SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
(Rule 14a-101)
Proxy Statement
Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant x |
|
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o |
|
Check the appropriate box: |
|
o |
Preliminary Proxy Statement |
o |
Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
x |
Definitive Proxy Statement |
o |
Definitive Additional Materials |
o |
Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
NEW PLAN EXCEL REALTY TRUST, INC. |
||||
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) |
||||
|
||||
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant) |
||||
|
|
|
||
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
||||
x |
No fee required. |
|||
o |
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
|||
|
(1) |
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
||
|
|
|
||
|
(2) |
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
||
|
|
|
||
|
(3) |
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
||
|
|
|
||
|
(4) |
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
||
|
|
|
||
|
(5) |
Total fee paid: |
||
|
|
|
||
o |
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials: |
|||
o |
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing. |
|||
|
(1) |
Amount Previously Paid: |
||
|
|
|
||
|
(2) |
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
||
|
|
|
||
|
(3) |
Filing Party: |
||
|
|
|
||
|
(4) |
Date Filed: |
||
|
|
|
||
NEW PLAN EXCEL REALTY TRUST, INC.
420
Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10170
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on May 11, 2005
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend our 2005 annual meeting of stockholders to be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2005, at 9:00 a.m., New York City time, at
The Cornell Club of
New York
The Ivy Room
6 East 44th Street
New York, New York 10017
for the following purposes:
1. To elect three directors to serve three-year terms expiring in 2008.
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2005 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON, IF YOU DESIRE.
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
||
|
/s/ WILLIAM NEWMAN |
|
|
WILLIAM NEWMAN |
|
|
Chairman of the Board |
|
New York, New York |
|
|
March 21, 2005 |
|
NEW PLAN EXCEL REALTY TRUST, INC.
420
Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10170
PROXY STATEMENT
Why am I receiving this proxy statement?
This proxy statement contains information related to the solicitation of proxies for use at our 2005 annual meeting of stockholders, to be held at 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at The Cornell Club of New York, The Ivy Room, 6 East 44th Street, New York, New York 10017, for the purposes stated in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. This solicitation is made on behalf of our Board of Directors. We, our, us, the Company and New Plan refer to New Plan Excel Realty Trust, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. This proxy statement, the enclosed proxy card and our 2004 annual report to stockholders are being mailed to stockholders beginning on or about April 7, 2005.
Who is entitled to vote at the annual meeting?
Only holders of record of our common stock and our voting Series D depositary shares at the close of business on March 1, 2005, the record date for the annual meeting, are entitled to receive notice of the annual meeting and to vote at the meeting. Our common stock and Series D depositary shares constitute the only classes of securities entitled to vote at the meeting.
What are the voting rights of stockholders?
Each share of common stock outstanding on the record date entitles its holder to cast one vote on each matter to be voted on. Each Series D depositary share outstanding on the record date entitles its holder to cast one vote on each matter upon which holders of the common stock have the right to vote.
William Newman, the chairman of our board of directors, is obligated to vote all of his shares of common stock in favor of the proposals described in this proxy statement. As of the record date, he beneficially owned or controlled the vote with respect to a total of approximately 1,766,417 shares of common stock, excluding shares that may be acquired upon exercise of stock options, which shares of common stock represent approximately 1.7% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the annual meeting.
Who can attend the annual meeting?
All holders of our common stock and our Series D depositary shares at the close of business on March 1, 2005, the record date for the annual meeting, or their duly appointed proxies, are authorized to attend the annual meeting. If you attend the meeting, you may be asked to present valid picture identification, such as a drivers license or passport, before being admitted. Cameras, recording devices, and other electronic devices will not be permitted at the meeting.
Please also note that if you hold your shares in street name (that is, through a bank, broker or other nominee), you will need to bring a copy of the brokerage statement reflecting your stock ownership as of March 1, 2005.
What will constitute a quorum at the annual meeting?
The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock and Series D depositary shares outstanding on March 1, 2005, in the aggregate, will constitute a quorum, permitting the stockholders to conduct business at the meeting. We will include abstentions and broker non-votes in the calculation of the number of shares considered to be present at the meeting. A broker non-vote occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner has not received instructions from the beneficial owner and does not have discretionary authority to vote the shares.
As of the record date, there were 103,008,605 shares of common stock outstanding, and 1,500,000 Series D depositary shares outstanding.
You may vote either by completing and returning the accompanying proxy card or by completing a written ballot at the annual meeting.
How do I vote my shares that are held by my broker?
If your shares are held by a bank or broker, you should follow the instructions provided to you by the bank or broker. Although most banks and brokers now offer voting by mail, telephone and on the Internet, availability and specific procedures will depend on their voting arrangements.
How are proxy card votes counted?
If the accompanying proxy card is properly signed and returned to us, and not revoked, it will be voted as directed by you. Unless contrary instructions are given, the persons designated as proxy holders on the proxy card will vote FOR the election of all nominees for our Board of Directors named in this proxy statement, and as recommended by our Board of Directors with regard to any other matters, or, if no such recommendation is given, in their own discretion.
May I change my vote after I return my proxy card?
Yes. You may revoke a previously granted proxy at any time before it is exercised by filing with our Secretary a notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. Additionally, the powers of the proxy holders will be suspended regarding any person who executed a proxy but then attends the meeting in person and requests that their proxy be revoked. Attendance at the meeting will not, in itself, constitute revocation of a previously granted proxy.
Who pays the costs of soliciting proxies?
We will pay the costs of soliciting proxies. In addition to soliciting proxies by mail, our officers, directors and other employees, without additional compensation, may solicit proxies personally or by other appropriate means. It is anticipated that banks, brokers, fiduciaries, custodians and nominees will forward proxy soliciting materials to their principals, and that we will reimburse such persons out-of-pocket expenses.
You should rely only on the information provided in this proxy statement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. You should not assume that the information in this proxy statement is accurate as of any date other than the date of this proxy statement or, where information relates to another date set forth in this proxy statement, then as of that date.
2
Our Board of Directors is currently comprised of 11 directors, divided into three classes, with approximately one-third of the directors scheduled to be elected by the stockholders annually. The terms of three current directors, Raymond H. Bottorf, Matthew Goldstein and Gregory White, expire at the 2005 annual meeting, while the terms of the remaining directors expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2006 and 2007, as described below. The nominees have been recommended by our Board of Directors for re-election to serve as directors for three-year terms expiring in 2008. Based on its review of the relationships between its existing directors (including the director nominees) and the Company, the Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that if these nominees are elected, eight of the 11 directors serving on the Board of Directors will be independent directors under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange.
The Board of Directors knows of no reason why any nominee would be unable to serve as a director. If any nominee is unavailable for election or service, the Board of Directors may designate a substitute nominee and the persons designated as proxy holders on the proxy card will vote for the substitute nominee recommended by the Board of Directors, or the Board of Directors may, as permitted by our bylaws, decrease the size of our Board of Directors.
Who are the nominees for election to the Board of Directors?
The following information is submitted with respect to the nominees for election to the Board of Directors.
Nominees for Election for Terms Expiring at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Raymond H. Bottorf, age 63, has been a director since 1991. He has been Managing Partner of Global Real Estate Partners, LLC, a private merchant bank, since July 1999. Mr. Bottorf was the Managing Director of the New York office of the Global Real Estate Group of ABN-AMRO, Inc., an investment bank, from 1997 through July 1999. From 1990 to 1997, he was the President and sole director of U.S. Alpha, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Stichting Pensioenfonds ABP, formerly Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds, a Dutch pension fund.
Matthew Goldstein, age 63, has been a director since 2000. He has been Chancellor of The City University of New York since September 1999. He formerly held the positions of President of Adelphi University from June 1998 to August 1999 and President of Baruch College of The City University of New York from 1991 to June 1998. He is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the JP Morgan Funds, which currently consists of 70 investment companies and which will increase to 99 upon completion of a pending consolidation with another fund complex.
Gregory White, age 49, has been a director since 1994. Mr. White is a founding partner of Prima Capital Advisors, an investment advisory firm formed in January 2003. Mr. White served as Senior Vice President of Conning Asset Management Company, an investment advisory firm, from August 1998 until January 2003. From 1992 to August 1998, Mr. White was a founding partner and Managing Director of Schroder Mortgage Associates, an investment advisory firm. From 1982 to 1992, he was associated with Salomon Brothers Inc. where from 1988 until 1992 he was a Managing Director of the real estate finance department.
3
The following information is submitted with respect to those directors whose terms of office will continue after the annual meeting.
Incumbent DirectorsTerms Expiring at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Norman Gold, age 74, has been a director since our organization in 1972. He is currently of Counsel to the law firm of Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon LLP and was a partner in the law firm of Altheimer & Gray from 1962 until July 2003.
Nina Matis, age 57, has been a director since 2002. Ms. Matis is currently, and has been since 1986, a partner at the law firm of Katten Muchin Zavis Rosenman. She is also currently, and has been since November 1999, Executive Vice President of iStar Financial Inc., a publicly-traded real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in commercial real estate financing, where she also currently serves, and has served since 1996, as General Counsel.
William Newman, age 78, has been our Chairman of the Board of Directors since our organization in 1972. He served as our Chief Executive Officer from 1972 to 1998 and as our President from 1972 to 1988. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of our predecessor corporation, New Plan Realty Corporation, from the corporations organization in 1961 through its reorganization in 1972. He is a past Chairman of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) and has been actively involved in real estate for over 50 years. Mr. Newmans employment agreement with us provided that we nominate him at the 2004 annual meeting to serve as a director for a three-year term.
George Puskar, age 61, has been a director since 2003. He currently serves as Chairman of Solutions Manufacturing, Inc., a contract manufacturer of electronic components, and is a private investor. From June 1997 until June 2000, Mr. Puskar served as Chairman of the Board of Lend Lease Real Estate Investments, formerly known as ERE Yarmouth, the U.S. real estate unit of Lend Lease Corporation, an international financial services and real estate company. From 1988 to June 1997, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Equitable Real Estate Management, Inc., a full service commercial real estate investment management company that was the largest manager of pension funds invested in real estate and a subsidiary of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. He is also currently a director of iStar Financial Inc. and a member of its investment committee.
