Worthington Industries, Inc. DEF 14A
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant x
Filed by a Party other than the Registranto
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Check the appropriate box: |
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12 |
WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
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Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state
how it was determined): |
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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Total fee paid: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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Amount Previously Paid: |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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Date Filed: |
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August 17, 2007
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200 Old Wilson Bridge Road
Columbus, OH 43085
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
The 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the Annual Meeting) of Worthington Industries, Inc.
(the Company) will be held on Wednesday, September 26, 2007, at Worthington Industries
Headquarters, 200 Old Wilson Bridge Road, Columbus, Ohio 43085, beginning at 2:00 p.m., Eastern
Daylight Time.
Details of the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting are provided in the accompanying
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement, which you are urged to read
carefully. The Companys 2007 Annual Report is also being delivered to you and provides additional
information regarding the financial results of the Company during the fiscal year ended May 31,
2007. If you were a shareholder of record at the close of business on August 1, 2007, you will be
entitled to vote in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and employees of the Company, I cordially invite all
shareholders to attend the Annual Meeting. It is important that your Common Shares be voted on
matters that come before the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting,
I urge you to participate by completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy card in the
envelope provided. The prompt return of your proxy card will help ensure that as many Common
Shares as possible are represented at the Annual Meeting. Alternatively, registered shareholders
may transmit voting instructions for their Common Shares electronically through the Internet or by
telephone by following the simple instructions on the proxy card. For those shareholders unable to
attend the Annual Meeting, a live audio webcast will be available via Internet link at
www.worthingtonindustries.com.
Your continuing interest in our Company is greatly appreciated and, on behalf of the Board of
Directors and management, I look forward to personally greeting those shareholders able to attend
the Annual Meeting.
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Sincerely,
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/s/ JOHN P. McCONNELL
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JOHN P. McCONNELL |
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Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
200 Old Wilson Bridge Road
Columbus, Ohio 43085
(614) 438-3210
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held September 26, 2007
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Worthington
Industries, Inc. (the Company) will be held at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on Wednesday,
September 26, 2007, at Worthington Industries Headquarters located at 200 Old Wilson Bridge Road,
Columbus, Ohio 43085. For those shareholders unable to attend in person, a live audio webcast will
be available via Internet link at www.worthingtonindustries.com. The Annual Meeting is being held
for the following purposes:
(1) To elect three directors, each to serve for a term of three years to expire
at the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders;
(2) To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public
accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2008;
(3) To consider and act upon the shareholder proposal described in the
accompanying Proxy Statement, if such proposal is presented for consideration at the
Annual Meeting; and
(4) To transact any other business which properly comes before the Annual
Meeting or any adjournment.
Only shareholders of record, as shown by the transfer books of the Company, at the close of
business on August 1, 2007, are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.
A copy of the Companys 2007 Annual Report accompanies this notice.
Please use this opportunity to take part in the affairs of the Company by voting on the
business to come before the Annual Meeting. WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING OR NOT,
PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE
PROVIDED. ALTERNATIVELY, REFER TO THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE PROXY CARD TO TRANSMIT YOUR VOTING
INSTRUCTIONS ELECTRONICALLY VIA THE INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE. Returning the proxy card or
transmitting your voting instructions electronically does not deprive you of your right to attend
the Annual Meeting and to vote your Common Shares in person in respect of the matters to be acted
upon at the Annual Meeting.
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By Order of the Board of Directors,
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/s/ Dale T. Brinkman
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Dale T. Brinkman |
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Secretary |
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August 17, 2007
WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
200 Old Wilson Bridge Road
Columbus, Ohio 43085
(614) 438-3210
www.worthingtonindustries.com
PROXY STATEMENT
Dated August 17, 2007
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held On September 26, 2007
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING
This Proxy Statement, along with the accompanying proxy card, are being furnished to
shareholders of Worthington Industries, Inc. (the Company) in connection with the solicitation of
proxies, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board), for use at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders (the Annual Meeting) to be held on Wednesday, September 26, 2007, at 2:00
p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, or any adjournment. The Annual Meeting will be held at Worthington
Industries Headquarters located at 200 Old Wilson Bridge Road, Columbus, Ohio. This Proxy
Statement summarizes information you will need in order to vote.
As used in this Proxy Statement, the term Company means Worthington Industries, Inc. or,
where appropriate, Worthington Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries. The term Common Shares
means the Companys common shares, without par value. Other than Common Shares, there are no
voting securities of the Company outstanding.
Voting at the Annual Meeting
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on August 1, 2007 (the Record Date) are
entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. The Company is first sending or
giving this Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card to those shareholders on or about
August 17, 2007. The total number of issued and outstanding Common Shares on the Record Date
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting was 85,146,226. Each shareholder is entitled to one vote
for each Common Share held, and there are no cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.
To ensure your Common Shares will be voted at the Annual Meeting, please complete, sign, date
and promptly return the accompanying proxy card. A return envelope, which requires no postage if
mailed in the United States, has been provided for your use. Alternatively, shareholders may
transmit voting instructions electronically via the Internet or by using the toll-free telephone
number listed on the proxy card. The deadline for transmitting voting instructions electronically
via the Internet or telephonically is 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on September 25, 2007.
The Internet and telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate shareholders identities,
to allow shareholders to give their voting instructions, and to confirm that shareholders voting
instructions have been properly recorded. Shareholders voting through the Internet should
understand that there may be costs associated with electronic access, such as usage charges from
Internet access providers and telephone companies, that such shareholders will bear.
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Those Common Shares represented by properly executed proxy cards that are received prior to
the Annual Meeting and not revoked, or by properly authenticated voting instructions transmitted
electronically via the Internet or by telephone prior to the deadline for transmitting those
instructions and not revoked, will be voted as directed by the shareholders. The Common Shares
represented by all valid forms of proxy received prior to the Annual Meeting which do not specify
how the Common Shares should be voted will be voted as recommended by the Board, except in the case
of broker non-votes, where applicable, as follows: (i) FOR the election of each of the three
nominees of the Board listed below under the caption PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; (ii) FOR
the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2008, and (iii) AGAINST the adoption of the
shareholder proposal described under the caption PROPOSAL 3: SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL, if the
proposal is presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. No appraisal rights exist for any
action proposed to be taken at the Annual Meeting.
Voting of Common Shares Held in Street Name
If you hold your Common Shares in street name with a broker/dealer, financial institution or
other holder of record, you may be eligible to provide voting instructions to the holder of record
electronically via the Internet or telephonically, but are urged to carefully review the
information provided to you by the holder of record. This information will describe the procedures
to be followed in instructing the holder of record how to vote the street name Common Shares and
how to revoke previously-given instructions. If you hold your Common Shares in street name and
do not provide voting instructions to your broker/dealer, within the required time frame before the
Annual Meeting, your broker/dealer will have the discretion to vote your Common Shares on matters
that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has determined are routine such as the uncontested
election of directors and the ratification of the appointment of the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm. However, your broker/dealer will not have the discretion to
vote your Common Shares on the shareholder proposal described in this Proxy Statement (if that
proposal is presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting) without specific instructions from
you.
Solicitation of Proxies
Proxies will be solicited by mail and may be further solicited by additional mailings,
personal contact, telephone, electronic mail, facsimile or telegraph by directors, officers and
employees of the Company, none of whom will receive additional compensation for such solicitation
activities. In addition, the Company has retained Broadridge Financial Solutions (formerly ADP),
located in Edgewood, New York, to aid in the solicitation of proxies with respect to Common Shares
held by broker/dealers, financial institutions and other custodians, fiduciaries and nominees, for
a fee of approximately $1,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses. The Company will reimburse its
transfer agent, National City Bank, as well as broker/dealers, financial institutions and other
custodians, fiduciaries and nominees, who are record holders of Common Shares not beneficially
owned by them, for their reasonable costs in forwarding proxy materials to the beneficial owners of
the Common Shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The Company will bear the costs of
preparing, assembling, printing and mailing this Proxy Statement, the accompanying proxy card and
any other related materials, as well as all other costs incurred in connection with the
solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board, other than the Internet access fees and telephone
service fees described above.
Right to Revoke Proxy
You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is actually voted at the Annual Meeting by
giving written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company, by accessing the Internet site
or using the toll-free number stated on the proxy card and electing revocation as instructed or, if
you are a registered shareholder, by attending the Annual Meeting and giving notice of revocation
in person. You may also change your vote by choosing one of the following options: executing and
returning to the Company a later-dated proxy card; voting in person at the Annual Meeting (but only
if you are the registered shareholder); submitting a later-dated electronic vote through the
Internet site; or voting by telephone using the toll-free telephone number stated on the proxy card
at a later date. Attending the Annual Meeting will not, in itself, constitute revocation of your
proxy.
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Quorum and Tabulation of Voting Results
The results of shareholder voting will be tabulated by the inspector of election appointed by
the Board for the Annual Meeting. A quorum for the Annual Meeting is one-third of the outstanding
Common Shares. Common Shares represented by properly-executed proxy cards returned to the Company
prior to the Annual Meeting or represented by properly-authenticated electronic votes recorded
through the Internet or by telephone will be counted toward the establishment of a quorum for the
Annual Meeting even though they are marked Abstain, Against, For, For All, Withhold All,
For All Except, or not at all. Broker non-votes are Common Shares held of record by
broker/dealers which are present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting, but which are not
voted because instructions have not been received from the beneficial owner with respect to a
particular matter over which the broker/dealer does not have discretionary voting authority.
Broker non-votes are counted toward the establishment of a quorum.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table furnishes information regarding the number and percentage of outstanding
Common Shares beneficially owned (as determined under Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) by: (a) each current director of the Company; (b) each of
the nominees of the Board for election as a director of the Company; (c) each individual named in
the Summary Compensation Table (the named executive officers or NEOs); (d) all current
directors and executive officers of the Company as a group; and (e) each person known by the
Company to own beneficially more than five percent of the outstanding Common Shares (as determined
under Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), in each case as of the Record Date (except as otherwise
noted). The address of each of the current executive officers and directors of the Company is c/o
Worthington Industries, Inc., 200 Old Wilson Bridge Road, Columbus, Ohio 43085.
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Amount and Nature of |
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Beneficial Ownership (1) |
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Number of Common Shares |
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Presently Held and Which |
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Can Be Acquired Upon |
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Theoretical Common |
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Exercise of Options |
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Percent of |
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Shares Credited to |
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Currently Exercisable or |
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Outstanding |
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Accounts in the |
Name of Beneficial Owner or |
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Which Will First Become |
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Common Shares |
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Companys Deferred |
Number of Persons in Group |
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Exercisable Within 60 Days |
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(2) |
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Compensation Plans (3) |
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John B. Blystone |
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27,180 |
(4)(5) |
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* |
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John S. Christie (6) |
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443,349 |
(7) |
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* |
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3,013 |
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William S. Dietrich, II |
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28,300 |
(4)(8) |
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* |
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Michael J. Endres |
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88,400 |
(4)(9) |
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* |
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25,641 |
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Harry A. Goussetis (6) |
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92,196 |
(10) |
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* |
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4,186 |
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Peter Karmanos, Jr. |
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76,300 |
(4)(11) |
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* |
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32,589 |
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John R. Kasich |
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26,300 |
(4)(12) |
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* |
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15,234 |
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John P. McConnell (6) |
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2,604,770 |
(13) |
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3.1 |
% |
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Carl A. Nelson, Jr. |
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17,300 |
(4)(14) |
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* |
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Edmund L. Ponko, Jr. (6)(15) |
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0 |
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* |
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Sidney A. Ribeau |
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26,300 |
(4)(16) |
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* |
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3,554 |
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Mary Schiavo |
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30,311 |
(4)(17) |
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* |
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George P. Stoe (6) |
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82,804 |
(18) |
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* |
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11,552 |
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All Current Directors and
Executive Officers as a
Group (18 people) |
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4,182,228 |
(19) |
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4.9 |
% |
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95,769 |
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John H. McConnell
200 Old Wilson Bridge Road
Columbus, OH 43085 |
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14,058,839 |
(20) |
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16.5 |
% |
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Snow Capital Management, L.P.
2100 Georgetowne Drive
Suite 400
Sewickley, PA 15143 |
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6,583,735 |
(21) |
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7.7 |
% |
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Amount and Nature of |
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Beneficial Ownership (1) |
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Number of Common Shares |
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Presently Held and Which |
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Can Be Acquired Upon |
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Theoretical Common |
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Exercise of Options |
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Percent of |
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Shares Credited to |
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Currently Exercisable or |
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Outstanding |
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Accounts in the |
Name of Beneficial Owner or |
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Which Will First Become |
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Common Shares |
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Companys Deferred |
Number of Persons in Group |
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Exercisable Within 60 Days |
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Compensation Plans (3) |
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Columbia Wanger Asset
Management, L.P.
227 West Monroe Street
Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60606 |
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4,847,000 |
(22) |
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5.7 |
% |
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Capital Research and
Management Company
The Income Fund of
America, Inc.
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071 |
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4,474,200 |
(23) |
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5.2 |
% |
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less than 1% |
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Unless otherwise stated, the beneficial owner has sole voting and
dispositive power over the listed Common Shares or shares such power with his or her
spouse. |
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The Percent of Outstanding Common Shares is based on the sum of (a)
85,146,226 Common Shares outstanding on the Record Date; and (b) the number of
Common Shares, if any, as to which the named person or group has the right to
acquire beneficial ownership upon the exercise of options which are currently
exercisable or which will first become exercisable within 60 days after August 1,
2007 (collectively, Currently Exercisable Options). |
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This column lists the theoretical Common Shares credited to the bookkeeping
accounts of the named executive officers participating in the Worthington
Industries, Inc. 2005 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan and the Worthington
Industries, Inc. Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated,
effective March 1, 2000 (collectively, the Employee Deferral Plans) and also lists
the theoretical Common Shares credited to the bookkeeping accounts of the directors
of the Company participating in the Worthington Industries, Inc. 2005 Deferred
Compensation Plan for Directors and the Worthington Industries, Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan for Directors, as amended and restated, effective June 1, 2000
(collectively, the Director Deferral Plans). These theoretical Common Shares are
not included in the beneficial ownership totals. Under the terms of both the
Employee Deferral Plans and the Director Deferral Plans, participants do not
beneficially own, nor do they have voting or dispositive power with respect to,
theoretical Common Shares credited to their respective bookkeeping accounts. While
the participants in the Employee Deferral Plans and the participants in the Director
Deferral Plans have an economic interest in the theoretical Common Shares credited
to their respective bookkeeping accounts, each participants only right with respect
to his or her bookkeeping account (and the amounts credited thereto) is to receive a
distribution of cash equal to the fair market value of the theoretical Common Shares
credited to his or her bookkeeping account as of the latest valuation date
determined in accordance with the terms of the Employee Deferral Plans or the
Director Deferral Plans, as appropriate. For further information concerning the
Employee Deferral Plans, please see the discussion under the caption EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION Compensation Discussion and Analysis Compensation Components
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation beginning on page 25 of this Proxy Statement
and for further information concerning the Director Deferral Plans, please see the
discussion under the caption |
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COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS Director Deferral Plans, beginning on page 36 of
this Proxy Statement. |
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(4) |
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Includes 750 Common Shares underlying the restricted stock award (also
referred to as restricted shares) made to Mr. Blystone on January 22, 2007 in
connection with his appointment as Lead Independent Director; and for each of the
following directors of the Company 1,300 Common Shares underlying a restricted stock
award made to such director on September 27, 2006: Mr. Blystone; Mr. Dietrich; Mr.
Endres; Mr. Karmanos; Mr. Kasich; Mr. Nelson; Mr. Ribeau; and Ms. Schiavo. The
restricted shares will be held in escrow by the Company and may not be sold,
transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the
restrictions thereon have lapsed. Generally, the restrictions on the restricted
shares will lapse and the restricted shares will become fully vested on September
26, 2007, subject to the terms of each restricted share award. Each director may
exercise any voting rights associated with the restricted shares during the
restriction period. In addition, any dividends or distributions paid with respect
to the restricted shares will be held by the Company, as escrow agent during the
restriction period and, at the end of the restriction period, will be distributed or
forfeited in the same manner as the restricted shares with respect to which they
were paid. For further information concerning the terms of the restricted shares,
please see the discussion under the caption COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS Equity
Grants beginning on page 37 of this Proxy Statement. |
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Includes 15,000 Common Shares subject to Currently Exercisable
Options. |
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(6) |
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Individual named in the Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2007 on
page 28 of this Proxy Statement. |
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(7) |
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Includes 406,500 Common Shares subject to Currently Exercisable Options. |
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(8) |
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Includes 17,000 Common Shares subject to Currently Exercisable Options. |
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(9) |
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Includes 10,000 Common Shares held by Mr. Endres wife, who has sole voting
and dispositive power as to the 10,000 Common Shares. Beneficial ownership of these
10,000 Common Shares is disclaimed by Mr. Endres. Also includes 25,000 Common
Shares subject to Currently Exercisable Options. |
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(10) |
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Includes 76,000 Common Shares subject to Currently Exercisable Options. |
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(11) |
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Includes 51,300 Common Shares held by Mr. Karmanos as trustee for a living
trust and 25,000 Common Shares subject to Currently Exercisable Options. |
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(12) |
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Includes 25,000 Common Shares subject to Currently Exercisable Options. |
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(13) |
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Includes 67,988 Common Shares held by John P. McConnell as custodian for
his children. Also includes 1,780 Common Shares held by Mr. McConnells wife as
custodian for her son. Mrs. McConnell has sole voting and dispositive power as to
these 1,780 Common Shares and Mr. McConnell disclaims beneficial ownership of these
1,780 Common Shares. Includes 118,000 Common Shares held by The McConnell Family
Trust of which Mr. McConnell is co-trustee and has sole voting and dispositive
power. Also includes 255,875 Common Shares held by the Margaret R. McConnell Trust
f/b/o Margaret Kollis of which Mr. McConnell is trustee and has sole voting and
dispositive power. Also includes 127,000 Common Shares held in The McConnell
Educational Foundation for the benefit of third parties, of which John P. McConnell
is one of the five directors and shares voting and dispositive power. Beneficial
ownership of these 127,000 Common Shares is disclaimed by John P. McConnell. Does
not include 2,428,312 Common Shares (2.9% of the Common Shares outstanding) held by
an independent trustee in trust for the benefit of John P. McConnell and Margaret
Kollis, his sister, over which Common Shares the independent trustee has voting
power and dispositive power. Includes 878,000 Common |
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Shares subject to Currently Exercisable Options. John P. McConnell is the son
of John H. McConnell. |
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(14) |
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Includes 14,000 Common Shares subject to Currently Exercisable Options. |
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(15) |
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On June 5, 2007, Mr. Ponko resigned from his position as President of
Dietrich Industries, Inc. |
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(16) |
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Includes 21,000 Common Shares subject to Currently Exercisable Options. |
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(17) |
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Includes 25,000 Common Shares subject to Currently Exercisable Options. |
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(18) |
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Includes 81,000 Common Shares subject to Currently Exercisable Options. |
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(19) |
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The number of Common Shares shown as beneficially owned by the Companys
current directors and executive officers as a group includes 2,109,700 Common Shares
subject to Currently Exercisable Options. |
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(20) |
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These 14,058,839 Common Shares include 12,415,982 Common Shares held of
record by JDEL, Inc. (JDEL), a Delaware corporation. The directors of JDEL have
given John H. McConnell sole voting and dispositive power with respect to these
Common Shares. JDEL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JMAC, Inc. (JMAC), a private
investment company substantially owned, directly or indirectly, by John H.
