AND RIGHTS WARRANTS AND RIGHTS REFLECTED IN COLUMN (A))
PLAN CATEGORY (A) (B) (C)
------------- -------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------------
Equity compensation
plans approved by
security holders.... 64,387,924(1)(2) $26.73 23,385,184(3)(4)
Equity compensation
plans not approved
by security
holders............. -0- -0- -0-
Total.......... 64,387,924(1)(2) $26.73 23,385,184(3)(4)
---------------
(1) Does not include 229,688 shares of Common Stock subject to options that were
assumed in connection with our acquisition of Guest Supply, Inc. in March
2001. These options have a weighted average exercise price per share of
$13.19.
(2) Does not give effect to options to purchase approximately 8,632,750 shares
of Common Stock granted in September 2004 under our 2000 Stock Incentive
Plan at an exercise price per share of $32.19 and options to purchase 72,000
shares of Common Stock granted in September 2004 under the Non-Employee
Directors Stock Plan at an exercise price per share of $32.88.
14
(3) Includes 9,358,820 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to our 2000
Stock Incentive Plan, 231,734 shares issuable pursuant to our Non-Employee
Directors Stock Plan, 5,347,274 shares issuable under our 2000 Management
Incentive Plan, and 8,447,356 shares issuable pursuant to our Employees'
Stock Purchase Plan as of July 3, 2004. Does not reflect the issuance of
options to purchase approximately 8,632,750 shares of Common Stock in
September 2004 pursuant to our 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, the issuance of
options to purchase 72,000 shares of Common Stock in September 2004 pursuant
to our Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan, the issuance of 1,001,624 shares
in August 2004 pursuant to the 2000 Management Incentive Plan, or the
issuance of 417,059 shares in July 2004 pursuant to the 1974 Employees'
Stock Purchase Plan.
(4) As of September 14, 2004, a total of 72,006,299 options remained outstanding
under all of the Company's option plans. These options have a weighted
average exercise price of $27.43 and an average remaining term of four
years. If the 2004 Stock Option Plan is approved by stockholders, no
additional shares will be issued under the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan. The
remaining pool of available shares under the Company's option plans will
include the shares authorized under the 2004 Stock Option Plan and 159,734
shares under the Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan. Additionally, there are
4,345,650 shares that remain available for grant under the 2000 Management
Incentive Plan. Assuming that all remaining shares are paid out over the
life of the 2000 Management Incentive Plan, approximately 2,897,100 will be
issued in lieu of cash bonus payments at the election of the participants,
and 1,448,550 will be issued as matching shares. There are also 8,030,297
shares remaining available for issuance under the 1974 Employees Stock
Purchase Plan.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE
This report documents the components of SYSCO's compensation programs for
its executive officers and describes the basis on which fiscal 2004 compensation
determinations were made with respect to the executive officers of SYSCO,
including Mr. Schnieders, who has served as Chief Executive Officer since
January 1, 2003. All fiscal 2004 compensation decisions with respect to base
salaries, annual incentive compensation and option grants under stock option
plans for our executive officers, including the CEO, were made by the
Compensation and Stock Option Committee.
Overall Executive Compensation Philosophy
Since SYSCO became a publicly held corporation in 1970, we have directly
linked the compensation of executive officers to SYSCO's performance.
Specifically, the Committee has tied the level of SYSCO's executive compensation
to increases in SYSCO's earnings per share and return on shareholders' equity.
We have historically accomplished this through the following means:
- A "pay-for-performance" orientation, with respect to compensation other
than base salary, based upon a combination of SYSCO performance and
operating company performance for corporate officers, and operating
company performance for operating company senior management;
- A significant portion of total cash compensation is at risk, i.e., linked
to Company performance;
- Base salaries generally at or below the 25th percentile of the range of
base salaries payable to corporate officers of certain surveyed
industrial corporations who have job content and/or responsibilities
comparable to those of SYSCO's corporate officers;
- Potentially significant annual incentive bonuses under SYSCO's management
incentive plan; and
- Long-term incentives primarily in the form of stock options and
restricted shares in lieu of annual bonus.
The factors and criteria upon which the determination of the fiscal 2004
compensation of the Chief Executive Officer were based were the same as those
discussed below with respect to all executive officers, except as otherwise
described below with respect to SYSCO's senior vice presidents of foodservice
operations.
15
In fiscal 2004, Mr. Schnieders earned a total compensation package equal to
$5,358,865. This amount included (a) salary of $912,500; (b) base bonus of
$2,788,500 (40% of which was paid in restricted stock, 20% of which was
deferred, and 40% of which was paid in cash); (c) additional restricted matching
shares valued at $557,700; (d) additional cash of $214,715 to cover the tax
effect of the additional matching shares received; (e) a deferred match of
$278,850; and (f) 90,000 options with a Black-Scholes grant date present value
of $606,600. In 2004, the Company entered into a Severance Agreement with Mr.
Schnieders as discussed below. Further information regarding these components is
included below as well as in the tables that follow this report.
Base Salaries
We have established base salaries of our executive officers in the range of
compensation payable to executive officers of U.S. industrial corporations
without reference to specific SYSCO performance criteria. We reexamine this
range of compensation from time to time through a survey of compensation
practices by an independent compensation consultant across a broad cross-section
of U.S. industrial corporations. The survey sample does not necessarily include
those companies in the peer group included in the performance graph on page 27
due to the differing size, management responsibilities and organizational
structures of those corporations relative to SYSCO. We last reviewed base
salaries for the executive officers on November 7, 2003, and increases were made
effective January 1, 2004. At that time, Mr. Schnieders' annual base salary was
increased approximately 15% from $850,000 to $975,000. It has been our
consistent practice to maintain the Chief Executive Officer's base salary at or
below the 25th percentile of the range of base salaries payable to chief
executive officers of the surveyed industrial corporations who have chief
executive officers with job content and/or responsibilities comparable to those
of SYSCO's Chief Executive Officer.
Incentive Compensation
Management Incentive Bonus
SYSCO provides annual incentive compensation to all executive officers
through the SYSCO Corporation Management Incentive Plan (the "MIP").
Participants in the MIP include all of SYSCO's corporate officers, including the
executive officers, and senior management, generally the presidents and
executive vice presidents, of SYSCO's operating companies. The MIP is designed
to offer opportunities for compensation that is tied directly to our
performance. In addition, the MIP is designed to foster significant equity
ownership in SYSCO by the executive officers and all other participants in the
MIP. MIP bonuses earned during the fiscal year are paid the following fiscal
year.
For executive officers other than senior vice presidents of foodservice
operations, incentive bonuses earned in fiscal 2004 and paid in fiscal 2005 were
calculated under the MIP in two parts. The first part was based on the overall
performance of SYSCO and was based upon the percentage increase in earnings per
share and the return on shareholders' equity. The MIP utilized a matrix based on
these two factors to determine award levels, resulting in an award of 185.5% of
base salary to each executive officer participating in this portion of the MIP.
The second portion of the fiscal 2004 incentive bonus under the MIP for
executive officers was based upon the number of SYSCO operating companies that
achieved a target return on capital. This portion of the incentive bonus is paid
only when the operating companies achieving the goals, in the aggregate,
represent at least 50% of the total capital of all of SYSCO's operating
companies, which was the case during fiscal 2004, resulting in an award of
100.5% of base salary to each executive officer participating in this portion of
the MIP.
For senior vice presidents of foodservice operations, a portion of their
bonus was based upon the two-part calculation set forth above and a portion was
based upon the aggregate financial results of those operating subsidiaries or
divisions for which they were responsible, considered as one company. This
portion is based upon the interplay between the aggregate percentage increase in
pretax earnings of their supervised operations and the aggregate return on
capital of their supervised operations, adjusted in certain instances for
operating companies that are involved in SYSCO's facility expansion ("fold-out")
program.
16
For fiscal 2004, Mr. Schnieders earned a total base bonus of $2,788,500. Of
this amount, $1,808,625 was based on earnings per share and return on
shareholders' equity, and $979,875 was based on the number of operating
companies achieving a target return on capital.
Stock Election and Matching Grant
In order to encourage significant equity ownership in SYSCO by its
executive officers, the MIP provides that participants may voluntarily elect to
receive up to 40% of their annual incentive bonus in the form of SYSCO Common
Stock, based on a per-share price equal to the closing price on the New York
Stock Exchange of SYSCO Common Stock on the last trading day of the fiscal year
for which the MIP bonus is calculated. If such election is made, the participant
is awarded additional matching shares on the basis of one additional share for
each two shares received in accordance with the foregoing calculation.
Restricted shares issued under the MIP are not transferable by the recipient for
two years following receipt and are subject to certain repurchase rights on the
part of SYSCO in the event of termination of employment other than by normal
retirement or disability.
Participants who elect to receive a portion of their bonus in Common Stock
in lieu of cash and receive additional matching shares are entitled to receive
additional cash equal to the product of:
- the value of such matching shares received by the participant (based on
the closing price of such shares on the last trading day of the fiscal
year), and
- the effective tax rate applicable to SYSCO.
Mr. Schnieders elected to receive 40% of his fiscal 2004 base bonus in
SYSCO Common Stock. In connection with this election, Mr. Schnieders received
32,051 shares valued at $1,115,380 in lieu of cash and a matching grant of
16,026 shares valued at $557,700. He also received a cash payment of $214,715 to
offset the tax effect of the matching grant.
Deferred Compensation Election
MIP participants may defer up to 40% of their annual incentive bonus
(without considering any election to receive a portion of the bonus in stock)
under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan ("EDCP"). MIP participants may
also elect to defer all or a portion of their salary under the EDCP. MIP
participants who defer may choose from a variety of investment options,
including Moody's Average Corporate Bond Yield plus 1%, with respect to amounts
deferred. Amounts deferred under the EDCP are generally payable upon death,
disability, retirement or termination of employment pursuant to distribution
elections made under the EDCP. Subject to certain limitations contained in the
EDCP, participants may elect to withdraw their vested deferred account balances,
less a 10% penalty, prior to a regular distribution event.
For deferrals of up to 20% of the annual incentive bonus, the EDCP provides
for SYSCO to credit the participant's deferred compensation account in an amount
equal to 50% of the amount deferred. This matching credit and cumulative
earnings, which accrue interest at a rate equal to Moody's Average Corporate
Bond Yield plus 1%, vest upon the earliest to occur of:
- the 10th anniversary of the date the matching payment is credited to the
participant's account;
- the participant's reaching age 60;
- the death or permanent disability of the participant; or
- a change in control of SYSCO.
Mr. Schnieders deferred 20% of his fiscal 2004 base bonus ($557,700) and
received a matching deferred compensation account credit of $278,850.
17
Stock Options
It has been the general practice of the Committee to consider issuing
options on a performance basis; that is, only in years when participants in the
MIP have earned a bonus under the MIP. It is the current intention of the
Committee to continue this practice, although it is not required by the terms of
the current or proposed option plan. The Committee has not historically
considered the current number of outstanding options held by an individual when
making its grant decisions.
2000 Stock Incentive Plan. The Committee administers the 2000 Stock
Incentive Plan. Although the plan authorizes the grant of a variety of awards
such as restricted shares and stock appreciation rights, no awards other than
stock options have been granted under the plan to date. The plan provides that
in the event of a change in control, all outstanding options would vest and
become fully exercisable.
During fiscal 2004, SYSCO granted options to purchase an aggregate of
13,344,746 shares of its Common Stock to approximately 4,350 employees,
including the 17 executive officers named on page 12, under the 2000 Stock
Incentive Plan. Of the total options granted in fiscal 2004, an aggregate of
796,000 options (approximately 6% of all options granted) were granted to the
executive officers. Options granted to the Named Executive Officers represented
approximately 3% of all options granted. Also included in the total number of
options granted in fiscal 2004 are options to purchase an aggregate of 2,482,000
shares granted to 2,358 non-executive employees based on years of service
("CARES Shares"). Options granted in fiscal 2004 have a weighted average
exercise price of $31.77, vest ratably over a five-year period and have a
ten-year term.
During fiscal 2005 to date, a total of 8,632,750 options have been granted
to approximately 4,500 employees, including the executive officers, under the
2000 Stock Incentive Plan. Of the total options granted in fiscal 2005, an
aggregate of 547,000 options (approximately 6% of all options granted) were
granted to the executive officers and 2,787,000 were granted as CARES Shares to
2,744 non-executive employees based on years of service. Options granted to the
Named Executive Officers represented approximately 3% of all options granted.
Except for options granted to first-time MIP participants, all of the options
granted in fiscal 2005 have an exercise price of $32.19, vest ratably over a
five-year period and have a seven-year term. Options granted to first-time MIP
participants have an exercise price of $32.19, vest ratably over a three-year
period and have a seven-year term. As of September 14, 2004, there were
1,101,889 shares remaining available for grant under the 2000 Stock Incentive
Plan. If the 2004 Stock Option Plan is approved by stockholders, no additional
shares will be issued under the 2000 Plan.
During fiscal 2004, Mr. Schnieders received option grants to purchase
90,000 shares at an exercise price of $31.75 per share. These options have a
Black-Scholes grant date present value of $606,600. During fiscal 2005 to date,
Mr. Schnieders has also received an option grant to purchase 85,000 shares at an
exercise price of $32.19 per share. These options have a Black-Scholes grant
date present value of $603,500.
2004 Stock Option Plan. At the 2004 Annual Meeting, stockholders will be
asked to consider the proposed 2004 Stock Option Plan. Key features of the
proposed Plan are as follows:
- All employees are eligible to participate in the proposed Plan. It is a
three-year plan with a 23.5 million share authorization. The Company's
past stock plans have been for longer duration and authorized more
shares.
- The Plan limits the number of shares that may be issued in any given year
to 1.5% of common shares outstanding on the first day of the fiscal year
in which the grant is made. This represents a reduction in the Company's
prior share utilization rate.
- The Plan limits the number of options that may be granted to any named
executive officer in any given year to 200,000.
- Only stock options and dividend equivalents will be offered under the
proposed Plan; restricted stock is not authorized to be issued under the
proposed Plan. Although the 2000 Plan authorizes the issuance of
restricted stock, none has ever been issued under that plan. Restricted
stock grants can only be issued
18
under the Management Incentive Plan if the participant elects to receive
a portion of his or her annual bonus in stock (see page 17).
- The Plan prohibits repricing, discounted stock options, reload stock
options and material changes without stockholder approval. The Company
has never repriced outstanding options under any plan, nor has it ever
issued discounted stock options or allowed reload stock options. The
Company has also never made material changes to its plans without
stockholder approval.
- The Plan will be administered by the Compensation and Stock Option
Committee, which is comprised solely of independent, non-employee
directors.
- Options will have a maximum term of seven years and will be subject to a
minimum ratable vesting period of three years. Options granted under
prior plans had a 10-year term.
- Shares which are cancelled or forfeited from prior plans will not be
again available for grant under the proposed Plan.
Additional information regarding the proposed 2004 Stock Option Plan can be
found on pages 30 through 39.
Long-Term Incentive Cash Plan
In September 2004, the Committee recommended and the Board approved the
SYSCO Corporation 2004 Long-Term Incentive Cash Plan (the "LTICP") pursuant to
which the executive officers and other key employees have the opportunity to
receive cash incentive payments based on a performance measurement period of at
least three years. At the beginning of each performance period, participants may
be granted a number of performance units, the value of which is established at
that time by the Committee. A participant's cash incentive payments under the
LTICP are based the number of performance units granted to the participant, the
value of the participant's performance units, and a percentage (established by
the Committee) that correlates to the level of performance that is achieved
under performance criteria set by the Committee. The performance criteria set by
the Committee for the three-year period ending June 30, 2007 are based on the
participant's supervised operations with respect to the following: (i) for
operating company participants, the average increase in the supervised
operations' operating pre-tax earnings over the performance period, and (ii) for
corporate participants, the average increase in SYSCO's net after-tax earnings
per share over the performance period. The Committee believes that the design of
the LTICP focuses the Company's executive officers and other key employees on
SYSCO's long-term financial success. The LTICP also reduces the use of option
grants and thus their dilutive effect.
In connection with approving the Plan, the Committee also approved grants
of performance units under the Plan that will result in a maximum aggregate
payout after the end of the three-year performance period that includes fiscal
years 2005 through 2007 of $23,454,375. Mr. Schnieders' grant with respect to
the 2005 through 2007 performance period has a maximum potential value of
$4,147,500.
The Committee believes that the compensation payable under the LTICP to the
Chief Executive Officer and the other four most highly compensated executive
officers of SYSCO and its subsidiaries as of the end of the last fiscal year of
the performance period with respect to which such compensation would be paid
(collectively, the "162(m) Officers") will qualify for the "performance-based
compensation" exception to the deductibility limitations of Section 162(m) of
the Code (as defined below) if stockholder approval of such payments is
obtained. The payment of compensation to 162(m) Officers pursuant to the LTICP
is being submitted to stockholders for approval at the 2004 Annual Meeting. If
stockholder approval is obtained with respect to such payments, the Company
intends to make payments under the LTICP to 162(m) Officers. If stockholder
approval is not obtained, however, no compensation will be paid under the LTICP
to 162(m) Officers. Additional compensation plans for such officers may or may
not be approved. Each grantee of performance units under the LTICP who at this
time could reasonably be expected to be a 162(m) Officer at the end of the 2005
through 2007 performance period has agreed to waive any right to a payment under
the LTICP if (i) stockholder approval is not obtained and (ii) such grantee is a
162(m) Officer.
19
Additional information regarding the 2004 Long-Term Incentive Cash Plan can
be found on pages 40 through 43.
Other Benefits
Executive officers also participate in SYSCO's regular employee benefit
programs, which include a pension plan, a 401(k) plan, group medical and dental
coverage, group life insurance and other group benefit plans. Executive officers
are also provided with additional life insurance benefits, as well as long-term
disability coverage. Further details with respect to SYSCO's tax-qualified
pension plan are provided on pages 25 and 26.
In addition, MIP participants are provided with a Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan (the "SERP") which is designed, generally, to provide annual
payments equal to 50%, subject to certain years of service and age requirements,
of a qualified participant's final average annual compensation, in combination
with all SYSCO and other qualified retirement plan benefits and Social Security
payments available to the participant upon retirement. In the event of a change
in control prior to a regular distribution event, accrued SERP benefits will
become fully vested and participants may elect to receive the current value of
such benefits in a lump sum less a 10% penalty.
Lastly, MIP participants and non-employee directors are eligible to
participate in the Equity Deferral Plan ("EDP") pursuant to which the gain on
the exercise of certain non-qualified stock options may be deferred. The value
of amounts deferred under the EDP is subject to market fluctuations in the price
of SYSCO stock. Amounts deferred under the EDP are vested at all times and are
paid out in shares of SYSCO stock (except that dividend equivalents may be paid
in cash) upon such participant's death, disability, retirement or termination of
employment pursuant to distribution elections made under the EDP. In the event
of a change in control prior to a regular distribution event, a participant may
elect to receive his or her equity deferral account balance in a lump sum less a
10% penalty.
