SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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¨ Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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¨ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted byRule 14a-6(e)(2)) | ||
x Definitive Proxy Statement |
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¨ Definitive Additional Materials |
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¨ Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12 |
CASEYS GENERAL STORES, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
[Not Applicable]
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x | No fee required. |
¨ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
[Not Applicable]
¨ | 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. |
[Not Applicable]
August 5, 2011
To Our Shareholders:
I am pleased to invite you to attend the annual meeting of shareholders of Caseys General Stores, Inc. (Caseys) to be held at 9:00 a.m., Central Time, on September 16, 2011, at Caseys Corporate Headquarters, One Convenience Blvd., Ankeny, Iowa (the Annual Meeting).
The accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement describe the matters to be considered and voted upon at the Annual Meeting. At the Annual Meeting, we also will report on our results this past year and our first quarter results for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2012, and you will have an opportunity to ask questions.
We hope all of our shareholders will be able to attend the Annual Meeting. It is important that you be represented, whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting personally. Please promptly complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided to ensure that your vote will be received and counted. Alternatively, you may vote your proxy card by telephone or through the Internet as described in more detail in the section of the accompanying Proxy Statement entitled About the Annual MeetingHow to Vote; Submitting Your Proxy; Revoking Your Proxy.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and Caseys management, thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Sincerely, |
Robert J. Myers |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
SEPTEMBER 16, 2011
To the Shareholders of Caseys General Stores, Inc.:
The annual meeting of the shareholders of Caseys General Stores, Inc., an Iowa corporation (Caseys), will be held at Caseys Corporate Headquarters, One Convenience Blvd., Ankeny, Iowa, on September 16, 2011, at 9:00 A.M., Central Time (the Annual Meeting), for the following purposes:
1. | To elect two Class I directors for terms expiring in 2014; |
2. | To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as Caseys independent auditor for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2012; |
3. | To hold an advisory vote on our named executive officer compensation; |
4. | To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on our named executive officer compensation; and |
5. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
The above matters are described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice. You are urged to read the Proxy Statement carefully, and to vote by using one of the following methods, whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting: (a) vote by telephone, (b) vote via the Internet or (c) complete, sign, date and return your proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. Voting instructions are described in more detail in the section of the accompanying Proxy Statement entitled About the Annual MeetingHow to Vote; Submitting Your Proxy; Revoking Your Proxy.
Only shareholders of record of Caseys Common Stock at the close of business on July 25, 2011 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
Brian J. Johnson |
Vice President Finance and Corporate Secretary |
August 5, 2011
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on September 16, 2011
The Proxy Statement and Annual Report to shareholders are available
at www.envisionreports.com/casy
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Beneficial Ownership of Shares of Common Stock by Directors and Executive Officers |
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Proposal 2: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditors |
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Proposal 3: Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation |
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General
The annual meeting of shareholders of Caseys General Stores, Inc. (Caseys, the Company, we, our or us) will be held at 9:00 a.m., Central Time, on September 16, 2011, at Caseys Corporate Headquarters, One Convenience Blvd., Ankeny, Iowa (the Annual Meeting). The mailing address of the Companys principal executive offices is P.O. Box 3001, One Convenience Blvd., Ankeny, Iowa 50021-8045. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card are first being given or mailed on or about August 5, 2011 to each holder of record of common stock, no par value per share (Common Stock), of Caseys at the close of business on July 25, 2011 (the Record Date). On the Record Date, there were 38,044,209 shares of Common Stock outstanding. Each share of Common Stock will be entitled to one vote on all matters.
Caseys Board of Directors (the Board of Directors or Board), through this Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card, is soliciting your vote on matters being submitted for shareholder approval at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. At the Annual Meeting, shareholders will vote on the election of two directors, the ratification of KPMG LLP as Caseys independent auditor for 2012, an advisory vote on our named executive officer compensation, an advisory vote on the frequency of such future say on pay votes , and such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
The Board of Directors is not aware at this date of any matter proposed to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than those described in this Proxy Statement. The persons named on the accompanying proxy card will have discretionary authority to vote on any other matter that is properly presented at the meeting, according to their best judgment.
Securities Entitled to Vote
The only securities eligible to be voted at the Annual Meeting are shares of Common Stock. Only holders of Common Stock at the close of business on the Record Date (July 25, 2011) are entitled to vote. Each share of Common Stock represents one vote, and all shares vote together as a single class. There were 38,044,209 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on the Record Date.
Quorum; Vote Required
The presence in person or by proxy of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting constitutes a quorum. Shareholders are entitled to one vote per share. Shares of Common Stock held by shareholders abstaining from voting but otherwise present at the meeting in person or by proxy (abstentions) and votes withheld are included in determining whether a quorum is present. Broker shares that are not voted on a particular proposal because the broker does not have discretionary voting power for that proposal and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner (broker non-votes) are included in determining whether a quorum is present.
In the election for directors, every shareholder has the right to vote each share of Common Stock owned by such shareholder on the Record Date for as many persons as there are directors to be elected. Cumulative voting is not permitted. To be elected, a director-nominee must receive a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting. Only votes cast FOR a nominee will be counted. Abstentions, votes withheld and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast for such purpose and therefore will have no effect on the results of the election.
The proposal to ratify the selection of the independent auditors must receive a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions will not be counted as votes cast for such purposes and therefore will have no effect on the results of the vote.
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To be approved, the advisory non-binding resolution on our named executive officer compensation must receive a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast for such purposes and therefore will have no effect on the results of the vote.
For the vote concerning the frequency of future advisory votes on our named executive officer compensation, the alternative receiving a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be deemed to be the preferred alternative of the shareholders. Abstentions will not be counted as votes cast for such purpose, and therefore will have no effect on the results of the vote.
How To Vote; Submitting Your Proxy; Revoking Your Proxy
Your vote is very important to the Company. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote your shares today.
You may vote your shares either by voting in person at the Annual Meeting or by submitting a completed proxy. By submitting a proxy, you are legally authorizing another person to vote your shares. The enclosed proxy card designates Robert J. Myers and William C. Kimball to vote your shares in accordance with the voting instructions you indicate on your proxy card.
If you submit your executed proxy card designating Messrs. Myers and Kimball as the individuals authorized to vote your shares, but you do not indicate how your shares are to be voted, then your shares will be voted by those individuals in accordance with the Board of Directors recommendations, which are described in this Proxy Statement. In addition, if any other matters are properly brought up at the Annual Meeting (other than the proposals contained in this Proxy Statement), then each of these individuals will have the authority to vote your shares on those matters in accordance with his discretion and judgment. The Board of Directors currently does not know of any matters to be raised at the Annual Meeting other than the proposals contained in this Proxy Statement.
We urge you to vote by doing one of the following:
| Vote by Mail: You can vote your shares by mail by completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. In order for your proxy to be validly submitted and for your shares to be voted in accordance with your instructions, please mail your proxy card in sufficient time for it to be received by the morning of September 16, 2011. |
| Vote by Telephone: You can also vote your shares by calling the number (toll-free) indicated on your proxy card at any time on a touch-tone telephone and following the recorded instructions. If you submit your proxy by telephone, then you may submit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on September 15, 2011. If you are a beneficial owner, or you hold your shares in street name as described below, please contact your bank, broker or other holder of record to determine whether you will be able to vote by telephone. |
| Vote by Internet: You can vote your shares via the Internet by going to the Web site address for Internet voting indicated on your proxy card and following the steps outlined on the secure Web site. If you submit your proxy via the Internet, then you may submit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on September 15, 2011. If you are a beneficial owner, or you hold your shares in street name as described below, please contact your bank, broker or other holder of record to determine whether you will be able to vote via the Internet. |
If you hold shares through the Companys 401(k) Plan (the KSOP), such shares are not registered in your name, and your name will not appear in the Companys register of shareholders. Instead, your shares are registered in the name of a trust, which is administered by Principal Trust Company (the Trustee). Only the Trustee will be able to vote your shares (even if you personally attend the meeting). You can direct the voting of
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the shares allocated to your accounts on the Internet, by telephone or by returning the proxy card in the envelope provided, but cannot direct the voting of your KSOP shares in person at the meeting. If voting instructions for shares in the KSOP are not returned, those shares will be voted by the Trustee in the same proportion as the shares for which voting instructions are returned by the other participants in the KSOP. To allow sufficient time for the Trustee to tabulate the vote of the KSOP shares, participant instructions must be received before 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on September 14, 2011.
If you have previously submitted a proxy card, you may change any vote you may have cast by following the instructions on the proxy card to vote by telephone or via the Internet, or by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting your shares in person. If your shares are registered in the street name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, please contact the applicable bank, broker or record holder for instructions on how to change or revoke your vote.
Your proxy is revocable. If you are a shareholder of record, after you have submitted your proxy card, you may revoke it by mail before the Annual Meeting by sending a written notice to Brian J. Johnson, Vice PresidentFinance and Corporate Secretary, Caseys General Stores, Inc., P.O. Box 3001, One Convenience Blvd., Ankeny, Iowa 50021-8045. If you wish to revoke your submitted proxy card and submit new voting instructions by mail, then you must sign, date and mail a new proxy card with your new voting instructions. Please mail any new proxy card in sufficient time for it to be received by the morning of September 16, 2011. If you are a shareholder of record and you voted your proxy card by telephone or via the Internet, you may revoke your submitted proxy and/or submit new voting instructions by that same method, which must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on September 15, 2011. You also may revoke your proxy card by attending the Annual Meeting and voting your shares in person. Attending the Annual Meeting without taking one of the actions above will not revoke your proxy. If you are a beneficial owner, or you hold your shares in street name as described below, please contact your bank, broker or other holder of record for instructions on how to change or revoke your vote.
Your vote is very important to the Company. If you do not plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to read this Proxy Statement and submit your completed proxy card prior to the Annual Meeting in accordance with the above instructions so that your shares will be represented and voted in accordance with your instructions. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, we recommend that you vote your shares in advance as described above so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the Annual Meeting.
If your shares are not registered in your name but in the street name of a bank, broker or other holder of record (a Nominee), then your name will not appear in the Companys register of shareholders. Your Nominee, as the record holder of your shares, is required to vote those shares in accordance with your instructions. If you do not give instructions to your Nominee, your Nominee will be entitled to vote the shares with respect to discretionary items but will not be permitted to vote the shares with respect to non-discretionary items (those shares are treated as broker non-votes). The election of directors will be a non-discretionary item for any Nominee holding shares on your behalf. In addition, the two advisory votes on our named executive officer compensation and the frequency of such advisory votes in the future will be non-discretionary items. As a result, if your shares are held in street name and you do not provide instructions as to how your shares are to be voted, your Nominee will not be able to vote your shares in the election of directors or on the two advisory proposals. Note that even if you attend the Annual Meeting, you cannot vote the shares that are held by your Nominee unless you have a proxy from your Nominee. If you do not provide instructions to your Nominee and your Nominee does not vote your shares on your behalf with respect to the ratification of the selection of the independent auditors (which is a discretionary item), your shares will not be counted in determining whether a quorum is present for the Annual Meeting. If your Nominee exercises its discretionary authority to vote your shares on the ratification of the selection of the independent auditors, your shares will be counted in determining whether a quorum is present for all matters presented at the Annual Meeting. We urge you to provide instructions
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to your Nominee so that your votes may be counted on these important matters. Please contact your Nominee for the deadlines for submission of your vote. Your proxy is revocable. Please contact your Nominee for instructions on how to change or revoke your vote.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting
Information on how to obtain directions for attendance at the Annual Meeting and to vote in person are available by contacting Brian J. Johnson, Vice PresidentFinance and Corporate Secretary, at (515) 965-6587, or by writing to us at:
Caseys General Stores, Inc.
Corporate Secretary
P.O. Box 3001
One Convenience Blvd.
Ankeny, Iowa 50021-8045
The Company makes available, free of charge on its Web site, this Proxy Statement, the Annual Report to Shareholders, Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) as soon as reasonably practicable after these documents are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. These documents are posted on the Web site at www.caseys.com. Select the Investors link and choose SEC Filings.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Introduction
With the passing of Ronald M. Lamb on June 11, 2010, the Board of Directors currently consists of eight persons. Under the Restatement of the Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the Restated Articles), the Board of Directors may consist of up to nine persons, and individuals may be elected by the Board to fill any vacancies or to occupy any new directorships. The person filling such vacancy or newly-created directorship would serve out the remainder of the term of the vacated directorship or, in the case of a new directorship, the term designated for the particular director.
In accordance with recent amendments to the Iowa Business Corporation Act (the Act), the Restated Articles were amended by the Board of Directors on May 19, 2011 to implement the staggering of the terms of directors required by new Section 490.806A, subsection 1, of the Act. Three classes of directors have been established, referred to as Class I directors, Class II directors, and Class III directors. By separate action of the Board required under the Act, two members of the Board (Mr. Myers and Ms. Bridgewater) were designated as Class I directors; three members of the Board were designated as Class II directors (Mr. Kimball, Mr. Haynie and Mr. Wilkey); and three members of the Board were designated as Class III directors (Mr. Danos, Mr. Horak and Mr. Lamberti). The terms of the Class I directors continue in office until the Annual Meeting, and until their successors are elected. The Class II directors shall continue in office until one year following the Annual Meeting, and until their successors are elected. The Class III directors shall continue in office until two years following the Annual Meeting, and until their successors are elected. At each annual meeting of shareholders, commencing with the Annual Meeting, the successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term of three years following such meeting and until their successors are elected.
