UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
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PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
2300 W. Plano Parkway
Plano, Texas 75075
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Friday, May 9, 2008
3:30 p.m.Central Daylight Time
Perot Systems Corporation
Plano Campus Cafeteria, West Lobby
2300 West Plano Parkway
Plano, Texas 75075
March 25, 2008
To Our Stockholders
On behalf of the Board of Directors, you are cordially invited to attend the 2008 Perot Systems Corporation Annual Meeting of Stockholders. At the Annual Meeting, our stockholders will be voting on:
Voting is limited to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 12, 2008.
If you plan to attend the meeting in person, please bring to the Annual Meeting one of the admission tickets provided with these proxy materials.
Sincerely yours,
Ross
Perot, Jr.
Chairman
PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Perot Systems Corporation is furnishing you this Proxy Statement on behalf of its Board of Directors to solicit proxies for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders and any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting. We will hold the Annual Meeting at our Plano Campus Cafeteria, 2300 West Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas on Friday, May 9, 2008, at 3:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time. We first mailed these proxy materials to our stockholders on or about March 25, 2008.
PURPOSE OF MEETING
We are holding the Annual Meeting for the stockholders to elect our directors, amend, renew and extend the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, ratify the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm for 2008, and conduct any other business that properly comes before the Annual Meeting.
VOTING AND SOLICITATION
Right to Vote and Record Date
Our Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, is the only type of security entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each share of Class A Common Stock that you owned as of the close of business on March 12, 2008, entitles you to one vote for each of the 11 nominees for director and one vote on each other proposal properly brought before the Annual Meeting. On March 12, 2008, there were 118,955,116 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding.
Quorum; Adjournment
The holders of at least a majority of the voting power of our issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock must be present, in person or by proxy, to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. We count abstentions to determine whether a quorum exists for the transaction of business. We also count broker non-votes, which we describe in more detail below, as shares present or represented at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists.
Voting at the Annual Meeting
If your shares of Class A Common Stock are registered directly with Mellon Investor Services, you are a "record holder" and may vote in person at the Annual Meeting. If you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, your shares are held in "street name" and you are the "beneficial holder." If you hold your shares in street name, in order to vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee.
Voting by Proxy
Whether or not you are able to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy.
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Shares Held of Record
If you are a record holder, you can vote your shares using one of the following methods:
We must receive votes submitted through the Internet or by telephone by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on May 8, 2008. Internet and telephone voting are available 24 hours a day, and if you use one of those methods, you do not need to return a proxy card. Submitting your voting instructions by any of the methods mentioned above will not affect your right to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person.
If you vote by phone or via the Internet, please have your social security number and proxy or voting instruction card available. The sequence of numbers appearing on your proxy card and your social security number are necessary to verify your vote.
Shares Held in Street Name
If you hold your shares in street name, you should follow the directions provided by your broker or bank regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your shares. Without instructions from you, your broker or bank has discretion to vote your shares on "routine matters," such as the election of directors and ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm. Your broker does not have the discretion to vote your shares on the amendment, renewal and extension of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
How the Proxy Holders Will Vote Your Proxy
The proxy holders will vote as you direct if you properly complete your proxy. If you submit a proxy but do not provide directions on how to vote, your proxy will be voted as follows:
Changing Your Vote
You may revoke or change your proxy at any time before the Annual Meeting. The procedures for changing your vote differ depending on how you own your shares. If you are a record holder of your Perot Systems shares, you may change your vote by:
If you are a beneficial holder of your Perot Systems shares, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, bank or nominee.
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Vote Required
Board of Directors
The 11 nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected directors of Perot Systems and will serve until the next Annual Meeting or until their successors have been elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. We do not have cumulative voting for the election of directors.
Amendment, Renewal and Extension of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Amendment, renewal and extension of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Other Matters
Approval of other matters considered at the Annual Meeting typically requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Our Certificate of Incorporation requires a vote of 66 2/3% of the outstanding Class A Common Stock for certain matters. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, no other matter for consideration at the Annual Meeting has been submitted to Perot Systems.
Broker Non-Votes and Abstentions
A broker non-vote occurs when a broker holds shares in street name for a customer and the customer does not direct the broker's vote with respect to the approval of non-routine matters. With respect to the election of directors and ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm, a broker will have discretionary authority to vote the shares if the beneficial owner has not given instructions. Without your instructions, a broker may not vote on the amendment, renewal and extension of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Abstentions are counted as votes AGAINST for purposes of determining the approval of any matter submitted to the stockholders for a vote.
Solicitation of Proxies
Perot Systems will pay all costs of the solicitation. We will furnish copies of solicitation material to fiduciaries and custodians holding shares in street name that others beneficially own. We will conduct the original solicitation by mail or, in cases where the stockholder has previously consented to electronic delivery, by electronic means. We may supplement the original solicitation with a solicitation by telephone, telegram, or other means by our directors, officers, or employees. We will not pay additional compensation to these individuals for their services. We do not plan to solicit proxies by means other than those we have described above.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to Be Held on May 9, 2008.
This proxy statement is available at: www.proxyvote.com by entering the control number you received in your notice, vote instruction form or proxy card.
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
General
Our bylaws provide that the number of our directors will not be less than one, with the exact number to be fixed by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has fixed the number of directors at 11. We are proposing the election of all 11 of our current directors to hold office for a term of one year, expiring at the close of the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or when their successors are elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal. We have listed the nominees and their positions and offices with Perot Systems below. The proxy holders will vote all duly executed proxies received for the nominees listed below unless you instruct them otherwise. If any nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders will vote the proxies for any nominee designated by the current Board to fill the vacancy, unless the Board reduces the number of directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting. The Board is not aware of any nominee who is unable or who will decline to serve as a director.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES LISTED BELOW.
Directors and Their Business Experience
Ross Perot is Chairman Emeritus of the Board and has served as a director of Perot Systems since November 1997. Mr. Perot served as Chairman of the Board from February 1998 until September 2004. Mr. Perot is a founder of Perot Systems, served as Perot Systems' President and Chief Executive Officer from November 1997 through August 2000, and served as a director from April 1988 until September 1994. Mr. Perot is currently a private investor. Mr. Perot is the father of Ross Perot, Jr. Age 77.
Ross Perot, Jr. has served as Chairman of the Board of Perot Systems since September 2004 and as a director since June 1988. Mr. Perot served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Perot Systems from September 2000 until September 2004. Mr. Perot is founder of Hillwood Development Company LLC. Mr. Perot is the son of Ross Perot. Age 49.
Peter A. Altabef has served as President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director of Perot Systems since September 2004. Mr. Altabef served as Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Perot Systems from March 1996 until September 2004. Mr. Altabef became General Counsel in 1994 and a Vice President in 1995. Age 48.
Steven Blasnik has served as a director of Perot Systems since September 1994. Mr. Blasnik has been employed by Perot Investments, Inc., a private investment firm affiliated with our Chairman Emeritus, Ross Perot, for more than five years. Mr. Blasnik also serves as President of Parkcentral Capital Management LP, an investment firm controlled by the Perot Family Trust, and Hill Air Company, LLC, which is wholly owned by Ross Perot. Mr. Blasnik also serves as a director of iREIT, Inc., a private company that owns and operates internet domain names. Age 50.
John S.T. Gallagher has served as a director of Perot Systems since May 2001. Since August 2006, Mr. Gallagher has served as a director and member of the audit committee of American Medical Alert Corp. From March 2002 until April 2007, Mr. Gallagher served as a director and member of the audit and compensation committees of Netsmart Technologies, Inc. From November 2005 through December 2006, Mr. Gallagher served as director and Chief Executive of Stony Brook University Hospital. Mr. Gallagher served as President and Chief Executive Officer of North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System from October 1997 through December 2001 and continues to serve on its Board of Trustees. From January 2002 to November 2005, Mr. Gallagher served as Deputy County Executive of Health and Human Services for Nassau County, New York. Age 76.
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Carl Hahn has served as a director of Perot Systems since April 1993. Since June 1996, Mr. Hahn has been a private investor. Mr. Hahn previously served as Chairman of Saurer Ltd., a manufacturer of textile machines, and Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. Mr. Hahn has served as a director and member of the compensation committees of Hawesko AG since May 1998 and director and audit committee member of Global Consumer Acquisition Corporation since October 2007. Mr. Hahn served as a director and compensation committee member of Indesit Company (formerly known as Merloni Elettrodomestici Group) from May 2001 until April 2007. Mr. Hahn is also a professor of Industrial Strategies at the University of Zwickau, Germany. Age 81.
DeSoto Jordan has served as a director of Perot Systems since February 2004. Since September 1999, Mr. Jordan has been a private investor and Chairman of Afton Holdings, LLC. From 1988 to 1999, Mr. Jordan served as Vice President of Perot Systems. Since 2003, Mr. Jordan has also served as a director and member of the audit committee of Argan, Inc. Age 63.
Thomas Meurer has served as a director of Perot Systems since May 2001. Mr. Meurer is Senior Vice President of Hunt Consolidated, Inc., a director and Senior Vice President of Hunt Oil Company, and has served as an executive officer and director of one or more of the Hunt affiliated entities for over five years. Age 66.
Cecil H. (C. H.) Moore, Jr. has served as a director of Perot Systems since October 2003. Mr. Moore is a private investor. From January 1990 until August 1999, he served as managing partner of the Dallas Business Unit and as an International Liaison Partner of KPMG LLP. Mr. Moore has served as a director and member of the audit committee of NL Industries, Inc. since September 2003 and a director and chairman of the audit committee of Kronos Worldwide, Inc. since December 2003 and June 2004, respectively. Mr. Moore is also a partner in Moore Holdings, Ltd., a private company. Age 68.
Anthony J. Principi has served as a director of Perot Systems since December 2005. Mr. Principi has served as Chairman of QTC Management, Inc. since November 2005, and as Senior Vice President of Pfizer, Inc. since March 2006. Mr. Principi has also served as a director and member of the audit committee of Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company since March 2005. From March 2005 until September 2005, Mr. Principi served as Chairman of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. From January 2001 until January 2005, Mr. Principi was Secretary of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Age 63.
Anuroop (Tony) Singh has served as a director of Perot Systems since March 2005. Mr. Singh has served as Vice Chairman of Max New York Life Insurance Company Limited, a partnership between New York Life International LLC and Max India Limited, since January 2005. Mr. Singh has also served as a director of DCB Bank, Ltd. since February 2005. Mr. Singh has served as a director of Max India, Ltd. since April 2007, and previously served in the same capacity from October 2000 until September 2005. Mr. Singh was CEO and managing director of Max New York Life from October 2000 through December 2004. Age 54.
Board and Committee Meetings
The Board met five times in 2007. During 2007, each incumbent director attended at least 75% of the Board meetings and meetings of all of the committees of which he was a member. Directors are encouraged to attend the annual meetings of our stockholders. Six members of the Board attended our annual stockholders' meeting in May 2007.
The Board has established the Audit Committee, Human Resources and Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee to assist in the discharge of the Board's responsibilities. Members of the committees serve until their successors are appointed or their earlier resignation or removal.
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The charters of the Audit, Human Resources and Compensation, and Nominating and Governance Committees are publicly available at the Corporate Responsibility section of our website (www.perotsystems.com/responsibility). We intend to disclose all substantive amendments to these charters on this website. Stockholders may request a printed copy of any of these charters from Perot Systems Corporation, Attn: Investor Relations, 2300 West Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75075, telephone 1-877-737-6973.
Presiding Director for Executive Sessions of Non-Management Directors
The Board holds meetings of its non-management directors quarterly. The presiding director for these meetings rotates January 1 of each year according to the alphabetical order of each non-management director's last name. Mr. Jordan served in this position during fiscal 2007. Mr. Meurer is the presiding director for 2008. Stockholders and other interested parties may express any concerns regarding Perot Systems' business practices to the presiding director or to the non-management directors as a group by sending a written communication to Perot Systems Corporation, Attn: Non-Management Directors/Corporate Secretary, 2300 West Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75075 or by calling our Confidential Hotline (1-800-753-9173) and requesting that the information be provided to the non-management directors.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee consists of C. H. Moore, Jr., Carl Hahn, John S.T. Gallagher, and Tony Singh. Mr. Moore, the Chairman of the Audit Committee, was appointed to the Audit Committee in December 2003. Messrs. Hahn, Gallagher and Singh were appointed in December 1994, May 2001, and April 2006, respectively. The Audit Committee met eight times in 2007. All members of the Audit Committee satisfy the requirements of independence as set forth in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and Perot Systems' Director Independence Standard, and are independent within the meaning of the applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mr. Moore is qualified as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, and the Board has determined that he has accounting and related financial management expertise within the meaning of the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.
The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of our accounting, auditing, and financial reporting practices. The Audit Committee does not prepare financial statements or perform audits, and its members are not auditors or certifiers of our financial statements. A charter, that the Board and Audit Committee reassess annually, governs the Audit Committee's activities.
The Audit Committee's primary responsibilities and duties are to review and discuss with our outside independent registered public accounting firm our financial statements and the professional services they provide, including the scope of their audit coverage, the independent registered public accounting firm's reports to management and management's responses to such reports, and the independence of the accounting firm from our management. In addition, the Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to legal and regulatory compliance matters. The Audit Committee also reviews and discusses with management the scope of our internal audits, summaries of the internal auditors' reports and activities, the effectiveness of our internal audit staff, certain possible violations of our Standards and Ethical Principles, and such other matters with respect to our accounting, auditing, and financial reporting practices and procedures as it may find appropriate or as have been brought to its attention. In addition, the Board has delegated to the Audit Committee the authority to select our independent registered public accounting firm for each fiscal year.