Stock Ownership Guidelines for Executive Officers
The Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that after three
years of service as an executive officer, such individuals are expected to
continuously own a minimum number of shares equal in value to 200% of their base
salary. All of the executive officers listed on page 12 met this requirement as
of September 14, 2004.
Severance Agreements
In May 2004, the Committee approved Severance Agreements for Messrs.
Schnieders, Lankford, Stubblefield, Accardi and Spitler. The Severance
Agreements are described on page 24. The Committee concluded that these
Severance Agreements were in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders in that they secure the continued services of these executive
officers and ensure their undivided dedication to their duties without being
influenced by the uncertainty of continued employment.
Income Deduction Limitations
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), generally sets a limit of $1 million on the amount of compensation
(other than certain "performance-based" compensation that complies with the
requirements of Section 162(m)) that SYSCO may deduct for federal income tax
purposes in any given year with respect to the compensation of each of the
162(m) Officers (as defined above). The Committee has determined, after
reviewing the effect of Section 162(m), that our general policy will be to
structure the performance-based compensation arrangements for such 162(m)
Officers to satisfy Section 162(m)'s conditions for deductibility, to the extent
feasible and taking into account all relevant considerations. However, the
Committee also believes that the Company needs flexibility to meet its incentive
20
and retention objectives, even if the Company may not deduct all of the
compensation paid to the 162(m) Officers.
COMPENSATION AND STOCK OPTION
COMMITTEE
Richard G. Merrill, Chairman
Phyllis S. Sewell
Richard G. Tilghman
Jackie M. Ward
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth information with respect the Chief Executive
Officer and the other four most highly compensated executive officers of SYSCO
and its subsidiaries employed at the end of fiscal 2004 whose total annual
salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 for the fiscal year ended July 3, 2004 (the
"Named Executive Officers"):
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION -----------------------
---------------------------------------- RESTRICTED SECURITIES
OTHER ANNUAL STOCK UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL FISCAL BONUS($) COMPENSATION($) AWARDS($) OPTIONS(#) COMPENSATION($)
POSITION YEAR SALARY($) (1) (2) (1)(3) (4) (5)
------------------ ------ --------- ---------- --------------- ---------- ---------- ---------------
Richard J. Schnieders........... 2004 $912,500 $1,887,835 -- $1,673,080 90,000 $370,544
Chairman and 2003 800,000 1,477,824 -- 1,310,690 100,000 289,977
Chief Executive Officer 2002 705,000 1,131,453 -- 1,003,493 115,000 206,887
Thomas E. Lankford.............. 2004 $662,500 $1,403,760 -- $1,244,100 90,000 $297,391
President and 2003 562,500 1,043,182 -- 925,181 75,000 221,699
Chief Operating Officer 2002 500,000 792,023 -- 702,439 90,000 157,134
John K. Stubblefield, Jr. ...... 2004 $532,500 $1,055,245 -- $ 935,215 70,000 $246,735
Executive Vice President, 2003 497,500 904,076 -- 801,839 75,000 205,796
Finance and Administration 2002 450,000 716,600 -- 635,533 90,000 147,665
Larry J. Accardi................ 2004 $512,500 $1,016,548 -- $ 900,868 70,000 $186,881
Executive Vice President, 2003 487,500 869,314 -- 770,989 75,000 154,562
Merchandising Services and 2002 450,000 716,600 -- 635,533 90,000 118,485
Multi-Unit Sales and
President, Specialty
Distribution
Kenneth F. Spitler.............. 2004 $512,500 $1,016,548 -- $ 900,868 70,000 $204,776
Executive Vice President, 2003 475,000 869,314 -- 770,989 75,000 172,094
Foodservice Operations 2002 400,000 541,395 -- 480,134 65,000 106,209
---------------
(1) Pursuant to the Management Incentive Plan and Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan, each of the Named Executive Officers is eligible to
voluntarily elect to receive up to 40% of his bonus in restricted stock and
to defer up to 40% (calculated prior to any election to receive stock).
These elections, if made, entitle the participant to receive additional
stock and cash pursuant to the match features of these plans as follows: (a)
one additional share for each two shares elected to be received in lieu of
cash, (b) additional cash to offset the tax effect of matching shares
received in lieu of cash, and (c) for deferrals of up to 20%, a credit to
the participant's deferred compensation account in an amount equal to 50% of
the amount deferred. The terms of these plans are described in more detail
in the Report of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee beginning on
page 15.
The amounts reported in the "Bonus" column include amounts paid in cash and
amounts deferred by each of the Named Executive Officers. The "Bonus" column
also includes cash received for the tax effect
21
of any additional shares received pursuant to the match feature of the
Management Incentive Plan. The cash and deferred portions of the bonus earned by
each Named Executive Officer in fiscal 2004 are set forth below:
NAME CASH PORTION OF BASE BONUS CASH TAX EFFECT DEFERRED AMOUNT BONUS COLUMN AMOUNT
---- -------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------
Schnieders........... $1,115,420 $214,715 $557,700 $1,887,835
Lankford............. 414,700 159,660 829,400 1,403,760
Stubblefield......... 311,745 120,020 623,480 1,055,245
Accardi.............. 600,632 115,616 300,300 1,016,548
Spitler.............. 300,332 115,616 600,600 1,016,548
The value of any shares elected to be received in lieu of cash and any
matching shares is included in the Restricted Stock Award column and
additional information about such shares is included in footnote 3 below.
Any amounts credited pursuant to the deferred match feature of the EDCP are
included in the "All Other Compensation" column and described in footnote 5
below.
(2) Does not include perquisites and other personal benefits because they did
not exceed for any individual $50,000 in the aggregate.
(3) Each of the Named Executive Officers elected to receive a portion of his
bonus in shares of restricted Common Stock pursuant to the Management
Incentive Plan. Pursuant to the Management Incentive Plan, the Company made
a matching grant of one additional share for each two shares received
pursuant to such election. The number of elected shares and matched shares
is set forth below. The amount presented is determined by multiplying the
number of shares earned during the fiscal year by the closing price of our
Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day of such
fiscal year.
The number of restricted shares earned by the Named Executive Officers in
fiscal 2004 and issued in fiscal 2005 was as follows:
- Mr. Schnieders -- 48,077 shares (32,051 elected shares and 16,026 match
shares);
- Mr. Lankford -- 35,750 shares (23,833 elected shares and 11,917 match
shares);
- Mr. Stubblefield -- 26,874 shares (17,916 elected shares and 8,958 match
shares);
- Mr. Accardi -- 25,887 shares (17,258 elected shares and 8,629 match
shares); and
- Mr. Spitler -- 25,887 shares (17,258 elected shares and 8,629 match
shares).
The aggregate number and dollar value (computed using the closing price of
our Common Stock on July 2, 2004 ($34.80)) of all restricted shares held as
of the last day of fiscal 2004 by the Named Executive Officers were as
follows:
- Mr. Schnieders -- 81,221 shares at $2,826,491;
- Mr. Lankford -- 57,115 shares at $1,987,602;
- Mr. Stubblefield -- 50,483 shares at $1,756,808;
- Mr. Accardi -- 49,439 shares at $1,720,477; and
- Mr. Spitler -- 43,730 shares at $1,521,804.
The restricted shares are not transferable by the recipient for two years
following receipt and are subject to certain repurchase rights on the part
of SYSCO in the event of termination of employment other than by normal
retirement or disability. The recipient receives dividends on the shares
during the two-year restricted period.
(4) Information regarding stock options granted to the Named Executive Officers
in fiscal 2004, including the Black-Scholes grant date present value, is
included below under "Stock Option Grants."
(5) The amounts reported in the "All Other Compensation" column include the
following:
- a SYSCO match equal to 50% of the first 20% of the annual incentive bonus
which each individual elected to defer under our Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan;
22
- the amount we paid for term life insurance coverage for each individual;
- the amount we paid for 401(k) Plan matching contributions during the
fiscal year; and
- above-market interest credited to deferred compensation account balances
as of June 30 of each fiscal year (above-market interest is the amount by
which the interest actually earned on deferred account balances during
the year exceeded the interest that would have been earned based on an
interest rate equal to 120% of the applicable federal long-term rate as
provided in Section 1274(d) of the Code on a compounded basis).
ALL OTHER
FISCAL TERM LIFE 401(K) ABOVE-MARKET COMPENSATION
NAME YEAR DEFERRED MATCH INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS INTEREST TOTAL
---- ------ -------------- --------- ------------- ------------ ------------
Schnieders.............. 2004 $278,850 $871 $6,000 $84,823 $370,544
2003 218,450 835 3,750 66,942 289,977
2002 167,250 731 1,700 37,206 206,887
Lankford................ 2004 $207,350 $871 $6,063 $83,107 $297,391
2003 154,200 835 3,938 62,726 221,699
2002 117,075 696 2,550 36,813 157,134
Stubblefield............ 2004 $155,870 $868 $6,000 $83,997 $246,735
2003 133,640 797 5,500 65,859 205,796
2002 105,925 626 5,100 36,014 147,665
Accardi................. 2004 $150,150 $854 n/a $35,877 $186,881
2003 128,500 800 n/a 25,262 154,562
2002 105,925 626 n/a 11,934 118,485
Spitler................. 2004 $150,150 $854 $6,000 $47,772 $204,776
2003 128,500 766 5,500 37,328 172,094
2002 80,026 810 6,600 18,773 106,209
STOCK OPTION GRANTS
The following table provides information regarding stock option grants
during fiscal 2004 to the Named Executive Officers. We have never granted any
stock appreciation rights to executive officers under any of our stock plans.
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL 2004
----------------------------
PERCENTAGE OF
TOTAL OPTIONS
NUMBER OF SECURITIES GRANTED TO EXERCISE OR GRANT DATE
UNDERLYING OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE EXPIRATION PRESENT
NAME GRANTED(#)(1) FISCAL 2004 ($/SHARE) DATE VALUE($)(2)
---- --------------------- ------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Schnieders.................. 90,000 0.67 $31.75 9/10/2013 $606,600
Lankford.................... 90,000 0.67 31.75 9/10/2013 606,600
Stubblefield................ 70,000 0.52 31.75 9/10/2013 471,800
Accardi..................... 70,000 0.52 31.75 9/10/2013 471,800
Spitler..................... 70,000 0.52 31.75 9/10/2013 471,800
---------------
(1) The options granted to the Named Executive Officers during fiscal 2004 vest
20% at the end of each fiscal year ending after the date of grant.
(2) We determined the hypothetical grant date present value for the options of
$6.74 per share using a modified Black-Scholes pricing model. In applying
the model, we assumed a volatility of 22%, a 3.2% risk-free rate of return,
a dividend yield at the date of grant of 1.49%, and a 5-year option term. We
did not assume any option exercises or risk of forfeiture during the 5-year
term. If used, such assumptions could have reduced the reported grant date
value. The actual value, if any, an executive may realize upon
23
exercise of options will depend on the excess of the stock price over the
exercise price on the date the option is exercised. Consequently, there is
no assurance that the value realized, if any, will be at or near the value
estimated by the modified Black-Scholes model.
STOCK OPTION EXERCISES AND FISCAL YEAR-END VALUES
The following table provides information with respect to aggregate option
exercises in the last fiscal year and fiscal year-end option values for the
Named Executive Officers.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN FISCAL 2004 AND
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
------------------------------
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
SHARES OPTIONS AT JULY 3, 2004(#) JULY 3, 2004($)(2)
ACQUIRED ON VALUE --------------------------- ---------------------------
NAME EXERCISE(#) REALIZED($)(1) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- ----------- -------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Schnieders........... 62,000 $1,533,787 214,000 187,000 $2,434,122 $858,950
Lankford............. 42,088 1,134,516 252,912 162,000 4,084,753 725,400
Stubblefield......... 18,088 557,517 229,000 146,000 3,577,296 676,600
Accardi.............. 24,676 670,810 226,524 146,000 3,529,784 676,600
Spitler.............. 2,526 74,328 188,648 136,000 2,946,177 606,500
---------------
(1) Computed based on the difference between the closing price of the Common
Stock on the day of exercise and the exercise price.
(2) Computed based on the difference between the closing price on July 2, 2004
and the exercise price.
SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS
In May 2004, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee approved, and the
Board of Directors ratified, Severance Agreements for the benefit of Messrs.
Schnieders, Lankford, Stubblefield, Accardi and Spitler.
Termination For Cause. Under the terms of these agreements, if the
executive officer's employment is terminated by reason of death or permanent
disability, by the Company for cause, or by the executive officer without good
reason, he is entitled to receive (i) a payment equal to his base salary through
the date of death or termination to the extent not already paid, (ii) his actual
earned bonus for any period not already paid, (iii) accrued but unused vacation,
and (iv) reimbursable business expenses.
Termination Without Cause or For Good Reason. If the executive officer's
employment is terminated by the Company without cause, or by the executive
officer for good reason (as those terms are defined in the Severance
Agreements), the executive officer will be entitled to receive (i) accrued base
salary through the date of termination, (ii) his actual earned bonus for any
period not already paid, (iii) accrued but unused vacation, (iv) reimbursable
business expenses, and (v) an amount, payable in 24 equal monthly installments,
equal to the sum of two years' base salary plus two years' MIP bonus before any
elective deferrals (based on his average MIP bonus for the last five years). In
addition, if the termination occurs prior to the end of a year as to which the
Company determines that the executive officer would have earned a bonus but for
the termination, the executive officer shall receive a pro rata share of the
cash portion of the bonus he would have earned (excluding deferred or matching
amounts). If the termination occurs before age 60, the executive officer will be
deemed to be age 60 under the SERP, which will result in the executive becoming
50% vested in his accrued SERP benefit. The executive officer will also receive
a lump sum payment equal to 100% of his unvested and vested benefits under the
EDCP.
Excise Taxes. The Severance Agreements also provide that if the executive
officer incurs excise tax due to the application of Section 280G of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 regarding golden parachute
24
payments, the executive officer is entitled to an additional cash payment so
that he will be in the same after-tax position as if the excise tax were not
applicable.
General. The Severance Agreements prohibit the executive officers from
competing with the Company or directly or indirectly soliciting customers or
employees for a period of two years after termination. The Severance Agreements
also require each executive officer to release any claims against SYSCO and its
affiliates.
RETIREMENT PLAN
We have a defined benefit retirement plan (the "Retirement Plan") that was
most recently amended and restated on November 19, 2001, generally effective as
of January 1, 1997 with various provisions having later effective dates, to
comply with changes required by various laws. The amended and restated
Retirement Plan also incorporated certain discretionary changes in plan
provisions effective May 15, 1998 and April 1, 2000. The restated Retirement
Plan was further amended on November 22, 2002. In addition to benefits accrued
to date, which are set forth below, each Named Executive Officer will accrue
benefits in the future in accordance with the table below:
PENSION PLAN TABLE(1)(2)(3)
YEARS OF CREDITED SERVICE
CAREER AVERAGE COMPENSATION EARNED ----------------------------------------------------------------
ON AND AFTER JUNE 28, 2003(4) 10 15 20 25 30 35
---------------------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
$100,000............................ $15,000 $22,500 $30,000 $37,500 $ 45,000 $ 52,500
150,000............................ 22,500 33,750 45,000 56,250 67,500 78,750
200,000............................ 30,000 45,000 60,000 75,000 90,000 105,000
250,000............................ 37,500 56,250 75,000 93,750 112,500 131,250
---------------
(1) Assumes the annual benefit is payable for five years certain and life
thereafter and that retirement age is 65. Retirement Plan benefits are not
subject to reduction by Social Security or any other offsets.
(2) Current law and regulations limit retirement benefits to $162,951 for
calendar 2004 if they are payable for five years certain and life thereafter
(assuming retirement age of 65). This limitation applies to total retirement
benefits under the Retirement Plan as determined by adding benefits accrued
with respect to periods of employment with SYSCO both before and after July
3, 2004. The Pension Plan Table does not reflect this limitation.
(3) In addition, all MIP participants, including the Named Executive Officers,
are provided with a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan which is
designed, generally, to provide annual payments equal to 50%, subject to
certain years of service and age requirements, of a qualified participant's
final average annual compensation, in combination with all SYSCO and other
qualified retirement plan benefits and Social Security payments available to
the participant upon retirement.
(4) Compensation for benefit calculation purposes is limited by law to $205,000
for calendar 2004 and later years subject to statutory increases and
cost-of-living adjustments. Compensation limitations are not taken into
account in the Pension Plan Table.
To the extent included in W-2 income, all amounts shown in the Summary
Compensation Table, other than deferred bonus and those amounts reported in the
"All Other Compensation" column, are utilized to compute career average
compensation, subject to the compensation limitations noted in footnote (4).
The Retirement Plan provides for an annual benefit payable monthly for five
years certain and life thereafter, equal to:
- the normal retirement benefit which accrued under the prior plan before
July 2, 1989, plus
- an amount equal to 1 1/2% of the participant's average monthly eligible
compensation (W-2 earned income, plus certain pre-tax contributions) paid
on and after July 2, 1989 times years and partial years of credited
service performed on and after July 2, 1989.
25
In the event of a participant's death before his or her normal retirement
age (age 65) or the commencement of a benefit, if earlier, and if the
participant has five or more years of credited service, a death benefit is
payable monthly for ten years certain and life thereafter. The single-sum value
of the death benefit is actuarially equivalent to the single-sum value of the
monthly pension accrued by the deceased participant prior to his or her death or
earlier termination of employment with interest credited from the participant's
date of termination through his date of death, if applicable.
The Named Executive Officers have accrued the following annual benefits and
credited benefit service as of July 3, 2004:
- Mr. Schnieders -- $49,239 and 22 years;
- Mr. Lankford -- $51,826 and 23 years;
- Mr. Stubblefield -- $37,484 and 15 years;
- Mr. Accardi -- $52,875 and 28 years; and
- Mr. Spitler -- $43,395 and 17 years.
The Named Executive Officers also have anticipated future service to age 65
as follows:
- Mr. Schnieders -- 9 years;
- Mr. Lankford -- 8 years;
- Mr. Stubblefield -- 7 years;
- Mr. Accardi -- 9 years; and
- Mr. Spitler -- 10 years.
26
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following stock performance graph compares the performance of SYSCO's
Common Stock to the S&P 500 Index and to a peer group for SYSCO's last five
fiscal years. The members of the peer group are Fleming Companies, Inc., Nash
Finch Company, Supervalu, Inc. and Performance Food Group Company.
