Edgar Filing: COUSINS PROPERTIES INC

Document

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant ý Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨

Check the appropriate box:



¨	Preliminary Proxy Statement

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

ý	Definitive Proxy Statement

¨	Definitive Additional Materials

¨	Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

Cousins Properties Incorporated
(Name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(Name of person(s) filing proxy statement, if other than the registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ý	No fee required.

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

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

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

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

	(4)	Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

	(5)	Total fee paid:

¨	Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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

	(1)	Amount Previously Paid:

	(2)	Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

	(3)	Filing Party:

	(4)	Date Filed:

NOTICE OF 2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD APRIL 23, 2019

To our Stockholders:

The 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Cousins Properties Incorporated (“we,” “our,” “us,” or the “Company”) will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. local time at 3344 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30326-4802. The purposes of the meeting are:

(1) To elect nine Directors nominated by the Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors” or the “Board”);

(2) To approve, on an advisory basis, executive compensation, often referred to as “say on pay;”

(3) To consider and act upon a proposal to approve the Cousins Properties Incorporated 2019 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan (the "2019 Plan");

(4) To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019; and

(5) To transact any other business as may properly come before the meeting.

All holders of record of our common stock and limited voting preferred stock at the close of business on February 28, 2019 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and any postponements or adjournments of the meeting. We are pleased to take advantage of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rule allowing companies to furnish proxy materials to certain of our stockholders over the internet. We believe that this e-proxy process expedites stockholders' receipt of proxy materials, while also lowering our costs and reducing the environmental impact of our annual meeting.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

PAMELA F. ROPER

Corporate Secretary

Atlanta, Georgia

March 14, 2019

Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, you are urged to have your vote recorded as early as possible. Stockholders have the following options for submitting their votes by proxy:

(a) over the internet at www.proxyvote.com;

(b) by telephone at 1-800-690-6903; or

(c) by signing and dating your proxy card (if you received a proxy card) and mailing it in the prepaid and addressed envelope enclosed therewith.

Your vote is very important! Your prompt response will help avoid potential delays and may save us significant additional expenses with soliciting stockholder votes.

Important Notice regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 23, 2019: The proxy statement and 2018 Annual Report are available on the Investor Relations page of our website at www.cousins.com.



TABLE OF CONTENTS
2019 PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY	4
GENERAL INFORMATION	7
PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS	12
Meetings of the Board of Directors and Director Attendance at Annual Meetings	15
Director Independence	15
Executive Sessions of Independent Directors	16
Committees of the Board of Directors	16
Corporate Governance	18
Board Leadership Structure	18
Board's Role in Risk Oversight	19
Board's Role in Corporate Strategy	19
Majority Voting for Directors and Director Resignation Policy	20
Selection of Nominees for Director	20
Management Succession Planning	21
Board Refreshment and Board Succession Planning	21
Board and Committee Evaluation Process	22
Hedging, Pledging and Insider Trading Policy	22
Stockholder Engagement and Outreach	22
Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility	22
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK	25
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION	27
Compensation Discussion & Analysis	27
Executive Summary	27
Compensation and Governance Practices	30
Say on Pay Results	31
Compensation Philosophy and Competitive Positioning	31
Compensation Review Process	32
Role of Management and Compensation Consultants	33
Components of Compensation	33
Base Salary	34
Annual Incentive Cash Award	34
Long-Term Incentive Equity Awards	38
LTI Grant Practices	40
Other Compensation Items	42
Benefits and Perquisites	43
Incentive-Based Compensation Recoupment or "Clawback" Policy	44
Stock Ownership Guidelines and Stock Holding Period	44
Severance Policy, Retirement and Change in Control Agreements	45
Tax Implications of Executive Compensation	46
Committee Report on Compensation	47
Summary Compensation Table for 2018	48
Grant of Plan-Based Awards in 2018	50
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2018 Fiscal Year-End	52
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2018	54
Potential Payments Upon Termination, Retirement or Change in Control	55
CEO Pay Ratio	58



DIRECTOR COMPENSATION	59
2018 Compensation of Directors	59
COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES AND RISK MANAGEMENT	60
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION	61
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION	61
PROPOSAL 2 — ADVISORY APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION	62
PROPOSAL 3 — APPROVAL OF THE 2019 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN	63
PROPOSAL 4 — RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM	70
Summary of Fees to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	70
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE	72
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS	73
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE	73
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	74
STOCKHOLDERS PROPOSALS FOR 2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS	74
EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION	74
APPENDIX A	A-1
Reconciliation of Net Income Available to Common Stockholders to Funds from Operations and Funds from Operations as Adjusted by the Compensation Committee	A-1
Reconciliation of Net Income to Net Operating Income and Same Property Net Operating Income	A-2
APPENDIX B	B-1
2019 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan	B-1

COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED

3344 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1800

Atlanta, Georgia 30326-4802

2019 PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, and you should read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting.

2019 Annual Meeting Information


•	Date and Time: April 23, 2019, 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time


•	Place: 3344 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30326-4802


•	Record Date: February 28, 2019


• Voting:	Holders of our common stock and limited voting preferred stock are entitled to one vote per share.

Items of Business



	Board Vote Recommendation	Page Reference (for more information)
1. Election of nine Directors named in this proxy statement	FOR ALL	12
2. Advisory vote to approve executive compensation	FOR	62
3. Approval of the 2019 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan	FOR	63
4. Ratification of Deloitte as our independent registered public accounting firm	FOR	70

Election of Directors

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Cousins Properties Incorporated (“we,” “our,” “us,” the “Company,” or “Cousins”) is asking you to elect nine directors (the "Directors"). The table below provides summary information about the nine Director nominees. All of the nominees currently serve on the Board. Our Bylaws provide for majority voting in uncontested Director elections. Therefore, a nominee will only be elected if the number of votes cast for the nominee’s election is greater than the number of votes cast against that nominee. For more information about the nominees, including information about the qualifications, attributes and skills of the nominees, see page 12.



Name	Age	Director Since	Primary Occupation	Independent	AC	CNGC	EC
Charles T. Cannada	60	2016	Private investor	ü	ü FE	ü
Edward M. Casal	61	2016	Chief Executive of Aviva Investors' Global Real Estate Group	ü	ü FE
Robert M. Chapman	65	2015	Chief Executive Officer of CenterPoint Properties Trust	ü		©	ü
M. Colin Connolly	42	2019	President and Chief Executive Officer of Cousins				ü



Name	Age	Director Since	Primary Occupation	Independent	AC	CNGC	EC
Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III	62	2009	Executive Chairman of Cousins				©
Lillian C. Giornelli	58	1999	Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of The Cousins Foundation, Inc.	ü	ü	ü
S. Taylor Glover	67	2005	Lead Independent Director of the Board of Cousins; President and CEO, Turner Enterprises	ü			ü
Donna W. Hyland	58	2014	President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta	ü	© FE	ü	ü
R. Dary Stone	65	2018	President and Chief Executive Officer of R.D. Stone Interests	ü	ü FE

AC = Audit Committee ü= Committee member

CNGC = Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee © = Committee Chair

EC = Executive Committee FE = Financial Expert

Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation

For 2018, our “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs” are as follows (title shown below are as of December 31, 2018):


•	Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer;


•	M. Colin Connolly – President and Chief Operating Officer;


•	Gregg D. Adzema – Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer;


•	Pamela F. Roper – Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary; and


•	John S. McColl – Executive Vice President.

2018 Key Compensation Decisions

The Compensation Committee made the following key decisions with respect to the 2018 compensation for our NEOs:


•	Base salary increases were approved for all NEOs, in line with market data and to reflect their respective contributions to the Company.


•	Annual cash incentive awards were achieved at 100.7% of target, based on achievement of Company performance relating to funds from operations (“FFO”), increase in same property net operating income, gross office leasing volume and net effective rent performance on office leasing activity.

•

Long-term equity awards were granted to our NEOs using a mix of 60% performance-conditioned restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and 40% time-vested restricted stock. The performance-conditioned RSUs are earned only upon meeting performance goals relating to total stockholder return (relative to the SNL US REIT Office Index) (“TSR”) and relating to aggregate FFO, each over a three-year period from 2018 through 2020. The time-vested restricted stock vests ratably over a three-year service requirement and the performance-conditioned RSUs cliff vest only if the performance conditions and service requirement are satisfied.

Say on Pay Results

At our 2018 annual meeting, stockholders approved our say on pay vote with 95.83% of votes cast.

For more information, see page 32.

Approve Executive Compensation

The Board is asking you to approve executive compensation for our NEOs for 2018 on an advisory basis. Pay that reflects performance and alignment of pay with the long-term interests of our stockholders are key principles that underlie our compensation program. Stockholders have the opportunity to vote, on an advisory basis, on the compensation of our executive officers. This agenda item is often referred to as a say on pay, and it provides you the opportunity to cast a vote with respect to our 2018 executive compensation programs and policies and the compensation paid to the named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement.

For more information, see page 62.

Approve the 2019 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan

The Board is asking you to approve the 2019 Plan because our 2009 Incentive Stock Plan will expire by its terms on May 12, 2019.

For more information, see page 63.

Ratify the Appointment of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board is asking you to ratify the selection of Deloitte as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019.

For more information, see page 70.

COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED

3344 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1800

Atlanta, Georgia 30326-4802

2019 PROXY STATEMENT

GENERAL INFORMATION

This proxy statement and proxy card are made available in connection with the solicitation of proxies to be voted at our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Our Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., local time, at 3344 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30326-4802. The proxy is solicited by our Board of Directors. We anticipate that a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or a printed set of proxy materials will first be mailed on or about March 14, 2019 to holders of our common stock and limited voting preferred stock as of February 28, 2019.

Why is this proxy statement being made available?

Our Board of Directors has made this proxy statement available to you because you owned shares of our common stock or our limited voting preferred stock at the close of business on February 28, 2019, and our Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. This proxy statement describes issues on which we would like you to vote at our Annual Meeting. It also gives you information on these issues so that you can make an informed decision, in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and is designed to assist you in voting.

What is a proxy?

It is your legal designation of another person to vote the stock you own. That other person is called a proxy. The written document in which you designate that person is called a proxy or a proxy card. Three of our Directors have been designated as proxies for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. These Directors are S. Taylor Glover, Lawrence L. Gellerstedt, III and M. Colin Connolly.

Why did I receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials in the mail instead of a printed set of proxy materials?

Pursuant to rules adopted by the SEC, we are permitted to furnish our proxy materials over the internet to our stockholders by delivering a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials in the mail. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials instructs you on how to access and review the proxy statement and 2018 Annual Report to Stockholders over the internet. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials also instructs you on how you may submit your proxy over the Internet at www.proxyvote.com. We believe that this e-proxy process expedites shareholders' receipt of proxy materials, while also lowering our costs and reducing the environmental impact of our annual meeting. We have used this e-proxy process to furnish proxy materials to certain of our stockholders over the internet.

If you received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials in the mail and would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting these materials provided in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.

Who is entitled to vote?

Holders of our common stock and limited voting preferred stock at the close of business on February 28, 2019 are entitled to receive notice of the meeting and to vote at the meeting and any postponements or adjournments of the meeting. February 28, 2019 is referred to as the record date.

To how many votes is each share of common stock entitled?

Holders of our common stock and limited voting preferred stock are entitled to one vote per share.

What is the difference between a stockholder of record and a stockholder who holds common stock in “street name?”

If your shares of common stock or limited voting preferred stock are registered in your name, you are a stockholder of record. If your shares are in the name of your broker or bank, your shares are held in “street name.”

How do I vote?

Common stockholders of record and holders of our limited voting preferred stock may vote:

• over the internet at www.proxyvote.com, as noted in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or your proxy card (if you received a proxy card);

• by telephone at 1-800-690-6903, as shown on your proxy card (if you received a proxy card);

• by signing and dating your proxy card (if you received a proxy card) and mailing it in the postage-paid and addressed envelope enclosed therewith to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717; or

• by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

If you have internet access, we encourage you to vote via the internet. It is convenient and saves us significant postage and processing costs. In addition, when you vote by proxy via the internet or by phone prior to the meeting date, your proxy vote is recorded immediately and there is no risk that postal delays will cause your proxy vote to arrive late and, therefore, not be counted.

If you hold your shares of common stock or limited voting preferred stock through a broker or bank, please refer to the instructions they provide regarding how to vote your shares or to revoke your voting instructions. The availability of telephone and internet voting depends on the process of the broker, bank or other nominee. Street name holders may vote in person only if they have a legal proxy to vote their shares as described below.

What if I change my mind after I return my proxy?

You may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the polls close at the Annual Meeting. You may do this by:


•	sending written notice of revocation to our Corporate Secretary at 3344 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1800, Atlanta, Georgia 30326-4802;

• submitting a subsequent proxy via internet or telephone or executing a new proxy card with a later date; or

• voting in person at the Annual Meeting.

Attendance at the meeting will not by itself revoke a proxy.

On what items am I voting?

You are being asked to vote on three items:


•	to elect nine Directors nominated by the Board of Directors;


•	to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers for 2018 as disclosed in this proxy statement (common stockholders only);


•	to consider and act upon a proposal to approve the 2019 Plan (common stockholders only), including the performance goals set forth in the 2019 Plan; and


•	to ratify the appointment of Deloitte as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019 (common stockholders only).

No cumulative voting rights are authorized, and dissenters’ rights are not applicable to these matters.

How may I vote for the nominees for election of Directors, and how many votes must the nominees receive to be elected?

With respect to the election of Directors, you may:


•	vote FOR the nine nominees for Director;


•	vote AGAINST the nine nominees for Director;


•	vote FOR certain of the nominees for Director and vote AGAINST the remaining nominees; or


•	ABSTAIN from voting on one or more of the nominees for Director.

Our Bylaws provide for majority voting in uncontested Director elections. Under the majority voting standard, Directors are elected by a majority of the votes cast, which means that the number of shares voted for a Director must exceed the number of shares voted against that Director. Abstentions are not considered votes cast for or against the nominee under a majority voting standard, and abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.

What happens if a nominee is unable to stand for election?

If a nominee is unable to stand for election, the Board may, by resolution, provide for a lesser number of Directors or designate a substitute nominee. If the Board designates a substitute nominee, shares represented by proxies voted for the nominee unable to stand for election will be voted for the substitute nominee. In no event may proxies be voted for more than nine Directors at the Annual Meeting.

How may I vote on the proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers for 2018 as disclosed in this proxy statement, and how many votes must the proposal receive to pass?

With respect to this proposal, you may:


•	vote FOR the proposal;


•	vote AGAINST the proposal; or


•	ABSTAIN from voting on the proposal.

The proposal is approved if the votes cast favoring the proposal exceed the votes cast opposing the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.

How may I vote on the proposal to approve the 2019 Plan as disclosed in this proxy statement, and how many votes must the proposal receive to pass?

With respect to this proposal, you may:


•	vote FOR the proposal;


•	vote AGAINST the proposal; or


•	ABSTAIN from voting on the proposal.

The proposal is approved if the votes cast favoring the proposal exceed the votes cast opposing the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. In addition, New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") rules require that the total votes cast on the proposal to approve the 2019 Plan must represent a majority of the shares entitled to vote on the proposal.

How may I vote for the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm for 2019, and how many votes must the proposal receive to pass?

With respect to the proposal to ratify the independent registered public accounting firm, you may:


•	vote FOR the proposal;


•	vote AGAINST the proposal; or


•	ABSTAIN from voting on the proposal.

The proposal is approved if the votes cast favoring the proposal exceed the votes cast opposing the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.

How does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote?

The Board recommends a vote:


•	FOR the nine Director nominees;


•	FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of executive compensation for 2018;


•	FOR the approval of the 2019 Plan; and


•	FOR the ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm for 2019.

What happens if I sign and return my proxy card but do not provide voting instructions?

If you return a signed proxy card but do not provide voting instructions, your shares of common stock or limited voting preferred stock will be voted:


•	FOR the nine nominees for Director;


•	FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of executive compensation for 2018 (common stockholders only);


•	FOR the approval of the 2019 Plan (common stockholders only); and


•	FOR the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm for 2018 (common stockholders only).

Will my shares be voted if I do not sign and return my proxy card, vote by phone or vote over the internet?

