SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/X/ Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section
240.142-12
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2)
/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3)
/ / 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:*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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* Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined.
/ / 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.:
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3) Filing Party:
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4) Date Filed:
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/ / Filing fee paid with preliminary filing
[LOGO]
March 27, 1996
Dear Shareholder:
I am pleased to present to you this year's Notice of Annual Meeting and
Proxy Statement detailed on the following pages. I want to extend my thanks for
your continued interest in the Company and urge you to participate through your
vote.
In addition to the election of five Directors to the Board, the Directors
have proposed for your consideration the approval of a stock based long-term
incentive plan and an amendment to the Company's Restated Articles of
Incorporation.
The Board believes the 1996 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan is
appropriate to attract and retain competent management, more clearly align
management's compensation with the interests of shareholders and to meet
competitive compensation levels through variable, or at risk, pay rather than
traditional base salaries.
The amendment to the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation would
remove limitations under the preferred stocks relating to the issuance of
unsecured indebtedness. The Company believes this will provide management with
the necessary flexibility to obtain what it believes to be the best terms
available in the debt market at the time of a financing. Such flexibility is
expected to provide long-term benefits to all shareholders. This amendment will
not affect any other rights of preferred shareholders, nor the dividend rate of
the preferred stocks.
THE BOARD HAS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED A VOTE "FOR" THESE PROPOSALS.
Please read the material in this Proxy Statement carefully before voting. It
is important that your shares be represented at the meeting whether or not you
are able to attend. By promptly filling out and returning the enclosed proxy,
you will ensure that your votes are counted. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Sincerely,
/s/ JOHN E. HAYES, JR.
JOHN E. HAYES, JR.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 7, 1996
You are invited, as a shareholder of Western Resources, Inc. (the Company),
to be present either in person or by proxy at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting,
which will be held in the Maner Conference Centre (Kansas Expocentre) located at
the southeast corner of Seventeenth and Western, Topeka, Kansas, on Tuesday, May
7, 1996, commencing at eleven o'clock in the morning, or any adjournment or
adjournments thereof, for the following purposes:
1. To elect five (5) directors to Class III of the Company's Board of
Directors to serve a term of three years;
2. To approve the adoption of the 1996 Long Term Incentive and Share
Award Plan;
3. To amend the Articles of Incorporation by deleting certain
provisions of the Preferred Stock relating to unsecured
indebtedness; and
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 19, 1996, will be
entitled to vote at the meeting, or at any adjournment thereof.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THIS MEETING. WE URGE YOU
TO EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE BY PROMPTLY MARKING, DATING, SIGNING AND
RETURNING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD. NO POSTAGE IS NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE
UNITED STATES. THE PROMPT RETURN OF YOUR PROXY WILL SAVE THE COMPANY THE
ADDITIONAL EXPENSE OF FURTHER REQUESTS TO ENSURE THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Richard D. Terrill
Richard D. Terrill
SECRETARY
Topeka, Kansas
March 27, 1996
PROXY STATEMENT
GENERAL INFORMATION
MAILING ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL APPROXIMATE MAILING DATE
EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF THE COMPANY OF PROXY MATERIAL
-------------------------------- ------------------------
818 Kansas Avenue March 27, 1996
Topeka, Kansas 66612
The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company for
use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Tuesday, May 7, 1996, or
any adjournment thereof, for the purposes set forth in the above notice of
meeting. Proxies are revocable at any time before voted. Such right of
revocation is not limited or subject to compliance with any formal procedure.
The cost of the solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. In
addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited personally, or by
telephone or electronic media by regular employees of the Company. The Company
has engaged the services of Georgeson & Company, Inc. a proxy solicitation firm,
and Salomon Brothers Inc. to aid in the solicitation of proxies for which the
Company will pay an estimated fee of approximately $10,000 each for their
services, plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. In addition,
the Company will reimburse brokers and other custodians, nominees or fiduciaries
for their expenses in forwarding proxy material to security owners and obtaining
their proxies.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 19, 1996, are
entitled to vote on matters to come before the meeting. On that date there were
outstanding and entitled to vote 63,249,141 shares of Common Stock, par value $5
per share; 138,576 shares of Preferred Stock, 4 1/2% Series, par value $100 per
share; 60,000 shares of Preferred Stock, 4 1/4% Series, par value $100 per
share; and 50,000 shares of Preferred Stock, 5% Series, par value $100 per
share.
CUMULATIVE VOTING RIGHTS
Each share of Common and Preferred Stock entitles the holder of record at
the close of business on the record date of the meeting to one vote. In voting
for the election of directors, cumulative voting is permitted and record holders
are entitled to as many votes as shall equal the number of shares of stock held,
multiplied by the number of directors to be elected. Such votes may be cast all
for a single candidate or the votes may be distributed among the candidates, as
the shareholder may see fit if present to vote in person, or as the proxyholder
elects, if voting by proxy. Any shares not voted (whether by abstention, broker
non-votes or otherwise) have no impact in the election of directors except to
the extent the failure to vote for an individual results in another individual
receiving a larger proportion of the total votes.
INSTRUCTIONS TO HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK WHO ARE PARTICIPANTS IN THE
COMPANY'S AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN. All shares of
Common Stock credited to a shareholder's account in the Plan will be voted in
accordance with the specifications indicated on the form of proxy sent to the
shareholder if the form of proxy is returned in a timely manner.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
The 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is scheduled to be held on May 6,
1997. Specific proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at this
meeting must comply with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Company's Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and be received by
the Company's Corporate Secretary for inclusion in its 1997 proxy materials by
November 26, 1996. If the date of the Annual Meeting is changed by more than 30
days, shareholders will be advised promptly of such change and of the new date
for submission of proposals.
1
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of the Company is divided into three classes (Class
I, Class II, and Class III). At each Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the
directors constituting one class are elected for a three-year term. The
Company's By-Laws provide for the classification of directors into three
classes, which shall be as nearly equal in number as possible, and no class
shall include fewer than two directors. In accordance with the Restated Articles
of Incorporation of the Company, the Board of Directors has set the number of
directors at thirteen.
Messrs. Frank J. Becker, Gene A. Budig, C.Q. Chandler, Thomas R. Clevenger
and David C. Wittig have been nominated for election as directors at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders as Class III directors. All nominees were elected by
shareholders of the Company at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 1993,
except Mr. Wittig who was elected to the Board by the Directors in February
1996.
Unless otherwise instructed, proxies received in response to this
solicitation will be voted in favor of the election of the persons nominated by
the Board of Directors and named in the following tabulation to be directors of
the Company until their successors are elected and qualify. To be elected, each
nominee must be approved by a majority of the votes cast for such nominee. While
it is not expected that any of the nominees will be unable to qualify or accept
office, if for any reason one or more are unable to do so, the proxies will be
voted for substitute nominees selected by the Board of Directors of the Company.
The nominees for directors are as follows:
NOMINEES (CLASS III)--TERM EXPIRING IN 1999
DIRECTOR (AGE), YEAR FIRST BECAME A DIRECTOR
FRANK J. BECKER (60), 1992 [PHOTO 1]
President, Becker Investments, Inc., El Dorado,
Kansas (since January, 1993) and prior to that
personal investments; Director, Bank IV Butler
County, N.A.; Director, Great-West Life & Annuity
Insurance Co.; Director, Douglas County Bank;
Trustee, The Kansas University Endowment
Association.
GENE A. BUDIG (56), 1987 [PHOTO 2]
President, American League of Professional Baseball
Clubs, New York, New York (since July, 1994) and
prior to that Chancellor, University of Kansas;
Director, Harry S. Truman Library Institute;
Director, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation;
Director, American College Testing; Director, Major
League Baseball Hall of Fame.
C. Q. CHANDLER (69), 1992 [PHOTO 3]
Chairman of the Board, INTRUST Financial
Corporation, Wichita, Kansas; Director, Fidelity
State Bank & Trust Co.; Director, First Newton
Bankshares; Director, Kansas Crippled Children's
Society; Trustee, Kansas State University
Foundation.
2
THOMAS R. CLEVENGER (61), 1975 [PHOTO 4]
Investments, Wichita, Kansas; Director, Security
Benefit Life Insurance Company; Trustee and Vice
Chairman, The Menninger Foundation; Trustee,
Midwest Research Institute.
DAVID C. WITTIG (40), 1996 [PHOTO 5]
President (since March 1996), Executive Vice
President, Corporate Development (since May 1995)
of the Company, and prior to that Managing
Director, Co-Head of Mergers and Acquisitions,
Solomon Brothers, Inc.
OTHER DIRECTORS
(CLASS I)--TERM EXPIRING IN 1997
DIRECTOR (AGE), YEAR FIRST BECAME A DIRECTOR
JOHN C. DICUS (62), 1990 [PHOTO 6]
Chairman of the Board and President, Capitol
Federal Savings and Loan Association, Topeka,
Kansas; Director, Security Benefit Life Insurance
Company; Director, Columbian National Title
Company; Trustee, The Menninger Foundation;
Trustee, Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center;
Trustee, The Kansas University Endowment
Association.
JOHN E. HAYES, JR. (58), 1989 [PHOTO 7]
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company; Director, Boatmen's Bancshares,
Inc.; Director, Security Benefit Life Insurance
Company; Director, CommNet Cellular, Inc.;
Director, T-Netix, Inc.; Trustee, Rockhurst
College; Trustee, The Menninger Foundation;
Trustee, Midwest Research Institute.
RUSSELL W. MEYER, JR. (63), 1992 [PHOTO 8]
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cessna
Aircraft Company, Wichita, Kansas; Director,
Boatmen's Bancshares Inc.; Director, Vanguard
Airlines; Trustee, Wake Forest University.
3
LOUIS W. SMITH (53), 1991 [PHOTO 9]
President and Chief Operating Officer, Ewing Marion
Kauffman Foundation (since July 1995) and prior to
that President, AlliedSignal Aerospace Company,
Kansas City Division, Kansas City, Missouri;
Director, Commerce Bank of Kansas City; Director,
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; Director, Kansas
City Royals Baseball Club; Director, Payless
Cashways, Inc.; Trustee, University of
Missouri-Rolla; Trustee, Rockhurst College.
(CLASS II)--TERM EXPIRING IN 1998
DIRECTOR (AGE), YEAR FIRST BECAME A DIRECTOR
DAVID H. HUGHES (67), 1988 [PHOTO 10]
Retired Vice Chairman, Hallmark Cards, Inc., Kansas
City, Missouri; Director, Hall Family Foundations;
Director, Midwest Research Institute; Director,
Yellow Corporation; Trustee, St. Luke's Hospital
Foundation; Trustee, Children's Mercy Hospital;
Trustee, Princeton Theological Seminary; Trustee,
Linda Hall Library.
JOHN H. ROBINSON (69), 1991 [PHOTO 11]
Chairman Emeritus (since December, 1992) and prior
to that Chairman, Black & Veatch, Kansas City,
Missouri; Director, St. Luke's Hospital; Director,
Automobile Club of Missouri; Director, The Greater
Kansas City Community Foundation & Affiliated
Trusts; Director, Midwest Research Institute;
Trustee, University of Missouri-Kansas City.
SUSAN M. STANTON (47), 1995 [PHOTO 12]
President and Chief Operating Officer (since
November, 1993) and prior to that Senior Vice
President, Merchandising and Marketing, Payless
Cashways, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri; Director,
Commerce Bank of Kansas City; Director, Greater
Kansas City Chamber of Commerce; Director, Payless
Cashways, Inc.; Trustee, Rockhurst College.
KENNETH J. WAGNON (57), 1987 [PHOTO 13]
President, Capital Enterprises, Inc., Wichita,
Kansas; Director, Vanguard Airlines, Inc.;
Director, Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation;
Director, T-Netix, Inc.; Director, University of
Kansas School of Business; Trustee, The Kansas
University Endowment Association.
4
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF VOTING SECURITIES
The Company knows of no beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of the
Company's outstanding voting stock as of March 19, 1996.
The following information is furnished with respect to each of the director
nominees, each of the other current directors and all current directors and
executive officers of the Company as a group as to ownership of shares of Common
Stock of the Company as of March 19, 1996.