The companies in the peer group were selected because they comprise a broad
group of publicly held corporations with food distribution operations similar in
some respects to our operations. Performance Food Group is a foodservice
distributor and the other members of the peer group are in the business of
distributing grocery products to retail supermarkets. We consider the peer group
to be a more representative peer group than the "S&P Consumer Staples (Food
Distributors)" index maintained by Standard & Poor's Corporation that consists
of SYSCO and Supervalu, Inc. because it includes an additional foodservice
distributor and represents a broader index.
The returns of each member of the peer group are weighted according to each
member's stock market capitalization as of the beginning of each period
measured. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in our Common
Stock, the S&P 500 Index, and the peer group was $100 on the last trading day of
fiscal 1999, and that all dividends were reinvested. Performance data for SYSCO,
the S&P 500 Index and for each member of the peer group is provided as of the
last trading day of each of our last five fiscal years.
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPANY NAME/INDEX JULY 2, 1999 JUNE 30, 2000 JUNE 29, 2001 JUNE 28, 2002 JUNE 27, 2003 JULY 2, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SYSCO 100.00 138.26 180.14 182.72 201.23 241.14
S&P 500 Index 100.00 107.25 91.34 74.91 75.10 89.45
Peer Group 100.00 85.31 117.75 128.27 107.80 119.17
27
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board
of Directors, a copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix A. Mr. Campbell,
Mr. Merrill, Mr. Richardson, Mr. Tilghman (Chairman) and Ms. Ward served on the
Audit Committee during the full fiscal 2004 year, and Mr. Hafner has served on
the Audit Committee since his election to the Board in November 2003. Each
member of the Audit Committee is financially literate and each member is
independent as defined in the New York Stock Exchange's listing standards and
Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. None of the Audit
Committee members serve on the audit committees of more than two other
companies. The Audit Committee held 12 meetings during fiscal 2004. The Board
has determined that Mr. Hafner meets the definition of an audit committee
financial expert as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The function of the Audit Committee is to oversee and report to the Board
with respect to various auditing and accounting matters, including the selection
of the independent public accountants, the scope of audit procedures, the nature
of all audit and non-audit services to be performed by the independent public
accountants, the fees to be paid to the independent public accountants, the
performance of the independent public accountants and the Company's accounting
practices and policies.
The Audit Committee has met and held discussions with management and the
independent public accountants. Management represented to the Audit Committee
that SYSCO's consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, and the Audit Committee has reviewed
and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements with management and
the independent public accountants. The Audit Committee also discussed with the
independent public accountants the matters required to be discussed by Statement
on Auditing Standards No. 61. SYSCO's independent public accountants provided to
the Audit Committee the written disclosures and the letter required by the
Independence Standards Board's Standard No. 1, and the Audit Committee discussed
with the independent public accountants that firm's independence.
Based on the Audit Committee's discussion with management and the
independent public accountants and the Audit Committee's review of the
representations of management and the report of the independent public
accountants, the Audit Committee recommended that the Board of Directors include
the audited consolidated financial statements in SYSCO's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended July 3, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Richard G. Tilghman, Chairman
Colin G. Campbell
Joseph A. Hafner, Jr.
Richard G. Merrill
Frank H. Richardson
Jackie M. Ward
FEES PAID TO INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
During fiscal 2003 and 2004, SYSCO incurred the following fees for services
performed by Ernst & Young LLP:
FISCAL 2004 FISCAL 2003
----------- -----------
Audit Fees.................................................. $2,312,800 $1,724,500
Audit Related Fees(1)....................................... 421,541 407,700
Tax Fees(2)................................................. 2,689,970 2,828,000
All Other Fees.............................................. -- --
28
---------------
(1) Audit related fees in fiscal 2004 included $62,359 related to due diligence
and accounting consultation with respect to acquisitions, $300,900 related
to assistance with preparation for the implementation of Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and $58,282 related to the audit of certain
benefit plans. Audit related fees in fiscal 2003 related to the same types
of engagements.
(2) Tax fees in fiscal 2004 included $2,609,549 related to the tax compliance
outsourcing arrangement with the Company's independent auditor, $19,640 in
tax consulting and planning and $60,781 in other tax compliance assistance
and state and local tax compliance and consulting work. Tax fees in fiscal
2003 related to the same types of engagements.
Pre-Approval Policy
In February 2003, the Audit Committee adopted a formal policy concerning
approval of audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent
auditor to the Company. The policy requires that all services, including audit
services and permissible audit related, tax and non-audit services, to be
provided by Ernst & Young LLP to the Company, be pre-approved by the Audit
Committee. All of the services performed by Ernst & Young in fiscal 2004 were
approved in advance by the Audit Committee pursuant to the foregoing
pre-approval policy and procedures. During fiscal 2004, Ernst & Young did not
provide any services prohibited under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM NO. 2 ON THE PROXY CARD
The Audit Committee of the Board has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as SYSCO's
independent accountants for fiscal 2005. Ernst & Young LLP has served as the
Company's independent public accountants providing auditing, financial and tax
services since their engagement in fiscal 2002. In determining to appoint Ernst
& Young, the Audit Committee carefully considered Ernst & Young's past
performance for the Company, its independence with respect to the services to be
performed and its general reputation for adherence to professional auditing
standards.
Although the Company is not required to seek ratification, the Audit
Committee and the Board believe it is sound corporate governance to do so. If
stockholders do not ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young, the current
appointment will stand, but the Audit Committee will consider the stockholders'
action in determining whether to appoint Ernst & Young as the Company's
independent accountants for fiscal 2006.
Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting
and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. They
will also be available to respond to appropriate questions.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS FOR FISCAL 2005.
29
PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE 2004 STOCK OPTION PLAN
ITEM NO. 3 ON THE PROXY CARD
On September 3, 2004, upon recommendation of the Compensation and Stock
Option Committee, the Board of Directors adopted the 2004 Stock Option Plan,
subject to stockholder approval. If approved by the stockholders at the Annual
Meeting, the 2004 Stock Option Plan will become effective on November 12, 2004
and will replace the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan. When the 2004 Stock Option Plan
becomes effective, all outstanding options under the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan
will remain outstanding but no further grants will be made under the 2000 Stock
Incentive Plan. If this proposal is not approved, no grants will be made under
the 2004 Stock Option Plan and the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan will remain in
effect. This proposal will not affect options already granted under the 2000
Stock Incentive Plan. As of September 14, 2004, there were options outstanding
under the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan to purchase 60,047,961 shares of Common
Stock.
Under applicable New York Stock Exchange rules, the Company is required to
obtain stockholder approval of the 2004 Stock Option Plan. In addition,
stockholder approval of the 2004 Stock Option Plan is necessary to allow the
Company to grant incentive stock options ("ISOs") to employees under Section 422
of the Code and to ensure that compensation paid under the Plan can be eligible
for an exemption from the limits on tax deductibility imposed by Section 162(m)
of the Code, which limits the deductibility of certain compensation paid to
individuals who are, at the end of the tax year for which the Company would
otherwise claim its tax deduction, the Company's chief executive officer and its
other four highest-paid executive officers ("162(m) Officers"). On September 14,
2004, the closing price of SYSCO's common stock as reported by the NYSE was
$32.06.
The following summary of the material terms of the 2004 Stock Option Plan
does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of
the 2004 Stock Option Plan, a copy of which is attached as Appendix B hereto.
KEY TERMS OF THE 2004 STOCK OPTION PLAN
Plan Term.................................... 3 years
Eligible Participants........................ All employees selected by the Committee
Shares Authorized............................ 23,500,000
Shares Authorized as a Percent of Outstanding
Shares (as of September 14, 2004).......... 3.68%
Annual Utilization Rate Limitation........... 1.5% of common shares outstanding
Award Types.................................. Stock Options (Incentive and Non-Qualified)
and Dividend Equivalents
Share Limits................................. No more than 200,000 options may be granted
to a named executive officer in any given
year
Vesting Period............................... Determined by the Committee, but not less
than three years ratably
Exercise Period.............................. Determined by the Committee, but not more
than seven years
Exercise Price............................... Not less than fair market value on date of
grant defined as the closing price on the
NYSE on the day prior to grant
Prohibited................................... - Repricings or material amendments without
stockholder approval
- Reload options and discounted stock options
BACKGROUND ON STOCK COMPENSATION AT SYSCO
Since its inception in 1970, SYSCO has recognized the importance of
aligning the interests of its employees with those of its stockholders. SYSCO's
management has long believed that the Company would
30
have a more performance-based culture and would create greater shareholder value
if employees owned more stock. A number of practices confirm this belief:
- The Company has had a stock option plan in place since 1970.
- The Company has had an Employee Stock Purchase Plan in place since 1974.
- The Company encourages stock ownership by allowing officers and senior
management of most operating subsidiaries to elect to receive stock in
lieu of a portion of their cash bonus under the Management Incentive
Plan. To further encourage this group to acquire shares, the Company
provides a 50% stock match on elected shares and pays a tax gross up to
those who make the election. Shares issued under the Management Incentive
Plan are subject to a right of repurchase by the Company and are
restricted for two years against sale or transfer.
- In addition to making options available at the management level, all
employees (other than MIP participants) are eligible to receive stock
options upon completing 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service under
SYSCO's CARES Shares program. Since the CARES Shares program was
instituted in 2001, a total of 23,845,000 shares have been granted to
approximately 12,100 employees.
- Stock Ownership Guidelines have been implemented for non-employee
directors and executive officers.
- Option grants to the Named Executive Officer group are typically less
than 5%, in the aggregate, of annual option grants.
The Company's financial performance has consistently exceeded that of its
peers, and employee retention rates have historically been high. In addition,
the Company's total shareholder return over the last five years has far outpaced
that of our peer group and the S&P 500 (see page 27 for comparative shareholder
returns). While important to the Company's performance and progress, the
Company's stock compensation practices have led to an equity plan overhang that
may be higher than average. Overhang as we calculate it is the sum of all
granted and outstanding options and options available for grant divided by total
shares outstanding. Without including the new shares requested, the Company's
stock overhang as of September 14, 2004 was approximately 11.47% for all stock
based plans excluding the Management Incentive Plan and the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, and 13.40% for all plans. If the new Plan is approved, total
option plan overhang would be 14.95%. The dilutive effect of this above-average
share usage has been offset by the Company's long-standing goal of buying back
Company shares in excess of shares issued upon exercise of stock options. During
the last three fiscal years, the Company has repurchased 51,384,300 shares,
while issuing 12,052,507 shares in connection with the exercise of options under
its stock option plans.
Under the proposed 2004 Stock Option Plan, the Committee and the Company
intend to further reduce share usage by limiting the number of shares that may
be granted each year to 1.5% or less of shares outstanding. Long-term cash
awards will be granted under the Long-Term Incentive Cash Plan to supplement
options as part of an overall program to provide meaningful long-term incentives
to key employees. These changes will reduce stock overhang while keeping
compensation levels competitive with our industry peers.
The Company believes strongly that its equity compensation programs and
emphasis on employee stock ownership have been integral to its past success and
will be important to its ability to achieve consistently superior performance in
the years ahead. Therefore, the approval of the proposed 2004 Stock Option Plan
is vital to the Company's ability to achieve its future growth goals and create
even greater stockholder value.
PURPOSE OF THE 2004 STOCK OPTION PLAN
The purpose of the 2004 Stock Option Plan is to promote the interests of
the Company and its stockholders by providing officers and other employees of
the Company and its subsidiaries with appropriate incentives and rewards to
encourage them to enter into and remain in their positions with the Company and
to acquire a proprietary interest in the long-term success of the Company,
thereby aligning their interests more closely to the interests of the Company's
stockholders.
31
ADMINISTRATION OF THE 2004 STOCK OPTION PLAN
Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Compensation and Stock Option
Committee will administer the 2004 Stock Option Plan. The Committee is composed
of "non-employee directors" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), "outside
directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, and "independent
directors" within the meaning of NYSE listing standards.
The Committee will have the power in its discretion to grant Options under
the 2004 Stock Option Plan, to select the individuals to whom Options are
granted, to determine the terms thereof, to interpret the provisions of the 2004
Stock Option Plan and to otherwise administer the Plan. Except as prohibited by
applicable law or stock exchange rules, the Committee may, from time to time,
delegate all or any of its responsibilities and powers under the Plan,
including, without limitation, the power to designate participants and determine
the amount, timing and term of Options under the Plan. Such delegation may be
made to any person or persons, including, without limitation, any executive
officer of the Company.
Whenever used herein and in the Plan, "Committee" shall mean the
Compensation and Stock Option Committee and its designee or designees, to the
extent there shall be any. The Committee does not currently intend to delegate
any of its authority with respect to individuals who are subject to Section 16
of the Exchange Act or Section 162(m) of the Code. All Options will be evidenced
by a written document in such form as is determined by the Committee, which the
Committee may, but need not, require that the grantee sign.
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE 2004 STOCK OPTION PLAN
The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant
to the 2004 Stock Option Plan during its term shall be 23.5 million.
The following additional maximums are imposed under the 2004 Stock Option
Plan: (i) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued
pursuant to options intended to be ISOs is 23.5 million; (ii) the maximum number
of shares that may be covered by all Options granted to any 162(m) Officer
during any fiscal year is 200,000; and (iii) the maximum number of shares that
may be issued in settlement of dividend equivalent rights shall be 250,000.
If the Company undergoes a recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend,
or another such transaction affecting the Common Stock, or if the Company makes
an extraordinary dividend or distribution (including without limitation to
implement a spinoff), then, subject to any required action by stockholders, the
number and kind of shares available under the 2004 Stock Option Plan, and the
various share limitations contained in the 2004 Stock Option Plan, will be
automatically adjusted accordingly. In addition, the Committee may, in its
discretion, subject to any required stockholder action, adjust the number and
kind of shares covered by outstanding Options and the price per share of
outstanding Options, to reflect such an event.
If the Company merges or consolidates with another corporation, or is
liquidated or disposes of all or substantially all of its assets, then the
Committee may deal with outstanding Options under the Plan in any of the
following ways. First, it may provide for each Option to become an Option with
respect to the same securities or other property that the Company's stockholders
receive in the transaction. Second, it may provide for each Option to become an
Option with respect to the stock of the surviving corporation in the
transaction. Third, it may cause Options to vest (if they have not otherwise
vested under the change-in-control provisions of the 2004 Stock Option Plan).
Fourth, it may cancel Options in exchange for a payment having a value equal to
(1) in the case of in-the-money Options, the difference between the value of the
underlying shares (based on the transaction consideration) and the exercise or
base price, and (2) in the case of out-of-the-money Options, the value of the
Options, as determined by the Committee or the Board of Directors.
32
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
Eligibility to participate in the 2004 Stock Option Plan is limited to
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. Currently, approximately 47,180
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are within the class eligible for
selection to participate in the 2004 Stock Option Plan.
OPTIONS
The Committee may grant Options to eligible employees. The Committee will
have complete discretion, subject to the terms of the 2004 Stock Option Plan, to
determine the persons to whom Options will be awarded, the time or times of
grant, and the other terms and conditions of the grant.
OPTION EXERCISE PRICE AND VESTING
The Committee will determine the exercise price with respect to each Option
at the time of grant. The Option exercise price per share of Common Stock shall
not be less than 100% of the fair market value per share of the Common Stock
underlying the Option on the date of grant, and no Option may be repriced in
violation of the repricing limitations discussed in "Amendment and Termination"
below. For purposes of determining the Option exercise price, fair market value
is defined as the closing price on the NYSE the day prior to the date of grant.
The Committee may determine at the time of grant and any time thereafter the
terms under which Options shall vest and become exercisable. However, no Option
can have a term in excess of seven years, and all grants will be subject to a
minimum three-year ratable vesting schedule.
SPECIAL LIMITATIONS ON ISOS
No ISO may be granted to an employee who owns at the time of the grant
stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock of the Company or its subsidiaries (a "10% Stockholder") unless
the exercise price for each share of Common Stock subject to such ISO is at
least 110% of the fair market value per share of the Common Stock on the date of
grant and such ISO award is not exercisable more than five years after its date
of grant. In addition, if the total fair market value of shares of Common Stock
subject to ISOs which are exercisable for the first time by an employee in a
given calendar year exceeds $100,000, valued as of the grant date of the ISO,
the Options for shares of Common Stock in excess of $100,000 for that year will
be treated as NQOs.
EXERCISE OF OPTIONS
Options shall be exercisable in accordance with such terms and conditions
and during such periods as may be established by the Committee. Notice of
exercise must be accompanied by payment equal to the applicable Option exercise
price plus all withholding taxes due, such amount to be paid in cash or by
tendering, either by actual delivery of shares or by attestation, shares of
Common Stock that are acceptable to the Committee and have been held by the
participant for at least six months, such shares to be valued at fair market
value as of the day the shares are tendered, or in any combination thereof, as
determined by the Committee. To the extent permitted by applicable law, a
participant may elect to pay the exercise price through the contemporaneous sale
by a third party broker of shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise
yielding net sales proceeds equal to the exercise price and any withholding tax
due and the remission of those sale proceeds to the Company.
TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS
Options may not be transferred except by will or applicable laws of descent
and distribution. However, the Committee has the discretion to allow the
transfer of non-qualified Options upon request by the Option holder.
TERMINATION OF OPTIONS
Options shall be exercisable during such periods as may be established by
the Committee. Under normal circumstances, options will expire on the earlier to
occur of the expiration date of the Option or 90 days after
33
the severance of an Option holder's employment with the Company or any of its
subsidiaries. If before the expiration of an Option, an Option holder's
employment terminates as a result of retirement in good standing or disability
under the established rules of the Company then in effect, the Option will
remain in effect, vest and be exercisable in accordance with its terms. Upon the
death of an employee while employed by the Company or its subsidiaries, Options,
to the extent then exercisable, shall remain exercisable by the executors or
administrators of his or her estate for up to three years following the date of
death. In no event, however, may any Option be exercised more than seven years
from the date of grant, and an ISO that is held by a 10% Stockholder may not be
exercised more than five years from the date of grant. To the extent not
exercised by the applicable deadline, the Option will terminate.
DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS
In conjunction with any Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted
under the Plan, the Committee may provide in the applicable Option agreement or
otherwise for "dividend equivalent rights." Dividend equivalent rights may
entitle the grantee to receive in cash or shares, as determined by the
Committee, upon exercise of the Option or at such other time as the Committee
specifies, an additional amount based on the dividends that would have been
received on the underlying shares had they been issued at the time of grant or
such later date as designated by the Committee. This provision of the Plan will,
among other things, allow dividend equivalent shares to be paid with respect to
elective deferrals of stock option gains under the EDP.
