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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.     )

Filed by the Registrant  ☑                            Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ☐

Check the appropriate box:

 

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

 

 

Definitive Additional Materials

 

 

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

GRAHAM CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

 

No fee required.

 

 

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

 

  (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

  

 

 

  (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 

  

 

 

  (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 

  

 

 

  (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

 

  

 

 

  (5) Total fee paid:

 

  

 

 

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

 

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

  (1) Amount Previously Paid:

 

  

 

 

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  (4) Date Filed:

 

  

 

 

 

 


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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

  

PROXY STATEMENT

     1  

PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     5  

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

     9  

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     12  

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     13  

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

     40  

PROPOSAL TWO: ADVISORY VOTE ON OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     42  

PROPOSAL THREE: ADVISORY VOTE REGARDING THE FREQUENCY OF STOCKHOLDER ADVISORY VOTES ON OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     43  

PROPOSAL FOUR: RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     44  

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

     45  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     46  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

     47  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

     48  

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

     49  

2018 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

     50  

OTHER MATTERS

     51  

APPENDIX A EBITDA RECONCILIATION – UNAUDITED

     A-1  


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LOGO

GRAHAM CORPORATION

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD AUGUST 3, 2017

The 2017 annual meeting of stockholders of Graham Corporation will be held on Thursday, August 3, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at our principal executive offices located at 20 Florence Avenue, Batavia, New York 14020, for the following purposes, which are more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement:

 

   

to elect as Directors the two nominees named in the attached proxy statement;

 

   

to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers;

 

   

to approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of stockholder advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers;

 

   

to ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018; and

 

   

to transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournment of the annual meeting.

Our Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on June 12, 2017 as the record date for determining the stockholders who are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the annual meeting as well as at any adjournment of the annual meeting.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

 

LOGO

James R. Lines

President and Chief Executive Officer

Dated: June 22, 2017

If you own shares through a broker, we encourage you to follow the instructions provided by your broker regarding how to vote. Your broker may not vote your shares for director nominees, on the advisory vote on executive compensation, or on the advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation unless you provide your broker with voting instructions.


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LOGO

GRAHAM CORPORATION

PROXY STATEMENT

We are providing this proxy statement to our stockholders in connection with the solicitation by our Board of Directors of proxies for use at the annual meeting of stockholders for our fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, which we refer to as fiscal year 2017, as well as for use at any adjournment of the annual meeting.

Date and Location of Annual Meeting

The annual meeting will be held on Thursday, August 3, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at our principal executive offices located at 20 Florence Avenue, Batavia, New York 14020.

Record Date and Shares Outstanding

Each holder of shares of our common stock having a par value of $0.10, which we refer to as common stock, at the close of business on June 12, 2017, the record date for the annual meeting, is entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting. As of the record date, there were 9,765,711 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding.

Notice and Access of Proxy Materials

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s e-proxy rules allow companies to post their proxy materials on the Internet and provide only a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to stockholders as an alternative to mailing full sets of proxy materials except upon request. This year, we elected to use this notice and access model. Unless you previously indicated your preference to receive paper copies of our proxy statement and annual report to security holders, you should have received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, which we refer to as a Notice of Internet Availability. The Notice of Internet Availability includes the information on how to access our proxy materials on the Internet, how to vote and how to request a paper or email copy of such proxy materials at no extra charge this year or on an ongoing basis.

Mail Date

On or about June 22, 2017 we mailed the Notice of Internet Availability and made the proxy materials available to our stockholders.

Proxy Cards and Voting

Each holder of our common stock on June 12, 2017 is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held.

If we receive a properly executed and dated proxy in time to be voted at the annual meeting, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained in the proxy. An executed proxy without instructions marked on it will be voted:

 

   

FOR each of the two nominees identified in this proxy statement for election as Director;

 

   

FOR approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers;

 

   

FOR ONE YEAR, for the frequency of stockholder advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers; and

 

   

FOR the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.

 

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An executed proxy without voting instructions marked on it may also be voted by the named proxies for such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or at any adjournment or postponement of the annual meeting.

If you hold your shares in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee, please follow the voting instructions sent to you by such broker, bank or other nominee. Your shares will be voted as you indicate.

Stockholders may vote in person at the annual meeting. We will provide ballots to any stockholder who wishes to vote at the annual meeting.

Please note, if you hold your shares in street name, and you wish to vote in person at the annual meeting, you must bring to the annual meeting a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee that gives you the right to vote your shares in person.

Quorum

A quorum is required for our stockholders to conduct business at the annual meeting. Pursuant to our amended and restated by-laws, the holders of record of a majority of the shares of our common stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting will constitute a quorum.

Vote Required

The table below shows the vote required to approve each of the proposals described in this proxy statement, assuming the presence of a quorum, in person or by proxy, at the annual meeting.

 

Proposal Number    Proposal Description    Vote Required

One

   Election of the two Director nominees identified in this proxy statement    Plurality of the shares present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the annual meeting

Two

   Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers    Majority of the shares present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the annual meeting

Three

   Advisory vote regarding the frequency of stockholder advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers    Plurality of the shares present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the annual meeting

Four

   Ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018    Majority of the shares present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the annual meeting

Our stockholders elect Directors by a plurality vote, which means that the Director nominees receiving the most votes will be elected. However, our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that any nominee for Director who receives a greater number of votes “withheld” from his or her election than “for” such election must tender his or her resignation for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will recommend to the Board the action to be taken with respect to such resignation.

The advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers and the advisory vote to approve the frequency of stockholder advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers are not binding upon our Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee. However, our Board of Directors and our Compensation Committee will consider the outcomes of these votes when making future compensation decisions.

We are presenting the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP to our stockholders for ratification. The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors will consider the outcome of this vote in its future discussions regarding the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

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Effect of Not Casting Your Vote and Broker Non-Votes

If you hold your shares in street name, it is critical that you cast your vote if you want it to count with respect to Proposals One, Two and Three. If you hold your shares in street name and do not indicate how you want your shares voted on these proposals, your bank or broker is not permitted to, and will not, vote your shares on your behalf. This result is known as a broker non-vote. Your bank or broker has discretionary authority to vote any non-instructed shares on Proposal Four.

We count shares subject to broker non-votes in determining the presence of a quorum and the number of shares entitled to vote on Proposal Two. Thus, broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on Proposals One or Three.

If you are a stockholder of record and you do not cast your vote, no votes will be cast on your behalf on any of the items of business at the annual meeting.

Abstentions

We count abstentions for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum and the number of shares entitled to vote on a proposal. Abstentions have the same effect as a vote against Proposals Two, and Four, and will not affect the results of Proposal One or Three.

Revocability of Proxies

Your attendance at the annual meeting will not automatically revoke your proxy. However, you can revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the annual meeting by:

 

   

voting again via the Internet or by telephone (only your latest Internet or telephone vote submitted prior to the annual meeting will be counted);

 

   

delivering a written notice of revocation to our Corporate Secretary;

 

   

delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to our Corporate Secretary; or

 

   

attending the annual meeting, filing a written notice of revocation with our Corporate Secretary, and voting in person.

Notices of revocation and revised proxies should be sent to the attention of our Corporate Secretary at the following address: Graham Corporation, 20 Florence Avenue, Batavia, New York 14020.

Solicitation of Proxies

This proxy solicitation is made by our Board of Directors on our behalf, and we will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to solicitation by mail, our Directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies personally or by telephone or other telecommunication. We will not compensate our Directors, officers or employees for making proxy solicitations on our behalf. We will provide persons holding shares in their name or in the names of nominees, which in either case are beneficially owned by others, soliciting materials for delivery to those beneficial owners and will reimburse the record owners for their expenses in doing so.

Principal Executive Offices

Our principal executive offices are located at 20 Florence Avenue, Batavia, New York 14020. Our telephone number is 585-343-2216.

 

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Annual Report to Stockholders and Annual Report on Form 10-K

Our fiscal year 2017 annual report to stockholders is available at http://www.graham-mfg.com/annual-meeting-proxy-materials. Our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is included in the fiscal year 2017 annual report. The fiscal year 2017 annual report includes our audited financial statements, along with other information about us, which we encourage you to read.

You can obtain, free of charge, a copy of our annual report on Form 10-K by:

 

   

accessing our website at http://www.graham-mfg.com/annual-meeting-proxy-materials;

 

   

writing to us at: Graham Corporation, Attention: Annual Report Request, 20 Florence Avenue, Batavia, New York 14020; or

 

   

telephoning us at 585-343-2216.

You can also obtain a copy of our annual report on Form 10-K and all other reports and information that we file with, or furnish to, the Securities and Exchange Commission from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s EDGAR database located at www.sec.gov.

 

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PROPOSAL ONE:

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Board of Directors currently consists of seven members. Our amended and restated by-laws provide for a classified Board of Directors consisting of three classes of Directors, with each class serving a staggered three-year term. As a result, stockholders elect only a portion of our Board of Directors each year. The terms of two of our seven Directors, James J. Barber and Gerard T. Mazurkiewicz will expire at the 2017 annual meeting.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board of Directors has nominated James J. Barber and Gerard T. Mazurkiewicz for re-election as Directors. If elected, each of Messrs. Barber and Mazurkiewicz will hold office for a three-year term expiring in 2020 or until his successor is duly elected and qualified. Our Board of Directors does not contemplate that either nominee will be unable to serve as a Director, but if that contingency should occur before the proxies are voted, the designated proxies reserve the right to vote for such substitute nominee(s) as they, in their discretion, determine. Our amended and restated by-laws do not permit re-election after a Director reaches the age of 75.

Board Recommendation

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the election of each of Messrs. Barber and Mazurkiewicz as a Director to serve for a three-year term expiring in 2020.

Nominees Proposed for Election as Directors at the 2017 Annual Meeting

James J. Barber, Ph.D.

 

Age: 63

Director Since: 2011

 

Dr. Barber has been an independent consultant and the principal of Barber Advisors, LLC since September 2007. From January 2000 to May 2007, Dr. Barber was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Metabolix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX), a bioscience company focused on plastics, chemicals and energy. He was responsible for transforming Metabolix from a research boutique into a leader in “clean tech” and industrial biotechnology.

Prior to joining Metabolix, Dr. Barber served as Global Business Director for the Organometallics and Catalysts business of Albemarle Corporation, a specialty chemicals company. Prior to his tenure at Albemarle, Dr. Barber was Director of Business Development at Ethyl Corporation, a fuel additives and specialty chemicals company. He also previously served as President of Geltech, Inc., a precision molded micro optics company, and as Chief Operating Officer of Hyperion Catalysis International, a carbon nanofiber developer and producer.

Dr. Barber currently is a director of Itaconix plc (formerly Revolymer plc), a specialty chemicals company, and of Nanocomp Technologies, Inc., a producer of carbon nanofiber products. He has also served as a Director of Agrivida, a private company, from first quarter 2011 through December 2014, of Allylix, a private company, from May 2012 through December 2014, of Segetis, Inc., a private company, from July 2012 until February 2016, and of Itaconix, Inc., a private company, from June 2014 through June 2016. From February 2008 through November 2010, Dr. Barber was a Director and on the Finance Committee of Bluewater Holdings Corp., a provider of sewage and water-treatment services, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October 2010.

Dr. Barber was awarded the American Chemical Society’s Henry F. Whalen, Jr. award for Business Development in September 2003. He received his B.S. in Chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Dr. Barber brings to our Board of Directors substantial executive level leadership experience and a deep understanding of product and business development in highly technical industries and alternative energy markets. Dr. Barber also has significant experience in structuring both joint venture and acquisition transactions.

 

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Gerard T. Mazurkiewicz

 

Age: 70

Director Since: 2007

 

Mr. Mazurkiewicz has been a Tax Partner with Dopkins & Company, LLP, a regional accounting firm located in Buffalo, New York, since 2004. Prior to his tenure at Dopkins & Company, Mr. Mazurkiewicz spent more than 32 years with KPMG, LLP, and was the Partner in Charge of KPMG’s upstate New York/Albany tax practice prior to his retirement in 2002.

Mr. Mazurkiewicz also serves as a Director of Trebor, Inc., a distributor of tissue, pulp, paper and container board and as a Director of Robert James Sales, Inc., a distributor of corrosion resistant piping products. Mr. Mazurkiewicz previously served as a Director of Great Lakes Bancorp, Inc. until its merger with First Niagara Bank in 2008.

Mr. Mazurkiewicz received his B.S. in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Management. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Buffalo Chapter of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Mazurkiewicz has served on numerous not-for-profit boards and foundations, including the Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation, the Kaleida Foundation, the University of Buffalo Foundation and the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. Currently, he serves as a Trustee for the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.

Mr. Mazurkiewicz is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors. He is our Board’s “audit committee financial expert” under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules. Mr. Mazurkiewicz’s significant accounting and financial background, as well as his substantial leadership experience, position him well to understand and provide value related to finance, management, operations and risk.

Directors Whose Terms Do Not Expire at the 2017 Annual Meeting

Alan Fortier

 

Age: 60

Director Since: 2008

Term Expires: 2018

 

Mr. Fortier has served as President of Fortier & Associates, Inc., a strategy and profit improvement consulting firm located in Fort Lee, New Jersey focused on petrochemicals and capital goods companies, since 1988. He is also a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School’s MBA and Executive Education programs. Mr. Fortier received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering, summa cum laude, from Cooper Union and his MBA from Harvard Graduate School of Business.

Mr. Fortier brings to our Board of Directors more than 30 years of global industrial experience as a strategy consultant, educator and manager. Our Board of Directors and management team benefits from his extensive background in our served markets, including energy, petrochemicals, chemicals and large engineering firms, as well as his extensive experience advising boards and senior executives of global capital goods businesses on business strategy, mergers and acquisitions, global growth, organizational development and management control.

James R. Lines

 

Age: 56

Director Since: 2006

Term Expires: 2018

 

Mr. Lines became our President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2008. Previously, Mr. Lines served as our President and Chief Operating Officer since June 2006. Mr. Lines has served us in various capacities since 1984, including Vice President and General Manager, Vice President of Engineering, and Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Prior to joining our management team, he served us as an application engineer and sales engineer as well as a product supervisor. Mr. Lines holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the State University of

 

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New York at Buffalo. Mr. Lines also serves as an independent director of Superior Drilling Products (NYSE MKT: SDPI) since December 2016, where he chairs the audit committee and is a member of the nominating and compensation committees.

As our President and Chief Executive Officer, and as a result of his day-to-day leadership of the business, Mr. Lines provides our Board of Directors with valuable insight regarding the operations of our company and our management team and he performs a critical role in Board discussions regarding strategic planning and development. Our Board of Directors also benefits from his historical knowledge of our company and his broad and in-depth understanding of our markets and customers. Mr. Lines has served our company in various executive capacities for more than 20 years, and has more than 30 years of experience interacting with our customers, engineering contractors, competitors and similar companies serving the energy markets.

Lisa M. Schnorr

 

Age: 51

Director Since: 2014

Term Expires: 2018

 

Ms. Schnorr has been Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller for Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ), a leading premium wine company and beer importer since July 2015. From January 2014 to July 2015, Ms. Schnorr served as Senior Vice President, Total Rewards, with global responsibility for designing and implementing Constellation Brands’ compensation and benefits programs. Ms. Schnorr joined Constellation Brands in May 2004 as Director, Investor Relations, and has held a number of leadership positions since that time, including Chief Financial Officer of Constellation Wines Australia, a former division of Constellation Brands, from January 2009 to December 2009, Vice President, JV Business Development from January 2010 to April 2011 and Vice President, Compensation & HRIS from May 2011 to January 2014.