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Information Concerning the Boards Nominees
The Board of Directors has accepted the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee that the two individuals named below be designated as the Boards nominees for election to the Board of Directors as Class I directors at the Annual Meeting. Both of the Boards nominees are currently Class I directors of the Company and have been previously elected by the shareholders.
Additional information regarding each of the Boards nominees is set forth below. The number of shares of Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned by each of the Boards nominees as of the Record Date is set forth on page 14. Except as may be otherwise expressly stated, both of the Boards nominees for election to the Board of Directors have been employed in the capacities indicated for more than five years.
It is intended that all proxies (in the accompanying form), unless contrary instructions are given thereon, will be voted FOR the election of the two persons designated by the Board of Directors as nominees. In the event of death or disqualification of either of the Boards nominees, or the refusal or inability of either of the Boards nominees to serve as a Class I director, the enclosed proxy may be voted with discretionary authority for the election of a substitute nominee approved by the Board of Directors.
Nominees For Election as Class I DirectorsTerms to Expire in 2014
Robert J. Myers, 64, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Myers has been associated with the Company since 1989. He served as Senior Vice President from December 1998 until May 2002, when he assumed the position of Chief Operating Officer. He was elected to his current position as President and Chief Executive Officer in June 2006, and has been a director of the Company since 2006. Mr. Myers brings to the Board extensive experience and knowledge regarding the convenience store industry, and a complete understanding of the Companys business, its vision and strategy.
Diane C. Bridgewater, 48, Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of LCS, a national leader in the planning, development and management of senior living communities and provider of senior living services. Prior to her employment with LCS in October 2006, Ms. Bridgewater was employed by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, for 18 years, in roles including Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Vice President and Business Director, North America Operations. Ms. Bridgewater has been a director of the Company since 2007. Ms. Bridgewater brings a thorough knowledge and understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and auditing standards to the Board, and as an active chief financial officer, important insights as to corporate best practices and policies.
Directors Continuing in Office as Class II DirectorsTerms to Expire in 2012
Kenneth H. Haynie, 78, retired lawyer and formerly of counsel to the Des Moines, Iowa law firm of Ahlers & Cooney, P.C. He has served as a director of the Company since 1987. Through his legal and transactional experience as an attorney, Mr. Haynie brings a critical risk management perspective to the Board, along with a broad understanding of the Companys business strategies and operational challenges.
William C. Kimball, 63, retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medicap Pharmacy, Inc., a national franchisor of community retail pharmacies, and currently a partner in Kimball-Porter Investments, LLC, an Iowa-based investment company. Mr. Kimball also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Principal Mutual Funds. Mr. Kimball has been a director of the Company since 2004. Mr. Kimballs qualifications include his demonstrated leadership and knowledge of operational and financial issues facing a large retail corporation gained from his experience as founder and CEO of Medicap Pharmacy, and his understanding of retail markets and growth companies.
Richard A. Wilkey, 71, management and development consultant since 1990 to various companies in the Midwest. Mr. Wilkey is a former City Manager of the City of Des Moines (1974-85) and former
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President of the Racing Association of Central Iowa (1986-89). He was employed by the Weitz Corporation (1985-90) as Executive Vice President of Administration and Finance and as President of Life Care Services Corporation, a major subsidiary of the Weitz Corporation. He has been a director of the Company since 2008. In addition to his experience providing strategic consulting services, Mr. Wilkey brings a broad public policy and local community perspective to the Board, along with extensive executive and management experience.
Directors Continuing in Office as Class III DirectorsTerms to Expire in 2013
Johnny Danos, 71, Director of Strategic Development for LWBJ, LLC, a public accounting and consulting firm located in West Des Moines, Iowa. From 1995 until 2008, Mr. Danos served as President of the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation, a charitable public foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life in Greater Des Moines. Mr. Danos was employed by KPMG LLP (and its predecessor firms) for over 30 years, and retired as the managing partner of its Des Moines office in 1995. Mr. Danos also is a member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. He has been a director of the Company since 2004. Mr. Danos brings extensive financial and accounting experience to the Board, as well as broad community perspective and executive leadership skills from his experience with the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation.
Jeffrey M. Lamberti, 48, President and Managing Shareholder with the Ankeny, Iowa law firm of Block, Lamberti & Gocke, P.C. Mr. Lamberti served as an Iowa State Senator from 1999 to 2006 and as President of the Iowa Senate from 2004 to 2006. He is the son of Donald F. Lamberti, a founder of the Company. Mr. Lamberti has been a director of the Company since 2008. With his legal background and his experience in the Iowa General Assembly, Mr. Lamberti is able to provide important public policy, governance and legal perspective to the Board, as well as valuable operational and strategic expertise.
H. Lynn Horak, 65, past Regional Chairman with Wells Fargo Regional Banking. Mr. Horak held many positions with Wells Fargo Bank beginning in 1972, including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 1981 to 1986, President and Chief Operating Officer from 1986 to 1991, and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Regional Banking for Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois from 1991 until November 2007. Mr. Horak served as a member of the Board of Directors of Iowa Telecommunications Services, Inc. until June 2010 and also serves on the board of directors of four other non-public companies. He has been a director of the Company since 2009. Mr. Horak brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his career with Wells Fargo, including significant executive leadership experience and a critical understanding of consumer behavior and retail markets.
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Board of Directors
The business and affairs of the Company are overseen by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Iowa Business Corporation Act and the Bylaws. Members of the Board are kept informed of the Companys business through discussions with the President and Chief Executive Officer, by reviewing materials provided to them, and by participating in Board and committee meetings. At intervals between formal meetings, members of the Board are provided with various items of information regarding the Companys operations and are frequently consulted on an informal basis with respect to pending business.
Directors are expected to attend all Board meetings and meetings of the committees on which they serve and each annual shareholders meeting. The Board of Directors held seventeen meetings (four regular and thirteen special) during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2011 (the 2011 fiscal year), and acted once by unanimous consent. Each incumbent director attended 75% or more of the aggregate number of Board meetings and meetings of committees on which the director served. All of the incumbent members of the Board of Directors attended last years annual meeting of shareholders.
Board Leadership Structure and Presiding Director
The Bylaws have for many years provided for a combined leadership structure, under which the Chief Executive Officer presides at all meetings of shareholders and the Board of Directors. Mr. Myers has been serving as chairman at meetings of the Board of Directors since March 2010, but has not been formally designated as Chairman of the Board. The Board has not appointed a lead independent director. The combined leadership structure has proven effective for the Company historically in terms of the Companys financial performance and corporate governance. The Board believes that the current leadership position is the right corporate governance structure for the Company at this time because it most effectively utilizes Mr. Myerss experience and knowledge concerning the Company, including by allowing him to lead Board discussions regarding the Companys business and strategy, and provides unified leadership for the Company.
Although the Board believes that it is most effective for the Chief Executive Officer to preside at meetings of the Board of Directors, it also recognizes the importance and need for strong independent leadership on the Board. Consistent with that belief, the independent directors (seven of the eight individuals currently serving on the Board are considered independent under the Nasdaq Listing Standards) met in executive session without management present six times during the 2011 fiscal year, and the Board has determined that such executive sessions will continue to be held at least twice each year in the future. The presiding director at such meetings generally has been Mr. Kimball. The Board also believes the standing Board committees (described below) help provide appropriate oversight and independent leadership.
Director Independence
In making independence determinations, the Board of Directors observes the criteria for independence set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Standards. Consistent with these criteria, the Board has reviewed all relationships and material transactions between the Company and members of the Board (and any affiliated companies), and has affirmatively determined that Ms. Bridgewater, Mr. Danos, Mr. Haynie, Mr. Horak, Mr. Kimball, Mr. Lamberti and Mr. Wilkey are independent within the meaning of the Nasdaq Listing Standards. As such, a substantial majority of the Board of Directors is considered independent as so defined. In reaching this conclusion, the Board of Directors considered the facts and circumstances of Mr. Haynies relationship with Ahlers and Cooney, P.C., including the fact that he has had no interest in the ownership or earnings of the law firm since his retirement in 2002. In light of the foregoing, the Board determined that the relationship was not material and does not interfere with Mr. Haynies independent judgment in carrying out his responsibilities as a director. The Board of Directors also considered the payments that Mr. Lambertis father, Donald F. Lamberti, receives from the
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Company under the Non-Qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (which the Board determined to be non-discretionary retirement compensation) and the contingent beneficial interest Mr. Lamberti has under the trust agreement described under Director CompensationCertain Relationships and Related Transactions and concluded that neither interest was material or would interfere with the exercise of Mr. Lambertis independent judgment in carrying out his responsibilities as a director. Finally, in considering Mr. Horaks independence, the Board considered the payments made by the Company to Iowa Telecommunications Services, Inc. in the ordinary course for telecommunication services, and determined that these payments were not material and would not interfere with Mr. Horaks independent judgment in carrying out his responsibilities as a director.
Board Committees
The Bylaws establish four standing committees of the Board of Directors: the Executive Committee, the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In addition, the Bylaws authorize the Board of Directors to establish other committees for selected purposes.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee presently consists of Mr. Myers, Mr. Haynie, Mr. Kimball and Mr. Wilkey. The Executive Committee is authorized, within certain limitations set forth in the Bylaws, to exercise the power and authority of the Board of Directors between meetings of the full Board. The Executive Committee did not meet during the 2011 fiscal year.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee presently consists of Ms. Bridgewater (Chair), Mr. Danos, Mr. Lamberti and Mr. Horak, all of whom are independent under the criteria established by the SEC and the Nasdaq Listing Standards. The Board of Directors has approved the designation of Ms. Bridgewater as an audit committee financial expert as that is defined under Item 407(d)(5) of SEC Regulation S-K.
The Audit Committee performs the duties set forth in its written Charter (which is available on the Companys Web sitewww.caseys.com). Under its Charter, the Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, termination, compensation and oversight of the independent public accounting firm it retains to audit the Companys books and records. The Audit Committee regularly reports to the Board on the audit and the non-audit activities of the auditors, approves all audit engagement fees and pre-approves any non-audit engagement and compensation of the independent auditors.
The Audit Committee has established a regular schedule of meetings to be held five times each year with financial management personnel, internal accounting and auditing staff and the independent auditor. During these meetings, the Audit Committee also meets separately in executive sessions with the internal auditing staff and the independent auditor. The Audit Committee met five times during the 2011 fiscal year. The report of the Audit Committee is included herein on page 38.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee presently consists of Mr. Haynie (Chair), Mr. Kimball, Mr. Wilkey and Mr. Horak, all of whom are independent under the Nasdaq Listing Standards. The Compensation Committee annually reviews the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and reviews managements evaluation of the performance of the Companys senior officers and their compensation arrangements, and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Companys senior officers. The Compensation Committees determination (and its deliberations) of the Chief Executive Officers compensation are done in executive session, without the presence of management, including the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer may make recommendations regarding the
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compensation of executive officers and participate in such deliberations but shall not vote to approve or recommend any form of compensation for such executive officers. The Compensation Committee also authorizes awards of stock options and restricted stock units to the executive officers, and from time to time, makes recommendations regarding the compensation of directors.
As set forth in its written Charter (which is available on the Companys Web sitewww.caseys.com), the Compensation Committee has authority to retain and terminate executive compensation consulting firms to advise the Compensation Committee and, from time to time, retains compensation consultants to assist with the Compensation Committees review and development of its compensation recommendations. During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2009 and the 2010 fiscal year, the Compensation Committee retained the services of Hewitt Associates, an independent human resources consulting firm, in connection with the creation and implementation of the Caseys General Stores, Inc. 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan). The scope and nature of the services provided by Hewitt Associates were limited to assisting and advising the Compensation Committee on the terms and conditions of the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. Hewitt Associates reported on such matters directly and exclusively to the Compensation Committee and did not do any other work for the Company. No compensation consultants were engaged during the 2011 fiscal year.
The Compensation Committee administers the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, which was approved by the shareholders at the 2009 annual meeting of shareholders. The practice of the Compensation Committee under the predecessor stock option plan was to consider a grant of stock options every other year in June. The Board of Directors has approved a policy statement concerning the granting of stock options (see the discussion under Compensation Discussion and AnalysisAdditional Compensation PoliciesOption Grants). Grants of all stock options are required to be made at the last reported sales price of the underlying shares on the grant date.
The Compensation Committee met five times during the 2011 fiscal year. The report of the Compensation Committee is included herein on page 23.
No member of the Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or employee of the Company or had any relationship that is required to be disclosed as a transaction with a related party.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee presently consists of Mr. Lamberti (Chair), Mr. Danos, Mr. Kimball and Mr. Wilkey, all of whom are independent under the Nasdaq Listing Standards. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee generally reviews the qualifications of candidates proposed for nomination to the Board of Directors, recommends to the Board candidates for election at the annual meeting of shareholders and performs the other duties set forth in its written Charter (which is available on the Companys Web sitewww.caseys.com). Under Charter amendments approved by the Board of Directors in December 2008, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees responsibilities were expanded to include the recommendation to the Board of corporate governance policies or guidelines that should be applicable to the Company, and the responsibility to lead the Board in an annual review of the Boards performance (see Governance Policies below). The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met twice and acted once by unanimous consent during the 2011 fiscal year.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders if they are submitted in accordance with the Bylaws. Briefly, the Bylaws contain specific advance notice procedures relating to shareholder nominations of directors and other business to be brought before an annual or special meeting of shareholders other than by or at the direction of the Board of Directors. Under the Bylaws, in order for a shareholder to nominate a director candidate for election at an annual meeting of shareholders, the shareholder must deliver written notice thereof to the Corporate Secretary not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders. In the case of shareholder nominations to be considered at the 2012 annual meeting,
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therefore, such notice must be received by the Corporate Secretary by no earlier than May 19, 2012 and no later than June 18, 2012. The notice must set forth certain information concerning such shareholder and the shareholders nominee(s), including but not limited to their names and addresses, occupation, share ownership, rights to acquire shares and other derivative securities or short interests held, a representation that the shareholder is entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice, a description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and each nominee, such other information as would be required to be included in a proxy statement pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC had the nominee(s) been nominated by the Board of Directors, and the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Company if so elected. The chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the provisions of the Bylaws. A copy of the Bylaws may be obtained by request addressed to Brian J. Johnson, Vice PresidentFinance and Corporate Secretary, Caseys General Stores, Inc., P.O. Box 3001, One Convenience Blvd., Ankeny, Iowa 50021-8045.