FORFEITURE
Notwithstanding any other provision of the 2004 Stock Option Plan and
except as discussed under "Change in Control" below, if the Committee finds by a
majority vote that with respect to a Plan participant at any time that an Option
is outstanding: (i) the participant, before or after termination of his or her
employment relationship with the Company or any of its subsidiaries ("Employer")
for any reason, (a) committed fraud, embezzlement, theft, a felony, or proven
dishonesty in the course of his employment and that such act damaged the
Employer, or (b) disclosed trade secrets of the Employer, or (ii) the
participant, before or after termination of his or her employment relationship
with the Employer for any reason, participated, engaged or had a financial or
other interest (whether as an employee, officer, director, consultant,
contractor, stockholder, owner, or otherwise) in any commercial endeavor in the
United States which is competitive with the business of the Employer in
violation of the SYSCO Code of Business Conduct as in effect on the date of such
participation or other engagement or in such a manner that would have violated
the Code of Business Conduct had the participant been employed by the Employer
at the time of the activity in question, then any outstanding Options which have
not been exercised will be forfeited. The decision of the Committee as to the
nature of a participant's conduct, the damage done to the Employer and the
extent of the participant's competitive activity will be final. No decision of
the Committee, however, will affect the finality of the discharge of the
participant by the Employer in any manner.
CHANGE IN CONTROL
In the event of a Change in Control (as defined below), all Options
outstanding on the date immediately preceding such Change in Control will become
fully vested, free of restriction and exercisable unless otherwise expressly
provided in the applicable Option agreement. In the event that the employment of
a participant who is an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is
terminated by the Company other than for cause, as defined below, during the
24-month period following a Change in Control, as defined below, all of such
participant's outstanding Options may thereafter be exercised by the
participant, to the extent that such Options were exercisable as of the date of
such termination of employment, for (x) a period of 24 months from such date of
termination or (y) until expiration of the stated term of such Option, whichever
period is shorter. The forfeiture provisions relating to competition as
described in the immediately preceding paragraph shall not apply to any
participant who incurs a termination of employment pursuant to the Change in
Control provisions in the Plan. For purposes of these provisions, the term
"cause" shall mean "cause" as defined in the participant's Option Agreement or
written employment or other agreement with the Company or a subsidiary,
34
or if not defined in any such agreement, "cause" shall mean conviction of the
participant for a felony, dishonesty while performing his employment duties, or
participant's willful or deliberate failure to perform his or her duties in any
material respect.
The term "Change in Control" means any of the following:
(i) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a "Person")
of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under
the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (A) the then-outstanding shares
of common stock of the Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or
(B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of
the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the
"Outstanding Company Voting Securities"); provided, however, that, for
purposes of this definition, the following acquisitions shall not
constitute a Change in Control: (1) any acquisition directly from the
Company, (2) any acquisition by the Company, (3) any acquisition by any
employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the
Company or any affiliated company or (4) any acquisition by any corporation
pursuant to a transaction that complies with the criteria set forth in
(iii)(A), (B) and (C) below;
(ii) The occurrence of the following: Individuals who, as of November
12, 2004, constitute the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason
to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any
individual becoming a director subsequent to November 12, 2004 whose
election, or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders, was
approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising
the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a
member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such
individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an
actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or
removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies
or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board;
(iii) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share
exchange or consolidation or similar corporate transaction involving the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of
assets or stock of another entity by the Company or any of its subsidiaries
(each, a "Business Combination"), in each case unless, following such
Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and
entities that were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common
Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to
such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more
than 60% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined
voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the
corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without
limitation, a corporation that, as a result of such transaction, owns the
Company or all or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly
or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions
as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting
Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any corporation
resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or
related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such
Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or
more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the
corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting
power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation, except
to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business
Combination, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of
directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were
members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial
agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business
Combination; or
(iv) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
35
TAX WITHHOLDING
Shares issued under the 2004 Stock Option Plan are subject to withholding
of all applicable taxes, and the Committee may condition the delivery of any
shares under the Plan on satisfaction of the applicable withholding obligations.
The Committee, in its discretion, and subject to such requirements as the
Committee may impose prior to the occurrence of such withholding, may permit
such withholding obligations to be satisfied through cash payment by the
participant, through the surrender of shares of Common Stock which the
participant already owns, or through the surrender of shares of Common Stock to
which the participant is otherwise entitled under the Plan, but only to the
extent of the minimum amount required to be withheld under applicable law.
TERM OF THE 2004 STOCK OPTION PLAN
Unless earlier terminated by the Board of Directors, the 2004 Stock Option
Plan will terminate on November 12, 2007. No Options or dividend equivalents may
be granted under the Plan subsequent to that date.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
The Board may, at any time, amend or terminate the 2004 Stock Option Plan,
except that the following actions may not be taken without stockholder approval:
(i) any increase in the number of shares that may be issued under the Plan
(except by certain adjustments provided for under the Plan); (ii) any change in
the class of persons eligible to receive ISOs under the Plan; (iii) any change
in the requirements of the Plan regarding the exercise price of Options; (iv)
any repricing of any Option issued under the Plan by (A) lowering the exercise
price of that Option or (B) canceling that Option and subsequently granting a
new Option with a lower exercise price, or any other Option, to the extent that
such cancellation, replacement or grant would fall within the definition of
"repriced" contained in Item 402(i) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, such definition to be applied to grants to
all persons, not only "named executive officers" as that term is defined in Item
402(a)(3) of Regulation S-K; (v) any material amendment to the Plan; or (vi) any
other amendment to the Plan that would require approval of the Company's
stockholders under applicable law, regulation or rule.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion addresses certain anticipated federal income tax
consequences to recipients of awards made under the 2004 Stock Option Plan and
to the Company. It is based on the Code and interpretations thereof as in effect
on the date of this proxy statement. It is not intended as tax advice to any
individual.
Summary of Current Federal Income Tax Rates for Individuals
Ordinary income of individuals, such as compensation income, is currently
taxed at a top marginal rate of 35%. In addition, the maximum long-term capital
gains rate for individuals is currently 15%. The maximum federal income tax rate
for qualifying dividends received by individuals is currently 15%.
Options
Grant of Options. There will be no federal income tax consequences to the
grantee of an Option or the Company upon the grant of either an ISO or an NQO
under the 2004 Stock Option Plan.
Exercise of NQOs. Upon the exercise of an NQO, the grantee generally will
recognize ordinary compensation income, subject to withholding and employment
taxes, in an amount equal to: (a) the fair market value, on the date of
exercise, of the acquired shares of Common Stock, less (b) the exercise price
paid for those shares. In general, as long as the Company satisfies the
applicable reporting requirements, the Company will be entitled to a tax
deduction equal to the compensation income recognized by the grantee. Gains or
losses recognized by the grantee upon a subsequent disposition of the shares
will be treated as long-
36
term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for more than a year from the
date of exercise. Such gains or losses will be short-term gains or losses if the
shares are held for one year or less. For purposes of computing gain or loss,
the grantee's basis in the shares received will be the exercise price paid for
the shares plus the amount of income, if any, recognized upon exercise of the
Option.
Exercise of ISOs. Upon the exercise of an ISO, the grantee will recognize
no immediate taxable income for regular income tax purposes, provided the
grantee was continuously employed by the Company or a subsidiary from the date
of grant through the date which is three months prior to the date of exercise
(or through the date which is one year prior to the exercise date in the case of
total disability).
The exercise of an ISO will, however, result in an adjustment for
alternative minimum tax purposes in an amount equal to the excess of the fair
market value of the shares at exercise over the exercise price. That adjustment
may result in alternative minimum tax liability to the grantee upon the exercise
of the ISO. Subject to certain limitations, alternative minimum tax paid in one
year may be carried forward and credited against regular federal income tax
liability for subsequent years. If the grantee retains the shares acquired upon
the exercise of the ISO for more than two years from the date of grant and one
year from the date of exercise, any gain on a later sale of the shares will be
treated as long-term capital gain, and the Company will not be entitled to any
tax deduction with respect to the ISO.
If the grantee disposes of the shares of Common Stock received upon the
exercise of an ISO before the expiration of the two-year and one-year holding
periods discussed above, a "Disqualifying Disposition" occurs, the grantee will
have ordinary compensation income, and the Company will be entitled to a
corresponding deduction at the time of such disposition. The amount of ordinary
income and deduction generally will be equal to the lesser of: (a) the fair
market value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of exercise minus the
exercise price; or (b) the amount realized upon disposition of the Common Stock
minus the exercise price. If the amount realized on disposition exceeds the
value of the shares on the date of exercise, that additional amount will be
taxable as capital gain. To be entitled to a deduction as a result of a
Disqualifying Disposition, the Company must satisfy applicable reporting
requirements.
Section 162(m) Limitation
In general, Section 162(m) of the Code limits to $1 million the federal
income tax deductions that may be claimed in any tax year of the Company with
respect to certain compensation payable to any employee who is the chief
executive officer or one of the other four highest paid executive officers of
the Company on the last day of that tax year. This limit does not apply to
"performance-based compensation" paid under a plan that meets the requirements
of Section 162(m) the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The
Company believes that the Options to be granted under the 2004 Stock Option Plan
will qualify for the performance-based compensation exception to the Section
162(m) limitations under current law because Options will be issued only if
stockholder approval is obtained, and any taxable compensation will be based
solely on an increase in value of the stock after the date of the Option since
Option exercise prices will be no less than fair market value on the date of
grant.
Golden Parachute Tax and Section 280G of the Code
If an Option is accelerated as a result of a Change in Control, all or a
portion of the value of the Option at that time may be a "parachute payment"
under Section 280G of the Code for certain employees and other individuals who
perform services for the Company. Section 280G generally provides that if
parachute payments equal or exceed three times an Option holder's average W-2
compensation for the five tax years preceding the year of the Change in Control,
the Company will not be permitted to claim its deduction with respect to any
"excess parachute payments" made to the individual. An "excess parachute
payment" generally is the portion of a parachute payment that exceeds such
individual's average compensation for such period. Section 280G of the Code
generally applies to employees or other individuals who perform services for the
Company if, within the 12-month period preceding the Change in Control, the
individual is an officer of the Company, a shareholder owning more than 1% of
the stock of the Company, or a member of the group consisting of the lesser of
the highest paid 1% of the employees of the Company or the highest paid
37
250 employees of the Company. A recipient of an excess parachute payment is
subject to a 20% excise tax on such excess parachute payment under Section 4999
of the Code. See page 24 for a description of the Company's payment obligations
under the Severance Agreements with respect to this excise tax.
The discussion set forth above is intended only as a summary and does not
purport to be a complete enumeration or analysis of all potential tax effects
relevant to recipients of Options under the 2004 Stock Option Plan. We have not
undertaken to discuss the tax treatment of Options under the Plan in connection
with a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Such treatment will depend
on the terms of the transaction and the method of dealing with the Options in
connection therewith.
CERTAIN INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS
In considering the recommendation of the Board of Directors with respect to
the 2004 Stock Option Plan, stockholders should be aware that members of the
Board of Directors have certain interests that may present them with conflicts
of interest in connection with the proposal to approve the 2004 Stock Option
Plan. As discussed above, directors who are also employees of the Company will
be eligible for the grant of Options under the 2004 Stock Option Plan; however,
none of these directors serve on the Compensation and Stock Option Committee.
The Board of Directors believes that approval of the 2004 Stock Option Plan will
advance the interests of the Company and its stockholders by encouraging
employees to make significant contributions to the long-term success of the
Company.
38
NEW PLAN BENEFITS
The following table indicates the number of options granted in fiscal 2005
to date. Since future grant amounts are not presently determinable, this table
indicates the number of shares of Common Stock that would be received in fiscal
2006 under the 2004 Stock Option Plan and the estimated dollar value thereof
assuming that awards are made commensurate with those made in fiscal 2005 to
date:
NUMBER OF SHARES
NAME AND POSITION UNDERLYING GRANTS DOLLAR VALUE(1)
----------------- ----------------- ---------------
Richard J. Schnieders
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.................. 85,000 $ 603,500
Thomas E. Lankford
President and Chief Operating Officer................. 74,000 525,400
John K. Stubblefield, Jr.
Executive Vice President, Finance and
Administration........................................ 40,000 284,000
Larry J. Accardi
Executive Vice President, Merchandising Services and
Multi-Unit Sales and President, Specialty
Distribution.......................................... 40,000 284,000
Kenneth F. Spitler
Executive Vice President, Foodservice Operations...... 40,000 284,000
Executive officers as a group, including the Named
Executive Officers.................................... 547,000 3,883,700
All non-executive officers and other employees as a
group................................................. 8,085,750 57,408,825
All non-employee directors as a group................... -0- -0-
Total................................................. 8,632,750 $61,292,525
---------------
(1) Assumes an estimated Black-Scholes valuation of $7.10 per option share for
options granted to date in fiscal 2005. In applying the Black-Scholes
pricing model, we assumed a volatility of 22.4%, a 3.41% risk-free rate of
return, a dividend yield at the date of grant of 1.45%, and a 5-year option
term. We did not assume any option exercises or risk of forfeiture during
the 5-year term. If used, such assumptions could have reduced the reported
grant date value. The actual value, if any, an executive may realize upon
exercise of options will depend on the excess of the stock price over the
exercise price on the date the option is exercised. Consequently, there is
no assurance that the value realized, if any, will be at or near the value
estimated by the modified Black-Scholes model. Fiscal 2005 option grants
were made on September 2, 2004 at an exercise price of $32.19 per share.
REQUIRED VOTE
The affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast is required to approve
this proposal. For purposes of qualifying the shares authorized under the
proposed plan for listing on the NYSE, the total votes cast on the proposal must
represent over 50% of shares outstanding.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE 2004 STOCK OPTION
PLAN.
39
PROPOSAL TO APPROVE COMPENSATION TO BE PAID TO CERTAIN EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
UNDER THE 2004 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE CASH PLAN
ITEM NO. 4 ON THE PROXY CARD
Upon the recommendation of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee, the
Board of Directors has adopted the 2004 Long-Term Incentive Cash Plan. The Plan
permits us to pay cash bonuses to certain employees based on the achievement of
preestablished performance goals over a performance period of at least three
fiscal years.
Payment of compensation under the Plan to the 162(m) Officers (i.e., the
Company's chief executive officer and its other four most highly compensated
executive officers) is being submitted to stockholders for approval at the 2004
Annual Meeting so that such compensation will qualify as performance-based for
purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Compensation that qualifies as
performance-based for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code is not subject to
the annual Section 162(m) limit on the deductibility of compensation in excess
of $1 million with respect to each of the 162(m) Officers.
If stockholders do not approve this proposal, no bonuses will be paid under
the Plan to the 162(m) Officers, regardless of whether bonuses would otherwise
be earned; however, the Board may or may not adopt another cash plan in which
the 162(m) Officers may participate.
A copy of the Plan is attached as Appendix C to this Proxy Statement. The
description that follows is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full
text of the Plan set forth in the Appendix.
PURPOSE OF THE 2004 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE CASH PLAN
The purpose of the Plan is to provide participants with a meaningful
long-term incentive opportunity geared toward the achievement of specific
financial performance goals.
ADMINISTRATION
The Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board will administer
the Plan. The Committee is composed of "non-employee directors" within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, "outside directors" within the
meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, and "independent directors" within the
meaning of NYSE listing standards.
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
Eligibility to participate in the Plan is limited to employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries. Each year, within 90 days after the beginning of
the applicable performance period, the Committee will determine those eligible
employees who will participate in the Plan. Currently, approximately 47,180
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are within the class eligible for
selection to participate in the Plan. For the performance period that includes
fiscal years 2005 through 2007, the Committee has designated 172 employees, all
of whom are participants in the Management Incentive Plan, as participants in
the Plan.
AWARD DETERMINATION
Before the beginning of each performance period, or no later than 90 days
thereafter, the Committee will establish performance goals for that performance
period. The Committee may base performance goals on any combination of
corporate, operating company and individual performance. However, with respect
to 162(m) Officers, the Committee will establish the performance goals from one
or more of the following criteria:
- Return on Capital Employed,
- Sales Growth,
- Market Share,
- Margin Growth,
- Return on Equity,
- Total Shareholder Return,
40
- Increases in Net After-Tax Earnings Per Share,
- Increases in Operating Pre-Tax Earnings,
- Operating Profit or Improvements in Operating Profit,
- Improvements in Working Capital and the Ratio of Sales to Net Working
Capital,
- Reductions in Inventories, Accounts Receivable or Operating Expenses,
- Net Earnings, and
- Pre-Tax Earnings.
Within 90 days after the beginning of each performance period, the
Committee, in its sole discretion, will also determine (i) the length of the
performance period, which shall be no less than three years in duration, (ii)
the payment date for the performance period, (iii) the method for determining
performance unit value and payment amount for each participant, and (iv) the
number of performance units to be granted to each participant. It is anticipated
that awards will be made annually under the Plan which will result in
overlapping performance periods.
The Committee has established increases in net after-tax earnings per share
(for corporate participants) and operating pretax earnings (for operating
company participants) as the performance goals for the three-year performance
period commencing on July 4, 2004 and ending June 30, 2007.
The maximum payment in respect of any performance period to be paid to any
162(m) Officer shall not exceed 1% of the Company's earnings before income taxes
as reported in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended immediately
prior to the payment date with respect to such performance period.
PAYMENTS
Payments earned under the Plan will be made in cash on or before the
payment date for a given performance period. Payment dates will be determined by
the Committee and may not be later than the last day of the fourth month
following completion of the applicable performance period. Although none of
SYSCO's executive benefit plans currently permit deferral of amounts earned
under the Plan, such plans could allow participants to defer amounts earned
under the Plan in the future.
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
Generally, a participant must be employed on the last day of a performance
period to receive payments under the Plan. Therefore, if a participant's
employment terminates prior to a Change in Control for any reason other than
retirement, death or disability, such participant's performance units will be
cancelled and the participant will receive no payment under the Plan. If a
participant's employment terminates after the end of a performance period but
before the payment date, the participant will be paid any amounts earned during
the performance period on the payment date. If a participant's employment is
terminated by reason of retirement or disability, such participant will be
entitled to receive payment for the full performance period. Performance units
can be cancelled if a participant engages in activities competitive with the
Company prior to the end of a performance period. If a participant dies prior to
the end of a performance period, his or her beneficiaries or personal
representatives will be entitled to receive a pro rata portion of any amounts
earned.
CHANGE IN CONTROL
If a Change in Control occurs during a performance period, a participant's
performance units with respect to such performance period will be considered
vested, and payment will be made to the participant within 90 days after the
date of the Change in Control. Payments will be based on the maximum amount that
could be paid assuming the highest level of performance is achieved.