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Human Resources and Compensation Committee
The Human Resources and Compensation Committee (the "HR Committee") consists of Carl Hahn, DeSoto Jordan, Thomas Meurer, Anthony Principi, and Tony Singh. Mr. Hahn, the Chairman of the HR Committee, was appointed to the committee in March 2002. Messrs. Meurer, Jordan, Singh and Principi were appointed in March 2002, February 2004, June 2005, and April 2006, respectively. All members of the HR Committee satisfy the requirements of independence as set forth in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and Perot Systems' Director Independence Standard. The HR Committee met four times in 2007.
The primary areas of responsibility of the HR Committee are as follows:
In discharging its responsibilities, the HR Committee and its Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee advise management and make recommendations and determinations with respect to salary matters, bonus and retirement plans, health and welfare plans, the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the 2001 Long-Term Incentive Plan and other benefit plans. In addition, the HR Committee reviews and provides advice to management regarding succession planning and talent development processes, the promotion of diversity, leadership and associate development, and safety matters. The HR Committee's activities are governed by a charter that the Board and HR Committee reassess annually.
Except as described below, the HR Committee reviews and makes final determinations with respect to compensation for our executive officers and reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the compensation of our outside directors. The charter of the HR Committee allows the HR Committee to delegate certain of its responsibilities, where appropriate, to the chair or one or more members of the HR Committee. The HR Committee has formed the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee, which is composed solely of outside directors, to make final determinations regarding performance-based compensation, within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, for our executive officers. Prior to February 27, 2007, the HR Committee reviewed and made final determinations with respect to the compensation of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and reviewed and made recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the compensation of our other executive officers. In discharging its responsibilities, the HR Committee and its Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee were advised by our Human Resources organization. The participation of our executive officers in the determination of salaries for named executives is described in our "Compensation Discussion and Analysis." Our executive officers provide information regarding, but do not recommend, non-employee director compensation levels. In addition, the HR Committee and its Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee engaged and were advised by Fredric W. Cook & Co., Inc. ("F.W. Cook"). Pursuant to the directions of these committees, F.W. Cook provides them with market data, updates on compensation trends and regulatory developments, advice on program design and compensation levels, and other related items as requested by the committees. Although it gathers information from, and reviews materials with, management in completing its work, F.W. Cook works directly on behalf of the committees, does no other work for the Company or any of its senior executives, and has no other ties to the Company.
Nominating and Governance Committee
The Nominating and Governance Committee consists of Thomas Meurer, John S.T. Gallagher, DeSoto Jordan and Anthony Principi. Mr. Meurer, the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee, was appointed to the committee in June 2003. Messrs. Gallagher, Jordan and Principi were
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appointed to the Nominating and Governance Committee in June 2003, February 2004 and April 2006, respectively. The committee met four times in 2007.
The Board of Directors established the Nominating and Governance Committee to assist the Board in shaping our corporate governance, including the composition of the Board and its committees. The Nominating and Governance Committee identifies and recommends to the full Board all candidates for election as a director. The committee also recommends our corporate governance principles.
Each member of the Nominating and Governance Committee satisfies the requirements of independence set forth in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and Perot Systems' Director Independence Standard. The Director Independence Standard is publicly available at the Corporate Responsibility section of our website (www.perotsystems.com/responsibility).
Director Independence
Pursuant to the Director Independence Standard, the Board reviewed each director's independence in February 2008. As a result of this review, the Board affirmatively determined that each director standing for election at the Annual Meeting, except Ross Perot, Ross Perot, Jr., Peter Altabef, and Steven Blasnik, has no material relationship with Perot Systems (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with Perot Systems) and is independent of Perot Systems and its management under the Director Independence Standard, the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange currently in effect and, with respect to members of the Audit Committee, applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In connection with Mr. Meurer's independence determination, the Board examined the personal relationships between Mr. Meurer and the Perot family. These relationships include Mr. Meurer's service as an unpaid trustee or co-trustee for 13 trusts that benefit members of Ross Perot's family, including Ross Perot, Jr. One of these trusts directly owns 2,050,000 shares of our Class A Common Stock and owns limited partnership interests constituting approximately 61.3% of the economic interest in HWGA, Ltd., a limited partnership having Ross Perot and Ross Perot, Jr. as its sole general partners. HWGA owns 29,655,000 shares of our Class A Common Stock. However, in its capacity as a limited partner of HWGA, the trust does not possess, either directly or indirectly, (i) the power to direct or cause the direction of management and policies of HWGA or (ii) voting or dispositive power over the Class A Common Stock owned by HWGA. Five of the remaining trusts, one of which has Ross Perot, Jr. as its principal beneficiary, own an aggregate of 136,800 shares (27,360 shares each) of our Class A Common Stock. After considering all relevant facts and circumstances, the Board determined Mr. Meurer's relationships were not material and do not impair the independence of Mr. Meurer.
In connection with Mr. Gallagher's independence determination, the Board examined Mr. Gallagher's service as a Life Trustee on the 130-member board of trustees for North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, a former client of ours, and his former service as its Chief Executive Officer. After considering all relevant facts and circumstances, the Board determined that Mr. Gallagher's relationships were not material and do not impair the independence of Mr. Gallagher.
In connection with Mr. Jordan's independence determination, the Board examined Mr. Jordan's role as one of our founders and his employment by us until his retirement in 1999. The Board also considered a personal loan made by Ross Perot to Mr. Jordan, which was repaid in 1999. After considering all relevant facts and circumstances, the Board determined that Mr. Jordan's relationships were not material and do not impair the independence of Mr. Jordan.
Stockholder Nominations and Nominee Review Process
The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended by our stockholders. Perot Systems' Director Qualification Guidelines are publicly available at the Corporate
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Responsibility section of our website (www.perotsystems.com/responsibility). Perot Systems stockholders who wish to recommend a director candidate should mail the candidate's resume, together with a letter from the candidate confirming his or her interest in serving as one of our directors, to Perot Systems Corporation, Attn: Nominating Committee/Corporate Secretary, 2300 West Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75075.
Once the Nominating and Governance Committee has identified a prospective candidate, the committee makes an initial determination as to whether to conduct a full evaluation of the candidate. This initial determination is based on the candidate's resume, as well as the Nominating and Governance Committee's own knowledge of the prospective candidate, which may be supplemented by inquiries to the person making the recommendation or others. The initial determination is also based on the likelihood that the prospective candidate meets the standards and qualifications set forth in Perot Systems' Director Qualification Guidelines, which include:
The Nominating and Governance Committee also considers such other relevant factors as it deems appropriate, including the composition of the Board, the balance of management and independent directors, and financial or industry expertise. If the Nominating and Governance Committee determines that the candidate is qualified and interested, the committee coordinates a series of interviews between the candidate and appropriate directors, officers and other senior managers of Perot Systems. After conducting their evaluation, the Nominating and Governance Committee makes a recommendation to the full Board as to the persons who should be nominated by the Board, and the Board determines the nominees after considering the recommendation and report of the committee.
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Communications with Directors
Stockholders and other interested parties may send communications to the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee, and the Nominating and Governance Committee at the addresses set forth in the table below. Our Secretary is responsible for forwarding to appropriate directors all written communications addressed to the Board or its committees. In addition, transcripts of calls to our Confidential Hotline relating to accounting and financial matters are forwarded to the members of the Audit Committee.
Directors |
Address |
|
---|---|---|
Board of Directors | By mail: Perot Systems Corporation Attn: Board of Directors/Corporate Secretary 2300 West Plano Parkway Plano, Texas 75075 |
|
Audit Committee |
By mail: Perot Systems Corporation Attn: Audit Committee/Corporate Secretary 2300 West Plano Parkway Plano, Texas 75075 By e-mail: PSC-AuditCommittee@ps.net Telephone: +1 (800) 753-9173 (Confidential Hotline) |
|
Nominating and Governance Committee |
By mail: Perot Systems Corporation Attn: Nominating and Governance Committee/Corporate Secretary 2300 West Plano Parkway Plano, Texas 75075 |
|
Individual Directors |
By mail: Perot Systems Corporation Attn: Name of Director/Corporate Secretary 2300 West Plano Parkway Plano, Texas 75075 |
Director Compensation
The Director Compensation Table below shows compensation for the year 2007 for our directors other than Messrs. Ross Perot, Ross Perot, Jr. and Peter Altabef, who receive no compensation for their services as directors.
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
Stock Awards ($)(1) |
Option Awards ($)(2)(3) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) |
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) |
All Other Compensation ($) |
Total ($) |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steven Blasnik | 14,025 | 131,175 | 33,290 | | | | 178,490 | |||||||
John S. T. Gallagher | 71,000 | 86,200 | | | | | 157,200 | |||||||
Carl Hahn | 31,025 | 131,175 | 33,445 | | | | 195,645 | |||||||
DeSoto Jordan | 61,000 | 86,200 | 12,254 | | | | 159,454 | |||||||
Thomas Meurer | 25,025 | 131,175 | | | | | 156,200 | |||||||
C. H. Moore, Jr. | 79,000 | 86,200 | | | | | 165,200 | |||||||
Anthony J. Principi | 67,000 | 86,200 | | | | | 153,200 | |||||||
Anuroop (Tony) Singh | 25,025 | 131,175 | 12,989 | | | | 169,189 |
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year ended December 31, 2007. Included for each director is a stock award granted on June 1, 2007, with an award date fair market value ("FMV") of $17.24 as determined in accordance with FAS 123R. In addition, with respect to each of Messrs. Blasnik, Hahn, Meurer and Singh, the following stock awards, which such directors elected to receive in lieu of a cash retainer, with the award date FMV determined in accordance with FAS 123R are included: December 31, 2006$11,244, March 31, 2007$11,240, June 30, 2007$11,246, and September 30, 2007$11,245. All stock awards vested immediately upon issuance and, therefore, there were no stock awards outstanding as of December 31, 2007.
Each of the non-employee directors (other than Ross Perot) receives a $45,000 annual retainer payable in quarterly installments. These non-employee directors have the option to receive all or part of the retainer in our Class A Common Stock, which is valued at the closing price of our Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day of the fiscal quarter preceding the quarter with respect to which payment is due. In 2007, additional retainers for the Chairmen of the Audit Committee, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Governance Committee were $12,000, $5,000, and $5,000, respectively. During 2007, each non-employee director (other than Ross Perot) was compensated $2,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors attended in person or by telephone and $1,000 for each committee meeting attended in person or by telephone (including meetings held in conjunction with Board meetings). We reimburse our directors for their reasonable travel-related and other out-of-pocket expenses associated with attending Board and committee meetings. Ross Perot receives no compensation for his services.
Each of the non-employee directors (other than Ross Perot) participates in the 2006 Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Plan (the "2006 Director Plan"), which provides for a grant to each eligible non-employee director of 5,000 shares of Class A Common Stock on each June 1 that the director is serving as a member of our Board of Directors. Upon their initial selection as directors, non-employee directors will receive an initial grant under the 2006 Director Plan that is a prorated portion of the 5,000 share annual grant. Shares received pursuant to the 2006 Director Plan are immediately vested. Directors have the option to irrevocably defer the receipt of shares received under the 2006 Director Plan to the date that the director's service terminates. From June 3, 2003 to May 10, 2006, Perot Systems' 1996 Non-Employee Director Plan provided for a grant to each eligible director of (i) an option to purchase 8,000 shares of our Class A Common Stock vesting one year after the date of grant or (ii) the right to purchase 8,000 restricted shares of our Class A Common Stock vesting one year after the date of grant. The exercise price of options or the purchase price of restricted shares of Class A Common Stock were required to be at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock on the date of the award. The 1996 Non-Employee Director Plan terminated, except with respect to outstanding awards, upon the approval of the 2006 Director Plan at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Corporate Governance Principles
Code of Conduct
We have adopted Standards & Ethical Principles to assist our directors, executive officers and other employees to recognize and deal with ethical issues in business situations, to provide mechanisms to report unethical conduct, and to promote a culture of honesty and accountability.
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The Standards & Ethical Principles are publicly available at the Corporate Responsibility section of our website (www.perotsystems.com/responsibility). Stockholders may request a printed copy of these guidelines, without charge, from Perot Systems Corporation, Attn: Investor Relations, 2300 West Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75075, telephone 1-877-737-6973.
We intend to disclose all substantive amendments to the Standards & Ethical Principles on our website. In addition, we intend to disclose waivers, if any, granted to any of our directors or to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller and any other executive officer on our website.
Governance Guidelines
We have corporate governance guidelines. These guidelines are publicly available at the Corporate Responsibility section of our website (www.perotsystems.com/responsibility). We intend to disclose all substantive amendments to these guidelines on this website. Stockholders may request a printed copy of these guidelines, without charge, from Perot Systems Corporation, Attn: Investor Relations, 2300 West Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75075, telephone 1-877-737-6973.
PROPOSAL NO. 2
AMENDMENT, RENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF OUR EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
Background
In March 1999, we implemented our 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which was approved by our Board of Directors and stockholders in 1998. In May 2000, our stockholders approved the division of this plan into two plans, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan/U.S. (the "U.S. Plan") and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan/Non-U.S. (the "International Plan"). The purpose of the plans is to encourage and assist our employees and employees of our participating subsidiaries to purchase our Class A Common Stock through payroll deductions.