McConnell, John P. McConnell and a family partnership of John H. McConnell, John P.
McConnell and their families (collectively, the McConnell Family). See
TRANSACTIONS WITH CERTAIN RELATED PERSONS beginning on page 16 of this Proxy
Statement. The table does not include 2,428,312 Common Shares (2.9% of the Common
Shares outstanding) held by an independent trustee in trust for the benefit of Mr.
McConnells adult daughter and his son, John P. McConnell, over which Common Shares
the independent trustee has voting and dispositive power. John H. McConnell has the
right to change the trustee. Beneficial ownership of these 2,428,312 Common Shares
is disclaimed by John H. McConnell. |
|
(21) |
|
In a Schedule 13G, dated February 2, 2007, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) by Snow Capital Management, L.P. (Snow), a registered
investment adviser, Snow reported that as of December 31, 2006, it beneficially
owned 6,583,735 Common Shares and that it had sole voting power as to 6,535,565
Common Shares and sole dispositive power as to 6,583,735 Common Shares. |
|
(22) |
|
In a Schedule 13G, dated January 12, 2007, filed with the SEC (the
Columbia Schedule 13G), Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. (Columbia), a
registered investment adviser, reported it beneficially owned 4,847,000 Common
Shares as of December 31, 2006. Columbia reported that it had sole voting power as
to 4,747,000 Common Shares, shared voting power as to 100,000 Common Shares and sole
dispositive power as to 4,847,000 Common Shares. Further, Columbia stated that the
Common Shares reported included Common Shares held by Columbia Acorn Trust (CAT),
a Massachusetts business trust that is advised by Columbia; CAT was reported to hold
5.12% of the Common Shares of the Company as of December 31, 2006. |
|
(23) |
|
In a Schedule 13G Amendment, dated August 10, 2007 (the Capital/Income
Fund of America Schedule 13G Amendment), filed with the SEC, Capital Research and
Management Company, a registered investment adviser (Capital), reported that it
was deemed to be the beneficial owner of 4,474,200 Common Shares as of July 31,
2007, as a result of acting as investment adviser to various registered investment
companies. Capital reported that it had sole dispositive power as to 4,474,200
Common Shares and sole voting power as to 3,639,800 Common Shares. Capital
disclaimed beneficial ownership of the reported Common Shares. In the
Capital/Income Fund of America Schedule 13G Amendment, The Income Fund of America,
Inc. (Income Fund of America), a registered investment company as to which Capital
serves as |
- 6 -
|
|
|
|
|
investment adviser, reported that it was deemed to be the beneficial owner of
834,400 Common Shares (1.0% of the Common Shares outstanding) as of July 31, 2007.
Income Fund of America reported that it had sole voting power as to these 834,400
Common Shares, which are included as part of the number of Common Shares which
Capital reported that it was deemed to beneficially own. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, requires that the Companys directors, and executive
officers and greater-than-10% beneficial owners of the Companys outstanding Common Shares file
reports with the SEC reporting their initial beneficial ownership of Common Shares and any
subsequent changes in their beneficial ownership. Specific due dates have been established by the
SEC and the Company is required to disclose in this Proxy Statement any late report or known
failure to file a required report. To the Companys knowledge, based solely on a review of the
copies of the forms furnished to the Company and written representations that no other forms were
required, the Company believes that, during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 (Fiscal 2007), all
Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to the Companys directors and executive officers and
greater-than-10% beneficial owners of the Companys outstanding Common Shares were complied with.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee, in accordance with
applicable sections of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual (the NYSE Rules), the
Board has adopted the Board of Directors Corporate Governance Guidelines (the Corporate Governance
Guidelines) to promote the effective functioning of the Board and its committees and to reflect
the Companys commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance. The Board, with the
assistance of the Nominating and Governance Committee, periodically reviews the Corporate
Governance Guidelines to ensure they are in compliance with all applicable requirements. In June
2007, the Corporate Governance Guidelines were amended primarily to reflect the appointment of the
Lead Independent Director.
The Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on the Corporate Governance page of the
Investor Relations section of the Companys web site at www.worthingtonindustries.com.
Shareholders and other interested persons may also obtain a copy of the Corporate Governance
Guidelines, without charge, by writing to the Investor Relations Department of the Company at
Worthington Industries, Inc., 200 Old Wilson Bridge Road, Columbus, Ohio 43085, Attention: Allison
M. Sanders, Director of Investor Relations.
Code of Conduct
In accordance with applicable NYSE Rules and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC
(SEC Rules), the Board adopted the Worthington Industries, Inc. Code of Conduct (the Code of
Conduct) which is available on the Corporate Governance page of the Investor Relations section
of the Companys web site at www.worthingtonindustries.com. Alternatively, shareholders and other
interested persons may obtain a copy of the Code of Conduct, without charge, by writing to the
Investor Relations Department of the Company at Worthington Industries, Inc., 200 Old Wilson Bridge
Road, Columbus, Ohio 43085, Attention: Allison M. Sanders, Director of Investor Relations.
Director Independence
Pursuant to the Corporate Governance Guidelines, a copy of which is available on the
Corporate Governance page of the Investor Relations section of the Companys web site located
at www.worthingtonindustries.com, a director is determined to be independent if he or she is
independent of management and has no material relationship with the Company either personally or as
a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has such a relationship with the Company,
as affirmatively determined by the Board. The Board observes any additional criteria for
independence established by NYSE or other governing laws and regulations.
- 7 -
The Board has been advised of the nature and extent of any direct or indirect personal and
business relationships between the Company (including its subsidiaries) and John B. Blystone,
William S. Dietrich, II, Michael J. Endres, Peter Karmanos, Jr., John R. Kasich, Carl A. Nelson,
Jr., Sidney A. Ribeau or Mary Schiavo, individually (the Independent Directors), or any entities
for which an Independent Director is a partner, officer, employee or shareholder. The Board has
reviewed, considered and discussed such relationships, and the compensation each Independent
Director receives, directly or indirectly, from the Company and its subsidiaries in order to
determine whether each Independent Director meets the independence requirements of the Corporate
Governance Guidelines, the applicable NYSE Rules, and the applicable SEC Rules. The Board has
affirmatively determined that: (a) none of the Independent Directors has any relationship with the
Company, either directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any commercial, industrial,
banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable or familial relationship, which: (i) may
interfere with his or her independence from management and the Company or the exercise of his or
her independent judgment; (ii) would be inconsistent with a determination of independence under
applicable NYSE Rules; or (iii) would impair his or her independence under the Corporate Governance
Guidelines or under the guidelines discussed below, and that (b) each of the eight Independent
Directors qualifies as an independent director under the Corporate Governance Guidelines and the
guidelines discussed below. The eight Independent Directors represent a majority of the Companys
ten directors. John S. Christie and John P. McConnell do not qualify as independent under
applicable NYSE Rules or the guidelines discussed below because they are executive officers of the
Company.
Under guidelines adopted by the Board, barring any unusual circumstances, a directors
independence would not be impaired if: (a) the director is an executive officer or an employee (or
his or her immediate family member is an executive officer) of a company that makes payments to, or
receives payments from, the Company and its subsidiaries for property or services performed in the
ordinary course of business in an amount which, in any single fiscal year, does not exceed the
greater of $1 million or 2% of the Companys or such other companys consolidated gross revenues;
or (b) the Company and its subsidiaries makes contributions to a charitable organization for which
the director (or his or her immediate family member) serves as an executive officer if the
contributions, in any single fiscal year, do not exceed the greater of $1 million or 2% of such
charitable organizations consolidated gross revenues. (c) the Company or any of its subsidiaries
uses facilities (dining, clubs, etc.) in which the director is a more than 5% owner if charges are
consistent with charges paid by others and are fair, reasonable, and consistent with similar
services available for similar facilities.
The Board specifically considered a number of circumstances in the course of reaching the
conclusion that each of the Independent Directors qualifies as independent under the guidelines and
the applicable NYSE Rules, including the relevant relationships described below under the caption
TRANSACTIONS WITH CERTAIN RELATED PERSONS beginning on page 16 of this Proxy Statement, as well
as the fact that William S. Dietrich, II retired from his employment with the Company effective as
of June 1, 2003.
Lead Independent Director
The Board has a Lead Independent Director whose purpose is to serve as a channel of
communication between the Companys directors who are not employees of the Company or its
subsidiaries (non-employee directors), each of whom is also a non-management director and
qualifies as an independent director, and the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Blystone was appointed to serve as the Companys Lead Independent Director on January 22, 2007.
A copy of the charter of the Lead Independent Director is available on the Corporate Governance
page of the Investor Relations section of the Companys web site located at
www.worthingtonindustries.com.
The Lead Independent Directors responsibilities include: (1) providing input to the Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in establishing the agenda for Board meetings; (2)
chairing executive sessions of the non-employee directors; (3) working with the Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer to ensure that the Board has adequate information and resources
to support its decision-making requirements; (4) assisting the Board, the Boards Nominating and
Governance Committee and the officers of the Company to ensure compliance with and implementation
of the Corporate Governance Guidelines; and (5) working with the Nominating and Governance
Committee and the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer to recommend the membership of
the various Board committees as well as the selection of the chairs of the Board committees. The
Lead Independent Director also meets regularly with the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer outside of Board
- 8 -
meetings to discuss agendas and meeting schedules, and such other Board and Company matters as
they deem appropriate.
Nominating Procedures
The Boards Nominating and Governance Committee has responsibility for providing oversight on
a broad range of issues surrounding the composition and operation of the Board, including
identifying candidates qualified to become directors and recommending director nominees to the
Board.
When considering candidates for the Board, the Nominating and Governance Committee evaluates
the entirety of each candidates credentials but does not have specific eligibility requirements or
minimum qualifications which must be met by a Nominating and Governance Committee-recommended
nominee. However, in general, the retirement age for directors is 70, and a director is to submit
his or her resignation to be effective at the conclusion of the three-year term immediately after
attaining age 70. The Nominating and Governance Committee considers those factors it deems
appropriate, including, but not limited to, judgment, skill, diversity, strength of character,
experience with businesses and organizations of comparable size or scope, experience as an
executive of or adviser to public and private companies, experience and skill relative to other
Board members, specialized knowledge or experience, and the desirability of the candidates
membership on the Board and any committees of the Board. Depending on the current needs of the
Board, the Nominating and Governance Committee may weigh certain factors more or less heavily. The
Nominating and Governance Committee does, however, believe that all members of the Board should
have strong character and integrity, a reputation for working constructively with others,
sufficient time to devote to Board matters, and no conflict of interest that would interfere with
his or her performance as a director.
The Nominating and Governance Committee considers candidates for the Board from any reasonable
source, including shareholder recommendations, but does not evaluate candidates differently based
on the source of the recommendation. Pursuant to its charter, the Nominating and Governance
Committee has the authority to retain consultants and search firms to assist with the process of
identifying and evaluating director candidates and to approve the fees and other retention terms
for any such consultant or search firm. The Nominating and Governance Committee has never used a
consultant or search firm for such purpose, and, accordingly, the Company has paid no such fees.
Shareholders may recommend director candidates for consideration by the Nominating and
Governance Committee by sending the recommendation to the Chair of the Nominating and Governance
Committee, in care of the Company, to the Companys executive offices at 200 Old Wilson Bridge
Road, Columbus, Ohio 43085. The recommendation should include the candidates name, age, business
address, residence address, and principal occupation. The recommendation should also describe the
qualifications, attributes, skills, or other qualities possessed by the recommended director
candidate. A written statement from the candidate consenting to serve as a director, if elected,
and a commitment by the candidate to meet personally with Nominating and Governance Committee
members should accompany any such recommendation.
The Board, taking into account the recommendations of the Nominating and Governance Committee,
selects nominees for election as directors at each annual meeting of shareholders. In addition,
shareholders wishing to nominate directors for election may do so, provided they comply with the
nomination procedures set forth in the Companys Code of Regulations. In order to nominate an
individual for election as a director at a meeting, a shareholder must give written notice of the
shareholders intention to make such nomination. The notice must be sent to the Companys
Secretary, either delivered in person to, or mailed to and received at, the Companys principal
executive offices at 200 Old Wilson Bridge Road, Columbus, Ohio 43085 not less than 14 days or more
than 50 days prior to any meeting called for the election of directors. However, if notice or
public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made less than 21 days prior to the
meeting, the shareholder notice must be received by the Companys Secretary not later than the
close of business on the seventh day following the day on which notice of the date of the meeting
was mailed or publicly disclosed. The Companys Secretary will deliver any shareholder notice
received in a timely manner to the Nominating and Governance Committee for review. Each
shareholder notice must include the following information as to each individual the shareholder
proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (a) the name, age, business
address and, if known, residence address of the proposed nominee; (b) the principal occupation or
employment of the proposed nominee; (c) the number of Common Shares of the Company beneficially
owned by the proposed nominee; and (d) any other information relating to the proposed nominee that
is required to be disclosed concerning nominees in proxy solicitations under
- 9 -
applicable SEC Rules, including the individuals written consent to be named in the proxy
statement as a nominee and to serve as a director, if elected. The nominating shareholder must
also provide (i) the name and address of the nominating shareholder, and (ii) the number of Common
Shares of the Company beneficially owned by the nominating shareholder. No individual may be
elected as a director unless he or she has been nominated by a shareholder in the manner described
above or by the Board or the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board (the Compensation Committee) is
currently comprised of John B. Blystone (Chair), Michael J. Endres, Peter Karmanos, Jr., and John
R. Kasich. Each of Messrs. Blystone, Endres, Karmanos and Kasich also served on the Compensation
Committee throughout Fiscal 2007. None of the members of the Compensation Committee is a present
or past employee or officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. During Fiscal 2007 and
through the date of this Proxy Statement, none of the Companys executive officers has served on
the board of directors or compensation committee (or other committee performing equivalent
functions) of any other entity, one of whose executive officers served on the Companys Board or
Compensation Committee. Other than Mr. Karmanos, no member of the Compensation Committee has any
relationship with the Company or any of its subsidiaries requiring disclosure under Item 404 of SEC
Regulation S-K.
During Fiscal 2007, the Company paid Compuware Corporation (Compuware), a software
development company of which Mr. Karmanos is Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and a
6.2% shareholder, approximately $1,900,000, primarily for Compuwares services as the Companys
project coordinator in connection with the Companys Oracle ERP system project. Compuware was
selected for this position from a number of competing service providers which had responded to the
Companys request for proposal and were interviewed by the Company. Compuwares selection was
based on a number of factors including price, experience and capabilities. In this position,
Compuware supplies resources and tools for project coordination, organization and testing, and, in
general, assists the Company in ensuring that the Oracle ERP system is installed, tested, operated
and integrated with the Companys information technology system in a proper manner. Compuware also
provides general information technology consulting services, as requested by the Company. The
payments made to Compuware for Fiscal 2007 amounted to approximately 0.15% of Compuwares revenues
for its most recent fiscal year, and approximately 0.06% of the Companys consolidated revenues for
Fiscal 2007.
Communications with the Board
The Board believes it is important for shareholders and other interested persons to have a
process by which to send communications to the Board and its individual members, including the Lead
Independent Director. Accordingly, shareholders and other interested persons who wish to
communicate with the Board, the non-management directors as a group, the Lead Independent Director
or any other individual director may do so by addressing such correspondence to the name(s) of the
specific director(s), to the Non-Management Directors as a whole or to the Board of Directors
as a whole, and sending it in care of the Company, to the Companys executive offices at 200 Old
Wilson Bridge Road, Columbus, Ohio 43085. The mailing envelope must contain a clear notation
indicating that the enclosed letter is a Shareholder/Interested Person Non-Management Director
Communication, Shareholder/Interested Person Board Communication, Shareholder/Interested
Person Lead Independent Director Communication, or Shareholder/Interested Person Director
Communication, as appropriate. All such letters must identify the author as a shareholder or
other interested person (identifying such interest) and clearly indicate whether the communication
is directed to all members of the Board, to the non-management directors as a group or to a certain
specified individual director(s). Copies of all such letters will be circulated to the appropriate
director(s). Correspondence marked personal and confidential will be delivered to the intended
recipient without opening. There is no screening process in respect of communications from
shareholders or other interested persons. This process for forwarding communications to the
appropriate Board member(s) has been approved by the Companys independent directors.
Questions, complaints and concerns may also be submitted to Company directors by telephone
through the Business Ethics Help Line by calling 877-263-9893 inside the United States and
770-613-6395 outside the United States.
- 10 -
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
There are currently ten individuals serving as members of the Board: three in the class whose
terms expire at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2007, three in the class whose terms expire
at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2008, and four in the class whose terms expire at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2009.
The Board has designated John R. Kasich, John P. McConnell, and Mary Schiavo, as nominees for
re-election as directors of the Company at the Annual Meeting. Each individual was recommended by
the Nominating and Governance Committee. Messrs. Kasich and McConnell and Ms. Schiavo are
currently serving as directors of the Company for terms that expire at the upcoming Annual Meeting.
Each individual elected as a director at the Annual Meeting will hold office for a three-year
term, expiring at the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or until the earlier of (a) his or her
successor being duly elected and qualified, or (b) his or her death, resignation or removal from
office. The individuals named as proxies in the form of proxy solicited by the Board intend to
vote the Common Shares represented by the proxies received under this solicitation for the Boards
nominees, unless otherwise instructed on the form of proxy. If any nominee who would otherwise
receive the requisite number of votes becomes unable or unwilling to serve as a candidate for
election as a director, the individuals designated to vote the proxies will have full discretion to
vote the Common Shares represented by the proxies they hold for the election of the remaining
nominees and for the election of any substitute nominee designated by the Board, following
recommendation by the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Board has no reason to believe that
any of the nominees of the Board will be unable or unwilling to serve as a director of the Company
if elected.
The following information, as of August 1, 2007, concerning the age, principal occupation,
other affiliations and business experience of each director during the last five years has been
furnished to the Company by such director. Except where indicated, each director has had the same
principal occupation for the last five years. John P. McConnell is the son of John H. McConnell,
the Companys founder, who beneficially owns more than 5% of the Companys outstanding Common
Shares. There are no family relationships among any of the current directors (including those
nominated for re-election) and executive officers of the Company.
Nominees Standing for Re-Election to the Board of Directors
John R. Kasich
John R. Kasich, age 55, has served continuously as a director of the Company since 2001 and is
a member of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. Mr. Kasich has
been Managing Director of the Investment Banking Group of Lehman Brothers Holdings Incorporated, in
Columbus, Ohio, since January 2001. For more than five years prior to that time, Mr. Kasich was a
member of the U. S. House of Representatives. Mr. Kasich is the host of Heartland on the Fox
News Channel. Mr. Kasich is also a director of Invacare Corporation and serves as Chair of its
Nominating Committee.
John P. McConnell
John P. McConnell, age 53, has served as the Companys Chief Executive Officer since June
1993, as a director of the Company continuously since 1990, and as Chairman of the Board of the
Company since September 1996. Mr. McConnell also serves as the Chair of the Executive Committee.
Mr. McConnell is also a director of Alltel Corporation and serves as Chair of its Compensation
Committee and as a member of its Audit Committee.