Payments made under the Plan as a result of a Change in Control generally
will be treated as a "parachute payment" for purposes of Section 280G of the
Code. As a result, with respect to any such payments made to officers, a member
of the group consisting of the lesser of the highest paid 1% of the employees of
the Company or the highest paid 250 employees of the Company, and any
shareholder owning
41
more than 1% of the stock of the Company ("disqualified individuals"), the
Company may be unable to claim a tax deduction if the total amount of payments
and benefits to be received by the disqualified individual that are contingent
on a Change in Control for purposes of Section 280G of the Code ("parachute
payments") equal or exceed three times the disqualified individual's average W-2
compensation for the five tax years preceding the year of the Change in Control
("5-year average compensation"). In addition, the disqualified individual may be
subject to a 20% excise tax to the extent that parachute payments made to the
disqualified individual exceed the disqualified individual's 5-year average
compensation if the total parachute payments to the disqualified individual
equal or exceed three times the disqualified individual's 5-year average
compensation. See page 24 for a description of the Company's payment obligations
under the Severance Agreements with respect to this excise tax.
DURATION OF PLAN
The Plan will expire on September 3, 2009, unless sooner terminated by the
Board.
AMENDMENTS
The Plan may be withdrawn or amended by the Board or the Committee at any
time, unless such withdrawal or amendment would have an adverse effect on awards
previously granted. In addition, the following amendments, to the extent that
they would affect 162(m) Officers, will not be made without stockholder
approval:
- Modifying eligibility requirements,
- Materially increasing participants' benefits, or
- Modifying the performance measures for 162(m) Officers.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a general description of the federal income tax
consequences of compensation paid under the Plan to the 162(m) Officers. This
summary does not address any state, local or other non-federal tax consequences
associated with the payment of compensation to 162(m) Officers under the Plan.
This discussion is intended for the information of stockholders considering how
to vote at the annual meeting and not as tax guidance to individuals who
participate in the Plan.
Deductibility of Compensation Paid to 162(m) Officers
In general, subject to certain limitations, compensation that is paid to
the 162(m) Officers under the Plan will be deductible by SYSCO for federal
income tax purposes.
Section 162(m) of the Code generally imposes a $1 million limit on the
deductibility compensation paid to a 162(m) Officer for any taxable year.
However, compensation that qualifies as performance-based for purposes of
Section 162(m) of the Code is not subject to the Section 162(m) limitation. The
Plan has been drafted and is intended to be administered in a manner that would
enable the compensation paid to 162(m) Officers to qualify as performance-based
for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Shareholder approval of payment of
compensation under the Plan to the 162(m) Officers is necessary in order for
such compensation to qualify as performance-based for purposes of Section 162(m)
of the Code.
In general, to the extent that compensation paid under the Plan qualifies
as performance-based for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, the tax
deduction that is generally available with respect to such compensation will not
be subject to the deductibility limitation of Section 162(m) of the Code.
Treatment to 162(m) Officers
The Section 162(m) Officers will recognize ordinary compensation income
with respect to any compensation paid under the Plan at the time of payment.
42
Tax Withholding
We will deduct from all Plan payments, any federal, state or local taxes
required by law to be withheld with respect thereto.
CERTAIN INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS
In considering the recommendation of the Board of Directors with respect to
the payment of compensation to certain executive officers under the Plan,
stockholders should be aware that members of the Board of Directors have certain
interests that may present them with conflicts of interest in connection with
the proposal to approve the payment of such compensation. As discussed above,
directors who are also employees of the Company will be eligible to receive
payments under the Plan and have receive grants of performance units for the
fiscal 2005 through 2007 performance period. The Board of Directors believes
that approval of this proposal will advance the interests of the Company and its
stockholders by encouraging employees to make significant contributions to the
long-term success of the Company.
NEW PLAN BENEFITS
The following table indicates the number of performance units that were
granted in fiscal 2005. No other performance units are expected to be granted in
fiscal 2005 under the Plan. Because the number of performance units that may be
granted in the future is not determinable at this time, this table indicates the
number of performance units that would be granted in fiscal 2006 under the 2004
Long-Term Incentive Cash Plan and the estimated dollar value thereof assuming
that grants are made commensurate with those made in fiscal 2005 and the maximum
performance level is achieved:
NUMBER OF MAXIMUM
NAME AND POSITION PERFORMANCE UNITS DOLLAR VALUE(1)
----------------- ----------------- ---------------
Richard J. Schnieders
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer...................... 79,000 $ 4,147,500
Thomas E. Lankford
President and Chief Operating Officer..................... 14,500 761,250
John K. Stubblefield, Jr.
Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration...... 8,500 446,250
Larry J. Accardi
Executive Vice President, Merchandising Services and
Multi-Unit Sales and President, Specialty Distribution.... 8,500 446,250
Kenneth F. Spitler
Executive Vice President, Foodservice Operations.......... 8,500 446,250
Executive officers as a group, including the Named Executive
Officers.................................................. 169,500 8,898,750
All non-executive officers and other employees as a group... 277,250 14,555,625
All non-employee directors as a group....................... -0- -0-
Total..................................................... 446,750 $23,454,375
---------------
(1) Based on a maximum payment per unit of $52.50. Actual payout amounts will
not be determinable until the end of the three-year performance period and
may be less than the amounts shown. If minimum performance levels are not
met, no payments will be made.
REQUIRED VOTE
The affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast is required to approve the
payment of compensation to certain executive officers pursuant to the Plan.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE PAYMENT OF
COMPENSATION TO CERTAIN
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS PURSUANT TO THE 2004 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE CASH PLAN.
43
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
ITEM NO. 5 ON THE PROXY CARD
The following proposal was submitted by stockholders who have given notice
that they intend to present for action at the Annual Meeting the resolution
described below. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8(l)(1) promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Company will provide the name, address and number of
Company securities held by the proponents of this proposal promptly upon receipt
of a written or oral request.
RESOLVED: Shareholders request that our Board review the Company's
policies for food products containing genetically engineered (GE)
ingredients and report (at reasonable cost and omitting proprietary
information) to shareholders within six months of the annual meeting on the
results of the review, including
(i) the extent that the Company's proprietary food products are derived
from or contain GE ingredients;
(ii) the environmental impacts of continued use of GE ingredients in
food products sold or manufactured by the company;
(iii) any contingency plan for sourcing non-GE food ingredients should
circumstances so require;
(iv) any issues of competitive advantage and/or brand name loyalty from
use or non-use of GE ingredients.
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
Concerns about the impact of genetically engineered food on humans or the
environment include:
The National Academy of Sciences report Biological Confinement of
Genetically Engineered Organisms (1/2004) states that "It is possible that some
engineered genes that confer pest resistance or otherwise improve a crop plant
might contribute to the evolution of increased weediness in wild
relatives -- especially if the genes escape to an organism that already is
considered a weed."..."Other concerns about transgenic organisms include their
effects on nontarget populations -- including humans -- and the potential for
transgenes to disperse and spread before becoming deregulated in particular
regions or nations." (p. 3-4)
Gone to Seed, a study by the Union of Concerned Scientists (3/2004) found
that genetically engineered DNA is contaminating U.S. traditional seeds of corn,
soybeans and canola and that if left unchecked could disrupt agricultural trade,
unfairly burden the organic foods industry, and allow hazardous materials into
the food supply.
The FDA does not require producers of GE food products to seek prior FDA
approval of finished GE food products; producers of GE-products are merely
encouraged to have voluntary safety consultations with the FDA. It is the
developer's responsibility to assure that the food is safe. (The exception is
that GE food qualifying as an additive must conform to FDA regulations and be
appropriately labeled. However, to date, very few GE food products have been
subjected to FDA's regulations on additives.)
Weed resistance to the herbicide used widely by farmers who plant
genetically engineered herbicide resistant crops, is increasing. (Penn State
College of Agriculture Sciences News 5/30/03).
The testing protocol on foods derived from biotechnology adopted in 2003 by
the Joint UN FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission is not required by the FDA to
assess GE foods on the U.S. market.
In December 2002, StarLink corn, not approved for human consumption, was
detected in a U.S. corn shipment to Japan. StarLink first contaminated U.S. corn
supplies in September 2000, triggering a recall of 300 products.
44
Indicators of market resistance to GE-foods:
A USDA survey indicates that most Foreign Agricultural Service offices
expected their host nations to react toward GE-wheat with opposition or
uncertainty. Of the offices surveyed, 17 responded negatively, 32 responded with
uncertainty, and only 4 responded positively. (Reuters, 03/15/04)
A Pew Global Attitudes survey (6/2003) indicates that Western Europeans in
surveyed countries and Japanese overwhelmingly oppose GE-foods for health and
environmental reasons. In the United States 55% are opposed according to this
survey.
Many of Europe's larger food retailers [J. Sainsbury (UK), Carrefour
(France's largest retailer), Migros (Switzerland's largest food chain), Delhaize
(Belgium), Marks and Spencer (UK), Superquinn (Ireland) and Esselunga (Italy)]
have committed to removing GE ingredients from their proprietary products.
------------------------------
THE BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION
As the leader in the foodservice distribution industry, we recognize the
importance of food safety, not only with respect to the well being of consumers,
but also as it relates to the success and reputation of our Company. The
proponents request that we undertake to review and report on the Company's
policies with respect to genetically engineered foods. While our management and
the Board of Directors share the proponents' conviction that food safety should
be, as it is, a top priority for SYSCO, we nonetheless believe that the proposal
set forth above should be rejected for the reasons set forth below:
- The GMO opponents should address their demands to the governmental
entities overseeing food safety rather than to food distributors that do
not own food manufacturing facilities.
- The report they have requested is impracticable and would not assist
decision making regarding these issues.
- The Board believes that no meaningful report on this subject matter could
be produced without including and discussing confidential and proprietary
business information. As it has stated in the past, the Board believes
that publication of this information would be harmful to the Company.
However, the omission of this information from such a report could
produce a document that would at best be of little benefit and may even
be misleading.
- The Company is involved in ongoing efforts to develop the capability to
meet demands for alternative-source food products.
SYSCO takes every step that is mandated, as well as many more that exceed
government requirements, to verify the safety of the foods we distribute and
that these products are developed and processed in accordance with all
government regulations. This also includes our SYSCO Brand products, which are
developed and monitored by our staff of approximately 180 quality assurance
professionals. These individuals are in the fields, on the production lines and
in contact with our suppliers, and they represent a commitment to food safety
that is unsurpassed in the foodservice industry. SYSCO complies, and will
continue to comply, with all applicable government regulations.
In November 2003, the FDA's Consumer Magazine quoted Commissioner Mark
McClellan, M.D., Ph.D., as saying, "The FDA will continue to reach out to the
public to help consumers understand the scientific issues and the agency's
policies regarding genetically engineered food. The FDA, in cooperation with
USDA and EPA, will continue its oversight of new and emerging food biotechnology
products and will be vigilant in ensuring the safety and integrity of the food
supply." SYSCO will continue to urge regulatory authorities to take all steps
necessary based on sound scientific principles to assure that all new food
technologies are safe for consumers and the environment. SYSCO, directly and
through the trade associations to which we belong, will support and actively
lobby Congress and federal regulatory agencies to
45
increase the funding for development of scientific analysis and regulations that
will ensure the safety of America's foods.
Preparing the report requested by the proponents would be difficult as a
practical matter because it is difficult to determine with any level of
precision the accurate amount of GE ingredients in many food products,
particularly prepared products. Further, we understand that the use of genetic
engineering with respect to certain raw materials such as corn and soybeans is
widespread. We also understand that current agricultural storage and
transportation methods make it extremely difficult to completely segregate
modified crops from unmodified crops. This means that any information available
from growers or manufacturers could be inconsistent. As a result, we believe
that the report requested by the proponents cannot be prepared at a reasonable
cost or with any significant degree of accuracy.
The Company will continue to develop and revise plans as required to
address business and food safety issues as they arise. These issues are critical
to the Company's business. We believe that the publication of the Company's
business plans as requested would compromise its efforts and business. The
proposed report would require the Company (i) to make public confidential and
proprietary business information regarding its products and business plans; and
(ii) to make highly speculative scientific and environmental judgments about
issues which the Company is not in a position to evaluate independently. Such a
report would not advance consumer safety, but it would harm the business
interests of the Company and its stockholders.
SYSCO distributes products that comply with federal and state laws and
labeling regulations. We are further committed to the distribution of only those
products that meet our specific and exacting quality and safety standards. SYSCO
will continue to work actively with our suppliers to develop even greater
product choices for our customers, including certain GMO-free products, organic
products, products farmed with Integrated Pest Management systems and food
products with specifications such as those proposed by eco-label organizations
that support sustainable agriculture. We are also taking a leading role in
supporting a new vision of agricultural practices to protect the land and
environment for future generations through Integrated Pest Management and
Sustainable Agricultural standards that will be implemented nationwide by
suppliers who provide us SYSCO Brand canned and frozen fruits and vegetables.
SYSCO's mission is to help our customers succeed. Therefore, we are
committed to ongoing, successful and effective food safety programs.
The Company opposes this proposal on the basis that it would require
significant cost and business risks without the prospect of advancing food
safety. The Company does emphasize that it is committed to the use of only those
ingredients that meet its high quality and safety standards. We will continue to
support the efforts of regulatory authorities to take whatever steps are
necessary to assure that any new food technology is safe for consumers and the
environment. The Company's stockholders and consumers can count on its
compliance with all such regulations. Particularly in light of the scientific
and regulatory attention being given to the use of genetically modified
ingredients, the Company believes that preparation and publication of the report
requested in this proposal would not constitute an effective use of the
Company's assets.
The affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast is required to approve
this proposal. Similar proposals were presented to SYSCO stockholders in 2002
and 2003. Those proposals were soundly defeated, receiving the affirmative vote
of 7.5% or less of votes cast on the proposal each year.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSAL ON GENETICALLY
ENGINEERED FOOD.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
PRESENTING BUSINESS
If you want to present a proposal under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act at
our 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, send the proposal in time for us to
receive it no later than May 27, 2005. If the date of our 2005 Annual Meeting is
subsequently changed by more than 30 days from the date of this year's Annual
Meeting, we will inform you of the change and the date by which we must receive
proposals. If you want to present
46
business at our 2005 Annual Meeting outside of the shareholder proposal rules of
Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act and pursuant to Article I, Section 9 of the
Company's Bylaws, the Corporate Secretary must receive notice of your proposal
by August 14, 2005, but not before July 5, 2005 and you must be a stockholder of
record on the date you provide notice of your proposal to the Company and on the
record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting and
to vote.
NOMINATING DIRECTORS FOR ELECTION
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider any
director nominees you recommend in writing for the 2005 Annual Meeting if the
Corporate Secretary receives notice by August 14, 2005, but not before July 5,
2005 and you are a stockholder of record on the date you provide notice of your
recommendation or nomination to the Company and on the record date for
determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting and to vote. You may
also nominate an individual for election as a director at the 2005 Annual
Meeting.
In either event, your notice must include the following information for
each person you are recommending or nominating for election as a director:
- the name, age, business address and residence address of the person;
- the principal occupation or employment of the person;
- the class or series and number of shares of SYSCO capital stock which the
person owns beneficially or of record; and
- any other information relating to the person that must be disclosed in a
proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with
solicitations of proxies for election of directors under Section 14 of
the Exchange Act and its rules and regulations.
In addition, your notice must include the following information about
yourself:
- your name and record address;
- the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of SYSCO that
you own beneficially or of record;
- a description of all arrangements or understandings between you and each
proposed nominee and any other person or persons, including their names,
pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made;
- a representation that you intend to appear in person or by proxy at the
meeting to nominate the person or persons named in your notice; and
- any other information about yourself that must be disclosed in a proxy
statement or other filings required to be made in connection with
solicitations of proxies for election of directors under Section 14 of
the Exchange Act and its rules and regulations.
The notice must include a written consent by each proposed nominee to being
named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected. No person will be
eligible for election as a director of SYSCO unless recommended by the Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee and nominated by the Board or nominated in
accordance with the procedures set forth above.
MEETING DATE CHANGES
If the date of next year's Annual Meeting is advanced by more than 30 days
prior to or delayed by more than 60 days after the date of this year's Annual
Meeting, we will inform you of the change and we must receive your director
nominee notices or your shareholder proposals outside of Rule 14a-8 of the
Exchange Act by the latest of 90 days before the Annual Meeting, 10 days after
we mail the notice of the changed date of the Annual Meeting or 10 days after we
publicly disclose the changed date of the Annual Meeting.
47
APPENDIX A
SYSCO CORPORATION
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
ORGANIZATION
The Board of Directors of SYSCO Corporation shall establish an Audit
Committee whose members shall be appointed by the Board on the recommendation of
the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The Audit Committee shall
have a minimum of three members and be composed entirely of directors who are
independent of the management of SYSCO, are free of any relationship that, in
the affirmative opinion of the Board, would interfere with their exercise of
independent judgment as a Committee member, who are financially literate, and
who otherwise meet the NYSE's definition of "independent" and the definition of
"independence" contained in Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. At least one member of the Committee shall be an "audit
committee financial expert" as such term is defined in rules to be promulgated
by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Committee members cannot serve on the
audit committees of more than two other companies.
STATEMENT OF POLICY
The Audit Committee shall provide assistance to the directors in fulfilling
their responsibilities to shareholders, potential shareholders, and the
investment community with respect to compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements, corporate accounting, reporting practices, and the quality and
integrity of the financial reports of SYSCO, oversight of the independent
auditors' qualifications and independence, and evaluation of the performance of
SYSCO's internal audit department and independent auditors. It is not the duty
of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the
Company's financial statements and disclosures are complete and accurate and are
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable rules
and regulations. These are the responsibilities of management and the
independent auditors.
In the performance of its responsibilities, the Audit Committee must
maintain free and open means of communication among the directors, the
independent auditors, SYSCO's internal audit department ("Operations Review"),
and executive and financial management. The Audit Committee shall have full
access, without restriction, to all information which it believes, in the
members' judgment, is required to fulfill its responsibilities. The independent
auditors report directly to the Audit Committee and are accountable to the Board
of Directors and the Audit Committee as shareholder representatives.
In executing its responsibilities, the Audit Committee's policies and
procedures should be flexible in order to best react to changing conditions, and
to insure that the accounting and reporting practices of SYSCO meet or exceed
all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. In carrying out its
responsibilities, the Audit Committee shall meet as often as it determines, but
not less frequently than quarterly.
In order to assist it in fulfilling its obligations set forth herein, the
Committee shall review:
- Major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement
presentations, including any significant changes in SYSCO's selection or
application of accounting principles, and major issues as to the adequacy
of SYSCO's internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light
of material control deficiencies, if any.
- Analyses prepared by management and/or the independent auditors setting
forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in
connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including
analyses of the effect of alternative GAAP methods on the financial
statements.