On March 12, 2008, our Board adopted, subject to stockholder approval, amendments to the plans to (i) extend their terms by ten years, through July 16, 2018, and (ii) reduce the aggregate number of shares reserved for purchase under the plans by 10,000,000 shares to an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, including shares previously issued and shares to be issued in the future under the plans. Our Board also made administrative changes to the plans.
Proposal and Required Vote
We are asking the stockholders to approve the amendment and restatement of the plans. Approval of the amended and restated plans requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of stockholders at which a quorum of the voting power must be represented. If the stockholders do not approve the amendment and restatement of the plans, they will continue in effect until their currently scheduled July 16, 2008 expiration date. For the effects of abstentions and broker non-votes on this proposal see, "Voting and SolicitationBroker Non-Votes and Abstentions" above.
Plan Summary
We have summarized the principal features of the plans, as amended and restated. The plans are attached as Appendices A and B to this proxy statement. The principle features of the U.S. Plan and the International Plan are identical, except to the extent necessary for the U.S. Plan to comply with Sections 421 and 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. The following summary does not purport to be a complete description of all provisions of the amended and restated plans.
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Administration. The plans are administered by the HR Committee which has full authority to adopt administrative rules and procedures and to interpret the provisions of these plans.
Share Reserve. As amended and restated, the plans authorize an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to be sold and issued to eligible employees. As of March 12, 2008, 4,849,038 shares and 242,054 shares of Class A Common Stock had been issued under the U.S. Plan and the International Plan, respectively, and we have 4,908,908 shares available for future issuance under the plans (as we propose to amend them). We may issue shares under the plans from authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock or from shares of Class A Common Stock repurchased by the Company, including shares repurchased on the open market. The HR Committee will make appropriate adjustments in the aggregate number of shares subject to the plans in the event of any merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or other transaction not involving the receipt of consideration by Perot Systems. Shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options under the plans that are not exercised for any reason will remain available for issuance.
Participation. Certain employees of the Company and most of its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the plans based upon which plan his or her employer participates. An "Eligible Associate" is generally one of our regular employees who works at least 20 hours per week on a regular basis and is not engaged under an independent contractor or similar agreement, whether or not such person is determined to be an independent contractor. An otherwise Eligible Associate who owns five percent or more of our outstanding Class A Common Stock may not purchase shares under either plan.
Contributions and Purchases. Eligible Associates may make contributions to the applicable plan in an amount up to 10% of his or her eligible regular compensation, including wages, salary, bonuses and commissions, for a pay period. Participating Eligible Associates are granted the right to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock at a price equal to 85% of the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock on the exercise date for each offering period, provided that no participant may purchase more than $25,000 of Class A Common Stock (valued at the time the purchase right is granted) during any calendar year.
Market Price. On March 12, 2008, the closing price of Class A Common Stock, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, was $13.84 per share.
Offering Periods. Each offering period currently starts on the first day of the second month of a calendar quarter and ends on the last day of the first month of the following calendar quarter. There will be a shortened offering period from May 1 to June 30, 2008 and starting on July 1, 2008, we will align the offering periods with calendar quarters. The exercise date is the last day of the applicable offering period. As soon as practical after each exercise date, we will issue a stock certificate to each participant or to the plan custodian for the benefit of the participants for the number of shares purchased on that exercise date.
Withdrawal. Unless a participating Eligible Associate has withdrawn from the applicable plan at least one business day before an exercise date, we will use all amounts withheld from the participant's paycheck during the applicable offering period to purchase the maximum number of whole shares of Class A Common Stock that may be bought pursuant to the terms of the applicable plan. If the funds withheld from the participant's paycheck during the applicable offering period exceed the funds necessary to purchase a number of whole shares of Class A Common Stock by less than the fair market value of a whole share, we will carry forward the excess amount to the next offering period.
Additional Terms. During an offering period, a participating Eligible Associate may not change the percentage of his or her payroll deductions contributed to the applicable plan, except by withdrawing from the applicable plan. To withdraw from a plan, a participant must complete and deliver a withdrawal agreement to our stock administrator. As soon as practical after receiving the withdrawal agreement, contributions to the applicable plan will cease and the participant will receive a refund of any amounts
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previously withheld that have not been used to purchase shares. No participant may purchase more than $25,000 of Class A Common Stock in any calendar year, measured using the fair market value of a share of Class A Common Stock on the date the applicable option is granted.
Change-in-Control. In the event of a sale of substantially all of our assets or a merger or similar transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation or after which our historic shareholders do not own more than 50% of the voting shares of the resulting corporation, then, the exercise date for the applicable offering period will be accelerated to the date of such transaction, and the payroll deductions of the participants made through the exercise date will be used to purchase Class A Common Stock immediately prior to the transaction and all further rights of the participants will terminate, unless otherwise provided by the Board.
Share Proration. Should the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to outstanding purchase rights on any particular date exceed the total number of shares then available for issuance under the plans, the plan administrator will make a prorata allocation of the available shares on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis, and the payroll deductions of each participant, to the extent in excess of the aggregate purchase price payable for the Class A Common Stock prorated to such individual, will be refunded.
Stockholder Rights. No participant has any stockholder rights with respect to the shares covered by his or her purchase rights until the shares are actually purchased on the participant's behalf and issued by us. Other than in connection with changes to our capitalization as described above, no adjustment will be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date of such purchase.
Assignability. Purchase rights are not assignable or transferable by the participant, and the purchase rights are exercisable only by the participant.
Termination of Employment; Leave of Absence. If a participant's employment with the Company or a participating affiliate terminates on or before an exercise date, the participant will be deemed to have elected to withdraw from the applicable offering period effective as of the date the participant's employment terminated. As soon as practical after a participant's termination of employment, we will refund all amounts withheld pursuant to either plan that have not been used to purchase Class A Common Stock from the Company or otherwise refunded, and distribute any shares held on the participant's behalf to the participant or the participant's designee.
If a participant begins an approved leave of absence during an offering period, the participant will remain in the applicable plan for that offering period and each subsequent offering period, provided that the leave of absence does not exceed the greater of 90 days or the period during which such participant's right to reemployment with us is guaranteed either by statute or contract. If a participant's approved leave of absence exceeds this period, the participant will stop participating in the plan immediately thereafter.
Amendments to and Termination of the Plans. The HR Committee may amend the plans without notice, at any time, subject to certain restrictions set forth in the plans. The plans will each automatically terminate on the earlier of (i) July 16, 2018, (ii) the date all shares authorized to be sold under the plans have been sold, or (iii) the date the HR Committee terminates the applicable plan.
The HR Committee may at any time alter, suspend or terminate either or both of the plans. However, the HR Committee may not, without stockholder approval, (i) increase the number of shares issuable under either plan, (ii) alter the purchase price formula to reduce the purchase price, or (iii) modify the requirements for eligibility to participate in either plan.
Plan Benefits. We cannot determine future benefits that will be received by participants in the plans. The following table shows, as to the listed individuals and specified groups, the number of shares of
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Class A Common Stock allocated to participants under the plans between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007:
2007 PLAN BENEFITS
1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Name and Principal Position |
Aggregate Shares Purchased in Year Ended 12/31/2007 |
|
---|---|---|
Peter A. Altabef President and Chief Executive Officer |
| |
Ross Perot, Jr. Chairman |
|
|
Russell Freeman Vice President and Chief Operating Officer |
|
|
James Champy Vice President |
|
|
John E. Harper Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
Executive Group(11) |
1,383 |
|
Non-Executive Director Group(9) |
|
|
Non-Executive Officer Employee Group |
754,312 |
U.S. Federal Tax Consequences
The U.S. Plan is intended to be an "employee stock purchase plan" within the meaning of Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. Under a Section 423 plan, no taxable income will be recognized by a participant, and no deductions will be allowable to us, upon either the grant or the exercise of the purchase rights. The participant will not recognize taxable income until there is a sale or other disposition of the shares acquired under the U.S. Plan or the death of the participant.
If a participant sells or otherwise disposes of the purchased shares within two years after his or her entry date into the offering period in which such shares were acquired or within one year after the actual quarterly purchase date of those shares, the participant will recognize ordinary income in the year of sale or disposition equal to the amount by which the fair market value of the shares on the purchase date exceeded the purchase price paid for those shares, and we will be entitled to an income tax deduction for the taxable year in which such disposition occurs equal in amount to such excess. The participant will also recognize a capital gain to the extent the amount realized upon the sale of the shares exceeds the sum of the aggregate purchase price for those shares and the ordinary income recognized in connection with their acquisition. If the participant sells or disposes of the purchased shares more than two years after his or her entry date into the offering period in which the shares were acquired and more than one year after the actual quarterly purchase date of those shares, the participant will recognize ordinary income in the year of sale or disposition equal to the lesser of (i) the amount by which the fair market value of the shares on the sale or disposition date exceeded the purchase price paid for those shares or (ii) 15% of the fair market value of the shares on the participant's entry date into that offering period; and any additional gain upon the disposition will be taxed as a long-term capital gain. We will not be entitled to an income tax deduction with respect to such disposition.
If the participant still owns the purchased shares at the time of death, the lesser of (i) the amount by which the fair market value of the shares on the date of death exceeds the purchase price or (ii) 15% of the
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fair market value of the shares on his or her entry date into the offering period in which those shares were acquired will constitute ordinary income in the year of death.
Accounting Treatment
Under the accounting principles currently applicable to these types of employee stock purchase plans, the fair value of each purchase right granted will be charged as a direct compensation cost to Perot Systems' reported earnings over the offering period to which that purchase right pertains. The fair value of each such purchase right will be determined as of its grant date.
We must have a sufficient number of shares approved for issuance under the plans at the beginning of each offering period for all purchases made during the offering period. If additional shares need to be authorized during an offering period, we may delay the measurement date for the compensation cost of the purchase rights granted in that offering period which may result in a greater charge to our reported earnings for that offering period. The measurement date for the compensation cost associated with such purchase rights will be delayed until the date the share increase is approved.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT THE OWN STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE AMENDMENT, RENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF THE EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN.
PROPOSAL NO. 3
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee has selected PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to perform the audit of our financial statements for 2008. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2007.
We are asking our stockholders to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers as our independent registered public accounting firm. Although ratification is not required, the Board is submitting the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers to our stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders.
PricewaterhouseCoopers' representatives are expected to attend our 2008 Annual Stockholders' Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate stockholder questions.
Fees Paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
The following table shows the aggregate fees PricewaterhouseCoopers has billed or is expected to bill us for services rendered in 2007 and 2006.
Year |
Audit Fees(1) |
Audit Related Fees(2) |
Tax Fees(3) |
All Other Fees(4) |
Total |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007(5) | $ | 2,713,000 | $ | 6,000 | $ | 21,428 | $ | 4,838 | $ | 2,745,266 | |||||
2006 | $ | 2,837,000 | $ | 2,000 | $ | 55,245 | $ | 3,846 | $ | 2,898,091 |
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In 2007, all audit related services, tax services and other services were pre-approved by the Audit Committee or its Chairman. The Audit Committee concluded that the provision of such services by PricewaterhouseCoopers was compatible with the maintenance of that firm's independence in the conduct of its auditing functions. See "Report of the Audit Committee." Our policy restricting the engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm requires that all audit, review and attestation services be approved by the Audit Committee prior to us engaging the audit firm.
In addition, our policy regarding the engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm provides that the Audit Committee or its Chairman may pre-approve the engagement of the accounting firm for services in designated areas for fees that do not exceed the pre-approved limit. For 2008, the Audit Committee has approved the following types of services:
Our policy requires quarterly reports to the Audit Committee on billings for pre-approved services. All amounts in excess of pre-approved amounts for these services must be specifically approved by the Chairman of the Audit Committee and reported to the full Audit Committee no later than its next regular meeting.
The Audit Committee or its Chairman may also approve specific engagements for non-audit services. Following such approval, we may engage the auditor to perform those services. Any approval by the Chairman must be reported to the full Audit Committee no later than its next regular meeting.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.
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STOCK OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
AND MANAGEMENT
The following table shows the number of shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially owned as of March 12, 2008 by:
|
Class A Common Stock |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned(1) |
Percent of Ownership(1) |
||||
Executive Officers and Directors | ||||||
Peter A. Altabef(2) | 552,107 | * | ||||
Ross Perot, Jr.(3) | 31,040,000 | 25.8 | % | |||
Russell Freeman(4) | 473,512 | * | ||||
James Champy(5) | 1,077,286 | * | ||||
John E. Harper(6) | 45,889 | * | ||||
Steven Blasnik(7) | 118,199 | * | ||||
John S.T. Gallagher(8) | 50,000 | * | ||||
Carl Hahn(9) | 149,852 | * | ||||
DeSoto Jordan(10) | 95,003 | * | ||||
Thomas Meurer(11) | 2,255,652 | 1.9 | % | |||
C. H. Moore, Jr.(12) | 34,000 | * | ||||
Ross Perot(13) | 29,713,100 | 25.0 | % | |||
Anthony J. Principi(14) | 18,000 | * | ||||
Anuroop (Tony) Singh(15) | 35,210 | * | ||||
All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group (16 Persons)(16) | 35,236,774 | 29.0 | % | |||
Additional 5% Beneficial Owners |
||||||
HWGA, Ltd.(17) | 29,655,000 | 24.9 | % | |||
Royce & Associates, LLC(18) | 13,079,372 | 11.0 | % | |||
FMR LLC(19) | 9,356,359 | 7.9 | % |
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named individuals. Participants in the plan have investment and voting power over shares held for their benefit.