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1)
--------------------------
DIRECT INDIRECT
------------ ------------
Class I Directors:
John C. Dicus............................................................. 1,000 500(2)
John E. Hayes, Jr......................................................... 18,239(4) 2,610(3)
Russell W. Meyer, Jr...................................................... 3,049(4)
Louis W. Smith............................................................ 2,000
Class II Directors:
David H. Hughes........................................................... 500
John H. Robinson.......................................................... 1,500
Susan M. Stanton.......................................................... 500 800(5)
Kenneth J. Wagnon......................................................... 2,343
Class III Directors:
Frank J. Becker........................................................... 8,650(4) 1,000(6)
Gene A. Budig............................................................. 603
C.Q. Chandler............................................................. 1,306(4)
Thomas R. Clevenger....................................................... 1,400
David C. Wittig........................................................... 16,634
All directors and executive officers including the above.................... 66,954 21,217(3)
- ------------------------
(1) Each individual owns less than .029% and the group owns approximately .11%
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company. No director or
executive officer owns any equity securities of the Company other than
Common Stock.
(2) Represents 500 shares held by Mr. Dicus' spouse, not subject to his voting
or investment power.
(3) Includes beneficially owned shares held in employee savings plans.
(4) Does not include stock held in trust by Boatmen's Bancshares of which
Messrs. Meyer and Hayes are directors, INTRUST Financial Corporation of
which Mr. Chandler is a director, and Douglas County Bank of which Mr.
Becker is a director.
(5) Represents 800 shares held in trust, of which Ms. Stanton is a co-trustee
with voting and investment power.
(6) Represents 1,000 shares held in trust, of which Mr. Becker is a co-trustee
with voting and investment power.
Based solely on the Company's review of the copies of reports filed under
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act and written representations that no
other reports were required, the Company believes that, during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1995, all filing requirements applicable to its executive
officers, directors, and owners of more than ten percent of the Company's Common
Stock were complied with, except that Ms. Susan Stanton, the Eugene F. Stanton
Trust and the Betty Stanton Revocable Trust on February 6, 1996, reported on
Form 5, the Annual Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership, 800 shares of
Company Common Stock held by the trusts which should have been filed on Form 3,
Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership on or before April 10, 1995. Ms.
Stanton is a co-trustee of the trusts.
5
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
During 1995 the Board of Directors met ten times. Each director attended at
least 75% of the total number of Board and Committee meetings held while he or
she served as a director or member of the committee.
Members of the Board serve on the Audit and Finance, Human Resources,
Nominating and Corporate Public Policy Committees. The Audit and Finance
Committee is currently composed of Mr. Chandler, Chairman, Mr. Becker, Dr.
Budig, and Mr. Clevenger. This Committee reviews internal and independent
Company audits and strategic financial programs. It also recommends the
independent auditor for Board approval. The Committee held five meetings during
1995.
The Human Resources Committee, currently composed of Mr. Dicus, Chairman,
Mr. Meyer, Mr. Robinson, Ms. Stanton, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Wagnon, reviews the
performance of corporate officers and changes in officer compensation and
Company benefits. The Committee held five meetings during 1995.
The Nominating Committee, currently composed of Mr. Hughes, Chairman, Dr.
Budig, Mr. Clevenger, Mr. Meyer, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Wagnon, recommends nominees
for election to the Board, including nominees recommended by shareholders if
submitted in writing to the committee, in care of the Company. The Committee
held two meetings in 1995.
The Corporate Public Policy Committee is currently composed of Mr. Becker,
Chairman, Mr. Robinson, Ms. Stanton, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Dicus, and Mr. Hughes.
This Committee reviews major strategic programs of the Company relating to
community relations, marketing, customer relations, corporate contributions and
other public affairs issues. The Committee held five meetings during 1995.
OUTSIDE DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
Each director who is not also an employee of the Company receives $1,250 per
month in retainer fees. The fee paid for attendance at each Board meeting is
$850 and $500 for each meeting held by telephone conference. The fee paid for
attendance at each committee meeting other than the Audit and Finance Committee
is $750, unless the committee meeting is held on the same day as a regular Board
meeting, in which case the committee meeting attendance fee is $500. The fee
paid for attendance at each Audit and Finance Committee meeting is $850, unless
the committee meeting is held on the same day as a regular Board meeting, in
which case the committee meeting attendance fee is $600.
Assuming the approval of the 1996 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan
presented as Item 2 herein, the outside directors retainer will be increased by
$5,000 annually, payable in common stock of the Company, and the balance paid
quarterly.
Pursuant to the Company's Outside Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan (the
Plan), an outside director of the Company may elect to defer all, part, or none
of his or her retainer and/or meeting fees. The directors may choose one of the
following deferral options: cash deferral or phantom stock. Amounts deferred
under the cash deferral alternative are increased by an interest equivalent
compounded quarterly at a rate equal to the prime rate published in the Wall
Street Journal or a rate established by the Human Resources Committee annually
based upon the Company's long-term cost of capital. Under the phantom stock
alternative, the director receives credit for "stock units" equivalent in value
to shares of the Company's Common Stock equal to the amount deferred. "Stock
units" will be credited to the director's account at the stock price as of the
close of business the day the deferred amount would have been paid. On each date
on which a dividend is paid on the Company's Common Stock, the director's
phantom stock account will be credited with additional units of phantom stock
based on the same price as stock purchased in the Company's Dividend
Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. Deferred amounts distributed from a
directors' cash deferral option or phantom stock option are paid in the form of
cash.
A director is not entitled to exercise voting rights with respect to units
held in his or her phantom stock account. The Plan is a voluntary participation
plan. The Plan is administered by the Human Resources Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company or by such other committee as may be appointed by the
Board from time to time.
6
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth the compensation of the named executive
officers for the last three completed fiscal years of the Company.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG-TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION
----------------------------------------- ------------
NAME AND PRINCIPAL OTHER ANNUAL LTIP ALL OTHER
POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS(1) COMPENSATION(2) PAYOUTS(3) COMPENSATION(4)
- -------------------- ----- ------------ -------- ----------------- ------------ ----------------
John E. Hayes, Jr. 1995 $ 466,755 $102,481 $ 18,230 $ 44,169 $ 5,151
Chairman of the 1994 $ 436,667 $112,684 $ 12,990 $ 47,563 $ 5,151
Board 1993 $ 416,666 $85,000 $ 11,142 $ 60,039 $ 7,623
and Chief
Executive Officer
David C. Wittig(5) 1995 $ 291,722 $53,190 $ 1,090 N.A. $ 83,123
President 1994 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A.
1993 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A.
Steven L. Kitchen 1995 $ 240,238 $46,483 $ 17,999 $ 19,178 $ 5,010
Executive Vice 1994 $ 202,683 $45,359 $ 9,492 $ 20,299 $ 4,941
President and 1993 $ 181,375 $54,381 $ 6,968 $ 24,106 $ 6,050
Chief Financial
Officer
James S. Haines, Jr. 1995 $ 238,354 $46,108 $ 20,335 $ 18,673 $ 5,010
Executive Vice 1994 $ 197,267 $44,755 $ 9,032 $ 14,305 $ 4,930
President and 1993 $ 175,419 $52,896 $ 3,319 N.A. $ 5,936
Chief Operating
Officer
John K. Rosenberg 1995 $ 164,754 $26,438 $ 12,451 $ 15,071 $ 4,847
Executive Vice 1994 $ 153,000 $31,010 $ 6,973 $ 16,298 $ 332
President and 1993 $ 148,041 $42,465 $ 5,843 $ 19,706 $ 320
General Counsel
- ------------------------------
(1) The amounts reported in this column represent payments under the Company's
Short Term Incentive Plan. Payments are made only if certain Company
financial and individual performance goals are achieved.
(2) The amounts reported in this column for 1995 represent dividend equivalents
received under the Long-Term Incentive Plan in the amount of $8,437, $993,
$3,924, $6,136 and $2,947, respectively; payments for the benefit of each
named executive officer for federal and state taxes associated with
personal benefits in the amount of $7,701, $0, $13,231, $13,269 and $9,346,
respectively; and interest (excess of the applicable federal long-term
interest rate) on deferred compensation for the year in the amount of
$2,092, $97, $844, $930 and $158.
(3) The amounts reported in this column for 1995 represent the cash equivalent
for common stock issued pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Program for the
1993-1995 incentive period. Mr. Haines was not eligible for benefits under
the Long-Term Incentive Program prior to the 1992-1994 incentive period and
received a pro-rated benefit in 1994.
(4) The amounts reported in this column for 1995 represent Company
contributions for each of the named individuals under the Company's 401(k)
savings plan, a defined contribution plan, in the amount of $4,500, $4,500,
$4,500, $4,500 and $4,500, respectively and premiums paid on term life
insurance policies in the amount of $651, $434, $510, $510 and $347,
respectively. With respect to Mr. Wittig, $25,000 represents the cost to
the Company of providing supplemental benefits to reimburse Mr. Wittig for
lost benefits from Mr. Wittig's prior employer and to attract Mr. Wittig to
the Company. In addition, $53,189 represents amounts paid to or on behalf
of Mr. Wittig relating to moving expenses.
(5) Mr. Wittig commenced his employment with the Company on May 2, 1995.
7
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PROGRAM
The following table provides information concerning awards made during the
last fiscal year under the Company's Long-Term Incentive Program.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PROGRAM--AWARDS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
NUMBER OF ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS
PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERIOD -----------------------------------
NAME SHARES UNTIL PAYOUT THRESHOLD TARGET MAXIMUM
- ------------------------------------------------ ------------- ------------------ ----------- --------- -----------
John E. Hayes, Jr............................... 1,613 3 years 1,077 1,613 1,774
David C. Wittig................................. N.A. 3 years N.A. N.A. N.A.
Steven L. Kitchen............................... 783 3 years 523 783 861
James S. Haines, Jr............................. 773 3 years 516 773 850
John K. Rosenberg............................... 556 3 years 371 556 612
At the beginning of each three year incentive period, each Participant
selected by the Board of Directors is allocated performance shares equal in
value to 10% of his or her annual base compensation at the time of grant. Each
performance share is equal in value to one share of the Company's Common Stock.
Assuming attainment by the Company of certain established financial and
strategic goals, each participant will become entitled to receive a stock
distribution determined by multiplying the value of his or her performance
shares by the applicable distribution percentage determined by the Board of
Directors, not to exceed 110%. The distribution percentage is a weighted
average, 70% of which is based on achievement of the Company's financial goals
and 30% of which is based on the individual's achievement of the Company's
corporate strategic goals set for him or her. The financial goals under the plan
are based upon attainment of budgeted earnings per share goals and the
Committee's evaluation of the total return to shareholders as compared to the
Standard & Poor's Electric Companies Index. In determining whether the Company's
individual strategic goals were met under the Long-Term Incentive Program, the
Committee considers the individual's contribution toward meeting the Board
approved budgeted financial plan, compliance with capital financial plans,
construction budgets, operation and maintenance plans for the performance period
and the individual's management effectiveness. Based upon meeting the financial
goals and the relative attainment of each individual's goals for the 1993-1995
incentive period, the above named executive officers received 1,308, N.A., 568,
553, 446, respectively, shares of Common Stock of the Company in exchange for
the applicable performance shares. These shares represented 99%, N.A, 99%, 99%
and 96% of the original number of performance shares granted. Dividend
equivalents are paid on the performance shares from the date of grant. Assuming
approval of the 1996 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan presented under
item 2, no new awards will be made under this Long-Term Incentive Program.
Existing Awards under this Program will not be affected. If the new plan is not
approved, the Long-Term Incentive Program will continue.
8
COMPENSATION PLANS
RETIREMENT PLANS
The Company maintains a qualified noncontributory defined benefit pension
plan and a non-qualified supplemental retirement plan for certain management
employees of the Company, including executive officers, selected by the Board's
Human Resources Committee.
The following table sets forth the estimated annual benefits payable upon
specified remuneration based on age 65 as of January 1, 1996. The amounts
presented do not take into account any reduction for joint and survivorship
payments.
ANNUAL PENSION BENEFIT FROM QUALIFIED AND NON-QUALIFIED PLANS
AVERAGE APPLICABLE PENSION
PAY BENEFIT
- --------------------- --------------
$150,000 $ 92,550
$200,000 $ 123,400
$250,000 $ 154,250
$300,000 $ 185,100
$350,000 $ 215,950
$400,000 $ 246,800
$450,000 $ 277,650
$500,000 $ 308,500
$550,000 $ 339,350
$600,000 $ 370,200
The supplemental retirement plan provides a retirement benefit at or after
age 65, or upon disability prior to age 65, in an amount equal to 61.7% of final
three-year average cash compensation, reduced by existing Company pension
benefits (but not social security benefits), such amount to be paid to the
employee or his designated beneficiaries for the employee's life with a 15-year
term certain. The percentage of final three-year average compensation to be
paid, before reduction for Company pension benefits, is 50% for a 50 year old,
increasing to 61.7% for a 65 year old. An employee retiring at or after age 50,
but before age 65, may receive a reduced benefit, payable in the same form. The
supplemental plan vests 10% per year after 5 years of service until fully vested
with 15 years of service or at age 65. Payments are reduced by 5% per year if
commenced prior to age 60, but no earlier than age 50. The supplemental plan
also pays a death benefit if death occurs before retirement, equal to 50% (or
the vested retirement benefit percentage, whichever is higher) of the employee's
previous 36 months average cash compensation to his or her beneficiary for 180
months following his death. All of the individuals listed in the compensation
table are covered by the qualified and supplemental retirement plans.