The Charter sets forth, among other things, the minimum qualifications that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes must be met by a Committee-recommended nominee, and the specific qualities or skills that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes are necessary for one or more of the Companys directors to possess. In considering individuals for nomination as directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee typically solicits recommendations from the current directors and is authorized to engage search firms to assist in the process, although it has not done so to date.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers a number of factors in making its nominee recommendations to the Board, including, among other things, a candidates employment and other professional experience, past expertise and involvement in areas which are relevant to the Companys business, business ethics and professional reputation, independence, other board experience and the Companys desire to have a Board that represents a diverse mix of backgrounds, perspectives and expertise. In addition to the information set forth above concerning each of the Boards nominees specific experience and qualifications that led the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to conclude that he or she should serve as a director, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes each of the incumbent directors has demonstrated outstanding achievement in his or her professional career, wisdom, personal and professional integrity, and independent judgment.
The Company does not have a formal policy for considering diversity in identifying and recommending nominees for election to the Board, but the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers diversity of viewpoint, experience, background and other qualities in its overall consideration of nominees qualified for election to the Board.
Succession Planning Committee
In December 2008, the Board of Directors established a Succession Planning Committee, with Mr. Danos serving as its Chair, to regularly review succession planning for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officer positions. Other members of the Succession Planning Committee include Messrs. Kimball, Lamberti, Wilkey and Horak. The Succession Planning Committee met once during the 2011 fiscal year.
Governance Policies
In March 2009, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommended, and the Board of Directors approved, several corporate governance policies that were considered to be generally consistent with current Board or Company practice, even though they had not been previously stated as a formal policy position:
1. That the Chief Executive Officer be prohibited from serving on the boards of more than two other companies, which for this purpose includes public companies as well as not-for-profit organizations or other entities that are likely to require a similar time commitment. Prior notice to the Board of Directors is required before acceptance of any such position.
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2. That all members of the Board of Directors serve on no more than two other public company boards. In addition, service on the boards of not-for-profit organizations or other entities that may require a similar time commitment are required to be disclosed and acceptable to the Board.
3. That all members of the Board of Directors attend at least one director education or governance-related program every three years.
4. That the Succession Planning Committee of the Board regularly review a succession plan with the Chief Executive Officer and keep the full Board informed of its discussions with the Chief Executive Officer on succession planning matters.
5. That all members of the Board of Directors commit to becoming shareholders of the Company within two years of their election to the Board, and that all executive officers similarly maintain an ownership interest in the Common Stock of the Company, either directly or through the KSOP.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee typically conducts an annual review of the Boards performance.
Boards Role in Risk Oversight
The Board as a whole has on-going responsibility for risk management oversight, with reviews of certain areas being conducted by the relevant Board committees that report on their deliberations to the Board. The oversight responsibility of the Board and its committees is largely achieved through periodic reporting by management to the Board about the identification, assessment and management of critical risks and managements risk mitigation strategies. A Risk Committee (comprised of senior management and other key personnel) meets quarterly to provide recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer for further action, with periodic progress reports on the same being provided to the Board of Directors. Oversight responsibilities for various risks have been assigned to different Risk Committee members and are reviewed annually, and coordinated with internal audit and the independent auditors. Areas of focus include competitive, economic, operational, financial, legal, regulatory, compliance, health, safety and environment, political and reputational risks.
Shareholder Communications
It is the general policy of the Board that management speaks for the Company. To the extent shareholders would like to communicate with a Company representative, they may do so by contacting William J. Walljasper, Chief Financial Officer, Caseys General Stores, Inc., P.O: Box 3001, One Convenience Blvd., Ankeny, Iowa 50021-8045. Mr. Walljasper also can be reached by telephone at (515) 965-6505.
Any shareholder wishing to communicate with one or more Board members should address a written communication to Diane C. Bridgewater, Chair of the Audit Committee, at Capital Square, 400 Locust Street, Suite 820, Des Moines, Iowa 50309-2334. Ms. Bridgewater will forward such communication on to all of the members of the Board, to the extent such communications are deemed appropriate for consideration by the Board.
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The Company currently has five executive officers and seven other Vice Presidents. The current executive officers are as follows:
Name |
Current Office Held |
First Became Executive Officer |
Age | |||||||
Robert J. Myers |
President and Chief Executive Officer | 1999 | 64 | |||||||
Terry W. Handley |
Chief Operating Officer | 2002 | 51 | |||||||
William J. Walljasper |
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | 2004 | 47 | |||||||
Sam J. Billmeyer |
Senior Vice President Logistics & Acquisitions | 2006 | 54 | |||||||
Julia L. Jackowski |
Senior Vice President General Counsel & Human Resources | 2010 | 45 |
During the past five years, each of the executive officers has served the Company in various executive or administrative positions. Prior to his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer on June 20, 2006, Mr. Myers served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Mr. Handley, who has been Chief Operating Officer since June 20, 2006, previously served as Senior Vice PresidentStore Operations. Mr. Walljasper, who had been Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2004, assumed the title of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on June 20, 2006. Mr. Billmeyer was appointed Senior Vice PresidentLogistics and Acquisitions on May 1, 2008. Prior to that date, he served as Senior Vice PresidentTransportation & Support Operations and as Vice PresidentTransportation. Ms. Jackowski became Senior Vice PresidentGeneral Counsel & Human Resources effective June 6, 2010. Previously she was Vice PresidentHuman Resources.
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The following table contains information with respect to each person, including any group, known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Common Stock as of the dates indicated in the footnotes following the table. Except as otherwise indicated, the persons listed in the table have the voting and investment powers with respect to the shares indicated.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership |
Percent of Class |
||||||
Black Rock, Inc. 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 |
2,940,238 | (1) | 7.75 | % | ||||
NFJ Investment Group LLC 2100 Ross Avenue, Suite 700 Dallas, TX 75201 |
2,134,000 | (2) | 5.60 | % | ||||
Piper Jaffray Companies 800 Nicollet Mall, Suite 800 Minneapolis, MN 55402 |
1,973,901 | (3) | 5.20 | % | ||||
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 100 Vanguard Blvd. Malvern, PA 19355 |
2,023,563 | (4) | 5.33 | % |
(1) | Based on Schedule 13G filed by Black Rock, Inc. with the SEC dated January 21, 2011 (the Black Rock 13G). Such information indicates that such entity has sole voting power over 2,940,238 shares and sole dispositive power over 2,940,238 shares. The Percent of Class information is as reported in the Black Rock 13G. |
(2) | Based on Schedule 13G filed by NFJ Investment Group LLC (NFJ) and Allianz Global Investors Capital LLC (AGIC) with the SEC dated February 10, 2011 (the NFJ 13G). Such information indicates that NFJ, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGIC, has sole voting power over 2,114,800 shares and sole dispositive power over 2,134,000 shares. The Percent of Class information is as reported in the NFJ 13G. |
(3) | Based on Schedule 13G filed by Piper Jaffray Companies (Piper) with the SEC dated February 10, 2011 (Piper 13G). Such information indicates that Advisory Research, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Piper, has sole voting and dispositive power over 1,973,901 shares. The Percent of Class information is as reported in the Piper 13G. |
(4) | Based on Schedule 13G filed by The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard) with the SEC dated February 9, 2011 (Vanguard 13G). Such information indicates that Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vanguard, has sole voting power over 55,929 shares, and that Vanguard has sole dispositive power over 1,967,634 shares and shared dispositive power over 55,929 shares. The Percent of Class information is as reported in the Vanguard 13G. |
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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth, as of July 25, 2011 (other than with respect to the KSOP shares, which is as of April 30, 2011, as discussed in footnote 2 to the following table), the beneficial ownership of shares of the Common Stock, the only class of capital stock outstanding, by the current directors and the Boards nominees for election to the Board of Directors, the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table herein, and all current directors and executive officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, the shareholders listed in the table have sole voting and investment powers with respect to the shares indicated.
Name of Beneficial Owner |
Direct Ownership |
Shares Subject to Options(1) |
KSOP Shares(2) |
Total Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership(3) |
Percent of Class |
|||||||||||||||
Robert J. Myers |
48,000 | 10,000 | 7,536 | 65,536 | * | |||||||||||||||
Kenneth H. Haynie |
29,162 | (4) | 14,000 | | 43,162 | * | ||||||||||||||
Johnny Danos |
11,275 | (4) | 12,000 | | 23,275 | * | ||||||||||||||
William C. Kimball |
7,541 | (4) | 12,000 | | 19,541 | * | ||||||||||||||
Diane C. Bridgewater |
4,000 | 6,000 | | 10,000 | * | |||||||||||||||
Jeffrey M. Lamberti |
36,450 | (4) | 4,000 | | 40,450 | * | ||||||||||||||
Richard A. Wilkey |
4,000 | 2,000 | | 6,000 | * | |||||||||||||||
H. Lynn Horak |
4,000 | | | 4,000 | * | |||||||||||||||
Terry W. Handley |
| 30,000 | 9,890 | 39,890 | * | |||||||||||||||
William J. Walljasper |
2,000 | 30,000 | 4,976 | 36,976 | * | |||||||||||||||
Sam J. Billmeyer |
| 30,000 | 4,019 | 34,019 | * | |||||||||||||||
Julia L. Jackowski |
6,500 | 22,500 | 2,891 | 31,891 | * | |||||||||||||||
All current executive officers and directors as a |
152,928 | 172,500 | 29,312 | 354,740 | * |
* | Less than 1% |
(1) | Consisting of shares (which are included in the totals) that are subject to acquisition within 60 days of July 25, 2011 through the exercise of stock options, but which cannot be presently voted by the executive officers or non-employee directors holding the options. See Director Compensation and Compensation Discussion and AnalysisLong-term Incentive Compensation. |
(2) | The amounts shown (which are included in the totals) consist of shares allocated to the named executive officers accounts in the KSOP as of April 30, 2011 (the most recent allocation made by the Trustee of the KSOP) over which the officer exercises voting power. Under the trust agreement creating the KSOP, the shares of Common Stock held by the Trustee are voted by the Trustee in accordance with the participants directions or, if no directions are received, in the same manner and proportion as the Trustee votes shares for which the Trustee does receive timely instructions. |
(3) | Except as otherwise indicated, the amounts shown are the aggregate numbers of shares attributable to the individuals direct ownership of shares, shares subject to the exercise of options within 60 days of July 25, 2011 and KSOP shares. |
(4) | Includes shares beneficially owned by spouses, minor children and/or shares owned by family trusts for which the named individual serves as trustee. |
(5) | Includes the current directors and the Boards nominees for election to the Board of Directors, and the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table herein. |
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See also Equity Compensation Plan Information below.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Companys officers, directors and owners of more than 10% of the outstanding Common Stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC, and also to furnish the Company with a copy of all such reports that they file. Based solely upon a review of the copies of the reports furnished to the Company, all such reporting persons complied with such reporting obligations during the 2011 fiscal year, except that reports were inadvertently not filed in a timely manner for (i) the exercise of a stock option by Mr. Haynie on April 21, 2011 in respect of 2,000 shares and (ii) Mr. Lambertis appointment on April 6, 2011 as co-trustee of family trusts, which hold an aggregate of 7,000 shares of Common Stock over which the co-trustees share voting and dispositive power. Mr. Haynies report was filed on May 9, 2011 and Mr. Lambertis report was filed on July 26, 2011.
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The following were our named executive officers for the 2011 fiscal year: Robert J. Myers, President and Chief Executive Officer; Terry W. Handley, Chief Operating Officer; William J. Walljasper, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Sam J. Billmeyer, Senior Vice PresidentLogistics & Acquisitions; and Julia L. Jackowski, Senior Vice PresidentCorporate Counsel and Human Resources. In this section, the word Committee refers to the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
Executive Compensation Strategy and Objectives
Our executive compensation policies are designed to attract, motivate and retain executives who will contribute to the long-term success of the Company and to reward executives for achieving both short-term and long-term strategic goals of the Company. We also believe it is important to align the interests of the executives with those of our shareholders. In order to achieve these objectives, a significant portion of the compensation of our named executive officers is linked directly to the Companys financial performance and to the value of the Common Stock. The Boards goal is to approve compensation that is reasonable and competitive when all elements of potential compensation are considered.
Role of the Board, the Committee and our Chief Executive Officer in Compensation Decisions for our Named Executive Officers
The Board is responsible for approving base salary increases for each of our named executive officers and approving the performance goals under our annual incentive compensation program. With respect to our named executive officers, the Committee is charged with recommending base salary increases for the Boards consideration, determining the terms of the annual incentive compensation program and approving stock option grants in the years in which such grants are made. Our Chief Executive Officer is tasked with developing recommendations for the Committees consideration for base salary increases and stock option grants for our named executive officers (other than increases in his own base salary and stock option grants to himself, which are determined solely by the Committee).