Prior to joining Constellation Brands, Ms. Schnorr was Director, Investor Relations at Choice One Communications, Inc. and held various positions with Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, including in investor relations, corporate accounting and reporting and financial planning and analysis. Ms. Schnorr began her career at Price Waterhouse, a predecessor to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Schnorr received her B.S. in Accounting from the State University of New York at Oswego. Ms. Schnorr currently serves as President of the Board of Directors of the Oswego Alumni Association.

With her background in human resources, investor relations and finance with large public companies, Ms. Schnorr offers a global business and organizational perspective to our Board of Directors. The Board of Directors believes that Ms. Schnorr’s background and expertise enables her to guide us through a continued period of organic and acquisition-related growth and allows her to provide insight and leadership to our Compensation Committee.

James J. Malvaso

 

Age: 67

Director Since: 2003

Term Expires: 2019

 

Mr. Malvaso was a senior advisor to Toyota Material Handling Group, a distributor of Toyota material handling equipment through May 2013. Until his retirement on March 31, 2012, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Material Handling North America and the Managing Officer of Toyota Industries Corporation, positions he held since April 2010. Previously, and since 1997, Mr. Malvaso served as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Raymond Corporation, a subsidiary of Toyota and the North American market leader in electric warehouse trucks, located in Greene, New York. From 1993 to 1996, Mr. Malvaso served as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President-Operations of The Raymond Corporation. Mr. Malvaso is a former President of the Industrial Truck Association and a current member of its Industrial Truck Standards Development Board. Mr. Malvaso has also served as a Trustee of LeMoyne College.

Mr. Malvaso has proven business acumen, having successfully served as the chief executive officer of large, complex businesses with global operations. His experience with a major industrial equipment company is

 

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particularly helpful to our Board of Directors in understanding the challenges of global manufacturing, distribution and sales as it relates to the business and strategy of our company.

Jonathan W. Painter

 

Age: 58

Director Since: 2014

Term Expires: 2019

 

Mr. Painter is the President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Kadant Inc. (NYSE: KAI), a leading global supplier of components and engineered systems used in process industries, including the pulp and paper industry. Mr. Painter was named Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Kadant in January 2010 after being named President in September 2009. Prior to becoming President, Mr. Painter served as an Executive Vice President from 1997 to September 2009, with supervisory responsibility for Kadant’s stock-preparation and fiber-based products businesses from March 2007 to September 2009. He also served as the President of Kadant’s composites building products business from 2001 until its sale in 2005. Mr. Painter received his B.A. in political science from Kenyon College and his J.D. from Boston College Law School.

Mr. Painter brings valuable experience to the Board of Directors and management as a current President and Chief Executive Officer of a public company that, similar to us, is in the business of designing, manufacturing and marketing specialized, engineered equipment. The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Painter’s diverse experience in operations, finance, mergers and acquisitions and corporate strategy enables him to provide critical insight to the Board and management that will help us to achieve our strategic goals.

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Our Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. We describe the function, composition, and number of meetings of each of these committees held during fiscal year 2017 below.

Director Independence

Our Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that each of Directors Barber, Fortier, Malvaso, Mazurkiewicz, Painter and Schnorr is independent and has no material relationship with us as required by the independence standards of the New York Stock Exchange, which we refer to as the NYSE.

Board Leadership Structure

Mr. Malvaso, a non-executive independent Director, serves as Chairman of our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors believes that its leadership structure, with a non-executive chairman position separate from our President and Chief Executive Officer, provides appropriate, independent oversight of management. As Chairman of our Board of Directors, Mr. Malvaso presides at all meetings of our Board of Directors and stockholders; presides during regularly held sessions with only the independent Directors; encourages and facilitates active participation of all Directors; develops the calendar of and agendas for Board meetings in consultation with our Chief Executive Officer and other members of our Board; determines, in consultation with our Chief Executive Officer, the information that should be provided to our Board in advance of meetings; and performs any other duties requested by our Board from time to time.

Committees and Meetings of the Board; Meeting Attendance

The duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are set forth in their respective charters and are described below. The current charter of each Board committee is available on our website at www.graham-mfg.com under the heading “Investor Relations” and the subheading “Corporate Governance.” The information contained on our website is not a part of this proxy statement.

The following table lists the committees of our Board of Directors, the chairpersons of each committee, the Directors who currently serve on them and the number of committee meetings held in fiscal year 2017.

 

    Committee Membership
Name   Independent  

Audit

Committee

 

Compensation

Committee

 

Nominating and

Corporate Governance

Committee

James J. Barber, Ph.D.

  Yes      

Alan Fortier

  Yes       Chairperson

James J. Malvaso

  Yes      

Gerard T. Mazurkiewicz

  Yes   Chairperson    

Jonathan W. Painter

  Yes      

Lisa M. Schnorr

  Yes     Chairperson  

Meetings in Fiscal Year 2017

    4   1   2

During fiscal year 2017, our Board of Directors held a total of four meetings. Except for Mr. Mazurkiewicz, who was appointed to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee during fiscal year 2017 and did not attend the sole committee meeting following such appointment, each Director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (1) the total number of meetings of our Board of Directors, and (2) the total number of meetings of all committees of our Board of Directors on which he or she served.

 

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Our policy requires that each Director attend our annual meeting of stockholders or provide the Chairman of our Board with advance notice of the reason for not attending. All of our Directors attended our 2016 annual meeting of stockholders.

The non-management Directors meet without members of management present during regularly scheduled executive sessions and at such other times as they deem necessary or appropriate. The Chairman of our Board presides over these executive sessions.

Audit Committee

We have a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act. Our Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that each member of the Audit Committee satisfies the independence standards of the NYSE applicable to audit committee members and applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules. Our Board of Directors has also determined that Mr. Mazurkiewicz qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” in accordance with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules based on his professional work experience as described in his biography under “Proposal One: Election of Directors.”

The Audit Committee reviews with Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, our financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, Deloitte & Touche LLP’s auditing procedures and fees, and the possible effects of professional services upon the independence of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

The Audit Committee works closely with our Board of Directors, our executive management team, and our independent registered public accounting firm to assist our Board in overseeing our accounting and financial reporting processes and financial statement audits. In furtherance of these responsibilities, the Audit Committee assists our Board of Directors in its oversight of:

 

   

the integrity of our financial statements and internal controls;

 

   

our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

 

   

the qualifications and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

   

the performance of our independent registered public accounting firm; and

 

   

the planning for and performance of our internal audit function.

In addition, the Audit Committee’s responsibilities include reviewing and overseeing any transactions between us and any related person as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and discussing our guidelines and policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management. The Audit Committee is also responsible for preparing the Audit Committee’s report that the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules require to be included in our annual proxy statement, and performing such other tasks that are consistent with the Audit Committee’s charter. The Audit Committee’s report appears under the heading “Report of the Audit Committee.”

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee annually reviews and approves the goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, evaluates the Chief Executive Officer’s performance and either as a committee or with the other independent Directors of the Board, determines and approves the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation levels. The Compensation Committee also annually reviews and approves salaries, incentive cash awards and other forms of compensation paid to our other executive officers, approves recipients of equity-based awards and establishes the number of shares and other terms applicable to such awards. The Compensation Committee also construes the provisions of and generally administers the Amended and Restated 2000 Graham Corporation Incentive Plan to Increase Shareholder Value, which we refer to as the Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee operates pursuant to its charter and may delegate its authority or responsibility to one or more subcommittees.

 

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The Compensation Committee also reviews and makes recommendations regarding the compensation paid to our Board of Directors, including fees paid for meeting attendance and equity-based awards. More information about the compensation of our Directors is set forth under the heading “Director Compensation.” The Compensation Committee annually conducts a performance evaluation of its operation and function and recommends any proposed changes to our Board of Directors for approval.

In addition, the Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and discussing with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis that the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules require to be included in our annual proxy statement, preparing the Compensation Committee’s report that the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules require to be included in our annual proxy statement, and performing such other tasks that are consistent with its charter. The Compensation Committee’s report appears under the heading “Compensation Committee Report.”

The Compensation Committee recognizes the importance of using an independent consultant that provides services solely to the Committee and not to management or to our company. In fiscal year 2016, the Compensation Committee engaged Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc., an independent compensation consultant. While the Compensation Committee did not engage a compensation consultant in fiscal year 2017, the Compensation Committee did note the desirability of increasing named executive officer compensation levels to market competitive levels based on the analysis and consultation with the independent compensation consultant in fiscal year 2016. For more information on the role of the Compensation Committee in determining executive compensation, including its use of an independent consultant, see Compensation Discussion and Analysis under the heading “Executive Compensation.”

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates, interviews and nominates candidates for election to our Board of Directors and is responsible for oversight of our corporate governance practices.

When identifying Director nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee solicits suggestions from incumbent Directors, management and stockholders. In identifying and evaluating nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks candidates possessing the highest standards of personal and professional ethics and integrity; practical wisdom, independent thinking, maturity and the ability to exercise sound business judgment; skills, experience and demonstrated abilities that help meet the current needs of our Board of Directors; and a firm commitment to the interests of our stockholders. Although the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not maintain a specific written diversity policy, it recognizes the value of diversity and seeks diverse candidates when possible and appropriate and considers diversity in its review of candidates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that diversity includes not only gender and ethnicity, but the various perspectives that come from having differing geographic and cultural backgrounds, viewpoints and life experiences.

In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee takes into consideration such other factors as it deems appropriate. These factors may include knowledge of our industry and markets, experience with businesses and other organizations of comparable size, the interplay of the nominee’s experience with the experience of other members of our Board of Directors, and the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to our Board of Directors and any of its committees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may consider, among other factors, experience or expertise in our industry, global business, science and technology, competitive positioning, corporate governance, risk management, finance or economics, and public affairs.

Stockholders entitled to vote in the election of Directors at any annual meeting may recommend candidates for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee as potential nominees by submitting written recommendations to the attention of our Corporate Secretary at the following address: Graham Corporation, 20 Florence Avenue, Batavia, New York 14020. Stockholder recommendations must contain: (1) each candidate’s name, age, business and residence addresses; (2) the candidate’s principal occupation or employment and (3) a description of the candidate’s qualifications to be a Director. In addition, any stockholder

 

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submitting a recommendation must provide his or her own name and address as they appear on our books and records, as well as the class and number of our shares owned of record and the dates he or she acquired such shares. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate Director candidates proposed by stockholders using the same criteria, and in the same manner, as described above for other potential nominees.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

Our Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines to promote the effective functioning of the Board in its governance of our business and corporate operations. The Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our website at www.graham-mfg.com under the heading “Investor Relations” and the subheading “Corporate Governance.”

The Board of Director’s Role in Risk Oversight

Our Board of Directors oversees our risk profile and management’s processes for managing risk, primarily through the Board’s committees. Our Audit Committee focuses on financial risks, including those that could arise from our accounting and financial reporting processes. Additionally, our Audit Committee monitors and directs the formal risk management projects implemented by management. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee focuses on the management of risks associated with Board organization, membership and structure, corporate governance, and the recruitment and retention of talented Board members. Our Compensation Committee focuses on the management of risks that could arise from our compensation policies and programs and, in particular, our executive compensation programs and policies.

As part of its risk oversight responsibilities, our Board of Directors and its committees review the policies and processes that senior management uses to manage our risk exposure. In doing so, our Board and its committees review our overall risk function and senior management’s establishment of appropriate systems and processes for managing areas of material risk to our company, including, but not limited to, operational, financial, legal, regulatory, strategic and information technology risks.

Communications from Stockholders and other Interested Parties

Stockholders and other interested parties who wish to contact the Board of Directors or an individual Director, including the independent Chairman of our Board or independent Directors as a group, should send their communications to the attention of the Corporate Secretary, Graham Corporation, 20 Florence Avenue, Batavia, New York 14020. The Corporate Secretary will forward all such communications as directed.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

As of March 31, 2017, we were served by the following executive officers, each of whom was appointed by our Board of Directors:

James R. Lines, age 56, became our President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2008. Further information about Mr. Lines is set forth under “Proposal One: Election of Directors.”

Jeffrey F. Glajch, age 54, became our Vice President - Finance & Administration, and Chief Financial Officer in March 2009. Mr. Glajch also serves as our Corporate Secretary. From October 2006 until February 2009, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of Nukote International, a privately held global re-manufacturer of printing and imaging products. Previously, and between June 2000 and May 2006, Mr. Glajch was the Chief Financial Officer of Fisher Scientific Canada, a global healthcare and laboratory equipment company. Mr. Glajch has also previously worked at Walt Disney World Company, Great Lakes Chemical Corporation and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

Alan E. Smith, age 50, became our Vice President and General Manager - Batavia in July 2015. Mr. Smith served as our Vice President of Operations from July 2007 until July 2015. Previously, from 2005 until July

 

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2007, Mr. Smith served as Director of Operations for Lydall, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of specialty engineering products. Prior to that, he had been employed by us for fourteen years, progressing from Project Engineer to Engineering Manager.

Jennifer R. Condame, age 52, became our Chief Accounting Officer in July 2008. She also serves as our Controller, a position she has held since 1994. Previously, and from 1992 to 1994, she was our Manager of Accounting and Financial Reporting. Prior to joining us in 1992, Ms. Condame was employed as an Audit Manager by Price Waterhouse, a predecessor to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Introduction

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis, which we refer to as the CD&A, provides information about the compensation programs for our executive officers named in the Fiscal Year 2017 Summary Compensation Table and referred to in this CD&A and in the subsequent tables as our named executive officers. These named executive officers are:

 

   

James R. Lines, our President and Chief Executive Officer;

 

   

Jeffrey F. Glajch, our Vice President - Finance & Administration, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary;

 

   

Alan E. Smith, our Vice President and General Manager - Batavia; and

 

   

Jennifer R. Condame, our Controller and Chief Accounting Officer.

This CD&A includes the philosophy and objectives of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, descriptions of each of the elements of our executive compensation programs and the basis for the compensation decisions we made during fiscal year 2017.

Executive Summary

Fiscal Year 2017 Results

The Compensation Committee’s philosophy focuses on aligning the interests of our named executive officers with those of our stockholders by rewarding performance that enhances the objective of increasing both current and long-term stockholder value. Our executive compensation programs are designed to provide a strong link between the amounts earned by our named executive officers and company and individual performance.

During fiscal year 2017, our named executive officers continued to implement our strategic plan to diversify, increase productivity, improve processes and grow our market share in our existing businesses. The dramatic reduction and volatility in global crude oil prices has caused a continued significant slowdown in investment by our oil refining and chemical industry customers. Our financial results for fiscal year 2017 reflect the impact of this continued slowdown:

 

   

Net income was $5.0 million in fiscal year 2017, compared to net income of $6.1 million in fiscal year 2016.

 

   

New orders of $66.1 million represented a decrease of 21% from new orders in fiscal year 2016 of $84.0 million;

 

   

Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments at March 31, 2017 were $73.5 compared with $65.1 million as of March 31, 2016;

 

   

We continued to expand our engineering execution capacity and reduce engineering lead time; and

 

   

We ended the fiscal year with a strong balance sheet that was free of bank debt, providing us substantial financial flexibility.

 

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The Compensation Committee believes that in fiscal year 2017 our named executive officers performed well in furtherance of our strategic plan given the continued challenging market conditions. In line with our pay-for-performance philosophy, in fiscal year 2017, our named executive officers realized the following compensation based on our fiscal year 2017 financial performance and their individual performance:

 

   

As described more fully under the heading “Annual Cash Incentive Compensation” in this CD&A, for fiscal year 2017, the Compensation Committee set challenging targets for two key financial metrics: net income and orders. Our performance met the target level for the net income metric, however, the threshold level for the orders metric was not met. These levels of company performance, as well as our named executive officers’ achievement against their individual goals, resulted in the payment of annual cash incentive compensation below target levels. We report the annual cash incentive compensation earned by each of the named executive officers during fiscal year 2017 in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Fiscal Year 2017 Summary Compensation Table.