Benefits payable from the qualified pension plan are limited by provisions
of the Internal Revenue Code. The non-qualified supplemental retirement plan
provides for the payment of retirement benefits calculated in accordance with
the qualified pension plan which would otherwise be limited.
The years of service as of January 1, 1996, for the persons named in the
cash compensation table are as follows: Mr. Hayes, 6 years; Mr. Wittig, 1 year;
Mr. Kitchen, 32 years; Mr. Haines, 16 years; Mr. Rosenberg, 16 years.
In accordance with the supplemental retirement plan, Mr. Hayes will receive
a retirement benefit equal to 60% of his average annual compensation during the
36 months immediately preceding his retirement if he remains an employee of the
Company until age 61.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
The Company has entered into employment agreements with its executive
officers to ensure their continued service and dedication to the Company and
their objectivity in considering on behalf of the Company any transaction which
would result in a change in control of the Company. Under the agreements, during
the twelve month period after a change in control, the executive officer would
be entitled to receive a
9
lump-sum cash payment and certain insurance benefits if such officer's
employment were terminated by the Company other than for cause or upon death,
disability, or retirement; or by such executive officer for good reason (as
defined therein).
Upon such termination, the Company must make a lump-sum cash payment to the
executive officer, in addition to any other compensation to which the officer is
entitled, of (i) two (three in the case of executive officers who are members of
the President's Council) times such officer's base salary, (ii) two (three in
the case of executive officers who are members of the President's Council) times
the average of the bonuses paid to such executive officer for the last three
fiscal years, and (iii) the actuarial equivalent of the excess of the executive
officer's accrued pension benefits, computed as if the executive officer had two
(three in the case of executive officers who are members of the President's
Council) additional years of benefit accrual service, over the executive
officer's vested accrued pension benefits. In addition, the Company must offer
health, disability and life insurance coverage to the executive officer and his
or her dependents on the same terms and conditions that existed immediately
prior to the termination for two (three in the case of executive officers who
are members of the President's Council) years, or, if earlier, until such
executive officer is covered by equivalent benefits.
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE REPORT
The Company's executive compensation programs are administered by the Human
Resources Committee of the Board of Directors (Committee), which is composed of
six non-employee directors. The Committee reviews and approves all issues
pertaining to executive compensation. The objective of the Company's three
compensation programs (base salary, short-term incentive, and long-term
incentive) is to provide compensation which enables the Company to attract,
motivate, and retain talented and dedicated executives, foster a team
orientation toward the achievement of business objectives, and directly link the
success of the Company's executives with that of the Company's shareholders.
The Company extends participation in its long and short-term incentive
programs to certain key employees in addition to executive officers based on the
potential to contribute to increasing shareholder value.
BASE SALARY COMPENSATION
A base salary range is established for each executive position to reflect
the potential contribution of each position to the achievement of the Company's
business objectives and to be competitive with the base salaries paid for
comparable positions in the national market by energy companies, with emphasis
on natural gas and electric utilities with annual total revenues comparable to
the Company. Some, but not all, of such companies are included in the Standard &
Poor's Electric Companies Index. The Company utilizes industry information for
compensation purposes. Not all companies comprising such index participate in
making available such industry information. In addition, the Company considers
information of other companies with which the Committee believes it competes for
executives, and is therefore relevant, but is not part of such information. The
mid-point for each base salary range is intended to approximate the average base
salary for the relevant position in the national market. Industry surveys by
national industry associations are the primary source of this market
information. The Committee has also utilized the services of an independent
compensation consultant to provide national market data for executive positions
and to evaluate the appropriateness of the Company's executive compensation and
benefit programs. The Committee intends to structure the Company's compensation
plans such that they comply with and will be deductible under Section 162(m)
(which disallows the deduction of compensation in excess of $1,000,000 except
for incentive payments based upon performance goals) of the Internal Revenue
Code.
Within the established base salary ranges, actual base salary is determined
by the Company's financial performance in relation to attainment of budgeted
earnings per share goals and total return to shareholders, and a subjective
assessment of each executive's achievement of individual objectives and
managerial effectiveness. The Committee annually reviews the performance of the
Chairman and Executive Officers. The Committee, after consideration of the
financial performance of the Company, and such other subjective factors as the
Committee deems appropriate for the period being reviewed, establishes the base
compensation of such officers.
10
In reviewing the annual achievement of each executive and setting the new
base annual salary levels for 1995, the Committee considered each individual's
contribution toward meeting the Board approved budgeted financial plan for the
previous year, total return to shareholders and earnings per share, compliance
with the Company's capital financial plan, the construction budget, and the
operation and maintenance budgets and the individual's management effectiveness.
ANNUAL INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
All executive officers are eligible for annual incentive compensation.
The primary form of short-term incentive compensation is the Company's
Short-Term Incentive Plan for employees, selected by the Committee, including
the executive officers listed in the table, who have an opportunity to directly
and substantially contribute to the Company's achievement of short-term
objectives. Short-term incentives are structured so that potential compensation
is comparable with short-term compensation granted to comparable positions in
the national market. Short-term incentives are targeted to approximate the
median in the national market. Some, but not all, of such Companies are included
in the Standard and Poor's Electric Companies Index.
Mr. Hayes is eligible for an annual short-term incentive target of 35% of
base salary with a maximum of up to 42% of base salary. Other executive officers
are eligible for an annual short-term incentive target of 30% of base salary
with a maximum of up to 36% of base salary. Thirty percent of the annual
incentive is tied to the attainment of individual goals and 20% is based on
management skill. The balance is based upon the Company's achievement of
financial goals established annually by the Committee.
Changes in annual incentive compensation to the named individuals in 1995
compared to 1994 resulted from an individual's relative attainment of his or her
goals, and the Company's partial achievement of its financial goals in 1995.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
Long-term incentive compensation is offered to employees who are in
positions which can affect the long-term success of the Company, through the
formation and execution of the Company's business strategies. The Long-Term
Incentive Program is the principal method for long-term incentive compensation,
and compensation thereunder takes the form of performance share grants. The
purposes of long-term incentive compensation are to: (1) focus key employees'
efforts on performance which will increase the value of the Company to its
shareholders; (2) align the interests of management with those of the
shareholders; (3) provide a competitive long-term incentive opportunity; and (4)
provide a retention incentive for key employees. The performance criteria used
in the Long-Term Incentive Program measure the impact of both team and
individual performance on the financial performance of the Company over time.
All executive officers are eligible for performance shares under the
Long-Term Incentive Program. Under the Plan, at the beginning of each incentive
period, performance shares are added to each participant's account. The number
of performance shares equals the number of shares of common stock having a
market value at the date credited to each participant's account equal to 10% of
the participant's base annual compensation for the first year of the incentive
period. The level of performance shares, 10% of base annual compensation, is
established by the plan. Based upon an individual's and the Company's
performance the ultimate grant of shares by the Committee may not exceed 110% of
the performance shares for the relevant period. Participants also receive cash
equivalent to dividends for comparable shares of common stock for each quarter
of the three year incentive period, whether or not the performance shares are
ultimately earned by the participant.
Participants earn shares of stock at the end of the incentive period based
on a formula that has two components. Thirty percent of the long-term incentive
is based on the individual's performance in attainment of long range strategic
goals, objectives, and planned targets for the Company and the individual.
Seventy percent of the long-term incentive is based on financial performance of
the Company over the three year incentive period. One-half of the financial
component is based on earnings per share as a percent of budgeted earnings per
share and one-half is based on the extent to which changes in the market price
of the Company's common stock equal or outperform the Standard & Poor's Electric
Companies Index.
11
Assuming adoption of the 1996 Long-Term Incentive and Share Award Plan
presented as Item 2 herein, all new long term incentive awards will be made
under that plan. Existing awards under the Long-Term Incentive Program will not
be affected.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mr. Hayes has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Company since October
1989. Mr. Hayes' base salary and his annual short-term incentive compensation
are established annually in January. In recommending the base salary to be
effective March 1, 1995, while not utilizing any specific performance formula
and without ranking the relative importance of each factor, the Committee took
into account relevant salary information in the national market and the
Committee's subjective evaluation of Mr. Hayes' overall management effectiveness
and achievement of individual goals. Factors considered included his continuing
leadership and contribution to strategic direction, management of change in an
increasingly competitive industry, control of operation and maintenance
expenses, management of unregulated operations, the overall profitability of the
Company, and increased Company productivity. As of March 1, 1995, Mr. Hayes'
base salary increased $30,088 or 6.89% from his 1994 salary.
With respect to Mr. Hayes' 1995 short-term incentive compensation, the
Committee took into account the above performance achievements, the Company's
relative achievement of its financial goals, and Mr. Hayes total compensation as
compared to the national market.
Mr. Hayes' long-term incentive compensation for 1995 represents the cash
equivalent of performance shares earned under the program. Based upon meeting
the financial goals of the Company and the relative achievement of individual
goals for the 1993-1995 incentive period, Mr. Hayes received 1,308 shares of the
Company's common stock, representing 99% of the performance shares granted to
him in 1993.
Western Resources, Inc. Human
Resources
Committee
JOHN C. DICUS,
Chairman
RUSSELL W. MEYER, JR.
JOHN H. ROBINSON
LOUIS W. SMITH
SUSAN M. STANTON
KENNETH J. WAGNON
12
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
Shown below is a line-graph presentation comparing the Company's cumulative,
five-year total returns on an indexed basis* with the Standard & Poor's 500
Stock Index and Standard & Poor's Electric Companies Index.
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Western Resources 100 146 173 203 178 221
S&P 500 100 130 140 155 157 215
S&P Electric Companies 100 130 138 155 135 177
*Assumes $100 invested on December 31, 1990. Total return assumes reinvestment
of dividends.
2. ADOPTION OF THE COMPANY'S 1996 LONG TERM
INCENTIVE AND SHARE AWARD PLAN
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL
As a result of a comprehensive review of the Company's executive
compensation programs, the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors
(the "Board") believes it is in the Company's best interest to replace the
existing Long-Term Incentive Program with a new plan allowing greater
flexibility in the use of equity-related compensation. As a result, the Board
has adopted the 1996 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan (the "Plan") which
is being submitted to the shareholders for approval in order to satisfy certain
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 related to compensation
plans involving payment in Company securities and of the Internal Revenue Code
relating to deductibility of certain performance based executive compensation. A
copy of the Plan appears as Appendix A.
The Board of Directors believes that the Plan will be an important part of
the Company's management compensation program by helping to attract and retain
motivated, highly competent employees. By providing stock options, restricted
stock grants, and other equity-related compensation, the Board believes that the
participants will have a strong incentive to emphasize shareholder value.
GENERAL
In the event the Plan is approved by the shareholders, the Company's present
Long-Term Incentive Program will be terminated and future long term share awards
will be issued under the proposed Plan. Any grants under the existing Long-Term
Incentive Program will not be affected by the termination of that plan.
13
The Plan allows the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights
("SARs"), restricted share and restricted share unit awards, performance share
and performance unit awards, dividend equivalent awards, director shares in lieu
of fees, and other share-based awards (collectively, "Awards") to eligible Plan
participants. While the Company has no current plans to grant Awards other than
stock options, dividend equivalents, and the issuance of shares to non-employee
directors in lieu of fees, the Board of Directors believes that the ability to
use different types of equity compensation vehicles will give the Company the
flexibility needed to adapt most effectively over time to changes in the labor
market and in equity compensation practices.
The Board has authorized the issuance of up to 3,000,000 shares of the
Company's common stock pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan. If an Award
expires or is canceled without having been fully exercised or vested, the
unvested or canceled shares generally will be available thereafter for grants of
Awards. The number of shares available for grant under the Plan, as well as
outstanding Awards, non-employee director shares, and the numerical limits for
individual grants, will be adjusted as appropriate to reflect any stock splits,
stock dividends, recapitalization, reorganizations or other changes to the
capital structure of the Company. The type, amount and conditions of any Awards
have not been determined by the Human Resources Committee.
PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
The Plan is intended to attract, motivate and retain (1) employees of the
Company and its affiliates, and (2) non-employee directors of the Company
("outside directors"). The Plan is designed to further the growth and financial
success of the Company and its affiliates by aligning the interests of the Plan
participants, through stock ownership and other incentives, with the interests
of the Company's shareholders. The Plan is also intended to meet competitive
compensation levels through increases in variable (at-risk) pay rather than
traditional base salary.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN
The following paragraphs provide a summary of the principal features of the
Plan and its operation. The Plan is set forth in its entirety as Appendix A to
this Proxy Statement. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by
reference to Appendix A.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
The Plan will be administered by the Human Resources Committee of the Board
or such other Board committee as may be designated by the Board to administer
the Plan (the "Committee"). Two or more members of the Committee must qualify as
"disinterested persons" under Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, and as "outside directors" under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code (for purposes of qualifying amounts received under the Plan as
"performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m)).
Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee has the sole discretion to
determine the employees who shall be granted Awards, to designate affiliates
that will be participating employers under the Plan, to determine the type(s)
and number of Awards to be granted, to determine the number of shares to which
Awards may relate, to determine the manner in which an Award may be settled, to
determine the manner in which Awards may be deferred, to prescribe the form of
Award Agreements, to adopt or alter rules and regulations and to appoint agents
to administer the Plan, to correct defects or inconsistencies and to construe
and interpret the Plan, to accelerate the exercisability of Awards, and to
determine the terms and conditions of all Awards. The Committee may delegate its
authority to grant and administer awards to a separate committee appointed by
the Committee, but only the Committee may make awards to participants who are
executive officers of the Company. The outside director portion of the Plan will
be administered by the full Board of Directors, rather than the Committee.
ELIGIBILITY TO RECEIVE AWARDS
Employees of the Company and its affiliates (i.e., any entity other than the
Company and its Subsidiaries that is designated by the Board as a participating
employer under the Plan) are eligible to be selected to
14
receive one or more Awards. The actual number of employees who will receive
Awards under the Plan cannot be determined because selection for participation
in the Plan is in the sole discretion of the Committee.
The Plan also allows for outside directors to receive all or a portion of
their fees in the form of common stock. The terms and conditions of shares to be
granted to directors are discussed below under "Director Fees."
OPTIONS
The Committee may grant nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options
("ISOs"), or any combination thereof. The number of shares covered by each
option will be determined by the Committee, but during any calendar year, no
participant may be granted options or SARs for more than 75,000 shares.
The exercise price of each option is set by the Committee, but generally
will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company's common
stock on the date of grant, and may require achievement of performance criteria
established by the Committee. The exercise price of an ISO must comply with the
provisions of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code which currently provides,
among other things, that the aggregate fair market value of the shares
(determined on the grant date) covered by ISOs, which first become exercisable
by any participant during any calendar year, may not exceed $100,000.
Stock options may be exercised in whole or in part. The Committee may permit
payment through the tender of shares of the Company's common stock then owned by
the participant, or by any other means that the Committee determines to be
consistent with the Plan's purpose. Any taxes required to be withheld must be
paid at the time of exercise.
Options become exercisable at the times and on the terms established by the
Committee. Options expire at the times established by the Committee, but
generally not later than 10 years after the date of grant. The Committee may
extend the maximum term of any option granted under the Plan, subject to the
preceding limits.
DIRECTOR FEES
Outside director participants will receive a portion of their annual
director fees in shares, with the remainder of the fees to be payable either in
cash or shares as elected by the outside director participant. Nothing in the
language of the Plan will be interpreted to disqualify the Plan from treatment
as a "formula plan" under Securities Exchange Commission Rule 16b-3.
The required portion of stock compensation will be paid at the beginning of
each year, or promptly following the outside director's election to the Board.
The elective stock compensation due a outside director participant will be
payable on a quarterly basis, as described in the Plan. Distribution amounts
will be determined by dividing the participant's required and elected dollar
amount of compensation by the market value of the shares on the date one
business day prior to the date of distribution. For additional information
concerning fees payable to outside directors, see "Information Concerning the
Board of Directors -- Outside Directors' Compensation."
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS ("SARS")
The Committee determines the terms and conditions of each SAR. SARs may be
granted in conjunction with an option, or may be granted on an independent
basis. The number of shares covered by each SAR will be determined by the
Committee, but during any calendar year, no participant may be granted options
and SARs for more than 75,000 shares.
Upon exercise of a SAR, the participant will receive payment from the
Company in an amount measured by the difference between the exercise price of
the right and the fair market value of shares on the exercise date or other date
specified by the Committee.
SARs are exercisable at the times and on the terms established by the
Committee. Proceeds from SAR exercises may be paid in cash, shares, or property
as determined by the Committee. SARs expire at the times established by the
Committee.
15
RESTRICTED SHARE AWARDS AND RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARDS
Restricted share awards are shares of stock that are granted subject to
restrictions established by the Committee. Restricted share units are rights to
receive shares or cash at the end of a specified deferral period subject to
restrictions established by the Committee. The number of restricted shares and
restricted share units, (if any) granted to a participant will be determined by
the Committee.
In determining the vesting schedule for each Award of restricted shares or
restricted share units, the Committee may impose whatever conditions to vesting
as it determines to be appropriate. For example, the Committee may (but is not
required to) provide that restricted shares or restricted share units will vest
only if one or more of the following measures in setting the performance goals
are satisfied. In order for the Award to qualify as "performance-based"
compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Committee
must use one or more of the following measures in setting the performance goals:
(1) earnings per share, (2) individual performance objectives, (3) net income,
(4) pro forma net income, (5) return on designated assets, (6) return on
revenues, and (7) satisfaction of Company-wide or department based operating
objectives. These performance measures are some of the same measures that are
used in setting performance goals under the Company's Short-Term Incentive Plan,
and under the existing Long-Term Incentive Program which was approved by the
shareholders at the 1993 Annual Meeting. The Committee may apply the performance
measures on a corporate or business unit basis, as deemed appropriate in light
of the participant's specific responsibilities. The Committee may, in its sole
discretion, accelerate the time at which any restrictions lapse or remove any
restrictions. In no event may the total compensation payable to any participant
in any calendar year under all performance-based restricted shares, restricted
units, performance shares and performance units exceed the equivalent of 15,000
shares.
PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS AND PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARDS
Performance share awards and performance unit awards are amounts credited to
a bookkeeping account established for the participant. A performance unit has an
initial value that is established by the Committee at the time of its grant. A
performance share has an initial value equal to the fair market value of a share
of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant. The number of performance
units or performance shares (if any) granted to a participant will be determined
by the Committee.
Whether a performance unit or performance share actually will result in a
payment to a participant will depend upon the extent to which performance goals
established by the Committee are satisfied. The applicable performance goals
will be determined by the Committee. In order to qualify as "performance-based"
compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, the same
measures of performance goals stated under Restricted Share Awards above must be
used. In no event may the total compensation payable to any participant in any
calendar year under all performance-based restricted shares, restricted units,
performance shares and performance units exceed the equivalent of 15,000 shares.
After a performance unit or performance share award has vested (that is,
after the applicable performance goal or goals have been achieved), the
participant will be entitled to receive a payout of cash, shares, or any
combination thereof, as determined by the Committee. Unless otherwise determined
by the Committee at the date of grant, unvested performance units and
performance shares will be forfeited upon the earlier of the recipient's
termination of employment or the date set forth in the Award agreement.
DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS
Dividend equivalents are rights to receive cash, shares or other property
equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares.
Independently or in connection with an Award, the Board may grant dividend
equivalents to a participant based on the dividends declared on the shares for
record dates during the period between the date an award is granted and the date
such award is exercised or the date all conditions of the Award shall have been
satisfied. Dividend equivalents may be paid or distributed when accrued or
deemed to have been reinvested in additional shares or other investment vehicles
as determined by the Committee.
If granted in connection with an award, dividend equivalents shall be
subject to all conditions and restrictions associated with the underlying Awards
to which they relate.
16
OTHER SHARE-BASED AWARDS
The Committee is authorized to grant other stock-based awards subject to
such terms and conditions as it may prescribe.
NONTRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS
Unless otherwise set forth by the Committee in the award agreement, awards
(other than vested shares) granted under the Plan may not be sold, transferred,
pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or
by the applicable laws of descent and distribution; provided, however, that a
participant may designate one or more beneficiaries to receive any exercisable
or vested Awards following his or her death.
CHANGE OF CONTROL
In the event of a change of control, all Awards granted under the Plan then
outstanding but not then exercisable (or subject to restrictions) shall become
immediately exercisable, all restrictions shall lapse, and any performance
criteria shall be deemed satisfied, unless otherwise provided in the applicable
Award agreement. In addition, for a period of up to 60 days following a change
of control, a participant may elect to surrender any outstanding award and
receive a cash payment equal to the value of such award, with the value of any
shares being determined for this purpose based on the "change of control price"
(essentially, the higher of the highest reported sales price during the 30 days
preceding the change of control or the highest price paid or offered in the
transaction). In general, a change in control occurs if (1) a person (other than
the Company and its affiliates) is or becomes a "beneficial owner," either
directly or indirectly, of 30% of the outstanding voting securities, (2) the
composition of the Board changes whereby directors at the effective date of the
Plan (including new directors approved by a vote of a majority of the directors
then in office and any directors previously so approved) cease to constitute a
majority of the Board, or (3) the shareholders of the Company approve a merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization, reverse split of any class of
voting securities, acquisition of securities or assets, a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company, or an agreement for the sale of all or substantially
all of the Company's assets (subject to certain exceptions).
TAX ASPECTS
THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE U.S.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS WHICH ARE GENERALLY APPLICABLE TO AWARDS GRANTED UNDER
THE PLAN AS OF THE DATE OF THE PROXY STATEMENT. PEOPLE OR ENTITIES IN DIFFERING
CIRCUMSTANCES MAY HAVE DIFFERENT TAX CONSEQUENCES, AND THE TAX LAWS MAY CHANGE
IN THE FUTURE. THIS DISCUSSION IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS TAX ADVICE.
A recipient of a stock option or SAR will not have taxable income on the
date of grant. Upon the exercise of nonqualified options and SARs, the
participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between the
fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise and the exercise price.
Any gain or loss recognized upon any later disposition of the shares generally
will be capital gain or loss.
Purchase of shares upon exercise of an ISO will not result in any taxable
income to the participant, except for purposes of the alternative minimum tax.
Gain or loss recognized by the participant on a later sale or other disposition
either will be long-term capital gain or loss or ordinary income, depending upon
how long the participant has held the shares. Any ordinary income recognized
will be in the amount, if any, by which the lesser of (1) the fair market value
of such shares on the date of exercise, or (2) the amount realized from the
sale, exceeds the exercise price.
Upon receipt of a restricted share, restricted share unit, dividend
equivalents, a performance unit or a performance share, the participant will not
have taxable income except that in the case of restricted shares, the
participant may elect to be taxed at the time of the award. Absent such
election, upon vesting the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to
the fair market value of the shares or restricted shares at such time. With
respect to restricted share units, performance units, dividend equivalents and
performance shares, upon payment in cash or unrestricted shares, the participant
will recognize ordinary income equal to the amount of cash and the fair market
value of the stock at the time of payment.
17
The Committee may permit participants to satisfy tax withholding
requirements in connection with the exercise or receipt of an Award by (1)
electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable shares, or (2)
delivering to the Company then owned shares having a value equal to the amount
required to be withheld.
The Company will be entitled to a tax deduction for an Award in an amount
equal to the ordinary income realized by the participant at the time the
participant recognizes such income. Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)
contains special rules regarding the federal income tax deductibility of
compensation paid to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and to each of the
other four most highly compensated executive officers. The general rule is that
annual compensation paid to any of these specified executives will be deductible
only to the extent that it does not exceed $1 million. The Company can preserve
the deductibility of certain compensation in excess of $1 million, however, if
the Company complies with conditions imposed by Section 162(m), including (1)
the establishment of a maximum amount with respect to which Awards may be
granted to any one employee during a specified time period, and (2) for
restricted shares, restricted share units, performance units and performance
shares inclusion in the Plan of performance goals which must be achieved prior
to payment. The Plan has been designed to permit the Committee to grant Awards
which satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m).
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN
The Board generally may amend or terminate the Plan at any time and for any
reason, but in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and
Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, certain material
amendments to the Plan will be subject to shareholder approval. Provisions
within the Plan that are applicable to Directors' Fees may not be amended more
than once every six months other than to comply with the Internal Revenue Code
and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and rules thereunder.
