UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant To Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant ☒ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement | |
☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |
☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement | |
☐ | Definitive Additional Materials | |
☐ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12 |
ROPER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(Formerly Roper Industries, Inc.)
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
☒ | No fee required | |||
☐ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. | |||
(1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
| |||
(2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
| |||
(3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
| |||
(4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
| |||
(5) | Total fee paid:
| |||
☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials | |||
☐ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. | |||
(1) | Amount Previously Paid:
| |||
(2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
| |||
(3) | Filing Party:
| |||
(4) | Date Filed:
|
6901 Professional Parkway East | Telephone (941) 556-2601 | |||||
Suite 200 | Fax (941) 556-2670 | |||||
Sarasota, Florida 34240 | ||||||
Roper Technologies, Inc. |
April 30, 2019
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
As the members of your Board of Directors, we oversee Ropers efforts to continually create long-term value for you by efficiently executing our strategy through sound risk management, disciplined capital deployment, performance-driven compensation programs, effective talent and succession planning, adherence to the highest ethical standards and levels of integrity, and continual review and refinement of the Boards governance practices.
Our Strategy for Outstanding Value Creation for Shareholders
Over the past fifteen years, our shareholders earned a compound annual return of 17.9% and a total shareholder return of 1,084%, more than five times the total return of the S&P 500. Over the past decade, Roper has delivered an even better 20.6% compound annual return to shareholders, and delivered positive returns in 2018 despite market volatility and the negative return of the S&P 500.
Our long history of superior shareholder returns is the result of Ropers simple yet powerful strategy:
| Cash Generation Through Operating Excellence: Our business is comprised of niche, asset-light businesses with leading solutions and technologies that create significant free cash flow, enabling future investments for sustainable growth. Operating excellence, underpinned by our strategic focus on intellectual capital, product development, channel expansion and a high degree of customer intimacy, drives cash generation, with record performance in 2018 for operating cash flow and free cash flow. |
| Disciplined Capital Deployment: We have a unique and disciplined capital deployment model that has guided the successful investment of billions of dollars in new businesses. Unlike many companies that use cash to pay large dividends and buy back shares, Roper uses most of its available cash to buy new businesses to fuel compounding growth and value creation for shareholders, as we did in 2018 with our deployment of $1.3 billion to acquire exceptional software businesses. |
The Boards Role in Ropers Success
The Board contributes significantly to Ropers strong performance. As directors, each of us commits to the rigor and extensive time commitment and workload required to serve on Ropers Board, including participation in at least 15 days of Board meetings each year. We continually monitor the existing portfolio of Roper businesses and carefully examine the different ways Roper can create additional value for shareholders. Between Board meetings, we continue our discussions with management and each other, enabling the Company to draw from our broad experiences and expertise.
Our direct involvement in and deep understanding of the Company allows us to address issues such as acquisition selection, capital deployment, and succession planning while sustaining Ropers successful culture and business model. Our focus on succession planning served the Company well last year, as evidenced by the Companys well-executed CEO transition.
Our Governance Practices and Other Best Practices
Roper remains committed to strong corporate governance as demonstrated by the following practices:
| Declassified Board. Our directors are elected annually. |
| Majority Voting for Directors. Our By-laws require the resignation of incumbent directors who fail to obtain a majority of votes cast in uncontested elections. |
| Proxy Access. Our By-laws permit a shareholder, or a group of up to 20 shareholders, that has owned at least 3% of our outstanding common stock continuously for at least three years to nominate and include in our proxy materials up to the greater of two directors or 20% of the number of our directors then in office. |
| Independent Chairman of the Board. We elected Wilbur Prezzano to serve as our independent Chairman. Mr. Prezzano previously served as the Companys Lead Independent Director. |
| Executive Compensation Alignment with Shareholders. Because much of our shareholder value creation is derived from the Roper executive teams capital deployment strategy, our executives must have a unique set of skills. We continue to refine our executive compensation practices to maintain close alignment with shareholder interests. |
| Pay for Performance. Similar to prior years, in 2018, 97% of our prior CEOs compensation and 95% of our current CEOs compensation was subject to performance risk and tied to long-term results and our stock price, and for our other executive officers, on average, 86% of their compensation was performance-based. |
| Clear Proxy Statement Disclosure. We strive to present the information in our Proxy Statement in a clear and easy-to-read manner. |
| Shareholder Outreach Program. Ropers senior management team regularly engages shareholders for feedback. |
We are extremely pleased to have delivered our shareholders with another year of exceptional results and record performance. However, the year closed on a very sad note with the passing of our long-time Chairman, CEO and good friend, Brian Jellison. Though Brians contributions to our Company are unprecedented, the Board is committed to preserving and building upon the strategic foundation that he established for Roper. We welcome the opportunity to work with the Companys next generation of leaders who have been forged under Brians leadership and training for many years.
Open Communications With Our Shareholders
We value your continued support and input. Please continue to share your comments with us on any topic. Communications may be addressed to the directors in care of the Corporate Secretary, Roper Technologies, Inc., 6901 Professional Parkway East, Suite 200, Sarasota, Florida 34240.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors
Shellye L. Archambeau | Amy Woods Brinkley | John F. Fort III | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||
L. Neil Hunn | Robert D. Johnson | Robert E. Knowling, Jr. | Wilbur J. Prezzano | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Laura G. Thatcher | Richard F. Wallman | Christopher Wright |
NOTICE OF 2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Date and Time |
Monday, June 10, 2019, at 8:00 a.m. local time |
Place |
6901 Professional Parkway East, Suite 200, Sarasota, Florida 34240 |
Agenda |
| Proposal 1: To elect ten directors for a one-year term. |
| Proposal 2: To consider, on a non-binding advisory basis, a resolution approving the compensation of our named executive officers. |
| Proposal 3: To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019. |
| Proposal 4: To consider a shareholder proposal regarding political contributions disclosure, if properly presented at the meeting. |
Record Date |
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2019 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or any postponed or adjourned meeting, and these shareholders will be entitled to vote whether or not they have transferred any of their shares of our common stock since that date. |
Voting Recommendations |
The Company recommends that you vote: |
| FOR each director nominee |
| FOR the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers |
| FOR the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the year ending 2019 |
| AGAINST the shareholder proposal regarding political contributions disclosure |
Proxy Voting |
Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares of our common stock you own. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, please promptly vote by Internet, telephone, or mail. Instructions for each of these methods and the control number that you will need are provided on the proxy card. |
April 30, 2019 | By Order of the Board of Directors | |||||
John K. Stipancich Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Shareholder Meeting To Be Held On Monday, June 10, 2019.
This Proxy Statement and the Roper Technologies, Inc. 2018 Annual Report
to Shareholders are available at: www.proxyvote.com
This summary highlights information about Roper Technologies, Inc. (the Company, we, us or our) and the upcoming 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the 2019 Annual Meeting). It does not contain all of the information you should consider. We recommend reading the complete proxy statement (the Proxy Statement) and our 2018 Annual Report to Shareholders (the 2018 Annual Report), which includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K, before voting. The Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card are being mailed or otherwise made available to shareholders on or about April 30, 2019.
2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Date and Time: Monday, June 10, 2019 8:00 a.m. local time |
Record Date: April 15, 2019 |
Place: Roper Technologies, Inc. 6901 Professional Parkway East Suite 200 Sarasota, Florida 34240 |
VOTING MATTERS AND BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS
Proposals | Board Recommendation |
Vote Required | ||||
1: |
Election of ten directors for a one-year term | FOR EACH NOMINEE | Majority of votes cast | |||
2: |
Advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers | FOR | Majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy | |||
3: |
Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2019 | FOR | Majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy | |||
4: |
Shareholder proposal regarding political contributions disclosure | AGAINST | Majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | i |
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY (CONTINUED)
2019 DIRECTOR NOMINEES
Shareholders are electing all ten director nominees who will serve for a one-year term expiring at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the 2020 Annual Meeting).
Name | Position | Director Since |
Independent | Audit Committee |
Compensation Committee |
Nominating and Governance |
Executive Committee | |||||||
Shellye L. Archambeau |
Former Chief Executive Officer, MetricStream, Inc. | 2018 | X | X | ||||||||||
Amy Woods Brinkley |
Founder, AWB Consulting, LLC | 2015 | X | X | ||||||||||
John F. Fort III |
Former CEO of Tyco International Ltd. | 1995 | X | X | X | |||||||||
L. Neil Hunn |
President and CEO of Roper Technologies, Inc. | 2018 | ||||||||||||
Robert D. Johnson |
Chairman, Spirit Aerospace | 2005 | X | X | ||||||||||
Robert E. Knowling, Jr. |
Chairman, Eagles Landing Partners | 2008 | X | Chair | X | |||||||||
Wilbur J. Prezzano |
Former Vice-Chairman, Eastman Kodak Company | 1997 | X | X | X | Chair | ||||||||
Laura G. Thatcher |
Former Head of Executive Compensation Practice, Alston & Bird LLP | 2015 | X | X | X | |||||||||
Richard F. Wallman |
Former CFO and SVP, Honeywell International Inc. | 2007 | X | Chair | X | |||||||||
Christopher Wright |
Chairman, EMAlternatives LLC and Chairman of Yimei Capital, Inc. | 1991 | X | Chair | X |
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
We strive to maintain effective corporate governance practices and policies. Our practices and policies include the following:
Proxy Access: In March 2016, we amended our By-laws to implement proxy access for eligible shareholders. Our proxy access provision permits a shareholder, or a group of up to 20 shareholders, that has owned at least 3% of our outstanding common stock continuously for at least three years to nominate and include in our proxy materials up to the greater of two directors or 20% of the number of our directors then in office, provided that the shareholders and the nominees satisfy the requirements set forth in the By-laws.
ii |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY (CONTINUED)
Shareholder Outreach: We regularly engage our shareholders for feedback. In connection with our adoption of proxy access, we reached out to shareholders representing over 50% of our outstanding common stock to understand their views.
One-Year Terms for Directors: All of our directors serve one-year terms.
Independent Directors: Nine of our ten current directors are independent, as is each member of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Governance Committees.
Independent Chairman of the Board: Our Chairman of the Board is independent.
Majority Voting Standards for Uncontested Director Elections: We require the resignation of incumbent directors who fail to obtain a majority vote in uncontested elections.
Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policy: We have both anti-hedging and anti-pledging policies.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
We achieved another year of record results in 2018:
| Annual shareholder return of 3.5%, well exceeding the negative return of (4.4%) of the S&P 500 |
| GAAP revenue increased 13% to $5.19 billion |
| GAAP gross margin increased 100 basis points to 63.2% |
| Adjusted EBITDA increased 13% to $1.81 billion(1) |
| Operating cash flow increased 16% to $1.43 billion and free cash flow increased 17% to $1.37 billion(1) |
| We deployed $1.3 billion toward high quality software acquisitions |
| Our annual dividend increased by 12%, increasing for the 26th consecutive year |
(1) | This financial information is presented on an adjusted (non-GAAP) basis. A reconciliation from non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measure and other related information is available in Appendix AReconciliations. |
COMPENSATION HIGHLIGHTS
The creation of shareholder value is the foundation and driver of our executive compensation program. Aspects of our program that closely align the compensation of our executive officers with the long-term interests of our shareholders include the following:
Pay for Performance: Compensation of our executive officers is almost completely tied to pre-set, objective performance criteria and long-term shareholder value creation. In 2018, 97% of our prior CEOs direct compensation and 95% of our current CEOs direct compensation was subject to performance risk and tied to long-term results and our stock price. For our other executive officers, on average, 86% of their direct compensation was performance-based.
Performance-Based Equity: All restricted stock awards are subject to satisfaction of performance criteria (no awards are solely time-based).
Double Trigger Vesting: Double trigger vesting of equity awards if a change in control occurs; no excise tax gross-ups for change-in-control payments.
Stock Ownership Guidelines: Substantial share ownership and retention guidelines for our executive officers and non-employee directors.
Low Overhang and Dilution: Overhang and dilution from equity incentives at Roper are low relative to our peers.