If you are a common stockholder or limited voting preferred stockholder of record and you do not sign and return your proxy card, vote by phone, vote over the internet or attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, your shares will not be voted and will not count in deciding the matters presented for stockholder consideration in this proxy statement.

If your shares of common stock or limited voting preferred stock are held in “street name” through a broker or bank and you do not provide voting instructions before the Annual Meeting, your broker or bank may vote your shares on your behalf under certain limited circumstances, in accordance with New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules that govern the banks and brokers. These circumstances include voting your shares on “routine matters,” including the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm described in this proxy statement. Therefore, with respect to this proposal, if you do not vote your shares, your bank or broker may vote your shares on your behalf or leave your shares unvoted.

The remaining proposals – the election of Directors, the say on pay vote and the approval of the 2019 Plan – are not considered routine matters under NYSE rules relating to voting by banks and brokers. When a proposal is not a routine matter and the brokerage firm has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares

with respect to that proposal, the brokerage firm cannot vote the shares on that proposal. This is called a “broker non-vote.” Broker non-votes that are represented at the Annual Meeting will be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum, but not for determining the number of shares voted for or against the non-routine matter.

We encourage you to provide instructions to your bank or brokerage firm by voting your proxy. This action ensures your shares will be voted at the meeting in accordance with your wishes.

How many votes do you need to hold the Annual Meeting?

Shares of our common stock and limited voting preferred stock are counted as present at the Annual Meeting if the stockholder either is present and votes in person at the Annual Meeting or properly submitted a proxy.

As of the record date, 420,586,784 shares of our common stock were outstanding and are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. In addition, 6,867,357 shares of limited voting preferred stock were outstanding and are entitled to vote only on the proposal relating to the election of Directors. Holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote as of the record date, as to each proposal, must be represented at the Annual Meeting either in person or by proxy in order to hold the Annual Meeting and conduct business. This is called a quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum at the meeting.

If I share my residence with another stockholder, how many copies of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or of the printed proxy materials will I receive?

In accordance with SEC rules, we are sending only a single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or set of the printed proxy materials to any household at which two or more stockholders reside if they share the same last name or we reasonably believe they are members of the same family, unless we have received instructions to the contrary from any stockholder at that address. This practice, known as "householding," reduces the volume of duplicate information received at your household and helps us reduce costs.

Each stockholder subject to householding that requests printed proxy materials will receive a separate proxy card or voting instruction card. We will deliver promptly, upon written requests, a separate copy of the annual report or proxy statement, as applicable, to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the document was previously delivered. If you received a single set of these documents for this year, but you would prefer to receive your own copy, you may direct requests for separate copies to our Transfer Agent at the following address: American Stock Transfer, Shareholder Services Department, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11219, or you may call (800) 937-5449 or email info@ASTfinancial.com. If you are a stockholder who receives multiple copies of our proxy materials, you may request householding by contacting us in the same manner and requesting a householding consent form.

What if I consent to have one set of materials mailed now but change my mind later?

You may withdraw your householding consent at any time by contacting our Transfer Agent at the address, telephone number and/or email address provided above. We will begin sending separate copies of stockholder communications to you within 30 days of receipt of your instruction.

The reason I receive multiple sets of materials is because some of the shares belong to my children. What happens if they move out and no longer live in my household?

When we receive notice of an address change for one of the members of the household, we will begin sending separate copies of stockholder communications directly to the stockholder at his or her new address. You may notify us of a change of address by contacting our Transfer Agent at the address, telephone number and/or email address provided above.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials

for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on April 23, 2019:

The proxy statement and annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018

are available on the Investor Relations page of our website at www.cousins.com.

PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board has nominated the nine individuals named below for election at the Annual Meeting. Our Directors are elected annually to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their respective successors are elected. All Director nominees are currently members of the Board and eight of the nine Directors were elected by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting in 2018.

One of our current Directors, M. Colin Connolly, was elected to the Board on February 5, 2019, following his election by the Board to serve as our President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2019. Our Executive Chairman recommended Mr. Connolly to our Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee (the "Nominating Committee") for nomination as a Director.

Each Director nominee has consented to serve as a Director if so elected at the Annual Meeting.

Biographical information about our nominees for Director, including business experience for at least the past five years, age, year he or she began serving as our Director and other public companies for which he or she has served on the Board for at least the past five years is provided below. In addition, the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills considered by our Nominating Committee and the Board in determining to nominate the Director are provided below.

Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR”

each of the nominees for Director.



Nominee	Information About Nominee
Charles T. Cannada Director Since 2016 Independent Director Compensation, Nominating, Succession and Governance Committee Audit Committee Financial Expert Age 60	Private investor and advisor with extensive background in the telecommunications industry. From 1989 to 2000, held various executive management positions at MCI (previously WorldCom and earlier LDS Communications), including Chief Financial Officer from 1989 to 1994 and Senior Vice President in charge of Corporate Development and International Ventures and Alliances from 1995 to 2000. Chairman of the Board of Nanoventions, Inc. (a microstructure technology company) and Director for First Commercial Bank Inc. (chairman of the audit committee and a member of the investment/asset liability management committee). Trustee (and member of the executive committee) Belhaven University. Member of the audit and investment committees of the University of Mississippi's Foundation Board. From 2010 until the merger of the Company with Parkway Properties, Inc. ("Parkway") (formerly traded on the NYSE as "PKY"), director of Parkway, and chairman of the Board from December 1, 2011 to December 19, 2013. In deciding to nominate Mr. Cannada, the Nominating Committee and the Board considered his extensive experience in the areas of accounting, finance, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and governance of public companies has equipped him with distinct skills that are beneficial to the Company. As a successful entrepreneur and a board member in several non-public entities, he also brings a non-real estate perspective to the management and strategic planning areas of the Company.



Nominee	Information About Nominee
Edward M. Casal Director Since 2016 Independent Director Audit Committee Financial Expert *Age 61	Since November 2018, Chief Executive Officer of LaSalle Global Partner Solutions (LaSalle GPS), which manages over $9 billion in real estate investments on behalf of a variety of global clients. LaSalle GPS partners with real estate operators globally, investing through funds, joint ventures, co-investments and secondaries. From April 2008 to November 2018, Mr. Casal worked at Aviva Investors, during which time Aviva managed more than $30 billion in real estate investments globally. From June 2015 to November 2018, Mr. Casal served as Chief Executive of Global Real Estate of Aviva. Prior to that he was Chief Investment Officer and ultimately global head of the Aviva’s global indirect real estate business. Mr. Casal was a co-founder of Madison Harbor Capital, a real estate fund-of-funds business, serving as Chief Executive Officer from January 2004 through April 2008. Prior to 2004, Mr. Casal held various positions in the investment banking industry, including with UBS, Dillon, Read & Co., and Goldman Sachs. From 2011 until the merger of the Company with Parkway, Mr. Casal was a director of Parkway. In deciding to nominate Mr. Casal, the Nominating Committee and the Board considered his over 35 years of experience in real estate investment and capital markets, and experience in many areas that are beneficial to the Company as it continues its pursuit of real estate investments. Mr. Casal provides valuable insight for the Board of Directors due to his experience in leading a global real estate investment team and his current involvement in the real estate capital markets.

Robert M. Chapman Director Since 2015 Independent Director Compensation, Nominating, Succession and Governance Committee (Chair) Executive Committee *Age 65	Since 2013, Chief Executive Officer of CenterPoint Properties Trust, a company focused on the development, acquisition and management of industrial property and transportation infrastructure. From August 1997 to November 2009, served in various positions with Duke Realty Corporation, including Chief Operating Officer from August 2007 to November 2009. From 1992 to 1997, served as Senior Vice President of RREEF Management Company. Since 2012, adviser to First Century Energy Holdings, Inc., Director of Rock-Tenn Company from 2007 to 2015. In deciding to nominate Mr. Chapman, the Nominating Committee and the Board considered his broad managerial experience in real estate acquisitions and development, along with his track record of sound judgment and achievement, as demonstrated by his leadership positions as chief executive officer of a real estate company. In addition, his service as a director of another public company provides him perspective and broad experience on governance issues facing public companies.

M. Colin Connolly Director Since 2019 Executive Committee *Age 42	Since January 2019, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cousins. From July 2017 to December 2018, President and Chief Operating Officer of Cousins. From July 2016 to July 2017, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Cousins. From December 2015 to July 2016, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer. From May 2013 to December 2015, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer. In deciding to nominate Mr. Connolly, the Nominating Committee and the Board considered his position as our President and Chief Executive Officer, his experience in real estate investment and capital markets and his track record of achievement and leadership as demonstrated during a more than 15-year career in the real estate industry.
Nominee	Information About Nominee



Nominee	Information About Nominee
Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III Director Since 2009 Executive Committee (Chair) *Age 62	Executive Chairman of the Board of the Company since January 2019. From July 2017 to December 2018, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. From July 2009 to July 2017, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company; from February 2009 to July 2009, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company; from May 2008 to February 2009, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer of the Company; and from July 2005 to May 2008, Senior Vice President and President of the Office/Multi-Family Division of the Company. Prior to joining the Company, from June 2003 to June 2005, Mr. Gellerstedt was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Gellerstedt Group, a private real estate development company, and from January 2001 to June 2003, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Integral Group, a private real estate development company. Director of the Advisory Board of SunTrust Bank of Georgia and Director of Georgia Power and Brown and Brown, Inc. Director of Alltel Corporation from 1994 to 2007 and Director of WestRock Company from 2000 to 2017. In deciding to nominate Mr. Gellerstedt, the Nominating Committee and the Board considered his position as our Executive Chairman, his successful leadership of the Company as Chief Executive Officer for more than nine years and his track record of achievement and leadership as demonstrated during a more than 30-year career in the real estate and construction industries. In addition, his previous and current service as a director of other public companies provides him perspective and broad experience on governance issues facing public companies.

Lillian C. Giornelli Director Since 1999 Independent Director Compensation, Nominating, Succession and Governance Committee Audit Committee *Age 58	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Cousins Foundation, Inc. since 2000, and Trustee of The Cousins Foundation, Inc. since 1990. Since 2002, President and Director of CF Foundation. President and Trustee of Nonami Foundation since 2006. Vice Chairman of East Lake Foundation, Inc. In addition, Ms. Giornelli serves as a Trustee and chair of the audit committee of the J.M. Tull Foundation. In deciding to nominate Ms. Giornelli, the Nominating Committee and the Board considered her significant knowledge about the real estate industry and our Company, along with her track record of sound judgment and achievement, as demonstrated by her leadership positions in a number of significant charitable foundations.

S. Taylor Glover Director Since 2005 Independent Director Executive Committee Age 67	Lead Independent Director of the Board of the Company since July 2017; non-executive Chairman of the Board of the Company from July 2009 to July 2017. President and Chief Executive Officer of Turner Enterprises, Inc., a privately held investment and management company, since March 2002. Prior to March 2002, for at least five years, Senior Vice President of the Private Client Group of Merrill Lynch. Since 2012, Vice Chairman and Director of Cox Enterprises, Inc., a privately held media company; from 2007 to 2012, Director of Cox Enterprises, Inc. Prior to November 2012, for at least five years, a Director of CF Foundation. In deciding to nominate Mr. Glover, the Nominating Committee and the Board considered his broad managerial experience and track record of sound judgment and achievement, as evidenced by his leadership positions as chief executive officer of an investment company and senior vice president of a financial services company, as well as the skills that qualify him to serve as our Lead Independent Director of the Board.



Nominee	Information About Nominee
Donna W. Hyland Director Since 2014 Independent Director Compensation, Nominating, Succession and Governance Committee Audit Committee (Chair) Financial Expert Executive Committee *Age 58	President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta since June 2008; Chief Operating Officer of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta from January 2003 to May 2008; Chief Financial Officer of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta from February 1998 to December 2002. Since 2015, Director of Genuine Parts Company and a member of its Audit Committee. Director of the Advisory Boards of SunTrust Bank of Georgia and Stone Mountain Industrial Park, Inc., a privately held real estate company. In deciding to nominate Ms. Hyland, the Nominating Committee and Board considered her track record of sound judgment and achievement, as demonstrated by her leadership positions as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of a large, integrated health services organization and her leadership positions in a number of significant charitable organizations, as well as the skills and experience that qualify her as an audit committee financial expert.

R. Dary Stone Director Since 2018 Independent Director Audit Committee Financial Expert *Age 65	President and Chief Executive Officer of R. D. Stone Interests. Director of the Company from 2011 to 2016 and from 2001 to 2003. From February 2003 to March 2011, Vice Chairman of the Company; from January 2002 to February 2003, President of the Company’s Texas operations; from February 2001 to January 2002, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Director of Tolleson Wealth Management, Inc., a privately held wealth management firm, and Tolleson Private Bank (chair of audit committee and member of compensation committee of each). Former Regent of Baylor University (Chairman from June 2009 to June 2011). Former Director of Hunt Companies, Inc., Parkway, Inc., and Lone Star Bank. Former Chairman of the Banking Commission of Texas. In deciding to nominate Mr. Stone, the Nominating Committee and the Board considered his significant knowledge of the real estate industry, especially in Texas and the Southeastern U.S., and his track record of sound judgment and achievement, as demonstrated by his leadership positions in investment and banking institutions and as demonstrated during his 17-year career with the Company, including as Vice Chairman and Director.

There are no family relationships among our Directors or executive officers.

Meetings of the Board of Directors and Director Attendance at Annual Meetings

Our Board held six meetings during 2018. Each current Director attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and any committees of which he or she was a member.

We typically schedule a Board meeting in conjunction with our Annual Meeting and expect that our Directors will attend both, absent a valid reason. Each current Director who was nominated for election at last year's Annual Meeting attended that Annual Meeting.

Director Independence

In order to evaluate the independence of each Director, our Board has adopted a set of Director Independence Standards as part of our Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Director Independence Standards can be found on the Investor Relations page of our website at www.cousins.com.

The Board has reviewed Director independence under NYSE Rule 303A.02(a) and our Director Independence Standards. In performing this review, the Board considered all transactions and relationships between each Director and our Company, subsidiaries, affiliates, senior executives and independent registered public accounting firm, including those reported under the section “Certain Transactions.” As a result of this review, the Board affirmatively determined that seven of the nine nominees for Director are independent. The independent Directors are Mmes. Giornelli and Hyland and Messrs. Cannada, Casal, Chapman, Glover and Stone. Mr. Gellerstedt is not an independent

Director because of his employment as our Executive Chairman, and Mr. Connolly is not an independent Director because of his employment as our President and Chief Executive Officer.

Our Audit Committee and our Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee (the "Governance Committee") are comprised solely of independent Directors. We believe that the number of independent, experienced Directors that comprise our Board, along with the independent oversight of the Board by the Lead Independent Director, benefits our Company and our stockholders.

Executive Sessions of Independent Directors

Our independent Directors meet without management present at least four times each year. Mr. Glover, as our Lead Independent Director, is responsible for presiding at meetings of the independent Directors.

Any stockholder or interested party who wishes to communicate directly with the Lead Independent Director or the independent Directors as a group may do so by writing to: Cousins Properties Incorporated, 3344 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1800, Atlanta, Georgia 30326-4802, Attention: Lead Independent Director.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Our Board has three standing committees - the Audit Committee; the Compensation, Succession and Nominating Committee; and the Executive Committee. The following table shows the current members of each committee.



Director	Audit	Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance	Executive
Charles T. Cannada	üFE	ü
Edward M. Casal	üFE
Robert M. Chapman		©	ü
M. Colin Connolly			ü
Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III			©
Lillian C. Giornelli	ü	ü
S. Taylor Glover			LD
Donna W. Hyland	© FE	ü	ü
R. Dary Stone	üFE

ü = current committee member © = committee chair

FE = Financial Expert LD = Lead Independent Director

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee held four meetings during 2018. All of the current members of the Audit Committee are independent within the meaning of the regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the listing standards of the NYSE and our Director Independence Standards. All of the members of the Audit Committee are financially literate within the meaning of the SEC regulations, the listing standards of the NYSE and the Company’s Audit Committee Charter. The Board has determined that each of Ms. Hyland and Messrs. Cannada, Casal and Stone is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the SEC regulations and that each has accounting and related financial management expertise within the meaning of the NYSE listing standards.