SHAREHOLDERS VOTE REQUIRED FOR ADOPTION
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common
and Preferred Stock voting together as a class, represented and voting at the
Annual Meeting will be required for adoption of the proposal. Any shares not
voted (whether by absention, broker non-votes or otherwise) have no impact on
the adoption of the proposal. If this Proposal is not approved by the
shareholders, the 1996 Long-Term Incentive and Share Award Plan will not be
implemented and the existing Long-Term Incentive Program will remain in effect
and directors fees will be paid in cash rather than shares.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL
3. APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE RESTATED ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF UNSECURED INDEBTEDNESS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL
For consideration at the meeting is an amendment to the Company's Restated
Articles of Incorporation that would remove certain voting rights of preferred
shareholders relating to the issuance of unsecured indebtedness. Removing this
limitation on issuance of unsecured debt will provide management with the
necessary flexibility to obtain what it believes to be the best terms available
in the debt market at the time of a financing and thus provide long-term benefit
to all shareholders. This amendment will not affect preferred shareholders'
special voting rights in the event of a dividend default and for certain changes
in authorized shares or issuances of the preferred stocks, and general voting
rights on matters submitted to a vote at a shareholders meeting. Furthermore,
the proposed amendment will not affect the dividend rights, priorities or other
terms of the preferred stocks, including the dividend rate of the preferred
stocks. PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND RATES WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.
The amendment would eliminate the limitation on issuance of unsecured debt
by removing Article VI.A.6(c)(iii) of the Restated Articles and renumber the
remaining subsections of Article VI.A.6(c). This Section provides that so long
as any of the Preferred Stocks are outstanding, the Company shall not, without
18
the consent of the holders of a majority of the total number of shares of such
stock outstanding, voting together as a class, or if more than one-third of such
shares vote negatively, issue or assume any unsecured indebtedness (except for
refunding outstanding unsecured securities or redeeming or retiring shares of
the outstanding Preferred Stock) unless, immediately after such issuance or
assumption, the total principal amount of all outstanding unsecured indebtedness
would not exceed 15% of the total principal amount of all secured indebtedness,
issued or assumed by the Company, then to be outstanding, plus capital and
surplus of the Company. Article VI.6(c)(iii) appears as Appendix B.
To date, the Company's long-term debt financing generally has been
accomplished through the issuance of first mortgage bonds that are secured by a
first priority lien on substantially all of the properties owned by the Company.
In light of the increasingly competitive environment in the energy industry, the
Board of Directors believes it is essential that the Company has maximum
flexibility with respect to future financing, including the issuance of
unsecured debt. In fact, several electric utilities have already begun relying
more heavily on unsecured debt in response to changes within the industry. The
Company also believes it may be able to obtain lower overall costs of borrowings
through the use of unsecured indebtedness, thereby benefiting all of the
shareholders of the Company.
The Company does not have any present intention of issuing an aggregate
amount of debt greater than it otherwise would issue (whether secured or
unsecured) by virtue of the amendment. In addition, the issuance of any
securities by the Company is subject to prior approval by either the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission or the Kansas Corporation Commission, regardless of
the existence of any restriction in the Restated Articles. Consequently, the
holders of any of the Preferred Stocks would not be adversely affected by
removal of the provision.
The affirmative vote of (i) two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast
at the Meeting by the holders of the outstanding shares of the 4.5%, 5% and
4.25% Preferred Stock (voting together as a class), and (ii) a majority of all
the votes entitled to be cast at the Meeting by the holders of the outstanding
shares of the Company's Common Stock and the 4.5%, 5%, and 4.25% Preferred
Stocks, voting together as a class, is required for approval of this amendment.
Any shares not voted (whether by abstention, broker non-votes or otherwise) have
the same effect as a vote against the proposal to the extent the two-thirds and
majority are not achieved.
The Company's Board has unanimously approved this amendment to the Restated
Articles as advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders.
THE AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES PROPOSED FOR YOUR APPROVAL WILL PROVIDE THE
COMPANY WITH ADDITIONAL FLEXIBILITY TO SUCCEED IN THE NEW COMPETITIVE
ENVIRONMENT. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THIS AMENDMENT.
4. OTHER BUSINESS
The Board of Directors does not know of any other matters to come before the
meeting. If, however, any other matters properly come before the meeting, it is
the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote the same in
accordance with their judgment on such other matters.
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Arthur Andersen LLP has acted as the Company's independent auditors since
1958, and has been recommended by the Audit and Finance Committee, approved by
the Board of Directors and engaged by the Company as the Company's and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries' independent public accountants for 1996.
Representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP will be in attendance at the
shareholders' meeting, will be available to respond to appropriate questions
from shareholders and will be permitted to make a statement at the meeting if
they desire to do so.
19
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SHAREHOLDERS
The Annual Report of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1995, was
mailed to shareholders on March 11, 1996. The Report contains financial
statements audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants.
Whether or not you expect to be present at the 1996 Annual Meeting, you are
requested to date, sign, and return the enclosed proxy card. Your prompt
response will be much appreciated.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Richard D. Terrill
Richard D. Terrill
SECRETARY
Topeka, Kansas
March 27, 1996
20
APPENDIX A
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
---------------------
1996 LONG TERM INCENTIVE AND SHARE AWARD PLAN
(EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1996)
------------------------
1. PURPOSES. The purposes of the 1996 Long Term Incentive and Share Award
Plan are to advance the interests of Western Resources, Inc. and its
shareholders by providing a means to attract, retain, and motivate employees and
directors of the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries and affiliates upon
whose judgment, initiative and efforts the continued success, growth and
development of the Company is dependent.
2. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be
defined as set forth below unless a different meaning is plainly required by the
context:
(a) "Affiliate" means any entity other than the Company and its
Subsidiaries that is designated by the Board or the Committee as a
participating employer under the Plan, provided that the Company directly or
indirectly owns at least 50% of the combined voting power of all classes of
stock of such entity or at least 50% of the ownership interests in such
entity.
(b) "Award" means any Option, SAR, Restricted Share, Restricted Share
Unit, Performance Share, Performance Unit, Dividend Equivalent, or Other
Share-Based Award granted to an Eligible Employee under the Plan.
(c) "Award Agreement" means any written agreement, contract, or other
instrument or document evidencing an Award.
(d) "Beneficiary" means the person, persons, trust or trusts which have
been designated by such Participant in his or her most recent written
beneficiary designation filed with the Company to receive the benefits
specified under this Plan upon the death of the Participant, or, if there is
no designated Beneficiary or surviving designated Beneficiary, then the
person, persons, trust or trusts entitled by will or the laws of descent and
distribution to receive such benefits.
(e) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(f) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time
to time. References to any provision of the Code shall be deemed to include
successor provisions thereto and regulations thereunder.
(g) "Committee" means the Human Resources Committee of the Board, or
such other Board committee as may be designated by the Board to administer
the Plan; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Committee shall consist of two or more
directors of the Company, each of whom is a "disinterested person" within
the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and an "outside director"
within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.
(h) "Company" means Western Resources, Inc., a corporation organized
under the laws of the state of Kansas, or any successor corporation.
(i) "Director" means a non-employee member of the Board.
(j) "Director's Share" means a share granted to a Director under Section
7.
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(k) "Dividend Equivalent" means a right, granted under Section 5(g), to
receive cash, Shares, or other property equal in value to dividends paid
with respect to a specified number of Shares. Dividend Equivalents may be
awarded on a free-standing basis or in connection with another Award, and
may be paid currently or on a deferred basis.
(l) "Eligible Employee" means an employee of the Company or its
Subsidiaries and Affiliates, including any director who is an employee, who
is responsible for or contributes to the management, growth and/or
profitability of the business of the Company, its Subsidiaries or
Affiliates.
(m) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time. References to any provision of the Exchange Act shall be
deemed to include successor provisions thereto and regulations thereunder.
(n) "Fair Market Value" means, with respect to Shares or other property,
the fair market value of such Shares or other property determined by such
methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the
Committee. If the shares are listed on any established stock exchange or on
a national market system, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in
good faith, the Fair Market Value of Shares shall mean the mean between the
high and low selling prices per Share on the immediately preceding date (or,
if the Shares were not traded on that day, the next preceding day that the
Shares were traded) on the principal exchange on which the Shares are
traded, as such prices are officially quoted on such exchange.
(o) "ISO" means any Option intended to be and designated as an incentive
stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(p) "NQSO" means any Option that is not an ISO.
(q) "Option" means a right, granted under Section 5(b) to purchase
Shares.
(r) "Other Share-Based Award" means a right, granted under Section 5(h),
that relates to or is valued by reference to Shares.
(s) "Participant" means an Eligible Employee or Director who has been
granted an Award or Director's Shares under the Plan.
(t) "Performance Share" means a performance share granted under Section
5(f).
(u) "Performance Unit" means a performance unit granted under Section
5(f).
(v) "Plan" means this 1996 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan.
(w) "Restricted Shares" means an Award of Shares under Section 5(d) that
may be subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.
(x) "Restricted Share Unit" means a right, granted under Section 5(e),
to receive Shares or cash at the end of a specified deferral period.
(y) "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3, as from time to time in effect and
applicable to the Plan and Participants, promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(z) "SAR" or "Share Appreciation Right" means the right, granted under
Section 5(c), to be paid an amount measured by the difference between the
exercise price of the right and the Fair Market Value of Shares on the date
of exercise of the right, with payment to be made in cash, Shares, or
property as specified in the Award or determined by the Committee.
(aa) "Shares" means common stock, $5.00 par value per share, of the
Company.
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(bb) "Subsidiary" means any corporation (other than the Company) in an
unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the
corporations (other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain) owns
shares possessing 100% or more of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.
3. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) AUTHORITY OF THE COMMITTEE. Except as provided in subsection (e) of
this Section 3, the Plan shall be administered by the Committee, and the
Committee shall have full and final authority to take the following actions, in
each case subject to and consistent with the provisions of the Plan:
(i) to select Eligible Employees to whom Awards may be granted;
(ii) to designate Affiliates;
(iii) to determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each
Eligible Employee;
(iv) to determine the type and number of Awards to be granted, the
number of Shares to which an Award may relate, the terms and conditions of
any Award granted under the Plan (including, but not limited to, any
exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, and any bases for adjusting
such exercise, grant or purchase price, any restriction or condition, any
schedule for lapse of restrictions or conditions relating to transferability
or forfeiture, exercisability, or settlement of an Award, and waiver or
accelerations thereof, and waivers of performance conditions relating to an
Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee shall
determine), and all other matters to be determined in connection with an
Award;
(v) to determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances
an Award may be settled, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid, in
cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled,
forfeited, exchanged, or surrendered;
(vi) to determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances
cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property payable with respect to an
Award will be deferred either automatically, at the election of the
Committee, or at the election of the Participant;
(vii) to prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be
identical for each Participant;
(viii) to adopt, amend, suspend, waive, and rescind such rules and
regulations and appoint such agents as the Committee may deem necessary or
advisable to administer the Plan;
(ix) to correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any
inconsistency in the Plan and to construe and interpret the Plan and any
Award, rules and regulations, Award Agreement, or other instrument
hereunder,
(x) to accelerate the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion of
any Award or to extend the period during which an Award is exercisable; and
(xi) to make all other decisions and determinations as may be required
under the terms of the Plan or as the Committee may deem necessary or
advisable for the administration of the Plan.
(b) MANNER OF EXERCISE OF COMMITTEE AUTHORITY. The Committee shall have
sole discretion in exercising its authority under the Plan. Any action of the
Committee with respect to the Plan shall be final, conclusive, and binding on
all persons, including the Company, Subsidiaries, Affiliates, Eligible
Employees, any person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any
Eligible Employee, and shareholders. The express grant of any specific power to
the Committee, and the taking of any action by the Committee, shall not be
construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee. The Committee may
delegate to officers or managers of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate
the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, to
perform administrative functions and, with respect to Awards granted to persons
not subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, to perform such other functions
as the Committee may determine, to the extent permitted under Rule 16b-3 (if
applicable) and applicable law.
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(c) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. Each member of the Committee shall be
entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information
furnished to him or her by any officer or other employee of the Company or any
Subsidiary or Affiliate, the Company's independent certified public accountants,
or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of
the Plan. No member of the Committee, nor any officer or employee of the Company
acting on behalf of the Committee, shall be personally liable for any action,
determination, or interpretation taken or made in good faith with respect to the
Plan, and all members of the Committee and any officer or employee of the
Company acting on their behalf shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully
indemnified and protected by the Company with respect to any such action,
determination, or interpretation.