Incumbent Directors¾Terms Expiring at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Irwin Engelman, age 70, has been a director since 2003. He is currently a consultant to various industrial companies. From November 1999 until April 2002, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of YouthStream Media Networks, Inc., a media and retailing company serving high school and college markets. From 1992 until April 1999, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings, Inc., a privately-held financial holding company. From November 1998 until April 1999, he also served as Vice Chairman, Chief Administrative Officer and a director of Revlon, Inc., a publicly-traded consumer products company. From 1978 until 1992, he served as an executive officer of various public companies including International Specialty Products, Inc. (a subsidiary of GAF Holdings Inc.), CitiTrust Bancorporation, General Foods Corporation and The Singer Company. He is currently a director of Sanford Bernstein Mutual Funds, a publicly-traded company, and a member of its audit committee.
4
H. Carl McCall, age 69, has been a director since 2003. He is currently, and has been since June 2004, a principal of Convent Capital, LLC, a financial advisory firm. From February 2003 to June 2004, he served as Vice Chairman of Healthpoint, a private equity firm investing in the healthcare industry. From May 1993 until December 2002, he served as Comptroller of the State of New York, from 1991 until May 1993, he served as President of the New York City Board of Education and from 1985 to 1993 he served as Vice President of Citicorp. He is also currently a director of Tyco International LTD, a publicly-traded diversified manufacturing and service company.
Melvin Newman, age 63, has been a director since 1983. Mr. Newman is a private investor and the brother of William Newman.
Glenn J. Rufrano, age 55, has been a director since 2000 and our Chief Executive Officer since February 2000. From February 2000 until March 2002, Mr. Rufrano also served as our President. He was a partner in The OConnor Group, a diversified real estate firm, from its inception in 1983 until March 2000. He was Chief Financial Officer of The OConnor Group from June 1990 to November 1994 and President and Chief Operating Officer from November 1994 to March 2000. He also was Co-Chairman of The Peabody Group, an association between The OConnor Group and J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc., from September 1998 to March 2000. He currently serves on a number of boards at New York Universitys Real Estate Institute, where he is an adjunct professor, is a member of the Board of Governors and the Executive Committee of NAREIT and is a trustee of the International Council of Shopping Centers. He is also currently a director and member of the audit committee of Trizec Properties, Inc., a publicly-traded REIT that owns and operates office properties, and a director of CRIIMI MAE Inc., a publicly-traded REIT that owns and manages a portfolio of commercial mortgage-related assets. Mr. Rufranos employment agreement with us provided that we nominate him at the 2003 annual meeting to serve as a director for a three-year term.
The affirmative vote of a plurality of all the votes cast at the annual meeting, assuming a quorum is present, is necessary for the election of a director. Therefore, the three individuals with the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected to the three directorships. For purposes of the election of directors, abstentions and other shares not voted (whether by broker non-vote or otherwise) will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES SET FORTH ABOVE.
5
INFORMATION REGARDING CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES
Has the Company adopted corporate governance guidelines?
Yes. The Company has adopted corporate governance guidelines which serve as guidelines and principles for the conduct of the Board of Directors. They reflect the Boards commitment to monitoring the effectiveness of decision-making at the Board and management level and ensuring adherence to good corporate governance principles, all with a goal of enhancing stockholder value over the long term. The corporate governance guidelines, which meet the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange listing standards, address a number of topics, including, among other things, director qualifications and responsibilities, the functioning of the Board, the responsibilities and composition of the Board committees, director compensation, management succession and annual Board review and self-evaluations. The corporate governance guidelines are available on our website at www.newplan.com and are also available in print to any stockholder who requests them. You can obtain such copy in print by contacting our Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, either by mail at our corporate office or by e-mail at corporatecommunications@newplan.com.
Does the Company have a code of ethics?
Yes. The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics which applies to all of our employees, officers and directors and meets the requirements for such code as set forth in the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. The Company has also adopted a Code of Ethics for Principal Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers which meets the requirements of a code of ethics as defined by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Both the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the Code of Ethics for Principal Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers are available on our website at www.newplan.com and are also available in print to any stockholder who requests them. You can obtain such copies in print by contacting our Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, either by mail at our corporate office or by e-mail at corporatecommunications@newplan.com.
Does the Board of Directors have a lead director?
The Board of Directors established the position of lead director in 2003. The Board will, on an annual basis, select the lead director from among the Boards independent directors. The lead director is currently H. Carl McCall. The role of the lead director is to serve as liaison between (i) the Board of Directors and management, including the Chief Executive Officer, (ii) independent directors and (iii) interested third parties and the Board of Directors. The lead director serves as the focal point of communication with the Board of Directors regarding management plans and initiatives, and ensures that the role between board oversight and management operations is respected. The lead director also provides the medium for informal dialogue with and between independent directors, allowing for free and open communication within that group. In addition, the lead director will serve as the communication conduit for third parties who wish to communicate with the Board.
How often did the Board of Directors meet during 2004?
During 2004, the Board of Directors held eight meetings, including telephonic meetings, and took action by unanimous written consent twice. All directors attended at least 75% of Board and applicable committee meetings on which he or she served during his or her period of service. In
6
addition, pursuant to our corporate governance guidelines, directors are expected to attend the annual meetings of stockholders. Last year, all of our directors attended the annual meeting of stockholders.
Does the Board of Directors have executive sessions of non-management directors?
Yes. Pursuant to our corporate governance guidelines and the New York Stock Exchange listing standards, in order to promote open discussion among non-management directors, the Board devotes a portion of each regularly scheduled Board meeting to executive sessions without management participation. In addition, our corporate governance guidelines provide that if the group of non-management directors includes directors who are not independent, as defined in the New York Stock Exchanges listing standards, at least one such executive session convened per year will include only independent directors. The lead director presides at these executive sessions.
How can I communicate with the Board of Directors?
Interested third parties may communicate with the Board by communicating directly with its presiding lead director, either (i) by sending any correspondence they may have in writing to the Lead Director c/o General Counsel of New Plan, who will then directly forward such correspondence to the lead director, or (ii) by e-mailing correspondence directly to the lead director at lead.director@newplan.com. The lead director will decide what action should be taken with respect to the communication, including whether such communication will be reported to the Board of Directors.
Are a majority of our directors independent?
Yes. The Board of Directors has evaluated the status of each director and has affirmatively determined that Ms. Matis and Messrs. Bottorf, Engelman, Gold, Goldstein, McCall, Puskar and White are independent, as such term is defined in the New York Stock Exchanges listing standards. William Newman and Glenn Rufrano are not independent as they are employees of the Company. In addition, Melvin Newman is not independent as he is the brother of William Newman.
Pursuant to our corporate governance guidelines and the New York Stock Exchange listing standards, in order for a director to be deemed independent, the Board of Directors must affirmatively determine that a director has no material relationship with the Company (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company). After broadly considering all facts and circumstances, the Board of Directors determined that Ms. Matis and Messrs. Bottorf, Engelman, Gold, Goldstein, McCall, Puskar and White have no known relationship (material or otherwise) with the Company.
Mr. Goldstein is the Chancellor of The City University of New York. Baruch College is one of the colleges in The City University of New York system. William Newman, our Chairman of the Board of Directors, recently agreed to make a personal charitable contribution in the amount of $25 million over 5 years to Baruch College. This was a personal gift by Mr. Newman that was not sponsored or endorsed by the Company in any manner. The Board of Directors determined that since the gift was personal and did not involve the Company or its management, no relationship existed between Mr. Goldstein and the Company as a result of Mr. Newmans gift, and determined that this charitable gift by Mr. Newman does not in any way interfere with or influence Mr. Goldsteins exercise of independent judgment as a director of the Company.
7
The Board of Directors has an audit committee, an executive compensation and stock option committee, a nominating committee and a corporate governance committee. All members of the committees described below are independent of the Company as that term is defined in the New York Stock Exchanges listing standards and as affirmatively determined by the Board of Directors.
Audit Committee
The audit committee currently consists of four directors, Irwin Engelman, who is chairman, Raymond H. Bottorf, H. Carl McCall and George Puskar, all of whom are independent. The principal purposes of the audit committee are to assist the Board of Directors in the oversight of (i) the integrity of our financial statements; (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (iii) the qualification, independence and performance of our independent auditors; and (iv) the performance of our internal audit function. The audit committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of our independent auditors and is also responsible to review with our independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties they have encountered in the course of their audit work. The audit committee is also charged with the tasks of reviewing our financial statements, financial reporting issues and adequacy of internal control over financial reporting with management and our independent auditors.
Our audit committees written charter requires that all members of the committee meet the independence, experience, financial literacy and expertise requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, all as in effect from time to time. All of the members of the audit committee meet the foregoing requirements. The Board of Directors has determined that Irwin Engelman is an audit committee financial expert as defined by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the audit committee, a copy of which is available on our website at www.newplan.com and is available in print free of charge to any stockholder who requests it. You can obtain such copy in print by contacting our Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, either by mail at our corporate office or by e-mail at corporatecommunications@newplan.com. The audit committee met seven times during 2004, including telephonic meetings.
Executive Compensation and Stock Option Committee
The executive compensation and stock option committee, which we refer to as the compensation committee, currently consists of three directors, Gregory White, who is chairman, Matthew Goldstein and Nina Matis, all of whom are independent. The principal purposes of the compensation committee are to (i) review and approve our corporate goals and objectives with respect to the compensation of our executive officers, including the chief executive officer, evaluate the executive officers performance in light of those goals and objectives, and determine the appropriate level and structure of the executive officers compensation, subject to the approval of a majority of the Companys independent directors (including members of the compensation committee); (ii) make recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding compensation of the directors; and (iii) recommend, implement and administer our incentive and equity-based compensation plans.