The primary responsibilities of our Audit Committee include:


•	providing oversight of the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the Company's system of internal controls;


•	deciding whether to appoint, retain or terminate our independent registered public accounting firm;


•	reviewing the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm;


•	reviewing the audit plan and results of the audit engagement with the independent registered public accounting firm;


•	reviewing the scope and results of our internal auditing procedures, risk assessment and the adequacy of our financial reporting controls;


•	considering the reasonableness of and, as appropriate, approving the independent registered public accounting firm’s audit and non-audit fees; and


•	reviewing, approving or ratifying related party transactions.

Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee. The Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee held five meetings during 2018. All of the members of the Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee are independent within the meaning of the listing standards of the NYSE, including the additional independence requirements applicable to compensation committee members, and our Director Independence Standards.

The primary responsibilities of our Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee include:


•	overseeing the administration of the Company’s compensation programs, including setting and administering our executive compensation;


•	overseeing the administration of our incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans;


•	reviewing and approving those corporate goals and objectives that are relevant to the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO") and all other Executive Officers, and evaluating the performance of the CEO and the other Executive Officers in light of those goals and objectives;


•	reviewing our incentive compensation arrangements to confirm that incentive compensation does not encourage excessive risk-taking, and to periodically consider the relationship between risk management and incentive compensation;


•	overseeing our management succession planning;


•	making recommendations regarding composition and size of the Board;


•	reviewing qualifications of Director candidates and the effectiveness of incumbent Directors and recommending individuals to the Board for nomination, election or appointment as members of the Board and its committees;


•	reviewing and recommending to the Board corporate governance principles and policies that should apply to the Company; and


•	making recommendations regarding non-employee Director compensation.

The Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee has retained FPL Associates ("FPL"), an independent human resources consulting firm, since 2015 to provide advice regarding executive compensation, including for our NEOs listed in the compensation tables in this proxy statement. FPL advised the Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee with respect to compensation trends, best practices and plan design. FPL provided the Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee with relevant market data, advice regarding the interpretation of such data and alternatives to consider when making decisions regarding executive compensation, including for our NEOs.

In 2019, the Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee considered the independence of FPL in accordance with NYSE listing standards. The Committee requested and received a letter from FPL addressing the consulting firm’s independence, including the following factors: (1) other services provided to us by the consultant; (2) fees paid by us as a percentage of the consulting firm’s total revenue; (3) policies or procedures maintained by the consulting firm that are designed to prevent a conflict of interest; (4) any business or personal relationships between the individual consultants involved in the engagement and a member of the Compensation Committee; (5) any Company stock owned by the individual consultants involved in the engagement; and (6) any business or personal relationships between our executive officers and the consulting firm or the individual consultants involved in the engagement. The Committee discussed these considerations and concluded that FPL is independent and that the work of the consultant did not raise any conflict of interest.

Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may exercise all powers of the Board in the management of our business and affairs, except for those powers expressly reserved to the Board. The Executive Committee took no action in 2018.

Corporate Governance

Our Board has adopted a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on the Investor Relations page of our website at www.cousins.com. The charters of the Audit Committee and the Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee are also available on the Investor Relations page of our website.

Our Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Ethics Code”), which applies to all officers, Directors and employees. This Ethics Code reflects our long-standing commitment to conduct our business in accordance with the highest ethical principles. Our Ethics Code is available on the Investor Relations page of our website at www.cousins.com. Copies of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, committee charters and Ethics Code are also available upon written request to Cousins Properties Incorporated, 3344 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1800, Atlanta, Georgia 30326-4802, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

Any stockholder or interested party who wishes to communicate directly with our Board, or with an individual member of our Board, may do so by writing to Cousins Properties Incorporated Board of Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary, 3344 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1800, Atlanta, Georgia 30326-4802. At each regular Board meeting, the Corporate Secretary will present a summary of any communications received since the last meeting (excluding any communications that consist of advertising, solicitations or promotions of a product or service) and will make the communications available to the Directors upon request.

Board Leadership Structure

Our Board periodically reviews its leadership structure. In September 2018, as part of a series of strategic leadership decisions, the Board appointed Mr. Gellerstedt, who intended to retire as Chief Executive Officer, to serve as Executive Chairman effective January 1, 2019. Concurrently, the Board elected Mr. Connolly to serve as Chief Executive Officer as of January 1, 2019. The Board determined it was appropriate at this time to separate the roles of the Executive Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the Company and the day-to-day leadership and performance of the Company, while the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors provides guidance to the Chief Executive Officer, presides over meetings of the full Board of Directors and maintains a focus on strategy, key client relationships, board governance and civic engagement.

In July 2017, the Board appointed Mr. Glover as Lead Independent Director to preside at all executive sessions of “non-management” Directors, as defined under the NYSE Listed Company Manual. The Executive Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer work closely with our Lead Independent Director, who served as our non-executive Chairman from July 2009 to July 2017. Mr. Glover's powers and duties as Lead Independent Director reflect corporate governance best practices. Among other duties, the Lead Independent Director provides input on meeting agendas, presides over all meetings at which the Chairman is not present and chairs executive sessions of the independent

Directors to discuss certain matters without members of management present. We believe this current board leadership structure is appropriate for our Company and our stockholders.

Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Lead Independent Director is responsible for ensuring that the role between board oversight and management operations is respected, providing the medium for informal dialogue with and between independent Directors and allowing for free and open communication with that group. In addition, each of the Lead Director and the Chairman serves as a communication conduit for third parties who wish to communicate with the Board.

Together, our Lead Independent Director, the Executive Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer deliver clear leadership, responsibility and accountability, effective decision-making and a cohesive corporate strategy.

We believe this structure promotes efficiency and provides strong leadership for our Board, while also positioning our Chief Executive Officer, with the consultation of the Executive Chairman, as the leader of the Company in the eyes of our business partners, employees, stockholders and other interested parties.

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

Our Board is responsible for overseeing our risk management. The Board delegates some of its risk oversight role to the Audit Committee and the Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee.


•	Under its charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for discussing our financial risk assessment with management, as well as the oversight of our corporate compliance programs, cybersecurity concerns and the internal audit function.


•	Under its charter, the Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing the Company’s incentive compensation arrangements to confirm that incentive compensation does not encourage excessive risk taking and to periodically consider the relationship between risk management and incentive compensation.

In addition, our full Board regularly engages in discussions of the most significant risks that the Company is facing and how these risks are being managed, and the Board receives reports on risk management from senior officers of the Company and from the Chairs of the Audit Committee and the Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee, as well as from outside advisers. The Board believes that the work undertaken by the Audit Committee and the Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee, together with the work of the full Board and management, enables the Board to effectively oversee the Company’s risk management function.

Board’s Role in Corporate Strategy

Our Board is responsible for assisting management in developing and evaluating our corporate strategy. As part of a comprehensive review of our existing portfolio and review of opportunities for acquisition, disposition and development, our management team reviews and discusses with the Board the current corporate strategy, including the degree to which the assets within our portfolio and potential opportunities are aligned with that strategy.

Our Board periodically conducts special meetings to review and discuss our corporate strategy, including perceived macro threats and opportunities in the office sector generally, our portfolio characteristics, the strengths and challenges of our target markets, anticipated opportunities for improvement of the portfolio and our financial philosophy.

Our corporate strategy is summarized as follows:

•Premier Sunbelt Office Portfolio. We prioritize investment in trophy-office building concentrations in the best-located and most highly amenitized submarkets within some of the most attractive office markets in the Sunbelt, including Austin, Atlanta, Charlotte, Tampa and Tempe. We focus on appropriate distribution of investments among those markets, and we regularly review opportunities to expand selectively in additional office markets in the Sunbelt which offer strong long-term growth characteristics, including supply constraints and strong transportation infrastructure.

•Disciplined Asset Allocation. We pursue acquisition and development opportunities where we believe our expertise in leasing and development will provide a strong base for generating attractive risk-adjusted returns and maintain or upgrade the quality of our portfolio.

•Best in Class Balance Sheet. We maintain a simple, flexible and low-levered balance sheet, appropriately sized to obtain benefits of scale, with a preference for limitations on the use of joint ventures (unless they bring strategic considerations other than funding).

•Strong Local Operating Platforms. We lead our markets with local leadership who have direct responsibility for local operations and identifying new opportunities, supported by centralized corporate functions that can be shared across the portfolio while maintaining appropriate net general and administrative expenses.

The Board continues to review and discuss our corporate strategy with management, making prudent adjustments as appropriate given current market conditions.

Majority Voting for Directors and Director Resignation Policy

Our Bylaws and Corporate Governance Guidelines provide for majority voting in uncontested Director elections. Under the majority voting standard, Directors are elected by a majority of the votes cast, which means that the number of shares cast for a Director must exceed the number of shares cast against that Director. Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, if a Director fails to receive a sufficient number of votes for re-election at an annual meeting, the Director must offer to tender his or her resignation to the Board. The Board will determine whether or not to accept such resignation.

Our Bylaws provide that the Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee (referred to in this discussion as the "Nominating Committee") will make a recommendation to the Board on whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken. The Board will act on the Nominating Committee’s recommendation and publicly disclose its decision and the rationale behind it within 90 days from the date of the certification of the election results. Any Director who tenders his or her resignation in accordance with the Bylaw provision will not participate in the Nominating Committee’s recommendation or Board action regarding whether to accept such resignation. However, if each member of the Nominating Committee was not elected at the same election, then the independent Directors who were elected will appoint a committee among themselves to consider such resignations and recommend to the Board whether to accept them. However, if the only Directors who were elected in the same election constitute three or fewer Directors, all Directors may participate in the action regarding whether to accept such resignations.

Selection of Nominees for Director

Our Directors take a critical role in guiding our strategic direction and overseeing our management. Our Board has delegated to the Nominating Committee the responsibility for reviewing and recommending nominees for membership on the Board. Candidates are considered based upon various criteria and must have integrity, accountability, judgment and perspective. In addition, candidates are chosen based on their leadership and business experience, as well as their ability to contribute toward governance, oversight and strategic decision-making. While we have not adopted a formal policy regarding diversity of our Board, the Nominating Committee considers and values the diversity of experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that a potential nominee would bring to the Board in identifying nominees for Director.

The Nominating Committee is responsible for recommending nominees for election to the Board at each Annual Meeting and for identifying one or more candidates to fill any vacancies that may occur on the Board. The Nominating Committee uses a variety of sources in order to identify new candidates. New candidates may be identified through recommendations from independent Directors or members of management, search firms, discussions with other persons who may know of suitable candidates to serve on the Board and stockholder recommendations. Evaluations of prospective candidates typically include a review of the candidate’s background and qualifications by the Nominating Committee, interviews with the Nominating Committee as a whole, one or more members of the Nominating Committee, or one or more other Board members, and discussions of the Nominating Committee and the full Board. The Nominating

Committee then recommends candidates to the full Board, with the full Board selecting the candidates to be nominated for election by the stockholders or to be elected by the Board in order to fill a vacancy.

The Nominating Committee will consider Director nominees proposed by stockholders on the same basis as recommendations from other sources. Any stockholder who wishes to recommend a prospective nominee for consideration by the committee may do so by submitting the candidate’s name and qualifications in writing to Cousins Properties Incorporated Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee, c/o Corporate Secretary, 3344 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1800, Atlanta, Georgia 30326-4802.

Management Succession Planning

The Nominating Committee is also responsible for the oversight of the Company's succession planning, including overseeing a process to evaluate the qualities and characteristics of an effective chief executive officer and conducting advance planning for contingencies, such as the departure, death or disability of the Chief Executive Officer or other senior members of management. The Chief Executive Officer periodically reviews the management development and succession planning with the Governance Committee. The succession plan is also reviewed with the full Board from time to time, which views ensuring thoughtful, seamless and effective transitions of leadership to be a primary responsibility of the Board. Potential leaders are given exposure and visibility to the Board members through formal presentations and informal events.

In September 2018, the Board announced that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Lawrence L. Gellerstedt would retire from that role, effective January 1, 2019, and that in alignment with the Board's executive succession planning, the Board elected Mr. Gellerstedt as Executive Chairman and M. Colin Connolly as President and Chief Executive Officer, with each election effective January 1, 2019.

Board Refreshment and Board Succession Planning

Succession planning is not limited to management. We also consider the long-term make-up of our Board and how the members of our Board change over time. We aim to strike a balance between the knowledge that comes from longer-term service on the Board with the new ideas and energy that can come from adding members to the Board. We also consider the long-term needs of our Board and the expertise that is needed for our Board as our business strategy evolves and the marketplace in which we do business evolves.

We added one or more new independent Directors in each of 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018. In February 2019, the Board elected Mr. Connolly to serve as a Director, following his succession to the role of President and Chief Executive Officer.

We believe the average tenure for our Directors reflects the balance that the Board seeks between the different perspectives brought by long-serving Directors and new Directors. The following summarizes the tenure of our 2019 Director nominees:

Board and Committee Evaluation Process

The Board has established a robust self-evaluation process. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require the Board annually to evaluate its own performance. In addition, each of the charters of the Audit Committee and the Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee (referred to in this discussion as the “Governance Committee”) require an annual performance evaluation. The Governance Committee oversees the annual self-assessment process on behalf of the Board.

Each year, all Board members and all members of the Audit and Governance Committees complete a detailed questionnaire. The questionnaire provides for qualitative ratings in key areas and also seeks subjective comments. The General Counsel collects and analyzes the data and prepares a verbal report with details regarding the responses to the Chair of the Governance Committee, the Lead Independent Director, the Executive Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer. The General Counsel also provides a verbal summary of that report to the full Board.

Hedging, Pledging and Insider Trading Policy

Our insider trading policy prohibits our employees, officers and Directors from hedging their ownership of our stock, including a prohibition on short sales, buying or selling of puts and calls and purchasing our stock on margin. Our insider trading policy also prohibits our employees, officers and Directors from purchasing or selling our securities while in possession of material non-public information. None of our executive officers or Directors holds any of our stock subject to pledge.

Stockholder Engagement and Outreach

Our commitment to understanding the interests and perspectives of our stockholders is a key component of our corporate governance strategy and compensation philosophy. Throughout the year, we regularly meet with our investors to share our perspective and to solicit their feedback on a variety of topics, such as our strategy and performance, corporate governance and market conditions. During 2018, members of our executive management team participated in four investor conferences as well as numerous one-on-one meetings with our investors. Periodically, we also hold investor days where members of our management team meet with stockholders to discuss our strategy and performance, provide tours of our properties and respond to questions. In addition, we consider the input received from our stockholders through individual meetings, property tours, telephone calls and/or written communications. We plan to continue our engagement with our stockholders in 2019, as we believe the perspectives provided by our stockholders provide valuable information to be considered in our decision making process.

Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility

We have been an advocate and practitioner of energy conservation measures and sustainability initiatives for many years, and we operate our business in a manner that seeks to advance energy efficiency and sustainability practices in every area of our Company. At Cousins, we pride ourselves on investing in trophy office buildings located in high-growth Sunbelt markets and managing these properties in a first-class manner while achieving outstanding efficiency. In evaluating new acquisition opportunities, we focus carefully on the existing performance of the building in consumption of energy and water resources and the mitigation of resource consumption through recycling and other efforts. We also evaluate the opportunities for improvement in these areas on a near and long term basis. In addition, we carefully evaluate the proximity to transit options, with a strong preference for nearby bus and rail transit. When planning development projects, we take all of the foregoing into account and we strive to design highly-sustainable buildings, generally taking advantage of the LEED and/or BOMA 360 certification process and designation. For us, sustainability means developing and maintaining durable buildings that are operated in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, thereby encouraging office users to select us for their corporate operations while enhancing the communities in which our buildings are located. Over the long term, we believe properties that reflect these priorities will remain attractive to office users and investors, and as a result, we anticipate that this philosophy will continue to generate high-quality returns for our stockholders.

In addition, we believe that we should be involved community citizens, paying our "civic rent" through philanthropic commitments from the Company and our employees to local causes, including significant participation in annual fundraising for United Way, and through active involvement by our employees in community building activities such

as Habitat for Humanity or volunteer work at local shelters. This occurs not just at the corporate office, but also at the individual property level, so that we can be active in each community where the Company has made a significant investment. Together with our extensive wellness program and our commitment to a fair and respectful workplace, we believe this commitment to service and integrity offers our employees many opportunities for meaningful engagement and collaboration.