Mary Schiavo
Mary Schiavo, age 51, has served continuously as a director of the Company since 1998 and is a
member of the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. Ms. Schiavo has been a
partner in the law firm of Motley Rice LLC, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, since October 2003.
From 2002 to October 2003, Ms. Schiavo was an attorney with Baum, Hedlund, Aristei, Guilford &
Schiavo, P.C., a law firm in Los Angeles, California. From 1997 to 2002, Ms. Schiavo served as a
professor at The Ohio State University and as a consultant
- 11 -
for NBC News. Ms. Schiavo served as Inspector General for the U. S. Department of
Transportation from 1990 to 1996.
Directors Whose Terms Continue Until the 2008 Annual Meeting
John S. Christie
John S. Christie, age 57, has served as President and as a director of the Company
continuously since 1999 and as Chief Financial Officer of the Company since January 2004. He
served as interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company from September 2003 until he became Chief
Financial Officer in January 2004. He also served as Chief Operating Officer of the Company from
June 1999 until January 2004.
Michael J. Endres
Michael J. Endres, age 59, has served continuously as a director of the Company since 1999 and
is a member of the Executive Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Compensation Committee. Mr.
Endres has served as a partner in Stonehenge Financial Holdings, Inc., a private equity investment
firm he co-founded in August 1999, for more than five years. Mr. Endres also serves as a director
of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated and Tim Hortons Inc. Mr. Endres serves as a member of the
Executive Committee and the Risk Committee for Huntington Bancshares Incorporated and as a member
of the Audit Committee for Tim Hortons Inc.
Peter Karmanos, Jr.
Peter Karmanos, Jr., age 64, has served continuously as a director of the Company since 1997,
is Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee, and is a member of the Executive Committee and
the Compensation Committee. Mr. Karmanos has held the position of Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Compuware, a software development company, for more than five
years. Mr. Karmanos also serves as a director of Compuware and Taubman Centers, Inc. Mr. Karmanos
serves as a member of the Compensation Committee for Taubman Centers, Inc.
Directors Whose Terms Continue Until the 2009 Annual Meeting
John B. Blystone
John B. Blystone, age 54, has served continuously as a director of the Company since 1997 and
as Lead Independent Director of the Company since January 2007. He is Chair of the Compensation
Committee, and is a member of the Executive Committee. Mr. Blystone served as Chairman, President
and Chief Executive Officer of SPX Corporation, a global provider of technical products and
systems, industrial products and services, flow technology, cooling technologies and services, and
service solutions, for more than five years prior to December 2004, when he retired.
William S. Dietrich, II
William S. Dietrich, II, age 69, has served continuously as a director of the Company since
1996, and is a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee. Mr. Dietrich served as Chairman
of the Board of Dietrich Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, for more than five years
prior to May 2003, when he retired.
Carl A. Nelson, Jr.
Carl A. Nelson, Jr., age 62, has served continuously as a director of the Company since 2004,
and is Chair of the Audit Committee. Mr. Nelson has served as an independent business consultant
since March 2002, when he retired as a partner from Arthur Andersen, LLP after 31 years of service.
Mr. Nelson served as Managing Partner of the Arthur Andersen Columbus, Ohio, office from 1994
until his retirement, and was the leader of the firms consulting services for the products
industry in the United States. Mr. Nelson is also a director of Dominion Homes, Inc. and serves as
Chair of its Audit Committee.
- 12 -
Sidney A. Ribeau
Sidney A. Ribeau, age 59, has served continuously as a director of the Company since 2000, and
is a member of the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. Mr. Ribeau has
served as President of Bowling Green State University for more than five years. Mr. Ribeau serves
as a director of The Andersons, Inc. and Convergys Corporation. Mr. Ribeau serves as a member of
the Compensation Committee and Governance/Nominating Committee for The Andersons, Inc.; and as a
member of the Audit Committee and Finance Committee for Convergys Corporation.
Meetings of the Board
The Board held five meetings during Fiscal 2007, including regularly scheduled and special
meetings. During Fiscal 2007, each incumbent director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of
(a) the total number of meetings held by the Board during the period he or she served as a
director, and (b) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which such
director served during the period he or she served, with the exception of Mr. Ribeau who attended
69%.
Our Board and management are committed to effective corporate governance practices. Our
Corporate Governance Guidelines describe the governance principles and procedures by which the
Board functions. The Board annually reviews and updates the Corporate Governance Guidelines and the
Board committee charters in response to corporate governance developments, including applicable
NYSE Rules, and recommendations by directors in connection with Board and committee evaluations. In
accordance with the Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines and applicable NYSE Rules,
non-management directors of the Company meet (without management present) at regularly scheduled
executive sessions at least twice per year and at such other times as the directors deem necessary
or appropriate. These executive sessions are typically held in conjunction with regularly
scheduled Board meetings. These executive sessions of non-management directors are led by the Lead
Independent Director. The non-management directors met in executive session after each of the four
regularly scheduled Board meetings held in Fiscal 2007. Mr. Blystone currently serves as the Lead
Independent Director. The primary responsibilities of the Lead Independent Director are to
coordinate the activities of the non-employee directors, facilitate communications between
management and the non-employee directors, and chair executive sessions of the Boards non-employee
directors.
Board Member Attendance at Annual Shareholder Meetings
Historically, the Company did not have a formal policy regarding required attendance by the
members of the Board at annual meetings of the shareholders since there had been no Board meeting
scheduled at that time. Directors and nominees who were in Columbus at the time of the Companys
Annual Meeting were encouraged to attend. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006, the Board
changed its schedule for quarterly meetings so that quarterly meetings fall in March, June,
September, and December. It is anticipated that the September board meeting will occur on or about
the date of the Annual Meeting, and directors are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting. On
September 27, 2006, nine of the ten incumbent directors attended the Companys 2006 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders.
Committees of the Board
The Board has four standing committees: the Executive Committee, the Audit Committee, the
Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Governance Committee. The charter for each
committee has been reviewed and approved by the Companys Board and is available on the Corporate
Governance page of the Investor Relations section of the Companys web site located at
www.worthingtonindustries.com. These documents are also available in print, without charge, by
writing to the Investor Relations Department of the Company at Worthington Industries, Inc., 200
Old Wilson Bridge Road, Columbus, Ohio 43085, Attention: Allison M. Sanders, Director of Investor
Relations.
- 13 -
Committees of the Board
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Nominating and |
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Executive |
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Audit |
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Compensation |
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Governance |
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John B. Blystone*
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X
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Chair |
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John S. Christie |
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William S. Dietrich, II*
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X |
Michael J. Endres*
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X
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Ä
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X |
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Peter Karmanos, Jr.*
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X
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X
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Chair |
John R. Kasich*
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X
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X |
John P. McConnell
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Chair |
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Carl A. Nelson, Jr.*
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Chair Ä |
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Sidney A. Ribeau*
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Mary Schiavo*
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Independent director under NYSE Rules |
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Audit Committee Financial Expert |
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee acts in place of, and on behalf of, the Board during times when the
Board is not in session. The Executive Committee may exercise, to the fullest extent permitted by
law and not delegated to another committee of the Board, all of the powers and authority granted to
the Board other than the authority to fill vacancies on the Board or on any committee of the Board.
Audit Committee
The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee qualifies as an independent
director under the applicable NYSE Rules and under SEC Rule 10A-3. The Board believes each member
of the Audit Committee is qualified to discharge his or her duties on behalf of the Company and
satisfies the financial literacy requirement of the NYSE Rules. The Board has also determined that
each of Messrs. Nelson and Endres qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as that term
is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of SEC Regulation S-K by virtue of his experience, including that
described on page 12. No member of the Audit Committee serves on the audit committee of more than
two other public companies.
At least annually, the Audit Committee evaluates its performance, reviewing and assessing the
adequacy of its charter and recommending any proposed changes to the full Board, as necessary, to
reflect changes in regulatory requirements, authoritative guidance and evolving practices.
The Audit Committee was established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange
Act. The Audit Committee is organized and conducts its business pursuant to a written charter
adopted by the Board which sets forth the Audit Committees duties and responsibilities. The
primary function of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in the oversight of the financial
and accounting functions, controls, reporting processes, and audits of the Company. Specifically,
the Audit Committee, on behalf of the Board, monitors and evaluates: (a) the integrity and quality
of the Companys financial statements; (b) the Companys compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements, including the financial reporting process; (c) the Companys system of internal
disclosure controls and its accounting and financial controls; (d) qualifications and independence
of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm; (e) the performance of the
Companys internal audit function and its independent registered public accounting firm, and (f)
the annual independent audit of the Companys financial statements. The Audit Committees specific
responsibilities include: (i) selecting, evaluating and, where appropriate, replacing the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm for each fiscal year and approving the
audit engagement, including fees and terms, and all other audit or non-audit engagements of the
independent registered public accounting firm; (ii) reviewing the independence, qualifications and
performance of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm; (iii) reviewing and
approving in advance both audit and permitted non-audit services; (iv) setting hiring policies for
employees or former employees of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm; (v)
monitoring the partner rotation of the independent registered public accounting firm; (vi)
reviewing the Companys accounting procedures and policies, including staffing,
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professional services to be provided, audit procedures to be used, and fees to be charged by
the Companys independent registered public accounting firm; (vii) reviewing the activities of the
internal auditors and the Companys independent registered public accounting firm; (viii) preparing
an annual report for inclusion in the Companys proxy statement; (ix) establishing procedures for
the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting,
internal accounting controls or auditing matters; and (x) other matters required by the Financial
Accounting Standards Board, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board, the SEC, NYSE, and other similar bodies or agencies which could
have an effect on the Companys financial statements. Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee
has the authority to engage and terminate such counsel and other consultants as it deems
appropriate to carry out its functions, including the sole authority to approve the fees and other
terms of such consultants retention.
The Audit Committee met seven times during Fiscal 2007. The Audit Committees report relating
to Fiscal 2007 begins on page 43.
Compensation Committee
The Board has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee qualifies as an
independent director under the applicable NYSE Rules. All members other than Mr. Karmanos also
qualify as outside directors for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the Internal Revenue Code), and as non-employee directors for purposes of Rule
16b-3 under the Exchange Act. Mr. Karmanos abstains from voting on matters where his status as an
outside director or a non-employee director is relevant.
The Compensation Committee will periodically review and reassess the adequacy of its charter
and recommend changes to the full Board, as necessary, to reflect changes in regulatory
requirements, authoritative guidance and evolving practices. The Compensation Committee evaluates
its performance at least annually.
The Compensation Committees charter sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the
Compensation Committee, which include: (a) discharging the Boards responsibilities relating to
compensation of the Companys executive management; (b) preparing, producing, reviewing and/or
discussing with management, as appropriate, such reports and other information required by
applicable law, regulations, or other standards with respect to executive and director compensation
including those required for inclusion in the Companys proxy statement; (c) reviewing and advising
the Board with respect to Board compensation; (d) administering the Companys stock option and
long-term incentive programs and other plans and programs which the Board designates; (e) carrying
out such other roles and responsibilities as the Board may designate; and (f) carrying out such
other responsibilities delegated to it by the Board. Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation
Committee has the authority to retain compensation consultants, legal counsel, and other
consultants, as it deems appropriate to carry out its functions, and to approve the fees and other
retention terms for any such consultants.
The Compensation Committee met three times during Fiscal 2007. The compensation discussion
and analysis regarding executive compensation for Fiscal 2007 begins on page 18 and the
Compensation Committee Report for Fiscal 2007 is on page 27.
Nominating and Governance Committee
The Board has determined that each member of the Nominating and Governance Committee qualifies
as an independent director under the applicable NYSE Rules. The Nominating and Governance
Committee will periodically review and assess the adequacy of its charter and recommend any
proposed changes to the full Board, as necessary, to reflect changes in regulatory requirements,
authoritative guidance and evolving practices. The Nominating and Governance Committee evaluates
its performance at least annually.
The purposes of the Nominating and Governance Committee are to: (a) ensure that the Board is
comprised of members with the appropriate skills, qualities and experience; (b) identify and
recommend individuals to be nominated for election as directors by the shareholders and to fill
vacancies on the Board; (c) develop and recommend to the Board corporate governance principles of
the Company; and (d) carry out the duties and responsibilities outlined in its charter. Under the
terms of its charter, the Nominating and Governance Committee is to: (i) develop principles of
corporate governance and recommend them to the Board for its approval;
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(ii) periodically review the principles of corporate governance approved by the Board to
insure that they remain relevant and are being complied with; (iii) recommend to the Board for its
approval the Corporate Governance Guidelines of the Board; (iv) periodically review the Articles
of Incorporation and Code of Regulations of the Company and recommend changes to the Board in
respect of good corporate governance; (v) review the procedures and communication plans for
shareholder meetings and ensure that required information on the Company is adequately presented;
(vi) review the composition and size of the Board in order to ensure that the Board has the proper
expertise and its membership consists of persons with sufficiently diverse backgrounds; (vii)
recommend criteria for the selection of Board members and Board committee members; (viii) review
and recommend Board policies on age and term limits for Board members; (ix) plan for continuity on
the Board as existing Board members retire or rotate off the Board; (x) with the participation of
the Chairman of the Board, identify and recruit candidates for Board membership and arrange for
appropriate interviews and inquiries into the qualifications of the candidates; (xi) with the
Compensation Committee, provide for an annual review of succession plans for the Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer in the case of his resignation, retirement or death; (xii)
evaluate the performance of current Board members proposed for re-election, and recommend to the
Board as to whether or not members of the Board should stand for re-election; (xiii) review and
recommend to the Board an appropriate course of action upon the resignation of a current Board
member or upon other vacancies on the Board; (xiv) lead an annual evaluation of the Board as a
whole; (xv) conduct an annual evaluation of the Committee; (xvi) provide oversight with respect to
the evaluation of the Board committees and of management; (xvii) with the Chairman of the Board,
periodically review the charter and composition of each Board committee and make recommendations to
the Board for the creation of additional Board committees or the change in mandate or dissolution
of Board committees; (xviii) with the Chairman of the Board, recommend to the Board individuals to
be chairs and members of Board committees; and (xix) ensure that each Board committee is comprised
of members with the appropriate qualities, skills and experience for the tasks of the committee and
that each committee conducts the required number of meetings and makes appropriate reports to the
Board on its activities and findings. To the extent not otherwise delegated to the Audit
Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee is also to: (a) review the relationships between
the Company and a director, whether direct or as an officer or equity owner of an organization, for
conflicts of interest, and all members of the Board are required to report any such relationships
to the corporate general counsel; (b) clear actual and potential conflicts of interest a Board
member may have and issue to the Board member having an actual or potential conflict of interest
instructions on how to conduct himself/herself in matters before the Board which may pertain to
such an actual or potential conflict of interest; and (c) make appropriate recommendations to the
Board concerning determinations necessary to find a director to be an independent director.
The Nominating and Governance Committee met one time during Fiscal 2007.
Required Vote and Board of Directors Recommendation
Under Ohio law and the Companys Code of Regulations, the three nominees for election to the
Board receiving the greatest number of votes FOR election will be elected as directors of the
Company.
Common Shares represented by properly-executed and returned proxy cards or
properly-authenticated electronic voting instructions recorded through the Internet or by telephone
will be voted FOR the election of the Boards nominees, unless authority to vote for one or more of
the nominees is withheld. Common Shares as to which the authority to vote is withheld will not be
counted toward the election of directors or the election of the individual nominees specified on
the form of proxy. Proxies may not be voted for more than three nominees.
The Companys Board Recommends That Shareholders Vote For the Election of All of the Nominees
of The Board Named Above.
TRANSACTIONS WITH CERTAIN RELATED PERSONS
The Companys policy with respect to related person transactions is generally set forth in the
Companys written Code of Conduct under the heading Conflicts of Interest. Such conflicts of
interest can arise when the employees or directors personal or family relationships, his or her
financial affairs, or outside business involvement may adversely influence the judgment or loyalty
required in performance of his or her duties to the Company. In cases where there is an actual or
an appearance of a conflict of interest, the individual involved is to notify his or her supervisor
or the Companys Ethics Officer. Management and the Ethics Officer are consulted as
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appropriate. The Code of Conduct also provides that any action or transaction in which the
personal interest of an executive officer or a director may be in conflict with those of the
Company is to be reported to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee can then determine in
advance whether such action or transaction would constitute a conflict of interest in violation of
the Code of Conduct.
On an annual basis, both the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee
review related person transactions in which executive officers and directors have an interest.
These committees consider and discuss these transactions, which are then disclosed to and reviewed
with the entire Board. In reviewing these transactions, the committees and the Board consider
whether the transactions have been appropriately disclosed, are fair and reasonable to the Company,
are consistent with similar transactions available from third-parties, and whether or not they
could have a material impact on such individuals exercise of his or her independent judgment on
behalf of the Company.
The Company is a party to certain agreements relating to the rental of aircraft to and from
JMAC and McAir, Inc. (McAir), a corporation wholly-owned by John H. McConnell. Through September
2006 (the first four months of Fiscal 2007), the Company leased from JMAC, on a net basis, an
aircraft for a rental fee of $74,725 per month. Under the agreements with JMAC and McAir, the
Company is allowed to lease aircraft owned by JMAC and McAir as needed for a rental fee per flight;
and under the agreements with the Company, JMAC and McAir are allowed to lease aircraft operated by
the Company, on a per-flight basis, when the Company is not using the aircraft. The Company also
makes its pilots available to McAir and JMAC for a per-day charge. The rental fees paid to and by
the Company under the per-flight rental agreements are set based on Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) regulations. The Company believes the rental fees set per such FAA regulations for Fiscal
2007 exceeded the direct operating costs of the aircraft for such flights. Also, based on quotes
for similar services provided by unrelated third parties, the Company believes that the rental
rates paid to McAir and JMAC are no less favorable to the Company than those that could be obtained
from unrelated third parties.
For Fiscal 2007, (a) the Company paid an aggregate amount of $355,264 under the JMAC lease
agreements and $99,930 under the McAir lease agreement; and (b) the Company received an aggregate
amount of $92,848 from JMAC for aircraft rental and pilot charges, and $313,635 from McAir for
aircraft rental and pilot charges.
During Fiscal 2007, the Company, either directly or through business expense reimbursement,
paid approximately $140,000 to Double Eagle Club, a private golf club owned by the McConnell Family
(the Club). The Company uses the Clubs facilities for Company functions and meetings, and for
meetings, entertainment and overnight lodging for customers, suppliers and other business
associates. Amounts charged by the Club to the Company are no less favorable to the Company than
those that are charged to unrelated members of the Club.
During Fiscal 2007, the Company paid Compuware, a software development company of which Mr.
Karmanos is Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and a 6.2% shareholder, approximately
$1,900,000, primarily for Compuwares services as the Companys project coordinator in connection
with the Companys Oracle ERP system project. Compuware was selected for this position from a
number of competing service providers which had responded to the Companys request for proposal and
were interviewed by the Company. Compuwares selection was based on a number of factors including
price, experience and capabilities. In this position, Compuware supplies resources and tools for
project coordination, organization and testing, and, in general, assists the Company in ensuring
that the Oracle ERP system is installed, tested, operated and integrated with the Companys
information technology system in a proper manner. Compuware also provides general information
technology consulting services, as requested by the Company. The payment to Compuware for Fiscal
2007 amounted to approximately 0.15% of Compuwares consolidated revenues for its most recent
fiscal year, and approximately 0.06% of the Companys consolidated net revenues for Fiscal 2007.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Role of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee reviews and administers the compensation for the Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) and other members of executive management, including the named executive officers
identified in the Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2007 appearing on page 28 of this Proxy
Statement. The Compensation Committee also oversees the Companys Long-Term Incentive Plan, Stock
Option Plans, and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans.