During the 2011 fiscal year, neither the Board nor the Company engaged a compensation consultant for any purpose.
Components of Compensation
As in prior years, our compensation program for the 2011 fiscal year had four primary components: base salary; annual incentive compensation; long-term incentive compensation in the form of stock options; and benefits. A significant portion of a named executive officers compensation is placed at risk, and the only fixed compensation paid is base salary and benefits. The remaining total compensation (annual and long-term incentive compensation) for our named executive officers is not guaranteed and the value to each executive officer is based on the Companys and the executives performance. We believe that this mix of compensation elements appropriately balances short-term and long-term business goals and aligns the interests of our named executive officers with our shareholders.
Base Salary
Base salaries for executive officers of the Company are determined primarily on the basis of each executive officers experience, performance and individual responsibilities. Each fiscal year, our Chief Executive Officer reviews the base salaries of the other senior officers, including our named executive officers, in connection with their performance reviews. The Chief Executive Officer is assisted in this review by the Director of Human Resources, which includes consideration of internal pay equity within the Company and comparisons with publicly available information from a variety of sources relating to compensation levels for executives serving in
16
various roles at other companies. Based on such reviews, our Chief Executive Officer develops his recommendations for the individual base salaries for all of the senior officers, including our named executive officers, and provides his recommendations to the Committee. The Committee considers our Chief Executive Officers recommendations and then recommends the new base salaries for the senior officers, including our named executive officers, to the Board for approval in June of each fiscal year.
Mr. Myerss base salary for the 2011 fiscal year was $726,000, reflecting a 10% increase from the amount of his base salary for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010. Messrs. Handley and Billmeyer each received a $30,000 increase in base salary for the 2011 fiscal year. Mr. Walljasper received a $50,000 increase and Ms. Jackowski received a $100,000 increase in base salary for the 2011 fiscal year. These increases, which were all approved in June 2010, were based on the respective subjective views of our Chief Executive Officer, the Committee and the Board, which were primarily influenced by each executive officers recent performance and contribution to the Companys success, as described above.
Annual Incentive Compensation Program
Overview
The senior officers of the Company, including our named executive officers, participate in an annual incentive compensation program. The purpose of the program is to reward superior performance by the Companys senior officers in achieving certain performance goals. The Committee believes that it is important for the senior officers to function as a cohesive team, and therefore establishes the performance goals on the basis of the Companys performance as a whole and not with a focus on individual or divisional areas of responsibility. Accordingly, the program is based on the Companys performance against two financial metrics: earnings per share and return on invested capital (ROIC). A minimum, target and maximum goal is set for each financial metric and, based on the actual achievement of each metric, as well as the relative weighting between the two metrics, each senior officer is eligible to receive a bonus calculated as a percentage of base salary at the end of each year.
Financial Metrics
The Company links the annual incentive compensation program to earnings per share and ROIC because each metric is closely tied to the execution of strategic business objectives and together are designed to increase shareholder value.
Earnings per share: The growth of earnings per share is related to the growth of shareholder value and is an important measure used by the investing community to evaluate our financial performance. Long-term sustained growth should positively impact our share price and market capitalization.
Return on invested capital: For purposes of the annual incentive compensation program, ROIC is calculated based on the following formula: operating income after depreciation and tax divided by average invested capital for the current and prior fiscal year.* Since the Company has been striving to enlarge its operating footprint, in particular by constructing new stores and acquiring convenience stores from other operators, the Committee believes that ROIC is a useful measure of managements effectiveness in creating value for our shareholders by gauging the Companys returns on capital expenditures.
Setting Goals
At the beginning of each fiscal year, our management team prepares its annual strategic business goals and objectives in an operating plan for the Company. The strategic business goals and objectives are designed to ensure that our short-term revenue and unit growth objectives are met or exceeded in a manner that is consistent with long-term shareholder value creation.
* | Set forth at the bottom of page 18 is a reconciliation of these measures, which are not measures under United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), to the GAAP measures from the Companys audited financial statements. |
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The Committee estimates the financial results for the fiscal year that would result from meeting the operating plan in terms of earnings per share and ROIC. These pro forma financial results become the target performance levels for each of these financial metrics under the annual incentive compensation program. The goals for these financial metrics are set in increments, which include a minimum and maximum level, below and above the target performance level set by the Committee. In making the annual determination of the minimum, target and maximum performance levels, the Committee also considers the specific circumstances facing the Company during the year and expectations regarding earnings per share and Company performance. The Committee then submits these goals and objectives to the Board for approval, typically in June.
The relative weighting of each of these financial metrics for the 2011 fiscal year was 75% for earnings per share and 25% for ROIC. This relative weighting is consistent with the Companys past practice and was chosen by the Committee in order to supplement a shorter-term financial metric (earnings per share) with a financial metric that encompasses a longer-term perspective (ROIC).
The chart below summarizes the relative weighting of the financial metrics and performance goals of each metric for the 2011 fiscal year:
2011 Annual Incentive Performance Goals
Metric |
Weightings | Goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A (Minimum) |
B | C | D | E | F (Target) |
G | H | I | J (Maximum) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings per Share |
75 | % | $ | 2.32 | $ | 2.37 | $ | 2.42 | $ | 2.47 | $ | 2.52 | $ | 2.54 | $ | 2.56 | $ | 2.58 | $ | 2.60 | $ | 2.62 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
ROIC |
25 | % | 11.9 | % | 12.1 | % | 12.4 | % | 12.6 | % | 12.9 | % | 13.0 | % | 13.1 | % | 13.2 | % | 13.3 | % | 13.4 | % |
The Committee believes that target goals can be achieved with consistent superior performance throughout the year. The Committee determines a range of goals that will result in the payment of a bonus, with minimum and maximum goals, so that both exceptional results above the target goal and results that are slightly less than the target goal, but which still represent acceptable performance, are rewarded to some extent. During each of the past three years, the Company has achieved performance in excess of the minimum levels necessary for our named executive officers to receive a bonus.
Reconciliation of ROIC ($ in thousands)
Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2011 |
||||
Gross Profit |
$ | 881,067 | ||
Less Operating Expenses |
607,628 | |||
Operating Income |
273,439 | |||
Less Depreciation |
82,355 | |||
Less Taxes |
71,465 | |||
Operating Income after Depreciation and Tax |
119,619 | |||
Divided by Average Invested Capital |
$ | 1,043,697 | ||
Return on Invested Capital |
11.5 | % |
Reconciliation of Average Invested Capital ($ in thousands)
Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2011 |
Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2010 |
|||||||
Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt |
$ | 1,167 | $ | 24,577 | ||||
Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Maturities |
678,680 | 154,754 | ||||||
Total Debt |
679,847 | 179,331 | ||||||
Shareholders Equity |
403,896 | 824,319 | ||||||
Invested Capital |
$ | 1,083,743 | $ | 1,003,650 | ||||
Average Invested Capital |
$ | 1,043,697 |
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Payout Levels
Based upon the Companys achievement of the earnings per share and ROIC goal levels, each participant in the incentive compensation program is eligible to earn a bonus in an amount equal to the applicable percentage of base salary set forth in the table below. In the 2011 fiscal year, the target for the incentive compensation award was 36% of base salary, with a maximum award of 60% of base salary, to be paid in the form of both cash and equity (with the equity being in the form of restricted stock units subject to a three-year vesting requirement). The Committee chose these levels of bonus payments to ensure that a significant portion of each named executive officers cash compensation would be tied to the financial performance of the Company.
2011 Annual Incentive Performance Goal Weighting As a Percentage of Salary
Metric |
Weightings | Goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A (Minimum) |
B | C | D | E | F (Target) |
G | H | I | J (Maximum) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings per Share |
75 | % | 4.5 | % | 9.0 | % | 13.5 | % | 18.0 | % | 22.5 | % | 27.0 | % | 31.5 | % | 36.0 | % | 40.5 | % | 45.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
ROIC |
25 | % | 1.5 | % | 3.0 | % | 4.5 | % | 6.0 | % | 7.5 | % | 9.0 | % | 10.5 | % | 12.0 | % | 13.5 | % | 15.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Bonuses as a Percentage of Base Salary |
6 | % | 12 | % | 18 | % | 24 | % | 30 | % | 36 | % | 42 | % | 48 | % | 54 | % | 60 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash Component |
75 | % | 70 | % | 65 | % | 60 | % | 55 | % | 50 | % | 45 | % | 40 | % | 35 | % | 30 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity Component |
25 | % | 30 | % | 35 | % | 40 | % | 45 | % | 50 | % | 55 | % | 60 | % | 65 | % | 70 | % |
In approving the fiscal 2011 annual incentive performance goals and payout amounts in June 2010, the Committee and the Board recognized that the Company would incur significant expenses during the 2011 fiscal year in connection with the then-pending hostile takeover attempt by Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. For that reason, the Committee recommended, and the Board agreed, that the Committee reserve the right to adjust the annual incentive plan payout amounts following the close of the 2011 fiscal year to take those expenses into account. No adjustment for such expenses was made in connection with the annual incentive program for the 2010 fiscal year.
2011 Fiscal Year Results and Committee Adjustments
For the 2011 fiscal year, the range in earnings per share approved by the Board in June 2010 that would result in payment of an annual bonus was $2.32 to $2.62. In the case of ROIC, the approved range extended from 11.9% to 13.4%. The Company reported actual earnings of $2.24 per share for the 2011 fiscal year and achieved 11.5% for ROIC for the 2011 fiscal year.
The 2011 fiscal year results included approximately $16 million of takeover-related expenses, approximately $11.3 million of costs associated with the early retirement of the Series 1995 and Series 1999 Senior Notes, and approximately $18 million in increased interest expense associated with the $569 million Senior Notes issued in August 2010 to finance the repurchase of approximately 13 million shares of Common Stock. The Committee determined that it was appropriate to take these factors into account in determining the annual incentive plan payout amounts for the 2011 fiscal year, and concluded that the calculations of earnings per share and ROIC for this purpose should be adjusted to $2.47 and 12.4%, respectively. This resulted in the senior officers, including our named executive officers, receiving payout amounts under the annual incentive plan for the 2011 fiscal year equal to 22.5% of salary, 61% of which was paid in cash and 39% of which was distributed in the form of restricted stock units subject to a three-year vesting requirement. The payout amounts received by our named executive officers for the 2011 fiscal year are included in the Summary Compensation Table set forth on page 24.
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Long-term Incentive Compensation
Stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards may be granted to executive officers and other key employees of the Company under the terms of the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. Prior to the adoption of the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, the Company granted stock options under the 2000 Stock Option Plan. The 2009 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2000 Stock Option Plan were designed to assist the Company in attracting, retaining and motivating executive officers and other key employees, and to align the interests of the executive officers and other key employees with those of our shareholders.
In recent years, the Company has made long-term incentive compensation awards solely in the form of stock options. The Committee determined that stock options provide the best incentives to increase shareholder value, and that the Companys annual incentive compensation program would mitigate any adverse incentives stock options may create. The Company has historically only granted stock options every other year (i.e., 2005, 2007 and 2009) because of the Committees belief that stock options are a long-term incentive and that it is not necessary to grant stock options each year. No stock options were awarded during the 2011 fiscal year.
In May of each fiscal year in which stock options have been granted, our Chief Executive Officer develops his recommendations for the grant of stock options for all the key employees of the Company, including our named executive officers (other than grants to himself, which are determined solely by the Committee), and provides his recommendations to the Committee.
Based on recommendations developed by our Chief Executive Officer and reviewed and approved by the Committee in June 2011, stock options were granted in June 2011 to the senior officers, including our named executive officers (except Mr. Myers), and other key employees. The June 2011 stock option grants may not be exercised for three years from the date of grant. At the same time, the Committee also approved an award of restricted stock units to Mr. Myers (who did not receive an award of stock options in 2009 or in June 2011), which also are subject to a three year vesting requirement.
The number of shares subject to these recent grants to our named executive officers were based on the subjective views of the Committee, which were primarily influenced by the same factors taken into account in determining the 2011 base salary increases.
Benefits and Perquisites
With limited exceptions, the Committees policy is to provide benefits to executive officers that are the same as those offered to all employees of the Company. We provide comprehensive health benefits, as well as life insurance and a disability program for all benefits-eligible employees, including our named executive officers. In addition, we offer retirement benefits to a broad employee population including our named executive officers.
We generally provide limited perquisites that the Committee believes are important components of each named executive officers compensation and benefits package. We pay the premiums for long-term disability and group life insurance coverages for all our named executive officers in order to provide financial security to each named executive officer and his dependents in the event of disability or death. We also maintain a 10-year level premium term life insurance policy with a death benefit of $1,000,000 that insures the life of Mr. Myers and is payable upon his death to a beneficiary designated by him. At the end of Mr. Myerss employment agreement, we will assign ownership of such policy to Mr. Myers, if he so requests, and Mr. Myers will thereafter be responsible for the payment of the associated premiums. Mr. Myers and the Company executed a new employment agreement on April 16, 2010 and, as part of the negotiations, the Company and Mr. Myers agreed that the Company would continue to provide Mr. Myers this life insurance policy, which was provided for under his prior employment agreement.
Our named executive officers and other members of senior management also are provided with Company-owned automobiles because they are expected to devote some portion of their time to business-related travel. These employees are subject to applicable employment-related taxes for their personal use of these automobiles.
20
We own a corporate aircraft for the exclusive business use of our employees, including but not limited to our named executive officers. Personal use of the aircraft is not permitted under Company policy.