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general partner of HWGA. Ross Perot has voting and investment power over shares owned by HWGA. Ross Perot, Jr., our Chairman of the Board, is a general partner of HWGA and has authority to manage HWGA if Ross Perot ceases to be managing general partner of HWGA. Accordingly, the table also shows Ross Perot, Jr. beneficially owning the shares that HWGA owns. Ross Perot is a director and officer of The Perot Foundation. Petrus Financial Services Limited is an affiliate of Ross Perot. The address for Ross Perot, HWGA, The Perot Foundation and Petrus Financial Services Limited is P.O. Box 269014, Plano, Texas 75026-9014.
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This compensation discussion and analysis ("CD&A") is intended to provide information about our compensation objectives and policies for our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, and our three other most highly compensated executive officers ("named executives") that will place in perspective the information contained in the tables that follow this discussion. Our CD&A is organized as follows:
We provide information about our HR Committee and the processes it uses in determining the compensation of our named executives in the section of the Proxy Statement dealing with corporate governance matters.
Objectives of our Compensation Programs
We are a global information technology services company. We have a growth strategy and our goal as a company is to effectively execute this business strategy to create value for our investors. We base our compensation programs on our business needs and challenges and intend for those programs to support the achievement of our strategy and shareholder value creation through the following:
Market Benchmarking
We consider market pay levels as one of the important factors in assessing the supply of and demand for senior leadership. Our objective is to position ourselves around the middle of market practice. To provide a frame of reference in evaluating the reasonableness and competitiveness of compensation, information on market pay levels is obtained from various sources, including nationally recognized
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compensation surveys, information taken from Securities and Exchange Commission filings of selected, publicly-traded benchmark companies, and first-hand experience obtained from the marketplace in hiring associates.
More specifically, our philosophy has been to target base salaries, annual bonuses, and long-term stock incentives for our executive officers at the median of the benchmark companies. We have traditionally not provided our executives with retirement plans (other than our tax-qualified 401(k) program), significant perquisites or contractual severance benefits (other than in connection with a change-in-control), and we believe that our benefits relating to those elements are generally significantly lower than those provided by the benchmark companies.
With respect to the Chairman's compensation, the Chairman elected, at the time he stepped down as our Chief Executive Officer in 2004, not to receive annual incentive bonuses in his capacity as Chairman. In addition, the Chairman has not received an equity award since 2001 because his awards in 2000 and 2001 were designed to provide, and the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee believes are providing, adequate long-term equity compensation and incentive for him through the period over which the awards vest.
Excluding the Chairman's compensation, which is discussed above, the compensation of the named executive officers was, on average, near the median of the benchmark companies with respect to 2007 base salaries. For 2007, management determined and the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee agreed that our financial performance did not support the payment of incentive bonuses for our executive officers. Therefore, annual incentive compensation was significantly lower than the median of benchmark companies. The value of our long term incentive compensation for 2007 for our named executive officers was below the median of the benchmark companies. In making equity awards to our named executive officers, our Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee is limited by the total number of shares that the Board makes available for all equity awards to our associates and the desired level of awards to associates other than the named executive officers. Our total share usage under long-term stock incentives, including the number of shares granted annually as a percentage of total shares outstanding and the expense of all stock awards granted annually as percentage of market capitalization, is targeted to be at or slightly below the benchmark median.
F.W. Cook, our HR Committee's consultant, annually gathers information on pay levels and practices for a group of comparable, publicly-traded information technology services companies that are based in the United States. Our management and the HR Committee's consultant periodically review and evaluate the benchmark companies in light of our development and growth, as well as merger and acquisition activity in the industry. For 2006, this group included all U.S.-based companies in the Hemscott Group Information Technology Services Index, except those that were substantially smaller than us, as well as other comparable companies with which we compete. The benchmark companies in 2007 included Accenture, Affiliated Computer Services, Alliance Data Systems, Anteon International, BearingPoint, CACI International, Cerner, CIBER, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Computer Sciences, Electronic Data Systems, First Consulting Group, Fiserv, Keane, NCR, and Unisys. For each comparable company, the HR Committee's consultant collects information regarding total compensation levels for named executives (including base salary, annual bonus, long-term incentives, and other compensation), dilution from stock incentives, share usage under stock incentive plans (including the number of shares granted annually as a percentage of total shares outstanding and the expense of all stock awards granted annually as a percentage of market capitalization), retirement practices, and other related items. The HR Committee's consultant summarizes and reviews this information with the HR Committee, as well as information from a leading published compensation survey.
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Share Ownership and Retention Guidelines
We believe that our named executives should have a significant equity interest in the Company. In order to promote equity ownership and further align the interests of our named executives with our shareholders, we have restricted the ability of our named executives to sell a portion of the shares of our Class A Common Stock received upon the vesting of their restricted stock units until the applicable stock ownership guideline is met. Our stock ownership guidelines vary based upon position and are expressed as a number of shares, ranging from 150,000 shares for our Chief Executive Officer to 50,000 shares for other named executives. Until the applicable guideline is met, each named executive is required to retain 30% of any shares received upon the vesting of his or her restricted stock units. Only shares actually owned by the named executive are counted for purposes of determining whether the applicable ownership guideline is met. The program is subject to periodic review by the HR Committee. All named executives are in compliance with the terms of this program.
We prohibit the purchase or sale of uncovered options, puts, calls, or other derivative securities in our Class A Common Stock by our employees. However, we do not have a policy prohibiting named executives from hedging risk in our securities by purchasing or selling options, puts, calls, or other derivative securities.
Role of Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions
Our associates, including executive officers, prepare and assemble materials for the HR Committee. Our Chief Executive Officer also annually reviews and rates the performance of each of the named executives (other than the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer, each of whose performance is assessed by the HR Committee). Following a review with the members of our Executive Committee, which includes our Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer recommends to the HR Committee and its Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee salary adjustment, annual bonus and long-term award amounts for each such named executive based on market information, that named executive's performance review, and on the Chief Executive Officer's view of the named executive's role in the Company, scope of responsibilities, experience and skills. In 2007, the final determination of salary adjustments, annual bonuses, and equity awards was made by the HR Committee with respect to salary and by the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee with respect to annual incentive awards and equity awards for each of the named executives.
Prior to the recommendation to the HR Committee by our management of the structure of the annual incentive program, and the measures, targets and ranges that are the principal factors used by the HR Committee to determine annual incentive payments under the program, for our executive officers (including the Chief Executive Officer), our Chief Executive Officer reviews and approves those recommendations. The program is applicable to all executive officers, including our Chief Executive Officer. Our Chief Executive Officer attends HR Committee meetings, including the portions relating to the measures, targets and ranges discussed above. However, our Chief Executive Officer does not attend those portions of HR Committee meetings involving the discussion of, and action on, the Chief Executive Officer's compensation. Our Chief Executive Officer has occasional meetings with the HR Committee's compensation consultant, principally to discuss plan design issues and the compensation of our executives.
Elements of Compensation
This section describes each element of executive compensation, the objective of each element and how it fits into our overall program, and the basis for allocations among those elements. We discuss details on the application of our compensation policies and programs to named executives' compensation for 2007 below under "Analysis of 2007 Compensation."
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Long-Term Stock Incentives
Stock incentive awards are a critical element of the total compensation program for our named executives. We have designed this element of compensation to reward recipients for increases in our stock price over time. We believe that stock incentive awards are a key element in driving the creation of value for investors. In addition, these awards assist us in attracting and retaining senior leadership capable of effectively executing our business strategies. Stock awards vary depending on the named executive's role in the Company, scope of responsibilities, and experience and skills.
We award stock incentive compensation because we believe that it supports our key compensation objectives in the following ways:
Our long-term incentive program currently consists of a blend of two types of awards:
In December 2007, the Board of Directors approved a policy pursuant to which annual equity awards are made on March 15 of each year (or, if that date is not a trading day, the immediately preceding trading day). The annual stock option grants have an exercise price equal to the closing price of our Class A Common Stock on the date of grant. Management recommended, and the Board approved, this grant date to coincide with the timing of individual performance reviews for the prior year. As a result of the proximity of the annual grant date to the date our Form 10-K is typically filed, we believe that we are unlikely to have material non-public information at the time the grant is made. Grants outside of the annual award process, such as grants to a newly hired or promoted associate, occur on the last Thursday of the month in which the grant was approved unless the grant is approved following such Thursday, in which case the grant will be made on the last Thursday of the month following approval. Equity awards outside of the annual award process also have an exercise price equal to the closing trading price of our Class A Common Stock on the date of grant.
While stock is a major component of executive compensation, we use other elements to provide an integrated and competitive total pay package.
Base Salary
Base salaries are a significant portion of a named executive's compensation and are based on a named executive's role in the Company, scope of responsibilities, and experience and skills. We also consider market practices in setting salaries. We intend base salaries to assist us in attracting executives and
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recognizing differing levels of responsibility and contribution among named executives. Salary represents a smaller percentage of total compensation for more senior executives than for less senior executives, with a greater percentage of more senior executives' compensation being tied to performance and share price. The timing of changes in base salaries is based on the timing of our individual performance reviews.
Annual Incentive Bonuses
In addition to stock compensation and salary, annual bonuses paid in cash are the other significant piece of total compensation for our named executives. We pay annual bonuses to reward the achievement of goals and because they are a key tool in attracting and retaining executives due to their market prevalence. In addition, annual bonuses add a variable component to our overall cost structure.
The Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee of the HR Committee annually reviews the plan design, performance measures and goals, and target bonuses for our named executives. The Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee provides for annual incentives (or bonuses) for named executives based on whether we achieve financial performance and other targets, except with respect to our Chairman who does not participate in our short-term incentive program. The timing of our annual bonuses is based on the timing of our individual performance reviews and the determination of whether we have achieved our financial and business goals for the year. The HR Committee exercises discretion in determining whether the goals have been achieved and the final amount of annual bonuses for the named executives. We do not have a policy on the adjustment or recovery of awards or payments if the relevant measures on which the awards or payments are based are restated in the future.
We designed our 2007 annual bonus program to reward the achievement of our financial goals and other business goals, including corporate and business unit goals, as well as individual performance. For 2008, we designed the program to reward the achievement of our corporate financial goals and individual performance.
Retirement Benefits
We do not have a traditional pension program. Our retirement program for U.S. associates consists of a 401(k) program, which named executives participate in under the same terms and provisions as other eligible associates. We match the individual associate's contribution to the program, up to 4% of the associate's cash compensation. Associate contributions to the 401(k) program for our named executives, as well as other more highly compensated associates are limited by federal law. We have not made up for the impact of these statutory limitations on named executives through any type of nonqualified deferred compensation or other program.
Other Benefits and Perquisites
In general, we have historically avoided the use of perquisites and other types of non-cash benefits for named executives in an effort to avoid an entitlement mentality and to reinforce a pay-for-performance orientation.
Change-in-Control Severance Benefits
We have entered into change-in-control severance agreements with each of our named executives. In the event that we have a change in control and a named executive's employment is terminated without cause or the named executive terminates his employment for good reason, the named executive would be entitled to receive the payments and benefits described under "Employment Contracts and Change-in-Control AgreementsChange-in-Control and Severance Agreements" below. We selected a double trigger for change-in-control benefits to provide named executives with protection from the financial consequences of sudden termination without cause following a change in control and to enable us to retain the services of the named executive during the period in which there is a change-in-control transaction
25
under consideration. In addition, we believe that this protection is important to our ability to recruit and retain named executives. However, we did not consider it necessary to provide for change-in-control benefits that would be realized by a named executive absent an actual or constructive termination of his employment.
At the time our change-in-control severance benefits were initiated, the HR Committee determined the level of benefits payable under, and the trigger mechanisms utilized in, our change-in-control program by considering the benefits payable to comparable executives of the same benchmark companies examined by the HR Committee with respect to other elements of executive compensation. The HR Committee then applied its judgment to determine whether the level of benefits payable under, and trigger mechanisms utilized in, the change-in-control programs of the benchmark companies were necessary to meet our objectives of providing adequate economic security to our executive officers to preserve management through potential changes in control and retaining and recruiting executives.
We believe that the benefits payable under, and the trigger mechanisms utilized in, our change-in-control program are comparable to the benchmark companies with three exceptions. First, the HR Committee determined that, although the majority of benchmark companies provide for a severance amount equal to 2.99 times annual salary and bonus for one or more executive officers, a severance amount two times annual salary and a bonus allowance provides adequate economic security to our executive officers to meet our objectives of preserving management through potential changes in control and retaining and recruiting executives. Second, the HR Committee determined that it would use a bonus allowance rather than actual bonuses, which are used by most benchmark companies, to eliminate potential fluctuation in the potential change-in-control benefit from year to year. Third, the HR Committee determined that, although a majority of benchmark companies provide for automatic acceleration of equity awards upon a change-in-control, a trigger mechanism that also requires termination of employment by us without cause, or by the executive officer with good reason, would provide adequate economic security to our executive officers to meet the goal of preserving management through potential changes in control and would be satisfactory to meet the goal of retaining and recruiting executives.