The Compensation Committee is comprised of four directors who qualify as independent under
the applicable NYSE Rules. Messrs. Blystone, Endres and Kasich also qualify as outside directors
for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and non-employee directors for purposes
of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. Since Mr. Karmanos may not qualify as an outside director
for purposes of Section 162(m) or a non-employee director for purposes of Rule 16b-3, he abstains
from voting on Section 162(m) and Rule 16b-3-related matters.
The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board, a full copy
of which is posted on the Companys web site at www.worthingtonindustries.com. Among its other
duties, the Compensation Committee is responsible for setting and administering the policies that
govern executive compensation. These include reviewing and approving the compensation philosophy
and guidelines for the Companys executive management; reviewing and approving corporate goals and
objectives relevant to CEO and executive management compensation; evaluating the CEOs performance
in light of the corporate goals and objectives; setting the CEOs compensation level; setting or
making recommendations with respect to the compensation of the Companys other executive officers,
as appropriate; and producing, reviewing and/or discussing with management, as appropriate, such
reports and other information required by applicable law, regulations or other standards with
respect to executive and director compensation.
The Compensation Committee has periodically retained compensation consultants to assist the
Committee in fulfilling its responsibilities and in Fiscal 2007, retained Towers Perrin for this
purpose. The Committee has authority to retain and terminate such compensation consultants, legal
counsel and other consultants, as it deems appropriate to fulfill its responsibilities, including
sole authority to approve the fees and other terms of such consultants retention.
The agendas for the Compensation Committees meetings are determined by the Committees Chair
with assistance from the CEO, the Vice-President of Human Resources and the Corporate Secretary.
These individuals, with input from the compensation consultant, make compensation recommendations
for the top executive officers. After each regularly scheduled meeting, the Compensation Committee
may meet in executive session. In this session, the Compensation Committee will generally have
sessions with the CEO only, with the compensation consultant only, and conclude with a members-only
session. The Compensation Committee Chair reports on Committee actions to the full Board at the
following Board meeting.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
In order to further emphasize the stake directors and officers have in fulfilling the goal of
building and increasing shareholder value, and to deepen the resolve of executive leadership to
fulfill that goal, in August 2004, the Company established stock ownership guidelines for directors
and senior executives. Target ownership levels are structured as a multiple of annual cash
compensation (base salary plus bonus) or retainer, with directors and the CEO set at five times,
the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Operating Officer set at two times, business unit
presidents set at one-and-a-half times, and other executives set at one time, total annual cash
compensation. For purposes of these guidelines, stock ownership includes Common Shares held
directly or indirectly, Common Shares held in an officers 401(k) plan account and theoretical
Common Shares credited to the bookkeeping account of an officer or a director in one of the
Companys non-qualified deferred compensation plans. The officer or director is expected to attain
the targeted level within five years of the adoption of the policy or, the date he or she is
promoted to the position, whichever is later.
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Company Compensation Philosophy
A basic philosophy of the Company has long been that employees should have a meaningful
portion of their total compensation tied to performance. Therefore, the Company uses incentives,
profit sharing or otherwise, whenever possible. In furtherance of this philosophy, most full-time,
non-union employees of the Company participate in some form of incentive compensation program.
These programs include cash profit sharing, which is computed as a fixed percentage of profits, and
bonus programs under which bonuses are paid quarterly based on operating results and individual
performance.
Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The Companys objectives with respect to executive compensation are to attract and retain
highly qualified executives, to align the interest of management with the interest of shareholders,
and to provide incentives, based primarily on Company performance, for reaching established Company
goals and objectives. To achieve these objectives, the Compensation Committee has determined the
total compensation for executives will be comprised of three characteristics:
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It will be competitive in the aggregate using broad-based business comparators to
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It will be performance-oriented and highly leveraged, with a substantial portion of
the total compensation tied to performance, primarily that of the Company; and |
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It will promote long-term careers at the Company. |
The Companys practice is that executive compensation be highly leveraged. Base salaries are
deliberately set at levels below market-competitive levels. When the Company performs well,
bonuses tied to Company performance are intended to put Company executives above the market median
range of total annual cash compensation paid to officers of comparable companies. During periods
of weaker Company performance, bonuses decline so that total annual cash compensation falls below
the market median range of the total annual cash compensation.
The compensation program emphasizes performance-based compensation (pay-at-risk) that promotes
the achievement of short-term and long-term Company objectives. The Company believes it is
appropriate to provide a balance between incentives for current short-term performance and
incentives to ensure long-term profitability of the Company. The Companys executive compensation
program, therefore, includes both forms of incentive compensation. The Company also believes it
appropriate for long-term incentives to have a cash compensation component and an equity-based
compensation component, which incents executives to drive Company performance and aligns their
interest with those of the Companys shareholders. Individual components of executive pay are
discussed below.
In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Committee annually reviews certain market compensation
information with the assistance of a compensation consultant, Towers Perrin, who is directly
engaged by the Committee to prepare the information. This information includes information
regarding compensation paid to officers with similar responsibilities by a broad-based group of
more than 120 manufacturing companies with revenues between $1 billion and $10 billion (comparator
group). For comparison purposes, due to variance in size of the companies in the comparator group,
regression analysis, which is an objective analytical tool used to determine the relationship
between data, is used to adjust data. Using this broad-based comparator group minimizes the
effects of changes to the group due to changes in data base participation or mergers/acquisitions,
lessens the impact a single entity can have on the overall data, provides more consistent results,
and better reflects the market in which the Company competes for executive talent.
This review process includes meeting directly with the independent compensation consultant
retained by the Compensation Committee to review and evaluate comparator group information with
respect to base salaries, bonuses, and long-term incentive programs. The Company and the
Compensation Committee are committed to reviewing compensation for market competitiveness, and to
employing incentive compensation vehicles and practices that continue to drive Company performance
and are aligned with shareholder interests. The
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Compensation Committee reviews the information provided by the compensation consultant as an
important factor in determining the appropriate levels and mix of incentive compensation.
The Compensation Committee has begun using tally sheets as a tool to assist in its review of
executive compensation. These tally sheets contain the components of the CEOs and other NEOs
current and historical total compensation, including base salary, bonuses and long-term incentives.
These sheets also show the estimated compensation that would be received by the CEO and other NEOs
under various scenarios, including a change in control of the Company.
While prior compensation or amounts realized or realizable from prior awards are given some
consideration, the Compensation Committee has concluded that the current and future performance
should be the most significant factors in setting the current compensation for the Companys
executive officers.
Annually, the CEOs performance is evaluated by the Compensation Committee and/or the Board.
The criteria considered include: overall Company performance; overall leadership; the CEOs
performance in light of, and his development and stewardship of, the Companys philosophy and its
current and long-term strategic plans, goals and objectives; development of an effective senior
management team; appropriate positioning of the Company for future success; and effective
communications with the Board and stakeholders.
Compensation Components
Base Salaries
Base salaries for the NEOs and other executive officers are set to reflect the duties and
responsibilities inherent to each position, individual level of experience, performance, market
compensation information, internal equity among positions in the Company, and the Compensation
Committees judgment. The Compensation Committee annually reviews information regarding
compensation paid by the comparator group to officers with similar responsibilities. It is the
Compensation Committees intent, in general, to set base salaries well below market median levels
and have total annual cash compensation be driven by bonuses.
As reported in the Companys definitive Proxy Statement for the 2006 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, in May 2006, the Compensation Committee approved base salary increases effective June
1, 2006, for NEOs John P. McConnell, John S. Christie, George P. Stoe and Harry A. Goussetis, based
upon changes in the external market, the relative relationship between the base salaries of the
NEOs to the market data, and the promotions received by Mr. Stoe and Mr. Goussetis. Such increases
are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2007 on page 28 of this Proxy
Statement which sets forth the base compensation (salary) of the NEOs for Fiscal 2007.
Incentive Compensation Bonuses
The NEOs and certain other key employees of the Company participate in the Companys executive
bonus program (the Bonus Plan) in which discretionary quarterly bonuses are paid to participants
based largely on corporate, business unit, or operating unit results, and individual performance.
Although operating results is the largest variable in determining the amount of the bonus, an
individuals bonus may be adjusted up or down based on the individuals performance as determined
by the individuals manager, the CEO or the Compensation Committee, as applicable. Quarterly
bonuses may also be paid pursuant to performance awards under the 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan
(the 1997 LTIP) based upon achieving earnings per share results for the quarter, or other metrics
as set by the Compensation Committee. As noted above, bonuses are targeted and paid so that if the
Company performs well, annual total cash compensation to the executive would be above market
median, and if the Company does not perform well, annual total compensation to the executive would
be below market median.
Bonuses are paid quarterly and generally targeted to account for in excess of 50% of a
participants total annual cash compensation (base salary plus bonus). Bonuses are determined and
paid within a reasonable time after quarterly results become known.
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Long-Term Incentives
The Compensation Committee has implemented a long-term incentive program for the NEOs and
other executive officers, which anticipates consideration of: (a) annual option grants; (b)
long-term performance share awards based on achieving measurable financial results over a
multiple-year period; and (c) long-term cash performance awards based on achieving measurable
financial results over a multiple-year period. Performance share awards and cash performance
awards are made under the Companys 1997 LTIP. Options are generally granted under one of the
Companys stock option plans. All of these plans have been approved by the Companys shareholders.
Total long-term incentive payout targets are set based upon market median values for the
competitive market, the incumbents time in the position, internal equity, performance and such
other factors as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate. In the fiscal year ended May 31,
2006, performance share awards were added and the size of the option grants were reduced as the
Compensation Committee determined that performance shares would be less dilutive to shareholders
than options and would link more of the long-term incentive to Company financial performance.
The Compensation Committee believes that using a blend of options, performance share awards
and cash performance awards represents a particularly appropriate and balanced method of motivating
and rewarding senior executives. Options align the interest of employee option holders with those
of shareholders by providing value tied to the stock price appreciation. Cash performance awards
motivate long-term results because the value is tied to sustained financial achievement over a
multiple-year period. Performance share awards blend both of these features because the number of
performance shares received is tied to sustained financial achievement over a multiple year period,
and the value of those performance shares is tied to the price of the Companys Common Shares. The
Compensation Committee believes the combination of the three forms of incentives is superior to a
reliance upon only one form.
For a number of years, it had been the practice of the Compensation Committee to approve the
long-term incentive grants at its annual meeting in May. Option grants were made effective as of
the first business day of June following this meeting with a price equal to the closing price of
the Companys Common Shares on that date. Since the Company has changed the timing of its annual
Compensation Committee and Board meeting dates from May to June, the Compensation Committee has
determined to grant options effective as of the first business day in July following the meeting.
Long-term performance share awards and long-term cash performance awards have been, and will
continue to be, based on performance over a three-fiscal-year period beginning with the first day
of the first fiscal year in that period. An explanation of the calculation of the compensation
expense relative to the options is set forth under the heading Long-Term Incentive Accounting
below.
Neither the Company nor the Compensation Committee has backdated stock option grants to obtain
lower exercise prices.
Options
Options are generally awarded annually to the NEOs and a select group of executives. It has
been the practice of the Company to award options to a broader group of key employees every three
years and options may also be granted to selected new key employees when their employment begins.
In practice, the number of Common Shares covered by an option award generally depends upon the
employees position and external market data. Options provide our employees with the opportunity
to participate in increases in shareholder value as a result of stock price appreciation, and
further the Companys objective of aligning the interest of management with the interest of
shareholders.
All options granted since 1984 have been non-qualified options, which generally vest at a rate
of 20% per year with full vesting at the end of five years. In the event an optionees employment
terminates as a result of retirement, death or total disability, any unexercised options
outstanding and exercisable on that date will remain exercisable by the optionee, or, in the event
of death, by his beneficiary, until the earlier of either the fixed expiration date, as stated in
the option award agreement, or, depending on the option, either 12 or 36 months after the last day
of employment due to retirement, death or disability. Should termination occur for any other
reason than retirement, death or disability, all unexercised options will be forfeited. In the
event of a change in control of
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the Company (as defined in the option plans), all options then outstanding will become fully
vested and exercisable as of the date of the change in control. The Compensation Committee may
allow an optionee to elect, during the 60-day period following a change in control, to surrender an
option or a portion thereof in exchange for a cash payment equal to the excess of the change in
control price per share over the exercise price per share.
Effective June 1, 2006, the Company made annual awards of options to purchase an aggregate of
656,000 Common Shares, with an exercise price equal to $18.17, the fair market value of the Common
Shares on the grant date, to 39 employees. Of those options granted, 285,000 Common Shares were
covered by options awarded to the NEOs. The option grants to the NEOs in Fiscal 2007 are detailed
in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2007 table on page 30. For purposes of the Grants
of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2007 table, options are valued at fair value calculated in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based
Payment (SFAS 123R). The compensation expense associated with all outstanding NEO options and
recognized in Fiscal 2007 is reported within the amount shown in the Options Awards column of the
Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2007 on page 28 of this Proxy Statement.
Effective February 12, 2007, Mark A. Russell became the President of The Worthington Steel
Company, the Companys Steel Processing business unit. On that date, he was granted options to
purchase 100,000 Common Shares with an exercise price equal to $18.41, the fair market value of the
Common Shares on the grant date.
Performance Awards General
Beginning in fiscal 1998, the Company has awarded a selected group of key executives,
including the NEOs, cash performance awards based upon results over a prospective three-year
performance period. For the three-year performance period beginning June 1, 2006, the Company
reduced the size of the targeted option awards to executives and added long-term incentive
performance share awards.
Payouts of the cash performance awards and the performance share awards are tied to achieving
specified levels (threshold, target and maximum) of cumulative corporate economic value added and
earnings per share growth over the performance period, with each performance measure carrying a 50%
weighting. For business unit executives, cumulative corporate economic value added and earnings
per share growth measures together carry a 50% weighting, and business unit operating income
targets are weighted 50%. If the performance level falls between threshold and target or between
target and maximum, the award is prorated. Payouts would generally be made in the quarter
following the end of the applicable performance period. Calculation of the Company results and
attainment of performance measures will be made solely by the Compensation Committee based upon the
Companys financial statements. The Compensation Committee has the right to make changes and
adjustments in calculating the performance measures to take into account unusual or non-recurring
events, including, without limitation, changes in tax and accounting rules and regulations;
extraordinary gains and losses; mergers and acquisitions; and purchases or sales of substantial
assets; provided that, if Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code would be applicable to the
payout of the award, any such change or adjustment must be permissible under Section 162(m). These
performance measurements are chosen because it is believed that: (i) the earnings per share growth
metric strongly correlates with our growth and equity value; (ii) operating profit at a business
unit ties directly into Company earnings per share growth; and (iii) the cumulative corporate
economic value added target, which is driven by net operating profit in excess of the cost of
capital employed, keeps management focused on getting the most out of existing assets and pursuing
only those growth opportunities which provide returns in excess of the cost of capital.
The Company has used these, or similar performance measures, since cash performance awards
were first granted for the performance period ending May 31, 1998. The Companys executives have
attained some portion of a cash performance award in four out of the ten three-year performance
periods which have ended on or prior to May 31, 2007.
Based on the Companys performance for Fiscal 2007 and through the date of this Proxy
Statement, it appears that it will be difficult for the NEOs to attain the performance measures set
for the periods ending May 31, 2008 and May 31, 2009, except for that portion of an award to
certain NEOs relative to operating income performance at the Companys Pressure Cylinders business
unit.
- 22 -
Performance Share Awards
The Compensation Committee granted performance share awards for the first time beginning with
the three-fiscal-year period beginning June 1, 2006. The performance share program provides grants
of performance share awards to selected key executives, which are earned only if the specified
performance objectives discussed above under Performance Awards General are met over a
three-year period. Performance share awards are intended to reward executives for both achieving
pre-established financial goals over a three-year period and at the same time rewarding them for an
increase in share price, since the value of the Common Shares earned will depend upon the share
price at the end of the three-year performance period. The awards also facilitate stock ownership
among the executives by delivering full-value Common Shares (if the financial targets are met) and
are less dilutive to shareholders than options.
The performance measures for the performance share awards are discussed in the prior section,
Performance Awards General. All performance share awards are paid in Company Common Shares. No
Common Shares are awarded if none of the three-year financial threshold measures are met. Common
Shares, if any, which are earned are issued to participants after the Companys financial results
for the three-year period are finalized and it is determined which performance levels have been
attained. In general, termination of employment terminates awards, but on termination for reasons
of death, disability or retirement, a pro rata payout will be made for performance periods ending
24 months or less after termination of employment based on the number of months of employment
completed by the participant during the performance period before the effective date of
termination. No payout will be made for performance periods ending more than 24 months after
termination of employment. Unless the Board specifically provides otherwise, in the event of a
change in control of the Company, all performance share awards would be considered to be earned at
maximum, payable in full, and immediately settled or distributed.
Performance share awards granted for the performance period from June 1, 2006 through May 31,
2009 can be found in the table headed Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2007 on page 30 of
this Proxy Statement. For purposes of the Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2007 table, the
performance share award is valued at fair value calculated in accordance with SFAS 123R and the
compensation expense associated with the performance share awards and recognized during Fiscal 2007
is reported in the Stock Awards column of the Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2007 on
page 28 of this Proxy Statement. An explanation of the calculation of the compensation expense
relative to those awards is set forth under the heading Long-Term Incentive Accounting below. If
the performance criteria are met, the performance shares earned would generally be issued in the
quarter following the end of the performance period.
Cash Performance Awards
Cash performance awards are intended to reward executives for achieving pre-established
financial goals over a three-fiscal-year period. The cash performance awards are granted to
selected key executives and are earned only if the specified performance objectives, as discussed
above, are met over the three-year performance period. Cash performance awards may be paid in
cash, Common Shares of the Company, other property, or any combination thereof, at the sole
discretion of the Compensation Committee at the time of payment. If the performance criteria are
met, payouts would generally be made in the quarter following the end of the performance period.
The performance measures for cash performance awards are discussed above under Performance
Awards General. Nothing is paid under the cash performance awards if none of the three-year
financial threshold measures are met. In general, termination of employment terminates awards, but
on termination for reasons of death, disability or retirement, a pro rata payout will be made for
performance periods ending 24 months or less after termination of employment based on the number of
months of employment completed by the participant during the performance period before the
effective date of termination. No payout will be made for performance periods ending more than 24
months after termination of employment. Unless the Board specifically provides otherwise, in the
event of a change in control of the Company, all cash performance awards would be considered to be
earned at maximum, payable in full, and immediately settled or distributed.
- 23 -
Cash performance awards granted for the three-year performance period ending May 31, 2009 can
be found in the table headed Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2007 on page 30 of this Proxy
Statement.
Cash performance awards earned for the three-year performance period ended May 31, 2007 by the
NEOs can be found in the Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2007 on page 28 of this Proxy
Statement in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column. As noted in footnote (5) to the
Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2007, these payments reflect cash performance awards earned
for the three-year period as a result of the Companys achievement of the specified maximum level
for corporate economic value added and, for Mr. Goussetis and Mr. Stoe, for the specified maximum
level of operating income from the Companys Pressure Cylinders business unit, for the time each
was President of Worthington Cylinder Corporation (the Companys Pressure Cylinders business unit).