8
The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the compensation committee, a copy of which is available on our website at www.newplan.com and is available in print free of charge to any stockholder who requests it. You can obtain such copy in print by contacting our Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, either by mail at our corporate office or by e-mail at corporatecommunications@newplan.com. The compensation committee met two times, including telephonic meetings, and took action by unanimous written consent 12 times during 2004.
Nominating Committee
The nominating committee currently consists of three
directors, George Puskar, who is chairman, Irwin Engelman and Nina Matis, all
of whom are independent. The principal purposes of the nominating committee are
to (i) identify individuals that are qualified to serve as directors;
(ii) recommend such individuals to the Board of Directors, either to fill
vacancies that occur on the Board from time to time or in connection with the
selection of director nominees for each annual meeting of stockholders; and (iii) periodically
assess the size of the Board of Directors to ensure that the Board of Directors
can effectively carry out its obligations.
The nominating committee has approved, and the Board of Directors has adopted, policies and procedures to be used for considering potential director candidates to continue to ensure that our Board of Directors consists of a diversified group of qualified individuals that function effectively as a group. These policies and procedures provide that qualifications and credentials for consideration as a director nominee may vary according to the particular areas of expertise being sought as a complement to the existing composition of the Board of Directors. However, at a minimum, candidates for director must possess: (1) high integrity; (2) an ability to exercise sound judgment; (3) an ability to make independent analytical inquiries; (4) a willingness and ability to devote adequate time and resources to diligently perform Board duties; and (5) a reputation, both personal and professional, consistent with the image and reputation of the Company. In addition to the aforementioned minimum qualifications, the nominating committee also believes that there are other factors that, while not a prerequisite for nomination, should be taken into account when considering whether to recommend a particular person. These factors include: (1) whether the person possesses specific real estate expertise and familiarity with general issues affecting the Companys business; (2) whether the persons nomination and election would enable the Board of Directors to have a member that qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as such term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission; (3) whether the person would qualify as an independent director under the New York Stock Exchanges listing standards and our corporate governance guidelines; (4) the importance of continuity of the existing composition of the Board of Directors; and (5) the importance of a diversified Board membership, in terms of both the individuals involved and their various experiences and areas of expertise.
The nominating committee will seek to identify director candidates based on input provided by a number of sources, including (i) nominating committee members, (ii) other members of the Board of Directors, and (iii) stockholders of the Company. The nominating committee also has the authority to consult with or retain advisors or search firms to assist in the identification of qualified director candidates; however, we do not currently employ a search firm, or pay a fee to any other third party, to locate qualified director candidates. As part of the identification process, the nominating committee takes into account the number of expected director vacancies and whether existing directors have indicated a willingness to continue to serve as directors if re-nominated. Once a director candidate has been identified, the nominating committee will then evaluate this candidate in light of his or her qualifications and credentials, and any additional factors that it deems necessary or appropriate. Existing directors who are being considered for re-nomination will
9
be re-evaluated as part of the nominating committees process of recommending director candidates.
The nominating committee will consider all persons recommended by stockholders in the same manner as all other director candidates. Stockholders who wish to submit qualified candidates must comply with the advance notice provisions and other requirements of Article II, Section 11 of our bylaws. These notice provisions require that recommendations for directors must be received no more than 150 days and no less than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year (that is, no earlier than October 22, 2005 and no later than November 21, 2005 for candidates for election at the 2006 annual meeting).
After completing the identification and evaluation process described above, the nominating committee will recommend to the Board of Directors the nomination of a number of candidates equal to the number of director vacancies that will exist at the annual meeting of stockholders. The Board of Directors will then select director nominees for stockholders to consider and vote upon at the annual stockholders meeting.
The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the nominating committee, a copy of which is available on our website at www.newplan.com and is available in print free of charge to any stockholder who requests it. You can obtain such copy in print by contacting our Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, either by mail at our corporate office or by e-mail at corporatecommunications@newplan.com. The nominating committee met two times during 2004, including telephonic meetings.
Corporate Governance Committee
The corporate governance committee currently consists of four directors, Norman Gold, who is chairman, Raymond Bottorf, H. Carl McCall and Gregory White, all of whom are independent. The principal purposes of the corporate governance committee are to (i) develop, recommend, implement and monitor our corporate governance guidelines, our code of business conduct and ethics and our code of ethics for our principal executive officer and senior financial officers; (ii) oversee the evaluation of the Board of Directors and management; and (iii) ensure that we are in compliance with all New York Stock Exchange listing requirements.
The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the corporate governance committee, which is available on our website at www.newplan.com and is available in print free of charge to any stockholder who requests it. You can obtain such copy in print by contacting our Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, either by mail at our corporate office or by e-mail at corporatecommunications@newplan.com. The corporate governance committee met two times, including telephonic meetings, during 2004.
Do our directors receive any compensation for their service as directors?
Directors who are not otherwise paid employees or consultants of the Company currently receive an annual retainer fee of $40,000, plus a fee of $1,000 for attendance, in person or telephonically, at each meeting of the Board of Directors. Non-employee directors also currently receive $1,000 for each committee meeting attended, including telephonic meetings, that is not on the same day as a meeting of the Board of Directors. The lead director currently receives an additional annual retainer fee of $10,000. The chairman of the audit committee currently receives an additional annual retainer fee of $10,000, and the chairman of each of the executive compensation and stock option committee, the nominating committee and the corporate governance
10
committee currently receives an additional annual retainer fee of $5,000. In addition, the other directors who are members of the audit committee currently receive an additional annual retainer fee of $5,000. Each director is reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending meetings, including committee meetings. The $40,000 annual retainer fee is paid 50% in cash and 50% through the issuance of shares of our common stock.
In addition, directors who are not otherwise paid employees or consultants of the Company are entitled to receive, on an annual basis, options to purchase shares of our common stock in accordance with the following formula: 3,000 shares, plus 250 shares multiplied by the number of years of continuous service beginning in 1997, including any portion of any fiscal year of service as a full year. The option price is the fair market value of the underlying shares of our common stock on the date of grant and the options are fully vested upon grant.
Do we have minimum stock ownership guidelines for our non-management directors?
Yes. In February 2005, the Board of Directors adopted a policy declaring that all non-management directors should hold meaningful equity ownership positions in the Company. We believe that stock ownership requirements for non-management directors ensure that all of our directors have a proprietary stake in the Company and that the interests of the directors continue to be closely aligned with the interests of our stockholders. The compensation committee is responsible for determining the minimum stock ownership requirements for the non-management directors from time to time. Under the current requirements adopted by the compensation committee, non-management directors are expected to own, within five years of initial election to the Board (or by December 31, 2009 in the case of current directors), shares of our common stock with a market value of at least $150,000.
11
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
Who are our executive officers?
The following is a list of our current executive officers, their ages and principal functions.
William Newman, age 78, has been our Chairman of the Board of Directors since our organization in 1972. He served as our Chief Executive Officer from 1972 to 1998 and as our President from 1972 to 1988. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of our predecessor corporation, New Plan Realty Corporation, from the corporations organization in 1961 through its reorganization in 1972. He is a past Chairman of NAREIT and has been actively involved in real estate for over 50 years.
Glenn J. Rufrano, age 55, has been a director since 2000 and our Chief Executive Officer since February 2000. From February 2000 until March 2002, Mr. Rufrano also served as our President. He was a partner in The OConnor Group, a diversified real estate firm, from its inception in 1983 until March 2000. He was Chief Financial Officer of The OConnor Group from June 1990 to November 1994 and President and Chief Operating Officer from November 1994 to March 2000. He also was Co-Chairman of The Peabody Group, an association between The OConnor Group and J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc., from September 1998 to March 2000. He currently serves on a number of boards at New York Universitys Real Estate Institute, where he is an adjunct professor, is a member of the Board of Governors and the Executive Committee of NAREIT and is a trustee of the International Council of Shopping Centers. He is also currently a director and member of the audit committee of Trizec Properties, Inc., a publicly-traded REIT that owns and operates office properties, and a director of CRIIMI MAE Inc., a publicly-traded REIT that owns and manages a portfolio of commercial mortgage-related assets.
Scott D. MacDonald, age 57, has been our President and Chief Operating Officer since March 2002. From July 1995 until March 2002, he was President and CEO of CenterAmerica Property Trust, L.P., a private real estate company. As previously disclosed, Mr. MacDonald anticipates relocating to the West Coast during the second quarter of 2005, and, as a result, will relinquish his role as President and Chief Operating Officer effective April 30, 2005.
John B. Roche, age 47, has been an Executive Vice President since March 2002 and our Chief Financial Officer since May 2000. He was Senior Vice President of the financial services division of The Related Companies, a fully integrated real estate firm, from May 1998 until May 2000.
Leonard I. Brumberg, age 61, has been an Executive Vice President since September 2000. Mr. Brumberg was Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of City Center Retail Trust, a private REIT, from October 1997 until September 2000.
Steven F. Siegel, age 45, has been an Executive Vice President since March 2002 and our General Counsel since 1991. He was our Senior Vice President from September 1998 to March 2002. Mr. Siegel has also served as our Secretary from 1991 to September 1998 and since April 1999.
Dean R. Bernstein, age 47, has been our Executive Vice President¾Acquisitions/Dispositions since March 2005 and has been employed by us since 1991. He was our Senior Vice President¾Acquisitions/Dispositions from January 2001 to February 2005 and our Senior Vice President¾Finance from September 1998 to January 2001. Mr. Bernstein is the son-in-law of William Newman.
Michael A. Carroll, age 36, has been our Executive Vice PresidentReal Estate Operations since March 2005 and has been employed by us since November 1992. From March 2002 to March 2005, he was our Senior Vice President¾Director of Redevelopment. Between November 1992 and March 2002, Mr. Carroll held various positions at the Company, including Vice PresidentAsset Management, Vice PresidentLeasing and Assistant Vice PresidentLeasing.