Employment and Change of Control Severance Agreements
As noted above, we are a party to an employment agreement with Mr. Myers, under which he agrees to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer through April 30, 2013. The Company has not entered into employment agreements with any other named executive officer.
We maintain change of control severance agreements with each of our named executive officers and seven other officers. The purpose of these change of control severance agreements is to encourage such individuals to carry out their duties in the event of a possible change of control of the Company.
For a description of the employment agreement with Mr. Myers and these change of control severance agreements, please see Executive CompensationNarrative to the Summary Compensation Table and the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table.
Retirement Arrangements
All executives are eligible to participate in the KSOP under the same terms and conditions as other salaried employees.
Mr. Myers continues to be entitled to a pension benefit under his new employment agreement. For a description of this pension benefit, please see the Narrative to the Summary Compensation Table and the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table. The Company originally agreed to provide this benefit to Mr. Myers in 2007 in connection with the negotiation of Mr. Myerss original employment agreement. As part of the negotiations in connection with the execution of Mr. Myerss new employment agreement on April 16, 2010, the Company and Mr. Myers agreed that the Company would continue this pension benefit for Mr. Myers.
The Company also maintains the Executive Nonqualified Excess Plan (the Deferred Compensation Plan), a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that is described under Executive CompensationNonqualified Deferred Compensation. The purpose of the Deferred Compensation Plan is to enable the participants, including our named executive officers, to defer a portion of their income without the limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code on deferrals under the KSOP.
Additional Compensation Policies
Deductibility of Compensation for Tax Purposes
We periodically review the terms of the employment arrangements with the executive officers and from time to time consider modifications to the same. We also are aware of the statutory limitations placed on the deductibility of compensation in excess of $ 1 million which is earned by an executive officer in any year that is not considered to be performance-based. However, shareholder interests are at times best served by not restricting the Committees discretion and flexibility in developing compensation programs, even though the programs may result in non-deductible compensation expenses. Accordingly, the Committee may from time to time approve elements of compensation for certain officers that are not fully deductible.
Option Grants
In March 2007, the Board adopted a policy providing that grants of stock options can only be approved by the Committee at an in-person or telephonic meeting and may not be approved by written consent. In addition, stock options can be granted only within a two-week period following the release of the Companys annual financial results in June and only if directors are not at that time in possession of material non-public information
21
about the Company. Under the policy, the grant date of stock options is the date of the meeting when the grant is approved. All stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the grant date. Details of every stock option grant are reflected in Committee minutes, and the Corporate Secretary verifies that grant documents are consistent with the grants authorized by the Committee and memorialized in the minutes.
Recent Compensation Decisions
Since the close of the 2011 fiscal year, the Board has approved salary increases for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2012 (the 2012 fiscal year) for the named executive officers. Mr. Myers received a $74,000 increase in salary, Mr. Handley received a $25,000 increase in salary and Messrs. Walljasper and Billmeyer each received a $50,000 increase in salary. Ms. Jackowski received a $60,000 increase in salary.
The Board has approved an operating plan for the 2012 fiscal year, and the Committee has set the target performance levels for earnings per share and ROIC. The executive officers will be eligible to receive a target amount equal to 36% of base salary, with an opportunity for up to 60% of base salary if the Company exceeds the target performance levels for earnings per share and ROIC. The bonuses will be comprised of a mix of cash and equity (restricted stock units that are currently expected to vest at the end of a three-year service-based vesting period), with the portion paid in equity increasing from 25% at the minimum payout level up to 70% equity at the maximum payout level.
22
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis that begins on page 16. Based on the Compensation Committees review and the discussions with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
Compensation Committee
Kenneth H. Haynie, Chair
H. Lynn Horak
William C. Kimball
Richard A. Wilkey
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Companys previous or future filings under the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, that might incorporate by reference this Proxy Statement or future filings made by the Company under those statutes, the Compensation Committee Report and the Audit Committee Report are not deemed filed with the SEC and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any of those prior filings or into any future filings made by the Company under those statutes.
COMPENSATION PROGRAMS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
The Compensation Committee has considered whether any of its compensation programs and policies are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Companys compensation programs and policies mitigate risk by combining performance-based, long-term compensation elements with payouts that are highly correlated to the value delivered to shareholders. The combination of performance measures for annual bonuses and the equity compensation programs, maximum potential bonus payments, biannual stock option grants, as well as the multiyear vesting schedules for stock options and restricted stock units, encourage employees to maintain both a short- and a long-term view with respect to Company performance. For these reasons, the Company has determined that its compensation programs and policies are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
23
The table below summarizes the total compensation paid or earned by each of our named executive officers for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009:
Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position |
Fiscal Year |
Salary($) | Stock Awards($)1 |
Option Awards($)2 |
Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation($) |
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings($)3 |
All
Other Compensation($)4 |
Total($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Robert J. Myers, |
2011 | $ | 726,000 | $ | 63,707 | $ | | $ | 99,644 | $ | 296,098 | $ | 33,694 | $ | 1,219,143 | |||||||||||||||||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
2010 | $ | 660,000 | $ | | $ | | $ | 297,000 | $ | 484,943 | $ | 34,887 | $ | 1,476,830 | |||||||||||||||||
2009 | $ | 660,000 | $ | | $ | | $ | 330,000 | $ | 477,348 | $ | 28,086 | $ | 1,495,434 | ||||||||||||||||||
Terry W. Handley, |
2011 | $ | 425,000 | $ | 37,294 | $ | | $ | 58,331 | $ | | $ | 36,859 | $ | 557,484 | |||||||||||||||||
Chief Operating Officer |
2010 | $ | 395,000 | $ | | $ | 173,000 | $ | 177,750 | $ | | $ | 33,985 | $ | 779,735 | |||||||||||||||||
2009 | $ | 365,000 | $ | | $ | | $ | 182,500 | $ | | $ | 23,798 | $ | 571,298 | ||||||||||||||||||
William J. Walljasper, |
2011 | $ | 380,000 | $ | 33,345 | $ | | $ | 52,155 | $ | | $ | 31,480 | $ | 496,980 | |||||||||||||||||
Senior Vice President Chief Financial Officer |
2010 | $ | 330,000 | $ | | $ | 173,000 | $ | 148,500 | $ | | $ | 30,684 | $ | 682,184 | |||||||||||||||||
2009 | $ | 300,000 | $ | | $ | | $ | 150,000 | $ | | $ | 22,577 | $ | 472,577 | ||||||||||||||||||
Sam J. Billmeyer, |
2011 | $ | 360,000 | $ | 31,590 | $ | | $ | 49,410 | $ | | $ | 34,796 | $ | 475,796 | |||||||||||||||||
Senior Vice President Logistics and Acquisitions |
2010 | $ | 330,000 | $ | | $ | 173,000 | $ | 148,500 | $ | | $ | 37,796 | $ | 689,296 | |||||||||||||||||
2009 | $ | 300,000 | $ | | $ | | $ | 150,000 | $ | | $ | 26,119 | $ | 476,119 | ||||||||||||||||||
Julia L. Jackowski, |
2011 | $ | 290,000 | $ | 25,448 | $ | | $ | 39,803 | $ | | $ | 33,042 | $ | 388,293 | |||||||||||||||||
Senior Vice President Corporate Counsel and Human Resources |
2010 | $ | 198,333 | $ | | $ | 108,125 | $ | 85,500 | $ | | $ | 27,122 | $ | 410,747 | |||||||||||||||||
2009 | $ | 180,000 | $ | | $ | | $ | 90,000 | $ | | $ | 23,653 | $ | 293,653 |
1 | The amounts set forth represent the value of restricted stock units awarded under the annual incentive compensation program approved for the 2011 fiscal year, based on a closing share price of $40.49. These awards were made on June 10, 2011, and will vest on June 10, 2014. |
2 | The amounts set forth in the Option Awards column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards granted to the named executive officers by the Company in each year referenced in the table above, as computed in accordance with accounting guidance. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in footnote 4 to the Companys audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010, included in the Companys Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on June 28, 2010. |
3 | The amounts indicated reflect the change in the present value of the future benefits payable to Mr. Myers under his employment agreement. |
4 | The amounts indicated under All Other Compensation for the 2011 fiscal year are detailed below: |
Name |
KSOP Matching Contribution |
Life Insurance Premiums |
Health and Disability Premiums |
Automobile Expense |
Total | |||||||||||||||
Robert J. Myers |
$ | 10,504 | $ | 9,978 | $ | 4,841 | $ | 8,371 | $ | 33,694 | ||||||||||
Terry W. Handley |
$ | 10,140 | $ | 108 | $ | 18,504 | $ | 8,107 | $ | 36,859 | ||||||||||
William J. Walljasper |
$ | 10,400 | $ | 108 | $ | 12,892 | $ | 8,080 | $ | 31,480 | ||||||||||
Sam J. Billmeyer |
$ | 10,200 | $ | 108 | $ | 14,731 | $ | 9,757 | $ | 34,796 | ||||||||||
Julia L. Jackowski |
$ | 10,621 | $ | 108 | $ | 14,072 | $ | 8,241 | $ | 33,042 |
24
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth information for each named executive officer with respect to the estimated payments under the annual incentive compensation program that could have been earned for the 2011 fiscal year and the restricted stock units awarded for performance in that year.
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards1 |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards1 |
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units2 |
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options |
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards |
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
Grant Date |
Threshold | Target | Maximum | Threshold | Target | Maximum | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Robert J. Myers |
|
6-10-11 |
|
$
|
32,670 |
|
$
|
130,680 |
|
$
|
130,680 |
|
$
|
10,890 |
|
$
|
130,680 |
|
$
|
304,920 |
|
|
1,573 |
|
| | $ |
63,707 |
| |||||||||||||||
Terry W. Handley |
|
6-10-11 |
|
$
|
19,125 |
|
$
|
76,500 |
|
$
|
76,500 |
|
$
|
6,375 |
|
$
|
76,500 |
|
$
|
178,500 |
|
|
921 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
37,294 |
| |||||||||||||
William J. Walljasper |
|
6-10-11 |
|
$
|
17,100 |
|
$
|
68,400 |
|
$
|
68,400 |
|
$
|
5,700 |
|
$
|
68,400 |
|
$
|
154,600 |
|
|
824 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
33,345 |
| |||||||||||||
Sam J. Billmeyer |
|
6-10-11 |
|
$
|
16,200 |
|
$
|
64,800 |
|
$
|
64,800 |
|
$
|
5,400 |
|
$
|
64,800 |
|
$
|
151,200 |
|
|
780 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
31,590 |
| |||||||||||||
Julia L. Jackowski |
|
6-10-11 |
|
$
|
13,050 |
|
$
|
52,200 |
|
$
|
52,200 |
|
$
|
4,350 |
|
$
|
52,200 |
|
$
|
121,800 |
|
|
628 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
25,448 |
|
1 | Represents possible payment amounts or share values payable under the Companys annual incentive compensation program based on the Companys performance in the 2011 fiscal year. The actual amounts awarded were paid in June 2011 and are included in the Summary Compensation Table on page 24. |
2. | Shows the number of restricted stock units granted to each named executive officer under the annual incentive program for the 2011 fiscal year. The awards will vest in full in three years, and no dividends are credited until the vesting requirement is met. |
Narrative to the Summary Compensation Table and the
Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
Myers Employment Agreement
On April 16, 2010, the Company entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Myers. The employment agreement generally provides for the continued employment of Mr. Myers as President and Chief Executive Officer through April 30, 2013 (the Term), unless sooner terminated in accordance with the employment agreement. The agreement provides that during the Term, the Company will pay Mr. Myers a base salary at an annual rate of $660,000, or such other greater amount as shall be determined by the Committee (during the 2011 fiscal year, Mr. Myers was paid a base salary of $726,000). Mr. Myers also is eligible to participate in all employee benefit plans and programs generally available to the Companys senior officers and employees. In addition, the Company will continue in force during the Term a 10-year level premium term life insurance policy with a death benefit of $1,000,000 that insures the life of Mr. Myers, and that is payable upon his death to a beneficiary designated by him. Following expiration of the Term, the Company will assign ownership of such policy to Mr. Myers, if he so requests, and Mr. Myers will thereafter be responsible for the payment of the associated premiums.
Commencing on January 1, 2012 and continuing for a period of ten years thereafter or until the death of Mr. Myers and his spouse, if earlier, the Company will pay an annual retirement benefit to Mr. Myers (or his spouse, in the event of his death during said period) equal to one-half of the average of his base salary (not including any bonus payments) for the last three years
25
of his employment by the Company as President and Chief Executive Officer, but such amount will not exceed $330,000 per year. The ten-year period will be extended by one additional year if Mr. Myers serves as President and Chief Executive Officer until April 30, 2012, and by a second additional year if Mr. Myers serves in that capacity until April 30, 2013.
Under our employment agreement with Mr. Myers, we may terminate the employment of Mr. Myers with or without cause at any time. For this purpose, the term cause means unsatisfactory performance, inattention to duty, excessive absenteeism, incompetence, misconduct in the performance of duties, embezzlement, fraud, commission of a criminal act, insubordination, personal or professional conduct which may bring public embarrassment or disgrace to the Company, a violation of the Companys Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or the Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers (each as may be amended from time to time), or failure to cooperate with an investigation conducted by the Company or by local, state or federal law enforcement authorities. In the event of a termination for cause, the Company would be obligated to pay Mr. Myers his base salary through the date of such termination. In the event of termination without cause, we are obligated to pay Mr. Myers his base salary through the date of termination, and then for a period of 12 months following the date of such termination, conditioned upon Mr. Myers complying with the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions in his employment agreement and his execution of a release of claims. In the event Mr. Myers terminates his employment of his own volition prior to the end of the employment agreement, the Companys severance obligation to Mr. Myers is to pay his base salary to him through the date of voluntary termination. With respect to any termination of employment other than in connection with a change of control, any rights and benefits Mr. Myers may have under the employee benefit plans of the Company will be determined in accordance with the terms and provisions of such plans and programs, and he will remain entitled to receive his vested annual retirement benefits under his employment agreement, as described above.