The HR Committee generally views the potential benefits under the change-in-control program as a separate compensation element because benefits under the program are not expected to be paid in a particular year and serve a different purpose for the executive than other elements of compensation. Therefore, the benefits under the change-in-control program do not significantly affect decisions regarding other elements of compensation.
Other Severance Benefits
In the event of a termination without cause or by Mr. Champy for good reason (in each case, not in connection with a change-in-control), Mr. Champy would be entitled to receive six months' of his base salary as severance under his employment agreement which was entered into in 1996.
Our other named executives do not have contractual severance rights absent a change in control of the Company, and the amount of any severance would be determined at the time of the named executive's departure.
Elements of Compensation and Compensation Objectives
The HR Committee and the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee target each of base salary, annual incentive bonus, and equity award components of a named executive officer's compensation near the median for that component of compensation for executives of the benchmark companies. While the HR Committee and the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee also consider the total compensation of each named executive officer and, therefore, the relationship between these components of compensation, they generally view these components independently and decisions regarding one element are not typically influenced by decisions regarding other elements. However, the HR Committee and the Incentive
26
Compensation Sub-Committee may use their discretion, as they deem appropriate, to adjust the components of a named executive officer's compensation to assure that the named executive's overall compensation is appropriate in their view. Specifically, the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee has adjusted Mr. Champy's bonus potential downward in light of his base salary, which is determined by contract and historically has been higher than the median of the benchmark companies.
Mix of Total Compensation
In regard to the allocation of the various pay elements within the total compensation program, the HR Committee and the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee review and consider the information described above under "Market Benchmarking," but do not apply a formula or specific weighting to determine the mix or relationship of compensation elements. In our compensation of named executives, we emphasize incentive compensation, including both equity compensation and an annual bonus program. We seek to balance the long-term incentives of our equity program with rewards for performance during the past year under the annual bonus program. Our cash compensation programs emphasize pay that varies based on company and individual performance. Therefore, depending on performance, annual bonuses may exceed base salaries for our named executives. The named executives receive almost no compensation beyond salary, bonus opportunities, and equity incentives because we do not maintain a traditional pension plan or nonqualified, deferred compensation program.
Analysis of 2007 Compensation
This section discusses and analyzes the compensation actions that were taken in 2007 for our named executives, as summarized in the following compensation tables.
Base Salary
The HR Committee reviews and makes final determinations regarding the base salaries of our named executives each year and, as appropriate, at the time of a promotion or other change in responsibility. The HR Committee usually approves salary adjustments in February or March with adjustments effective March 1.
Each named executives' base salary level reflects his level of experience and individual contribution as evaluated during the annual performance review process. The HR Committee reviewed and considered information on median market pay levels, including the information described above under "Market Benchmarking," and expected market increases for the coming year during the salary review process in making salary adjustments. However, the HR Committee did not apply a formula or specific weighting to determine the amount of base salary adjustments for the named executives in 2007.
With the exceptions of Mr. Freeman and Mr. Harper, salary adjustments for our named executives in 2007 included annual merit increases and, where appropriate, competitive market pay adjustments to align pay with external benchmarks. In addition, Mr. Freeman received a 20.5% increase in his base salary primarily to reflect his promotion from the position of Chief Financial Officer to the position of Chief Operating Officer, and Mr. Harper received a 40.4% increase in his base salary primarily to reflect his promotion from the position of Vice President with responsibility for Corporate and Business Development to the position of Chief Financial Officer. In connection with the promotions of Messrs. Freeman and Harper, F.W. Cook, the HR Committee's independent consultant, prepared benchmarking information based on the salaries of officers in comparable positions at the benchmark companies referred to in the section "Market Benchmarking" above and information from a leading published compensation survey. The HR Committee set new base salaries for Messrs. Freeman and Harper that are below the median base salaries indicated by the benchmark data. Salaries for 2007 for our named executives and the percentage increase from 2006 are summarized in the table below. Our Chief Executive Officer's salary was increased by 8.3% based on the HR Committee's evaluation of his
27
performance and a review of his salary level against market benchmarks. Approved salary increases for the other named executives averaged 16.3% of salary for 2007, with the average increase due primarily to changes in the salaries of two named executive officers that reflect the new roles for those officers.
Name |
2007 Salary |
% Increase |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Peter Altabef | $ | 650,000 | 8.3 | % | ||
Ross Perot, Jr. | $ | 558,935 | 2.8 | % | ||
Russell Freeman | $ | 500,000 | 20.5 | %(1) | ||
James Champy | $ | 585,492 | 1.0 | % | ||
John Harper | $ | 355,000 | 40.4 | %(1) |
2007 Short-Term Incentive Program
For 2007, the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee approved a short-term incentive program designed to compensate our named executives based on corporate performance, operating unit performance, the performance of the shared services team (if applicable), the named executive's individual performance, and market factors. The Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee established a target bonus for each of the participating named executives during the first quarter of 2007 equal to a percentage of the named executive's base salary. In determining the appropriate percentage for each named executive, the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee considered relevant factors, including position level, scope of responsibility and the ability of such individual to drive our results, market practices, levels at which related performance goals have been established, and salary and relative total compensation levels. In connection with the promotions of Messrs. Freeman and Harper, their target bonuses were adjusted to be at or near the median of actual 2006 bonuses for officers in comparable positions indicated by the benchmark data. For 2007, individual target bonuses for participating named executives ranged from 100% (for our Chief Executive Officer) to 40% of base salary.
In February 2007, the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee determined the performance factors that we intended to use in adjusting the target bonus for each participating named executive, which included corporate performance, operating unit performance, and performance of the shared services team, as applicable. However, during the year, our Chief Executive Officer determined that the Company's adjusted performance would not support the payment of annual incentive compensation for our named executive officers and recommended to the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee that no annual incentive compensation be paid. Therefore, without consideration of performance compared to the 2007 targets (except noting that overall corporate performance did not support the payment of bonuses), the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee determined that it would pay no bonuses to our named executive officers for 2007 performance.
Long-Term Stock Incentives
For 2007, we continued our practice of awarding a blend of stock options and restricted stock units to our named executives, with the exception of our Chairman who has received no equity grants since 2001 because his awards in 2000 and 2001 were designed to provide, and the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee believes are providing adequate long-term equity compensation and incentive for him. The value shown in the stock option column in the Summary Compensation Table below for our Chairman is related to the stock option awards he received as our CEO in 2000 and 2001. With respect to other named executives, awards are generally intended to be evaluated independently from past and future awards. Therefore, with the exception of the awards to our Chairman referenced above, the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee reviewed, but did not significantly weigh, past awards in determining stock awards for named executives in 2007.
28
In determining stock incentives, our Board of Directors annually approves a pool of shares that may be awarded based on a review of our historical practices against those of the benchmark IT services companies, supplemented with other market information from time to time. We allocate the total available pool as approved among business units and associate levels based on market practices and internal considerations. Our Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee bases individual awards to the named executives on various factors including position level, scope of responsibility, individual performance and contribution, salary level, and market practices. In addition, the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee also considers related accounting expense and total compensation for each named executive before approving awards.
The Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee considers the cost of the current year's equity awards as a key factor in determining equity and overall compensation for the year. The Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee reviews the total potential compensation of executives, by individual and in aggregate, along with prior equity awards. We believe that restricted stock units are a more cost effective method of providing compensation compared to options. However, we believe that options provide a greater incentive per unit compared to restricted stock units. The Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee determines the appropriate balance between option awards and restricted stock unit awards. The Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee does not consider amounts expensed in prior years as a significant factor in determining the compensation of executive officers for the current year.
Using this process, the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee approved the awards for our named executives for 2007 which are shown in the "Grants of Plan-Based Awards" table below. Grants of options and restricted stock units vest in equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. The vesting of restricted stock units is contingent upon the named executive receiving at least a satisfactory performance rating in the prior year. The total value of the awards granted in 2007 is shown in the Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards column, as determined in accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R ("FAS 123R"). The number of options compared to the number of restricted stock units awarded to each named executive is based on balancing the level of performance incentive for options versus restricted stock units, their comparative compensation expense resulting under FAS 123R, their comparative value to the named executives, and the effect of options compared to restricted stock units on dilution.
2008 Short-Term Incentive Program
On February 25, 2008, the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee of our Human Resources and Compensation Committee established a new short-term incentive program for our named executive officers (other than our Chairman) with respect to 2008 performance. Consistent with past years, our Chairman does not participate in the program. Under the 2008 program, the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee established a target cash bonus for each participating named executive. Each target bonus will be adjusted based on corporate financial performance measured against our corporate targets and further adjusted for the named executive's individual performance, as rated by our Chief Executive Officer (other than with respect to the performance of the Chief Executive Officer). Finally, the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee will apply its discretion to determine the actual amount, if any, of cash bonus that we pay to each participating named executive.
The Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee established target bonuses for each of the participating named executives during the first quarter of 2008 considering relevant factors, including position level, scope of responsibility, the ability of such individual to drive our results, market practices (including benchmarking information), base salary, and relative total compensation levels. For 2008, individual target bonuses for participating named executives range from 100% (for our Chief Executive Officer) to 40% of base salary.
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In 2008, the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee will determine the corporate financial performance factor by comparing adjusted, diluted earnings per share to our earnings per share target to establish the initial corporate performance factor. The Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee will increase the initial corporate performance factor by five percentage points for each secondary factor that exceeded the range specified by the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee and decrease the corporate performance factor by five percentage points for each secondary factor that was less than the range determined by the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee. The Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee will make no adjustment for performance within the range for a secondary factor. The Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee will use revenue, free cash flow (which can be calculated by subtracting capital expenditures from operating cash flow), total contract value of new contracts signed during the year, and the contract value for the first 12 months of new contracts signed during the year as its secondary metrics. Under the 2008 program, the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee has capped each named executive's target bonus adjusted for the corporate performance factor at 300% of the executive's target bonus.
The Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee will be provided with the results of our Chief Executive Officer's annual individual performance review of each participating named executive (other than the Chief Executive Officer). During the first quarter of the year, the Chief Executive Officer and each participating named executive will establish, as applicable, financial, strategic, operational, and other performance goals relating to the executive's role. The Chief Executive Officer's evaluation of each participating named executive's individual performance will be based on his performance with respect to these goals. The Chief Executive Officer will exercise significant discretion regarding the attainment of a participating named executive's goals.
Our Chief Executive Officer's performance will be judged on the Company's overall performance against its corporate targets and his success in the continued development and execution of our business strategy, the quality of our services, the development of our workforce, succession planning, and his leadership in maintaining and promoting our business and culture. With respect to the performance rating of our Chief Executive Officer, our Chairman will solicit our directors' views of our Chief Executive Officer's performance, synthesize those views into a performance rating, and communicate the results to the Chairman of the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee.
In our annual performance reviews, the possible performance ratings are as follows:
Formula adjustments to our annual incentive bonuses related to individual performance ratings for the participating named executives, which are made after the adjustments for corporate performance, will be 80% of the amount calculated for payout for persons who have a successful rating, 100% of the calculated payout for persons who have an exceptional rating, and 120% of the payout for persons who achieve a distinguished rating. The formula adjustments provide for no bonus for any participating named executive receiving an unsuccessful or partially successful rating.
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The Chief Executive Officer will also provide the Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee with any recommendation that he may have for discretionary adjustments with respect to the incentive compensation of any named executive. The Incentive Compensation Sub-Committee will then use its discretion to make a final determination of the amount of annual incentive compensation to be paid to our named executives.
Regulatory Considerations
The Internal Revenue Code contains a provision that limits the tax deductibility of certain compensation paid to our named executives to the extent it is not considered performance-based compensation under the Internal Revenue Code. We have adopted policies and practices to facilitate compliance with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of our stock option awards.
In making decisions about executive compensation, we also consider the impact of other regulatory provisions, including the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code regarding non-qualified deferred compensation and the change-in-control provisions of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. In making decisions about executive compensation, we also consider how various elements of compensation will impact our financial results including the impact of FAS 123R which requires us to recognize the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based upon the grant date fair value of those awards. FAS 123R was a consideration in adopting restricted stock units as a long-term equity incentive.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
DeSoto Jordan served as one of our Vice Presidents until 1999.
REPORT OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement with the Company's management and, based on such review and discussion, recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
HUMAN
RESOURCES AND
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Carl Hahn (Chair)
DeSoto Jordan
Thomas Meurer
Anthony J. Principi
Anuroop (Tony) Singh
31
Summary of Cash and Certain Other Compensation
The Summary Compensation Table below shows compensation of the named executives for the years 2006 and 2007.
Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position |
Year |
Salary ($) |
Bonus ($)(1) |
Stock Awards ($)(2) |
Option Awards ($)(2) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation |
Change in Pension Value & Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings |
All Other Compensation ($)(3) |
Total Compensation ($) |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Peter A. Altabef President and Chief Executive Officer |
2007 2006 |
642,608 592,505 |
905,000 |
727,849 454,092 |
463,490 378,884 |
|
|
9,000 8,800 |
1,842,947 2,339,281 |
|||||||||
Ross Perot, Jr. Chairman |
2007 2006 |
558,910 543,270 |
|
|
999,655 770,551 |
|
|
9,000 8,800 |
1,567,565 1,322,621 |
|||||||||
Russell Freeman Vice President and Chief Operating Officer |
2007 2006 |
458,900 413,035 |
474,874 |
267,894 169,131 |
333,527 312,080 |
|
|
9,257 8,800 |
1,069,578 1,377,920 |
|||||||||
James Champy Vice President |
2007 2006 |
584,644 577,904 |
301,000 |
150,154 116,077 |
152,166 134,281 |
|
|
52,816 52,705 |
(4) (4) |
939,780 1,181,967 |
||||||||
John E. Harper Vice President and Chief Financial Officer(5) |
2007 2006 |
297,145 254,135 |
232,000 167,000 |
(6) (8) |
39,743 25,320 |
63,097 72,613 |
|
|
20,080 8,800 |
(7) |
652,065 527,868 |
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The following table provides information relating to equity awards in 2007 to the named executives. All awards relate to our Class A Common Stock and were made pursuant to our 2001 Long-Term Incentive Plan. All options are non-qualified stock options.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non- Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
All Other Stock Awards: # of Shares of Stock/ Units(2) |
All Other Option Awards: # of Securities Underlying Options(3) |
Exercise/ Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) |
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) |
|||||||||||||||||
Name |
Approval Date(1) |
Grant Date |
Threshold ($) |
Target ($) |
Maximum ($) |
Threshold (#) |
Target (#) |
Maximum (#) |
||||||||||||||||
Peter A. Altabef | 5-22-07 | 8-2-07 | | | | | | | 75,000 | 100,000 | 15.23 | 1,607,370 | ||||||||||||
Ross Perot, Jr. | N/A | N/A | | | | | | | | | N/A | | ||||||||||||
Russell Freeman | 5-22-07 | 8-2-07 | | | | | | | 27,500 | 55,000 | 15.23 | 674,641 | ||||||||||||
James Champy | 5-22-07 | 8-2-07 | | | | | | | 10,000 | 20,000 | 15.23 | 245,324 | ||||||||||||
John E. Harper | 5-22-07 | 8-2-07 | | | | | | | 5,000 | 15,000 | 15.23 | 145,918 |
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Outstanding Equity Awards Value at Fiscal Year-End
The following table provides information regarding the value of all unexercised options and unvested restricted stock units previously awarded to our named executives.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
|
Option Awards |
Stock Awards |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name |
# of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) |
# of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (#) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: # of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
# of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(1) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: # of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) |
|||||||||
Peter A. Altabef | 104,000 15,000 90,000 32,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 |
0 0 0 8,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 |
(2) (3) (4) (5) (6) |
|
13.00 20.07 9.63 13.15 15.93 13.63 14.87 15.23 |
1-31-2011 5-7-2012 10-18-2012 12-9-2010 12-13-2011 10-13-2012 11-2-2013 8-2-2014 |
4,000 40,000 30,000 60,000 75,000 |
(10) (11) (12) (13) (14) |
54,000 540,000 405,000 810,000 1,012,500 |
|
|
|||||||
Ross Perot, Jr. | 760,000 190,000 420,000 |
0 0 630,000 |
(7) |
|
9.50 9.94 14.40 |
10-23-2011 10-23-2011 10-23-2011 |
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Russell Freeman | 48,000 14,000 152,000 20,000 100,000 32,000 27,000 18,000 11,000 0 |
6,000 4,000 0 0 0 8,000 18,000 27,000 44,000 55,000 |
(8) (9) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) |
|
11.00 13.50 10.94 20.07 9.63 13.15 15.93 13.63 14.87 15.23 |
7-20-2009 1-28-2010 12-8-2010 5-7-2012 10-18-2012 12-9-2010 12-13-2011 10-13-2012 11-2-2013 8-2-2014 |
4,000 9,000 13,500 22,000 27,500 |
(10) (11) (12) (13) (14) |
54,000 121,500 182,250 297,000 371,250 |
|
|
|||||||
James Champy | 40,000 32,000 18,000 8,000 4,000 0 |
0 8,000 12,000 12,000 16,000 20,000 |
(2) (3) (4) (5) (6) |
|
9.63 13.15 15.93 13.63 14.87 15.23 |
10-18-2012 12-9-2010 12-13-2011 10-13-2012 11-2-2013 8-2-2014 |
4,000 6,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 |
(10) (11) (12) (13) (14) |
54,000 81,000 81,000 108,000 135,000 |
|
|
|||||||
John E. Harper | 3,000 10,000 5,000 2,200 3,600 3,900 3,600 2,500 0 |
3,000 4,000 0 0 900 2,600 5,400 10,000 15,000 |
(8) (9) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) |
|
11.00 13.50 20.07 9.92 13.15 15.93 13.63 14.87 15.23 |
7-20-2009 1-28-2010 12-20-2011 10-21-2012 12-9-2010 12-13-2011 10-13-2012 11-2-2013 8-2-2014 |
450 1,300 2,700 2,800 5,000 |
(10) (11) (12) (13) (14) |
6,075 17,550 36,450 37,800 67,500 |
|
|
34
35
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table provides information with respect to the options exercised by the named executives and restricted stock units and restricted stock that vested during 2007.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
|
Option Awards |
Stock Awards |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name |
# of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) |
Value Realized Upon Exercise ($)(1) |
# of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)(2) |
Value Realized on Vesting ($)(3) |
||||
Peter A. Altabef | | | 49,000 | 706,380 | ||||
Ross Perot, Jr. | | | | | ||||
Russell Freeman | 6,000 | 93,300 | 18,500 | 268,565 | ||||
James Champy | | | 11,000 | 157,130 | ||||
John E. Harper | 8,200 | 63,891 | 2,700 | 39,742 |
Pension Benefits
Our only retirement plan for our U.S.-based associates, including our named executives, is our 401(k) plan. We do not have a pension plan in which our named executives are eligible to participate.
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
We do not have a deferred compensation plan.
Employment Contracts and Change-in-Control Agreements
Perot Systems has agreements with its named executives regarding severance payments when a termination of the named executives' employment occurs in connection with a change in control of the Company. In addition, we have an employment agreement with Mr. Champy.
Change-in-Control and Severance Agreements
We have entered into change-in-control and severance agreements with each of the named executives. The agreements continue through December 31, 2008, and provide that they are to be automatically extended in one-year increments unless we give prior notice of termination.
These agreements are intended to provide for continuity of management in the event of a change in control. The agreements provide that the named executives could be entitled to certain severance benefits following a change in control (as described below) of Perot Systems. If, beginning with the execution of a definitive agreement regarding a change in control and ending two years following the change in control, the named executive is terminated for any reason, other than for cause (as defined in the agreements), or if such named executive terminates his or her employment for a specified reason (as defined in the agreements), then the named executive would be entitled to:
36
The contractual bonus allowances for the named executives as a percentage of base salary are as follows: Peter A. Altabef100%, Ross Perot, Jr.100%, Russell Freeman80%, James Champy60%, and John E. Harper70%.
In addition, upon an involuntary termination following a change in control, all restrictions on restricted stock awarded to such named executive would lapse and all unvested options, stock appreciation rights and other awards granted to such named executive under our 2001 Plan and other stock incentive plans would automatically vest and become exercisable for the remainder of the term of the option.
In the event that any payments made in connection with a change in control would be subjected to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, we will "gross up", on an after-tax basis, the named executive's compensation for the additional federal, state and excise taxes, and any penalties and interest necessary to ensure that the named executive receives the benefit of such change-in-control payment.
Under the change-in-control and severance agreements, a "change in control" would include any of the following events:
Employment Agreement with James Champy
In addition to the benefits provided under his change-in-control and severance agreement described above, James Champy's associate agreement provides for a base salary of $500,000 per year, which is to be reviewed at least annually, and provides for additional benefits, including:
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Mr. Champy's associate agreement also provides that if we terminate him other than for cause or substantial misconduct or Mr. Champy is deemed to have been constructively terminated, Mr. Champy will receive a severance payment equal to six months of his current base salary. We may terminate Mr. Champy's associate agreement upon 30 days' notice and payment of severance equal to six months' base pay plus benefits as a continuation of salary.
The 1,000,000 restricted shares of Class A Common Stock Mr. Champy acquired pursuant to his restricted stock agreement vested in equal annual installments beginning in 1997 and ending in 2006. If either party terminates Mr. Champy's employment for any reason, he has the right to require us to purchase his shares for their original cost of $1.25 per share plus simple interest at the rate of 8% per annum from the date of purchase.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control Disclosure
The amount of compensation payable to each named executive upon termination or change in control pursuant to contracts, plans, agreements and arrangements is listed in the tables below. Except for our employment agreement with Mr. Champy described above, we do not have agreements, contracts or arrangements with the named executives regarding severance in the event of a termination in other circumstances. However, we do expect that we would pay our named executives severance, which would be determined at the time of termination.
With respect to payments set forth in the Change-in-Control column, we have assumed that the named executive was involuntarily terminated on December 31, 2007 within two years of a change in control and that our Class A Common Stock was $13.50 per share, which was the closing price of the shares on December 31, 2007. The amount indicated as the value of the accelerated vesting for stock options is the amount by which the closing price of the Common Stock exceeds the exercise price of the unvested options. We have also assumed that each named executive had a combined federal income and Medicare tax rate of 36.45% and an excise tax rate under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 20%.
In addition, with respect to Mr. Champy, we have provided information regarding his contractual rights to severance in the event of his termination by us without cause or by him for good reason. For this purpose, we have assumed that Mr. Champy's employment terminated on December 31, 2007.
Peter A. Altabef
With respect to Mr. Altabef, potential payments upon termination or change in control under contracts, plans, agreements, or arrangements would be as follows assuming the triggering event occurred on December 31, 2007:
|
Termination Scenario |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Potential Payments Upon Termination or CIC |
||||||||||||||
Voluntary Resignation |
By Employee For Good Reason |
By Company For Cause |
By Company Without Cause |
Normal Retirement |
Early Retirement |
Change-in- Control ($) |
||||||||
Cash Payments | | | | | | | 2,599,929 | |||||||
Accelerated Equity Awards | | | | | | | 2,824,300 | |||||||
Continued Perquisites/ Benefits | | | | | | | 5,039 | |||||||
Tax Gross-Ups | | | | | | | | |||||||
Total | | | | | | | 5,429,268 |
38
Ross Perot, Jr.
With respect to Ross Perot, Jr., potential payments upon termination or change in control under contracts, plans, agreements, or arrangements would be as follows assuming the triggering event occurred on December 31, 2007:
|
Termination Scenario |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Potential Payments Upon Termination or CIC |
||||||||||||||
Voluntary Resignation |
By Employee For Good Reason |
By Company For Cause |
By Company Without Cause |
Normal Retirement |
Early Retirement |
Change-in- Control ($) |
||||||||
Cash Payments | | | | | | | 2,235,741 | |||||||
Accelerated Equity Awards | | | | | | | | |||||||
Continued Perquisites/ Benefits | | | | | | | 9,695 | |||||||
Tax Gross-Ups | | | | | | | 794,708 | |||||||
Total | | | | | | | 3,040,144 |
Russell Freeman
With respect to Mr. Freeman, potential payments upon termination or change in control under contracts, plans, agreements, or arrangements would be as follows assuming the triggering event occurred on December 31, 2007:
|
Termination Scenario |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Potential Payments Upon Termination or CIC |
||||||||||||||
Voluntary Resignation |
By Employee For Good Reason |
By Company For Cause |
By Company Without Cause |
Normal Retirement |
Early Retirement |
Change-in- Control ($) |
||||||||
Cash Payments | | | | | | | 1,800,000 | |||||||
Accelerated Equity Awards | | | | | | | 1,043,800 | |||||||
Continued Perquisites/ Benefits | | | | | | | 9,522 | |||||||
Tax Gross-Ups | | | | | | | | |||||||
Total | | | | | | | 2,853,322 |
James Champy
With respect to Mr. Champy, potential payments upon termination or change in control under contracts, plans, agreements, or arrangements would be as follows assuming the triggering event occurred on December 31, 2007:
|
Termination Scenario |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Potential Payments Upon Termination or CIC |
||||||||||||||
Voluntary Resignation |
By Employee For Good Reason |
By Company For Cause |
By Company Without Cause |
Normal Retirement |
Early Retirement |
Change-in- Control |
||||||||
Cash Payments | | 292,746 | | 292,746 | | | 1,873,574 | |||||||
Accelerated Equity Awards | | | | | | | 461,800 | |||||||
Continued Perquisites/ Benefits | | 1,578 | | 1,578 | | | 462 | |||||||
Tax Gross-Ups | | | | | | | | |||||||
Total | | 294,324 | | 294,324 | | | 2,335,836 |
39
John E. Harper
With respect to Mr. Harper, potential payments upon termination or change in control under contracts, plans, agreements, or arrangements would be as follows assuming the triggering event occurred on December 31, 2007:
|
Termination Scenario |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Potential Payments Upon Termination or CIC |
||||||||||||||
Voluntary Resignation |
By Employee For Good Reason |
By Company For Cause |
By Company Without Cause |
Normal Retirement |
Early Retirement |
Change-in- Control |
||||||||
Cash Payments | | | | | | | 1,207,000 | |||||||
Accelerated Equity Awards | | | | | | | 173,190 | |||||||
Continued Perquisites/ Benefits | | | | | | | 9,648 | |||||||
Tax Gross-Ups | | | | | | | | |||||||
Total | | | | | | | 1,389,838 |
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following is a description of our executive officers who are not on the Board of Directors. Our executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Executive Officer |
Business Experience |
Joined Perot Systems |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Darcy Anderson | Elected Vice President of Perot Systems with responsibility for human resources and corporate services in December 2000. Mr. Anderson is currently Vice President and Chief People Officer. Age 51. | 2000 | ||
Russell Freeman |
Elected Chief Operating Officer of Perot Systems in August 2007. Mr. Freeman was elected Vice President of Perot Systems in 2000. Mr. Freeman served as Perot Systems' Chief Financial Officer from August 2000 until August 2007. Age 44. |
1989 |
||
John E. Harper |
Elected Chief Financial Officer of Perot Systems in August 2007. Mr. Harper has been a Vice President of Perot Systems since September 2000. Mr. Harper served as Director of Business and Corporate Development from August 2000 until August 2007. Age 45. |
1993 |
||
Jeff Renzi |
Elected Vice President of Perot Systems with responsibility for the sales function since April 2003. Mr. Renzi was employed by Electronic Data Systems from 1989 to 2003. While at Electronic Data Systems, Mr. Renzi served in a number of positions, including Vice President of Sales. Age 47. |
2003 |
||
Thomas D. Williams |
Elected Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Perot Systems in September 2004. Mr. Williams was a partner in the law firm of Luce & Williams from February 1997 until September 2004. Age 47. |
2004 |
40
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
We have a related party transactions policy that requires us to conduct senior management reviews for all related party transactions. A transaction or series of related transactions with a related party with a value that exceeds $10,000, but is not more than $120,000, requires the approval of the Chairman of the Audit Committee. A transaction or series of related transactions with a related party that is greater than $120,000 requires the approval of the Audit Committee. The approving authority, in determining whether to approve a proposed transaction, considers whether the transaction is in our best interests and is no less favorable to us than fair, arms'-length terms. Our policy and the procedures for related party transactions are in writing.