12
The following tables contain certain compensation information for our Chief Executive Officer and our four other most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers on December 31, 2004 (our named executive officers):
(a) Summary Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation |
|
Restricted |
|
Securities |
|
All Other |
|
||||||||||||||
Name & Principal Position |
|
|
|
Year |
|
Salary |
|
Bonus(1) |
|
(2) |
|
Options (#) |
|
Compensation(3) |
|
||||||||||
Glenn J. Rufrano |
|
2004 |
|
$ |
576,346 |
|
$ |
800,000 |
|
|
$ |
413,255 |
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
6,150 |
|
|
||
Chief Executive Officer |
|
2003 |
|
$ |
555,000 |
|
$ |
750,000 |
|
|
$ |
397,500 |
|
|
|
115,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
6,000 |
|
|
||
|
2002 |
|
$ |
555,000 |
|
$ |
400,000 |
|
|
$ |
258,960 |
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
5,500 |
|
|
|||
Scott MacDonald |
|
2004 |
|
$ |
449,615 |
|
$ |
225,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
$ |
6,150 |
|
|
||
President and Chief Operating |
|
2003 |
|
$ |
425,000 |
|
$ |
225,000 |
|
|
$ |
182,320 |
|
|
|
54,900 |
|
|
|
$ |
6,000 |
|
|
||
Officer |
|
2002 |
|
$ |
337,340 |
(4) |
$ |
212,500 |
|
|
$ |
172,640 |
|
|
|
295,000 |
(5) |
|
|
$ |
5,500 |
|
|
||
John B. Roche |
|
2004 |
|
$ |
321,547 |
|
$ |
250,000 |
|
|
$ |
169,110 |
|
|
|
51,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
6,150 |
|
|
||
Executive Vice President and |
|
2003 |
|
$ |
300,494 |
|
$ |
195,000 |
|
|
$ |
148,135 |
|
|
|
42,700 |
|
|
|
$ |
6,000 |
|
|
||
Chief Financial Officer |
|
2002 |
|
$ |
291,578 |
|
$ |
195,000 |
|
|
$ |
140,270 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
5,500 |
|
|
||
Steven F. Siegel |
|
2004 |
|
$ |
293,196 |
|
$ |
180,000 |
|
|
$ |
140,025 |
|
|
|
42,300 |
|
|
|
$ |
6,150 |
|
|
||
Executive Vice President, |
|
2003 |
|
$ |
274,135 |
|
$ |
175,000 |
|
|
$ |
148,135 |
|
|
|
42,700 |
|
|
|
$ |
6,000 |
|
|
||
General Counsel and Secretary |
|
2002 |
|
$ |
266,000 |
|
$ |
175,000 |
|
|
$ |
140,270 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
5,500 |
|
|
||
Leonard I. Brumberg |
|
2004 |
|
$ |
288,766 |
|
$ |
130,000 |
|
|
$ |
140,025 |
|
|
|
42,300 |
|
|
|
$ |
6,150 |
|
|
||
Executive Vice President |
|
2003 |
|
$ |
268,863 |
|
$ |
125,000 |
|
|
$ |
148,135 |
|
|
|
42,700 |
|
|
|
$ |
6,000 |
|
|
||
Portfolio Management |
|
2002 |
|
$ |
260,885 |
|
$ |
115,000 |
|
|
$ |
140,270 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
5,500 |
|
|
||
(1) Shows bonus and long-term compensation paid with respect to the year listed (for example, bonuses and long-term compensation with respect to 2004 were approved in February 2005, but relate to 2004 performance, and therefore are shown as being paid with respect to 2004).
(2) Represents the value of grants of restricted stock made under our 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, based on the last sale price of our common stock on the grant date. A total of 50% of the shares of restricted stock vest ratably over a five-year period, assuming the grantee is still an employee of the Company or otherwise eligible for vesting on the vesting date, while the remaining 50% vests ratably over a five-year period, but subject to the achievement of certain annual performance goals established annually by the Executive Compensation and Stock Option Committee. Grantees are entitled to receive any dividends paid on the restricted stock during the vesting period, and have voting rights with respect to such shares. As of December 31, 2004, the total holdings of unvested restricted stock of the named executive officers and the market value of such holdings based on the last sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on December 31, 2004 ($27.08) were as follows: Mr. Rufrano: 24,600 shares ($666,168); Mr. MacDonald: 13,280 shares ($359,622); and Messrs. Roche, Siegel and Brumberg: 10,790 shares each ($292,193 each).
(3) Represents our 401(k) plan contribution for each named executive officer. Excludes certain other personal benefits, the total value of which was less than the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total salary and bonus paid or accrued by the Company for services rendered by each named executive officer during the year indicated.
(4) The amount set forth as salary for Mr. MacDonald for 2002 represents actual salary paid to him from his hire date (March 1, 2002) to December 31, 2002. His annualized salary for 2002 was $425,000.
(5) Includes options to purchase 250,000 shares granted when Mr. MacDonald commenced employment with the Company.
13
(b) Option Grants in 2004
|
|
Number of |
|
% of Total |
|
Exercise |
|
Expiration |
|
Potential Realizable |
|
|||||||||||||||||
Name |
|
|
|
Granted |
|
in 2004 |
|
Share |
|
Date |
|
5%(1) |
|
10%(1) |
|
|||||||||||||
Glenn J. Rufrano |
|
|
115,000 |
|
|
|
18.2 |
% |
|
|
$ |
26.10 |
|
|
|
3/2/2014 |
|
|
|
$ |
1,887,627 |
|
|
$ |
4,783,618 |
|
||
Scott MacDonald |
|
|
54,900 |
|
|
|
8.7 |
% |
|
|
$ |
26.10 |
|
|
|
3/2/2014 |
|
|
|
$ |
901,137 |
|
|
$ |
2,283,658 |
|
||
John B. Roche |
|
|
42,700 |
|
|
|
6.8 |
% |
|
|
$ |
26.10 |
|
|
|
3/2/2014 |
|
|
|
$ |
700,884 |
|
|
$ |
1,776,678 |
|
||
Steven F. Siegel |
|
|
42,700 |
|
|
|
6.8 |
% |
|
|
$ |
26.10 |
|
|
|
3/2/2014 |
|
|
|
$ |
700,884 |
|
|
$ |
1,776,678 |
|
||
Leonard I. Brumberg |
|
|
42,700 |
|
|
|
6.8 |
% |
|
|
$ |
26.10 |
|
|
|
3/2/2014 |
|
|
|
$ |
700,884 |
|
|
$ |
1,776,678 |
|
||
(1) The 5% and 10% rates of appreciation were set by the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not intended to forecast future appreciation, if any, of our common stock.
(c) Aggregated Option Exercises in 2004 and Fiscal Year-End Option Values
|
|
Shares |
|
Value |
|
Number of Securities |
|
Value of Unexercised |
|
|||||||||||||||||
Name |
|
|
|
Exercise |
|
Realized |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
|||||||||||
Glenn J. Rufrano |
|
|
7,804 |
|
|
$ |
106,427 |
|
|
418,132 |
|
|
|
450,400 |
|
|
$ |
5,649,500 |
|
|
$ |
3,979,472 |
|
|
||
Scott MacDonald |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
70,600 |
|
|
68,480 |
|
|
|
271,420 |
|
|
$ |
490,902 |
|
|
$ |
1,620,900 |
|
|
||
John B. Roche |
|
|
80,040 |
|
|
$ |
605,242 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
211,260 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,690,466 |
|
|
||
Steven F. Siegel |
|
|
55,000 |
|
|
$ |
551,866 |
|
|
89,610 |
|
|
|
189,960 |
|
|
$ |
886,184 |
|
|
$ |
1,455,793 |
|
|
||
Leonard I. Brumberg |
|
|
11,500 |
|
|
$ |
137,375 |
|
|
93,740 |
|
|
|
189,960 |
|
|
$ |
1,022,777 |
|
|
$ |
1,430,499 |
|
|
||
(1) Based upon a closing price per share of our common stock of $27.08 on December 31, 2004.
Do we have employment agreements with our named executive officers?
We have entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Rufrano, Roche, Siegel and Brumberg. Our employment agreement with Mr. MacDonald expired on March 1, 2005 and was not renewed. The principal terms of each of these agreements are summarized below.
Glenn J. Rufrano Employment Agreement. On March 15, 2005, the Company entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Rufrano, replacing the original employment agreement that was entered into upon commencement of Mr. Rufranos employment with the Company in February 2000. The new employment agreement has a term commencing on March 15, 2005 and ending on June 30, 2010. The employment agreement also provides that, during the employment period, Mr. Rufrano continue to be nominated by us at our annual meetings of stockholders to serve as our director, and that we use reasonable good faith efforts to cause Mr. Rufrano to be elected as a director. In addition, the employment agreement provides that, during the employment period, Mr. Rufrano be our Chief Executive Officer and be appointed as a full voting member of our Investment Committee, or any successor committee.
14
Under the employment agreement, Mr. Rufrano will receive a minimum annual base salary of $600,000. The employment agreement also provides for Mr. Rufrano to receive a minimum cash bonus of $800,000 for calendar year 2005 services, such bonus to be paid on or before March 15, 2006. Thereafter, any annual cash bonus shall be determined in the discretion of the Companys compensation committee. In addition, the employment agreement provides for Mr. Rufrano to receive a grant of stock options and/or restricted stock valued at not less than $800,000 for calendar year 2005 services, such grant to be awarded on or before March 15, 2006. Thereafter, the grant of any annual long term incentive compensation shall be determined in the discretion of the Companys compensation committee. During the employment period, Mr. Rufrano will also be entitled to receive business expense reimbursements and an automobile allowance, and to participate in the incentive, retirement, welfare benefit and fringe benefit programs made available to the Companys senior executives.
Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Rufrano may also become entitled to an award of common stock, termed outperform shares, in the event that over designated performance periods either of two specified performance criteria are achieved (total return on Company shares or total return on Company shares in relation to a designated peer group). The value of the common stock award will vary based on the level of performance achieved, but the maximum award of common stock that can be achieved is $6 million.
The first performance period will be a four-year period commencing on February 23, 2005 and ending on February 22, 2009. Any common stock awarded for this performance period would be subject to a one year vesting schedule and would become fully vested and non-forfeitable on February 22, 2010 (but Mr. Rufrano would be entitled to receive the dividend on, and the voting rights with respect to, any such shares during the one-year vesting period). In the event that the maximum performance level is not achieved during the initial four-year performance period, then there will be a second performance period running from February 23, 2005 until February 22, 2010, and if at the end of such five-year period a performance level is achieved that is greater than the performance level that was achieved over the initial four-year period, Mr. Rufrano will be entitled to receive an incremental award of common stock based on the greater performance level achieved over such five-year performance period. Any common stock awarded based on the five-year performance period will fully vest and be non-forfeitable on February 22, 2010.
If Mr. Rufranos employment is terminated by us without cause or by Mr. Rufrano for good reason, Mr. Rufrano will be entitled to severance benefits, including:
· A lump-sum amount equal to two times Mr. Rufranos average annualized compensation (counting base salary and bonus) for the two fiscal years preceding the date of termination of employment;
· Mr. Rufranos outstanding stock options and outstanding restricted stock granted more than one year prior to the date of termination will fully vest as of the date of such termination;
· If a performance level is achieved as measured through the date of termination, then Mr. Rufrano will be entitled to receive an award of common stock corresponding to the performance level so achieved (and if the date of termination is after February 23, 2009, any outperform shares previously awarded will fully vest as of the date of termination); and
· For three years following the termination or, if earlier, until reemployment with equivalent benefits, Mr. Rufrano will be provided with medical, hospitalization, dental and life insurance coverage at substantially the same level in effect at the date of termination.
15
In addition, if Mr. Rufranos termination without cause or for good reason occurs before payment of the guaranteed bonus for 2005 services, the bonus nevertheless will be paid to Mr. Rufrano, and, if the termination without cause or for good reason occurs before the guaranteed equity award in respect of 2005 service, Mr. Rufrano will be paid the minimum guaranteed value of the award.
Good reason is defined to include, among other things, a change in control of the Company, as defined in the employment agreement. Termination for cause does not constitute good reason.
All of the foregoing severance benefit payments are subject to certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, concerning excess parachute payments.
The employment agreement also provides for certain benefits upon Mr. Rufranos death or disability.
If the employment agreement is terminated by Mr. Rufrano without good reason or by us for cause, for one year following the date of termination, Mr. Rufrano may not serve as an officer, employee, director or consultant of a REIT or other real estate business with a significant portion of its business involved with community or neighborhood shopping centers; however, if the employment agreement is terminated by Mr. Rufrano without good reason on or after February 23, 2008, the one-year noncompetition restriction described above shall be inapplicable unless following Mr. Rufranos notice of resignation, the Company were to offer Mr. Rufrano a new employment contract on terms and conditions consistent with then current chief executive officer contracts for the Companys peer group. Mr. Rufrano will not be subject to any noncompetition restriction following expiration of the employment agreement without renewal on June 30, 2010.
John B. Roche Employment Agreement. Mr. Roches employment agreement provides for a term ending on May 15, 2006 and extends automatically for additional one-year periods unless either New Plan or Mr. Roche elects not to extend the term. The employment agreement also provides that Mr. Roche be our Chief Financial Officer and that his annual salary cannot be reduced during the term of the agreement. In addition, the employment agreement provides that Mr. Roche receive an annual cash bonus of up to 100% of his base salary as determined by the compensation committee. The employment agreement also provides that, during the employment period, Mr. Roche will also be entitled to receive business expense reimbursements and an automobile allowance, and to participate in the incentive, retirement, welfare benefit and fringe benefit programs made available to the Companys senior executives.
In accordance with the terms of his employment agreement and related option agreement, Mr. Roche was granted options to purchase 150,000 shares of our common stock on May 15, 2000, at an exercise price of $14.4375 per share, the closing price of our common stock on May 15, 2000. A total of 108,000 of these options vest ratably over five years commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date, while the remaining 42,000 vest upon the eighth anniversary of the grant date, subject to acceleration in the fourth and fifth years in the event certain performance criteria are achieved. A total of 21,000 of these 42,000 options vested on May 15, 2004 because the applicable performance criteria were satisfied.
If Mr. Roches employment is terminated by us without cause or by Mr. Roche for good reason, as such terms are defined in the employment agreement, Mr. Roche will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of a lump sum payment equal to twice his average total compensation, including bonus, for the two fiscal years ending prior to termination date, continuation for a period of three years of all insurance coverage in effect for Mr. Roche on the termination date and the full vesting of all stock options granted more than one year prior to the date of termination. In addition, Mr. Roches stock options will fully vest as of the date of such termination. However, all of the
16
foregoing is subject to certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, concerning excess parachute payments. Good reason is defined to include a change of control of New Plan, as defined in the employment agreement. The employment agreement also provides for certain benefits upon Mr. Roches death or disability. If the employment agreement is terminated by Mr. Roche without good reason or by us, regardless of whether we have cause, for one year following the date of termination Mr. Roche may not:
· serve as an officer, employee, director or consultant of a REIT or other real estate business with a significant portion of its business involved with community shopping centers,
· generally, engage in any business which is competing with us,
· divert to any entity any of our business, or
· solicit any of our officers, employees or consultants to leave.
Steven F. Siegel Employment Agreement. The employment agreement of Mr. Siegel provides for a term ending on December 31, 2006, and extends automatically for additional one-year periods unless either New Plan or Mr. Siegel elects not to extend the term. The employment agreement also provides that Mr. Siegel be our Senior Vice President and General Counsel, and that his annual salary cannot be reduced during the term of the agreement. In addition, the employment agreement provides that Mr. Siegel receive an annual cash bonus of up to 50% of his base salary as determined by the compensation committee. The employment agreement also provides that, during the employment period, Mr. Siegel will also be entitled to receive business expense reimbursements and an automobile allowance, and to participate in the incentive, retirement, welfare benefit and fringe benefit programs made available to the Companys senior executives.
If Mr. Siegels employment is terminated by us without cause or by Mr. Siegel for good reason, as such terms are defined in the employment agreement, Mr. Siegel will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of a lump sum payment equal to twice his average total compensation, including bonus, for the two fiscal years ending prior to the termination date, continuation for a period of three years of all insurance coverage in effect for Mr. Siegel on the termination date, the full vesting of all stock options granted more than one year prior to the date of termination. However, all of the foregoing is subject to certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, concerning excess parachute payments. Good reason is defined to include a change in control of New Plan, as defined in the employment agreement. The employment agreement also provides for certain benefits upon the death or disability of Mr. Siegel. If the employment agreement is terminated by Mr. Siegel without good reason or by us for cause, for one year following the date of termination, Mr. Siegel will not:
· engage in any business which is competing us,
· divert to any entity any of our business, or
· solicit any of our officers, employees or consultants to leave.
Leonard I. Brumberg Employment Agreement. The employment agreement of Mr. Brumberg originally provided for a term ending on September 25, 2005, and extends automatically for additional one-year periods unless either New Plan or Mr. Brumberg elects not to extend the term. We recently extended this agreement until September 25, 2007. The employment agreement, as amended, also provides that Mr. Brumberg be our Executive Vice PresidentPortfolio Management, and that his annual salary cannot be reduced during the term of the agreement. In addition, the employment agreement provides that Mr. Brumberg receive an annual cash bonus as
17
determined by the compensation committee. The employment agreement also provides that, during the employment period, Mr. Brumberg will also be entitled to receive business expense reimbursements and an automobile allowance, and to participate in the incentive, retirement, welfare benefit and fringe benefit programs made available to the Companys senior executives.
In accordance with the terms of his employment agreement and related option agreement, Mr. Brumberg was granted options to purchase 75,000 shares of our common stock on September 25, 2000, at an exercise price of $14.00 per share, the closing price of our common stock on September 22, 2000. A total of 54,000 of these options vest ratably over five years commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date, while the remaining 21,000 vest upon the eighth anniversary of the grant date, subject to acceleration in the fourth and fifth years in the event certain performance criteria are achieved. A total of 10,500 of these 21,000 options vested on September 25, 2004 because the applicable performance criteria were satisfied.
If Mr. Brumbergs employment is terminated by us without cause or by Mr. Brumberg for good reason, as such terms are defined in the employment agreement, Mr. Brumberg will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of a lump sum payment equal to twice his average total compensation, including bonus, for the two fiscal years ending prior to the termination date, continuation for a period of three years of all insurance coverage in effect for Mr. Brumberg on the termination date, the full vesting of all stock options granted more than one year prior to the date of termination and the cancellation of any loans made by us to Mr. Brumberg after the date of the employment agreement. In addition, Mr. Brumbergs stock options will fully vest as of the date of such termination. However, all of the foregoing is subject to certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, concerning excess parachute payments. Good reason is defined to include a change in control of New Plan, as defined in the employment agreement. The employment agreement also provides for certain benefits upon the death or disability of Mr. Brumberg. If the employment agreement is terminated by Mr. Brumberg without good reason or by us for cause, for one year following the date of termination, Mr. Brumberg will not:
· engage in any business which is competing with us,
· divert to any entity any of our business, or
· solicit any of our officers, employees or consultants to leave.
18
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that might incorporate Securities and Exchange Commission filings, in whole or in part, the following performance graph, the compensation committee report on executive compensation and the audit committee report will not be incorporated by reference into any such filings.