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | iii |
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY (CONTINUED)
Clawback Policy: We have a clawback policy to recoup erroneously paid compensation.
Dividends Only on Shares Earned: Dividends on executive officers restricted shares are paid only if the shares are earned.
Annual Bonus Caps: We have caps on annual bonuses to avoid an excessive short-term focus and potentially adverse risk-taking.
No Repricing: Repricing of stock options is prohibited.
Limited Benefits: No defined pension benefit plan, few perquisites, and limited severance agreements.
iv |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board of Directors or the Board) will consist of a number of members to be fixed, from time to time, by the Board of Directors, but not less than the minimum number required under Delaware law. The Board of Directors is currently comprised of ten directors who are elected on an annual basis.
Our Board unanimously recommended each incumbent director for reelection at the 2019 Annual Meeting. If reelected, the director nominees will serve until the 2020 Annual Meeting and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. Certain information about our director nominees is set forth under Board of Directors. This information includes the business experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that each individual brings to our Board.
Although not anticipated, if prior to the meeting a director nominee is unable to serve, the proxy will be voted for a substitute nominee selected by the Board of Directors or the Board may choose to reduce its size.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election to the Board of Directors of each of the following director nominees:
Name | Age | Director Since |
Independent | Occupation | ||||
Shellye L. Archambeau |
56 | 2018 | Yes | Former Chief Executive Officer, MetricStream, Inc. | ||||
Amy Woods Brinkley |
63 | 2015 | Yes | Founder, AWB Consulting, LLC | ||||
John F. Fort III |
77 | 1995 | Yes | Former CEO of Tyco International Ltd. | ||||
L. Neil Hunn |
47 | 2018 | No | President and CEO, Roper Technologies, Inc. | ||||
Robert D. Johnson |
71 | 2005 | Yes | Chairman, Spirit Aerospace | ||||
Robert E. Knowling, Jr. |
63 | 2008 | Yes | Chairman, Eagles Landing Partners | ||||
Wilbur J. Prezzano |
78 | 1997 | Yes | Former Vice-Chairman, Eastman Kodak Company | ||||
Laura G. Thatcher |
63 | 2015 | Yes | Former Head of Executive Compensation Practice, Alston & Bird LLP | ||||
Richard F. Wallman |
68 | 2007 | Yes | Former CFO and SVP, Honeywell International Inc. | ||||
Christopher Wright |
61 | 1991 | Yes | Chairman, EMAlternatives LLC and Chairman, Yimei Capital |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 1 |
Nominee Information
for terms expiring at the 2020 Annual Meeting
Shellye L. Archambeau |
||||
Director since 2018 Independent Age: 56
|
Committee: Nominating and Governance
|
Ms. Archambeau was the Chief Executive Officer of MetricStream, Inc., a global provider of governance, risk, compliance and quality management solutions to corporations across diverse industries, from 2002 to 2017. Prior to joining MetricStream, Ms. Archambeau was Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Sales for Loudcloud, Inc., a provider of Internet infrastructure services; Chief Marketing Officer of NorthPoint Communications; and President of Blockbuster Inc.s ecommerce division. Prior to joining Blockbuster, Ms. Archambeau held domestic and international executive positions during a 15-year career at IBM.
Ms. Archambeau brings to the Board, among other skills and qualifications, leadership experience in technology, ecommerce, digital media and communications. Her technology and international experience uniquely positions her to advise the Board and senior management on developing and marketing software, emerging technology applications and solutions.
Ms. Archambeau has been a director of Nordstrom, Inc. since 2015 and Verizon, Inc. since December 2013. She previously served as a director of Arbitron, Inc. from 2005 to 2013 and a director of MetricStream, Inc. from 2002 to 2018.
Amy Woods Brinkley |
||||
Director since 2015 Independent Age: 63
|
Committee: Audit
|
Ms. Brinkley is the founder, owner and manager of AWB Consulting, LLC, which provides executive advising and risk management consulting services. Ms. Brinkley retired from Bank of America Corporation in 2009 after more than 30 years with the company. Ms. Brinkley served as its Chief Risk Officer from 2002 to 2009. Prior to 2002, she served as President of the companys Consumer Products division and was responsible for the credit card, mortgage, consumer finance, telephone, and ecommerce businesses. During her employment at Bank of America Corporation, Ms. Brinkley also held the positions of Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer overseeing the companys Olympic sponsorship and its national rebranding and name change.
Ms. Brinkleys background offers the Board vast experience in risk management and a broad-based knowledge of banking, financial services, and brand marketing.
Ms. Brinkley is currently a director of Carters Inc., TD Bank Group and TD Group US Holdings, LLC. She also serves as a director of TD Bank Groups subsidiary, TD Bank US Holding Co. and its two subsidiaries, TD Bank and TD Bank USA, N.A. In addition, she serves as a trustee for the Princeton Theological Seminary. Ms. Brinkley previously served as a director of Atrium Health from 2001 to 2018.
2 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS (CONTINUED)
John F. Fort III |
||||
Director since 1995 Independent Age: 77
|
Committees: Audit Nominating and Governance
|
Mr. Fort has been self-employed since 1993. Mr. Fort served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tyco International Ltd., a provider of diversified industrial products and services, from 1982 until his retirement from the company in January 1993, and served as Interim CEO of Tyco from June to September 2002 and as an advisor to Tycos Board of Directors from March 2003 to March 2004.
Mr. Forts leadership experience as the CEO of a diversified industrial company and his in-depth knowledge of our Company gives our Board perspective on important issues, including business strategy and acquisitions.
L. Neil Hunn Director since 2018 President and Chief Executive Officer Age: 47 |
Prior to being named President and Chief Executive Officer in 2018, Mr. Hunn was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since 2017 and a Group Vice President with Roper since 2011. Prior to joining Roper, Mr. Hunn held several positions in the software sector and was involved in businesses at varied stages of development. Most recently he was with MedAssets, an Atlanta-based SaaS company, where he served as Executive Vice President and CFO, as well as President of its revenue cycle technology businesses. He was previously with CMGI, an incubator of Internet businesses, and Parthenon Group, a strategy consulting firm.
Mr. Hunns active involvement in Ropers operations provides our Board with specific knowledge of the business and its challenges and prospects. His understanding of the organization and its strategic focus has provided key leadership and guidance for our Companys growth.
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 3 |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS (CONTINUED)
Robert D. Johnson |
||||
Director since 2005 Independent Age: 71
|
Committee: Compensation
|
Mr. Johnson was Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Ltd., a global aviation corporation, from August 2006 to December 2008. Mr. Johnson served as Chairman of Honeywell Aerospace, the aviation segment of Honeywell International Inc., from January 2005 to January 2006, and as its President and Chief Executive Officer from 1999 to 2005. Mr. Johnson worked at Honeywells predecessor, AlliedSignal, rising to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of AlliedSignal Aerospace. Mr. Johnson has held management positions with AAR Corporation and GE Aircraft Engines.
Mr. Johnson brings valuable knowledge in marketing, sales and production from his diverse career experiences. His management leadership skills and his general business knowledge provide our Board with guidance in compensation and management issues.
Mr. Johnson currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc., and as a director of Spirit Airlines, Inc. Mr. Johnson previously served as a director of SAP Ariba, Inc. from 2005 to 2012 and Beechcraft Corp during 2013.
Robert E. Knowling, Jr. |
||||
Director since 2008 Independent Age: 63
|
Committees: Compensation (Chair) Executive
|
Mr. Knowling is the Chairman of Eagles Landing Partners, a strategic management consulting company. From June 2005 to May 2009, Mr. Knowling served as Chief Executive Officer and director of Telwares, a leading provider of telecommunication spend management solutions. Mr. Knowling has served as the CEO of the NYC Leadership Academy, SimDesk Technologies, Inc. and Covad Communications Company.
Mr. Knowling brings a unique perspective to our Board based on his involvement in telecommunications and high-growth technology companies. He also has significant operational and management skills and insight with respect to technology matters. His experience as a director of several other public companies enables him to provide guidance on corporate governance and executive compensation issues.
Mr. Knowling is currently a director of K12 Inc. and Rite-Aid, Inc. Mr. Knowling previously served as a director of Convergys Corporation from 2017 to 2018, Heidrick & Struggles International from 2000 to 2015, The Bartech Group from 2006 to 2015, Aprimo, Inc. from 2008 to 2011, and as Lead Director of SAP Ariba, Inc. from 2000 to 2012.
4 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS (CONTINUED)
Wilbur J. Prezzano |
||||
Director since 1997 Independent Chairman of the Board Age: 78
|
Committees: Compensation Nominating and Governance Executive
|
Mr. Prezzano retired in January 1997 from Eastman Kodak Company, a supplier of imaging material and services, as its board Vice-Chairman and as Chairman and President of its greater China region businesses. During his 32-year career with Eastman Kodak Company, Mr. Prezzano served in various executive capacities and also served as a director from 1992 to 1997.
Mr. Prezzano has a strong background in management and experience in international operations. Through his service on the boards of directors of several other companies in diverse industries, Mr. Prezzano provides our Board with a broad-based understanding important to our Companys growth and operations.
Mr. Prezzano currently serves as a director of TD Bank, NA and as a director of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation. Mr. Prezzano formerly served as a director of TD Bank Financial Group from 2003 to 2016, EnPro Industries, Inc. from 2006 to 2014 and Snyders-Lance, Inc., where he served as board Chair from 2000 to 2016.
Laura G. Thatcher |
||||
Director since 2015 Independent Age: 63
|
Committees: Audit Nominating and Governance
|
Ms. Thatcher retired in December 2013 after 33 years of legal practice at Alston & Bird LLP, where she developed and headed the firms executive compensation practice for 18 years.
Ms. Thatchers strong legal background in corporate, securities, compensation, mergers and acquisitions, and tax law, and her experience in advising a diverse array of public companies in these areas, offer the Board a broad-based as well as technical perspective in matters of corporate governance, executive compensation, and business acquisitions.
Ms. Thatcher served on the Board of Directors of Batson-Cook Company, a regional commercial construction and development company, from 1994 to 2007. She also served on the Board of Directors of The Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc., a non-profit organization addressing the civil legal needs of Atlantas lower income, elderly and disabled residents from 2008 to 2014, and was a Past Chair of the Advisory Board of the Certified Equity Professional Institute (CEPI) of Santa Clara University.
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 5 |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS (CONTINUED)
Richard F. Wallman |
||||
Director since 2007 Independent Age: 68
|
Committees: Nominating and Governance (Chair) Executive |
Mr. Wallman served as the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Honeywell International Inc., a diversified industrial technology and manufacturing company, and its predecessor AlliedSignal, from March 1995 to July 2003. Mr. Wallman has also served in senior financial positions with IBM and Chrysler Corporation.
Mr. Wallmans extensive leadership and financial background brings to our Board a significant understanding of the financial issues and risks that affect our Company. Mr. Wallman also serves on the boards of other diverse publicly held companies, which gives him a multi-industry perspective and exposure to developments and issues that impact the management and operations of a global business.
Mr. Wallman currently serves as a director of Boart Longyear Ltd., Extended Stay America, Inc., Wright Medical Group (formerly Tornier N.V.), and Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. Mr. Wallman formerly served as a director of SAP Ariba, Inc. from 2002 to 2012, Dana Incorporated from 2010 to 2013, Convergys Corporation from 2007 to 2017, and ESH Hospitality, Inc. from 2013 to 2017.
Christopher Wright |
||||
Director since 1991 Independent Age: 61
|
Committees: Audit (Chair) Executive |
Mr. Wright is the Chairman of EMAlternatives LLC, a Washington, DC based private equity asset management firm focused on emerging markets and the Chairman of Yimei Capital, a Chinese investment firm. He also serves as a director of Merifin Capital Group, a private European investment firm. Until mid-2003 he served as Chief Executive Officer for Dresdner Kleinwort Capital and was a Group Board Member of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein overseeing alternative assets. He has acted as Chairman of various investment funds prior to and following the latters integration with Allianz S.E., and as Global Head of Private Equity at Standard Bank Group from 2006 to 2007.