The earnings per share growth thresholds and the Steel Processing business unit and Metal Framing
business unit operating income thresholds were not met.
Performance Awards Change in Control Provisions
As noted above, in the event of a change in control, any unvested outstanding options will
vest and any outstanding cash performance awards and performance share awards will be considered
earned at the maximum and payable in full and immediately settled or distributed. The Compensation
Committee believes that these provisions are appropriate and well within market norms, particularly
because the Company has no other formal employment contracts or formal change in control provisions
relative to the NEOs or other executives.
Claw Back Policy
The Company does not have a specific claw back policy. If the Company is required to restate
its earnings as a result of non-compliance with a financial reporting requirement due to
misconduct, under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX), the CEO and the Chief
Financial Officer would have to reimburse the Company for any bonus or other incentive-based or
equity-based compensation received by them from the Company during the twelve-month period
following the first filing with the SEC of the financial document that embodied the financial
reporting requirement, and any profits realized from the sale of Company Common Shares during that
twelve-month period, to the extent required by SOX.
Long-Term Incentive Accounting
The accounting treatment for long-term incentive compensation is specified by SFAS 123R, which
the Company adopted effective June 1, 2006. Options are valued using the Black-Scholes pricing
model based upon grant date price per share underlying the option award, the expected life of the
option, risk-free interest rate, dividend yield, and expected volatility. In adopting SFAS 123R,
the Company selected the modified prospective transition method, which requires that compensation
expense be recorded prospectively over the remaining vested period of the options on a
straight-line basis using the fair value of options on the date of grant using the assumptions set
forth above. Further information concerning the valuation of options and the assumptions used in
that valuation is contained in Note A Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note F
Stock-Based Compensation of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the
Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2007 filed on July 30, 2007 (the 2007 Form 10-K).
Performance share awards payable in Common Shares are initially valued using the grant date
per share price and the target award and then a compensation expense is recorded prospectively
over the performance period on a straight-line basis. These amounts are then adjusted on a
quarterly basis based upon an estimate of the performance level anticipated to be achieved for the
performance period in light of actual and forecasted results.
Cash performance awards are initially valued at the target level and for compensation
expense are recorded prospectively over the performance period on a straight-line basis. These
amounts are then adjusted on a quarterly basis based on an estimate of the performance level
anticipated to be achieved for the performance period in light of actual and forecasted results.
- 24 -
Deferred Profit Sharing Plan
The NEOs, except Mr. Ponko, participate in the Worthington Industries, Inc. Deferred Profit
Sharing Plan (the DPSP), together with most other full-time, non-union employees of the Company.
The DPSP is a 401(k) plan and is the Companys primary retirement plan. Mr. Ponko participated in
the Dietrich Industries, Inc. Salaried Employees Profit Sharing Plan (the Dietrich 401(k)) which
is a 401(k) plan similar to the DPSP and includes most full-time, non-union employees of Dietrich
Industries, Inc. Annual contributions made by the Company to participant accounts under the DPSP
are generally based on profits and are allocated to employee accounts based on eligible
compensation (subject to certain limitations) and length of service, provided that Company
contributions must, at a minimum, equal 3% of the participants eligible compensation. Eligible
compensation is normal annual cash compensation (Annual Compensation) and includes base wages,
profit sharing and bonus payments, overtime and commissions, up to the maximum limit set by the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from year to year ($225,000 for calendar 2007). In addition, the
NEOs and other participants in the DPSP may elect to make voluntary contributions up to set IRS
limits. These voluntary contributions are matched by Company contributions of 50% of the first 4%
of eligible compensation contributed by the participant. Distributions under the DPSP are
generally deferred until retirement, death or total and permanent disability.
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
Our NEOs and other highly compensated employees are eligible to elect to participate in the
Worthington Industries, Inc. 2005 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the 2005 NQ Plan).
The 2005 NQ Plan is a voluntary, non-tax qualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan available
only to select highly compensated employees for the purpose of providing deferred compensation, and
thus potential tax benefits, to these employees.
Under the 2005 NQ Plan, executive officers of the Company may defer the payment of up to 50%
of their base salary and quarterly bonus. Amounts so deferred are credited to the participants
accounts under the 2005 NQ Plan at the time the base salary or bonus compensation would have
otherwise been paid. In addition, the Company may make discretionary employer contributions to the
participants accounts in the 2005 NQ Plan and in recent years, the Company has made Company
contributions in order to provide the same percentage of retirement-related deferred compensation
to executives compared to other employees that would have been made but for the IRS limits on
annual compensation that may be considered under the DPSP. For the 2007 calendar year, the Company
made contributions to the 2005 NQ Plan for participants equal to (i) a 3% of an executives Annual
Compensation in excess of the IRS maximum and (ii) matching contribution of 50% of the first 4% of
Annual Compensation contributed by the executive, to a Company retirement plan to the extent not
matched by the Company under the DPSP or in the case of Mr. Ponko, the Dietrich 401(k).
Participants in the 2005 NQ Plan may elect to have their accounts invested at a rate reflecting (a)
the increase or decrease in the fair market value per share of the Companys Common Shares with
dividends reinvested, (b) a fixed rate which is set annually by the Compensation Committee, or (c)
returns on any funds available for investment under the DPSP. Employee accounts are fully vested
under the 2005 NQ Plan. Payouts under the 2005 NQ Plan are made in cash, as of a specified date
selected by the participant or when the participant is no longer employed by the Company, either in
a lump sum or installment payments, all as chosen by the participant at the time the deferral is
elected. The Compensation Committee may permit hardship withdrawals from a participants accounts
under defined guidelines. In the event of a defined change in control, the participants accounts
under the 2005 NQ Plan will generally be paid out as of the date of the change in control.
Contributions or deferrals for the period before January 1, 2005, are maintained under the
Worthington Industries, Inc. Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, effective March 1, 2000 (the
2000 NQ Plan). Contributions and deferrals for periods on or after January 1, 2005, are
maintained under the 2005 NQ Plan, which was adopted to replace the 2000 NQ Plan in order to comply
with the provisions of the then newly-adopted Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code applicable
to non-qualified deferred compensation plans and effective beginning January 1, 2005. Among other
things, the provisions of Section 409A generally are more restrictive with respect to the timing of
deferred elections and the ability of participants to change the time and manner in which accounts
will be paid. The 2005 NQ Plan and the 2000 NQ Plan are collectively referred to as the Employee
Deferral Plans.
- 25 -
Perquisites
The Company makes club memberships available to NEOs and other executives because they can be
useful for business entertainment purposes. In 2007, the Company elected to no longer provide
executives with leased Company vehicles and generally eliminated leased Company vehicles for all
employees unless a substantial portion of their business time involved travel, as is the case with
outside sales people.
For security reasons, the CEO is encouraged to use Company airplanes for personal travel and
the CEO reimburses the Company in an amount that approximates the incremental costs to the Company
associated with those flights. Other NEOs who use the Company airplane for personal use are
charged an amount equal to the SIFL rate set forth in Treasury regulations, which is generally less
than the Companys incremental costs.
Other Company Benefits
The Company provides employees, including the NEOs, a variety of employee welfare benefits
including medical benefits, disability benefits, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment
insurance, and the DPSP or the Dietrich 401(k) noted above. These benefits are generally provided
to employees on a Company-wide basis.
Change in Control
The Companys stock option plans generally provide that upon a change in control of the
Company (as defined in the plans), all options then outstanding will become fully vested and
exercisable as of the date of the change in control. In addition, the Compensation Committee may
allow the optionee to elect, during the 60-day period following the change in control, to surrender
the options or a portion thereof in exchange for a cash payment equal to the excess of the change
in control price per share over the exercise price per share.
If a change in control had occurred on May 31, 2007, the value of the unvested options which
would have vested upon the change in control (based upon (a) the spread between (i) the closing
market price of the Companys Common Shares on May 31, 2007 ($21.11), minus (ii) the per share
exercise price of each such option, multiplied by (b) the number of Common Shares subject to the
unvested options for each of the NEOs) would have totaled:
|
|
|
|
|
John P. McConnell |
|
$ |
1,711,150 |
|
John S. Christie |
|
$ |
692,320 |
|
George P. Stoe |
|
$ |
402,940 |
|
Harry A. Goussetis |
|
$ |
271,200 |
|
Edmund L. Ponko, Jr. |
|
$ |
442,080 |
|
All cash performance awards and performance share awards provide that, upon a change in
control of the Company (as defined with respect to the awards), all such awards would be considered
earned and payable in full at the maximum amounts and would be immediately settled or distributed.
If a change in control had occurred on May 31, 2007, the value of the amounts of the cash
performance awards and the performance share awards (based on the May 31, 2007, closing market
price of $21.11) which would have been paid to each of the NEOs would have totaled:
|
|
|
|
|
John P. McConnell |
|
$ |
5,908,275 |
|
John S. Christie |
|
$ |
2,210,813 |
|
George P. Stoe |
|
$ |
2,008,729 |
|
Harry A. Goussetis |
|
$ |
1,124,362 |
|
Edmund L. Ponko, Jr. |
|
$ |
1,559,153 |
|
Under the Employee Deferral Plans, participants accounts will generally be paid out as of the
date of the change in control. See the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2007 table
on page 35 of this Proxy Statement for further information.
- 26 -
As noted above, the Compensation Committee believes that these change in control provisions
are appropriate and well within market norms, particularly because the Company has no other formal
employment contracts or formal change in control provisions relative to the NEOs or other
executives.
Tax Deductibility
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits deductions for compensation paid to a
publicly-held corporations five most highly compensated executive officers to $1,000,000 per year
per executive officer, excluding performance-based compensation meeting certain requirements.
Treasury regulations issued under Section 162(m) define the provisions which compensatory plans
must contain to qualify for the performance-based exemption under Section 162(m). The Companys
stock option plans qualify for the exemption. The Compensation Committee intends to tailor the
incentive programs under the 1997 LTIP to also qualify them for the exemption. Although bonuses
are driven by financial and individual performance, awards under the Bonus Plan, which has been in
effect since 1966, do not meet the technical requirements for the performance-based exemption
under Section 162(m). In Fiscal 2007, John P. McConnell was granted certain quarterly bonus awards
under the 1997 LTIP which were tied to the Companys earnings per share performance for the quarter
and which the Compensation Committee believes qualify for the performance-based exemption under
Section 162(m). The Compensation Committee intends to continue to examine the best method to pay
quarterly bonuses to Mr. McConnell and other executive officers, which will include consideration
of the application of Section 162(m). In all cases, whether or not some portion of a covered
executive officers compensation is tax deductible, the Compensation Committee will continue to
carefully consider the net cost and value to the Company of its compensation policies.
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
(CD&A) contained in this Proxy Statement with management.
Based upon the review and discussion referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Compensation
Committee recommended to the full Board, and the Board approved, that the CD&A be included in this
Proxy Statement and incorporated by reference into the 2007 Form 10-K.
The foregoing report is provided by the Compensation Committee of the Companys Board.
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Compensation Committee
John B. Blystone, Chair
Michael J. Endres
Peter Karmanos, Jr.
John R. Kasich
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|
- 27 -
Summary Compensation Table
The following table lists the Fiscal 2007 annual compensation of the Companys Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the three other most highly compensated executive officers
(the NEOs) for Fiscal 2007.
Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2007
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Change in |
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Pension Value and |
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|
|
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Nonqualified |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Non-Equity |
|
Deferred |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
Option |
|
Incentive Plan |
|
Compensation |
|
Compen- |
|
|
Name and Principal |
|
Fiscal |
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
Awards |
|
Awards |
|
Compensation |
|
Earnings |
|
sation |
|
|
Position |
|
Year |
|
($)(1) |
|
($)(1)(2) |
|
($) (3) |
|
($) (4) |
|
($) (5) |
|
($) (6) |
|
($) (7) |
|
Total ($) |
|
John P. McConnell,
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive
Officer |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
550,000 |
|
|
|
510,190 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
593,570 |
|
|
|
750,000 |
|
|
|
2,149 |
|
|
|
61,167 |
|
|
|
2,467,076 |
|
John S. Christie,
President and Chief
Financial Officer |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
|
483,487 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
242,440 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
12,040 |
|
|
|
86,580 |
|
|
|
1,474,547 |
|
George P. Stoe,
Executive Vice
President and Chief
Operating Officer;
Interim President,
Dietrich Industries,
Inc. |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
340,000 |
|
|
|
523,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
136,620 |
|
|
|
328,657 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
91,244 |
|
|
|
1,419,521 |
|
Harry A. Goussetis,
President, Worthington
Cylinder Corporation |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
165,000 |
|
|
|
425,000 |
|
|
|
18,878 |
|
|
|
96,960 |
|
|
|
151,550 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
50,504 |
|
|
|
907,892 |
|
Edmund L. Ponko, Jr.
Former President,
Dietrich Industries,
Inc. (8) |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
220,000 |
|
|
|
321,750 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
154,280 |
|
|
|
93,750 |
|
|
|
1,619 |
|
|
|
64,366 |
|
|
|
855,765 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The amounts shown in these columns include that portion of salary or bonus the NEOs
may have deferred to the DPSP or the Dietrich 401(k) or to the 2005 NQ Plan. Amounts deferred to
the 2005 NQ Plan are also included in the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2007
table on page 35 of this Proxy Statement. |
|
(2) |
|
The amounts shown in this column represent the aggregate amount of the quarterly bonuses
paid to the NEOs with respect to Fiscal 2007 under the Bonus Plan which is described under the
caption Compensation Discussion and Analysis Compensation Components Incentive Compensation
Bonuses beginning on page 20 of this Proxy Statement. This column also includes quarterly bonus
awards paid under a performance award program in the aggregate amount of $456,190, earned by Mr.
McConnell with respect to Fiscal 2007 based on earnings per share performance for each quarter. |
|
(3) |
|
The amounts shown in this column, if any, represent the dollar amount associated with the
named individuals performance share award for the three-year performance period ending May 31,
2009 that the Company recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to Fiscal
2007 in accordance with SFAS 123R. The amounts shown in this column exclude the impact of
estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions, as required by SEC Rules. The
amounts shown in this column reflect the Companys accounting expense for the fair value of these
performance shares and do not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the NEOs.
See Note F Stock-Based Compensation of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of the Companys 2007 Form 10-K for assumptions
used and additional information regarding the performance share awards. Based on the Companys
performance for Fiscal 2007 and through the date of this Proxy Statement, it appears that it will
be difficult for the NEOs to attain the performance measures set for the period ending May 31,
2009, except for that portion of an award to certain NEOs relative to operating income performance
at the Companys Pressure Cylinders business unit. The performance measures associated with the
performance share awards are described under the caption |
- 28 -
|
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|
|
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Compensation Components Performance Awards General beginning on page 22 of this Proxy
Statement. |
|
(4) |
|
The amounts shown in this column represent the dollar amount that the Company recognized
for financial statement reporting purposes in Fiscal 2007 for the fair value of options granted to
the NEOs in Fiscal 2007 and prior years (Fiscal 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006) in accordance with SFAS
123R. The amounts shown in this column exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to
service-based vesting conditions, as required by SEC Rules. The amounts shown in this column
reflect the Companys accounting expense for the fair value of option awards and do not correspond
to the actual value that will be recognized by the NEOs. See Note A Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies and Note F Stock-Based Compensation of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of the Companys 2007 Form
10-K for assumptions used and additional information regarding the options. The Grants of
Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2007 table on page 30 of this Proxy Statement provides information on
options granted in Fiscal 2007. |
|
(5) |
|
The amounts shown in this column reflect cash performance awards earned for the three-year
performance period ended May 31, 2007, as a result of the Companys achievement of the specified
maximum level of cumulative corporate economic value added for the three-year performance period
and for Mr. Stoe and Mr. Goussetis, for the time each was President of the Companys Pressure
Cylinders business unit, achievement of the specified maximum level of operating income from the
Pressure Cylinders business unit. |
|
(6) |
|
The fixed rate applicable to the Employee Deferral Plans for Fiscal 2007 exceeded 120% of
the corresponding applicable federal long-term rate (the Applicable Comparative Rate) by an
annual rate equal to 0.825%. The amounts shown in this column represent the amount by which
earnings on accounts of the named individual in the Employee Deferral Plans invested at the fixed
rate exceeded the Applicable Comparative Rate (generally the amount invested under the fixed rate
fund multiplied by 0.825%) per annum. |
|
(7) |
|
The following table describes each component of the All Other Compensation column for
Fiscal 2007: |
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Taxable Group Term |
|
|
|
|
401(k) Plan |
|
2005 NQ Plan |
|
Life Insurance |
|
Perquisites |
|
|
Contributions (a) |
|
Contributions (b) |
|
Premium (c) |
|
(d) |
|
John P. McConnell |
|
$ |
12,927 |
|
|
$ |
46,308 |
|
|
$ |
1,932 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
John S. Christie |
|
$ |
11,273 |
|
|
$ |
60,086 |
|
|
$ |
3,612 |
|
|
$ |
11,609 |
|
George P. Stoe |
|
$ |
11,068 |
|
|
$ |
59,237 |
|
|
$ |
5,544 |
|
|
$ |
15,395 |
|
Harry A. Goussetis |
|
$ |
11,696 |
|
|
$ |
23,504 |
|
|
$ |
1,626 |
|
|
$ |
13,678 |
|
Edmund L. Ponko, Jr. |
|
$ |
7,735 |
|
|
$ |
29,677 |
|
|
$ |
616 |
|
|
$ |
26,338 |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
The amounts in this column include Company contributions and matching Company
contributions made under the DPSP or the Dietrich 401(k), as appropriate, with respect
to Fiscal 2007 to the accounts of the NEOs. These plans are described under the
caption Compensation Discussion and Analysis Compensation Components Deferred
Profit Sharing Plan beginning on page 24 of this Proxy Statement. |
|
(b) |
|
The amounts in this column include Company contributions and matching Company
contributions made under the 2005 NQ Plan with respect to Fiscal 2007 to the accounts
of the NEOs. See the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2007 table on
page 35 of this Proxy Statement for more information concerning the contributions made
by the Company under the 2005 NQ Plan. |
|
(c) |
|
The amounts in this column represent the dollar value of the group term life
insurance premiums paid by the Company which is taxable to the NEOs. |
|
(d) |
|
Perquisites include dues and similar fees paid by the Company for club
memberships used by the NEOs for both business and personal use, and amounts related to
the personal use of leased |
- 29 -
|
|
|
|
|
company vehicles provided to the NEOs. During Fiscal 2007,
the Company decided to no longer provide NEOs with leased Company vehicles and
generally eliminated leased Company vehicles for all employees unless a substantial
portion of their business time involved travel, as is the case with outside sales
personnel. For Mr. Stoe, perquisites also included $4,888 for personal use of a
Company airplane which is the amount by which the incremental operating costs for
such use (which includes aircraft fuel, engine reserve, landing fees, crew expenses
and other out-of-pocket costs) exceeded the amount charged to Mr. Stoe. |
|
(8) |
|
On June 5, 2007, Mr. Ponko resigned as President of Dietrich Industries, Inc.