- The effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as
off-balance sheet structures, on the financial statements.
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RESPONSIBILITY WITH RESPECT TO INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
With respect to the Company's independent auditors, the Audit Committee
shall:
- Select and oversee the independent auditors who shall audit the
consolidated financial statements of SYSCO Corporation and its divisions
and subsidiaries; with sole power of dismissal.
- Approve fee arrangements with the independent auditors for audit and
permitted non-audit services and annually review fees paid to the firm.
- Review the experience and qualifications of the senior members of the
independent auditor's team.
- Pre-approve the retention of the independent auditors for any audit
services (including comfort letters and statutory audits), internal
control-related services and permitted non-audit services.
- Review and discuss with the independent auditors and with management, the
annual audited financial statements and management's discussion and
analysis contained in the annual report to shareholders and Form 10-K
prior to release to the public or filing with the appropriate agencies,
and recommend to the Board whether the audited financial statements
should be included in the Company's Form 10-K.
- Review and discuss with the independent auditors and with management, the
earnings press releases, and the type and presentation of information
therein, prior to release to the public.
- Require that the independent auditors conduct an SAS 71 Interim Financial
Review before the Company files its Form 10-Q.
- Meet with the independent auditors at the conclusion of the audit to
review the results and discuss any difficulties the auditors encountered
in the course of the audit work, including any restrictions on the scope
of their activities or access to requested information. In connection
with this review, discuss the independent auditors' evaluation of SYSCO's
financial, accounting, and auditing personnel, the level of cooperation
that the independent auditors received during the course of the audit,
accounting adjustments, any material issues on which the national office
of the independent auditor was consulted by the Company's audit team,
significant auditing or accounting issues or disagreements with
management and any management response thereto, and any management or
internal control letters issued or proposed to be issued. This review
shall also include a discussion of the responsibilities, budget and
staffing of Operations Review.
- Review and discuss with management and the independent auditors the
Company's quarterly financial statements and management's discussion and
analysis prior to filing Form 10-Q, including the results of the
auditor's review of the quarterly financial statements.
- Obtain and review at least annually a written report from the independent
auditors describing their internal quality control procedures; any
material issues raised by the most recent internal quality control
review, or peer review, of them, or by any inquiry or investigation by
governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five
years, respecting one or more independent audits carried out by them and
any steps taken to deal with any such issues; and all relationships
between the independent auditor and the Company. After reviewing this
report, the Committee should evaluate the independent auditor's
qualifications, performance and independence, including considering
whether the auditor's internal controls are adequate and the provision of
any permitted non-audit services is compatible with maintaining
independence, and present its conclusions to the full Board. This
evaluation shall include a review and evaluation of the lead partner of
the independent auditor and shall take into account the opinions of
management and Operations Review.
- Assure the regular rotation of the lead audit partner as required by law,
and consider, in order to assure continuing auditor independence, whether
there should be regular rotation of the audit firm itself.
- Obtain and review at least annually a written report from the independent
auditors describing all critical accounting policies and practices to be
used by SYSCO; all alternative treatments of financial information within
generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with
SYSCO
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management; ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and
treatments, and the treatments preferred by the independent auditors; and
other material written communications between the independent auditors
and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted
differences.
- Require the independent auditors to provide a formal written statement
that delineates all relationships between the independent auditor and
SYSCO. The Committee will ensure, through communicating with the
independent auditor, that no relationship or services will impact the
auditor's independence or objectivity.
RESPONSIBILITY WITH RESPECT TO OTHER MATTERS
With respect to other matters, the Committee shall:
- Meet separately, at least quarterly with Operations Review, with the
independent auditors, and with management.
- Review at least annually, with the independent auditors, Operations
Review, and executive and financial management the adequacy and
effectiveness of SYSCO's accounting and financial controls and practices.
Discuss significant major financial risks and exposures and steps
management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the
Company's risk assessment and risk management policies. Request
recommendations for improvement of such controls, including identified
areas where new or more detailed controls or procedures are desirable.
Particular emphasis should be given to the adequacy of such controls to
expose any payments, transactions, or procedures that might be deemed
illegal or otherwise improper.
- Meet with the independent auditors and executive and financial management
to review the scope and staffing of the proposed audit for the ensuing
fiscal year including the audit procedures to be employed.
- Review disclosures made to the Audit Committee by the Company's CEO and
CFO during their certification process for the Form 10-K and Form 10-Q
about any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
controls or material weaknesses therein and any fraud involving
management or other employees who have a significant role in the
Company's internal controls.
- When applicable, review and discuss with management, Operations Review
and the independent auditors the Company's internal controls report and
the independent auditor's attestation of the report prior to the filing
of the Company's Form 10-K.
- Review the adoption, application and disclosure of the Company's critical
accounting policies and any changes thereto.
- Review periodically SYSCO's Code of Business Conduct, including the
results of the review by Operations Review of compliance with the Code,
particularly with regard to the functioning of the ethics committees at
SYSCO and its subsidiaries.
- Review at least annually Operations Review including its performance,
independence and authority, its proposed audit plans and scope for the
ensuing year, and the coordination of such plans with the independent
auditors.
- Receive prior to each meeting as appropriate, from Operations Review and
the independent auditors, reports summarizing the findings of completed
internal reviews, and a progress report of accomplished versus planned
activities. Any deviations from planned activities should be adequately
explained.
- Review and approve the Committee's report required by the SEC to be
included in the Company's annual Proxy Statement.
- Review and approve significant related party transactions.
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- Determine that the disclosures and content of the financial statements
are satisfactory for submission to the shareholders and for filing with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such determination will be made
through discussions with independent auditors and executive and financial
management.
- Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of
complaints received by SYSCO regarding accounting, internal accounting
controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission
by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing
matters.
- Review and discuss with management and the independent auditors any
correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies and any public
reports or articles which raise material issues regarding the Company's
financial statements or accounting policies or practices.
- Review the quality and sufficiency of the accounting and financial
resources required to meet the financial and reporting objectives as
determined by the Committee. Review the succession planning process for
the accounting, internal audit and financial reporting areas.
- Review and determine appropriateness of the Company hiring any employee
or former employee of the Company's independent auditors and set clear
hiring policies with respect thereto.
- Review all allegations brought to the Committee's attention, regardless
of source, of inappropriate or improper accounting practices, fraud or
other illegal acts.
- Investigate any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its
duties. The Committee shall have the power to retain outside counsel
and/or advisors, including a public accounting firm other than the
current independent auditor, if, in its judgment, that is appropriate and
shall have appropriate funding to compensate such advisors.
- Review and discuss financial information and earnings guidance provided
to analysts and rating agencies.
- Discuss with the Company's General Counsel legal matters that may have a
material impact on the Company's financial statements or internal
controls.
- Submit the minutes of all meetings of the Committee to, or orally report
the matters discussed at each committee meeting with, the Board of
Directors.
- Establish a standard of conduct concerning relationships of management,
the Committee, and individual Board members, with the independent
auditors and review those relationships on an annual basis.
- Evaluate annually the performance of the Audit Committee.
- Review and assess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend any
changes to the Board for approval.
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APPENDIX B
SYSCO CORPORATION
2004 STOCK OPTION PLAN
SECTION 1
GENERAL
1.1 Purpose. The SYSCO Corporation 2004 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") has
been established by SYSCO Corporation (the "Company") to (i) attract and retain
persons eligible to participate in the Plan; (ii) motivate Participants (as
defined in Section 1.2 below), by means of appropriate incentives, to achieve
long-range goals; (iii) provide incentive compensation opportunities that are
competitive with those of other similar companies; and (iv) further identify
Participants' interests with those of the Company's stockholders through
compensation that is based on the Company's common stock; and thereby promote
the long-term financial interest of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as defined
in Section 7(i), including the growth in value of the Company's equity and
enhancement of long-term stockholder return.
1.2 Participation. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the
Committee (as defined in Section 5) shall determine and designate, from time to
time, from among the Eligible Grantees, as defined in Section 7(f) (including
transferees of Eligible Grantees to the extent the transfer is permitted by the
Plan and the applicable Option Agreement), those persons who will be granted one
or more Options under the Plan, and thereby become "Participants" in the Plan.
1.3 Operation, Administration, and Definitions. The operation and
administration of the Plan, including the Options granted under the Plan, shall
be subject to the provisions of Section 3 (relating to operation and
administration). Capitalized terms in the Plan shall be defined as set forth in
the Plan (including the definition provisions of Section 7 of the Plan).
SECTION 2
OPTIONS
2.1 Definitions. The grant of an "Option" entitles the Participant to
purchase shares of Stock at an Exercise Price established by the Committee.
Options granted under this Section 2 may either be Incentive Stock Options
("ISOs") or Non-Qualified Options ("NQOs"), as determined in the discretion of
the Committee. An "ISO" is an Option that is intended to satisfy the
requirements applicable to an "incentive stock option" described in section
422(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). An "NQO"
is an Option that is not intended to be an "incentive stock option" as that term
is described in section 422(b) of the Code.
2.2 Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of each Option granted under this
Section 2 shall be established by the Committee or shall be determined by a
method established by the Committee at the time the Option is granted; provided,
however, that the Exercise Price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market
Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant of the Option and no Option may
be repriced in violation of Section 6 below.
2.3 Exercise.
(a) Subject to the provisions of the Plan, an Option shall be
exercisable in accordance with such terms and conditions and during such
periods as may be established by the Committee; provided, however, that no
Option may be exercised more than seven years after its grant date.
(b) Except as set forth in paragraphs 2.7 and 3.13, no Option granted
hereunder may be exercised after the earlier of (i) the expiration of the
Option or (ii) ninety days after the severance of an Option holder's
employment with the Company or any Subsidiary.
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(c) Whether an authorized leave of absence, or an absence for military
or government service, constitutes severance of an Option holder's
employment relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary will be determined
by the Committee at the time of the event, in its sole discretion.
2.4 Payment of Option Exercise Price. The payment of the Exercise Price of
an Option granted under this Section 2 shall be subject to the following:
(a) Subject to the following provisions of this subsection 2.4, the
full Exercise Price for shares of Stock purchased upon the exercise of any
Option shall be paid at the time of such exercise (except that, in the case
of an exercise arrangement approved by the Committee and described in
paragraph 2.4(c), payment may be made as soon as practicable after the
exercise).
(b) The Exercise Price shall be payable in cash or by tendering
(either by actual delivery of shares or by attestation) shares of Stock
that are acceptable to the Committee, have been held by the participant for
at least six months, and were valued at Fair Market Value as of the day the
shares are tendered, or in any combination of cash, shares, or attested
shares, as determined by the Committee.
(c) To the extent permitted by applicable law, a Participant may elect
to pay the Exercise Price upon the exercise of an Option by irrevocably
authorizing a third party to sell shares of Stock (or a sufficient portion
of the shares) acquired upon exercise of the Option and remit to the
Company a sufficient portion of the sale proceeds to pay the entire
Exercise Price and any tax withholding resulting from such exercise.
2.5 Settlement of Option. Shares of Stock delivered pursuant to the
exercise of an Option shall be subject to such conditions, restrictions and
contingencies as the Committee may establish in the applicable Option Agreement.
The Committee, in its discretion, may impose such conditions, restrictions and
contingencies with respect to shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise
of an Option as the Committee determines to be desirable.
2.6 Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. With respect to any Option granted
under the Plan, the Committee may provide the Participant with the right to
receive dividend payments or dividend equivalent payments with respect to Stock
subject to the Option (both before and after the Stock subject to the Option is
earned, vested, or acquired), which payments may be either made currently or
credited to an account for the Participant, and may be settled in cash or Stock
as determined by the Committee. Any such settlements, and any such crediting of
dividends or dividend equivalents or reinvestment in shares of Stock, may be
subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the Committee
shall establish, including the reinvestment of such credited amounts in Stock
equivalents.
2.7 Termination of Employment Due to Death, Disability or
Retirement. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein to the contrary, if
before the expiration of an Option, an Option holder's employment relationship
with the Company or a Subsidiary terminates as a result of retirement in good
standing or disability under the established rules of the Company then in
effect, the Option will remain in effect, vest and be exercisable in accordance
with its terms as if the Option holder remained an employee of the Company or
Subsidiary. In the event of an Option holder's death during the term of his or
her Option, all unvested Options will vest immediately and may be exercised by
the Option holder's estate, or by the person to whom such right devolves from
the Option holder by reason of his or her death, at any time within three years
after the date of the Option holder's death but in no event later than the
original termination date of the Option. In no event may an Option be exercised
after three years following the Option holder's death.
2.8 Vesting. Except as set forth in paragraph 2.7 above, no Option granted
hereunder may vest in excess of 1/3 of the number of shares subject to the
Option per year for the first three years after the grant date.
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SECTION 3
OPERATION AND ADMINISTRATION
3.1 Effective Date; Duration. The Plan shall be effective as of the date
of its approval by the stockholders of the Company (the "Effective Date"). The
Plan shall have a duration of three years from the Effective Date; provided that
in the event of Plan termination, the Plan shall remain in effect as long as any
Options under it are outstanding; provided further, however, that no Option may
be granted under the Plan on a date that is more than three years from the
Effective Date.
3.2 Options Subject to Plan. Options granted under the Plan shall be
subject to the following:
(a) Subject to the following provisions of this subsection 3.2, the
maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered to Participants and
their beneficiaries under the Plan shall be 23,500,000 shares of Stock.
(b) To the extent any shares of Stock covered by an Option are not
delivered to a Participant or beneficiary because the Option is forfeited
or canceled, or the shares of Stock are not delivered because they are used
to satisfy the applicable tax withholding obligation, such shares shall not
be deemed to have been delivered for purposes of determining the maximum
number of shares of Stock available for delivery under the Plan. The
maximum number of shares of Stock available for delivery under the Plan
shall not be reduced for shares subject to plans assumed by the Company in
an acquisition of an interest in another company.
(c) Subject to adjustment in accordance with paragraphs 3.2(d) and
3.2(e), the following additional maximums are imposed under the Plan:
(i) Subject to the overall maximum number of shares of Stock that
may be issued in accordance with Section 3.2(a) of the Plan, the maximum
number of shares of Stock that may be issued pursuant to Options
intended to be ISOs shall be 23,500,000;
(ii) During any fiscal year, the Company may not grant Options to
purchase a number of shares of Stock in excess of 1 1/2% of the
Company's outstanding Stock on the first day of the fiscal year in which
grants are being made;
(iii) The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be covered by
Options granted during a given fiscal year to any individual who is
listed as a "named executive officer" in the summary compensation table
contained in the Company's proxy statement for its annual meeting of
stockholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
during such fiscal year shall be 200,000; and
(iv) The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be issued in
settlement of dividend equivalent rights shall be 250,000.
(d) If the outstanding shares of Stock are changed into or exchanged
for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company
by reason of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, stock
dividend, combination, subdivision or similar transaction, or if the
Company makes an extraordinary dividend or distribution to its stockholders
(including without limitation to implement a spinoff) (each, a "Corporate
Transaction") then, subject to any required action by the stockholders of
the Company, the number and kind of shares of Company stock available under
the Plan or subject to any limit or maximum hereunder shall automatically
be proportionately adjusted, with no action required on the part of the
Committee or otherwise. Subject to any required action by the stockholders,
the number and kind of shares covered by each outstanding Option, and the
price per share in each such Option, may, at the discretion of the
Committee, be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the
number of issued shares of the Company resulting from a Corporate
Transaction or any other increase or decrease in the number of such shares,
or any decrease in the value of such shares, effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided that only adjustments designed to
maintain, rather than increase, the economic value of outstanding Options
may be made without stockholder
B-3
approval. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no fractional shares shall be
issued pursuant to or made subject to an Option in making the foregoing
adjustments. All adjustments made by the Committee under this Section shall
be final, conclusive and binding upon the holders of Options.
(e) If the Company merges or consolidates with another corporation,
whether or not the Company is a surviving corporation, or if the Company is
liquidated or sells or otherwise disposes of substantially all of its
assets while unexercised Options remain outstanding under this Plan, (A)
subject to the provisions of clause (C) below, after the effective date of
the merger, consolidation, liquidation, sale or other disposition, as the
case may be, each holder of an outstanding Option shall be entitled, upon
exercise of that Option or in place of it, as the case may be, to receive,
at the option of the Committee and in lieu of shares of Stock, (i) the
number and class or classes of shares of Stock or other securities or
property to which the holder would have been entitled if, immediately prior
to the merger, consolidation, liquidation, sale or other disposition, the
holder had been the holder of record of a number of shares of Stock equal
to the number of shares of Stock as to which that Option may be exercised
or are subject to the Option or (ii) shares of stock of the company that is
the surviving corporation in such merger, consolidation, liquidation, sale
or other disposition having a value, as of the date of payment under
subjection 3.2(e)(i) as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion,
equal to the value of the shares of Stock or other securities or property
otherwise payable under subsection 3.2(e)(i); (B) if Options have not
already become exercisable under Section 4 hereof, the Board of Directors
may waive any limitations set forth in or imposed pursuant to this Plan so
that all Options, from and after a date prior to the effective date of that
merger, consolidation, liquidation, sale or other disposition, as the case
may be, specified by the Board of Directors, shall be exercisable in full;
and (C) all outstanding Options may be cancelled by the Board of Directors
as of the effective date of any merger, consolidation, liquidation, sale or
other disposition provided that any optionee shall have the right
immediately prior to such event to exercise his or her Option to the extent
such optionee is otherwise able to do so in accordance with this Plan
(including Section 4 hereof) or his individual Option agreement; provided,
further, that any such cancellation pursuant to this Section 3.2(e) shall
be contingent upon the payment to the affected Participants of an amount
equal to (i) in the case of any out-of-the-money Option, cash, property or
a combination thereof having an aggregate value equal to the value of such
Option, as determined by the Committee or the Board of Directors, as
applicable, in its sole discretion, and (ii) in the case of an in-the-
money Option, cash, property or a combination thereof having an aggregate
value equal to the excess of the value of the per-share amount of
consideration paid pursuant to the merger, consolidation, liquidation, sale
or other disposition, as the case may be, giving rise to such cancellation,
over the exercise price of such Option multiplied by the number of shares
of Stock subject to the Option.
(f) In the event of a change in the shares of the Company as presently
constituted, which is limited to a change of all of its authorized shares
with par value into the same number of shares with a different par value or
without par value, the shares resulting from any such change shall be
deemed to be the shares within the meaning of this Plan.
(g) Any adjustments pursuant to Section 3.2(e) shall be made by the
Board or Committee, as the case may be, whose determination in that respect
shall be final, binding and conclusive, regardless of whether or not any
such adjustment shall have the result of causing an ISO to cease to qualify
as an ISO.
(h) Except as hereinbefore expressly provided in this Section 3, a
Participant shall have no rights by reason of any subdivision or
consolidation of shares of stock of any class or the payment of any stock
dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock
of any class or by reason of any dissolution, liquidation, merger, or
consolidation or spin-off of assets or stock of another corporation, and
any issue by the Company of shares of stock of any class, shall not affect,
and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the
number or price of shares of Stock subject to an Option, unless the
Committee shall otherwise determine.
(i) The grant of any Option pursuant to this Plan shall not affect in
any way the right or power of the Company (A) to make adjustments,
reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business
structure, (B) to merge or consolidate, (C) to dissolve, liquidate or sell,
or transfer all or any
B-4
part of its business or assets or (D) to issue any bonds, debentures,
preferred or other preference stock ahead of or affecting the Stock. If any
action described in the preceding sentence results in a fractional share
for any Participant under any Option hereunder, such fraction shall be
completely disregarded and the Participant shall only be entitled to the
whole number of shares resulting from such adjustment.
3.3 General Restrictions. Delivery of shares of Stock or other amounts
under the Plan shall be subject to the following:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Company shall
have no liability to deliver any shares of Stock under the Plan or make any
other distribution of benefits under the Plan unless such delivery or
distribution would comply with all applicable laws (including, without
limitation, the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933), and the
applicable requirements of any securities exchange or similar entity.
(b) To the extent that the Plan provides for issuance of stock
certificates to reflect the issuance of shares of Stock, the issuance may
be effected on a non-certificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by
applicable law or the applicable rules of any stock exchange.
3.4 Tax Withholding. All distributions under the Plan are subject to
withholding of all applicable taxes, and the Committee may condition the
delivery of any shares or other benefits under the Plan on satisfaction of the
applicable withholding obligations. The Committee, in its discretion, and
subject to such requirements as the Committee may impose prior to the occurrence
of such withholding, may permit such withholding obligations to be satisfied
through cash payment by the Participant, through the surrender of shares of
Stock which the Participant already owns, or through the surrender of shares of
Stock to which the Participant is otherwise entitled under the Plan, but only to
the extent of the minimum amount required to be withheld under applicable law.
3.5 Transferability. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee,
Options under the Plan are not transferable except as designated by the
Participant by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
3.6 Form and Time of Elections. Unless otherwise specified herein, each
election required or permitted to be made by any Participant or other person
entitled to benefits under the Plan, and any permitted modification, or
revocation thereof, shall be in writing filed with the Committee at such times,
in such form, and subject to such restrictions and limitations, not inconsistent
with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall require.
3.7 Agreement With Company. An Option under the Plan shall be subject to
such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Committee
shall, in its sole discretion, prescribe; provided, however, that no Option
granted under the Plan shall contain any provision entitling the optionee to the
automatic grant of additional Options in connection with any exercise of the
original Option. The terms and conditions of any Option granted to any
Participant shall be reflected in such form of written document as is determined
by the Committee. A copy of such document shall be provided to the Participant,
and the Committee may, but need not, require that the Participant shall sign a
copy of such document. Such document is referred to in the Plan as an "Option
Agreement" regardless of whether any Participant signature is required.
3.8 Action by Company or Subsidiary. Any action required or permitted to
be taken by the Company or any Subsidiary shall be by resolution of its board of
directors, or by action of one or more members of the board (including a
committee of the board) who are duly authorized to act for the board, or (except
to the extent prohibited by applicable law or applicable rules of any stock
exchange) by a duly authorized officer of such company.
3.9 Gender and Number. Where the context admits, words in any gender shall
include any other gender, words in the singular shall include the plural and the
plural shall include the singular.
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3.10 Limitation of Implied Rights.
(a) Neither a Participant nor any other person shall, by reason of
participation in the Plan, acquire any right in or title to any assets, funds or
property of the Company or any Subsidiary whatsoever, including, without
limitation, any specific funds, assets, or other property which the Company or
any Subsidiary, in its sole discretion, may set aside in anticipation of a
liability under the Plan. A Participant shall have only a contractual right to
the Stock or amounts, if any, payable under the Plan, unsecured by any assets of
the Company or any Subsidiary, and nothing contained in the Plan shall
constitute a guarantee that the assets of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be
sufficient to pay any benefits to any person.
(b) The Plan does not constitute a contract of employment, and selection as
a Participant will not give any participating employee the right to be retained
in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary, nor any right or claim to any
benefit under the Plan, unless such right or claim has specifically accrued
under the terms of the Plan. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, no Option
under the Plan shall confer upon the holder thereof any rights as a stockholder
of the Company prior to the date on which the Option is exercised and Stock is
issued to the individual.
3.11 Evidence. Evidence required of anyone under the Plan may be by
certificate, affidavit, document or other information which the person acting on
it considers pertinent and reliable, and shall be signed, made or presented by
the proper party or parties.
3.12 Forfeiture. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, except
as provided in Section 3.13 below, if the Committee finds by a majority vote
that (i) a Participant, before or after termination of his or her employment
with the Company or a Subsidiary (as used in this Section 3, an "Employer") for
any reason, (a) committed fraud, embezzlement, theft, a felony, or proven
dishonesty in the course of his or her employment by Employer, and by such act
damaged Employer, or (b) disclosed trade secrets of Employer; or (ii) the
Participant, before or after termination of his or her employment with Employer
for any reason, participated, engaged or had a financial or other interest
(whether as an employee, officer, director, consultant, contractor, stockholder,
owner, or otherwise) in any commercial endeavor in the United States competitive
with the business of Employer (a) in violation of the SYSCO Corporation Code of
Business Conduct, as in effect on the date of such participation or other
engagement, or (b) in such a manner that would have violated the Code of
Business Conduct had Participant been employed by Employer at the time of the
activity in question, then any outstanding Options which have not been exercised
will be forfeited. The decision of the Committee as to the nature of a
Participant's conduct, the damage done to Employer and the extent of the
Participant's competitive activity will be final. No decision of the Committee,
however, will affect the finality of the discharge of the Participant by
Employer in any manner.
3.13 Termination of Employment Following Change in Control. In the event
that the employment of a Participant who is an employee of the Company or a
Subsidiary is terminated by the Company other than for Cause, as defined in
Section 7(c), during the 24-month period following a Change in Control, as
defined in Section 7(d), all of such Participant's outstanding Options may
thereafter be exercised by the Participant, to the extent that such Options were
exercisable as of the date of such termination of employment, for (x) a period
of 24 months from such date of termination or (y) until expiration of the stated
term of such Option, whichever period is the shorter. The provisions of clause
(ii) of Section 3.12 of the Plan shall not apply to any Participant who incurs a
termination of employment pursuant to this Section 3.13, with respect to
activity after such termination of employment.
SECTION 4
CHANGE IN CONTROL
Subject to the provisions of paragraph 3.2(d) (relating to the adjustment
of shares), and except as otherwise provided in the Plan or the Option Agreement
reflecting the applicable Option, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control as
defined in Section 7(d), all outstanding Options shall become fully exercisable.
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SECTION 5
COMMITTEE
5.1 Administration. The authority to control and manage the operation and
administration of the Plan shall be vested in a committee (the "Committee") in
accordance with this Section 5. The Committee shall be selected by the Board,
and shall consist solely of two or more members of the Board who are nonemployee
directors within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and are outside directors within the meaning of Code Section
162(m). Subject to any restrictions imposed by any exchange or trading system on
which the Stock may be listed, if the Committee does not exist, or for any other
reason determined by the Board, the Board may take any action under the Plan
that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee. Unless otherwise
determined by the Board, SYSCO's Compensation and Stock Option Committee shall
be designated as the "Committee" hereunder.
5.2 Powers of Committee. The Committee's administration of the Plan shall
be subject to the following:
(a) Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee will have the
authority and discretion to select from among the Eligible Grantees those
persons who shall receive Options, to determine the time or times of
receipt, to determine the types of Options and the number of shares covered
by the Options, to establish the terms, conditions, performance criteria,
restrictions, and other provisions of such Options, and (subject to the
restrictions imposed by Section 6) to cancel or suspend Options.
(b) The Committee will have the authority and discretion to interpret
the Plan, to establish, amend, and rescind any rules and regulations
relating to the Plan, to determine the terms and provisions of any Option
Agreement made pursuant to the Plan, and to make all other determinations
that may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
(d) Any interpretation of the Plan by the Committee and any decision
made by it under the Plan are final and binding on all persons.
(e) In controlling and managing the operation and administration of
the Plan, the Committee shall take action in a manner that conforms to the
certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Company, and applicable
state corporate law.
5.3 Delegation by Committee. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable
law or the applicable rules of a stock exchange, the Committee may allocate all
or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its
members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers
hereunder, including without limitation, the power to designate Participants
hereunder and determine the amount, timing and terms of Options hereunder, to
any person or persons selected by it, including without limitation, any
executive officer of the Company. Any such allocation or delegation may be
revoked by the Committee at any time.
5.4 Information to be Furnished to Committee. The Company and Subsidiaries
shall furnish the Committee with such data and information as it determines may
be required for it to discharge its duties. The records of the Company and
Subsidiaries as to an employee's or Participant's employment, termination of
employment, leave of absence, reemployment and compensation shall be conclusive
unless the Committee determines such records to be incorrect. Participants and
other persons entitled to benefits under the Plan must furnish the Committee
such evidence, data or information as the Committee considers desirable to carry
out the terms of the Plan.
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SECTION 6
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
(a) The Plan may be terminated or amended by the Board of Directors at any
time, except that the following actions may not be taken without stockholder
approval:
(i) any increase in the number of shares that may be issued under the
Plan (except by certain adjustments provided for under the Plan);
(ii) any change in the class of persons eligible to receive ISOs under
the Plan;
(iii) any change in the requirements of Section 2.2 hereof regarding
the Exercise Price;
(iv) any repricing of any Option issued under the Plan by (A) lowering
the exercise price of that Option or (B) canceling that Option and
subsequently granting a new Option with a lower exercise price, or any
other award, to the extent that such cancellation, replacement or grant
would fall within the definition of "repriced" contained in Item 402(i) of
Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, such
definition to be applied to grants to all persons, not only "named
executive officers" as that term is defined in Item 402(a)(3) of Regulation
S-K;
(v) any material amendment to the Plan; or
(vi) any other amendment to the Plan that would require approval of
the Company's stockholders under applicable law, regulation or SEC or stock
exchange rule.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, adjustments pursuant to paragraph 3.2(d)
shall not be subject to the foregoing limitations of this Section 6.
(b) Options may not be granted under the Plan after the date of termination
of the Plan, but Options granted prior to that date shall continue to be
exercisable according to their terms.
SECTION 7
DEFINED TERMS
In addition to the other definitions contained herein, the following
definitions shall apply:
(a) Affiliated Company. The term "Affiliated Company" means any
company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the
Company.
(b) Board. The term "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the
Company.
(c) Cause. The term "Cause" means, unless otherwise provided by the
Committee, (1) "Cause" as defined in any Individual Agreement, as defined
below, to which the Participant is a party, or (2) if there is no such
Individual Agreement or if it does not define Cause: (A) conviction of the
Participant for committing a felony under federal law or the law of the
state in which such action occurred, (B) dishonesty in the course of
fulfilling the Participant's employment duties or (C) willful and
deliberate failure on the part of the Participant to perform the
Participant's employment duties in any material respect. The Committee
shall, unless otherwise provided in an Individual Agreement with a
Participant, have the sole discretion to determine whether "Cause" exists,
and its determination shall be final.
(d) Change in Control. The term "Change in Control" shall mean:
(i) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (A) the then-outstanding shares
of common stock of the Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock")
or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting
securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of
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directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities"); provided,
however, that, for purposes of this Section 7(d), the following
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (1) any
acquisition directly from the Company, (2) any acquisition by the
Company, (3) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related
trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Affiliated Company
or (4) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction that
complies with Sections 7(d)(iii)(A), 7(d)(iii)(B) and 7(d)(iii)(C);
(ii) The occurrence of the following: Individuals who, as of
November 12, 2004, constitute the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease
for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided,
however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to November
12, 2004 whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's
stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the
directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as
though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but
excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial
assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened
election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or
other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on
behalf of a Person other than the Board;
(iii) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share
exchange or consolidation or similar corporate transaction involving the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of
assets or stock of another entity by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries (each, a "Business Combination"), in each case unless,
following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the
individuals and entities that were the beneficial owners of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting
Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially
own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of the then-outstanding
shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the
then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting
from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a
corporation that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or
all or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or
through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions
as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting
Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any corporation
resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan
(or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from
such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly,
20% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common
stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the
combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such
corporation, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to
the Business Combination, and (C) at least a majority of the members of
the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business
Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the
execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board
providing for such Business Combination; or
(iv) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(e) Code. The term "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended. A reference to any provision of the Code shall include reference
to any successor provision of the Code.
(f) Eligible Grantee. The term "Eligible Grantee" shall mean any
employee of the Company or a Subsidiary. An Option may be granted to an
employee, in connection with hiring, retention or otherwise, prior to the
date the employee first performs services for the Company or the
Subsidiaries, provided that such Option shall not become vested prior to
the date the employee first performs such services.
(g) Fair Market Value. For purposes of determining the "Fair Market
Value" of a share of Stock as of any date, then the "Fair Market Value" as
of that date shall be the closing sale price of the Stock on the first
business day prior to that date on the New York Stock Exchange.
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(h) Individual Agreement. "Individual Agreement" means a written
employment or similar agreement between a Participant and the Company or
one of its Subsidiaries or a written Option grant agreement under the Plan.
(i) Subsidiary. The term "Subsidiary" means any present or future
subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f)
of the Code, and any present or future business venture designated by the
Committee in which the Company has a significant interest, as determined in
the discretion of the Committee.
(j) Stock. The term "Stock" shall mean shares of common stock of the
Company.
SECTION 8
GOVERNING LAW
This Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws
of the State of Texas, except to the extent that the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware shall be applicable.
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APPENDIX C
SYSCO CORPORATION
2004 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE CASH PLAN
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
The purpose of the Plan is to increase stockholder value and to advance the
interests of the Company and its Subsidiaries by providing financial incentives
designed to attract, retain and motivate key employees of the Company.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
When used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
"AWARD" shall mean the determination by the Committee that a Participant
should receive a given number of Performance Units, as evidenced by a document
of notification given a Participant at the time of such determination.
"BOARD OF DIRECTORS" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
"CHANGE OF CONTROL" means the occurrence of one or more of the following
events:
(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act (a "PERSON"))
of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under
the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (i) the then-outstanding shares
of Company common stock (the "OUTSTANDING COMPANY COMMON STOCK") or (ii)
the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the
Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the
"OUTSTANDING COMPANY VOTING SECURITIES"); provided, however, that, for
purposes of this definition, the following acquisitions shall not
constitute a Change of Control: (1) any acquisition directly from the
Company, (2) any acquisition by the Company, (3) any acquisition by any
employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the
Company or any Subsidiary, or (4) any acquisition by any corporation
pursuant to a transaction that complies with subparagraphs (c)(i), (c)(ii)
and (c)(iii);
(b) Individuals who, as of November 7, 2003, constitute the Board of
Directors (the "INCUMBENT BOARD") cease for any reason to constitute at
least a majority of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that any
individual becoming a director subsequent to November 7, 2003 whose
election, or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders, was
approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising
the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a
member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such
individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an
actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or
removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies
or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board of Directors;
(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange
or consolidation or similar corporate transaction involving the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of
assets or stock of another entity by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(each, a "BUSINESS COMBINATION"), in each case unless, following such
Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and
entities that were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common
Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to
such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more
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than 60% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined
voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the
corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without
limitation, a corporation that, as a result of such transaction, owns the
Company or all or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly
or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions
as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting
Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation
resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or
related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such
Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or
more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the
corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting
power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation, except
to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business
Combination, and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were
members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial
agreement or of the action of the Board of Directors providing for such
Business Combination; or
(d) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
"CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"COMMITTEE" means the Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board
of Directors, or such other committee as the Board of Directors may designate to
have primary responsibility for the administration of the Plan.
"COMPANY" means Sysco Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
"COMPLETED FISCAL YEARS" is defined in Section 6.3.
"COVERED EMPLOYEE" means a "covered employee" within the meaning of Section
162(m)(3) of the Code.
"DISABILITY" means a physical or mental condition that meets the
eligibility requirements for the receipt of disability income under the terms of
the disability income plan sponsored by the Company pursuant to which the
Participant is eligible for benefits.
"EFFECTIVE DATE" is defined in Section 9.1.
"EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"FISCAL YEAR" means, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee,
a period used for purposes of measuring performance for purposes of this Plan
which is based as closely as possible on the fiscal year of the Company.
"PARTICIPANT" means an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
who is designated as a Participant by the Committee.
"PAYMENT AMOUNT" means the total amount to be paid to a Participant with
respect to the Performance Units awarded to such Participant for a particular
Performance Period.
"PAYMENT DATE" means a date determined by the Committee for purposes of (i)
making payment of amounts earned under this Plan and, (ii) in the event a
Participant elects to defer receipt of amounts earned under this Plan pursuant
to the terms of a deferred compensation plan sponsored by the Company, the date
such amounts are credited under the applicable deferred compensation plan. This
date shall be no later than the last day of the fourth month following
completion of the respective Performance Period.
"PERFORMANCE GOALS" means the performance goals established by the
Committee for each Performance Period pursuant to the Plan against which
performance will be measured.
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"PERFORMANCE PERIOD" means a period of no less than three Fiscal Years, as
determined by the Committee, during which the Performance Goals shall be
measured for purposes of determining the Payment Amount.
"PERFORMANCE UNIT" means a unit of participation which shall constitute the
basis from which a Participant's Payment Amount shall be determined with regard
to the Performance Goals established by the Committee.
"PLAN" means the Sysco Corporation 2004 Long-Term Incentive Cash Plan.
"RETIREMENT" means any termination of employment with the Company or a
Subsidiary as a result of retirement in good standing under established rules of
the Company then in effect.
"SUBSIDIARY" means (i) any entity in which the Company, directly or
indirectly, owns more than 50% of the vote or value of the equity interests
issued by such entity, and (ii) any other entity designated by the Committee as
a "Subsidiary" for purposes of this Plan.
"UNIT VALUE" means the per unit amount that is used for purposes of
determining the Payment Amount to be made to Participants in respect of
Performance Units awarded under the Plan.
ARTICLE III
PARTICIPATION
3.1 Designation of Participants. The Committee shall determine and
designate from time to time those employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries
who are to be granted Performance Units (and who thereby become Participants)
and the number of Performance Units to be granted to each Participant.