Beginning in 2015, we have maintained a report reflecting our sustainability practices, which is available on the Sustainability page of our website at www.cousins.com. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, we participated in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) Annual Survey, which measures the environmental performance of property portfolios around the world and is endorsed by many large institutional investors. In each of the 2016, 2017 and 2018 GRESB Surveys, we received a rating of "Green Star," the highest rating within the Survey, with a total score each year above the GRESB overall participant average. Our scores have steadily improved from 2016 through 2018, and in each of those years our total score was above the GRESB average for the publicly listed office companies. In addition, in each of 2017 and 2018, we scored above our peer group in the GRESB Public Disclosure assessment, which GRESB has indicated is intended to represent an overall measure of disclosure by listed real estate companies on matters related to the environment, social and governance practices, based on a selection of indicators aligned with the GRESB Annual Sustainability Benchmark assessment. Our 2018 scores on the Disclosure of Sustainability Implementation and Disclosure of Operational Performance Data components were again an "A," with an overall score of a "B," which compares favorably to the overall comparison group average of a "C." Although we do not tailor our goals or objectives to satisfy survey objectives, we have found that participation in the GRESB assessment offers a valuable opportunity for benchmarking our sustainability practices and performance against many of our office peers and identifying opportunities for improvement.

In the development and operation of our office buildings, we look to relevant industry standards for guidelines on energy performance and other measures. In particular, we are influenced by EnergyStar, LEED and BOMA 360. As part of our pragmatic approach to sustainability, we carefully consider the guidelines and ratings when designing our new developments and improvements to existing office buildings, and we seek to include the guidelines or ratings where we believe adoption of the guidelines or receipt of ratings will have a positive effect on our operational excellence and resource consumption. We have not set arbitrary goals for certifications and awards outside of the practical implications within our portfolio.

In 2018, we continued our improvement in the portion of our portfolio which has one of the certifications or ratings offered by EnergyStar, LEED and/or BOMA 360. As of December 31, 2018, our portfolio reflected these guidelines and ratings as follows:



	Number of Buildings	% of Office Portfolio (square feet)
Certification
EnergyStar ⁽¹⁾	31	83 %
LEED ⁽²⁾	22	68 %
BOMA 360⁽³⁾	34	91 %
Total with at least One Certification	38	99 %

(1)

EnergyStar is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ("EPA's") program for helping organizations drive energy efficiency improvements in their office building, with certification requiring a third party audit and verification that a building achieves a score of at least 75 (out of 100), meaning that it outperforms at least 75 percent of similar office buildings in the United States, with differences in operating conditions and regional weather taken into account. As of July 31, 2018, the average rating among our buildings with an EnergyStar certification was 87, and as of that date 30 of our 35 buildings had a score of at least 75.

Note that the EPA updated the EnergyStar modeling program in August 2018, which resulted in a decreased score for most existing buildings in the United States. For the Company's portfolio, this updated program has resulted in an average rating among our buildings with an EnergyStar certification of 72, with 18 of our 35 buildings having a score of at least

75 (51%). The EPA has implemented a review period to ensure that its updated model is working as intended, which will include further evaluation of score changes.


(2)	Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design ("LEED") is the U.S. Green Building Council's program of rating new or existing buildings on their energy performance and other sustainability characteristics.


(3)	BOMA 360 is a rating designation provided by the Building Owners and Managers Association ("BOMA"), which provides a third-party verified certification that covers a comprehensive range of six major areas of office building performance: operations and management; safety and security; training and education; energy; environmental and sustainability; and tenant relations and community involvement.

Our sustainability efforts are managed by a sustainability team led by Mr. McColl, who is also responsible for our development and operations teams. This sustainability team includes Ms. Roper and representatives from the operations and asset management groups, along with outside sustainability consultants. The team establishes the policies addressing environmental and social issues, reviews recent performance metrics, sets goals for sustainability improvements for individual buildings and ensures that sustainability efforts are included as a core value in all design, development, investment and operation decisions. In addition, Mr. McColl and Ms. Roper regularly review and discuss with the broader management team and periodically review and discuss with our Board of Directors the status of our sustainability efforts, including planned strategic initiatives and recent accomplishments.

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK

The following table sets forth, as of February 8, 2019 unless otherwise noted, information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by:


•	our Directors;


•	our Named Executive Officers;


•	the Directors and executive officers as a group; and


•	beneficial owners of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock.



	Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned (1)
	Restricted Stock (2)	Shares Held in Retirement Savings Plan	Options Exercisable within 60 Days (3)	Other Shares Beneficially Owned		Percent of Class (4)
Directors, Nominees for Director and Named Executive Officers
Gregg D. Adzema	76,953	—	—	150,809		*
Charles T. Cannada	—	—	—	106,393	(5)	*
Edward M. Casal	—	—	—	76,478		*
Robert M. Chapman	—	—	—	62,320		*
M. Colin Connolly	104,277	—	—	79,129		*
Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III	100,610	—	156,245	547,795	(6)	*
Lillian C. Giornelli	—	—	15,836	953,184	(7)	*
S. Taylor Glover	—	—	15,836	663,061	(8)	*
Donna W. Hyland	—	—	—	73,030		*
John S. McColl	28,741	—	—	138,270	(9)	*
Pamela F. Roper	42,542	—	—	50,246	(10)	*
R. Dary Stone	—	—	1,345	156,522	(11)	*
Total for all Directors and executive officers as a group (14 persons)	386,455	—	208,792	3,104,285	(12)	0.88%
5% Holders
The Vanguard Group (13)	—	—	—	61,852,191		14.71%
BlackRock, Inc. (14)	—	—	—	61,661,773		14.66%
State Street (15)				21,557,174		5.13%



*	Less than 1% individually
(1)	Based on information furnished by the individuals named in the table. Includes shares for which the named person has sole voting or investment power or shared voting or investment power with his or her spouse. Under SEC rules, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities, and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which he or she has no beneficial economic interest. Except as stated in the notes below, the persons indicated possessed sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares set forth opposite their names.
(2)	Represents shares of restricted stock awarded to executive officers. The executive officers have the right to direct the voting of the shares of restricted stock reflected in the table.
(3)	Represents shares that may be acquired through stock options exercisable as of April 8, 2019.



(4)	Based on 420,584,523 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of February 8, 2019, except for Schedule 13G and Schedule 13G/A filers (5% Holders), whose ownership percentages are based on shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018. Assumes that all options owned by the named individual and exercisable within 60 days are exercised. The total number of shares outstanding used in calculating this percentage also assumes that none of the options owned by other named individuals are exercised.
(5)	Excludes 815 shares owned by Mr. Cannada's wife, as to which Mrs. Cannada has sole voting power, and for which Mr. Cannada disclaims beneficial ownership.
(6)	Excludes 1,500 shares owned in trusts for the benefit of Mr. Gellerstedt’s children, of which his wife is the trustee and has sole voting and investment power, and 50 shares owned by Mr. Gellerstedt’s wife, as to which Mrs. Gellerstedt has sole voting power, and for which Mr. Gellerstedt disclaims beneficial ownership.
(7)	Includes 932 shares owned by Ms. Giornelli and her spouse, as to which Ms. Giornelli shares voting and investment power. Includes 52,496 shares owned by Nonami Foundation, Inc., of which Ms. Giornelli and her husband, as the sole trustees, share voting and investment power; 340,680 shares owned by CF Foundation, of which Ms. Giornelli is one of five board members who share voting and investment power; and 430,138 shares owned by The Cousins Foundation, of which Ms. Giornelli is one of four trustees who share voting and investment power.
(8)	Includes 5,565 shares owned by STG Partners, LP, as to which Mr. Glover and his wife, as general partners, share voting and investment power. Also includes 150,000 shares owned by the Shearon & Taylor Glover Foundation Inc., of which Mr. Glover and his wife, as the sole board trustees, share voting and investment power. Does not include 5,565 shares owned by Mr. Glover’s wife, as to which Mrs. Glover has sole voting power, and for which Mr. Glover disclaims beneficial ownership.
(9)	Includes 138,270 shares owned jointly by Mr. McColl and his spouse, as to which Mr. McColl shares voting and investment power.
(10)	Includes 35,682 shares owned jointly by Ms. Roper and her spouse, as to which Ms. Roper shares voting and investment power.
(11)	Represents options outstanding which were granted during Mr. Stone's tenure as an officer of the Company prior to his retirement in 2011.
(12)	Includes 1,143,906 shares as to which Directors and executive officers share voting and investment power with others. Does not include 7,930 shares owned by spouses and other affiliates of Directors and executive officers, as to which they disclaim beneficial ownership.
(13)	According to a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 11, 2019, The Vanguard Group ("Vanguard"), an investment advisor, has sole voting power with respect to 785,698 shares of our common stock, shared voting power with respect to 482,190 shares of our common stock, sole dispositive power with respect to 60,999,426 shares of our common stock and shared dispositive power with respect to 852,765 shares of our common stock. According to the Schedule 13G/A, Vanguard beneficially owned 14.71% of our common stock as of December 31, 2018. The business address of Vanguard is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355. Inclusive within such shares of Vanguard, and according to a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 31, 2019, Vanguard Specialized Funds – Vanguard REIT Index Fund (“Vanguard REIT”), an investment company, has sole voting power with respect to 19,915,649 shares of our common stock. According to the Schedule 13G/A, Vanguard REIT beneficially owned 4.73% of our common stock as of December 31, 2018. The business address of Vanguard REIT is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355.
(14)	According to a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 24, 2019, BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”), a parent holding company or control person, has sole voting power with respect to 60,478,848 shares of our common stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 61,661,774 shares of our common stock. According to the Schedule 13G/A, BlackRock beneficially owned 14.7% of our common stock as of December 31, 2018. The business address of BlackRock is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055.
(15)	According to a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2019, State Street Corporation ("State Street"), a parent holding company or control person, has sole voting power with respect to 0 shares of our common stock, shared voting power with respect to 18,738,625 shares of our common stock, sole dispositive power with respect to 0 shares of our common stock and shared dispositive power with respect to 21,557,174 shares of our common stock. According to the Schedule 13G, State Street beneficially owned 5.1% of our common stock as of December 31, 2018. The business address of State Street is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion & Analysis

The Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee of our Board of Directors (also referred to in this section as the “Compensation Committee”) is responsible for establishing the underlying policies and principles of our compensation program. This Compensation Discussion and Analysis section describes our executive compensation programs for 2018. It also describes how and why the Compensation Committee made its decisions regarding 2018 compensation for our Named Executive Officers detailed in the tables that follow. Our NEOs for 2018 (including their respective titles as of December 31, 2018) are:


•	Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


•	M. Colin Connolly – President and Chief Operating Officer;


•	Gregg D. Adzema – Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer;


•	Pamela F. Roper – Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary; and


•	John S. McColl – Executive Vice President.

Executive Summary

Overview of 2018 Business Performance

Our strategy is to create value for our stockholders through ownership of the premier urban office portfolio in the Sunbelt markets of the United States, with a particular focus on Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, and Arizona. This strategy is based on a disciplined approach to capital allocation including value-add acquisition of assets, selective development projects, and timely disposition of non-core assets. This strategy is also based on a simple, flexible and low-leveraged balance sheet that allows us to pursue acquisitions and development opportunities at the most advantageous points in the cycle. To implement this strategy, we leverage our strong local operating platforms within each of our markets.

In 2018, we executed on this strategy with strategic transactions including commencing new development projects and delivering completed development projects and financing activities. During this time we remained focused on our core business, with our "Funds from Operations" (or "FFO"), and our same property net operating income each increasing in 2018 compared to 2017. In implementing our strategy, we had goals for 2018 that included FFO, same property net operating income¹, aggregate leasing volume and net effective rent performance on that leasing activity. We were generally successful in meeting these goals.




1 See Appendix A to this proxy for a reconciliation of net income available to common stockholders to FFO and to FFO as adjusted by the Compensation Committee and for a reconciliation of net income to same property net operating income. For the definition of FFO and same property net operating income, please see page 26 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 available at www.sed.gov or on the Investor Relations page of our website at www.cousins.com.

Total Stockholder Return

Our stockholders realized a 26.07% total return for the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, in comparison to the SNL US REIT Office and the FTSE NAREIT equity indices, whose total return was -6.67% and 8.91%, respectively.

2018 Activities

During 2018, we continued to execute our development strategy, improve our balance sheet, and increase the overall occupancy of our portfolio with a strong leasing year. During the year, we commenced two new development projects and completed Spring & 8th, the 765,000 square foot two-phase development of NCR's headquarters in Atlanta. At year-end, we had four development projects in process; our share of the total expected costs of these projects totaled $245.9 million. In addition, we acquired interests in three tracts of land bringing our land holdings to the point that we could build an additional 1.4 million square feet of new Class A office space within our markets. We also improved our balance sheet by extending and expanding our credit facility to $1 billion, with an overall improvement in our spreads over the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") as well as more favorable financial covenants. At year-end, we had cash balances (including restricted cash) of $2.7 million, no amounts outstanding under our Credit Facility, and total consolidated debt of $1.1 billion, consistent with that of the prior year.

In 2018, we leased or renewed 1.6 million square feet of office space. The weighted average net effective rent per square foot, representing base rent less operating expense reimbursements and leasing costs, for new or renewed non-amenity leases with terms greater than one year was $23.35 per square foot. Cash basis net effective rent per square foot increased 13.2% on spaces that had been previously occupied in the past year. Cash basis net effective rent represents net rent at the end of the term paid by the prior tenant compared to the net rent at the beginning of the term paid by the current tenant. Our same property net operating income for the year increased by 2.1% on a GAAP basis and 4.7% on a cash basis. The same property percentage leased increased slightly from 94.1% at year-end 2017 to 94.5% at year-end 2018.

We believe that the Sunbelt region, and in particular the five Sunbelt markets in which we operate, possess some of the most attractive economic and real estate fundamentals in the nation. Our markets are located in states that lead the nation in net migration as residents relocate from the Northeast, Midwest, and West Coast to our markets. This migration, when combined with historically low levels of new supply, has led to steady office absorption and positive rent growth, supporting healthy office fundamentals. We believe that we are well positioned to benefit from, and ultimately outperform in, the current real estate environment.

Our Atlanta portfolio totals 6.9 million square feet, representing 41.5% of our Net Operating Income² for the fourth quarter of 2018 and was 93.4% leased at December 31, 2018. In addition, we had two projects under development in Atlanta at December 31, 2018, one office property and one mixed use property, in which we hold 90% and 20% interests, respectively. Job growth in Atlanta for the year ended December 31, 2018 was 2.3%, above the national average, and construction as a percentage of the total market square footage was1.6% at year end. Our portfolio is well located primarily in the Midtown, Buckhead, and Central Perimeter submarkets with direct access to mass transit.

Our Charlotte portfolio totals 3.1 million square feet, representing 18.5% of our Net Operating Income for the fourth quarter of 2018 and was 98.5% leased at December 31, 2018. In addition, we have one project under development in the South End of Charlotte totaling 282,000 square feet that is 94% leased to a single office customer and is owned in a 50-50 joint venture. Job growth in Charlotte for the year ended December 31, 2018 was 2.3% and construction as a percentage of the total market square footage was 3.8%. Our portfolio is located in the Uptown submarket where rent growth has significantly surpassed the national average. The overall market has benefited from Charlotte's strong population growth, which has increased at three times the national rate over the past decade. Strong demand and favorable economics have spurred a high level of new development across the market, specifically in Uptown where approximately 2 million square feet is currently under construction.

Our Austin portfolio totals 1.9 million square feet, representing 18.1% of our Net Operating Income for the fourth quarter of 2018 and was 95.1% leased at December 31, 2018. In addition, we have one project under development in Austin, owned in a 50-50 joint venture, totaling 358,000 square feet that is 87% leased to a single office customer. Job growth in Austin for the year ended December 31, 2018 was 3.0% and construction as a percentage of the total market square footage was 3.8%. Our portfolio is predominantly in the central business district where vacancy is 5.1% and new construction represents approximately 5% of inventory. We believe that our dominant presence in the downtown Austin submarket combined with strong job growth and low unemployment in Austin are favorable for our existing portfolio.