(Dietrich). In connection with Mr. Ponkos resignation, Dietrich and Mr. Ponko entered into an
agreement pursuant to which Mr. Ponko agreed not to compete with Dietrich for a period of 12 months
following the date of his resignation and provided Dietrich a general release of claims. Mr. Ponko
will receive: (a) salary continuation payments totaling $668,806 (subject to all applicable taxes)
payable on a semi-monthly basis through March 2008; and (b) a lump sum payment of $21,083 in
December 2007. These amounts to be received by Mr. Ponko are not shown in this table since the
agreement became effective after the end of Fiscal 2007. Until the earlier of (a) April 5, 2008 or
(b) such time as Mr. Ponko is eligible to receive health care coverage from a new employer,
Dietrich will waive the cost to Mr. Ponko (except currently applicable employee co-payments) for
Dietrich health care coverage under COBRA for Mr. Ponko and his eligible dependents. Dietrich also
agreed to pay the fee for approved outplacement services for a period of up to six months. |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table provides information about the equity and non-equity awards granted to the
NEOs in Fiscal 2007:
Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2007
|
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All Other |
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Option |
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|
|
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|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards: |
|
Exercise |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
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|
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|
|
|
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Number of |
|
or Base |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensa- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
Price of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
tion |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
Option |
|
Grant Date Fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Committee |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
Awards |
|
Value of Option |
|
|
Grant |
|
Approval |
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non- |
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
Options |
|
($/Sh) |
|
Awards |
Name |
|
Date |
|
Date |
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)(2) |
|
Incentive Plan Awards (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
(4) |
|
(4) |
|
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(# of |
|
(# of |
|
(# of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
|
Common |
|
Common |
|
Common |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
Shares) |
|
Shares) |
|
Shares) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John P. |
|
|
06/01/06 |
|
|
|
05/19/06 |
|
|
|
550,000 |
|
|
|
1,100,000 |
|
|
|
1,650,000 |
|
|
|
17,500 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
52,500 |
|
|
|
130,000 |
|
|
|
18.17 |
|
|
|
756,600 |
|
McConnell |
|
|
06/01/06 |
|
|
|
05/19/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/06 |
|
|
|
05/19/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John S. |
|
|
06/01/06 |
|
|
|
05/19/06 |
|
|
|
230,000 |
|
|
|
460,000 |
|
|
|
690,000 |
|
|
|
6,250 |
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
|
18,750 |
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
18.17 |
|
|
|
261,900 |
|
Christie |
|
|
06/01/06 |
|
|
|
05/19/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/06 |
|
|
|
05/19/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George P. |
|
|
06/01/06 |
|
|
|
05/19/06 |
|
|
|
230,000 |
|
|
|
460,000 |
|
|
|
690,000 |
|
|
|
6,250 |
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
|
18,750 |
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
18.17 |
|
|
|
261,900 |
|
Stoe (6) |
|
|
06/01/06 |
|
|
|
05/19/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/06 |
|
|
|
05/19/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harry A. |
|
|
06/01/06 |
|
|
|
05/19/06 |
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
375,000 |
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
18.17 |
|
|
|
174,600 |
|
Goussetis |
|
|
06/01/06 |
|
|
|
05/19/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6) |
|
|
06/01/06 |
|
|
|
05/19/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edmund L. |
|
|
06/01/06 |
|
|
|
05/19/06 |
|
|
|
167,500 |
|
|
|
335,000 |
|
|
|
502,500 |
|
|
|
4,250 |
|
|
|
8,500 |
|
|
|
12,750 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
18.17 |
|
|
|
203,700 |
|
Ponko, Jr. |
|
|
06/01/06 |
|
|
|
05/19/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7) |
|
|
06/01/06 |
|
|
|
05/19/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
These columns show the potential payouts under cash performance awards granted to the
NEOs under the 1997 LTIP for the three-year performance period from June 1, 2006 to May 31, 2009.
Payouts of cash performance awards are tied to achieving specified levels (threshold, target and
maximum) of cumulative corporate economic value added for the three-year period and earnings per
share growth over the performance period, with each performance measure carrying a 50% weighting.
For business unit executives, including Mr. Goussetis and Mr. Ponko, cumulative corporate economic
value added and earnings per share growth measures together carry a 50% weighting, and business
unit operating income targets are weighted 50%. No cash is paid if none of the three-year
financial measures are met. If the performance levels fall between threshold and target or between
target and maximum, the award is prorated. In the event of a defined change in control, the
participants outstanding cash performance awards under the 1997 LTIP will generally be paid out at
the maximum level as of the date of the |
- 30 -
|
|
|
|
|
change in control. In general, termination of employment
terminates cash performance awards, but on termination for reasons of death, disability or
retirement, a pro rata payout will be made for a performance period ending 24 months or less after
termination of employment based on the number of months of employment completed by the participant
during the performance period before the effective date of termination. For further information on
the
terms of the cash performance awards, see the discussion under the captions Compensation
Discussion and Analysis Compensation Components Performance Awards General and Cash
Performance Awards beginning on pages 22 and 23, respectively, of this Proxy Statement. |
|
(2) |
|
The amounts shown do not include quarterly bonus awards paid under a performance award
program to Mr. McConnell tied to earnings per share of the Company for the quarter. Mr. McConnell
earned and was paid $456,190 in connection with these quarterly bonus awards for Fiscal 2007. This
amount is included in the Bonus column in the Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2007 on
page 28 of this Proxy Statement. |
|
(3) |
|
These columns show the potential payouts under performance share awards granted to the
NEOs under the 1997 LTIP for the three-year performance period from June 1, 2006 to May 31, 2009.
Payouts of performance share awards are tied to achieving specified levels (threshold, target and
maximum) of cumulative corporate economic value added for the three-year period and earnings per
share growth over the performance period, with each performance measure carrying a 50% weighting.
For Mr. Goussetis and Mr. Ponko, business unit executives, cumulative corporate economic value
added and earnings per share growth measures together carry a 50% weighting, and business unit
operating income targets are weighted 50%. No Common Shares are awarded if none of the three-year
financial threshold measures are met. If the performance level falls between threshold and target
or between target and maximum, the award is prorated. In the event of a defined change in control,
the participants outstanding performance share awards under the 1997 LTIP will generally be paid
out at the maximum level as of the date of the change in control. In general, termination of
employment terminates performance share awards, but on termination for reasons of death, disability
or retirement, a pro rata payout will be made for a performance period ending 24 months or less
after termination of employment based on the number of months of employment completed by the
participant during the performance period before the effective date of termination. For further
information on the terms of the performance share awards, see the discussion under the captions
Compensation Discussion and Analysis Compensation Components Performance Awards General and
Performance Share Awards beginning on pages 22 and 23, respectively, of this Proxy Statement. |
|
(4) |
|
All reported options were granted as of June 1, 2006, under the Worthington Industries,
Inc. 2003 Stock Option Plan (the 2003 Stock Option Plan) with exercise prices equal to the fair
market value of the underlying Common Shares on the date of grant. The options become exercisable
in increments of 20% per year on each anniversary of their grant date. In the event an optionees
employment terminates as a result of retirement, death or total disability, any options outstanding
and exercisable on that date will remain exercisable by the NEO, or, in the event of death, by his
beneficiary, until the earlier of either the fixed expiration date, as stated in the option award
agreement, or 36 months after the last day of employment due to retirement, death or disability.
Should termination occur for any other reason than retirement, death or disability, all options
will be forfeited immediately. In the event of a defined change in control, unless the Board or
the Compensation Committee explicitly provides otherwise, all outstanding options will become fully
vested and exercisable as of the date of the change in control. The Compensation Committee may
allow an optionee to elect, during the 60-day period following a change in control, to surrender an
option or portion thereof in exchange for a cash payment equal to the excess of the change in
control price per share over the exercise price per share. For further information on the terms of
the options, see the discussion under the caption Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Compensation Components Options beginning on page 21 of this Proxy Statement. |
|
(5) |
|
This column shows the full grant date fair value computed in accordance with SFAS 123R of
the options granted to the NEOs in Fiscal 2007. Generally, the full grant date fair value is the
aggregate amount the Company would include as a compensation expense in its financial statements
over each awards five-year vesting schedule. The fair value of each option on the grant date was
$5.82. See Note A Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note F Stock-Based
Compensation of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Financial Statements
and Supplementary Data of the 2007 Form 10-K for the method (Black-Scholes) and assumptions used
in calculating the options fair value and additional information regarding the options. |
|
(6) |
|
As previously disclosed in the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 2, 2006
and filed with the SEC on that date, on September 26, 2006, the Compensation Committee approved
increases in the, |
- 31 -
|
|
|
|
|
threshold, target and maximum levels of the cash performance awards previously
granted to Mr. Stoe and Mr. Goussetis for the three-year performance periods ended May 31, 2007 and
May 31, 2008 to reflect (a) Mr. Stoes promotion to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Company in December 2005 and (b) Mr.
Goussetis promotion to President of Worthington Cylinder Corporation in December 2005, and in
each case the portion of the applicable performance period he would serve in that new capacity. |
|
(7) |
|
On June 5, 2007, Mr. Ponko resigned as President of Dietrich. Upon his resignation, Mr.
Ponkos performance share awards and cash performance awards shown in this table were forfeited and
the unvested portion (i.e., as to 27,500 Common Shares) of his options shown in this table were
also forfeited. In connection with his resignation, Mr. Ponko exercised the vested portion of his
options shown in this table covering 7,500 Common Shares. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table summarizes the outstanding option awards and performance share awards held
by the NEOs as of May 31, 2007. Each grant is shown separately for each NEO. The vesting schedule
for unexercised options is shown in the footnotes following this table. For additional information
about the option awards and the performance share awards, see the description under the caption
Compensation Discussion and Analysis Compensation Components Long-Term Incentives beginning
on page 21 of this Proxy Statement.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End for Fiscal 2007
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards (1) |
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
Incentive Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Equity Incentive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unearned |
|
Plan Awards: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares, Units |
|
Market or Payout |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Other |
|
Value of Unearned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rights That |
|
Shares, Units or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
|
Option |
|
Option |
|
Have Not |
|
Other Rights That |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options (#) |
|
Options (#) |
|
Exercise |
|
Expiration |
|
Vested (#) |
|
Have Not Vested |
Name |
|
Grant Date |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Price ($) |
|
Date |
|
(2) |
|
($) (3) |
|
John P. McConnell |
|
|
11/20/1997 |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
18.5625 |
|
|
|
11/20/2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11/18/1998 |
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
13.00 |
|
|
|
11/18/2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
08/25/1999 |
|
|
|
63,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
15.00 |
|
|
|
08/25/2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
05/19/2000 |
|
|
|
70,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
12.00 |
|
|
|
05/19/2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/30/2001 |
|
|
|
74,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
9.30 |
|
|
|
03/30/2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/03/2002 |
|
|
|
160,000 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
15.15 |
|
|
|
06/03/2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/02/2003 |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
$ |
15.26 |
|
|
|
06/02/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/2004 |
|
|
|
70,000 |
|
|
|
105,000 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
$ |
19.20 |
|
|
|
06/01/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/2005 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
160,000 |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
$ |
17.01 |
|
|
|
06/01/2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/2006 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
130,000 |
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
$ |
18.17 |
|
|
|
06/01/2016 |
|
|
|
52,500 |
|
|
$ |
1,108,275 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John S. Christie |
|
|
06/01/1999 |
|
|
|
63,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
12.781 |
|
|
|
06/01/2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
08/25/1999 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
15.00 |
|
|
|
08/25/2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
05/19/2000 |
|
|
|
22,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
12.00 |
|
|
|
05/19/2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/30/2001 |
|
|
|
50,500 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
9.30 |
|
|
|
03/30/2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/03/2002 |
|
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
15.15 |
|
|
|
06/03/2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/02/2003 |
|
|
|
42,000 |
|
|
|
28,000 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
$ |
15.26 |
|
|
|
06/02/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/2004 |
|
|
|
28,000 |
|
|
|
42,000 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
$ |
19.20 |
|
|
|
06/01/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/2005 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
48,000 |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
$ |
17.01 |
|
|
|
06/01/2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/2006 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
$ |
18.17 |
|
|
|
06/01/2016 |
|
|
|
18,750 |
|
|
$ |
395,813 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George P. Stoe |
|
|
06/02/2003 |
|
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
$ |
15.26 |
|
|
|
06/02/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/2004 |
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
$ |
19.20 |
|
|
|
06/01/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/2005 |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
32,000 |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
$ |
17.01 |
|
|
|
06/01/2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/2006 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
$ |
18.17 |
|
|
|
06/01/2016 |
|
|
|
18,750 |
|
|
$ |
395,813 |
|
- 32 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards (1) |
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Equity Incentive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unearned |
|
Plan Awards: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares, Units |
|
Market or Payout |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Other |
|
Value of Unearned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rights That |
|
Shares, Units or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
|
Option |
|
Option |
|
Have Not |
|
Other Rights That |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options (#) |
|
Options (#) |
|
Exercise |
|
Expiration |
|
Vested (#) |
|
Have Not Vested |
Name |
|
Grant Date |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Price ($) |
|
Date |
|
(2) |
|
($) (3) |
|
Harry A. Goussetis |
|
|
06/03/2002 |
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
15.15 |
|
|
|
06/03/2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/02/2003 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
$ |
15.26 |
|
|
|
06/02/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/2004 |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
$ |
19.20 |
|
|
|
06/01/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/2005 |
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
$ |
17.01 |
|
|
|
06/01/2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/2006 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
$ |
18.17 |
|
|
|
06/01/2016 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
$ |
253,320 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edmund L. Ponko, |
|
|
05/19/2000 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
12.00 |
|
|
|
05/19/2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jr. (9) |
|
|
03/30/2001 |
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
9.30 |
|
|
|
03/30/2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/03/2002 |
|
|
|
32,000 |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
15.15 |
|
|
|
06/03/2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/02/2003 |
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
$ |
15.26 |
|
|
|
06/02/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/2004 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
$ |
19.20 |
|
|
|
06/01/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/2005 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
$ |
17.01 |
|
|
|
06/01/2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/01/2006 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
$ |
18.17 |
|
|
|
06/01/2016 |
|
|
|
12,750 |
(14) |
|
$ |
269,152 |
(14) |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
All options outstanding as of May 31, 2007, were granted under the Worthington
Industries, Inc. 1990 Stock Option Plan (the 1990 Stock Option Plan), the 1997 LTIP, or the 2003
Stock Option Plan with exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the underlying Common
Shares on the date of grant. The options become exercisable in increments of 20% per year on each
anniversary of their grant date for the first five years. In the event of a change in control of
the Company (as defined in each of the plans), unless the Board or the Compensation Committee
explicitly provides otherwise, all options outstanding immediately before the date of such a change
in control will become fully vested and exercisable. In the event an optionees employment
terminates as a result of retirement, death or total disability, any options outstanding and
exercisable on that date will remain exercisable by the named individual, or, in the event of
death, by his beneficiary, until the earlier of either the fixed expiration date, as stated in the
option award agreement, or either 12 or 36 months, depending on the option, after the last day of
employment due to retirement, death or disability. Should termination occur for any other reason
than retirement, death or disability, the unexercised options will be forfeited. |
|
(2) |
|
The amounts shown in this column assume that the performance share awards granted for the
three-year period ending May 31, 2009, will be earned in full at the maximum amount based upon
achieving the specified performance levels. See the Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards columns of the Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2007 table on page
30 of this Proxy Statement. |
|
(3) |
|
The amounts shown in this column are calculated assuming that the related performance
share awards for the three-year period ending May 31, 2009, will be earned in full at the maximum
amount based upon achieving the specified performance levels and multiplying that maximum amount by
the closing price of the Common Shares on May 31, 2007 ($21.11). |
|
(4) |
|
Unexercisable options vested on June 3, 2007. |
|
(5) |
|
Unexercisable options vested 50% on June 2, 2007 and will vest 50% on June 2, 2008. |
|
(6) |
|
Unexercisable options vested 33% on June 1, 2007 and will vest 33% on June 1, 2008 and 33%
on June 1, 2009. |
|
(7) |
|
Unexercisable options vested 25% on June 1, 2007 and will vest 25% on June 1, 2008, 25% on
June 1, 2009 and 25% on June 1, 2010. |
- 33 -
|
|
|
(8) |
|
Unexercisable options vested 20% on June 1, 2007 and will vest 20% on June 1, 2008, 20% on
June 1, 2009, 20% on June 1, 2010 and 20% on June 1, 2011. |
|
(9) |
|
On June 5, 2007, Mr. Ponko resigned as President of Dietrich. In connection with his
resignation, Mr. Ponko exercised all of his then exercisable options covering an aggregate of
143,000 Common Shares. All of Mr. Ponkos then unexercisable options and all of his then unearned
performance shares have been forfeited. |
|
(10) |
|
Unexercisable options became 50% vested on June 2, 2007 and the remainder were forfeited
in connection with Mr. Ponkos resignation. |
|
(11) |
|
Unexercisable options became 33% vested on June 1, 2007 and the remainder were forfeited
in connection with Mr. Ponkos resignation. |
|
(12) |
|
Unexercisable options became 25% vested on June 1, 2007 and the remainder were forfeited
in connection with Mr. Ponkos resignation. |
|
(13) |
|
Unexercisable options became 20% vested on June 1, 2007 and the remainder were forfeited
in connection with Mr. Ponkos resignation. |
|
(14) |
|
Performance share award was forfeited in connection with Mr. Ponkos resignation. |
Option Exercises and Stock Awards Vested
The following table sets forth information about options exercised by the NEOs in Fiscal 2007,
including the number of Common Shares acquired upon exercise and the value realized. No stock
awards vested or were paid in Fiscal 2007 to the NEOs.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested for Fiscal 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
Number of Common |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Common |
|
|
|
|
Shares Acquired on |
|
Value Realized on |
|
Shares Acquired on |
|
Value Realized on |
Name |
|
Exercise (#) |
|
Exercise ($) (1) |
|
Vesting ($) |
|
Vesting ($) |
|
John P. McConnell |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John S. Christie |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
132,347 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George P. Stoe |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harry A. Goussetis |
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
86,419 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edmund L. Ponko, Jr. (2) |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
100,351 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The value realized on exercise of options is calculated based on the difference
between the market price of the Companys Common Shares at exercise and the exercise price of each
option exercised, multiplied by the number of Common Shares acquired on exercise, and does not
necessarily indicate that the optionee sold such Common Shares. |
|
(2) |
|
On June 5, 2007, Mr. Ponko resigned as President of Dietrich. In connection with his
resignation, he exercised all of his then exercisable options covering an aggregate of 143,000
Common Shares. The value realized on exercise of these options, calculated in the manner described
in footnote (1) to this table, was $711,542. |
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
As discussed above in Compensation Discussion and Analysis Compensation Components
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation beginning on page 25 of this Proxy Statement, the Company
maintains two Employee Deferral Plans which have provided for the deferral of compensation on a
basis that is not tax-qualified the 2000 NQ Plan and the 2005 NQ Plan. Contributions and
deferrals for the period from March 1, 2000, to January 1, 2005, are maintained under the 2000 NQ
Plan. Contributions and deferrals for periods on or after January 1, 2005, are maintained under
the 2005 NQ Plan, which was adopted to replace the 2000 NQ Plan in order
- 34 -
to comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. The terms of the
2005 NQ Plan, which are discussed below, are similar to those of the 2000 NQ Plan but are more
restrictive with respect to the timing of deferral elections and the ability of participants to
change the time and manner in which accounts will be paid. The Employee Deferral Plans are
intended to supplement the 401(k) plans sponsored by the Company.