Mr. Wright offers a global perspective to our Board gained from his extensive international, private equity and banking experience. He is able to provide a valuable historical perspective on the development of our Company. He also provides our Board with knowledge of current financial issues and audit matters, risks affecting international business operations, and has broad experience investing in the software and healthcare sectors.
Mr. Wright currently serves as a director of G.P. Investments Limited (Luxembourg), Spice Private Equity A.G.(Zurich), and sits on the advisory boards of various investment funds. He previously served as a director of Yatra Ltd. from 2010 to 2018. Mr. Wright is an Honorary Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford.
6 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (CONTINUED)
8 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
BOARD COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS (CONTINUED)
Board Committees
Set forth below are the current committee memberships.
Director | Audit Committee |
Compensation Committee |
Nominating and Governance Committee |
Executive Committee | ||||
Shellye L. Archambeau |
|
X
|
||||||
Amy Woods Brinkley |
X
|
|
||||||
John F. Fort III |
X
|
X | ||||||
Robert D. Johnson |
X
|
|||||||
Robert E. Knowling, Jr. |
Chair
|
X | ||||||
Wilbur J. Prezzano |
X
|
X
|
Chair
| |||||
Laura G. Thatcher |
X
|
X | ||||||
Richard F. Wallman |
Chair | X
| ||||||
Christopher Wright |
Chair
|
X |
10 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
BOARD COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS (CONTINUED)
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 11 |
BOARD COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS (CONTINUED)
12 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
Compensation for our non-employee directors is governed by our Director Compensation Plan, which is a sub-plan of our 2016 Incentive Plan. The Director Compensation Plan recognizes the Boards instrumental contribution to Ropers long-term success and creation of superior shareholder value. Over the past fifteen years, our shareholders have earned a cumulative 1,084.4% return more than five times that of the S&P 500s 207.1% return. In the first quarter of 2019, our return of 28.5% more than doubled that of the S&P 500 return of 13.6%. Compensation paid to our Directors reflects the significant time commitment and effort associated with serving on our Board, including participation in at least 15 days of Board meetings each year, in addition to numerous Committee meetings throughout the year. In the past four years, we have added three new independent directors to the Board, each of whom has increased the level of diversity representation on our Board. However, our rapid growth, business transformation into software, and various external developments have made it increasingly challenging to find and assimilate the caliber of independent director capable of adding value to our high-growth, asset-light, diversified enterprise.
Consistent with Ropers long-standing pay-for-performance philosophy, the Director Compensation Plan ties director compensation directly to the Companys stock performance, closely aligning the financial interests of our directors with those of our shareholders. Directors receive limited cash retainers and no perquisites (such as deferred compensation benefits), and instead receive a higher percentage of their compensation in Company stock. Historically, a grant of 4,000 restricted stock units (RSUs) was made under the Director Compensation Plan to recognize the significant time commitment and workload associated with serving on our Board as well as the Boards instrumental contribution to Ropers long-term success and creation of superior shareholder value. In light of the significant increase of 42.4% in the Companys share price in 2017, the 2018 award was reduced from 4,000 RSUs to 3,000 RSUs. As a result of the further significant appreciation in the market value of the Companys shares, as well as other considerations in regard to director compensation, the Company anticipates making a similar reduction to the number of RSUs awarded to our non-employee directors in 2019.
Under our Director Compensation Plan, each non-employee director also receives an annual cash retainer and fees for Board and committee meetings as shown in the table below. The cash retainer and the number of RSUs granted will be prorated for any new director based on the number of full months such director serves as a non-employee director during the year.
Annual Cash Retainer
|
||||
Cash Retainer
|
$
|
42,500
|
| |
Supplemental Annual Cash Retainers
|
||||
Independent Chairman
|
$
|
175,000
|
| |
Chair of Audit Committee
|
$
|
5,000
|
| |
Chair of Compensation Committee
|
$
|
5,000
|
| |
Chair of Nominating and Governance Committee
|
$
|
5,000
|
| |
Board Meeting Compensation(1)
|
||||
In-Person Attendance
|
$
|
2,000
|
| |
Telephonic Attendance
|
$
|
1,000
|
| |
Committee Meeting Compensation(2)
|
||||
In-Person Attendance
|
$
|
1,000
|
| |
Telephonic Attendance
|
$
|
500
|
|
(1) | An extended Board meeting over multiple days is treated as a single Board meeting for payment purposes. |
(2) | Directors attending a Board and a committee meeting on the same day will only receive a fee for the Board meeting. |
We also reimburse our directors for reasonable travel expenses incurred in connection with attendance at Board, committee and shareholder meetings and other Company business.
Mr. Hunn is an employee of our Company and did not receive any compensation for his service as a director. His compensation is set forth in the Executive Compensation section below.
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 13 |
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION (CONTINUED)
The table below shows the compensation of our non-employee directors for 2018.
2018 Director Compensation
Name
|
Fees Earned or
|
Stock
|
All Other
|
Total
| ||||||||||||||||
Shellye L. Archambeau
|
|
39,875
|
|
|
915,190
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
955,065
|
| ||||||||
Amy Woods Brinkley
|
|
57,000
|
|
|
846,300
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
903,300
|
| ||||||||
John F. Fort III
|
|
57,000
|
|
|
846,300
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
903,300
|
| ||||||||
Robert D. Johnson
|
|
54,500
|
|
|
846,300
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
900,800
|
| ||||||||
Robert E. Knowling, Jr
|
|
59,500
|
|
|
846,300
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
905,800
|
| ||||||||
Wilbur J. Prezzano
|
|
83,033
|
|
|
846,300
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
929,333
|
| ||||||||
Laura G. Thatcher
|
|
57,000
|
|
|
846,300
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
903,300
|
| ||||||||
Richard F. Wallman
|
|
59,500
|
|
|
846,300
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
905,800
|
| ||||||||
Christopher Wright
|
|
62,000
|
|
|
846,300
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
908,300
|
|
(1) | The dollar values shown represent the grant date fair values for RSUs granted to these directors during 2018, calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (ASC Topic 718). |
(2) | As of December 31, 2018, each non-employee director had 1,500 unvested RSUs outstanding. |
(3) | There were no outstanding stock option awards as of December 31, 2018 for our non-employee directors. |
Our share ownership and retention guidelines for non-employee directors require them to own 4,000 shares of our common stock. Until the ownership requirements are met, non-employee directors are required to retain 100% of any shares they receive (on a net after tax basis) under our Director Compensation Plan. All of our directors are in compliance with the guidelines, and only newly elected director, Shellye Archambeau, is below the share ownership requirements. The ownership requirement equated to 25 times the annual cash retainer for directors, based on the closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2018 of $266.52 per share.
14 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
The following table sets forth certain information concerning our executive officers as of December 31, 2018. The executive officers are elected by the Board of Directors and serve at its discretion. Brian D. Jellison served as the Companys President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman through August 30, 2018, and as the Companys Executive Chairman until his death on November 2, 2018.
L. Neil Hunn
|
Professional Experience
| |
President and Chief Executive Officer since 2018 Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer 2018 Group Vice President from 2011 to 2017 Age: 47 |
Prior to being named President and Chief Executive Officer in 2018, Mr. Hunn was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since 2017 and a Group Vice President with Roper since 2011. Prior to joining Roper, Mr. Hunn held several positions in the software sector and was involved in businesses at varied stages of development. Most recently he was with MedAssets, an Atlanta-based SaaS company, where he served as Executive Vice President and CFO, as well as President of its revenue cycle technology businesses. He was previously with CMGI, an incubator of Internet businesses, and Parthenon Group, a strategy consulting firm.
| |
Robert C. Crisci
|
Professional Experience
| |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2017 Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations from 2013 to 2017 Age: 43
|
Prior to being named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Crisci joined Roper in 2013 as Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations and led the Companys financial planning and analysis and investor relations activities. Prior to joining Roper, he served in various roles across investment banking, consulting and finance with positions at Morgan Keegan, VRA Partners, Devon Value Advisers and Deloitte & Touche.
| |
John K. Stipancich
|
Professional Experience
| |
Executive Vice President since 2018 General Counsel since 2016 Corporate Secretary since 2016 Age: 50 |
Prior to joining Roper, Mr. Stipancich served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Newell Brands Inc., a consumer products company, where he had also served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, and Executive Leader of its operations in Europe. Prior to his twelve years at Newell Brands, Mr. Stipancich served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Evenflo Company and Assistant General Counsel for Borden, both KKR portfolio companies at the time. He started his legal career in the Cleveland office of the international law firm Squire Patton Boggs.
| |
Paul J. Soni
|
Professional Experience
| |
Executive Vice President since 2017 Vice President from 2006 to 2017 Controller from 2002 to 2017 Age: 60 |
Prior to being named Executive Vice President, Mr. Soni served as Ropers Controller and Principal Accounting Officer since 2011 and Vice President since 2006. Prior to joining Roper, Mr. Soni served as the Controller of both Oxford Industries, Inc., and the International Division of Savannah Foods & Industries, Inc. Mr. Sonis earlier career included eight years with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a professional services firm, in the U.S. and Europe, performing audit and transaction support services. Mr. Soni has elected to retire as Executive Vice President in 2019.
|
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 15 |
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules. Under the rules, the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage of ownership held by that person includes shares of common stock that could be acquired upon exercise of an option within sixty days, although such shares are not deemed exercised and outstanding for computing the percentage of ownership held by any other person. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes below, the persons and entities named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws where applicable.
The following table shows the beneficial ownership of Roper common stock as of March 29, 2019 by (i) each of our director nominees, (ii) each named executive officer in the 2018 Summary Compensation Table, (iii) all of our current directors and executive officers as a group, and (iv) all persons who we know are the beneficial owners of five percent or more of Roper common stock. Except as noted below, the address of each person in the table is c/o Roper Technologies, Inc., 6901 Professional Parkway East, Suite 200, Sarasota, Florida 34240.
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
Beneficial Ownership
|
Percent
| ||||||||
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
|
|
14,251,090
|
(3)
|
|
13.7
|
%
| ||||
The Vanguard Group
|
|
11,529,525
|
(4)
|
|
11.1
|
%
| ||||
BlackRock, Inc.
|
|
7,181,267
|
(5)
|
|
6.9
|
%
| ||||
Shellye L. Archambeau
|
|
3,250
|
|
|
*
|
*
| ||||
Amy Woods Brinkley
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
*
|
*
| ||||
John F. Fort III
|
|
18,253
|
(6)
|
|
*
|
*
| ||||
L. Neil Hunn
|
|
386,676
|
|
|
*
|
*
| ||||
Brian D. Jellison
|
|
1,077,365
|
(7)
|
|
1.0
|
%
| ||||
Robert D. Johnson
|
|
8,450
|
|
|
*
|
*
| ||||
Robert E. Knowling, Jr.