Licenses for Use of Name
We license the right to use the names "Perot" and "Perot Systems" in our current and future businesses, products, or services from the Perot Systems Family Corporation and our Chairman, Ross Perot, Jr. The license is a non-exclusive, royalty-free, non-transferable license without geographic restriction. We may also sublicense our rights to these names to certain of our affiliates. Under the license agreement either party may, in its sole discretion, terminate the license at any time, with or without cause and without penalty, by giving the other party written notice of such termination. Upon termination by either party, we must discontinue all use of the names "Perot" and "Perot Systems" within one year following notice of termination.
Outsourcing Agreement with Hillwood Enterprises L.P.
We are currently providing information technology and certain other services to Hillwood Enterprise L.P., which is controlled and partially owned by Ross Perot, Jr. under an agreement which we entered into in January 2007 and will expire in 2017. This contract includes provisions under which we may be penalized if our actual performance does not meet the levels of service specified in the contract, and such provisions are consistent with those included in other customer contracts. For the year ended December 31, 2007, in which we performed services for Hillwood under a contract that expired in January 2007, we recorded revenue of $1,909,905 and operating expense of $1,543,432. Our Audit Committee has reviewed and approved this contract.
Lease with Perot Services Company, LLC
During 2002, we entered into a sublease agreement with Perot Services Company, LLC, which is controlled and owned by Ross Perot, for approximately 23,000 square feet of office space at our Plano, Texas facility. At the expiration of the original lease, a new lease was signed effective October 1, 2007 and expires on September 30, 2015. The office space monthly rental is $21.95 per square foot and the storage space rent remains $345.58 per month. The total amount paid to us in 2007 under these lease and sublease agreements was $446,395. Our Audit Committee has reviewed and approved this contract.
Affiliate Use of AAirpass Program
We have a corporate AAirpass program with American Airlines, Inc. under which we prepay for mileage that our associates use for business travel. Historically, the use of prepaid miles has resulted in lower travel costs than refundable tickets for most travel itineraries. Employees of Hillwood Development Company LLC, The Perot Group, and their affiliated corporations, as well as members of the Perot family, also use this AAirpass program. These parties reimburse us for the prepaid miles that they use. During 2007, these parties used approximately $752,363 in prepaid miles under our AAirpass program. We benefit from this arrangement because we have a commitment to American Airlines to purchase a minimum number of miles under the AAirpass program, and the miles used by these related parties are counted toward fulfilling that commitment. Our Audit Committee has reviewed and approved this arrangement.
41
Lease with Hillwood Development Company
During 2007, Perot Systems Government Services, Inc. entered into a lease agreement with Hillwood Development Company, which is controlled and owned by Ross Perot, Jr., for approximately 1,140 square feet of office space at Heritage Common I Building in Alliance, Texas. The lease expired on January 31, 2008, with the first of three one-year renewal options exercised on December 6, 2007. The lease is $2,300 per month. The aggregate cost of all lease payments, assuming all options are exercised, and the cost of modifications to the facility would be approximately $135,000. The total amount paid under the terms of the lease in 2007 was $10,190 and we paid $36,857 for modification of the leased space. Our Audit Committee has reviewed and approved this agreement.
Chennai, India Leases and Power Purchases
One of our wholly-owned Indian subsidiaries engages in certain transactions with the family of Anurag Jain, a Vice President of Perot Systems who became one of our executive officers on July 10, 2007. Prior to the time Mr. Jain became an executive officer, we entered into leases in 2003 and 2004 for certain properties in Chennai, India with, and began purchasing electric power in May 2007 from, members of Mr. Jain's family and a partnership owned and controlled by Mr. Jain and his family members. On July 16, 2007, we extended and modified the terms of certain of the leases that were expiring. In addition, on November 29, 2007, our subsidiary entered into an addendum to one of its property leases to add an additional part of the building to the lease. During 2007, we paid affiliates of Mr. Jain approximately $630,000 in lease payments and approximately $200,000 for electric power. All transactions that occurred after July 10, 2007 were ratified by the Audit Committee after we entered into them. Therefore, we did not follow our related party approval process with respect to those transactions.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING REQUIREMENT
Our directors, executive officers, and holders of more than 10% of our Class A Common Stock must file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission indicating the number of shares of our Class A Common Stock they beneficially own and any changes in their beneficial ownership. They must provide copies of these reports to us. Based on our review of these reports and written representations from the persons required to file them, we believe that all Section 16(a) Securities and Exchange Commission filing requirements applicable to our directors and executive officers for fiscal 2007 were timely met except that each of Messrs. Altabef, Anderson, Freeman, Jain, King, Renzi and Robert J. Kelly, our Controller, reported one Section 16 transaction late due to administrative errors on our part. Mr. Williams reported two Section 16 transactions late due to administrative errors on our part.
42
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table gives information about our Class A Common Stock that we may issue under our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2007.
Plan Category |
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants, and Rights |
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants, and Rights |
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
|||||
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders | 11,167,449 | (1) | $ | 15.92 | 50,216,997 | (2) | ||
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders | 5,072,589 | $ | 12.95 | 29,609 | (3) | |||
Total | 16,240,038 | $ | 15.00 | 50,246,606 | ||||
We have four equity plans or arrangements that have not been approved by our stockholders. Under one arrangement, our non-employee directors (other than Ross Perot) may elect to have all or a portion of their director retainers paid in our Class A Common Stock, valued at such stock's closing market price on the last trading day of the fiscal quarter preceding the quarter with respect to which the retainer installment relates.
The remaining plans were adopted prior to our initial public offering in 1999 and were terminated in 2001, except to the extent that they govern options or restricted stock that were outstanding at the time of the termination of such plans. Our 1991 Stock Option Plan provided for the issuance of options to eligible employees and options were generally issued at not less than the fair market value on the date of grant. Our Restricted Stock Plan, which was adopted in 1988, provided eligible employees with the opportunity to purchase our stock at its fair market value (determined pursuant to a third-party appraisal). Unvested restricted shares are generally subject to repurchase at cost plus eight percent upon termination of employment. These grants or awards had vesting periods of from three to ten years. At the time of its termination in May 2006, our 1996 Non-Employee Director Plan provided that each non-employee director (other than Ross Perot) received an option to purchase 8,000 shares of our Class A Common Stock upon election vesting in one year, and subsequent awards were made upon the completion of vesting of the director's prior awards.
43
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors ("Board") is composed of four directors and operates under a written charter adopted by our Board. All members of the Audit Committee meet the independence standards established by our Board, the New York Stock Exchange and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Audit Committee's charter is available at the Corporate Responsibility section on Perot Systems' website at www.perotsystems.com/responsibility.
Perot Systems' management is responsible for, among other things, preparing its consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), establishing and maintaining internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)), and evaluating the effectiveness of such internal control over financial reporting. Perot Systems' independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the financial statements with GAAP. The independent registered public accounting firm is also responsible for auditing Perot Systems' internal control over financial reporting in accordance with such standards and for expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibility to oversee management's implementation of Perot Systems' financial reporting process. In its oversight role, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management and with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC"), Perot Systems' independent registered public accounting firm for 2007. The Audit Committee also reviewed and discussed Perot Systems' internal control over financial reporting with management and with PwC.
The Audit Committee has met privately with PwC and discussed any issues deemed significant by the independent registered public accounting firm, including the required matters to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication With Audit Committees, as amended. PwC has provided to the Audit Committee written disclosures and the letter required by Independence Standards Board No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, and the Audit Committee discussed with PwC that firm's independence. The Audit Committee also concluded that PwC's provision of non-audit services to Perot Systems and its affiliates is compatible with PwC's independence.
Based upon the foregoing considerations, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board that the audited financial statements be included in Perot Systems' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission and appointed PwC the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for 2008.
The foregoing report is respectfully submitted by members of the Audit Committee of our Board.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
C. H. Moore, Jr. (Chair)
John S.T. Gallagher
Carl Hahn
Anuroop (Tony) Singh
44
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING
AND FOR THE 2009 ANNUAL MEETING
Under Article II, Section 4 of our current bylaws, proposals by stockholders intended to be presented at the Annual Meeting must be received by our Secretary at our executive offices no later than the close of business on April 7, 2008.
If you would like to include a stockholder proposal in the Proxy Statement for the 2009 annual meeting, it must be delivered to our Secretary at our executive offices no later than November 28, 2008.
OTHER MATTERS
Other Business
At the date of mailing of this Proxy Statement, we are not aware of any business to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than the proposals discussed above. If other proposals are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, any proxies returned to us will be voted as the proxy holders see fit.
New York Stock Exchange Disclosure Requirements
We submitted to the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") during 2007 a certification of our Chief Executive Officer regarding compliance with the NYSE's corporate governance listing standards. We also included as exhibits to our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the certifications of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Householding of Proxy Materials
In a further effort to reduce printing costs and postage fees, we have adopted a practice approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission called "householding." Under this practice, stockholders who have the same address and last name will receive only one copy of our proxy materials, unless one or more of these stockholders notifies us that he or she wishes to continue receiving individual copies. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to receive separate proxy cards.
If you share an address with another stockholder and received only one set of proxy materials and would like to request a separate copy of our proxy materials, please: (1) mail your request to Perot Systems Investor Relations, 2300 West Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75075; or (2) contact our Investor Relations Department at 1-877-737-6973. Similarly, you may also contact us if you received multiple copies of the proxy materials and would prefer to receive a single copy in the future.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
We file reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. You can read and copy these reports, proxy statements, and other information concerning Perot Systems at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 (or 1-800-732-0330) for further information on the public reference room. The SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov/ that contains reports, proxy, and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including Perot Systems. Our Class A Common Stock is listed on the NYSE. These reports, proxy statement, and other information are also available for inspection at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
In addition, our annual report on Form 10-K (without exhibits) is available via the Internet at our website (www.perotsystems.com). If you would like to request documents from us, please contact our Investor Relations Department at 1-877-737-6973 by April 23, 2008, to receive them before the Annual Meeting.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Thomas
D. Williams
Secretary
45
Perot Systems Corporation
Amended and Restated
1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan/US
(Subject to Approval on May 9, 2008)
A-1
Table of Contents
|
|
Page |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Purpose of the Plan | ||||
1.1 |
General. |
A-3 |
|||
1.2 | Tax Treatment. | A-3 | |||
2. |
Participation in the Plan |
||||
2.1 |
Eligibility. |
A-3 |
|||
2.2 | Enrollment to Buy Stock. | A-3 | |||
2.3 | Designation of Beneficiary. | A-3 | |||
2.4 | Contributions; Payroll Deductions; Account; No Interest. | A-4 | |||
2.5 | Changes in Contributions. | A-4 | |||
2.6 | Withdrawal. | A-4 | |||
2.7 | Termination of Employment; Leave of Absence. | A-5 | |||
2.8 | Transferability. | A-5 | |||
3. |
Purchase of Stock |
||||
3.1 |
Offering Periods. |
A-5 |
|||
3.2 | Grant of Option; Exercise Price. | A-5 | |||
3.3 | Automatic Exercise of Option. | A-6 | |||
3.4 | Payment for Stock. | A-6 | |||
3.5 | Delivery of Shares; Voting. | A-6 | |||
3.6 | Periodic Reports | A-7 | |||
3.7 | No Rights in Stock Prior to Exercise. | A-7 | |||
4. |
Operation of the Plan |
||||
4.1 |
Effective Date and Term of Plan. |
A-7 |
|||
4.2 | Shares Authorized for Sale and Issuance Under the Plan. | A-7 | |||
4.3 | Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. | A-7 | |||
4.4 | Administration; Committee. | A-7 | |||
4.5 | Amendment or Termination. | A-9 | |||
4.6 | Approval of the Stockholders. | A-9 | |||
4.7 | No Liability for Good Faith Determinations. | A-9 | |||
5. |
Miscellaneous Legal Provisions |
||||
5.1 |
Definitions. |
A-10 |
|||
5.2 | Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization. | A-11 | |||
5.3 | Notices; Waiver of Notice. | A-12 | |||
5.4 | Severability. | A-12 | |||
5.5 | Successors and Assigns. | A-12 | |||
5.6 | Headings. | A-12 | |||
5.7 | Governing Law. | A-13 | |||
5.8 | No Right to Employment. | A-13 |
A-2
Amended
and Restated
1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan/US
(Subject to Approval on May 9, 2008)
1. Purpose of the Plan
2. Participation in the Plan
may purchase Common Stock on the Exercise Date for that Offering Period, subject to the other provisions of this Plan.