 

   

The performance-vested restricted stock granted to our named executive officers in fiscal year 2015 vested at 0% of target levels, based on company results below target levels for both the net revenue and EBITDA Margin1 metrics. These shares previously were shown at the target level in the “All Other Stock Awards” column of the Fiscal Year 2015 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table in our proxy statement for the 2015 annual meeting.

 

     Number of Shares of
Performance-Vested Restricted Stock
 

Named Executive Officer

   Target Grant 2015      Realized in 2017  

James R. Lines

     2,603        0  

Jeffrey F. Glajch

     1,531        0  

Alan E. Smith

     1,308        0  

Jennifer R. Condame

     684        0  

Our “Pay for Performance” Philosophy

Our executive compensation programs contain key components and features that reinforce our “pay for performance” philosophy. For example:

 

   

A significant portion of our named executive officer’s compensation is “at-risk,” and depends on either meeting performance-based criteria or continuing in service to the company. Both our short-term and long-term incentive compensation programs use goals that tie to our performance in key financial metrics. We pay 50% of our long-term incentive compensation in shares of performance-vested restricted stock. The shares of performance-vested restricted stock cliff vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant only upon the achievement of predetermined performance metrics. Our named executive officers receive the other 50% of long-term incentive compensation in restricted stock that time vests in equal installments of 33 1/3 % on each anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the executive officer’s continued service at each such date.

 

   

We require all of our named executive officers to hold substantial amounts of our stock. We believe that our robust stock ownership guidelines drive an ownership culture, and enhance the connection between our management and our stockholders.

 

   

We do not reimburse or “gross-up” our named executive officers for any of the taxes associated with any of the compensation and benefits we provide to them.

 

   

We maintain “double-triggered” provisions in our agreements with our named executive officers under which payment is triggered only by certain terminations of employment subsequent to a change in control of our company.

 

1  EBITDA Margin is a financial measure not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). For a reconciliation of EBITDA Margin to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, see Appendix A to this proxy statement.

 

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The Compensation Committee incorporates tally sheets as an analytical tool as part of its annual executive compensation review to help ensure that compensation is consistent with performance goals.

 

   

We provide limited perquisites and personal benefits beyond those provided to all other employees.

 

   

We have a policy prohibiting executive officers and directors from engaging in any hedging or monetization transactions involving our securities.

 

   

Our insider trading policy requires executive officers and directors to obtain the prior approval of our legal counsel prior to pledging our stock. As of the record date, none of our executive officers or directors had outstanding pledges of our stock.

Principles and Objectives

In establishing executive compensation, the guiding principles and objectives of the Compensation Committee are as follows:

 

   

to provide market competitive compensation that includes an appropriate balance of fixed and incentive elements which allows us to both attract and retain executive personnel best suited by training, ability, and other relevant criteria for our management requirements;

 

   

to align our incentive compensation programs with superior business performance in order to maximize shareholder value; and

 

   

to avoid compensation incentives that create undue financial or business risk for our company.

The Compensation Committee reviews the market median and also considers measures of company and industry performance when determining named executive officer compensation, including revenue, net income, earnings per share, EBITDA margin, total market value, average working capital, performance relative to the market and total stockholder return. As described further below under the heading “Use of Peer Group Compensation Data and Tally Sheets,” from time to time, the Compensation Committee reviews data on the executive compensation programs of other comparably-sized companies both within our industry and in our geographic region as part of the process of establishing and maintaining our executive compensation programs.

We designed our executive compensation programs to reward our named executive officers for company and individual performance that maximizes stockholder value. We describe the company and individual performance measures that the Compensation Committee takes into account in determining cash and equity-based incentive awards for our named executive officers below under the headings “Annual Cash Incentive Compensation” and “Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation,” respectively.

How We Make Compensation Decisions

Role of the Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee designs and implements compensation programs that further the intent and purpose of our fundamental compensation philosophy, principles and objectives. The Compensation Committee is responsible for setting appropriate compensation levels for our named executive officers, and determines base salary, as well as cash and equity-based incentive awards for each of our named executive officers. We provide additional information about the Compensation Committee under the heading “Corporate Governance.”

Role of Named Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions

Within the framework of the executive compensation programs approved by the Compensation Committee and based on management’s review of market competitive positions, our Chief Executive Officer annually reviews the performance of our other named executive officers and presents such performance information to the Compensation Committee. In addition, our Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee with respect to the salary, cash incentive and equity-based incentive compensation paid to our other named executive officers. The Compensation Committee considers such performance

 

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information in determining each element of compensation for the other named executive officers. The Compensation Committee uses its discretion to determine whether to accept, reject or modify any adjustments to awards that may be recommended by our Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee annually reviews the performance of our Chief Executive Officer. Our Chief Executive Officer does not play any role with respect to any matter affecting his own compensation.

On an annual basis, our Chief Executive Officer also approves and recommends to the Compensation Committee the individual objectives for our other named executive officers under the Stock Bonus Plan and Cash Bonus Program. The Chairperson of our Compensation Committee, in consultation with the Chairman of our Board of Directors, approves individual objectives for our Chief Executive Officer.

Use of Outside Consultants by the Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee believes that it benefits from external advice and assistance to help meet its objectives and fulfill its responsibilities. The Compensation Committee periodically engages outside consultants to educate and inform Committee members with regard to compensation matters, including the advantages and disadvantages of existing and proposed compensation programs, and keeps the Compensation Committee abreast of current and emerging compensation trends both within our industry and for companies of similar size and stature. These consultants also may advise the Compensation Committee with respect to various compensation alternatives, provide the Committee with relevant market compensation data and assist the Committee in analyzing such data when making compensation decisions.

The Compensation Committee typically engages a compensation consultant every few years. During fiscal year 2016, the Compensation Committee engaged Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. to assist the Compensation Committee in updating our peer group and analyzing the competitiveness of the target compensation levels for our named executive officers.

Use of Peer Group Compensation Data and Tally Sheets

Peer Group Compensation Data. When making compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee may consider executive compensation programs and individual elements of compensation paid to other named executive officers at a group of comparably-sized companies both within our industry and in our geographic region or which we otherwise consider to be our peers. When selecting our peer group shown below, the Compensation Committee considered the companies’ revenue, market capitalization, number of employees and industry classification.

 

Allied Motion Technologies Inc.    CECO Environmental    Maxwell Technologies
American Science & Engineering(1)    CUI Global    Natural Gas Services
Ampco-Pittsburgh    Dynamic Materials    OmegaFlex
Aspen Aerogels    Gorman Rupp    Sun Hydraulics
Badger Meter    Hurco Companies    The Eastern Co.
   Key Technology   

 

(1) 

This company was acquired in fiscal year 2017 and will not be included in future years.

The Compensation Committee may use peer group compensation data to provide an informational perspective on our compensation practices, levels of base salary and the design of annual cash and long-term equity incentive compensation programs and the overall competitiveness of our compensation program. During fiscal year 2016, the Compensation Committee reviewed a competitive analysis provided by its compensation consultant, Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. to inform pay decisions with respect to future fiscal years. This competitive analysis compared our named executive officers’ total target compensation, including base salary, target annual cash incentive and target long-term incentives to the same compensation elements paid to named executive officers in comparable positions with our peer group companies listed above. Our compensation consultant’s analysis demonstrated that, on average, our named executive officers’ fiscal year 2017 total target direct compensation was positioned below the 25th percentile for named executive officers in our peer group.

Tally Sheets. The Compensation Committee analyzes tally sheets prepared for each named executive officer as part of its responsibilities for our executive compensation programs. Tally sheets present the dollar amount of

 

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each component of compensation for each named executive officer. The purpose of tally sheets is to bring together, in summary form, all of the elements of total direct compensation for our named executive officers, so that the Compensation Committee may analyze both the individual elements of compensation (including the weighting of each element as compared to each other element) and the aggregate amount of total direct compensation. During fiscal year 2017, the Compensation Committee regularly used tally sheets to assist in its review of the compensation of our named executive officers. No compensation changes were made with respect to fiscal year 2017 compensation based on those reviews.

Executive Compensation Components

As discussed in greater detail below, our compensation philosophy focuses on aligning the total direct compensation of our named executive officers with the interests of our stockholders by rewarding performance that enhances the objective of increasing both current and long-term stockholder value. We use the term “total direct compensation” to refer to the sum of base salary, annual incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation.

 

  Total Direct

    Compensation    

      =       Base

    Salary    

      +       Annual

Incentive

    Compensation    

      +       Long-Term

Incentive

    Compensation    

  

The components of total direct compensation granted during fiscal year 2017 were:

 

Compensation Element

 

Form of Compensation

 

Purpose

 

Performance Criteria

Base Salary

  Cash   Provide compensation that is not “at-risk” to compensate our named executive officers for services rendered during the fiscal year   Not performance based

Annual Incentive

Compensation

  Cash   Motivate our named executive officers to attain vital short-term company and individual objectives   Net income, orders and individual officer goals linked to achievement of company strategic objectives

Long-term Incentive

Compensation

  Performance-Vested Restricted Stock   Incent our named executive officers to focus on company growth, align their compensation with our business strategy and create value for our stockholders   Equal weighting of our EBITDA margin2 achieved for fiscal year 2019 as compared to the Baird Industrial Company Composite for calendar year 2018 and our achievement over a three year period of Total Shareholder Return compared to the Russell 2000 Capital Goods and Energy Composite Ranking (using a 20 day price average at the start and end of the three year period commencing April 1, 2016 and ending March 31, 2019)
 

Time-Vested

Restricted Stock

  Encourage retention of our named executive officers over a three-year period   Not performance based

The Compensation Committee seeks to align our annual and long-term compensation elements to our strategic plan. We strive to strike a balance between establishing incentives that motivate our named executive officers to achieve meaningful results, while ensuring that we sufficiently recognize our named executive officers

 

2  EBITDA margin is a non-GAAP financial measure. For a reconciliation of EBITDA margin to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, see Appendix A to this proxy statement.

 

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for achieving results that are within their control. The Compensation Committee believes that the diversity of the selected forms of compensation and the applicable performance metrics help to manage the pay for performance challenges presented by the cyclicality of our business while creating the proper focus among our named executive officers to facilitate our growth.

We establish each element comprising target total direct compensation for the named executive officers annually. We do not have a specific policy for the allocation of compensation between short-term and long-term compensation or cash and equity compensation, as the allocation of these items is primarily driven by market compensation information and company performance and goals.

We generally do not consider gains realized from prior compensation, such as stock option exercises and restricted stock vesting, in setting other elements of compensation. We believe that reducing or limiting restricted stock awards because of prior gains realized by a named executive officer would unfairly penalize the officer for outstanding past performance and reduce the motivation for continued outstanding achievement. Similarly, our severance and change-in-control arrangements, which we discuss in detail under the heading “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control,” do not affect our decisions regarding other elements of compensation. Those arrangements serve specific purposes that are unrelated to the determination of a named executive officer’s compensation for a specific year.

In support of our “pay for performance” philosophy, our executive compensation is heavily weighted toward incentive (variable) compensation, and the proportion of variable, or “at risk,” compensation increases as the level of responsibility increases. As shown below, in fiscal year 2017, we provide 61% of our Chief Executive Officer’s target compensation through annual and long-term incentive compensation, and, on average, we provide 52% of our other named executive officers’ target compensation through annual and long-term incentive compensation.

2017 Total Target Compensation*

 

 

LOGO

 

* The fair market values of the restricted stock is based upon the closing price at the date of grant.

 

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We also provide compensation and benefits to our named executive officers through the following programs:

 

Compensation Element

 

Form of Compensation

  

Purpose

Health and welfare plans

  Eligibility to receive health and other welfare benefits paid for by the company, including life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance and a comprehensive medical and dental plan    Provide a competitive employee benefits program

Retirement benefits

  Named executive officers hired prior to January 1, 2003 (Mr. Lines, Mr. Smith and Ms. Condame) participate in a qualified defined benefit pension plan, a qualified defined contribution plan and a non-qualified supplemental retirement plan. Named executive officers hired on or after January 1, 2003 (Mr. Glajch) participate only in the qualified defined contribution plan, and receive an additional company contribution under such plan in lieu of their participation in the defined benefit pension plan.    Provide an incentive for long-term retention of our named executive officers
Limited perquisites and other personal benefits   A $5,000 allowance for our Chief Executive Officer ($2,500 for our other named executive officers) to purchase term life insurance and an additional amount necessary to purchase a personal umbrella insurance policy    Provide a competitive compensation package, facilitate strong, focused performance and better enable us to attract and retain superior employees for key positions

Stockholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

At our 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, our stockholders approved by 80.3% of the votes represented in person or by proxy, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in our 2016 proxy statement, referred to as a “say-on-pay” vote. Without taking into account broker non-votes, we received approval of 97.9%. At our 2011 annual meeting of stockholders, our stockholders expressed a preference that the “say-on-pay” vote take place on the annual basis recommended by our Board of Directors. This preference was subsequently adopted by our Board of Directors, and so we are providing our stockholders with a “say-on-pay” vote this year.

The Compensation Committee evaluated the positive results of the 2016 “say-on-pay” vote as well as the other factors discussed in this CD&A. While each of these factors informed the Compensation Committee’s decisions regarding our executive compensation programs, the Compensation Committee did not implement changes to our executive compensation programs as a result of the 2016 “say-on-pay” vote.

Annual Base Salaries

The Compensation Committee reviews base salaries for each of our named executive officers at least annually. In general, the Compensation Committee sets base salaries based on the following factors:

 

   

company performance;

 

   

individual performance;

 

   

job responsibilities;

 

   

internal pay equity; and

 

   

base salary levels of similar positions in our peer group.

 

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Consistent with past practice, the Compensation Committee approved 3% increases to the base salaries of each of our named executive officers other than Mr. Lines, effective in the first pay period following March 31, 2016. The Compensation Committee approved an increase in Mr. Lines’ base salary to $435,000, effective April 1, 2016. These increases reflect merit-based increases implemented on a company-wide basis.

 

Named Executive Officer

   Fiscal year 2016
Base Salary
     Fiscal year 2017
Base Salary
 

James R. Lines

   $ 371,527      $ 435,000  

Jeffrey F. Glajch

   $ 262,254      $ 270,122  

Alan E. Smith

   $ 224,010      $ 241,020  

Jennifer R. Condame

   $ 163,909      $ 168,826  

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation

Our Annual Executive Cash Bonus Program, which we refer to as the Cash Bonus Program, is designed to compensate our named executive officers for above-average performance through an annual cash incentive award related both to company and individual performance. We instituted the Cash Bonus Program to effectively align short-term individual performance with company performance.

The Compensation Committee designed the Cash Bonus Program to provide a clear link between the named executive officers’ goals and our performance and business objectives. In fiscal year 2017, the Compensation Committee used a combination of net income, new orders and personal goals as the performance metrics to evaluate our named executive officers’ performance under the Cash Bonus Program. The net income performance metric is based on 2017 fiscal year-end results. Orders represent communications received from customers requesting us to supply products and services. The Compensation Committee selected net income and orders as the quantitative measures of short-term performance because it believes that these metrics capture our annual profitability and growth. The Compensation Committee believes the orders metric motivates our named executive officers to increase orders entered into backlog for execution in the near-term and focus on the quality or profitability of such orders.