Our Phoenix portfolio totals 1.3 million square feet, representing 11.5% of our Net Operating Income for the fourth quarter of 2018 and was 96.2% leased at December 31, 2018. Job growth in Phoenix for the year ended December 31, 2018 was 3.8% and construction as a percentage of the total market square footage was 1.7%. Phoenix has experienced population growth at more than twice the national average, more than two-thirds of which was from new residents from outside the metropolitan area. Our portfolio is located in the Tempe submarkets, in close proximity to Arizona State University and its 80,000 students, where vacancy is relatively low at 7.1%, but construction as a percentage of inventory is the highest in the metro area.

Our Tampa portfolio totals 1.7 million square feet, representing 9.1% of Net Operating Income for the fourth quarter of 2018 and was 93.9% leased at December 31, 2018. Job growth in Tampa for the year ended December 31, 2018 was 2.2%, and construction as a percentage of the total market square footage was 0.9%. Metro-wide, the Tampa office market is experiencing low vacancy rates, and the Westshore submarket, where our portfolio is located, continues to command some of the highest rents in the metropolitan area, in part due to its central location and proximity to the Tampa airport.

Summary of Key Compensation Decisions for 2018

The Compensation Committee made the following key decisions with respect to the 2018 compensation for our NEOs:


•	Base salaries were increased in 2018 for each NEO, in line with market data and to reflect their respective contributions to the Company.


•	Performance goals for our annual cash incentive awards were achieved at 100.7% of target, with 100.7% paid, based on Company performance relating to FFO, increase in same property net operating income, gross office leasing volume and net effective rent performance on office leasing activity.




2 See Appendix A to this proxy for a reconciliation of a reconciliation of net income to net operating income. For the definition of net operating income, please see page 26 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 available at www.sec.gov or on the Investor Relations page of our website at www.cousins.com

•

Long-term equity awards were granted to our NEOs using a mix of 60% performance-conditioned restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and 40% time-vested restricted stock. The performance-conditioned RSUs are earned only upon meeting performance goals relating to total stockholder return (relative to the SNL US REIT Office Index) and/or FFO over a three-year period for 2018 through 2020. The time-vested restricted stock vests equally over a three-year service requirement on the anniversary of the dates of the grant.

Compensation and Governance Practices

We believe that our compensation program encourages executive decision-making that is aligned with the long-term interests of our stockholders by tying a significant portion of pay to Company performance over a multi-year period. Below we highlight our compensation and governance practices that support these principles.

What We Do



ü	Mitigate Undue Risk: We provide a balanced mix of cash and equity-based compensation, including annual and long-term incentives which have performance metrics that we believe mitigate against excessive risk-taking by our management.
ü	Significant Portion of Equity Awards are Performance-Based: In 2018, 60% of the regular equity awards granted to our executive officers are performance-based and require that we achieve performance goals relating to FFO or TSR over a three-year period for the awards to vest.
ü	Incentive Cash Awards are Based on Achievement of Performance Goals, but Provide for Compensation Committee Discretion: Over the last ten years (2009 to 2018), payouts under our cash incentive plan have ranged from 0% to 150%, reflecting the Company's performance under the relevant goals for each year. The Compensation Committee sets performance goals under our annual incentive cash award plan that it believes are reasonable in light of past performance and market conditions. Our plan permits the Compensation Committee to exercise discretion in making final cash incentive award determinations so as to take into account changing market conditions, allowing our executive officers to focus on the long-term health of our Company rather than an "all or nothing" approach to achieving short-term goals.
ü	Cap on Incentive Awards: For at least the last six years, our policy has established a maximum payout of the incentive cash award that can be earned by each of the executive officers under the annual incentive cash award plan for any year at 150% of the target cash award approved by the Compensation Committee for the year. For at least the last five years, our policy has established 200% as the maximum percentage for performance calculation of any individual component of the incentive cash award, with 150% of the target cash award remaining the overall maximum payout that can be earned by each of the executive officers under the annual incentive cash award plan for any year.
ü	Clawback Policy: We have adopted a recoupment or “clawback” policy pursuant to which we may seek to recover incentive-based compensation from any current or former executive officer who received incentive-based compensation during the three-year period preceding the date on which we are required to restate any previously issued financial statements due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under federal securities laws.
ü	Double Trigger Change in Control Agreements: We have entered into change in control agreements with our executive officers to ensure that the executives are focused on the interests of our stockholders in the event of a potential strategic acquisition, merger or disposition. The agreements require a “double trigger,” both a change in control and a termination of employment, for the payout of benefits.
ü	No Tax Gross-Up Provisions in Change in Control Agreements: Our change in control agreements with our executive officers do not include tax gross-up provisions. We have committed that we will not enter into a new agreement to include a tax gross-up provision.
ü	Independent Compensation Consultant: The Compensation Committee determined that its compensation consultant is independent pursuant to applicable NYSE listing standards.



ü	Strong Share Ownership Guidelines: We have strong stock ownership guidelines for our executive officers and Directors, including a target ownership of four times annual base salary for our Chief Executive Officer and three times annual base salary for our President (if separate from Chief Executive Officer).
ü	Holding Period on Restricted Stock Awards: We have adopted a policy requiring our executive officers to hold 50% of the after tax number of shares of restricted stock for 24 months following vesting.
ü	Prohibition of Hedging and Pledging of Company Stock: Our insider trading policy prohibits our Directors and executive officers from engaging in any short sales with respect to our stock or buying or selling puts or calls with respect to our stock. We also prohibit our Directors and executive officers from purchasing our stock on margin. None of our Directors or executive officers holds any of our stock subject to pledge.
ü	Majority Voting for Director Elections: Our Bylaws provide for majority voting in uncontested Director elections.
ü	Separate Roles for Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Lead Independent Director: Effective January 2019, we have separated the roles of Chairman and CEO and we continue to have a Lead Independent Director.

What We Don’t Do



û	No Employment Agreements: We do not have employment agreements with any of our executive officers. All of our executive officers are employed “at-will.”
û	No Perquisites: We generally do not provide perquisites above the reporting threshold to our executive officers. In 2018, we did not provide any perquisites to our executive officers above the reporting threshold.
û	No Pension Plans, Deferred Compensation Plans or Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans: We do not provide any defined benefit pension plans, deferred compensation plans or supplemental executive retirement plans to our executive officers. Our executive officers are eligible to participate in our 401(k) plan on the same basis as all of our employees.
û	No Dividend Equivalent Units on Unearned Performance Awards: No dividend equivalent units (“DEUs”) are paid on performance-conditioned RSUs during the performance period. DEUs are paid only if and to the extent that the performance-conditioned RSUs are earned.

Say on Pay Results

At our 2018 annual meeting, stockholders approved our say on pay vote with 95.83% of votes cast.

We believe our compensation programs are effectively designed, are in alignment with the interests of our stockholders and are instrumental in achieving our business strategy. The Compensation Committee will continue to consider stockholder concerns and feedback in the future.

Compensation Philosophy and Competitive Positioning

The success of our business strategy depends significantly on the performance of our executives, requiring a more diverse skill set than if we were a passive real estate investor and allowing us to underwrite and execute on acquisition, development and other investment opportunities, in addition to disposition, joint venture and financing activities. In assessing the compensation of our executives, including our NEOs, we consider strategies designed to attract and retain talented executives in a competitive and dynamic real estate marketplace. While keeping in mind our accountability to our stockholders, we aim to reward executives commensurate with Company and individual performance.

Our compensation philosophy is founded on two key principles:


•	To position our NEOs’ cash and equity-based compensation to be within a competitive range (e.g., +/-10% for base salary, +/-15% for total cash compensation and +/-20% for total direct compensation) of the average compensation paid by the 50^th percentile of our peer group (described below under “Market Data”) for similarly situated positions; and


•	To provide a meaningful portion of total compensation via equity-based awards, including awards that are earned only if certain future Company performance measures are satisfied.

Providing compensation levels within a competitive range of the 50^th percentile allows us to be reasonably positioned in finding and retaining the top talent we need to execute our business strategy. Based on an analysis prepared in October 2017 by the independent compensation consultant, the 2017 actual total direct compensation (calculated as base salary plus actual annual incentive cash awards plus grant date target value of long-term incentive awards) for our NEOs in the aggregate was at the 30^th percentile when compared to the similar metric for our peer group and therefore generally within the +/-20% outlined above, although the 2017 actual long-term incentive awards were at lower end of the guideline when compared to the similar metric for our peer group.

Compensation Review Process

Market Data and Peer Group

The Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee (for this section, the "Compensation Committee") evaluates NEO compensation by reviewing available competitive data, representing organizations of varying sizes (measured by market capitalization) and varying operating strategies. For purposes of making decisions regarding 2018 compensation, the Compensation Committee engaged FPL Associates ("FPL"), among other things: (1) to review the methodology of peer group creation and propose a new peer group of public REITs to be used for the 2018 compensation targets; (2) to benchmark our executive compensation against our peers and assist in developing compensation objectives; (3) to analyze trends in compensation in the marketplace generally and among our peers specifically; and (4) to recommend the components and amounts of compensation for our NEOs. As discussed in Director Compensation on page 59, FPL also provided consulting services with respect to compensation for our Directors. Otherwise, FPL did not perform any other services for the Company in 2018.

With assistance from FPL, the Compensation Committee undertook a comprehensive review to develop an appropriate peer group of companies to review with the goal of evaluating the competitiveness of the Company's executive compensation program. The peer group was selected based on various criteria considered by the Compensation Committee, including industry (public REITs, and where appropriate, office-focused REITs), size (defined by equity market capitalization) and portfolio scale (defined by number of properties and/or total square footage). As a result of this peer group review and evaluation, while being mindful of best practices for selecting a peer set, the Compensation Committee selected the peer group shown below.

The peer group recommended by the compensation consultant and approved by the Compensation Committee consists of 14 public real estate companies that focus on a variety of asset classes, including (where practical) those having an office component and those that are similar in size to us in terms of equity market capitalization (market value of common and preferred stock and partnership units convertible into stock). This peer group was used because public real estate companies of the same size have similar characteristics to our company with respect to the demands and complexity of managing a similar portfolio, a significant development and acquisition pipeline and extensive capital market activities. The companies were selected so that our equity market capitalization approximates the median. As of the time the study was conducted (July 2017), this peer group had equity market capitalization ranging from $2.554 billion to $6.508 billion. Our equity market capitalization, as of that time, of $4.072 billion, was above market median (62^nd percentile). This Peer Group is comprised of the following companies:



●	Brandywine Realty Trust	●	Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.
●	Columbia Property Trust, Inc.	●	Highwoods Properties, Inc.
●	Corporate Office Properties Trust	●	Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.
●	DCT Industrial Trust, Inc.	●	Kite Realty Group Trust
●	DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc.	●	Piedmont Office Realty
●	EastGroup Properties, Inc.	●	STAG Industrial
●	First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.	●	Weingarten Realty Investors

Role of Management and Compensation Consultants

The Compensation Committee evaluates Company and individual performance when making compensation decisions with respect to our NEOs. In making decisions regarding NEO compensation, the Compensation Committee considers recommendations from our CEO with respect to the performance and contributions of each of the other NEOs but retains the right to act in its sole and absolute discretion.

Representatives of the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant will from time to time attend Compensation Committee meetings and provide guidance regarding interpreting the competitive compensation data and trends in the marketplace. For a discussion about the independent compensation consultant and the Committee’s independence assessment, see “Committees of the Board of Directors – Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee” on page 17.

Components of Compensation

The total compensation opportunity for our NEOs in 2018 incorporated three primary components: base salary, annual incentive cash award and long-term incentive (or “LTI”) equity awards. Our compensation practices continue to reflect a strong alignment between pay and performance. As discussed in detail below, the performance-conditioned components of our long-term incentive compensation program have increased over the last few years, with particular emphasis on the portion of the equity awards including a TSR performance goal. To maximize alignment with stockholder interests, we tie a significant portion of our executives’ compensation (other than base salary) to our actual performance by delivering it in the form of long-term, equity-based compensation.

For our CEO, the mix of total direct compensation opportunity for 2018 (based on target values) is illustrated by the following chart:

Base Salary

The Compensation Committee makes base salary decisions based on the individual’s scope of responsibilities, experience, qualifications, individual performance and contributions to the Company, as well as an analysis of the market data discussed previously. The Compensation Committee reviewed base salaries of our NEOs for 2018 at its meeting on December 18, 2017. The base salaries for each of our NEOs were increased for 2018, to be more competitive with the market data and to reflect their respective contributions to the Company. The increases in base salary are as set forth below:



	2017 Base Salary	2018 Base Salary	% Increase
Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III	$700,000	$725,000	3.6 %
M. Colin Connolly	$405,000	$430,000	6.2 %
Gregg D. Adzema	$417,150	$430,000	3.1 %
Pamela F. Roper	$334,750	$344,793	3.0 %
John S. McColl	$360,500	$371,315	3.0 %

Annual Incentive Cash Award

Our NEOs have an opportunity to earn an annual incentive cash award designed to reward annual corporate performance. Each year the Compensation Committee establishes a target annual incentive cash award opportunity for each of our NEOs following a review of their individual scope of responsibilities, experience, qualifications, individual performance and contributions to the Company, as well as an analysis of the market data discussed previously. The targeted annual incentive cash award opportunity and the performance goals set by the Compensation Committee (discussed below) are communicated to the NEOs at the beginning of each year.

In determining the actual annual incentive cash award paid to an executive officer, the Compensation Committee initially considers performance against the pre-established performance goals. The Compensation Committee, in exercising its judgment and discretion to adjust an award up or down, then considers all facts and circumstances when evaluating performance, including changing market conditions and broad corporate strategic initiatives, along with overall responsibilities and contributions of the executives, in making final award determinations.

During the period from 2014 to 2018, the Compensation Committee granted annual cash incentive awards as follows:

Annual incentive cash award payout capped at 150%;

performance above reflects actual performance, with rounding, before application of cap.

2018 Target Opportunity

The Compensation Committee established target annual incentive cash awards for our NEOs for 2018 at its meeting on December 18, 2017. As compared to 2017, no adjustment was made to the targeted percentage of base salary for the NEOs.

2018 Performance Goals

The Compensation Committee, at its February 5, 2018 meeting, approved performance goals for the 2018 annual incentive cash award following a review of our annual business plan and budget for the year. In approving the performance goals for the 2018 annual incentive cash award, the Compensation Committee considered the comprehensive coverage of the Company's same property pool (which was anticipated to comprise over 95% of the Company's portfolio for 2018), which resulted in this metric again being more reflective of the Company's overall portfolio net operating income performance than in 2017 (when it comprised only about 30% of the Company's portfolio). Following such consideration, for the 2018 annual incentive cash awards, the Compensation Committee increased the weight of relative importance of net operating income (from 20% to 30%), with corresponding decreases in leasing activity volume and net effective rent performance (which are reflective of the full portfolio) (from 20% to 15% each). The annual incentive cash award performance goals for 2018 were as follows:


1.	Funds from Operations Performance. The Compensation Committee believes that FFO is an appropriate measure of Company performance when it is properly adjusted for activities related to our investment and capital recycling strategies. The FFO goal for 2018 was $0.607 per share, weighted at 40% of the overall goals.


2.	Same Property Net Operating Income Performance. We believe that changes in same property net operating income are an appropriate measure of corporate performance. For 2018, the Compensation Committee established a goal for us to increase the net operating income generated from our same property portfolio by 2.68%, weighted at 30% of the overall goals.


3.	Leasing Activity Volume. We believe that aggregate volume of leasing activity is an appropriate measure of corporate performance. For 2018, the Compensation Committee established a goal for us to lease 1.2

million square feet of office space, weighted at 15% of the overall goals. This calculation would exclude all leases less than one year, amenity leases, percentage rent leases, storage leases, intercompany leases and license agreements, along with residential leases.

Net Effective Rent Performance. We believe that the financial quality of leasing performance is as important as the aggregate volume of leasing activity. Consistent with this belief, the Compensation Committee established a goal for 2018 that the average net effective rent (net rent less tenant allowances and other leasing expenses) for all office leases executed in 2018 be not less than the budgeted net effective rent, with such calculation occurring with respect to each individual lease. The total calculation of performance would include the weighted average variance for all leases signed during the period. The net effective rent performance goal was weighted at 15% of the overall goals.

The Compensation Committee approves only a target goal for each measure. In calculating performance, each component is capped at 200% of target and total payouts are capped at 150% of overall target. The Compensation Committee believes that the performance goals were aggressive and the weighting of each performance goal for the 2018 annual incentive cash awards was appropriate given our business strategy, historic performance and the current real estate market. The Compensation Committee retains the discretion to make adjustments in determining our performance against the goals to the extent it believes the adjustment is appropriate and in the best interests of the Company.

2018 Performance Against Goals

The Compensation Committee, at its meeting on February 4, 2019, evaluated the Company’s actual performance against the 2018 goals and determined that we had achieved 100.7% of the overall goals, on a weighted basis, as described in detail below:

Funds from Operations Performance. The Compensation Committee determined that we achieved adjusted FFO at an amount equal to 103.0% of our FFO goal. In reviewing our performance, the Compensation Committee exercised its discretion to adjust FFO by excluding gains realized in 2018 for the sale of assets in our commercial land portfolio for which impairment losses were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2011.


2.	Same Property Net Operating Income Performance. The Compensation Committee determined that we had achieved 78.7% of our goal for 2018 related to the increase in same property net operating income.


3.	Leasing Activity Volume. The Compensation Committee determined that we achieved 133.1% of our goal related to office leasing activity for 2018. This calculation excluded all leases less than one year, amenity leases, percentage rent leases, storage leases, intercompany leases and license agreements, along with residential leases.


4.	Net Effective Rent Performance. The Compensation Committee determined that we achieved 106.0% of our goal related to net effective rent performance for 2018. This calculation excluded leasing activity for which no budgets existed for comparison purposes.

Our actual performance against the 2018 goals are also reflected in the chart below:

At its December 2012 meeting, the Compensation Committee adopted a policy establishing a maximum payout of the incentive cash award that can be earned by each of the executive officers under the annual incentive cash award plan for any year at 150% of the target cash award. At its January 2014 meeting, the Compensation Committee adopted a policy establishing a cap of 200% on each individual component of the annual incentive target cash award, while retaining the overall maximum payout of 150% of the target cash award. Based on the actual performance in 2018, application of this limitation was not required for calculation of the payout of 2018 performance awards. The actual annual incentive cash award for the 2018 performance period for each NEO is set forth in the table below and is reflected in the "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table:



	2018 Target % of Base Salary	Target Opportunity	2018 Actual Award
Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III	130%	$942,500	$	949,098
M. Colin Connolly	95%	$408,500	$	411,360
Gregg D. Adzema	95%	$408,500	$	411,360
Pamela F. Roper	95%	$327,553	$	329,846
John S. McColl	85%	$315,618	$	317,827

2019 Performance Goals

The Compensation Committee, at its February 4, 2019 meeting, approved performance goals for the 2019 annual incentive cash award following a review of our annual business plan and budget for the year. Following such review, the Compensation Committee reaffirmed each of the four components which were utilized in the 2016 - 2018 performance periods, along with reaffirming the assignment of weights of relative importance to decrease the leasing activity volume and net effective rent performance that was utilized in 2018. The Compensation Committee considers the 2019 target amounts for each component to be aggressive and appropriate given our business strategy, historic performance and the current real estate market. The annual incentive cash award performance goal components and relative weighting for 2019 are as follows:

Long-Term Incentive Equity Awards

Our LTI program is intended to provide incentives to our executives for the creation of value and the corresponding growth of our stock price over time. The ultimate goal of equity-based compensation is to encourage our executive officers to act as equity owners. We believe equity-based compensation plays an essential role in retaining and motivating our NEOs by providing incentives that are linked to our long-term success and increasing stockholder value. The Compensation Committee believes that our equity-based long-term compensation program should provide an appropriate balance between performance incentive and retention awards.

For more information, see “Evolution of Composition of Equity Awards” on page 40.

2018 LTI Awards

In 2018, the Compensation Committee granted time-vested restricted stock (40% of the overall award) and performance-conditioned RSUs (60% of the overall award) to the NEOs under our LTI program, following a structure conforming to that of prior years.

The Compensation Committee, at its February 5, 2018 meeting, granted LTI awards (the “2018 LTI Awards”) to each of our NEOs with a target grant date dollar value determined following a review of the individual’s scope of responsibilities, experience, qualifications, individual performance and contributions to the Company, as well as an analysis of the market data discussed previously. The Compensation Committee utilizes a dollar amount as the target value of each NEO’s LTI award, rather than a number of shares or RSUs, so as to mitigate the impact of stock price volatility and permit our equity-based compensation to be budgeted with greater accuracy. The 2018 target LTI award values, as compared to 2018 target LTI award values, were generally increased for the NEOs, to be more competitive with the market data and to reflect the contributions of the respective NEOs to the Company.

The 2018 LTI Awards were comprised of a mix of 40% time-vested restricted stock, 42% performance-conditioned RSUs subject to a TSR condition (the "TSR RSUs") and 18% performance-conditioned RSUs subject to achievement

of an FFO condition (the "FFO RSUs"). The time-vested restricted stock vests ratably over three years, provided that the holder is continuously employed with us through each anniversary date. For the performance-conditioned RSUs, the measurement period is three years and the RSUs vest in full only upon satisfaction of the performance conditions and (except in certain circumstances discussed below) if the holder is continuously employed with us through the full performance period.

The 2018 LTI Awards granted on February 5, 2018 by the Compensation Committee to our NEOs are set forth in the table below.



	Target LTI Award Value		Number of Restricted Shares Granted	Number of Performance (TSR) RSUs Granted	Number of Performance (FFO) RSUs Granted
Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III	$	2,200,000	103,408	108,578	46,533
M. Colin Connolly	$	825,000	38,778	40,717	17,450
Gregg D. Adzema	$	800,000	37,603	39,483	16,921
Pamela F. Roper	$	475,000	22,327	23,443	10,047
John S. McColl	$	300,000	14,101	14,806	6,345

For purposes of valuing the Restricted Stock, the TSR RSUs and the FFO RSUs, we used our closing stock price on the date of grant, which was $8.51. The actual grant to an NEO for each component of the 2018 LTI Award was rounded to the nearest whole unit. The grant date fair value for financial reporting purposes for the 2018 LTI Awards is set forth in the "Stock Awards" column of the Summary Compensation Table and was determined in accordance with applicable accounting rules, and differs from the target value shown above.

2018 Performance-Conditioned RSUs

The performance-conditioned RSUs granted in 2018 (the “2018 Performance-Conditioned RSUs”) require achievement of a total stockholder return goal and/or achievement of an FFO goal to have any value. These awards “cliff” vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, but are payable only if the performance conditions are met and if the holder has been continuously employed through such date (except in certain circumstances discussed below). The terms of the 2018 Performance-Conditioned RSUs are summarized as follows:

•

42% of the target value of the 2018 LTI Awards are comprised of Performance-Conditioned RSUs which are subject to a condition based upon the total stockholder return (“TSR”) of our common stock over the three-year period beginning January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020 relative to the TSR of the companies in the SNL US REIT Office Index as of January 1, 2018 (the “2018 LTI Peer Group”). This goal is evaluated on a sliding scale. TSR below the 30th percentile of the 2018 LTI Peer Group would result in no payout, TSR at the 30th percentile would result in 35% payout, TSR at the 50th percentile would result in 100% payout, and TSR at or above the 75th percentile would result in 200% payout. Payouts are mathematically interpolated between these stated levels, subject to the 200% maximum.

•

18% of the target value of the 2018 LTI Awards are comprised of performance-conditioned RSUs which are subject to a condition that our FFO per share during the period beginning January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020, is at least equal to a defined dollar amount per common share (the “FFO Target”). This goal is evaluated on a sliding scale. If FFO per share is less than 60% of the FFO Target, then there would be no payout. If FFO per share is equal to 100% of the FFO Target, then the payout would be 100%. If FFO per share is 140% or greater of the FFO Target, then the payout would be 200%. Any performance between the stated levels will result in a prorated payout. The Compensation Committee considers the FFO Target to be aggressive and appropriate given our business strategy, historic performance and the current real estate market.

The Compensation Committee retains the discretion to make adjustments to our performance in determining whether the vesting conditions are achieved under the 2018 Performance-Conditioned RSU awards. At its meeting on February 5, 2018, the Compensation Committee determined that for purposes of the FFO Target, and consistent with practice in prior years, it would adjust FFO to exclude the gains on the previously impaired assets recorded by

the Company in the fourth quarter of 2011 with respect to our residential and commercial land, along with exclusion of any beneficial adjustments related to the Parkway Transaction expenses. The Compensation Committee had previously determined that when it evaluates performance against the FFO Target, any gains ultimately realized on the sale of these impaired assets will be excluded from FFO.

Dividend equivalents are not paid on Performance-Conditioned RSUs prior to full vesting. Upon satisfaction of the vesting conditions, dividend equivalents in an amount equal to all regular and special dividends declared with respect to our common stock during the performance period are determined and paid on a cumulative, reinvested basis over the term of the award, at the time the award vests and based on the number of shares that are earned. For example, if the payout of a Performance-Conditioned RSU at vesting equaled 100% of target, the payout would include dividend equivalents on shares at 100% of target on a reinvested basis over the three-year performance period.

LTI Grant Practices

We typically grant LTI awards to key employees at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Compensation Committee, which has been held in January or February in each of the last five years. We do not have any program, plan or practice that coordinates the grant of equity awards with the release of material information. The Compensation Committee views LTI awards as an essential component of annual compensation of our NEOs and, as a result, the Committee approves the target grant date value of these awards in connection with the benchmarking exercise that results in the approval of annual base salaries, target annual cash incentive (bonus) and target LTI award, with a review and approval of the structure and performance conditions occurring at the time of the issuance of an LTI award.

Evolution in Composition of Equity Awards

In furtherance of its goal to continue to tie pay to performance and to ensure the long term goals of retention and motivation, the Compensation Committee reviews the components and composition of the long term incentive equity awards that it grants. During the period from 2009 to 2018, the composition of equity awards granted has moved from stock options and time-vested RSUs to a mix that is 60% comprised of Performance-Conditioned RSUs and 40% comprised of time-based restricted stock, with no stock options since 2011. In addition, the TSR performance component also increased during such period, from 0% of the award to 42% of the award. Beginning in 2015, we increased the threshold for payout from 25th percentile to 30th percentile; as a result in the event that our three-year relative TSR performance is in the bottom quartile, no payout will occur for the TSR RSUs.

Restricted Stock

Time-vested full value awards, such as restricted stock, are used primarily as a retention tool. While time-vested full value equity awards do not reward stock price growth to the same extent as performance-conditioned awards or stock options, the Compensation Committee believes that full value awards are an effective compensation tool because the current value of the award is more visible to the executive. Additionally, full value awards create an interest that encourages executives to think and act like stockholders and serve as a competitive retention vehicle. The restricted stock granted in 2018 vests ratably over three years, provided that the holder is continuously employed with us through each anniversary date. The restricted stock is granted under our 2009 Incentive Stock Plan. Holders of restricted stock generally receive all regular and special dividends declared with respect to our common stock.

Restricted Stock Units

The Compensation Committee awards cash-settled RSUs as a component of LTI, which, unlike grants of restricted stock, do not result in additional dilution to existing stockholders. Each of these RSUs is a bookkeeping unit that is essentially the economic equivalent of one share of restricted stock, the difference being that upon vesting the RSU is settled in cash, paying an amount equal to the 30-calendar day average closing price of our common stock for the period ending on the valuation date. The RSUs are granted under our 2005 Restricted Stock Unit Plan.

Upon retirement of a participant, including an NEO, RSUs are potentially subject to accelerated vesting if the participant satisfies the “Rule of 65” (as described under "Compensation Discussion and Analysis -- Severance Policy, Retirement and Change in Control Agreements" on page 45). In the case of performance-conditioned RSUs, upon the retirement of a participant who satisfies the Rule of 65, the requirement of continued employment is waived but

not the performance condition. In the case of service-conditioned RSUs, upon the retirement of a participant who satisfies the Rule of 65, the requirement of continued employment is waived and the service-conditioned RSUs would be payable as of the date of retirement.

The Compensation Committee did not adopt the Rule of 65 for restricted stock awards because it would result in adverse tax consequences to the recipient.

Outstanding Option Rights

The Compensation Committee has not awarded options since 2011, as reflected in the Outstanding Equity Awards at 2018 Fiscal Year-End on page 51 of this Proxy Statement. The graph below reflects the value of the options previously granted to employees as of February 8, 2019, which is calculated as the difference between the strike price and the closing price on February 8, 2019. The average strike price for the options granted from 2009-2011 is $5.86, and the average value as of February 8, 2019 is $3.40.

Other Compensation Items

LTI Awards Granted in 2016

At its meeting on February 4, 2019, the Compensation Committee evaluated the potential payout under the LTI Awards granted in 2016. The Performance-Conditioned RSUs were subject to performance goals relating to TSR (70% of the RSU award) and FFO (30% of the RSU award). With respect to the TSR component, the target performance over the period from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018 (the "2016 LTI Performance Period") was targeted at the 50th percentile relative to the companies in the SNL Financial US Office REIT Index as of January 1, 2016 which remain publicly traded on an established exchange for the entire performance period (the “2016 LTI Peer Group”).

The TSR component of the LTI awards was evaluated on a sliding scale, based on the Company's TSR performance during the 2016 LTI Performance Period, relative to the TSR performance for that period by the 2016 LTI Peer Group. TSR below the 30^th percentile of the 2016 LTI Peer Group would result in no payout, TSR at the 30^th percentile would result in 35% payout, TSR at the 50^th percentile would result in 100% payout, and TSR at or above the 75^th percentile would result in 200% payout. Payouts are mathematically interpolated between these stated levels, subject to a 200% maximum. At its meeting on February 4, 2019, the Compensation Committee determined that our TSR for the 2016 LTI Performance Period was at the 86.4^th percentile relative to the companies in the 2016 LTI Peer Group, and that the mathematical interpolation resulted in 200.0% of the TSR component of these RSUs being payable.

In addition, at its meeting on September 21, 2016, the Compensation Committee determined to adjust the FFO Targets for the 2016 LTI Awards to equitably reflect the impact of the Parkway Transactions. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee approved adjustments to the FFO Targets previously approved for the 2016 LTI Awards, such that the FFO Target was adjusted to exclude the portion of the FFO Target which was derived from estimated FFO for the fourth quarter of 2016. The Compensation Committee also determined that the actual FFO for the fourth quarter of 2016 would be eliminated from the calculation of performance.

With respect to the FFO component, the adjusted target performance required that we achieve aggregate FFO for the three calendar years during the 2016 LTI Performance Period of $1.84 per common share (the “FFO Target”). This component of the LTI awards was also evaluated on a sliding scale. If FFO per share were less than 60% of the FFO Target, then there would be no payout. If FFO per share were equal to 100% of the FFO Target, then the payout would be 100%. If FFO per share were 140% or greater of the FFO Target, then the payout would be 200%. Payouts would be prorated between these stated levels, subject to the 200% maximum. At its meeting on February 4, 2019, the Compensation Committee determined that the aggregate FFO per share achieved for the 2016 LTI Performance Period was $1.889, which corresponded to 103% of the target and which resulted in an interpolated payout at 107.5% of target for this component. Consistent with determinations previously approved by the Committee, the calculation of the FFO performance excluded gains on previously impaired assets recorded by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2011 with respect to our residential and commercial land, along with exclusion of FFO for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 (in September 2016, the Compensation Committee approved an equitable adjustment to the FFO goal to reflect exclusion of FFO for that same quarter). Taken together, payout for the two components combined was 172.3% of target, as reflected in the following chart:

Because the payout for the 2016 performance-conditioned LTI awards occurred in 2019, these awards will be reflected in the Option Exercises and Stock Vested table in next year’s proxy statement.

Changes to our Compensation Plans for 2019

As part of the leadership succession (see Board Leadership Structure on page 18), Mr. Gellerstedt retired as Chief Executive Officer and the Board appointed Mr. Gellerstedt to serve as Executive Chairman, each effective January 1, 2019. Concurrently, the Board elected Mr. Connolly to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2019. At its meeting on December 19, 2018, the Compensation Committee reviewed base salaries, target annual incentive cash awards and LTI award targets for each of our NEOs for 2019, with adjustments made for each NEO that were in line with market data and to reflect their respective contributions to the Company. As a result of their review, the Compensation Committee made changes to the compensation of Messrs. Gellerstedt and Connolly, as reflected in the table below:



Year	NEO	Title	Base Salary		Annual Bonus Target				LTI Target Amount	Total Target Compensation
2018	Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III	Chairman & CEO	$	725,000	130	%	$	942,500	$2,200,000	$3,867,500
2018	M. Colin Connolly	President & COO	$	430,000	95	%	$	408,500	$825,000	$1,663,500
	TOTAL		$	1,155,000			$	1,351,000	$3,025,000	$5,531,000

2019	Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III	Executive Chairman	$	500,000	100	%	$	500,000	$0	$1,000,000
2019	M. Colin Connolly	President & CEO	$	600,000	130	%	$	780,000	$1,500,000	$2,880,000
	TOTAL		$	1,100,000			$	1,280,000	$1,500,000	$3,880,000

Full details regarding the Compensation Committee's decisions regarding 2019 compensation for NEOs will be made available in the Company's 2020 Proxy filing.

Benefits and Perquisites

We provide health, dental, life, vision and disability insurance benefits to all of our employees. Our NEOs are eligible to participate on the same basis as all other employees. We contribute to individual health savings accounts for all employees who successfully complete wellness initiatives, with the amount of the Company contribution tied to the level of initiatives completed in a given year. We maintain a 401(k)/retirement savings plan (“Retirement Savings Plan”) for all eligible employees, including our NEOs. Through the end of 2018, we provided a 100% “match” for all

employee contributions to the Retirement Savings Plan up to 3% of eligible compensation. Beginning in 2019, we provide an employer contribution to the Retirement Savings Plan of 3% of each employee's eligible compensation, and we expect this program to continue in the future.

We do not have a pension plan or deferred compensation program for any of our employees, including our NEOs. Rather, we focus on providing short and long-term cash compensation and long-term equity-based awards in amounts necessary to retain our NEOs and to allow them to provide for their own retirement.

In 2018, we did not provide any perquisites to our NEOs above the reporting threshold.

Our NEOs are eligible for benefits under change in control agreements only in certain “double trigger” circumstances. These agreements are discussed below under “Severance Policy, Retirement and Change in Control Agreements.”

Incentive-Based Compensation Recoupment or “Clawback” Policy

Our Board of Directors has adopted an incentive-based compensation recoupment policy (the “Recoupment Policy,” also sometimes commonly referred to as a “clawback” policy). Pursuant to the Recoupment Policy, if the Company is required to restate any previously issued financial statements due to the Company’s material noncompliance (as determined by the Company) with any financial reporting requirement under the federal securities laws, the Company will seek to recover incentive-based compensation from any current or former executive officer of the Company who received incentive-based compensation from the Company during the three-year period preceding the date on which the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement. The amount to be recovered from the executive officer will be based on the excess, if any, of the incentive-based compensation paid to the executive officer based on the erroneous data over the incentive-based compensation that would have been paid to the executive officer if the financial accounting statements had been as presented in the restatement. The definition of “executive officer” and “incentive-based compensation,” the date on which the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement, the amount to be recovered and any other interpretation of the policy shall be determined by the Compensation Committee acting in its sole discretion. The Board of Directors may amend the Recoupment Policy from time to time in its discretion and as it deems necessary or appropriate to reflect applicable regulations of the SEC, any rules or standards adopted by a national securities exchange, any related guidance from a governmental agency which has jurisdiction over the administration of such provision, any judicial interpretation of such provision and any changes in applicable law.

Stock Ownership Guidelines and Stock Holding Period

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines include stock ownership guidelines for our executive officers and Directors. With respect to our executive officers, the guidelines require ownership of our stock within five years of becoming an executive officer or from promotion to a new executive office, with a value equal to the following multiple of his or her base salary. In addition, each of our Directors is required to own stock with a value equal to three times the annual cash retainer for Directors, or $180,000. Directors generally must accumulate the required ownership within three years of joining the Board. As of February 8, 2019, each of our Directors and executive officers satisfied the stock ownership guidelines (taking into account any period permitted to satisfy the guidelines, where applicable), as shown below:



Executive Officers and Non-Employee Directors	Multiple of Base Salary or Annual Director's Cash Retainer	In Compliance?
Executive Chair	4x	Yes
CEO	4x	Yes
President (if not also CEO)	3x	Yes
Executive Vice Presidents	2x	Yes
Other executive officers	1x	Yes
Non-Employee Directors	3x	Yes

The guidelines are consistent with our belief that our executive officers’ and Directors’ interests should be aligned with those of our stockholders and our expectation that executive officers and Directors maintain a significant level of investment in our Company. The Chair of the Compensation Committee may approve exceptions to the guidelines from time to time as he or she deems appropriate. With respect to both executive officers and Directors, the following count toward the stock ownership requirements:


•	shares purchased on the open market;


•	shares owned outright by the officer, or by members of his or her immediate family residing in the same household, whether held individually or jointly, unless beneficial ownership is disclaimed by the executive officer or Director;


•	restricted stock and RSUs received pursuant to our LTI plans, whether or not vested; and


•	shares held in trust for the benefit of the officer or his or her immediate family, or by a family limited partnership or other similar arrangement, unless beneficial ownership is disclaimed by the executive officer or Director.

Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our executive officers are required to hold 50% of the after tax number of shares of restricted stock granted under our compensation plans for a period of 24 months following vesting.

Severance Policy, Retirement and Change in Control Agreements

We have several arrangements that would provide for the payment of benefits in the event of a termination of one of our NEOs or a change in control of our company.

General Severance Benefit for All Employees

We provide a general severance benefit to all employees, including our NEOs, following termination of employment by us other than for “cause.” In general, the severance benefit payable is an amount equal to the employee’s weekly pay times the sum of (i) the number of his or her years of service or, alternatively, in the context of certain reductions in force as designated by us, the years of service multiplied by 1.5, plus (ii) four. The calculation of the severance benefit payable to an employee, and the terms and conditions of the severance plan, are subject to change from time to time.

Equity Plans

The 2009 Incentive Stock Plan (as amended the “Stock Plan”) and the 2005 Restricted Stock Unit Plan (as amended, the “RSU Plan”) generally provide for accelerated vesting of awards upon a “change in control” if the plan is not continued or assumed. Under the Stock Plan and the RSU Plan, even if one or both of these plans are continued or assumed, the awards vest if the employee is terminated or resigns for good reason within two years of the change in control. With respect to Performance-Conditioned RSUs, if accelerated vesting occurs as a result of a change in control, then the payout amount is at the target award amount. Our NEOs participate in the Stock Plan and the RSU Plan on the same terms as our other key employees. The Compensation Committee believes that the accelerated vesting of outstanding equity awards following a change in control is a customary and reasonable component of an equity incentive program.

In general, an employee will forfeit any unvested LTI grants upon termination of employment for any reason other than following a change in control. However, stock options and RSUs, other than performance-conditioned RSUs, vest upon retirement of the employee if the employee is at least 60 years of age and the sum of the employee’s whole years of age plus whole years of service equals at least 65 (collectively, the “Rule of 65”). The Compensation Committee adopted the Rule of 65 to provide a further incentive for long-term employment, as well as to recognize that options and RSUs are part of annual compensation and, if an employee retires after satisfying certain age and service requirements, then he or she should get the benefit of outstanding options and RSUs. With respect to performance-conditioned RSUs, the Rule of 65 applies to waive any continuing service requirement but does not waive any performance condition. Also, the Compensation Committee did not adopt the Rule of 65 for restricted stock awards because it would result in adverse tax consequences to the recipient.

Change in Control Agreements

Each of our NEOs is a party to a Change in Control Severance Agreement (the “Change in Control Agreement”), which provides the NEOs with benefits in the event that his or her employment is terminated under certain circumstances following a change in control, often referred to as a “double trigger.” These agreements have been in place since 2007 for those employees who were executive officers at that time. The Compensation Committee believes that the cash severance and other benefits provided under the Change in Control Agreement are customary and reasonable components of our compensation program that keep our NEOs focused on the interests of the stockholders in the event of a potential strategic transaction.

Each of NEOs is party to a Change in Control Agreement that includes a "net best" provision instead of a tax gross-up provision. Our Change in Control Agreements also include non-competition clauses that prohibit the NEO (without the prior written consent of the Company) to compete with the "Company's Business" within a 15 mile radius of any of the Company's projects for two years following termination of the NEO's employment following a change in control, with the definition of Company's Business being those activities related to commercial office properties.

Tax Implications of Executive Compensation

The Compensation Committee's policy is to consider the tax treatment of compensation paid to our executive officers while simultaneously seeking to provide our executives with appropriate rewards for their performance. Prior to December 22, 2017, under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the "Code"), a publicly-held corporation was not permitted to deduct compensation of more than $1 million paid to any "covered employee." The recently enacted act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to Titles II and IV of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018, commonly known as the "Tax Cuts and Job Act," eliminated the previous limited exceptions which permitted deductions for certain performance-based compensation above the $1 million limit, unless such compensation qualifies for limited transition relief applicable to certain arrangements in place as of November 2, 2017.

Substantially all of the services rendered by our NEOs were performed on behalf of our operating partnership or its subsidiaries. The Internal Revenue Service has issued a series of private letter rulings which indicate that compensation paid by an operating partnership to executive officers of a REIT that serves as its general partner is not subject to limitation under Section 162(m) to the extent such compensation is attributable to services rendered to the operating partnership. We have not obtained a ruling on this issue, but we have no reason to believe that the same conclusion would not apply to us. To the extent that compensation paid to our executive officers is subject to and does not qualify for deduction under Section 162(m), our Compensation Committee is prepared to exceed the limit on deductibility under Section 162(m) to the extent necessary to establish compensation programs that we believe provide appropriate incentives and reward our executives related to their performance.

Because we qualify as a REIT under the Code, we generally distribute at least 90% of our net taxable income (excluding any net capital gain) each year and, therefore, do not pay federal income tax. As a result, and based on the level of cash compensation paid to our executive officers as a result of their services performed on behalf of our operating partnership, the recently enacted amendment to Section 162(m) that eliminates the exception to the limitation on the federal tax deduction does not have a material impact on us.

Committee Report on Compensation

The Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for, among other things, setting and administering the policies that govern executive compensation, establishing the performance goals on which the compensation plans are based and setting the overall compensation principles that guide the committee’s decision-making. The Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee has reviewed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis herein and discussed it with management. Based on the review and the discussions with management, the Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the 2019 proxy statement for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

COMPENSATION, SUCCESSION, NOMINATING

AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

Robert M. Chapman, Chair

Charles T. Cannada

Lillian C. Giornelli

Donna W. Hyland

The foregoing report should not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Acts”), except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference, and will not otherwise be deemed filed under the Acts.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE FOR 2018

The following table sets forth information concerning total compensation for our NEOs for 2018, 2017 and 2016.



	Year	Salary		Stock Awards (1)		Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (2)		All Other Compensation (3)		Total
Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III	2018	$	725,000	$	2,417,618	$	949,098	$	25,652	$	4,117,368
Chairman and	2017	$	700,000	$	3,038,278	$	1,132,950	$	23,621	$	4,894,849
Chief Executive Officer	2016	$	650,000	$	1,469,886	$	1,108,250	$	22,235	$	3,250,371
M. Colin Connolly	2018	$	430,000	$	906,610	$	411,360	$	33,044	$	1,781,014
President and	2017	$	405,000	$	1,129,649	$	479,014	$	30,283	$	2,043,946
Chief Operating Officer	2016	$	341,250	$	558,558	$	418,919	$	29,046	$	1,347,773
Gregg D. Adzema	2018	$	430,000	$	879,135	$	411,360	$	33,444	$	1,753,939
Executive Vice President and	2017	$	417,150	$	1,167,798	$	493,384	$	30,516	$	2,108,848
Chief Financial Officer	2016	$	405,000	$	685,941	$	524,799	$	28,752	$	1,644,492
Pamela F. Roper	2018	$	344,793	$	521,989	$	329,846	$	33,244	$	1,229,872
Executive Vice President,	2017	$	334,750	$	743,662	$	395,926	$	30,433	$	1,504,771
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary	2016	$	325,000	$	391,968	$	421,135	$	29,046	$	1,167,149
John S. McColl	2018	$	371,315	$	329,670	$	317,827	$	33,194	$	1,052,006
Executive Vice President	2017	$	360,500	$	625,667	$	381,499	$	30,283	$	1,397,949
	2016	$	350,000	$	269,484	$	405,790	$	28,752	$	1,054,026



(1)	This column reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock awards and performance-conditioned RSUs granted during the applicable year, computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board's Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“ASC 718”). The grant date fair value of restricted stock awards is the number of shares of restricted stock granted multiplied by the closing stock price on the grant date. The grant date fair value of the FFO-based performance-conditioned RSUs is the number of RSUs granted multiplied by the 30-day trailing average stock price on the date of grant. The grant date fair value of the TSR-based performance-conditioned RSUs is the target number of RSUs granted multiplied by the fair market value per RSU determined using a Monte Carlo valuation, with such valuation being performed as of the grant date. The grant date fair value of the service-conditioned RSUs is the number of RSUs granted multiplied by the 30-day trailing average stock price on the date of grant. Information about the assumptions used to value these awards can be found in Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. An overview of the features of these awards can be found in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above.



	For 2018, the grant date fair value of the restricted stock awards reflects the closing stock price on the grant date of February 5, 2018 ($8.51). The grant date fair value of the FFO-based performance-conditioned RSUs and the service-conditioned RSUs which were each granted February 5, 2018 reflects the 30-day trailing average stock price on the date of grant, which was $9.01. The grant date fair value of the TSR-based performance-conditioned RSUs granted February 5, 2018 reflects the fair market value per RSU determined using a Monte Carlo valuation ($10.30). Assuming the highest level of performance conditions are achieved for the FFO-based and TSR-based performance-conditioned RSUs, resulting in 200% of the target RSUs being issued, the grant date values of all stock awards for 2018 would be as follows: Mr. Gellerstedt — $3,955,234; Mr. Connolly — $1,483,220; Mr. Adzema — $1,438,268; Ms. Roper — $853,976; and Mr. McColl — $539,340.

	The actual amount ultimately realized by the NEO, if any, from a grant of restricted stock will depend upon the value of our common stock on the vesting date. The actual amount ultimately realized by the NEO, if any, from a grant of performance-conditioned RSUs will depend upon the 30-day trailing average stock price on the last day of the performance period and our performance relative to the conditions. The actual amount ultimately realized by the NEO, if any, from a grant of service-conditioned RSUs will depend upon the 30-day trailing average stock price on the vesting date.



(2)	These amounts reflect the actual annual incentive cash award earned by the NEOs for the applicable year, as determined by the Compensation Committee. For a description of the 2018 annual cash incentive award performance goals, see "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" above.
(3)	The components of All Other Compensation for 2018 are as set forth below. In 2018, we did not provide any perquisites to our NEOs above the reporting threshold.



	Retirement Savings Plan Contribution (A)		Insurance Premiums (B)		Total All Other Compensation
Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III	$	8,250	$	17,402	$	25,652
M. Colin Connolly	$	8,250	$	24,794	$	33,044
Gregg D. Adzema	$	8,250	$	25,194	$	33,444
Pamela F. Roper	$	8,250	$	24,994	$	33,244
John S. McColl	$	8,250	$	24,944	$	33,194



	(A)	We maintain a Retirement Savings Plan for the benefit of all eligible employees. Through the end of 2018, the Company “matched” employee contributions to the plan up to 3% of eligible compensation, subject to a maximum matching contribution of $8,250 in 2018. The “matching” contributions were available for all employees, including our NEOs. During the first three years of a participant's employment, Company contributions, both discretionary and matching, vest ratably each year. After a participant has three years of service, all contributions are fully vested. Vested benefits are generally paid to participants upon retirement but may be paid earlier in certain circumstances, such as death, disability, or termination of employment.
	(B)	This column reflects the portion of health, dental, life, disability and accidental death insurance premiums paid by the Company on behalf of the NEOs, together with the cost of the employee assistance/wellness program to which the Company subscribes and the health savings account contributions made by the Company. All active employees regularly scheduled to work 24 hours or more per week are eligible to participate in the Company benefit plans. We contribute to health savings accounts for the benefit of all eligible employees, which are personal savings accounts funded with pre-tax dollars and used to pay for eligible health care expenses not covered by insurance. The Company contributes annually into an employee's health savings account based upon the successful completion of wellness initiatives by the employee, subject to a maximum matching contribution of $500 in 2018. The contributions are available for all benefit-eligible employees, including our NEOs.

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS IN 2018

The following table sets forth information with respect to grants of plan-based awards to each of our NEOs during 2018.



	Grant Date	Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)				Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (in units) (#)(2)			All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(3)	Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards ($)(4)
	Grant Date	Target ($)		Maximum ($)		Threshold	Target	Maximum		Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards ($)(4)
Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III
Annual Incentive Award (1)		$	942,500	$	1,413,750
Performance-conditioned RSUs – TSR (2)	2/5/18					38,002	108,578	217,156		$	1,118,353
Performance-conditioned RSUs – FFO (2)	2/5/18					1,163	46,533	93,066		$	419,262
Restricted Stock (3)	2/5/18								103,408	$	880,002
M. Colin Connolly
Annual Incentive Award (1)		$	408,500	$	612,750
Performance-conditioned RSUs – TSR (2)	2/5/18					14,251	40,717	81,434		$	419,385
Performance-conditioned RSUs – FFO (2)	2/5/18					436	17,450	34,900		$	157,225
Restricted Stock (3)	2/5/18								38,778	$	330,001
Gregg D. Adzema
Annual Incentive Award (1)		$	408,500	$	612,750
Performance-conditioned RSUs – TSR (2)	2/5/18					13,819	39,483	78,966		$	406,675
Performance-conditioned RSUs – FFO (2)	2/5/18					423	16,921	33,842		$	152,458
Restricted Stock (3)	2/5/18								37,603	$	320,002
Pamela F. Roper
Annual Incentive Award (1)		$	327,553	$	491,330
Performance-conditioned RSUs – TSR (2)	2/5/18					8,205	23,443	46,886		$	241,463
Performance-conditioned RSUs – FFO (2)	2/5/18					251	10,047	20,094		$	90,523
Restricted Stock (3)	2/5/18								22,327	$	190,003
John S. McColl
Annual Incentive Award (1)		$	315,618	$	473,427
Performance-conditioned RSUs – TSR (2)	2/5/18					5,182	14,806	29,612		$	152,502
Performance-conditioned RSUs – FFO (2)	2/5/18					159	6,345	12,690		$	57,168
Restricted Stock (3)	2/5/18								14,101	$	120,000



(1)	These amounts reflect target annual incentive cash amounts for 2018 as set by the Compensation Committee. In accordance with the Compensation Committee's policies, there is no threshold amount set for this award. The maximum payout cannot exceed 150% of target.



(2)	These rows show the potential number of RSUs that would vest pursuant to the performance-conditioned RSUs at the end of the applicable three-year performance period if the threshold, target or maximum performance goals are satisfied, provided the NEO remains continuously employed by us, or upon retirement if the NEO meets the Rule of 65. In addition, dividend equivalents will be paid upon satisfaction of the vesting conditions, if at all, on a cumulative, reinvested basis over the term of the award based on the number of RSUs which actually vest. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – 2017 LTI Awards” for a description of the performance parameters for these performance-conditioned RSUs, and see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Severance Policy, Retirement and Change in Control Agreements” for a description of the effect of the Rule of 65 on these awards. Note that the threshold listed for TSR RSUs reflects the resulting payout if the minimum performance threshold of 30th percentile is satisfied (35% payout), and the threshold listed for FFO RSUs reflects the resulting payout if the minimum performance threshold of greater than 60% of FFO target is satisfied (2.5% payout).

(3)	This column represents shares of restricted stock granted in 2018 under our Stock Plan. The restricted stock granted February 5, 2018 as part of the 2018 LTI Awards vests ratably over three years on each anniversary of the grant date, provided the NEO has been continuously employed by us through the applicable anniversary date. The restricted stock awards also receive dividends or dividend equivalents in an amount equal to all regular and special dividends declared with respect to our common stock.

(4)	This column reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock awards and performance-conditioned RSUs granted during the applicable year, computed in accordance with ASC 718. The grant date fair value of the restricted stock awards is the product of the number of shares granted multiplied by the closing stock price on the grant date of February 5, 2018 ($8.51). The grant date fair value of the FFO-based performance-conditioned RSUs is the product of the number of RSUs granted multiplied by the 30-day trailing average stock price on the date of grant of February 5, 2018 ($9.01). The grant date fair value of the TSR-based performance-conditioned RSUs is the target number of RSUs granted multiplied by the fair market value per RSU determined using a Monte Carlo valuation, which is computed based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions as of the grant date for the award ($10.30). Information about the assumptions used to value these awards can be found in Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. The actual amount ultimately realized by the NEO, if any, from a grant of restricted stock will depend upon the value of our common stock on the vesting date. The amount ultimately realized by the NEO, if any, from a grant of performance-conditioned RSUs will depend upon the 30-day trailing average stock price on the last day of the performance period and the satisfaction of the performance conditions.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2018 FISCAL YEAR-END

The following table sets forth information with respect to all outstanding option and stock awards for each of our NEOs on December 31, 2018.



		Option Awards						Stock Awards
			Option Exercise Price (1)		Option Grant Date (1)	Option Expiration Date (1)		Number of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested (2)(3)	Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested (4)			Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Units that Have Not Vested (5)		Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market Value of Unearned Units that Have Not Vested (6)
		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (1)	Option Exercise Price (1)		Option Grant Date (1)	Option Expiration Date (1)
Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III		88,569	$	5.32	02/15/10	02/15/20
		67,676	$	6.39	02/14/11	02/14/21
								527,424	$	4,166,650		284,197		$	2,245,156
M. Colin Connolly		-	-		-	-
								206,020	$	1,627,558		103,347		$	816,441
Gregg D. Adzema		-	-		-	-
								229,712	$	1,814,725		103,198		$	815,264
Pamela F. Roper		-	-		-	-
								142,476	$	1,125,560		59,307		$	468,525
John S. McColl		-	-		-	-
								107,873	$	852,197		40,514		$	320,061

(1)	See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Severance Policy, Retirement and Change in Control Agreements” for a description of the effect of the Rule of 65 on these awards. All options are fully vested and exercisable.

(2)	Included in this number are TSR-based and FFO-based performance-conditioned RSUs granted on January 29, 2016, as adjusted in connection with the Spin-off. These awards have a performance evaluation date of December 31, 2018 and a vesting date of January 29, 2019. The TSR-based performance-conditioned RSUs and the FFO-based performance-conditioned RSUs each surpassed the threshold. Therefore, as of December 31, 2018, the TSR-based RSUs and FFO-based RSUs had been earned, but not yet vested. These awards met the criteria for an average weighted payout of 172.3%, which is reflected in the number of shares above. They vested on January 29, 2019 based on the 30 day average of our closing stock price as December 31, 2018 ($8.11). The number of shares and the amount earned by each NEO upon vesting, including dividend equivalent units, as it relates to these shares is as follows:
			Number of TSR-based RSUs				Number of FFO-based RSUs				Amount Earned Upon Vesting
	Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III				187,385				45,854			$	1,891,566
	M. Colin Connolly				71,208				17,425			$	718,815
	Gregg D. Adzema				87,446				21,398			$	882,720
	Pamela F. Roper				49,969				12,229			$	504,419
	John S. McColl				34,356				8,407			$	346,796



(3)	Included in this number are service-conditioned RSUs granted to Ms. Roper and Messrs. Adzema, Connolly and McColl on February 6, 2017 and service conditioned RSUs granted to Mr. Gellerstedt on December 18, 2017. Subject to satisfaction of the service condition by each NEO, these RSUs will vest on February 6, 2020, based on the 30 day average our closing stock price on that date. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Severance Policy, Retirement and Change in Control Agreements” for a description of the effect of the Rule of 65 on these awards.
(4)	Market value was calculated by multiplying the number of unvested restricted shares and earned unvested RSUs at year-end by our closing stock price on December 31, 2018 ($7.90).
(5)	Represents performance-conditioned RSUs granted in 2017 and 2018, assuming that the target performance goals will be achieved for the TSR-based and FFO-based awards granted in 2017 and 2018. See Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 for an overview of the features of these awards. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Severance Policy, Retirement and Change in Control Agreements” for a description of the effect of the Rule of 65 on these awards.
(6)	Market value was calculated by multiplying the number of unearned unvested RSUs at year-end by our closing stock price on December 31, 2018 ($7.90).

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED IN 2018

The following tables set forth information concerning the amounts realized in 2018 upon the vesting of restricted stock and RSUs and upon the exercise of options by each of our NEOs.



	Stock Awards			Option Exercises
	Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (1)	Value Realized on Vesting (2)		Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (3)	Value Realized on Exercise (4)
Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III	206,688	$	1,879,207	66,166	$	202,468
M. Colin Connolly	67,021	$	608,242	-	-
Gregg D. Adzema	86,784	$	790,032	29,608	$	88,824
Pamela F. Roper	47,591	$	433,113	6,684	$	18,715
John S. McColl	33,456	$	234,287	73,102	$	248,117



(1)	The number of shares acquired upon vesting includes the following:



	Shares of Restricted Stock	RSUs (A)
Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III	80,617	126,071
M. Colin Connolly	28,230	38,791
Gregg D. Adzema	33,446	53,338
Pamela F. Roper	18,664	28,927
John S. McColl	13,259	20,197



	(A) RSUs are paid in cash at vesting. The TSR-based and FFO-based RSU awards met the criteria for an average weighted payout of 120.2%, which is reflected in the number of shares above. The number of shares and the amount earned by each NEO upon vesting includes dividend equivalent units.

(2)	The value shown is based on the trailing 30-day average closing market price of our common stock of $9.32 for the RSUs which vested on December 31, 2017. The value shown also includes dividend equivalents for RSUs. The value shown is based on the closing market price of our common stock of $8.95, $8.83 and $8.48 for the restricted shares which vested on January 29, 2018, February 2, 2018 and February 6, 2018, respectively. If the vesting date is not an NYSE trading day, the prior trading day’s closing price is used.

(3)	The number of shares acquired upon exercise is the gross number of options exercised. It includes shares surrendered to pay the strike price and shares surrendered to pay tax obligations, if any.

(4)	The value shown is based on the closing price on the date of exercise. It is the difference between the market value (closing price on date of exercise) of the underlying common stock and the strike price of the options exercised. Mr. Gellerstedt exercised 66,166 options on May 30, 2018; the closing price of our common stock was $9.39 and Mr. Gellerstedt received 21,562 net shares before taxes. Mr. Adzema exercised 15,654 options on May 30, 2018; the closing price of our common stock was $9.39 and Mr. Adzema received 5,001 net shares before taxes. Mr. Adzema exercised 13,954 options, electing the stock appreciation right feature, on May 30, 2018; the closing price of our common stock was $9.39 and Mr. Adzema received the cash equivalent of 4,458 net shares before taxes. Ms. Roper exercised 6,684 options, electing the stock appreciation right feature, on May 25, 2018; the closing price of our common stock was $9.13 and Ms. Roper received the cash equivalent of 2,050 net shares before taxes. Mr. McColl exercised 73,102 options on May 31, 2018; the closing price of our common stock was $9.42 and Mr. McColl received 26,338 net shares before taxes.

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION, RETIREMENT OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

We provide severance benefits to our NEOs as described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Severance Policy, Retirement and Change in Control Agreements” in the event that (1) a “change in control” occurs and (2) during the two-year period thereafter, the NEO’s employment is terminated without “cause” (discussed below) or the NEO resigns for “good reason” (discussed below). The severance benefit is payable in a lump sum six months and one day after termination. For each of Messrs. Adzema and McColl and Ms. Roper, we have agreed to pay an amount equal to 2.00 times the sum of his or her annual base salary plus his or her average cash bonus. For each of Messrs. Gellerstedt and Connolly, we have agreed to pay an amount equal to 3.00 times the sum of his annual base salary plus his average cash bonus.

For purposes of determining the severance benefit, “annual base salary” is the NEO’s annual base salary in effect on the day before the NEO’s employment terminates in connection with the change in control. The “average cash bonus” is the sum of the annual cash bonuses that were paid to the NEO during the three years immediately prior to the date the NEO’s employment terminates in connection with the change in control, divided by the number of annual cash bonuses the NEO was eligible to receive during such period. The table below assumes a triggering event occurred on December 31, 2018. The annual base salary is the salary in effect for 2018 and the average bonus is based on the annual cash incentive awards actually paid in 2016, 2017 and 2018 (such annual cash incentive awards relate to the performance during the prior calendar year).

The terms of each Change in Control Agreement are substantially identical and are summarized as follows:

Health Benefits - The Change in Control Agreement provides that we will continue to provide the NEO with health benefits for two years, either under our plan, an outside plan or by reimbursing the premiums paid by the NEO for outside coverage.

Change in Control - Under the Change in Control Agreement, a “change in control” generally means that any one of the following events occurs:


•	A person (or group) acquires, directly or indirectly, the beneficial ownership representing 30% or more of the combined voting power for the election of Directors of the outstanding securities of the Company, subject to certain exceptions;


•	A majority of the Board changes during a two-year period (unless the new Directors were elected by two-thirds of the Board members that were members on the first day of the two-year period);


•	Stockholders approve our dissolution or liquidation;


•	The sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, subject to certain exceptions; or


•	Any consolidation, merger, reorganization or business combination involving us or our acquisition of the assets or stock in another entity, subject to certain exceptions.

Cause - The Change in Control Agreement defines “cause” generally as any felony or any act of fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement or any material act or omission involving malfeasance or gross negligence in the performance of the NEO’s duties to our material detriment.

Good Reason - The Change in Control Agreement defines “good reason” generally to mean:


•	a reduction in the NEO’s annual base salary or eligibility to receive any annual bonuses or other incentive compensation;


•	a significant reduction in the scope of the NEO’s duties, responsibilities, or authority or a change in the NEO’s reporting level by more than two levels (other than mere change of title consistent with organizational structure);


•	a transfer of the NEO’s primary work site more than 35 miles from the then current site; or


•	failure to continue to provide to the NEO health and welfare benefits, deferred compensation benefits, executive perquisites, stock options and restricted stock grants (or restricted stock unit grants) that are in the aggregate comparable in value to those provided immediately prior to the change in control.

Protective Covenant Agreement and Waiver and Release - In order to receive the benefits of the Change in Control Agreement, an NEO must enter into a “Protective Covenant Agreement” and a “Change in Control Severance Agreement Waiver and Release.” If the NEO declines to enter into either the Protective Covenant Agreement or the Change in Control Severance Agreement Waiver and Release then the NEO would forfeit his or her severance benefit.

•

The Protective Covenant Agreement generally provides that the NEO will protect certain of our interests in exchange for the payment. In particular, the Protective Covenant Agreement provides that the NEO will not, during a “protection period,” (1) compete with our then existing projects, (2) solicit any business from any of our customers, clients, tenants, buyers or sellers that he or she had contact with during the preceding three years while employed and (3) solicit any of our employees that he or she had personal contact with during his or her employment with us. For this purpose, the “protection period” is generally two years or, if shorter, the number of years used as a multiplier to determine the executive’s change in control benefit.


•	The Change in Control Severance Agreement Waiver and Release is a standard release that is required for all employees to receive any severance benefits from us and provides, in particular, that the NEO waives any and all claims against us and also covenants not to sue or to disparage us.

Tax Protection - None of our NEOs are entitled to a gross-up payment pursuant to the Change in Control Agreements that they have entered into with us, but their agreements do have a "best net" provision that reduces payment to the applicable NEO if excise taxes would otherwise be triggered, to the extent that such a reduction results in a greater after-tax amount for the NEO.

The following table shows the potential payments to the NEOs upon a termination of employment under various scenarios, assuming that the triggering event occurred on December 31, 2018. The table does not include a severance benefit payable generally to all salaried employees following termination of employment other than for cause, in an amount equal to the employee’s weekly pay times the sum of (i) the number of his or her years of service or, alternatively, in the context of certain reductions in force as designated by the Company, the years of service multiplied by 1.5, plus (ii) four. The table also does not include the value of equity awards that were already vested on December 31, 2018, as described in the compensation tables earlier in this proxy statement.

Cash (1)

Accelerated Vesting of Restricted Stock (2)

Accelerated Vesting of RSUs (3)

Accelerated Vesting of Stock Options (4)

Accelerated Vesting of Cash LTI Awards (5)

Health and Welfare Benefits

Total (6)

Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III

Voluntary resignation, termination without cause or termination for cause not in connection with a change in control

—

Involuntary or good reason termination following change in control