|
|
13,037
|
|
|
*
|
*
| ||||
Wilbur J. Prezzano
|
|
19,000
|
|
|
*
|
*
| ||||
Laura G. Thatcher
|
|
14,000
|
|
|
*
|
*
| ||||
Richard F. Wallman
|
|
53,965
|
(8)
|
|
*
|
*
| ||||
Christopher Wright
|
|
59,862
|
|
|
*
|
*
| ||||
Robert C. Crisci
|
|
68,590
|
|
|
*
|
*
| ||||
John K. Stipancich
|
|
30,521
|
|
|
*
|
*
| ||||
Paul J. Soni
|
|
153,047
|
(9)
|
|
*
|
*
| ||||
All current directors and executive officers as a group (14 individuals)
|
|
1,921,016
|
|
|
1.9
|
%
|
** | Less than 1%. |
(1) | Includes the following shares that could be acquired on or before May 28, 2019 upon exercise of stock options issued under Company plans as follows: Mr. Hunn (167,000), Mr. Crisci (32,000), Mr. Soni (90,000), and all current directors and executive officers as a group (289,000). Holders do not have voting or investment power over unexercised option shares. |
(2) | Includes the following shares of unvested restricted stock held by named executives officers over which they have sole voting power but no investment power: Mr. Hunn (157,500), Mr. Crisci (35,500), Mr. Stipancich (25,750), and Mr. Soni (10,000). Also includes 1,500 unvested restricted stock units for the following non-employee directors: Messrs. Fort, Johnson, Knowling, Prezzano, Wallman, and Wright and Mses. Archambeau, Brinkley and Thatcher. The total for all current directors and executive officers as a group is (242,250). |
16 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (CONTINUED)
(3) | Based on information reported on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2019, as of December 31, 2018, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. beneficially owned 14,251,090 shares of Roper common stock with sole voting power over 4,697,107 shares and sole dispositive power over all of the shares. |
(4) | Based on information reported on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 12, 2019, as of December 31, 2018, The Vanguard Group (Vanguard) beneficially owned 11,529,525 shares of Roper common stock with sole voting power over 120,119 shares, shared voting power over 25,102 shares, sole dispositive power over 11,385,998 shares, and shared dispositive power over 143,527 shares. Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vanguard, is the beneficial owner of 88,810 shares. Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vanguard, is the beneficial owner of 84,855 shares. |
(5) | Based on information reported on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 6, 2019, as of December 31, 2018, BlackRock, Inc. (and certain of its subsidiaries) beneficially owned 7,181,267 shares of Roper common stock with sole voting power over 6,109,706 shares and sole dispositive power over 7,181,267 shares. |
(6) | Includes 250 shares held by a trust of which Mr. Fort is a trustee and 300 shares held by Mr. Forts spouse. |
(7) | As a result of Mr. Jellisons death on November 2, 2018, all shares held in his name passed to his spouse to be held in a revocable trust. |
(8) | Includes 500 shares held in an IRA account by Mr. Wallmans spouse. |
(9) | Mr. Soni and his spouse each participate in a 401(k) plan with a unitized stock fund that consists of cash and common stock in amounts that vary from time to time. Based on a conversion factor representing the units in the fund as of March 29, 2019, the shares in the table include 2,850 shares in Mr. Sonis account and 963 shares in his spouses account. |
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) requires Ropers directors, officers and persons who own more than 10% of Roper common stock to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership. Officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC rules to furnish Roper with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
We believe that during 2018 all of our directors and executive officers complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements. In making this statement, we have relied upon examination of the copies of Forms 3, 4 and 5, and amendments to these forms, provided to us and the written representations of our directors and executive officers.
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 17 |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) provides information about our compensation objectives and policies for our current and prior CEOs and other executive officers included in the Summary Compensation Table and referred to in this CD&A as named executive officers.
The creation of shareholder value is the foundation and driver of our executive compensation program. The compensation of our executive officers is closely aligned with the long-term interests of our shareholders.
Superior Returns for Roper Shareholders¹
Roper is proud of its long track record of superior returns for its shareholders. Roper has significantly outperformed the S&P 500 over the past 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 years.
Period | Compound Annual Shareholder Return |
Total Shareholder Return (TSR) | ||||||
Roper | S&P 500 | Roper | S&P 500 | |||||
Q1 2019 |
NA | NA | 28.5% | 13.6% | ||||
1-Year |
3.5% | (4.4)% | 3.5% | (4.4)% | ||||
3-Years |
12.7% | 9.3% | 43.1% | 30.4% | ||||
5-Years |
14.7% | 8.5% | 98.2% | 50.3% | ||||
10-Years |
20.6% | 13.1% | 552.9% | 243.0% | ||||
15-Years |
17.9% | 7.8% | 1,084.4% | 207.1% |
As outlined in the graph below, $100 invested in Roper at the end of 2001 would have yielded an investor $1,542 as of March 31, 2019, compared to only $350 for the same investment in the S&P 500.
¹ | All periods ending December 31 of the referenced year, except the Q1 2019 period which ended March 31. |
18 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)
Record 2018 Performance for Roper
2018 was another excellent year for Roper, with double digit increases in revenue, net earnings, EBITDA and cash flow. Our strategic focus on asset-light, diversified technology businesses and our ability to generate and compound cash flow delivered another year of outperformance.
(1) | This financial information is presented on an adjusted (non-GAAP) basis. A reconciliation from non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measure and other related information is available in Appendix AReconciliations. |
Simple Strategy Drives Powerful Value Creation
Roper has a simple and successful business model that is unique among application software and multi-industry diversified companies. We operate high-margin, high cash-generating, asset-light businesses across a wide range of diverse end-markets. Our high-performing businesses generate excess free cash flow that our executive team deploys to acquire more high-performing businesses. This creates a compounding effect on cash flow that drives long-term value creation. Our free cash flow has increased from $398 million in 2008 to $1.37 billion in 2018, a compound annual growth rate of 13%, driven by our combination of outstanding business performance and value-creating capital deployment.
Roper Annual Free Cash Flow and Operating Cash Flow (millions)
Note: Free Cash Flow = Cash from Operations less Capital Expenditures less Capitalized Software Expenditures
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 19 |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)
Market Capitalization Growth
Ropers market capitalization has increased more than $30 billion since January 2010.¹
1 | Chart reflects ending period as March 31, 2019. |
Key Metric: Cash Return on Investment
Cash return on investment (CRI) is the key operating metric Roper uses to measure the performance and value of its operating businesses and potential acquisitions. Our business leaders and Board of Directors focus on cash flow growth and disciplined investments.
| CRI is highly correlated to shareholder value creation and we believe our strategy of improving CRI has been a key driver of our long-term performance. |
| Our CRI discipline, as applied throughout the organization, allows Roper to focus our investment on areas that will increase shareholder value, drive cash flow growth, and minimize physical assets. |
| Through a combination of internal improvements and disciplined capital deployment, Roper has increased CRI dramatically over the past 16 years, a key driver of our strong shareholder returns over the period. |
20 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)
Acquisition-Focused Capital Deployment
We deploy the majority of our free cash flow toward acquisitions to generate long-term growth and create long-term shareholder value. Unlike most other large corporations, we do not have a separate corporate development or merger-and-acquisition team; our CEO and other top executives are responsible for the disciplined deployment of capital through acquisitions.
OVERVIEW OF OUR COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Consideration of Say-on-Pay Vote
Since Say-on-Pay started in 2011, Roper has received an average of 92% support for its executive compensation program. At the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, 95% of the votes cast were in favor of the advisory vote to approve executive compensation. This level of support is high relative to peers, and consistent with prior years support of 95% in 2017, 96% in 2016 and 97% in 2015. The Compensation Committee believes the Say-on-Pay vote reflects the strong support of our shareholders for our long-standing pay-for-performance philosophy and approach of integrating executive compensation with our value creation model as well as for recent changes to our executive compensation program.
Taking into consideration input from shareholders, the Say-on-Pay vote, external developments, and internal considerations, Roper has undertaken many changes over the past several years to its executive compensation program to ensure it is closely aligned with the long-term interests of our shareholders:
| Prior CEOs annual cash bonus was replaced with a multi-year long-term cash incentive award. |
| Dividends on executive officers restricted shares are not paid until the shares are earned, and are forfeited if shares are not earned. |
| 100% of restricted shares are performance-based, with all vesting contingent upon meeting multi-year EBITDA and relative operating cash flow margin performance requirements. |
| Only stock options, which are inherently performance-based, vest by continued service alone. |
| A three-year cumulative performance goal must be met for full vesting of restricted shares (versus a one-year goal for each year previously). |
| Annual vesting of equity awards (one-third per year over three years) was eliminated. |
| CEO equity awards may vest only at the end of a three-year period. |
| Equity awards for other named executive officers may vest 50% after the second year and 50% after the third year. |
| EBITDA performance for full vesting of restricted shares was increased in 2018 by 15% to $4.6 billion. |
| Starting in 2017, the operating cash flow less capital expenditures and capitalized software (measured as a percentage of revenue) was changed from an internal goal to relative performance against an external benchmark with 50th percentile performance required for any portion of the restricted shares to vest and 75th percentile performance required for full vesting. |
| 97% of our prior CEOs compensation was and 95% of our current CEOs compensation is subject to performance risk and tied to financial results and stock price. |
| In light of the transformation of our business portfolio, Standard & Poors changed out our Global Industry Classification System (GICS) in 2014 and we may request another change to a more appropriate GICS to reflect our significant growth in software. |
| Based on the results of the advisory vote at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to approve the frequency of the Say-on-Pay vote, the Say-on-Pay vote will continue to be every year. |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 21 |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)
Checklist of Compensation Practices
Consistent with shareholder interests and market best practices, positive features of our executive compensation program include the following:
Objectives of our Compensation Program
Our compensation program for named executive officers reflects our business needs and challenges in creating shareholder value and is designed to:
22 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)
Our executive compensation program consists of several elements, each with an objective that fits into our overall program to provide an integrated and competitive total pay package.
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 23 |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)
Other Pay Elements
As Roper has largely avoided perquisites, supplemental pensions, and other compensation not tied to performance, the other items summarized below represent only a small portion of named executive officers total compensation.
24 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)
Mix of Total Compensation
Compensation for our named executive officers encourages a long-term focus and closely aligns with shareholder interests.
| For 2018, the total direct compensation at target that was at risk and tied to stock price and performance objectives was 97% for our prior CEO, 95% for our current CEO, and 86% on average for other executive officers. |
2018 Total Direct Compensation Mix
Compensation Committee Oversight
The Compensation Committee oversees our executive compensation programs to appropriately compensate named executive officers, motivate named executive officers to achieve our business objectives, and align our named executive officers interests with the long-term interests of our shareholders. The committee reviews each element of compensation for each named executive officer and determines any adjustments to compensation structure and levels in light of various considerations, including:
| The scope of the named executive officers responsibilities, performance and experience as well as competitive compensation levels. |
| Our financial results against prior periods. |
| The structure of our compensation programs relative to sound risk management, as discussed with management. |
| The results of the advisory shareholder vote on the compensation of our named executive officers and input from shareholders. |
| Competitive pressures from private equity and capital deployment companies, as well as market practices and external developments generally. |
| The utilization of a compensation consultant who provides extensive external benchmarking of named executive officer compensation of industry peer group companies for comparison purposes. |
The Compensation Committee has maintained a simple program that drives long-term performance and superior value creation for shareholders enabling Roper to attract, retain, and motivate an outstanding leadership team.
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 25 |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)
Compensation Consultant
For 2018, the Compensation Committee has continued the retained services of FW Cook (the Consultant) to provide the committee with independent, objective analysis and professional opinions on executive compensation.
| The Consultant is independent, reports directly to the Chair of the Compensation Committee and has never performed other work for the Company. The Compensation Committee determined that its engagement of the Consultant did not raise any conflicts of interest. |
| The Consultant attends all meetings of the Compensation Committee where evaluations of the effectiveness of overall executive compensation programs are conducted or where compensation for named executive officers is analyzed or approved. |
| The Chair of the Compensation Committee meets with the Consultant in advance of committee meetings and confers via telephone with the Consultant between meetings. |
| The Consultant assists in gathering and analyzing market data on compensation levels and provides expert knowledge of marketplace trends and best practices relating to competitive pay levels as well as developments in regulatory and technical matters. |
Role of Our Named Executive Officers
While the Compensation Committee is ultimately responsible for making all compensation decisions affecting our named executive officers, our CEO participates in the process because of his close day-to-day association with the other named executive officers and his knowledge of the Companys diverse business operations.
| Our CEO discusses with the Compensation Committee the performance of the Company and of each named executive officer, including himself. The CEO also discusses with the committee the performance of key executives reporting to his direct reports. |
| The CEO makes recommendations on the components of compensation for the named executive officers, other than himself but does not participate in the portion of the committee meeting regarding the review of his own performance or the determination of the actual amounts of his compensation. |
Our Chief Financial Officer also assists the Compensation Committee as an information resource in regard to metrics related to incentive compensation. The other named executive officers provide support to the committee, as needed, in regard to their respective technical areas.