For fiscal year 2017, the Compensation Committee established personal goals for our named executive officers, which included the following:

 

   

Mr. Lines - deploy capital to expand revenue, strengthen sustained earnings, reduce earnings volatility and improve return on invested capital.

 

   

Mr. Glajch - strengthen value of completed mergers and acquisitions; deploy capital to expand revenue, strengthen sustained earnings, reduce earnings volatility and improve return on invested capital.

 

   

Mr. Smith - increase revenue by diversifying opportunities and leveraging current operations; reduce cost structure in light of decrease in market pricing to help ensure long term cost competitiveness.

 

   

Ms. Condame - improve productivity and process within the finance department; implement a new payroll and human resources system.

The Compensation Committee assigned the weightings applicable to the three metrics to align our named executive officers’ goals with our current business objectives as follows:

 

Metric

   Weighting

Net income

   40%

Orders

   40%

Personal goals

   20%

The Compensation Committee typically establishes the goals for the Cash Bonus Program during our annual budgeting process following the commencement of the fiscal year. The Compensation Committee typically approves such goals during our first quarter, subject to the ratification of our Board of Directors. The Chairperson of our Compensation Committee, in consultation with the Chairman of our Board, approves

 

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personal goals for our Chief Executive Officer. Our Chief Executive Officer develops the personal goals for our other named executive officers in alignment with our corporate strategy and recommends these goals to our Compensation Committee Chairperson for approval.

For fiscal year 2017, the Compensation Committee set target bonus levels at 100% attainment of both company and individual objectives as follows: Mr. Lines - 70% of base salary; Mr. Glajch - 50% of base salary; Mr. Smith - 50% of base salary; and Ms. Condame - 35% of base salary. The Compensation Committee uses a stretch maximum payout level to better incentivize and reward above target performance. Each named executive officer may receive anywhere from 0% to 200% of his or her target bonus level depending on the attainment of objectives, as follows:

 

Target Level

   Net Income
Payout as  Percentage of
Target Bonus
  Orders
Payout as Percentage  of
Target Bonus

Below Threshold

   0%   0%

Threshold

   25%   50%

Target

   100%   100%

Maximum

   200%   200%

We may use linear interpolation to determine the percentage of the target bonus payable based on performance in between threshold and target or target and maximum. The Compensation Committee may consider extraordinary events that either positively or negatively affect financial performance, and may in its discretion, include or exclude the impact of these events in approving awards under the Cash Bonus Program. The Compensation Committee did not exercise this discretion during fiscal year 2017.

For fiscal year 2017, threshold, target, maximum and actual quantitative performance metrics used under the Cash Bonus Program were as follows (millions of dollars):

 

Performance Measure

   Threshold    Target    Maximum    Actual

Net Income

   $3.5    $5.0    $9.0    $5.0

Orders

   $115.0    $130.0    $150.0    $66.1

At its May 31, 2017 meeting, the Compensation Committee reviewed each named executive officer’s achievement of company and individual objectives during fiscal year 2017 and approved the award of cash incentive compensation under the Cash Bonus Program. Based on our performance during fiscal year 2017, the Compensation Committee determined that our named executive officers met the target level under the net income component and did not meet the threshold level under the orders component of the Cash Bonus Program. The Compensation Committee determined that each of our named executive officers achieved the following percentages of their respective target personal goals: Mr. Lines - 0%; Mr. Glajch - 50%; Mr. Smith - 100% and Ms. Condame - 130%. Based on these results, the cash incentive compensation earned under the Cash Bonus Program for our named executive officers for fiscal year 2017 was as follows:

 

Named Executive Officer

   Bonus Award      Percent of
Target Bonus
    Percent of
Maximum
Available Bonus
 

James R. Lines

   $ 121,800        40     20

Jeffrey F. Glajch

   $ 67,531        50     25

Alan E. Smith

   $ 72,306        60     30

Jennifer R. Condame

   $ 38,999        66     33

The Compensation Committee sets what it believes are challenging goals for maximum bonus awards and expects that maximum bonus awards will be made only in extraordinary circumstances.

The amount of these cash awards earned by each named executive officer in fiscal year 2017 is shown in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Fiscal Year 2017 Summary Compensation Table.

 

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Under the Cash Bonus Program, special awards may be made to a named executive officer who has made an extraordinary contribution to us during the fiscal year. Such awards are generally recommended in writing by our Chief Executive Officer to the Chairperson of the Compensation Committee and approved by the Compensation Committee before grant. The Compensation Committee did not approve any such awards in fiscal year 2017.

Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation

The Compensation Committee designed our Annual Stock-Based Long-Term Incentive Award Plan for Senior Executives, which we refer to as the Stock Bonus Plan, to motivate our named executive officers to increase stockholder value by providing them with long-term stock-based awards for above-average company performance. Our long-term incentive opportunities are intended to be competitive with the long-term incentive opportunities offered by the companies constituting our peer group. We issue shares of restricted stock pursuant to our Amended and Restated 2000 Graham Corporation Incentive Plan to Increase Shareholder Value, which we refer to as the Incentive Plan, a comprehensive executive compensation plan that provides for the grant of stock options, restricted stock, and other stock-related awards, as well as other awards that may be settled in cash or other property. All of our named executive officers are eligible to participate in the Incentive Plan.

The Compensation Committee designed the Stock Bonus Plan to create a tight link between the named executive officers’ goals and the company’s performance and business objectives. In fiscal year 2017, the Compensation Committee granted one half of the restricted stock awards in time-vested restricted stock, and the other half in performance-vested restricted stock. The Compensation Committee chose these forms of awards in consideration of the company’s current approach to risk and the traditional cyclicality of the company’s business.

Time-Vested Restricted Stock. We grant time-vested restricted stock because we believe that time-vested restricted stock helps us retain our named executive officers by offering our named executive officers the opportunity to receive shares of our common stock if they continue to be employed by us on the date the time-vested restricted stock vests. The Compensation Committee determines the number of shares of time-vested restricted stock to award to our named executive officers under the Stock Bonus Plan based on a percentage of each named executive officer’s annual base salary. Unless the Compensation Committee determines otherwise, shares granted vest in installments of one-third on each anniversary of grant.

Performance-Vested Restricted Stock. We grant performance-vested restricted stock because we believe that performance-vested restricted stock helps us reward our named executive officers by conditioning the grant of restricted stock upon the satisfaction of predetermined company objectives. Unless the Compensation Committee determines otherwise, the shares of performance-vested restricted stock cliff vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant, subject to satisfaction of the performance metrics for the applicable three-year period. The Compensation Committee typically sets the metrics applicable to the performance-vested restricted stock just prior to the start of the fiscal year, and finalizes and approves such metrics and the other terms of the restricted stock grants during our first quarter.

For fiscal year 2017 grants, the performance metrics applicable to the performance-vested restricted stock consist of two relative metrics: our EBITDA margin for fiscal year 2019 as compared to the Baird Industrial Company Composite for calendar year 2018, and our achievement over a three year period of Total Shareholder Return compared to the Russell 2000 Capital Goods and Energy Composite Ranking (using a 20 day price average at the start and end of the three year period commencing April 1, 2016 and ending March 31, 2019). Once the Compensation Committee determines the achievement of the performance criteria for fiscal year 2019, it will adjust the actual number of shares to which each named executive officer is entitled accordingly. Any unearned shares are forfeited back to the company.

The Compensation Committee seeks to establish performance goals that are challenging but attainable based on our business and financial plan for the year. When establishing performance goals, the Compensation Committee reviews and discusses our business and financial plans for that year and the opportunity to generate stockholder value. The Compensation Committee establishes a range of performance goals for the year as well as individual payment thresholds, targets and maximums for each goal.

 

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Forfeitures. If the named executive officers terminate their employment for reasons other than death or disability prior to the vesting of restricted shares, they will forfeit those shares. Dividends paid on unvested shares of restricted stock granted prior to fiscal year 2017 are subject to forfeiture if the underlying shares are forfeited.

Additional information regarding the restricted stock awards granted to each named executive officer in fiscal year 2017 is set forth in the Fiscal Year 2017 Summary Compensation Table, the Fiscal Year 2017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table and in the narrative that follows the tables.

Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits

We provide limited perquisites and benefits to attract, retain and reward named executive officers by providing an overall benefit package similar to those received by similarly-situated executive officers at comparably-sized companies in our industry and geographic region.

During fiscal year 2017, we paid premiums for life insurance policies for the benefit of each of our named executive officers. In addition, all of our named executive officers participate in our short-term disability program that is available to our managers and executive officers. We also make available to our named executive officers health insurance and long-term disability programs that are generally available to our salaried employees.

Our named executive officers also receive up to $2,500 for the purpose of purchasing term life insurance with a named beneficiary of each officer’s choosing as well as an additional amount necessary for our named executive officers to purchase a personal umbrella insurance policy. Our Chief Executive Officer is entitled to up to $5,000 for the purpose of purchasing term life insurance.

Retirement Benefits

We provide retirement benefits to our named executive officers to attract, retain and reward named executive officers by providing an overall benefit package similar to those received by similarly-situated executive officers at comparably-sized companies in our industry and geographic region.

Mr. Lines, Mr. Smith and Ms. Condame are all eligible to participate in our Retirement Income Plan, which is a defined benefit pension plan for the benefit of our domestic employees hired prior to January 1, 2003. Benefits are based on the employee’s years of service and average annual base salary for the five highest consecutive calendar years of compensation in the ten-year period preceding retirement, reduced to take into account a participant’s Social Security benefits paid for by the company.

All of our named executive officers participate in our Incentive Savings Plan, which is a defined contribution plan that provides for both employer and employee contributions. The Incentive Savings Plan uses a “safe harbor” design that provides for a matching contribution of 100% of a participant’s deferrals up to 3% of compensation plus 50% of deferrals in excess of 3% but not in excess of 5% of compensation (for a maximum 4% matching contribution). Additionally, eligible employees hired after January 1, 2003, which included Mr. Glajch, with at least one hour of service during the relevant plan year who are employed by us at the end of such year receive a contribution in an amount equal to 3.25% of eligible compensation received during such year, which contribution is paid on the first $265,000 of compensation, as adjusted for cost-of-living increases, in accordance with Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the Code. The amounts allocated to participants under the Incentive Savings Plan fully vest after four years of employment.

We also make available to our named executive officers who participate in our Retirement Income Plan our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, which we refer to as the Supplemental Plan. The Supplemental Plan is intended to provide eligible participants and their surviving spouses and beneficiaries with the amount of employer-provided retirement benefits that the Retirement Income Plan would provide, but for the limitation on compensation that may be recognized under tax-qualified plans imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Code and the limitations on benefits imposed by Section 415 of the Code.

We have provided more information about our defined benefit retirement plans and the benefits payable to our named executive officers under such plans under the heading “Pension Benefits at March 31, 2017.”

 

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Employment Agreements and Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

We have employment agreements with each of our named executive officers. The decisions to enter into employment agreements and the terms of those agreements were based on our need to motivate and retain talent for our long-term growth. The material terms of the employment agreements with our named executive officers are described under the heading “Employment Agreements” in the Narrative to the Fiscal Year 2017 Summary Compensation Table and Fiscal Year 2017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table.

We have agreed to provide payments to each of our named executive officers in the event of a termination of employment as a result of normal and early retirement, involuntary termination, death and disability. Mr. Lines and Mr. Glajch are also eligible to receive additional payments in the event of termination following a change in control. We believe these arrangements promote stability and continuity of leadership to the benefit of our named executive officers and the company. See “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” for further information regarding these arrangements.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

In order to more closely align the interests of our named executive officers with the interests of our stockholders, the Compensation Committee has established minimum stock ownership guidelines that require our named executive officers to work towards acquiring and maintaining specific levels of equity ownership interests in our common stock within specified time frames. A summary of our current stock ownership guidelines for our named executive officers is as follows:

 

Position

  

Stock Ownership Guideline

Chief Executive Officer

   Common stock with a value equal to at least 3.00 times his annual base salary

Other named executive officers

   Common stock with a value equal to at least 1.00 times his or her annual base salary

Our stock ownership guidelines also require our named executive officers to retain 50% of the net shares realized (after tax) when a restricted stock award vests or a stock option is exercised until they are in compliance with the guidelines, unless waived by the Chairperson of the Compensation Committee.

The Compensation Committee monitors the progress made by our named executive officers in achieving their stock ownership guidelines and, if circumstances warrant, may modify the guidelines and/or time frames for one or more of our named executive officers. Under the guidelines, our named executive officers are directed to be in compliance with their respective ownership objectives within five years of becoming a named executive officer. If a named executive officer does not meet his or her ownership guidelines, the Compensation Committee may take that fact into consideration when evaluating such executive’s overall performance. As of the end of fiscal year 2017, all of our named executive officers were in compliance with our stock ownership guidelines, with the exception of Mr. Lines, whose stock ownership met approximately 99.8% of his stock ownership guideline.

Certain Tax and Accounting Implications

We periodically review accounting and tax laws, rules and regulations that may apply to our compensation programs. However, tax and accounting considerations have not significantly impacted the compensation programs that we offer to our named executive officers.

The Impact of Deductibility of Compensation. As part of its role, the Compensation Committee reviews and considers the deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, which provides that we may not deduct compensation of more than $1,000,000 that is paid to certain individuals. The Compensation Committee reserves the ability to approve compensation that will not meet these requirements in order to ensure competitive levels of total compensation for its named executive officers.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. We account for stock-based employee compensation at fair value of the awards on the grant date and recognize the related cost in our statements of operations and retained

 

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earnings in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, which we refer to as FASB ASC Topic 718, formerly SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” which we adopted effective April 1, 2006 utilizing the modified prospective method. These stock-based payments include awards made under our Incentive Plan.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee, which consists entirely of independent Directors, has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this proxy statement in accordance with Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K, as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Based on such review and discussion, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.

Compensation Committee:

Lisa M. Schnorr, Chairperson

Alan Fortier

James J. Malvaso

Jonathan W. Painter

Risk Considerations in our Compensation Programs

Each year, we undertake a company-wide analysis of our compensation programs to assess whether they create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our business. In fiscal year 2017, the Compensation Committee conducted its own risk assessment for our compensation programs and plans. As part of that assessment, the Compensation Committee reviewed the intent, purposes and practices of our compensation programs and plans. The Compensation Committee conducted this review in connection with a review of our business and growth strategies. Based on these reviews, we have concluded that our compensation programs are appropriately tailored to encourage employees to grow our business, but not incentivize them to do so in a way that is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our company.

For example, our Cash Bonus Program and our Stock Bonus Plan, which are our two primary executive compensation programs, balance each other by providing compensation that rewards short-term (Cash Bonus Program) and long-term (Stock Bonus Plan) performance. The Cash Bonus Program balances risk by considering several performance metrics and capping the maximum payout a named executive officer can receive at 200% of target bonus level (target bonus level is between 70% and 35% of base salary for each of our named executive officers). In addition, our Stock Bonus Plan provides balanced incentives through equity-based compensation awards, which include time-vested restricted stock and performance-vested restricted stock. The Compensation Committee believes that this mix of incentives, together with our executive stock ownership guidelines encourages our named executive officers to achieve both short-term operating and long-term strategic objectives, including the long-term performance of our stock.