(d) LIMITATION ON COMMITTEE'S DISCRETION. Anything in this Plan to the
contrary notwithstanding, in the case of any Award which is intended to qualify
as "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C)
of the Code, the Committee shall have no discretion to increase the amount of
compensation payable under the Award to the extent such an increase would cause
the Award to lose its qualification as such performance-based compensation.
(e) ADMINISTRATION OF DIRECTORS' PORTION. Anything in this Plan to the
contrary notwithstanding, the portion of this Plan relating to Directors shall
be administered by the full Board. Since grants to Directors are either
automatic or based on the elections of Directors, this function will be limited
to interpretation and general administrative oversight.
4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
(a) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c) hereof, the total
number of Shares reserved for issuance in connection with Awards and Director's
Shares under the Plan shall be 3,000,000. No Award or Director's Shares may be
granted if the number of Shares to which such Award or Director's Shares
relates, when added to the number of Shares previously issued under the Plan,
exceeds the number of Shares reserved under the preceding sentence. If any
Awards or Director's Shares are forfeited, canceled, terminated, exchanged or
surrendered or such Award or Director's Shares is settled in cash or otherwise
terminates without a distribution of Shares to the Participant, any Shares
counted against the number of Shares reserved and available under the Plan with
respect to such Award or Director's Shares shall, to the extent of any such
forfeiture, settlement, termination, cancellation, exchange or surrender, again
be available for Awards or Director's Shares under the Plan. Upon the exercise
of any Award granted in tandem with any other Awards, such related Awards shall
be canceled to the extent of the number of Shares as to which the Award is
exercised. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c) hereof, the maximum
number of Shares with respect to which Options or SARs may be granted during a
calendar year to any Eligible Employee under this Plan shall be 75,000
(seventy-five thousand) Shares or with respect to Restricted Shares and
Performance Shares the equivalent of 15,000 shares during a calendar year.
(b) Any Shares distributed pursuant to an Award or Director's Shares may
consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares, treasury Shares
or Shares acquired by purchase in the open market or in private transactions.
(c) In the event that the Committee shall determine that any dividend in
Shares, recapitalization, Share split, reverse split, reorganization, merger,
consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or share exchange, or other
similar corporate transaction or event, affects the Shares such that an
adjustment is appropriate In order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the
rights of Eligible Employees under the Plan, then the Committee shall make such
equitable changes or adjustments as it deems appropriate and, in such manner as
it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and kind of shares
which may thereafter be issued under the Plan, (ii) the number and kind of
shares, other securities or other consideration issued or issuable in respect of
outstanding Awards, and (iii) the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price
relating to any Award; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in each case that, with respect to
ISOs, such adjustment shall be made in accordance with Section 424(h) of the
Code, unless the Committee determines otherwise. In addition, the Committee is
authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria
and performance objectives included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or
non-recurring events (including, without limitation, events described in the
preceding sentence) affecting the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate
A-4
or the financial statements of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or in
response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if an Award Agreement specifically so provides, the
Committee shall not have discretion to increase the amount of compensation
payable under the Award to the extent such an increase would cause the Award to
lose its qualification as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section
162(m)(4)(c) of the Code and the regulations thereunder.
5. SPECIFIC TERMS OF AWARDS.
(a) GENERAL. Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth
in this Section 5. In addition, the Committee may impose on any Award or the
exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to Section 9(d)),
such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of
the Plan, as the Committee shall determine, including terms regarding forfeiture
of Awards or continued exercisability of Awards in the event of termination of
employment by the Eligible Employee.
(b) OPTIONS. The Committee is authorized to grant Options, which may be
NQSOs or ISOs, to Eligible Employees on the following terms and conditions:
(i) EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price per Share purchasable under an
Option shall be determined by the Committee, and the Committee may, without
limitation, set an exercise price that is based upon achievement of
performance criteria if deemed appropriate by the Committee.
(ii) TIME AND METHOD OF EXERCISE. The Committee shall determine at the
date of grant or thereafter the time or times at which an Option may be
exercised in whole or in part (including, without limitation, upon
achievement of performance criteria if deemed appropriate by the Committee),
the methods by which such exercise price may be paid or deemed to be paid
(including, without limitation, broker-assisted exercise arrangements), the
form of such payment (including, without limitation, cash, Shares, notes or
other property), and the methods by which Shares will be delivered or deemed
to be delivered to Eligible Employees.
(iii) ISOS. The terms of any ISO granted under the Plan shall comply in
all respects with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code, including but
not limited to the requirement that the ISO shall be granted within ten
years from the earlier of the date of adoption or shareholder approval of
the Plan.
(c) SARS. The Committee is authorized to grant SARs (Share Appreciation
Rights) to Eligible Employees on the following terms and conditions:
(i) RIGHT TO PAYMENT. A SAR shall confer on the Eligible Employee to
whom it is granted a right to receive with respect to each Share subject
thereto, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (1) the Fair Market value of
one Share on the date of exercise (or if the Committee shall so determine in
the case of any such right, the Fair Market Value of one Share at any time
during a specified period before or after the date of exercise) over (2) the
exercise price of the SAR as determined by the Committee as of the date of
grant of the SAR (which, in the case of an SAR granted in tandem with an
Option, shall be equal to the exercise price of the underlying Option).
(ii) OTHER TERMS. The Committee shall determine, at the time of grant
or thereafter, the time or times at which a SAR may be exercised in whole or
in part, the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration
payable in settlement, method by which Shares will be delivered or deemed to
be delivered to Eligible Employees, whether or not a SAR shall be in tandem
with any other Award, and any other terms and conditions of any SAR. Unless
the Committee determines otherwise, a SAR (1) granted in tandem with an NQSO
may be granted at the time of grant of the related NQSO or at any time
thereafter, and (2) granted in tandem with an ISO may only be granted at the
time of grant of the related ISO.
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(d) RESTRICTED SHARES. The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted
Shares to Eligible Employees on the following terms and conditions:
(i) ISSUANCE AND RESTRICTIONS. Restricted Shares shall be subject to
such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions, if any, as the
Committee may impose at the date of grant or thereafter, which restrictions
may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such
circumstances (including, without limitation, upon achievement of
performance criteria if deemed appropriate by the Committee), in such
installments, or otherwise, as the Committee may determine. Except to the
extent restricted under the Award Agreement relating to the Restricted
Shares, an Eligible Employee granted Restricted Shares shall have all of the
rights of a shareholders including, without limitation, the right to vote
Restricted Shares and the right to receive dividends thereon. The Committee
must certify in writing prior to the lapse of restrictions conditioned on
achievement of performance criteria that such performance criteria were in
fact satisfied.
(ii) FORFEITURE. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, at
the date of grant or thereafter, upon termination of employment during the
applicable restriction period, Restricted Shares and any accrued but unpaid
dividends or Dividend Equivalents that are at that time subject to
restrictions shall be forfeited; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Committee may
provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award Agreement, or may determine
in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating
to Restricted Shares will be waived in whole or in part in the event of
terminations resulting from specified causes, and the Committee may in other
cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of Restricted Shares.
(iii) CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES. Restricted Shares granted under the Plan
may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If
certificates representing Restricted Shares are registered in the name of
the Eligible Employee, such certificates shall bear an appropriate legend
referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such
Restricted Shares, and the Company shall retain physical possession of the
certificate.
(iv) DIVIDENDS. Dividends paid on Restricted Shares shall be either
paid at the dividend payment date or deferred for payment to such date as
determined by the Committee, in cash or in unrestricted Shares having a Fair
Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends. Shares distributed in
connection with a Share split or dividend in Shares, and other property
distributed as a dividend, shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of
forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Shares with respect to which
such Shares or other property has been distributed.
(e) RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS. The Committee is authorized to grant
Restricted Share Units to Eligible Employees, subject to the following terms and
conditions:
(i) AWARD AND RESTRICTIONS. Delivery of Shares or cash, as the case may
be, will occur upon expiration of the deferral period specified for
Restricted Share Units by the Committee (or, if permitted by the Committee,
as elected by the Eligible Employee). In addition, Restricted Share Units
shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose, if any
(including, without limitation, the achievement of performance criteria if
deemed appropriate by the Committee), at the date of grant or thereafter,
which restrictions may lapse at the expiration of the deferral period or at
earlier or later specified times, separately or in combination, in
installments or otherwise, as the Committee may determine. The Committee
must certify in writing prior to the lapse of restrictions conditioned on
the achievement of performance criteria that such criteria were in fact
satisfied.
(ii) FORFEITURE. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, at
the date of grant or thereafter, upon termination of employment (as
determined under criteria established by the Committee) during the
applicable deferral period or portion thereof to which forfeiture conditions
apply (as provided in the Award Agreement evidencing the Restricted Share
Units), or upon failure to satisfy any other conditions precedent to the
delivery of Shares or cash to which such Restricted Share Units relate, all
Restricted Share Units that are at that time subject to deferral or
restriction shall be forfeited; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Committee may
provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award Agreement,
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or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture
conditions relating to Restricted Share Units will be waived in whole or in
part in the event of termination resulting from specified causes, and the
Committee may in other cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of
Restricted Share Units.
(f) PERFORMANCE SHARES AND PERFORMANCE UNITS. The Committee is authorized
to grant Performance Shares or Performance Units or both to Eligible Employees
on the following terms and conditions:
(i) PERFORMANCE PERIOD. The Committee shall determine a performance
period (the "Performance Period") of one or more years and shall determine
the performance objectives for grants of Performance Shares and Performance
Units. Performance objectives may vary from Eligible Employee to Eligible
Employee and shall be based upon such performance criteria as the Committee
may deem appropriate. Performance Periods may overlap and Eligible Employees
may participate simultaneously with respect to Performance Shares and
Performance Units for which different Performance Periods are prescribed.
(ii) AWARD VALUE. At the beginning of a Performance Period, the
Committee shall determine for each Eligible Employee or group of Eligible
Employees with respect to that Performance Period the range of number of
Shares, if any, in the case of Performance Shares, and the range of dollar
values, if any, in the case of Performance Units, which may be fixed or may
vary in accordance with such performance or other criteria specified by the
Committee, which shall be paid to an Eligible Employee as an Award if the
relevant measure of Company performance for the Performance Period is met.
(iii) SIGNIFICANT EVENTS. If during the course of a Performance Period
there shall occur significant events as determined by the Committee which
the Committee expects to have a substantial effect on a performance
objective during such period, the Committee may revise such objective;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if an Award Agreement so provides, the Committee
shall not have any discretion to increase the amount of compensation payable
under the Award to the extent such an increase would cause the Award to lose
its qualification as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section
162(m)(4)(C) of the Code and the regulations thereunder.
(iv) FORFEITURE. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, at
the date of grant or thereafter, upon termination of employment during the
applicable Performance Period, Performance Shares and Performance Units for
which the Performance Period was prescribed shall be forfeited; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any
Award Agreement, or may determine in an individual case, that restrictions
or forfeiture conditions relating to Performance Shares and Performance
Units will be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations
resulting from specified causes, and the Committee may in other cases waive
in whole or in part the forfeiture of Performance Shares and Performance
Units.
(v) PAYMENT. Each Performance Share or Performance Unit may be paid in
whole Shares, or cash, or a combination of Shares and cash either as a lump
sum payment or in installments, all as the Committee shall determine, at the
time of grant of the Performance Share or Performance Unit or otherwise,
commencing as soon as practicable after the end of the relevant Performance
Period. The Committee must certify in writing prior to payment of any
Performance Share or Performance Unit that the performance objectives and
any other material items were in fact satisfied.
(g) DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS. The Committee is authorized to grant Dividend
Equivalents to Eligible Employees. The Committee may provide, at the date of
grant or thereafter, that Dividend Equivalents shall be paid or distributed when
accrued or shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares, or
other investment vehicles as the Committee may specify, provided that Dividend
Equivalents (other than freestanding Dividend Equivalents) shall be subject to
all conditions and restrictions of the underlying Awards to which they relate.