Only select highly compensated employees of the Company, including the NEOs, are eligible to
participate in the Employee Deferral Plans. Currently, 133 employees of the Company are eligible
to participate in the 2005 NQ Plan and 67 employees of the Company have accounts in the 2000 NQ
Plan.
Under the 2005 NQ Plan, participants may defer the payment of up to 50% of their base salary
and quarterly bonus. Deferred amounts are credited to the participants accounts under the 2005 NQ
Plan at the time the base salary or bonus compensation would have otherwise been paid. In
addition, the Company may make discretionary employer contributions to participants accounts in
the 2005 NQ Plan. For the 2007 calendar year, in order to provide the same percentage of
retirement-related deferred compensation contributions to participants compared to other employees
that would have been made but for the IRS limits on annual compensation that may be considered
under tax-qualified plans, the Company has made contributions to the 2005 NQ Plan for participants
equal to (i) 3% of a participants Annual Compensation (base salary plus bonus) in excess of the
IRS maximum and (ii) a matching contribution of 50% of the first 4% of Annual Compensation
contributed by the participant to a Company retirement plan to the extent not matched by the
Company under the DPSP or the Dietrich 401(k).
Participants in the 2005 NQ Plan may elect to have their accounts invested at a rate
reflecting (a) the increase or decrease in the fair market value per share of the Companys Common
Shares with dividends reinvested, (b) a fixed rate which is set annually by the Compensation
Committee, or (c) returns on any funds available for investment under the DPSP.
Employee accounts are fully vested under the 2005 NQ Plan. Payouts under the 2005 NQ Plan are
made in cash, as of a specified date selected by the participant or when the participant is no
longer employed by the Company, either in a lump sum or in up to 10 annual installment payments,
all as chosen by the participant at the time the deferral election is made. The Compensation
Committee may permit hardship withdrawals from a participants account under the 2005 NQ Plan in
accordance with defined guidelines. In the event of a change in control of the Company, the
aggregate balance of each participants account will be accelerated and paid out as of the date of
the change in control unless otherwise determined by three-fourths of the members of the Board..
The following table provides information concerning the participation by the NEOs in the
Employee Deferral Plans for Fiscal 2007.
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company |
|
Aggregate |
|
Aggregate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributions by the |
|
Contributions in Fiscal |
|
arnings in Fiscal |
|
Withdrawals/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executives in Fiscal |
|
2007 |
|
2007 |
|
Distributions |
|
Aggregate Balance at |
Name |
|
Name of Plan |
|
2007 ($) (1) |
|
($)(2) |
|
($) (3) |
|
($) |
|
May 31, 2007 ($) |
|
John P. McConnell |
|
2000 NQ Plan |
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
15,882 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
248,351 |
|
|
|
2005 NQ Plan |
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
28,038 |
|
|
|
1,451 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,759 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John S. Christie |
|
2000 NQ Plan |
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
90,715 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,262,769 |
|
|
|
2005 NQ Plan |
|
|
183,075 |
|
|
|
35,062 |
|
|
|
20,378 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
408,673 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George P. Stoe |
|
2000 NQ Plan |
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
3,790 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,750 |
|
|
|
2005 NQ Plan |
|
|
390,537 |
|
|
|
31,668 |
|
|
|
95,622 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
840,634 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harry A. Goussetis |
|
2000 NQ Plan |
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,826 |
|
|
|
2005 NQ Plan |
|
|
19,786 |
|
|
|
15,538 |
|
|
|
2,556 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,845 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edmund L. Ponko, Jr. |
|
2000 NQ Plan |
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
54,760 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
263,490 |
|
|
|
2005 NQ Plan |
|
|
72,350 |
|
|
|
16,036 |
|
|
|
11,577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
225,811 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The amounts in this column reflect contributions to the 2005 NQ Plan as a result of
deferrals of salary and/or quarterly cash bonuses payable under the Bonus Plan which would
otherwise have been paid to the NEO. These amounts are included in the Salary or Bonus column
totals reported in the Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2007 on page 28 of this Proxy
Statement. |
- 35 -
|
|
|
(2) |
|
The method of determining such contributions is explained in the third paragraph prior to
this table. These contributions are also included in the All Other Compensation column totals
reported in the Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2007 on page 28 of this Proxy Statement. |
|
(3) |
|
The investment options for participants in the 2005 NQ Plan are explained in the third
paragraph prior to this Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2007 table. The amount
included in the Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings column
reported in the Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2007 on page 28 of this Proxy Statement,
represents the amount by which earnings in Fiscal 2007 on accounts of the named individual in the
Employee Deferral Plans invested at the fixed rate exceeded the Applicable Comparable Rate. These
amounts are included as part of the aggregate earnings reported in this Aggregate Earnings in
Fiscal 2007 column: (a) for Mr. McConnell, $2,149; (b) for Mr. Christie, $12,040; and (c) for Mr.
Ponko, $1,619. |
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
The Compensation Committee annually reviews, with the assistance of its compensation
consultant, Towers Perrin, certain market information provided by the consultant concerning
compensation (both cash and non-cash) paid to directors. Based upon such information, the
Companys past practices concerning directors compensation and such other information as the
Compensation Committee deems appropriate, the Compensation Committee makes recommendations to the
Board with respect to directors compensation. The compensation payable to the directors is set by
the entire Board.
Cash Compensation
The following table sets forth the cash compensation payable to the directors who are
non-employee directors. Directors who are employees of the Company receive no additional
compensation for serving as members of the Board or as members of Board committees. Directors are
reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their serving as directors,
including travel expenses.
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Retainer |
|
$ |
45,000 |
|
Lead Independent Director Annual Retainer |
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
Attendance at a Board Meeting (including telephonic meetings) |
|
$ |
1,500 |
|
Audit Committee Chair Annual Retainer |
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
Committee Chair (other than Audit) Annual Retainer |
|
$ |
7,500 |
|
Attendance at a Board Committee Meeting (including telephonic meetings) |
|
$ |
1,500 |
|
Director Deferral Plans
Under the Companys Director Deferral Plans, non-employee directors are able to defer payment
of all or a portion of their directors fees until a specified date or until they are no longer
associated with the Company. Any fees deferred are credited to the directors account at the time
the fees would have otherwise been paid. Participants in the Director Deferral Plans may elect to
have their accounts invested at a rate reflecting (a) the increase or decrease in the fair market
value per share of the Companys Common Shares with dividends reinvested, (b) a fixed rate which is
set annually by the Compensation Committee, or (c) rates of return on any of the funds available
for investment under the DPSP. The Director Deferral Plans are administered by the Compensation
Committee. All accounts are fully vested. The Compensation Committee may permit hardship
withdrawals from a participants account under defined guidelines. In the event of a defined
change in control, participants accounts under the Director Deferral Plans will be accelerated and
paid out as of the date of change in control unless otherwise determined by three-fourths of the
members of the Board. The Worthington Industries, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors,
as Amended and Restated, effective June 1, 2000 (the Directors 2000 NQ Plan) governs deferrals
prior to January 1, 2005. Deferrals with respect to the period on or after January 1, 2005, are
governed by the Worthington Industries, Inc. 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (the
Directors 2005 NQ Plan) which was adopted in order to comply with new requirements imposed by
then newly-adopted Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to non-qualified deferred
compensation plans beginning January 1, 2005. Among
- 36 -
other things, the applicable provisions of
Section 409A generally are more restrictive with respect to the timing of deferral elections and
the ability of participants to change the time and manner in which accounts will be paid.
Equity Grants
Prior to 2006, the non-employee directors of the Company received automatic annual grants of
non-qualified stock options under the Worthington Industries, Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan for
Non-Employee Directors (the 2000 Directors Option Plan). The shareholders of the Company
approved the Worthington Industries, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors
(the 2006 Directors Equity Plan) at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Under the 2006
Directors Equity Plan, the Board may grant non-qualified stock options, restricted stock,
restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and whole Common Shares to non-employee directors
of the Company. Awards under the 2006 Directors Equity Plan are made by the Board in its
discretion.
On September 27, 2006, each individual then serving as a non-employee director was granted:
(a) an option to purchase 5,000 Common Shares, with an exercise price equal to the $17.23 fair
market value of the Common Shares on the grant date; and (b) an award of 1,300 shares of restricted
stock. Each option granted to a non-employee director has a ten-year term and becomes vested and
fully exercisable on the first to occur of (i) the first anniversary of the grant date (i.e.
September 27, 2007); or (ii) the date of the 2007 Annual Meeting.
On January 22, 2007, Mr. Blystone was granted: (a) an option to purchase 2,500 Common Shares,
with an exercise price equal to the $18.22 fair market value of the Common Shares on the grant
date; and (b) an award of 750 shares of restricted stock. These additional grants were made to Mr.
Blystone in connection with his appointment as Lead Independent Director of the Company.
Upon a business combination or change in control (as defined in the 2006 Directors Equity
Plan), each option will become vested and fully exercisable. Vesting of an option also accelerates
upon death, total disability, or retirement after a non-employee director attains age 65 or has
served at least nine years as a member of the Board. If a non-employee director becomes totally
disabled or dies while in service as a member of the Board, he or she (or, in the event of death,
his or her beneficiary) has three years from the date of the occurrence to exercise any vested
options, subject to the stated term of the options. In the event a non-employee director retires
after he or she has attained age 65 or has served at least nine years as a member of the Board, the
non-employee director may exercise any vested options for a period of three years after the date of
retirement, subject to the stated term of the options. If a non-employee director ceases to be a
member of the Board for cause, all options terminate immediately. If a non-employee director
ceases to be a member of the Board for any reason other than those listed above, the non-employee
directors options may be exercised (to the extent then exercisable) for a period of one year
following the date of termination, subject to the stated term of the options.
Each share of restricted stock granted to a non-employee director vests upon the first to
occur of: (i) the first anniversary of the grant date (i.e., September 27, 2007); or (ii) the date
of the 2007 Annual Meeting. Upon a business combination or change in control, all shares of
restricted stock will become fully vested. In the case of death, total disability, or retirement,
all shares of restricted stock would also immediately become fully vested. If a non-employee
directors service on the Board terminates for any other reason, unvested shares of restricted
stock will be forfeited. During the time between the grant date and the vesting date, a
non-employee director may exercise full voting rights in respect of the shares of restricted stock
and dividends paid to the Companys shareholders of record would be accrued and paid in respect of
the shares of restricted stock upon the vesting date if the underlying shares of restricted stock
vest.
The Board anticipates that each individual then serving as a non-employee director will be
granted, effective as of the date of the Annual Meeting: (a) an option to purchase 5,000 Common
Shares (7,500 for Mr. Blystone to reflect his position as Lead Independent Director), with an
exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Shares on the grant date and the
remaining terms of each option would be the same as those applicable to the options granted on
September 27, 2006; and (b) an award of 1,300 shares of restricted stock (2,050 shares of
restricted stock for Mr. Blystone to reflect his position as Lead Independent Director) with terms
which would be the same as those applicable to the shares of restricted stock awarded on September
27, 2006.
- 37 -
Director Compensation for Fiscal 2007
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation earned by non-employee
directors of the Company during Fiscal 2007:
Director Compensation for Fiscal 2007 (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in Pension |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned |
|
Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity Incentive |
|
Nonqualified Deferred |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
or Paid in |
|
Awards |
|
Option Awards |
|
Plan Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
|
Name |
|
Cash ($)(2) |
|
($) (3) |
|
($) (4) |
|
($) |
|
Earnings (5) |
|
($) |
|
Total ($) |
|
John B. Blystone (6) |
|
|
89,500 |
|
|
|
19,488 |
|
|
|
30,452 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
139,440 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William S.
Dietrich, II |
|
|
52,500 |
|
|
|
14,933 |
|
|
|
25,293 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
92,726 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael J. Endres |
|
|
69,000 |
|
|
|
14,933 |
|
|
|
25,293 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
109,226 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter Karmanos, Jr. |
|
|
64,500 |
|
|
|
14,933 |
|
|
|
25,293 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
104,726 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John R. Kasich |
|
|
57,000 |
|
|
|
14,933 |
|
|
|
25,293 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
97,226 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carl A. Nelson |
|
|
71,500 |
|
|
|
14,933 |
|
|
|
25,293 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111,726 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sidney A. Ribeau |
|
|
58,500 |
|
|
|
14,933 |
|
|
|
25,293 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
2,167 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,893 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mary Schiavo |
|
|
61,500 |
|
|
|
14,933 |
|
|
|
25,293 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
3,802 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
105,528 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
John P. McConnell, the Companys Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer,
and John S. Christie, the Companys President and Chief Financial Officer, are not included in this
table because they are employees of the Company and thus receive no compensation for their services
as directors. The compensation received by John P. McConnell and John S. Christie as employees of
the Company is shown in the Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2007 on page 28 of this Proxy
Statement. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents cash earned in Fiscal 2007 for annual retainer fees and Board and Board
committee meeting fees in accordance with the cash compensation program outlined under the caption
Cash Compensation beginning on page 36. |
|
(3) |
|
The amounts shown in this column represent the dollar amount associated with the
restricted stock awards granted to the non-employee directors during Fiscal 2007 that the Company
recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to Fiscal 2007 in accordance
with SFAS 123R. The amounts shown in this column exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures
related to service-based vesting conditions, as required by SEC Rules. The amounts shown in this
column reflect the Companys accounting expense for the fair value of the restricted stock awards
and do not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the non-employee directors.
See Note F Stock-Based Compensation of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item
8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of the Companys 2007 Form 10-K for assumptions
used and additional information regarding the restricted stock awards. For financial statement
reporting purposes, the restricted stock is valued at the closing market price of the Common Shares
on the date of grant. Accordingly, the restricted stock awards covering 1,300 Common Shares
granted to each non-employee director on September 27, 2006, had a grant date fair value of $17.23
per share (the closing price of the Common Shares on that date), and the restricted stock award
covering 750 Common Shares granted to Mr. Blystone on January 22, 2007, had a grant date fair value
of $18.22 per share (the closing price of the Common Shares on that date), in each case computed in
accordance with SFAS 123R. At May 31, 2007, Mr. Blystone had restricted stock awards covering
2,050 Common Shares and each other non-employee director had restricted stock awards covering 1,300
Common Shares outstanding. |
|
(4) |
|
The amounts shown in this column represent the dollar amount associated with the
directors options granted in Fiscal 2006 and Fiscal 2007 that the Company recognized for financial
statement reporting purposes with respect to Fiscal 2007 in accordance with SFAS 123R. The amounts
shown in this column exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting
conditions, as required by SEC Rules. The |
- 38 -
|
|
|
|
|
amounts shown in this column reflect the Companys accounting expense for the fair value of
option awards and do not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the non-employee
director. See Note A Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note F Stock-Based
Compensation of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Financial Statements
and Supplementary Data of the Companys 2007 Form 10-K for the valuation method and assumptions
used and additional information regarding the options. The grant date fair value of the options
covering 5,000 Common Shares granted to each of the non-employee directors on September 27, 2006,
was $29,100 and the grant date fair value of the options covering 2,500 Common Shares granted to
Mr. Blystone on January 22, 2007 in connection with his appointment as Lead Independent Director
was $15,475, in each case computed in accordance with SFAS 123R. The outstanding options held by
the non-employee directors at the end of Fiscal 2007 covered the following number of Common Shares:
Mr. Blystone 15,000 Common Shares; Mr. Dietrich 17,000 Common Shares; Mr. Endres 25,000
Common Shares; Mr. Karmanos 25,000 Common Shares; Mr. Kasich 25,000 Common Shares; Mr. Nelson
14,000 Common Shares; Mr. Ribeau 21,000 Common Shares; and Ms. Schiavo 25,000 Common Shares. |
|
(5) |
|
The fixed rate applicable to the Director Deferral Plans for Fiscal 2007 exceeded the
Applicable Comparative Rate by an amount equal to 0.825%. The amounts shown in this column
represent the amount by which earnings on accounts of the named individual in the Director Deferral
Plans invested at the fixed rate exceeded the Applicable Comparative Rate (generally the amount
invested at the fixed rate fund multiplied by 0.825%). |
|
(6) |
|
Mr. Blystone was appointed Lead Independent Director on January 22, 2007. |
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The Company maintains five equity compensation plans (the Equity Plans) under which Common
Shares are authorized for issuance to eligible directors, officers and employees: (a) the 1990
Stock Option Plan; (b) the 1997 LTIP; (c) the 2000 Directors Option Plan; (d) the 2003 Stock Option
Plan; and (e) the 2006 Directors Equity Plan. Each Equity Plan has been approved by the
shareholders of the Company.
The following table shows for the Equity Plans, as a group, the number of Common Shares
issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options and upon payout of outstanding performance share
awards, the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, and the number of Common Shares
remaining available for future issuance, excluding Common Shares issuable upon exercise of
outstanding options or upon payout of outstanding performance share awards, in each case as of May
31, 2007.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares to |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Common Shares |
|
|
Be Issued upon |
|
Weighted-average |
|
Remaining Available for |
|
|
Exercise of |
|
Exercise Price of |
|
Future Issuance under |
|
|
Outstanding |
|
Outstanding |
|
Equity Compensation Plans |
|
|
Options, Warrants |
|
Options, Warrants |
|
[excluding Common Shares |
|
|
and Rights |
|
and Rights |
|
reflected in column (a)] |
Plan Category |
|
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
|
Equity compensation
plans approved by
shareholders |
|
|
6,437,727 |
(1) |
|
$ |
16.33 |
(2) |
|
|
6,362,129 |
(3) |
Equity compensation
plans not approved
by shareholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
|
|
6,437,727 |
(1) |
|
$ |
16.33 |
(2) |
|
|
6,362,129 |
(3) |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes 613,650 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding
options granted under the 1990 Stock Option Plan, 1,687,500 Common Shares issuable
upon exercise of outstanding options granted under the 1997 LTIP, 127,000 Common
Shares issuable upon exercise of the outstanding options granted under the 2000
Directors Option Plan, 2,770,700 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding
options granted under the 2003 Stock Option Plan, and 42,500 Common Shares issuable
upon exercise of outstanding options granted |
- 39 -
|
|
|
|
|
under the 2006 Directors Equity Plan. Also includes 1,196,377 Common Shares
which represents the maximum number of Common Shares which may be paid out in
respect of outstanding performance share awards granted under the 1997 LTIP. |
|
|
|
Does not include Common Shares which may be paid out in respect of outstanding
cash performance awards granted under the 1997 LTIP, as to date all such awards have
been paid in cash. If all cash performance awards granted under the 1997 LTIP which
were outstanding as of May 31, 2007, were paid out at their maximum amount and the
Compensation Committee were to elect to make all payments in the form of Common
Shares, then, based on the closing price of the Companys Common Shares on May 31,
2007 ($21.11), the number of Common Shares which would be issued upon payout of the
cash performance awards would be 204,825 Common Shares. The number of Common
Shares, if any, actually issued with respect to cash performance awards granted
under the 1997 LTIP would be based on (i) the percentage of the cash performance
awards determined by the Compensation Committee to be paid in Common Shares rather
than cash, (ii) the actual performance level used to determine the payout in respect
of each cash performance award and (iii) the price of the Companys Common Shares at
the time of payout. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents weighted-average exercise price of options outstanding under the
Equity Plans as of May 31, 2007. Please also see the discussion in note (1) above
with respect to performance share awards and cash performance awards granted under
the 1997 LTIP. The weighted-average exercise price does not take these awards into
account. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes 963,400 Common Shares available under the 1990 Stock Option Plan,
1,056,829 Common Shares available under the 1997 LTIP (which number excludes the
1,196,377 Common Shares representing the maximum number of Common Shares which may
be paid out in respect of outstanding performance share awards granted under the
1997 LTIP as described in note (1) above), 3,984,400 Common Shares available under
the 2003 Stock Option Plan, and 357,500 Common Shares available under the 2006
Directors Equity Plan. No Common Shares remain available for grants of future
awards under the 2000 Directors Option Plan. In addition to options, performance
share awards and cash performance awards, the 1997 LTIP authorizes the Compensation
Committee to grant awards in the form of stock appreciation rights, restricted
stock, performance units, dividend equivalents, and other stock unit awards that are
valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, Common Shares
or other property. In addition to options, the 2006 Directors Equity Plan
authorizes the Board to grant awards in the form of restricted stock, restricted
stock units, stock appreciation rights and whole Common Shares. |
PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee of the Companys Board has appointed KPMG LLP (KPMG) to serve as the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2008,
and recommends that the shareholders vote for the ratification of that appointment. KPMG audited
the Companys consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2007,
and May 31, 2006, and the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting
as of May 31, 2007. Representatives of KPMG are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and
will be given the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and to respond to appropriate
questions.
The appointment of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm is made
annually by the Audit Committee. The Company has determined to submit the appointment of the
independent registered public accounting firm to the shareholders for ratification. Before
appointing KPMG, the Audit Committee carefully considered that firms qualifications as the
independent registered public accounting firm for the Company and the audit scope.
- 40 -
Recommendation and Vote
The Audit Committee and the Board Recommend that Shareholders Vote For the Ratification of the
Appointment of KPMG.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the Common Shares represented at the Annual Meeting, in
person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the proposal, is required to ratify the appointment of
KPMG as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending May
31, 2008. The effect of an abstention is the same as a no vote. Even if the appointment of KPMG
is ratified by the shareholders, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, could decide to terminate
the engagement of KPMG and to engage another firm if the Audit Committee determines such action
necessary or desirable. If the appointment of KPMG is not ratified, the Audit Committee of the
Companys Board will reconsider the appointment.
PROPOSAL 3: SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
The Company expects the following proposal (the Shareholder Proposal) to be presented for
consideration at the Annual Meeting by the Office of the Comptroller of New York City, as the
custodian and trustee of the New York City Employees Retirement System, the New York City
Teachers Retirement System, the New York City Police Pension Fund, and the New York City Fire
Department Pension Fund, and custodian of the New York City Board of Education Retirement System
(collectively, the New York City Funds), which together held an aggregate of 203,660 Common
Shares, as of April 2, 2007. The Office of the Comptrollers address is: The City of New York,
Office of the Comptroller, 1 Centre Street, New York, New York 10007-2341.
Shareholders Supporting Statement Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Policy
Submitted by William C. Thompson, Jr., Comptroller, City of New York on behalf of the Boards
of Trustees of the New York City Funds listed above.
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
WHEREAS, corporations with non-discrimination policies relating to sexual orientation have a
competitive advantage to recruit and retain employees from the widest talent pool;
Employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation diminishes employee morale and
productivity;
The company has an interest in preventing discrimination and resolving complaints internally
so as to avoid costly litigation and damage [sic] its reputation as an equal opportunity employer;
Minneapolis, Seattle and Los Angeles, and San Francisco have adopted legislation restricting
business with companies that do not guaranteed [sic] equal treatment for lesbian and gay employees
and similar legislation is pending in other jurisdictions;
The company has operations in and makes sales to institutions in states and cities which
prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation;
A recent National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce study has found that 16%-44% of gay men and
lesbians in twenty cities nationwide experienced workplace harassment or discrimination based on
their sexual orientation;
National public opinion polls consistently find more than three-quarters of the American
people support equal rights in the workplace for gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals;
A number of Fortune 500 corporations have implemented non-discrimination policies encompassing
the following principles:
- 41 -
1) Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity will
be prohibited in the companys employment policy statement.
2) The companys non-discrimination policy will be distributed to all
employees.
3) There shall be no discrimination based on any employees actual or
perceived health condition, status, or disability.
4) There will be no discrimination in the allocation of employee
benefits on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
5) Sexual orientation and gender identity issues will be included in
corporate employee diversity and sensitivity programs.
6) There will be no discrimination in the recognition of employee
groups based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
7) Corporate advertising policy will avoid the use of negative
stereotypes based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
8) There will be no discrimination in corporate advertising and
marketing policy based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
9) There will be no discrimination in the sale of goods and services
based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and
10) There will be no policy barring on [sic] corporate charitable
contributions to groups and organizations based on sexual orientation.
RESOLVED: The Shareholders request that management implement equal employment opportunity
policies based on the aforementioned principles prohibiting discrimination based on sexual
orientation and gender identity.
STATEMENT: By implementing policies prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation
and gender identity, the Company will ensure a respectful and supportive atmosphere for all
employees and enhance its competitive edge by joining the growing ranks of companies guaranteeing
equal opportunity for all employees.
The Companys Response
The Companys Board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote AGAINST the adoption of the
Shareholder Proposal for the following reasons:
The Board believes the Companys current policies and practices make the Shareholder Proposal
unnecessary and inappropriate. The Company has long held the belief that its objectives can best
be achieved by providing equal employment opportunities for all. The Companys goal is to make
employment decisions based upon choosing the best person for the job.
Since its founding in 1955, a basic tenet of the Company has been to operate under the Golden
Rule of treating customers, employees, investors and suppliers as we would like to be treated.
This belief has always been a cornerstone of the Companys philosophy, which was formalized by the
Companys founder, John H. McConnell, many years ago. Under this philosophy, all individuals are to
be treated with respect and dignity.
The Company strives to recruit, hire, train, promote and compensate its employees based on
their job-related qualifications, abilities, potential and performance. Company policy, as set
forth in the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct, absolutely forbids discrimination based on
race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, veterans status, or any
other reason prohibited by federal, state or local law. Further,
- 42 -
Company policy prohibits harassment of any employee based on race, color, sex, religion, age,
national origin, citizenship, disability, veterans status, or any other similar basis, including
those prohibited by federal, state or local law. Under Company policy, employees are required to
report any instance of prohibited harassment. Violations of Company policy forbidding unlawful or
inappropriate harassment or discrimination will result in disciplinary action up to and including
termination. The Companys Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct are distributed to all employees.
The Company believes that its written equal employment opportunity and harassment policies
should enumerate only the types of discrimination that are prohibited under specific laws in order
to highlight the fact that these particular types of discrimination are illegal. This does not mean
that the Company does not share the proponents interest in preventing discrimination based on
sexual orientation, or the interest of other groups in preventing discrimination for other reasons.
However, the Company does not believe it appropriate to attempt to list each group whose members
should not be discriminated against. Inevitably, some groups will not be listed and the Company
does not want to imply that discrimination against individuals in a group not on the list is
appropriate.
The Company believes that if it begins adopting policies providing special benefits or special
protection to certain groups, it dilutes its goal of treating everyone appropriately in all
situations. The Company believes that the best policy is to strive to do what is right and to treat
all employees and potential employees appropriately, with respect and dignity, under the Companys
Golden Rule of treating everyone as we would like to be treated.
The Company has a long history of treating people well. It has been named numerous times as
one of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America. The Company does not believe it would
receive such recognition if any group of employees were treated poorly or unjustly. These awards
are evidence of the Companys success in achieving its goal of treating all employees with dignity
and respect.
The Board believes the Companys philosophy and its current policies and practices have served
it well over the years and would not be enhanced by attempting to adopt specific policies directed
at a single group.
For all of the above reasons, the Board recommends voting AGAINST the Shareholder
Proposal.
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of a majority of the Common Shares represented at the Annual Meeting, in
person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the Shareholder Proposal is necessary to adopt the
Shareholder Proposal. Abstentions will be counted in determining the required vote and will have
the effect of votes AGAINST the Shareholder Proposal. Broker non-votes will not be counted in
determining the required vote.
AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS
Report of the Audit Committee for the Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2007
The Audit Committee oversees the Companys financial and accounting functions, controls,
reporting processes and audits on behalf of the Board in accordance with the Audit Committees
written charter and is responsible for providing independent, objective oversight of the integrity
and quality of the Companys consolidated financial statements, the qualifications and independence
of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, the performance of the Companys
internal auditors and independent registered public accounting firm and the annual independent
audit of the Companys consolidated financial statements. Management has the primary
responsibility for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Companys consolidated
financial statements and the reporting process, for the appropriateness of the accounting
principles and reporting policies that are used by the Company, for the establishment and
maintenance of adequate systems of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over
financial reporting, and for the preparation of the annual report on managements assessment of the
effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. The Companys
independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG, is responsible for performing an audit of the
Companys annual consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K in
accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and
issuing its report thereon
- 43 -
based on such audit, for issuing an attestation report on managements assessment of the
Companys internal control over financial reporting, and for reviewing the Companys unaudited
interim consolidated financial statements included in the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed with management the
Companys audited consolidated financial statements, as of and for the fiscal year ended May 31,
2007, and discussed with management the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting
principles as applied in the Companys financial reporting, the reasonableness of significant
judgments and accounting estimates, and the clarity and completeness of disclosures in the
consolidated financial statements.
In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee met with management, the
Companys internal auditors and KPMG throughout the year. Since the beginning of the fiscal year,
the Audit Committee met with the Companys internal auditors and KPMG, with and without management
present, to discuss the overall scope of their respective audit plans, the results of their
respective audits, the effectiveness of the Companys system of internal control over financial
reporting, including managements and KPMGs reports thereon and the bases for the conclusions
expressed in those reports, and the overall quality of the Companys financial reporting.
Throughout that period, the Audit Committee reviewed managements plan for documenting and testing
controls, the results of their documentation and testing, any deficiencies discovered and the
resulting remediation of the deficiencies. In addition, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed
with KPMG all matters required by auditing standards generally accepted in the United States,
including those described in Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit
Committees, as amended, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
in Rule 3200T.
The Audit Committee has discussed with KPMG the independence of that firm from management and
the Company. The Audit Committee has received from KPMG the written disclosures and a letter
describing all relationships between KPMG and the Company and its subsidiaries that might bear on
KPMGs independence consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees, as modified, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States) in Rule 3600T. The Audit Committee has discussed with KPMG any
relationships with or services to the Company or its subsidiaries that may impact the objectivity
and independence of KPMG ,and the Audit Committee has satisfied itself as to the independence of
KPMG.
Management and KPMG have represented to the Audit Committee that the Companys audited
consolidated financial statements, as of and for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, were prepared
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and the Audit
Committee has reviewed and discussed those audited consolidated financial statements with
management and KPMG.
Based on the Audit Committees reviews and discussions referred to above and the Audit
Committees review of the report of KPMG to the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended to
the Board that the Companys audited consolidated financial statements be included (and the Board
approved such inclusion) in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2007 filed with the
SEC on July 30, 2007. The Audit Committee has also appointed KPMG as the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2008, and recommends that the
shareholders ratify such appointment.
The foregoing report is provided by the Audit Committee of the Companys Board.
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Audit Committee
Carl A. Nelson, Jr., Chair
Michael J. Endres
Sidney A. Ribeau
Mary Schiavo
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- 44 -
Pre-Approval of Services Performed by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Under applicable SEC Rules, the Audit Committee is to pre-approve the audit and non-audit
services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm in order to ensure that
they do not impair the firms independence from the Company. The SEC Rules specify the types of
non-audit services that independent registered public accounting firms may not provide to their
audit clients and establish the Audit Committees responsibility for administration of the
engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm.
Consistent with applicable SEC Rules, the charter of the Audit Committee requires that the
Audit Committee review and pre-approve all audit services and permitted non-audit services provided
by the independent registered public accounting firm to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more members of the Audit
Committee, and, if it does, the decision of that member or members must be presented to the full
Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
All requests or applications for services to be provided by the independent registered public
accounting firm must be submitted to the Audit Committee by both the independent registered public
accounting firm and the Chief Financial Officer and must include a joint statement as to whether,
in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC Rules governing auditor
independence.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees
Fees billed for services rendered by KPMG for each of Fiscal 2007 and Fiscal 2006 were as
follows:
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Type of Fees |
|
Fiscal 2007 |
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|
Fiscal 2006 |
|
Audit Fees |
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$ |
1,957,664 |
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$ |
1,815,624 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
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|
2,800 |
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-- |
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Tax Fees |
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55,298 |
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All Other Fees |
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-- |
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$ |
1,960,464 |
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$ |
1,870,922 |
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All of the services rendered by KPMG to the Company and its subsidiaries during Fiscal 2007
and Fiscal 2006 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
In accordance with the SECs definitions and rules, Audit Fees are fees for professional
services rendered for the audit of the Companys consolidated financial statements; the review of
the interim consolidated financial statements included in the Companys Form 10-Qs; the audit of
the Companys internal control over financial reporting with the objective of obtaining reasonable
assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all
material respects; the attestation of managements report on the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting; and services that are normally provided by the independent registered
public accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those
fiscal years.
Audit-Related Fees are fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related
to the performance of the audit or review of the Companys consolidated financial statements that
are not reported under Audit Fees. Fiscal 2007 Audit-Related Fees related to KPMGs review of
the Companys correspondence with the SEC.
Tax Fees are fees for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax
planning, and in Fiscal 2006 included fees for an international tax project.
All Other Fees are for products and services not included in the first three categories.
- 45 -
HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS
The SEC has implemented rules regarding the delivery of proxy materials (i.e., annual reports
and proxy statements) to households. This method of delivery, often referred to as householding,
would permit the Company to send a single annual report and/or a single proxy statement to any
household at which two or more different registered shareholders reside if the Company reasonably
believes such shareholders are members of the same family or otherwise share the same address or
that one shareholder has multiple accounts. The householding process may also be used for the
delivery of Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, when applicable. In each case,
the shareholder(s) must consent to the householding process in accordance with applicable SEC
Rules. Each shareholder would continue to receive a separate notice of any meeting of shareholders
and proxy card. The householding procedure reduces the volume of duplicate information
shareholders receive and reduces the Companys expenses. The Company may institute householding in
the future and will notify registered shareholders affected by householding at that time.
Many broker/dealers and other holders of record have instituted householding. If your family
has one or more street name accounts under which you beneficially own Common Shares of the
Company, you may have received householding information from your broker/dealer, financial
institution, or other nominee in the past. Please contact the holder of record directly if you
have questions, require additional copies of this Proxy Statement or the Companys 2007 Annual
Report, or if you wish to revoke your decision to household and thereby receive multiple copies.
You should also contact the holder of record if you wish to institute householding.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Shareholders of the Company seeking to bring business before an annual meeting of shareholders
(an annual meeting) or to nominate candidates for election as directors at an annual meeting must
provide timely notice thereof in writing to the Companys Secretary. Under Section 1.08(A) of the
Companys Code of Regulations, to be timely, a shareholders notice with respect to business to be
brought before an annual meeting must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal
executive offices of the Company not less than 30 days prior to an annual meeting. However, if
less than 40 days notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to
shareholders, the shareholders notice must be received no later than the close of business on the
tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such
public disclosure was made. In order for a shareholders notice to be in proper form, it must
include: (a) a brief description of the business the shareholder desires to bring before an annual
meeting; (b) the reasons for conducting the proposed business at an annual meeting; (c) the name
and address of the proposing shareholder; (d) the number of Common Shares beneficially owned by the
proposing shareholder; and (e) any material interest of the proposing shareholder in the business
to be brought before an annual meeting. The requirements applicable to nominations are described
above in CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Nominating Procedures beginning on page 9 of this Proxy Statement
A shareholder seeking to bring business before an annual meeting must also comply with all
applicable SEC Rules. Under SEC Rule 14a-8, proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at
the Companys 2008 Annual Meeting must be received by the Company no later than April 19, 2008, to
be eligible for inclusion in the Companys proxy materials relating to the 2008 Annual Meeting.
Upon receipt of a shareholder proposal, the Company will determine whether or not to include the
proposal in the proxy materials in accordance with applicable SEC Rules.
The SEC has promulgated rules relating to the exercise of discretionary voting authority
pursuant to proxies solicited by the Board. Generally, a proxy may confer discretionary authority
to vote on any matters brought before an annual meeting, if the Company did not have notice of the
matter at least 45 days before the date on which the Company first sent its proxy materials for the
prior years annual meeting, and a specific statement to that effect is made in the Proxy Statement
or proxy card. If during the prior year, the Company did not hold an annual meeting, or if the
date of the meeting has changed more than 30 days from the prior year, then notice must not have
been received a reasonable time before the Company mails its proxy materials for the current year.
Any written notice required as described in this paragraph must have been given by July 9, 2007,
for matters to be brought before the 2007 Annual Meeting. Any written notice required as described
in this paragraph must be given by July 3, 2008 for matters to be brought before the 2008 Annual
Meeting.
- 46 -
Any written notice to be given with respect to matters set forth in the three prior paragraphs
of this SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS section should be sent to the Companys Secretary, Dale T.
Brinkman, Worthington Industries, Inc., 200 Old Wilson Bridge Road, Columbus, Ohio 43085 or by fax
to (614) 840-3706.
The Companys 2008 Annual Meeting is currently scheduled to be held on September 24, 2008.
FUTURE ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO PROXY MATERIALS AND ANNUAL REPORT
Registered shareholders can further reduce the costs incurred by the Company in mailing proxy
materials, if you consent to receiving all future Proxy Statements, proxy cards and Annual Reports
electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery of future proxy
materials, you must vote your Common Shares electronically via the Internet by logging on to
www.proxyvote.com and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access shareholder
communications electronically in future years. You will be responsible for any fees or charges that
you would typically pay for access to the Internet.
10-K REPORT
Audited consolidated financial statements for Worthington Industries, Inc. and its
subsidiaries for Fiscal 2007 are included in the 2007 Annual Report which is being delivered with
this Proxy Statement. Additional copies of these financial statements and the Companys Annual
Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2007 (excluding exhibits) may be obtained, without charge, by
sending a written request to the Companys Investor Relations Department at 200 Old Wilson Bridge
Road, Columbus, Ohio 43085, Attention: Allison M. Sanders, Director of Investor Relations. The
Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2007 is also available on the Companys web site at
www.worthingtonindustries.com and can also be found on the SEC web site at www.sec.gov.
OTHER BUSINESS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board knows of no business that will be presented
for action by the shareholders at the 2007 Annual Meeting other than that discussed in this Proxy
Statement. However, if any other matter requiring a vote of the shareholders properly comes before
the 2007 Annual Meeting, the individuals acting under the proxies solicited by the Board will vote
and act according to their best judgment in light of the conditions then prevailing, to the extent
permitted under applicable law.
The proxy card and this Proxy Statement have been approved by the Board and are being mailed
and delivered to shareholders by its authority.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Dated: August 17, 2007
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/s/ Dale T. Brinkman
Dale T. Brinkman,
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Secretary |
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- 47 -