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return of our common stock for the period from December 31, 1999 to December 31, 2004 to the S&P 500 Index and to the published NAREIT All Equity REIT Index over the same five-year period. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in our common stock and each index was $100 at December 31, 1999 and that all dividends were reinvested. The stockholder return shown on the graph below is not indicative of future performance.
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG NEW PLAN EXCEL REALTY TRUST, INC., THE S & P 500 INDEX
AND THE NAREIT EQUITY INDEX
* $100 invested on 12/31/99 in stock or index-including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending December 31.
Copyright © 2002, Standard & Poors, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. www.researchdatagroup.com/S&P.htm
Index |
|
12/31/99 |
|
12/31/00 |
|
12/31/01 |
|
12/31/02 |
|
12/31/03 |
|
12/31/04 |
|
New Plan Excel Realty Trust, Inc. |
|
100.00 |
|
93.83 |
|
149.82 |
|
163.22 |
|
227.09 |
|
265.79 |
|
S&P 500 |
|
100.00 |
|
90.89 |
|
80.09 |
|
62.39 |
|
80.29 |
|
86.09 |
|
NAREIT All Equity REIT Index |
|
100.00 |
|
126.37 |
|
143.97 |
|
149.47 |
|
204.98 |
|
269.70 |
|
19
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The compensation committee of the Board of Directors currently consists of Gregory White (chairman), Matthew Goldstein and Nina Matis. Under its charter, the compensation committee is responsible for determining the compensation of the Companys executive officers, including base salary, bonus and long-term incentive compensation, subject to approval of a majority of the Companys independent directors (including members of the compensation committee). Set forth below in full is the report of the compensation committee regarding the compensation paid by us to our executive officers with respect to fiscal year 2004.
What is our general compensation philosophy?
Our compensation committee desires to implement compensation policies that seek to enhance stockholder value by aligning closely the financial interests of our executive officers with those of our stockholders. Our overall objectives are to attract and retain the best possible executive talent, to motivate these executives to achieve the goals inherent in our business strategy, to link executive and stockholder interests through performance goals and equity-based plans, and to provide a compensation package that recognizes individual contributions as well as overall business results.
In implementing compensation policies, our committee strives to ensure that our executive officers are compensated fairly in relation to compensation packages provided for executives with comparable positions and responsibilities at comparable public REITs. We also are aware that our executive officers may have opportunities with other companies in the New York City metropolitan area, and we endeavor to remain competitive within this universe of companies as well. From time to time our committee may retain outside compensation consultants to assist it in the performance of our responsibilities.
What are the components of our executive compensation?
The components of our executive compensation program currently consist of base salary, bonus, and long-term incentive compensation, currently implemented through the use of restricted stock awards and stock options. Each of these three categories of compensation is reviewed separately, but the three components are integrally linked, as we review each category in light of its relationship to the total compensation that we believe our executive officers should receive.
Base Salary. Our committee determines the base salary level of each of our executive officers by evaluating the responsibilities of the position held and the experience of the individual, and by reference to the competitive marketplace for executive talent. Our committee strives to set base salaries at competitive levels relative to the base salaries paid to executive officers with comparable qualifications, experience and responsibilities at comparable public REITs. These REITs constitute only a portion of the REITs included in the NAREIT All Equity REIT Index, which is used in the Performance Graph above to compare stockholder returns.
While the employment agreements with our executive officers do not permit the base salaries of such executive officers to be reduced during the terms of the agreements, our committee will consider from time to time whether an increase in an executive officers base salary is merited, taking into account the performance of the Company and of the executive officer, and also taking into account new responsibilities, increases in pay levels at comparable public REITs, and other matters deemed appropriate.
20
We established base salaries for 2004 for our executive officers in March 2004. In establishing these salaries, as a starting point we took into account the fact that, on a company-wide basis, salaries were increased by approximately 3% over 2003 levels. In addition, our committee engaged an outside compensation consultant to assemble data regarding compensation paid to executive officers by comparable companies, to assist us in setting base salaries for our executive officers at a level that was appropriate in relation to our peers. As a benchmark, our consultant provided us with comparisons of base salary, bonuses, long-term incentive compensation and total compensation paid to executive officers by several peer groups of other public REITs. Our committee reviewed the information provided with respect to a retail peer group (10 other public REITs focused on retail properties), a geographic peer group (11 other public REITs that operate in the Northeastern United States) and an implied equity market capitalization peer group (12 other public REITs with implied equity market capitalization comparable to the Company). Based on this information, our committee then reviewed a comparative range of base salary, bonus, long-term incentive and total compensation for each executive officer, with the low end being the median paid by the peer groups, and the high end being the 75th percentile paid by the peer groups for such executive officers comparable position (either in terms of job function or relative compensation standing within the company). We also took into account recommendations for base salaries provided to us by our Chief Executive Officer.
After reviewing and considering the foregoing information, our committee then determined base salaries for our executive officers on an individual-by-individual basis, taking into account both the performance of the individual executive in 2003 and the performance of the Company as a whole in 2003. Messrs. MacDonald, Roche, Siegel, Brumberg and Bernstein each received increases of between 2.4% and 5.4% in their respective base salaries from 2003 to 2004, while the base salaries for Messrs. Rufrano and Newman did not change from 2003 to 2004.
Bonus. The range of bonuses is at the discretion of our committee and the amounts paid are based on, among other things, achievement of certain performance levels by the Company, including growth in funds from operations, and the individual executives performance and contribution to increasing the Companys funds from operations.
Bonuses with respect to 2004 performance were determined in February 2005. Prior to awarding these bonuses, our committee had available to it the information supplied by the outside compensation consultant in early 2004 (referred to in Base Salary above) regarding compensation paid to executive officers by comparable public REITs, to assist us in awarding bonuses for our executive officers at a level that was appropriate in relation to our peers. We also took into account recommendations for bonuses provided to us by our Chief Executive Officer. Finally, in considering bonus awards, we took into account the total compensation expected to be paid to the executive officer, including base salary, bonus and long-term incentive compensation, and how that total compensation related to the range described above.
After reviewing and considering the foregoing information, our committee determined bonuses to executive officers on an individual-by-individual basis, taking into account several factors, including the performance of the individual executive, the performance of the Company as a whole, and the comparative range of bonus compensation paid by the peer groups for such executive officers comparable position (both in terms of job function and relative compensation standing within the company). Bonuses for executive officers for 2004 performance ranged from 45-65% of base salaries of such officers, except for our Chief Financial Officer, who received a bonus of approximately 80% of his base salary, and our Chief Executive Officer, who was paid a higher bonus as described below. These bonuses were awarded in part as a result of, among other things, the continued execution of the Companys business plan and the Companys achievement of the higher
21
end of the range of earnings guidance for 2004 that was provided by the Company in November 2003 and, in the case of our Chief Financial Officer, the Companys initiatives in complying with new Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.
In the future, our committee expects to continue to evaluate bonus payments to executive officers based on performance criteria applicable to the Company in general and to the individual executive officer in particular, and by reference to the competitive marketplace for executive talent.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation. Our committee believes that long-term incentive compensation is an important component of executive compensation, as it aligns the financial interests of our executive officers more closely with those of our stockholders.
In February 2005, our committee approved long-term incentive compensation awards to our executive officers after reviewing 2004 performance. Prior to determining these awards, our committee had available to it the information provided to us by our compensation consultant in early 2004 (referred to in Base Salary above). We also took into account recommendations for long-term incentive compensation awards for our executive officers provided to us by our Chief Executive Officer. Finally, in considering long-term incentive compensation awards, we also took into account the total compensation expected to be paid to the executive officer, including base salary, bonus and long-term incentive compensation, and how that total compensation related to the range described above.
Taking into account all of the foregoing, we approved option grants of 51,000 shares to Mr. Roche, 42,300 shares to each of Messrs. Siegel, Brumberg and Bernstein, and 125,000 shares to Mr. Rufrano, as described below, which grants were designed to provide further incentive for executive performance. In addition to the option grants, our committee also approved grants of restricted stock with an initial value of approximately $170,000 to Mr. Roche, approximately $140,000 to each of Messrs. Siegel, Brumberg and Bernstein and approximately $413,000 to Mr. Rufrano, as described below, which awards were also designed to provide further incentive for executive performance. No option grants or grants of restricted stock were awarded to Mr. MacDonald in light of his planned departure from the Company in April 2005. The aggregate value of all of these grants roughly approximated the aggregate value of the incentive awards granted to all of our executive officers in February 2004 with respect to 2003 performance.
Our committee believes that grants of restricted stock provide a useful complement to stock option grants in incentivising performance, and anticipates utilizing both stock option and restricted stock grants in the future. In establishing aggregate awards for 2004 performance, we allocated approximately 75% of the value associated with such awards to grants of restricted stock, and 25% to grants of stock options.
In the future, our committee also will consider various other forms of long-term incentive compensation for our executive officers in addition to grants of stock options and restricted stock. Our committee expects that these awards will continue to be based on criteria applicable to the Company in general and to the individual executive officer in particular, and by reference to the competitive marketplace for executive talent.
How do we compensate our Chief Executive Officer?
Amounts paid during fiscal year 2004 to Glenn Rufrano, our Chief Executive Officer, are shown in the Summary Compensation Table. Mr. Rufrano entered into an employment agreement with us when he was hired in February 2000. Under this agreement (which was in effect for 2004 but which
22
was replaced in March 2005), the Company was obligated to pay him a certain minimum base salary, but there were no longer any minimum requirements for bonus or other incentive compensation. The base salary paid to him in 2004 represented the minimum amount required to be paid under his employment agreement.
In February 2005, our committee approved an $800,000 bonus (or approximately 145% of his base salary) to Mr. Rufrano for 2004 in light of his superior performance in 2004. This determination was based upon a number of factors, including the increased value created for our stockholders, the continued successful execution of the Companys business plan, and the increased acceptance of the Company in the marketplace.