A-3
An election to stop participating in one Offering Period will not prevent an Eligible Associate from participating in any future Offering Period or in any other Plan adopted by Perot Systems, provided that the Eligible Associate will not participate in any future Offering Period until he or she submits a new Enrollment Agreement.
A-4
3. Purchase of Stock
A-5
referred to in Section 2.1(a), or (B) the Plan from issuing more shares than are authorized as provided in Section 4.2.
Perot Systems will pay all issue or initial transfer taxes imposed with respect to the issuance or initial transfer of shares, as well as all fees and expenses necessarily incurred by the Company in connection with such issuance or initial transfer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employers are expressly authorized to recover from the Participating Associate the amount of any fringe benefit or similar tax imposed on purchases of Shares under this Plan with the approval of Perot Systems' Vice PresidentHuman Resources.
A-6
4. Operation of the Plan
A-7
distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for Perot Systems, such a representation is required by any of the aforementioned applicable provisions of law.
Any determination, decision or action by the Board or its delegee in connection with the construction, interpretation, administration or application of the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all Participants and any and all persons claiming under or through any Participant.
A-8
A-9
5. Miscellaneous Legal Provisions
Eligible Compensation includes the amount of a Participant's elective contributions that are made by the Employer on behalf of that Participant that are not includable in gross income under Tax Code Sections 125, 402(e)(3), 402(h), and 401(k).
A-10
A-11
conversion of any convertible securities of Perot Systems will not be treated as a "transaction not involving the receipt of consideration by Perot Systems."
A-12
This Plan has been executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company, effective as of March 12, 2008.
PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION | |||
By: |
|||
Its: | |
A-13
Perot
Systems Corporation
1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan/US
Participating Affiliates
The following corporations are approved by the Board as Participating Affiliates to participate in this Plan.
Hospital
Revenue Associates LLC
Perot Systems BPS, LLC
Perot Systems Government Solutions, Inc.
Perot Systems Healthcare Services LLC
Perot Systems Revenue Cycle Solutions, Inc.
Perot Systems TSI (America), Inc.
PS BP Services LLC
PS eServ Corp.
PSC GP Corporation
PSC Healthcare Software, Inc.
PSC LP Corporation
PSC Security, Inc.
Solutions Consulting LLC
QSS Group, Inc.
J.J. Wild, Inc.
Technical Management, Inc.
Third Party Administration Group, Inc.
Transaction Applications Group, Inc.
PrSM Corporation
Perot Systems Business Process Solutions, Inc.
Perot Systems FS Limited Partnership
PSC Management Limited Partnership
Perot Systems Government Services, Inc.
A-14
Perot Systems Corporation
Amended and Restated
1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan/Non-US
(Subject to Approval on May 9, 2008)
B-1
Table of Contents
|
|
Page |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Purpose of the Plan | ||||
1.1 |
General. |
B-3 |
|||
1.2 | Parallel Plans. | B-3 | |||
2. |
Participation in the Plan |
||||
2.1 |
Eligibility. |
B-3 |
|||
2.2 | Enrollment to Buy Stock. | B-3 | |||
2.3 | Designation of Beneficiary. | B-3 | |||
2.4 | Contributions; Payroll Deductions; Account; No Interest. | B-4 | |||
2.5 | Changes in Contributions. | B-4 | |||
2.6 | Withdrawal. | B-4 | |||
2.7 | Termination of Employment; Leave of Absence. | B-5 | |||
2.8 | Transferability. | B-5 | |||
3. |
Purchase of Stock |
||||
3.1 |
Offering Periods. |
B-5 |
|||
3.2 | Grant of Option; Exercise Price. | B-5 | |||
3.3 | Automatic Exercise of Option. | B-6 | |||
3.4 | Payment for Stock. | B-6 | |||
3.5 | Delivery of Shares; Voting. | B-6 | |||
3.6 | Periodic Reports. | B-7 | |||
3.7 | No Rights in Stock Prior to Exercise. | B-7 | |||
4. |
Operation of the Plan |
||||
4.1 |
Effective Date and Term of Plan. |
B-7 |
|||
4.2 | Shares Authorized for Sale and Issuance Under the Plan. | B-7 | |||
4.3 | Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. | B-7 | |||
4.4 | Administration; Committee. | B-8 | |||
4.5 | Amendment or Termination. | B-9 | |||
4.6 | Approval of the Stockholders. | B-9 | |||
4.7 | No Liability for Good Faith Determinations. | B-9 | |||
5. |
Miscellaneous Legal Provisions |
||||
5.1 |
Definitions. |
B-10 |
|||
5.2 | Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization. | B-12 | |||
5.3 | Notices; Waiver of Notice. | B-12 | |||
5.4 | Severability | B-13 | |||
5.5 | Successors and Assigns. | B-13 | |||
5.6 | Headings. | B-13 | |||
5.7 | Governing Law. | B-13 | |||
5.8 | No Right to Employment. | B-13 |
B-2
Amended
and Restated
1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan/Non-US
(Subject to Approval on May 9, 2008)
1. Purpose of the Plan
2. Participation in the Plan
may purchase Common Stock on the Exercise Date for that Offering Period, subject to the other provisions of this Plan.
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beneficiary was designated, any cash refunds and transfers of Shares shall be made to the appropriate representative of Participant's estate.
An election to stop participating in one Offering Period will not prevent an Eligible Associate from participating in any future Offering Period or in any other Plan adopted by Perot Systems, provided that the Eligible Associate will not participate in any future Offering Period until he or she submits a new Enrollment Agreement.
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3. Purchase of Stock
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Withholding Percentage, multiplied by his or her Eligible Compensation for the Offering Period, divided by the Exercise Price for the next Exercise Date, minus (ii) the number of whole and fractional Shares, if any, necessary to prevent (A) that Participant from exceeding the limits referred to in Section 2.1(a), or (B) the Plan from issuing more shares than are authorized as provided in Section 4.2.
Perot Systems will pay all issue or initial transfer taxes imposed with respect to the issuance or initial transfer of shares, as well as all fees and expenses necessarily incurred by the Company in connection with such issuance or initial transfer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employers are expressly authorized to recover from the Participating Associate the amount of any fringe benefit or similar tax imposed on purchases of Shares under this Plan with the approval of Perot Systems' Vice PresidentHuman Resources.
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4. Operation of the Plan
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distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for Perot Systems, such a representation is required by any of the aforementioned applicable provisions of law.
Any determination, decision or action by the Board or its delegee in connection with the construction, interpretation, administration or application of the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all Participants and any and all persons claiming under or through any Participant.
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approved by independent legal counsel selected by Perot Systems, and amounts paid in satisfaction of a judgment, except a judgment based on a finding of bad faith) arising therefrom to the full extent permitted by law and under any directors and officers' liability or similar insurance coverage that may from time to time be in effect.
5. Miscellaneous Legal Provisions
Eligible Compensation includes the amount of a Participant's elective contributions that are made by the Employer on behalf of that Participant that are not includable in gross income under applicable law.
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notices and other communications relating to the Plan by electronic transmission, including but not limited to the Prospectus relating to the Plan, all enrollment and other participation materials, and all other documents required to be delivered in connection with the Plan. Upon request, Perot Systems will provide any such documents to any Eligible Associate in tangible written form.
This Plan has been executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company, effective as of March 12, 2008.
PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION | |||
By: |
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Its: | |
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Perot Systems Corporation
Amended
and Restated
1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan/Non-US
Participating Affiliates
The following corporations are approved by the Board as Participating Affiliates to participate in this Plan (or, to the extent determined appropriate by the Stock Administrator, a parallel plan).
Perot
Systems (Czech Republic) s.r.o.
Perot Systems Europe (Energy Services) Limited
Perot Systems Europe Limited
Perot Systems TSI (UK) Ltd.
Perot Systems S.A.S.
Perot Systems GmbH
Perot Systems TSI (Germany) GmbH
Perot Systems Hong Kong Limited
Perot Systems Business Process Solutions India Private Limited
Perot Systems India Foundation
Perot Systems TSI (India) Limited
Persys TSI (Ireland) Limited
Perot Systems S.r.l.
Perot Systems Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
Perot Systems México, S. de R.L. de C.V.
Perot Systems Services Mexico, S.C.
Persys Ireland Limited
Perot Systems Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.
Perot Systems Holdings Pte Ltd.
Perot Systems TSI (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
Perot Systems A.G.
Perot Systems TSI (Switzerland) GmbH
Queequeg A.G.
Perot Systems B.V.
Perot Systems Investments B.V.
Perot Systems Nederland BV
Perot Systems TSI (Netherlands) B.V.
Perot Systems TSI (UK) Ltd.
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Directions to Perot Systems' Plano Campus
From DFW International Airport:
Take International Parkway (the one main road running north-south through DFW Airport) North to I-635 East.
Continue East on I-635.
Take Exit #29B to President George Bush Turnpike (TX 190) heading North.
Drive East on President George Bush Turnpike (TX 190) to Plano.
Exit at Custer Parkway.
Turn Left on Custer Parkway to go North.
At Plano Parkway turn Left.
As you head West on Plano Parkway, Perot Systems' Campus is on your left.
Use the first left turn lane entering the Campus parking lot. Once entering the parking lot, proceed to the west end of the parking lot and enter the Campus through the West Lobby.
From Downtown Dallas:
Proceed North on North Central Expressway (IH-75).
Take exit #28B to President George Bush Turnpike going West.
Take the first exitCuster Parkway. Proceed West on the service road to the light at Custer Parkway.
Turn Right on Custer Parkway.
Turn Left at the first light (Plano Parkway).
As you head West on Plano Parkway, Perot Systems' Campus is on your left.
Use the first left turn lane entering the Campus parking lot. Once entering the parking lot, proceed to the west end of the parking lot and enter the Campus through the West Lobby.
PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION Proxy For Annual Meeting of Stockholders |
May 9, 2008 |
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
The undersigned stockholder(s) of Perot Systems Corporation hereby acknowledge(s) receipt of the Proxy Statement dated March 25, 2008, and hereby appoint(s) Thomas D. Williams, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Perot Systems, and Rex C. Mills, Associate General Counsel of Perot Systems, or either of them, proxies, each with full power of substitution, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side, all of the shares of Class A Common Stock of Perot Systems Corporation held of record by the undersigned on March 12, 2008, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the Corporate Headquarters Cafeteria, 2300 West Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75075, at 3:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time on May 9, 2008 or any adjournment thereof. |
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR INSTRUCTIONS AND, IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR (1) THE ELECTION OF ALL DIRECTOR NOMINEES, (2) THE AMENDMENT, RENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF OUR EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN, AND (3) THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2008. IF ANY OTHER MATTERS PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING, THE PERSONS NAMED IN THIS PROXY WILL VOTE IN THEIR DISCRETION. YOU MAY REVOKE THIS PROXY AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE VOTING THEREOF. |
PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND DATE THIS PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. |
(Continued, and to be signed and dated, on the reverse side.) |
ATTN: LEGAL DEPARTMENT 2300 W. PLANO PARKWAY PLANO, TEXAS 75075 |
VOTE BY INTERNETwww.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on May 8, 2008. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by Perot Systems Corporation in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receive all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access shareholder communications electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on May 8, 2008. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Perot Systems Corporation, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. |
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TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: | PEROT1 | KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS | ||
DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY |
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.
PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION | For All |
Withhold All |
For All Except |
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark "For All Except" and write the |
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THE DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES LISTED BELOW. |
o |
o |
o |
number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. |
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PROPOSAL 1 To elect as Directors the nominees listed below. |
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01) Ross Perot 02) Ross Perot, Jr. 03) Peter A. Altabef 04) Steven Blasnik 05) John S.T. Gallagher 06) Carl Hahn |
07) DeSoto Jordan 08) Thomas Meurer 09) Cecil H. (C. H.) Moore, Jr. 10) Anthony J. Principi 11) Anuroop (Tony) Singh |
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THE DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 2. |
For |
Against |
Abstain |
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PROPOSAL 2 Amendment, renewal and extension of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. |
o |
o |
o |
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THE DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 3. |
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PROPOSAL 3 To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008. |
o |
o |
o |
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This proxy card must be signed for your instructions to be executed. Please sign exactly as your name appears on the stock certificate(s). When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. |
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Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date |
Signature (Joint Owners) Date |
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