In the event of a change of control of the Company, the employment agreement would terminate and Mr. Myers would become entitled to all of the payments and benefits set forth in his existing change of control severance agreement with the Company, as described below, except that Mr. Myers also would remain entitled to the life insurance and his vested annual retirement benefits under his employment agreement.
The employment agreement also contains provisions requiring Mr. Myers to maintain in confidence any confidential information and trade secrets of the Company obtained by him during the term of the agreement, and also restricts his employment in competition with the Company for a period of ten years following his termination of employment with the Company. The agreement with Mr. Myers, as President and Chief Executive Officer, will end on April 30, 2013.
If Mr. Myerss severance subjects him to a golden parachute excise tax, he is not entitled to any gross-up to reimburse him for the excise tax. Furthermore, the Company may reduce any payment if it would be non-deductible by the Company for federal income tax purposes because of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. As a result of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, severance payments may be delayed for six months after termination of employment.
Change of Control Severance Agreements
We maintain change of control severance agreements with all of our named executive officers. Under the terms of these agreements, upon termination within two years following a change of control of the Company for (a) reasons other than cause, death or disability or (b) by the executive for good reason, the executive would become entitled to receive certain payments and benefits. Upon such a termination of employment, the executive will be entitled to the following: (i) a lump sum cash severance payment in an amount equal to the sum of (w) to the extent not already paid, the executives base salary through the date of termination, (x) a pro rata portion of the highest annual bonus received by the executive during the two preceding years, (y) three times the sum of the executives annual base salary and the highest annual bonus received by the executive during the two preceding years and (z) in the case of compensation previously deferred by the executive, all amounts previously
26
deferred (together with any accrued interest thereon) and not yet paid by Caseys, and any accrued vacation pay not yet paid by Caseys; and (ii) continuation of benefits, including health insurance and life insurance, for the executive and/or the executives family for two years (or such longer period as any plan, program, practice or policy may provide). If any of the severance subjects a named executive officer to a golden parachute excise tax, he or she is not entitled to any gross-up to reimburse him or her for the excise tax. Furthermore, the Company may reduce any payment if it would be non-deductible by the Company for federal income tax purposes because of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company may defer any termination payments for six months if the amount payable is determined by the Company to be deferred compensation, the payment of which is required to be delayed pursuant to the six month delay rule of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
The change of control severance agreements contain the following definitions:
cause means (i) an act or acts of personal dishonesty taken by the employee and intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of the employee at the expense of the Company, (ii) repeated violations by the employee of the employees obligations under the agreement which are demonstrably willful and deliberate on the employees part and which are not remedied in a reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice from the Company or (iii) the conviction of the employee of a felony.
change of control means (i) the acquisition (other than from the Company) by any person, entity or group, within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act (excluding, for this purpose, the Company or its subsidiaries, or any employee benefit plan of the Company or its subsidiaries which acquires beneficial ownership of voting securities of the Company), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act), of 20% or more of either the then outstanding shares of Common Stock or the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless such beneficial ownership was acquired as a result of an acquisition of shares of Common Stock by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares beneficially owned by such person, entity or group to 20% or more of the Common Stock then outstanding; provided, however, that if a person, entity or group becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the Common Stock then outstanding by reason of share purchases by the Company and, after such share purchases by the Company, becomes the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Common Stock, then such person, entity or group will be deemed to have acquired beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the Common Stock; or (ii) individuals who, as of the date of the change of control severance agreement, constitute the Board of Directors (the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date of the change of control severance agreement whose election, or nomination for election by the Companys shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board (other than an election or nomination of an individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of the directors of the Company, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) will be, for purposes of the change of control severance agreement, considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board; or (iii) consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party, in each case, with respect to which persons who were the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation do not, immediately thereafter, own more than 50% of the combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated companys then outstanding voting securities, or a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or of the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
good reason means (i) the assignment to the employee of any duties inconsistent in any respect with the employees position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities of such employee, which are set forth in the change of control severance agreement, or any other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities; (ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the compensation provisions of the change of control
27
severance agreement; (iii) the Companys requiring the employee to be based at any office or location other than location where the employee was employed immediately preceding the date of the change of control; (iv) any purported termination by the Company of the employees employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by the change of control severance agreement; or (v) any failure by the Company to have a successor expressly assume and perform the change of control severance agreement.
Grant of Plan-Based Awards
The named executive officers were eligible to receive an award under the Companys annual incentive compensation program for the 2011 fiscal year. The award was calculated as a percentage of the executives base salary and based on the achievement of specific goals for two financial metrics chosen by the Committee and approved by the Board. The target for the incentive compensation award was 36% of base salary, with a maximum award of 60% of base salary. For a description of the annual incentive compensation program, and the procedures followed in setting goals and compensation levels, please see Compensation Discussion and AnalysisComponents of CompensationAnnual Incentive Compensation Program.
In June 2009, the grants of stock options to purchase the Companys common stock were made under the Companys 2000 Stock Option Plan. For a description of the treatment of the stock options granted to the named executive officers in connection with a termination of their employment or a change of control of the Company, please see Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control.
The stock options granted in June 2009 may not be exercised for three years from the date of grant and expire 10 years from the date of grant. The exercise price of the stock options cannot be less than the fair market value of the Companys common stock on the date of grant. In addition, holders of the stock options do not receive dividends or dividend equivalents or have any voting rights with respect to the shares of the Companys common stock underlying the stock options.
28
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2011 Fiscal Year-End
Name(s) |
Grant Date |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
|||||||||||||||
Robert J. Myers |
07-05-05 | 10,000 | | $ | 20.68 | 07-05-15 | ||||||||||||||
06-25-07 | 10,000 | | 26.92 | 06-25-17 | ||||||||||||||||
Terry W. Handley |
06-06-03 | 10,000 | | $ | 14.08 | 06-06-13 | ||||||||||||||
07-05-05 | 10,000 | | 20.68 | 07-05-15 | ||||||||||||||||
06-25-07 | 10,000 | | 26.92 | 06-25-17 | ||||||||||||||||
06-23-09 | | 20,000 | 25.26 | 06-23-19 | ||||||||||||||||
William J. Walljasper |
05-24-01 | 2,000 | | $ | 11.74 | 05-24-11 | ||||||||||||||
06-06-03 | 10,000 | | 14.08 | 06-06-13 | ||||||||||||||||
07-05-05 | 10,000 | | 20.68 | 07-05-15 | ||||||||||||||||
06-25-07 | 10,000 | | 26.92 | 06-25-17 | ||||||||||||||||
06-23-09 | | 20,000 | 25.26 | 06-23-19 | ||||||||||||||||
Sam J. Billmeyer |
06-06-03 | 10,000 | | $ | 14.08 | 06-06-13 | ||||||||||||||
07-05-05 | 10,000 | | 20.68 | 07-05-15 | ||||||||||||||||
06-25-07 | 10,000 | | 26.92 | 06-25-17 | ||||||||||||||||
06-23-09 | | 20,000 | 25.26 | 06-23-19 | ||||||||||||||||
Julia L. Jackowski |
05-24-01 | 2,000 | | $ | 11.74 | 05-24-11 | ||||||||||||||
06-06-03 | 2,500 | | 14.08 | 06-06-13 | ||||||||||||||||
07-05-05 | 10,000 | | 20.68 | 07-05-15 | ||||||||||||||||
06-25-07 | 10,000 | | 26.92 | 06-25-17 | ||||||||||||||||
06-23-09 | | 12,500 | 25.26 | 06-23-19 |
Option Exercises
Name |
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) |
Value Realized On Exercise ($)1 |
||||||
Robert J. Myers |
10,000 | 214,400 | ||||||
Terry W. Handley |
10,000 | 272,900 | ||||||
William J. Walljasper |
| | ||||||
Sam J. Billmeyer |
| | ||||||
Julia L. Jackowski |
| |
1 | The value realized represents the difference between the exercise price of the option shares and the market price of the option shares on the date the option was exercised. The value realized was determined without considering any taxes which may have been owed. |
29
Pension Benefits
As indicated in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Myers provides for payments triggered upon retirement under certain circumstances. The table below indicates the present value of the accrued benefit under any applicable plan for Mr. Myers. None of the other named executive officers have any pension arrangements.
Name |
Plan Name | Number of Years Of Credited Service (#)1 |
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($)2 |
Payments During Last Fiscal Year ($) |
||||||||||
Robert J. Myers |
Employment Agreement3 | | 1,992,747 | |
1 | Years of Credited Service is not applicable to the benefits payable under the employment agreement with Mr. Myers. |
2 | Present Value of Accumulated Benefit is calculated as of the same pension plan measurement date used for purposes of the Companys audited financial statements. Present Value of Accumulated Benefit is the actuarial present value of accumulated benefits under the plan, determined generally using the same assumptions used for financial statement reporting under GAAP, and is reported as a lump sum regardless of the form of payment under the plan. |
3 | Mr. Myerss employment agreement contains a benefit triggered upon his retirement that is described on page 25. Mr. Myerss employment agreement does not provide for an offset for Social Security benefits. |
30
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Under the Deferred Compensation Plan, certain employees, including the named executive officers, may voluntarily defer up to 20% of their base salary and up to 100% of any bonuses awarded under the Companys incentive compensation program. Unlike our tax-qualified KSOP, the participant deferrals under our Deferred Compensation Plan are not matched by the Company.
Elections to defer a portion of base salary and bonus are made by eligible participants in December of each year for amounts to be deferred in the following year. The Deferred Compensation Plan offers certain employees a deferral feature that can be used to supplement the limited deferrals permitted under our KSOP.
Messrs. Myers, Handley and Walljasper and Ms. Jackowski are the only persons listed in the Summary Compensation Table who were participants in the Deferred Compensation Plan in the 2011 fiscal year. Details regarding their participation follows.
Executive Contributions In Last FY ($) |
Registrant Contributions In Last FY ($)1 |
Aggregate Earnings in Last FY ($)2 |
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) |
Aggregate Balance at Last FYE ($) |
||||||||||||||||
Robert J. Myers |
145,200 | | 184,054 | | 1,092,283 | |||||||||||||||
Terry W. Handley |
63,750 | | 62,841 | | 351,223 | |||||||||||||||
William J. Walljasper |
52,850 | | 47,220 | | 332,220 | |||||||||||||||
Julia L. Jackowski |
62,742 | | 48,712 | | 320,536 |
1 | The Company makes no contributions to deferrals. |
2 | None of the earnings were included as compensation in the Summary Compensation Table. |
Forty mutual fund investment alternatives are available in which plan participants can direct their notional investment. The participants investment return is based on their investment selections. Deferrals are immediately vested. Distributions from the plan are allowed at various times, including termination of employment, death, specified date, disability, change of control and in the event of unforeseen emergency. The Deferred Compensation Plan is unfunded and is not subject to the fiduciary requirements of ERISA.
31
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF CONTROL
The following tables set out the payments that could be paid to the named executive officers upon a termination of their employment. The amounts shown assume that the termination event occurred on or was effective as of April 30, 2011, and thus include amounts earned through such time and are estimates of the amounts which would be paid out to the officer upon his termination. The actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined at the time of actual separation from the Company.
In addition to the amounts shown below, upon termination of employment for any reason, each officer will receive payment of his (i) vested benefits under the Deferred Compensation Plan, (ii) vested account balance under the KSOP and (iii) accrued but unpaid vacation.