In February 2005, Mr. Rufrano was awarded an option grant of 125,000 shares and received a restricted stock grant with an initial value of approximately $413,000, which awards were designed to provide further incentive for his performance. Both of these grants were made based on a review of 2004 performance.
Our committee believes that Mr. Rufranos total compensation package of salary, bonus and long-term compensation was reasonable and competitive for his contributions as Chief Executive Officer.
Are there any tax limits on our executive compensation?
Our committee has reviewed the potential consequences for the Company of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which imposes a limit on tax deductions for annual compensation in excess of one million dollars paid to any of the five most highly compensated executive officers. To the extent that compensation is required to, and does not, qualify for deduction under Section 162(m), a larger portion of stockholder distributions may be subject to federal income tax expense as dividend income rather than return of capital, and any such compensation allocated to the Companys taxable REIT subsidiaries whose income is subject to federal income tax would result in an increase in income taxes due to the inability to deduct such compensation. Although the Company will be mindful of the limits imposed by Section 162(m), even if it is determined that Section 162(m) applies or may apply to certain compensation packages, the Company nevertheless reserves the right to structure the compensation packages and awards in a manner that may exceed the limitation on deduction imposed by Section 162(m).
|
Respectfully submitted, |
|
The Executive Compensation and Stock Option |
|
Committee of the Board of Directors: |
|
Gregory White (chairman) |
|
Matthew Goldstein |
|
Nina Matis |
|
March 14, 2005 |
23
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The compensation committee was comprised of Gregory White, Matthew Goldstein and Nina Matis during 2004. None of these individuals were, or ever have been, employees of New Plan or any of our subsidiaries. No interlocking relationship existed between Mr. White, Mr. Goldstein or Ms. Matis and any member of any other companys board of directors, board of trustees or compensation committee during that period.
The audit committee has reviewed and discussed our audited consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2004 with our management, and also has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our independent auditors, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61. The audit committee has received both the written disclosures and the letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, and has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP the independence of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from us. In addition, the audit committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services, and the fees charged for such non-audit services, by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are compatible with maintaining the independence of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from us.
Based on the foregoing, the audit committee recommended to the Board of Directors and authorized that our audited consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2004 be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
|
Respectfully submitted, |
|
The audit committee of the Board of Directors |
|
Irwin Engelman (chairman) |
|
Raymond H. Bottorf |
|
H. Carl McCall |
|
George Puskar |
|
February 22, 2005 |
24
VOTING SECURITIES OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
As of the record date, we had 8,680 registered holders of our common stock and three registered holders of our Series D depositary shares. For purposes of this proxy statement, beneficial ownership of securities is defined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and means generally the power to vote or exercise investment discretion with respect to securities, regardless of any economic interests therein.
The following table sets forth certain information as to the beneficial ownership, as of the record date, of shares of our common stock, including shares of our common stock as to which a right to acquire beneficial ownership existed, for example, through the exercise of common stock options, within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, by:
· our current directors,
· the named executive officers, and
· our current directors, the named executive officers and the other current executive officers, as a group.
Unless otherwise indicated, each person had, as of the record date, sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares of our common stock, subject to community property laws where applicable. Based on filings made pursuant to Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we do not know of any person that beneficially owned more than 5% of our common stock outstanding as of the record date.
Name and Business Address (1) |
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
Percentage of |
|
||||
William Newman |
|
|
1,766,417 |
(2) |
|
|
1.7 |
% |
|
||
Glenn J. Rufrano |
|
|
1,104,226 |
(3) |
|
|
1.1 |
% |
|
||
Scott MacDonald |
|
|
147,330 |
(4) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
||
John B. Roche |
|
|
59,607 |
(6) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
||
Steven F. Siegel |
|
|
174,103 |
(7) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
||
Leonard I. Brumberg |
|
|
168,519 |
(8) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
||
Raymond H. Bottorf |
|
|
32,148 |
(9) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
||
Irwin Engelman |
|
|
8,098 |
(10) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
||
Norman Gold |
|
|
33,203 |
(11) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
||
Matthew Goldstein |
|
|
12,863 |
(12) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
||
Nina Matis |
|
|
7,598 |
(13) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
||
H. Carl McCall |
|
|
7,098 |
(14) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
||
Melvin Newman |
|
|
643,561 |
(15) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
||
George Puskar |
|
|
13,198 |
(16) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
||
Gregory White |
|
|
35,846 |
(17) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
||
All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group |
|
|
4,466,268 |
(18) |
|
|
4.3 |
% |
|
(1) The business address of (i) Messrs. William Newman, Rufrano, MacDonald, Roche, Siegel, Brumberg, Puskar, Engelman, McCall and Melvin Newman is 420 Lexington Avenue,
25
New York, New York 10170, (ii) Mr. Bottorf is 445 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022, (iii) Ms. Matis is 1114 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036, (iv) Mr. Gold is 225 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, (v) Mr. Goldstein is 535 E. 80th Street, New York, New York 10021, and (vi) Mr. White is 2 Overhill Road, Suite 3140, Scarsdale, New York 10583.
(2) Includes 39,627 shares of our common stock owned by Mr. Newmans wife, 18,824 shares of our common stock held by Mr. Newman as custodian for his grandchildren and 280,720 shares of our common stock held by a family charitable foundation. Mr. Newman disclaims any beneficial interest in the shares of our common stock held for his grandchildren and by the family charitable foundation.
(3) Includes 654,832 shares of our common stock which Mr. Rufrano has the right to acquire upon exercise of common stock options.
(4) Includes 116,450 shares of our common stock which Mr. MacDonald has the right to acquire upon exercise of common stock options.
(5) Amount owned does not exceed 1% of class.
(6) Includes 41,410 shares of our common stock which Mr. Roche has the right to acquire upon exercise of common stock options.
(7) Includes 152,320 shares of our common stock which Mr. Siegel has the right to acquire upon exercise of common stock options.
(8) Includes 135,150 shares of our common stock which Mr. Brumberg has the right to acquire upon exercise of common stock options.
(9) Includes 28,250 shares of our common stock which Mr. Bottorf has the right to acquire upon exercise of common stock options.
(10) Includes 6,250 shares of our common stock which Mr. Engelman has the right to acquire upon the exercise of common stock options and 1,000 shares of common stock owned jointly with his wife.
(11) Includes 19,750 shares of our common stock which Mr. Gold has the right to acquire upon exercise of common stock options.
(12) Includes 11,250 shares of our common stock which Mr. Goldstein has the right to acquire upon exercise of common stock options.
(13) Includes 6,750 shares of our common stock which Ms. Matis has the right to acquire upon exercise of common stock options.
(14) Includes 6,250 shares of our common stock which Mr. McCall has the right to acquire upon exercise of common stock options.
(15) Includes 23,547 shares of our common stock owned by Mr. Newmans wife and 72,350 shares of our common stock held by The Morris and Ida Newman Family Foundation, of which Mr. Newman is the trustee, as well as 28,250 shares of our common stock which Mr. Newman has the right to acquire upon exercise of common stock options. Mr. Newman disclaims any beneficial interest in the shares of our common stock held by the foundation.
26
(16) Includes 2,400 shares of our common stock held by Mr. Puskars wife and 6,250 shares of our common stock which Mr. Puskar has the right to acquire upon exercise of common stock options.
(17) Includes 2,000 shares of our common stock held by Mr. White as custodian for his children, 1,000 shares of our common stock held by a trust for Mr. Whites daughter of which Mr. White is a trustee, 1,000 shares of our common stock owned by Mr. Whites wife, and 26,250 shares of our common stock which Mr. White has the right to acquire upon exercise of common stock options.
(18) Includes 1,425,362 shares of our common stock which the executive officers and directors have the right to acquire upon exercise of common stock options.
The determination that there were no persons, entities or groups known to us to beneficially hold more than 5% of our common stock was based on a review of all statements filed with respect to New Plan since the beginning of the past fiscal year with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Ownership of Series D Depositary Shares
The following table sets forth certain information as to the beneficial ownership, as of the record date, of Series D depositary shares, within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, by persons who beneficially owned more than 5% of the Series D depositary shares outstanding as of the record date. Since the Series D depositary shares are not registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the holders of our Series D depositary shares are not required to make filings pursuant to Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Name and Business Address (1) |
|
|
|
Number of Series D |
|
Percentage of |
|
||||
Capital Research and Management Company |
|
|
112,500 |
(2) |
|
|
7.5 |
% |
|
||
EquiTrust Investment Management Services, Inc. |
|
|
160,000 |
(3) |
|
|
10.7 |
% |
|
||
Spectrum Asset Management, Inc. |
|
|
204,043 |
(4) |
|
|
13.6 |
% |
|
(1) The business address (i) of Capital Research and Management Company is 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071, (ii) of EquiTrust Investment Management Services, Inc. is 5400 University Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266 and (iii) of Spectrum Asset Management, Inc. is 2 High Ridge Park, Stamford, Connecticut 06905.
(2) Represents 112,500 Series D depositary shares that Capital Research and Management Company was deemed to beneficially own as a result of acting as investment adviser to various investment companies, and with respect to which Capital Research and Management Company had sole dispositive power, but no voting power. Capital Research and Management Company has disclaimed beneficial ownership of these Series D depositary shares pursuant to Rule 13d-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(3) Represents 160,000 Series D depositary shares that EquiTrust Investment Management Services, Inc. was deemed to beneficially own as a result of acting as investment adviser to Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, as well as several mutual fund portfolios. In its role as investment adviser, EquiTrust Investment Management Services, Inc. possesses sole voting
27
and dispositive power over 27,000 of these Series D depositary shares and has shared voting and dispositive power over 133,000 of these Series D depositary shares. EquiTrust Investment Management Services, Inc. has disclaimed beneficial ownership of these Series D depositary shares pursuant to Rule 13d-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(4) Represents 204,043 Series D depositary shares that Spectrum Asset Management, Inc. was deemed to beneficially own as a result of acting as investment adviser to Nuveen Investments Inc. We do not know whether Spectrum Asset Management, Inc., in its role as investment adviser, possesses sole, shared or no voting and dispositive power over these Series D depositary shares.