(h) OTHER SHARE-BASED AWARDS. The Committee is authorized, subject to
limitations under applicable law, to grant to Eligible Employees such other
Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by
reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Shares, as deemed by the
Committee to
A-7
be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, including, without limitation,
unrestricted shares awarded purely as a "bonus" and not subject to any
restrictions or conditions, other rights convertible or exchangeable into
Shares, purchase rights for Shares, Awards with value and payment contingent
upon performance of the Company or any other factors designated by the
Committee, and Awards valued by reference to the performance of specified
Subsidiaries or Affiliates. The Committee shall determine the terms and
conditions of such Awards at date of grant or thereafter. Shares delivered
pursuant to an Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this
Section 5(h) shall be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such times,
by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, cash, Shares,
notes or other property, as the Committee shall determine. Cash awards, as an
element of or supplement to any other Award under the Plan, shall also be
authorized pursuant to this Section 5(h).
6. CERTAIN PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS.
(a) STAND-ALONE, ADDITIONAL, TANDEM AND SUBSTITUTE AWARDS. Awards granted
under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted to Eligible
Employees either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in exchange or
substitution for, any other Award granted under the Plan or any award granted
under any other plan or agreement of the Company, any Subsidiary or Affiliate,
or any business entity to be acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary or
Affiliate, or any other right of an Eligible Employee to receive payment from
the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate. Awards may be granted in addition to
or in tandem with such other Awards or awards, and may be granted either at the
same time as or a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.
The per Share exercise price of any Option, grant price of any SAR, or purchase
price of any other Award conferring a right to purchase Shares which is granted,
in connection with the substitution of awards granted under any other plan or
agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate or any business entity
to be acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, shall be
determined by the Committee, in its discretion.
(b) TERMS OF AWARDS. The term of each Award granted to an Eligible
Employee shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee;
provided, however, that in no event shall the term of any ISO or an SAR granted
in tandem therewith exceed a period of ten years from the date of its grant (or
such shorter period as may be applicable under Section 422 of the Code).
(c) FORM OF PAYMENT UNDER AWARDS. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any
applicable Award Agreement, payments to be made by the Company or a Subsidiary
or Affiliate upon the grant, maturation, or exercise of an Award may be made in
such forms as the Committee shall determine at the date of grant or thereafter,
including, without limitation, cash, Shares, or other property, and may be made
in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis. The
Committee may make rules relating to installment or deferred payments with
respect to Awards, including the rate of interest to be credited with respect to
such payments.
(d) NONTRANSFERABILITY. Unless otherwise set forth by the Committee in an
Award Agreement, Awards (except for vested shares) shall not be transferable by
an Eligible Employee except by will or the laws of descent and distribution
(except pursuant to a Beneficiary designation) and shall be exercisable during
the lifetime of an Eligible Employee only by such Eligible Employee or his
guardian or legal representative. An Eligible Employee's rights under the Plan
may not be pledged, mortgaged, hypothecated, or otherwise encumbered, and shall
not be subject to claims of the Eligible Employee creditors.
7. DIRECTOR'S FEES
(a) STOCK GRANT. Each Director Participant shall receive such portion of
his/her Director fees in Shares as shall be established from time to time by the
Board, with the remainder of such Director fees to be payable, in cash or in
Shares as elected by the Director Participant in accordance with Section 7(b)
below.
(b) ELECTION TO DETERMINE PERCENTAGE OR AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION TO BE PAID
IN STOCK. Each Director Participant shall have an opportunity to elect to have
the remaining portion of his/her Director fees paid in cash or shares, or a
combination thereof. Except for the initial election following adoption of the
plan or the Director's election to the Board, any such election shall be made in
writing and must be made at least six months before the services are rendered
giving rise to such compensation, and may not be changed
A-8
thereafter except as to compensation for services rendered at least six months
after any such election to change is made in writing. In the absence of such an
election, such remaining portion of the Director's fees shall be paid entirely
in cash. Nothing contained in this Section 7(b) shall be interpreted in such a
manner as would disqualify the Plan from treatment as a "formula plan" under
Rule 16b-3.
(c) AMOUNT AND DATE OF PAYMENT FOR STOCK COMPENSATION.
(1) For any Plan Year in which a Director is a Participant for the full Plan
Year, any Stock compensation due a Director Participant pursuant to Sections
7(a) shall be payable at the beginning of such plan year, and with respect to
Section 7(b) above shall be payable on a quarterly basis, with the first such
quarterly distribution being made on April 1 and succeeding quarterly
distributions being made on July 1, October 1, and January 1. The amount of
stock to be distributed to a Director Participant shall be determined by
dividing the Director Participant's required and elected dollar amount of stock
compensation by the Fair Market Value of the Shares.
(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of the 1996 Plan Year, no
stock distributions shall be made prior to receipt of all requisite approvals;
provided, however, that once the requisite approvals of the Plan are received,
the stock distributions shall be made as soon as practicable thereafter and
shall include any stock distributions which would have been made had the
requisite approvals been obtained on the Effective Date. The stock distributions
to be made in accordance with this Section 7(c)(2) shall be valued in accordance
with the provisions of Section 7(c)(1).
8. CHANGE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS.
(a) ACCELERATION OF EXERCISABILITY AND LAPSE OF RESTRICTIONS; CASH-OUT OF
AWARDS. In the event of a Change of Control, the following acceleration and
cash-out provisions shall apply unless otherwise provided by the Committee at
the time of the Award grant.
(i) All outstanding Awards pursuant to which the Participant may have
rights the exercise of which is restricted or limited, shall become fully
exercisable; unless the right to lapse of restrictions or limitations is
waived or deferred by a Participant prior to such lapse, all restrictions or
limitations (including risks of forfeiture and deferrals) on outstanding
Awards subject to restrictions or limitations under the Plan shall lapse;
and all performance criteria and other conditions to payment of Awards under
which payments of cash, Shares or other property are subject to conditions
shall be deemed to be achieved or fulfilled and shall be waived by the
Company.
(ii) For a period of up to 60 days following a Change of Control, the
Participant may elect to surrender any outstanding Award and to receive, in
full satisfaction therefor, a cash payment equal to the value of such Award
calculated on the basis of the Change of Control Price of any Shares or the
Fair Market Value of any property other than Shares relating to such Award;
provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, or a Stock
Appreciation Right granted in tandem therewith, the cash payment shall be
based upon the Fair Market Value of Shares on the date of exercise. In the
event that an Award is granted in tandem with another Award such that the
Participant's right to payment for such Award is an alternative to payment
of another Award, the Participant electing to surrender any such tandem
Award shall surrender all alternative Awards related thereto and receive
payment for the Award which produces the highest payment to the Participant.
Except as provided in Section 8(a)(iii), in no event will an Award be
surrendered or a Participant have the right to receive cash under this
Section 8(a)(ii) with respect to an Award if the Participant is subject to
Section 16 of the Exchange Act and at least six months shall not have
elapsed from the date on which the Participant was granted the Award before
the date of the Change of Control (unless this restriction is not at such
time required under Rule 16b-3).
(iii) In the event that any Award is subject to limitations under Section
8(a)(ii) at the time of a Change of Control, then, solely for the purpose of
determining the rights of the Participant with respect to such Award, a
Change of Control shall be deemed to occur at the close of business on the
first business day following the date on which the Award could be sold
without liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
A-9
(b) DEFINITIONS OF CERTAIN TERMS. For purposes of this Section 8, the
following definitions, in addition to those set forth in Section 2, shall apply:
(i) "Change of Control" means and shall be deemed to have occurred if
(a) any person (within the meaning of the Exchange Act), other than the
Company or a Related Party, is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined
in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of Voting
Securities representing 30 percent or more of the total voting power of all
the then-outstanding Voting Securities, (b) the individuals who, as of the
effective date of the Plan, constitute the Board of Directors of the Company
together with those who first become directors subsequent to such date and
whose recommendation, election or nomination for election to the Board was
approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in
office who either were directors as of the effective date of the Plan or
whose recommendation, election or nomination for election was previously so
approved (the "Continuing Directors"), cease for any reason to constitute a
majority of the members of the Board, (c) the shareholders of the Company
approve a merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization of the
Company, reverse split of any class of Voting Securities, or an acquisition
of securities or assets by the Company, or consummation of any such
transaction if shareholder approval is not obtained, other than (i) any such
transaction which would result in more than 75 percent of the total voting
power represented by the voting securities of the surviving entity
outstanding immediately after such transaction being beneficially owned by
more than 75 percent of the holders of outstanding Voting Securities
immediately prior to the transaction, with the voting power of each such
continuing holder relative to other such continuing holders not
substantially altered in the transaction, or (ii) any such transaction which
would result in a Related Party beneficially owning more than 50 percent of
the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after
such transaction, (d) the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of
complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or
disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's
assets other than any such transaction which would result in a Related Party
owning or acquiring more than 50 percent of the assets owned by the Company
immediately prior to the transaction.
(ii) "Change of Control Price" means, with respect to a Share, the
higher of (a) the highest reported sales price of Shares on the New York
Stock Exchange during the 30 calendar days preceding a Change of Control, or
(b) the highest price paid or offered in a transaction which either (i)
results in a Change of Control, or (ii) would be consummated but for another
transaction which results in a Change of Control and, if it were
consummated, would result in a Change of Control. With respect to clause (b)
in the preceding sentence, the "price paid or offered" will be equal to the
sum of (i) the face amount of any portion of the consideration consisting of
cash or cash equivalents and (ii) the fair market value of any portion of
the consideration consisting of real or personal property other than cash or
cash equivalents, as established by an independent appraiser selected by the
Committee.
(iii) "Related Party" means (a) a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company;
or (b) an employee or group of employees of the Company or any wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company; or (c) a trustee or other fiduciary holding
securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company; or (d) a corporation owned directly or indirectly
by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as
their ownership of Voting Securities.
(iv) "Voting Securities or Security" means any securities of the Company
which carry the right to vote generally in the election of directors.
9. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) COMPLIANCE WITH LEGAL AND TRADING REQUIREMENTS. The Plan, the granting
and exercising of Awards or Director's Shares thereunder, and the other
obligations of the Company under the Plan and any Award Agreement, shall be
subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and to
such approvals by any regulatory or governmental agency as may be required. The
Company, in its discretion, may postpone the issuance or delivery of Shares
under any Award or Director's Share until completion of such stock exchange or
market system listing or registration or qualification of such Shares or other
required action under any state or federal law, rule or regulation as the
Company may consider appropriate, and may
A-10
require any Participant to make such representations and furnish such
information as it may consider appropriate in connection with the issuance or
delivery of Shares in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. No
provisions of the Plan shall be interpreted or construed to obligate the Company
to register any Shares under federal or state law.
(b) NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE. Neither the Plan nor any
action taken thereunder shall be construed as giving any employee or director
the right to be retained in the employ or service of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates to terminate any employee's
or director's employment or service at any time.
(c) TAXES. The Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate is authorized to
withhold from any Award granted, any payment relating to an Award under the
Plan, including from a distribution of Shares, or any payroll or other payment
to an Eligible Employee, amounts of withholding and other taxes due in
connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other
action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Company and Eligible
Employees to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other
tax obligations relating to any Award. This authority shall include authority to
withhold or receive Shares or other property and to make cash payments in
respect thereof in satisfaction of an Eligible Employee's tax obligations.
(d) CHANGES TO THE PLAN AND AWARDS. The Board may amend, alter, suspend,
discontinue, or terminate the Plan or the Committee's authority to grant Awards
under the Plan without the consent of shareholders of the Company or
Participants, except that any such amendment, alteration, suspension,
discontinuation, or termination shall be subject to the approval of the
Company's shareholders to the extent such shareholder approval is required (i)
in order to insure that Awards granted under the Plan are exempt under Rule
16b-3 or (ii) under Section 422 of the Code; provided, however, that, without
the consent of an affected Participant, no amendment, alteration, suspension,
discontinuation, or termination of the Plan may impair the rights or, in any
other manner, adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any Award or
Director's Shares theretofore granted to him or her. Notwithstanding the other
provisions of this paragraph, Section 7 and the other provisions of this Plan
applicable to Director's Shares may not be amended more than once every six
months other than to comport with changes in the Code, the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the rules thereunder.
(e) NO RIGHTS TO AWARDS; NO SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS. No Eligible Employee or
employee shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there
is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Eligible Employees and
employees. No Award shall confer on any Eligible Employee any of the rights of a
shareholder of the Company unless and until Shares are duly issued or
transferred to the Eligible Employee in accordance with the terms of the Award.
(f) UNFUNDED STATUS OF AWARDS. The Plan is intended to constitute an
"unfunded" plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet
made to a Participant pursuant to an Award or Director's Shares, nothing
contained in the Plan or any Award or Director's Share shall give any such
Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the
Company; provided, however, that the Committee may authorize the creation of
trusts or make other arrangements to meet the Company's obligations under the
Plan to deliver cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property pursuant to any
Award, which trusts or other arrangements shall be consistent with the
"unfunded" status of the Plan unless the Committee otherwise determines with the
consent of each affected Participant.