Market Benchmarking
Market pay levels and practices, including those of a self-selected peer group, are one of many factors the Compensation Committee considers in making compensation decisions.
26 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)
2018 Peer Group
Our self-selected peer group reflects our continued strong growth, sustained value creation, continuing expansion into software and technology-driven businesses, market valuation relative to revenues and gross investment, and intense competition with private equity for talent and investment opportunities. Ropers decision and subsequent transformation to focus on software has changed the performance of the company significantly. Today, approximately over 50% of Ropers EBITDA are derived from our software assets. All of these facts make it continually difficult to select appropriate peers. The peer companies are listed below along with various size indicators.
Company | Ticker | Market Capitalization(1) |
Enterprise ($ millions) |
Revenue(2)
($ millions) |
Net Income(2) ($ millions) |
Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Sub-Industry | ||||||||||||||
TransDigm Group Incorporated | TDG | $ | 17,937 | $ | 28,516 | $ | 3,956 | $ | 821 | Aerospace & Defense | ||||||||||
Adobe Inc. | ADBE | $ | 110,435 | $ | 111,225 | $ | 8,981 | $ | 2,591 | Application Software | ||||||||||
salesforce.com, inc. | CRM | $ | 104,782 | $ | 105,723 | $ | 12,530 | $ | 816 | Application Software | ||||||||||
Intuit Inc. | INTU | $ | 51,089 | $ | 50,182 | $ | 6,094 | $ | 1,262 | Application Software | ||||||||||
Citrix Systems, Inc. | CTXS | $ | 13,808 | $ | 14,641 | $ | 2,974 | $ | 576 | Application Software | ||||||||||
KKR & Co. Inc. Class A | KKR | $ | 10,528 | $ | 47,897 | $ | 1,821 | $ | 1,134 | Asset Management and Custody Banks | ||||||||||
Blackstone Group L.P. | BX | $ | 19,743 | $ | 51,549 | $ | 6,042 | $ | 1,542 | Asset Management and Custody Banks | ||||||||||
Motorola Solutions, Inc. | MSI | $ | 18,812 | $ | 22,762 | $ | 7,344 | $ | 967 | Communications Equipment | ||||||||||
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. | ZBH | $ | 21,156 | $ | 29,503 | $ | 7,933 | ($ | 379 | ) | Health Care Equipment | |||||||||
Waters Corporation | WAT | $ | 14,289 | $ | 13,938 | $ | 2,420 | $ | 594 | Life Sciences Tools & Services | ||||||||||
VMware, Inc. Class A | VMW | $ | 15,069 | $ | 46,889 | $ | 8,691 | $ | 1,480 | Systems Software | ||||||||||
CA, Inc.(3) | CA | $ | 18,602 | $ | 18,125 | $ | 4,009 | $ | 404 | Systems Software | ||||||||||
Median | $ | 18,812 | $ | 46,889 | $ | 6,094 | $ | 967 | ||||||||||||
Roper | ROP | $ | 27,566 | $ | 32,082 | $ | 5,191 | $ | 944 | Industrial Conglomerates |
Source: FactSet
(1) | As of 12/31/18 |
(2) | Last four quarters available as of 12/31/18 |
(3) | Acquired by Broadcom on 11/5/2018; market capitalization and enterprise valuation as of acquisition date; revenue and net income equal to last four reported quarters prior to acquisition date |
Relative Performance Comparisons Caveat
Long-Term Measurement Period Needed
Due to Ropers consistently strong performance, business transformation and GICS change, and short-term stock price movements, comparing other companies performance to that of Roper can generate misleading or distorted results. As a result, we believe a long-term performance period most accurately portrays Ropers relative performance.
Over shorter periods, performance comparisons can be skewed by the easier performance baselines of peer companies that, unlike Roper, have experienced periods of historical underperformance and benefit from a bounce back from a lower starting point.
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 27 |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)
CEO Compensation
The Compensation Committee considers many factors in determining the compensation of Ropers CEO, and believes the compensation for the position is reasonable, appropriate, and aligned with shareholders best interests.
28 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)
Equity Grants
The Compensation Committee grants awards of performance-based restricted stock and stock options to named executive officers under the Companys 2016 Incentive Plan at the first regularly scheduled committee meeting each year. The exercise price for stock options is the closing price of Roper common stock on the date of grant. From time to time the Compensation Committee may grant additional awards in connection with promotions or increased responsibilities as well as to newly hired employees.
This section discusses compensation actions taken in 2018 for our named executive officers, as reported in the Executive Compensation section below.
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 29 |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)
2018 Annual Cash Incentive Schedule
Adjusted net earnings before taxes is net earnings increased or reduced to eliminate the effects of extraordinary items, accounting changes, income-related taxes, discontinued operations, restructuring of debt obligations, asset dispositions, asset write-downs or impairment charges, acquisition-related expenses, acquisition-related intangible amortization, impact of GAAP adjustments to acquired deferred revenue, litigation expenses and settlements, reorganization and restructuring programs, and non-recurring or special items (as discussed in the Companys quarterly earnings releases).
Prior CEO Long-Term Cash Incentive
2018-22 Incentive Opportunity
Prior CEO 2018-22 Long-Term Cash Incentive Schedule
See footnote to immediately preceding chart for definition of adjusted net earnings before taxes.
30 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
Other arrangements and considerations important to a shareholders understanding of our overall executive compensation program are described below.
Share Ownership and Retention Guidelines
We believe named executive officers should have a significant equity interest in the Company. To promote equity ownership and further align the interests of named executive officers with shareholders, we adopted share ownership and retention guidelines for our named executive officers. The guidelines vary based upon the named executive officers position and are expressed as a number of shares which, as shown below, result in guidelines higher than market norms. All named executive officers are in compliance with our ownership requirements and hold shares well in excess of the applicable guidelines.
Position | Guideline Number of Shares* |
Guideline Market Value |
Salary | Guideline Multiple of Salary |
||||||||||||
Current CEO |
100,000 | $ | 26,652,000 | $ | 900,000 | 29.6x | ||||||||||
Prior CEO |
100,000 | $ | 26,652,000 | $ | 1,225,000 | 21.7x | ||||||||||
Other Named Executive Officers |
12,000 | $ | 3,198,240 | $ | 615,667 | 5.2x |
* | Includes vested and unvested. |
** | Based on closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2018 of $266.52 per share. |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 31 |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)
Until the ownership requirements are met, a named executive officer must retain 100% of any applicable shares received (on a net after tax basis) under our equity compensation program.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
During 2018, Messrs. Knowling, Johnson and Prezzano served on the Compensation Committee. No member of the Compensation Committee was, during 2018, an officer or employee of the Company, was formerly an officer of the Company, or had any relationship requiring disclosure by the Company as a related party transaction under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act). During 2018, none of the Companys executive officers served on either the board of directors or the compensation committee of any other entity, any officers of which served on either the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Company.
We have reviewed and discussed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on our review and discussion with management, we have recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
Submitted by:
Robert E. Knowling, Jr., Chairman
Robert D. Johnson
Wilbur J. Prezzano
32 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to compensation paid to our current and prior principal executive officers, our principal financial officer, and our other executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. In this section, we refer to the individuals in the 2018 Summary Compensation Table as our named executive officers.
2018 Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position |
Year | Salary(1) ($) |
Bonus(2)
($) |
Stock Awards(3) ($) |
Option ($) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation(1)(4) ($) |
Change in Pension Value & Nonqualified Deferred Compensation ($) |
All Other Compensation(6) |
Total Compensation ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Neil Hunn(7) |
2018 | 900,000 | - | 12,406,050 | 3,241,404 | 1,800,000 | - | 190,913 | 18,538,367 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
President and Chief Executive Officer | 2017 | 800,000 | - | 8,343,900 | 1,412,348 | 1,200,000 | - | 119,625 | 11,875,873 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brian D. Jellison(8) |
2018 | 1,030,115 | - | 31,015,125 | - | 2,756,250 | - | 129,828 | 34,931,318 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prior President and Chief Executive Officer and Prior Executive Chairman of the Board | 2017 | 1,225,000 | - | 27,813,000 | - | - | - | 120,675 | 29,158,675 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 1,225,000 | - | 24,960,000 | - | - | - | 131,166 | 26,316,166 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Robert C. Crisci |
2018 | 600,000 | - | 3,308,280 | 1,350,585 | 750,000 | - | 117,843 | 6,126,708 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | 2017 | 498,030 | - | 2,528,980 | 850,766 | 550,000 | - | 66,792 | 4,494,568 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
John K. Stipancich |
2018 | 680,000 | - | 2,067,675 | 810,351 | 680,000 | - | 122,450 | 4,360,476 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | 2017 | 650,000 | - | 1,373,040 | 512,474 | 650,000 | - | 82,243 | 3,267,757 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 331,136 | 375,000 | 2,039,160 | 606,312 | 143,902 | - | 118,263 | 3,613,773 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paul J. Soni |
2018 | 567,000 | - | 2,029,020 | - | 567,000 | - | 120,244 | 3,283,264 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Vice President | 2017 | 531,439 | - | 1,112,520 | 423,704 | 550,000 | - | 87,719 | 2,705,382 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 475,000 | - | 998,400 | 396,229 | 209,000 | - | 79,792 | 2,158,421 |
(1) | Amounts shown include, as applicable, deferrals to the 401(k) plan and the Non-Qualified Retirement Plan. |
(2) | The amount in this column represents a lump sum bonus paid to Mr. Stipancich upon commencement of his employment. |
(3) | The dollar values shown represent the grant date fair values for restricted stock and option awards calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used in determining the grant date fair values of these option awards are set forth in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements for 2018, which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 2018 filed with the SEC. There is no assurance that these amounts will be realized. The restricted stock awards are all subject to performance-based vesting criteria. The performance-based criteria for awards granted in 2018 are described in the CD&A under Analysis of 2018 CompensationLong-Term Stock Incentives, and the vesting schedule for awards granted in 2018 is set forth in the notes to the 2018 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End table below. |
(4) | The amounts in this column reflect payments made pursuant to our annual cash incentive program, which is described above in the CD&A under Analysis of 2018 CompensationAnnual Cash Incentive and Analysis of 2018 CompensationCEO Long-Term Cash Incentive. |
(5) | The Non-Qualified Retirement Plan does not provide for above-market or preferential earnings as defined in applicable SEC rules. |
(6) | Amounts reported in the All Other Compensation column for 2018 include the following items. In respect of any of these items that constitute perquisites, the value shown is the Companys incremental cost. |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 33 |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (CONTINUED)
Name | Club ($) |
Company Car ($) |
Additional Medical Services ($) |
Financial Planning ($) |
Contributions to Defined Contribution Plans(a) ($) |
|||||||||||||||
L. Neil Hunn |
4,029 | 24,000 | 3,500 | 1,884 | 157,500 | |||||||||||||||
Brian D. Jellison |
- | 24,000 | 4,800 | 23,769 | 77,259 | |||||||||||||||
Robert C. Crisci |
4,093 | 24,000 | 3,500 | - | 86,250 | |||||||||||||||
John K. Stipancich |
- | 19,200 | 3,500 | - | 99,750 | |||||||||||||||
Paul J. Soni |
9,669 | 19,000 | 3,800 | 4,000 | 83,775 |
(a) | Reflects contributions to the Non-Qualified Retirement Plan and the 401(k) plan. |
(7) | Mr. Hunn was appointed President and CEO on September 1, 2018. |
(8) | Mr. Jellison, our prior President and CEO, served as President and CEO until September 1, 2018 and was appointed Executive Chairman of the Board on September 1, 2018, a position in which he served the Company until his death on November 2, 2018. |
2018 Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to grants of plan-based awards to the named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
Estimated
Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
All Other Option Awards:# of Securities Underlying Options |
Exercise / Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) |
Grant Date Fair Value(5) ($) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Grant Date |
Threshold ($) |
Target ($) |
Maximum ($) |
Target (#) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Neil Hunn |
01/19/2018 | 45,000 | (2) | 12,406,050 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
01/19/2018 | 60,000 | (4) | 275.69 | 3,241,404 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
06/06/2018 | 630,000 | 1,800,000 | 1,800,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brian D. Jellison |
01/19/2018 | 112,500 | (3) | 31,015,125 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
06/06/2018 | 964,688 | 2,756,250 | 2,756,250 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Robert C. Crisci |
01/19/2018 | 12,000 | (2) | 3,308,280 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
01/19/2018 | 25,000 | (4) | 275.69 | 1,350,585 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
06/06/2018 | 262,500 | 750,000 | 750,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
John K. Stipancich |
01/19/2018 | 7,500 | (2) | 2,067,675 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
01/19/2018 | 15,000 | (4) | 275.69 | 810,351 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
06/06/2018 | 238,000 | 680,000 | 680,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paul J. Soni |
03/21/2018 | 7,000 | (2) | 2,029,020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
06/06/2018 | 186,004 | 531,439 | 531,439 |
(1) | For an explanation of the material terms, refer to the CD&A section above captioned Analysis of 2018 CompensationAnnual Cash Incentive and Analysis of 2018 CompensationCEO Long-Term Cash Incentive. Amounts paid under these programs for 2018 are set forth in the 2018 Summary Compensation Table. |
(2) | The performance restricted shares vest in two equal installments in November 2019 and November 2020 subject to the performance criteria described in the CD&A under Analysis of 2018 CompensationLong-Term Stock Incentives. Dividends on restricted shares will be paid only if the shares are earned by performance. |
34 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (CONTINUED)
(3) | The performance restricted shares granted to Mr. Jellison vested in November 2018 upon his death, pursuant to the terms of the Companys 2016 Incentive Plan and award agreements. |
(4) | The stock options vest in two equal installments in January 2020 and 2021, and expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant. The exercise price of the stock options is 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. |
(5) | The dollar values reflect the grant date fair value of the awards as calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718. |
2018 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to outstanding equity awards at December 31, 2018 for the named executive officers.