 

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Fiscal Year 2017 Summary Compensation Table

The following table shows information regarding the compensation of our named executive officers for services rendered to us in all capacities for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

 

Name and Principal Position  

Fiscal

Year

   

Salary (1)

($)

   

Bonus

($)

   

Stock

Awards (2)(3)

($)

   

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation (4)

($)

   

Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings (5)

($)

   

All

Other

Compensation (6)

($)

    

Total

($)

 

James R. Lines,

    2017       435,000             430,094       121,800       88,766       19,745        1,095,405  

President and Chief

    2016       371,527             151,502       37,896       67,027       18,907        646,859  

Executive Officer

    2015       360,706             147,070       306,023       359,412       32,755        1,205,966  

(principal executive officer)

                

Jeffrey F. Glajch

    2017       270,122             192,874       67,531             24,833        555,360  

Vice President - Finance

& Administration and

Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial officer)

    2016       262,254             89,097       18,358             24,682        394,391  
    2015       254,616             86,502       122,980             23,735        487,833  
                
                

Alan E. Smith

    2017       241,020             172,103       72,306       45,473       15,269        546,171  

Vice President and General

    2016       230,677             76,098       20,992       43,482       15,316        386,565  

Manager - Batavia

    2015       217,485             73,902       123,504       147,323       14,976        577,190  

Jennifer R. Condame

    2017       168,826             83,450       38,999       33,849       14,929        340,053  

Controller and Chief

Accounting Officer

    2016       163,909             39,784       6,556       27,761       15,313        253,323  
    2015       159,135             38,646       65,345       122,581       12,289        397,996  

 

(1)

The amounts shown in this column include cash compensation earned and paid, and cash compensation deferred at the election of each named executive officer under our Incentive Savings Plan (our 401(k) plan).

 

(2)

Restricted stock awards are granted under our Incentive Plan. The dollar values of time-vested restricted stock awards shown in this column are equal to the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The grant date fair value of the performance-vested restricted stock awards shown in this column is computed based upon the probable outcome of the performance goals as of the grant date, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. The maximum value of the performance-vested restricted stock awards, assuming the highest level of performance conditions is achieved, is as follows for fiscal year 2017: Mr. Lines - $468,691; Mr. Glajch - $210,182; Mr. Smith - $187,547; Ms. Condame - $90,939. We discuss the assumptions used to calculate grant date fair value in Note 11 (Stock Compensation Plans) to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017, March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015.

 

(3)

Additional information regarding the performance-vested restricted stock granted to our named executive officers in fiscal year 2017 is shown in the Fiscal Year 2017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table.

 

(4)

The amounts shown in this column reflect the cash payment made to our named executive officers under the Cash Bonus Program in effect for fiscal year 2017. Payments under the Cash Bonus Program were determined by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors on May 31, 2017.

 

(5)

The amounts shown in this column reflect the changes in the actuarial present values under our Retirement Income Plan and our Supplemental Plan. See “Pension Benefits at March 31, 2017” for more information on our Retirement Income Plan and our Supplemental Plan.

 

(6)

All Other Compensation consists of the following:

 

Named Executive Officer   

Insurance

($)

    

401(k) Plan

Matching

Contributions

($)

    

401(k) Plan

Non-elective

Contributions

($)

    

Total

($)

 

James R. Lines

     8,510        11,235               19,745  

Jeffrey F. Glajch

     5,513        10,679        8,641        24,833  

Alan E. Smith

     4,599        10,670               15,269  

Jennifer R. Condame

     4,846        10,083               14,929  

 

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Fiscal Year 2017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table shows information regarding the grants of annual incentive cash compensation and restricted stock during fiscal year 2017 to our named executive officers.

 

                 Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards (1)
   

 

Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards (2)

   

All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of Shares
of Stock
or Units

(#)

    Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards (3)
($)
 
Name  

Type of

Award

  Grant
Date
    Threshold
($)
    Target
($)
    Maximum
($)
    Threshold
($)
    Target
($)
    Maximum
($)
     

James R. Lines

  Performance-Vested Restricted Stock     5/24/16                               97,875       195,750       391,500               234,345  
  Time-Vested Restricted Stock     5/24/16                   10,581       195,750  
  Annual Incentive       121,800       304,500       609,000            

Jeffrey F. Glajch

  Performance-Vested Restricted Stock     5/24/16             43,895       87,790       175,579         105,091  
  Time-Vested Restricted Stock     5/24/16                   4,745       87,790  
  Annual Incentive       54,024       135,061       270,122            

Alan E. Smith

  Performance-Vested Restricted Stock     5/24/16             39,166       78,332       156,663         93,774  
  Time-Vested Restricted Stock     5/24/16                   4,234       78,332  
  Annual Incentive       48,204       120,510       241,020            

Jennifer R. Condame

  Performance-Vested Restricted Stock     5/24/16             18,993       37,986       75,972         45,469  
  Time-Vested Restricted Stock     5/24/16                   2,053       37,986  
  Annual Incentive       23,636       59,089       118,178            

 

 

(1) 

The amounts shown in these columns reflect the incentive cash compensation amounts that potentially could have been earned during fiscal year 2017 based upon the achievement of company and individual performance goals under our Cash Bonus Program. The amounts of actual cash awards earned in fiscal year 2017 by our named executive officers under our Cash Bonus Program are set forth in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column in the Fiscal Year 2017 Summary Compensation Table. For more information regarding annual incentive cash compensation under our Cash Bonus Program, see “Annual Cash Incentive Compensation” in the CD&A.

 

(2) 

Our restricted stock awards are denominated in dollars, but payable in stock. We determine the number of shares of restricted stock to grant by dividing the dollar value of the award by the closing price of a share of our common stock on the date of grant. For more information regarding restricted stock awards under our Stock Bonus Plan, see “Performance-Vested Restricted Stock” under the heading “Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation” in the CD&A and “Awards Granted in Fiscal Year 2017” in the Narrative to the Fiscal Year 2017 Summary Compensation Table and Fiscal Year 2017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table.

 

(3) 

The dollar values of stock options and restricted stock disclosed in this column are equal to the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. The grant date fair value of the performance-vested restricted stock awards is computed based upon the probable outcome of the performance goals as of the grant date. A discussion of the assumptions used to calculate the grant date fair values is set forth in Note 11 (Stock Compensation Plans) to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.

Narrative to the Fiscal Year 2017 Summary Compensation Table and Fiscal Year 2017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

Awards Granted in Fiscal Year 2017

The Compensation Committee determines the number of shares of restricted stock to award to our named executive officers based on a percentage of each named executive officer’s annual base salary. The Compensation Committee determined the number of shares of performance-vested restricted stock to award to our named executive officers by using each such officer’s Long-Term Incentive Percentage, which we refer to as the L-T Percentage. For fiscal year 2017, the L-T Percentage in effect for each of our named executive officers was as follows: Mr. Lines - 90%; Mr. Glajch - 65%; Mr. Smith - 65%; and Ms. Condame - 45%.

 

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The number of shares of restricted stock was determined by multiplying 50% of each named executive officer’s base salary then in effect by such officer’s L-T Percentage, and then dividing the product by the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant.

The closing price of our common stock on May 24, 2016 was $18.50 without adjusting for the payment of dividends. The number of shares of time-vested restricted stock and the number of shares of performance-vested restricted stock granted to our named executive officers in fiscal year 2017 are as follows:

 

     Number of Shares of
Restricted Stock Granted
 

Named Executive Officer

   Performance-Vested (1)(2)      Time-Vested (1)  

James R. Lines

     10,581        10,581  

Jeffrey F. Glajch

     4,745        4,745  

Alan E. Smith

     4,234        4,234  

Jennifer R. Condame

     2,053        2,053  

 

 

(1)

In the event a named executive officer’s employment terminates prior to the conclusion of the applicable vesting period for reasons other than death or disability, such officer’s right to receive the restricted stock will be forfeited.

 

(2)

The number of shares that will vest at the end of fiscal year 2019 is based upon our achievement of two performance criteria. Those performance criteria consist of two relative metrics: our EBITDA margin for fiscal year 2019 as compared to the Baird Industrial Company Composite for calendar year 2018, and our achievement over a three year period of Total Shareholder Return compared to the Russell 2000 Capital Goods and Energy Composite Ranking (using a 20 day price average at the start and end of the three year period commencing April 1, 2016 and ending March 31, 2019). Once achievement of the performance criteria is determined for fiscal year 2019, the actual number of shares to which each named executive officer is entitled will be adjusted accordingly, with any unearned shares being forfeited back to the company. The number of shares assumes achievement of the performance criteria for a target award.

Vesting

Beginning with grants made during fiscal year 2015, shares of time-vested restricted stock vest in installments of one-third on each anniversary of grant over three years. Prior to fiscal year 2015, 50% of the shares of time-vested restricted stock vest on the second anniversary of the date of grant and the remaining 50% of the shares vest on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant. The shares of performance-vested restricted stock cliff vest on the last day of the third fiscal year following the fiscal year of grant, subject to satisfaction of the performance metrics for the applicable three-year period.

We pay dividends on unvested restricted stock. Dividends paid on unvested shares of restricted stock granted prior to fiscal year 2017 are subject to recovery if the applicable vesting conditions are not met.

Option Grants

Prior to fiscal year 2014, we granted stock options under the Incentive Plan. Our named executive officers only realize the compensation if our stock price increases over the term of the award, which aligned this element of compensation with our performance. Outstanding stock options vest over a three-year period, with 33 1/3% of the shares subject to such option vesting on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant.

Employment Agreements

During fiscal year 2017, we were a party to employment agreements with Mr. Lines, Mr. Glajch, Mr. Smith and Ms. Condame. The following is a summary of the key terms of each of these employment agreements.

James R. Lines. On August 1, 2006, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Lines, as subsequently amended on December 31, 2008, which provides that Mr. Lines will receive an annual minimum base salary as well as other customary benefits. Mr. Lines is also eligible under the agreement to receive discretionary bonuses. The agreement automatically renews such that it always has a one-year term remaining, unless we or Mr. Lines elect not to extend the term further, in which case the term will end on the first anniversary of the date on which notice of such election not to extend is given. If not terminated sooner, the agreement will end on the last day of the month in which Mr. Lines turns 65.

 

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Pursuant to our employment agreement with Mr. Lines, if he resigns for reasons other than a material breach of the agreement by us, departs from our employment without the approval of our Board of Directors, or is discharged for cause, he will be subject to an 18-month covenant not to compete with us, not to interfere in certain of our business relationships, and not to disclose to anyone our confidential information.

Our employment agreement with Mr. Lines also provides for us to make certain payments to him in the event we terminate his employment without cause or upon the occurrence of certain events relating to a change in control of the company, as described under “Involuntary Termination” and “Termination Following a Change in Control” under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

Our employment agreement with Mr. Lines provides that we will indemnify him for all acts or omissions and for any suits brought against him which relate to duties he performed in good faith for us.

Jeffrey F. Glajch. On March 2, 2009, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Glajch, as subsequently amended on July 29, 2010, to serve as our Vice President - Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer. The agreement provides that Mr. Glajch will receive an annual minimum base salary as well as other customary benefits. The agreement automatically renews such that it always has a one-year term remaining, unless we or Mr. Glajch elect not to extend the term further, in which case the term will end on the first anniversary of the date on which notice of such election not to extend is given. If not terminated sooner, the agreement will end on the last day of the month in which Mr. Glajch turns 65.

Pursuant to our employment agreement with Mr. Glajch, if his employment with us is terminated for any reason, he will be subject to an 18-month covenant not to compete with us, not to interfere in certain of our business relationships, and not to disclose to anyone our confidential information.

Our employment agreement with Mr. Glajch also provides for us to make certain payments to him in the event we terminate his employment without cause or upon the occurrence of certain events relating to a change in control of the company, as described under “Involuntary Termination” and “Termination Following a Change in Control” under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

Our employment agreement with Mr. Glajch provides that we will indemnify him for all acts or omissions and for any suits brought against him which relate to duties he performed in good faith for us.

Alan E. Smith. On July 30, 2007, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Smith, as subsequently amended on December 31, 2008. The agreement provides that Mr. Smith will receive an annual minimum base salary as well as other customary benefits. Mr. Smith’s agreement automatically renews such that it always has a one-year term remaining, unless we or Mr. Smith elect not to extend the term further, in which case the term will end on the first anniversary of the date on which notice of such election not to extend is given. If not terminated sooner, the agreement will end on the last day of the month in which Mr. Smith turns 65.

Pursuant to our employment agreement with Mr. Smith, if his employment with us is terminated for any reason, he will be subject to an 18-month covenant not to compete with us, not to interfere in certain of our business relationships, and not to disclose to anyone our confidential information.

Our employment agreement with Mr. Smith also provides for us to make certain payments to him in the event we terminate his employment without cause as described below under “Involuntary Termination” under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

Our employment agreement with Mr. Smith provides that we will indemnify him for all acts or omissions and for any suits brought against him which relate to duties he performed in good faith for us.

Jennifer R. Condame. On July 25, 2013, we entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Condame. The agreement provides that Ms. Condame will receive an annual minimum base salary as well as other customary benefits. Ms. Condame’s agreement automatically renews such that it always has a one-year term remaining, unless we or Ms. Condame elect not to extend the term further, in which case the term will end on the first anniversary of the date on which notice of such election not to extend is given. If not terminated sooner, the agreement will end on the last day of the month in which Ms. Condame turns 65.

 

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Pursuant to our employment agreement with Ms. Condame, if her employment with us is terminated for any reason, she will be subject to an 18-month covenant not to compete with us, not to interfere in certain of our business relationships, and not to disclose to anyone our confidential information.

Our employment agreement with Ms. Condame also provides for us to make certain payments to her in the event we terminate her employment without cause as described below under “Involuntary Termination” under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

Our employment agreement with Ms. Condame provides that we will indemnify her for all acts or omissions and for any suits brought against her which relate to duties she performed in good faith for us.

Additional Information

We have provided additional information regarding the compensation we pay to our named executive officers in the CD&A, and encourage you to read the above tables and their footnotes in conjunction with such information.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at March 31, 2017

The following table shows information regarding the number of unexercised stock options and the number and value of unvested restricted stock awards held by our named executive officers at March 31, 2017.

 

     Option Awards     Stock Awards  
Name  

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options

(#)

Exercisable

   

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options

(#)

Unexercisable

   

Option

Exercise

Price

($)

   

Option

Expiration

Date

   

Number

of Shares

or Units

of Stock

That Have

Not Vested

(#)

   

Market

Value of

Shares or

Units of Stock

That Have

Not Vested

($)

   

Equity Incentive Plan
Awards: Number of

Unearned Shares, Units or
Other Rights that Have

Not Vested

(#)

   

Equity Incentive Plan
Awards: Market or
Payout Value of
Unearned Shares,
Units  or Other Rights
That Have Not Vested

($)

 

James R. Lines

    2,532             30.88       5/29/2018          
    1,974             15.22       5/28/2019          
    3,092             15.25       5/20/2020          
    10,894             18.65       5/30/2022          
            868 (1)      19,964      
            2,184 (2)      50,232      
            10,581 (3)      243,363      
                5,206 (4)      119,738  
                6,550 (5)      150,650  
                21,162 (6)      486,726  

Jeffrey F. Glajch

    1,739             15.25       5/20/2020          
    7,141             18.65       5/30/2022          
            511 (1)      11,753      
            1,284 (2)      29,532      
            4,745 (3)      109,135      
                3,062 (4)      70,426  
                3,852 (5)      88,596  
                9,490 (6)      218,270  

Alan E. Smith

    1,114             30.88       5/29/2018          
    3,571             15.22       5/28/2019          
    3,118             15.25       5/20/2020          
    6,059         18.65       5/30/2022          
            436 (1)      10,028      
            1,097 (2)      25,231      
            4,234 (3)      97,382      
                2,616 (4)      60,168  
                3,290 (5)      75,670  
                8,468 (6)      194,764  

Jennifer R. Condame

    576             30.88       5/29/2018          
    1,000             44.50       7/31/2018          
    2,678             15.22       5/28/2019          
    1,609             15.25       5/20/2020          
    3,127             18.65       5/30/2022          
            228 (1)      5,244      
            574 (2)      13,202      
            2,053 (3)      47,219      
                1,368 (4)      31,464  
                1,720 (5)      39,560  
                4,106 (6)      94,438  

 

(1)

One-third of this grant of time-vested restricted stock vests on May 29, 2015, May 29, 2016 and May 29, 2017.