(g) NONEXCLUSIVITY OF THE PLAN. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the
Board nor its submission to the shareholders of the Company for approval shall
be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such
other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without
limitation, the granting of options and other awards otherwise than under the
Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in
specific cases.
A-11
(h) NOT COMPENSATION FOR BENEFIT PLANS. No Award payable under this Plan
shall be deemed salary or compensation for the purpose of computing benefits
under any benefit plan or other arrangement of the Company for the benefit of
its employees or directors unless the Company shall determine otherwise.
(i) NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional Shares shall be issued or
delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award or Director's Option. Cash shall be
paid in lieu of such fractional shares.
(j) GOVERNING LAW. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan, any
rules and regulations relating to the Plan, and any Award Agreement shall be
determined in accordance with the laws of Kansas without giving effect to
principles of conflict of laws.
(k) EFFECTIVE DATE; PLAN TERMINATION. The Plan shall become effective as
of January 1, 1996, (the "Effective Date") upon approval by the affirmative
votes of the holders of a majority of voting securities of the Company voting
upon the adoption of the plan. The Plan shall terminate as to future awards on
the date which is ten (10) years after the Effective Date.
(l) TITLES AND HEADINGS. The titles and headings of the sections in the
Plan are for convenience of reference only. In the event of any conflict, the
text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.
------------------------
APPENDIX B
Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation to delete Article
VI.6.(c)(iii). The text of Article VI.6.(c)(iii) follows:
ARTICLE VI
6. The holders of the Preferred Stock shall be entitled to the following
special voting rights:
* * *
(c) Subject to the provisions of Subdivision (d) of Paragraph 6 of this
Section A, so long as any Preferred Stock is outstanding, the Corporation
shall not (i) without the consent (given by vote in person or by proxy at a
meeting called for that purpose) of the holders of at least a majority of
the shares of Preferred Stock then outstanding, voting separately as a
class, or if more than one-third of the outstanding shares of such stock
shall vote negatively, and (ii) without the vote of the percentage or number
of shares of any and all classes required by law and the Articles of
Incorporation of the Corporation, or amendments thereto, including this
amendment:
* * *
(iii) ISSUE ANY UNSECURED NOTES, DEBENTURES OR OTHER SECURITIES
REPRESENTING UNSECURED INDEBTEDNESS, OR ASSUME ANY SUCH UNSECURED
SECURITIES, FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN REFUNDING OF OUTSTANDING UNSECURED
SECURITIES THERETOFORE ISSUED OR ASSUMED BY THE CORPORATION OR THE
REDEMPTION, REACQUISITION OR OTHER RETIREMENT OF OUTSTANDING PREFERRED
STOCK, IF, IMMEDIATELY AFTER SUCH ISSUE OR ASSUMPTION, THE TOTAL
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ALL SUCH UNSECURED SECURITIES THEN OUTSTANDING WOULD
EXCEED FIFTEEN PER CENT (15%) OF THE AGGREGATE OF (1) THE TOTAL PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT OF ALL BONDS OR OTHER SECURITIES REPRESENTING SECURED INDEBTEDNESS
ISSUED OR ASSUMED BY THE CORPORATION AND THEN TO BE OUTSTANDING, AND (2)
THE CAPITAL STOCK AND SURPLUS OF THE CORPORATION AS THEN TO BE STATED ON
ITS BOOKS;
* * *
A-12
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR USE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS OF WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.--MAY 7, 1996, AT 11:00 A.M., IN THE
MANER CONFERENCE CENTRE (KANSAS EXPOCENTRE) LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER
OF SEVENTEENTH AND WESTERN, TOPEKA, KANSAS.
The undersigned hereby appoints John E. Hayes, Jr., John K. Rosenberg,
and Richard D. Terrill and any one or more of them, attorneys and proxies,
with full power of substitution and revocation in each, for and on behalf of
the undersigned, and with all the powers the undersigned would possess if
personally present, including discretionary power upon other matters
properly coming before the meeting, to vote at the above Annual Meeting and
any adjournment(s) thereof all shares of Common Stock of Western Resources,
Inc. that the undersigned would be entitled to vote at such meeting. The
undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice and Proxy Statement dated
March 27, 1996.
The shares represented by this proxy will be voted as directed by the
shareholder. If no direction is given when the duly executed proxy is
returned, such shares will be voted FOR all proposals.
THIS PROXY IS CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE
PLEASE SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY
PROXY AND VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD COMMON WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all Nominees and proposals ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
2 & 3. MAY 7, 1996
Please mark your choice like this / / in blue or black ink.
1. Election of the following nominees as Directors: FRANK J. BECKER GENE A. BUDIG C. Q. CHANDLER THOMAS R. CLEVENGER DAVID C. WITTIG
/ / FOR all Nominees / / WITHHELD for all WITHHELD for the following nominee(s) only:
Nominees Write name(s):
2. Adoption of 1996 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
3. Amend the Articles of Incorporation relating to unsecured indebtedness. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
Signature Date
Signature Date
Please mark, date and sign as your
name appears hereon and return in
the enclosed envelope.
(Instructions on Reverse Side)
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR USE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS OF WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.--MAY 7, 1996, AT 11:00 A.M., IN THE
MANER CONFERENCE CENTRE (KANSAS EXPOCENTRE) LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER
OF SEVENTEENTH AND WESTERN, TOPEKA, KANSAS.
The undersigned hereby appoints John E. Hayes, Jr., John K. Rosenberg,
and Richard D. Terrill and any one or more of them, attorneys and proxies,
with full power of substitution and revocation in each, for and on behalf of
the undersigned, and with all the powers the undersigned would possess if
personally present, including discretionary power upon other matters
properly coming before the meeting, to vote at the above Annual Meeting and
any adjournment(s) thereof all shares of Preferred Stock of Western
Resources, Inc. that the undersigned would be entitled to vote at such
meeting. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice and Proxy
Statement dated March 27, 1996.
The shares represented by this proxy will be voted as directed by the
shareholder. If no direction is given when the duly executed proxy is
returned, such shares will be voted FOR all proposals.
THIS PROXY IS CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE
PLEASE SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY
PROXY AND VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD PREFERRED WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all Nominees and proposals ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
2 & 3. MAY 7, 1996
Please mark your choice like this / / in blue or black ink.
1. Election of the following nominees as Directors: FRANK J. BECKER GENE A. BUDIG C. Q. CHANDLER THOMAS R. CLEVENGER DAVID C. WITTIG
/ / FOR all Nominees / / WITHHELD for all WITHHELD for the following nominee(s) only:
Nominees Write name(s):
2. Adoption of 1996 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
3. Amend the Articles of Incorporation relating to unsecured indebtedness. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
Signature Date
Signature Date
Please mark, date and sign as your
name appears hereon and return in
the enclosed envelope.
(Instructions on Reverse Side)
Common
PROXY AND VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD will attend / /
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FORall nominees listed below and FOR
proposals 2 & 3
Please mark your votes as in this example. /X/
1.Election of Directors: FRANK J. BECKER GENE A. BUDIG C.Q. CHANDLER THOMAS R. CLEVENGER DAVID C. WITTIG
/ / FOR all Nominees / / WITHHOLD for all Nominees WITHHELD for the following nominee(s) only:
write name(s):
----------------------------------------------
2.Adoption of 1996 Long-Term Incentive and Share Award Plan. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
3.Amend the Articles of Incorporation relating to unsecured indebtedness. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
----------------------- -----------
Signaure Date
----------------------- -----------
Signature Date
Please mark, date and sign as your name
appears hereon and return in the enclosed
(Instructions on Reverse Side) envelope.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* FOLD AND TEAR ALONG PERFORATION *
[WESTERN RESOURCES LOGO]
Dear Shareholder:
The Western Resources, Inc. Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held in
the Maner Conference Center (Kansas Expocentre) located at the southeast corner
of Seventeenth and Western, Topeka, Kansas, at 11:00 a.m., on May 7, 1996.
Shareholders of record on March 19, 1996, are entitled to vote, in person
or by proxy, at the meeting. The proxy card attached to the top of this page is
for your use in designating proxies and providing voting instructions.
The attached card serves both as a proxy designation for Shareholders of
record, including those holding shares through the Dividend Reinvestment and
Stock Purchase Plan and as voting instructions for the participants in the
Western Resources, Inc. 401(k) Employees' Savings Plan.
Participants in the employee savings plan are entitled to direct the
Trustee how to vote their shares.
The Board of Directors recommend a vote FOR all nominees and proposals.
Please indicate your voting preferences on the card, sign and date the
card, and return it in the enclosed envelope.
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR USE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS OF WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. -- MAY 7, 1996, AT 11:00 A.M., IN THE
MANER CONFERENCE CENTER (KANSAS EXPOCENTRE) LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF
SEVENTEENTH AND WESTERN, TOPEKA, KANSAS.
The undersigned hereby appoints John E. Hayes, Jr., John K. Rosenberg and
Richard D. Terrill and any one or more of them, attorneys and proxies, with full
power of substitution and revocation in each, for and on behalf of the
undersigned, and with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally
present, including discretionary power upon other matters properly coming before
the meeting, to vote at the above Annual Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof
all shares of Common Stock of Western Resources, Inc. that the undersigned would
be entitled to vote at such meeting. This proxy also provides voting
instructions for Shares held by the undersigned in the employee savings plan.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice and Proxy Statement dated
March 25, 1996.
The shares represented by this proxy will be voted as directed by the
shareholder. If no direction is given when the duly executed proxy is returned,
such shares will be voted FOR all proposals.
THIS PROXY IS CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE.
PLEASE SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY.
Forward this card to Corporate Election Services:
P.O. Box 1150, Pittsburgh, PA 15230-9954
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* FOLD AND TEAR ALONG PERFORATION *
Preferred
PROXY AND VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD will attend / /
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FORall nominees listed below and FOR
proposals 2 & 3
Please mark your votes as in this example. /X/
1.Election of Directors: FRANK J. BECKER GENE A. BUDIG C.Q. CHANDLER THOMAS R. CLEVENGER DAVID C. WITTIG
/ / FOR all Nominees / / WITHHOLD for all Nominees WITHHELD for the following nominee(s) only:
write name(s):
--------------------------------------------------------
2.Adoption of 1996 Long-Term Incentive and Share Award Plan. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
3.Amend the Articles of Incorporation relating to unsecured indebtedness. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
------------------------------- -----------------
Signature Date
------------------------------- -----------------
Signature Date
Please mark, date and sign as your name appears hereon
and return in the enclosed envelope.
(Instructions on Reverse Side)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* FOLD AND TEAR ALONG PERFORATION *
[WESTERN RESOURCES LOGO]
Dear Shareholder:
The Western Resources, Inc. Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held in
the Maner Conference Center (Kansas Expocentre) located at the southeast corner
of Seventeenth and Western, Topeka, Kansas, at 11:00 a.m., on May 7, 1996.
Shareholders of record on March 19, 1996, are entitled to vote, in person
or by proxy, at the meeting. The proxy card attached to the top of this page is
for your use in designating proxies and providing voting instructions.
The Board of Directors recommend a vote for FOR all nominees and proposals.
Please indicate your voting preferences on the card, sign and date the
card, and return it in the enclosed envelope.
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR USE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS OF WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. -- MAY 7, 1996, AT 11:00 A.M., IN THE
MANER CONFERENCE CENTER (KANSAS EXPOCENTRE) LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF
SEVENTEENTH AND WESTERN, TOPEKA, KANSAS.
The undersigned hereby appoints John E. Hayes, Jr., John K. Rosenberg and
Richard D. Terrill and any one or more of them, attorneys and proxies, with full
power of substitution and revocation in each, for and on behalf of the
undersigned, and with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally
present, including discretionary power upon other matters properly coming
before the meeting, to vote at the above Annual Meeting and any adjournment(s)
thereof all shares of Preferred Stock of Western Resources, Inc. that the
undersigned would be entitled to vote at such meeting. The undersigned
acknowledges receipt of the Notice and Proxy Statement dated March 25, 1996.
The shares represented by this proxy will be voted as directed by the
shareholder. If no direction is given when the duly executed proxy is returned,
such shares will be voted FOR all proposals.
THIS PROXY IS CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE.
PLEASE SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY.
Forward this card to Corporate Election Services:
P.O. Box 1150, Pittsburgh, PA 15230-9954
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* FOLD AND TEAR ALONG PERFORATION *