3.2 Awards. Performance Units shall be granted by the Committee by a
written notification to Participants evidencing the Award in such form as the
Committee shall approve, which notification shall comply with and be subject to
the terms and conditions of this Plan. Further Performance Units may be granted
by the Committee from time to time to Participants, so long as this Plan shall
continue in full force and effect.
ARTICLE IV
DETERMINATION OF PERFORMANCE GOALS
4.1 Performance Period Determinations.
(a) In General. Within the first 90 days of each Performance Period,
the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall (a) establish for that
Performance Period (i) the beginning and ending dates, and the Fiscal
Years, for the Performance Period, (ii) the Payment Date for the
Performance Period, (iii) the Performance Goals for each Participant, (iv)
the method for evaluating performance for the Performance Period, and (v)
the method for determining Unit Value and the Payment Amount for each
Participant, and (b) designate the number of Performance Units to be
granted to each Participant.
(b) Adjustments for Long Fiscal Years. If established in writing by
the Committee within the first 90 days of the Performance Period, the
Committee may make any adjustments it determines appropriate for purposes
of measuring performance where the fiscal year of the Company and/or its
Subsidiaries is greater than 52 weeks, including, without limitation,
proration of results between fiscal years.
4.2 Performance Goals. The Performance Goals established by the Committee
for a Performance Period may include any one or more of several criteria, such
as, but not limited to, return on capital employed, sales growth, market share,
margin growth, return on equity, total shareholder return, increase in net
after-tax earnings per share, increase in operating pre-tax earnings, operating
profit or improvements in operating profit, improvements in certain asset or
financial measures (including working capital and the ratio of sales to net
working capital), reductions in certain costs (including reductions in
inventories or accounts receivable or
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reductions in operating expenses), net earnings, pre-tax earnings or variations
of income criteria in varying time periods, economic value added, or general
comparisons with other peer companies or industry groups or classifications with
regard to one or more of these criteria. The Performance Goals may be based on
the performance of the Company generally, the performance of a particular
Subsidiary, division or business unit, or the performance of a group of
Subsidiaries, divisions or business units. The relative weights of the criteria
that comprise the Performance Goals shall be determined by the Committee in its
sole discretion. In establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period,
the Committee may establish different Performance Goals for individual
Participants or groups of Participants.
ARTICLE V
PAYMENT
5.1 Determination of Performance. After the end of each Performance
Period, the performance of the Company and its Subsidiaries will be determined
by the Company and approved by the Committee for each Performance Goal. The
Committee shall certify in writing to each Participant the degree of achievement
of each Performance Goal based upon the actual performance results for the
Performance Period.
5.2 Determination of Payment Amount. After the end of each Performance
Period, the Payment Amount for each Participant for such Performance Period
shall be calculated by the Company and certified by the Committee based upon the
level of performance achieved by the Company and its Subsidiaries for each
Performance Goal applicable to such Participant for the Performance Period, as
determined in accordance with Section 5.1.
5.3 Payment of Payment Amount. The Payment Amount payable to Participants
under this Plan shall be paid solely in cash and shall be paid on or before the
Payment Date; provided, however, that subject to the requirements of the
applicable deferred compensation plan and such other rules and requirements as
the Committee may from time to time prescribe, the Committee may allow a
Participant to defer receipt of all or a portion of the Payment Amount if
permitted under the terms of the deferred compensation plan sponsored by the
Company in which the Participant is eligible to participate.
5.4 Overall Limitation Applicable to Covered Employees. Notwithstanding
any other provision in this Plan to the contrary, in no event shall any Covered
Employee be entitled to a payment in respect of any Performance Period in excess
of one percent (1%) of the Company's earnings before income taxes as publicly
disclosed in the "Consolidated Results of Operations" section of the Company's
annual report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the
Fiscal Year ended immediately before the Payment Date applicable to such
Performance Period.
ARTICLE VI
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
If a Participant's employment is terminated before the end of the
Performance Period, the treatment of the Performance Units awarded with respect
to such Performance Period will be as follows:
6.1 In General. If, before the end of the Performance Period, the
Participant's employment terminates for any reason other than for the reasons
described in Sections 6.2 through 6.4, the Participant's Performance Units shall
be canceled, and the Participant shall receive no payment under this Plan in
respect of such Performance Units. If a Participant's employment terminates
after the end of the Performance Period but before the Payment Date, the
Participant (or the Participant's designated beneficiary in the case of death)
shall be paid the Payment Amount with respect to such Performance Period as
determined under Article V hereof on the Payment Date.
6.2 Retirement. Subject to compliance with the conditions outlined below,
if, during the Performance Period, a Participant's employment terminates by
reason of Retirement, the Payment Amount for such Performance Period shall be
paid on the Payment Date for such Performance Period and the Participant's
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Payment Amount with respect to such Performance Period shall be determined by
taking into account the actual performance of the Company and/or its
Subsidiaries for the entire Performance Period; provided, however, that the
Company reserves the right to cancel such Performance Units if the Participant,
prior to the end of the applicable Performance Period, (i) performs any
services, whether as an employee, officer, director, agent, independent
contractor, partner or otherwise, for a competitor of the Company or any of its
affiliates without the consent of the Company, or (ii) takes any other action,
including, but not limited to, interfering with the relationship between the
Company or any of its affiliates and any of its employees, clients or agents,
which is intended to damage or does damage to the business or reputation of the
Company.
6.3 Death. If a Participant dies during the Performance Period, the number
of Performance Units awarded to the Participant will be reduced by multiplying
the number of Performance Units initially awarded to the Participant by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of full months in the Performance
Period during which the Participant was an active employee of the Company or a
Subsidiary and the denominator of which is the number of months in the
Performance Period. A partial month worked shall be counted as a full month if
the Participant is an active employee for 15 days or more in that month. The
Payment Amount to be paid to the Participant's beneficiaries based on the
resulting reduced number of Performance Units shall be determined as follows:
(a) If the Participant's death occurs after the end of one or more
Fiscal Years during the Performance Period but within six months or less of
the beginning of a Fiscal Year, the Payment Amount shall be determined
using the actual performance of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries for
each completed Fiscal Year prior to the Participant's death (the "COMPLETED
FISCAL YEARS");
(b) If the Participant's death occurs more than six months after the
start of a Fiscal Year included in the Performance Period but prior to the
end of a Fiscal Year during such Performance Period, the Payment Amount
shall be determined (i) using the actual performance of the Company for
each Completed Fiscal Year, if any, and (ii) using the actual performance
of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year in which the
Participant dies; or
(c) If the Participant's death occurs six months or less after the
start of the Performance Period, the Payment Amount for the Performance
Units granted with respect to such Performance Period shall be zero.
The Payment Amount determined pursuant to this Section 6.3 shall be paid to the
Participant's designated beneficiary as soon as practicable following the
determination of the Payment Amount.
6.4 Disability. If, before the end of the Performance Period, a
Participant's employment is terminated as a result of Disability, the Payment
Amount for such Performance Period shall be paid on the Payment Date for such
Performance Period, and the Participant's Payment Amount with respect to such
Performance Period shall be determined by taking into account the actual
performance of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries for the entire Performance
Period.
ARTICLE VII
CHANGE OF CONTROL
If a Change of Control has occurred during a Performance Period, the
Participant's Performance Units awarded with respect to such Performance Period
shall be considered vested, and the Payment Amount shall be paid to the
Participant within 90 days after the date of the Change of Control. For purposes
of this Article VII, the Payment Amount to be made to each Participant shall be
the maximum amount that could be paid to such Participant with respect to the
Participant's Performance Units for such Performance Period assuming the highest
level of performance is achieved.
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ARTICLE VIII
ADMINISTRATION
8.1 In General. The Plan shall be administered under the supervision and
direction of the Committee or its designees, as applicable. In administering the
Plan, the Committee will determine the Participants and the number of
Performance Units to be granted to individual Participants, establish
appropriate Fiscal Years, Performance Periods and Performance Goals as bases for
payments under the Plan, establish the methods and procedures for measuring
performance, and determine the Payment Date and methods and procedures for
payment of Awards under the Plan. Further, the Committee may, from time to time,
change or waive requirements of the Plan, or outstanding Performance Units, to
conform with the law, to meet special circumstances not anticipated or covered
in the Plan, or to carry on successful operation of the Plan, and in connection
therewith, the Committee or its designee shall have the full power and authority
to:
(a) Prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the
Plan, or outstanding Performance Units, establish procedures deemed
appropriate for the Plan's administration, and make any and all other
determinations not herein specifically authorized which may be necessary or
advisable for its effective administration;
(b) Make any amendments to or modifications of the Plan which may be
required or necessary to make the Plan set forth herein comply with the
provisions of any laws, federal or state, or any regulations issued
thereunder, and to cause the Company at its expense to take any action
related to the Plan which may be required under such laws or regulations;
and
(c) Contest on behalf of Participants or the Company, at the expense
of the Company, any ruling or decision on any issue related to the Plan,
and conduct any such contest and any resulting litigation to a final
determination, ruling or decision.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Committee may, unless
otherwise prohibited from doing so by the Board of Directors or such committee's
charter, delegate any Plan related function it may deem necessary or appropriate
to employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries or to third parties.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to authorize, and the Committee will have no
discretion, to alter or amend the Performance Goals or the specific Performance
Goals of Awards under the Plan after they have been approved by the Committee or
communicated to Participants, whichever shall occur later in time.
8.2 Limitation of Liability. No member of the Committee shall be liable
for any act, omission, or determination taken or made in good faith with respect
to the Plan or any Awards made hereunder, and the members of the Committee shall
be entitled to indemnification, defense and reimbursement by the Company in
respect of any claim, loss, damage, or expenses (including attorneys' fees and
expenses) arising therefrom to the full extent permitted by law and as provided
for in the bylaws of the Company or under any directors' and officers' liability
or similar insurance coverage or any indemnification agreement that may be in
effect from time to time. The Company reserves the right to select counsel to
defend any litigation covered by this Section 8.2.
ARTICLE IX
TERM; WITHDRAWAL OR AMENDMENT
9.1 Effective Date and Term. The Plan has been adopted by the Board of
Directors effective as of September 3, 2004 (the "EFFECTIVE DATE"). The term of
the Plan shall continue until the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date,
unless sooner terminated by the Board. No new Awards may be made after the
termination of the Plan, but termination of the Plan shall not affect
outstanding Awards.
9.2 Withdrawal or Amendment. The Company's Board of Directors or the
Committee may at any time withdraw or amend the Plan, except that there shall be
no withdrawal or amendment which shall adversely affect Awards theretofore
granted.
C-6
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Beneficiaries. Each Participant may designate a beneficiary or
beneficiaries to receive, in the event of such Participant's death, any payments
remaining to be made to the Participant under the Plan. Each Participant shall
have the right to revoke any such designation and to redesignate a beneficiary
or beneficiaries by written notice to the Company to such effect. If any
Participant dies without naming a beneficiary or if all of the beneficiaries
named by a Participant predecease the Participant, then any amounts remaining to
be paid under the Plan shall be paid to the Participant's estate.
10.2 Awards Non-Transferable. Any rights of a Participant under this Plan,
and in or to an Award, shall be personal in nature and may not be assigned or
transferred (other than a transfer by will or the laws of descent and
distribution). Any attempted assignment or transfer of the Award shall be null
and void and without effect.
10.3 Withholding for Taxes. The Company or its Subsidiaries shall have the
right to deduct from all payments under the Plan any federal, state, or local
taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such payments.
10.4 Plan Funding. The Plan shall at all times be unfunded and no
provision shall at any time be made with respect to segregating any assets of
the Company or its Subsidiaries for payment of any benefits under the Plan. The
right of a Participant to receive payment under the Plan shall be an unsecured
claim against the general assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries, and neither
the Participant nor any other person shall have any rights in or against any
specific assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries. The Company and its
Subsidiaries may establish a reserve of assets to provide funds for payments
under the Plan.
10.5 No Contract of Employment. The existence of this Plan, as in effect
at any time or from time to time, or any grant of Performance Units under the
Plan shall not be deemed to constitute a contract of employment between the
Company, or its Subsidiaries, and any employee or Participant, nor shall it
constitute a right to remain in the employ of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
10.6 No Right to Participate. Except as provided in Articles III and IV,
no Participant or other employee shall at any time have a right to be selected
for participation in the Plan, despite having previously participated in an
incentive or bonus plan of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
10.7 Facilitation of Payments. Notwithstanding anything else in this Plan
to the contrary, in the event that a payment is due to an employee, or former
employee (or a beneficiary thereof), under this Plan and the recipient is a
minor, mentally incompetent, or otherwise incapacitated, such payment shall be
made to the recipient's legal representative, or guardian. If there is no such
legal representative, or guardian, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may
direct that payment be made to any person the Committee, in its sole discretion,
believes, by reason of a family relationship, or otherwise, will apply. Upon
such payment, for the benefit of the recipient, the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries shall be fully discharged of all obligations therefor.
10.8 Addresses; Missing Recipients. A recipient of any payment under this
Plan who is not a current employee of the Company, or its Subsidiaries, shall
have the obligation to inform the Company of his or her current address, or
other location to which payments are to be sent. Neither the Company nor its
Subsidiaries shall have any liability to such recipient, or any other person,
for any failure of such recipient, or person, to receive any payment if it sends
such payment to the address provided by such recipient by first class mail,
postage paid, or other comparable delivery method. Notwithstanding anything else
in this Plan to the contrary, if a recipient of any payment cannot be located
within 120 days following the date on which such payment is due after reasonable
efforts by the Company or its Subsidiaries, such payments and all future
payments owing to such recipient shall be forfeited without notice to such
recipient. If, within two years (or such longer period as the Committee, in its
sole discretion, may determine) after the date as of which payment was forfeited
(or, if later, is first due), the recipient, by written notice to the Company,
requests that such payment and all future payments owing to such recipient be
reinstated and provides satisfactory proof of their identity, such payments
C-7
shall be promptly reinstated. To the extent the due date of any reinstated
payment occurred prior to such reinstatement, such payment shall be made to the
recipient (without any interest from its original due date) within 90 days after
such reinstatement.
10.9 Governing Law. The laws of the State of Delaware (excluding its
principles relating to conflicts of laws) shall govern the Plan.
10.10 Successors. All obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries
under the Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor
to the Company or such Subsidiary, whether the existence of such successor is
the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or
otherwise.
10.11 Third Parties. Nothing expressed or implied in this Plan is intended
or may be construed to give any person other than eligible Participants any
rights or remedies under this Plan.
10.12 Headings. Section and other headings contained in this Plan are for
reference purposes only, and are not intended to describe, interpret, define, or
limit the scope, extent or intent of the provisions of the Plan.
C-8
SYSCO-PS-04
ELECTION TO OBTAIN FUTURE MATERIALS
OF SYSCO CORPORATION
ELECTRONICALLY INSTEAD OF BY MAIL
SYSCO stockholders may elect to receive future materials through the
Internet instead of by mail. SYSCO is offering this service to provide added
convenience to its stockholders and to reduce printing and mailing costs.
To take advantage of this option, stockholders must subscribe to one of the
various commercial services that offer access to the Internet. Costs normally
associated with electronic access, such as usage and telephone charges, will be
borne by the stockholder.
To elect this option, go to www.econsent.com/syy. You will be asked to
enter the eleven-digit Account Number located in the second group of numbers
appearing beneath the perforation line on the reverse side. Stockholders who
elect this option will be notified each year by e-mail how to access the proxy
materials and how to vote their shares on the Internet.
If you consent to receive the Company's future materials electronically,
your consent will remain in effect unless it is withdrawn. You may withdraw your
consent by contacting our Transfer Agent at 1-800-730-4001 or go to
www.econsent.com/syy.
You may access the SYSCO Corporation annual report and proxy statement at:
www.sysco.com
PROXY
SYSCO CORPORATION
Proxy for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
November 12, 2004
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Richard J. Schnieders and
Thomas E. Lankford, and each of them jointly and severally, proxies, with full
power of substitution, to vote all shares of common stock which the undersigned
is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Sysco Corporation
to be held on Friday, November 12, 2004 at 10:00 a.m., at The Omni Houston
Hotel, Four Riverway, Houston, Texas 77056, or any adjournment thereof.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the notice of annual meeting and
proxy statement, each dated September 27, 2004, grants authority to any of said
proxies, or their substitutes, to act in the absence of others, with all the
powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present at such
meeting, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said proxies, or their
substitutes, may lawfully do in the undersigned's name, place and stead. The
undersigned instructs said proxies, or any of them, to vote as set forth on the
reverse side.
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE)
SYSCO CORPORATION
c/o EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 8694
Edison, NJ 08818-8694
Your vote is important. Please vote immediately.
VOTE BY INTERNET VOTE BY TELEPHONE
Log on to the Internet and go to Call toll free 1-877-PRX-VOTE (1-877-779-8683)
http://www.eproxyvote.com/syy
If you vote over the Internet or by telephone, please do not mail your card.
Proxies voted by Telephone or Internet must be received by
11:59 P.M. EST - November 11, 2004
Please Mark
[X] Votes As In
This Example
The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" Proposal 1. 3. Approval of the 2004 Stock Option Plan.
1. Election of four directors in Class III [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
NOMINEES: (01) Colin G. Campbell, (02) John M. Cassaday,
(03) John K. Stubblefield, Jr. and (04) Jackie M. Ward 4. Approval of the payment of compensation to certain
FOR [ ] WITHHELD [ ] executive officers under the 2004 Long-Term Incentive Cash
ALL FROM ALL Plan pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
NOMINEES NOMINEES
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
[ ] ____________________________________________________ The Board of Directors recommends a vote "AGAINST" Proposal 5.
For all nominees except as noted above. 5. Shareholder Proposal requesting that the Board review
The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" Proposals 2, the Company's policies for food products containing
3 and 4 genetically engineered ingredients and report to
shareholders within six months.
2. Approval of Ratification of Appointment of Ernst & [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
Young LLP as the Company's Independent Accountants for
Fiscal 2005.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
ALL PROXIES SIGNED AND RETURNED WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR
INSTRUCTIONS. THOSE WITH NO CHOICE INDICATED WILL BE VOTED "FOR" PROPOSALS 1, 2,
3 AND 4 AND "AGAINST" PROPOSAL 5, AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY HOLDER ON
ANY OTHER MATTER THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING AND ANY ADJOURNMENT
OR POSTPONEMENT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING.
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS [ ]
CHANGE AND NOTE AT LEFT
Please sign, date and return promptly. No postage required if this proxy is
returned in the enclosed envelope and mailed in the United States. Please sign
as name appears on this card. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title.
If signer is a corporation, please sign with the full corporation name by
authorized officer or officers.
Signature:________________________ Date:_______________________________
Signature:________________________ Date:_______________________________