Robert J. Myers |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Voluntary Termination |
Involuntary Termination | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Benefits and |
Voluntary Termination1 |
Retirement2 | Death3 | Disability4 | For
Cause Termination5 |
Involuntary Not for Cause Termination6 |
Change in Control (Not for Cause/ Good Reason Termination)7 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Severance Pay |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 800,000 | $ | 2,668,053 | ||||||||||||||
Value of Long-term Incentives8 |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |||||||||||||||
Post-employment Health Care9 |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 216 | $ | | $ | | $ | 216 | ||||||||||||||
Life Insurance Proceeds |
$ | | $ | | $ | 1,050,000 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||||||
Disability Benefits |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 30,000 | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||||||
Retirement Benefits10 |
$ | 1,992,747 | $ | 1,992,747 | $ | 1,992,747 | $ | 1,992,747 | $ | 1,992,747 | $ | 1,992,747 | $ | 1,992,747 | ||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 1,992,747 | $ | 1,992,747 | $ | 3,042,747 | $ | 2,022,963 | $ | 1,992,747 | $ | 2,792,747 | $ | 4,661,016 |
1 | Upon voluntary termination, the Company is obligated to pay salary up to the date of termination. All previously vested options remain exercisable for three months and all unvested options are forfeited as of the effective date of the voluntary termination. |
2 | Upon retirement, the Company is obligated to pay salary up to the date of retirement. All previously vested options remain exercisable for three months and all unvested options are forfeited as of the effective date of retirement. Commencing on January 1, 2012, Mr. Myers will receive one-half of the average of his base salary for the last three years of his employment (but not more than $330,000 per year) until his death and following his death, to his surviving spouse until the earlier of December 31, 2021 or the death of his surviving spouse. |
3 | Upon death, Mr. Myerss beneficiaries would receive payment of the proceeds of Company provided life insurance. All previously vested options remain exercisable by Mr. Myerss legal representative or beneficiaries for 12 months after the date of death and all unvested options are forfeited as of the date of death. |
4 | Upon Mr. Myerss becoming permanently incapacitated by reasons of sickness, accident or other physical or mental disability, as such incapacitation is defined by the Companys Long-Term Disability carrier for a period exceeding 26 weeks during any 12-month period, Mr. Myerss employment agreement will terminate and he will be entitled to disability benefits under the Companys Long-Term Disability Plan. If an executive officer becomes disabled as defined in the Company-provided Long-Term Disability Plan, the officer would receive monthly disability payments equal to $5,000 per month to age 65. |
5 | Upon termination for cause, the Company is obligated to pay salary up to date of termination. If the termination is for deliberate, willful or gross misconduct, all rights to exercise options expire upon the receipt of such notice of termination. |
6 | Upon an involuntary termination other than for cause (as defined in the employment agreement), the Company is obligated to pay Mr. Myers his current base salary for a period of 12 months following the date |
32
of such termination, conditioned upon Mr. Myers complying with the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions in his employment agreement and the execution of a release of claims. All previously vested options remain exercisable for three months and all unvested options are forfeited as of the effective date of the termination. |
7 | Upon termination within two years following a change of control for (a) reasons other than cause (as defined in the change of control severance agreement), death or disability or (b) for good reason by Mr. Myers, the Company is obligated to pay (i) salary through; the date of termination and a prorated portion of a calculated bonus amount, (ii) severance equal to three times the sum of current annual base salary and a calculated bonus amount; (iii) compensation previously deferred, including accrued interest; and (iv) continued benefits during the remainder of the two year employment period, including life insurance. The Company may reduce any payment if it would be non-deductible by the Company for federal income tax purposes because of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, all unexercised stock options will become fully vested. |
8 | The amounts reported for long-term incentives (stock options) represent the in-the-money value of stock options that vest as a result of a termination of employment. The in-the-money value of stock options is calculated based on the closing stock price on April 30, 2011 ($39.03), the last trading day of the fiscal year. No amount is reported for options that were vested prior to April 30, 2011. |
9 | Includes the estimated cost of continued life insurance benefits. |
10 | The amount reported for retirement benefits represents the present value, as of April 30, 2011 using a discount rate of 5.49%, of the ten annual payments described in footnote 2 above, which is the vested portion of the aggregate pension benefit that Mr. Myers would have received under his employment agreement had he terminated employment on April 30, 2011. |
William J. Walljasper |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Voluntary Termination |
Involuntary Termination | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Benefits and Payments Upon |
Voluntary Termination1 |
Retirement2 | Death3 | Disability4 | For
Cause Termination5 |
Change in Control (Not for Cause/ Good Reason Termination)7 |
||||||||||||||||||
Severance Pay |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 1,396,500 | ||||||||||||
Value of Long-term Incentives7 |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 275,400 | ||||||||||||
Post-employment Health Care8 |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 26,000 | $ | | $ | 26,000 | ||||||||||||
Life Insurance Proceeds |
$ | | $ | | $ | 50,000 | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||||
Disability Benefits |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 1,095,000 | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||||
TOTAL |
$ | | $ | | $ | 50,000 | $ | 1,121,000 | $ | | $ | 1,697,900 |
Terry W. Handley |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Voluntary Termination |
Involuntary Termination | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Benefits and Payments Upon |
Voluntary Termination1 |
Retirement2 | Death3 | Disability4 | For
Cause Termination5 |
Change in Control (Not for Cause/ Good Reason Termination)7 |
||||||||||||||||||
Severance Pay |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 1,561,875 | ||||||||||||
Value of Long-term Incentives7 |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 275,400 | ||||||||||||
Post-employment Health Care8 |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 37,224 | $ | | $ | 37,224 | ||||||||||||
Life Insurance Proceeds |
$ | | $ | | $ | 50,000 | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||||
Disability Benefits |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 825,000 | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||||
TOTAL |
$ | | $ | | $ | 50,000 | $ | 862,224 | $ | | $ | 1,874,499 |
33
Sam J. Billmeyer |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Voluntary Termination |
Involuntary Termination | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Benefits and Payments Upon |
Voluntary Termination1 |
Retirement2 | Death3 | Disability4 | For
Cause Termination5 |
Change in Control (Not for Cause/ Good Reason Termination)7 |
||||||||||||||||||
Severance Pay |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 1,323,000 | ||||||||||||
Value of Long-term Incentives7 |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 275,400 | ||||||||||||
Post-employment Health Care8 |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 29,678 | $ | | $ | 29,678 | ||||||||||||
Life Insurance Proceeds |
$ | | $ | | $ | 50,000 | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||||
Disability Benefits |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 630,000 | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||||
TOTAL |
$ | | $ | | $ | 50,000 | $ | 659,678 | $ | | $ | 1,628,078 |
Julia L. Jackowski |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Voluntary Termination |
Involuntary Termination | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Benefits and Payments Upon |
Voluntary Termination1 |
Retirement2 | Death3 | Disability4 | For
Cause Termination5 |
Change in Control (Not for Cause/ Good Reason Termination)7 |
||||||||||||||||||
Severance Pay |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 1,065,753 | ||||||||||||
Value of Long-term Incentives7 |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 172,125 | ||||||||||||
Post-employment Health Care8 |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 28,360 | $ | | $ | 28,360 | ||||||||||||
Life Insurance Proceeds |
$ | | $ | | $ | 50,000 | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||||
Disability Benefits |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 1,190,000 | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||||
TOTAL |
$ | | $ | | $ | 50,000 | $ | 1,218,360 | $ | | $ | 1,266,238 |
1 | Upon voluntary termination, the Company is obligated to pay salary up to the date of termination. All previously vested options remain exercisable for three months and all unvested options are forfeited as of the effective date of the voluntary termination. |
2 | Upon retirement, the Company is obligated to pay salary up to the date of retirement. All previously vested options remain exercisable for three months and all unvested options are forfeited as of the effective date of retirement. |
3 | Upon death, the named executive officers beneficiaries would receive payment of the proceeds of Company provided life insurance, if any. All previously vested options remain exercisable by the officers legal representatives or beneficiaries for 12 months after the date of death and all unvested options are forfeited as of the date of death. |
4 | If an executive officer becomes disabled as defined in the Company-provided Long-Term Disability Plan, the officer would receive monthly disability payments equal to $5,000 per month to age 65. |
5 | Upon termination for cause, the Company is obligated to pay salary up to the date of termination. If the termination is for deliberate, willful or gross misconduct, all rights to exercise options expire upon the receipt of such notice of termination. |
6 | Upon termination within two years following a change of control for (a) reasons other than cause, death or disability or (b) for good reason by each officer, the Company is obligated to pay (i) salary through the date of termination and a prorated annual bonus amount, (ii) severance equal to three times the sum of current annual base salary and a calculated bonus amount; (iii) compensation previously deferred, including accrued interest; and (iv) continued benefits during the remainder of the two year employment period including health insurance and life insurance. The Company may reduce any payment if it would be non-deductible by the Company for federal income tax purposes because of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. All unexercised stock options will become fully vested. |
7 | The amounts reported for long term incentives (stock options) represent the in-the-money value of stock options that vest as a result of a termination of employment. The in-the-money value of stock options is calculated based on the closing stock price on April 30, 2011 ($39.03), the last trading day of the fiscal year. No amount is reported for options that were vested prior to April 30, 2011. |
8 | Includes the estimated cost of continued health and life insurance benefits. |
34
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table sets forth information concerning the shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon exercise of options, warrants and rights under all equity compensation plans as of April 30, 2011, consisting of the Caseys General Stores, Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan, the Director Stock Option Plan and the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. All such plans have been approved by the shareholders.
Plan Category |
Number of Securities to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights |
Weighted- Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights |
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future issuance under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) |
|||||||||
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders |
775,109 | $ | 23.38 | 4,944,000 | ||||||||
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders |
None | None | None | |||||||||
TOTAL |
775,109 | $ | 23.38 | 4,944,000 |
35
During the 2011 fiscal year, each director who was not a Company employee was compensated for services as a director by an annual retainer of $40,000. The chair of the Audit Committee was compensated for services as chair of such committee by an annual retainer of $12,000, and members of the Audit Committee were compensated for their services on such committee by an annual retainer of $6,000. The chair of the Compensation Committee and the chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee were compensated for their services as chair of such committees by an annual retainer of $8,000, and the members of such committees were compensated for their services on such committees by an annual retainer of $4,000. If the Board establishes an additional, special purpose committee, the chair of such committee will be compensated by an annual retainer of $4,000, and the members of such committee will be compensated by a meeting fee of $1,000 for each committee meeting attended. In addition, as part of her services as Chair of the Audit Committee, Ms. Bridgewater was compensated for serving on the disclosure committee, an internal management group that reviews the Companys public disclosures with the independent auditors and outside counsel, by a meeting fee of $1,000 for each meeting attended. Company employees serving on the Board do not receive any compensation for services as a director.
The Company reimburses all directors for travel and other necessary business expenses incurred in the performance of their services for the Company and extends coverage to them under the Companys group life insurance plan, with individual coverages of up to $50,000 each. Non-employee directors also are reimbursed for costs associated with their attendance at seminars relating to corporate governance matters, generally up to a maximum of $5,000 per year.
On March 22, 2011, the Committee authorized the grant of 2,000 restricted stock units to each of the non-employee directors of the Board under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. The purpose of this restricted stock unit grant was to provide equity compensation to the non-employee directors who would no longer receive automatic annual grants of stock options under the Director Stock Option Plan. These restricted stock units vested and were settled on May 1, 2011.
The following table sets out the compensation paid to or on behalf of our directors during the 2011 fiscal year:
Director Compensation Table
Director |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
Stock Awards ($)1 |
All
Other Compensation ($)2 |
Total ($) | ||||||||||||
Diane C. Bridgewater |
$ | 69,000 | $ | 71,880 | $ | 108 | $ | 140,988 | ||||||||
Johnny Danos |
68,000 | 71,880 | 45 | 139,925 | ||||||||||||
Kenneth H. Haynie |
63,000 | 71,880 | 43 | 134,923 | ||||||||||||
H. Lynn Horak |
64,000 | 71,880 | 70 | 135,950 | ||||||||||||
William C. Kimball |
62,000 | 71,880 | 108 | 133,988 | ||||||||||||
Jeffrey M. Lamberti |
69,000 | 71,880 | 108 | 140,988 | ||||||||||||
Richard A. Wilkey |
62,000 | 71,880 | 45 | 133,925 | ||||||||||||
Ronald M. Lamb |
5,000 | | 350,426 | 355,426 |
1 | Representing restricted stock units granted on June 23, 2010 calculated at the closing stock price at the grant date ($35.94). As of April 30, 2011, each director held the following aggregate number of stock options: Mr. Haynie: 14,000 shares; Mr. Danos: 12,000 shares; Mr. Kimball: 12,000 shares; Ms. Bridgewater: 6,000 shares; Mr. Lamberti: 4,000 shares and Mr. Wilkey: 2,000 shares. |
2 | Except with respect to Mr. Lamb, the indicated amounts represent the dollar value of life insurance premiums. |
36
3 | With his passing on June 11, 2010, Mr. Lambs spouse currently is receiving retirement benefits under the Non-Qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the SERP). The indicated amount includes (i) a retirement benefit under the SERP equal in amount to $350,000 per year and (ii) the annual premiums for life and health insurance for Mr. Lamb paid during the 2011 fiscal year. |
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The Company has a written policy requiring the approval by the Audit Committee of transactions between the Company and related parties that are required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K, unless the transaction is available to all employees generally or unless the transaction involves less than $5,000, when aggregated with all similar transactions. Related parties include senior officers or directors (and their immediate family members), shareholders owning more than 5% of the Company (and their immediate family members) or an entity that is either owned or controlled by such individuals or an entity over which such individuals have a substantial ownership interest or control.
At one store location in Des Moines, Iowa, the Company owns the building and currently leases the land from a trust created by Mr. Lambertis grandmother in 1980. The land is the primary asset of the trust. Mr. Lamberti is one of a number of contingent beneficiaries under this trust who are eligible to receive income or principal distributions in the discretion of the trustee. He has never received any income or other distributions from the trust, and does not expect to receive any material distribution from the trust in the future. The Companys lease extends until September 2012 and provides for a fixed monthly rental payment of $1,300 and payment of an amount equal to 1% of sales by the store. The Company has an option to purchase the property for its fair market value at the end of the lease term. The amounts paid by the Company under the lease during the past three fiscal years were $67,197 in fiscal 2011, $57,743 in fiscal 2010, and $66,506 in fiscal 2009.
The SERP provides for the payment of an annual retirement benefit to specified officers for the earlier of a period of 20 years or until their death, after which such benefits are to be paid to the officers spouse for a period ending on the 20th anniversary of the officers retirement or the spouses death, whichever occurs first.
Mr. Lambs spouse and Donald F. Lamberti, a founder of the Company and the father of our director, Jeffrey M. Lamberti, participate in the SERP and receive annual retirement benefits of $350,000 and $275,000, respectively.
37
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Audit Committee operates under a Charter approved by the Board of Directors. All members of the Audit Committee are independent, as defined by the SEC as well as the applicable Nasdaq listing standards.