 

(2)

One-third of this grant of time-vested restricted stock vests on May 28, 2016, May 28, 2017 and May 28, 2018.

 

(3)

One-third of this grant of time-vested restricted stock vests on May 24, 2017, May 24, 2018 and May 24, 2019.

 

(4)

This grant of performance-vested restricted stock vests on the date that the Compensation Committee ratifies the satisfaction of the performance metrics for the applicable three-year performance period ended March 31, 2017. This number reflects the maximum number of shares of restricted stock that may be earned if the maximum level of performance is achieved.

 

(5)

This grant of performance-vested restricted stock vests on the date that the Compensation Committee ratifies the satisfaction of the performance metrics for the applicable three-year performance period ending March 31, 2018. This number reflects the maximum number of shares of restricted stock that may be earned if the maximum level of performance is achieved.

 

(6)

This grant of performance-vested restricted stock vests on the date that the Compensation Committee ratifies the satisfaction of the performance metrics for the applicable three-year performance period ending March 31, 2019. This number reflects the maximum number of shares of restricted stock that may be earned if the maximum level of performance is achieved.

 

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Fiscal Year 2017 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table shows information regarding the number and value realized of stock options exercised and stock awards that vested during fiscal year 2017 for each of our named executive officers.

 

      Option Awards      Stock Awards  
Name   

Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise

(#)

    

Value
Realized
on
Exercise

($)

    

Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting

(#)

    

Value
Realized on
Vesting (1)

($)

 

James R. Lines

                   2,904        53,114  

Jeffrey F. Glajch

                   1,727        31,587  

Alan E. Smith

                   1,474        26,959  

Jennifer R. Condame

     5,474        60,389        769        14,065  

 

(1)

The value realized on the vesting of stock awards is the closing price of our common stock on the vesting date multiplied by the number of shares acquired.

Pension Benefits at March 31, 2017

The following table shows information at March 31, 2017 regarding our Retirement Income Plan and our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan.

 

Name    Plan Name   

Number of Years
Credited

Service (#)

     Present
Value of
Accumulated
Benefit (1)
($)
     Payments
During Last
Fiscal Year
($)
 

James R. Lines

   Retirement Income Plan      33        1,091,486         
   Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan             643,179         

Jeffrey F. Glajch

   Retirement Income Plan                     
   Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan                     

Alan E. Smith

   Retirement Income Plan      24        584,778         
   Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan                     

Jennifer R. Condame

   Retirement Income Plan      25        470,902         
   Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan                     

 

(1)

The present value of accumulated benefits indicated in the table were calculated using a 4.08% discount rate, the Adjusted RP 2014 Mortality Table dataset projected to 2022 by scale MP2016 and an age 63 retirement age, which are the same assumptions used for financial reporting purposes. The amounts indicated represent liabilities funded by the trust fund. Part of the accrued benefit will be provided by John Hancock Insurance Company through an annuity purchased in 1986.

 

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Retirement Income Plan

Our Retirement Income Plan is a defined benefit pension plan for the benefit of our domestic employees hired prior to January 1, 2003. The purpose of the Retirement Income Plan is to supplement Social Security benefits and to provide a reliable source of regular income for participants or their survivors after retirement by the participant. During fiscal year 2017, Mr. Lines, Mr. Smith and Ms. Condame were eligible to participate in the Retirement Income Plan.

Normal retirement under the Retirement Income Plan is generally the later of a participant’s 65th birthday or the 5th anniversary of the date on which he or she became a participant. Early retirement under the Retirement Income Plan is available for a participant who is at least 55 years old and has completed fifteen years or more of creditable service. The Retirement Income Plan also provides for a disability retirement allowance in the event of disability.

The Retirement Income Plan also provides for the payment of a retirement benefit in the event that a participant’s employment was terminated when the participant was not eligible for normal, early or disability retirement. Eligibility for such “vested retirement” requires the completion of five years of service with us. A participant who is entitled to a vested retirement allowance when his or her employment terminates will ordinarily begin receiving payments after reaching normal retirement age. If the participant has completed at least fifteen years of creditable service, he or she may elect to begin receiving payments on the first day of the month after he or she reaches age 55 and up to the first month after he or she reaches normal retirement age. The amount of a participant’s monthly vested retirement payment will vary depending on age, service and time of commencement.

Benefits under the Retirement Income Plan are based on the employee’s years of service and average annual base salary for the five highest consecutive calendar years of compensation in the ten-year period preceding retirement. Benefits under the Retirement Income Plan are reduced to take into account a participant’s Social Security benefits paid for by the company.

The approximate years of creditable service as of March 31, 2017 of each of the named executive officers eligible to participate in the Retirement Income Plan are as follows: Mr. Lines - 33; Mr. Smith - 24; and Ms. Condame - 25. We do not normally grant additional years of service credit.

The form and amount of the payments made under the Retirement Income Plan depends upon marital status when payment begins and the form of payment selected. The normal form of benefit for a married participant is a 100% joint and survivor annuity, which provides a retirement allowance in the form of reduced monthly payments that will continue for the rest of the participant’s life. If the participant is survived by the person who was the participant’s spouse when payments began, such spouse will receive survivor benefits equal to 100% of the amount of the payments made to the participant during his or her lifetime. His or her spouse will be paid survivor benefits for his or her remaining lifetime. Subject (in most cases) to the spouse’s consent, a participant may elect to receive benefits in the form of a single life annuity, 50% joint and survivor annuity, a Social Security Level Income Option, a 10, 15, or 20 year certain annuity or a life annuity with a 10, 15, or 20 year guarantee.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

In addition to the Retirement Income Plan, we maintain the Supplemental Plan that is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan and is intended to provide eligible participants and their surviving spouses and beneficiaries with the amount of employer-provided retirement benefits that the Retirement Income Plan would provide but for the limitation on compensation that may be recognized under tax-qualified plans imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Code and the limitations on benefits imposed by Section 415 of the Code.

A participant who has completed a period of service of at least five years under the Retirement Income Plan and whose benefits are limited by the above-referenced provisions of the Code, is entitled to receive a monthly benefit from the Supplemental Plan. All of our named executive officers hired prior to January 1, 2003 are eligible to participate in the Supplemental Plan, but Mr. Lines is the only named executive officer that currently has an accrued benefit under the Supplemental Plan.

 

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The monthly benefit under the Supplemental Plan is equal to the excess, if any, of the retirement benefits that would have been payable to or with respect to the plan participant under the Retirement Income Plan had the limitations imposed by the Code not been applicable over the retirement benefits payable to or with respect to the participant under the Retirement Income Plan. This formula was modified in 2016 to provide that for calendar years through 2020, in the event that Mr. Lines’ employment is involuntarily terminated without cause or voluntarily terminated with good reason following a change in control, the calculation of average compensation for Mr. Lines would only take into account his base salary since April 1, 2016.

A participant’s retirement benefits under the Supplemental Plan generally will be paid to or with respect to the participant in the same form and at the same time as the participant’s retirement benefits under the Retirement Income Plan. The benefits under the Supplemental Plan will terminate upon cessation of benefits to the participant or his beneficiary under the Retirement Income Plan.

Upon a “change in control” of our company, each participant in the Supplemental Plan would automatically become 100% vested in his or her benefits. A “change in control” for the purposes of the Supplemental Plan is defined as:

 

   

the acquisition of the assets or a majority of the shares of the company by a person or group not controlled by the company;

 

   

a cash tender offer or exchange offer, consolidation or merger or other business combination, sale of assets or contested election as a result of which the members of our Board of Directors before the event cease to constitute a majority of our Board;

 

   

the acquisition of 25% or more of the shares of the company by a person or a group; or

 

   

the occurrence of any event that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A or to Item 5.01 of Form 8-K.

Incentive Savings Plan

All of our named executive officers are also eligible to participate in our Incentive Savings Plan (our 401(k) savings plan), which is available to all of our employees. Pursuant to the Incentive Savings Plan, we match funds deferred at the election of participants, up to a certain percentage, and we make non-elective contributions to the accounts of eligible participants. Matching contributions under the Incentive Savings Plan always are fully vested. Additionally, eligible employees hired after January 1, 2003 with at least one hour of service during the relevant plan year who are employed by us at the end of such year receive a nonelective contribution as described above.

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

The following information and the table entitled “Estimated Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control” set forth the amount of payments to each of our named executives in the event of a termination of employment as a result of normal and early retirement, voluntary termination and termination for cause, involuntary termination, death, disability and termination following a change in control of the company.

Assumptions and General Principles

The following assumptions and general principles apply with respect to the table entitled “Estimated Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control” and any termination of employment of a named executive officer:

 

   

The amounts shown in the table assume that each named executive officer was terminated on March 31, 2017. Accordingly, the table reflects amounts earned as of March 31, 2017 and includes estimates of amounts that would be paid to the named executive officer upon the occurrence of a termination. The actual amounts to be paid to a named executive officer can only be determined at the time of the termination.

 

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Unless otherwise noted, the fair market values of stock-based compensation were calculated using the closing price of our common stock on March 31, 2017, the last trading day in fiscal year 2017 ($23.00).

 

   

A named executive officer is entitled to receive certain amounts earned during his term of employment regardless of the manner in which the named executive officer’s employment is terminated. These amounts include base salary, unused vacation pay and earned annual cash incentive compensation. These amounts are not shown in the table.

 

   

A named executive officer may exercise any stock options that are exercisable prior to the date of termination and will be entitled to receive unrestricted shares of common stock with respect to any restricted stock awards for which the vesting period has expired prior to the date of termination. Any payments related to these stock options and restricted stock awards are not included in the table as they are not payable upon the termination of a named executive officer’s employment or upon a change in control of the company.

 

   

A named executive officer will be entitled to receive all amounts accrued and vested under our retirement and savings programs, including our Incentive Plan and any pension plans in which the named executive officer participates. These amounts are not included in the table as these amounts are disclosed under the heading “Pension Benefits at March 31, 2017” unless such amounts are accelerated or enhanced in the event of the termination of a named executive officer’s employment or upon a change in control of the company.

Normal and Early Retirement

A named executive officer is eligible to elect normal retirement at age 65 and early retirement between ages 55 and 64 with at least fifteen and five years, respectively, of creditable service to the company, as discussed under the heading “Pension Benefits at March 31, 2017.”

As of March 31, 2017, Mr. Lines is the only named executive officer eligible for early retirement and none of our named executive officers were eligible for normal retirement.

Unvested shares of performance-vested restricted stock held by the named executive officers that were granted prior to fiscal year 2014 will vest pro-rata based on the satisfaction of the applicable performance goals through the end of the quarter immediately preceding the date of retirement.

Voluntary Termination and Termination for Cause

Pursuant to our employment agreements with our named executive officers, cause exists if our Board of Directors determines that there has been willful misconduct by the named executive officers in connection with the performance of their duties or if the named executive officers have engaged in any other conduct that has been materially injurious to the company or have breached any of the representations and warranties in their employment agreements. Under the employment agreements with Mr. Lines, Mr. Smith and Ms. Condame, upon termination for cause, we would pay all legal fees and other expenses incurred by such named executive officers if they, in good faith, contest the termination. The named executive officers would be required to reimburse us for all such costs if a court of final adjudication were to determine that they did not act in good faith in bringing such challenge.

Our named executive officers are not entitled to receive any severance payments or other benefits upon their voluntary decision to terminate employment with the company prior to being eligible for retirement (other than compensation due through the date of termination) or upon termination for cause.

Involuntary Termination

Our employment agreement with Mr. Lines also provides that, upon termination without cause, or if he resigns because of our material breach of his employment agreement, we will have the following obligations: (1) pay to him compensation due him through the date of termination, including any accrued bonus; (2) continue his base salary for nine months following such termination; (3) pay to him a lump sum payment equal to nine months’ base salary; (4) provide him with continuing health care coverage for a period of 18 months following the effective date of termination of his employment; and (5) pay for certain outplacement services.

 

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Our employment agreements with Messrs. Glajch and Smith and Ms. Condame provide that, upon termination without cause, or if any such officer resigns because of our material breach of his or her respective employment agreements, we will pay compensation due to them through the date of termination, including any accrued bonus; and that we will pay, in regular monthly payments, their respective salaries for 12 months following the effective date of their termination of employment.

Our obligation to make payments upon any termination of Messrs. Lines, Glajch or Smith or Ms. Condame without cause or upon their resignation because of a material breach of their agreement by us is conditioned on their execution of an enforceable release of all claims against us and their compliance with all provisions of their employment agreement.

Death or Disability

Pursuant to our Stock Bonus Plan, upon the death or disability of a named executive officer, all unvested shares of time-vested restricted stock and stock options held by the named executive officer will become immediately vested and the stock options will become exercisable in full. All unvested shares of performance-vested restricted stock held by the named executive officer will vest pro-rata based on the satisfaction of the applicable performance goals through the end of the quarter immediately preceding the date of the named executive officer’s death or disability.

All of our named executive officers participate in our life insurance plan, whereby his or her beneficiary would be entitled to a death benefit equal to three times base salary. We also provide each of our named executive officers with $2,500 annually (except for Mr. Lines, who receives $5,000 annually) for the purpose of procuring a term life insurance policy.

Each of our named executive officers also participates in our short-term disability program that is available to our managers and executive officers. Pursuant to such program, each named executive officer would be entitled to payments equal to his full base salary for six months following such disability. Each of our named executive officers also participates in our long-term disability plan that is generally available to all of our salaried employees.

Termination Following a Change in Control

Our employment agreements with Messrs. Lines, Glajch and Smith and Ms. Condame require a termination of employment following a change in control of our company (commonly referred to as a “double trigger”) in order to trigger certain payments. A “change in control” is defined in each of our employment agreements with Messrs. Lines, Glajch and Smith and Ms. Condame to include the following events:

 

   

any person, party or group (other than the company, any subsidiary of the company or any employee benefit plan sponsored by the company or any subsidiary), directly or indirectly, acquires or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition, 30% (except that the employment agreements with Mr. Smith and Ms. Condame use a lower 25% standard and do not include the 12-month acquisition period) or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of the company ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors;

 

   

a change in the composition of our Board of Directors such that members of our Board as of the effective date of the respective employment agreement cease to constitute at least a majority of our Board (unless the election or nomination of any new directors was approved by a vote of at least three-quarters of the Directors comprising our Board of Directors as of the effective date of the respective employment agreement);

 

   

the closing of a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the company, other than one with respect to which all or substantially all of those persons who were the beneficial owners immediately prior to such event, of outstanding securities of the company ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors own, immediately after such transaction, more than three-quarters of the outstanding securities of the resulting corporation ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors;

 

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the closing of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the company, other than to a subsidiary of the company; or

 

   

the complete liquidation and dissolution of the company.

Mr. Lines. Our employment agreement with Mr. Lines provides that, upon the occurrence of a triggering event that would be deemed an event of termination within two years after a change in control of the company, Mr. Lines would be entitled to certain payments, including, among other things, a lump sum payment equal to one dollar less than three times his annualized gross compensation (including bonus) for the five most recent taxable years ending before the date of such change in control.