The information presented above is based solely on information made available to us as of March 21, 2005, and based on such information, there were no other persons, entities or groups known to us to beneficially hold more than 5% of the Series D depositary shares. No current director, director nominee, named executive officer or other current executive officer owned any Series D depositary shares as of the record date.
28
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The following loans were made by us over a number of years to assist certain executive officers in their purchase of our common shares. Such loans are unsecured except as otherwise specifically noted.
· In July 1997, we advanced a loan totaling $95,062 to Dean Bernstein, our Senior Vice President¾Acquisitions/Dispositions. On December 31, 2004, Mr. Bernstein was indebted in the aggregate amount of $95,062 under these loans, which represented the maximum loan amount outstanding during 2004. The amount owed is represented by a demand note bearing interest at a rate of 5% per annum.
· In June 1994 and July 1997, we advanced loans totaling $111,881 to Steven F. Siegel, our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. On December 31, 2004, Mr. Siegel was indebted in the aggregate amount of $111,881 under these loans, which represented the maximum loan amount outstanding during 2004. The amount owed is represented by two demand notes, each bearing interest at 5% per annum.
29
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires that our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, file reports of ownership and changes in ownership on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by the Securities and Exchange Commission to furnish us with copies of all Forms 3, 4 and 5 that they file.
Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms received by us, and/or on written representations from certain reporting persons that they were not required to file a Form 5 for the fiscal year, we believe that our executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them with respect to transactions during 2004.
Relationship With Independent Accountants
Our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, which served as our independent auditors for the last fiscal year and has been selected to serve as our independent auditors for the current fiscal year. Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are expected to be present at the annual meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
For services rendered to New Plan Excel Realty Trust, Inc. during, or in connection with, our 2004 and 2003 fiscal years, as applicable, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP billed the following fees:
|
|
2004 |
|
2003 |
|
||
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
541,344 |
|
$ |
291,600 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
$ |
23,104 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
Tax Fees |
|
$ |
0 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
All Other Fees |
|
$ |
0 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
All audit and audit-related services were pre-approved by the audit committee, either pursuant to the audit committees Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy or through a separate pre-approval by the audit committee, which concluded that the provision of such services by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was compatible with the maintenance of that firms independence from the Company.
Audit Fees for 2004 included bills for services rendered in connection with our report on internal control over financial reporting, a new requirement imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ($250,000), our common stock offering in August 2004 ($17,644), our response to comments received from the Securities and Exchange Commission on our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2003 fiscal year ($17,200), our debt offering in January 2004 ($18,500) and our filing of a shelf registration statement and a related Current Report on Form 8-K in December 2003 ($27,000).
Audit-Related Fees for 2004 included bills for services rendered in analyzing the impact on our financial statements of implementing a deferred compensation plan for our executive officers
30
($16,800) and analyzing the impact on our internal control over financial reporting of outsourcing certain accounting functions ($6,304).
Audit Fees for 2003 included bills for services rendered in connection with our medium-term notes offering in November 2003 ($12,000), the creation of our standby equity distribution program in July 2003 ($11,500), our convertible debt offering in May 2003 ($29,100), our filing of a shelf registration statement in May 2003 ($9,000) and our preferred stock offering in April 2003 ($40,000).
In addition to the foregoing, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP billed an aggregate of approximately $100,000 in 2004 for audit and other services provided with respect to the 2004 fiscal year to two joint ventures in which we have equity interests. We expect audit fees with respect to the 2005 fiscal year for such joint ventures to be substantially similar to those billed with respect to 2004.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The audit committees policy is to review and pre-approve, either pursuant to the audit committees Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy or through a separate pre-approval by the audit committee, any engagement of the Companys independent auditor to provide any audit or permissible non-audit service to the Company. Pursuant to the Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy, which is annually reviewed and reassessed by the audit committee, a list of specific services within certain categories of services, including audit, audit-related, tax and other services, are specifically pre-approved for the upcoming or current fiscal year, subject to an aggregate maximum annual fee payable by the Company for each category of pre-approved services. Any service that is not included in the approved list of services must be separately pre-approved by the audit committee. In addition, all audit and permissible non-audit services in excess of the pre-approved fee level, whether or not included on the pre-approved list of services, must be separately pre-approved by the audit committee. The audit committee has delegated authority to its chairman to specifically pre-approve engagements for the performance of audit and permissible non-audit services, provided that the estimated cost for such services shall not exceed $100,000. The chairman must report all pre-approval decisions to the audit committee at its next scheduled meeting and provide a description of the terms of the engagement, including (1) the type of services covered by the engagement, (2) the dates the engagement is scheduled to commence and terminate, (3) the estimated fees payable by the Company pursuant to the engagement, (4) other material terms of the engagement, and (5) such other information as the audit committee may request.
Are there any other matters coming before the 2005 annual meeting?
No other matters are to be presented for action at the annual meeting other than as set forth in this proxy statement. If other matters properly come before the meeting, however, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote all proxies solicited by this proxy statement as recommended by the Board of Directors, or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion.
When are stockholder proposals due for the 2006 annual meeting?
Any stockholder proposal pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the rules promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials for the next annual meeting of stockholders must be received at our principal executive offices no later than December 8, 2005.
31
In addition, any stockholder who wishes to propose a nominee to the Board of Directors or submit any other matter to a vote at a meeting of stockholders (other than a stockholder proposal included in our proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the rules promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) must comply with the advance notice provisions and other requirements of Article II, Section 11 of our bylaws, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and may be obtained from the Secretary of New Plan upon request. These notice provisions require that recommendations for director candidates for the 2006 annual meeting must be received no earlier than October 22, 2005 and no later than November 21, 2005, and that requests to submit any other matter to a vote of stockholders must be received between February 10, 2006 and March 12, 2006. If a stockholder nomination or proposal is received before or after the range of dates specified in the advance notice provisions, our proxy materials for the next annual meeting of stockholders may confer discretionary authority to vote on such matter without any discussion of the matter in the proxy materials.
Householding of Proxy Materials
If you and other residents at your mailing address own common stock in street name, your broker or bank may have sent you a notice that your household will receive only one annual report and proxy statement for each company in which you hold shares through that broker or bank. This practice of sending only one copy of proxy materials is known as householding. If you did not respond that you did not want to participate in householding, you were deemed to have consented to the process. If the foregoing procedures apply to you, your broker has sent one copy of our annual report and proxy to your address. You may revoke your consent to householding at any time by sending your name, the name of your brokerage firm and your account number to Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717 (telephone number: 1-800-542-1061). The revocation of your consent to householding will be effective 30 days following its receipt. In any event, if you did not receive an individual copy of this proxy statement or our annual report, you can obtain a copy by contacting our Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, either by mail at our corporate office or by e-mail at corporatecommunications@newplan.com. If you are receiving multiple copies of our annual report and proxy statement, you can request householding by contacting us in the same manner.
* * * *
YOU ARE URGED TO IMMEDIATELY MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED, TO WHICH NO POSTAGE NEED BE AFFIXED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
||
|
/s/ WILLIAM NEWMAN |
|
|
WILLIAM NEWMAN |
|
|
Chairman of the Board |
|
New York, New York |
|
|
March 21, 2005 |
|
32
|
|
DETACH HERE IF YOU ARE RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD BY MAIL |
|
|
PROXY
NEW PLAN EXCEL REALTY TRUST, INC.
Proxy for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on May 11, 2005
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Steven F. Siegel and Joel F. Crystal, and each of them, as attorney-in-fact and proxy with full power of substitution to represent the undersigned and to vote all of the shares of Common Stock and Series D Depositary Shares of the Company, held of record by the undersigned on March 1, 2005, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at The Cornell Club of New York, The Ivy Room, 6 East 44th Street, New York, New York at 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on May 11, 2005 and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. Said attorney-in-fact and proxy is instructed to vote as directed on the reverse side.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement.
SEE REVERSE |
|
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE |
|
SEE REVERSE |
SIDE |
|
|
SIDE |
NEW PLAN EXCEL
REALTY TRUST, INC.
C/O EQUISERVE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
P.O. BOX 8694
EDISON, NJ 08818-8694
|
DETACH HERE IF YOU ARE RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD BY MAIL |
|
ý |
Please mark |
|
|
votes as in |
|
||
this example. |
|
|
If this proxy card is properly executed and returned to the Company, the attorney-in-fact and proxy will vote all of the undersigneds shares entitled to vote on the matters hereon as directed hereon or, where no direction is indicated, the undersigneds vote will be cast FOR each of the matters hereon.
1. |
|
Election of Directors. |
The attorney-in-fact and proxy will vote such shares as |
||||||
|
|
Nominees: (01) Raymond H. Bottorf, (02) Matthew
Goldstein, |
recommended by the Board of Directors, or, if no recommendation is given, in his own discretion with regard |
||||||
|
|
|
to any other matters as may properly come before the |
||||||
|
|
FOR |
|
|
|
WITHHELD |
meeting, including any proposal to adjourn or postpone the |
||
|
|
ALL |
o |
|
o |
FROM ALL |
meeting. |
||
|
|
NOMINEES |
|
|
|
NOMINEES |
|
||
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
o |
|
|
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE AT |
||||
|
|
|
For all nominees except as noted above |
LEFT |
|||||
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THIS PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE PREPAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED. STOCKHOLDERS WHO ARE PRESENT AT THE MEETING MAY WITHDRAW THEIR PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON IF THEY SO DESIRE. |
||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
Please sign exactly as name appears on this proxy card and date. Where shares are held jointly, both holders should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. |
||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||
Signature: |
|
Date: |
|
Signature: |
|
Date: |
|