The Audit Committee reviews the Companys financial reporting process, including internal control over financial reporting, on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal controls. The independent auditors are responsible for expressing an opinion as to the fairness of the financial statements and the conformity of those audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles. Additionally, the independent auditors express an opinion on whether the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting.
In this context, the Audit Committee has met and held discussions with management, internal audit, and the independent auditors. Management represented to the Committee that the Companys consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and the independent auditors. The Committee also discussed with the independent auditors matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standard No. 61, Communication With Audit Committees (AICPA Professional Standards, Vol. 1 AU Section 380) as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T. The Committee also has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent auditors communications with the Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent auditor the firms independence.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2011.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Diane C. Bridgewater, Chair
Johnny Danos
H. Lynn Horak
Jeffrey M. Lamberti
38
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Subject to shareholder ratification, the Audit Committee has appointed the firm of KPMG LLP to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the 2012 fiscal year. The Company has used KPMG LLP as its independent auditor for a number of years. Ratification of the appointment of auditors requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions will not be counted as votes cast for such purposes and therefore will have no effect on the results of the vote. If the shareholders do not ratify this appointment, the Audit Committee will consider the matter of the appointment of independent auditors.
The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR such ratification.
Representatives of KPMG LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting, will be given an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions relating to the audit of the Companys 2011 Fiscal Year consolidated financial statements.
Independent Auditor Fees
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to the Company and subsidiaries for the last two fiscal years ended April 30, 2011 and April 30, 2010 by the Companys independent auditor, KPMG LLP:
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Audit Fees (a) |
$ | 408,000 | $ | 408,000 | ||||
Audit-Related (b) |
12,500 | 12,500 | ||||||
Tax Fees (c) |
3,000 | 0 | ||||||
All Other Fees |
57,030 | 0 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 480,530 | $ | 420,500 | |||||
|
|
|
|
(a) | Includes fees for review of SEC filings and for internal controls attestation under Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. |
(b) | Fees for audits of employee benefit plans. |
(c) | Fees for tax consulting. |
The chair of the Audit Committee has advised the Board of Directors that the Audit Committee has determined the non-audit services rendered by KPMG LLP during the Companys most recent year are compatible with maintaining the independence of the auditors.
Prior to the issuance of its audit report, KPMG LLP communicated (i) its responsibility under existing standards generally accepted in the United States of America; (ii) all critical accounting policies and practices used by the Company; and (iii) other significant written communication between KPMG LLP and management of the Company.
Pre-Approval Procedures
Under its charter, the Audit Committee shall pre-approve all audit and any permitted non-audit services provided to the Company by the independent auditors and the fees to be paid for those services. The Audit Committee may delegate authority to subcommittees (consisting of one or more members) to grant pre-approvals of certain audit and permitted non-audit services, provided that decisions of such subcommittee to grant pre-approvals are presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. All of the services provided by the independent auditor to the Company during the 2011 fiscal year were pre-approved by the Audit Committee or its chairman pursuant to delegated authority.
39
ADVISORY VOTE ON OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
As provided by the federal Dodd-Frank Act and recent SEC rules, we are asking our shareholders to approve an advisory, non-binding resolution concerning the compensation paid to the named executive officers described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) section of this Proxy Statement. This say-on-pay proposal is intended to provide shareholders with the opportunity to express their views on our compensation decisions and policies regarding our named executive officers.
As described in the CD&A, our executive compensation program is designed to closely align the interests of our named executive officers with the interests of shareholders, and to balance long-term performance with shorter-term goals. We also strive to ensure that all executives are motivated as a team to pursue strong Company performance across its different operations. The Compensation Committee believes its compensation decisions for the 2011 fiscal year appropriately compensates the executive officers for the Companys performance and are closely aligned with the long-term interests of our shareholders.
In view of the foregoing, shareholders will be asked to vote on the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the shareholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Companys named executive officers described in the Proxy Statement for the 2011 annual shareholders meeting, including the compensation discussion and analysis, the compensation tables, and the narrative executive compensation disclosures contained in the Proxy Statement.
Shareholders may vote FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN on this item. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the Company, and will not overrule any decision by the Board or require the Board to take any particular action. However, the Board values the views of shareholders on executive compensation matters, and will consider the outcome of this vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements for the named executive officers.
The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR this advisory resolution on our named executive officer compensation.
40
ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES
REGARDING OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
As described in Proposal 3 above, shareholders are being asked to cast an advisory vote on the Companys named executive officer compensation as described in this Proxy Statement (referred to as a say-on-pay vote). Under the federal Dodd-Frank Act and recent SEC rules, the Company also is required to ask shareholders to cast an advisory vote on how often the Company should include a say-on-pay proposal in its proxy materials for future shareholder meetings. Such a proposal is required to be presented to shareholders at least once every six years. In this proposal, we are asking our shareholders to vote how often (every 1, 2 or 3 years) we should provide shareholders with a say-on-pay vote in the future.
The proxy card provides shareholders with a choice on whether the say-on-pay vote will occur every 1, 2 or 3 years, or shareholders may abstain from voting on the matter. Although the vote is advisory and not binding on the Board, the Board will carefully consider the outcome of the vote when making future decisions regarding the frequency of say-on-pay votes.
After careful consideration, the Board recommends that shareholders vote in favor of holding a say-on-pay vote every year. Our Compensation Committee makes annual decisions regarding important elements of our executive compensation program, and therefore believes that annual say-on-pay votes will better provide for a means of taking shareholder concerns into account as annual executive compensation decisions are made.
The Board therefore recommends that shareholders vote for the option of 1 YEAR concerning the frequency of future shareholder votes on our named executive officer compensation.
41
The Companys 2011 Annual Report, including consolidated financial statements, is being mailed to shareholders with this Proxy Statement, but does not form a part of the material for the solicitation of proxies. The Company will provide without charge to each shareholder, on written request, a copy of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2011, including the consolidated financial statements and schedules thereto, filed with the SEC. If a shareholder requests copies of any exhibits to such Form 10-K, the Company may require the payment of a fee covering its reasonable expenses. A written request should be addressed to Brian J. Johnson, Vice PresidentFinance and Corporate Secretary, Caseys General Stores, Inc., P.O. Box 3001, One Convenience Blvd., Ankeny, Iowa 50021-0845.
SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any proposal which a shareholder intends to present at the annual meeting of shareholders in September 2012 must be received by the Company by April 8, 2012 in order to be eligible for inclusion in the Companys proxy statement and proxy card relating to such meeting, unless the date of the 2012 annual meeting is changed by more than 30 days from September 16, 2012, in which case the proposal must be received a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and send its proxy materials for the 2012 annual meeting. Upon timely receipt of any such proposal, the Company will determine whether or not to include such proposal in the proxy statement and proxy in accordance with applicable SEC regulations governing the solicitation of proxies.
Separate and apart from, and in addition to, the above SEC requirements governing notice of shareholder proposals to be included in the Companys proxy statement are the Companys advance notice requirements, as set forth in the Bylaws. Under the Bylaws, a shareholder may bring other business before the 2012 annual meeting of shareholders only by delivering written notice to the Corporate Secretary not earlier than May 19, 2012, and not later than June 18, 2012, unless the date of the 2012 annual meeting is more than 30 days before September 16, 2012, or more than 60 days after September 16, 2012, in which case written notice must be provided not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the date of the 2012 annual meeting. Among other requirements, the notice must set forth certain information concerning such shareholder and all persons or entities acting in concert with the shareholder, including their names, addresses and number of shares owned of record, rights to acquire shares and other derivative securities or short interests held, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, a description of all arrangements or understandings between such shareholder and any other persons in connection with the proposal of such business, a representation that such shareholder is entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to bring such business before the meeting and such other information regarding the proposal as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed with the SEC. The chairman of the meeting may determine that particular items of business were not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the Bylaws, in which case any such business shall not be transacted.
A shareholder proposing business to be conducted at an annual meeting or nominees for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting must be a shareholder of the Company both at the time of giving of notice and at the time of the meeting and who is entitled to vote at the meeting. Any shareholder desiring a copy of the Bylaws will be furnished a copy without charge upon written request addressed to Brian J. Johnson, Vice PresidentFinance and Corporate Secretary, Caseys General Stores, Inc., P.O. Box 3001, One Convenience Blvd., Ankeny, Iowa 50021-0845.
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The Company will pay all solicitation expenses in connection with this Proxy Statement and related Company proxy soliciting material, including the expense of preparing, printing, assembling and mailing this Proxy Statement and any other material used in the Companys solicitation of proxies. Proxies are being solicited through the mail. Certain executive officers, on behalf of the Company and without additional compensation, may also solicit proxies personally, by telephone, fax, email or other electronic means. Shareholders may also be solicited by means of press releases issued by the Company and posted on its Web site.
The Company will request banks, brokers and other custodians, Nominees and fiduciaries to forward proxy soliciting material to the beneficial owners of shares held of record by such persons and obtain their voting instructions. The Company will reimburse such persons at approved rates for their expenses in connection with the foregoing activities.
So far as the Board of Directors and the management of the Company are aware, no matters other than those described in this Proxy Statement will be acted upon at the meeting. If, however, any other matters properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote the same in accordance with their judgment on such other matters.
By Order of the Board of Directors, | ||
Brian J. Johnson Vice PresidentFinance and Corporate Secretary | ||
August 5, 2011 |
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE COMPLETE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ACCOMPANYING POSTPAID ENVELOPE.
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IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION Electronic Voting Instructions You can vote by Internet or telephone! Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the two voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy. VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR. Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on September 15, 2011. Vote by Internet Log on to the Internet and go to www.envisionreports.com/CASY Follow the steps outlined on the secured website. Vote by telephone Call toll free 1-800 652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada any time on a touch tone telephone. There is NO CHARGE to you for the call. Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message. this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. X Annual Meeting Proxy Card IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. A Proposals The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the nominees listed in Item 1, FOR Items 2 and 3, and for 1 YEAR under Item 4. 1. To elect two Class I directors for terms ending in 2014: For Withhold For Withhold 01 - Robert J. Myers 02 - Diane C. Bridgewater For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 2. To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the 3. To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our independent auditors of the Company for the fiscal named executive officers. year ending April 30, 2012. 1 Yr 2 Yrs 3 Yrs Abstain 4. To approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of 5. To transact such other business as may properly future advisory votes on compensation of our named come before the meeting. executive officers. B Non-Voting Items Change of Address Please print new address below. C Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. Date and Sign Below Please sign exactly as name appears. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below. Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box. 01D5TD
IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. Proxy CASEYS GENERAL STORES, INC. NOTICE OF 2011 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS ONE CONVENIENCE BOULEVARD, ANKENY, IOWA THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. The undersigned hereby appoints Robert J. Myers and William C. Kimball as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes any of them to represent and to vote, as designated below, all of the shares of Common Stock of Caseys General Stores, Inc. held of record by the undersigned on July 25, 2011 at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on September 16, 2011, or at any adjournment thereof. THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES LISTED IN ITEM 1, FOR ITEMS 2 AND 3, AND FOR 1 YEAR UNDER ITEM 4. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. (Continued, and please sign on reverse side.)
IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION Electronic Voting Instructions You can vote by Internet or telephone! Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the two voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy. VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR. Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on September 14, 2011. Vote by Internet Log on to the Internet and go to www.envisionreports.com/CASY Follow the steps outlined on the secured website. Vote by telephone Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada any time on a touch tone telephone. There is NO CHARGE to you for the call. Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message. this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. X INSTRUCTION CARD IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. A Proposals The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the nominees listed in Item 1, FOR Items 2 and 3, and for 1 YEAR under Item 4. 1. To elect two Class I directors for terms ending in 2014: For Withhold For Withhold 01 - Robert J. Myers 02 - Diane C. Bridgewater For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 2. To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the 3. To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our independent auditors of the Company for the fiscal named executive officers. year ending April 30, 2012. 1 Yr 2 Yrs 3 Yrs Abstain 4. To approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of 5. To transact such other business as may properly future advisory votes on compensation of our named come before the meeting. executive officers. B Non-Voting Items Change of Address Please print new address below. C Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. Date and Sign Below Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below. Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box. 01D5VC
IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. INSTRUCTION CARD CASEYS GENERAL STORES, INC. ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS September 16, 2011 Caseys General Stores, Inc. 401 (k) Plan (the KSOP) INSTRUCTIONS TO: Principal Trust Company, as Trustee of the Caseys General Stores, Inc. 401 (k) Plan (the KSOP) I hereby direct that the voting rights pertaining to all shares of Common Stock of Caseys General Stores, Inc. held by the Trustee and allocated to my account in the KSOP shall be exercised at the annual meeting of the shareholders of Caseys General Stores, Inc. to be held on September 16, 2011, or at any adjournment of such meeting, in accordance with the instructions on the reverse side hereof, in voting upon the election of Directors, the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent auditors for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2012, the two non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation, and on any other business that may properly come before the meeting. You are entitled to direct the voting of the total number of shares of Common Stock of Caseys General Stores, lnc. allocated to your account in the KSOP through July 25, 2011, the record date for voting at the September 16, 2011, annual meeting of shareholders, if your completed and signed Instruction Card or your telephone or Internet vote is received by the independent plan tabulator, agent for the Trustee, no later than 11:59 PM, Eastern time, September 14, 2011. If your voting instructions are not timely received, the shares allocated to your account and the other shares held by the Trustee for which no instructions were timely received will be voted in the same manner and proportion as the Trustee votes shares for which the Trustee does receive timely instructions. IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED BY INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. TO BE COMPLETED, SIGNED AND DATED ON REVERSE SIDE.