In addition, all unvested stock options would become immediately vested and exercisable and any unvested shares of restricted stock would become immediately vested. We would also be required to pay to Mr. Lines six months after the triggering event a lump sum payment amount equal to the excess, if any, of (1) the present value of the aggregate benefits to which he would be entitled under any and all qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans maintained by us as if he were 100% vested under such plans, over (2) the present value of the benefits to which he is actually entitled under such defined benefit pension plans as of the date of his termination. Mr. Lines’ employment agreement contains certain limitations for these payments that relate to our ability to deduct such payments for federal income tax purposes.

Pursuant to our employment agreement with Mr. Lines, our obligation to make payments upon termination following a change in control is conditioned on his execution of an enforceable release of all claims and his compliance with all provisions of the employment agreement.

The triggering events that would be deemed events of termination include, among others, termination of Mr. Lines for any reason other than death, disability or cause, or resignation of Mr. Lines under the following circumstances:

 

   

a change in the nature or scope of his authority from his role and responsibilities immediately prior to the change in control;

 

   

a reduction of his total compensation from that prior to the change in control;

 

   

a failure by the company to make any increase in compensation to which Mr. Lines may be entitled under his employment agreement, or action by the company to decrease his base salary;

 

   

a change requiring Mr. Lines to perform services other than in Batavia, New York or in any location more than thirty miles distant from Rochester, New York, except for certain required travel on the company’s business;

 

   

without his express written consent, the assignment to Mr. Lines of any duties inconsistent with his positions, duties, responsibilities and status with the company immediately prior to the change in control;

 

   

a failure by the company to continue in effect any bonus plans or other benefit or compensation plan in which Mr. Lines was participating at the time of the change in control or the taking of any action by the company which would adversely affect his participation in or materially reduce his benefits under such plans; or

 

   

prior to a change in control of the company, the failure by the company to obtain the assumption of the agreement to perform his employment agreement by any successor company.

Mr. Glajch. Our employment agreement with Mr. Glajch provides that, upon the occurrence of a triggering event that would be deemed an event of termination within two years after a change in control of the company, Mr. Glajch would be entitled to certain payments, including, among other things, a lump sum payment equal to one dollar less than three times his annualized gross compensation (including bonus) for the five most recent taxable years ending before the date of such change in control.

 

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In addition, all unvested stock options would become immediately vested and exercisable and any unvested shares of restricted stock would become immediately vested. We would also be required to pay to Mr. Glajch six months after the triggering event a lump sum payment amount equal to the excess, if any, of (1) the present value of the aggregate benefits to which he would be entitled under any and all qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans maintained by us as if he were 100% vested under such plans, over (2) the present value of the benefits to which he is actually entitled under such defined benefit pension plans as of the date of his termination. Mr. Glajch’s employment agreement contains certain limitations for these payments that relate to our ability to deduct such payments for federal income tax purposes.

Pursuant to our employment agreement with Mr. Glajch, our obligation to make payments upon termination following a change in control is conditioned on his execution of an enforceable release of all claims and his compliance with all provisions of the employment agreement.

The triggering events that would be deemed events of termination include, among others, termination of Mr. Glajch for any reason other than death, disability or cause, or resignation of Mr. Glajch under the following circumstances:

 

   

a change in the nature or scope of his authority from his role and responsibilities immediately prior to the change in control;

 

   

a reduction of his total compensation from that prior to the change in control;

 

   

a failure by the company to make any increase in compensation to which Mr. Glajch may be entitled under his employment agreement, or action by the company to decrease his base salary;

 

   

a change requiring Mr. Glajch to perform services other than in Batavia, New York or in any location more than thirty miles distant from Batavia, New York, except for certain required travel on the company’s business;

 

   

without his express written consent, the assignment to Mr. Glajch of any duties inconsistent with his positions, duties, responsibilities and status with the company immediately prior to the change in control;

 

   

a failure by the company to continue in effect any bonus plans or other benefit or compensation plan in which Mr. Glajch was participating at the time of the change in control or the taking of any action by the company which would adversely affect his participation in or materially reduce his benefits under such plans; or

 

   

prior to a change in control of the company, the failure by the company to obtain the assumption of the agreement to perform his employment agreement by any successor company.

Mr. Smith and Ms. Condame. Under their respective employment agreements, Mr. Smith and Ms. Condame will not be entitled to any payments by us upon the occurrence of a change in control. Rather, upon the occurrence of a change in control, Mr. Smith and Ms. Condame must continue to provide us with the services contemplated by the employment agreement until three months after a change in control has occurred. However, pursuant to our restricted stock award agreements, shares of unvested restricted stock will be subject to accelerated vesting in the event Mr. Smith or Ms. Condame are terminated within 12 months of the change in control.

General. In the event of any sale, merger or any form of business combination affecting us, our employment agreements with Messrs. Lines, Glajch and Smith and Ms. Condame require us to obtain the express written assumption of the agreement by the acquiring or surviving entity, and failure to do so would entitle the executive officer to all payments and other benefits to be provided by us in the event of termination without cause.

In addition, pursuant to the Supplemental Plan, in the event of a “change in control,” each participant in our Supplemental Plan, which currently includes Mr. Lines, Mr. Smith and Ms. Condame, would become 100% vested in his or her benefits.

 

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Estimated Payments Upon Termination Or Change In Control

 

Event  

James R. Lines

($)

   

Jeffrey F. Glajch

($)

   

Alan E. Smith

($)

   

Jennifer R. Condame

($)

 

Normal and Early Retirement (1)

       

Accelerated vesting of stock options

                       

Accelerated vesting of time-vested and performance-vested restricted stock

                       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

                       

Involuntary Termination without Cause

       

Continued salary

    326,250       270,120       241,020       168,828  

Cash severance payment

    326,250                    

Healthcare coverage

    14,952                    

Outplacement services

    40,000 (2)                   

Enhanced SERP benefits

    239,423 (3)                   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    946,875       270,120       241,020       168,828  

Voluntary Termination for Good Reason

       

Continued salary

    326,250       270,120       241,020       168,828  

Cash severance payment

    326,250                    

Healthcare coverage

    14,952                    

Outplacement services

    40,000 (2)                   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    707,452       270,120       241,020       168,828  

Death

       

Life insurance proceeds

    3,522,771       2,810,360       3,662,825       2,181,484  

Accelerated vesting of stock options

                       

Accelerated vesting of time-vested and performance-vested restricted stock

    485,578       241,935       211,996       106,107  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    4,008,349       3,052,295       3,874,821       2,287,591  

Disability

       

Short-term disability payments

    217,500       135,060       120,510       84,414  

Accelerated vesting of stock options

                       

Accelerated vesting of time-vested and performance-vested restricted stock

    485,578       241,935       211,996       106,107  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    703,078       376,995       332,506       190,521  

Termination Following Change in Control

       

Accelerated vesting of stock options

                       

Accelerated vesting of restricted stock

    692,116       339,066              

Continued salary

                241,020       168,828  

Cash severance payment

    1,116,451       929,585              

Healthcare coverage

    14,952                    

Outplacement services

    40,000 (2)                   

Accelerated vesting of defined contribution pension contributions

                       

Pension enhancement

                       

Enhanced SERP benefits

    239,423 (3)                   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    2,062,942 (4)      1,268,651 (3)      241,020       168,828  

 

 

(1)

Beginning with grants made in fiscal year 2014, retirement does not trigger accelerated vesting of performance-vested restricted shares and time-vested restricted shares.

 

(2)

Pursuant to our employment agreement with Mr. Lines, reimbursement of outplacement services is limited to a total amount of $40,000.

 

(3)

In the event of an involuntary termination without cause, or a voluntary termination for good reason following a change in control, the calculation of Mr. Lines’ SERP benefits would only take into account his base salary since April 1, 2016, resulting in an additional SERP benefit of $239,423 over what his SERP benefit would be if calculated using his historical base salary under the terms of the SERP.

 

(4)

Such amount takes into account limitations imposed by our employment agreements with Mr. Lines and Mr. Glajch, whereby certain amounts otherwise payable to Mr. Lines and Mr. Glajch upon termination following a change in control may be reduced in connection with limitations on deductibility by the company for federal income tax purposes imposed by Section 280G of the Code.

 

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Director Compensation Programs

The Compensation Committee annually reviews and approves compensation for our independent Directors. Mr. Lines, our President and Chief Executive Officer, is not an independent Director under applicable NYSE and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and, therefore, he does not receive any additional compensation for services as a Director. The compensation that we pay to Mr. Lines is disclosed in the Fiscal Year 2017 Summary Compensation Table.

We use a combination of cash and equity-based compensation to attract and retain our independent Directors. As described below, independent Director compensation consists of an annual cash retainer; an additional annual cash retainer for the Chairman of our Board of Directors and the chair of each committee of our Board; committee meeting fees; restricted stock awards; and stock options. We also reimburse our independent Directors for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at Board and committee meetings. We do not provide retirement benefits to our independent Directors.

Cash Compensation

Each of our independent Directors receives an annual fee of $15,000 for service on our Board of Directors. Additionally, each independent Director receives a fee of $1,000 for each Board or committee meeting attended, except that if such meeting is held by telephone conference call or by unanimous written consent, the fee is reduced to $500. If our Board of Directors and/or one or more committees meet on the same day, a full meeting fee is paid for one meeting and one-half of the meeting fee is paid for each additional meeting attended that day.

The Chairman of our Board of Directors and each of our independent Directors serving as a chairperson of committees of our Board of Directors receive additional fees for such service. For fiscal year 2017, the Chairman of our Board of Directors received an additional annual fee of $15,000, the Chairman of the Audit Committee received an additional annual fee of $6,000, the Chairman of the Compensation Committee received an additional annual fee of $5,000 and the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee received an additional annual fee of $3,000.

Options. Our independent Directors are also eligible to participate in the Incentive Plan, pursuant to which they may be granted options to purchase shares of our common stock. No options were granted to our independent Directors during fiscal year 2017.

Restricted Stock. Equity compensation awards to independent Directors are made in the form of time-vested restricted stock awarded under the Incentive Plan. On May 24, 2016, the Compensation Committee awarded 1,351 shares of time-vested restricted stock, with a grant date fair market value of approximately $25,000 to each of our independent Directors. The shares of restricted stock awarded to our independent Directors vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

In order to more closely align the interests of our independent Directors with the interests of our stockholders, the Compensation Committee established minimum stock ownership guidelines that require our independent Directors to work towards acquiring and maintaining specific levels of equity ownership interests in our common stock within specified time frames.

Under our stock ownership guidelines, our independent Directors are required to own shares of our common stock valued at least 3.0 times their annual retainer. New independent Directors are expected to achieve their ownership guidelines within five years of becoming subject to the guidelines. Our stock ownership guidelines also require our independent Directors to retain 50% of the net shares they realize (after tax) when a restricted stock award vests or a stock option is exercised until they are in compliance with the guidelines. The Compensation Committee monitors the progress made by independent Directors in achieving their stock ownership guidelines

 

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and, in its discretion, may modify the guidelines and/or time frames for some or all of our independent Directors. As of the end of fiscal year 2017, all of our independent Directors were in compliance with our stock ownership guidelines.

Fiscal Year 2017 Director Compensation Table

The following table shows information regarding the compensation of our independent Directors serving for all or part of fiscal year 2017.

 

Name   

Fees Earned or

Paid in Cash

($)

    

Stock

Awards (1)

($)

    

All Other

Compensation

($)

    

Total

($)

 

James J. Barber

     22,500        24,994               47,494  

Alan Fortier

     25,000        24,994               49,994  

James J. Malvaso

     38,500        24,994               63,494  

Gerard T. Mazurkiewicz

     26,500        24,994               51,494  

Lisa M. Schnorr

     26,000        24,994               50,994  

Jonathan W. Painter

     23,000        24,994               47,994  

 

(1)

The amounts shown in this column represent the estimated grant date fair value of the shares of restricted stock granted to each independent Director during fiscal year 2017. The value of each such restricted stock award is computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 on the same basis as disclosed in footnote (2) to the Fiscal Year 2017 Summary Compensation Table. Each independent Director was granted 1,351 shares of restricted stock during fiscal year 2017 under the Incentive Plan.

The table below presents the aggregate number of unexercised stock option awards and unvested restricted stock awards outstanding for each of our independent Directors serving at March 31, 2017.

 

Name    Stock Option
Awards
     Restricted Stock
Awards
 

James J. Barber

            1,351  

Alan Fortier

     924        1,351  

James J. Malvaso

     924        1,351  

Gerard T. Mazurkiewicz

     924        1,351  

Jonathan W. Painter

            1,351  

Lisa M. Schnorr

            1,351  

 

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PROPOSAL TWO:

ADVISORY VOTE ON OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are providing our stockholders the opportunity to vote to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, accompanying compensation tables and related narrative discussion contained in this proxy statement. We first provided our stockholders with the opportunity to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers at our 2011 annual meeting. At the 2011 annual meeting, our stockholders expressed an overwhelming preference for this vote to occur on the annual basis recommended by our Board of Directors. This preference was subsequently adopted by our Board of Directors and we are providing our stockholders with an advisory vote this year. An advisory vote regarding the frequency of future advisory votes is included in Proposal Three.

We encourage stockholders to carefully review the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement for additional details on our executive compensation programs, including our compensation philosophy and objectives, as well as the processes our Compensation Committee used to determine the structure and amounts of the compensation of our named executive officers during fiscal year 2017. For your convenience, we have provided an executive summary in the first few pages of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section that highlights information that we believe is particularly important in helping you decide how to vote on this proposal. You should also carefully review the tables that immediately follow the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, together with the related narrative disclosure and footnotes.

We are asking you to indicate your support for the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this proxy statement. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement.

As an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding upon our Board of Directors or our Compensation Committee. However, the Compensation Committee and our Board value the opinions expressed by stockholders in their vote on this proposal, and will consider the outcome of the vote in deciding whether to take any action as a result of the vote and when making future compensation decisions for named executive officers.

Board Recommendation

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR the following advisory resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to our named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s compensation disclosure rules, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and related narrative discussions set forth in this proxy statement, is hereby approved.”

 

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PROPOSAL THREE:

ADVISORY VOTE REGARDING THE FREQUENCY OF STOCKHOLDER ADVISORY VOTES ON OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, stockholders are also able to indicate, on a non-binding, advisory basis, how frequently they believe an advisory vote on executive compensation, such as we have included in Proposal Two, should occur. By voting on this Proposal Three, stockholders may indicate whether they prefer that we hold future advisory votes on executive compensation once every one, two or three years. Stockholders may also abstain from voting. Stockholders will have an opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation at least every six years.

At the 2011 annual meeting, our stockholders expressed an overwhelming preference for the advisory vote on executive compensation to occur on the annual basis recommended by our Board of Directors. After careful consideration, the Board of Directors recommends that future advisory votes on executive compensation continue to occur every year. We believe that an annual advisory vote on executive compensation will allow our stockholders to provide timely, direct input on our executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices as disclosed in the proxy statement each year. We believe that an annual vote is therefore consistent with our efforts to engage in an ongoing dialogue with our stockholders on executive compensation.

Stockholders may choose among four options (holding the vote every one, two or three years, or abstaining) and, therefore, you are not voting to approve or disapprove the Board’s recommendation. You may cast your vote on your preferred voting frequency by choosing the option of one year, two years or three years or abstaining from voting in response to the recommendation set forth below when you vote on this Proposal Three.

As an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding upon our Board of Directors or our Compensation Committee. However, the Compensation Committee and our Board value the opinions expressed by stockholders in their vote on this proposal, and will consider the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation. The Board of Directors may decide that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation more or less frequently than the frequency receiving the most votes cast by our stockholders on this Proposal Three.

Board Recommendation

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders submit an advisory vote for a “ONE YEAR” frequency for future stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation.

 

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PROPOSAL FOUR:

RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF OUR

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Deloitte & Touche LLP served as our independent registered public accounting firm in fiscal year 2017. The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, which we refer to as fiscal year 2018. This selection will be presented to our stockholders for ratification at the annual meeting. The Audit Committee will consider the outcome of this vote in its future discussions regarding the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm.

We have been advised by Deloitte & Touche LLP that a representative will be present at the annual meeting and that such representative will be available to respond to appropriate questions. Such representative will be given an opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires.

Board Recommendation

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the proposal to ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2018.

Fees Paid to Deloitte & Touche LLP

We paid the following fees to Deloitte & Touche LLP for fiscal year 2017 and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, which we refer to as fiscal year 2016:

 

      Fiscal Year
2017
     Fiscal Year
2016
 

Audit fees

   $ 405,000      $ 405,000  

Audit-related fees

     8,020        16,194  

Tax fees

             

All other fees

     2,911        2,808  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fees

   $ 415,931      $ 424,002  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Audit fees for each of fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year 2016 included fees associated with audits of our financial statements, audits of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and reviews of financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

Audit-related fees for fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year 2016 included out-of-pocket expenses. All other fees for fiscal years 2017 and 2016 included the subscription fee for the Deloitte & Touche LLP Technical Library Research Tool.

The Audit Committee has determined that the provision of permitted non-audit services described above has not compromised the independence of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

The Audit Committee has adopted procedures for pre-approving all audit and permitted non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee annually pre-approves a list of specific services and categories of services, subject to a specified cost level. Part of this approval process includes making a determination as to whether permitted non-audit services are consistent with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules on auditor independence. The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to the Chairman of the Audit Committee, subject to reporting any such approvals at the next Audit Committee meeting.

The Audit Committee monitors the services rendered and actual fees paid to our independent registered public accounting firm quarterly to ensure that such services are within the scope of approval. All audit and permitted non-audit services for which Deloitte & Touche LLP was engaged were pre-approved by the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

 

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee is currently comprised of Directors Mazurkiewicz (Chairman), Barber, Fortier, Malvaso and Painter, each of whom our Board of Directors has affirmatively determined is independent pursuant to the listing standards of the NYSE and applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules. The duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set forth in the Audit Committee’s charter, as last amended and restated by our Board of Directors effective May 2, 2014.

The Audit Committee oversees the company’s financial reporting process on behalf of our Board of Directors, and has other duties and functions as described in its charter.

Management has the primary responsibility for the company’s financial statements and the reporting process. The company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, is responsible for auditing the company’s financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

The Audit Committee has:

 

   

reviewed and discussed the company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 with management and the independent registered public accounting firm;

 

   

discussed with the company’s independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard 1301, Communications with Audit Committees;

 

   

received and discussed the written disclosures and the letter from the company’s independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence; and

 

   

discussed with the company’s independent registered public accounting firm its independence.

When evaluating Deloitte & Touche LLP’s independence, the Audit Committee discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP any relationships that may impact such firm’s objectivity and independence. The Audit Committee has also considered whether the provision of permitted non-audit services by Deloitte & Touche LLP is compatible with maintaining such firm’s independence, and has satisfied itself with respect to Deloitte & Touche LLP’s independence from the company and its management.

The Audit Committee discussed with the personnel responsible for the internal audit function and the company’s independent registered public accounting firm the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Audit Committee meets with the personnel responsible for overseeing the internal audit function and with the company’s independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, the evaluations of the company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the company’s financial reporting.

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board of Directors (and our Board has approved) that the audited financial statements be included in the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2017 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee has also selected the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018 and has submitted such selection for ratification by the stockholders at the company’s annual meeting.

 

Audit Committee:

Gerard T. Mazurkiewicz, Chairman

James J. Barber

James J. Malvaso

Jonathan W. Painter

Lisa M. Schnorr

 

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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

The members of our Compensation Committee during fiscal year 2017 were Directors Schnorr (Chairperson), Fortier, Malvaso and Painter.

During fiscal year 2017, no member of our Compensation Committee: (1) was an officer or employee of ours or any of our subsidiaries; (2) was formerly an officer of ours or any of our subsidiaries; or (3) had any relationship requiring disclosure in this proxy statement pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission rules. In addition, no executive officer served: (1) as a member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our Compensation Committee; (2) as a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our Compensation Committee; or (3) as a member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our Board of Directors.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Policies and Procedures for Review, Approval or Ratification of Related Person Transactions

Our Audit Committee reviews all relationships and transactions in which the company and our Directors and executive officers or their immediate family members are participants in advance for review and approval. Any existing related person transactions are reviewed at least annually by the Audit Committee. Any Director or executive officer with an interest in a related person transaction is expected to recuse himself or herself from any consideration of the matter.

Although the Audit Committee has not established a written policy regarding the approval of related person transactions, when evaluating these transactions, the Audit Committee considers, among other factors:

 

   

the nature of the related person’s interest in the transaction;

 

   

the material terms of the transaction, including the amount and type of transaction;

 

   

the importance of the transaction to the related person and to the company;

 

   

whether the transaction would impair the judgment of a Director or executive officer to act in the best interest of the company; and

 

   

any other matters the Committee deems appropriate.

To the extent that the transaction involves an independent Director, consideration is also given, as applicable, to the listing standards of the NYSE and other relevant rules related to independence.

In addition, our Audit Committee also reviews all transactions between us and any entity with which an independent Director or executive officer is an affiliate, taking into account the factors listed above as well as all other factors deemed appropriate by the Committee.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

The table below shows certain information, as of June 12, 2017, regarding the only persons known to us to be the beneficial owners of more than five percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock, with percentages based on 9,765,711 shares issued and outstanding.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner    Number of Shares
of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
     Percent of Class
Beneficially Owned
 

American Century Capital Portfolios, Inc., et al. (1)

4500 Main Street, 9th Floor

Kansas City, Missouri 64111

     596,950        6.1

BlackRock, Inc. (2)

55 East 52nd Street

New York, New York 10022

     638,413        6.5

 

 

(1)

This information as to the beneficial ownership of shares of common stock is based on the Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10, 2017 by American Century Capital Portfolios, Inc. (“ACCP”), American Century Investment Management, Inc. (“ACIM”), American Century Companies, Inc. (“ACC”), and the Stowers Institute for Medical Research (“Stowers”). ACCP reports sole voting and sole dispositive power with respect to 438,214 shares. ACIM, ACC and Stowers each report sole voting power with respect to 555,405 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to all 596,950 shares.

 

(2)

This information as to the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock is based on the Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 24, 2017 by BlackRock, Inc. BlackRock, Inc. reports sole voting power with respect to 624,319 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to all 638,413 shares. As the parent holding company, BlackRock, Inc. reports beneficial ownership for securities acquired by the following of its subsidiaries: BlackRock Advisors, LLC; BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.; BlackRock Fund Advisors; BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A.; BlackRock Investment Management, LLC; and FutureAdvisor, Inc.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

The table below shows certain information, as of June 12, 2017, regarding shares of our common stock held by (1) each of our Directors; (2) each our of named executive officers; and (3) all Directors and named executive officers as a group.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner   Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned (1)
    Percent of Class
Beneficially Owned (1)(2)
 

Directors

   

James J. Barber, Ph.D.

    16,590  (3)       
   

Alan Fortier

    21,779  (4)       
   

James J. Malvaso

    20,095  (4)       
   

Gerard T. Mazurkiewicz

    12,399  (4)       
   

Jonathan W. Painter

    4,455  (3)       
   

Lisa M. Schnorr

    4,455  (3)       

Named Executive Officers

   

Jennifer R. Condame

    29,615  (5)       
   

Jeffrey F. Glajch

    60,534  (6)       
   

James R. Lines (7)

    110,015  (8)      1.1
   

Alan E. Smith

    46,944  (9)       
   

All Directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons) (11)

    326,881  (10)      3.3

 

 

(1)

As reported by such persons as of June 12, 2017 with percentages based on 9,765,711 shares issued and outstanding except where the person has the right to receive shares within the next 60 days (as indicated in the other footnotes to this table), which increases the number of shares owned by such person and the number of shares outstanding with respect to such person. Under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, “beneficial ownership” is deemed to include shares for which an individual, directly or indirectly, has or shares voting or dispositive power, regardless of whether such shares are held for the individual’s benefit, and includes shares that may be acquired within 60 days, including, but not limited to, the right to acquire shares by the exercise of options. Shares that may be acquired within 60 days are referred to in the footnotes to this table as “presently exercisable options.” Unless otherwise indicated in the other footnotes to this table, each stockholder named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all of the shares shown as owned by the stockholder.

 

(2)

We have omitted percentages of less than 1% from the table.

 

(3)

The amount shown for Dr. Barber, Mr. Painter and Ms. Schnorr includes 1,194 shares of time-vested restricted stock.

 

(4)

The amount shown for Messrs. Fortier, Malvaso and Mazurkiewicz includes 1,194 shares of time-vested restricted stock and a presently exercisable option to purchase 924 shares.

 

(5)

The amount shown for Ms. Condame includes 3,068 shares of time-vested restricted stock and 6,930 shares of performance-vested restricted stock (assuming maximum achievement of performance criteria), and presently exercisable options to purchase 8,990 shares.

 

(6)

The amount shown for Mr. Glajch includes 7,032 shares of time-vested restricted stock and 15,942 shares of performance-vested restricted stock (assuming maximum achievement of performance criteria), and presently exercisable options to purchase 8,880 shares.

 

(7)

Mr. Lines is also a Director.

 

(8)

The amount shown for Mr. Lines includes 15,420 shares of time-vested restricted stock and 35,710 shares of performance-vested restricted stock (assuming maximum achievement of performance criteria), and presently exercisable options to purchase 18,492 shares.

 

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(9)

The amount shown for Mr. Smith includes 6,251 shares of time-vested restricted stock and 14,226 shares of performance-vested restricted stock (assuming maximum achievement of performance criteria), and presently exercisable options to purchase 13,862 shares.

 

(10)

See the other footnotes to this table. The amount shown includes 38,935 shares of time-vested restricted stock, 72,808 shares of performance-vested restricted stock (assuming maximum achievement of performance criteria), and presently exercisable options to purchase 52,996 shares.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our Directors, officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission reports of ownership and changes in ownership of our common stock. Based solely on the written representations of our Directors and officers and copies of the reports that they and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, we believe that during fiscal year 2017 all of our Directors, officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock timely complied with the filing requirements of Section 16(a), except for Mr. Mazurkiewicz, a director, who filed one late report disclosing one transaction.

 

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2018 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Proposals Submitted for Inclusion in Our Proxy Materials

We will include in our proxy materials for our 2018 annual meeting of stockholders any stockholder proposals that comply with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. Among other things, Rule 14a-8 requires that we receive such proposals not less than 120 days prior to the one-year anniversary of this proxy statement, or February 22, 2018. If the proposal is in compliance with all of the requirements set forth in Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, we will include the stockholder proposal in our proxy statement and place it on the form of proxy issued for the 2018 annual meeting. Stockholder proposals submitted for inclusion in our proxy materials should be mailed to the following address: Graham Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 20 Florence Avenue, Batavia, New York 14020.

Stockholder Nominations of Directors

Pursuant to our amended and restated by-laws, no nominations for Directors shall be acted upon at the annual meeting except for those made by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and those made by stockholders of record upon timely notice in writing to our Corporate Secretary. To be considered timely, notice must be received by us no earlier than 120 days and no later than 90 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting. Thus, for the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, we must receive the notice between April 5, 2018 and May 5, 2018. The notice must contain all information, including the completed questionnaire, provided for in our by-laws. Stockholder notice of nominations for Directors should be mailed to the following address: Graham Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 20 Florence Avenue, Batavia, New York 14020. You may obtain a copy of our by-laws by writing to the Corporate Secretary at the address above.

Other Meeting Business

Pursuant to our amended and restated by-laws, items of business that are proposed outside of the process pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act as described above, may properly be brought before the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders only if we receive notice of such business no earlier than 120 days and no later than 90 days prior to the one-year anniversary of our 2017 annual meeting. Thus, for the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, we must receive notice of business that is not submitted for inclusion in our proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act between April 5, 2018 and May 5, 2018. The notice must be in accordance with and contain all information provided for in our by-laws and such business must be a proper matter for stockholder action under the General Corporation Law of Delaware. We will not permit business that does not comply with the foregoing notice requirement to be brought before the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders. Stockholder business that is not submitted for inclusion in our proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 should be mailed to the following address: Graham Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 20 Florence Avenue, Batavia, New York 14020. You may obtain a copy of our by-laws by writing to the Corporate Secretary at the address above.

 

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OTHER MATTERS

Our Board of Directors does not know of any other matters that may be presented for action at the 2017 annual meeting. Should any other matters come before the annual meeting, however, the persons named as proxies will have discretionary authority to vote all proxies with respect to such matters in accordance with their judgment.

 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LOGO
James R. Lines
President and Chief Executive Officer

Dated: June 22, 2017

 

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APPENDIX A

EBITDA Reconciliation - Unaudited

(amounts in thousands)

 

     Year Ended
March 31,
 
     2017     2016  

Net Income

   $ 5,023       6,131  

+Net interest income

     (376     (251

+Income taxes

     2,026       2,599  

+Depreciation & amortization

     2,326       2,435  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

   $ 8,999       10,914  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA margin %

     9.8     12.1

 

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       LOGO

        GRAHAM CORPORATION

        20 FLORENCE AVENUE

        BATAVIA, NY 14020

  

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 (the day before the meeting date). Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

 

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS

If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.

 

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 (the day before the meeting date). Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

 

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

 

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

            KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

— — — — — — — — — — — —  — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —  — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

 

DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

 

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

 

     

For

All

  

Withhold

All

  

For All

Except

       To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.                  
   

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR

the following:

 

                          
    1.       Election of Directors             

 

           
   
     

Nominees

                           
   

 

01)

 

 

James J. Barber, Ph.D.            02)   Gerard T. Mazurkiewicz

    
   
   

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR

proposals 2 and 4:

 

  For    Against    Abstain                 
   
    2.       To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers.                 NOTE: In their discretion, and in accordance with applicable law, the named proxies may vote upon such other matters that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.         
   

 

The Board of Directors recommends you vote

1 YEAR on the following proposal:

   1 year   2 years    3 years    Abstain              
   

LOGO

    3.       To provide an advisory vote on the frequency of stockholder advisory votes on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.                         
      For    Against    Abstain              
    4.      

To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.

 

 

                        
   

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.

 

                
                                          
                                          
   

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]

 

 

Date

 

          

Signature (Joint Owners)

 

 

Date                    

 

         

 


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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice & Proxy Statement, Annual Report/Form 10K is/are available at www.proxyvote.com

 

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LOGO

 

  

 

GRAHAM CORPORATION

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

August 3, 2017 11:00 AM

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors and each matter to be voted on at the

Annual Meeting has been proposed by the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

The undersigned hereby appoints James J. Malvaso and James R. Lines, or either of them, each with power of substitution, as proxies to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Graham Corporation to be held at our principal executive office located at 20 Florence Avenue, Batavia, New York 14020, on August 3, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and any adjournment thereof, and to vote as directed by the undersigned on the reverse side of this proxy, the number of shares the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at such meeting.

 

THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, IT WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE TWO DIRECTOR NOMINEES AND “FOR” PROPOSALS 2 AND 4, AND “1 YEAR” FOR PROPOSAL 3.

 

 

 

 

Continued and to be signed on reverse side