Name | Option Awards | Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
# of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable |
# of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
# of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: # of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights that Have Not Vested ($)(1) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Neil Hunn |
32,000 | 68.91 | 09/30/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
25,000 | 115.22 | 01/17/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
30,000 | 125.68 | 11/19/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
30,000 | 156.40 | 11/17/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
30,000 | 186.75 | 11/17/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40,000 | (2) | 185.42 | 01/19/2027 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
60,000 | (3) | 275.69 | 01/19/2028 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
135,000 | (9)(13) | 35,980,200 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brian D. Jellison(4) |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Robert C. Crisci |
5,000 | 119.65 | 04/30/2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5,000 | 134.23 | 03/11/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8,000 | 145.75 | 01/16/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4,000 | 4,000 | (5) | 170.61 | 03/09/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12,000 | (2) | 185.42 | 01/19/2027 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10,000 | (6) | 228.84 | 06/09/2027 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
25,000 | (3) | 275.69 | 01/19/2028 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
25,000 | (10)(13) | 6,663,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
John K. Stipancich |
9,000 | 9,000 | (7) | 169.93 | 06/22/2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12,000 | (6) | 228.84 | 06/09/2027 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15,000 | (3) | 275.69 | 01/19/2028 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
17,500 | (11)(13) | 4,664,100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paul J. Soni |
12,000 | 51.11 | 01/22/2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12,000 | 73.56 | 01/20/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12,000 | 93.62 | 01/18/2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12,000 | 115.22 | 01/17/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12,000 | 140.86 | 01/16/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12,000 | 145.75 | 01/16/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6,000 | 6,000 | (8) | 166.40 | 01/21/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12,000 | (2) | 185.42 | 01/19/2027 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10,000 | (12)(13) | 2,665,200 |
(1) | Calculated by multiplying $266.52, the closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2018, by the number of restricted shares that have not vested. |
(2) | These stock options were granted on January 19, 2017 with unexercisable shares vesting in two equal installments in January 2019 and 2020. |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 35 |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (CONTINUED)
(3) | These stock options were granted on January 19, 2018 with unexercisable shares vesting in two equal installments in January 2020 and 2021. |
(4) | Mr. Jellisons outstanding restricted stock awards vested on November 2, 2018, the date of his death, pursuant to the terms of the Companys 2016 Incentive Plan and award agreements. |
(5) | These stock options were granted on March 9, 2016 with unexercisable shares vesting in March 2019. |
(6) | These stock options were granted on June 9, 2017 with unexercisable shares vesting in two equal installments in June 2019 and 2020. |
(7) | These stock options were granted on June 22, 2016 with unexercisable shares vesting in June 2019. |
(8) | These stock options were granted on January 21, 2016 with unexercisable shares vesting in January 2019. |
(9) | This represents multiple restricted stock awards with the remaining shares of each grant vesting, subject to certification that applicable Company performance conditions have been met, as follows: |
(I) | 45,000 shares remaining from 45,000 shares granted on November 17, 2015 and vesting in November 2020; |
(II) | 45,000 shares remaining from 45,000 shares granted on January 19, 2017 and vesting in two equal installments in January 2019 and November 2019; and |
(III) | 45,000 shares remaining from 45,000 shares granted on January 19, 2018 and vesting in two equal installments in November 2019 and November 2020. |
(10) | This represents multiple restricted stock awards with the remaining shares of each grant vesting, (shares represented in footnotes III-V subject to certification that applicable Company performance conditions have been met, as follows): |
(I) | 2,500 shares remaining from 2,500 shares granted on November 17, 2015 and vesting in January 2019; |
(II) | 1,000 shares remaining from 2,000 shares granted on March 9, 2016 vesting in March 2019; |
(III) | 2,500 shares remaining from 5,000 shares granted on January 19, 2017 and vesting in November 2019; |
(IV) | 7,000 shares remaining from 7,000 shares granted on June 9, 2017 and vesting in June 2020; and |
(V) | 12,000 shares remaining from 12,000 shares granted on January 19, 2018 and vesting in two equal installments in November 2019 and November 2020. |
(11) | This represents multiple restricted stock awards with the remaining shares of each grant vesting, subject to certification that applicable Company performance conditions have been met, as follows: |
(I) | 4,000 shares remaining from 12,000 shares granted on June 22, 2016 and vesting in November 2019; |
(II) | 6,000 shares remaining from 6,000 shares granted on June 9, 2017 and vesting in June 2020; and |
(III) | 7,500 shares remaining from 7,500 shares granted on January 19, 2018 and vesting in two equal installments in November 2019 and November 2020. |
(12) | This represents multiple restricted stock awards with the remaining shares of each grant vesting, subject to certification that applicable Company performance conditions have been met, as follows: |
(I) | 3,000 shares remaining from 6,000 shares granted on January 19, 2017 and vesting in November 2019; and |
(II) | 7,000 shares remaining from 7,000 shares granted on March 21, 2018 and vesting in two equal installments in November 2019 and 2020. |
(13) | For restricted stock awards granted in November 2015 (to Mr. Hunn), June 2016, January 2017, June 2017, January 2018 and March 2018, the vesting only occurs if the Compensation Committee certifies our Companys attainment of related performance goals. |
36 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (CONTINUED)
2018 Option Exercises and Stock Vested
Name | Option Awards | Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||||||
# of Shares Acquired on Exercise |
Value Realized Upon Exercise ($) |
# of Shares Acquired on Vesting |
Value Realized on Vesting ($) | |||||||||||||||||
L. Neil Hunn |
15,000 | 4,440,450 | ||||||||||||||||||
Brian D. Jellison |
290,000 | 64,365,625 | 75,000 | 21,914,250 | ||||||||||||||||
Estate of Brian D. Jellison |
262,500 | (1) | 74,565,750 | |||||||||||||||||
Robert C. Crisci |
2,000 | 554,970 | ||||||||||||||||||
John K. Stipancich |
4,000 | 1,175,480 | ||||||||||||||||||
Paul J. Soni |
6,000 | 1,776,180 |
(1) | Vested upon Mr. Jellisons death pursuant to the terms of the Companys 2016 Incentive Plan and award agreements. |
No Pension Benefits
None of our named executive officers participate in a Company-sponsored defined-benefit pension plan.
2018 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
Pursuant to our Companys Non-Qualified Retirement Plan, named executive officers may defer base salary and payments earned under the annual cash incentive program. Deferral elections are made by eligible executives before the beginning of each year for amounts to be earned in the following year. The executive may invest such amounts in funds that are substantially similar to those available under the 401(k) plan.
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the Non-Qualified Retirement Plan for our named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
Name | Executive Contributions in Last FY(1) ($) |
Registrant Contributions in Last FY(2) ($) |
Aggregate Earnings in Last FY(3) ($) |
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) |
Aggregate Balance at Last FYE ($) |
|||||||||||||||
L. Neil Hunn |
243,000 | 136,875 | (10,708 | ) | (713,322 | ) | 485,482 | |||||||||||||
Brian D. Jellison |
61,807 | 56,634 | 237 | (411,174 | ) | - | ||||||||||||||
Robert C. Crisci |
115,000 | 65,625 | (34,205 | ) | 345,533 | |||||||||||||||
John K. Stipancich |
79,800 | 79,125 | (9,840 | ) | 274,872 | |||||||||||||||
Paul J. Soni |
167,550 | 63,150 | (94,797 | ) | 1,179,679 |
(1) | Amounts reflect participant deferrals under the Non-Qualified Retirement Plan during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and all of these amounts are included in the Summary Compensation Table above in the Salary or Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column as applicable. |
(2) | The amounts are included in the Summary Compensation Table in the All Other Compensation column. |
(3) | No portion of these earnings was included in the Summary Compensation Table because the Non-Qualified Retirement Plan does not provide for above-market or preferential earnings as defined in applicable SEC rules. |
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
The employment agreement with Mr. Jellison and offer letters with Messrs. Hunn and Stipancich provide for certain benefits in the event of the termination of the officers employment under certain conditions. The amount of the benefits varies depending on the reason for termination, as explained below. In no event will excise tax gross-ups be paid in regard to a termination of employment related to a change in control.
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 37 |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (CONTINUED)
Employment Agreement with Mr. Jellison
Termination for Cause; Resignation Without Good Reason. If Mr. Jellison were terminated for cause or if he were to resign without good reason (as such terms are defined in his agreement), he would have received the salary and vested benefits that had accrued through the date of termination, plus a pro-rata portion of his annual bonus earned through the date of termination, assuming our Company achieved the level of performance for which a bonus would be paid for that year. No special severance benefits would have been payable.
Termination Without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason. If Mr. Jellison were terminated without cause or resigned for good reason, either before a change in control of our Company occurs or more than one year after a change in control, he would have received a severance payment, in addition to accrued salary, earned and unpaid bonus from the prior fiscal year and vested benefits, of two times his annual base salary. He would have also received a pro-rated target bonus for the year and continuation of health and welfare benefits for a period of two years. Any stock option that would have vested during the one-year period following termination would have also become immediately exercisable.
In Connection with a Change in Control. If Mr. Jellison were terminated without cause or resigned for good reason within one year following a change in control of our Company, then in addition to accrued salary, prorated bonus and vested benefits, he would have been entitled to:
| a severance payment equal to two times the sum of (i) his then-current base salary and (ii) the greater of the average of his last two years annual bonuses or his target bonus for the year of termination; |
| accelerated vesting of all of his outstanding equity awards; and |
| continuation of health and welfare benefits for a period of two years. |
Restrictive Covenants. Mr. Jellison had also agreed not to compete with our Company for a period of one year after his termination of employment for any reason.
Offer Letters to Messrs. Hunn and Stipancich
Mr. Hunn. Pursuant to an offer letter dated August 18, 2011, if Mr. Hunns employment were to be terminated without cause, he would be entitled to receive one year of medical benefit coverage and a severance payment equal to his then-current annual base salary.
Mr. Stipancich. Pursuant to an offer letter dated June 17, 2016, if Mr. Stipancichs employment were to be terminated without cause, he would be entitled to receive one year of medical benefit coverage and a severance payment equal to his then-current annual base salary, plus a pro-rated bonus based upon Company performance.
Summary of Termination Payments and Benefits
The following tables summarize the value of the termination payments and benefits that each of our named executive officers would receive if he had terminated employment on December 31, 2018 under the circumstances shown. Scenarios for termination for cause, voluntary resignation, and retirement have not been included because, in those circumstances, no severance or other additional payments will be made to named executive officers. Scenarios for termination due to death or disability have not been included because they do not discriminate in scope, terms or operation in favor of named executive officers compared to the benefits offered to all salaried employees. Mr. Jellison is not included because his 2017 and 2018 restricted stock awards vested upon his death, representing a market value of $74,565,750 based on the closing price of the Companys common stock on November 2, 2018.
38 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (CONTINUED)
L. NEIL HUNN
Termination Scenario | ||||||||||
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control | By Employee For Good Reason |
By Company Without Cause |
Change in Control(1) |
|||||||
Cash payments |
$- | $ | 900,000 | $ | 900,000 | |||||
Accelerated Equity Awards(2)(4) |
||||||||||
2017 Stock Option Grant |
- | - | 3,244,000 | |||||||
2018 Stock Option Grant |
- | - | - | |||||||
2015 Restricted Stock Grant |
- | - | 11,993,400 | |||||||
2017 Restricted Stock Grant |
- | - | 11,993,400 | |||||||
2018 Restricted Stock Grant |
- | - | 11,993,400 | |||||||
Continued Medical Benefits |
- | 19,451 | 19,451 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Total |
$- | $ | 919,451 | $ | 40,143,651 |
ROBERT C. CRISCI
Termination Scenario | ||||||||
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control | By Employee For Good Reason |
By Company Without Cause |
Change in Control(1) |
|||||
Cash payments |
$- | $- | $ | - | ||||
Accelerated Equity Awards(2)(3) |
||||||||
2016 Stock Option Grant |
- | - | 383,640 | |||||
2017 Stock Option Grants |
- | - | 1,350,000 | |||||
2018 Stock Option Grant |
- | - | - | |||||
2015 Restricted Stock Grant |
666,300 | |||||||
2016 Restricted Stock Grant |
- | - | 266,520 | |||||
2017 Restricted Stock Grants |
- | - | 3,198,240 | |||||
2018 Restricted Stock Grant |
- | - | 3,198,240 | |||||
Continued Medical Benefits |
- | - | - | |||||
Total |
$- | $- | $ | 9,062,940 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 39 |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (CONTINUED)
JOHN K. STIPANCICH
Termination Scenario | ||||||||||
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control | By Employee For Good Reason |
By Company Without Cause |
Change in Control(1) |
|||||||
Cash payments |
$- | $ | 680,000 | $ | 680,000 | |||||
Accelerated Equity Awards(2)(3) |
||||||||||
2016 Stock Option Grant |
- | - | 869,310 | |||||||
2017 Stock Option Grant |
- | - | 452,160 | |||||||
2018 Stock Option Grant |
- | - | - | |||||||
2016 Restricted Stock Grant |
- | - | 1,066,080 | |||||||
2017 Restricted Stock Grant |
- | - | 1,599,120 | |||||||
2018 Restricted Stock Grant |
- | - | 1,998,900 | |||||||
Continued Medical Benefits |
- | 19,451 | 19,451 | |||||||
Total |
$- | $ | 699,451 | $ | 6,685,021 |
PAUL J. SONI
Termination Scenario | ||||||||||
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control | By Employee For Good Reason |
By Company Without Cause |
Change in Control(1) |
|||||||
Cash payments |
$- | $ | - | $ | - | |||||
Accelerated Equity Awards(2)(3) |
||||||||||
2016 Stock Option Grant |
- | - | 600,720 | |||||||
2017 Stock Option Grant |
- | - | 973,200 | |||||||
2017 Restricted Stock Grant |
- | - | 799,560 | |||||||
2018 Restricted Stock Grant |
- | - | 1,865,640 | |||||||
Continued Medical Benefits |
- | - | - | |||||||
Total |
$- | $ | - | $ | 4,239,120 |
(1) | Assumes employment is terminated involuntarily without cause. |
(2) | Based on closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2018 of $266.52 per share. |
(3) | Based on closing market price of our common stock on November 2, 2018 of $285.28 per share. |
(4) | Under the terms of our 2016 Incentive Plan, if within two years after a change in control, employment is terminated by the employee for good reason or by the acquirer without cause, or if the acquirer does not assume the awards upon a change in control, (i) outstanding stock options become fully exercisable, (ii) time-based vesting restrictions on outstanding restricted stock awards lapse, and (iii) the target payout opportunities on outstanding performance-based restricted stock awards shall be deemed to have been fully earned (subject to the conditions provided in the 2016 Incentive Plan). |
As required by SEC rules, we compared the weighted average of the total compensation of our prior CEO and current CEO in 2018 to that of our median employee for the same period. Through our core human capital management system with supplementation from manual inputs, we collected information for our global workforce of 15,596 employees, including our full-time, part-time and temporary workers, and excluded our employees in Germany (283), France (173), and certain other countries (50) under the de minimis exemption. We identified our median employee as of December 31, 2018 by applying a consistent compensation measure for the period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 across our global employee populationannual salary or hourly pay, bonus and commissions (excluding equity compensation because inclusion of such would have had no impact on the determination of the median employee). We annualized the compensation for our full-time and part-time employees who were newly-hired in 2018. Our median employees total 2018 compensation was $88,707 and the weighted average of the total 2018 compensation of our prior CEO and current CEO was $29,054,430 ($22,773 more than as reported in the Summary Compensation Table above due to the inclusion of certain employee benefits). Accordingly, our 2018 CEO to Median Employee Pay Ratio was 328:1.
40 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
PROPOSAL 2: ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANYS NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
We are seeking your advisory vote approving the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. We believe that our executive compensation programs are structured in the best manner possible to support our business objectives, evidenced by the superior returns we have delivered to our shareholders. In 2018, our total shareholder return was 3.5% versus S&P 500s negative return of (4.4)%, and in the first quarter of this year, our return of 28.5% more than doubled the 13.6% return of the S&P 500. Over the past 10 years, our compound annual return to shareholders was 20.6%, compared to the S&P 500s return of 13.1%.
Our executive compensation programs are designed to provide competitive total compensation that is tied to the achievement of Company performance objectives and to attract, motivate and retain individuals who will build long-term value for our shareholders. See the Proxy Statement Summary and Compensation Discussion and Analysis above for key characteristics of our executive compensation programs.
We are seeking shareholder approval of the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Companys named executive officers as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and the related material disclosed in this Proxy Statement is hereby APPROVED.
The vote on this proposal is advisory and non-binding; however, the Compensation Committee and our Board will review the results of the vote and consider them when making future determinations regarding our executive compensation programs.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the resolution providing an advisory approval of the compensation of the Companys named executive officers.
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 41 |
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised of four non-employee directors, each of whom has been determined by the Board of Directors to be independent under the NYSE and SEC rules. The Audit Committees responsibilities are set forth in its charter.
The Audit Committee oversees and reviews with the full Board of Directors any issues with respect to the Companys financial statements, the structure of the Companys legal and regulatory compliance, the performance and independence of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm and the performance of the Companys internal audit function. The committee retains the Companys independent registered public accounting firm to undertake appropriate reviews and audits of the Companys financial statements, determines the compensation of the independent registered public accounting firm, and pre-approves all of their services. The committee also periodically reviews the work performed by other public accounting firms retained by the Company to provide various financial and information technology services. The Companys management is primarily responsible for the Companys financial reporting process and for the preparation of the Companys financial statements in accordance with GAAP. The Audit Committee maintains oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm by discussing the overall scope and specific plans for their audits, the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Companys internal accounting controls and the overall quality of the Companys financial reporting. The Audit Committee may delegate its duties and responsibilities to a subcommittee of the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee maintains oversight of the Companys internal audit function by evaluating the appointment and performance of the Companys director of internal audit and periodically meeting with this individual to receive and review reports of the work of the Companys internal audit department. The Audit Committee meets with management on a regular basis to discuss any significant matters, internal audit recommendations, policy or procedural changes and risks or exposures, if any, that may have a material effect on the Companys financial statements.
The Audit Committee: (i) appointed and retained PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018; (ii) reviewed and discussed with the Companys management the Companys audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018; (iii) discussed with PwC the matters required to be discussed by the Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communication with Audit Committees, issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the PCAOB); (iv) received the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, and has discussed with PwC its independence from the Company and its management; (v) discussed matters with PwC outside the presence of management; (vi) reviewed internal audit recommendations; (vii) discussed with PwC the quality of the Companys financial reporting; and (viii) reviewed and discussed with PwC the results of the audit of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the Sarbanes-Oxley Act).
In reliance on the reviews, reports and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, for filing with the SEC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Christopher Wright, Chairman
Amy Woods Brinkley
John F. Fort III
Laura G. Thatcher
The foregoing report and other information provided above regarding the Audit Committee should not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that Roper specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
42 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FEES
Set forth below are the professional fees billed by PwC for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. It is the Audit Committees policy that all services performed by and all fees paid to the independent registered public accounting firm require the Audit Committees prior approval. As such, all audit, audit-related tax and other fees were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
Dollars in Thousands | ||||||||
Fees
|
FY 2018
|
FY 2017
|
||||||
Audit Fees(1)
|
$
|
3,990
|
|
$
|
4,172
|
| ||
Audit-Related Fees(2)
|
|
881
|
|
|
231
|
| ||
Tax Fees(3)
|
|
637
|
|
|
1,029
|
| ||
All Other Fees
|
|
4
|
|
|
26
|
| ||
Total Fees
|
$
|
5,512
|
|
$
|
5,458
|
|
(1) | Aggregate fees from PwC for audit or review services in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and fees for services, such as statutory audits and review of documents filed with the SEC. Audit fees also include fees paid in connection with services required for compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. |
(2) | Aggregate fees from PwC for assurance and related services which primarily include due diligence on acquisition targets. |
(3) | Tax fees include tax compliance, assistance with tax audits, tax advice and tax planning. |
PROPOSAL 3: RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2019
The Audit Committee has appointed PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019. Our Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders ratify this appointment. PwC has been our Companys independent registered public accounting firm since May 2002. One or more representatives of PwC are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will be given the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and respond to appropriate questions of shareholders in attendance. If this proposal does not pass, the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm will be reconsidered by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors. Even if the proposal passes, the Audit Committee may decide to select another firm at any time.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the approval of the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019.
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 43 |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2018 regarding our compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance (shares in millions).
Plan Category
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
|||||||||
Equity Compensation Plans
|
||||||||||||
Stock options
|
|
3.205
|
|
$
|
180.69
|
|
||||||
Restricted stock awards(2)
|
|
0.739
|
|
|
-
|
|
||||||
Subtotal
|
|
3.944
|
|
|
6.019
|
| ||||||
Equity Compensation Plans Not
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
| |||
Total
|
|
3.944
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
6.019
|
|
(1) | Consists of the Companys Amended and Restated 2006 Plan and 2016 Incentive Plan. |
(2) | The weighted-average exercise price is not applicable to restricted stock awards. |
44 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
PROPOSAL 4: SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL REGARDING POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS DISCLOSURE
The Company is not responsible for the content of this shareholder proposal or supporting statement.
The following shareholder proposal (the Shareholder Proposal) will be voted on at the Annual Meeting only if properly presented by or on behalf of the shareholder proponent. Sonen Capital, 456 Montgomery Avenue, San Francisco, California 94104, a holder of 448 shares of Common Stock, 0.0004 percent of the Companys outstanding shares, submitted the Proposal. The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST the Shareholder Proposal and asks shareholders to read through the Ropers response which follows the Shareholders Proposal.
Resolved, that the shareholders of Roper Technologies Inc. (Roper or Company) hereby request that the Company provide a report, updated semiannually, disclosing the Companys:
1. Policies and procedures for making, with corporate funds or assets, contributions and expenditures (direct or indirect) to (a) participate or intervene in any campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, or (b) influence the general public, or any segment thereof, with respect to an election or referendum.
2. Monetary and non-monetary contributions and expenditures (direct and indirect) used in the manner described in section 1 above, including:
a. The identity of the recipient as well as the amount paid to each; and
b. The title(s) of the person(s) in the Company responsible for decision-making.
The report shall be presented to the board of directors or relevant board committee and posted on the Companys website within 12 months from the date of the annual meeting. This proposal does not encompass lobbying spending.
Supporting Statement
As long-term shareholders of Roper, we support transparency and accountability in corporate electoral spending. This includes any activity considered intervention in a political campaign under the Internal Revenue Code, such as direct and indirect contributions to political candidates, parties, or organizations, and independent expenditures or electioneering communications on behalf of federal, state, or local candidates.
Disclosure is in the best interest of the company and its shareholders. The Supreme Court recognized this in its 2010 Citizens United decision, which said, [D]isclosure permits citizens and shareholders to react to the speech of corporate entities in a proper way. This transparency enables the electorate to make informed decisions and give proper weight to different speakers and messages.
Relying on publicly available data does not provide a complete picture of the Companys electoral spending. For example, the Companys payments to trade associations that may be used for election- related activities are undisclosed and unknown. This proposal asks the Company to disclose all of its electoral spending, including payments to trade associations and other tax-exempt organizations, which may be used for electoral purposes. This would bring our Company in line with a growing number of leading companies, including Salesforce.com Inc., Inuit Inc., and Northrop Grumman Corporation, which present this information on their websites.
The Companys Board and shareholders need comprehensive disclosure to fully evaluate the use of corporate assets in elections. We urge your support for this critical governance reform.
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 45 |
Board of Directors Statement in Opposition to Shareholder Proposal
The Board has carefully considered the Shareholder Proposal and while the Board generally supports the Shareholder Proposals stated objectives of transparency and accountability, adoption of the Shareholder Proposal is unnecessary and would not be in the best interests of the Company or our shareholders.
The Company has historically made an extremely limited number of political contributions.
The Company does not have, and does not contribute to federal political campaigns through, a political action committee and has not made contributions to state political campaigns. The Company has historically made an extremely limited number of political contributions, where such contributions are permitted by law, and has made those contributions almost exclusively through participation in trade associations in an indirect manner. While our participation in various trade associations serves an important corporate purpose, it represents only a small fraction of our total annual expenses (less than 0.02% in each of fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016). Additional disclosure is not necessary to provide shareholders visibility into our limited political contributions, and incurring the time and expense to generate the report twice each year as requested by the Shareholder Proposal would not be a productive use of corporate resources.
The Company is committed to adhering to the highest ethical standards.
Political contributions of all types are subject to governmental regulation and public disclosure requirements, and the Company is fully committed to complying with all applicable laws, including as those laws relate to contributions made indirectly through participation in trade associations. Ropers Business Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct (which is available for review at www.ropertech.com/code-of-ethics.com) prohibits most political activities, and requires the express approval of Companys Chief Executive Officer before any Company property may be donated to a political cause.
The Companys participation in trade associations serves multiple objectives.
Participation as a trade association member comes with the understanding that we may not always agree with all of the positions of the associations or other members. However, such participation provides us with visibility to business and technical issues as well as emerging standards within our industries. Trade associations are subject to public disclosure obligations with respect to their lobbying and political contributions and expenditures. We do not participate in trade associations to advance political purposes, and our participation in a particular trade association does not represent our agreement with all of the associations positions or views. Although we must pay regular membership dues, we do not normally make additional non-dues contributions to support a trade associations targeted political contributions. Accordingly, disclosure of our trade association dues would not provide our shareholders with a greater understanding of our business strategies, initiatives or values. Because our payments to trade associations do not necessarily reflect our views on every action a trade association may take, and because we support trade associations for reasons unrelated to any of their political activities, semi-annual reporting on our trade association dues would not provide meaningful information to investors.
Given the limited nature of the Companys political contributions and expenditures, we are certain that the Shareholder Proposal is unnecessary and costly. Moreover, requiring disclosure of all corporate political contributions, including those made indirectly through trade associations, as requested in the Shareholder Proposal, could place the Company at a competitive disadvantage by revealing its strategies and priorities. Parties with interests adverse to the Company likewise participate in the political process. Accordingly, any expanded disclosure by the Company, above what is required by law and equally applicable to all similar parties engaged in public debate, could disproportionately benefit those parties, while harming the interests of the Company and our shareholders. If adopted, the Board believes that producing the report requested by the Shareholder Proposal would be burdensome and an unnecessary use of the Companys resources without a commensurate benefit to the Company or our shareholders.
The Board of Directors opposes this proposal and recommends a vote AGAINST Proposal 4.
46 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING INFORMATION
Our Company is soliciting the enclosed proxy for use at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card are being mailed or otherwise made available to shareholders on or about April 30, 2019.
We are concurrently mailing or making available to shareholders a copy of our 2018 Annual Report, which includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K and its exhibits are available on the Internet at www.sec.gov. Our 2018 Annual Report and Annual Report on Form 10-K are not part of these proxy soliciting materials.
This Proxy Statement contains important information for you to consider when deciding how to vote. Please read this information carefully.
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 47 |
ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
48 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 49 |
ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
50 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE 2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
If you wish to submit a matter to be considered at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, you must comply with the procedures set forth below. Any proposal or nomination to be made to the Company should be sent to:
Roper Technologies, Inc.
6901 Professional Parkway East
Suite 200
Sarasota, Florida 34240
Attention: Secretary
| Proxy Statement Proposals. If you intend to submit a proposal to be included in the Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, we must receive your proposal no later than January 1, 2020. All proposals must comply with the SEC regulations under Rule 14a-8 for including shareholder proposals in a companys proxy material. |
| Director Candidate Nomination. Our By-laws set forth the procedures you must follow if you wish to nominate a director candidate in connection with the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. |
Proxy Access to Include Nominees in our 2020 Proxy Statement. If you are a shareholder, or a group of up to 20 shareholders, owning 3% or more of our outstanding common stock continuously for at least three years and wish to nominate a director candidate and require us to include such nominee in our Proxy Statement and form of proxy, you must submit your request so it is received by the Company between December 2, 2019 and January 1, 2020, in accordance with our By-laws. The number of candidates that may be so nominated is limited to the greater of two or the largest whole number that does not exceed 20% of our Board, provided that the shareholder(s) and nominee(s) satisfy the requirements set forth in our By-laws. All proxy access nominations must be accompanied by information about the nominating shareholders as well as the nominees and meet the requirements specified in our By-laws, including the information specified under Nominees Not for Inclusion in our 2020 Proxy Statement below.
Nominees Not for Inclusion in our 2020 Proxy Statement. If you wish to nominate a director candidate in connection with the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and are not requiring that the nominee be included in our Proxy Statement, you must submit the nomination so it is received by the Company between February 11, 2020 and March 12, 2020, in accordance with our By-laws. The notice to nominate a person for election as a Company director must include a written statement setting forth (i) the name of the person to be nominated; (ii) the number and class of all shares of each class of Company stock owned of record and beneficially by such person, as reported by such person to you; (iii) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by you as would have been required to be included in a Proxy Statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC if the nominee had been nominated by the Board of Directors; (iv) such persons signed consent to serve as a director of our Company if elected; (v) your name and address; (vi) the number and class of all shares of each class of Company stock owned of record and beneficially by such shareholder (and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made); and (vii) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, warrants, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into by or on behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding that has been made, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, you (and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the proposal is made) with respect to Ropers securities.
| Matters for Annual Meeting Agenda. If you wish to have other business (not the nomination of a director candidate) brought before the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, you must submit the proposal between February 11, 2020 and March 12, 2020, in accordance with our By-laws. If you intend to present the matter directly at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the notice must include (a) the text of the proposal; (b) a brief statement of the reasons why you favor the proposal; (c) your name and address; (d) the number and class of all shares of each class of Company stock owned of record and beneficially by you (and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the proposal is made); (e) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, warrants, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into by or on |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 51 |
behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding that has been made, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, you (and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the proposal is made) with respect to the Ropers securities; and (f) if applicable, any material interest of you and such beneficial owner in the matter proposed (other than as a shareholder). |
With respect to matters not included in the Proxy Statement but properly presented at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, management generally will be able to vote proxies in its discretion if it receives notice of the proposal during the period specified above and advises shareholders in the Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders about the nature of the matter and how management intends to vote on the matter, unless the proponent of the shareholder proposal (a) provides us with a timely written statement that the proponent intends to deliver a Proxy Statement to at least the percentage of our voting shares required to carry the proposal; (b) includes the same statement in the proponents own proxy materials; and (c) provides us with a statement from a solicitor confirming that the necessary steps have been taken to deliver the Proxy Statement to at least the percentage of our voting shares required to carry the proposal.
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors knows of no other business which will be or is intended to be presented at the Annual Meeting.
By the Order of the Board of Directors
L. Neil Hunn
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: April 30, 2019
52 |
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement |
Table 1: EBITDA and EBITDA Margin Reconciliation
(in millions, except percentages)
2017 | 2018 | |||||||
GAAP Revenue
|
$
|
4,607
|
|
$
|
5,191
|
| ||
Purchase accounting adjustment to acquired deferred revenue
|
|
57
|
|
|
8
|
| ||
Adjusted Revenue (A)
|
$
|
4,665
|
|
$
|
5,199
|
| ||
GAAP Net Earnings
|
|
972
|
|
|
944
|
| ||
Taxes
|
|
63
|
|
|
254
|
| ||
Interest Expense
|
|
181
|
|
|
182
|
| ||
Depreciation
|
|
50
|
|
|
50
|
| ||
Amortization
|
|
295
|
|
|
318
|
| ||
Purchase accounting adjustment to acquired deferred revenue
|
|
57
|
|
|
8
|
| ||
Debt extinguishment charge
|
|
-
|
|
|
16
|
| ||
One-time expense for accelerated vesting
|
|
-
|
|
|
35
|
| ||
Purchase accounting adjustment for commission expense
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
-
|
| ||
Gain on sale of divested energy product line
|
|
(9
|
)
|
|
-
|
| ||
Impairment charge on minority investment
|
|
2
|
|
|
-
|
| ||
Adjusted EBITDA (B)
|
$
|
1,605
|
|
$
|
1,806
|
| ||
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (B) / (A)
|
|
34.4
|
%
|
|
34.7
|
%
|
Table 2: Cash Flow Reconciliation
(in millions)
2008 | 2013 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||
Operating Cash Flow |
$ | 434 | $ | 803 | $ | 1,234 | $ | 1,430 | ||||||||
Capital Expenditures |
(30 | ) | (43 | ) | (49 | ) | (49 | ) | ||||||||
Capitalized Software Expenditures
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
(10
|
)
| ||||
Free Cash Flow
|
$
|
398
|
|
$
|
759
|
|
$
|
1,175
|
|
$
|
1,371
|
|
Note: Numbers may not foot due to rounding.
|
Roper Technologies, Inc. 2019 Proxy Statement | 53 |
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
E71423-P21824 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.
Please sign your name exactly as it appears hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please add your title as such. When signing as joint tenants, all parties in the joint tenancy must sign. If a signer is a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by a duly authorized officer. |
Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to be
Held on June 10, 2019:
The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Shareholders are available at www.proxyvote.com.
E71424-P21824
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
JUNE 10, 2019
The undersigned hereby authorize(s) CHRISTINE E. HERMANN and JOHN K. STIPANCICH, or either of them as proxies, and each with full power of substitution and revocation, to represent and vote the shares of common stock the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 10, 2019 at 6901 Professional Parkway East, Suite 200, Sarasota, Florida 34240 at 8:00 a.m. (local time) and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY THE SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE REELECTION OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE, FOR PROPOSAL 2, FOR PROPOSAL 3, AND AGAINST PROPOSAL 4.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED REPLY ENVELOPE.
Address Changes/Comments: |
|
|||
|
||||
(If you noted any Address Changes/Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE